equinox

First day of Fall.

Hot.  Arid.

It didn't surprise me that some woman was yelling at me....asking me if I knew CPR...as I drove up & pulled into the parking lot at Hoyt. I had already pulled over twice on my drive home from work....to let an ambulance and then a firetruck pass.  Lots of sirens tonight....I had noted.

I nodded and parked, quickly running down to the small crowd that had gathered.  Probably a crap shoot on her part...but none of the other bystanders seemed to offer any knowledge.

There on the cement lay a boy in his early 20s barely breathing and a pale shade of grey.

Does he have a pulse?...I asked.

Yes.  Very weak.

Was he working out?

We don't know.

I found him in his car slumped over...offered a gentleman.  We carried him out.

 

Did you call an ambulance?

Yes.

As I was assessing the situation...the fire truck pulled up. I stepped back as the firemen & emt's began asking the same questions...going about their business of reviving the boy. I could see fresh tracks in his right arm.  The firemen also pointed this out...and asked what he had taken.

Nobody knew.

Nobody knew who he was.

I stood there watching them work....mesmerized.  My analytical brain had taken over.  No panic.  Only questions & curiosity.  Analyzing every move they made.  Inching closer....to watch & learn.

And...as quickly as the crisis had started....it was over.  The ambulance arrived as the boy was rousing.  The colour coming back to his cheeks.

So I turned and made my way up the hill.... to 4 miles of empty trail.  Thankful for the solitude.