It was almost two in the morning by the time I drove my rental into Grant City. Since Dad wasn't answering at home, I drove straight to the hospital.
Dad, Benny, and Benny's wife Maureen were all in the waiting room.
They all rose upon seeing me, and we all hugged in turn.
"It's a stroke," Benny said as we hugged.
"How bad?"
"Don't know yet," Dad said. "They're running a bunch of tests now. We won't know for awhile yet."
I nodded, then turned to Benny and Maureen. "Where are the kids?"
"My sister has 'em," Maureen said. "She'll keep 'em until we know what's happening."
And that was it. I couldn't think of anything else to say and neither could anyone else. We were all just plain scared, and no one wanted to give voice to their fears.
* * * * *
At a little past four, a doctor stro
