Page 6 of Summer Shivers

I look around frantic.

The steps between the pool and spa.

I pull him there and realize I can try to roll him on to one of the main steps between the two. I get him onto his back; vacant, wide-open eyes stare back at me. His mouth is agape, water trickling out the edges and down his jaw. A bluish hue colors his wrinkled and pruned skin.

“Harrison?” I whimper.

I don’t know CPR outside of what I’ve seen on TV: hitting the chest and breathing into the mouth; both of which I try to no avail. He doesn’t turn his head and cough up water like in the movies. I rush to the pool house, my wet T-shirt and shorts dripping and sticking to my skin.

“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”

“Hello.” Words are hardly forming in my mouth. “I need help please hurry.”

“Okay, can you tell me what’s happened?”

“It’s my husband, he won’t wake up.”

“And where is your husband?”

“In the pool.”

“What’s your name?”

“Genevieve. Daniels.”

“And what’s your address, Genevieve.”

“Please hurry.”

“Can you give me your location?”

I give the dispatcher my address, begging them again to send help. My teeth chatter and my body shivers in the cool morning breeze.

“I-I… n-need to get back to him,” I stutter.

“Where are you now, can you bring the phone with you?”

Harrison doesn’t like being alone. Unless he’s writing, then he demands total solitude. “Oh, yes. I’m on a cordless phone.”

“Are there any weapons at your house, Genevieve?”

“What? No.”

“How old is your husband?”

“Are you sending help?”

“Help is on the way. I’m sorry for the questions, but the more information I have the better it is for the EMTs once they get there. How old is your husband?”

“Uh, he’s forty-eight.”

“Any health issues?”

“No, he’s in great health.”

“You said he won’t wake up. Is he breathing?”

“I don’t think so, no.”