Chapter 7 - THE NIGHT ELI'S HEART STOPPED
The medical emergency happened on a Tuesday afternoon.
Eli was studying at the kitchen table when he suddenly pressed a hand against his chest.
I looked up.
"Eli?"
He tried to answer.
Then collapsed.
I called emergency services.
Followed the dispatcher's instructions.
And stayed beside him until paramedics arrived.
The ambulance ride felt endless.
At the hospital, doctors rushed him into emergency care.
I stood in the hallway, shaking.
Roman arrived forty minutes later.
I hadn't called him.
Rebecca had.
He approached slowly.
"Tessa."
I looked up.
My eyes filled.
"He collapsed."
Roman nodded.
"I know."
I began crying.
"I can't lose him."
Roman sat beside me.
He didn't promise everything would be fine.
Didn't tell me not to worry.
He simply stayed.
Hours later, the cardiologist explained that Eli had experienced a dangerous arrhythmia related to his underlying heart condition.
He had been stabilized.
Further evaluation and treatment would be needed.
I cried with relief.
Roman closed his eyes.
Later, when Eli was awake, he looked at Roman.
"You're my uncle?"
Roman nodded.
"Yes."
Eli studied him.
"Did you know about me?"
Roman swallowed.
"Not until recently."
Eli looked away.
"Okay."
Roman stepped closer.
"I wish I'd known sooner."
Eli's eyes filled.
May you like
Then he whispered, "Me too."
And for the first time, I saw the Mercer family begin to become something other than a collection of secrets.
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