Father's Last Story
Pt 3

So dad lay collapsed by the car in the early afternoon sun.

It was June in Texas and the mid-day temperatures in that part of the state average in the mid-90’s. I’m sure he was perspiring. The combination of heat and physical exertion were too much on him. It’s possible that the shock of the blow out elevated his stress level and helped trigger it as well. Whatever the cause, dad crumpled over on the side of the road.

Mom said she ran to him crying his name.

 

She searched his front shirt pocket trying to find his nitroglycerine tablet. During a heart attack, you are suppose to put that pill under the victim’s tongue. The nitroglycerine acts as a vasodilator, opening up the blood vessels by relaxing the smooth muscles that line them. This allows blood to flow back into the muscles of the heart, allowing it to continue pumping blood. But dad’s front pocket was empty.

Mom must have been frantic and started searching the his pants pockets next. His body was completely unresponsive by now, but she didn’t give up. Her hand found the case in his right-front pocket. She came up with the pill and slid it under his tongue.

Less than a minute passed, and dad regained consciousness. His last words were “Let me up.” To which mom responded by telling him to lie still and that he was having a heart attack. Dad started trying to sit up.

And that’s where this blinding white noise enters the story. A huge, sight erasing sound of lost history. Did he wince in pain? Did he lay back suddenly and unexpectedly? Did he just quit moving? I could never ask mom. She always welled up when getting to this part of the story.

He went under again and did not come back.