The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 35
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian
Jing-Mei: Oh my god!! How? What happened?
Sophie: Julia, Jada's friend said they aren't sure yet but it look like Jada came home from shopping and was met by an intruder. She never had a chance. She was shot right through the head and died instantly. The federalies are still there investigating and they've removed Jada's body and took it for an autopsy.
Jing-Mei: They didn't catch the son of a bitch?
Sophie: No and as furious and upset as I am now about what happened and as much as I want to put my hands around that mother-fucker's throat, my main problem is how in the hell am I going to tell that little boy that his mama is dead.
Jing-Mei: I sure don't envy you. God, I am so sorry for both of you.
Sophie: We will have to go back to Italy temporary for the funeral.
Jing-Mei: Of course. Please let me know where I can send flowers.
Sophie: That's very kind of you.
Jing-Mei: I kind of feel like this is partially my fault.
Sophie: How do you figure that?
Jing-Mei: I had you bring Rusty over here and now he'll never see his mother again.
Sophie: Please Jing-Mei, you may have saved Rusty's life. If he were there, he might have been killed too.
Jing-Mei: That's one way to look at it. I can't believe this happened. What irony?
Sophie: Irony?
Jing-Mei: Yeah, Rusty comes over here to visit his dying father and in the meantime his mother gets killed.
Sophie(nodding): Spooky. Real spooky. Rusty, come over here ,sweetheart. We have to talk.
Rusty runs over to Sophie with a big smile on his face.
Rusty: I told papa all about school and how good I am at bocci ball.
Sophie: That's good. Sweetheart, we have to talk about your mother.
Rusty: Are we gonna call mama again?
Sophie: No. Come with me to the waiting room. Excuse us, Jing-Mei.
Jing-Mei: Yes. (bending down to hug Rusty with tears in her eyes)
As Sophie and Rusty leave Dave's room, Dave's neurologist, Dr. Vasquez enters.
Jing-Mei: What's going on Dr. Vasquez?
Dr. Vasquez: We have to examine Dave and he needs to be suctioned. You'll have to go for awhile.
Jing-Mei: That's alright. I want to go visit our son. Please let me know what you find?
Dr. Vasquez nods as the nurse prepares to suction. Jing-Mei heads down to the neonatal ICU. As she passes the waiting room, she sees Sophie trying to bring herself to tell Rusty about his mother. She shakes her head in disbelief that something like this could happen.
In the waiting area, Sophie sits Rusty down and looks the little boy in the face while trying to keep from falling apart.
Rusty: You've been crying, Aunt Sophie. Papa and Tonio get better.
Sophie: I know they will but I need to talk to you about your mama.
Rusty: Is mama coming to see papa?
Sophie: No sweetheart. This isn't easy for me. Something happened back home.
Rusty: What Aunt Sophie?
Sophie: A bad man broke into your house and your mama...
Rusty(getting upset): Mama, okay! Mama okay!
Sophie(shaking her head and crying):No baby, no. Your mama's gone. She's up with god, up in heaven. I am so sorry, baby.
Rusty: No mama okay. I want to talk to mama.
Sophie: You can't, baby. Mama died.
As much as Rusty refused to believe his mama was gone, he knew inside that it was true because his Aunt Sophie never lied to him. He grabbed Sophie in a tight hug and shook as he cried.
Rusty: Papa going to see mama, then.
Sophie: No, no, baby. Your papa isn't going anywhere. We aren't going to let him. He's got to stick around now and take care of his two boys.
Rusty: What about you, Aunt Sophie?
Sophie: I'm not going anywhere either. Your papa and I love you so much. We will never leave you. Never.
All Sophie could do was sit and comfort her crying, grieving nephew hating herself for promising him that she and Dave would never leave him. A promise she knew she couldn't keep.
Down in the neonatal ICU, Jing-Mei holds her fragile son and talks to him.
Jing-Mei: Hello little Antonio. I'm your mommy. How's my sweet, strong little baby boy. You are as handsome as your daddy. You haven't met him yet but you will.
She puts her finger in Antonio's tiny hand.
Jing-Mei: Oh, you've got quite a grip on you. You're going to be a boxer when you grow up because you're so tough like your daddy. Or from the way you kicked me, maybe a Chicago Bear. You can be whatever you want to be. The possibilities are unlimited and your daddy and I are going to make sure of it. We are going to give you everything in the world and more...within reason.
The nurse comes by and takes Antonio from Jing-Mei's hands to be examined. Jing-Mei looks up and sees Kerry standing at the window. She walks out into the hall.
Kerry: How's he doing?
Jing-Mei: Getting stronger. They both are.
Kerry: Where are Dave's sister and son at? Up with Dave?
Jing-Mei: No, not right now. They're going back to Italy tonight.
Kerry: I thought their visas were good for a month.
Jing-Mei: They are. They'll be back. Family emergency.
Kerry: Nothing too serious, I hope.
Jing-Mei: Very serious I'm afraid. Jada, Rusty's mother walked into a burglary in progress at her house, she was shot.
Kerry: Oh no. How bad?
Jing-Mei: She's dead. Sophie's telling Rusty right now.
Kerry: Jesus! That poor little boy.
Jing-Mei: Yeah I know. I'm just standing here looking at Antonio and trying to figure out what Sophie is going through. I'm trying to put myself in her place. Telling Antonio about his daddy if Dave doesn't make it. I know he's just been born and hasn't even met Dave yet, but when he gets older and asks about his daddy. How will I tell him about the vicious, horrible things that were done to him.
Kerry: I really don't know. I can't even imagine what it is going to be like when that time comes.
The front desk nurse walked over to Jing-Mei.
Nurse: Dr. Chen, there's a call for you at the desk.
Jing-Mei: Thanks nurse.
Jing-Mei takes the phone.
Jing-Mei: Hello, this is Dr. Chen. May I help you?
Voice on the phone: YOUR NEXT!!!(hangs up)
Jing-Mei: Hello, hello.
Kerry: Who was that?
Jing-Mei: I don't know but I don't like it.
Kerry: What did they say?
Jing-Mei: I'm next. Then they hung up.
Kerry: I don't blame you. That definitely didn't sound too good.
Then the phone rang again. Kerry signaled for the nurse to pick it up.
Nurse: It's for you Dr. Chen, again.
Jing-Mei's hands start trembling and she can barely hold the phone. She takes the receiver from the nurse and places it near her ear and mouth.
Jing-Mei: LOOK WHOEVER IN THE HELL THIS IS BETTER LEAV...(pause) Oh, sorry Dr. Vasquez. (pause) Yes. I'll be right up. (she hangs up)
Kerry: It wasn't him again.
Jing-Mei: No, it was Dr. Vasquez. He just finished examining Dave and wants to see me.
Kerry: Good news, I hope.
Jing-Mei: I've learned not to get my hopes up.
Kerry: Well I have to get back down to the ER. Let me know what happens and give Sophie and Rusty my condolences.
Jing-Mei: I will.
Jing-Mei heads back upstairs and is confronted by Sophie and Rusty.
Jing-Mei: How is he, Sophie?
Sophie: Devastated. He doesn't want to believe she's gone.
Jing-Mei: Poor little guy. So much for a small boy to handle at once. Tell him how sorry I am about his mama.
Sophie translates and Rusty goes over and hugs Jing-Mei. Rusty says something to Sophie which she translates to Jing-Mei.
Sophie: Rusty wants to know if you're going to be his new mama now.
Jing-Mei's eyes well up with tears and she hugs Rusty again.
Jing-Mei: Please tell him that I would never take his mama's place and neither do I want to but if he wants me to be his adopted mommy I would be honored.
Sophie translates and Rusty nods as he wipes the tears from his eyes and starts balling again. Sophie picks him up trying to comfort him but with little success.
Sophie: I have to make airline reservations and then see what I can do about getting an extension on our visas given the circumstances.
Jing-Mei: You just take care of the plane tickets, I'll work on getting you that extension. I'll have to use my family's influence again, but it's worth it.
Sophie: Are you going back into Dave's room?
Jing-Mei: No, his neurologist called. He needs to speak with us.
Sophie: We'll go with you and then I'll make that call.
Sophie, holding an upset Rusty in her arms, and Jing-Mei walk over to Dave's ICU room where they are met by Dr. Vasquez and Elizabeth.
Jing-Mei: Is everything alright? What's wrong with Dave?
Dr. Vasquez: Actually, it may be good news.
Sophie: We sure could use that right about now.
Elizabeth: Jing-Mei, Sophie uh Dr. Vasquez wants to operate on Dave again.
Sophie and Jing-Mei: WHY!!
Dr. Vasquez: The metal plate in his head is becoming corroded. It needs to be replaced before an infection sets in. If that happens he may develop encephalitis, which I can guarantee you he will not survive. Besides, I want to put in another shunt to help with the drainage around his brain.
Jing-Mei: In other words, more brain surgery.
Dr. Vasquez: I know it doesn't look like this but his sats have been holding up very well. I think he's strong enough to handle the surgery.
Elizabeth: I will be assisting.
Jing-Mei and Sophie look at each other.
Sophie; You're the neurologist. If you think it's what's best for Davey then alright. (pause) But now I can't make the trip home.
Jing-Mei: Why not?
Sophie: I can't leave when my brother is going into surgery again.
Jing-Mei: Rusty needs to go home. He needs to say goodbye to his mama. You go home and Dave will be just fine til you get back. I'll make sure of it.
Sophie reluctantly agrees.
Sophie: Okay Dr. Vasquez, go ahead and operate.
Dr. Vasquez: Nurse, get Dr. Malucci into OR 2 and prepped for brain surgery.
Jing-Mei sits in the waiting room while Sophie makes the plane reservations. Sophie lays Rusty on the couch to sleep while she's gone. Jing-Mei watches the sleeping little boy and strokes his head.
Desk Nurse: Phone for you Dr. Chen.
Jing-Mei lost in her own thoughts walks over to the desk and takes the phone from the nurse.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Chen, here.
Voice on Phone: I'M GETTING CLOSER! (hangs up)
Jing-Mei screams and drops the phone when someone grabs her behind.
To be continued. Please read and review.