Moments after I meet Rafe on the field, a group of us are rushing back towards the house. Rafe is shouting commands down the line of the radio on his shoulder, ordering one of the re-fueled helicopters to come to the back lawn.I’m at the head of the group, leading the way back to the house, Rafe be
I feel the eyes of Victor’s troops on us as we move. They are a silent mass, but I can almost feel their sadness, their worry, their support. Victor has done so much for them, for these members of his pack. Given them jobs, livelihoods, purpose. He would never, ever abandon them as my father was pre
Sixteen hours later, we’re still in the hospital, waiting for news.My head hangs, my chin almost touching my chest as I listen to the clock in our private waiting room click. And click. And click. The seconds trip slowly by.Ian leans against me, Alvin sprawled across my lap. Both, thankfully, are
The doctor looks out at the rest of us then. “If I were you, I would be praying for a miracle. And if not then…for peace.”I can’t help the tears that begin to drip down my cheeks at this news. I don’t even try to stop them. I hear my boys start to cry next to me, devastated.They’ve just barely got
On the morning of the fifth day, my eyes fly open when I hear a hiss.Victor has his eyes pressed shut, his jaw clenched together. The tube was removed from his throat yesterday and he can breathe on his own now, but he’s been sleeping the entire time I’ve been here.“Oh my god,” I say, leaning for
The doctor comes in then, his face sunny. He greets Victor, looking him over, listening to his pulse, measuring some vitals and checking the machines. I watch Victor closely as he responds to the doctor’s questions. His mind and spirit are clearly intact, but his face, his skin…He’s clammy and an a
When we come back to the house, everyone is on the porch waiting for us.My mother, Emma, and Delia are standing there, the boys in front of them. Huge bright smiles light Alvin and Ian’s faces – they’re so, so excited to see their dad.I can’t help but laugh when I take them in, and Victor works to
The paramedic says a stern word to Ian about jostling his father and Ian just bares his teeth at him. Victor laughs, and so do I. The paramedic just shakes his head and keeps pushing, settling Victor into the living room where I’ve cleared a space. I follow Victor into the room and my mother and si