THE STUPENDOUS MAN

ROBOTIC LEGS

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It was 10:38 am on Wednesday. Rowan had checked the wall clock before he sat down on one of the couches. He was dressed in a blue shirt, a pair of black trousers and black shoes. He was about to go out, but he had to wait for Emmett before he went out. He had sent Emmett an errand since 9:50 am.

“It’s 10:45 am already. Where could this boy be?” “Doesn’t he want me to go out?”

Rowan stood up gently from the couch. He wore his shoes properly and walked in the direction of the entryway. He clutched the door’s handle and the door went open.

To Rowan's uttermost dismay, he saw Emmett sitting in one corner of the house. Emmett was resting his head on his laps as he sat on a pew.

Rowan knew everything wasn’t right with Emmett. He knew the dude would go and play football instead of sitting in one corner of the house.

“Are you okay?” Rowan said as he hit Emmett gently on the collar of his shirt. He was so shocked as he saw tears on Emmett’s face. “I knew everything wasn’t fine. Why are you crying?” Rowan said and sat down.

“The examination will start in two weeks' time…,” Emmett said gently amid the tears.

“Who told you that?”

“I met Nathan on the way.”

“Nathan…” “Oh. What shall we do now?”

“I don’t know, dad. So I will repeat the same class again next term,” Emmett said bitterly.

“No, you won’t.”

“Do you know what you are saying at all?” “I have been expelled from Crest International School.”

“Yes, I know,” Rowan said with two simultaneous nods.

Emmett stood up gently from the pew. Rowan knew that Emmett was up to something. He quickly racked his brain, but he couldn’t figure out why Emmett stood up from the pew. Emmett stood right in front of Rowan. He knelt down gently and said, “Daddy, let’s go and plead with the headmaster. Maybe he could have me back.”

“God forbid!” “He already gave me the expulsion letter. And for your information, I have signed the letter. Tomorrow, I will submit the letter to him.”

Emmett was so shocked by Rowan’s words. He cleaned his tears and stood up. Rowan wondered what Emmett was up to. He followed Emmett to the back. “Where is the cap I asked you to buy for me?” Rowan said before Emmett opened the door.

“It’s inside my asshole!” Emmett screamed and opened the door.

Rowan was gulping wine when the door went open. He looked in the direction of the door and saw Emmett. Emmett was putting on a green shirt, blue jean trousers and a pair of brown sandals. He was swinging a cap in his left hand.

“Good afternoon, dad,” Emmett said with a smile.

“Where are you coming from? You never told me you were going out.” Rowan frowned.

“I am coming from Nathan’s house, dad.”

“You went there again after the series of warnings I gave you.”

“I am sorry, dad. The house was boring in the morning, so I had to leave the house.”

“Do not take my calmness for weakness, young man. You know I can slap you.”

“Then the Alabama police will get you arrested for child a***e and you know what that means.” “Anyways, I am sorry. I won’t go out without your permission again,” Emmett added. He collected the mug from Rowan and took three sips of the wine.

“This is so sweet!” Emmett screamed and sat down.

“Give me my wine,” Rowan said, and collected the wine from Emmett.

“What did you cook for lunch, dad?” “I am famished.”

“I made your favorite. Beans.”

“I can’t wait to munch the food,” Rowan said and stood up from the couch.

“Hold on…” “How is Nathan?”

“Nathan is doing great, dad. He was happy when I told him that you will send me to another school next term.”

“That’s good to hear. And how are his parents?”

“They are fine, dad. We will continue the gist later. I am famished already.” Nathan said. Rowan couldn’t hold the laughter. He laughed as he watched Emmett walk out of the sitting room.

“He had even told his friends that he would be starting the new term at another school. I don’t even have money to pay for his school fees. Oh, Lord, come to my aid. I mustn’t be put to shame,” Rowan muttered silently and emptied his mug.

It was a bright Friday morning, barely two weeks after the incident at the headmaster’s office. Rowan’s phone rang. He clutched the phone.

“Hello…” “Who am I speaking with?”

“I am Dr. Jasper…” “Am I speaking with Emmett’s dad?” Rowan heard from the other end.

“Yes…, yes…” “How can I help you?”

“Your son was knocked down by a car…”

“Emmet…? “A car…?”

“Calm down. He sustained a slight injury. I would like you to come to Crowns hospital now.”

“Alright, doctor. I will be on my way.”

As soon as that, Rowan cut the call. He rushed into his room and changed his dress. He was putting on a blue short-sleeved shirt and a pair of black trousers.

When he got to the hospital, he asked for directions and he was ushered to doctor Jasper’s office. The office was large enough. It was well-furnished and well-ventilated. It has pictures hanging on the wall too. One of the pictures was the picture of doctor Jasper standing beside the president of the USA. The shot was taken on Crown hospital's 7th anniversary. The president had come to grace the occasion. Despite the fact that Dr. Jasper wasn’t photogenic, he still ensured that he snapped a picture with the president before the president left the occasion. He snapped with other dignitaries too, like the minister of education of Nigeria, the minister of agriculture of China, the commissioner of police of the USA and a host of others.

Crown hospital, on the other hand, was one of the best specialist hospitals in Alabama and the USA. It was brought to the limelight when a doctor could formidably perform surgery on parasitic twins. The hospital was known to have one of the best doctors, nurses and other medical personnel. The hospital specialized in dermatology, optometry and surgery. They performed other specialized functions, like robots and other biomedical equipment.

“Good morning, doctor.”

“Good morning, gentleman.” “Have your seat.”

“Thank you, sir.” Rowan sat down on a chair. He was sitting in the opposite direction to the doctor.

“How may I help you, sir?”

“I am Mr. Rowan. Emmett’s father.”

“Oh, sorry I couldn’t recognize you in person.” “Without beating round the bush, your son was rushed here after being knocked down by a car.”

“It’s alright. Can I see him?”

“That’s after you have paid the money stipulated for his surgery.”

“surgery…?” “But you told me on the phone that he sustained a little injury,” Rowan said with a quavering voice. He almost cried, but he quickly controlled himself because he wouldn’t want to disgrace himself. Besides, men don’t cry anyhow. It’s women that behave babyish most times.

“I never wanted you to panic, that’s why I never told you on the phone.” Doctor Jasper clutched his pair of eyeglasses and put them on. “The car ran through Emmett’s legs. I doubt if he will be able to walk with his legs again.”

“OMG! Oh, no…!” Rowan screamed.

“You shouldn’t curse more and hurt yourself, young man. Besides, this is a hospital.”

“I am sorry for that, doctor,” Rowan said remorsefully, gazing at the doctor.

“Well, all hope is not lost. We could amputate Emmett’s legs and give him robotic legs.”

“I would like to see my son walk with his natural legs. I don’t need an artificial legs.”

“That’s if you could afford to send your son to the United Kingdom.” “When you mean business, come back. Please, I have other patients to attend to.” Doctor Jasper said, trying all he could to control his voice, so that I wouldn’t pester Rowan. Rowan thanked the doctor and left the doctor’s office.

Rowan entered Thiago’s sitting room. Thiago was Rowan's best friend at the university. Thiago was also a medical student. Since he was the son of one of the rich men of the USA, his father built a big hospital for him. This was four years ago.

When Rowan heard about Thiago’s birthday party, he vowed that he wouldn’t miss the party.

“Thiago, the carhop doesn’t want to give me food,” Rowan said as soon as he stumbled in front of four men. The men were wearing black suits and clutching mugfuls of wine.

“Who is this man, Thiago?” one of the men said and dropped his mug on a small table.

“He was my friend then at the university. I wonder what he is doing here,” Thiago said.

“He looks rough and tattered. What happened to him?”

“Hudson, have you forgotten Rowan? The guy that was disowned by his father…”

“Because he was rusticated,” Hudson said.

“Oh, I think I remember. I read everything in the newspapers,” Jameson said.

“Rowan, you should have cut your hair and your beard before you come to the party.” “How did you hear about the party? The last time I checked, I never invited you to the party,” Thiago said with his shoulders raised up.

“Rowan, what have I done to receive this kind of treatment from you and your friends?” Rowan said with tears on his face.

“Stop those crocodile tears, man.” “Well, let me introduce you to my g**g of men. Guys, meet my wonderful friend, Luca Rowan,” Thiago said with sarcasm.

“He is the disowned son of Dr. Luca, so he can’t address him to Luca again.” Hudson frowned and the men laughed.

“It’s nice meeting you, Mr. Rowan,” Jameson said.

Hudson whispered into Thiago’s left ear. Thiago smiled. He clutched his glass and took a sip of the wine. “I heard Lydia has gone for her master’s degree…”

“Meanwhile, Rowan is in Alabama shaking his a*s around,” Xavier said. He was sitting in-between Thiago and Hudson.

Rowan regretted that he had come to Thiago’s birthday party. He now saw the reason why Dr. Luca called everyone a bunch of hypocrites. When Rowan couldn’t withstand the pain anymore, he walked in the direction of the door. He looked backwards only to see everyone laughing at him. He quickly left the sitting room. When he got outside, he walked in the direction of the road. Maybe he could see a taxi that would take him home. As soon as he saw a taxi coming from the left, he gestured. The car stopped and parked right in front of him. Rowan was negotiating with the driver when his phone rang. He glanced through the phone’s screen. It was his father-in-law. He wondered why Waylon would have called him at this time of the day.

Rowan regretted that he had come for Thiago’s birthday. He now saw the reason why Dr. Luca called everyone a bunch of hypocrites. When Rowan couldn’t withstand the pain, he walked in the direction of the door. He looked backwards only to see everyone laughing at him. He quickly left the sitting room. When he got outside, he walked in the direction of the road. Maybe he could see a taxi that would take him home. As soon as he saw a taxi coming from the left, he gestured. The car stopped and parked right in front of him. Rowan was negotiating with the driver when his phone rang. He glanced through the phone’s screen. It was his father-in-law. He wondered why Waylon would have called him at this time of the day.