The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 60
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian.
Rusty ran into the door and hugged Jing-Mei. Mr. Santini followed carrying his bags. Mrs. Peterson came out holding a crying Antonio.
Mrs. Peterson: Who was at the d...Rusty, you're back!!
Rusty sees his little brother and starts to shout and point.
Rusty: 'Tonio! 'Tonio!
Jing-Mei: I bet you missed him, didn't you? (pause)Well, you can visit with him later. I have to feed him.
Mr. Santini translates for Rusty.
Jing-Mei: Mrs. Peterson, would you mind fixing them some breakfast?
Mrs. Peterson: Not at all. You too, Dr. Chen?
Jing-Mei: Just coffee.
Mr. Santini: Please, don't go to so much trouble.
Mrs. Peterson: No trouble. I hope you like waffles.
Mr. Santini: I love them but I'm not sure about the big guy here. I'll ask him.
Mr. Santini translates and Rusty starts to lick his lips.
Mrs. Peterson: I'll take that as a yes.
Jing-Mei changes Antonio and puts him back to bed. She starts his mobile and turns on his intercom. Mr. Santini and Rusty finish up breakfast and Rusty lets out a big yawn.
Jing-Mei: Tired Rusty?
Mr. Santini: He didn't sleep on the plane. He was excited about coming back to see you and his brother?
Jing-Mei: Do you want to take a nap, Rusty? I still have your bedroom set up the way you left it.
Mr. Santini translates and as Rusty nods he lets out another big yawn.
Jing-Mei: Mrs. Peterson, could you get him changed into his pajamas and put him to bed before you leave?
Mrs. Peterson: I'd love to. Excuse me.
Mrs. Peterson walks Rusty back to his room, carrying his bag while Jing-Mei and Mr. Santini talk.
Jing-Mei: So what's going on? What's happened?
Mr. Santini reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelop.
Mr. Santini: Manny told me everything would be explained in the letter.
Jing-Mei opens the envelop and takes out the letter. She reads it.
Dear Jing-Mei,
How are you? Hope you, Dave and the baby are well. If you are reading this letter it means that I've passed. I know I promised to come back and visit you and see Davey again but I couldn't make it. Anyway, when I knew my time was getting shorter, Manny and I had a long talk. He loves Rusty with all his heart and wanted to care for him. After my funeral, Manny agreed to take Rusty in but unfortunately it was difficult. Manny is an auto mechanic and he earns enough to support himself and Marissa. I am grateful that he at least gave it a try and as heartbreaking as it was he decided to give Rusty a better life than he would have with him and let him come back to live with his daddy and his new family. Rusty will always have a special place in both Manny and Marissa hearts. I know this is short notice and I hope I am not imposing by asking you to care for my nephew but there is no one else and I'm afraid that he will wind up in the foster care system and believe me, it's worse over here in Italy than in the U.S. Besides, I figured it was time Rusty and Dave spend quality time together. You said yourself you wanted Dave to get to know his number one son. Rusty adores you and he's crazy about Antonio. He loves being a big brother. After everything that's happened with his parents, I want him to feel secured and loved in his own family. If you are unable to care for him, I understand and don't feel bad. You never expected to have another child dropped on you. You are a good person. My brother is very lucky to have you. Well, I'm getting very tired now so I' m going to close this letter. Please tell Davey that I love him and hope everything works out for the two of you. Take care and God Bless. I'll miss you.
Sincerely Yours,
Sophie Pancamo
Jing-Mei wipes the tears from her eyes and places the letter back in the envelop.
Mr. Santini: Manny really wanted to keep the boy but money is very tight over there. He asked me to bring him back over when I came home.
Jing-Mei: But how? Rusty isn't a citizen.
Mr. Santini: I know I thought about that too. I spoke with Capt. Amos' connection over in Italy, the one who assigned the guard to Rusty and he managed to pull a few strings. Rusty's visa was extended again while the paper work was in order. You have no idea how much red tape is involved with adopting a child from another country.
Jing-Mei: I can imagine. But maybe, we won't have to go through that paper work and red tape after all.
Mr. Santini: Are you saying that you aren't going to keep Rusty?
Jing-Mei: Of course he's welcomed to stay. He's Dave's son. I'm just saying that I have an easier way to breakdown the paper work.
Mr. Santini: How?
Jing-Mei: Dave and I are getting married.
Mr. Santini's jaw drops and a smile across his face appears.
Mr. Santini: Congratulations! Dr. Dave proposed.
Jing-Mei: Actually I proposed to him.
Mr. Santini: That's great. So when is the big day?
Jing-Mei: We haven't exactly set a date. It's going to be a small ceremony until Dave gets better.
Mr. Santini: So, how is the boy doing?
Jing-Mei: He just started therapy and some of his memory is coming back.
Mr. Santini: I'm glad. I would like to get up and see him again if that is possible.
Jing-Mei: Sure. The more people from Dave's past that he has contact with the more he'll remember, I hope. (she yawns) I'm sorry. I just got off of work a little while ago.
Mr. Santini: I'm keeping you up. I have to get back over to my apartment and see if it's still standing.
Jing-Mei: Thank you for everything you've done for us and please feel free to come up and see Dave anytime.
Mr. Santini: I'd like that. By the way, Manny gave Rusty his presents that Jada had brought him for Christmas. He wanted to keep Rusty over there for his birthday and give him a party with his friends.
Jing-Mei: His birthday?! I forgot about that. I must go get him a cake and some presents. Thank you again.
Mr. Santini left and Jing-Mei went in to check on her boys before going to sleep for the day.
The next morning when Mrs. Peterson came by to take care of Rusty and Antonio, she had a large package in her arms. She headed for the kitchen when she ran into Jing-Mei coming out of the baby's room.
Jing-Mei: Hello Mrs. Peterson. Antonio's been fed and I'm getting ready to give him a bath, unless you want to.
Mrs. Peterson: Yes, I do. But in a minute, where's Rusty?
Jing-Mei: Eating breakfast in the kitchen. You know I was thinking, Mrs. Peterson, are you going to be okay with taking care of Rusty today?
Mrs. Peterson: I'll be fine. Why?
Jing-Mei: Well, there's the language barrier.
Mrs. Peterson: We'll be fine, besides, once Rusty sees what I have in here I don't think there will be very much conversation between us.
Jing-Mei: Really, what is it?
Mrs. Peterson: You'll see. Come on.
Jing-Mei and Mrs. Peterson walk into the kitchen and see Rusty pouring himself a glass of milk from a large pitcher. Most of it winds up on the table or floor instead of in the glass.
Jing-Mei: Rusty!!
Jing-Mei runs over and grabs the pitcher off of him. Then she points at Mrs. Peterson.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, look over there.
Mrs. Peterson shakes the bag and Rusty runs over to her. She gives it to him and he doesn't hesitate to rip it open. Once he sees what it is, his entire face lights up.
Rusty: X-Box!! X-Box!!
Mrs. Peterson: Happy Birthday, sweetheart!!
Jing-Mei: You didn't have to do that, Mrs. Peterson.
Mrs. Peterson: I wanted to. The little guy's had such a rough time that I thought he would love this.
Rusty puts his present down and runs over and gives Mrs. Peterson a big hug.
Jing-Mei: That should keep him occupied for awhile...
Antonio starts to cry.
Jing-Mei: You're other ward is calling for you. I think he's ready for his bath.
Mrs. Peterson: I'm going..uh, what about Rusty?
Jing-Mei: I'll clean up his mess and take care of him until you're done giving Antonio his bath.
Rusty opens up his video game and starts separating the parts. Not knowing what to do with it, he carries it over to Jing-Mei.
Jing-Mei: Sorry, I can't set it up for you Rusty.
He continues to push it in front of her. Jing-Mei shakes her head no and then shrugs. Rusty starts to cry. Jing-Mei finishes cleaning up the milk and comforts Rusty. Jing-Mei looks at the instructions and tries to figure them out. Mrs. Peterson comes out of the nursery holding the baby and his oxygen tank. She lays Antonio down in his bassinet and Rusty wanders over and looks at him. He starts to stroke the baby's head and Antonio laughs. Rusty laughs back as he tickles his brother in the tummy.
Mrs. Peterson: What was wrong with Rusty? I thought I heard him crying.
Jing-Mei: I can't hook his video game up. There's so many wires coming from the tv with the cable, vcr, and dvd player, I'm not sure which wire goes where.
Mrs. Peterson: I guess I should have waited until tonight to give him the present and then I could of called my husband to come over and hook it up. I just thought while I was in with the baby, that it would keep him entertained in the meantime instead of watching so much tv.
Jing-Mei: I know you meant well and Rusty will just have to wait until tonight to play with it. I'm going to stop by and pick up a cake and some ice cream and a present for him so that should make him feel better.
They turn around and see Rusty swinging the baby in his bassinet and laughing.
Jing-Mei: Not too fast Rusty. (she slows down the bassinet and demonstrates the right way to do it) Nice and slow, we don't want to hurt him.
Jing-Mei knows he doesn't understand a word she is saying but he does understand her actions and slowly rocks the baby. She hugs him.
At the hospital, Jing-Mei arrives upstairs at Dave's room minutes before he is taken down to physical therapy. She walks over to him and slaps his hand down from pulling at his hat.
Jing-Mei: Don't do that, Dave. You look so handsome with it on.
He continues to pull at it.
Jing-Mei: Dave, I know it itches but...I have an idea. Wait.
She reaches into her purse and pulls out a blue, cloth scarf.
Jing-Mei: Would you feel more comfortable wearing a bandana around your head instead.
Dave starts to run the scarf through his fingers and smiles. Jing-Mei takes Dave's hat off and wraps his head in the scarf. She shows Dave her compact and he gives the famous Malucci smile at how he looks. Jing-Mei, however, is uneasy.
Jing-Mei: You like it, don't you? But, I don't.
Jing-Mei takes it off Dave and puts his hat back on him, upsetting him. Dave gets a hold of the bandana before Jing-Mei can put it away and pulls it out of her hand. She grabs back at it and they start having a tug of war with it. Jing-Mei thinks Dave is playing with her but Dave is no longer smile. As a matter a fact, at one point Jing-Mei thought she saw Dave growl at her, bared his teeth and all.
Jing-Mei: Dave, stop it. Give it back to me. What is matter?
Having more strength then her sick fiance, Jing-Mei manages to get the scarf off him. The door opens up and two orderlies come in to take Dave down to the physical therapy room.
Jing-Mei: You go with these orderlies and I'll see you later. I hope you are in a better mood later.
She bends over to kiss his cheek and he turns away from her and pushes her from him. The orderlies put Dave in his wheelchair and take him downstairs. Jing-Mei rides in the same elevator down to the ER. Dave doesn't look at her the entire time. His hands are shaking and his mind is a million miles away and Jing-Mei notices. She knows something is bothering him but can't figure out what it is.
Back at Jing-Mei's house, Rusty is sitting in front of the tv watching The Flintstones on tv and Mrs. Peterson has just finished changing Antonio when the phone rings. She places Antonio in his baby swing next to Rusty and answers the phone.
Mrs. Peterson: Dr. Chen residence. How may I help you?
Mr. Santini: Hello Mrs. Peterson, its Salvador Santini. I'm just calling to let you know that some how a few of Rusty's things were packed with mine.
Mrs. Peterson: Thanks for calling.(thinking for a minute) Mr. Santini, are you doing anything for the next hour or so.
Mr. Santini: Not really, why?
Thirty minutes later, Jing-Mei finishes suturing a little girl's arm after her brother bit her. She drops her chart off at the admit desk and sighs.
Carter: You look tired. Baby, keeping you awake.
Jing-Mei: No, he's an angel. It's been a long couple of days.(rubbing the back of her neck) Oh, I almost forgot, Jerry is there a yellow pages around here.
Jerry reaches underneath the desk and pulls the phone book out and gives it to Jing-Mei.
Abby: What's up. Looking for a good massage parlor.
Jing-Mei: Not exactly, although I could use one right now. Actually, I need a bakery. I have to order a birthday cake and hope it will be ready later on for pick up.
Kerry: Who's birthday?
Jing-Mei: Rusty's. Well, it's his belated birthday.
Carter: Rusty's back. When?
Jing-Mei: He arrived yesterday morning, with Mr. Santini.
Carter: I thought he was going to live with his uncle over there.
Jing-Mei: That was the plan, but apparently his uncle can't afford to support him over there. He barely makes enough to take care of himself and his little girl. He wanted to but just couldn't. Sophie knew it so she wrote me a letter before she died asking if Dave and I would take care of him. How could I say no. He's Dave's son and like it not, he's got to start taking responsibility for him.
Abby: I know the perfect bakery. It's down the street from where I live and they have the best cakes in Chicago there.
Jing-Mei: You know the number?
Abby: Not from memory but here, let me see the phone book.
Abby skims the yellow pages and finally spots her bakery.
Abby: Here it is. Stocks Bakery.
Jing-Mei looks at the number, picks up the phone and dials it.
Jing-Mei(into the phone): Hello, I know this is short notice but I need a birthday cake for this evening.
Baker: How big?
Jing-Mei: Oh, not really that big. Maybe enough for 8-12 people. Yellow cake with white icing and maybe some little plastic cars on it. I want it to say "Happy 7th Birthday, Rusty" Can you have it ready for around 7: 00 tonight.
Baker: It's going to be tough, but I think we can manage it.
Jing-Mei: Thank you and by the way, I guess you couldn't write the Happy Birthday in Italian. (pause) I didn't think so but I took a chance. Thank you anyway and I'll be in around 7:30 to pick it up. The name is Dr. Jing-Mei Chen.
She hangs up the phone and takes a deep breath.
Jing-Mei: That's taken care of. I'll have to stop by the market and pick up some ice cream, chips and pretzels after I get Rusty a present. If any of you want to drop by tonight you are welcomed to. Rusty would like to see you again.
Kerry: Thanks for the invitation, Jing-Mei. What are you going to get Rusty for his birthday?
Jing-Mei: I'm not sure. I'll get him some clothes but as far as toys. It's hard. Before he left for Italy, he would watch out of the window at the other kids riding their bikes and I know he'd love to go out and ride a bike with them but he's not allowed outside by himself. What do you get a kid who's not only a shut in by doesn't speak very much English?
Carter: That's a tough one.
Jing-Mei: Mrs. Peterson gave him a video game and his Uncle Manny gave him the Christmas presents that his mama had just brought when she was killed.
The front desk phone rings and Jerry answers it.
Mark: What are the boys interests?
Jing-Mei: He likes bocci ball but there is very little use for that game here. Mrs. Peterson once told me that he liked playing with her son Grant's old race cars. Maybe, I'll get him a race track...
Jerry: Dr. Chen, it's Dr. Newman down in physical therapy. He says Dr. Malucci is causing trouble, freaking out, throwing a fit..
Kerry: Why does that not surprise me.
Jing-Mei: Oh god. Excuse me, I've got go down there.
Jing-Mei runs downstairs to the physical therapy room to find Dave pinned to the floor, whining, gasping for air and with his therapist, Martin, straddling him.
Jing-Mei: What the hell do you think you'll doing?! Get off of him!!
Martin: I'm just trying to control him.
Jing-Mei: You're hurting him! Now get off, now!
Jing-Mei tries to pull him off of Dave but isn't able to. Dr. Newman comes in and sticks Dave with a needle. Dave screams and continues to fight Martin. A few moments later and Dave starts to calms down as he drifts off. Martin releases his grip on his patient.
Jing-Mei: What did you give him?
Dr. Newman: Just a tranquilizer to relax him.
Jing-Mei: Dave! Dave, can you hear me!
Martin: He's out. Thank god.
Jing-Mei: You can get off him now.
Martin looks at Dr. Newman and he nods to Martin.
Dr. Newman: It's okay, Martin. I think it's safe. Go get an orderly and a gurney and take him back up to his room.
Martin leaves while Dr. Newman takes Jing-Mei into his office.
Dr. Newman: We have to talk.
Jing-Mei: I think so. I want that therapist taken off Dave's case. Dave has had a number of major surgeries including brain operations and a kidney transplant, not to mention brain damage, a heart condition and he's still on a ventilator. He could have killed him.
Dr. Newman: I'm really sorry about that episode but it's not Martin's fault. He was just defending himself.
Jing-Mei: Defending himself...against Dave. Dave can barely move that's why he's in physical therapy in first place.
Dr. Newman: Martin is really one of our best therapists. Are you sure you don't want him to work with Dave?
Jing-Mei: What happened down here?
Dr. Newman: I was consulting with another patient across the room when Dave was finally brought in for his session. Martin tried to lift him up to put him on the therapy bed and Dr. Malucci kept pushing him away. The closer Martin got to him the more Dave protested. So Martin tried to approach him from his side where Dave couldn't see him coming, but once Martin got him, Dave swung at Martin's face causing Martin to drop him on the floor. Both Martin and I tried to help him but he pulled himself up into a sitting position and pulled his paralyzed, broken legs away from us. He kept whining and wouldn't let us touch him. Every time we tried to he pull away. We tried to calm him when a nurse came in the door it distracted him long enough for Martin to pin him on the floor.(pause) Dave continued to swing so Martin had to hold his arms down while I went and got some Versed.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Newman, have you had a chance to read Dave's file?
Dr. Newman: I've skimmed the beginning but I looked over his latest medical records.
Jing-Mei: So, you know that Dave was attacked.
Dr. Newman: Of course I do. That's why he's here now.
Jing-Mei: I'm not talking about his physical attack. I mean...
Dr. Newman: I know what you mean. He was raped. Right. That is what we are talking about here.
Jing-Mei: Yes. Dave is very nervous around everyone and he doesn't like to be touched by anyone, including me. I think Dave is especially uneasy around men for obvious reasons. Maybe Dave would do better with a female therapist.
Dr. Newman: Maybe, but the only problem with that is that Dave is a big guy. He's all muscle and right now that's dead weight, plus with all the metal plates, screws, pins and rod in him that makes him that much heavier. I don't think any of our female therapists are strong enough to handle him.
Jing-Mei: I never thought about that. I could try to talk to him and explain to him about his therapy. It might ease his fears but I can't promise anything.
Jing-Mei heads up to Dave's room but stops off at the ER first. She sees Kerry at the admit desk.
Kerry: How is Dave?
Jing-Mei: Sedated.
Mark: What happened?
Jing-Mei: Dave had a panic attack...I guess. He wouldn't let his therapist or Dr. Newman get near him and he totally spased out when they touched him.
Mark: We know he doesn't let anyone get too close to him.
Jing-Mei: I think it's because of the rape. I suggested that maybe a female therapist would be more appropriate for Dave.
Kerry: The old Dave certainly would have appreciated a female therapist that he could hit on. What did Dr. Newman say?
Jing-Mei: The therapist would have to be able to lift Dave up and hold him while he tries to walk. Dave is too heavy for a female to manage.
Kerry: True. So what are you planning on doing now?
Jing-Mei: I don't know. Dr. Newman said that I should look into arranging for a psyche consult for Dave.
Mark: That shouldn't come as a surprise to you. You knew he was going to need psychological help to deal with the attack and his past.
Jing-Mei: I know but I was hoping we could get him better physically first, but if no therapist wants to work with him that may never happen.
Kerry: It will happen. Just give it some time.
Jing-Mei: After they sedated him they took him back up to his room. I was on my way up to see if he's okay but I can see now's not the time. The board is completely filled. I'll go up on my break.
Jing-Mei grabs a chart and calls for her next patient.
Jing-Mei: Hutt, Elizabeth.
An older woman gets up and follows Jing-Mei into exam room 3.
Later during her break, Jing-Mei goes into see Dave. He's just coming out from the sedation and she goes over to him. She kisses his cheek but he pulls away and turns from her. She grabs his face and turns it back to her so he is looking directly at her.
Jing-Mei: Dave, what is going on with you? Do you mind telling me what happened today?
Dave ignores her.
Jing-Mei: Dave, did they hurt you?
Again Dave ignores her.
Jing-Mei: Alright, be that way. But I want you to know that Rusty is back and he's here permanently so when he comes to visit you I don't want you acting like this in front of him. He looks up to you. You're his daddy and his hero. You don't want to give him the wrong impression of you, do you?
Dave starts to pull at his hat again.
Jing-Mei: I told you to leave the hat alone.
She walks over to him and sits down on his bed.
Jing-Mei: Dave, I don't like being mean to you. I just want you to get better and that is not going to happen if you don't start letting people help you. I know that there are some sick, mean, twisted people out there like the ones who hurt you but not everyone is like that. There are good people too. I realize it's difficult for you to trust anyone anymore but I'm asking you to try. You trust me, don't you?
Dave nods.
Jing-Mei: Do you think I would let anyone hurt you?
Dave shrugs and reaches up towards his hat.
Jing-Mei: You know, I've been thinking about that hat and I've got an idea.
Jing-Mei removes Dave's hat and takes the scarf out of her purse. She wraps it around his head just as she did before. This time she puts the hat back on him as Carter walks in the door. She takes out her compact and shows Dave himself in the mirror. He smiles.
Carter: Everything okay in here.
Jing-Mei: It is now.
Carter: The hat really looks good on him.
Jing-Mei: He doesn't like the hat. It itches his head. I thought I'd put a bandana on his head instead. He seemed to like that but I didn't.
Carter: Why?
Jing-Mei: It made him look too much like a gang member and that's part of his life that I want to keep in his past. So we compromised. I put the bandana on him to keep the hat from itching his bald head and the hat covers up his gang member attire.
Carter: Hey, whatever works. I heard about what happened down in physical therapy. Is he okay?
Jing-Mei: I think so. He's been so moody lately. I told Dr. Newman that I want another therapist to work with Dave.
Carter: Did he agree to it?
Jing-Mei: I doubt it. I don't carry as much weight as I would like where Malucci's medical care is concerned. But I will once we're married.
Carter: Yeah, I guess you should be grateful.
Jing-Mei: Why?
Carter: That the cops found the engagement ring that Dave brought you when they searched my Lexus after his kidnapping.
Dave's machines start beeping and Dave seizes.
To be continued. Please read and review.