Day 33/366

Gen ran to the incident commander and a dear family friend, Captain Morrison.  One look at his expression and her stomach went into freefall.  "It's bad, isn't it, Morrie?"

His head dipped for a moment, then he looked into her eyes and told her the truth.  "Gen, there's nothing we can do for him except keep him from suffering."

Disbelief clouded what she could see for herself.  "No, no, I don't accept that.  Move the car and get in there and save my dad!"  When he didn't move, she pounded on him with her fists, screaming for him to move the car.

"Genevieve, baby, if we move the car, he'll bleed out in minutes.  His lower torso is completely crushed under the full weight of the vehicle.  If we move it, we lose him.  If we don't move it, we lose him.  But leaving it there minimizes the pain he's in."  Morrie's blue eyes grew watery, and one solitary tear trailed down his weathered cheek.  "I'm sorry, sweetie.  You know I'd give my life for your dad if I could."

Gen took a deep breath and felt her legs go out from under her.  Zach came up behind and kept her from hitting the asphalt, and Morrie waved someone over to check her vital signs.  "No, I'm all right."  She put a hand to her head, ignoring the trembling in her fingers.  "Really," she protested.  "I'm okay."

Zach helped her back to her feet.  "I want to see him."  The two men exchanged concerned glances, then Morrie made the call.  "If you're sure you can handle what you see."

Gen nodded firmly, "I'm his daughter.  I can handle it."  He shifted and allowed the tall dark-haired paramedic to escort her to the crash site.  A whimper escaped her when she caught sight of her father, his head bathed in blood and illuminated by flashing red and blue lights.  She felt Zach's grip tighten, and she squeezed his hand in appreciation.

She slowly made her way to an angle where they could see each other, and she was surprised to see her father's eyes were open and his gaze was bright.  "I thought I heard my girl pitching a hissy over there," he whispered, his voice strained.  His right hand was free and he used his fingers to crawl it over toward his child.

Gen saw his effort, and that began the tears falling, silent and filled with anguish.  "Oh, Daddy."

"Now, none of that.  Sometimes life takes a turn we don't expect, but God is still on His throne and He knows what He's doing," Ernie reassured her.  The corner of his mouth attempted a smile, but it turned into a grimace of pain.

"Do you need more pain meds, Pastor?" Zach asked, ready to head to the truck to grab his medical bag.  Ernie hesitated and then gave a slight nod.  That gave him a moment of privacy with his daughter.  "Genevieve Marcella, I am not long for this world, my daughter."

"Dad, don't talk like that," she started, then stopped at his clear and focused gaze. 

"The Nunoz family does not hide from the truth," he admonished, a shadow crossing his features briefly.  "I'm going to be with my star again, and with my Savior.  And you know we will be waiting for you to join us some day."  He coughed and blood sprayed her t-shirt.

"Oh, Daddy, maybe you shouldn't try to talk now.  Just rest and breath, okay?"  The tears dripped off the tip of her nose and joined the red spatter on her clothing.  She tightened her grip on his hand, willing her strength into him.  'God, please, please work a miracle here!' she pleaded silently.

But Gen already knew the answer.  She could see the light beginning to fade from his eyes.  He drew in a deep breath, causing a moan to escape his lips.  His mouth tinged blue, and his grip weakened.  "Gen, I have to tell you one thing."

"Okay, Daddy.  I love you, you know that, don't you?  You've been the best dad a girl could ask for, and I'm so thankful God put me outside that firehouse that day."  She sobbed, her chest aching with pain and restrained grief.

Ernie tried to speak, but his breath was failing him.  He tried once more, but was only able to groan.  Gen shifted her position and bent low, close to his face.  She saw her reflection in her father's eyes, and she tucked that away to treasure later on.  "What do you need to tell me, Daddy?"

He lifted his head a millimeter from the pavement and whispered, "John 8:32, my girl".  One more deep inhale, and that was all.  The quiet was suddenly deafening.  His grip went limp, and his eyes focused on something he could see over Gen's shoulder.

Daddy?"  Gen's heart began to race erratically.  "Daddy!" she screamed, her voice echoing in the night.  Zach appeared, bag in hand.  He knelt down and placed two fingers on the side of Ernie's throat, his eyes tearing up.  "Zach?" she asked, looking at him with her last shred of hope.

"I'm sorry, Gen.  He's gone."  Zach dropped his bag and caught Gen as she fell sobbing into his arms, the lights continuing to flash and the rescue workers joining her in mourning the loss of a great, great man.

All words are property of Deena Peterson and not to be used without permission.