The box with Susie's things went everywhere. The glass in a few of her photo frames smashed, and sent glass all over the floor. Reba knew instantly that she was in trouble. She was lying half on the stairs, but mostly on the floor. Narvel and Susie went rushing to the stairs to see what had happened and Narvel panicked. Susie ran to get them both some shoes. She was worried that they would get cut from the glass. Narvel didn't think and ran straight to his wife to check she was okay. "Reba, baby, where does it hurt? Do you think you have broken anything?" Reba was balling her eyes out "I'm sorry Narvel, I'm so sorry, I should have listened to you." "Shhhh come here. He moved her gently and kissed her forehead. She screamed in pain. "Susie quickly ring the ambulance." "They're on their way. Reba can I get you anything?" Reba stayed silent and just turned away, her back was killing her but she felt so terrible she couldn't make a sound. All she could think about was her husband and what would happen if this caused her to lose their baby girl. *How could she face that?*
The ambulance arrived and rushed Reba into hospital. Narvel was allowed to travel in the ambulance, but Susie had to drive herself. On the way Reba had gone unconscious. Narvel couldn't stand to see his wife in pain. They got into the hospital and she was rushed into the emergency room. The nurses pushed him out of the way. "That's my wife and daughter in there, let me in." "I'm sorry Sir, but you are going to have to wait out here while the doctors do their best to treat her." "Is she going to be alright? Is the baby alright, please tell me they are going to be fine." "I'm sorry, at this stage we don't know but they are doing their best I can assure you."
The next thing Narvel knew Reba was moving to surgery. She had broken a bone in her back and they were fixing to put a plate in. "Where is she going? What are they doing? Will my baby be okay? Someone tell me something" A nurse came out and sat with him. "I'm very sorry to say that when we did an ultrasound we couldn't detect a heartbeat, and we didn't see any movement. While in surgery they will remove the fetus and put the plate in at the same time. I am very sorry for your loss, but we are very certain that your wife will pull through."
Narvel burst into tears and hung his head. He felt like his heart had been ripped from his chest and stomped on so many times. He was feeling physical pain in his chest, a pain he had never ever experienced, and one he never wanted to experience again. "Can I get you anything Sir? A glass of water?" The nurse asked "No just leave me alone, I need some time to think." "Of course." She walked off, and suddenly he felt someone's arms wrap around his shoulders and neck. Susie pulled his face into her neck and hugged him.
"She's gone, my daughters gone" he sobbed drenching Susie's shirt with tears. She just hugged him and didn't say a word. Her mind was racing and she was wondering how her sister was, but Narvel needed her right now, and after all he had done for her she owed it to him to just be there in silence. He lifted his head. "I think I need some fresh air. I'm going to the bathroom, and then for a walk I think. The nurses told me she won't be out of surgery for a few hours." "Do you want me to come?" "You don't have to." "I'll wait for you outside the bathroom."
They walked in silence for what seemed like forever. It had actually only been a 30 minutes. "Narvel I need to ring Mama and Daddy, what do I need to tell them?" She didn't want to pry, but she needed to know at the same time. "Tell them their granddaughter has returned home to our Lord, but their daughter should come out of surgery in a few hours. She is going to be okay, she has just broken her back and they are putting in a plate." Susie dropped her head and tried not to cry. She sat down on the nearest bench and dialed the telephone.
She told her Mama what had happened and asked her to get on the next plane, and bring Daddy, Alice and Pake. She told them that Barbara had the kids, and would be happy to pick them up from the airport and to ring and organize everything with her. "Narvel would you like me to ring Gloria? Or would you like to?" "Could you please? I don't really like the taste of the words when they come out of my mouth. It just hurts too much." "Of course."
Barbara had the whole family at her house and they were all waiting on news from Susie. Susie had said that she would ring Barb when things calmed down and the nurses would allow visitors. She knew they would be far more comfortable at Fontanel and she didn't think Narvel needed the extra people. He was already struggling as it was.