Searching Ch12

RING! RING! RING!

Intruded the sound of the phone that stole away the silent veil of the night.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Continued the phone with great insistence.

"Rick" said Evy as she nudges her husband with her elbow. "Rick.telephone." Hearing no response from him, except stirring a bit and then turning away from her, she picked it up herself, though not before mumbling about how inconsiderate some people are to ring at such time.

"Hello" said she with sleep in her voice.

"Um..hello, is this the O'Connell residence?" asked a woman's voice.

"Yes, it is. How may I help you?" responded Evy straightening up.

"I am calling from St. Joseph's Hospital. We have a gentleman under our care."

"Oh my God Jonathan, is he ok. What happened." asked Evy already shaky thinking that her brother had gotten into some terrible trouble.

"Actually the gentleman that I am calling about is a James O'Connell," hearing that it was not her brother who had gotten in trouble brought some relief to her, yet she still felt worry founding out it was James.

"Is he alright?"

"He is going to be fine, but at the moment we have him in intensive care. It would be best if you would come to the hospital."

"Yes, we will. Thank you so much. We will be there as soon as possible," after speaking to the nurse Evy hung up the phone and got up from bed. She turned on the light and began the task of waking her husband.

"Rick get up.Rick!"

"uh.wah"

"Get up hon, we gotta go to the hospital" at the sound of the word hospital caught his sleeping attention bringing him out of his weary state.

"What is it? Is the baby ok? Are you ok? Is Alex ok?"

"We're fine.its.James. I just spoke to a nurse who said that he is in intensive care. She didn't say much more about his condition. Oh God Rick I hope nothing is seriously wrong with him."

Though he didn't want to admit it, Rick too felt worried about the old man. After all he was his father. Without saying a word to his wife except the usual he will be ok, Rick along with Evy hurriedly got ready. They woke Jonathan telling him to keep and eye on Alex, explaining what they knew of the situation and then rushed to the hospital.

Upon their arrival, a doctor Packard of about 45 greeted them. The doctor quickly informed them of the situation telling them that James had suffered a mild stroke. He told them that he would be ok, but that they had decided to keep him in intensive care for the night just to be assured. He also informed them that James had gained some bruising up his fall but that also had been taken care of and that there was no real damage.

"Can we see him?" asked Evy still worried about James though her nerves were calmer at hearing the doctor's explanation of his situation.

"Yes you can. I will ask the nurse to escort you to his room," said the doctor leaving Rick and Evy alone.

During their time alone Evy tried to get some reaction out of her husband who had stayed distant throughout the whole situation. Instead Rick avoided Evy as much as he could, from eye contact to even her touches. His last excuse was that he had to call Alex, at which point he stood and directed himself towards the phone. As he waited for the phone to be picked up thoughts about his father sprung up to his mind. Thoughts from his childhood, from the happy times to the lonely times after James had left. Sadness finally hit him and started breaking down the calm and cool exterior that he had tried to protect himself with. The phone was finally picked up, bringing with the voice of his young son more melancholy to his being. Trying not to make known his state Rick tried to collect himself. He took away the tear that had escaped his eyes and cleared his throat.

"Hello.hello," said Alex as he received no answer on the phone.

"Hey, there Alex," Rick finally said.

"Dad! What's wrong? Is mum ok?" asked Alex worriedly and not yet clear of the situation.

"Yeah, your mom's great"

"But uncle Jon said that you two went to the hospital"

"Everything's fine son. We just had to come over here for a friend who is sick. What are you doing up at this time?" asked Rick as he checked his watch to find that it was 5am.

"I heard your car leave and then I couldn't sleep cuz I thought that something had happened to my mum and then when I asked uncle Jon he didn't really tell me anything except that you two had to go to the hospital."

"Ok, that's fine. Now can I speak to your uncle Jon?"

"Sure Dad"

"Rick, what is going on?"

"Well, James is going to be fine. We're just waiting to see him. But he is going to be fine."

"How are you doing?"

"Me? I am great. Why wouldn't I be?" said Rick a bit defensively.

"Just asking. Thought it was the thing to do"

"Ok anyways, get Alex back in bed. You go to be too. We probably won't be getting home in a while."

"Alrighty.wait Alex wants to talk to you"

"Dad, when are you coming home?"

"We'll be home in a little while."

"Ok, bye then"

"Alex listen to your uncle Jon and behave. Love ya"

"Love you too dad, now bye"



Note: its kinda rough.I know.but I've this chapter typed for a while and have been too lazy to either finish it or to put it up.so I am now putting it up.if u like just review and I will continue with this fic.or if not I will just leave it.(((

-Kat