Hiya, Sparklers! Long time no see, huh? Sorry 'bout that. I had a great birthday but I've been really, really busy. But today I've got a nice update for ya! This chapter is Joe centered. DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! :D Love you guys!
"Well, Private Hardy," the doctor paused in his examination of Joe, pushed his glasses up, and scrutinized Joe, making him squirm a bit, "I'm sending you to a hospital in London for further examination and possible surgery. It's a very severe break, and it's been infected. You're running the risk of losing it."
Joe's eyes widened a little, and he sucked his breath in sharply. Losing his arm? How would he fire a gun, or chase and tackle a criminal? No, he couldn't! But he said simply, "Yes, sir."
"Good. I know you're anxious to get back to the front, but this ought to take a month or two to recover from, especially if you have to have surgery, which I think you will."
Chet, along with Joe's new medic friends,had recruited a medic doctor to inspect Joe's swollen, twisted arm, and the verdict was not good. Now Chet -no, Sergeant Morton- poked his head in the infirmary flap.
"How's it going, Doctor?"
"I'm afraid he's going to have to go to the bigger Soldier's Hospital in London. He may lose the arm. Those days he spent unconscious allowed the bullet to work it's way in."
Chet looked at Joe. The slightly younger boy looked dazed,like a bird who has flown into a window and must lie vulnerable on the ground before it can get back up and fly. Chet sighed. Joe, normally active and alert, the one who was always cheerful, looked suddenly terrified, and Chet knew that this must be hard for the boisterous young Hardy. It was a daunting prospect- the idea of life without an arm. Joe's face changed then, and the frightened expression was gone so suddenly Chet wondered if he'd imagined it.
Joe appeared to be making up his mind about something, and he straightened as best he could without moving his arm. "I won't lose it. I'll have the surgery, and I'll get better. And then I'll come back and help whip the Nazis who gave me this most impressive injury."
Chet grinned. This was the Joe Hardy he knew. But then his gaze fell to Joe's arm, red, bent at odd angles, and swollen enormously, and he sombered. All the brave talk and bravado in the world couldn't get Joe out of this situation. His reverie was abruptly interrupted by Joe asking weakly, "Hey, Doc?"
They both turned to face the patient.
"Don't tell my family about this, alright?"
The doctor spluttered. "But, my boy, don't you want them to know-"
"No! Well, I mean, when I was hurt, I was reported M.I.A. And... I don't want my mother and Aunty worrying about me like I know they did then. I don't think even Dad could prevent them from finding some way to get to London when I have my surgery."
Chet couldn't help nodding in agreement. He could almost picture Gertrude Hardy hijacking an Air Force flight and piloting the plane herself to London, a frantic Laura Hardy in the background. He nearly laughed aloud before remembering the gravity of the situation.
And that was how Joe found himself in the operating room at the London hospital a few days later, under anesthesia and barely aware of what was going on. He'd protested that he didn't need the anesthesia, he'd be fine, but they'd hooked him up anyway, promising a lighter dose than usual, and now he listened to the snippets of conversation as the operating room staff discussed his arm. Joe wanted to be aware of if he could keep his arm or not! He knew they'd cut his arm open and were examining the cracked,twisted, and shattered bone. Words drifted around him, and even in his groggy state he understood them, though they sounded far away.
"More morphine..."
"It looks awfully bad..."
"We're going to have to amputate..."
"No, No, NO!" He screamed wildly, trying to thrash his free arm but realizing it was strapped down. "I'll get better, I promise! I'll do anything! I can't lose my arm! I can't!"
Someone held him down and he heard a voice say firmly, "Morphine."
The morphine-soaked cloth was pressed to his face, and the world went to a dizzying black.