Time ticked away second by tedious second. Belle and Hope had been to the cafeteria, the chapel and the waiting room. Bo had gone down to the station to help Abe question Brady and Philip had a headache and was dizzy so he went home. All that was left to do was wait…wait for the rest of the family they called to arrive, and wait for Shawn’s surgery to be over. Suddenly they heard familiar voices. Julie, Doug, Jennifer, Caroline and Shawn Sr. arrived.
“Is there any news?” Many asked simultaneously.
“No. Not yet. Dr. Finn the surgeon said about six hours.” Everyone was anxious. What if the surgeon couldn’t reattach Shawn’s optical nerve? What if Shawn has lost his sight forever? The thought of that made everyone shake. Shawn’s life would never be the same.
*
At the Police Station Brady was being questioned. He was in handcuffs for fear that he would become violent again, also he was still inebriated. Abe, Bo and Roman were questioning him. Brady was not being cooperative.
“I’m telling you that it was a fight that got out of hand!!” Brady yelled.
“Out of hand?? My SON is blind right at this moment because of you!! He is undergoing surgery because of you!!!” Bo was taking things a step too far. Roman grabbed him and they stepped outside of the interrogation room.
“Hey I don’t think this is the right time for you to be here with Brady. You’re very angry and…”
“Damn right I’m angry Roman! That swine beat my son to a pulp and blinded him!!!!”
“Bo, go back to the hospital. We can’t do anything with you here getting all wound up. Let Abe and I handle things. Besides, we are just going to end up throwing him in a cell for the night because any testimony he gives might not be accurate since he’s still drunk.” Bo agreed and headed for the hospital. Roman entered the room and he and Abe proceeded to throw Brady in a cell for the night until he was sober enough to deal with and have charges pressed.
*
Belle was walking around the corridors of the hospital. She was extremely worried and heartbroken. She had no tears left to cry. She was not aware of where she was walking. As she was walking by some large, glass double doors something caught her eye, it was Chloe. She was walking around in white scrubs with an attendant. Belle stepped behind the wall so that Chloe would not see her. She glanced around until the found the sign identifying the wing she was at. The sign said Mental Ward. Belle sighed. It seemed like forever since Chloe had been admitted. Belle felt no sorrow for her friend. She got what she deserved, she thought. Belle was startled by Nurse Brenda.
“Spying Ms. Black?” Belle jumped.
“Um no. I was just walking around and I saw Chloe.”
“Well take comfort dear, she’s being released soon. Most likely tomorrow. Great news huh?”
“Yeah, great.” Belle was less than enthused. She quickly walked back to Hope and the others.
*
Shawn had been in surgery for four hours and forty five minutes. Everyone was exhausted from worry. Their thoughts were interrupted by Dr. Finn and Dr. Eden entering the room. Everyone sprang up.
“How was the surgery? Is Shawn alright? Did he regain his sight?” Hope asked with her voice shaking.
“Everyone is family I assume?”
“Yes of course.” Mrs. Horton replied.
“We have attached both of Shawn’s optical nerves. However it will take time for Shawn to regain his sight.”
“What?? How can that be?” Hope became agitated. Just then Bo walked in. “Bo, they’ve reattached Shawn’s optical nerves.”
“Thank God!” He exclaimed. “So he has his sight, right?”
“No. That is what I was explaining. Shawn will regain his sight, but we do not know the exact time. His body must repair fully so that he can regain full sight.” Belle became afraid.
“How long will that take Doctor?” She asked meekly.
“We’re……not sure. It could be a few days, it could be months. He could regain full vision in both eyes, or just one or he might regain partial vision in one or both eyes. Right now Shawn just needs to rest and allow for his body to take over and heal. Bo, Hope, I’d like for you to come to my office so that we can discuss things to make Shawn’s recovery simpler.”
Everyone dispersed their separate ways except for Belle. She sank into a chair, waiting for the doctor to return or for someone to give her admittance into Shawn’s room. Again, she had to wait.
