Page 16 of Tangled Up In You
“This is a guide on how to write a paper,” I said. “For an essay, there are three parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. For creative writing, those rules don’t matter as much, but you still need to be able to string your thoughts into one comprehensive piece.”
After the papers were handed out, I went back to the front of the room and grabbed the marker. I wrote on the board as I continued talking. “I’m going to have you try your hand at both a research paper, and also a creative writing piece on whatever you choose.”
Kasey raised her hand. “A research paper?”
“Yep,” I said, putting the cap back on the marker. “Knowing how to research is important for college, again, regardless of subject. I’ll have a selection of topics that I’ll assign each of you next week. You’ll have class time to work on it, but I expect you to work on it at home as well.”
I spent the rest of class going over the sheet and answering any questions. As expected, most of them didn’t look too thrilled at hearing they’d have to write a research paper, but it was a necessary evil.
They’d thank me later.
When I was in college, I’d found out real quick how unprepared my high school teachers had made me, and I didn’t want any of them to go through that.
At the end of the day, I stayed in my classroom about an hour after school just in case any students needed to come in and talk about anything. Sometimes they had questions about an assignment and didn’t have time during school hours to ask them or were too embarrassed during class to do so. Once the hour passed, I packed up my things and went out to my car.
That’s when I got the call.
“Hello?” I said, not looking at the caller ID before answering. I flung my messenger bag in the passenger’s seat before sliding into the driver’s side and starting the engine. The snow had melted, but a chill still lingered in the air, and I wanted to get the heater going.
“Is this Hunter Walsh?”
I stopped fidgeting with the controls as a weird feeling settled in my gut. “Yes…who’s calling?”
“This is Tracy, a nurse at St. Edwards hospital. I’m calling on behalf of Bill Taylor. You’re listed as his emergency contact.”
“Is he okay?” I asked, knowing how ridiculous my question was.
When Corbin left for USC years ago, I’d started visiting Bill a lot. I’d been close to him for years prior to that, so it wasn’t a bother at all to stop in and check on him every day. Corbin was the only family he had left, and with Corbin away, he’d made me his emergency contact. Not as a stab against Corbin, but more so because I’d be the one nearest to him if something happened.
“Mr. Taylor has had a heart attack,” she said. “I’m not at liberty to say anything further, but I suggest getting here as soon as you can, hun.”
“I’m on my way.”
I left the school parking lot and headed toward the hospital. It was about a twenty minute drive from my location, and I became impatient as the clock ticked off the seconds. I needed to tell Corbin. He’d given me his number a while back, but I’d never used it to contact him, instead keeping to social media. It felt more impersonal that way.
However, he needed to know and soon. I cast aside my reserves about him and scrolled to his name in my phone before hitting call.
“Hello?” he answered after two rings.
My heart jumped up into my throat. I’d seen him do interviews over the years, but I hadn’t actually directly spoken to him since the day in his dorm. I’d forgotten how much I missed hearing his voice.
“Hey, it’s Hunter.” And then I added, “Walsh.”
Rustling sounded on his end of the phone and he didn’t say anything for a few seconds. I got the impression he was walking somewhere.
“Fuck it’s good to hear your voice,” he said moments later, mirroring my exact thoughts. “How are you? I never thought you’d—”
“I didn’t call to catch up,” I interjected, hating to cut him off. “It’s Grandpa Bill. I just got a call from the hospital and he had a heart attack.”
“What? Shit. Is he okay? Are you with him right now?”
“I’m almost there,” I responded, inwardly cursing the damn stoplight as I got stuck at it. I tapped my free hand on the top of the steering wheel as I waited for the light to turn green. “I don’t know how bad it is, Cor, but you need to get here.”
I didn’t stop to think about what that’d mean for us—him coming back to Willow. All that mattered right then was Bill, and Corbin would hate himself if he didn’t make the effort to see him.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” he said as more rustling sounded. “Keep me updated until I get there, okay?”
“Of course.” I pulled into the hospital parking lot and hunted for a spot. I didn’t hang up, even though there was nothing more to say. His breathing on the other side told me he felt the same. Tears stung my eyes as it all hit me at once. “I gotta go. I’ll call you when I know more.”
