"I don't understand, what do you mean?" Brian asked.
"There was an accident."
He heard the sentence repeated, but it sounded hollow and distant. He couldn't seem to grab hold of the words.
"An accident?" Brian repeated. "But they were coming home tonight. I don't understand."
"That's when it happened. A truck crossed over the line and . . ."
"They are gone?" Brian asked trying to process it all.
"Oh, Brian! Brian? Are you listening? Look, I'm sorry but you've got to focus. We have tell the boys." He blinked up into his older brother's face. "Brian! We are all they have."
***7***
"What did you say?" Brian managed to somehow gasp out. Becky had followed him out of the car.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"There was an accident. It was on the way back home. They took everyone to the hospital and . . ." Sheriff Parker never finished the sentence.
"God damn it!" Brian burst out. "I knew it! I knew it! I told him he was stupid to marry that girl! I knew it would come to this."
"No, look Brian, I think everyone is stable and . . ."
"You think? That's not good enough! Are you expecting me to tell him that . . ."
"What's going on?" Adam asked from where he stood at the top step. "You weren't driving were you, Brian?"
"No, man, I wasn't driving." Brian said shaking his head. He turned back to Sheriff Parker. "Jesus, this is gonna be . . .Aw, damn it all to hell." He glanced at Becky. "Go on home." He walked up the front steps, stopping just one step below his brother.
"He isn't here for you is he?" Adam asked, his voice deathly quiet.
"No, brother he ain't." Brian took the last step so that he stood facing Adam. He could see Crane hovering in the front doorway. "Get out here, Crane."
"Talk." Adam said in a strangled voice. "You are stalling and I can't breathe."
"There was an accident." Brian said flatly.
"Are they dead?" Adam asked his eyes wide. He turned toward Sheriff Paker. "Did you come tell us they are dead?"
"No," Sheriff Parker stood at the foot of the porch. "No, Adam. I came to drive you to the hospital. I don't know how everyone is. I was just nearby and heard the call come over the radio. I wasn't there. I don't know anything."
"I can't . . ." Adam glanced from the Sheriff to his brother. "My feet won't move."
Sighing, Brian put an arm around his older brother, and felt Adam sag into him; the weight nearly bringing him to his knees. "Just one foot," He said to Adam. "Then the next one." They staggered down the steps together, and he fairly pushed him into the cruiser. Crane had already climbed in on the other side, so Brian climbed into the passenger seat.
"Daniel?" Adam said as Sheriff Parker climbed behind the wheel.
"Hell," Brian said stepping out of the car. "He can bring the truck. I'll ride in with him. I'll meet you there."
"Get out." Adam said sharply, but Brian understood. Every second was an eternity of not knowing.
"I'll be right there!" He yelled after the car as it sped away. He looked up to see Daniel on the front porch. "Get the keys, Dan'l. You have to drive. I can't."
"Yeah, I . . ." Daniel stood hesitant and confused.
"Daniel, now!" Brian barked and his brother darted back inside the house.
***7***
"Danny if you don't come out this second, I'm gonna tan your backside." Brian growled at his younger brother.
"No!"
Getting down on his hands and knees, Brian could see his younger brother underneath his bed. The boy had managed to scoot up against the wall, his bright eyes glimmering in the darkness.
"It is time for church and you're going. Adam says so."
"I ain't going to that church!" Daniel growled. "That lady said God killed Mama on purpose! I ain't never going back!"
"Jesus, Danny!" Brian sighed exasperated beyond belief. "Sometimes people are just really stupid. Just come on out."
"NO!" Danny answered. "No until everyone leaves for church! I don't want Adam picking me up and making me go!"
"What is the hold up?" Adam asked leaning in the doorway of the younger boys bedroom.
"He won't come out." Brian gestured under the bed. "He won't go."
"Geez, Brian. He's just a little kid. Grab him by his ankle and fish him out."
"I'll kick you!" Daniel yelled from under the bed.
"I'll kick you back." Brian responded.
"That's a big help, thanks." Adam glared at him.
"Fine. Whatever. You handle it! You're the genius." Brian stormed away.
***7***
"But what did he say?" Daniel asked his hands gripping the wheel. "Brian? Brian! What did he say?"
"Nothing. There was an accident. He didn't know anything else."
.
"So, they could be fine."
"They took them to the hospital." Brian pointed out.
.
"But they could be fine." Daniel's voice was pitched higher than normal.
"Watch the damn road, Danny. We'll know soon enough."
***7***
GUTHRIE McFADDEN stode at the front doors of the emergency room. He leaned forward searching for his older brother. He drew in a sudden breath as he saw Adam climb out of a sheriff's cruiser, his face white with fear.
"Adam," Guthrie said. "Adam, I'm really sorry."
***7***
"I just wanted to say how sorry I am." The voice on the other end of the phone continued, but Adam was barely listening any more. "We want you to know that we are going to mark this down as a deferment, we aren't shutting this opportunity down. We can talk again later this year."
"A year's not gonna change the fact that my brothers got no one else. We have one Aunt who is about 92 years old living in a retirement home in Nevada. That's it. My parents had no siblings. My father's parents were both orphans, and my mother's father split when she was a kid, and my grandmother died last year. You can't unchange any of that."
"I understand." The man sighed. "I'm just saying that we want you to know we are willing to find a way to make things work. Maybe down the road you will get your brothers settled and find a way to make a life for yourself."
"This is my life now." Adam told him.
***7***
Adam stepped into the emergency room, his heart pounding in his chest. He turned to find Guthrie standing directly in front of him. He had a small cut across his forehead which had been stitched together with a few stitches.
"You okay?" He asked, his hands on his brother's arms.
"I'm so sorry, Adam." Guthrie said his hazel eyes filling with tears. "I'm just so . . ."
"Where's Ford?" Adam barked out. "What about . . ." He found himself incapable of speaking. Crane had caught up to them by then, and he pulled Guthrie against him.
"You okay?" He asked, his voice gentle.
"I just got a cut." Guthrie said, clearly dazed and rattled.
"Okay. Where is everyone else?" Crane's voice was calm and unusually slow. "Guth? What happened?"
"A car ran a light and right into us and I tried to swerve but . . ." Guthrie kept glancing around his eyes following Adam who was pacing like a tiger. "Ford's in x-ray. They wanna check his wrist or hand I don't know."
"What about Hannah and the baby?" The question exploded out of Adam in a rush of words. "Where are the girls?"
"They took them straight back. They are okay, I think. She wasn't bleeding or hurt or unconscious, and Katy was sleeping. She never even woke up in the crash." Guthrie laughed a little at this and then started to cry. "God, Adam I'm so sorry."
Adam studied his little brother trying to comprehend everything that was happening, but he was torn between twin emotions of love and anger. He knew Guthrie needed his reassurance but he couldn't manage it; couldn't manage anything until he knew if his wife and daughter were alright.
"McFadden?" A doctor stepped into the waiting room. He glanced at Guthrie. "I told you to sit down."
"Sit!" Adam barked, taking Guthrie by the arm and guiding him into a chair, while moving closer the doctor. "I'm Adam McFadden. Where's my wife and my daughter?"
"They are both fine and . . ." The doctor began, but Adam cut him off.
"She's five months pregnant."
"We caught that." The doctor smiled. "The baby is fine, too. We just like to be really careful, so we've admitted her and will keep her overnight."
"Where's . . . " Adam swallowed hard. "Can I . . . Can I see her?"
"This way." The doctor said.
***7***
"Can I see them?" Adam asked.
"I don't think that would be a good idea, son." The doctor told him gently. "It was a very bad accident."
"So, they are just . . . they are just gone?"
"Yes." The doctor said placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I want to see her. I want to see my Mom." Adam insisted.
The doctor glanced over at the nurse who stood near them. She had tears in her eyes, but nodded her head slightly. "Okay," He told the teenager. "This way."
***7***
Every single hospital hallway looks exactly like every other hospital hallway, at least, that's how it seemed to Adam. He followed the doctor down several corridors and through a few heavy doors. It felt as though it were taking hours. It felt as if he were walking miles.
"We checked her out and ran all kinds of tests. Everything came back normal. We've got her on some fluids just because we want to be careful, which also why we admitted her." He opened a door, holding it open for Adam before following him inside. "We are keeping her closely monitored."
She sat up in a hospital bed, surrounded by pillows. The girl loved pillows. Her hair hung over one eye, and she brushed it aside as he stepped into the room. His heart hammered hard against his chest and he felt dizzy.
"Wheres . . wheres . . ."
"The nurse just took her to give her a bath. She's fine, Adam. She slept through the whole crash, and there isn't one scratch on her. I checked myself. She's fine. I am fine."
"Like I said," The doctor continued. "Keeping her here is just a precaution."
"You are gonna have to give him some time. He can't hear you, just now. You'll end up telling him everything again later."
"Right." The doctor nodded. "I'll come back after rounds." He pointed at Hannah. "Remember what I said: rest and fluids."
"I'm sitting in a hospital bed hooked up to an IV." She responded. He nodded and with a glance at Adam, he left them. Hannah looked up at her husband. "Adam, come here before you fall over."
He stumbled toward the bed and she indicated the bed, but he leaned in close so that his face was just inches from hers. "You are okay?" He asked, his voice choked by tears.
"Yeah. It was scary but I'm fine. The baby is, too. Here, feel." She took his hand and rested it on her stomach.
"She's kicking." He said, sniffing and wiping a tear with his free hand.
"He sure is." She reached out and touched his face with her soft fingers, and he leaned in pulling her into a tight embrace.
"You are okay?" He said again.
"Yes." She said kissing his cheek. "I'm sorry. They wouldn't let me call you."
"Okay." He said. "Okay." He drew back from her wiping his face, and then sat down beside her on the edge of the bed. "Lay back, sweetheart. You should be," He wiped his arm across his face. "You should rest."
She lay back against the pillows and took his hand in hers kissing her fingers.
"You need anything?" He asked.
"Not anymore." She grinned up at him. "They gave me extra pillows."
"I saw that." He smiled at her, leaning in and kissing her. "Where's Katy?"
"She made a mess of her diaper, so the nurse took her for a bath. She just took her right before you walked in. I bet you can find her."
"Well, I . . ."
"I'm fine." She squeezed his hand. "Go on. You'll feel better when you see her."
He rose. "Okay, uh, I'll be right back. Okay?"
"Go on." She smiled at him. He nodded but leaning close kissed her again.
"I love you, Girl - with all of my heart."
"I love you, too." She smiled up at him, but he could see the residual stress in her eyes, the shadow of tears. "I'll be right back."
***7***
He found the nurse in a small room near the maternity ward. She was wrapping Katy up in a towel.
"Dada!" Katy said clapping her hands with joy.
"You found us." The nurse said, as Adam stepped closer. "She had a little accident."
"She's good at that." He moved closer and lifted her up into his arms. The small girl was dressed only in a diaper, and her skin was pink from her bath. He kissed her cheeks and held her chubby little body against his chest. "How's my Katy girl?"
"She doesn't have a scratch on her." The nurse told him. "I think your wife said she had a change of clothes in the baby bag, but it might still be with your jeep."
"Oh!" He told her. "I didn't think to bring her any clothes! I was . . ."
"I can imagine. I'll ask around and see what we can find. She'll be plenty warm wrapped up in that blanket. I already sent her clothes with some laundry. Can you find your way back to your wife's room?"
"What about my brothers? I didn't have a chance to . . ."
"I'll send the doctor over to your wife, okay? Everyone is fine though - just minor bumps and bruises. You are really very lucky. It is a good thing your brother reacted so quickly."
"Yeah, he's a good driver." Adam said. "Thank you."
***7***
"Well, everyone is looking much better now." The doctor said as he stepped back into the room. Adam sat beside Hannah on the bed, with Katy sleeping in his arms. Hannah was snoozing against his shoulder but her eyes flicked open as soon as the doctor spoke.
"What about the boys?" Hannah asked.
"The driver, uh, Guthrie? Is that right?" They nodded. "He has a scratch on his forehead that we put six stitches in, and a bruise along his chest from the seat belt. That'll be sore for a bit. He showed no signs of a concussion despite the cut on his head."
"He's got a hard head." Adam said.
"Apparently. Your other brother, Ford, had what looked like a broken wrist, but we ran x-rays and it looks to just be a sprain. Our guess is he hurt it pulling your wife out of the car. It appears that when he couldn't get her seatbelt unbuckled, he pulled out with his hands. He also had some bruising on his forehead and he has a slight concussion so we talked to your brother Crane about keeping a close eye on him."
"Poor Ford." Hannah said. "I want to see them. Can I go see them?"
"No." The doctor said and Adam looked up sharply.
"You said everything tested out normal." He said anxiously.
"It did, but she was in a pretty significant car accident and stress is no small thing. So, we are keeping you here for tonight and tomorrow, then I want you on bed rest for the next five weeks."
"What?" Hannah exclaimed. "No, I can't be on . . ."
"Stop." Adam said gently. "Just listen a minute, hon."
"I know it isn't convenient especially with a little one, but we don't want to take any chances, and rest is what you need. Look, after three weeks we will bring you back in and run some tests and if everything checks out, we might shorten it, but I want you to be prepared to spend some serious time on bedrest."
"I . . . I . . . " Hannah sputtered.
"You've rendered her speechless, doc." Adam said with a grin.
"I want to see my boys." She said with a glare at her husband.
"Alright, I'll send the mob back here, so you can see they are alright. Then I'm sending them all home. Now, they are going to bring a crib in here for this little one. Do you still feed her in the middle of the night?" He asked, but didn't allow Hannah to answer. "Tell me yes."
"Yes?" She answered confused.
"Good. I'll let the staff know that he has to be here to help you with her." The doctor winked. "I'll give you fifteen minutes of family time and then everyone is leaving and this little family is getting some sleep. She needs to rest."
"Yes, sir." Adam agreed.
"Alright, then. Brace yourself. That's a nervous bunch out there." He hesitated in the doorway. "If you have any questions they can find me any time tonight."
"Thanks, Doc." Adam said and then turning to Hannah added. "It feels like it is 2 in the morning."
"It's almost midnight. You aren't far off." She reached out brushing the hair off his forehead. "You must have been so . . .I'm sorry. I know that tonight was pretty tough."
"You are apologizing. You kill me, Girl." He kissed her forehead. "I might have aged another 50 years tonight. I'm glad you girls are okay, and once I see Ford and Guthrie, I'll feel better, but my nerves might be shot for the next decade."
"Maybe some bedrest would help." She told him.
"Maybe." He agreed.