Tyler 5
1365 Words
*warning this chapter contains a death in it and may not be suitable for all readers.*
I have watched her work around the farm for the past six months, but she has never worked with me. I screwed up that day, and since then, she has avoided me, and no one would let me near her. I have tried to apologize several times, but she either walks away or someone gets in the way. I overheard Caleb talking to dad one day that Ava has been having night terrors, and I feel guilty. I know she has had a rough past, but I never thought my actions would cause her this kind of emotional pain.
Last night we had a horrible storm and many trees fell, and today we need to clean up. Jimmy and I are working in the eastern field, and he looks exhausted.
"You okay?" I asked.
"Ya." He says. Since that day, Jimmy hardly speaks to me, and when he does, it is just short answers. I know my actions have caused him to worry about Ava because my brother, father, and mother talk about her all the time. They want her to seek help, but she refuses to.
Jimmy and I have been working for hours, cutting the broken trees into smaller pieces and moving them. Jimmy seems to be slowing down and paling.
"Jim, go take a break," I said as he tried to lift up one of the chopped-up tree pieces and dropped it.
"I'm fine," he snapped back, and he attempted to lift the tree again.
I walked over to him and touched his shoulder. "Jim, you don't look well."
"I said I am fine."
"Jim, your not okay. You don't look good."
He stood up and was about to say something when his eyes grew wide, and he grabbed his chest and started to fall. I grabbed him and got him to the ground. When he was safely on the ground, I ran to my truck and grabbed my phone. I dialed 911 and ran back over to him.
"911, what is your emergency?" The operator said.
"This is Tyler over at wolf ranch, and I have someone here who seems to be having a heart attack. We are in the eastern field. I will have someone there waiting for you." I hung up before they could say anything and called my dad.
The phone rang three times when he answered. "Ya."
"I need you or someone to show the ambulance on the way to my the eastern field. Jim has had a heart attack."
"I'm on my way. Your mom will show them."
I hung up and set my phone down. I grabbed Jim's hand. "It will be okay, Jim."
"Tyler, take care of her." He said as he gasped for air.
"Don't talk like you are going to die. You are a tough old bird, and you will be there for Ava. Relax, Jim."
As I sat there holding his hand, I could faintly hear the sound of sirens, but I could see my dad's truck flying towards us. When he parked his silver truck, he jumped out and ran towards us. "Tyler, is he okay."
I looked at Jim, and his eyes were starting to close. "Jim, stay awake," I yelled.
"Jim, Jim, stay awake." My dad said as he got onto the ground and began to shake him. Jim was not opening his eyes.
"Dad, is he going to die?" I asked.
"No, son. Please go and get Ava. She should be home since today was her day off." He said with determination in his voice.
"Dad,"
"Go, son. I can see the flashing lights. She needs to know."
I looked at Jim one last time then ran towards my truck. I turned it on and drove off towards her cabin. The cabin was about ten minutes away, but I made it in five. I sped like a crazy man.
I jumped out and ran to the door, and started banging on it. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Ava opened the door. "WHAT?"
"We need to go now. Hurry." I said as I grabbed her hand, but she pulled it back.
"Hell no."
"Ava, we need to go. Your grandpa."
"What about my grandpa?"
"Honey, he had a heart attack. The ambulance was just about to arrive when I left to get you. Dad is with him. Now come on."
She shut the door and ran to the truck. We both got in, and I began to drive. As we neared the main road, I could hear the sirens behind me, and I pulled over. As the ambulance passed by, Ava grabbed my hand and held her breath.
"It will be okay, honey," I said as I squeezed her hand. She didn't pull her hand away, and I held it while I got behind my dad's truck and drove to the hospital.
It took us about twenty minutes to get to the hospital, and as I pulled into a parking spot, Ava squeezed my hand. "It will be okay. I will be with you."
She looked at me with tears in her eyes and gave me a small smile. "He is all I have."
"Not true, honey. You have all of us on the ranch."She just looked at me. "We should get going."
I opened the door, and she just sat there. "Come on, Ava."
"I forgot shoes. Will they let me in?" The look on her face and the sound of her voice caused me to chuckle.
"I'll carry you in, and we can ask for socks." I walked over to her side of the truck and opened the door. I was going to carry her bridal style, but she wrapped her arms around my neck and legs around my waist.
"Thank you," she whispered into my ear.
"No problem, love."
I enjoyed this small moment we had, and I prayed that Jim was okay, but I knew he wasn't. He didn't look good at all, and I could see the sadness on my father's face. If he died, I would be there for Ava and make sure she was okay.
I walked into the hospital with her, and my parents were standing there. "Is she okay?" My mother asked when she saw us.
"Yes, mama. She forgot her shoes."
"I will go and ask for some socks. Put Ava in one of the chairs." She said as she walked away.
I set her down in a seat and sat down next to her. "Any word?" She asked my dad.
"No, but Ava, he is a strong man. Stubborn as all Hell."
"He has been having issues with his heart for some time. I found the medication. " Ava said, and my dad's eyes grew wide. I knew what he was thinking; why didn't Jim say something. We wouldn't have put so much stress on him.
When mama brought her the socks, she smiled, but it wasn't the bright smile I loved on her face, but it was something. She put the socks on and stared at the emergency room doors.
It took thirty minutes for the doctor to come out, and each time the doors to the emergency room would open, she would grab my hand. I could see the fear in her eyes. When the doctor headed towards us, her grip tightened. "I'm here," I whispered.
"Family to Jim "
Before the doctor could finish, Ava said, "I'm his granddaughter."
"Will you please follow me."
The look that crossed her face said it all. She knew he was gone. We all knew, but they needed to tell the family in private. "Doctor, Jim was family to us. Is he okay? If not, let us be there for her." My father said.
The doctor sighed and sat down across from Ava. "We did all that we could, but his heart was weak. He fought to stay, but too much damage was done. I'm sorry."
I looked at Ava, who had tears streaming down her face. I grabbed her and hugged her. She clung to my shirt and just cried.
- Writer
