So when you see your stepson tumbling down a hill towards you and a very big tree, you really only have 2 choices: 1) You can watch it happen and hope for the best, or 2) you have to react fast and hope you can save him from a serious injury. I can tell he is trying to stop himself but he is just falling at too fast a rate. Angela and the kids are screaming things I can’t decifer. So I chose option 2.
The next thing you know I’m running towards Hops and that tree. Sometimes we have those moments where we just react- not really thinking about the outcome. When it comes to the harm of our family, we as parents just do what we have to do, instinctually. So all I’m thinking about is saving my stepson. I’m not even concerned about me. All I know is I have to run as fast as I can to catch up to him. Can I make it?
I’m trying. He is tumbling so close to that tree. But I am close too. So close that see myself diving to be a wedge between Hops and that tree.
See what I mean about instincts? I’m diving like they do in the movies!
Well, thank God I did because milliseconds after I dived to have my back against that tree, I get the full force of that 100 pound kid into my chest. His knee got me in the family jewels and I felt a pain down there like I’ve never felt before. But I am going to be a man and not talk about that pain. I just saved my kid from possibly breaking his neck. Or worse.
“Thanks Stouten,” he says quietly and out of breath. I take a breath to respond and realize my chest is also in pain. I wasn’t aware of it at first because of the other pain I had down below. But I said I wasn’t going to talk about that one. I don’t think I cracked a rib or anything, but I think I bruised something in my chest. Or maybe I just got the wind knocked out of me. Whatever happened, all I can whisper in a semi-high pitched tone is:
“You ok?”
“Yeah. I think so. I got some cuts and bruises,” Hops says, inspecting himself. ”And my shoulder hurts, but I think I’m ok. Are you okay?”
“I think so. But can you move your knee please?”
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry. I did not mean to knee you there.”
“I know. My testicles accept your apology.”
The rest of the fam come gingerly down the hill to greet us. Angela can’t wait to get to us, kissing up Hops and I with sloppy, tear-filled lips.
“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness,” she says a few more times. “Are you both ok? My gosh baby! How did you do that? The tree….thank God you were there…oh my goodness!”
“He will always protect you and your family, Angela,” Adam says from afar. “But you already knew that. Come. Everyone. This body only has a few moments left.”
Hops and I slowly get up. I have to bend over with my hands on my knees for a minute. For obvious reasons.
When I stand up, we all do an impromptu family huddle hug. Nobody said anything. Everyone kind of initiated the hug. Almost as if we knew these next few moments were about to change our lives forever.
The hug ends and I lead everyone over to Adam, having no clue what he was about to give and tell us.