26

I just stood there, staring at the door where they’d just carried my sister out, limp and terribly white.

Toppy and Mom came out of the kitchen.

“What’s going on?” Toppy asked.

The babies started to cry, and it shook me out of my stupor. I sat down in the chair.

Mom rushed me. “Bailey, what’s wrong?” She took Paul out of his seat and bounced him on her shoulder.

“Brenna got sick. David and Scott took her to the hospital.” I retrieved Helen from her seat and tried to soothe her. “I don’t know what to do. Mom, you don’t think,” I began, but couldn’t say it.

“Of course not. Kids get sick all the time.”

“But in her condition?” I began to shake.

“No use speculating,” Toppy said as he tore off his apron and toque. “We’ll just get there quick as we can. Folks, I’m sorry, but we’ll have to close down for the day.”

I glanced at the full diner.

The seniors had gathered in groups, hands held, and prayed.

Tracy and Javier approached me, as I put Helen back in her seat, and Mom did the same with Paul. “We’ll watch the babies, Bailey. You go on.”

“Yes, ma’am, and Mr. Toppy, I’ll shut everything down and lock up.”

“No. I want everyone she loves at the hospital, including the babies.” Please God, don’t take her yet. If this was it, I wanted her surrounded by her family.

A brief freeze frame stopped us all.

“I’m Pastor Lankford. Can I help?” The dark-haired man stepped into our paralyzed circle.

Toppy took keys from his pocket and handed them to the pastor. “Please, just turn everything off and lock the door. I’m sorry, but we’ve got to go.”

“You got it.”

Javier and Tracy each carried one of the car seats. We pushed through the praying seniors toward the door.

Melissa held the door open as everyone passed through.

“You come too, please,” I said.

She hugged me. What did a cold matter now?

“I’ll drive, Melissa,” Phoebe said, “and I’ve called Jack. He’ll meet us there as soon as he can.”

I hugged her with thanks and gave my car keys to Javier. “You know how to put those seats in their docks?”

“I’ll figure it out. We’ll be right behind you,” he said.

The Pearson boys and Mandy and Macy got into Greg’s truck and drove off.

I got in the car with Mom and Toppy.

“What happened?” Mom asked as Toppy took the Interstate off of Exit 477.

“I’m not sure. All I know is that David, Scott, and I were talking then David got a text from Melissa, which sent him running to Brenna. I guess she noticed Brenna getting sick.” Please. I couldn’t pray, only kept repeating please in my heart.

My cell rang.

“Scott?”

“We just got here. David actually had a siren light in his car. Dr. Lewis happened to be here. He’s with her now.”

“She’s alive?”

“Yes, but still unconscious.”

“We’re on our way,” I said.

“Beloved, I love you.”

Beloved. Had that entered into Brenna’s heart yet? That she was beloved of God? That she was enough the way she was, and nothing that happened was her fault? “Scott, please get to her and whisper that in her ear. Please, do that for me, for her. It’s important.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Please.