Blood And Ashes

Arthur

I fell deaf to the clattering sounds of the rain. I had scurried out of my auto repair shop the moment I heard of Rose's incident in school.

My face flushed white by the words of the paramedics over the phone.

"I want to be clear that I'm speaking with the father of Rose Clifford, Arthur Clifford?"

"Yes, yes you are. Is there a problem?" The power call of the sirens buzzed at the call's end.

"Okay, sir."

There was a pause.

My heartbeat crescendoed as I thought of any possible worse situation my only child would be in at the moment.

Old memories I tried to wave off swarm through my mind.

I haven't heard what's wrong yet, I had reached out for my keys to my meticulously decrepit truck. It was a hard time retrieving it from my jean pockets but I got them out anyway.

I got in the truck, ready to ignite the engines.

"Tell me what the fuck is wrong with my daughter, right the fuck now." I couldn't have this guy fall dead on me over the phone when he had already introduced the situation with my daughter's name being mentioned in the headline.

"You need to calm down, sir. We've already taken care of the whole situation. Your daughter was in a critical condition and it's getting resolved at the moment."

This guy must be crazy.

Did he just say I should be calm? I'm already trembling in fear, fear of the unknown.

I don't want to face the fear of loss for the second time.

"Your attention would be at the City hospital. We are sending your daughter for proper examination and treatments, she will be okay."

The location was all I needed to know. It was 10 miles from here and a six-minute drive If my truck was in good condition. Now, it will be twelve.

I hung up, he was still speaking but I wasn't listening any longer. I knew the location and I was going right away to see my daughter.

I turned the truck from my parking spot, aiming to drive north to the rendezvous, when Harvey, the older guy that I worked for, stood at the front of my truck, making me halt abruptly.

With the intent on the whole situation, I would have knocked him down to go get my daughter and come back to face my music but this was Harvey.

My boss.

The father figure I had since my Dad passed.

"Careful son, where are you heading to? You're not done with…wait a minute, what's wrong Arthur?" He stopped halfway, scrutinising my face, seeing how I held on to my wheels as if my existence depended on it; my knuckles were white, my head was down as I stared down at nothing and he was good at reading my body language.

"I got a call. Rose is in danger." I spoke with my head still facing down. I said it with my mouth, and I became more scared; the bitter words drew out of my tongue, causing jittering to run down my spine.

I finally looked at his now-worried face.

The map of wrinkles on his forehead showed worries and deep concern towards me, or Rose.

I don't know.

Just as I was like a son he never had, Rose was like his beloved granddaughter.

He reached out to open the driver's door. "You can't drive in this state right now, you're not dying before me and not before your daughter."

"Don't worry about me, Harvey; I will make it to my daughter just in time."

"See." I braced myself up for him to get a proper view of my face and body, spreading my arms out masking the fear that was lurking within me. "I'll be fine."

"No boy, you'll drop that crackhead attitude of yours and let me help you. I insist." He said the last part looking up to the sky that had gradually turned cloudy.

"The rain is pouring down on this old man if you keep him waiting. I'm done with work for today, let's get you to your daughter…where did they say they took her to?"

I quickly got out of the driver's seat and turned around to hop on the passenger's side. Harvey wouldn't have it even if I refused.

"They said they were taking her to City Hospital, but they must have gotten there."

"Alright cowboy, buckle up." He said, strapping his seatbelt, I followed suit.

Harvey looked at me, elevating his eyebrows as layers of lines were on his wrinkled forehead.

"Arthur Clifford?"

This man should fucking drive, goddammit.

"Yes, boss," I replied, trying to shove the agitating feeling down my core.

"Let's just hope for the best while expecting the worst."

Oh God.

"She will be fine, I promise you..."

"Harvey, please take me to my daughter right away."

*****

The rain had started to pour heavily, straight and silvery like a punishment of steel rods.

I don't not care.

The hospital had an underground garage, we had parked, and I spoke to Harvey thoughtlessly as my brain couldn't fathom out proper words to say to him.

I knew he understood what I meant.

I wanted him to leave before I came out because I wasn't sure I was leaving this hospital, not without Rose.

If he insisted on waiting for me, fine.

I scurried in the hospital, my clothes were drenched from the blasting raindrops.

"Welcome, sir; how may we help you." the petite female receptionist asked with so much concern; her voice was a bit soothing, but I couldn't be calm at this point.

"Good day, nurse," I was told by my daughter, Rose Clifford, who was admitted to this hospital. I want to see her right now."

"I'm sorry, sir, you can't see her right now but I can put you up with the doctors in charge of your daughter." She said as she tapped on the smart computer screen in front of her."

I wiped the rivulets steamed down from my head into my face, burying my face in my palms.

I was getting frustrated.

"Hi, Miss Jane." I heard a guy greet the receptionist.

Just then, that same guy walked up to me, I stood some inches away.

"I assume you're Arthur Clifford?"

I raised my head to meet his gaze, now acknowledging his presence. He had the same voice with the paramedics over the phone.

I guess he was a nurse in this hospital, seeing the files he held in his hands and his dress

"Yes?" My heart raced faster.

"Okay, I will need you to follow me. Your daughter suffered a crisis at school; she has lost so much blood, but she's been taken care of; let me take you to the doctor who's on your daughter's case."

"Dr Myron has been expecting your arrival."