Chapter 8

The next morning, Kevin helped get the kinds ready for school so Nicole could get to work earlier. She claimed it would make it easier for her to get out of work at a more reasonable hour. Kevin had also agreed to pick up a prescription for Kylie at the Pharmacy so Nicole didn't have to stop on the way home. He was finally able to settle down in the studio, shortly after 9am that morning. 

For a majority of the morning, Kevin had his headphones on as he tried to record a demo of one of his songs. When he was finally happy with the demo, he took of his headphones and planned to make himself a quick bite to eat for lunch. He stopped when he heard the beep of his pager. He picked it up and instantly felt uneasy when he saw Nicole's cell phone number followed by the numbers '911'. That was the code they had agreed to use if something was wrong with one of the kids. Kevin quickly dialed Nicole's cell phone number and was confused when a male voice answered her phone. "This is Kevin Richardson calling. Where is my wife Nicole?" Kevin asked. 

"Mr. Richardson. My name is constable Rizer. We have been trying to get in touch with your for quite some time now. Can you come down to your daughter's school right away?" the police officer said. 

"Where is my wife?" Kevin asked. 

"Your wife is here with us." The police office replied. 

"Please tell me what is wrong with my daughter." Kevin pleaded. 

"I think it's best of we discuss that once you get here." The officer replied. 

"Ok. I'm on my way." Kevin said as he hung up the phone. He left the studio without turning off any of his equipment. He quickly found his keys and rushed out to his truck. He managed to make it to Kylie's school within ten minutes. Kevin nearly froze when he saw at least half a dozen police cars in the parking lot and two ambulances. He ran up to one of the officers and said, "Where is my wife and daughter?" 

"Are your Mr. Richardson?" The officer asked. 

"Yes I am. Where are they?" Kevin said more pointedly. 

"Follow me Mr. Richardson." The officer said as he quickly led Kevin to the other side of the school. Kevin felt his heart sink when he saw Nicole seated on the ground with Kylie in her arms. "What happened?" Kevin asked as he ran towards Nicole and his daughter. 

Nicole looked up at Kevin with tear stained eyes. Kevin joined his wife on the ground and felt sick to his stomach when he saw his daughter's lifeless body. "Why isn't anyone doing anything to try and revive her?" Kevin yelled, as he looked around at all the paramedics and police officers that were looking on. 

"They've done everything they could." Nicole said, barely louder than a whisper. 

"That's bullshit. Someone do something." Kevin screamed. 

Nicole grasped Kevin's hand and squeezed it as she said, "She's gone Kevin. There is nothing they can do." Nicole said. 

Kevin took Kylie's limp body into his arms and held her close to his chest as he rocked back and forth. With his eyes closed, he asked, "What happened?" 

"They were playing ball and it got kicked onto the road. She ran out to get it and was hit by a car." Nicole said. The image of Kevin holding Kylie in his arms was almost too much for her to handle. But she knew she needed to allow Kevin the opportunity to deal with this tragedy in his own way. 

"How many times have we told her to look both ways before going onto the street?" Kevin said as he continued to hold Kylie's limp body in his arms. 

"Witnesses say the woman that hit her was speeding. Kylie did look both ways, but she came out of no where." Nicole said. 

"Why Nicole? Why do people I love keep getting ripped away from me? It's difficult enough having my dad taken away from me at such a young age. But how do you deal with the death of one of your own children?" Kevin asked as the tears started to fall. 

"Can we drive the two of you home?" one of the police officers asked. 

Kevin stood up with Kylie in his arms and gently laid her limp body on the stretcher. Everyone one backed away to give Kevin and Nicole an opportunity to say a final goodbye to their daughter. Kevin took Nicole in his arms and couldn't hold back any longer. They both cried as they came to grips with what had happened. 

A short while later, a police officer escorted Nicole and Kevin to his truck and ensured that Kevin would be all right to drive home. 

Fifteen minutes later, Nicole and Kevin arrived at home. "Do you think we should go get the boys or just let them finish the day at school?" Nicole asked as Kevin took a seat at the kitchen table. 

"How in the hell are we supposed to tell them that their sister won't be coming home again?" Kevin asked. 

"I don't know." Nicole said as she slid to the floor and started to cry once again. 

"I think we should go get them Nicole. I would hate for them to hear about this from anyone other than us." Kevin said. 

"You're probably right." Nicole agreed. 

"Can you call ahead to the school and I'll go get them." Kevin said as he forced himself to stand up. 

"Will you be ok on your own?" Nicole asked as she looked up at Kevin. 

"We have to be strong for them Nicole." Kevin said. 

"I'll call my parents while your gone. Do you want to wait and call your mother and brothers until you get home?" Nicole asked. 

"It's not a call I want to make, but I guess I better do it." Kevin said as he grabbed his keys and walked out of the house. "I'll have my cell phone on." Kevin said just before he closed the door.