Chapter 8
Jim McCallister's POV
Something pulled me abruptly from my sleep. A quick glance cast toward the alarm clock revealed it far after midnight. Hard pounding on my front door drew my attention back to the moment. Who could possibly be at the door at this time of night? My gut sank as I checked the bed to find my wife's form in the darkness. Since her diagnosis with alzheimer's, she'd disappeared on more than one occasion. I was grateful to see her safe and sound asleep beneath a heavy quilt and snoring softly. I did my best to throw my legs over the side of the bed as I acclimated to the change in posture. I wasn't as young as I used to be and these days my body protested often and quite loudly. A few crackles and snaps later found me headed down the hall wearing my bathrobe and new Christmas slippers I'd received from my grandkids. It'd been a wonderful Christmas. I was so grateful to have my only child's family nearby.
"Just a moment," I grumbled in response to the knocking as I slowly worked my way down the stairs. "I'm coming...I'm coming."
When I finally reached the door, I was huffing and puffing a bit. My heart seemed to be acting up lately and with my leaky heart valve, it was no wonder.
"What could you possibly want at this time in the morning," I asked as I pulled the door open. Two officers stood there in full uniform with their hats between clasped hands before them.
"Mr McCallister?" the male officer spoke directly while the female stood slightly to his rear with a sad expression on her face as though this was difficult for her.
"Yes?" I responded, dumbly.
"Sir, I'm Sargent Reynolds and this is Officer Hall, may we come in?" he asked. I only found my head bobbing up and down as my voice seemed to be on strike at the moment.
When I finally spoke, it cracked, "Of course. Is there a problem, officers?" I ushered them in and closed the door.
"Sir, there's been an accident. Your son's family was brought into the ER earlier this evening after their vehicle rolled off a bridge into the river."
It took a moment for my mind to process the information being thrown at me. There was a loud ringing sensation in my ear and I reached out to grab the back of a chair for support.
"Mr. McCallister, would you like to sit down?" the woman looped an arm beneath my own to support me.
"No..." I shook my head, pushing myself to stand without assistance. "The...the children?"
"The three kids are being treated for hypothermia and some minor injuries. We were sent to drive you to the hospital," Officer Hall explained
"My son?" I asked though my gut told me I knew the answer already. "My son and Naomi? Where are they?"
The officers looked up at the ceiling, down at the floor, at the wall, anywhere but at me before Sargent Reynolds finally shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Sir," he said with true remorse.
A ragged sob tore through my throat as I dropped to one knee to prevent going down all the way.
"Mr. McCallister, is there anyone else at home I can get for you?" the woman asked as she reached down to help me.
"My wife is upstairs asleep," I replied, still trying to gain my bearings after such news. "She has advanced stages of alzheimer's. She needs her rest."
"Is there anyone else?" the woman asked, sadly.
"No," I shook my head, wiping a tear from my face. "I just need a moment..."
The two nodded and stepped aside allowing me the time to pull myself together. When I believed I could trust my legs to hold me without giving up, I pushed myself up onto two feet. "Ms. Hall, could I trouble you to stay here in case my wife awakens? The hospital is no place for her right now and I'd rather see her get her rest."
"Of course," the woman nodded.
"Take me to see my grandchildren," I requested as I pulled on a winter coat and my feathered hat. I lifted my heart in prayer for the kids having known what it was like to lose a parent as a young child myself. I only hoped I could bring them some comfort.