Going Home

Part 115

Sitting in the hospital Josh had his head in his hands. Grace hadn’t regained consciousness on the way to the hospital and it had Josh badly worried. She had lost a lot of blood while he was trying to get that guy to give up his gun and now she was in surgery and the waiting was killing him. He had called Graces family a while ago and they are waiting down the hall but Josh needed to be alone. As much as he liked her family he just couldn’t sit there with them now. Then all of a sudden Josh remembered his own family. It had been so long since he’d had someone to call at times like this it was no wonder he didn’t think of them straight away. But now he needed to let them know and picking up his phone he rang Margaret. Giving her only the briefest account of what had happened Josh then assured her he would let them know the minute there was any news. Hanging up the phone and unable to sit still any longer, Josh stood and began to pace. What the hell was taking so long?

A couple of hours later Josh was still waiting for news. Some member of the Reid family has come and checked on him every so often but for the most part he had waited alone. Hearing steps outside the room Josh looked up expecting to see yet another member of Grace’s family at the door. But he was shocked to see it was Margaret standing there. Getting to his feet Josh just looked at her.

Crossing the room towards her son Margaret stopped in front of him and looking into his worried eyes for a minute she put her arms around him and hugged him. Josh took a deep breath and putting his arms around his mother found some much needed solace in her embrace. But although he was pleased to see her, he was very surprised, he had not expected her to come and he didn’t know what to say.

Stepping back Margaret said “any news?”

“No” then after a pause Josh said without looking at her “you didn’t have to come down.”

“Josh” Margaret said prompting him to look at her. As his eyes met hers she continued “of course I had to come and your dad will be here tonight, once he gets things organised at home. We love Grace and we need to know she will be okay. Besides I wanted to be here for you”

Nodding and looking away again Josh said “thanks.” Even if he couldn’t express it he was glad she had come.