"God dammit!"
"Rusty," a hoarse voice called from the other room. "Is everything ok?"
No everything is not ok. I just got another threat letter from that psycho who is friends with Philip Stroh. I'm in a new school, with new friends, and a wonderful life now. Why does he have to come along and ruin it? I folded up the letter and shoved it in my pocket. "Yeah, everything is alright, Sharon."
She stumbled out of her room in her night gown. It was the closest I've ever seen her naked. I hope I never have to see that again. "Rusty, I need you to call Lieutenant Flynn, or Provenza, and tell them I won't be coming in today and that they need to report to the chief if something comes up." She was barely able to croak the words out. She supported herself against the wall at the end of the hallway. She was paler than ever and could barely keep her eyes open.
"Ok… Are you alright, Sharon?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just make the call for me will you." She waved me away with that same independence she did everyone.
I called Flynn. He seemed concerned, and then he put me on the line with Chief Taylor. I walked to the kitchen holding the phone with my shoulder and carried my dishes into the sink.
"Yeah, she's just not feeling well… She said she'll be in hopefully tomorrow… Yeah…" I heard a thud. I dropped the phone and ran to the living room. Sharon was on the floor, unconscious.
"Sharon! Sharon!" I screamed. I ran back to the phone and grabbed it.
"Rusty, is everything alright? Is Captain Raydor ok?"
"No, no she's not. She passed out on the floor in the living room. I need to call 911." I hung up. I panicked. I wanted to cry. I've lost one mother already. I don't need to lose another. I dialed 911 with shaky hands.
911 what is your emergency?
The same usual response they give. It's always the same. Never different.
"Yeah, my name is Rusty Beck and my guardian, Captain Sharon Raydor, just passed out on the floor. I need an ambulance right away." I tried to say that as professionally as I could. I couldn't break down. Not now. Not right now.
I gave them my address, Sharon's address. The woman asked me to give her a description of Sharon in her current condition. I started to break down. I wasn't going to. She then gave instructions as to the position I should put her in. I followed her directions. Something I'm good at. And sooner than later, they came. Sirens blasting. I let them in. They carried her and took her away. The paramedics were kind and let me ride in the ambulance with them. I held Sharon's hand for the whole ride to the ambulance. And when we got to the hospital it was chaos.
She was out for hours. She needed surgery. She had a hernia. The doctor said she was too young to have one but he only said that to make me feel better. She's in her late 50s at least. Not too young to have a lot of thing wrong with you. Later he told me that she also was having some reactions to the medications she was on. For menopause. I didn't even know she was on meds. He said the hernia was a side effect of the meds. And the reactions are why she always seemed fidgety. She had had hives on her legs and arms. Minor, but they were still there. I got really scared. Then I saw Flynn and Provenza outside of the door. The doctor let them in.
"Ru-Rusty?" a faint and cracking voice called out. It was late and I was falling asleep.
"Yeah. Wah… What's going on?"
"Rusty?"
"Oh my god you're awake!" She was awake and smiling. She was still drugged up though. I started crying because I was so happy. I wouldn't be losing another mother. Not today. Not today.