She's Not Worthy of Being Human

When my mother-in-law Margaret learned that her husband Charles was critically injured in a car crash, she had a massive heart attack. The only one who could save her was my wife, the heart surgeon.

I frantically called her, but her ex-boyfriend answered.

"Emily's tied up right now. What's the urgency?"

Desperate, I shouted, "Put Emily on the line! It's a matter of life and death!"

Irritated, my wife responded, "Can you chill? I've been slammed all day. Can't I catch a break and have a drink in peace?"

She hung up abruptly.

I tried calling back, but her phone was off.

An hour later, both Margaret and Charles had passed away.

*****

"Margaret's situation is critical! You need to get Dr. Dickens, she's the only one who can handle this!"

My wife's coworker spotted me dazed outside the emergency room and yelled, "What are you waiting for? Move it!"

Torn because of Charles' condition post-crash, I felt stretched too thin.

I had tried calling already but got no answer.

I was a bundle of nerves, constantly redialing her number.

Finally, it connected.

"Emily, get over to the hospital now! Both your mom and dad... they're fading fast..."

The call was cut off.

I tried again, but her phone was now off.

Overwhelmed with anger and worry, I punched the wall in the hallway.

They had always treated me like family. There was no way I could just let go.

When the ER doctor finally emerged, I quickly briefed him on the situation and asked him to keep me posted. I then rushed off to find Emily.

I remember Emily once mentioned her ex, Matt Polly, lived close by in Harmony Gardens.

On my drive there, anxiety almost had me crashing into the car ahead several times.

Upon reaching the complex, I immediately saw them exiting a convenience store.

Matt was carrying takeout and beers, while Emily walked beside him, both of them giggling like they were on a first date.

When a delivery bike whizzed by, Matt instinctively wrapped his arm around Emily, murmuring, "Careful there."

Emily giggled, looking down shyly.

My heart sank, but I had no time to dwell on jealousy.

"Emily, thank God I found you!"

I rushed towards her.

Her smile vanished, her brows knitted in displeasure.

"Steve, what's this about? Are you tracking me now?"

I had no time to waste. I grabbed her hand firmly, "We need to go—now! Your parents are in dire straits!"

She pulled her hand back sharply, her expression hardened, "Why are you being so dark? Don't make up terrible things about my parents."

I understood her disbelief given the sudden news.

With no time to spare, I got straight to the point. "Your dad's been in an accident, and your mom had a heart attack from the shock. We need to move, now!"

"I was just on the phone with Dad. He's fine, just playing chess at the neighbor's. How could he be in an accident? Mom's check-up was clear last week—no way she had a heart attack. You've got to do better than that if you're lying!"

She looked at me like I was out of my mind!

"I'm not lying—please, just trust me!"

As I spoke, Matt moved to protect her, as if I might snatch her away.

"Steve, why go to such lengths? Emily wanted to chill with me. Why drop such harsh words about her folks?"

Before I could clarify, he added, "They love you like a son, and you repay them with this? Man, that's low. Even I'm losing respect for you now."

He took Emily's hand, pulling her away.

"I'm out of patience. Get back home already!"

Emily dismissed me with a wave; she looked cold and dismissive as if I were nothing more than an annoyance.