Page 10 of Resurrect Me

“You passed out and hit your head on the coffee table, Tacy,” the Sheriff says as a paramedic with blue gloves shines a flashlight into my eyes.

“Pupils are reactive,” the young paramedic says as another takes my blood pressure and oxygen levels.

“Vitals are stable,” an older female paramedic says.

There’s a knot on the side of my head that’s throbbing. I raise my hand to touch it, when the paramedic grabs my hand and says, “you’re bleeding, Ma’am. Don’t touch.”

I cut my eyes at him and jump to my feet. “I’m fine. Where’s my kids?”

The Sheriff smiles and reaches out to touch my arm gently. “They’re fine, Tacy. They’re outside with my Deputy.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Okay, good.”

The paramedics are cleaning up their equipment, when the woman looks at me and says, “we’re taking you to the hospital.”

“No, you’re not. I can’t leave my kids. I won’t leave my kids.”

“Tacy, you hit your head hard. We really need to get you checked out. I’m worried you’ll need stitches and maybe even have a concussion. Don’t you have someone to watch the kids while you’re being looked over?”

I groan, “Yes. My mother.”

“What’s her name and number, please?” Fred asks.

I answer then follow the paramedics out the front door, while the Sheriff calls my mother and explains what happened. Or…tries to explain. Because it sounds like my mother is giving him the fifth degree. Typical Judy Beckner. Instead of being worried and agreeing to help, she has to ask a million questions before committing.

“Get the stretcher!” The young EMT calls.

“No!” I say. “I don’t need a stretcher. I can fucking walk.”

Whoops. I cursed in front of the kids. I kneel in front of Cammy and Ben, who are sitting in two rocking chairs on the front porch. Ben’s clutching his stuffed elephant and Cammy’s face is tear stained. My heart sinks seeing them this way.

“Hey, kiddos. Listen. I know things seem scary and weird right now, but everything’s going to be okay. Mommy got a little dizzy and passed out. So, they want to take me to work to get checked out, okay? You’ll stay with Grandma until they discharge me from the hospital.”

“Mom, are you okay?” Cammy asks as tears flow freely down her rosy little cheeks.

I nod and smile at her. “I swear, Cammy. I’m fine. I bumped my head and might need a couple stitches. No big deal.”

“Who broke in the house, Mommy?” Ben inquires. My smart little man always asking questions.

I shake my head, “I’m not sure, Bud. But don’t worry, we’re getting an alarm and cameras.”

Ben jumps up and throws his arms around my neck.

“And maybe a dog,” I say. And that one word elicits a cheer from both kids.Dog. We’ve always wanted one. “A big, ass-kicking canine.”

Cammy and Ben both wince.

“Mom, you said a bad word, again,” says Ben.

“You want a dog or not?”

Four stitches, an empty stomach, and a disgruntled mother. That’s all I have to show for my entire Tuesday. Oh, right. Add to the list a house that was burglarized which the police don’t seem to care to investigate. At least I don’t have a concussion.

Chapter 8

Sol

“Where were you last night?” I text her again. But I’ve been patient. I’ve waited a week. I drove by the house and noticed Tacy’s car in the driveway. At seven PM. But there were no lights on. I peeked in the windows. No one was home. All night.

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