He rushed to pull up her number. The phone rang once.

“Ethan?” His mother’s voice was clear, as though she was standing next to him.

“Mom, what’s going on?” He willed her to say everything was all right—that he’d misheard her.

“It’s Aunt Birdie. There’s been an accident. She’s at the hospital.”

Aunt Birdie was technically his great-aunt, which meant she was getting on in age and a fall could be serious. Aunt Birdie was his mother’s aunt and the only living relative on her side of the family. Aunt Birdie had grown up in Brooklyn, just like him, but when she married, she moved to Bluestar Island just off the Massachusetts coastline. It was a lesser-known island than Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard, but it still had its own charms and distinct folklore.

His great-aunt was more than just a fun aunt; she was more like a loving grandmother to him. He remembered as a child visiting Bluestar Island for Christmas and especially for the Fourth of July celebration. He’d even spent part of his summer vacations with Aunt Birdie. They were some of his favorite memories.

With great trepidation, he asked, “How bad is it?”

“I…I don’t know. Must have just happened. I missed the call. Someone left a generic voicemail saying she fell, but they gave no other details about the extent of her injuries. I tried calling but with all of the rules and regulations, I couldn’t get any details. I’m trying to get a flight home but everything is booked.”

The thought of his parents abandoning their once-in-a-lifetime trip, when they didn’t know the seriousness of the situation, didn’t sit well with him. “Mom, hold off on the reservations—”

“But I have to be there for her. Aunt Birdie doesn’t have anyone else.” Her voice was filled with worry.

“She has me.”

“But you have to get back to work.” She momentarily paused, as though shifting her thoughts. “You’re all right now, aren’t you?”

She was referring to his on-the-job accident that had sidelined him for weeks, but he was feeling much better now. In fact, he’d just gotten his medical release. He knew his mother worried about him. She always had. He supposed she always would. It’s what mothers do. And it was all he could do to get her to quit fretting about him and leave on this long-planned trip.

“I’m all better, but I have a lot of vacation time saved up—”

“Ethan,” called out his captain. “Just the man I want to see.”

Ethan turned to the large man standing in his office doorway. “Mom, hold on a second.” He held the phone to his chest. “Cap, I’ll be right with you.”

The man, who was always way too serious, glanced at the phone in Ethan’s hand before their gazes met once more. “Make it fast.”

“Yes, sir.”

After Captain Morales turned and walked back into his office, Ethan said, “Listen, Mom, I’ve got this. Don’t worry.” He did have a lot of vacation time. He was always working; just ask his ex-girlfriend, Mary. “I’ll drive up to Bluestar and find out what’s going on.”