Page 2 of Free Heart
A police scanner radio that someone’s brought into the meadow alerts me that Dan is alive, and that he’s even moved a few times—much to the chagrin of the rescue team downclimbing with a backboard to stabilize him. They keep yelling at himnotto move, and their voices echo off the granite walls all around.
Based on Tom’s description of the rescue team, I think Rye’s up there, which makes sense since he’s on the YOSAR volunteer crew. Knowing that he’s there soothes my nerves a little. At least Dan is hearing a familiar voice, and I know Rye will do whatever it takes to help him.
Earlier, Tom had zoomed in with his scope to see what he could report to the emergency operators. He’d told them there was a lot of blood on Dan’s head, but he couldn’t tell if it was from a serious injury or just an abrasion. Scalp injuries bleed a lot, and I’m holding onto the hope that he’s not up there with his skull bashed in.
Tom also said it looks like Dan’s leg is “all wrong.” He’d sounded a bit sick when he said it. He mentions it again and again every time he looks through the scope, and when he lets others have a turn, they gasp about Dan’s leg as well.
I can’t bring myself to use Tom’s scope again. After what I saw the first time…
I just want Dan down on the ground, safe and sound. I just want to be by his side, but I don’t know how to accomplish that. I can’t hike the back way up El Cap in time, so I’m strandedhelpless here in the meadow, when I want nothing more than to be with him when they bring him up top.
I sense Lowell’s approach before I see him. The man’s got energy like a storm coming. It makes him noticeable no matter where he is or how big the crowd. He’s a force of his own kind, and he glowers as he reaches me. It’d be scary except I know him, and he always looks this severe, just maybe not so intense about it. But he’s friendly with Rye and Dan, even if it’s somewhat casually, so he’s sweating this situation too.
“Hey,” Lowell says in his deep, gruff voice. It’s almost like a vibration, and it hums in the air around us. “This is terrifying, huh?”
I nod.
“You hanging in there?”
“Not really,” I say. My voice is hollow and wired to the max. I feel like I sound as if I’m going to both ascend out of my skin and like I’m already disembodied. Shock, I guess.
Lowell hands me a cold thermos. “Drink. You’re going to get dehydrated out here.” He clarifies, “It’s water.”
I take a long swig, and I barely feel it as it goes down. I hand the thermos back to him, but he waves it away. “Keep hold of it. Drink more. Passing out won’t help anyone.”
We gaze at El Capitan as I mindlessly take several more swallows before my stomach starts to rebel again. A shout rises from the wall, and I don’t know if it’s Dan’s voice or one of the rescuers. I don’t know anything about what’s going on up there. Just that I want it to be over. I want it to be a dream. I want to wake up at home in bed and Dan will be there, and I’ll feed the cats, and—
“So, here’s the situation,” Lowell interrupts my frantic thoughts. “Dan’s alive, but he’s got a pretty gruesome leg injury and a head wound. They can’t tell for sure how bad that is. He’s floating in and out of consciousness.”
“How do you know this?”
“Former YOSAR, and I have a police scanner in my car and at home. I listen sometimes.” He shrugs like that’s a normal hobby. “This morning, when I heard the first reports come in, I knew it was Dan, so I’ve been following the situation.”
“Oh.” I don’t tell him that I already knew all that from the people with police scanners out here in the meadow. It doesn’t matter. “Thanks for letting me know.” My voice is so fucking weird, like a ghostly hologram.
“That’s why I’m here. I remembered you’ve been seeing him. Figured I’d find you here in the meadow. It’s where I’d be if someone I loved were up there.” He glances around at the crowd as if he’s ensuring no one’s listening. “I know you want to stay until they have him safely removed from the ledge, but there’s nothing you can do for him down here.”
“Is there something I can do for himanywhere?” I ask hysterically, and I think that’s a fair way to feel. Lowell must also think so because he remains sternly impassive.
“They’re going to take him to Fresno, to the trauma center there. It’s a two-hour drive. Between getting him on the backboard, lifting him up the wall, and transferring him to the helicopter, plus the flight, that’s about an hour and a half right there. Maybe more depending on what they’ve found up on the ledge and how careful they need to be in moving him. If we leave now, we can meet them at the trauma center. You can make a difference there.”
“Will they let me back to see him?” Until this moment, I haven’t even considered whether the hospital will let me see Dan. I’ve just wanted himinthe hospital where they can care for him. I need someone to tell me he’s going to be all right.
“If he’s conscious, yeah, I imagine so. You’re his boyfriend, aren’t you?”
I nod.
“So, if he’s conscious, he’ll tell them you’re allowed back. If he’s not, then they won’t let anyone but family see him. Don’t worry, though, I know some queer-friendly staff there, and if I verify you’re together, well…you never know.”
I swallow hard, turning back to peer at El Cap. I can’t see anything that’s going on. The rescue workers are all just dots of moving colors on the wall. I’m tempted to ask Tom for a look through his scope again, but I also know whatever I see will only scare me more. I need to keep my head together if I’m going to be helpful to Dan. My father didn’t freak out on my mother, did he? No, he was solid, and comforting, and strong. I can do that. I can be that man for Dan.
“I’ll drive you,” Lowell says. “I’m familiar with the roads and the hospital. I don’t think you’re safe to drive yourself.”
I nod because he’s right. There’s no way I can drive anywhere. I’m not even sure I can figure out how to start my car right now, as overwhelmed as I am.
“You can pick your car up later or have a friend get it for you.” He frowns slightly. “I don’t suppose you have a change of clothes in it, do you?”
“Why?” I do, but it’s a weird thing to ask. I glance down at myself, making sure I’m properly dressed and that I haven’t been standing out here in the meadow in my pajamas or something. I’m wearing sweatpants, a blue hoodie, and a SHINee t-shirt, and my hair’s up in a ponytail. I’m decent.
