A First Date with Death Read Free

stopped flailing and gripped the harness, as if gripping it would make me more secure somehow.
    Aaron’s body made its descent, the Coast Guard boat motoring directly underneath him.
    They must have determined that the Coast Guard would have the fastest emergency response.
    Taking a deep breath, I realized that I hadn’t stopped screaming long enough to inhale. The water was now a great distance away, but I continued to shout in vain, and by this point, I don’t think I was saying anything intelligible.
    The vague thought that I was in hysterics floated across my mind, as if someone else had put it there, as if I were someone else and not this shrieking woman.
    My body was hoisted over the railing of the bridge and, despite the hands gripping at me, I immediately collapsed onto the deck.
    Pressing my cheek to the cold metal, I could feel the hum of the traffic reverberate through my body. My screams subsided and I found my voice matching the hum of the bridge in an odd, regressive, self-soothing manner. I was shaking uncontrollably and because I was splayed out on the deck, the sway of the bridge was more pronounced, aggravating my nausea.
    Another thought, as if spoken from somewhere outside my head, commanded me to pull myself together. I stopped humming and fought to get my legs under me. I tried to stand up, but hands were pressing me down, a voice calling for a blanket.
    “Stay here; don’t try to get up,” the voice said.
    I couldn’t identify the voice and I certainly wasn’t going to obey it. Not now that I seemed to be getting myself back on track.
    I pushed against the hands and flipped over. It was the doctor, Edward, trying to restrain me. I pounded my fists against his chest.
    “Let me up. I’ve got to get to Aaron.”
    “He’s with the first responders.”
    “I’m a first responder!” I yelled in his face.
    “So am I,” he said, calmly putting a hand on my forehead and pressing my head back on the deck.
    So that was it? I was a victim? Someone in need of rescuing?
    “No! No. I’m fine,” I said, swallowing back vomit.
    “Right, I know,” he soothed. He was holding my wrist and I realized he was taking my pulse even as he said, “You had a shock. I just want to be sure.”
    I leapt forward, shoving my elbow into Edward’s chest. This classic self-defense maneuver pushed him far enough from me that I was able to get to my feet. But it didn’t dissuade him from charging me and grabbing me in a bear hug.
    I punched at his shoulders fruitlessly. “Let me go!”
    “No,” he said. “I won’t.”
    I buried my face in his chest as sobs racked my body.
    He held me and stroked my hair, whispering soothing platitudes into my ear.
    I was vaguely aware of the commotion around me. Cheryl yelling into her walkie-talkie, the crew rushing around, and the police sirens, but God help me, I was also aware of my body’s reaction to Edward’s touch.
    His chest felt strong and solid. His body gave off a radiating heat that enveloped me, making me feel safe.
    I could barely feel my legs beneath me and I realized Edward was holding me up. I tried to speak but no words came out. I was dizzy and desperately trying to hold on to consciousness.
    Don’t faint now, for God’s sake!
a voice inside my head warned.
    Nonetheless, Edward picked me up and began to carry me toward the north side of the bridge, where our crew vehicles were parked.
    Two police cruisers pulled to a stop.
    A different kind of dread flooded me.
    Would Paul respond to this call?
    I recognized Martinez in one of the cruisers. I squinted at the other car. It was Wong. They stepped out of their respective vehicles as if in an orchestrated dance. Glancing at each other and communicating like cops, without words. Wong ran toward the crew and Martinez cut Edward off.
    “Is that Georgia Thornton?” he asked.
    Edward nodded. “I’m taking her to her RV.”
    “Does she need medical attention?” Martinez asked, grabbing at my hand.
    I squeezed