Page 59 of Shameless
We were almost finished eatingthe delicious tacos with chicken, a whipped feta spread, and fresh onion, tomatoes, and cucumbers when my cell rang. Usually, I wouldn’t answer the call because I never want to be rude, but it was my aunt’s ringtone and I figured she’d like to say hello to her friend. Plus, I was a bit worried after learning she’d been ill.
“It’s my aunt,” I announced, looking at Aimee.
She smiled. “Answer it.”
“Hey, Aunt Deb,” I answered.
“Sarah, it’s Roger.”
“Oh, hi, Roger.”
Aimee’s brow furrowed and she must have been just as confused as I was about why he was calling from Aunt Deb’s phone.
“I’m sorry to have to call you, but I had to bring your aunt to the ER in San Antonio today. She’s not doing too well,” he advised.
“What happened?”
“She got the flu and doctors say she now has pneumonia. It’s not looking good.”
“Not looking good?” I repeated, not fully understanding. “What do you mean, not looking good?”
Aimee gasped, and Robert grabbed her hand. Blake reached under the table and squeezed my knee. I felt like I was going to throw up.
“I think you need to fly out here.”
“I’m in Houston. I can be in San Antonio in about three hours.”
“Two.” Blake stood.
“Okay, sweetie. Hurry.”
Hurry? Was there a chance I wouldn’t make it in time? How quickly could someone die from pneumonia? I thought most people recovered from it. But then maybe her Parkinson’s made it more dire.
“What’s happening?” Aimee questioned as soon as I hung up the call.
“Roger took Aunt Deb to the ER. Doctors say she has pneumonia, and Roger said to hurry.”
“Hurry? Why?” Blake asked.
“He said it doesn’t look good.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I think he means for me to say goodbye.”
He pulled me into his arms, wrapping himself around me and holding me tight. “I’m so sorry.”
“We better go,” Robert stated.
“Leave everything on the table and let’s go. I’ll make hotel reservations on the way.” Aimee walked out of the room.
Blake went to get Skye as I made my way to the front door and put my jacket on. I felt as though I was living in someone else’s body as I tried to process what was happening.
“I should call my dad,” I whispered. “You know, just in case Roger didn’t.”
“Let’s get in the car and you can call while we’re on the road,” Blake urged.
“Thank you for dinner.” I turned to Blake’s parents.
“Oh, honey.” Aimee wrapped me in her arms. “You’re welcome here any time.”
Aimee and Robert climbed into their car while Blake, Skye, and I got into Blake’s truck. None of us had a change of clothes or anything. We were just driving toward Aunt Deb.
