Get Back: I'm Looking Through You
By Alyssa
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, the lovely people at NBC do.
Both parts of the Title are the names of Beatles Songs. Parts of their lyrics will be in the story. You really have to know the tune of them to get the full effect.
This is a continuation of 'The Weak Link' series.
Previously:
Dave's father came to visit him in the ER and things didn't go well. Dave agreed to meet his father for lunch but bailed on a hockey game.
Thanks to all my readers and the people who E-mail me. Especially Kelley! (again!)
There is a little swearing, but not much.
~~ The night was cold and dew covered him. He shivered as he huddled between the bushes and the side of the house. Dave, at ten years old, usually climbed in through his window when he got home, to avoid Ray, but tonight Ray had decided to lock the window, and Dave was outside. He couldn't feel his legs or arms very well and started to worry about frost bite. His class was learning about the Oregon Trail and how a lot of children got frost bite from walking in the cold weather. Dave shivered again and hugged himself tighter.....
~~~
Dave awoke, startled, to find himself in his room curled on the floor, with no recollection of how he got there. His first thought was, 'Am I late for school'? Sweat and not dew covered his entire body, he realized. It had been a long time since he thought about that night, he had almost forgotten about it. Maybe the booze and sleeping pills had jogged his memory.
Dave checked his answering machine and sure enough there was a message from his father. The message said that he understood and that lunch would be great. Dave quickly deleted the message and started to get ready for work. He had turned down the volume of the phone to try and get some sleep, and left the answering machine to deal with Ray. He ended up taking one of his sleeping pills, even though he knew it was a weak thing to do. He also felt weak for not going to the hockey game. What was he afraid of? Even if his dad hadn't changed, certainly he couldn't hurt Dave anymore. He was a grown man now, and he was strong. Wasn't he?
~~~
I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU,
WHERE DID YOU GO?
I THOUGHT I KNEW YOU,
WHAT DID I KNOW?
YOU DON'T LOOK DIFF'RENT,
BUT YOU HAVE CHANGED
I'M LOOKING THOUGH YOU,
YOU'RE NOT THE SAME
~~~
"I think his dad is just drawing him farther away." Jing Mei told Carter. She was twisting her hands together and looking from side to side to make sure no one was over hearing them.
"Well, what are we supposed to do? Tell him to stop seeing his father? I thought we were trying to get them together." Carter responded, a little confused. He smiled inwardly at Jing Mei's nervousness.
"No, only Kerry was trying to get them together. I really don't think he's ready for this yet. " Jing Mei said worrying now that if Kerry got whif of this she would get yelled at, and wondering whether she should tell Carter about Dave's past.
"Relax Jing Mei. I think you are over exaggerating. He said no to one dinner date, so what? Maybe he just didn't feel up to it." Carter tried to reason.
"With all that has happened lately, I would really appreciate it if you talked to him." Jing Mei pleaded. The image of Dave on the bathroom floor jumped at Carter, like the one of Lucy often did.
"I really think you are closer to Dave than I am." Carter stated. Trying to protect himself more than anyone.
"Carter, are you saying you won't talk to him?" Jing Mei asked, eyes glaring.
"Fine.. Fine... I talk to him." Carter said, throwing his arms up in mock defeat. "Lot of good it will do." He muttered to himself as he walked away.
~~~
Dave walked into the lounge, his hair was a mess and he hadn't had time to shave. He was thinking about the lunch approaching quickly. It would be at Doc Magoo's again. Dave was happy to use his work as an excuse to keep these meetings short and near the hospital.
Carter entered the room and smiled at Dave. "So Dave, how are you?" Carter asked.
"Fine." Dave answered suspiciously. Carter was here for a reason.
"Looks like you had a really rough night, Malucci?" Carter asked.
"Yeah." Dave answered.
"You've been having a lot of those lately, haven't you?" Carter observed.
"I guess." Dave didn't like where this was going.
"Any particular reason why?" Carter asked concerned. He was beginning to think that perhaps Jing Mei was right.
"I'm the irresponsible wild one remember? I like to party. What's this about Carter? Why the third degree?" Dave responded.
"Are you going to see your dad again?" Carter inquired.
"Yeah." Dave answered simply. Carter nodded.
"Ok, here it is. Jing Mei is worried about you." Carter Blurted out. Dave paused for a split second then answered.
"Why?" Dave asked.
"She feels that you are withdrawing again." Carter continued on tip toe.
"Why would she think that?" Dave asked, his voice light and curious. Carter just shrugged. "Well then. Tell her I'm fine. I'm peachy keen." He added, with a smile.
Carter watched as Dave left the lounge. Not much later Jing Mei entered, her eyes prying."So what did he say?" She asked. Carter shrugged up his shoulders.
"Said he was fine, peachy keen." Carter watched Jing Mei's eyes turn slightly sour. "Hey! I told you it wasn't going to work. I'm not that close to him."
~~~
YOU'RE THINKING OF ME
THE SAME OLD WAY.
YOU WERE ABOVE ME
BUT NOT TODAY.
THE ONLY DIFF'RENCE IS YOU'RE DOWN THERE;
I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU
AND YOU'RE NOWHERE.
~~~
'Now I get a sinile old woman' Dave thought as he considered the irony. The lady was living with her daughter and had fallen down. It seemed like a broken wrist at worst. Dave entered the room holding the chart in hand. A 50'ish woman clung to the patients hand and was talking to her softly.
"Hello Mrs. Lowery. I'm doctor Dave. What seems to be the problem?" Dave asked.
"I left my mother upstairs for one minute to cook her some breakfast. She got up and tried to come down. On the third to last step she fell. I think she hurt her wrist." The woman's daughter explained. "She has alzheimers and thinks she has to get the kids off to school every morning."
When the old woman looked up at Dave a smile creased her face. "George!" She cried, " I haven't seen you in such a long time. How is college going? Keep your grades up and you'll get a good job." the woman lectured. Dave looked at the daughter questionly.
"Oh, no. She thinks you are my oldest brother." The daughter started. "He died in Vietnam."
"Let me take a look at your wrist." Dave said as he gingerly picked up the woman's arm. She cringed slightly but kept her smile.
"Oh I'm so proud of you. The first to go to college. Though sometimes I wish you had stayed home to help me with the kids."
"Ok, Mrs. Lowery. You are going to need an x-ray of your wrist." Dave was begining to feel uncomfortable around this lady.
"You know little Johnny is reaching 13 now. What a mouth that kid has..." Mrs. Lowery continued.
"Ok, I'm going to go, but I'll come back when we get the x-ray." Dave said as he stripped off his gloves and headed out of the room.
"Don't forget to eat lots of vegetables!" Mrs. Lowery called after Dave as the door shut behind him.
He leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.
~~~
WHY, TELL ME WHY DID YOU NOT TREAT ME RIGHT?
LOVE HAS A NASTY HABIT OF DISAPPEARING OVER NIGHT.
~~~
"Dave, I've got your x-ray back for Mrs. Lowery." Randi called as Dave walked by the admit desk.
"Thanks." Dave muttered as he picked it up to examine it. He carried it to Mrs. Lowery's room.
"Good news." He called as he entered the room. "It was only a sprain."
Relief spread noticibly across the daughters face. "All I have to do is wrap it and you guys can go home." Dave added as he pulled up next to the bed.
He picked up Mrs. Lowery's wrist and began wrapping it.
"I love all my children." Mrs. Lowery announced, "But I must admit, you were always one of my favorites." She beamed from ear to ear. "You were such a good little boy. Always doing what I told you to. And you were such a good baseball player. I was so proud of you. And you grades! The best I've ever seen."
Dave began to wrap faster and faster. The sooner he was done the sooner he could leave.
"I used to point you out to all the other parents at the games and tell them, 'That's my son'!"
As Dave finished he gently, but swiftly, helped Mrs. Lowery's arm into a sling.
"She should be fine." He directed to the daughter. "Just make sure she takes it easy." He stood up and turned to leave.
"I love you soooo much!" Mrs. Lowery yelled as Dave left the room.
He waited for the door to close before shouting, "I'm not your son!"
Kerry chose this moment to walk by.
~~~
WHY, TELL ME WHY DID YOU NOT TREAT ME RIGHT?
LOVE HAS A NASTY HABIT OF DISAPPEARING OVER NIGHT.
~~~
Dave was now more distressed then ever. What was worse, was that is was now time to meet Ray at Doc Magoo's. Dave pulled his jacket tighter in a frivolous attempt to keep the cold out. He quickly crossed the street and entered the restuarant. Ray was sitting in the table they had sat at last time, smiling. "Hello Dave. How are you doing?" Ray asked.
"Fine." Dave said as he slid into his seat.
The waitress came up and took their order.
"I'm so happy we are finally coming together Dave. It has been such a long time." Ray announced proudly. Dave simply nodded, there wasn't anything he could say. "So Dave, what have you been doing?" Ray asked.
"Went to college. Went to med school. Got a job here." Dave answered, gesturing in the general direction of the hospital.
"So you're finally a doctor."Ray said incredulously. "You were always interested in medical stuff."
~~~ Dave sat in a chair in the cafeteria. Ray had sent him away so he and the doctors could be alone. Dave soon grew bored and started to wander around the hospital. Everywhere he went, there were doctors and patients. Every nurse he passed gave him a sympathatic smile and asked if he was lost. He peeked into a couple of rooms where the doctors were talking or looking at their patients. He found himself back on his mom's floor and made the interminable journey to her room. He was able to peek in through the crack in door. his mother lie on her bed, tubing coming out of her and hooking to machines. There were quiet sursations of Ray talking to the doctors. Dave felt compelled to walk up to his mother and figure out what was going on, and see what he could do to help; but Ray had told him to stay out, and Dave wasn't about to go in...~~~
"Yeah, well...." Dave muttered. He reached towards his coffee, which had just arrived, but his arm was shaking and his knocked over his coffee cup; spilling its hot contents over his scrub pants. Dave jumped slightly as the heat seared through his pants and onto his skin, then slowly relaxed as he heat lowered and he became more used to it.
Ray simply smiled, "You were always a little clumsy."
~~~ "You clumsy good for nothing son of a b*tch! What do you think you are doing?!? Get outta my way!"~~~
Dave started to shake slightly and he could almost feel a hand print of pain across his face. He bit his lip and tried to remain calm. Suddenly images began to flash at him like sudden bursts of light, most of them coming and going so fast he could only feel the emotions. Suddenly he stood up right and pushed out of his chair. "I gotta go." Dave slurred as he threw a five on the table and raced out the door.
Ray was a surprised and only after Dave was already gone did he notice what had happened. He leaned over slightly and gingerly picked up Dave's stethoscope.
~~~
YOUR LIPS ARE MOVING,
I CANNOT HEAR.
YOUR VOICE IS SOOTHING
BUT THE WORDS AREN'T CLEAR.
YOU DON'T SOUND DIFF'RENT,
I'VE LEARNT THE GAME;
I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU,
YOU'RE NOT THE SAME.
~~~
Dave came in so fast that Kerry almost missed him. "Dave!" She called out at him. Dave slowed and backed up a little to stand in front of her. Kerry lowered her voice and looked at him compassionately. "Dave, the District Attorney is here." Dave nodded imperviously.
"In the lounge?" Dave asked. Kerry nodded, and Dave turned in that direction.
Dave took a deep breath before opening the door. A corpulent man stood in front of the coffee machine, apparently haveing trouble figuring it out. As Dave stepped in, the D.A. abandoned his enterprise with the coffee machine and walked towards Dave. "Hello Dr. Malucci, my name is John Sampson." He said with his hand outstreched. Dave took it and shook it loosely. "I'm an Assistant District Attorney with Cook County. I'm going to be the DA prosecuting your case so I need to touch base with you." John smiled widely.
"Uhh, yeah. Nice to meet you I guess." Dave said.
"How have you been since the attack?" John questioned.
"Okay." Dave lied.
"Well, just so you know, you are our case; so it is really important that you do well on the stand. So, if you have any reservations we need to discuss them before you take the stand..." John paused.
"Of course I have reservations!" Dave answered quickly. "It wasn't the most wonderful experience of my life and I would rather not have to relive it for a bunch of strangers." Dave said harshly.
"Of course. Listen Dr. Malucci, I know it is unpleasant but it is necessary. Unfortunately it is going to come down to your word against his. His attorney is going to make you look like a smart mouth punk, who is wrong about who attacked you. And trust me, his lawyer is excellent." John raised his eyebrows for emphasis.
"What does one thing have to do with the other?" Dave asked
"Well it's an insurance policy Dr. Malucci." Sampson began, "See if he makes you out to be a wild loud mouth punk who lies, then the jury won't believe a word you say or perhaps they will think that you got what was coming to you. In case that doesn't work, he'll bring up that you were in a state of panic and terror, not to mention that you were unconscious for most of the attack, so how could you be so sure about who did it."
"Wonderful, it sounds like I'm on trial!" Dave sighed.
"In a lot of ways you are." Sampson said, "I need to know if you have ever been in any kind of trouble? Or if there is anything in your past that the defense could use to discredit your testimony? You know arrests, detentions, psyche, issues, suicide attempts, depression, drug use, alcohol use, fights, trouble controlling your temper, anything?" '
All of the above.' Dave thought. "No." he said out loud
"Nothing even as a juvenile?"
"No." Dave lied again.
"I'm going to have you fill out a biography for me so that I can form questions for court about your background. I'll probably use the info in my opening and closing statements too. You know basics where you went to school, why you wanted to be a doctor, your family, where you grew up, stuff like that." Sampson said handing Dave the biography to fill out. "You can take your time with that, the more detail the better. Next week we have the pre-trial hearing. The case is going to be bound over for Superior court. The trial should happen within two months after that. The judges will try to push it threw as fast as possible because he is in custody."
"So now it's my fault he can't make bail?" Dave asked snidely.
"Dr. Malucci, we're on the same side here okay?"
"Yeah, I know." Dave sighed.
"Listen you can't come across as combative or confrontational on the stand. You have to elicit sympathy from the jury and having an attitude won't accomplish that. When Mr. Mason's defense attorney questions you, you have to be controlled, measured, confident, but soft spoken." Sampson cautioned. "You loose you're temper on the stand and it's over."
"I'll be fine. Just do you're job and get him convicted." Dave said.
~ Ray walked through the doors of the hospital and walked towards Kerry, who was standing by the admit desk. "Hello Kerry." He said. Kerry turned around and smiled, "What is it Ray?" she asked. Ray held up the stethoscope.
"Dave left it behind." he answered.
"Dave is in the lounge right now, talking to someone. You can wait outside for him." Kerry responded curtiously. She turned hurridly back to her paperwork, she was too busy to deal with this.~
"Are you sure that there's nothing in your past that could cause us any problems?" Sampson asked again. Dave paused a bit too long. "Dr. Malucci?"
"I'm sure Mr. Sampson."
"Okay." John answered suspiciously. " Here this is a list of questions that I am going to ask you on the stand. I'm going to go in chronological order, starting with Mr. Mason and his wife coming into the ER. So it would be helpful for you to review her chart and commit it to memory. I have a copy, but I want you to sound confident and untouchable. Then I will move onto you having him seen by psyche. Then I'll walk you through the attack step by step, it will be unpleasant but we have to. I want you to say how you were caught off guard and was rendered incapacitated, which was why you didn't fight back. The jury is going to look at you, you're young and in good shape so the jury will want to know why you didn't defend yourself. I read the police report and the detectives report, so I know what happened. I'm only going to ask you this once, are you sure that Mr. Mason was the man that attacked you? Is there any way you could be mistaken?"
"I'm positive, he is the man that almost killed me." Dave said confidentially.
~As Ray approached the lounge door he could hear voices from inside. He leaned in closer and strained his ears to listen. He was able to catch phrases and an occiasional sentence.~
"Okay, it's important that you sound sure but not angry." Sampson coninued.
"Okay."
"Then I'll get in your recovery. So you know the defense will object, saying that it is prejudicial. But don't worry, after we get a conviction, you can do a victim impact statement. When the defense objects do not get angry."
"I'll be on my best behavior Mr. Sampson." Dave said with a slight smile.
"Okay. Basically I want you to go over the events of the attack in your head. Here's a copy of the police and detective reports along with a list of my questions. So that you know, I also plan on calling your colleagues to testify about your injuries."
"Do you have to?" Dave asked visibly shaken by the prospect of his co-workers testifying in open court.
"Yes. They will testify after you. Oh so you know, you can't be in the courtroom until after you testify, but you're testifying right after the lead detective and responding officers so you won't have too wait long. If there is anything you think that I should add or delete call me anytime. My number is on the top of the questions list." as he handed Dave the papers he pointed his number out to him. "Okay Dr. Malucci if you have no questions or anything, I'll be going but I'll be in touch. Also, in court wear a suit and tie, comb your hair and shave. Appearance is very very important. Mr. Mason is going to look like a choir boy, so you need to better." Sampson got up to leave and paused at the door, "It was nice to meet you Dr. Malucci."
"It was nice to meet you too Mr. Sampson. I won't let you down." Dave said shaking his hand again.
"We'll get him Dr. Malucci. Again if there is anything you think I left out, or should, or if there is anything you think that I should know you just call me." Sampson said, leaving.
Ray stepped out of the way as the door opened in front of him. He threw the heavy man a smile, "You were talking to my son?" Ray asked softly. Sampson waited to allow the door to close and then answered.
"Yes. I'm the D.A. I really have to be going, but here, take my card. If you have any concerns about him just call me." With that Sampson briskly made his way down the hall. Ray entered the room when as soon as the doorway was clear. He quickly spotted Dave's back and he faced the far corner of the room. "Have you gotten yourself in trouble again Dave?" Ray asked recklessly. Dave turned suddenly.
"What do you know RAY? I haven't seen you in 14 years and suddenly you come here and try to jump into my life. I don't want you here!" Dave yelled contemptuousally. Ray was shocked, but was able to make a quick recrimination.
"What are you blaming me of? You were the bad one remember?" The room bubbled with the tacit enmity between them.
~Kerry and Benton walked down the hall, talking over a possibly surgical case. Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by shouts sifting through the lounge door. Ray stormed out of the lounge, noticing Kerry he gave a breif nod and continued his way down the hall.
Kerry and Benton stood, completely astonished. "Maybe we should.." Kerry started. Benton nodded and made his way into the lounge. Dave was still standing facing the door, waiting for Ray to reenter.
"Hey man, what just happened?" Benton asked cautiously.
"Nothing." Dave muttered quietly as he brushed past him out the door.
~~~
WHY, TELL ME WHY DID YOU NOT TREAT ME RIGHT?
LOVE HAS A NASTY HABIT OF DISAPPEARING OVER NIGHT.
~~~
Dave sat, laboring over a pile of charts. He had used it as an excuse not to see patients, and Kerry had accepted it. Carter came up to him slowly. "Hey Dave," he greeted. "Me and Luka were going to head down to the cafeteria for a quick lunch. Want to come?" He asked. Dave couldn't see why not, and thought this might ease Jing Mei's concern. He tucked his charts away and followed Carter and Luka down the hall.
Luka was telling a humorous story about his patient as they arrived at the Cafeteria. Dave stepped in after Carter and promptly noticed Ray sitting at a far away table. Kerry was sitting across from him and they seemed to be engrossed in conversation. Dave started to advance towards them. "The son of a b*tch." He muttered. Carter saw the glare in Dave's eyes and traced it to the table. He reached out and grabbed his arm to hold him back. "Whoa, Dave. Where are you going?" Carter asked.
"He's lying." Dave whispered.
"What do you mean?" Luka asked, now also holding him back.
"He's lying to her I know it. All he does is lie. He's turning her against me."
"Dave calm down." Carter urged.
"If you are trying to keep Kerry on your side, then making a scene won't help. Come on, let's get out of here." Luka said, as he and Carter started to drag Dave out.
As they made their way down the hall Dave lost it. "I can't believe he's doing this! Why won't he leave me alone!" Dave yelled at the ceiling, to anyone listening.
"OK Dave, talk to me." Carter pleaded, not knowing what else to do.
"I wish the son of a b*tch was dead! I wish I had killed him in the fire!" Dave began to pound his fists into the wall. Luka scanned the halls, no one was coming, for the time being.
"Come on Dave, don't say that." Luka began to speak softly. "Let's get you out of here." He said as he started to lead Dave down the hall.
They managed to keep Dave silent as they made their way back to the ER and into an empty room. Then they lead Dave to the vacant strecher. "Dave, is there anything you want to tell us?" Luka asked, as he took a seat on the stool across from Dave.
"He's lying to her, telling her all these things that I haven't really done, and she believes him." Dave answered, regaining his voice.
"What is he telling her?" Luka coaxed.
"What a bad kid I was, and how good a father he was. He's turning her against me. She takes his word over mine." Dave was angry now, and wanted to blow off some steam, but he still didn't want to open up to them. "I wish he was dead." he muttered again.
"Dave, you aren't making any sense." Luka said, exasperated, he didn't know whether to believe him or not.
Benton entered the room and managed to get out, "Is this room empty..." before falling silent. Dave still looked angry, Luka was sitting across from him with his hands clasped, and Carter seemed to be hiding out in the corner. "Something going on?" Benton asked. Luka turned, and looked like he was about to speak but kept silent. Dave offered nothing and neither did Carter. They stood awkwardly for a minute, then Benton muttered "I'll find another room" and left.
~~~
YOUR LIPS ARE MOVING,
I CANNOT HEAR.
YOUR VOICE IS SOOTHING
BUT THE WORDS AREN'T CLEAR.
YOU DON'T SOUND DIFF'RENT,
I'VE LEARNT THE GAME;
I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU,
YOU'RE NOT THE SAME.
Ray left the hospital a satisfied man. As the the distance grew between him and the hospital, he pulled out a small, but very full, flask and proceded to empty it.
~~~
WHY, TELL ME WHY DID YOU NOT TREAT ME RIGHT?
LOVE HAS A NASTY HABIT OF DISAPPEARING OVER NIGHT.
By Alyssa
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, the lovely people at NBC do.
Both parts of the Title are the names of Beatles Songs. Parts of their lyrics will be in the story. You really have to know the tune of them to get the full effect.
This is a continuation of 'The Weak Link' series.
Previously:
Dave's father came to visit him in the ER and things didn't go well. Dave agreed to meet his father for lunch but bailed on a hockey game.
Thanks to all my readers and the people who E-mail me. Especially Kelley! (again!)
There is a little swearing, but not much.
~~ The night was cold and dew covered him. He shivered as he huddled between the bushes and the side of the house. Dave, at ten years old, usually climbed in through his window when he got home, to avoid Ray, but tonight Ray had decided to lock the window, and Dave was outside. He couldn't feel his legs or arms very well and started to worry about frost bite. His class was learning about the Oregon Trail and how a lot of children got frost bite from walking in the cold weather. Dave shivered again and hugged himself tighter.....
~~~
Dave awoke, startled, to find himself in his room curled on the floor, with no recollection of how he got there. His first thought was, 'Am I late for school'? Sweat and not dew covered his entire body, he realized. It had been a long time since he thought about that night, he had almost forgotten about it. Maybe the booze and sleeping pills had jogged his memory.
Dave checked his answering machine and sure enough there was a message from his father. The message said that he understood and that lunch would be great. Dave quickly deleted the message and started to get ready for work. He had turned down the volume of the phone to try and get some sleep, and left the answering machine to deal with Ray. He ended up taking one of his sleeping pills, even though he knew it was a weak thing to do. He also felt weak for not going to the hockey game. What was he afraid of? Even if his dad hadn't changed, certainly he couldn't hurt Dave anymore. He was a grown man now, and he was strong. Wasn't he?
~~~
I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU,
WHERE DID YOU GO?
I THOUGHT I KNEW YOU,
WHAT DID I KNOW?
YOU DON'T LOOK DIFF'RENT,
BUT YOU HAVE CHANGED
I'M LOOKING THOUGH YOU,
YOU'RE NOT THE SAME
~~~
"I think his dad is just drawing him farther away." Jing Mei told Carter. She was twisting her hands together and looking from side to side to make sure no one was over hearing them.
"Well, what are we supposed to do? Tell him to stop seeing his father? I thought we were trying to get them together." Carter responded, a little confused. He smiled inwardly at Jing Mei's nervousness.
"No, only Kerry was trying to get them together. I really don't think he's ready for this yet. " Jing Mei said worrying now that if Kerry got whif of this she would get yelled at, and wondering whether she should tell Carter about Dave's past.
"Relax Jing Mei. I think you are over exaggerating. He said no to one dinner date, so what? Maybe he just didn't feel up to it." Carter tried to reason.
"With all that has happened lately, I would really appreciate it if you talked to him." Jing Mei pleaded. The image of Dave on the bathroom floor jumped at Carter, like the one of Lucy often did.
"I really think you are closer to Dave than I am." Carter stated. Trying to protect himself more than anyone.
"Carter, are you saying you won't talk to him?" Jing Mei asked, eyes glaring.
"Fine.. Fine... I talk to him." Carter said, throwing his arms up in mock defeat. "Lot of good it will do." He muttered to himself as he walked away.
~~~
Dave walked into the lounge, his hair was a mess and he hadn't had time to shave. He was thinking about the lunch approaching quickly. It would be at Doc Magoo's again. Dave was happy to use his work as an excuse to keep these meetings short and near the hospital.
Carter entered the room and smiled at Dave. "So Dave, how are you?" Carter asked.
"Fine." Dave answered suspiciously. Carter was here for a reason.
"Looks like you had a really rough night, Malucci?" Carter asked.
"Yeah." Dave answered.
"You've been having a lot of those lately, haven't you?" Carter observed.
"I guess." Dave didn't like where this was going.
"Any particular reason why?" Carter asked concerned. He was beginning to think that perhaps Jing Mei was right.
"I'm the irresponsible wild one remember? I like to party. What's this about Carter? Why the third degree?" Dave responded.
"Are you going to see your dad again?" Carter inquired.
"Yeah." Dave answered simply. Carter nodded.
"Ok, here it is. Jing Mei is worried about you." Carter Blurted out. Dave paused for a split second then answered.
"Why?" Dave asked.
"She feels that you are withdrawing again." Carter continued on tip toe.
"Why would she think that?" Dave asked, his voice light and curious. Carter just shrugged. "Well then. Tell her I'm fine. I'm peachy keen." He added, with a smile.
Carter watched as Dave left the lounge. Not much later Jing Mei entered, her eyes prying."So what did he say?" She asked. Carter shrugged up his shoulders.
"Said he was fine, peachy keen." Carter watched Jing Mei's eyes turn slightly sour. "Hey! I told you it wasn't going to work. I'm not that close to him."
~~~
YOU'RE THINKING OF ME
THE SAME OLD WAY.
YOU WERE ABOVE ME
BUT NOT TODAY.
THE ONLY DIFF'RENCE IS YOU'RE DOWN THERE;
I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU
AND YOU'RE NOWHERE.
~~~
'Now I get a sinile old woman' Dave thought as he considered the irony. The lady was living with her daughter and had fallen down. It seemed like a broken wrist at worst. Dave entered the room holding the chart in hand. A 50'ish woman clung to the patients hand and was talking to her softly.
"Hello Mrs. Lowery. I'm doctor Dave. What seems to be the problem?" Dave asked.
"I left my mother upstairs for one minute to cook her some breakfast. She got up and tried to come down. On the third to last step she fell. I think she hurt her wrist." The woman's daughter explained. "She has alzheimers and thinks she has to get the kids off to school every morning."
When the old woman looked up at Dave a smile creased her face. "George!" She cried, " I haven't seen you in such a long time. How is college going? Keep your grades up and you'll get a good job." the woman lectured. Dave looked at the daughter questionly.
"Oh, no. She thinks you are my oldest brother." The daughter started. "He died in Vietnam."
"Let me take a look at your wrist." Dave said as he gingerly picked up the woman's arm. She cringed slightly but kept her smile.
"Oh I'm so proud of you. The first to go to college. Though sometimes I wish you had stayed home to help me with the kids."
"Ok, Mrs. Lowery. You are going to need an x-ray of your wrist." Dave was begining to feel uncomfortable around this lady.
"You know little Johnny is reaching 13 now. What a mouth that kid has..." Mrs. Lowery continued.
"Ok, I'm going to go, but I'll come back when we get the x-ray." Dave said as he stripped off his gloves and headed out of the room.
"Don't forget to eat lots of vegetables!" Mrs. Lowery called after Dave as the door shut behind him.
He leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.
~~~
WHY, TELL ME WHY DID YOU NOT TREAT ME RIGHT?
LOVE HAS A NASTY HABIT OF DISAPPEARING OVER NIGHT.
~~~
"Dave, I've got your x-ray back for Mrs. Lowery." Randi called as Dave walked by the admit desk.
"Thanks." Dave muttered as he picked it up to examine it. He carried it to Mrs. Lowery's room.
"Good news." He called as he entered the room. "It was only a sprain."
Relief spread noticibly across the daughters face. "All I have to do is wrap it and you guys can go home." Dave added as he pulled up next to the bed.
He picked up Mrs. Lowery's wrist and began wrapping it.
"I love all my children." Mrs. Lowery announced, "But I must admit, you were always one of my favorites." She beamed from ear to ear. "You were such a good little boy. Always doing what I told you to. And you were such a good baseball player. I was so proud of you. And you grades! The best I've ever seen."
Dave began to wrap faster and faster. The sooner he was done the sooner he could leave.
"I used to point you out to all the other parents at the games and tell them, 'That's my son'!"
As Dave finished he gently, but swiftly, helped Mrs. Lowery's arm into a sling.
"She should be fine." He directed to the daughter. "Just make sure she takes it easy." He stood up and turned to leave.
"I love you soooo much!" Mrs. Lowery yelled as Dave left the room.
He waited for the door to close before shouting, "I'm not your son!"
Kerry chose this moment to walk by.
~~~
WHY, TELL ME WHY DID YOU NOT TREAT ME RIGHT?
LOVE HAS A NASTY HABIT OF DISAPPEARING OVER NIGHT.
~~~
Dave was now more distressed then ever. What was worse, was that is was now time to meet Ray at Doc Magoo's. Dave pulled his jacket tighter in a frivolous attempt to keep the cold out. He quickly crossed the street and entered the restuarant. Ray was sitting in the table they had sat at last time, smiling. "Hello Dave. How are you doing?" Ray asked.
"Fine." Dave said as he slid into his seat.
The waitress came up and took their order.
"I'm so happy we are finally coming together Dave. It has been such a long time." Ray announced proudly. Dave simply nodded, there wasn't anything he could say. "So Dave, what have you been doing?" Ray asked.
"Went to college. Went to med school. Got a job here." Dave answered, gesturing in the general direction of the hospital.
"So you're finally a doctor."Ray said incredulously. "You were always interested in medical stuff."
~~~ Dave sat in a chair in the cafeteria. Ray had sent him away so he and the doctors could be alone. Dave soon grew bored and started to wander around the hospital. Everywhere he went, there were doctors and patients. Every nurse he passed gave him a sympathatic smile and asked if he was lost. He peeked into a couple of rooms where the doctors were talking or looking at their patients. He found himself back on his mom's floor and made the interminable journey to her room. He was able to peek in through the crack in door. his mother lie on her bed, tubing coming out of her and hooking to machines. There were quiet sursations of Ray talking to the doctors. Dave felt compelled to walk up to his mother and figure out what was going on, and see what he could do to help; but Ray had told him to stay out, and Dave wasn't about to go in...~~~
"Yeah, well...." Dave muttered. He reached towards his coffee, which had just arrived, but his arm was shaking and his knocked over his coffee cup; spilling its hot contents over his scrub pants. Dave jumped slightly as the heat seared through his pants and onto his skin, then slowly relaxed as he heat lowered and he became more used to it.
Ray simply smiled, "You were always a little clumsy."
~~~ "You clumsy good for nothing son of a b*tch! What do you think you are doing?!? Get outta my way!"~~~
Dave started to shake slightly and he could almost feel a hand print of pain across his face. He bit his lip and tried to remain calm. Suddenly images began to flash at him like sudden bursts of light, most of them coming and going so fast he could only feel the emotions. Suddenly he stood up right and pushed out of his chair. "I gotta go." Dave slurred as he threw a five on the table and raced out the door.
Ray was a surprised and only after Dave was already gone did he notice what had happened. He leaned over slightly and gingerly picked up Dave's stethoscope.
~~~
YOUR LIPS ARE MOVING,
I CANNOT HEAR.
YOUR VOICE IS SOOTHING
BUT THE WORDS AREN'T CLEAR.
YOU DON'T SOUND DIFF'RENT,
I'VE LEARNT THE GAME;
I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU,
YOU'RE NOT THE SAME.
~~~
Dave came in so fast that Kerry almost missed him. "Dave!" She called out at him. Dave slowed and backed up a little to stand in front of her. Kerry lowered her voice and looked at him compassionately. "Dave, the District Attorney is here." Dave nodded imperviously.
"In the lounge?" Dave asked. Kerry nodded, and Dave turned in that direction.
Dave took a deep breath before opening the door. A corpulent man stood in front of the coffee machine, apparently haveing trouble figuring it out. As Dave stepped in, the D.A. abandoned his enterprise with the coffee machine and walked towards Dave. "Hello Dr. Malucci, my name is John Sampson." He said with his hand outstreched. Dave took it and shook it loosely. "I'm an Assistant District Attorney with Cook County. I'm going to be the DA prosecuting your case so I need to touch base with you." John smiled widely.
"Uhh, yeah. Nice to meet you I guess." Dave said.
"How have you been since the attack?" John questioned.
"Okay." Dave lied.
"Well, just so you know, you are our case; so it is really important that you do well on the stand. So, if you have any reservations we need to discuss them before you take the stand..." John paused.
"Of course I have reservations!" Dave answered quickly. "It wasn't the most wonderful experience of my life and I would rather not have to relive it for a bunch of strangers." Dave said harshly.
"Of course. Listen Dr. Malucci, I know it is unpleasant but it is necessary. Unfortunately it is going to come down to your word against his. His attorney is going to make you look like a smart mouth punk, who is wrong about who attacked you. And trust me, his lawyer is excellent." John raised his eyebrows for emphasis.
"What does one thing have to do with the other?" Dave asked
"Well it's an insurance policy Dr. Malucci." Sampson began, "See if he makes you out to be a wild loud mouth punk who lies, then the jury won't believe a word you say or perhaps they will think that you got what was coming to you. In case that doesn't work, he'll bring up that you were in a state of panic and terror, not to mention that you were unconscious for most of the attack, so how could you be so sure about who did it."
"Wonderful, it sounds like I'm on trial!" Dave sighed.
"In a lot of ways you are." Sampson said, "I need to know if you have ever been in any kind of trouble? Or if there is anything in your past that the defense could use to discredit your testimony? You know arrests, detentions, psyche, issues, suicide attempts, depression, drug use, alcohol use, fights, trouble controlling your temper, anything?" '
All of the above.' Dave thought. "No." he said out loud
"Nothing even as a juvenile?"
"No." Dave lied again.
"I'm going to have you fill out a biography for me so that I can form questions for court about your background. I'll probably use the info in my opening and closing statements too. You know basics where you went to school, why you wanted to be a doctor, your family, where you grew up, stuff like that." Sampson said handing Dave the biography to fill out. "You can take your time with that, the more detail the better. Next week we have the pre-trial hearing. The case is going to be bound over for Superior court. The trial should happen within two months after that. The judges will try to push it threw as fast as possible because he is in custody."
"So now it's my fault he can't make bail?" Dave asked snidely.
"Dr. Malucci, we're on the same side here okay?"
"Yeah, I know." Dave sighed.
"Listen you can't come across as combative or confrontational on the stand. You have to elicit sympathy from the jury and having an attitude won't accomplish that. When Mr. Mason's defense attorney questions you, you have to be controlled, measured, confident, but soft spoken." Sampson cautioned. "You loose you're temper on the stand and it's over."
"I'll be fine. Just do you're job and get him convicted." Dave said.
~ Ray walked through the doors of the hospital and walked towards Kerry, who was standing by the admit desk. "Hello Kerry." He said. Kerry turned around and smiled, "What is it Ray?" she asked. Ray held up the stethoscope.
"Dave left it behind." he answered.
"Dave is in the lounge right now, talking to someone. You can wait outside for him." Kerry responded curtiously. She turned hurridly back to her paperwork, she was too busy to deal with this.~
"Are you sure that there's nothing in your past that could cause us any problems?" Sampson asked again. Dave paused a bit too long. "Dr. Malucci?"
"I'm sure Mr. Sampson."
"Okay." John answered suspiciously. " Here this is a list of questions that I am going to ask you on the stand. I'm going to go in chronological order, starting with Mr. Mason and his wife coming into the ER. So it would be helpful for you to review her chart and commit it to memory. I have a copy, but I want you to sound confident and untouchable. Then I will move onto you having him seen by psyche. Then I'll walk you through the attack step by step, it will be unpleasant but we have to. I want you to say how you were caught off guard and was rendered incapacitated, which was why you didn't fight back. The jury is going to look at you, you're young and in good shape so the jury will want to know why you didn't defend yourself. I read the police report and the detectives report, so I know what happened. I'm only going to ask you this once, are you sure that Mr. Mason was the man that attacked you? Is there any way you could be mistaken?"
"I'm positive, he is the man that almost killed me." Dave said confidentially.
~As Ray approached the lounge door he could hear voices from inside. He leaned in closer and strained his ears to listen. He was able to catch phrases and an occiasional sentence.~
"Okay, it's important that you sound sure but not angry." Sampson coninued.
"Okay."
"Then I'll get in your recovery. So you know the defense will object, saying that it is prejudicial. But don't worry, after we get a conviction, you can do a victim impact statement. When the defense objects do not get angry."
"I'll be on my best behavior Mr. Sampson." Dave said with a slight smile.
"Okay. Basically I want you to go over the events of the attack in your head. Here's a copy of the police and detective reports along with a list of my questions. So that you know, I also plan on calling your colleagues to testify about your injuries."
"Do you have to?" Dave asked visibly shaken by the prospect of his co-workers testifying in open court.
"Yes. They will testify after you. Oh so you know, you can't be in the courtroom until after you testify, but you're testifying right after the lead detective and responding officers so you won't have too wait long. If there is anything you think that I should add or delete call me anytime. My number is on the top of the questions list." as he handed Dave the papers he pointed his number out to him. "Okay Dr. Malucci if you have no questions or anything, I'll be going but I'll be in touch. Also, in court wear a suit and tie, comb your hair and shave. Appearance is very very important. Mr. Mason is going to look like a choir boy, so you need to better." Sampson got up to leave and paused at the door, "It was nice to meet you Dr. Malucci."
"It was nice to meet you too Mr. Sampson. I won't let you down." Dave said shaking his hand again.
"We'll get him Dr. Malucci. Again if there is anything you think I left out, or should, or if there is anything you think that I should know you just call me." Sampson said, leaving.
Ray stepped out of the way as the door opened in front of him. He threw the heavy man a smile, "You were talking to my son?" Ray asked softly. Sampson waited to allow the door to close and then answered.
"Yes. I'm the D.A. I really have to be going, but here, take my card. If you have any concerns about him just call me." With that Sampson briskly made his way down the hall. Ray entered the room when as soon as the doorway was clear. He quickly spotted Dave's back and he faced the far corner of the room. "Have you gotten yourself in trouble again Dave?" Ray asked recklessly. Dave turned suddenly.
"What do you know RAY? I haven't seen you in 14 years and suddenly you come here and try to jump into my life. I don't want you here!" Dave yelled contemptuousally. Ray was shocked, but was able to make a quick recrimination.
"What are you blaming me of? You were the bad one remember?" The room bubbled with the tacit enmity between them.
~Kerry and Benton walked down the hall, talking over a possibly surgical case. Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by shouts sifting through the lounge door. Ray stormed out of the lounge, noticing Kerry he gave a breif nod and continued his way down the hall.
Kerry and Benton stood, completely astonished. "Maybe we should.." Kerry started. Benton nodded and made his way into the lounge. Dave was still standing facing the door, waiting for Ray to reenter.
"Hey man, what just happened?" Benton asked cautiously.
"Nothing." Dave muttered quietly as he brushed past him out the door.
~~~
WHY, TELL ME WHY DID YOU NOT TREAT ME RIGHT?
LOVE HAS A NASTY HABIT OF DISAPPEARING OVER NIGHT.
~~~
Dave sat, laboring over a pile of charts. He had used it as an excuse not to see patients, and Kerry had accepted it. Carter came up to him slowly. "Hey Dave," he greeted. "Me and Luka were going to head down to the cafeteria for a quick lunch. Want to come?" He asked. Dave couldn't see why not, and thought this might ease Jing Mei's concern. He tucked his charts away and followed Carter and Luka down the hall.
Luka was telling a humorous story about his patient as they arrived at the Cafeteria. Dave stepped in after Carter and promptly noticed Ray sitting at a far away table. Kerry was sitting across from him and they seemed to be engrossed in conversation. Dave started to advance towards them. "The son of a b*tch." He muttered. Carter saw the glare in Dave's eyes and traced it to the table. He reached out and grabbed his arm to hold him back. "Whoa, Dave. Where are you going?" Carter asked.
"He's lying." Dave whispered.
"What do you mean?" Luka asked, now also holding him back.
"He's lying to her I know it. All he does is lie. He's turning her against me."
"Dave calm down." Carter urged.
"If you are trying to keep Kerry on your side, then making a scene won't help. Come on, let's get out of here." Luka said, as he and Carter started to drag Dave out.
As they made their way down the hall Dave lost it. "I can't believe he's doing this! Why won't he leave me alone!" Dave yelled at the ceiling, to anyone listening.
"OK Dave, talk to me." Carter pleaded, not knowing what else to do.
"I wish the son of a b*tch was dead! I wish I had killed him in the fire!" Dave began to pound his fists into the wall. Luka scanned the halls, no one was coming, for the time being.
"Come on Dave, don't say that." Luka began to speak softly. "Let's get you out of here." He said as he started to lead Dave down the hall.
They managed to keep Dave silent as they made their way back to the ER and into an empty room. Then they lead Dave to the vacant strecher. "Dave, is there anything you want to tell us?" Luka asked, as he took a seat on the stool across from Dave.
"He's lying to her, telling her all these things that I haven't really done, and she believes him." Dave answered, regaining his voice.
"What is he telling her?" Luka coaxed.
"What a bad kid I was, and how good a father he was. He's turning her against me. She takes his word over mine." Dave was angry now, and wanted to blow off some steam, but he still didn't want to open up to them. "I wish he was dead." he muttered again.
"Dave, you aren't making any sense." Luka said, exasperated, he didn't know whether to believe him or not.
Benton entered the room and managed to get out, "Is this room empty..." before falling silent. Dave still looked angry, Luka was sitting across from him with his hands clasped, and Carter seemed to be hiding out in the corner. "Something going on?" Benton asked. Luka turned, and looked like he was about to speak but kept silent. Dave offered nothing and neither did Carter. They stood awkwardly for a minute, then Benton muttered "I'll find another room" and left.
~~~
YOUR LIPS ARE MOVING,
I CANNOT HEAR.
YOUR VOICE IS SOOTHING
BUT THE WORDS AREN'T CLEAR.
YOU DON'T SOUND DIFF'RENT,
I'VE LEARNT THE GAME;
I'M LOOKING THROUGH YOU,
YOU'RE NOT THE SAME.
Ray left the hospital a satisfied man. As the the distance grew between him and the hospital, he pulled out a small, but very full, flask and proceded to empty it.
~~~
WHY, TELL ME WHY DID YOU NOT TREAT ME RIGHT?
LOVE HAS A NASTY HABIT OF DISAPPEARING OVER NIGHT.
