Joanie and Chachi did attend the football game that Friday night, and Joanie's school won by a wide margin. David Holland scored two touchdowns, and everyone, especially David and Abigail, was ecstatic.
Everyone was talking excitedly about the game in school Monday morning. Joanie knew that it would be a challenge to get the students focused on their classwork.
"Wasn't it awesome?" chirped Abigail, as soon as she saw Joanie.
"It sure was! David and the rest of the team played a great game. I know you're so proud of him," Joanie replied.
"I sure am," Abigail said with a huge grin.
The class went well, and Joanie watched as Abigail and the others left.
A couple of minutes later, Joanie heard a commotion in the hallway and went to investigate. A group of students surrounded Jack Parrish, who was holding Abigail's limp body.
"She fainted," Jack explained. "Abigail, are you all right? Abigail?"
There was no response.
"Oh my God, she's unconscious." In a panic, Jack dashed for the school clinic, the silent students making room for him to pass. The school nurse met them at the clinic's entrance.
"She's completely nonresponsive," Jack told her, unable to hide the urgency in his voice.
"She's breathing, and her pulse is regular," the nurse said, after checking Abigail briefly. "You two stay with her while I call for an ambulance."
Jack gently lay Abigail's body on a cot in the clinic, and he and Joanie kept a vigil at her side for the few minutes it took the ambulance to reach the school. Jack gently brushed her hair back from her forehead, a look of grave concern on his face.
The ambulance arrived, and Abigail was rushed to the hospital. The school nurse called Mrs. Foster and told her what had happened to her daughter.
The halls and classrooms were eerily silent for the rest of that day. Everyone discussed what had happened in shocked whispers. None of the students were able to concentrate on their classwork, and Joanie was relieved when the final bell rang at the end of the day.
As soon as Joanie saw Chachi that evening, she told him what had happened to Abigail. He was shocked and saddened by the news. Joanie didn't sleep well at all that night. She hoped that there would be encouraging news about Abigail's condition the next day.