NOTE* Here is the second chapter! Let me know what you think so far! Enjoy!
Chapter Two:
A Personal Problem
Arthur woke up to someone gently shaking his shoulder.
"Dr. Kirkland", one of his nurses, Amy, said quietly as she tried to wake him, "Dr. Kirkland."
Arthur opened his eyes, blinking the blurriness out as he looked up at her.
"I'm sorry, but we have a problem with one of your patients."
Arthur sighed as he nodded and stood up, stretching. He headed towards the room where yelling was currently coming from.
"Mr. Peterson!" Arthur said with an authoritative tone, "What in God's name are you yelling about this early in the morning!"
Everyone stared at the doctor. He raised an eyebrow.
"Doctor, its eleven in the morning", his nurse whispered.
"Oh", he stated and coughed a bit in embarrassment, "Either way, what are you yelling about?"
"This fool here wants to give me a shot in my bum. Would you kindly tell him to shove it up his own…"
"Mr. Peterson!" Arthur interrupted, "that will be quite enough of that."
He turned to look at the flustered male nurse.
"Gregory, go take a break. I will handle this."
The nurse nodded as he handed the needle off to the doctor who stepped further into the room. He stared the man down who was beginning to sweat a bit nervously at the intense look the doctor was giving him.
"I am your doctor until you have completely recovered from my surgery without any complications that might need to be addressed immediately, however nurses are here for a reason", he said calmly. Too calmly for the man's liking. "Do you know why, nurses are here?"
"For…your assistance?" the man got out, a bit squeakily.
"Oh no", Arthur grinned a bit devilishly, "for yours. Doctors like myself, we tend to be a bit…rough, on the bedside manner."
From outside the room, Gregory and Amy laughed to themselves as the man hollered. Arthur was actually a very kind doctor, but he didn't stand for patients treating the staff, especially his nurses in a bad or rude manner. If they did, well he tended to make them think twice before calling for a doctor before a nurse ever again.
As Arthur left the room, he had a very pleased and content smile on his face. He peered at the two laughing nurses and merely acted like nothing had happened before going on his merry way down the hall.
Deciding he would stop by and check in on his two new patients, he was surprised when he heard two voices coming from the boy's room who he had operated on. Quietly, he neared the door, spotting the wheelchair of the other boy, Alfred near the bed. Peeking inside, he smiled to himself when he noticed both of them on the bed, lying beside one another whispering back and forth. Stepping further in, about to interrupt, he stopped when he picked up a bit on what was being said.
"I don't want to go home again", Matt whispered.
"I know, but if we don't, you know what will happen if they find us themselves."
Matthew nodded, tears streaking down his face.
"Hey don't cry, you know I will always take care of you."
Matthew sniffled as he nodded, his head laying buried in the other boys shoulder.
"I miss mama", he whispered.
Alfred sucked in a breath.
"I know you do. I…I don't remember her well, but…I know she loved you."
Matthew smiled.
"She loved you also."
Alfred smiled back.
"Do you think when the doctor calls them, they will be…"
"I don't know. Hopefully not. I kind of hope your condition turns out to be a bit more serious. No offense. It's just…I don't want you having to go back until they calm down."
"But you shouldn't have to go back alone!"
"I know…but the Dr. Kirkland said I might be able to share a room with you if I did well alone tonight. I…I did sneak out though, so I suppose that won't happen."
"You couldn't help it", Matt said frowning as he hugged his little brother, "your nightmares…they…"
"I know", Al sighed, "Thanks Mattie."
Having heard enough, Arthur cleared his throat, making the two boys flinch at the sound. He noticed Mathew stayed lying down, but Alfred moved into a defensive position over his brother. Interesting and yet sad. In some ways, it reminded him of a wounded animal defending its mate.
"Morning boys", he said with a smile, "sleep well?"
They nodded.
"Good to hear. Alfred, why are you not in your room?"
"I…" the boy hesitated, "I wanted to check on Mattie."
"Well if you are well enough to move around, you are well enough to leave."
Both boys paled. He frowned and quickly hurried to assure them.
"However if you don't feel well still, I expect you to rest in your bed. Understand?"
The boys sighed. Alfred nodded.
"Matthew, how are you feeling?"
"Pretty good. Tired", the boy admitted.
"Well then rest. I see a nurse already upped your morphine dose for the day. You will probably be in here recovering for a couple more days before you can be released. Alfred, I think another day will suffice for you."
Alfred nodded. The boy was mostly relieved he wouldn't have to go home again today at least. He was even more relieved to hear Mattie wouldn't be going back for even a longer period of time. He worried about his brother.
"I will go see if I can't get some lunch for you two. I will also look into preparing a double room for you in recovery. However you both are to stay lying down in this bed, understand?"
They nodded as he smiled.
"Good boys", he muttered as he stepped out of the room.
He walked down the hall to the front desk of surgery.
"Mary, did you happen to find any files for an Alfred F. Jones and a Matthew Williams?"
"Yes doctor, I was just about to deliver them to your office. Also the woman from child services called by the name of Patty Henderson. She said she would be arriving around three in the afternoon."
"Alright, I will keep it in mind", he said yawning.
"Did you sleep at all, Arthur?" she asked with concern.
"Yeah for a few hours. Double shifts suck, but the money is worth it and Francis will definitely owe me one", he said flashing her a devilish smile.
She just shook her head fondly.
He started towards his office, when he stopped and called back.
"Oh, can you get some lunch trays delivered to their rooms?"
"Sure, what kind of food?"
"I don't know. Choose something you think a child would like."
The nurse nodded as she set about the action. Arthur on the other hand began looking through the files. The first one he opened was Matthew Williams.
Name: Matthew Allen Williams
Date of Birth: July 1, 2004
Place of Birth: Ottawa, Canada; Saint Augustine Hospital
Parents: Allen Jones and Amelia (Williams) Jones
Medical issues: Autistic. Far Sighted.
Past Injuries: Broken Arm. Broken Nose. Sprained Wrist. Three Broken Ribs. Mild Concussion.
Number of times hospitalized: Four
Doctors Notes:
Child Services was called, however parents are influential people – Dr. Mason D. Thompson.
Child Services was called, case against parents however was dropped – Dr. Maria Dunn.
Second time seeing this patient. Three broken ribs. Again, I called child services on the family and again, the case was dropped without question. Family threatened to sue if I pursued the case any further – Dr. Maria Dunn.
Mild concussion from fall. Bruises were found all over the patient's body. Child Services were called, however the parents demanded the children to be released and they left before anything could be done – Dr. Roger Huston.
Arthur wasn't very inspired by that information. Still, it did explain a few things, such as why the younger brother seemed to be taking care of the older brother. Autism would definitely be an understanding reason as it effects the motor ability, attention span, verbal communication skills, and even physical health.
Sighing, he opened up the second file for Alfred F. Jones.
Name: Alfred Freeman Jones
Date of Birth: July 4, 2007
Place of Birth: New York, New York; Mercury Hospital
Parents: Allen Jones and Amelia (Williams) Jones
Medical issues: Prone to Panic Attacks. Mild case of Asthma.
Past injuries: Broken leg. Broken Arm. Four Broken Fingers. Sprained Ankle. Broken Nose. Severe Concussion. One Broken Rib and Several Cracked. Dislocated Shoulder.
Number of Times Hospitalized: Six
Doctors Notes:
Child Services was called, however parents are influential people – Dr. Mason D. Thompson.
Child Services was called, case against parents however was dropped – Dr. Maria Dunn.
Second time seeing this patient. Four Broken fingers and a sprained Ankle. Again, I called child services on the family and again, the case was dropped. Threat of being sued if I pursued questioning – Dr. Maria Dunn.
Broken Nose. Nothing serious. Sport accident – Dr. Anthony Taylor.
Severe Concussion with one broken rib and several cracked from a car accident. Police report unknown. Child Services were contacted, however no one arrived from the organization. I called them again myself and was assured someone would come over. Family filed a complaint on me – Dr. Anthony Taylor.
Dislocated Shoulder. Sport accident – Dr. Henry Watson.
Arthur sighed. It looked like dealing with the family would definitely not be an easy thing, but he wasn't willing to not call the child services department if something possibly could be done for the kids. Obviously something was going on and he wasn't about to let it keep happening when he could help it.
Stopping just outside his office, he sighed before placing the files on his desk and then turning right back around and heading towards their room. When he got to the entrance, he smiled when he noticed their happy faces.
"How is the chow?" he asked them.
The two smacked their lips as the cheese from the macaroni got all over their faces. He could tell just from their reactions that they were in heaven right now. He himself knew that hospital food was anything but delicious. So he had to wonder what the kids normally ate at home.
"I have to call your parents. Anything I should say to them?"
The boys both paused in their eating. An obvious look of fear and discomfort on their faces.
"Tell them…tell them you found us. Don't tell them we walked in on our own. Please."
Arthur nodded at his words.
"How about I tell them the basics of what occurred. After that, it's up to you."
"Of course", Alfred agreed.
Arthur was surprised at his mature reaction. Still, so long as he got paid what was owed to him, he felt a lie or two told by the kids who obviously had a rough home life wouldn't be overly criticized. If anything, perhaps it would allow for an easier time dealing with their parents.
Because surely, he tried to convince himself, they only ran away as little children would.
His heart knew otherwise.