The Heart Never Lies

Chapter 2

"Hello I'm Doctor Simmons."

He was a tall man, salt and pepper hair. A beard and spectacles on the bridge of his nose.

He stuck out his hand. I shook it.

"Erik,Erik Destler."

He eyeballed me for a moment, I payed him no mind.

"What happened?

My wife, she she's been shot. Please. Help her. I can't lose her again Doctor Simmons. I will die without her.

Calm down son, how did this happen?"

Oh no.

"Our son, someone with a gun was threatening him. I was trying to calm her down and get the gun. She handed it to me and it accidentally fired. Enough talk. Please. You need to save her. Aa I said, we have a child. He can't lose his mother!"

He scratched his chin.

"Move aside please I need to see the wound. Nurse, undress her please?

Is there anything I can do to help?

Yes. Just sit and stay calm. We will help- what did you say her name was?

Christine.

We will get Christine taken care of.

Alright."

I slumped into the chair and watched as the nurse cut open her dress. I didn't want to look, but I had to. The nurse cut away the last of the fabric to reveal the wound. It was about the size of the bullet from the gun. There was blood everywhere. It was swollen and raw looking. Even though she wasn't in pain, I knew it hurt. I wanted to take it away from her. Switch places. I should be the one in the bed.

"Nurse, go get some whiskey.

Yes Doctor."

She left and I watched him pull a long pair of tweezers from his coat pocket. I looked away as he dug for the bullet that was lodged inside Christine. After a moment he called me.

"Erik, come here."

I jumped to his side. He had pulled the bullet out and he showed it to me. I looked down at the wound. It was gushing blood. Dr.Simmons handed me a cloth.

"Here, apply pressure to the wound."

I obeyed and looked down at Christine's face. So beautiful, she was always beautiful. I heard three sets of footsteps enter the room. I looked up to see the Nurse, Raoul and Gustave.

"Mother! Father! Is mother alright?

Oh, don't worry young man I'm sure your mother will be fine."

Dr.Simmons told him. Gustave rushed to my side. I gave him a one armed hug, keeping pressure on Christine's wound. The nurse poured the whiskey on another cloth. I moved out of the way and took Gustave with me. I saw Raoul eyeing the bottle. Now!? At a time like this! How could the thought even cross his mind!? I guided Gustave to the chair in the corner. He sat down and I crouched in front of him.

"Gustave, I'm going to have a chat with Raoul in the hallway, stay here alright? Don't touch anything.

Doctor. Please?

Of course."

I motioned for Raoul to come into the hallway with me. He followed, a strange look on his face. As soon as we were in the hallway I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and slammed him against the wall. He didn't fight back, he looked horrified.

"I saw that Vicomte. How could you even think about drinking at a time like this? Christine could be dying and all you care about is satisfying your appetite? How dare you!? Go, leave now.

Erik, I-I'm sorry.

Go. Now.

I love her too!

Apparently not enough."

He shoved away from me and strutted out of the hospital. I fixed myself and returned to Christine's room. Gustave was talking to Dr.Simmons.

"Father!"

Gustave rushed over to me.

"Father! Doctor Simmons says that mother is very lucky! He says she's lucky to have us, that if not she might not have made it!

Wow! Is that so? I think your mother and I are very lucky to have such a wonderful son."

I kissed his head and mussed his hair.

"Where did Raoul go?

He decided he was tired, that he wanted to go home and sleep.

Why didn't he say goodbye?

I don't know son."

Dr.Simmons gave me a look.

"Erik, I'm going to stitch her wound and then you can take her home to rest.

Thank you. Thank you so much."