Chapter 14
Callie sat on the empty waiting area of the emergency room, her head resting on the wall. This date was supposed to be perfect! This was supposed to be our Valentine's date…Oh, Frank, please be all right…
"Hardy?"
Callie turned to see a doctor walking towards her. She stood up but the doctor motioned for her to sit again.
"Any relation to Frank Hardy, miss?" the balding but kind-faced doctor asked.
"Uh, um, I'm his girlfriend, doctor. But I already called his family and they said they're on the way and…" Callie's sentence was stopped short when she saw Fenton, Laura and Joe walking fast towards them.
When Joe saw Callie, he ran towards her and asked, "Where's… how's Frank?" His face reflected worry and his troubled blue eyes took on Callie's lavender dress, which had a small red stain. He winced, realizing it must be his brother's blood.
"Are you his…?" the doctor started asking but Fenton cut him off.
"Father," he said, taking up the doctor's hand in a handshake. "His mother and younger brother," he said, gesturing towards Laura and Joe. "I assume you know Callie now," he added. "How's my son?"
"He's okay now. Fortunately, the bullet only grazed his upper left thigh," he said, happy to hear the relieved sighs from the Hardys and Callie.
"So, he can go home now?" Laura asked.
"Yes. I don't see any reason for him to spend the night in the hospital. But he would have to take things easy and avoid straining himself especially his legs," the doctor said. "Anyway, I'm Dr. Smith and you can follow me to see Frank now."
"Where's Van?" Callie asked Joe, while walking up to follow the doctor.
Joe slapped his right hand to his forehead. "Oh, I almost forgot! She dropped us off us soon as we reached the hospital and offered to park the van instead of me doing it," Joe said, turning his head to the entrance door, looking if Vanessa is already there.
"You go see Frank now, I'll wait for her here," Callie said, smiling tiredly.
Joe stopped for a while and asked, "Are you sure it's okay with you?"
"Well, of course I would like to see Frank now, but then… just go, or I'll change my mind!" she said, pushing Joe slightly to follow the doctor.
"Okay. Thanks, Cal!" Joe said, kissed Callie in the cheek and followed his parents to the emergency room.
* * *
Frank was leaning on the head of his bed when he heard footsteps coming on his way. He turned slightly to his right and saw Dr. Smith approaching him. He smiled when he recognized his parents and Joe behind the doctor.
"Frank!" Joe said, walking faster when he saw his older brother. "How are you doing now? We were worried and I thought…" Joe stopped, not able to continue.
"Sorry, Joe. I'm also sorry Dad, Mom. I must have worried you to death and I…" Frank said weakly, but Laura cut him off.
"Oh, honey, you have no reason to be sorry. No reason at all. Of course, we couldn't help being worried when we learned that you were hit but Frank, it's not your fault," Laura assured. Being the protective mother, she went closer to Frank, kissed his forehead and sat on chair near to his bed, holding his hand.
Fenton went on Frank's other side and said, "Don't worry about what happened tonight, son. What's important is that you take your rest after you get out of this hospital," looking at the doctor for his approval.
"Definitely, Frank. I'm trusting you to take a good sleep as soon as you get home," Dr. Smith said.
"Okay, Doc. But Dad," Frank said, looking at his father, "Were the police informed about what happened?" Please not, please not, Frank thought. That would mean I would have to give my statement and all.
Fenton hesitated. "Well… yes, of course they were."
"And they will surely take my statement, won't they? And Callie's. But Cal doesn't have much to say since I left her at the restaurant," Frank said slowly, suddenly noticing his girlfriend's absence.
"Cal's okay. She's just waiting for Vanessa at the entrance," Joe said, as if reading Frank's mind.
"Okay, thanks for telling, bro. I thought something happened to her!" Frank couldn't help admitting.
"Anyway, about the statement, well… I guess you would have to give it as soon as possible but please, please make sure you're in a comfortable position while giving it. And don't strain yourself or anything," the doctor said strictly.
"I'm assuring you, Dr. Smith, that Frank would be following all your instructions. I myself will see to it," Joe assured the doctor, stealing a side glance at Frank.
* * *
"I'm sorry, sir, but I think I only grazed his leg. I wasn't able to shoot him well. I couldn't take another shot though, since another car, customers of the restaurant I think, was coming and I… I might be seen," a voice stammered into his cell phone.
"Well, we can't do anything now. At least, you got to hurt him. Better than nothing. Now come back here. We'll be finishing our discussion and other plans," the voice from the other line ordered.
"Yes, sir," the call was ended and a car's motor was started, preparing on its way back to the warehouse.
