Shorter than the last ones, sorry. This is sort of a filler chapter.
Diary of a CajoleMan
I wake and sigh. Peter moans and wakes up from his light sleep in the chair next to me. I cough a few times then smile weakly at Peter," Am I alright?" I ask. I don't remember being hurt bad enough for sedative."You are fine. You were fighting so bad that they had to sedate you." As he speaks I remember why I had to be sedated.
"How's Joseph!" I ask.
"He's in surgery. They stabalized him. They are trying to keep him that way. You'll be released in about an hour. That is all I know." He says, putting his hands up in defense.
"Alright." I whisper. We sit in silence for a bit but then El comes in and gives me a big hug. Based on her clothing and hair, she had just gotten off work. She kissed my cheek then sat on Peter's lap, the two faceing me.
"Neal. They just told me that Joseph is out of surgery. He has to go back a little later for his hand but that one is less extensive. He could go either way at this point, but things are lining up in his favor. " She puts her hand on mine and I smile.
"Thank you, El. That means a lot. Man, now I know how you guys feel."
"What do you mean?" El asks.
"When I run, this must be how you feel. So worried. Not sure if I'm ok or if you'll see me again. " I sigh and look at our hands on top of the white sheet.
"Yeah. This is parenthood." Peter laughs and I smile up at him.
"Yeah. I guess it is, and I guess your rebellious teenager has to grow up now." I say.
"But he's ready. You're ready, Neal." El rins her thumb along mine and I look down again to hide the newly forming tears in my eyes.
"Am I?"
An hour later I sign the last papers and start to walk out. All I want to do is sleep. What else is there, until he's out of the hospital. I walk slowly and try to stay awake.
"Neal." Peter says loudly. I turn around and sigh.
"I forgot." I pull my pants leg up. He shakes his head.
"No, Neal. I just wanted to tell you that you need to get dressed." He smiles slightly.
"What do you mean? I don't need my tracker?" I ask.
"Nope. Neal." He grins wider," Your sentence ran out yesterday, just after your admitance to the hospital."
"But I cut my tracker, went in against your orders, and shot someone." I say, clearly in shock. He closes the distance between us so that he is a foot away.
"The FBI doesn't care. They saw that you were fit to be free. Neal, You're a free man." He nods then smiles again. It finally hits me. Free. I'm free. I laugh then wrap my arms around Peter's neck and he wraps his around me, laughing also. This is the first good news I've had in a long time. Free. I'm free.
"Peter!" I choke out through my tears," Peter, thank you!"