The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 57
Jing-Mei sits in her living room with the letter from the INS and thinking to herself.
Jing-Mei: They can't forcibly send Dave back to Italy. Maybe, in time he will be ready to go back himself but to make him go back and in his condition that would kill Dave. Well, not kill him after all Dave has proven how tough he really is. It's just not fair. I can't let them do that to him and I won't.
Jing-Mei puts the letter down on the desk and heads into her bedroom to unpack her things. As she takes her clothes out and puts them in the laundry, something falls out of one of her pockets. She bends down and picks it up to see what it is. It's the engagement ring that Dave was going to give her. She holds on to it and cries.
The next morning, Mrs. Peterson lets herself in with her key and finds Jing-Mei in the nursery feeding the baby.
Mrs. Peterson: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt.
Jing-Mei is rocking in the chair, cradling the baby and her mind is million miles away.
Jing-Mei: Huh? Uh, did you say something?
Mrs. Peterson: I said, Good morning, sorry to interrupt. Continue and I'll go start breakfast.
Jing-Mei(to Antonio): We can't let them kick your daddy out of the country. I made a promise to myself and Dave that he is going to stick around to see you grow up. He missed most of one of his son's childhoods. I'm just not going to let it happen again. And you know what, little guy, I think... your daddy doesn't know it yet but I think this is why he's fighting so hard to stay alive because subconsciously he wants that too. To be part of yours and Rusty's lives and damn it after all he's been through, I'm going to make sure that happens.
After about twenty minutes, Jing-Mei comes into the kitchen still in a daze. She smells french toast cooking on the stove and that brings her out of her stupor. She enters the kitchen to find Mrs. Peterson making coffee.
Mrs. Peterson: I hope you like french toast, dear.
Jing-Mei: Mrs. Peterson, when did you get here?
Mrs. Peterson: I've been here about half an hour, now. (pause)Are you alright?
Jing-Mei: Yeah, I'm fine. Just lost in thought.
Mrs. Peterson: Well, breakfast is ready and the coffee soon will be. Sit down and eat while I go and give the baby his bath.
Mrs. Peterson goes into the nursery to get Antonio and give him his bath while Jing-Mei, still with her mind preoccupied, sits down with her coffee and starts to eat her breakfast.
Jing-Mei is just finishing up her french toast and is pouring her second cup of coffee when Mrs. Peterson re-enters the kitchen.
Mrs. Peterson: Well, Antonio's fed, bathed and changed and he seems very happy about it. So, what else can I do?
Jing-Mei: Um Mrs. Peterson, would you mind giving the baby a bath?
Mrs. Peterson: I just did.
Jing-Mei: Oh, thank you then.
Mrs. Peterson pours herself a cup of coffee and sits down at the kitchen table.
Mrs. Peterson: Are you sure you're okay? You seem really out of it this morning.
Jing-Mei: I am. Sorry.
Mrs. Peterson: Don't be sorry. It's alright. We all get like that sometimes. Is there something I could to help?
Jing-Mei: I doubt it.
Mrs. Peterson: Maybe, if you talk about it. Sometimes that helps.
Jing-Mei gets up and walks out of the kitchen, only to return in a minute with the letter in hand. She hands it to Mrs. Peterson.
Jing-Mei: I got this in the mail yesterday. Go ahead, read it.
Mrs. Peterson takes the letter and quickly skims it.
Mrs. Peterson: Oh my. But they...they just can't.
Jing-Mei: They can and they will...unless I can't figure a way to stop them.
Mrs. Peterson: No wonder you're upset. Don't they know what has been happening with him.
Jing-Mei: They know. They just don't give a damn. They're the U.S. government after all. They don't care unless there's a buck in it for themselves.
Mrs. Peterson: But your a doctor.
Jing-Mei: What does that have to do with anything?
Mrs. Peterson: Between you, Dr. Dave's own doctors and some of your doctor friends at the hospital, you should be able to convince the INS that Dr. Dave can't leave Cook County Hospital much less the country.
Jing-Mei: Yeah, sure. I know I will speak on his behalf and so will a lot of the other doctors at the hospital, they owe Dave that much anyway, but if the INS' own doctors feel he can leave, then they aren't going to care about our medical opinions. They will just see it as one less illegal foreigner living off American money.
Mrs. Peterson: I've never been to Italy but I heard it's a beautiful country. So would it be so bad if Dr. Dave did go back there?
Jing-Mei: It is a beautiful country, but it holds bad memories for Dave. Besides, if he goes over there--who would care for him. He can't afford what it would cost for his treatment and care. His health insurance doesn't apply over there not that he would have it any longer if he isn't working anymore. Anyway, this will be another excuse for Dave to not take a part in his child growing up.
Mrs. Peterson: I don't get it. I thought he was a citizen.
Jing-Mei: I was just as shock as you are, until that first letter came a couple of weeks ago. According to Dr. Weaver, it's true. Dave isn't a United States citizen. (pause) But I am.
Later at the hospital, Jing-Mei got right back into the swing of things. She dropped off a chart of her last patient at the desk when Kerry walked up to her.
Kerry: How's it going?
Jing-Mei: It's like riding a bike. You never forget. Same old routine. Nice to see nothing has changed.
Kerry: If you need an extra break, I understand.
Jing-Mei: Why would you think I'd need an extra break?
Kerry: I just figured the baby was still keeping you up late at night and you might be tired.
Jing-Mei: Oh no, he's a real good baby. He sleeps through the night already. Besides with Mrs. Peterson helping care for him, I get plenty of sleep.
Kerry: Alright. By the way, good news about Malucci. I hear he's on the mend.
Jing-Mei: He still has a long way back but he's on his way. A few more plastic surgeries on his face and growing his hair back, he'll look just like the old Dave.
Kerry: Let's just hope he doesn't act like the old Dave. Well, not too much like the old Dave.
Jing-Mei: Excuse me, Kerry. I have to make a phone call.
Kerry: Sure.
Jing-Mei goes over to the admit desk and picks up the phone. She dials a number and waits for an answer. After 3 rings, a lady picks up.
Lady: Tran & Kim Associates. How may I help you?
Jing-Mei: Hello, I'd like to speak to Mr. Tran.
Lady: Hold one moment. (pause)He's on another line. May I take a message?
Jing-Mei: I'll wait.
A few moments later, a gentleman answers.
Mr. Tran: Mr. Tran, may I help you?
Jing-Mei: Mr. Tran, this is Dr. Jing-Mei Chen. I'm the daugher of...
Mr. Tran: Oh yes, Dr. Chen I remember. How can I help you?
Jing-Mei: I was hoping we could meet for lunch. I have a few legal questions to ask and need some legal advice.
Mr. Tran: Well, I have a meeting with a client at 1:00 but I should be free around 2:30. We could meet than.
Jing-Mei: That would be great. Do you mind if we meet in the hospital cafeteria?
Mr. Tran: That's fine. I'll see you around 3:00 then.
Jing-Mei heads back to work and arranges to take her lunch break at three. Throughout the next couple of hours, Jing-Mei worked on one major trauma, set a little boy's broken arm, administer compazine to a young girl with food poisoning and did a number of sutures.
Abby: Did you miss working?
Jing-Mei: Yeah, I did. It's not that I don't like spending time with Antonio because I do but when I'm at home all I can think about is Dave. At least while I'm working I can keep my mind off of him.
Luka: Ready for another patient?
Jing-Mei: Actually, I'm taking my lunch break now. Excuse me.
Jing-Mei heads into the cafeteria to see her lunch companion waiting for her.
Jing-Mei: Hello Mr. Tran, I hope I didn't keep you waiting. I know you're a busy man.
Mr. Tran: Not at all. I just got here myself. Jing-Mei, you are just as beautiful as ever.
Jing-Mei: Thank you. I know you are my parents lawyer and they have you on permanent retainer, just in case. So they may not approve of me consulting you on this matter.
Mr. Tran: Jing-Mei, you know better than that. I honor the lawyer-client confidentiality privilege. They never have to know about our meeting.
Jing-Mei: Good. It's really none of their business anyway. But, this is about the father of my newborn son. They don't approve of him.
Mr. Tran: Yes. They mentioned to me that you had recently given birth.
Jing-Mei takes a picture of Antonio out of her wallet and shows it to Mr. Tran.
Mr. Tran: He's very cute. He has your hair and eye color.
Jing-Mei: I think so too, but it's hard to tell. His daddy is Italian, so he's kind of dark too, actually tan. My boyfriend Dave, he's what I want to talk to you about.
An hour later, Jing-Mei goes back to the ER and resumes work. A multiple shooting at a bank robbery kept her and most of the ER busy for most of the evening. As soon as things slowed down, she went up to visit Dave. She walked in his room to find Dana, Dave's occupational therapist working with him.
Jing-Mei: I am so sorry. I'll wait outside until you're done.
Jing-Mei retreats out of the room and patiently waits outside Dave's room and starts up a conversation with the guard, trying not to distract him.
Dana: Alright Dr. Malucci, I want you to look at these pictures and point out the square for me.
Dave stares at the cards and after a few minutes, he points to one of them.
Dana: Not quite right, try again.
Dave tries again but fails.
Dana: No, but you're getting closer. I'll give you a hint. The square is red.
After another few minutes, Dave points at a different picture.
Dana: Still not right. (pause)Okay, let's try this. The square is the smallest shape there.
Dave gives it one last shot.
Dana: Right. You got it. Alright, now look at these series of numbers. Can you put them in order? Lowest to highest.
Dave moves the numbers around: 2,0,8,5,1,9.
Dana: You're not concentrating, Dave. Think about the numbers. You can see the sequence in your head. Just try to match these numbers with that sequence.
Jing-Mei's patience is just about worn out and she keeps looking at her watch, wondering how much longer she has before someone comes looking for her or page her. She is about to head back down to the ER when Dana emerges from Dave's room.
Dana: Alright Dr. Chen, we're finished for the day. You can go in. I think he's still awake.
Jing-Mei: How's he doing?
Dana: Well, he's using his hands more, mostly his right, but that's not the point. I've worked with a lot of dyslexic patients and they all have their individual problems. His numbers and letters are backward. I've tried having him write the alphabet from a picture and the letters are not only backward but upside-down and on their side. He also isn't able to distinguish colors but he's very good with perspective and size.
Jing-Mei: What about his memory?
Dana: I really haven't worked with him on that, yet.
Jing-Mei: Please could you? It's very important that he starts to remember some things. Very important.
Dana: We will work on that in his next session.
Jing-Mei: Thank you.
Dana leaves and Jing-Mei enters Dave's room. She sees his eyes roaming the room as if he's trying to figure out where he is.
Jing-Mei: Hi sweetheart. How are you doing?
Jing-Mei pulls up a seat next to Dave's bed and holds his hand. He stares at the wall in front of him. She gently places her hand on his cheek further from her. He squirms and tries to fight it but eventually gives in. She turns his head towards her so that he is looking directly at her.
Jing-Mei: Dave relax. Dave, listen to me. I need to know if you know who am I?
Dave looks her up and down for a couple of minutes and then blinks his eyes once(no).
Jing-Mei: Dave, this is vital that you do otherwise some people are going to take you away from me. So, think hard. Real hard. Now, do you know who I am?
Dave looks at her and drops his head and takes a deep breath and then releases it.
Jing-Mei: It's okay. You will remember again, someday. I know it. Listen, I spoke with an attorney and he says that the only hope you may have of staying with me and your baby boy is if you regain your memory. So, I don't care what it takes we are going to get it back for you. Do you know who you are?
The door to Dave's room opens and in walks Carter with another man.
Carter: Deb, you remember Dr. Jackson, right?
Jing-Mei: Yes, from the Chicago East Rehab Center.
Dr. Jackson: Right. I came looking for you and you weren't down in the ER I even had the front desk clerk down there page you but you didn't answer so I went up to ICU and the room was empty.
Jing-Mei: Yes, I usually leave my pager at the front desk when I come to visit Dave because it hurts Dave's ears when it goes off. The nurse comes and gets me if I get paged.
Carter: I ran into Dr. Jackson up in the ICU while I was checking on one of my patients from the bank holdup, he said he was looking for you, so I brought him down.
Dr. Jackson: I have been giving what you said about Dr. Malucci's condition and recovery some thought. I guess you're right. We should concentrate more on the patients that obviously need our help, so as soon as Dr. Malucci is able to travel we will have him transferred to Chicago East. That's if he still wants us to help him.
Jing-Mei starts smiling from ear to ear and turns back to Dave.
Jing-Mei: Dave, did you hear that. REHABILITATION. Do you know what that means. It means you are finally going to get the round the clock care and help that you need to get better.
Dave gives a half smile back to her.
Jing-Mei: He's understands. He's happy.
Dr. Jackson: I'm sure that he is.
Carter's pager goes off and Dave jumps. He grabs his ears and starts whining.
Carter: I'm sorry, Dave. I forgot. There it's off. It's the ER. I've got to go.
Jing-Mei: Tell Dr. Weaver, that I will be down in a few minutes.
Carter: Will do.
Carter and Dr. Jackson leave and Jing-Mei turns her attention back to Dave. Dave starts to open his mouth and breathe real hard, scaring Jing-Mei. She jumps out of her seat.
Jing-Mei: Dave! Dave! Are you alright? Are you having trouble breathing?
She checks his machines and except for a slight increase in his heart rate everything else is the same.
Jing-Mei: Dave, can you breathe! Calm down! You're going to have another heart attack. Is it your breathing?
Dave shakes his head no and starts to settle down. He opens and closes his mouth continuously.
Jing-Mei: Dave, you're trying to speak, aren't you?
Dave finally gives up and settles back into his bed. His heart rate returns to normal.
Jing-Mei: It's okay, baby. Don't get discouraged. You'll speak again. Just give it a little time and practice. You'll get it. Once that ventilator tube is removed from your trachea, it will be a lot easier for you. I have faith in you. (pause) Well, I have to get back to work. I guess since the nurse didn't come in and get me, they didn't page me so the emergency downstairs couldn't have been too bad.
Jing-Mei kisses Dave on his hairless head and goes back down to the ER. Dave lets out a big yawn and within minutes is fast asleep. She arrives in the ER and sees everything quiet and calm.
Jing-Mei: What happened down here?
Luka: Bar room brawl. Mostly lacerations, bruises and broken bones. Only one fatality. Blow to the head, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. Died 15 minutes after he arrived.
Jing-Mei: Couldn't have been to bad since I wasn't paged.
Randi: I was going to but Dr. Green figured you were with Dr. Malucci and said not to. That they could handle it.
Jing-Mei: That was nice of him.
Jing-Mei walks over to a gurney with a body on it covered with a sheet.
Jing-Mei: How old was the fatality?
Luka: Mid 30's, I would say. But that's not him under that sheet.
Jing-Mei: Oh.
Luka: No, that's a GSW to the head. He was DOA on arrival. We are just waiting for transport to take him down to the morgue.
Jing-Mei: Gunshot wound? Why is he soaking wet then?
Carter: Deb, I need your help over here.
Jing-Mei: What's the problem?
Carter: I need to do a pelvic on a teenage girl to test her for a STD and she's very nervous. I think she would be more comfortable with a female doctor. Would you?
Jing-Mei: It would be my pleasure.
Jing-Mei heads into the exam 2 and does the pelvic. She turns the patient back over to Carter and leaves. She goes to pick up a chart for her next patient.
Kerry: I hear there is some good news about Dave.
Jing-Mei: He was accepted as a patient at Chicago East Rehab Center.
Kerry: That's great! (noticing Jing-Mei's sudden lack of enthusiasm) isn't it?
Jing-Mei: I just hope Dave will be around long enough to go to the Center.
Kerry: I know Dave is still on the critical list, but he's getting better everyday. Fingers crossed, there's no reason to think that Dave isn't going to live.
Jing-Mei: I know and that's not what has me worried. Unless Dave starts to remember something about himself, us or his past the government is going to deport him.
Kerry: I don't get it. What does Dave remembering anything have to do with his staying in the country.
Jing-Mei: I have an idea how to keep Dave in the country but he's got to know who I am before I put it into action. Dana, his occupational therapist, said she's going to work on his memory.
Kerry: That will help, I guess.
Jing-Mei takes the chart of her next patient.
Jing-Mei: Clark, Andrew.
A young man stands up and walks over to Jing-Mei and she leads him towards exam 1 banging into the gurney with the DOA on it.
Kerry: What is that body still doing here?
Malik: They are backed up in transport.
Jing-Mei: Never mind. Malik, just help me move him off to the side out of the way.
Malik and Jing-Mei roll the corpse's gurney next to the wall when the sheet starts to slip off.
Jing-Mei: Malik, be a little more careful.
Jing-Mei goes to put the sheet back on when she looks down and her jaw drops.
Jing-Mei: Frankie!
To be continued. Please read and review.