Heartbeat

by Faith Sullivan

  Just when I think I can’t take any more, a pair of strong arms grabs me from behind drawing me into the safety of their embrace.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Adam

  “Excuse me, did you say Katie Turner?” I ask.

  “Yeah…sorry, but I don’t have time to stop and chat. My grandmother took a turn for the worse, and I have to get the hell out of here,” she responds, obviously distracted.

  “Adam, hello? Are you seriously going to start talking to another girl right now?” Suzanne asks, from behind me.

  “Was she in a car accident not too long ago?” I continue, before Katie’s relative can turn around.

  “Okay, who are you?” she demands, getting up in my face.

  “Are you freaking kidding me, Adam?” Suzanne threatens, but I ignore her.

  “I was driving the ambulance that picked up your grandmother and Katie,” I explain, anxiously.

  “Oh…you’re the guy that…” she mutters, a look of recognition sweeping across her face.

  “You know what, Adam? Screw you,” Suzanne whispers, her mouth next to my ear. She is standing on tiptoe, grasping my shoulder. She pushes me away before moving toward the exit.

  Before I can utter another word, my cell phone rings. Looking Katie’s relative straight in the eyes, I hold up one finger pleading with her not to move. I check the caller ID. It’s Charlie. I quickly answer it.

  “Charlie, what’s going on? I’m kind of in the middle of something. Can I call you back?” I ask.

  “Listen kid, we’re swamped with all of these parade incidents…fights, accidents…you name it. I hate to do this to you on your night off, but they’re wondering if you’re downtown, can you take a unit to a nursing home call? You’ll need to meet the crew at the station in the next ten minutes or so. Are you close by?” he inquires.

  “Yeah, I can make it if I leave right now,” I say, as my stomach drops. I have a feeling I know where this call is going. “What’s the destination?”

  “Shady Hill,” he relates.

  “Okay, Charlie, I’m on it,” I exclaim, before hanging up.

  Katie’s relative stands in front of me, waiting for me to finish.

  “Is your grandmother by any chance at Shady Hill?” I question.

  “Yes,” she whispers. This time, she doesn’t even question how I obtained that information. She seems willing to accept whatever role I am destined to play in this scenario.

  “Walk with me to the exit while I talk, will you?” I request.

  She proceeds to follow me, albeit it somewhat warily.

  “I need to respond to a call at Shady Hill,” I relate. “I think it’s your grandmother. The station is just down the block, and the fastest way to get there would be to come with me now. You can call the people you are with from the ambulance and tell them what’s going on. There’s no time to waste.”

  “Okay,” she replies. I don’t know why she trusts me, but she does.

  Neither of us have our coats, so the briskness of the evening assaults us as we move out of the hot, stuffy bar and onto the street. I grab her hand and start to run. She doesn’t hesitate, keeping pace with me as we dodge people on the crowded sidewalk. Out of breath, we arrive at the station garage. The door is already up and the ambulance’s engine is running.

  Passing through the headlights, I hop into the driver’s seat and glance back into the cab. Great, I have a one-man crew consisting of Chuck. I don’t even ask if he is ready. Katie’s relative is in the front passenger seat, and as soon as her door closes, I take off.

  “Hey douchebag, you don’t even know where we’re going,” Chuck yells as he nearly gets thrown off his feet. “Slow down!”

  “Charlie already clued me in, thanks,” I mutter.

  “I know we’re short-staffed tonight, but I would have to get stuck with the bottom of the barrel. You better watch yourself,” Chuck threatens.

  “Or what? You’re gonna tell your uncle? Get me fired?” I shoot back.

  “Guys, cool it, would ya? My grandma’s in serious condition, and I really don’t need this right now,” Katie’s relative interjects.

  “And what are you doing with a passenger anyway, dickhead?” Chuck continues.

  “I’m not a passenger. I’m Jennifer, the granddaughter of the victim. I have every right to be here. So I suggest you shut up,” she shouts back.

  In the rearview mirror, I can see Chuck’s face turning red. But instead of saying another word, he slouches down in his seat, pulls out his iPod, and proceeds to ignore us. Well, at least with his earbuds in, I can talk to Jennifer with some level of privacy.

  “So it is nepotism at its finest with him, huh?” she asks.

  “You could say that,” I agree.

  Clearly nervous, she still manages a chuckle. “Well, I’m glad you’re the driver and not him. Katie spoke very highly of you.”

  Her passing remark floors me. She did?

  “Listen, Katie’s my cousin, more like a sister, really. I know her like the back of my hand, and for her to even mention a guy, that says a lot,” she explains. “She doesn’t have the easiest life, and I have a feeling it’s about to get a lot harder, so I know she’s gonna need people around she can depend on, who will be there for her no matter what. I don’t know you at all, but if you made an impression on her, you can’t be that bad.”

  She pauses to see what effect her words are having on me. I am startled, pleased, frightened, encouraged. To sum up, I am freaking out.

  “When I’m upset, I tend to talk and talk and talk. I say whatever comes to mind. I am probably babbling right now, and you might think I’m a total whack job, but for some strange reason Katie cares about you,” she continues. “She feels a connection to you. And I know how rare these things can be. You have to grab these moments in life and take advantage of them. I love Katie with all my heart, and if you feel anything for her, anything at all, please be that guy she thinks you are.”

  I remain silent. It is a lot to take in. Katie thinks about me, too. Can this really be possible? Apparently, she feels as strongly about me as I do about her. At least her cousin seems to think so.

  “Please say something,” she begs.

  We are here. I take a deep breath as I drive the ambulance up to Shady Hill’s front door. There is no time to waste if there is any hope of saving her grandmother. But before I get out, I say to Jennifer, “I’ll try.”

  Seeing Chuck moving in the back, I turn around in time to see a smirk plastered on his face. He heard every word. Instead of waiting for me, he opens the rear door and starts to unload the stretcher.

  At this point, I don’t care about proper procedure. I have to get to Katie.

  “C’mon,” I urge Jennifer as we disembark from the ambulance and head to the front door.

  “These damn locks,” she cries as we wait for someone to buzz us in. As soon as we hear the click, we rush through the door. A heart-wrenching scream pierces the air. It’s a sound that will haunt me for the rest of my life. It is the most agonizing thing I’ve ever heard.

  Jennifer stops right outside the first door and looks in. “Oh my God,” she whispers.

  I move closer and look over her shoulder. There, in a heap next to the bed, is Katie, crying as if she will never feel whole again. Deep, mournful sobs issue from her as what appears to be her grandmother’s now lifeless body rests on the bed.

  Without thinking, I move by Jennifer and into the room. I cannot stand by and watch Katie suffer this amount of pain alone. I want to comfort her. I want to take this all away. I want her to know that she is loved.

  Leaning down, I pull her into my arms. I will never let her go. Not now, not ever.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Katie

  For a brief moment, everything around me falls away. I surrender to the force that is holding me up. I’m on the brink of collapse, but someone is keeping my head above water, offering a life preserver in this sea of misery. And I’m not letting go
. Waves of comfort penetrate my soul. I feel safe. I feel secure. I feel loved.

  The back of my hair is being gently caressed as someone’s cheek rests on top of my head. The person is softly shushing me, telling me it is going to be okay. I try tilting my head to get a look at the person, but his arms are wrapped firmly around me keeping me in place, like they will never let me go.

  Who is it? I can tell it’s a guy, but he’s too tall to be Dad. And I can’t remember the last time Dad gave me a pat on the back, much less a hug. He never shows outward signs of affection. Not ever. Not even if Grandma…

  A fresh round of tears threatens to spill forth. When I hear his voice, “Katie, I’m so sorry. I’m so very sorry…”

  Can it be? No, I must be in a state of shock. I passed out, and now I’m hallucinating. I really went off the deep end this time.

  “Katie…Katie, look at me,” the voice pleads.

  Fingertips lightly dance over my face before lifting my chin to receive his gaze. I exhale, losing myself in those eyes whose depths seem so familiar. Eyes I have dreamed about and yearned for. Eyes that capture the heart of a man I know I can love unconditionally, completely, without end.

  “Adam?” I ask, shakily. I am reeling from his unexpected arrival.

  “You know my name?” he asks, smiling like I’ve given him something of great value. “I didn’t think I told you the last time we…”

  “You didn’t. I heard it from your co-worker when he spoke to you,” I break in.

  Again, that breathtaking smile… There is so much behind it, like I can feel how much my words mean to him.

  “You’re amazing, you know that?” he whispers. He bends forward, placing a kiss as light as a feather on my forehead.

  “Um, miss?” the nurse asks, clearing her throat. “I need to…”

  Startled, I turn my head toward the door. The nurse is standing there along with Jennifer and the obnoxious ambulance driver who brought Grandma here. The room is starting to spin again.

  I lean into Adam. “I need some fresh air,” I say.

  “Yes, miss, I think that’s a good idea. I’m so sorry for your loss. It happened so suddenly. I only wish we called 911 sooner,” the nurse says.

  I don’t think I can stand hearing excuses issued over Grandma’s dead body. I have to get out of the room.

  “Come here, Katie,” Jennifer urges as tears run down her face.

  Before I can move from Adam’s embrace, Dad’s voice echoes from the door, “What the hell is going on in here?”

  Chapter Thirty

  Adam

  I immediately drop my arms to my sides and take a step back from Katie. It is a cowardly reaction, but we are all in a delicate situation in the presence of Katie’s grandmother’s body. I am not going to get into a full-blown battle with Katie’s father under these circumstances. The man just lost his mother. I have to back down, whether I like it or not.

  All I want to do is keep Katie safe, and diffusing the situation is the best option. Jennifer seems to agree as she tries easing her way into the room.

  “Uncle Johnny…Grandma’s gone…I’m so sorry,” Jennifer says, patting him on the back, but he doesn’t turn around to face her. “Is there anything you need me to do? Is there anyone you want me to call?”

  Katie’s posture mimics her father’s. They both stand stoically facing each other, neither acknowledging Jennifer or anyone else in the room.

  I take a chance and look Katie’s father in the face, but his eyes are locked on Katie’s—intense and unwavering, like a cobra mesmerizing its prey.

  I will Katie to walk out of the room so I can follow her and we can talk. I don’t want anything to thwart my reunion with her. Nothing is going to stand in my way now. I’m all in, and I want her to know that I’m playing for keeps. Never in my wildest dreams did I think she would re-enter my life in such a way, and I am going to take full advantage of this opportunity that fate has given me. No more backing down. No more running away. I am going to face the situation head on, no matter how unpleasant things get with her father.

  “Dad, Jennifer is talking to you,” Katie speaks, finally breaking her silence.

  And her words ignite his fury. “I don’t care what Jennifer has to say. What have you been up to with this jerk?” he asks, pointing at me. “Whatever you’re trying to pull, it’s over. You hear me? Over.”

  Katie visibly begins to shake. “But Dad…” she starts.

  “Don’t ‘but Dad’ me,” he snarls. “I knew it from the moment I set eyes on this asshole that he was up to no good, and I was right. I want him out of this room. Now.”

  I don’t want to indulge his ego and give in to his bullying, but I don’t have much choice. As I walk by Katie, I hold out my hand to her. She looks up at me with tears in eyes. Her anguished expression rips at my heart. I need her to trust me. I need her to realize I’m not going to abandon her to this dictator. But she has to meet me halfway.

  And in that split second, she takes my hand.

  I can’t help but smile. Too bad her father notices.

  “Get your hands off her!” he yells, forcibly grabbing me by the elbow. This isn’t going to end well.

  “C’mon, sir. We mean no disrespect,” Chuck says as he pries Katie’s father’s grip off my arm. “We’ll be going now.”

  And before I can utter a word, Chuck drags me out of the room and into the hallway.

  “I don’t know what you’re playing at, man, but almost coming to blows with the son of one of our patients? My uncle certainly isn’t going to like hearing about this,” Chuck remarks, heatedly. “So you better keep your head down and your mouth shut, and follow me out of this place. Or else your career as a paramedic is going to be over, before it even begins.”

  “Are you threatening me?” I glare at him. “Because I have no problem speaking to your uncle about what went on here.”

  “Oh, really? How you’ve been stalking a girl through confidential medical records that are the property of our company? Nearly having a physical altercation with the girl’s father next to her grandmother’s deathbed? Yeah, I wanna see you talk your way out of that,” he scoffs.

  “I don’t need to talk my way out of anything. That’s what you do best, isn’t it?” I retort.

  “I’ve had just about enough from you. Let’s settle this here and now,” Chuck says, as he pulls out his cell phone. “Let’s put my uncle on speaker, and see how he resolves things.”

  “Wait…”

  “Ah, so there is some truth to your alleged misconduct. I thought so.”

  “If you wanna bring me up on charges in front of your uncle—fine. But this isn’t the time or the place, and you know it.”

  “Then leave with me, and I’ll drop it…for now.”

  I gaze back at the room. The door is closed, and Katie is still inside. There is no way I am getting back in there. I might as well go. There is nothing I can do as long as her father is here.

  Just as I am about to turn away, the door opens and Jennifer steps out. She peers up and down the hall until she spots me.

  “Oh thank God, I didn’t miss you,” she says, hurrying toward me. “I’m so sorry you didn’t get more of a chance to talk to Katie.” She leans in and grabs my hand, as if to shake it. “But I want to thank you for all that you’ve done for me and my family. We are extremely grateful for everything.”

  At that moment, I feel her slip a piece of paper into my closed palm.

  “C’mon, Adam. I said let’s go,” Chuck commands, holding the door open.

  “I won’t let her down,” I whisper, giving Jennifer a meaningful glance before walking out the door.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Katie

  My heart is breaking and soaring at the same time. I’ve never experienced such conflicting emotions in such a short span of time. My life is unrecognizable. I don’t know how I’m supposed to fit into my old existence when nothing will ever be the same again.

  Grandma is dead. T
he thing that I was dreading…happened. Suddenly. Ruthlessly. Completely. She is gone, and she is never coming back. I can’t wrap my mind around that thought. The finality of it frightens me.

  Now, back at the house, the atmosphere doesn’t feel the same. Even though she wasn’t living here for some time, a new void is taking hold. There is an emptiness, a hollowness, that didn’t exist before. I can’t bear to enter her room, not yet. I need time to process what occurred. I don’t want my grief to get a firm hold. I have to fight these waves of sorrow. I can’t acknowledge them or I will sink with no lifeline in sight.

  But wait, something else happened. Something big. Adam was there. Or was I imagining things? No, he was really there. He brought me back from the depths. He didn’t let me drown. He saved me. When I needed him the most, he was there.

  How can this be? How can he appear at such a critical moment in my life? I can’t comprehend it. I don’t want to comprehend it. I am just grateful that he was there.

  I can hear Dad’s voice from the kitchen. He’s been on the phone since the moment we walked through the door. It’s late, but instead of waiting until tomorrow, he called the funeral director, the church, and anyone he can think of to start making the arrangements. He is manic. He never knows how to deal with his emotions, so he always throws himself into the task at hand. We won’t be any source of comfort to each other during this trying time. In fact, he doesn’t want me anywhere near him.

  He hasn’t said two words to me since he ordered Adam out of the room. As far as I know, he is finished with me. I won’t be surprised if he asks me to pack my bags and leave once the funeral is over, now that he doesn’t have to oblige Grandma by letting me stay.

  My heart starts to race. Where am I going to go? Jennifer will help me as much as she can, but I can’t sleep on her couch indefinitely. She is a newlywed with two small kids. There is no place for me there. I’ll only be a burden.