Page 107 of Home Town Advantage
“No, Sulley, it’s not.” She sounds hysterical and frantic. “Do you know where Vance is? Jane has been trying to get in touch with him all morning. He’s not answering his phone.”
“I’m…umm…I’m not sure. What’s wrong?”
“Francesca has been in a terrible accident. She was airlifted to Helena Memorial. Can you help us get in touch with him? It’s urgent.”
I swallow at what I know needs to be done. “Of course. He’s…he’s right here. I’ll wake him.”
She’s silent, but I can’t worry about that right now.
I shake his arm. “Vance, wake up.”
His eyes blink open, and he smiles. In his crackly morning voice, he says, “Hey, sexy. You up for another round?”
I cover his mouth before this gets any worse. “My mother is on the phone.” His eyes widen. “Stay calm. Francesca has been injured. Your mother has been trying to get in touch with you. You should call her right away.”
He bolts his head up and reaches for his phone. After pressing the screen a few times, the phone is to his ear. “Mom, what happened?”
He stands, walks into my bathroom, and closes the door behind him. I can no longer hear what he’s saying. He doesn’t want me to.
“Momma, he’s talking to Jane now.”
“Thank god.” She’s quiet for a moment. “Sulley, are you two…together?”
“No,” I immediately respond, but then it sort of feels like a lie. “Well…I’m not sure,” I correct. “We spend time together. A little more than I let on. He wants more, but I don’t know that I can ever give it to him, considering everything that’s happened.”
I hear Vance screaming, “Listen, you selfish bitch. I’m coming.”
What the hell? He wouldnevertalk to his mother like that.
He yells, “No, Maddie. Too bad. I told you this would happen. How could you be so irresponsible?”
Oh, Maddie. That makes more sense. He sounds mad.Reallymad.
My mother starts talking, but I cut her off. “Momma, let me run. I need to help him. I’ll call you later.”
“Oh, okay. Pray for Francesca.”
“I will.”
Vance walks out of the bathroom looking stressed.
“What’s happening?” I ask.
He aggressively pulls on his boxer briefs like he’s angry with them. “I told that dumb bitch not to let her ride the ATV, but she wouldn’t listen. Sheneverfucking listens.” Fear fills his eyes. “It flipped, and her abdomen was impaled by the brake. She’s about to head into surgery. I need to get there.”
I slip out of bed. “Of course. I’ll go with you.” I’m not sure why, but I feel the need to be there for him.
His eyes meet mine. “It’s going to get ugly, Sulley. Maddie and I don’t exactly see eye to eye…on anything.”
I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his body. “Well then, you’ll need someone in your corner. Tell me what I can do to help.”
He relaxes his body into mine as he returns my embrace. “Thanks. Flights. I’m not sure how to handle that. I need to get there. Today. As soon as possible. Maybe we should check flights from Newark or Baltimore.”
It’s well known there’s only one flight from Philadelphia to Helena each day, and it’s in the morning, meaning we missed it. Newark, New Jersey, and Baltimore, Maryland, are both less than two hours away. Each has an airport, but I have a different idea.
Two hours later, we’re taking off. I called Reagan about using her private jet, and she agreed without hesitation.
I’ve never seen Vance so stressed, and he’s always stressed. Maddie stopped taking his calls, so he doesn’t have any updates on the surgery. He spoke with his parents, and they agreed to head to the hospital.
