Maria flushes Dad’s IV and tapes it off. She checks the monitor for changes in blood pressure before removing the cuff. “They will put this back on in the ambulance,” she says, just as three paramedics enter the room.
“Hey, Frank. I’m Mike, this is Jimmy, and Nick. We’re going to get you moved onto the gurney, okay? Just let us do the work. If anything feels off, let us know.” The two other paramedics stand on either side of Dad, while Mike takes a position near the head of the gurney.
He lowers the bedrail and raises the gurney to match the height of the bed and locks the wheels. Josh, Joan, and I watch while they check the heart monitor lines, IV, and oxygen tubing.
Then, before I realize, the two on either side of Dad roll the edges of his bed sheet and Mike gives the command.
“Okay, on three—one, two, three, slide.”
Then Dad is moved, and Mike busies himself propping his pillow up and adjusting the wires. Maria brings over a couple of blankets and layers them on Dad, tucking his feet in.
“Are you comfortable, Mr. Frank?” Maria asks, grinning.
Dad gives a thumbs up as they pull the curtain open and prepare to move.
Joan moves to Dad’s side. “Call me when you get settled in a room, okay? Or have Melanie call me.” She plants a kiss on his cheek, and I look away.
My gaze catches Josh’s for the first time. He’s been quiet for the past couple of minutes, looking at his phone.
Josh licks his lips and steps toward me, raking a hand through his hair. “So, uh, if you’re okay with it, I’ll stop by your place and grab some clothes for us. I left some things there.” Josh’s voice is thick, raspy with emotion.
“I noticed.” My eyes move from his to his lips and then back again. I fight the urge to caress his cheek. “Josh,” I whisper, unable to hold back the emotions flooding me.
“I got the hotel room. I’ll drive up, check in, and then come to the hospital.” He looks like he wants to reach for me but puts his hand in his pocket instead.
Oh, how I want to reach for him. Hold him, and kiss him, apologize to him for all the words left unspoken.
“Melanie, we’re going.” My dad’s voice carries from the hall.
“I’ll see you.” I back away slowly and turn.
“Call me if you think of anything,” Josh calls after me.
But I don’t reply. I have to jog to catch up to my dad.
I climb into the passenger seat in the front of the ambulance and buckle my seatbelt, turning around to watch as they get Dad settled.
“You okay, Daddy?” I ask, trying desperately to steady my wavering voice.
“I’m as okay as I can be, sweetheart,” he croaks. “Mike, we get the sirens? Or are we taking the scenic route?”
Mike chuckles as he slides in next to me. “Scenic route, big guy. You’re stable, and we want to keep it that way.”
“Got it.” Dad’s voice sounds far away now.
“Just try to relax,” one of the other men says.
“Listen to them, Daddy. Close your eyes,” I murmur.
“Melly?”
“Yeah, Dad?”
“I told you he would be back.”
38
JOSH
