The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 46
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian
Jing-Mei just shook trying not to upset Antonio and disturb his feeding.
Jing-Mei(to herself): Why won't they leave us alone? Why do they keep calling?
Antonio stopped sucking on Jing-Mei's breast so she switched sides but he didn't latch on so it was clear to her that he was done eating and ready for a nap. She sat back down on the chair and place Antonio over her shoulder and tapped his back. After a few minutes, he burped so she started to rock him to sleep. As she rocked him she couldn't help but wonder what kind of future he would have or if he would have a future. If it were up to the people harassing them, he wouldn't. She was determined to make sure that nobody would get to her son, Rusty, Dave or her.
Jing-Mei started to sing a Chinese lullaby to Antonio and he seemed completely rested in her arms. While she sat, rocked, sang and thought a very distinct smell traveled through the room.
Jing-Mei(to Antonio): Well, that meal didn't last long, huh sweetheart.
Jing-Mei got up and started to change Antonio when the phone rang. She hesitated to answer it. She tried to ignore it but it kept ringing to the point that she was afraid it was going to wake up Rusty and scare the baby. Regretfully, she went over and answered it.
Jing-Mei(taking a deep breath and tensing up on the receiver): Hello Dr. Chen here.
Jing-Mei released the breath she held in and her hands loosened from around phone.
Jing-Mei: Sophie, it's just you. Thank god.
Sophie: Sorry, but you told me to call. Did I phone at a bad time?
Jing-Mei: Uh, no I'm just in the middle of changing the baby. How was your flight?
Sophie: Fine. We just landed and the police guard that Capt Amos arranged for me is here.(pause) Jing-Mei, is everything alright?
Jing-Mei: Sure, why do you ask?
Sophie: You sounded upset when you answered.
Jing-Mei: I always get nervous when the phone rings anymore. I'm uh...so afraid that it's the hospital with bad news about Dave.
Sophie: Dave is getting better. I believe the worst is over. Now, he just has to undergo some more surgery and therapy. I think the crisis is over. Try not to worry.
Jing-Mei: I am but it's hard, you know that.
Sophie: Yes, I do. Is Rusty around?
Jing-Mei: He's still asleep. I can wake him up.
Sophie: No that's alright. Let him sleep. I'll talk to him later. (pause) Oh, I see a cab. I'll let you get back to what you were doing.
Jing-Mei: Oh yeah, Antonio's been waiting patiently.
Sophie(laughing): Have fun. Goodbye.
Jing-Mei: Yeah right, goodbye.
Jing-Mei hangs up the phone and heads back to the baby. She didn't want to trouble Sophie with her latest phone call. Jing-Mei wiped Antonio clean and then powdered his bottom. As she reached for a fresh diaper, she felt an unexpected sensation and turned around to find that Antonio had made a direct hit on her. She couldn't help but laugh.
Jing-Mei: Boys. Oh boy.
She got a towel and wiped herself clean and finished up with Antonio then placed him in his crib. Jing-Mei placed oxygen on Antonio just as his pulmonologist instructed. He said that Antonio's lungs were still very small and with his asthma that the oxygen would help him breathe better and she felt more comfortable with it on him. She started up his mobile and turned on the intercom than went into take a shower.
The next morning, Mrs. Peterson arrived to baby sit. Jing-Mei gave her specific instructions on caring for Antonio.
Jing-Mei: I already fed, bathed and changed him this morning and he just fell back to sleep so he'll probably be out for awhile. He won't be any trouble. When he does wake up he'll want to eat. I probably won't be here to feed him myself but I went on the pump earlier and there's a couple of bottles in the refrigerator. You know about the oxygen... just check on him every so often. If he gets fussy after he eats, just rock him or lay him back in his crib and start his mobile. He seems to respond to that. There's more diapers in the diaper bag if you run out during the day.
Mrs. Peterson: Relax, Jing-Mei. I think I can handle a month old. Don't you worry, we'll be fine. Now, you just go off and see Dave and give him my love.
Jing-Mei: I will and thanks. (yelling) Rusty! Rusty!
Rusty comes running out of his room and Jing-Mei waves him over and holds out her hand. His guard/ translator stands nearby.
Rusty: Go see papa, now?
The guard translates and Jing-Mei nods. The three of them head out to the car and off to the hospital. Jing-Mei takes Rusty up to Dave's room and sends him in while she uses the phone at the front desk.
Jing-Mei: Yes, Capt. Amos please. This is Dr. Chen.
She is put on hold and after a minute the music stops.
Capt. Amos: Dr. Chen, how may I help you?
Jing-Mei: You can help me by finding these bastards so we can get on with a normal life.
Capt. Amos: Has something else happened?
Jing-Mei: I got another one of those phone calls while I was feeding my baby. I don't know how much more of this I can take. My nerves are shot.
Capt. Amos: I am so sorry about that. I'll get a tap put on your phone.
Jing-Mei: That won't make the calls stop and as far as trying to trace them they never stay on long enough.
Capt. Amos: I know but it's all I can think of doing right now without Dr. Malucci's help.
Jing-Mei: How did it go yesterday?
Capt. Amos: The doctors allowed me to talk to him if I promised not to upset him. I introduced myself to him but he looked at me kind of strange...
Jing-Mei: Like he had no idea who you were. Don't worry, he looks at everyone that way. Did you find out any information?
Capt. Amos: Unfortunately no. He can't speak or write which makes it difficult. He probably doesn't remember anything from that time, like you said.
Jing-Mei: Dave isn't trying to be difficult. He wants to help, he just can't. Not now, maybe soon. He just needs more time.
Capt Amos: I do understand and with all he's been through, I wouldn't be surprised if he never wants to remember or talk about it. But right now, he's our only witness. Without him, we have no case. And as you know, we really don't have very much time. The sooner we start getting some answers, the quicker we can get this scum off the earth and you and your family can go back to leading normal lives.
Jing-Mei: I'm at the hospital now. I left Rusty in there with Dave so I want to get back to them. I'll try to see if I can get Dave to open up to me, but his level of communication is limited so until the ventilator tube is removed or Dave learns how to spell and write again, I doubt I will get any further than you.
Jing-Mei hung up and entered Dave's room to find Rusty still talking with Dave.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, why don't you watch some tv while I talk with your papa.
The guard translates and Jing-Mei sets up the tv for him. Once she has the boy settled, she goes over to Dave's bed.
Jing-Mei: Hi, sweetheart. How are you feeling today? (pause) Crappy, I'll bet. Sophie went back home to Italy yesterday so we are going to be taking care of Rusty for awhile.
Jing-Mei continues to talk to him even though she knows how inattentive he is.
Jing-Mei: Well anyway, I was thinking about putting an ad in the paper for an English tutor. I feel so bad about Rusty missing so much school, so maybe he can sort of be home schooled here. But first, he has to learn English. I can help him with math. I was always very good with numbers. When you get better, you can take over Rusty's English lessons after all I want our children to be skilled culturely. I want Antonio to learn to speak English, Italian and Chinese and maybe we can get Luka to teach them some Croatian too. I know that is a lot to ask of him, he is only a newborn but he has his entire life to learn--no rush.
Jing-Mei notices that Dave is distracted by the tv.
Jing-Mei: You can see the tv. Well, that's a beginning. Now maybe if I get a starring role on a Thursday Night Must See Tv Show, I may get some of your attention too. Just kidding.
Dr. Vasquez enters with an orderly and a nurse.
Dr. Vasquez: Sorry, but we have more tests to do on him.
Jing-Mei: That's okay. I have other business to take care of before I go back home.
She turns back to Dave, who is obviously mesmerized by the tv.
Jing-Mei: I'll go place that ad in the paper but while I'm gone I want you to start trying to remember some things. I know it'll be hard but try to concentrate on this place and look at the doctors and nurses. You are bound to see a familiar face and maybe even recognize some one.
She bends down in front of his face hoping to distract him away from the television. She tries to kiss his head but he whines and pulls away, shaking and with that same terrified look in his eyes.
Rusty and Jing-Mei head down to cafeteria for lunch and while Rusty gobbles down his cheeseburger, Jing-Mei works on her ad.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, how you feel about going to school over here for awhile.
The guard translates. Rusty swallows the remainder of his food and gets a disgusted look on his face.
Rusty: School, Yuck! (shaking his head) No, no... school.
Guard translates.
Jing-Mei: Come on Rusty, you have to learn besides it wouldn't be like regular school. You would learn at home. You would learn to speak English with a tutor and I can teach you math. It'll be fun.
Guard translates. Rusty shrugs his shoulders and reluctantly agrees by nodding his head.
Jing-Mei: Then it's all settled. Let's get over to the Chicago Times office.
Later that afternoon, on the wrong side of town, Frankie and Rico enter Vincenzio's apartment.
Vincenzio: Get in here, you two.
Rico: What's up boss?
Vincenzio: A whole new plan. Rico, I made some calls and I need you to go pick up some papers and bring them back.
Rico: Alright, just tell me where and when to get them.
Vincenzio hands Rico a slip of paper with an address on them.
Rico: Alright, come on Frankie. Let's go.
As the twosome get up to leave, Vincenzio pulls a gun and aims it at Frankie.
Vincenzio: Both of you don't need to go. You, fag stay. We need to talk.
Frankie sits back down and makes himself comfortable as Rico goes on the errand.
Vincenzio: This is what I need from you and you do as you are told, nothing more, got it.
Frankie: Oh yeah sure, paisan.
Jing-Mei and Rusty arrive home and Mrs. Peterson had dinner ready for them. Rusty sat down and ate while Jing-Mei went into the nursery and fed Antonio. Mrs. Peterson left for the day only to return the next day. After dinner, Rusty went into the living room and put the tv on. Jing-Mei was finishing up with Antonio and was bringing him in to sit with her and Rusty for a while when the phone rang. She carried Antonio with her into the kitchen and answered the phone.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Chen, here. How may I help you?
Voice on the phone: Yes Dr. Chen, I'm calling to apply for the job as English tutor.
Jing-Mei: Oh yes. That was quick. Will you be available for an interview tomorrow?
Voice: Yes, that would be fine.
Jing-Mei gives the caller instructions and sets up a time. She hangs up and goes into the living room when the phone rings again. It's another person responding to the ad. She gets a few more calls like that during the night.
Jing-Mei(to herself): Well, this was quick results. Looks like I set up interviews for all day tomorrow. I'll have to call Mrs. Peterson and tell her she doesn't have to come over tomorrow since I'll be home interviewing.
After about an hour, Antonio was asleep in Jing-Mei's arms so she put him in his crib and then took Rusty in to give him a bath and then to bed.
The next morning she started her routine early to prepare for the interviews. The boys were fed, Antonio was bathed and changed and Rusty was watching cartoons when the first applicant came to the door. Jing-Mei gathered her questions together and prepared. It was a young college girl in her freshmen year. Jing-Mei offered her some coffee and they sat down.
Jing-Mei: Alright, Ms. Hampton.
Ms. Hampton: Please, it's Sarah.
Jing-Mei: Okay Sarah. It says here that you are a freshmen at community college.
Sarah: Yes, I'm looking for a part-time job to help me with my expenses while I'm in school.
Jing-Mei: You do understand what is expected of you. You will be working with a six year old little boy who speaks no English whatsoever. I would need you for possibility 2-3 hours a day and in exchange I will be paying $15.00 per hour.
Sarah: Yes ma'am.
Jing-Mei: I've just had a baby so I'm still on maternity leave so I will be in and out of the house all day. My boyfriend is in the hospital so I will be there a lot of the time with him. We have a part-time babysitter for my son so you wouldn't have to worry about that. Now tell me a little about yourself.
Sarah: I'm 19 years old and I was born here in Chicago. I'm studying art appreciation in college. I want to go Italy and study art there as soon as I can save the money. So for the last couple years, I've been learning Italian so I can speak with the citizens. This job would help me out a lot.
Jing-Mei: Well that's definitely a good reason. If I hire you I will work around your school schedule. Now I guess you'd like to meet your possible student.
Jing-Mei got up and called for Rusty. Hearing his name, Rusty came running.
Jing-Mei: Sarah, this is Rusty. Rusty, this is Sarah. She may be your new tutor.
Sarah: How are you Rusty? I look forward to working with you.
Rusty looked at her and not wanting to be rude he shook her hand.
Rusty: Please to meet you. Can I go back to watching tv.
Sarah turns to Jing-Mei and asks her. Jing-Mei nods and Rusty goes back in the living room.
Jing-Mei: You'll have to excuse him, he's shy.
Sarah: That's alright. I understand.
Antonio starts to cry and Jing-Mei gets up from her seat.
Jing-Mei: Well, I guess that will be all for now. I have a lot of other interviews scheduled. I will call you.
Sarah: Thank you and I will be looking forward to your call.
They shake hands and Jing-Mei shows Sarah to the door. She goes to the nursery and gets Antonio. She puts him in his baby seat in the living room with Rusty and Rusty starts to rock him, calming him down. Jing-Mei goes back to prepare for the next interview.
Four interviews and five hours later and the boys had been fed and put down to rest. Jing-Mei was exhausted and very grateful that she was preparing for her last interview of the day. All the applicants seemed capable of doing the job but they just weren't what she was looking for. Either they were too young and inexperienced or too old to handle such a young student. She barely cleared the table from her last interview when the doorbell rang. She went and answered it before it woke the children up. She opened the door to see a young man in a suit standing there.
Young Man: I'm here for the job interview.
Jing-Mei: Oh yes, please come in and you will have to excuse the mess but I've been interviewing all day. Please sit down and could I get you some coffee.
Young Man: No thank you.
Jing-Mei: You are...let me see..uh, Mr. Maldanoda, right.
Mr. Maldanoda: Yes, Francesco Maldanoda.
Jing-Mei: You have an accent. You are Italian, aren't you?
Francesco: Born and raised in Milan.
Jing-Mei: That's not far from where your student and his dad are from.
Francesco: Really?
Jing-Mei: They're Sicilian. Tell me about yourself.
Francesco: Not much to say. I am 25 years old, single, born in Milan, Italy as you know. I've been working as a translator at the U.N. Building in New York and have recently moved out here.
Jing-Mei starts to look over his resume and credentials.
Jing-Mei: This is an impressive resume and excellent references. You graduated fourth in your class at Princeton University. Can I ask you why you left New York and came to Chicago.
Francesco: Certainly, after that terrible attack on the World Trade Center, New York is not a safe place to work. I have relatives here in Chicago and I came to spend time with them. I had some money saved up to live comfortably for awhile but now it's time to get back to work.
Jing-Mei: Well, I'm sorry but I can't pay you anywhere nearly as much as you made in New York.
Francesco: That's quite alright. This is only a temporary job and part time so I can continue to look for full-time and permanent work in the meantime.
Jing-Mei: How are you with children? You do realize the little boy you would be tutoring is only six.
Francesco: I know that and I love children. I have a number of nephews and nieces and prefer to work with children. There minds are so fresh and innocent. They are open-minded to all things possible. I do have a some reference numbers there if you need to call.
Jing-Mei: Thank you and I will. I would like to introduce you to your student but he's just getting over being sick and he's still gets really tired. He's sleeping right now.
Francesco: That's fine. I can meet him if I get the job.
Jing-Mei: Well, I do have others to interview and plenty of calls to make. I will get back to you, Mr. Maldanodo.
Francesco: Thank you for considering me for the position.
Jing-Mei walks Francesco out the door and heads to boys bedroom to check on them before going to soak in a hot tub. She takes all her paperwork with her and looks it over while relaxing in the tub. After about an hour, she gets out of the tub dries off and slips into her nightgown. Antonio is still asleep but Rusty is waking up. She brings him into the living room to watch tv for awhile, as she goes over her applicants applications. She just can't decide. She shifts through them separating them into piles: Definitely not, Maybe, Possible, Definite callbacks.
She and Rusty fell asleep in the living room with the tv on.
The next morning, Ms. Peterson came over to watch the boys. Rusty wanted to come to the hospital but Jing-Mei explained to him that she was going to be very busy and she couldn't take him. He was disappointed until Mrs. Peterson pulled out a game of Candyland. His face lit up and the two of them along with Rusty's translator sat down to play. It was a simple game that required very little translating.
That afternoon at the hospital, Jing-Mei came into Dave's room and sat by his bed. She fought him but was finally able to get a hold of his hand.
Jing-Mei: Sorry, I'm late today. I had a lot of phone calls to make. I've been interviewing all day for Rusty's tutor like we talked about. There's plenty of applicants and some with very good recommendations, one in particular I'm looking at. He's one of the two men to apply and he's Italian--from Milan. I think Rusty might respond to a man teacher better than a female anyway and he should be perfect since he speaks both perfect Italian and English. I think I'll hire him.
Dave turns his head towards her not really understanding a thing she's saying.
Jing-Mei: Don't look at me like that. I know what you're thinking. I'm rushing into this. But I do think the sooner Rusty starts to learn English, the quicker he'll catch on. Besides, to tell you the truth, interviewing is hard work and to be honest I'm already tired of it. I spoke with Sophie this morning and she thinks it's a great idea for tutor. She's doing fine, continuing with her treatment and she says hello and wishes you well. Rusty is your son...so what do you think?
Dave turns his head towards the wall not really paying attention or caring.
Jing-Mei: I'm the one taking care of Rusty so I get to make the decisions about him until you are back in our world again.
Dr. Vasquez enters.
Dr. Vasquez: How's it going?
Jing-Mei: Not good. Dave doesn't even acknowledge that I'm here.
Dr. Vasquez: I explained that to you. His attention span is nil. Right now, all he can do is lay in the bed and try to watch the world go by him. He can't participate in anything. Once he starts to learn how to do things, is able to move more and speak he will be able to feel like part of the living, conscious world again and that would change. Just try to be patient for now.
Jing-Mei: I'm trying to. How long before he is taken off the ventilator?
Dr. Vasquez: Actually that's funny you should ask that. I just came up to examine him before his pulmonologist gets here to evaluate him.
Jing-Mei: I had better leave you to it. I have a phone call to make anyway.
Jing-Mei kisses Dave's head as usual and says goodbye as she exits his room. She goes out to the solarium, opens up her cell phone and dials a number she removes from her purse.
Later that afternoon, a phone rings in a rundown apartment.
Vincenzio: Yeah, who is it?
Frankie: I just got the call. I'M IN.
To be continued. Please read and review.