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Buck had no trouble remembering what happened when he took Wilma to the hospital. This is how he remembers it.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UR2juRHmp
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Buck was at Bayside General Hospital, awaiting word about his wife and baby's condition. He had a strong, unbending faith that all would be well; at least that's what he kept telling himself.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP66RVMkTB
He was sitting in one of those uncomfortable reception room chairs when a middle-aged thickset nurse came through the stainless steel doors and walked directly to him. She would surely have some good news, he thought at first, but she was smiling one of those "it's going to be fine" smiles that they must teach doctors and nurses to wear when they're not sure of a patient's condition. Buck recognized that look right away.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"Oh, it's going to be okay!" the brown-eyed nurse replied. "I just came out to tell you your wife is resting now, and the labor has stopped. Why don't you go home and we'll call you if there's any change. You look like you could use some sleep. There's no sense in you staying here all night."
Buck was reluctant to leave his wife, but he was tired, and the nurse assured him they'd call if anything happened. It was 3:30 in the morning when he left the hospital. As he drove home, something came over him, and he felt compelled to swing by the resort on his way home. There was no explanation for the sudden desire; it was just something he had to do. As he drove closer to Whispering Willow Creek, he seemed to sink deeper and deeper into a state of unawareness. His mind was on his wife and child, and yet, on nothing at all. Rubbing his right hand against his sleepy eyes, he drove across the Central Bridge.
Driving south on Santa Rosa Street, he pushed his turn signal on and came to a stop on Eleventh and Little Joe, then waited for the red light to turn green. Shutting his eyes for a brief moment, Buck sat motionless, his tired body trembling from lack of sleep. He sat in silence until he heard the clink-clack of the traffic light as it changed to green. He opened his eyes and gave a tired yawn, then started to turn the car west on Eleventh Street, heading for the resort.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJgdlwM7ts
As Buck turned the corner, he was met with the sight of a strange creature. Towering above his car with an unusually large size, the creature's presence seemed both majestic and surreal. Its form defied easy classification, resembling neither dog nor cat, with an almost human face that gazed back at Buck with an otherworldly intelligence. Despite its enigmatic appearance, there was an undeniable sense of benevolence radiating from the creature, enveloping Buck in a feeling of awe and wonder.
Buck's startled reaction upon sight of the angelic creature was one of disbelief and awe. "Holy smokes!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with wonder as he leaned out the driver's side window. "What in the world are you?" he yelled, his words echoing through the air with a mixture of curiosity and excitement.
As Buck gazed at the creature in amazement, he noticed its mouth moving up and down in a rhythmic motion, as if it were trying to convey a message. Though no sound escaped its lips, Buck could sense that the creature was communicating with him, its movements speaking volumes in a language beyond words. Inside the car, a strange and soothing voice resonated through Buck's brain, filling him with a sense of calm and understanding. It was as if the creature's thoughts were being transmitted directly to his mind, forming a connection that transcended the barriers of language and comprehension.
"I... I don't know why," Buck stammered, his voice filled with uncertainty, "but I'll do what you ask." He hesitated for a moment before he finally conceded, "Okay, I'll go home." Despite not fully understanding the creature's intentions, Buck's agreement was resolute, a testament to the strange and compelling influence it held over him.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJe3gmRd0X
Buck breathed an exasperated sigh, then wheeled the car around and headed in the opposite direction. "I need to get home in case the hospital calls, anyway," he told himself. His thoughts drifted in and out as he drove toward home. As he traveled south on U.S. 59, he saw flashing lights appear in his rearview mirror. It was a police car, coming up fast, behind him.
"Oh, great! Just what I need!" he groaned in irritation as he pulled his car to the right side of the road. He got out of the car and walked towards the Houston police officer, expecting a lecture and a ticket.
A thin, dark-haired officer greeted Buck with a cheerful tone of voice, advising him that he was exceeding the posted speed limit. Buck explained the situation to the man and was very surprised when he was told to go on but to slow down and be careful. He thanked the officer, climbed back in his car, and drove home.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrHEmFyDiV
