Chapter 87: Did You Have A Bad Dream?
Keith quickly opened the door and said, "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost! Did you have a bad dream?"
Cathryn couldn't explain it, but Keith was the first person she thought of when she heard the news about her grandmother. "My....my grandma had a h...heart attack. I have to go to Jonathan City." Her voice was trembling, and her whole body was shaking. She tried so hard to swallow back the tears, but they immediately started streaming down her cheeks.
Keith didn't say a word. He picked her up and took Cathryn back to her bedroom. He gently put her down on the bed. Keith put his arms around her and stroked the side of her hair. Seeing her like this, his heart was broken. "Change your clothes. I'll contact my pilot, and we'll be in Jonathan City as soon as possible."
Cathryn sat there on the bed, looking helpless. She was terrified. She loved her grandma so much. She muttered the words, "She has to be okay. I didn't have a chance to say goodbye."
Keith held Cathryn tighter. He gently put his hand on her chin and raised her head. He looked into Cathryn's eyes and said, "Please try not to worry. I will be right here by your side as always." Cathryn found his calm voice reassuring.
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Cathryn was terribly distraught at the news of her grandmother's heart attack. Terrible anguish struck her heart. She sat still and silent. Her heart is aching. The flow of her thoughts suddenly stopped when Cathryn glanced at Keith. He hugged her and said, "Everything is going to be okay."
They arrived at the airport in Flower Island. Walking towards the helicopter, its blades were already turning. Cathryn's hair blew wildly in the down-draught from the idling blades as they entered the door. Keith got in first and helped Cathryn get seated.
The helicopter's spinning blades changed pitch, the whine building slowly to a thunderous beating in the air. Cathryn shouted, "It's really loud." Keith put a set of headphones on her ears and fastened her seat belt.
Keith was staring at her as if he expected her to faint or something. "It won't be long. Before you know it, we'll be in Jonathan City." He smiled reassuringly and whispered to Cathryn, "Try and get some rest."
The helicopter began to rise to a higher altitude before it began to depart. Cathryn blinked and turned to look at Keith. "Ever since I received the call. I feel like it's all been a dream." Of all the emotions running through her mind, the one that hurt the most did not know if her grandmother was going to be okay.
Cathryn closed her eyes for a moment, shaking her head. Reaching around her with his arm, Keith knotted it securely on her waist. The protective warmth of his touch made her feel safer.
"Thanks for taking me and coming with me," she said and gradually closed her eyes.
As soon as the plane landed, Cathryn called her mother. "Mom, I'm here. I'm in Jonathan City. What hospital is grandma in?" Without thinking. Cathryn ran towards the car. "Cathryn, slow down. You're pregnant. You could hurt yourself or the baby."
Listening to Keith, Cathryn slowed down. He took her hand and helped her into the car. They arrived at the hospital, and Victoria was standing with Clement, her sister, outside the emergency door. "Cathryn, I'm so happy you're here," Victoria screamed. She immediately hugged Cathryn tightly. Victoria had tears streaming down her cheeks.
While Cathryn hugged her mother, she noticed her Aunt Nancy and Uncle Lee waiting at the door with anxious expressions on their face. Cathryn went over and gave her Aunt and Uncle a hug, "Cathryn, your mother, has been a mess. I'm so glad you were able to come," Nancy said.
"Me too," replied Cathryn, and she swallowed a big lump in her throat. Tears were in her eyes, but she tried to look brave. Cathryn took Aunt Nancy's hand and whispered in her ear. "Is there any news on grandma? Does anyone know how she is?" Cathryn asked with a tremble in her voice.
"We don't know a lot. All we know is that they're working on her," replied Nancy.
Bonne's throat tightened as she listened to the two of them talk. She was half afraid to speak, fearful that a quake in her voice would expose her trepidation. Tears formed in her eyes, blurring her vision. Victoria closed her eyes. She took a deep, cleansing breath in an effort to stifle the tears that were threatening.
Cathryn's father, Clement, saw Victoria struggling to stay calm. He reached over and put his arm around her waist and said, "We called 911, and this was the closest hospital. We wanted your grandmother to go to the Central Hospital, but time was of the essence."
His tone sounded concerned as he walked toward Cathryn. He had never felt so helpless and powerless. "I don't understand, Dad? Grandma has always been so healthy?"
"Yes, it was a surprise to us all. Your mother and I just visited her two nights ago, and she was her cheery old self," replied Clement.
"So all you know is that grandma had a heart attack. Does this hospital have the capability to help her? What happens if they can't?" Cathryn felt like she was going to faint and started to lean backward. She was caught by Keith. He reached for her hand, and she held onto his shoulder for support.
"I don't want any of you to worry. I will take care of it. Whatever your grandmother needs, just let me know. Suppose it's equipment, doctors. It doesn't matter. Consider it done," Keith said decisively.
When Cathryn and Keith first arrived, because of the state that everyone was in, no one noticed Keith. Now everyone turned and looked with amazement at him. They had no idea who he was, but they were very grateful for his offer.
"Keith, thank you...." Cathryn looked up at him, but he was already on the phone making the arrangements.
While Keith was on the phone, the doctor came out. Everyone gasped and held their breath. When he came out, there was blood all over his gloves. They were expecting to hear the worst.