Chris ran around the fence onto the diamond, running out to Jamie’s aid. Somebody yelled, “Call an ambulance.”
Chris quickly let the coach know Jamie was in his care. He kneeled down beside him and noticed the perspiration on his face and the strained way in which his chest rose as he fought for his breath. That scared Chris to death.
“Does he have asthma?” the coach asked.
Chris shook his head. “No, not that I know of. I mean his mother never mentioned it.”
“I’ve never known him to have it either,” the coach said before someone handed him a piece of paper to fan Jamie with. “Everybody get back and give him room to breathe.” Everyone took a step or two back, except Chris.
“Jamie, do you have an inhaler?” Chris asked.
Jamie shook his head. The look of fear in his eyes tore Chris apart. He had to do something other than wait for an ambulance. He stood up and rushed over to the crowd of parents. “Does anybody have an inhaler? An asthma inhaler?”
Everyone shook their head. “Is he having an asthma attack?” someone asked.
“I don’t know, but I think so.” Chris continued around the baseball diamond before he returned empty-handed.
Jamie sat up next to the coach, breathing a little better, but still having difficulty. The coach looked up at Chris. “Let’s get him over to the dugout.” He kept his hand in the middle of Jamie’s back rubbing and comforting him.
Chris tried to remain calm as he took Jamie’s other arm and walked with them.
“He just needs to stay calm until the ambulance gets here.”
“Forget the ambulance,” Chris said. “Let’s get him over to my car and I’ll take him to the emergency room myself.” Chris’s legs and hands were shaking as they passed the dugout.
Chris glanced up briefly to see a group of men coming across the field toward them.
“What’s wrong with him?” A loud baritone voice came at them.
Eric Hayden and a few of his thuggish friends caught up with them. Chris glanced at the coach who diverted his eyes down to Jamie.
“I think he’s having an asthma attack,” the coach offered.
Eric stopped in front of them and kneeled down to Jamie. “You okay, son?”
Jamie took more panting breaths and shook his head.
Eric stood up and turned his anger toward Chris. “What did you do to him?”
Chris opened his mouth to tell Eric to get out the way so he could get Jamie to the hospital, but the coach beat him to it.
“Jamie collapsed on second base. The ambulance hasn’t shown up yet so Chris is taking him to the emergency room. Do you know if he has asthma?”
Eric looked dumbfounded. “Not that I know of.” Then he gave Chris another dirty look. “Where’s Corra? Or Rollin?”
“Wedding rehearsal. Look, Eric, we can discuss all this later. I need to get Jamie to the hospital right now.”
“You need to get him to the hospital? Get your hands off my son. You’re not taking him anywhere.” Eric reached out for Jamie’s arm.
Chris put his hand out to stop Eric. “Look, Corra left him with me. I’m taking him to the hospital. You can follow us, but get out of my way.”
Eric’s eyes widened. He glanced over his shoulders at his buddies who looked like they were ready for a fight. “Did you hear that? I can follow him.” Then he turned back to Chris, who along with the coach had moved aside and attempted to keep walking with Jamie.
Eric held out his arm to stop them. “That’s my son! If anybody’s taking him to the hospital, it’s me.” He took Jamie from the coach and another guy reached out to take his other arm from Chris.
“Somebody just get him to the hospital,” the coach yelled. Chris reluctantly let go. As much as he hated to admit it, Eric was Jamie’s father. “I’ll be right behind you,” Chris informed Jamie.
“Have you contacted his mother?” the coach asked Chris.
Chris released a stream of curse words as he watched Eric and his friend place Jamie into the back of a car and speed off. He paced around as he pulled out his cell phone. “Not yet. I’m calling her now.” His stomach hardened into a knot as he waited for Corra to answer.
This was the hardest call he’d ever had to make. As the phone rang he gripped the back of his neck and continued to pace around in short spans. He really screwed up. He could feel it. He hadn’t handled the situation right.
“Hello?” Corra’s hurried voice came from the other end.
Chris could tell from her tone she already knew something was wrong. He knew of no tactful way to tell her so he blurted it out. “Corra, Jamie had an asthma attack or something and he’s on his way to the hospital.”