After dinner, we were back at it. I almost wished I hadn’t had the week off because the grind seemed worse. We would be at this until late into the night to get in all the scenes on today’s shoot list. It made me dread what three back-to-back movies would be like starting this summer.
I was powering through another scene when I saw Lexi standing off to the side with a worried expression on her face. When I was done, she came over and handed me my phone.
“Call your brother.”
“Why, what’s going on?” I asked.
“Just call him.”
I dialed, and he picked up on the first ring.
“Thank God. I’ve been trying to get you for the last half hour. They took Dad to the emergency room,” Greg said, dropping a bombshell.
“Is he okay?” I asked.
“I don’t know. He felt dizzy after dinner and went to lie down. He got up to use the bathroom and collapsed. They think it’s his heart.”
“I’ll make arrangements to catch the redeye.”
“No. There’s nothing you can do here. Mom was very clear that you have to meet your obligations. She said Dad would want you to finish up before you come home.”
“Is she crazy? I should be there,” I said.
“And do exactly what? We don’t know anything yet.”
“I can’t do this if I don’t know what’s going on.”
“Lexi has your phone. I promise to call her whenever I hear anything. Trust me to take care of things while you’re out there. I’ll make sure Mom’s okay and hold everything together,” Greg assured me.
I felt myself fighting back tears. My Grandpa Dawson had died too soon from heart problems. I was afraid it was genetic. My dad was too young to die on me. I needed him, and it killed me to have to stay here.
“I’m counting on you,” I said to my brother. “If you need anything, tell Caryn.”
While I talked to Greg, I saw that Lexi had fetched Mr. Nomura, my mentor.
“Hang on. The doctor just came into the waiting room. Let me put you on speaker so you can hear it when I do,” Greg said.
I put my phone on speaker so Lexi and Mr. Nomura could also hear. I noticed that everyone had gone quiet on set and had gathered around me.
“We were able to stabilize your husband, Mrs. Dawson. When he arrived, he exhibited symptoms that point to ventricular tachycardia, which can be life-threatening. This condition causes the heart to contract before filling with enough blood. That results in inadequate blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body. On the ride here, your husband lost consciousness, and they needed to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
“We will watch him closely for the next few hours to make sure we can keep his heart in normal sinus rhythm. When we see this condition, it’s caused by one of a variety of problems, such as heart disease,” the doctor said.
“Is he going to be okay?” Mom asked.
“Your husband is young and relatively fit. We will need to discover the underlying cause, but he should be okay. He’s in good hands, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure we get him back to good health.”
Greg took me off speaker, and I did the same.
“I’ll keep you updated, but it looks like he’ll be okay,” Greg said.
“Thanks. I appreciate you being there. I need to get going,” I said and hung up.
Mr. Otsuki announced a thirty-minute break. Mr. Nomura sat me down to talk.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I think so.”
“Can you continue tonight?”
“We have to get this done, so I’ll do what’s needed. My brother and Lexi will let me know what’s going on back home.”
“Let me know if you need a break or to stop, and I’ll talk to Mr. Otsuki.”
I was thankful he’d offered. To be honest, I wanted to keep busy right now. Besides, it sounded like I wouldn’t know anything for sure until tomorrow. I said a little prayer for my dad and got back to work.
◊◊◊
Chapter 31 – Hardest Goodbye Monday January 9
My phone rang while I was taking a shower after my morning run. It was my mom, so I quickly answered.
“How’s Dad?” I asked before she could say hello.
“He had a rough night. I just came out from seeing him, and he says he’s okay.”
“And?” I asked.
“He looks shaken. I think he’s putting on a brave face for everyone,” Mom said, and I could hear the tremor in her voice.
“I’ll book a flight and get home.”
“No!” she said emphatically. “Your dad was very clear that he would be upset if you walked out on your obligations. As a matter of fact, your grandmother and uncle are still coming to your place today. If everything wasn’t going to be okay, do you think they would leave?”
Not unless my dad asked them to come to make sure I was okay, but I left that unsaid. I had to agree that if he were in real danger, they would never leave his side and get on the plane, no matter what he said. I knew I wouldn’t if Greg were in the same condition.
“It doesn’t matter what Dad or my uncle and grandmother think. Do you want me to come home?” I asked.
She snorted.
“Brook must really have you well-trained.”
“Please. You and Tami have been working on me much longer than Brook. Don’t put this on her.”
