After a moment Ann was turning and just beginning to go back into the kitchen to finish cooking supper. As she took her first steps heading in that direction there came a strong knock on the door. It startled Ann but nevertheless, she went to open the door. Through the side glass she spotted a policeman's uniform. Her heart pounded. Ann opened the door and said, "May I help you, officer?"
The policeman was polite, and despite his attempt to appear professional, Ann couldn't help but to notice that he was rather cute. "I am officer Crowley from the police department. Does a Mr. William Bortz live here?", he inquired.
"Yes, he does. He's my father. Is there a problem?", Ann asked in a shakey voice.
"If Mr. Bortz is home, I would like to speak with him, please.", the officer politely insisted.
"Please step inside. I will get my father for you, officer.", Ann said and she opened the door wider so the police officer could step inside. Once he was inside, Ann closed the door and called out for her father.
"Dad, please come here. There is a police officer here to see you.", Ann called.
William Bortz came walking into the hallway from the den and spotted the officer standing there. He extended his hand and offered to shake the young policeman's hand as he spoke, "I'm Bill Bortz, can I help you, sir?"
The police officer asked him if he was infact, William Bortz. After he received the acknowledgement, the officer began to speak.
"Mr. Bortz, do you have a daughter named Eva?"
"Yes, I do. She is my youngest daughter. Is she in some sort of trouble?" Bill Bortz asked with a puzzled look on his face.
The policeman began to speak and told them of the train accident and Eva being transported to the hospital. He suggested that they go and see Eva for themselves without giving them any indication of her condition or the injuries that she had received. After he finished speaking, the policeman wished them both a pleasant evening and left the house in a quiet, professional manner.
Ann was the first to speak. She said, "Let me turn the stove off and grab my coat and we can be off to the hospital."
Her father just nodded his head trying hard to show strength but his bottom lip was trembling. He was putting on his jacket when Ann came back into the hall. As she reached for her coat, all of a sudden her father clutched his chest, gave Ann an odd look and fell to the floor.
"Dad, Dad, Dad..." Ann called out. She bent down to try and assist her father but noticed that he was not breathing and was beginning to turn blue. She immediately ran to the phone to dial 911 and after doing so and ensuring an ambulance was enroute, she returned to aid her father. She got down on her knees and turned her father onto his back but was aware that he was already dead. She attempted CPR and within moments the EMS paramedics had arrived and took over the task of trying to revive her father. They continued CPR as they loaded him into the ambulance and barked an order for Ann to get into the front seat. Off to the hospital they roared with sirens blaring but it was wasted effort. William Bortz had died and would no longer be a part of Ann and Eva's life. Just two weeks after her mother's death, she had also lost her father and overcome with grief she began to cry and was shaking. A caring Paramedic consoled her and offered her a shoulder. As they entered the hospital ER doors, Ann became ill and needed to sit down for a few moments. She was assisted to a chair and a nurse came to her assistance and led her into the ER and a waiting exam room. She had Ann sit down and got her a cold compress for her forehead and a glass of water to drink. Ann began to calm down and as the nurse spoke she barely understood anything she was saying. Just like in the movies, a doctor came into the exam room and checked her over quickly and then informed her that her father had passed away, most likely of a heart attack. He offered her a sedative but Ann refused. Regaining her composure, and knowing she needed to be strong, she asked about her sister who had been brought to the hospital because of the train wreck. Ann was led to the nurses station on the floor where Eva was a patient. A compassionate, caring nurse said she would take her to Eva's room and walked around the nurses's station to take her hand. Together they walked to Room 313 and prepared to go inside. The NO VISITOR sign was no longer hanging on the door.
