The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 34
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson smiled with delight at the thought of having the baby named after their son, sort of .
Mrs. Peterson: Thank you. I know it's only his middle name but that was still very nice of you.
Jing-Mei: It was the least I could do. After all, if it weren't for Grant then Dave would have died a long time ago. Now he has a chance to see our baby grow up. (pause) That is if they both live.
Sophie: Don't even think that. Positive thinking in this room. Things have to get better, it's almost Christmas.
Jing-Mei: Oh wow I almost forgot about that. Sure is coming fast. I hope I'll be able to bring the baby home before Christmas. Dave is a different story.
Sophie: Maybe there will be one of them Christmas miracles and we'll get Davey back.
Jing-Mei(yawning): I won't get my hopes up.
Mr. Peterson: Well, we have to get going. You need your rest.
Jing-Mei: I am getting real tired. Thank you for talking with me. Come back again.
Mrs. Peterson: We will. We'll be praying for all three of you. God bless.
They hugged Jing-Mei as she started falling off to sleep.
Sophie: Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, would you like to go down and see the baby?
Mrs. Peterson: We loved to.
Sophie: Let me track Rusty down and we'll meet you there.
The Petersons head down to the neonatal ICU as Sophie goes to the cafeteria where she sees Rusty and Abby sitting at a table.
Abby: How's Jing-Mei?
Sophie: Tired. She's resting now. She's worried about the baby and Dave.
Abby: That's understandable.
Sophie: Rusty, would you like to go visit your baby brother?
Rusty nods, he wipes his face off, stands up from his chair and starts pulling on Sophie's arm.
Sophie: Well Abby, thank you for watching him but I guess I have to get going.
Abby(noticing Rusty tugging on Sophie's arm): I can see that.
Sophie and Rusty go to the see the baby. They meet up with the Petersons. Dr. Evans comes out of the nursery.
Sophie: How's he doing?
Dr. Evans: He's still having trouble breathing, he's very tiny and his skin is very thin and transparent. We're doing everything possible for him but it's still touch and go for awhile.
Sophie: He's gorgeous. Just like my brother.
Mrs. Peterson: Handsome little devil. He looks like he favors Jing-Mei but it's still a little soon to tell yet.
They stared at the new baby and all smiled when the nurse came out an put the baby's name on the incubator.
Sophie: Rusty, that's your new baby brother, Antonio Grant.
Rusty(waving): Hello, Tonio Grant. I'm your big brother and I'm going to be a good big brother.
In a rundown apartment, there is a knock on the door. A young man enters.
Vincenzio: Get in here, now!
Frankie: You called me. What's up paisan?
Vincenzio: You've been keeping tabs on my kid?
Frankie: Yeah, he's still in ICU.
Vincenzio: I can't fucking believe he's still alive!
Frankie: He's a Malucci even though you don't want to admit it, paisan.
Vincenzio: Any chance of getting to him again?
Frankie: No fucking way. They got tighter security on him then on Fort fucking Knox.
Vincenzio: What about his girlfriend?
Frankie: Nah, she's in the hospital too.
Vincenzio: What happened?
Frankie: She just had a baby. Look's like you've got a grandson, paisan. But not for long. The kid's premature and from what I heard he ain't going to make it.
Vincenzio: Second grandson. That piece of shit son of mine might not be worth a fucking penny, but he does make some beautiful children. I wonder...
Frankie: He's got another son? (pause) That must be the little boy I saw with the young woman who's been hanging around your kid's room.
Vincenzio: What little boy? What woman?
Frankie: There's this kid that has been hanging around the hospital. (pause) Now that I think about it, the kid he can't speak English. The woman translates.
Vincenzio: Get to the hospital. Get me a picture of them. NOW!!
Frankie heads out of the room to the nearest store to pick up a camera and then to the hospital.
At the hospital, the ER staff has been stopping by to see the baby and dropping off small get well cards. Down at the neonatal ICU, Sophie can't keep her eyes off the baby. She crosses herself and starts silently praying to herself. Carter comes down the hall pushing Jing-Mei in a wheelchair.
Carter: Here we are.
Sophie: How are you feeling, Jing-Mei?
Jing-Mei: Not bad. Where did the Petersons go?
Sophie: They left for awhile. I think they went home to get some sleep. They said they would be back later.
Carter: Jing-Mei, do you want to go in?
Jing-Mei: Sure, I want to hold my baby.
Carter wheels Jing-Mei into the ICU and has the nurse hands her the baby. They take the baby from the incubator and place his fragile form in Jing-Mei's arms.
Jing-Mei: Isn't he handsome?
Carter: Very.
Jing-Mei: Just like his daddy.
Carter: Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say that.
Jing-Mei gives Carter a dirty look.
Carter: Just kidding.
Jing-Mei: I appreciate everything you've done for me so don't take it personally when I say that it should be Dave standing here with me---holding our son---our beautiful baby boy.
Jing-Mei starts crying and Carter holds her. Sophie watches from outside with her own tears in her eyes. Rusty comes over to her.
Rusty: What's the matter, Aunt Sophie?
Sophie: Your baby brother, he's so sick. I'm just worried about him.
Rusty: Sick, like papa. Is that why he's so small?
Sophie: Something like that. I'll explain it to you later, sweetheart.
Sophie looks at her older nephew and runs her hand through his hair.
Sophie: You know what I think we need.
Rusty: What?
Sophie: A shopping spree. How about we take off out of here for awhile and do a little Christmas shopping. That's if you're not to tired.
Rusty: No, no I want to shop. Toys.
Sophie: We'll see.
Sophie taps on the window and as Jing-Mei and Carter looked up she and Rusty wave bye. They wave back. Then Rusty and Sophie turn around and are met with a flash in their faces.
Sophie: I beg your pardon.
Frankie: I am so sorry, paisans. I was just trying to get a shot of my newborn. (pointing to another baby in the ICU). Sorry if I frightened you.
Sophie: That's alright. Uh, we have to be going. Let's go Rusty.
As Sophie and Rusty head onto the elevator, Frankie puts the camera down and starts giving an evil smile and laughing.
Two hours later, Frankie returns to the apartment and hands Vincenzio the pictures. Vincenzio looks them over.
Frankie: Well, what do you think paisan?
Vincenzio: This is the little boy you spoke of earlier?
Frankie: Yes, and that's the lady he's always with. She called him Rusty.
Vincenzio: Rusty, huh. Where the hell did they come up with that name.
Frankie: That's your grandson, paisan? You didn't know his name?
Vincenzio: Yeah, that's him. Knew of him but never knew his name.
Frankie: What about the woman he's with? Know her?
Vincenzio: Very much so. She's my daughter.
Frankie: She's HOT!!
Vincenzio grabs Frankie by his throat.
Vincenzio: DON'T YOU EVER FUCKING PUT YOUR HANDS ON HER, GOT IT!! Besides, I thought you were more interested in my son from what I've been told.
Frankie: Never mind. (pause) You don't like the pictures?
Vincenzio: The pictures are fine. I just...(pause) Is this the only young lady that was with my grandson?
Frankie: Except for the hospital staff. Is there a problem?
Vincenzio: I just wasn't expecting her to be with my grandson. This changes everything.
Frankie: Changes what?
Vincenzio: How I plan to get to my worthless fucking kid. But you know, this may work out better now that I think about it. (waving Frankie over)I've got a little job for you.
Frankie: Anytime, paisan.
Vincenzio scribbles something on a piece of paper and hands it to Frankie. Frankie promptly leaves to do his "little job".
The next morning Sophie gets Rusty up, bathed and dressed to take him to visit Jing-Mei in the hospital.
Sophie: Rusty, later on I'm going to call your mother. I know you miss her and I want to fill her in on everything that is going on over here.
Rusty: I get to talk to her.
Sophie: Sure, you do. Tell her how much you like being in America. You do, don't you?
Rusty: Si. Very much so. It's real different.
Sophie: Well finish your breakfast and we can get going.
At the hospital, Jing-Mei is sitting in a wheelchair outside the neonatal ICU. Peter walks up behind her.
Peter: How's the little guy doing?
Jing-Mei: Hanging in there just like his daddy.
Peter: I've been by the isolation unit, Dave is looking better. They said if his sats hold they may be able to move him back to the ICU later on today.
Jing-Mei(crying): I hope so. I would like to go visit him and tell him about our son.
Peter: I know he'll like to hear that. (pause)Look Jing-Mei, I don't know if you know this but Reese was premature too. I do know what you are going through.
Jing-Mei: But Reese is deaf. (looking at Peter, regretting what she said)I'm sorry, Peter. I know you're only trying to help. And there's nothing wrong with being deaf. But if I can have a healthy baby that's what I want to wish for.
Peter: I know and I feel the same way. My point is other than Reese's hearing loss, he's a healthy, handsome, happy little boy and so will yours be.
Jing-Mei(smiling): Thank you, Peter.
Peter: Your welcome. I have to get back to work. Keep the faith, Jing-Mei.
Jing-Mei: Thanks for stopping by.
Peter walks down the hall and bumps into Sophie and Rusty coming up it.
Sophie: We stopped by your room and the nurse told us that you were here. I should have guessed.
Jing-Mei: Where else. How are you two holding up?
Sophie: Fine. I'm going to call Rusty's mother later so he can talk to her. He misses her a lot.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, how do you like your new little brother?
Sophie translates.
Rusty: He's great and I get to teach him how to play bocci ball.
Again Sophie translates.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Benton was just by and said that they may move Dave out of isolation and back to ICU.
Sophie: That's great. Rusty will be glad. He's been asking when he could see his papa.
Jing-Mei: I'm starting to get a little tired. I think I'll go back up to my room for awhile.
Sophie: Let me help you. Rusty, come here with us.
Sophie pushes Jing-Mei's wheelchair towards the elevator with Rusty lagging behind. Once she gets Jing-Mei settled, she and Rusty head back down to see the baby again.
An hour later, Sophie decides it's time to call Rusty's mother.
Sophie: Come on Rusty, time to speak with your mother.
Sophie takes Rusty into the hospital solarium and dials his mother's number on her cell phone. After a few minutes, a lady answers it.
Sophie: Jada, is that you?
Jada: Si, Sophie. How is everything?
Sophie: Well, Davey is still critical. Still in a coma. He contracted meningitis and the doctors had to run tests on everyone exposed to him. They needed to give Rusty a spinal tap, is that okay?
Jada: Ouch, that had to hurt. Sure, if it had to be done to make sure my little boy's okay. He is okay though.
Sophie: He's fine. He didn't like it too much but he was a brave boy. I was so proud of him. (Rusty starts tugging on Sophie, trying to get to the phone)Jada, I think there's someone here that wants to talk to you.
Sophie hands him the phone.
Rusty: Mama, I miss you.
Jada: I miss you too. Did you get to see your papa?
Rusty: Si. He's really sick. I got a baby brother.
Jada: A baby brother? Where did he come from?
Rusty: His name is Tonio Grant and he's real small....
Jada(interrupting): Uh baby, mama's got to go now. I have to go to work. I'll talk to you later. Ciao sweetheart, I love you.
Rusty: Ciao mama, I love you too.
Rusty shuts the phone off and hands it back to his aunt.
Sophie: Rusty, I wanted to talk to her some more.
Rusty: I'm sorry, Aunt Sophie. She had to go to work. We can call later, right.
Sophie: I guess we will have to.(pause) Come on Rusty, I'll get you something to drink before we go back to see the baby.
Later that day, Sophie and Rusty are outside looking at the baby when Mark walks up to them.
Mark: Hey Sophie, I was hoping I could catch you here.
Sophie: Dr. Green, what's going on?
Mark: Dave's back in ICU. The meningitis scare is over. Do you want to go up to see him?
Sophie: Are you kidding? Of course we do. As long as it's okay. We don't want to make Dave sick again.
Mark: It's fine. You just have to scrub real good and gown up.
Sophie: Rusty, let's go up and see your papa.
Rusty claps and nods his head excitedly. Rusty and Sophie arrive upstairs to scrub and dress when they see Jing-Mei already in there. Within a few moments they join her.
Jing-Mei: Isn't this great? He looks good, doesn't he?
Sophie: Compared to how he looked before, yeah I guess so. Have you told him about his newest son?
Rusty: Papa, I've got a new brother. My little brother.
Sophie: Rusty, I think Jing-Mei wanted to tell him. (she translates to Jing-Mei that Rusty already spoiled her surprised)I'm so sorry, Jing-Mei.
Jing-Mei(laughing): That's okay. He's excited about being a big brother. I can't blame him. (looking at Dave) It's true Dave. Our beautiful little boy was born 2 days ago. I know it's early but they are doing everything they can for him. His name is Antonio Grant Malucci. I gave him your middle name of Antonio and Grant is the name of the young man that gave you his kidney. His parents have been here to visit you. They will be back again.
Rusty runs over to his dad and starts telling him all about his new brother and little things back in Italy like school and bocci ball.
Sophie: Did Dr. Evans say how long it would be before you can take Antonio home.
Jing-Mei: Not for awhile. He's still too sick. In a way that's good because I want to get us moved into our new house before I bring him home. I still haven't moved any of Dave's things over from his apartment.
Sophie: We can take care of that later.
Jing-Mei: I did wish I could have him home before Christmas but I guess I can wait, I mean he wasn't even suppose to be born until the middle of January. Did you get a chance to talk to Rusty's mom?
Sophie: A few minutes. She had to get to work. But thanks for reminding me, Rusty hung up before I had a chance to ask her if it was okay for Rusty to stay here for Christmas.
Jing-Mei: Do you think it will be a problem?
Sophie: I don't see why not. Rusty has spent every Christmas of his life with her so it's only fair he spend this one with his dad. She's pretty understanding. (pause) Excuse me, I'll go call her now and ask. Will you watch him?
Jing-Mei: Sure, but I think he's occupied for the moment--filling Dave in on his entire life.
Sophie and Jing-Mei laugh as Sophie heads out. Jing-Mei walks over to Dave's bed and starts staring at the monitors hoping that they would change. But they stayed the same. Jing-Mei walks beside Dave's bed and lifts his hand.
Jing-Mei: Dave, you have to wake up soon and see our son. He is so handsome, like some other Italian Stallion that I know. He has your fight for life. That's good. I want my son to be as tough as his old man. There's so much you need to be around for to teach him. And I want you to spend more time with Rusty. He needs you too. He's really a wonderful little boy but he needs his father. There's a lot the two of you are missing out on. You need to bond. When you get better we can plan trips over to Italy to visit and arrange to have Rusty come back to visit us. I want you to be a dad to both your sons. God, I love you so much. Rusty, Sophie, Antonio and everyone down in the ER love you and want you back.
Jing-Mei lets Rusty go back to talking to his father while she wanders over to the door. A tear-filled stunned Sophie comes back in the room.
Jing-Mei: Sophie, what's the matter?
Sophie: Jada.
Jing-Mei: Rusty's mom. (pause) She's not going to let Rusty stay?
Sophie: Uh, yeah he's going to be able to stay.
Jing-Mei: What's the problem then? What did Jada say to upset you?
Sophie: Um, nothing I didn't speak with Jada. That was her best friend on the phone. (pause) Jada, was killed earlier today.
To be continued. Please read and review.