Page 73 of The One Timer

“It depends on a lot of things. They need to run tests, maybe do a scan.”

Sheryl turns from her family and smiles at Emery. “”I’m so glad you were there with Grandma Molly and called the ambulance right away.”

“She did a hell of a lot more than that,” Uvi says.

I watch Emery pink.

“I only did what I’ve been trained to do.”

“What did you do?” Mrs. Foster asks. All the Foster’s stare at her.

“I only gave Mrs. W aspirin and made sure she stayed upright until the ambulance arrived.”

“Oh my god, Young lady, the important thing is that you kept your head and did what you needed to do,” Mrs. Foster says. “Very heroic.”

Emery cringes and I can’t help piling on. With one arm around her shoulder, I pull her in tight and whisper, “My golden angel.”

She swats my arm.

“Seriously, I hope you know how grateful I am. I owe you more than I can ever repay,” know.”

“Stop it. You don’t owe me anything, Chase, truly. I love your grandmother and I only hope she’s okay.” Her voice breaks and her eyes blur with unshed tears. I pull her back from the huddle of people.

“I know exactly how you feel, Em. I’m right there with you. And I’m fucking glad you’re here with me right now or I don’t know that I’d be functioning right now. You’re my angel and my rock.”

She smiles. “That’s a new one. I’m your rock?”

I get close enough to nuzzle her ear and whisper, “Except in bed. Then you’re soft and silky smooth and⁠—”

Her face pinks. “I get the picture. Shh.” She tries to look stern as she admonishes me, but she’s fighting a smile. Mission accomplished. Because I needed to distract her from tears right now, can’t believe there’s going to be a need for tears.

Gran is going to recover and be fine for years to come and I have no idea how I know, but my conviction is strong.

I’m sure as shit Gran is going to come and watch me play hockey again. In person.

Two doctors step through the double doors then and everyone crowds them asking questions all at once. One of the doctors hold up his hands and the crowd quiets while my heart beats so loud it’s almost all I can hear, but I listen carefully.

“Molly’s going to be okay. She’s out of the woods right now. She had a mild heart attack, but there is some damage to her heart and she’ll need to take it easy. She may be weaker than before. We can release her tomorrow. Who will pick her up?”

Uncle Walt steps up immediately and confers with him. The second doctor looks around and her eyes settle on me. “She wants to talk to you, Chase. I’ll give you five minutes. Follow me.”

Ignoring the monitors and the oxygen tube in her nose, I sit in the chair next to her bed and take her hand, grateful for the warmth.

“How are you, Gran?”

“Do not let Emery get away.”

I laugh. “I can’t tell if you’re serious or delirious.”

“I’m serious. If that’s what you’re wondering. It’s no laughing matter. The continuation of the Whittier name and legacy rests with you, my boy.”

“What about all my cousins?”

“Never mind about them. You’re the one I’m relying on. The oldest grandson of my oldest son.”

“You realize the whole idea of the family name is old-fashioned. What about Kat? Or any one of the girls who could keep the family name and have children.”

She’s silent and then coughs. I lean forward and squeeze her hand. “But I get your message. You want me to be happy, to have a family.”