Emily paled as she told me about her parents injuries, then said, “Mom’s staying with Dad tonight, if the nurses let her.” I made a mental note to talk to the head nurse and arrange for it to happen.
Emily said, "come in," when she heard a light knock on the door.
Jack stepped inside the door and asked, “Hey Emily? How are you feeling?”
“Better now. Thanks.”
“Is everything okay?” I asked, knowing he wouldn’t have come in without a damn good reason.
“You’re not answering your messages.”
I have more important things to do. I glared at him. “And?”
“There’s an officer here to take Emily’s statement." He turned to Emily. "You up for it?”
“You don’t have to, we can tell them to come back.” I didn’t want her feeling pressured while she was still processing everything that had happened.
“No, I want to get it over with.” She squeezed my hand. “Can you stay with me?”
Happily. “Yeah, though they may ask me to stand off to the side.”
“That’s okay.” She told Jack, “You can tell them I’m ready. Thanks Jack.”
Her hands fluttered over her hair as she tried to tame it, then laughed. “I’m sure I look much better now that my hair is in place.”
“You’re beautiful.” I kissed her hand again and stood up as Jack opened the door and let in two Weatherford officers. I knew them both, which made it easier for me to get permission to stay. They instructed me to stand at the foot of the bed, and keep my mouth shut. I knew the drill, I’d been in their position more often than I liked. One of the hardest parts of being a police officer was questioning someone after a traumatic experience, but it had to be done.
Emily put on a brave face and answered their questions like a champ. My heart filled with pride and respect.She has no idea just how strong she is.
As I walked the officers out, I asked if they knew when they’d release the house.
“We still don’t have an answer.”
Still?Dad or Jack must have asked. “Thanks. Stay safe out there.” I shook their hands, then closed the door behind them.
Emily was asleep when I turned around. Not wanting her to wake up alone, I texted Chris and asked him to come sit with her so I could check on their parents. Two minutes later he knocked once before opening the door.
“You two okay?” He whispered when I met him near the door.
“Yeah, I think so.” I paused then asked, “We good?”
“Yeah, I think so.” He parroted with a sly grin.The jury’s still out. Chris would reserve judgement until he’d talked to Emily; as a brother myself I completely understood.
Jack, Meg, AJ, and Doug were in the waiting room down the hall, so I stopped by and thanked them, then released them for the night. Not surprisingly they said they’d stick aroundfor a while longer. Meg handed me a coffee and a vending machine sandwich. I hadn’t even realized I was hungry until I heard my stomach growl at the sight of the cellophane wrapped food. “Thanks.”
I scoffed down half the sandwich and chugged half the bitter coffee before going to see Mr. and Mrs. Taylor. There weren’t enough words in my vocabulary to express how sorry I was, but I had to try.
I knocked on the door and heard a faint, “Come in.”
My dad was talking quietly to Mrs. Taylor while Mr. Taylor slept. I wasn’t expecting her to get up and give me a hug when I walked in, but that’s exactly what she did.
“Oh Jamie, I can’t thank you enough for saving us.” I wasn’t expecting that either, not after she’d been so reserved in the hallway earlier. I didn’t deserve her gratitude, in fact, I was here to apologize. I looked at my dad, and he must have seen it in my eyes because he shook his head. So instead of apologizing I said, “You’re welcome Mrs. Taylor.”
She wiped a tear from her eye. “How many times must I ask you to call me Anne?”
I looked at my father, who smiled and shrugged. I was on my own. “Anne, how are you feeling? Is there anything I can get for you?”
“No, I’m just glad you’re here. Did Emily talk to the officers? Is she okay?”
