Frank's dilemma chapter 7
The ride to the hospital was very hard on the occupants which also included paramedics as they tried to stop Joe's bloodflow. Frank held Joe's non-bandaged hand and squeezed. "Don't worry Joe. We're almost there." What unnerved Frank the most is that Joe was unresponsive. He squeezed Joe's non- bandaged hand and gently reassure him that he would always be there for Joe. No matter what. Frank got a call from Princeton telling him that he was accepted for this September. But without hesitation Frank had to defer his admittance because of Joe's recovery. He wasn't going to go when Joe needed him. His brother was more important to him than Princeton. He didn't even blame Joe for his deference as it was Frank's choice.
The paramedics were placing an immense amount of pressure on Joe's bullet wound. Joe stirred and muttered something incoherent and then went back to sleep. Frank didn't need the Dr. Jay to confirm that Joe had been seriously injured. Frank knew in every fibre of his being that Joe was gravely injured.
Joe arrived at the hospital and was rushed to surgery.
Frank stood there unsure of what to do. His emotions spiralling out of control. He called the gang and the gang agreed to come to the hospital. They were overjoyed that Joe was found but pissed at what Sewell did to him.
FGFGFGFG
The gang burst through the doors and located Frank who was sitting in one of the chairs with his head on his lap.
"Frank is Joe okay?" Vanessa asked him. Even though she had broken up with Joe after Callie's funeral on June 6th;she never stopped caring about Joe. Having figured out earlier than Joe didn't cheat on her made her feel worse.
He addressed the gang. "He's lost a lot of blood, the Dr. Jays don't know if he's going to make it. He's in the ICU. " Frank told them, his voice breaking. Tears pricked the gang's eyes. Vanessa hugged him. "They told me that Joe has a five-percent chance to live."
Frank stopped and started pacing like a caged animal.
"Who shot him?" It was Chet who asked the question.
"I did" the shock registered on their faces and Frank sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. He thought before giving an explanation, "It was self-defence. Sewell tried to assault me but I shot him and he sidestepped and the bullet penetrated Joe's calf."
The gang listened to his tale; they've known the Hardys since childhood and at various stages of their lives. They knew Frank's mistake was tearing him up inside like a ravenous lion hunting for prey.
Vanessa was the one to find her voice first. "Joe's going to be fine. Frank. He's a fighter. Always has been." Her voice was calm but the level of pain reflected in her grey-blue eyes. She was on the verge of breaking down.
"Joe's so stubborn that he won't go down without a fight". Chet added. He put his arm around Frank.
Frank glanced at their determined faces and decided that he was going to do everything he can to make it up to Joe.
"I never told dad". Frank realised. "He's in Greece. Hes going to be incommunicado for quite some time."
"Frank, we'll help with Joe"
They looked around and asked, "Where's aunt Gertrude?"
"Dad kicked her out and basically disown her after mom's death. He was grieving and he snapped at her. She left"
Several hours had passed and the gang was still at the hospital waiting for was by himself and Vanessa came to sit next to him. The gang had told their respective parents that they would be late.
"Frank, I know you and Joe have a bond that no one understands. Do you think Joe would like it if you blame yourself. Joe loves you. He always told me that he's incredibly proud of the work you've accomplished."
"You're right, Van" he gave her a hug.
Dr. Jay came out of the surgery room with a strange look on his face. He was a man in his early twenties and wore a stethoscope around his neck. It was 2:00 inthe morning.
"Friends and family of Joe Hardy" he called out.
"Thats us." Tbey replied in unison.
"What is it?" Frank said, his tone a mix of worry and sadness.
"The bullet is lodged deep into his calf but we somehow managed to remove it. We gave him a sedative and you can see him when he's awake. But there were complications." Vanessa gripped Frank's hand.
"What kind of complications?" Frank asked in a worried tone.
"His calf muscles were damaged and they're can't play sports or be a detective."
Frank felt awful. He destroyed Joe's dream of working with him and his father and took away two things that Joe loved most in the world. If Joe hated me,I wouldn't blame him.
FGFGFGFG
The others slept on the uncomfortable chairs and slept for four hours at least.
FGFGFGFG
Joe was sleeping on his bed plopped against some pillows. His leg was bandaged and elevated above a pillow. He vaguely remembered his own brother shooting him but the memories were distorted and jumbled. He needed Frank to confirm it. But he had no idea what he wanted or even needed. Yes, he wanted to know why Frank shot him but doesn't want to put Frank through the whole experience ever again. He knew that Frank didn't mean to shoot him and that there's more than meets the eye. He couldn't fall asleep. He needed to wait and besides he had more pressing concerns to worry about. He needed to make sure Frank was okay. He knew about Frank's tendencies to blame himself and needed to let him know that it wasn't his fault.
During his time as a prisoner, he thought about Frank and Vanessa. For a while he believed the recording but he knew that Frank never meant the words he hurled at him. He heard a knock at the door and the door opened revealing a familiar face: Frank.
At 7:00 am. Frank went to check on Joe. He opened the door. Joe was awake and watching the news. When he saw Frank,he switched the TV off.
Frank moved towards Joe. "Joe how are you feeling?"
Joe replied, "Like a truck ran me over." He noticed the dark circles under his eyes he grew concerned. "Frank are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Frank informed Joe. "Joe, the police are coming to get your statement at 5 o' clock. That's three hours away."
Joe nodded. "Frank I need you to tell you something. You're my brother and that's never going to change so I can't let you find out from someone else."
He regarded Joe with concern "If you're not up for it, I'll..." Frank tried to say but Joe interjected, "No. I need to tell you. It would be easier for me if you know the whole truth so you can rehash what happened if I can't"
He pulled a chair next to Joe and said, "Tell me."
"I will." Joe promised.
"So after Sewell took me, he stripped my clothes and dumped a bucket of cold water on me before trying to freeze me to death in a cell. He blindfolded me and shoved a gag in my mouth before taking a strip of ducttape and sealing it shut so my screams and moans became muffled and incoherent. He whipped me five times before leaving. He left me in that cold cell for six hours.
"What that bastard." Frank couldn't contain his emotions. That bastard tried to freeze his brother to death. Joe laid a hand on his and said, "Frank don't. We're in a hospital."
Joe continued his tale. "He also put headphones on me" and Joe stopped, as he recalled what happened to him. This part was going to hurt Frank a lot more than it hurt him. He couldn't hurt his brother so he said instead. "Sewell tried to convince me that you hate me"
Frank's tone became pensive. "Joe don't believe that bastard. Its not true." When Joe didn't answer, he grew worried at Joe's changed expression.
"What is it?"
"Frank,I know that you would never forgive me but I gave up on you. I'm so sorry." These words were the scissors that cut Frank's composure and he blinked back tears.
"Joe,listen to me" when Joe didn't, he commanded," Joe look at me." He softened up. "None of this is your fault. Don't you ever think that. What he said isn't true."
"I was a coward. I didn't retaliate" Frank noticed the subdued tone in his brother's tone, he was worried. Frank knew that Joe was many things but one thing Frank knew that he could never was a coward.
Frank assured his brother. "Joe I think you're the bravest person I know. No one could go through the same things you have. You're not afraid to tell me about what happened to you and that shows courage Joe. you could never be a coward. No way in hell you could ever be that."
Frank pondered on what Joe had confessed. He asked, "Joe didn't they give you anything eat?". Joe's voice was subdued as he said, "I haven't eaten anything or drunk anything since Sewell kidnapped me.
Frank couldn't help the words that came out of his mouth. "I'm going to murder him".
"Frank don't. Please. We're in the hospital." Seeing his brother fall apart, Joe relented, "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all."
Frank apologized. "No I'm sorry Joe. I'm furious at what that bastard did to you."
"I'm all up for this role reversal ,aren't you?Joe joked. Joe yawned and before he could apologise Frank held up his hand "Its alright, Joe"
Frank told him that the others are outside.
"Frank... I don't hold you responsible for shooting me. It wasn't your fault."
Frank stopped in his tracks, he turned around. Tears welled up in his eyes. Frank was touched at the amount of love his brother had for him. He was blessed to have a brother like Joe and to him,Joe's irreplaceable.
Dr. Jay came inside room 122 to check on Joe.
"Dr. Jay, when can I leave?" Without being offended, the Dr. Jay chuckled for a bit and then grew serious. Frank gripped Joe's hand. By the expression on the Dr. Jay's face. He knew what he needed to tell Joe. Dr. Jay inforned him."Your muscles were damaged and its irreparable."
"Meaning?" Joe choked out one word. He couldn't fathom what kind of things he would have to sacrifice.
"Will I be able to do sports or become a detective sometime in the future ?" Joe asked in a small voice. "No!" Dr. Jay said the last thing that Joe wanted to hear. "As of right now, your career as a detective ended. Your leg can't handle the physicals demands a detective has to endure on daily basis" He looked sympathetic. "Joe I know this is difficult"
"You have no idea!" He replied in petulant tone. Dr. Jay was unfazed by his tone.
Frank turned away. He couldn't help but feel that he destroyed Joe's life-making it much harder for him. He already knew about it but still it doesn't make it any easier to know he's the cause of Joe's misery. Even if Joe had forgiven Dr. Jay left , Joe had turned to Frank and was surprised to see the level of pain and remorse hidden in his brown eyes.
"I think I'm going to sleep now" Joe stifled a yawn as his body protested.
"Joe,If the police ask you. Tell the truth. About me. About the gun. Everything." A pang of guilt and remorse etched across Frank's features. Joe said in gentle tone."Frank, don't you dare apologise for that bastard. I wasn't your intended target;he was."
"Frank there's something that I need to tell you" Joe told him
"What is it? Frank asked.
"After I'm better, I'm going to ask Vanessa to marry me. All the time I was there, the thought of seeing her again kept me going. I can't imagine my life without her."
Frank's eyes registered hurt as he thought about Callie. Joe mentally smacked himself for his insensitive attitude. He apologised to his brother and Frank accepted it. "Joe, don't worry about it. " Frank told him, ruffling his hair Joe protested, I am not a child anymore".
Frank countered, "You're not? Frank said the last part as a statement. "Then who am I been living with for twenty years."
"Hey!" Joe responded with mock indignation.
"Joe, after everything you have done for me, you deserve happiness to be with Vanessa."
The banter between the brothers had a deeper meaning, it meant that everything was forgiven and this situation with Faradic and his sons brought the brothers closer and there is nobody that could ever changed their unbreakable bond and unconditional love for the dynamic duo.
I hope this chapter resonates with the readers. And I have done this chapter justice. This is my first time writing a hospital scene, so please bear with me. If you didn't like the hospital scene,please give constructive criticism. Like always, read and review. Constructive criticism is welcome. No hate comments please.