I scraped with my keys. Sprayed de-icer like it was holy water. It didn’t matter. Whoever did this had taken their time.
That’s when I noticed the ground.
Frozen puddles. A long, winding trail of ice starting at the curb… leading straight back to Vernon’s yard.
To his hose.
Rowan whimpered in my arms.
“Dad… hot…”
My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped my phone calling 911.
I yelled Vernon’s name. Loud. Desperate.
A light came on across the street.
Curtains shifted.
He was awake. Watching.
The ambulance arrived faster than I expected. Rowan was rushed inside. They stabilized him. He was okay.
I was not.
