"DAD!" Charlie ditched his bike and ran over to the paramedics. Alan was on a stretcher being loaded on to the ambulance. "This is my father. What's going on? What's wrong with him?"
"Heart attack," was the curt answer. "Is there any other family that needs to be notified?"
Charlie struggled not to panic. "I-I have a brother. I can call him f-fromthe hospital. C-can I ride with you? Please?"
The paramedics looked at each other for a moment then nodded. Charlie climbed in and took his father's hand, being careful to stay out of the way. Alan gave no sign that he knew Charlie was there. Charlie guessed he must have passed out after calling 911. "I'm here Dad. I'll staywith you as long as they let me okay?" Charlie's mind was threatening to fog over, like it had at the bank robbery. He forced himself to concentrate.Alan was wheeled into the ER. Charlie followed him for as long as he was allowed. Then he began to look for a pay phone.
"Damn it!" Tears filled his eyes. He was out of money, and the fog was getting stronger. "Focus, Charlie" he thought to himself. "Stay focused. You can callCollect" Charlie picked up the receiver and began to dial.
555555
Don's cell phone rang. He had been in the middle of questioning a perp. The creep had just been about to talk when the phone interrupted.
"This had better be an emergency" Don thought as he stepped outside.
"Collect call for Don Epps from Charles Epps. Will you accept charges?" the automated voice asked
Why would Charlie be calling from a pay phone? Don wondered, and then said "Yes, I accept. Charlie? What is it? Is something wrong? Where are you man?"
Charlie was crying, it was little hard to understand him. Don felt his stomach tighten. "Charlie, take a deep breath, and tell me what's
wrong."
Charlie obeyed, and his words sounded like English. "I-it's Dad. He-he had a heart attack. We-we're at the hospital. Don, I'm scared."
Don felt sick. He tried to keep his voice steady. "Okay Charlie, listen to me. I'm on my way over there right now all right? I'll be there as soon
as I possibly can. Just try to hang on okay? Will you do that for me?"
"I'll try."
"Good. I'll see you soon okay buddy? I love you."
"Love you too, Don. Please hurry."
Charlie hung up the phone and slowly slid to the floor. The fog he had fought so hard against finally overtook him. He started crying then, not just a few stray tears, but huge, gasping sobs that made his whole body shake. Slowly, they began to fade away. It was at that point Charlie became aware that someone was holding a tissue to his nose.
"Blow" was the command.
Charlie obeyed, feeling a little grossed out. The owner of the tissue wadded it up and wiped at Charlie's tears.
"There you go sweetie." the voice was warm and kind. Charlie looked tosee who it belonged to. Judging by the name tag and scrubs, she obviously worked at the hospital. Maybe she was a nurse?
She sat down next to Charlie and handed him the tissue. "Who were you crying for?" she asked.
"M-my father- he had a heart attack." Charlie felt the tears coming back.
"How awful, I'm so sorry. Is there anybody who can be here with you?"
"My brother's coming. H-he's an FBI agent." there was a hint of pride
in Charlie's voice.
"Sounds exciting. Would you like me to stay with you untill he shows
up?"
Charlie nodded. "Okay, thanks."
"Don't worry about it. Name's Jenny Haven by the way. What's yours?"
"Ch-Charlie Epps."
"That's a nice name." She put her arm around Charlie's shoulders. Not much later Don showed up.
"Charlie!" He ran over to his younger brother and hugged him tight.
"Anyword on Dad yet?"
Charlie shook his head. "Not yet."
Jenny stood up."Well, now that your brother is here I'd better get back to work. I hope your dad will be all right."
Don thanked her and turned back to Charlie. "What happened buddy?"
Charlie's eyes were filled with guilt. "It was my fault. We got into a fight. I shouldn't have upset him!"
Don tightened his grip on Charlie. "No, Charlie, no. It wasn't your fault. Honest it wasn't."
Charlie pushed away enough to look Don in the face. "Y-you don't understand! I ran out on him Don! I got back just as they were putting Dad in the ambulance. He needed me and I wasn't there! Just like I wasn't there for Mom!"
Don wanted to say something to comfort Charlie, but his voice wouldn't cooperate. Instead, just rubbed Charlie's back and let him cry into his
shoulder.
"Mr. Epps?" A doctor walked over.
Don stood up, pulling Charlie with him. "Yes, our father was brought in. How is he?"
"There have been some complications. I'm sorry, but he's going to need emergency surgery."
Charlie's legs gave out. Don felt a little unsteady himself. "Can we see him?"
"A brief visit would not be a problem. Please follow me. "
The doctor led them through a set of swinging doors and down a hallway. Eventually they came to a small room. Alan lay on the strecher, an I.V.
Tube in his arm. Don took his hand.
"Dad, it's me, Don. And Charlie's here too. We'll be waiting for you
okay?"
Charlie was so quiet Don wondered if he was going to say anything. But finally, after swallowing a few times Charlie spoke. "Dad I'm so sorry about our fight, and I'm sorry I wasn't there when you had your heart attack. But I'm here now. I won't make the same mistake three times." The doctors wheeled Alan away and Don and Charlie returned to the waiting room.
Stay Tuned...
