Page 93 of Great White

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“I’m sorry, this is as far as you can go.” Funny, the paramedics' faces were a blur to me. I barely took any notice of them, but her, I see her so vividly. I notice everything — the strands of her silver hair, the age lines on her face, and the kindness in her big, brown eyes. She reminds me subtly of my own grandmother.

I take a seat in the waiting room and rest my heavy head in my hands.

“You’re not alone, kid.” I feel Taylor’s hand on my shoulder.

I look up at him, weary. “I can’t help thinking if I never left, would this have happened?”

“Yes, it would have, and you might have ended up on that operating table, too. Or worse. But she’s tough, she’ll pull through.”

“If I lose her—”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” He cuts my detrimental thoughts off at the knees.

We don’t talk much after Taylor snags a scrub top for me. We just sit in silence and wait.

And wait.

And wait.

And wait.

Sometimes all you need is some quiet and a strong foundation to lean on.

When the doctor appears in the waiting room Taylor and I both stand, holding our breath.

25

Tate

It’s a warm February day,but every so often the breeze brings a chill.

I place a dozen red roses on the grave in front of me.

The inscription reads:

Here lies Dove Reynolds

Fighter, lover, survivor

Shark

Darlin’

There’sa heaviness in my heart.

My entire world is different now.

I stand over the grave a little longer.

It’s the last time I’ll come.

The drive to the official DEA office in El Paso is a quiet one. No radio, no windows open. Only me and my silent thoughts.

They’re racing.

I make my way down the drab hallway with vending machines and bathrooms. Past cubicles filled with agents and analysts, and make my way to Taylor’s office door.

I knock.

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