Isms: Views on life in rural America

Oh, Robert Burns, you nailed it—paraphrasing “To a Mouse,” the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

It started Friday when I let Scott’s call go to voicemail while I was talking to another publication during a run through Ewing. Before hitting the bank, I check the message: “Call me!!!”

Trouble. Scott never uses exclamation marks.

I call back. Voicemail.

Again. This time, he answers—barely. “Meet me (phone cuts out)... home... (phone cuts out) doctor... (phone cuts out) help.” Then, silence.

As I try piecing that together, my mother-in-law texts. Scott’s hurt but took off in the car....