CHAPTER 16
479 Words
CHAPTER 16
“All right,” Carl whispered. “All right.”
Panic laced his voice, mirroring the panic that swelled up inside her.
“Let me just think. If I take Riverside to Governor’s Ave, I can get you to the hospital. You need to apply pressure. You need to ...”
The pain hadn’t been that bad until she realized what it was. The shoulder of her leather coat was torn. She couldn’t even see skin beneath, just blood. What kind of diseases would infect a wound like that? She looked at her arm again, and her vision blurred.
“I don’t feel too good.” She had time to turn her face away from her injury before throwing up. It wasn’t until her stomach was empty that she realized what she had done.
She didn’t dare raise her eyes to Carl but stared at his dirty pants leg. Where was that Kleenex he had given her?
“I am so sorry,” she stammered. “Here, let me help you ...”
“Don’t worry about it.” Carl didn’t take his eyes off the road.
“I’m really, really sorry,” she repeated, her fear and pain giving way to the mortification that warmed the pit of her stomach, shouting blaring accusations in her ear.
“It’s ok.”
She had never seen Carl so serious. Was he mad at her? Of course he was. If it hadn’t been for her, he wouldn’t be sitting in a smelly mess. His car wouldn’t be all smashed in, and they wouldn’t be fleeing for their lives. She’d be lucky if he ever spoke to her again. She’d probably have to find another church and ...
“Sandy did that, too, you know.”
“What?”
“When she was in labor with Jordan and I was driving her to the hospital.” His voice was lighter now. A little more like normal. “Puked all over herself, the car, my arm.” He let out a little chuckle. “Man, the orderly who met us at the ER, he took one look at her, went back inside, and came back with some gloves and a face mask just to help her in the doors. Can’t blame the kid.”
Kennedy laughed, but the jerky motion made her shoulder hurt even more.
“We’re just a few minutes away from the hospital, kiddo.” Carl squeezed her knee. “You just hang tight.” And then, in his comforting deep voice, Carl started to pray. He thanked God for keeping them safe and asked him to keep Gino far away from them. He prayed for the police and all those impacted by the power outages. He prayed for the doctors and nurses they would soon meet, and asked that if it was God’s will they could have a chance to spread the love of Jesus to them.
He had just said “Amen” when Kennedy heard a car speeding up behind them. She turned in her seat, wincing with pain, expecting to see Gino’s black vehicle.
“Oh, thank you, Lord,” Carl breathed.
Kennedy never expected to be so relieved at the sight of blue and red flashing police lights. Carl pulled over and jumped out of the car, raising his arms in the air.
“Hurry!” he called, keeping both hands high. “She’s been shot.”
- Writer
