Chapter 8

Aaron

I don’t want to leave Starla to deal with the protestors on her own, but my manager is insisting I stay out of the limelight on this. She’s probably right, but it still pains me to walk out that door.

As I head down the road toward the diner, listening to the protestors screaming for Starla and her shop to get out of town, it takes everything in me not to run back to her side. Then again, what can I really do?

People know me and like me but can I sway their opinions if they’re so passionate to go out and protest? I don’t want Starla to leave and, after the experience I had with her this afternoon, I believe this town needs her and Tiger’s Den.

I realize, as I’m approaching the diner, that I’m still holding the blindfold that had been around my head while I was drilling into her only minutes ago. I wind it carefully around my hand and put it in my pocket before I pull open the back entrance to the diner.

People aren’t supposed to come in through here, but I’ve known the owners since I was in junior high when they opened. I worked here before I got drafted for the team straight from college. No one bats an eye when I walk into the kitchen and make my way to the front.

I look around and see that my friend Tommy is working. He sees me and heads over with a pot of coffee as I sit down at the counter.

“Your usual? It’s a little late for lunch.”

“Yeah, I know, but if anyone asks, I came in at my usual lunch time and I’ve been here ever since. Got it?”

Tommy’s brows knit together, then he shakes his head, laughing.

“Sure, boss, I got ya.”

“Not your boss anymore, Tommy.”

“Sure thing, boss.”

I laugh and put my head in my hands, remembering the feelings that occurred the last time my vision went dark. It feels like that was days ago now, even though the protestors are still outside, and I can still taste her on my tongue.

A couple of police cars go by, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Tommy brings me my sandwich, the usual turkey and cheddar on a croissant, and my phone rings. It’s my boss. She needs me to come cover a shift and since I have nothing else to do anymore, I accept.

I get to the station and get ready for shift just like any other day. Changing into my uniform is like putting on a second skin. A coat of armor. I’m a knight, getting ready to protect the people of my kingdom. As I load supplies into the rig, my thoughts drift to Starla. I’ve never felt such a connection with any other woman I’ve been with. For me, this isn’t just a hook-up. I want more. That thought, though? Scares the shit out of me.

Clearing my mind, I head to the front of the rig where Manny is waiting for me.

“Hey, man, thanks for picking up the shift and helping me out,” he says as we begin routine inspection.

“No problem. I wasn’t doing anything anyway.” I respond even though my thoughts drift back to Starla.

The alarms blare just as we’re finishing up and Manny and I hop in.

EMS respond. 534 Maple Drive. Patient presents with cardiac trauma. Caller says he’s collapsed and unresponsive.

Immediately, my mind kicks into overdrive. That’s my parent’s address. The caller must be my mom, making the patient my dad. Manny puts the rig into gear, I flip the lights and sirens, and we speed off toward our destination.

“You good, Aaron? That’s your parent’s place, ain’t it?”

“Yeah. And I’m good just want to make sure everything is alright, so let’s get there, fast.”

We pull into the driveway in record time, hopping out and grabbing our gear. I don’t even wait for Manny; I just barge through my parent’s door in search of my dad.

“Oh, goodness, Aaron. I’m so thankful you’re here. I don’t know what happened. We were eating lunch, and he grabbed his chest and fell over. I’m so scared! Is he going to be, okay?” My mom’s frantic words come out in one long breath.

“Everything is okay, Mom. Just stand back and let us work, okay?” I tell her, hugging her as I move her back to give us space. She nods her head, tears streaming down her face. The sight breaks my heart.

My dad’s laying there, limp, barely breathing. I take a deep breath to steady myself, even though I’m shaking all over and worried. I’ve never seen him in this shape before, and I wasn’t prepared for this at all.

We begin the process of checking him out, starting with his vitals. I slip the oxygen mask over his face and secure the elastic bands around his head. Then we load him on the gurney and roll it out to the rig. Mom follows closely behind, and I tell her to get in their car and follow us to the hospital.

After we get him loaded, I hop in the back with him, constantly monitoring him as Manny speeds us toward E-town General that’s the closest big hospital just up the highway. We arrive in minutes.

I don’t usually pray, but I say one for my family as we rush my father through the hospital doors.

***

I hated leaving the hospital, but we were shorthanded as it was. The last I heard, they were taking my dad in for emergency surgery. Mom was having a fit, but for a small town we have some of the best surgeons and I know they will take care of my dad. He’ll be okay, I have to believe that.

As soon as I get off work, I head back to the hospital to be with Mom. Dad is already in recovery, and it looks like he’ll be okay, but he’s going to need a lot of help. Maybe more help than Mom can handle on her own. It sort of feels as if this was some messed up way for Dad to force me into making a choice. Which seems may be the case. I don’t know if I can be a paramedic, a hockey player, and a caregiver for my father all at the same time. Choices. Now I have a lot of them to make. Will I even have time to start something with Starla now? I’m glad my dad is okay, but his timing is shit.