Part 2 — “Her Pulse Is Dropping”
The paramedic tightened the oxygen mask over my face.
“Emma, stay with me.”
I tried to nod.
The ceiling lights blurred above me.
Someone was crying.
I couldn’t tell who.
Then the paramedic looked at her partner.
“Get cardiac transport ready.”
My mother’s voice trembled.
“What is happening to her?”
The paramedic didn’t look away from me.
“She is severely hypoxic.”
Mom stared at her.
“But she was washing dishes.”
The paramedic finally looked up.
“And she was struggling to breathe while doing it.”
Uncle Ray lowered his beer.
“Could this just be anxiety?”
The paramedic’s expression hardened.
“No.”
One word.
It silenced the kitchen.
She checked my pulse again.
“Emma, have you ever had this happen before?”
I managed a whisper.
“Sometimes.”
Mom immediately interrupted.
“She does this when she’s stressed.”
The paramedic looked at her.
“Has she been evaluated?”
Mom hesitated.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“She exaggerates.”
The paramedic stared at her for a moment.
Then she turned back to me.
“Emma, when did this start?”
“Months…”
“How long?”
“Since… winter.”
The paramedic’s eyes narrowed.
“Every episode like this?”
I nodded weakly.
“And you’ve never been evaluated?”
I shook my head.
My mother looked away.
The paramedic stood.
“She’s going to the hospital.”
Part 3 — The Ambulance
They moved me onto the stretcher.
My brother followed us toward the front door.
“Can I come?”
Mom grabbed his arm.
“No.”
Caleb pulled away.
“She’s my sister!”
Daniel stepped between them.
“I’ll take him.”
Mom looked at him.
“You’re making this worse.”
Daniel stared at her.
“No.”
His voice was quiet.
“You did.”
Mom’s face went pale.
I heard the ambulance doors close.
Then everything became sirens.
Part 4 — The Question
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