Page 112 of Black Flag

The young receptionistbehind the counter smiled glancing at my racing suit I was still wearing.

“Umm let me see.” shebegan looking through the computer. “Do you know when she arrived? I’m notfinding anything.”

“I don’t know when shearrived.” He huffed back at her. “They brought her by helicopter.” Aiden wasbeing way more patient with her than I would be.

“Do you know her dateof birth?”

Oh for Christ sakes,you have to be fucking kidding me!

I snapped.

“Her name is SwayReins; she is twenty-three years old. Her birthday is September 13th, 1980. Nowlook in your fucking computer and tell me what goddamn room she is in!” Ishouted back at her slamming my fists on the counter in front of me, shakingthe computer, pens and brochures gathered on the counter.

She flinched back at myharsh tone and gasped.

Yes lady, I haveaggression issues...deal with it. Everyoneelse does.

She glared. “She is notin a room,” she chided rolling her eyes. “She is in the trauma center. No onecan see her right now. There is a waiting room for families over there,” shepointed us to where we could wait.

Aiden cursed the wholeway to the waiting room about how rude she had been to us. I, on the otherhand, was numb again. All I wanted to do was be there for her as she was allalone up there with god knows who caring for her and our baby.

As walked around thehospital aimlessly I eventually found some vending machines so I decide to getsome water for Aiden and me. My throat felt like the Mojave Desert.

Eventually, Iapproached the hall leading to the critical care units. A security guard stoodfirmly outside the doors. Sizing him up I contemplated the variety of ways Icould take him down to get to Sway. It wouldn’t be hard but would surely causea scene. He had a gun but at this point, that wouldn’t stop me. He also hadpepper spray and ataser. I’ve experienced bothgrowing up with Spencer and Sheriff Taylor.Although, I wouldprefer thetaserto the pepper spray.Reluctantly, I continued walking in the other direction because the last thingI needed right now is to cause a scene.

After another two longhours of waiting, my dad and my came walking down the hall. He was stilldressed in his racing suit as well. Aiden and I both looked at each other. Ifelt nauseous again. Under the queasiness, I felt assuagement that they hadbeen with her.

“Boys, come with me.”his voice was cold, detached. I had never seen my dad behave this way before.

Mom, in tears, movedpast us and held up her cell phone. “I think it’s time we call Charlie.”

I just nodded and drewin a shaky breath, my hand reached out for the wall beside me.

“Where’s Emma?” Aidenasked him as we began walking with him.

“With the police,” Heanswered refusing to look at me as he kept walking toward the long hallway thatled to the ICU.

“What are the policedoing?” Aiden was trying to get him to give more information but it wasapparent that wasn’t going to happen. I could tell from the look on my dad’sface they weren’t doing a goddamn thing, making my anger peak once again.

“Right now nothing,there’s nothing they can do until we hear from Sway exactly what happened. Theyhave issued a warrant for his arrest but nothing has come up.” He opened thedoor to a secluded room.

“Aiden, I need to speakwith Jameson alone for a few moments. I will be right back.”

Breathing heavy, Itried to catch my breath. Gasping for air, I reached for the table to steadymyself. My dad noticed. His eyes were watchful of my every motion.

He closed the doorbehind him and walked over to me, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Jameson,”he gasped pulling me into a tight hug.

I twisted away needingconfirmation. Looking into his eyes I hoped to see encouragement in them thatshe was all right but was not finding it.

“Is she...” I couldn’t finish, gasping.

Please tell me she’sstill alive! Please tell me my angel is still breathing!

“Son, they are doingeverything they can do for her and the baby,” His face solemn. “I’m sorry.”

“Dad,” I warned.

He closed his eyes for along moment before speaking in a low strained voice. This was hard for him too.

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