After explaining to the kids what had happened the house became very quiet. They were all very worried and El was sat in her room trying to find him. Will sat there, watching, wanting to make sure she was OK. El came downstairs as the phone rang. Joyce picked up, it was Flo.
"We've found him Joyce, he was found wandering and taken to hospital. He apparently has a head injury but the doctors are optimistic. You need to get a pen, I'll give you the address" . Joyce wrote down the address and thanked Flo. She then called the kids. "Come on guys, we've found him, let's go".
In the car, El looked worried. "He's ok El, he's ok" said Will, hugging his sister.
"Something is wrong" she said " I couldn't find him, I should have been able to see him! Something is not right ".
" Calm down El, look we'll see Dad soon".
El smiled but wasn't convinced.
They arrived at the hospital, parked up and went to the desk. A nurse overheard Joyce asking for Hopper.
"Hi, you're James Hoppers emergency contact, please, come with me" . They followed her and gestured to sit in the family room.
"When can I see him?" Joyce asked. The nurse replied "soon, very soon, Mr Hopper has a head wound, we've dealt with it but he will have to stay in for a while, for observation ". Joyce nodded. "He's asking to see his family so you should be fine but if you need me...I'll be at my desk.
Joyce thanked the nurse as she left.
"Let me go in first, just for now...I'll bring you guys in soon ok?". They nodded and Joyce walked into his room.
"Joyce? Hey, how are you? What are you doing here?"
"Why wouldn't I be here Hop? We've been so worried. What happened?
"Just a minor collision, I didn't realise how much I'd hurt myself until I started walking".
Joyce rubbed his arm lovingly and smiled. "I brought some people with me". Hoppers face brightened. "You got hold of them? The nurses said they couldn't find contact details, which of course is ridiculous".
Joyce bit her lip and looked confused. "Umm...who are you expecting Hop?". Hopper looked just as confused but smiled at Joyce. "Diane and Sarah of course, come on Horowitz, wake up" he laughed.
Joyce stared at him.
"Horowitz quit messing I need to see my wife and daughter".
Joyce tried to smile, she nodded and left the room.
In the family room Will and El were excited to see Joyce come in. "Can we see him now?" they said together.
Joyce sat in silence, the kids looked worried.
"Mom? Whats going on?" asked Will. "Is he bad?" continued El.
Joyce took a deep breath, "umm, no, no he's doing ok...its just that...I think he's lost his memory. He was confused to see me and asked for Diane and Sarah. He thinks they're here. I need to see the nurse, wait here".
El and Will looked shocked, El was close to tears. "He...he doesn't remember us?". Will hugged El.
Advice from the nurse was to be honest and gentle. "So I have to break his heart with news about his daughter dying and the end of his marriage?".
"Well I could talk to him but it might be better coming from a friend" said the nurse.
"A friend? We live together, we're getting married our kids are already like siblings! I....I...." her voice trailed off as tears dropped from her eyes.
After a while Joyce was able to compose herself. She took a very deep breath and prepared herself for the worst. She opened Hops door and sat beside him.
"Where are my girls Joyce?"
That cut her hard, she was his girl, her and El and he doesn't remember them.
"Hop, this isn't easy for me to say and it won't be easy for you to hear. Please let me speak, let me do my best to explain then you can ask questions ok?".
Hopper looked concerned but agreed.
Joyce began. "Hop, it seems that you have lost some memories. You and Diane, you divorced, years ago. The main reason was grief ". She holds his hand. "Hop, Sarah passed...she had cancer".
"What? No? Not my Sarah, not my baby girl".
"I'm sorry sweetheart but its true. You moved back to Hawkins, you're Cheif of Police and...and we're engaged. We have kids".
"Wait, what? You're telling me my girl is dead but its ok cus I've got you and another family? Get out Joyce, just get out".
A nurse comes in, hearing the shouting and calms Hopper down with a sedative. He soon sleeps.
Joyce goes back to the kids with the nurse and tells them what has happened. El begins to cry, Joyce hugs her and Will. "How can he not remember us?".
The nurse explained that this is usually temporary.
"if you come back everyday, slowly it will all come back to him I'm certain".
Reluctantly they gather up their things and drive home telling the nurse they will be back tomorrow.
