Page 65 of More than a Memory

“Remember your promise! You and Annie are coming for a visit in the spring!” Charlotte said.

“Yep, we promise!” Annie agreed.

“How about a game of Monopoly?” Emma asked.

“I’m in.”

“Me too.”

“Me three.”

* * *

Darcy had been asleep for about an hour when her cell phone rang. Groggily, she glanced at the number not recognizing it.

“Hello?”

“Darcy, it’s Gabe. There’s been an accident.”

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“An accident? What do you mean an accident?” Darcy asked, immediately wide awake.

“It’s Sam. He’s being Care Flighted to the University Hospital. His truck overturned on his way home from an emergency call. He was unconscious when the paramedics arrived. That’s all I know. I’m heading over there now,” Gabe said.

“Oh my God, oh my God. Sam! Oh my God!” Darcy said, starting to tremble, feeling her PTSD hit her like a moving locomotive.

“Darcy, calm down. We’ve got to believe that he is going to be OK,” Gabe said, his voice breaking.

“No, no, no, life isn’t like that! NO, not Sam, not Sam, not again!” she said wailing.

Her sisters, hearing Darcy screaming, came running to her bedroom. The dogs were distressed, trying to comfort her. Emma grabbed the phone from Darcy and spoke.

“This is Emma, Darcy’s sister. What is going on?” she asked.

“Hi, I’m Gabe, Sam’s best friend. He’s been in an accident. His truck overturned, and he is on his way to the University Hospital. That’s all I’ve got. I’m heading there now. I just thought Darcy should know,” he said.

“Thank you for that, Gabe. We will be praying for Sam,” she offered.

“OK then…take care of Darcy. Sam would want that,” he said, choking back a sob.

“Of course,” she replied. “Thanks again.”

* * *

“We will all go and take two cars,” Emma said.

“That sounds like a good idea,” Charlotte agreed.

“Darcy, you’ll ride with me, and Emma and Charlotte can follow us,” Annie said, taking charge.

Numb, Darcy just nodded and climbed in the passenger seat, automatically buckling herself in, which made her think of Sam injured, and possibly dying. She hugged herself, with teeth chattering, shivering uncontrollably.

“Hang on, Sis, we will be there in no time.”

Thirty minutes later, they were pulling into the visitors parking lot, then racing to the emergency room information desk.

“We’re here for Sam Parker. Is there any update on his condition?”