The Ransom of Dr. Dave
Part 65
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian.
Abby enters Dave's room after the ceremony and congratulates Jing-Mei and Dave.
Abby: I am so happy for you two. Sorry I didn't bring a gift.
Jing-Mei: That's alright. When Dave and I have our official wedding ceremony then you can get us something. I mean this was just a legal matter to keep Dave in the country until we can have a big wedding. After all, it's not like Dave and I could go on a honeymoon.
Kerry overhears Jing-Mei and Abby talking and walks over.
Kerry: I know you and Malucci can't go away for your honeymoon but I can at least give you some time together. Take the next week off. I'll arrange the schedule to give you the time off.
Jing-Mei: I don't want to stick you, Kerry.
Kerry: You wouldn't be. We'll manage fine. You and Dave just enjoy your time together and work with him. We want you both back to work soon.
Jing-Mei: I don't know how to thank you. I appreciate it and I know Dave does too, he just can't tell you himself.
Kerry: Consider it a wedding present. Besides, I feel bad for Dave. He deserves something good to happen to him.
Jing-Mei walks over to Dave and tells him about her week off of work that Kerry gave her. Dave looks around the room and Jing-Mei points Kerry out to him. He looks at her.
Dave(mouthing): Thank you.
Then he flashes her the infamous Malucci smile. She looks back at him.
Kerry: Your welcome, Malucci. Just remember this when you come back to work and feel like getting your thrills at pulling a prank. Don't make me your main target.
Everyone laughs but Dave looks around confused.
Jing-Mei: It's okay, Dave. I'll explain it to you someday.
An orderly enters Dave's room and announces that he has to take Malucci down to x-ray so everyone clears out of Dave's room. Jing-Mei kisses her new husband goodbye and tells him she will be back later.
Carter: So, what are you going to do with your week off?
Jing-Mei: Spend it with Dave, of course.
Carter: I know that but you can't be with him 24/7. What are you going to do with your spare time?
Jing-Mei: Well, for now I think I'll take my little family out to a restaurant and celebrate and then I want to make plans to legally adopt Rusty. Then we won't have any problem with immigration or have to worry about renewing his visa.
Carter: That's great. Rusty will legally be your son then.
Jing-Mei: I've always considered Rusty as my son, but now he will be in the eyes of the law.
Carter: Well, the rest of us working stiffs have to get back to the hell hole so you guys enjoy yourselves and I'll see you later.
Jing-Mei: Bye John.(turning to her family and extended family). So how would you guys like to go to a big, fancy restaurant and eat.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson agree and Mr. Santini translates to Rusty.
Mr. Santini: Rusty will go but I have to get back to my building. Anyway, I don't want to intrude.
Jing-Mei: You wouldn't be intruding. You're family. Rusty adores you. Actually, I really would like you to come along because I need to discuss something over lunch with Rusty and I'm not sure how much English he understands so I could...
Mr. Santini: Say no more. I would be glad to join you for lunch and I'm honored that you consider me family.
At LaPierre's, the party of six is seated. Rusty is mesmerized about how big the restaurant is.
Mr. Peterson: I never been here before. I heard it was nice, but I had no idea how nice.
Mrs. Peterson: And expensive. Jing-Mei, we insist on paying our share of the bill.
Jing-Mei: I told you it's all on me. So order what you want.
Mr. Peterson: We can't let you do that.
Jing-Mei: It's done so no more arguing. You know, this is the restaurant that Dave and I had our first date at.
Mr. Santini: I can't believe the Dr. Dave that I know would have come here but if it was to impress a beautiful woman, and I see that it was. He's such a ladykiller.
Jing-Mei: To tell you the truth, this restaurant wasn't actually Dave's choice. He was very uncomfortable here. I think he would have been just as happy with a Big Mac at McDonald's. We were set up on a blind date.
The group orders their meal and the waiter brings Rusty over a child's placemat and some crayons. Rusty immediately gets busy while the Petersons entertain a fussy Antonio, who's sitting between them in his high chair.
Mr. Santini: Dr. Dave on a blind date. I never knew him to be hard up. Uh... I mean...well, not that anyone would have to be desperate to date you Dr. Chen, I mean.
Jing-Mei(laughing): I know what you mean. Dave, the doctor with a different flavor or woman of the week, hard up--NEVER. It was me. I was depressed and Dr. Carter wanted to cheer me up and knew if I went on a date with Dave that should do it. Before that date, Dave and I did not get along.
Mr. Peterson: I can't believe that seeing you two together now. You were made for each other.
Jing-Mei: I never thought so but I guess we were. Dave was always hitting on me at work and I'd never give him a second look. Not that I wasn't attracted to him---hell I'd have to blind not to be--he's gorgeous. I just thought he was immature but now I know that there was a reason for his behavior. But once I went out with Dave and got to know him, I really enjoyed his company and being with him. He was a regular guy. He didn't even try to impress me by acting like something he wasn't. He acted the same as he did at work but for some reason I was more relaxed around him and after awhile I felt that certain spark with him and knew he was the guy I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
Mr. Peterson: You must have really loved each other. You created this handsome little guy here.
Jing-Mei: We did...do.
Rusty picks up his drawing and shows it to everyone around the table.
Jing-Mei: Anyway, let me get on with my little talk with Rusty. (pause) Rusty, sweetheart, sit down here. We need to talk.
Mr. Santini translates as Rusty takes his seat.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, now that your papa and I are married that makes me your step-mommy but I want to be more to you. So, if it's okay with you I'd like to be your new mommy and make it legal. Rusty, I want to adopt you. Do you know what that means?
Mr. Santini translates but Rusty looks confused.
Jing-Mei: I know you have your own mommy up in heaven and I know you will always love and miss her very much. I would never want to take her place neither would I ever try. It's just I love you and I would be honored to stand in for your mommy and take care of you for her so you wouldn't be lonely down here and you and Antonio can share me.
Mr. Santini translates again. Rusty sits and thinks for a few minutes.
Rusty: Mama wouldn't be mad if I got a new mommy.
Mr. Santini tells them what he said. Jing-Mei picks Rusty up and holds him on her lap.
Jing-Mei: No baby, I don't think so. I think she would be happy that there is someone down here to take care of her beautiful little boy.
Mr. Santini translates.
Rusty: Me, handsome big boy.
Everyone at the table laughs.
Jing-Mei: You certainly are, sweetheart. So what do you think?
Mr. Santini translates again, and Rusty thinks some more.
Rusty: You still Mama Jing?
Jing-Mei(pointing to herself and nodding) Mama Jing.
Rusty nods and hugs his new mommy. He climbs down from her lap in time for their food to be served. Jing-Mei takes a bottle out of the baby bag and starts to feed Antonio while her food cools. The others dig in.
The next morning, Jing-Mei gets Rusty dressed in a suit and prepares to take him down to City Hall and legally adopt him.
Jing-Mei: Okay Rusty, let me look at you.
Jing-Mei looks him over. Rusty is fidgeting with his tie. Jing-Mei slaps his hand down.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, stop that! You are your father's son. He doesn't like to wear a tie either. (pause)Well, you don't look too bad. In fact, you are adorable.
Rusty looks at her confused. Jing-Mei places her fingers together and puts them to her lips, then makes a kissing sound. She points at Rusty with the other hand.
Jing-Mei: You, look good.
Rusty heads for the full-length mirror, nods and smiles. Rascal runs up to Rusty and Jing-Mei takes him into the backyard, so he won't dirty up Rusty's suit. The front door opens and Mrs. Peterson walks in.
Mrs. Peterson: Sorry I'm late. I overslept.(looking at Rusty) Well, who is this handsome little gentleman?
Rusty's guard translates and Rusty blushes.
Jing-Mei: Mrs. Peterson, Antonio's still asleep. There's a bottle in the kitchen ready for him and I just put Rascal in the yard. Give him some time and let him back in. It's cold out there. Come on Rusty, we have to get going.
Rusty and Jing-Mei arrive at City Hall. After waiting for over an hour, they are finally let in to see the judge. Jing-Mei spends another 45 minutes filling out papers, while Rusty waits in the outer room with the receptionist and his guard. The judge talks to Jing-Mei and then asks her to step out so he can speak with Rusty privately. Rusty and his guard enter. His guard will translate for him and the judge.
Judge: Please have a seat. So Rusty, do you know who I am?
Rusty: Judge.
Judge: Yes. Do you know why we are here today?
Rusty: So I can live with papa, Mama Jing, Tonio, Rascal and Grandma and Grandpa Peterson.
Judge: That's right. But first I want to get to know you. Do you mind answering a few questions for me?
Rusty: No, I don't mind. Then I can go home with Mama Jing.
Judge: Sure. Do you like being in America?
Rusty: Yes. I miss Sicily, school, my friends and bocci ball but I got a puppy and brother and a mama and papa here.
Judge: Yes, you do. Do you know why you can't go live with your real mama anymore?
Rusty: She's up in heaven with my Aunt Sophie. So Mama Jing is going to be my new mama.
Judge: How do you feel about Dr. Chen?
Rusty looks at him confused.
Judge: Um, I mean do you like Mama Jing?
Rusty: Oh yes, very much sir. I love her. She made me a big brother and I love my little brother, Tonio too. She gave me a puppy, Rascal and she and Grandma and Grandpa Peterson take good care of me.
Judge: And what about your papa? How do you feel about him?
Rusty shrugs. The guard tells Rusty to give a verbal answer and not a gesture.
Rusty: Sorry judge. I love my papa, I guess.
Judge: You guess. Don't you know?
Rusty: Papa's real sick. I don't know him yet. He can't play with me and he can't talk to me. Mama Jing loves him so I do too.
Judge: Rusty, do you understand that if I say it's okay for you to live with your papa and Mama Jing then they will be your legal parents?
Rusty nods. The guard taps Rusty's arm and shakes his head at him.
Rusty: Sorry judge. I mean yes.
Judge: Rusty, I don't want you to think that because you have a new mama that we all want you forget about your mama in heaven.
Rusty: No, no. I love mama and I love Aunt Sophie but they can't be here to take care of me. They want Mama Jing and papa to take care of me for them. Mama Jing said that anytime I want to go back to Italy and visit their resting place then we can. Mama Jing lets me keep all my pictures of my mama around my room. I look at them all the time. She says this way my mama can watch over me and know that I'm ok and she won't worry about me.
Judge: Okay, I've heard enough and I'm ready to make my decision. Officer, will you tell Dr. Chen to come in? Rusty, it was very nice to talk with you.
The judge holds his hand out to Rusty and the little boy shakes it. Jing-Mei comes into the office and Rusty runs up and hugs her.
Jing-Mei: Did you two have a nice little chat?
Judge: Yes, we did. I'm ready to make my decision.
Jing-Mei takes a deep breath and releases it. Both her and Rusty remain standing as the judge speaks.
Judge: Normally in an adoption case, I usually like to speak with all members of the immediate family to get their thoughts and point of view. However, this is far from a normal case. First we have the young boy's father, critically ill in the hospital and unable to speak. Second, the only other member of the immediate family is a three month old brother also unable to speak. So, that leaves me with the adoptee himself and the adoptive mother. I have been through these files and given Dr. Chen's recognition in the community, her work performance, the obvious love and support she has given to her husband and stepping up to take responsibility for her husband's son I am very impressed. Speaking with Rusty, he has considerable amount of love, trust and respect for his new mama. I'm always one for placing a child with blood relatives and since Dr. Malucci is the boy's natural father only increases the creditability of this relationship. In my professional and personal opinion, Rusty couldn't be getting a better mama, aside from his natural mother, than Dr. Chen. And Dr. Chen, you are getting yourself one wonderful little boy. Therefore, I hereby grant this adoption and give it my full blessing.
The judge takes out a bible and the guard instructs Rusty to put his right hand on it and hold his left hand up. Jing-Mei also places her right hand on the bible and holds up her left hand.
Judge: Dr. Jing-Mei Chen, I hereby pronounce you the legal mother of Russell Angelo Malucci. Russell Angelo, you are now officially the son of Dr. Jing-Mei Chen. Now if you can confirm this union by saying, "So be it".
Jing-Mei and Rusty: So be it!
The judge pounds the gavel and the adoption is now legal. Jing-Mei and Rusty hug each other while the judge looks on and smiles.
After court Jing-Mei dropped Rusty off for his English lessons with Mr. Santini. She left instructions with Mr. Santini that later in the afternoon to bring Rusty home so he could change then bring him over to the hospital to visit Dave. Mr. Santini agreed. She left and headed over to the hospital herself.
Jing-Mei entered Dave's room just as his occupational therapist was leaving.
Jing-Mei: Dana, how's he doing?
Dana: Well, he's still having trouble distinguishing colors but shapes are coming easier for him. He still can't write the alphabet down in the right order or a sequence of numbers. The letters and numbers are still backwards and upside down. He can tell big from small objects and we've been playing a memory game. He's not doing bad but he has the potential to do better. His attention span isn't very long.
Jing-Mei: It never was. Is there anything I can do to help him?
Dana: Sure. Whenever you can, get Dave to write the alphabet down from a picture and then from memory. If necessary go one letter at a time and help him with his positioning of the letter. I'll leave the cards here if you want to play the memory game with him. I'm going to arrange to have an ophthalmologist examine him in case there is any physical reason why he's having so much trouble with colors.
Dana leaves and Jing-Mei heads over to Dave, who's switched on the tv. She sits down next to him and holds his hand. He doesn't pay much attention to her. She sits quietly with him for awhile and then shuts the tv off. Dave tries to grab the remote back off of her but she moves away from the bed.
Jing-Mei: No Dave. No more tv. We have to talk. I went to court today and legally adopted Rusty. He's our son and so is Antonio. They are both our children and they need their daddy. You have got to start acknowledging them. They are growing up right before you and you are missing it. I know it's not your fault.
Dave sinks down in his bed and pulls the blanket up over his head. Jing-Mei goes over to the bed and snatches the blanket down off of him.
Jing-Mei: What is wrong with you today? Dave, I don't want to be strict with you but you are acting worse than Rusty.(pause)Dave please, talk to me. Tell me what is going on inside your head. What are thinking about? (pause) This doesn't have anything to do with that incident the other night, with Mr. Pincard?(pause)It does.
Dave starts to shake in the bed. Jing-Mei reaches out to him and he pushes her hand aside and turns to stare at a blank wall. Everytime she touches him, he shakes more and sinks deeper into his bed.
Jing-Mei: Dave, do you remember something? That attack on me, did that seem familiar to you?
Dave turns back around to look at her. She sees tears in his eyes and Dave opens his mouth and starts turning red in the face when he can't get any words to come out.
Jing-Mei: Dave, take it easy. If you remember something, you can tell me.
Dave tries to force the words more when the door opens and the nurse brings his lunch in.
Nurse: Here you go Dr. Malucci.
She sits the tray on the table in front of him and leaves.
Jing-Mei: We can try again later. Let's see what you have for lunch.
Jing-Mei lifts the lid to the tray up to find strained vegetables, milk and a pudding cup.
Jing-Mei: Well, this looks...appetizing. What do you want to start with?
Jing-Mei unwraps his plasticware and puts the fork in the vegetables. Dave swats her hand so that she drops the fork.
Jing-Mei: What was that for?
She picks the fork up again and Dave knocks it out of her hand. Then he reaches for the fork.
Jing-Mei: You want to do it yourself.
Dave nods and picks the fork up in his right hand. His hand and the fork are both shaking. When he finally manages to get the food up to his mouth, he can't seem to get it in his mouth. He starts spilling it all over himself. He tries again with the same results.
Jing-Mei: Dave, let me.
Dave shakes his head but Jing-Mei stands her ground.
Jing-Mei: You can't. Not yet. Dave, stop trying to rush your recovery. Your going to make it take longer. One step at a time. Please let me help you.
Giving up, Dave leans back in his bed and lets Jing-Mei feed him. Jing-Mei places the fork in the vegetables and scoops some up and puts it in Dave's mouth. Within a few moments, Dave spits it out.
The door to Dave's room opens up and in walks Kerry, Carter and Abby.
Kerry: How's everything going in here?
Jing-Mei: Not to well. I finally convinced Dave to let me feed him and he still won't eat the food.
Abby: Can't say as though I blame him. Have you seen this crap they're trying to pass off as food.
Jing-Mei: Well, it's not lasagna but it's all Dave can eat right now. If I can get any in him.
Abby: Have you tried to give him some milk?
Jing-Mei: No, not yet.
Jing-Mei picks up the milk and shows it to Dave. Dave nods. She puts the milk to his lips and he tips his head back so she can pour it in. When Dave levels out his head, the milk runs out the corners of his mouth and down his chest.
Jing-Mei: Try swallowing next time, Dave.
Carter: I can't believe Dave is letting you feed him.
Jing-Mei: It's the only way he'll eat. If he waits to feed himself, he'll starve. His hands shake too much and he's having problems with hand-eye coordination. Besides, this is good practice for me when I start to feed Antonio solid food.
Dave reaches out for the pudding cup. Jing-Mei pulls the plastic lid off of it, and scoops some up in the spoon. She feeds it to Dave and this time he swallows it. He waits for her to give him some more. She gets another spoonful and raises it up in front of him when the door to his room opens again and in walks Mr. Santini and Rusty.
Kerry: Hey Rusty, how you doing little guy?
Rusty: Hi, everyone.
Rusty is wearing his heavy coat and holding his stomach as he walks into the room. Dave, getting tired of waiting, gets hold of Jing-Mei's hand and pulls the spoonful of pudding into his mouth. He manages to get most of it in.
Jing-Mei: I'm sorry Dave. Why don't we do this later? Let's visit with our son.
Jing-Mei takes the napkin and starts to wipe Dave's face, neck and chest off. She notices Rusty holding his stomach.
Jing-Mei: There that's better, Dave. Rusty, is something wrong with your stomach?
Mr. Santini translates and Rusty shakes his head no.
Jing-Mei: Then why are you holding your tummy?
Mr. Santini translates.
Rusty: No reason.
Jing-Mei: Alright, but at least take off your jacket.
Mr. Santini translates and Rusty shakes his head.
Rusty: Cold.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, you are going to get overheated and wind up catching pneumonia. Please for me, take your jacket off.
Mr. Santini translates and as Rusty protests, a whimper is heard.
Kerry: What was that?
Jing-Mei: I'm not sure. It came from Rusty.
Everyone stares at Rusty and within minutes, Rusty's secret is revealed. Out of Rusty's jacket pops the small head of a puppy.
Jing-Mei: Rascal!! Rusty, I can't believe you brought him here.
Mr. Santini: I swear Dr. Chen I had no idea.
Jing-Mei: It's okay Mr. Santini. I know this was all Rusty's idea. Why did you bring him here?
Mr. Santini translates.
Rusty: Meet papa.
Rusty walks over towards Dave and gets almost completely in front of him.
Jing-Mei: Kerry, I'm sorry about this. Rusty knows better than this.
Once Kerry, Carter and Abby manage to control their laughter at Rusty's stunt, they remark on how much like Dave he is.
Kerry: It's okay Jing-Mei. This is exactly like something Dave would have done and thought he would get away with. It's funny--how can I be mad at him for this.
Jing-Mei: Okay Rusty, take him out of here now.
As Rusty starts walking out the door, Carter stops him.
Carter: Wait Rusty, (waving him back over)bring the puppy back.
Abby: What for.
Carter: Look at Malucci.
Everyone turns and sees Dave's eyes fixed on Rascal. Rusty walks over and places the dog on Dave's bed. Rascal wanders up to Dave's chest. Dave picks him up and starts to shake and turn red in the face. As Jing-Mei moves over to collect Rascal she stops in her steps.
Dave: P...P..Pu...pup...puppy!!
To be continued. Please read and review.