Chapter 6 - The Long Night at St. Jude's
The sterile smell of antiseptic hung heavy in the ICU waiting room of St. Jude’s Memorial Hospital.
Walter Hargrove lay in Room 412, surrounded by heart monitors and intravenous lines. A heavy bandage wrapped around his head where he had struck the iron stove, and his breathing was labored but steady. The doctors confirmed he had suffered a severe concussion and fractured ribs, but his heart had held strong. He was resting, unconscious, but stable.
In the waiting room corner, Daniel sat on a vinyl sofa with Owen asleep across his lap. Caleb was curled up next to him, thumbing through a comic book, while Sophie sat on the opposite end, staring blankly out the window at the parking lot lights.
The door clicked open, and Evelyn Mercer, Daniel’s attorney, walked in carrying a bag of takeout burgers and hot chocolate.
"You guys need to eat," Evelyn said softly, setting the bag on the coffee table. She pulled up a chair across from Daniel. "I just spoke with Judge Ralston's clerk. Tomorrow at 9:00 AM, we have an emergency injunction hearing. Not only will the original custody order be permanently annulled, but the judge is preparing to grant you sole emergency legal and physical custody, pending a full psychological evaluation of the mother."
Daniel looked down at his sleeping youngest son, feeling a profound wave of relief wash over him, mixed with lingering sorrow. "And Walter?"
"The doctors say he'll make a full recovery," Evelyn smiled gently. "He's a tough old bird. When he wakes up, the first thing he's going to ask for is his pipe and his ledger."
Sophie looked up from the window. "Can we see him?"
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"Not tonight, sweetie, he's resting," Daniel said, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "You did an incredible thing today, Sophie. You saved us all."
Sophie leaned her head against her father's shoulder, letting out a breath she felt she had been holding for days. "I just wanted Grandpa's words to count."
