When Sparks Fly by Kristine Raymond, Andrea Michelle, Grace Augustine, Maryann Jordan, B. Maddox, J. M. Nash, Anne L. Parks Page B

back and forth between the sofa and the fireplace, to no avail. The living room floor was littered with debris from the paramedics’ attempt to revive his father, and he had to step around paper wrappers and equipment in his endeavor. Finally giving up, he sat down on the sofa, only to jump up again and resume pacing.
    Tearing the mask from his face, Bill roared, “Enough! I’m fine! I certainly don’t need all of this fuss being made over a little dizzy spell.”
    Exasperated, Joe argued back, “It was more than a dizzy spell, Dad. You blacked out.”
    “It’s called syncope.” Bill’s personal physician, Ted Blanchard strode in, crouching down in front of his patient. Snapping open his bag, he nodded to the paramedics. “I’ve got it from here fellas. Thanks.”
    “Sure thing, Doc. Are you sure you don’t want us to stick around in case you need a lift to the hospital?”
    “I’m not going to any damned hospital!” Bill thundered, rising up off the sofa.
    “Settle down,” Ted ordered, fixing his patient with a level stare until the man sank back against the cushions. “If he needs to go anywhere, I’ll take him.”
    The medics packed up their equipment and left the house. Joe stood with his back to the fireplace, his fingers tented across the bridge of his nose while the doctor examined his father. Vaguely aware of Monica moving around in the kitchen, he knew she was doing her best to keep Kimber out of the way. He’d thought the worst when they’d driven up and seen the ambulance, and barely had enough sense to put the truck in park before jumping out and racing into the house.
    Relief had flooded through him when he saw his father sitting up giving the paramedics hell. He’d called his mother and after assuring her that Bill was not in any immediate danger, he’d hung up and called Ted. Besides being the family’s physician for more than forty years, Ted Blanchard was also a close personal friend, and there was no one Joe trusted more with his parents’ health.
    A vehicle pulled up in the driveway and assuming correctly that it was his mother, he stepped outside to reassure her. He could see that she was shaken but was doing a good job of holding it together, though she took his arm and leaned on him as they walked into the house. Her face crumpled when she saw her husband. “Oh, Bill, what have you done?”
    Ted stepped forward and grasped her upper arms, giving her a light shake to refocus her attention. The last thing he needed was two patients on his hands and though Fran was in fairly good health, the woman was getting up there in age. “He’s going to be fine, don’t you worry. You know I wouldn’t lie to you.”
    “I know. Thank you Ted, for coming out. I’m alright.” Giving him a half-smile and a nod, she stepped around him and over to her husband, taking a seat on the sofa next to him. They put their arms around each other and Fran’s shoulders quaked lightly, an indication that she was giving into her fears.
    “It’s alright, pet,” Bill said soothingly, rubbing her back. “I’m going to be fine. Right, Doc?”
    “As long as you remember to take your medicine, you will.”
    Bill smiled sheepishly. “I mighta forgotten to take my pills this morning,” he admitted.
    “William Sean Callaghan! You cannot forget to take your medicine,” Fran scolded. “Am I going to have to watch you every minute of the day to make sure you do as you’re told?”
    “I think that’s my cue to leave,” Ted commented, snapping his bag shut. Motioning to Joe, the two men stepped into the kitchen. The doctor looked over at Monica, who was standing beside the counter, folding a paper grocery bag. Kimber was seated at the table eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Leroy at her feet, hoping that she’d drop a crust. “Hello there, I don’t believe we’ve met. Dr. Theodore Blanchard.”
    Monica reached out and shook the doctor’s hand. “Monica Russo. It’s nice to meet you.