34. Jesse
34
Jesse
How could such a perfect night turn into such a nightmare?
The emergency medical response team was able to check Granna’s blood glucose level, which ended up being forty, and they treated her.
Apparently, she started a new medication and forgot to eat before she came to the event tonight. I know that it’s not her fault, and I do not blame her for what happened, but now both of our boys are gone. It’s like they vanished into thin air without a trace.
I pull out my walkie to make an announcement to all event workers and the security team. “Attention staff, this is Jesse Cooper. We have a Code Adam. This is not a drill. I repeat we have a Code Adam.”
“There are two children missing. Harrison Jenkins, age six, and Michael Jenkins, age four. They were both last seen at the main bathhouse.” I have to pause for a second as my voice breaks. I take a deep breath and exhale. “Everyone keep your eyes peeled. Nobody leaves this event and nobody gets in until we find these two boys. Over.”
“Copy that. Over,” a reply filters through the walkie.
The golf course is surrounded by the woods and the lake. The lake here is one of the biggest ones in the area and I don't even know if either of the boys can swim.
People get lost hiking multiple times a year, not only because the woods are so thick and lush, but because of the wildlife that’s out there. I’ve seen a coyote on the campground before and we’re in the region for bears and venomous snakes. Snakes are horrible this summer too. I shake my head to try to get rid of all the intrusive and negative thoughts.
I turn around to see Granna with her head in her hands crying. “I'm so sorry, Jesse. I don’t think Cora will ever forgive me.”
“It’s not your fault. There’s no way you could know that this was going to happen to you. We will find them.” I pat her back. “I’m just glad you are okay now."
I turn and walk away from Granna. I start going up to members of the crowd and asking as many people as I can about the boys. I ask if anyone has seen them or has seen anything out of the ordinary. So far I’m not having any luck at all.
I spot Charlie, John, and Pappy running through the crowd to get to me.
“Have you found anything yet?” John asks.
“No. They could be anywhere with anyone. They may already be off of the property by now.” A million horrific scenes flood my mind again as I think of what the boys could be going through. My hands start to tremble as adrenaline continues to flood through my body.
“Gemma is with Coraline. She's trying to help her calm down," Charlie adds. I cover my face with my hands and try to remember how to breathe.
“We will find them Jesse.” John says as he puts his firm hand on my shoulder.
“Charlie and John, why don’t you two go to the stage and announce the situation. I’ll stay with Jesse and help him continue to search," Pappy suggests.
“That sounds like a good idea.” I agree and put my hands on my hips. “I’ve got all emergency teams and staff members stopping people from leaving the event and they are monitoring the parking areas.”
“We’re on it.” Charlie and John turn and start running in the direction of the stage.
Pappy turns to me after they’re gone. “Son, do you mind if we pray together?”
“I think I’d very much like that.”
We put our arms around each other and cry out in a desperate prayer. I start to feel God's presence all over me like I did earlier when I was with Cora. It was like a wave of calmness washed over me. All at once, I knew that everything was going to be okay.
“Jesse Cooper, do you copy? Over,” a voice filters through the speaker in my pocket.
I pull out of Pappy's embrace and pull out my walkie. “Jesse Cooper, loud and clear. Over.”
“We found them.”