The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 25
Kerry: Did you say what I think you did?
Jing-Mei hangs her head shamefully for revealing Dave's deepest secret, wishing that she could take it back.
Jing-Mei: Listen everyone, I never said anything. Just forget about it.
Mark: Jing-Mei, is it true?
Jing-Mei starts fidgeting and getting very nervous trying to avoid the truth.
Jing-Mei: Look, I really need to get back to work.
Mark: Is it true? (grabbing her arm)
Giving up, Jing-Mei nods with tears in her eyes.
Luka: That bastard!
Jing-Mei: That's the same thing I said when Dave told me. But I handled it much worse.
Kerry: I doubt that.
Jing-Mei: I did. I don't know what came over me but I actually blamed Dave for it.
Kerry, Mark and Luka: WHAT! YOU DIDN'T!
Jing-Mei: Yes, I did. I asked Dave why he let his father do that to him. Dave was only 8 years old at the time. Just a baby. How could he stop him? I really upset Dave with that. And everytime I think of it, it makes me sick. That's why Dave was so apprehensive about our baby. He was so afraid that he would be just like his father if he got near the baby. It's also why I was so devastated when Elizabeth said that those mother fuckers who kidnapped Dave also raped him.
Mark: Dave has never talked to anyone about this professionally, has he?
Jing-Mei: No. I only found out because I pressured him into telling me, which I know now I shouldn't have.
Luka: When Dave wakes up and starts to get stronger, he's going to need to talk with someone who has experience dealing with...uh...rape victims.
Kerry: That's not going to be easy. Speaking as a female, it's hard enough when a woman is raped to get her to talk. But for a man, especially someone who's been through as much as Malucci has been, and with that tough, arrogant attitude of his. Don't expect him to open up.
Mark: Still I think we need to set up a psych consult when he gets better.
Just then, Yosh comes in the door of the lounge.
Yosh: We have a trauma coming in. It's a 30 year old male unconscious, cause unknown.
Mark: I'll take him. Anyone want to assist on this one?
Luka: I will.
Kerry: I'll check the board. Jing-Mei, take your time. When your ready you can jump right back into the swing of things. But nothing to strenuous, remember you're still on light duty.
Jing-Mei: Thank you, Kerry.(pause) You guys, won't tell anyone what I told you about Dave's past. He's going to kill me if he finds out I told anyone, but if it spreads around this hospital. It's going to be hard enough for him to deal with, since almost everyone knows about this last time in the hangar. Dave may never live it down. And I'm afraid that it may do more damage to his already delicate psyche.
All three doctors nod in agreement, as they leave the lounge and head back to work. Jing-Mei falls into a chair and puts her head in her hands and cries.
At the front desk, the parents of the boy who was just brought in, arrive. Randi tells them the doctors are in with their son now. They wait in chairs.
After about an hour, Mark and Luka come out of the room very unhappy. Randi directs them to the boy's parents. They walk over to chairs.
Mark: Mr. and Mrs. Peterson.
The couple stands and approaches the doctors.
Mr. Peterson: Are you the doctors that have been working on our son, Grant.
Luka: Yes, we are. I'm Dr. Kovac and this is Dr. Green. Can we have a seat?
Mrs. Peterson: How is our baby boy?
Mark(rubbing his head): Your son, Grant had a ruptured aneurysm.
Mrs. Peterson: He was visiting us and he started complaining of a headache. I didn't want him driving so I told him to lay down and go to sleep for a while. Next thing I heard him scream, like I never heard him before. By the time, I got to him he was unconscious. My husband was out in the garage. I yelled for him and then called an ambulance.
Mr. Peterson: Can we see him now?
Mark: The aneurysm had fully burst when he was wheeled in here. We worked on him for 45 minutes with no success. I'm sorry but Grant shows no signs of brain function.
Mr. Peterson: He's in a coma?
Luka: Not a coma. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, your son is brain dead. We are very sorry. We did everything medically possible.
Mrs. Peterson(crying uncontrollably): NO, NO, NO!!!
Mr. Peterson had to hold up his hysterical wife who was collapsing into his arms, while trying to come to terms with his own grief.
Mr. Peterson: Can we see Grant?
Mark: Yes, you may. I'll take you in there and take as long as you like.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, for everything doctors.
Luka: Your welcome. We only wish it could have been more.
Mark escorted the Petersons in to their dying son. They were barely able to look at him without balling. They said goodbye to their only son as Carter entered the room.
Carter: Excuse me Dr. Green. Have you seen Deb?
Mark: Did you try ICU? She's probably upstairs with Malucci.
Carter: Right. I should have know.
Carter leaves the room as Mark occupies himself not trying to get in the way of the Petersons and their moments with their son.
Mr. Peterson(to his wife): Sweetheart, where have I heard that name before "Malucci"?
Mrs. Peterson(to her husband): That's the same name as that young doctor that we've been reading about in the papers. (pause)You don't think he's here, do you?
Mr. Peterson: There's only one way to find out for sure. Uh, Dr. Green.
Mark: Yes, is there something you need? Something I could do for you?
Mr. Peterson: That "Malucci" that you just spoke of , is that the same young man that we have been reading about in the papers.
Mark: Well, I'm really not suppose to talk about another patient but I guess it is common knowledge that he is in this hospital, thanks to the papers. Yes, it's him.
Mrs. Peterson: Could we have a talk with you?
Two hours later, Jing-Mei approaches the admit desk to sign out, when Mark walks up to her.
Mark(smiling): Jing-Mei, how's everything going?
Jing-Mei: Not bad. What are you so happy about?
Mark: It's just that I thought you might want some good news before you leave tonight.
Jing-Mei: I certainly could use some. What is it?
Mark: We've just found another kidney donor for Malucci.
Jing-Mei: You're not just saying that just to get my hopes up.
Mark: Absolutely not. I wouldn't do that.
Jing-Mei: So no chance of them taking this kidney back or refusing to donate it to Dave because of his critical condition. They do know about that, don't they?
Mark: Yes, they do. As a matter fact, that is the reason why they decided to donate their son's kidney. They told me that they've been following Malucci's story and they felt sorry for him. They want to help him.
Jing-Mei: Where are they? I'd like to thank them.
Mark: Well, they went to call some family and make funeral arrangements. They said they will be back later. They should be here soon.
Jing-Mei: When are they going to do the transplant?
Mark: Dr. Anspaugh is scrubbing as we speak. The young man is being prepped. Dave will probably be taken into surgery soon.
Jing-Mei: Young man, huh. How old was he?
Mark: 30 years old.
Jing-Mei: How did he die?
Mark: That young man that was brought in earlier that Luka and I worked on. He had a ruptured aneurysm.
Jing-Mei: Other than the aneurysm, he was healthy?
Mark: Very.
Jing-Mei: Oh my god. I better get upstairs and tell Dave the good news.
Mark: Jing-Mei, if I were you I'd wait. Last time you gave him good news, something went wrong.
Jing-Mei: Right. He's probably being prepped now if not in surgery. I think I'll go upstairs anyway and wait.
Mark: You let us know how everything goes.
Jing-Mei: When the young man's family gets here, please send them up?
Mark nods in compliance.
Two and a half hours pass, Dave has been taken into surgery and Jing-Mei is waiting outside the OR when the doors open and Dr. Anspaugh comes out.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Anspaugh, how did everything go?
Dr. Anspaugh: Well, your Dr. Malucci is one hell of a fighter. He came through the surgery but I'm not making any promises. He is still very critical if not grave.
Jing-Mei: Could I see him now?
Dr. Anspaugh: He's in recovery. He should be moved back to his room within the hour. Come back then.
Jing-Mei obeys and heads down to the hospital chapel for a little quiet time.
Alone down in the chapel, Jing-Mei gets on her knees and starts praying quietly to herself.
Jing-Mei: Dear God, I really don't know how to begin. It's been so long. Well first off, thank you for seeing Dave this far. Please help him through the rest of his journey down here with us. You cannot bring Dave to this point just to take him away. He's suffered enough in his young life. More than he should have, which makes me wonder why you let this happen to him. What did he do to deserve it? I know he can be kind of a jerk, but that's just Dave and the way he's dealing with his traumatic past. I know I shouldn't question your methods, I should just be grateful that you gave me and Dave this time. The time I need to say the things that I have to Dave and realize just how much I love him. Thank you, God. And please watch over the family of that wonderful young man who died and is giving Dave the time and chance he needs to heal.
Jing-Mei remains silent for the next few moments in her own thoughts. After about ten minutes, she crosses herself and leaves the chapel heading up to the ICU. She runs into Mark and the boy's parents.
Jing-Mei: Sorry Mark, I didn't see you.
Mark: Glad I banged into you. Dr. Chen, these are the Petersons. The parents of Dave's donor.
Jing-Mei: Oh god! I am so sorry about the loss of your son.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you. Dr. Green told us that you and Dr. Malucci were involved.
Jing-Mei: Yeah, kind of involved. (pointing to her stomach).
Mrs. Peterson: When are you due?
Jing-Mei: In about 3 months.
Mrs. Peterson: Boy or girl?
Jing-Mei: Don't know, I want it to be a surprise and with your help Dave may have a chance to see his child born.
Mrs. Peterson: We'd like to see Dr. Malucci.
Jing-Mei: He's still in a coma, but thanks to your most generous gift I feel he's going to get better. (pause) I will see what I can do to get you in the ICU.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you.
Jing-Mei speaks with Dr. Anspaugh and he allows the Petersons to visit Dave momentarily. Jing-Mei takes them there.
Jing-Mei: Only a few moments for now. When he gets better, if you want to see him again then you are welcome to come back anytime.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson look at each other and agree. They enter the ICU room. Jing-Mei goes straight for Dave's bed and holds his hand. She introduces them to Dave.
Jing-Mei: There's been studies that people in comas can hear us. I'd like to believe they can. (pause) Dave, this is Mr. and Mrs. Peterson. Their son was your kidney donor. (pause) Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, this is Dr. Dave Malucci, my boyfriend.
Mrs. Peterson: May I? (pointing to Dave's hand)
Jing-Mei nods. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson sit down next to Dave's bed and Mrs. Peterson takes his hand.
Mrs. Peterson: Hello, young man. I know we don't know each other, but I feel so close to you now. We read your story in the paper and our hearts went out to you. I can't believe the cruelties of people out there. When I read about you, I couldn't help but think you reminded me so much of our son, Grant. Now that I see you in person you even look a little like him. Grant was a handsome boy too.
Mr. Peterson: And a good boy. When they told us that Grant was gone I felt my whole world come crashing down on me. Then we learned that you were also in this hospital, we figured if our son had to die for some ungodly reason then maybe we could help someone else out who was hurt for some unexplainable reason. Grant would've agreed with us. In fact, he would have insisted. We only hope that if our son were in your place that someone would help him out. Even when they told us that you probably weren't going to make it, it didn't seem to matter because Grant was always a very healthy boy and we knew if you had his kidney you would live. We still believe that and you have to also. You know seeing you is helping us too with our grief. It's very nice to see that Grant's death, tragic and sudden as it was, is helping to make a difference in another person's life.
Mrs. Peterson: If you don't mind we'd like to come visit you some more when you're feeling better. (pause) Well, I guess we had better go. You need your rest. God Bless.
Jing-Mei walks the Petersons out of the ICU. She hugs them and continues to thank them.
Jing-Mei: I will never be able to thank you for what you have done. If there is ever anything we could do for you, please please please do not hesitate to ask.
Mr. Peterson: As my wife has stated, we would like to come back and visit from time to time with Dr. Malucci and tell him all about Grant.
Jing-Mei: The door is always open both to Dave's hospital room and to our house and please it's Jing-Mei and Dr. Dave.
Jing-Mei and the Petersons bid goodbye and Jing-Mei goes back into Dave's room.
The next couple of weeks, the Petersons continued to visit Dave and tell him all about their son, Grant. They bring pictures of Grant to show Jing-Mei and Dave but Jing-Mei still remains uncertain about a still comatosed Dave. Kerry enters the ICU.
Kerry: Any change in Malucci's condition?
Jing-Mei: No, and I don't understand it. I thought once Dave received his kidney transplant he would start getting much better. But he isn't. In fact, he hasn't improved at all. He's still in a coma.
Kerry: Jing-Mei, you know that Dave had serious heart and head injuries. There was massive damage to his brain.
Jing-Mei(sighs): I know. Which means that even if Dave comes out of his coma, he could still wind up being a vegetable.
Kerry: When he does come to, he's going to need plenty of therapy: physical, occupational, psychological and speech. Do you think you will be up to it in your condition?
Jing-Mei: I'm doing fine. Dr. Evans says that I'm doing great given the circumstances. I'm in my seventh month and just starting my Lamaze classes. I wish Dave could be there with me. I've asked Carter to be my coach since he is going to be the baby's godfather.
Kerry: Has he accepted?
Jing-Mei nods.
Kerry: He'll do just fine then.
Jing-Mei(sighs): I know.
Kerry: Then what seems to be the problem?
Jing-Mei: It's like watching a picture slowly fade away. I try to stay optimistic about Dave's condition, but everytime I come in here and see him like this without improvement, then a small part of me feels like I should be saying goodbye to him.
Jing-Mei picks up Dave's hand and kisses it, while she runs her hand over his bandaged covered head.
Jing-Mei: You know Kerry, I've been thinking that maybe there is something Dave needs and I know just what it is and how to get it.
Kerry: What?
Jing-Mei: I don't want to say anything right now until I have all the details worked out.
Kerry excuses herself and Jing-Mei makes up her mind to do what she has to for Dave.
Jing-Mei: I'll be right back, sweetheart. (kissing his head)
Jing-Mei gets hold of Malucci's personal possessions that are in an envelop at the front desk and takes out the keys to his apartment. She leaves the hospital for Dave's apartment. Once there she goes in and searches for his phone book. She finally finds it and looks up a number. She dials the number and waits. Finally, someone picks up on the other end.
Voice on Phone(with an Italian accent): Hello, may I help you?
Jing-Mei: Is this Ms. Sophie Pancamo, Dave's sister?
To be continued. Please read and review.