A/N: JE owns these characters; I am a friggin nut who likes to play a bit with them. Also credit needs to go the late L. Frank Baum for his characters from The Wizard of Oz. There is a place in Beech, NC called Land of Oz; I have changed it using poetic license to fit it in with this story. Thanks to Jenny for her wonderful beta skills.
Follow The Yellow Brick Road 37
The door slowly creaked open, and a head popped in. A very attractive, older, African-American woman said, "Hope you don't mind my dropping in. I wanted to see how Ms. Plum was doing."
The woman smiled in recognition at Carlos. "Mr. Manoso, how are you? Oh, I see you have a full house. I can come back later."
Noticing Carlos' nod of acknowledgment, I hazarded a guess and said, "Dr. Stone, I presume."
"Yes, I am. Guess my reputation precedes me. I hope that's a good thing."
"Oh, it is, Dr. Stone. We could use your input on two matters, if you don't mind?" Carlos said, smiling slightly.
"Sure, how can I help?"
"First, let me make some introductions. This is my daughter Julie, her mother, Rachel Martine, and Diego Martinez."
"I've met Diego; he was very helpful when we had the security problem with the media. Nice to meet you all. I'm glad to see Ms. Plum is on the road to recovery."
"Julie, I think that is our cue to leave," Rachel told her daughter, "if Dr. Stone is checking Stephanie's progress and Carlos is going to talk business."
"Actually, Rachel, please stay. These two matters concern you. Dr. Stone is the person I mentioned that could help you."
"Now, Mr. Manoso, I'm intrigued. How can I help Mrs. Martine?"
"Mrs. Martine's mother-in-law just underwent surgery, and her sister was going to assist her convalescence. Unfortunately, her sister was called away and won't be able to help. I wondered if you have anyone on staff or know anyone in Tampa, Florida, who you can recommend."
"Let me look into it," she responded after a moment. "I can make some calls and go through some records to see if I can come up with someone suitable."
"Can I make a suggestion?" I interjected. "How about Ethel Gump? Would you recommend her?"
This might be the perfect solution for Ethel, if she was amenable to it.
"Yes, that might work. Ethel just put in for some personal time. Are you trying to poach my staff?" she asked teasingly. "Sorry, just some humor. Can I get back to you? Are you pressed for time?"
"Speed is of the essence, so your swiftness would be appreciated. The other thing is that Mrs. Martine and I would like Julie to be checked out by a pediatrician. After all she's been through the last few days, Mrs. Martine feels that it would be wise, and I agreed to have it done before they return to Miami."
"Yes, that's right. I would really like to know how Julie is before we go home. It would be a great weight off my mind," Rachel agreed in explanation.
"Perfectly understandable, my dear. I have two of my own. Before I became an administrator, I was a notable pediatrician. Why don't you check my credentials? If they meet with your approval, I can clear my schedule and make an appointment in forty-five minutes."
"That will be so wonderful. Thanks so much, Dr. Stone," Rachel told her.
"No problem. I know we didn't talk much, Ms. Plum, but I am very glad you're feeling better. Bye for now, all. Mrs. Martine and Julie, I hope to see you in forty-five minutes."
A blur of white was seen as Dr. Stone quickly exited from the room.
"Rachel, I didn't want to a make any assumptions, but I've already accessed the data on a number of pediatricians affiliated with this hospitals. Dr. Stone was at the top in her class and field until she decided to cut her hours as a doctor by being in an administrative capacity, rather than a practicing one. Let me show you her stats. They're very impressive," Carlos admitted.
"You've accessed a lot of data already. Is your company usually this fast and reliable?"
"I certainly hope so, since Rangeman strives to be the top company in the security field. Still, anybody can access this information, because it's part of the public records."
"I can see that. Carlos, I know I was less than supportive when you were in the military, but I can see for the people who need your services, you do an extensive and thorough job. I never knew how detail-oriented you are."
"Well, Mom, in some ways, you and Dad are a lot alike. You're both big on planning and getting every teensy weensy detail exactly perfect," Julie said, giving me an eye roll worthy of jealousy from any Jersey-born female.
I hoped Julie wasn't going to get scolded again, but I apparently didn't need to worry. Rachel's only reaction was to flush bright pink in embarrassment, and Carlos had his almost smile, where his lips quirk up at the ends.
Diego was organizing the bags he'd brought, which made me think that he didn't want to be the center of attention again.
The only one unfazed was Julie, who looked very proud of herself for noticing a similarity or common link between her parents. I wondered if this was the first one she discovered, besides herself, of course.
"Have you checked Ethel's records yet, Carlos?" I asked shattering the awkward moment.
"She's been working in this hospital for over twenty years, except when she took a lengthy sabbatical to raise her son. I can't get the particulars from the computer, unless I get approval from either an employer, like Dr. Stone, or Ethel herself."
"You think this woman would be willing to take care of Tilda? She would have to relocate to Florida, away from her family and friends," Rachel said incredulously. "I don't know many people that are willing to relocate for a short term commitment. It shouldn't last more than a week or two."
"We won't know unless we ask. Ethel is the nurse's aide assigned to me presently. You heard from Dr. Stone that Ethel wanted to take some time off. Maybe she would like a busman's holiday. A change of pace is always beneficial, with the different scenery and ability to meet new people," I answered.
I didn't feel comfortable telling the others Ethel's life story without her permission, even if they might become her employers. I knew firsthand how it felt when people spoke and gossiped about your life history. I would not do that to Ethel.
Rachel and Julie decided to go downstairs to the hospital's coffee shop for a bite to eat before the appointment with Dr. Stone. Rachel had already called Dr. Stone's office to confirm the appointment, since she now knew that Julie was in capable hands. Dr. Stone's office had given them instructions on where to go, and the doctor herself would meet them on the fourth floor, which was pediatrics. That would give them enough time to eat, and they could go up when the time was right.
Diego wisely left when the two Martines did; he was avoiding Carlos' questions as long as he could. I figured he could run, but he couldn't hide. Carlos could play the waiting game better than anyone. It was just a matter of time before he called Diego out again for dating his sister.
That left the two of us, and soon, lunch was served. Whatever I ate was tasteless, bland hospital fare. I couldn't believe they expected people to get better eating that slop. It wasn't easy eating with one hand, and Carlos had to help me eat. That was embarrassing, especially after I ate some soup and started to choke. That caused me to cough, which hurt a lot. Lucky for me, Carlos scooped me up quickly, before I could scald myself. Unfortunately, not before I knocked the rest of the contents on my lunch tray. I made a complete mess of myself, the bedding, and Carlos.
"I would say it's not my fault, but that would be a lie," I said miserably.
"Babe, it not your fault if you choke on some soup."
"But look at the mess I made of you, me, and the bed!"
"The next time you mess up a bed, you'll really enjoy it, I assure you," he said suggestively.
"Promises, promises."
"You know I never make idle threats or empty promises. I aim to get you in my bed and keep you there."
"Okay, can you give me a little clarification? Is that a threat or a promise?" I teased.
"Does it really matter?"
"Hmm, let me think... Guess not!"
"Smartass.
We gave each other a quick kiss, and had to separate when there was another knock on the door. Ethel came in with a much more pleasant expression affixed to her face.
"Afternoon, Ms. Plum, Mr. Manoso." Her pleasant expression turned to shock, and then dismay, when she scanned the messy bed. "Oh my stars, look at this mess. Mr. Manoso, why don't you take your young lady into the bathroom and get her washed up? I can give you some plastic bags to wrap around her drainage tube and cast so they don't get wet. Off you go! I'll clean up the bed as you two tidy up yourselves."
"Thanks, Ms. Gump, for helping me out. I apologize for making you do extra work."
"You don't need to apologize to me; that's my job!" she assured me. "Call me Ethel, by the way. I didn't realize I was so twisted and bitter. I appreciate you not reporting me to Dr. Stone, but I think I need to take some time off. Frankly, I think I need some disciplinary action or censure because of my behavior this morning."
"Your apology is good enough for us, right, Stephanie?" Carlos asked, and I nodded my head in agreement. "We know of a position in Tampa, Florida, if it interests you. It is for a post operative sixty year old woman with limited mobility. You would assist in daily activities and provide companionship until she can take care of herself."
"That would be lovely. I could use the income. An added bonus would be to get away from here for awhile. There are few pleasant memories and overwhelming sadness here." She looked at the computer, and continued, "I can e-mail my resume today and give you a printed version by tomorrow. What is your e-mail address?"
"It is ," replied Carlos.
I could see her commit it to memory, then she said briskly, "Let me get some clean linens, and I can fix the bed."
As she left the room, I said, "I think we should hightail it to the bathroom to wash this gook off."
"Care for a ride, Babe?"
"Don't mind if I do, Batman."
"It is just as well my good cape is at the cleaners, then," Carlos teased.
I had only one response: I gave Carlos a death glare.
He laughed in delight and said, "You never disappoint."
I had to giggle, too. When Carlos laughed, I now knew it was with me, not at me, which made a world of difference.
Before we went into the bathroom, Carlos snagged the duffel bag and carried it, along with me. Once inside the smaller room, he wrapped the plastic bags carefully around my chest tube; it wouldn't be good if it got wet. Raising my injured arm with tenderness, he took the same care in wrapping my cast, and we went together into the shower once we were both undressed. It figured that we were committed to each other, naked, and we still couldn't consummate our love.
"Bet when you said you were good in the shower, you didn't mean this way," I teased.
"Well, I did tell you once I wanted to hose you down. Now I am finally getting my chance."
"Somehow, I still don't think you meant it this way." I paused, before continuing, "We are going to get a chance, though, and it's going to be good."
"Babe! You've got to stop stealing my lines."
"Why?" I teased.
"Only you, Babe."
Swirling the Bulgari shower gel all over my body, the grime, grit, and blood that was still on my body got washed away. It was nice to get clean. I wished I could do the same for Carlos. Sure, he was clean physically, just like me—the muscles on his delicious mocha latte body had sheen to them from the bodywash—but deep in his eyes, I could see the fatigue he didn't want me to see.
We both smelled and looked a lot better than we did before the shower. It was so nice and relaxing, I would have enjoyed staying in there longer; unfortunately, I was getting tired, because I was too stubborn to use the special seat in the shower stall.
After the shower, Carlos dried us both off, dressed me in a fresh gown, put on only the bottoms of his sweats, and carried me to the bed.
We kissed after he set me on the bed, but suddenly, my spidey sense told me we weren't alone.
"What the fuck is going on here? It looks like you two are sucking off each other's faces. This is hospital, not a hot sheet motel."
I was gratified to be able to answer promptly. I said, "I don't know what you are trying to imply, Joe, but nothing is going on. It figures that you do, since your mind is always in the gutter."
"Cupcake, I see how he looks at you. Ranger is hungry, and you are on his menu."
"Damn, I certainly hope so."
"Geez, Steph, I've never known you to be such a slut."
"You better back up, mister. I will not let you cheapen what Carlos and I share," I told him forcefully.
"Do you really think you two are going to last? You're just delusional."
"Cynical much? What did you and Dani hit a snag?" I look at the crestfallen expression on his face and knew I'd hit a nerve. "Omigod, you did."
Holy crap, why is my life always full of booby traps?
"What I want to know is how did you get into Steph's room unannounced, Morelli?" growled Carlos.
"I think the real question is why the hell Joe is here at all?" I said to Carlos. Then I turned to Joe and exclaimed, "I told you on the phone that I was all right. What more do you want?"