Page 118 of You First
“What’s happening?” She rushed to him, ignoring his demand.
“Balance… tingling… Maybe stroke.” He tried to hide the fear in his voice, and Meredith took his hand in hers, commanding herself not to fall to pieces. At Gray’s feet, Juno whimpered.
She spoke into the phone. “My boyfriend may be having a stroke. He has a brain tumor. It’s urgent that we get to Lafayette General.”
“Ma’am, is he alert?” the dispatcher asked.
“Y-yes, but he’s lost his balance, and he’s having some tingling. His neurologist warned us to call 911 immediately—”
“The paramedics are on their way, ma’am. Is he breathing normally?”
“Yes, I think so,” she answered, watching Gray’s chest rise and fall. She squeezed his hand. He squeezed back.
“When did his symptoms start?”
“Just now,” she said in a rush. “He was fine five minutes ago.” A lump formed in her throat. Was this her fault? Had this happened because they’d—
“Is he experiencing any weakness in his limbs?”
Meredith remembered an article on stroke symptoms she’d read on Google just days before. “Gray, can you raise your arms out to the side?”
She watched with some relief when he brought both arms up, but his right drifted down a little. She tried to keep her face even.
“Yes, a little, I think.”
“Talk to me…” he said, letting his arms come back down.
Vulcan and Juno each stepped closer, sniffing his feet and legs.
She scooted closer and ran her hand down his face, searching for any sign of paralysis. “Honey, I’m just checking for symptoms.”
He looked up at her and brought his left hand up to her face, matching her touch. “I’m scaring you… I’m sorry…” TheS’s carried too much sibilance.
The lump in her throat swelled, and she shook her head. “No. I’m fine,” she lied.
“Is he disoriented or confused?” the dispatcher asked.
“No, no,” she said, relieved. Gray knew exactly what was going on, for better or worse.
“And his speech. Is it clear or slurred?”
“There’s some slurring,” she admitted, and she watched Gray frown.
“I hate you seeing this,” he whispered.
“Hush,” she scolded, stroking his face. “I love you.”
Gray blinked slowly, as though accepting the words.
“Ma’am, is he lying down?”
“Not completely. Should he be?” she asked.
“If he’s breathing normally, it would be better for him to lie flat.”
Meredith tucked her hand behind his neck. “She wants you to lie down, Gray.” He let her help him stretch out on the floor, and she leaned down over him, wanting to stay as close to him as possible. Vulcan approached and licked Gray on the cheek. Meredith pushed him away gently.
“It’s alright,” Gray muttered, a hint of a smile on his lips.
