Chapter 11

More than an hour later,we finally headed out to Jeff’s truck with Officer Dyer,who gave Jeff some information.I tried to pay attention,too,because everything had been so intense inside and I wasn’t even sure I knew what was going on anymore.

“We’ve talked with the grandparents and they live about an hour away in Arbor.They may even be at the hospital by the time you get there.They’ve agreed to take Pamela and Aaron home with them for now.”He glanced at me before turning his attention back to Jeff,clearly aware that he was the one handling things.“Unfortunately,Mr.Pickard is also at County Hospital,but in a different section.He’s under arrest and will be placed in jail as soon as medical professionals authorize it.”

Jeff listened,nodding occasionally.

The officer gazed at me again.He pressed his lips together as he took a deep breath,his eyes darting between Pamela and me.“Last I checked on your mother,she was in surgery.About all I know is she has some broken bones,some internal bleeding,a broken nose,and bruised kidneys.”

Tears welled up in my sister’s eyes and I pulled her close,wrapping my arm around her.It was a struggle to hold back the fresh tears dampening my own lashes.

“Look,guys,this isn’t going to be easy.”Dyer rubbed his big hands over his face.For the first time,I noticed he looked upset and I wondered if this was hard on the police,too.He pulled out three business cards and handed one to Pamela and one to me,before giving one to Jeff.I slid mine into my pocket without even looking at it.Pamela seemed unaware she was holding anything and I watched as the card fell from her fingers,drifting to the ground.Jeff picked it up for her,but instead of handing it back,he tucked it into his pocket.

“Thanks,”I mumbled as I opened the passenger door to let Pamela climb in ahead of me.We buckled up,each of us operating on auto-pilot.I stared out the window as we left the house behind.I wasn’t sure if I ever wanted to go back.

Silence blanketed the drive to the hospital.I glanced at my sister and she seemed pretty out of it.Hell,we all were.

Jeff stopped before the emergency room doors.I found him staring at me.

“Are you leaving?”I asked anxiously.

“No,”he replied,shaking his head.“You guys go ahead.I’ll be there in a minute.I’m just going to park.”

Swallowing the lump in my throat,I nodded and climbed out of the truck,my sister close behind.We made our way through the large glass double doors and stopped short at the scene in front of us.Pamela grabbed my hand as two police officers half-carried,half-walked a dirty,rumpled man with a shaggy beard by us.

“Demons be here!”he screamed.“Satan and his demons live here!”

Pamela scooted closer and we stared as they disappeared down a long hall.I briefly wondered if he was being taken to the same area my dad was being held.

A large waiting room with maybe eight or nine people occupying some of the blue plaid chairs lay to our left.Directly in front of us stood a check-in area with individual counters and chairs.Each was full and I wasn’t sure what to do.I scanned the room,looking for some kind of instructions and jumped when something touched my shoulder.

Spinning around,my heart started beating again when I saw Jeff.

“Sorry,”he said,his hands up,palms out.“I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Sorry,I…”I glanced around again.I still had no idea what to do.

Once again,it seemed Jeff knew the answer,because he led us to some chairs and told us to wait while he found out some information.

Numb,I sat and watched him walk away.How had I never realized how confidant he was?He took long,purposeful strides as he made his way to the check-in counters.He spoke with a gray-haired woman behind the partition,then gestured for us to join him.I rose from my chair,my sister’s hand still clutching mine.

Jeff explained where we needed to go.I tried to focus,but barely heard him.For some reason,his pale blue eyes mesmerized me.I couldn’t look away.I didn’t want to.

“Aaron?”

I shook my head and tried to pay attention.“Yeah?”

“You okay?”

Was I okay?That was a loaded question.I wasn’t sure if my mom was going to live,my dad was being arrested,my house was in shambles,and my sister was possibly in shock.Yet,all I could focus on was a pair of icy blue eyes.I shrugged and looked down.Sure,I’m okay,I thought as tears burned my eyes.Everything was just peachy.

Jeff seemed to understand.“Follow me.”He took us through a couple of hallways until we reached another waiting room.It was smaller than the first one and had a couple of brown sofas back-to-back in the middle,while chairs lined three of the walls.A large fish tank occupied most of the space on the fourth wall,a water cooler next to it.

At first I didn’t see anyone else,but Officer Dyer had been right.My grandparents had arrived before us.Before I knew what was happening,they were enveloping us in a huge family hug.Pamela lost it and began sobbing.I remained stoic,though,and held back the tears.Now wasn’t the time.

We all found seats and collapsed as the weight of the situation settled upon us.Jeff stayed with me and was nothing short of amazing.He kept busy getting us drinks,asking if anyone needed anything,and just being there to listen.My grandparents loved him,but then again,they always had