“Still woozy but better, I think.” The cuff pinched and deflated slowly.

“What’s your normal?”

“Oh, between 120 and 130 over 75 to 80, I guess.”

“You’re up but not dangerously so. Pulse high but not dangerously so.”

“What will happen now?”

“You have any history of strokes, heart, breathing problems?”

“No, no, and asthma but not for a long time.”

“Do you have an inhaler?”

“Somewhere.”

“Back to your question. We’ll take Fred to the hospital but there is no need for you to ride along. We will have some papers for you to sign in the morning. Do you have a funeral home that you prefer?”

“I—I can’t think.” She clamped on to Sam’s hand. “I…”

Sam said firmly, “I know where the papers are. Can we let you know in the morning?”

Eva’s voice beside Ginny’s shoulder said, “Yes. Look, Ginny. I am going to let Sam take you up to the house. Oh, shoot, the smoke.”

Sam replied, “The basement should be clear. We can use the bedroom down there.”

Ginny warned, “You’re getting far away again.”

“How can I help?” Pastor Mike loomed beside Sam.

“Oh, good. I didn’t hear you drive up.” Eva kept her hand on Ginny’s other shoulder. “If you and Sam can take her up to lie down, I think that might be best.” She nudged Sam. “But if you see any change with your mom, you call, hear me? Even if she says no.” She squatted beside the stool. “You heard me, right?”

Ginny nodded. “Long as I don’t have to walk up there.” She sucked in another breath. “We can go in the sliding glass door so no steps to climb.” Just talking took every bit of stamina she had left.

“Come on, Eva,” the ambulance driver called. “We need to get back online. There’s an accident out near Bowers.”

“Don’t worry about us, we’ll take care of things here.” Pastor Mike took charge.

“Get some fluids in her.” Eva called from the ambulance. It roared away up the drive.

Ginny tried to keep her eyes open but the tears seemed to have glued them shut.

“Hang on here and I’ll bring my car close.”

“Erica took the kids next door so she’ll be here any minute. I told her to go to the house and warned her about the smoke.”

“Let Spook out of the truck.” Ginny felt woozy.

“No, I’ll get you in Mike’s car and then drive the truck to the house and bring Spook inside.” He sniffed. “Anyone else you want me to call?”

“I—I—sorry, I can’t think.”

“That’s okay, Mom, we’ll take care of things.”

Mike stepped in front of her. “Okay, me on one side, Sam on the other. Just let us help you.”

“Did someone shut the chicken house door?”

“I will,” Sam answered. “On three, we lift and we’ll let you get your feet under you. Unless you want me to carry you.”

“Carry me? I don’t think so.” With total concentration, she managed to put one foot in front of the other and sank down on the car seat. Sam lifted her legs and swung her in. “I’ll be right up. At least you can’t fall down now.”