The paramedics arrived less than four minutes later.
Tommy tried to answer their questions. But his words were blurring together.
“How much did you drink, buddy?”
He pointed weakly at the red cup.
“Not all.”
“What did it taste like?”
“Cherry.”
Jennifer jumped in.
“It was children’s medicine. He has trouble sleeping.”
One of the paramedics turned and looked at her.
“What medicine?”
She hesitated.
“An antihistamine.”
“Which one?”
Another pause.
“I don’t remember.”
That answer changed the room.
Parents know what they give their children. Maybe not every ingredient. But if you give a twelve-year-old something strong enough to make him nearly collapse, you should at least know the name.
“How much?” the paramedic asked.
Jennifer’s face tightened.
“The normal dose.”
Tommy lifted his head off my shoulder.
“No.”
Everybody looked at him.
“She poured twice,” he whispered.
Robert said immediately, “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Officer Reyes raised her hand again. “Sir. Stop.”
Robert went quiet.
I’ve known my son for forty-three years.
I know the face he makes when he’s angry. The one he makes when he’s embarrassed. The one he made at seventeen, lying to me about who dented my truck.
That night, I saw a brand new face.
He was scared of documentation.
The paramedics decided Tommy needed to go to the hospital for evaluation. One of them asked Tommy who he wanted to ride with.
“Grandpa,” he said.
So I climbed into the back of that ambulance.
The last thing I saw before the doors closed was Jennifer standing in the front yard under those white Christmas lights with her arms wrapped around herself. And Officer Reyes, back in the laundry room window, photographing the cup.
Sophia Rivers is an experienced News Content Editor with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for delivering accurate and engaging news stories. At TheArchivists, she specializes in curating, editing, and presenting news content that informs and resonates with a global audience.
Sophia holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Toronto, where she developed her skills in news reporting, media ethics, and digital journalism. Her expertise lies in identifying key stories, crafting compelling narratives, and ensuring journalistic integrity in every piece she edits.
Known for her precision and dedication to the truth, Sophia thrives in the fast-paced world of news editing. At TheArchivists, she focuses on producing high-quality news content that keeps readers informed while maintaining a balanced and insightful perspective.
With a commitment to delivering impactful journalism, Sophia is passionate about bringing clarity to complex issues and amplifying voices that matter. Her work reflects her belief in the power of news to shape conversations and inspire change.