That’s the way things went, Bill.

The paramedic who was looking after Susie had started an IV.

Me: Is she going to be okay?

Paramedic 1 (busy):

Paramedic 2 (to me): I want you to wrap yourself in this blanket and hold this heat pack to your abdomen.

Me: But is she going to be okay?

Susie: Where’s Calvin?

Paramedic 1: He’s here. You can talk to him in a minute.

Susie: Where? I can’t see him.

The paramedic gave me a look that said, I have no idea why she wants you but she does, so get your skinny rear over here.

Me: I’m here, Susie.

I knelt beside the stretcher and touched her hair. It was the realest, truest hair I will ever touch.

Susie: Do you think this will make the papers?

Her voice was so small I had to read her lips.

Me: I hope not. I don’t want Bill to know what I did to you.

Even while I was saying that, I knew I’d have to tell you everything, confess everything, apologize for everything.

Susie: You owe me. Big-time.

Me: I owe you for the rest of my life.

Susie: Yeah.

She smiled.

I held her hand and had this vision of owing her for the rest of my life, and me old and still owing her.

Me: Okay. Where should I start?

Susie: Take your meds.

I nodded.

Susie: And stick with me.

Me: I’m sticking.

Susie:

Me: Hobbes is gone.

Susie: Is it hard?

Me: It’s hard.

Paramedic 2: Okay, kid, I need you to wrap up and put this heat pack—

Me (to paramedic 2): How did you know we were here? Out on the lake?

Paramedic 2: We got a call. All you need to know is that you’ll be paying for this little rescue mission until you’re well into your thirties.