Her head was a jumble of worries. She tried to focus on something that might occupy the restless students. The cell phone she wore clipped to her belt vibrated. Abby flinched until she realized it wasnt the beginning of another quake.
Fumbling the phone out of its case, she ventured a raspy, Hello?
Ms. Drummond? This is Mercy General ER. Thank God Ive finally gotten through to you! Some regular circuits were knocked out. The phone company said that eventually undamaged cell towers would route calls past towers that collapsed.
Abby said nothing.
Have I reached, Abigail Drummond, sister of Elliot David Drummond?
Spinning away from her nephews, Abby answered with a shaky, Yes. The hole in her stomach widened. The woman on the phone identified herself as Nurse Olivia Warren. She continued in a thankfully even voice, I understand the streets are a mess, Ms. Drummond, but Dr. Nelson thinks you should try to get here to see your brother. His injuries areserious. Please come if you can make it through the snarled traffic.
Iam a teacher. We have our own emergency here. Exactly what are Elliots injuries? AndBlair. What about his wife? They were traveling together with their son, Sam. Hes four.
Abby heard paper rustle, or maybe it was static on the line. I cant tell you anything about his wife. But Samuela teams working to stabilize him now.
Sam, oh, no! Abbys voice broke. Listen, tell Elliot Ill do my utmost to get there. Are you at liberty to relay the nature of Sams problem? Abby bit down hard on her lower lip to keep from revealing her panic.
I believe it has to do with his legs. Dr. Nelson is trying to find a pediatric orthopedist. Butthe entire medical community is on triage alert. Were not sure which hospitals have which physicians at this point. Your family arrived in one of the first ambulances.
Ben. Ben would know how to find the best doctor for Sam. I have a friend. A pediatrician. Dr. Galloway. Ill see if he can recommend a doctor for Sam. And Ill do everything I can to get to the hospital. Id appreciate it if youd give my brother a message. Tell him his two sets of twins are safe. I have all four boys right here.
Her hand shook so badly after she ended the call, Abby had to order herself to calm down. At first she couldnt remember Bens number. She felt the same numbness shed experienced when her parents died.
Taking a deep breath, she remembered that Bens clinic and hospital pager were programmed into her phone. She tried his clinic first. After four tries, someone there told her hed gone to the Childrens Health Hospital. He picked up on Abbys fifth attempt to connect with his cell. Galloway. Make it short unless youre calling about blood gasses on Bobby Harris.
Ben, its Abby. Im sorry to bother you. Her voice sounded reedy to her ears.
Abby? People were shouting in the background. Im surprised you got through, he said loudly. Are you okay? Newscasters say the city suffered widespread damage. Phone and power lines are down. In fact, our hospitals working off a generator.
Im fine. Im calling because I need a favor. Elliot and Sam are in Mercy General. I dont know any particulars, but Sam apparently needs an orthopedist. The nurse who phoned made it sound urgent. Ben, I didnt know where else to turn. Abby was afraid she was on the verge of hysteria.
My father, Ben said flatly. Kirk Galloway. As a dad, he stinks, but as a bone surgeon, hes the best in the city. Hell, in the state. Mercy General? And the boy is Sam? SamDrummond?
Yes. Hes only four. I appreciate this, Ben. I know youve never met the kids, only Elliot and Blair at the opera that night. Butjeez, Im rambling. If your dad can see Sam, tell him Ill guarantee his fee. Elliots insurance through the church probably isnt the greatest.
That wouldnt matter to me, but Im sure it matters to my old man. I hate to cut you off, Abby, but Im being paged. Lets try to connect later, okay?
Right. Andthanks again, Ben. Oh, before I forget Erin and Mollie are here with me. Theyre regular little troopers. Tell Marlo if you talk to her. I dont know if anyones answering our school phones. Were not allowed inside. Im sure parents are worried sick.
Marlo? I forgot her agency recently changed her hours. She crosses the West Seattle Bridge, and Ive heard Bens voice sank, then broke entirely. Abby, I need to go. Ill grab a minute to call my sister. Thanks for the info on the girls. Tell them Ill see them when this craziness settles down.
Abby relayed Bens message to his solemn-eyed nieces before she went to find Mr. Conrad and explain her situation. I have to go, she said. Ill ask Raina Miller to take the boys home with her if Im delayed getting back. Until I know where their mom is and how severely their dad and brother are hurt, Id rather not worry them. Ill tell them I have a problem at my town house. Her lips almost didnt move, they were so icy cold.
Im sorry, Abigail. The principal eyed her sympathetically. Im afraid your news is only the first we can expect. You take care driving across town. I have a really bad feeling about this quake. I suppose we should be thankful more students werent at school. But I cant help wondering if were prepared to care for the many whose parents wont be able to get through the wreckage to pick them up. Normally a sedate man, he was all but wringing his hands.
Oddly, his unrest had the opposite effect on Abby. She began to think more clearly. Someone should go get the student files. Most parents have cell phone numbers listed. The nurse who called me said the cell towers fared better than standard phone lines. You could designate one teacher to call parents.
Excellent suggestion, Abby. I should have thought of it myself. It goes to show that no matter how many drills we have, nothing prepares us for the actuality.
Im sorry I cant stay and help. Butthe nurse was insistent, even though shes aware of conditions in and around the city.
Go. Reassure the boys and dont forget to explain that youre leaving them in Rainas care.
Abby turned away, hoping shed be able to hide her alarm.
CHAPTER THREE
THE TWINS, especially the younger set, hung on Abbys jacket, and begged her to take them. Aunt Abby, Noah, one of the nine-year-olds, pleaded. Cant you drop us off at home? Ruffian will be so scared. So will Speedy and Poky, me and Mikes hamsters. And Brad and Reeds gerbil. Even Daddys fish, I bet. What if a tank broke or something? Mommys gone, so theres nobody home to save our pets.
Abby ruffled his wheat-blond hair. Guys, I need you to stay here where I know youre safe. Mrs. Miller has agreed to watch you until someone in the family comes by. She might take you home with her. You boys have been to her house before, remember? I promise Ill be as quick as I can, but I want your word that youll do exactly as she says.
What if Mama or Daddy comes to get us first?
Abby glanced worriedly away from Noahs direct blue eyes. Youll go with them, of course. She hugged each boy harder than she normally would, but wasnt able to look back at their tearstained faces after shed hurried off.
Raina, I have no idea how long Ill be. Abby spoke in a low voice to her good friend and fellow teacher. Maybe I can reach some neighbors, to see if the kids homeand my apartment buildingare still standing.