Page 145 of Puck Me Secretly

“Medics are 5 minutes out,” Brian spoke.

Hand over my mouth, I watched as the officer ripped open Dad’s shirt and started compressions.

“Oh no. Oh no.”

The other officer returned to Dad’s side. He attached wires to Dad’s chest.

“Charging.”

“Clear.”

“Set, go.”

Dad’s body jerked.

Brian pulled me up to my feet, but I couldn’t take my eyes of Dad’s lifeless body. “Rory.”

Please wake up, Dad. Please wake up.

“Rory!” Brian’s face loomed in front of mine.

“What?” I felt dazed, like I was in a bad dream. This wasn’t happening.

“Rory,” Brian snapped his fingers in front of my face. “You needto call your mom.”

“What?”

“She needs to meet you at the hospital.”

“Okay, good idea.” I stumbled to the table, dug through my purse and dialed.

“Hello, darling. How was your night last night?”

I squeezed my eyes tight. “Mom. Something’s happened. I need you to stay calm.”

“Rory, you’re scaring me.”

“Is the car there?”

“No, your father took it.”

I heard shouting and behind me, two paramedics pushed a stretcher into the room. I got distracted by their conversation.

“What do we have?”

“A 56-year-old man, unresponsive. No pulse. One AED charge.”

“Okay let’s try again.”

“Charging.”

“Clear.”

“Set, go.”

Dad’s body jerked.

“No pulse.”

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