I feel the phone slide out of my hand and clatter to the floor. I stare numbly ahead and replay Sergeant Jessup’s words.
It can’t be true. Not Daddy.
I pick up the phone and ask in a trembling voice. “Um... are you sure?”
“I’m afraid so, Callie,” he says. “They were able to get him to the hospital in time, but it’s going to be a while before he recovers fully, if he ever does. I’m so sorry.”
I don’t know how to respond to that. I know Sergeant Jessup means the sentiment. He’s a friend of Daddy’s and I’m sure that underneath his professionalism and compassion for me is just as much fear and shock as I feel.
Through tears, I ask, “Can I see him?”
“Of course,” he says. “He’s at Redleaf River Hospital. Do you want me to pick you up?”
“No,” I say, “Um, no thank you. I’m close to the hosp
