Page 51 of The Transfer
“Riggs, what’s wrong?” My heart drops into my stomach, and I feel nauseous. It seems like it takes him minutes to answer, but I know it is only seconds.
“My dad. He collapsed, and they had to call an ambulance.” I hear the emotion in his voice, and tears start falling. His worst fears are becoming a reality.
“What do you need?” I am already getting my keys out. I’ll send my family a text to let them know once we arrive at the hospital. I have to get him to his dad.
He doesn’t answer right away, so I lead him to the Jeep. He gets in, and we start the short drive to the hospital. He grabs my hand and holds on to it for dear life.
It takes us about fifteen minutes to get to the hospital, and I drop Riggs at the front entrance while I find a parking spot.
As quickly as I can, I make it into the ER, and I see Riggs waiting for me, body tense and his eyes swimming.
“Riggs.” I get one word out while his arms pull me in, and I hold on to him. He sags, and I feel his whole body shaking as he cries. It only takes a minute before he composes himself, and we go in search of Nora.
We find his mom in the small waiting room. She looks like she’s still in shock. Seeing us, she rushes over and hugs me. Then she pulls Riggs to her, and they both embrace, exchanging quiet words and tears between them.
After a few moments, Riggs looks at his mom. “Has the doctor said anything yet?”
Her face drops as she looks at her son, the spitting image of his father. “Yes, he said we can go to his room in a few minutes. He wants to talk to us after Dad is settled.”
He responds with a nod, but I see the fear in his eyes. We all sit in the waiting room chairs. It’s just the three of us in here, and the silence is deafening. Riggs holds my hand on his lap. I squeeze it, and he looks at me with a slight smile on his face. Those green eyes hold the pain of the world in them, and my heart breaks for him.
“Thank you for bringing me, Sunshine.”
“Always.” I honestly don’t know what to say. I want to take all his pain from him.
It takes a few more minutes before a nurse enters and tells us that Joel is settled and can see visitors. Not sure what to do, I stay in my seat. The last thing I want is to overstep during a sensitive time.
Before I can say anything, Riggs pulls me up and whispers in my ear, “Reagan, please come in with me.”
“Of course. I’ll do whatever you need.” I brace myself for what is behind the door.
THIRTY-SIX
RIGGS
Walking into my dad’s hospital room, I feel bile rise in my throat. I hold on to Reagan like she is my lifeline because at this moment, she is. She squeezes my hand and lets me walk in first. It may be a small gesture, but it keeps me grounded when all I want to do is run away from all of this.
It takes everything in me not to fall to the ground as I see my father, weak and pale, lying in a hospital bed. He is sleeping and looks at peace, his pain being managed by the medications flowing into him from the IV bags next to the bed. Mom sits on one side holding his hand. I walk over to the other side and pull up two chairs, so Reagan and I can sit. I’m not sure he even knows we’re here.
As we wait for the doctor, time passes slowly. It doesn’t take long before Dad stirs and opens his eyes. They look confused at first, but then widen as he darts them between Mom and me. As realization sets in, he tries to control his emotions and offers a small smile. I know he is doing it for us because no one in his position would be smiling otherwise.
“Oh, honey, I’m so glad you are awake. You scared me!” Momplayfully swats at him, easing some of the tension flowing through the room.
The doctor walks in, gives a professional smile, and then gets right down to it. “Mr. and Mrs. Hart, I don’t want to be harsh, but things aren’t looking good. I want to keep Joel here for a few days to try to get things stable.” He gives them a sad grimace as he realizes that means Dad will be here over Christmas.
“Riggs, can you and Reagan give us a moment with the doctor?” Dad says in a serious tone. I don’t even try to argue as I stand, grab Reagan’s hand, and we walk to the door.
“We’ll go grab coffee. Nora, I’ll get you one as well,” Reagan says.
Mom gives her a smile, mouthing, “Thank you,” as we step into the hall.
I stay silent as we slowly walk to the elevator that will take us down to the cafeteria. Reagan looks up at me, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders, her touch calming me and sending my pulse racing at the same time. I push the button to the lobby, and we wait for the doors to open.
“I don’t know what to say, Riggs. I want to be here for you and help in any way I can.” Stepping on the elevator, I quickly close the door so that it’s just us.
“Right now, I just need you, Reagan.” I pull her to me in an embrace and squeeze her tight.
“You have me, Riggs.” I hope she means that. But also, I don’t know if I can give her anything. I don’t know anymore.
