Successions of Somethings ~ Chapter Nine

“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.”

Psalms 27:3

Moments later, Pearl pulled out of her garage and pointed her car toward Little Rock, though her heart and mind were thousands of miles and a lifetime away in Redlands with the little girl she had lost. She wiped the tears from her eyes and drove with mechanical reactions. She phoned her boss and told him there had been a family emergency and she would need a few days of personal time. She explained enough to ensure him she was needed and that a she would keep him updated if any developments. He kindly told her to take what time she needed and to let him know if there was anything he might do. She thanked him and disconnected the call.

She dialed again this time calling her colleague. “Hello.”

Pearl inhaled deeply and spoke quickly as not to allow the reality of what she was saying soak in and then said, “Hi Stan. This is Pearl. I just wanted you to know that I won’t be in for a few days. There’s been an accident, and well my brother is in critical condition. Anyway, I emailed you a copy of my lesson plans. Could you by any chance print those off, and give them to my sub?”

“Oh man Pearl. I am sorry. Yea, anything I can do to help. Are the kids okay? Are you okay?”

“Well, the kids don’t know yet. I wanted to wait until tomorrow. I called Shawn and asked him to keep them an extra day. I am on my way to Little Rock now to see if I can so anything to help. But, no, I am not okay. This is all completely out of my reality.”

“Well you know we would do anything for you and the kids. I will take care of your sub. Just let me know if there is anything else I can do.”

“Stan.”

“Yes Pearl.”

“There is something you can do. Try not to say anything at school to anyone. Just let them know there was a family emergency if they ask. But, there is bound to be some talk among the students, since the police were at my house today, and- well you know how they like to make up their own version of the story. Can you and Sela just try to keep a damper on the gossip?”

“Yea. We can do whatever. Just hang in there. Have you called Sela yet?”

“No. I am getting ready to call her. I just wanted to call you first to get my sub information in line. I should get going though. Thank you for helping.”

“Really, hon, it’s no problem. Just let us know what’s going on when you can, okay.”

“I will. Bye.”

The asphalt rolled beneath the tires as Pearl dialed again this time calling another colleague and friend. “Hey Sela, it’s Pearl. Do you have a minute?”

“Uh… just: It’s a madhouse here.”

Pearl took another breath, but this time spoke slowly. “Sela, I am on my way to out of town. I got news earlier that my brother has been in a terrible, and I need to be there for a few days. I have called Stan and asked him to take care of my sub, but would you care to check in on my students every once in a while and maybe ask the sub if she needs anything? I don’t know how long I will be. I can’t even begin to guess.”

“Oh my gosh Pearl. Yes. You know you can count on us. The kids are okay? Do you need me to come get the kids?”

“No, but thanks. They were at Shawn’s this weekend, so he is just going to keep them a little longer. I need to get, but thank you.”

“Don’t mention it, and please call again if you need me. Call any time okay.”

“Okay thank you. Bye.”

The two hung up, both feeling the sting of their numbing conversation. The drive seemed longer the farther she traveled, and as time passed, she dialed once more. As the phone rang, Pearl heaved and labored her breath as if she experienced difficulty breathing. She gasped and suddenly pulled the car to the shoulder, and tears fell once again as she sobbed frenziedly into her cupped hands.

The party on the other end answered and Pearl asked, “Maddi? Is that you?”

“Yes, Aunt Pearl. It’s me. Are you on your way?”

“Yes, I’m trying to hurry. How is your mom holding up?”

“She’s not doing well at all. She keeps saying you were here, and you know what happened. What does she mean? Were you here? Do you know?”

“Maddi. I don’t know what happened. I was just as surprised as you. I am hurrying. Hang in there okay.”

“I am Aunt Pearl. Be careful. I need you.”

Pearl ended the conversation and pulled back onto the highway. As she approached her interchange, she noticed the illuminated warning light informing her that she needed fuel.

“Of course: Only when I am in a hurry do I need to stop for gas,” she said to herself then thought, mom always said it was just as easy to keep the gas tank on 7/8 of a tank as it is to let it get to 1/8 of a tank. Pearl grinned at that thought and pulled into the station at Bald Knob.