Page 160 of Reaper's Claim

“Abby, just checking how things are going?”

I stayed quiet, letting the tears slid down my face.

“Abby?”

I cleared my throat. “He’s back in surgery.” I could only string a few words together.

“I’m coming.” What followed was a beeping. I pulled the phone away from my ear.

“They're coming.” I looked across at Kim, and she nodded her head.

“I’ve been thinking,” Kim moved a seat over, sitting next to me. “We should call the Shields.”

That wasn’t a terrible idea. They had a right to know. Doubted they would care, but they did have a right to know.

“I’ll call Amber,” I said.

Kim nodded her head. “You should do it now. Just in case.”

I knew what she was referring to. Just in case Dad didn’t make it. Then they knew he was sick before he passed.

I was so numb now that it wasn’t even causing me to cry.

I reached for my phone and scrolled down to her name.

The ringing tone followed.

“Hello?”

“Amber, it’s Abby Harrison.”

“I know, I saved your number.” Her voice wasn’t hard or cold. She sounded perhaps friendly.

“Dad’s had a heart attack.” I was straight to the point. I couldn’t be bothered with small talk.

“How bad?”

“He’s just had another attack; he’s been rushed into a second surgery.”

“Are you ok?” Her words were genuine, kind, and caring. “And Kim?”

“No.”

“We’ll ride out this afternoon.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I said we would be there; we will be there.”

“Thanks.”

“Abby, he’s a strong man. Don’t give up on him yet.”

“Thanks.” I felt like a frozen record.

“I’ll be seeing you soon,” Amber said before she hung up.

“They're coming.” I sighed. Kim dropped her head on my shoulder, and we sat in the empty waiting room.

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