Prepare
“Morning, Mommy and Daddy!” Carrisa squealed as she jumped on our bed in excitement.
I smiled at her enthusiasm for just waking up in the morning. She is the most amazing daughter I could have asked for. Elle began to stir as Carrisa started fumbling her way up between us. Elle let out a shriek of pain.
My heart jumped at the sound of her agony. What could be wrong? Worry began to fill me, not knowing what the cause of the pain was. I know she has not felt well for the past few weeks and refuses to go to the doctor.
My mind began racing as I reached out for my wife, wanting to take away whatever hurt her. She looked up at me, and I noticed heavy rings under her eyes, which was odd considering she was only in her early thirties. Not to mention they were not there a few weeks ago. What is going on? Carrisa fell back on her butt, looking at her mom as tears began to stream from her eyes, thinking she had hurt her mom. My heart broke knowing she hadn’t hurt her mother, but explaining that to a four-year-old is difficult.
“Carrisa, sweetheart, you didn’t do anything wrong. Give me a minute to check, Mommy, alright?” I asked her calmly. Regardless I was full of panic.
Elle looked at me with worry, which I had never seen from her before. Elle is such a sweet person. I indeed met my soulmate when I met her. The first time I saw her, she took my breath away; she was so beautiful, yet her pure heart and soul drew me in.
We were slow to start our family, but we wanted to explore and have adventures that we couldn’t do with a child. Yes, I know you can do almost everything with a child, but these things were more dangerous. Not for kids! I cherish the time we had together before we started our little family. It has meant the world to me.
“Elle, what hurts, my love?” I asked with concern.
“It hurts to breathe. I tried to turn over to reach for Carrisa when the pain shot through my chest.” She sobbed.
I knew right then I needed to get her to the doctor without hesitation. I looked over to my old wooden bedside table and noticed the time on the clock. It read seven am.
“Carrisa, can you be my big baby girl and go get dressed for me, please? We need to take Mommy to see someone to ensure she is alright. Can you do that for Daddy?” I asked calmly.
Carrisa smiled widely as she scurried down the bed and walked towards her bedroom. I can only hope she doesn’t break her neck on her toys because I heard her dump her toybox a bit ago as she was playing. I turned back to my wife to see the tears in her eyes.
“It hurts so bad. It feels like something is sitting on my chest and stabbing me simultaneously!” Elle told me.
Hearing her explain what was happening, It felt like my breath caught in my throat. I climbed out of bed, knowing I needed to get her dressed to get help for her.
As I rounded the bed, Elle attempted to sit up as she hunched forward, wrapping her arms around herself.
“I will help you get dressed, my love. Just sit there, please, while I get your clothes.” I requested as I tried to remain calm.
I quickly gathered up her clothing from her dresser. I grabbed sweatpants and a t-shirt wanting her to be comfortable with nothing putting pressure on her chest. I returned to her as she looked up, trying to take short breaths as she whimpered with every breath. What is going on? I don’t understand!
I gently attempted to dress Elle, but as I had her move her arms so I could get the shirt on her, she cried out in pain. My heart sank knowing I was causing her this pain.
I finally got her dressed as delicately as possible now is the challenge of getting her into the car. I wonder if she can walk, considering she is so much pain.
“Just relax and sit here for a few minutes, love. I am going to make sure Carrisa is dressed.” I informed her.
I would call someone to stay with her, but we are new to this neighborhood and have yet to meet our neighbors. As I walked into Carrisa’s bedroom, I saw her lying on the floor, struggling to get a pair of stretchy sweatpants to slide onto her legs.
I had to grin at what was going on when I walked over to her, helping slide her pants up. She had chosen a green and pink shirt and purple sweatpants. I guess she wants to be a rainbow to cheer her mom up. I slipped her shoes on and stood her up on her feet, letting her know to get her jacket so I could put it on her.
I returned to our bedroom to see Elle trying to stand up as she teetered abruptly. I ran to her side, catching her gently in my arms. I placed my mouth to her ear and whispered.
“I asked you to wait, my love. I will help you!” I whispered as I kissed her earlobe.
“I know, Chis, but I want to be able to help also.” She whispered softly as it hurt her to take a deep breath.
Carrisa came bouncing into the room, oblivious to what was happening, and I will say I am so thankful for that. She even attempted to put her jacket on regardless it was upside down; the point is she tried. I smiled as I helped Elle sit down while I helped Carrisa with her jacket. As her jacket was a situation, I returned to Elle as she draped her arm over my shoulders.
If this doesn’t help, I want to scoop her into my arms and carry her to cause less pain. Would she let me, doubtful? I sighed as we walked towards the kitchen where the door was but so were my keys. I looked over to Elle as tears streamed down her cheeks as she bit her lip in an attempt not to scream out in pain. I growled inwardly, not liking seeing my wife in pain.
I grabbed my keys as we continued towards the car, opened Elle’s door, and assisted her in climbing into her seat. She cried in agony, and my heart dropped even more. Would she be alright? I got Carrisa into her car seat, ran for my door, climbed in, and sped off down the road toward the hospital.
I noticed the hospital sign on the side of the road, realizing we were almost there. I needed them to come out with a gurney to get Elle in as fast as they could. It felt like my heart was being stolen from me as worry continued, knowing they would take my wife from me and bring her back to help her. Yet, with her agony, I wanted to be at her side, and I knew that would not be possible.
The idea of that tore at me worse than anything ever could. As I pulled into the hospital driveway, I noticed where the emergency room doors were and pulled up to them as a looming dread filled me.
“Stay here. I will have someone come out. Carrisa, keep your mommy company, please.” I spoke softly.
I ran in through the sliding doors to the front desk, which had full glass shielding it.
“I need help now. It’s my wife!” I yelled.
The nurse nodded as she picked up the phone and called someone; I would not wait, so I ran back to the car.
“Carrisa, kiss your mommy and tell her you will see her later. The doctors are going to check her, alright?” I said to my daughter as her eyes welled with tears.
“I lob you, Mommy. You be okay, right?” She asked as she kissed Elle on the cheek.
Elle smiled and kissed her on the forehead, knowing it may be days before she saw her again. As she brushed away the tears on Carrisa’s face, she scrunched her nose, playfully letting her know she would be okay.
Several people came running out of the sliding doors with a gurney toward the car. I knew I needed to do this now, or I might lose the chance. I walked up to my wife and kissed her passionately.
“I love you, my Ellebear. I will come back as soon as they let me.” I cooed at her.
She nodded as they lifted her onto the gurney and ran her through the double glass sliding doors. My heart ached, not knowing what would happen behind closed doors.
My eyes were locked on the doors, wishing this was a bad dream as I heard Carrisa’s tiny voice. I turned my head to see her watching me intently; I knew she was wondering where her mom went to. I began to walk around the vehicle towards the driver’s side as a man approached me.
“Sir, would you like me to park your car for you? If so, I just need your keys to put this tag on them, and I will give you the ticket.” He spoke cautiously.
’Yes, thank you, that would be a great help.” I replied as I handed him my keys, and he gave me a claim ticket.
“Carrisa, come here, sweetie; we must go inside,” I spoke low.
She climbed to me as I picked her up and walked through the doors. I noticed a sitting room off to my right. There was no sign of my wife or the orderlies who wheeled her inside. I hope they can find out what is going on and help her!
I noticed a small table with children’s toys and coloring books on it. I walked over towards it and sat in the chair beside it as my head hung down, setting it on Carrisa’s shoulder. I gave her a gentle hug as she began to cry.
“Shh. Your mommy will be alright, honey. They are going to help her.” I whispered.
“I want Mommy!” She cried out in distress, realizing something was going on.
“So do I, baby!” I spoke with a trembling voice.
