I felt like I was having a heart attack while listening to the officer on the other line telling me about what happened.
I called him back immediately after I finished listening to the voicemail. I was told the helicopter had radioed for help, but when someone answered them back, they didn't get a response. They sent a search party after them, and have had no luck so far.
I am sitting on my chair at my kitchen table with Janine and Barbra sitting next to me, Kix standing next to us, and Narvel was pacing the kitchen.
I hung up the phone. "What did he say?" Narvel asked me as he stopped pacing and watched me.
"They said they made a distress call, and when headquarters answered them back, they never got a response. They have a search team looking, but nothing so far." I laid my head down in my hands, feeling so hopeless and scared. Unfortunately, I have been in this position before, and it ended with the worse thing that has ever happened in my life.
"I am sure everything's fine." Kix said, but it didn't help.
"Are you kidding me? Our son is missing! He was in a helicopter that is no where to be found!" Narvel said to Kix.
"Narvel, knock it off!" I said to him, I really didn't want them fighting.
"I am really sick of your shit, Narvel." Kix said.
"Enough you two!" scolded Barbra.
I stood up and stepped outside, I needed some fresh air.
It was a beautiful night, clear skies, nice temperatures, full moon. I looked up to the sky and said a silent prayer.
"God, please help keep my son safe, I can't imagine my life without him. Please bring him home to us. Amen"
I turned around when I heard my back door open, and saw Barbra walk out and join me. I turned and looked back out towards my back yard.
"It's a nice night." I say to her.
She came and stood beside me. "It really is, I wish every night was like this." I nodded.
I looked to her. "I have missed you."
She smiled at me. The hospital was the fist time I had seen or talked to her since the cookout. "I have missed you too, red. I am glad you and Kix are friends again."
"Me too. I sure have missed him." I turned back towards the yard. "How are the kids?"
She turned to look at the yard like I am. "They are good, they were at our house last night, we had dinner together."
"You two raised some great kids."
She smiled. "So did you and Narvel."
I started to tear up, I hated this.
Barbra gave me a hug. "I'm sure he's fine, they will find him. Don't give up hope."
I started to cry in her shoulder. "I am so scared."
She rubbed my back. "I know, we all are."
I heard my phone go off in the kitchen and I ran into answer it. It was the officer I talked to earlier.
"Hello?" I asked as I answered, I was hoping he had answers."
"Ms. Mcentire? I'm sorry to tell you this, but we located the helicopter your son was in. it crashed in the woods, and there's no signs of any survivors."
I dropped the phone and just collapsed onto the floor. No parent is supposed to outlive their child. I felt like I just died.
Narvel came over and held onto me and I just screamed, my baby is gone.