The Lamnent

Chapter 2: Under

For the past few weeks Joseph had been getting pity looks from his coworkers from the station. News travels fast, apparently, it wasn't their fault, Joseph should've known that the news would come sooner or later. So far through this week before his surgery, he had received three shoulder rubs, six 'Hope you feel better soon's,' and ten, 'It'll get betters' which was kinda alright for him, but in a way, he knew that these people cared for him.

His mother cried when he gave her the news. Telling him that she was sorry for him and that everything will turn out to be okay. Cancer ran in the family, 8/10, you'll get through it. She'll be there with every step of the way with him, not letting it happen after his fathers death.

Joseph hoped so, he really did.

Even Chief Baker felt sorry for the guy, which really wasn't like him to fell emotions. I mean, seriously, the dude was as hard as a brick when it came to showing raw empathy. So it was kind of a shocker to say the least that Chief Baker would bring him into his office and have a discussion with him.

"Hardy, I know you're going through a lot of shit right now, and I get that, my grandad had good old liver cancer when I was just a wee little boy. Never knew him but he was a great man. And you are too."

Joseph seemed to nod at that, "Yes sir."

"Don't 'Yes sir' me, this is a man to man conversation between me and you. Friends, if you will."

Well, that one was a shocker. The dude was fifty-three years old and ten years away from retirement. Joseph didn't really think of him as a good rolling buddy but Chief Baker was like a mentor to him if you will.

"Now, Hardy, you are one of my best officers in this station, and you're damn good at that," Baker said to him.

Joseph felt like he could flush at that, "It's nothing, rea-"

"So I will make sure that you get everything you need, even if it'll be a shit load of money, I know it'll be worth something."

He nodded at that again, "Thank you," he seemed to whisper to him.

Chief Baker sheepishly smiled, which was surprisingly weird to see considering that he's had a stone face towards him ever since Joseph was a rookie, "No problem, Hardy. Just know that everyone in this stations got your back and I'll damn make sure of it."

After that, Joseph had a good day. Sure, the stomach aches came and he'll usually puke in the toilet but he wasn't always sick on the job. He chatted with his colleagues and went on patrols and had conversations with Lambert about all the cases that he was on and then some.

It wasn't until on April 3rd of when his appointment was due for surgery. With many good lucks and get well soon's him and Danasha went to the Cancer Treatment Center for almost a thirty minute ride to Hudson City, staying silent through the whole ride.

All Joseph could remember after that was spacing out until the doctor called him in to his office. Doing all sorts of scans and tests to see how much the cancer grew. Making sure that it was just like his last appointment a few days ago.

Joseph laid in the hospital bed, his wife beside him, reading a book about some sort of science fiction novel he didn't understand. It was sort of a long while before a male doctor came in, he was tall, dark hair and facial hair, and your normal average lab coat. His name was Dr. Louis, "Good evening, Mr. Hardy," He said in a working smile, he was holding a clipboard in his hands. "How have you been last time I saw you?"

"I guess I'm doing okay," Joseph replied.

"You guess? What makes you say that?" Dr. Louis asked in a polite manner.