I do NOT own Emergency

The Past Comes Calling (A Secret Revealed)

Part 2

Note: there is a reference to Julia Sugarbaker of Designing women, but I didn't' figure just a reference made a crossover story. (and I hope I have her last name right on that)

Kel ignored the stares when he didn't turn towards his standard seat and

instead walked towards the pianist. A past he thought he had no connections

to had just come calling, and a secret that had been kept from him was now

easily revealed. His footsteps were taking him closer to the piano and the

man could have cared less the action had caused Johnny's eyes to fly wide

open.

"I believe we need to talk." Dr. Brackett's tone held the typical tone he

used on his patients -years of habit more than anything else.

Anna didn't argue and stood up. The sight of the two sitting down at the

table made Lopez grin. "No wonder she slapped you, she's with Brackett."

Johnny only gave his co-worker a sharp glare.

"So, Patricia's your mother?" It really wasn't a question and they both

knew it, but the well known doctor's mind was still grasping what was in

front of his eyes.

"Actually, no, I'm her niece, but.." she hurried on before the man could

make a reply. "I happen to look a lot like her daughter, and am very good

friends with my cousin who happens to be named Awna only.." She grinned,

"people have this horrible habit of calling her Anna and spelling it that way

too - if you don't want your head on a chopping block I suggest you cement

in her correct name - with it's 'proper' spelling."

"A bit hot tempered, uh?" Dr. Brackett couldn't help but smile.

"Among other things, but she has turned into very fine lady. And she really

does work at keeping a handle on her emotions. Sort of the west's version of

Julia Sugarbaker." It was a reference Anna could use because she knew

before the doctor had joined Rampart General he'd lived near the woman

who's business was designing things. "Here, you need to read this." Pulling

out an envelope from her purse Anna handed it to the doctor.

"Be warned.." She laid a hand on his arm when he began to open it.

"You're not going to like what you see, and Awna only found that

envelope's content by accident. She will be here tonight, but, forgive my

cousin… she.." Anna shrugged her shoulders. "wanted things cushioned for

her. You know - for me to assure that none of this was being made up. Aunt

Patricia isn't the type to talk much and, well, both Awna and I.." shrugging

her shoulders, "don't think what's in that letter is very fair. And we're sure

major decisions were made because of it. Guess we just wanted the truth

out." Giving him an almost apologetic smile she tacked on. "You don't have

to talk to either one of us about that letter if you don't want to."

That warning made Dr. Brackett's eyes raise, but he kept any reply in

check until he began to read then his face threatened to blow the roof off the

building.

"She wrote this?" He had to force himself not to yell as he continued to

read. Awna's cousin was sure the man was also going to bust a blood vessel

in his neck. His eyes continued to scan the letter. Dr. Brackett wasn't sure

what he felt. Pain? Grief? Definitely extreme anger. What had been said in

the letter never should have been uttered.

"Excuse me, but isn't that your mother that just walked in?" Anna had

mixed feelings on the sight. Part of her didn't want a scene, but was also no

idiot -one would happen; if one went by the man's countenance.

"Excuse me." Standing up he tucked the letter in the inside pocket of his

jacket.

Mrs. Brackett had walked in with smiles and a jolly hello to her son's

comrades. Course the silver haired woman dressed in an expensive red

designer dress figured the whole night would be one of ironing out any

rough bumps she ,and her son, had in between them the past couple of years.

In fact, so sure had she been that it was the only item she'd talked about to

Dixie, Joe, and Roy the past couple of days. Now the sight of her son

coming towards her with blazing eyes and blood vessels threatening to burst

sent the unquestionable message that was not going to happen anytime

soon.

"How dare you!" His voice did not fill the whole restaurant, but it was

loud enough for his co-workers to hear without having to strain.

"How dare I what?" His mother's confusion was understandable to

everyone. After all hadn't the poor lady just walked in?

"You know very well what!" Dr. Brackett hissed and his eye glared harder

as went on. "You had no right. You should have told me."

"Kel, what are you talking about. I should have told you what?" Her voice

took on the patronizing tone that had always irked him. The kind that says

'you're an adult, but I refuse to acknowledge it.'

"Told me the truth about Rick and Patricia!" Mrs. Brackett couldn't hide

the shock of his words and her face paled even more when her son voice

refused to lessen in heat as he leaned towards her and spoke with even more

fury than one might think possible at this point. "It was bad enough you lied

to me in regards to Patricia and Rick, but.." he took a deep breath, " Twenty-

five years, mother. You robbed me…" His voice choked. "How dare you."

Finally, he took a deep breath and his mother spoke defensively.

"You were too young, you had you're whole life ahead of you. Of course, I

took steps to protect you."

"There was nothing to protect me from." The heat had lessened in voice -

the resentment had not. "For crying out loud, I was twenty! That was well

old enough to make my own decisions." When his mother come up with

another excuse - a very lame one in his book -he shot a glare that would

have sent Dracula flying away. "Go to hell!" With that the man stormed out

the door if for no other reason as to walk around the block a few times -

otherwise he was going to be guilty of something worse than swearing at

his mother.