Can I come with you?” I plead.

The attendant looks at me, “Sure you can, or you can follow us to The General.” They slide her into the back of the truck and one of the attendants jumps in with her and places an oxygen mask over her face. Pull yourself together, she’s in good hands now, I tell myself. “Ok, I’ll follow.” They put her into the ambulance. I close the car door on her side and then get into my car.

I try dialing her house to tell her parents what happened but there is no answer, so I leave a message. I call my mother and give...