Chapter 92 Enemies In The Waiting Room
"Where is my daughter? Where is Amanda? Mrs. Roberts demanded, her voice echoing through the hospital reception. Her eyes darted around, searching for any sign of her daughter. The kids surrounded her like police officers.
"Hold on ma'am. This is a hospital, the noise isn't necessary." The nurse at the reception responded to her.
"Is that…? Jack asked but didn't finish the statement since he got the answer he was looking for.
"Amanda's mother? Yes" Rowan responded, his eyes fixated on the kids.
"And they should be her kids," Jack said softly, almost a murmur.
"Obviously," Johnny added. "I think Rowan should be prepared to double his security because that little girl is fine as fuck."
Rowan and Jack gave him uneasy glances, "Sorry man" he said. "But the boys sure look like you." He mumbled.
"My daughter is Amanda Roberts. I was told she was brought in here." Mrs. Roberts answered the nurse.
"Oh, then you should talk to Mr. Xi." The nurse said, pointing to Rowan down the hall at the entrance of Amanda's room. "He was registered as her guardian."
"Thanks." Mrs. Roberts wandered and rushed towards Rowan. "Be still" Jack mumbled when he perceived the tension building up with Rowan.
Rowan took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Mrs. Roberts, I'm Rowan. I…"
"I can see that," Mrs. Roberts interrupted him. She looked at Rowan with a mix of disgust and nonchalance.
Rowan hesitated, unsure of what to say and how to begin. "Errm.." He stuttered.
"She is in there" Johnny quickly chimed in. Without waiting for any further answer. They dashed into the room.
Jack and Johnny stood still silently, giving the mother and daughter a moment. Rowan watching from the window blind, torn by guilt and regret, could only watch as Mrs. Roberts caressed Amanda's hand, her face a canvas of emotions.
"We should go back to the lobby," Jack said, beckoning Rowan and Johnny.
While they waited at the hospital waiting room, Rowan's phone rang again. He checked and it was his mom.
"Don't ignore, please" Jack said persuasively.
"I don't know what to say to her," Rowan answered.
"Anything Rowan. Just talk to her." Jack responded. Rowan listened to him. He picked the call and walked away from them.
While he was away, Tyler walked past the lobby and Johnny stopped him. "Hey buddy, do you care for a chit chat?"
"Well that depends on who you are," Tyler said, looking up with curious eyes.
Jack and Johnny exchanged surprised glances. "Impressive" Jack exclaimed, now interested in the conversation.
Johnny cleared his throat and continued, "So, I am Johnny and here is Jack. We are your mom's friends."
"That is not true. I know every friend of my mom" Tyler responded nonchalantly. Johnny stuttered, trying to respond but Tyler continued. "It's okay. You spoke with my grandma the other time so I guess it's fine."
Jack and Johnny watched him with surprise etched on their faces. "Anyways, I am Tyler. T.Y.L.E.R Tyler." He added.
Johnny smiled, "Tyler, awesome. I love the name. So, how are you finding the hospital? Everything okay?"
Tyler smiled, "Yeah, it's cool. Hospitals have lots of interesting stuff. Except for the fact that my mom is on the sick bed."
Johnny chuckled, "Interesting stuff, huh? Like what?"
Tyler began to share his knowledge about medical equipment, procedures, and even some basic anatomy. His articulate explanations left Jack and Johnny dumbfounded. And the way he talks with excitement when he describes what he talks about gives Jack goosebumps.
"You know a lot about hospitals, Tyler. Are you planning to become a doctor?" Jack asked, genuinely impressed.
Tyler shook his head, "Nah, the sight of blood freaks me out"
"So, how do you know so much about hospitals and medical terms?"
"I used to come here often as a kid" He started. "You are still a kid" Jack mumbled but didn't stop Tyler. "My brother used to get sick a lot. Ear infections. The doctor said it's from our Dad's genes." He chuckled. But I want to be an astronaut."
Johnny grinned, "An astronaut, that's awesome! You must be really smart."
Tyler beamed with pride, "I don't know about that but I love learning new things. My mom says knowledge is like exploring a galaxy, and I want to explore them all!"
Just then, Rowan returned from his call. Jack and Johnny, still processing Tyler's intelligence, shared amused glances.
Rowan raised an eyebrow, "What's going on here?"
"Tyler here is a walking encyclopedia about hospitals and stuff. He wants to be an astronaut," Johnny explained.
"Oh, nice," Rowan exclaimed. "Hello Tyler." Rowan greeted but he didn't respond.
"I think Tyler doesn't talk to strangers." Jack teased Rowan.
"He is not a stranger. I know who he is." Tyler said, his gaze fixed on Rowan, intimidating him.
"What?" Rowan exclaimed, surprised.
"The popular Rowan Xi who dumped my mom and made her really sad." Tyler continued. "He is not a stranger but an enemy. Strangers are better than enemies."
Jack's face widened with shock. "Sorry…what?" Johnny busted into laughter while Rowan stood there staring back at Tyler.
"Are you with me or with my mother?" Tyler asked.
Although surprised by the question, they decided to play along. "Sure, I am a friend of your mom, anytime." Johnny said.
"I am with her too." Jack added, still smiling from Tyler's statement.
"Here you are," Mason said, walking up to Tyler and the rest. "You left me almost worried. I thought you were stuck somewhere already. "
"Of course, I was stuck here." Tyler responded. "Meet my new friends."
"Him?" Mason pointed to Rowan with a frownon his face.
"No..never" Tyler responded sharply. "Jack and Johnny" he pointed to them as he mentioned their names.
"Sounds like a TV show title but anyways, am Mason." He said stretching forth his hand for a handshake.
"Holy shit! He is amazing too" Johnny exclaimed excitedly. He shook Mason after Jack did.
"Have you by any chance seen Uncle Albert though? Mason asked. " Grandma wouldn't say anything and he is not the type to not show up yet"
Confused, "who is Uncle Alberts?" Johnny asked.
"Detective Alberts Wills. My mom's boyfriend." Tyler answered.