The Country Duet(23)

I decide to check in with Dave and ask him about a bit of hunting. Before I slow down to turn into his driveway, an ambulance races by me with blaring sirens and blinding lights. Then it slams on the brakes, pulling down Dave’s road. Everything inside of me stills with fear.

I blink once, twice, three times, but the same scene still plays out before me. Stepping down on the gas pedal, I speed down the driveway, forgoing my typical parking spot and zipping right up to the front door of the ambulance.

Bolting from my truck, it’s then I see the cop car in front of the ambulance. I freeze, unable to move with fear attacking me. There’s shattered glass on the porch. a broken window in the door, and chaos ensuing in the house. A loud shout garners my attention, making me move with gusto.

Once inside the house all the noise streams down the hall, which leads to Dave’s room. I ignore the set of police officers taking in Dave’s house and brush past them. The blood drains from my face when I see Dave lying in his bed. He’s white. Whiter than a new set of bed sheets. No sign of life.

“Excuse me, sir. We need everyone out.”

“What happened?” I grip the back of my neck.

A hand wraps around my forearm, tugging me back into the hallway. The paramedics rush Dave out on a board. He hasn’t moved once since I busted in.

“Are you related to Dave Hendricks?” one of the uniformed officers asks.

“Um, no.” I scrub my eyes, trying to gain an ounce of reality.

“Do you know how to contact family members?”

Despair fills me, threatening to knock me down to my knees. “He doesn’t have any. I’ve been working for him and trying to take care of him.”

“No wife or kids?” The officer stares at me with wide eyes and a raised eyebrow.

“No. He has no one.” I pause. “But me.”

It’s the truth. The reality of my statement slams into me. I’m not quite sure how I've become the only person in his life, but I have.

“They’re taking him to the hospital down in Lewiston. You can go there for answers.”

“Is he okay?”

I ask the question, even knowing they won’t be able to answer it.

“He’s in bad shape.” The officer shakes his head and walks away.

I drive like a maniac to Lewiston, making the trip in record time. The staff at the hospital interrogate me worse than the police officers. Hours pass before I get anywhere. A tall, lean man with salt and pepper hair sits next to me in the waiting room.

“Understand you’re here for Mr. Hendricks.” The man’s tired eyes stare back at me.

“Yes, is he okay?” I sit up on the edge of my seat.

“Going to be a long road to recovery. A couple more hours and he would’ve been dead.”

“What happened?” I ask, jumping to my feet.

“Bad case of pneumonia and a staph infection. He’s currently on IV medicine and quarantined. You can go see him, but will have to wear a Hazmat suit.”

“Thank you. Can you tell me where he’s at?”

“Intensive care on the fourth floor.” The exhausted doctor stands. “Mr. Hendricks has been in and out of this hospital a lot over the years, and this is the first time someone has shown up for him. It’s admirable what you’re doing for him, but just know Dave’s mind is healthy and fully functioning. It’s his body failing him. He has a lot of years left in him.”

“Okay.” I nod.

“Something you might want to keep in mind. Things will only be getting harder for Dave, and I know he’s not the easiest person to be around.”

“Are you trying to scare me away?” I ask.

“No, just want you to know exactly what you are in for.”

The doctor walks away without another word. I didn’t miss his silent message. I should know, above all people, how much work Dave is and how time-consuming he is. There’s no way in hell I'll ever walk away from him. I have everything a man my age could ever dream of. I'm one of the lucky ones, born with a golden spoon in my mouth. The world is at my fingertips with the final prize of Sweetwater Ranch. The drive I have to help Dave has nothing to do with extrinsic factors. It’s all heart.

I study Dave from behind a glass window. He’s still pale and lifeless with an assortment of tubes running from his body. A nurse had urged me to come back tomorrow to visit him. The forty-five minute drive from campus down to Lewiston is not even a mere thought. I'll be here for him. He may be the crudest man I’ve ever met with an unkind heart, but he’s my friend.

I have no idea how long I stand and stare at his resting body before I take the long drive back to my apartment. Pulling into Moscow I know it’s way too late, but it doesn’t stop me from texting her.

Me: I need you.

Simple, honest, and to the point. I don’t expect an answer as I crawl out of my truck and make it into my apartment. This time I enjoy a shower that scalds my skin. The intensity of the heat is pounding on me, not taking away the memory of Dave. I need someone to talk to, lean on, and be here for me. It’s something I’ve never craved before. It’s always just been me. I pull on my boxers the same time three sharp knocks rattle on my door.

Not even thinking, I take long strides before pulling it open. Waves of long auburn hair cascade down a back. Tight, black skinny jeans are hugging her legs as she waltzes away.