Page 109 of Courage, Dear Heart

“Yes.” I give him Sheila’s number. He steps away to make the call.

I close my eyes, willing the tears to stay away.

The paramedic returns. “She wants to talk to you.”

I take the phone. “Hey.”

“Are you okay? Jamie? Daisy?”

“Yes. We’re fine. Scared, a little banged up, but fine.”

“Oh my God, Jillian. I’m so sorry.”

I look up past the paramedics, past the milling curious people, and at the building that was our home. Gray smoke billows through broken windows. Firefighters hose down the walls and neighboring buildings. Everything I built and worked for turned into black slush and soot running down the sidewalk. “Can you do me a favor and call Angela? Tell her what happened. Ask her to access the store order system in the cloud and make arrangements for other stores to cover us. And let the other employees know.”

“Jesus, of course I can. But this is not the time to worry about flower deliveries.”

“But it is. I can’t let them down.” My voice is robotic. I can hardly recognize myself.

“Where are they taking you? I’ll come to the hospital.”

For a moment longer, I remain still, watching my entire life go up in smoke and flames. Another horrifying memory brands itself deep within me. “It’s fine. You don’t have?—”

“So help me God, Jillian. Tell me where they’re taking you and Jamie, or I swear?—”

“Okay, okay. I don’t know where they’re taking us. You can ask the paramedic.”

“I will. And I’ll call Elliott.”

I try to speak, and it sends me into another coughing fit. The paramedic makes a sign for me to put my mask back on. I take a few deep inhales. I don’t want her to call him, but then I’ll have to explain why, and this is not the time. “Thank you. I have to go.”

“Okay. I’ll see you soon. Love you both.”

“Love you too.” I give the phone back to the paramedic. “Can you tell her where you’re taking us, please?”

The ER doctor finishes examining both of us and takes notes in her tablet, her gaze straying to Daisy sitting quietly in a box on Jamie’s lap. “You two are very lucky. The damage from smoke inhalation is minimal, but I want to keep you both here for observation overnight. I’ve asked for a room to be prepared for you. And for some clean scrubs to be brought to the room as well. I’m sure you want to shower and get cleaned up.”

Jamie signs, and the doctor looks at me for a translation.

“He’s asking if Daisy can stay with us, too.”

“I’m afraid that pets are not allowed to stay in the hospital.”

Jamie’s lip trembles.

“That’s okay, honey. Sheila will take Daisy home with her. It will be like a little vacation for Daisy.”

The doctor smiles. “A nurse will be here in a few minutes to take you to your room.”

“Mommy?” The sound of Jamie’s voice surprises me. It’s raspy with disuse and smoke.

I blink away tears. Still not used to his sporadic choice to speak. “Yes, baby?”

He signs.What will happen now?

SIXTY-TWO

Elliott

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