And suddenly, that thought vanished from my head when I saw nurses, doctors, you name it, running around trying to save lives.
Lives of men and women who had been on that oil rig.
‘The woman in the stars knew she had given a star to the right woman.’
Chapter 16
Harlee
We were directed to a cafeteria, the only room in the hospital that was big enough to hold everyone.
My eyes scanned the room for Tatum.
When I didn’t see her, I worried.
I had tried calling her earlier, but it went straight to voicemail.
And all the texts I’d sent her were left on sent. Not delivered. Not read.
Every eye in the room was on the man in dark blue scrubs as he walked with another man who had a black collar over his black shirt with that little tab of white on it.
Everyone knew what that meant.
Breaths halted.
The room quieted.
They walked to the woman who had introduced herself as the Director of Family Services. They spoke quietly for a brief moment, her shoulders sagged, her eyes softened, yes, she was a good person.
Then she scanned the room and pointed to a table that was five away from us and to the right.
The doctor and the priest walked over to the table, and spoke softly to an older woman, an older man, and two young little girls, and I knew.
Those kids were only left with their grandparents.
Sobs filled the room.
Gut-wrenching sobs.
And sadly, that was how the next seven hours played out.
Different doctors.
Different colored scrubs.
But the priest never wavered. Offering his support in any way that he could.
The room emptied as it did so.
When there were thirty-eight families, including ours, left waiting, another doctor appeared, spoke to the woman, and then my breath caught as she pointed directly to us.
My hand was tagged by Misty; Frank shifted in his seat and wrapped his arm around her.
The doctor made his way to us and then took a chair beside us.
“You are the family of Carter Griggs?” he asked.
Misty and Frank nodded their heads.
