Recovery
Part 7
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian
Jing-Mei and Mr. Santini jumped out of the car. The two adults and Rusty ran to the back of the car to see a scared, whining Rascal crawl out from underneath. Rascal was dragging his left hind leg and bleeding. Rusty became hysterical.
Rusty(crying): Rascal, my puppy!
Jing-Mei: Rusty! Get in the house!
Rusty: He's hurt. Rascal going to die, like papa.
Mrs. Peterson, hearing the screeching brakes runs out of the house holding Antonio.
Mrs. Peterson: What happened! I heard a car's brakes and...
She looks in the driveway and sees Rascal laying on his side with a gapping wound on his leg.
Jing-Mei: I accidentally backed over Rascal with the car. Mrs. Peterson, could you take Rusty into the house. We have to take Rascal to the vet's.
Rusty(crying): I go with Rascal. I go, too.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, stay here with Mrs. Peterson and your brother. We will be back soon. Mrs. Peterson, do you mind staying until we get back?
Mrs. Peterson: Not at all. Take as long as you need. Come on Rusty, I'll play you at Pokemon.
Mr. Santini: Go boy, Rascal is in good hands.
Reluctantly, Rusty goes with Mrs. Peterson and Antonio into the house, still hysterical as Mr. Santini scoops an injured puppy up off the ground and sits with him in the back of the car. Jing-Mei shakingly, starts to drive.
Mr. Santini: Are you alright to drive? I can if you're too upset.
Jing-Mei: No, I'm fine. Oh god, I can't take this anymore.
Mr. Santini takes a blanket from the back seat and wraps it around a yelping Rascal. Blood instantly seeps through it. The old man holds Rascal, trying to comfort the wounded pup while Rascal licks his face.
Twenty minutes later, they arrive at the animal hospital. Mr. Santini carried Rascal in. Jing-Mei entered the hospital doors ahead of him and got the nurse. An orderly met Mr. Santini with a gurney. He placed Rascal on it and the orderly wheeled him into the back of the hospital. Jing-Mei and Mr. Santini sat in the waiting room while Jing-Mei filled out Rascal's paperwork.
Jing-Mei: Patient's name--Rascal Malucci. Genus---Dog. Species/ Breed--German Shepherd Mix. Age---Approximately 7 months. Injury---Hit by Car.
Mr. Santini: Bring back memories.
Jing-Mei: What do you mean?
Mr. Santini: Sitting in a hospital, filling out paperwork and waiting to see how someone you love is.
Jing-Mei: That seems to be all I'm doing this year.
Mr. Santini: He's going to be fine. Rascal's tough, like Dr. Dave. I know that from experience. All the times I sat in the clinic back in Italy, waiting to see if Dr. Dave and Sophie were alright after a night with their father.
Jing-Mei: That was nice of you to go to the hospital and wait with them all that time.
Mr. Santini: I thought I owed it to them. If I weren't such a damn coward, I would have gotten them little children away from that monster. If I had done that then they would have spent less time in the hospital and more time with a loving family like they should have.
Jing-Mei: Like you said, you had a family of your own to protect. Dave didn't blame you, right?
Mr. Santini: No, he didn't but it doesn't make me feel any better? Do you think I will be able to get up to see him again?
Jing-Mei: I'm sure Dave would love that, but right now isn't a good time. If I keep bringing people who knew Dave up to rehab center, it might raise suspicion. I hope you understand?
Mr. Santini: I do, but you give the boy my love.
Jing-Mei nods in response and then starts to cry.
Jing-Mei: If anything happens to that sweet, little puppy I will never forgive myself.
Mr. Santini: It was an accident. It wasn't your fault. You have to expect things like this to happen when you have a small puppy around.
Jing-Mei: I can't help but think that it could have been Rusty. Not that running Rascal over with the car is any better, it isn't. Rascal is a member of our family. He is very important to us, especially Dave. You have no idea how much that puppy has done for Dave's recovery. Dave adores him.
Mr. Santini: I'm not surprised. Dr. Dave always loved animals. He always wanted them but his old man would never allowed that. That's why I let him take care of his animals in the basement of our apartment. He didn't think I knew but how could I not. It wasn't like I never went into the basement. I had my rules against animals in the apartments, not that I hate animals I don't. It was against health violations in Sicily. But, I kinda of looked the other way when it came to Dr. Dave. Except for my family, Sophie and some of those roughens he would occasionally hang out with, those animals were his only friends, especially Luciano.
Jing-Mei: Luciano? That's like the second word that Dave said when he started to talk. Who is Luciano?
Mr. Santini: That was the first little puppy that Dr. Dave took in. Cute little puppy and good too. Every animal that he took care of he did it in Luciano's memory.
Jing-Mei: Luciano died?
Mr. Santini: In a matter of speaking. He was killed.
Jing-Mei: By a car?
Mr. Santini: No, by a foot. Dr. Dave's father caught him in the apartment one day and during some of his "quality time" with the kids, Luciano was kicked. He died in Dr. Dave's arms.
Jing-Mei: Oh god!(pause) What did you mean "quality time"?
Mr. Santini: Quality time, Malucci style. You had to know the family and see them in action to understand.
Jing-Mei: I do understand--completely. That fucking father of theirs. Those poor little children. Were you there when he killed the puppy?
Mr. Santini: No, I found the grave in the backyard of the apartment building and Dr. Dave and Sophie would visit it all the time. I'd watch them and one day before the kids were split up, Sophie asked me if I would look after Luciano's resting place. She told me the story. Dr. Dave couldn't because...never mind. Look, why don't you call home and check on Rusty and I'll get us something to eat in the cafeteria.
Jing-Mei: Thank you, Mr. Santini.
Jing-Mei goes to the nearest pay phone and dials her home. Mrs. Peterson answers.
Jing-Mei: Hi, Mrs. Peterson. It's me Dr. Chen.
Mrs. Peterson: Dr. Chen, how's Rascal?
Jing-Mei: We don't know anything yet. The doctors are still in there with him. Is Rusty okay?
Mrs. Peterson: I finally calmed him down and now we are playing with his video game.
Jing-Mei: How about Antonio?
Mrs. Peterson: Antonio's fine. He's sitting in his baby swing watching us. Rusty is trying to be brave but he is still very upset.
Jing-Mei: I hear him yelling for you in the background so I'll let you go. I hope you don't mind staying. I'll be home as soon as possible. Have the boys eaten?
Mrs. Peterson: Yes, their fine. Please take as long as you need. I will stay as long as necessary.
Jing-Mei: You have a very understanding husband.
Mrs. Peterson: Yeah he is. But then again, it's his poker night anyway. I would have just been in the way, anyhow.
Jing-Mei: I want to get back to the waiting room so give the boys my best and try to reassure Rusty that everything will be alright. Rascal will be back home in no time at all.
Jing-Mei heads back to the waiting room as Mr. Santini comes back with some sandwiches and coffee for them.
Mr. Santini: Perfect timing. How's Rusty?
Jing-Mei: Mrs. Peterson is trying to keep him occupied but I know he's still thinking about his puppy.
Mr. Santini and Jing-Mei sit down and start to eat while they wait.
Mr. Santini: I hope you like ham and cheese on rye. It's all that was left in the vending machines. Cafeteria was closed.
Jing-Mei: It's fine.
Jing-Mei takes a bite of her sandwich and than a sip of her coffee, the whole time debating whether to continue her talk with Mr. Santini about the life and times of young Dave Malucci. She figured she'd go for it after all, a therapist hit on her husband, a doctor told her she may never be able to make love with her man again and bear children by him, she terrorized her mentally impaired spouse with memories he didn't want to talk about, she ran over the family dog---her day has practically been crap anyway. It couldn't get much worse.
Jing-Mei: So, Dave and Sophie were separated?
Mr. Santini nods, unable to speak with a full mouth. Once he swallows his food, he continues filling her in.
Mr. Santini: Dr. Dave was sixteen at the time and Sophie was twelve. Their father had a habit of leaving them for several days alone. I looked in on them as much as possible but I'm afraid even under my watchful eye that I couldn't keep the influence of the streets from Dr. Dave.
Jing-Mei: Meaning?
Mr. Santini: Dr. Dave continued to work for me and some of the other neighbors to earn money but since the bills and rent were left in his hands because of their M.I.A. father, the money he earned wasn't enough. So, Dr. Dave let the streets work for him. He continued to run around with those punks he called friends. If his father wasn't a bad enough influence on him, they set him up to deal drugs. As I told you before, Dr. Dave's parents got him started early on heroine---before he was even born. He some how manage to detox himself as he was growing up, but those punks got him started back on the drugs. He was sixteen when he was arrested on drug charges and Sophie was taken into the foster care system. As horrible as that system was, it was Disneyland compared to living with their father.
Jing-Mei: How long was Dave in jail?
Mr. Santini: The juvenile rules were more strict over there then they are here. Dr. Davey served two years in one of the worse Italian prisons. I got up to see him every visiting day but he was too far gone for me to help.
Jing-Mei: He appreciated you visiting him, I know.
Mr. Santini: Well, anyway even that prison was better for Dr. Dave then the prison he was living in back home with his father. He got his acceptable high school diploma--his GED--I think you call them over here, while he was there and help from a probation officer to get treatment for his drug problem and to get into college. He lost track with Sophie until after he got out of med school. He tried to find her but the authorities wouldn't give him any information. At least, as far as I know, she was kept safe from their father--but Dr. Dave wasn't. His father still got to him...
A doctor approaches Mr. Santini and Jing-Mei.
Dr. Levin: Are you here for Rascal Malucci?
They stood up to meet the doctor.
Jing-Mei: Yes, I'm his mother--so to speak. Dr. Chen.
Dr. Levin: I'm Dr. Levin, Rascal's doctor.
Jing-Mei: How is he?
Dr. Levin: Very lucky. He's got numerous lacerations to the left hind leg and a fracture in his tib/fib. We put a splint on it for now but his pelvis was badly dislocated. We have to operate and place a pin in there.
Jing-Mei: No, internal injuries?
Dr. Levin: No, we ran a full scan on him and ultrasound and there's no internal bleeding yet. But as a doctor, you know that that could change.
Jing-Mei: When are you going to operate?
Dr. Levin: There's some sign of infection in his wound and he spiked a fever. I want to watch him for a while and wait until the infection clears and his temperature is back to normal. I have him on IV antibiotics for the infection and some pain medicine. He's resting comfortable now.
Mr. Santini: He's going to be alright, then.
Dr. Levin: Rascal is young and healthy and like children, puppies are resilient. As long as you follow my directions to the letter, he gets plenty of rest and takes him medicine, barring any complications he should recover fully.
Jing-Mei: Thank god! If anything would have happened...I just don't know how I would have broken it to my little boy or D..uh, Erik. Thank you, doctor. May we see him?
Dr. Levin: Just a few seconds. He's probably sleeping now with the medication.
Jing-Mei and Mr. Santini walk in to see Rascal laying on a pillow and blanket in a cage. They kneel down to his level. He's laying on his side with his left hind leg splinted and an IV in his right front leg. Both Jing-Mei and Mr. Santini put their hands inside the cage.
Jing-Mei: Hey there Rascal, pal.
Rascal weakly lifted his head at the sound of his name.
Jing-Mei: I'm so sorry, Ras. It was an accident. I didn't mean it. I'm sorry. Please forgive me.
Rascal licked their hands and then put his head back down. His eyes closed upsetting Jing-Mei.
Jing-Mei: Rascal! Rascal!
Dr. Levin: He's alright. It's the meds. He'll probably sleep for a while.
Mr. Santini stroked Rascal while Jing-Mei stood and spoke with the doctor.
Jing-Mei: He's really going to be alright.
Dr. Levin: We have a high success rate. Don't worry, he's in excellent hands.
Jing-Mei: Thank you, doctor. You will call if there is any change in his condition?
Dr. Levin: Definitely. We will take good care of him.
Jing-Mei and Mr. Santini leave the vet hospital and head back to her house.
Jing-Mei: I'm sorry about dinner. Please will you take a raincheck on it?
Mr. Santini: Certainly.
Jing-Mei: How am I ever going to tell him?
Mr. Santini: I'll be with you. It'll be a lot easier if I am there to translate for you. Rusty will be fine.
Jing-Mei: He will, I know that. He's not the one I'm worried about. Dave is.
Jing-Mei and Mr. Santini arrive home. They come through the door and are greeted by Mrs. Peterson.
Mrs. Peterson: Hi, you two. You look tired. How did everything go?
Jing-Mei: Where's Rusty?
Mrs. Peterson: In his room. He just got out of the tub.
Jing-Mei: Could you please get him for me?
Mrs. Peterson nods and enters Rusty's room while Jing-Mei checks on Antonio. She starts up his mobile and sets the intercom, then walks out to see Rusty and Mrs. Peterson going into the living room.
Jing-Mei: Rusty.
Rusty turns around and runs to Jing-Mei and gives her a hug.
Rusty: Mama Jing, where's Rascal?
Jing-Mei: Sit down, son.
Jing-Mei, Rusty, Mrs. Peterson and Mr. Santini sat on the couch. Rusty started to shake not liking the look on Jing-Mei's face. Jing-Mei explains to the nervous little boy with Mr. Santini translating.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, Rascal is still at the vet hospital.
Rusty(crying): Rascal dead.
Jing-Mei: No, baby. Rascal isn't dead. He's still alive. He's very sick though.
Rusty: He's going to get better?
Jing-Mei: Sure he is. The doctors are looking after him.
Rusty: When is he coming home?
Jing-Mei: He'll have to stay at the hospital for awhile. He needs to have an operation.
Mrs. Peterson: Sounds serious.
Jing-Mei: He has a badly dislocated pelvis that has to be pinned and a broken back leg.
Rusty: Rascal, get better. He comes home and play with me again.
Jing-Mei: He sure will, but, understand Rusty. When he does come home, Rascal won't be able to play with you very much at first. He needs to rest and his leg will be quite sore. I'm sure in a few weeks, Rascal will be back to his old self.
Rusty: We'll take care of Rascal.
Jing-Mei: Yes, we will. I'll show you how to give Rascal his medicine but you can't do it unless I'm around, okay.
Rusty: Okay, Mama Jing.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, I want you to know that I didn't mean to hurt Rascal. I would never do that. I love that little mutt. It was an accident. You do know that, don't you?
Rusty moves over to Jing-Mei and hugs her.
Rusty: I know you love Rascal, Mama Jing. I love you.
Jing-Mei: I love you too. Now, why don't you go back into your room and I'll come in later and read to you and bring you a snack. Would you like that?
Rusty nods and heads into his room. Jing-Mei bids goodbye to Mrs. Peterson and Mr. Santini. Then she goes into the kitchen and fixes herself and Rusty a snack and then heads over to Rusty's room and prepares to read him a story being sure to bring along her Italian/English dictionary.
The next morning when the Maluccis get up. Jing-Mei feeds Antonio, burps him and places him in his baby swing. She gets Rusty up and while she fixes his breakfast, he follows her into the kitchen and can't help but look down on the floor and sees Rascal's food and water bowls. Rusty starts to tug on Jing-Mei's robe. She looks down at him and he walks over to the phone.
Rusty: Call Rascal. Miss him.
Jing-Mei takes her dictionary out of her robe pocket and scrambled to figure out what Rusty said.
Jing-Mei: I miss him too. We will go visit him later today.
Rusty smiles and starts to clap.
Jing-Mei: I'll pick you after school today. Now go get dressed while I finish breakfast.
Later at the ER, Jing-Mei comes down from taking a patient up to surgery when she looks at her watch.
Jing-Mei: Well, Randi. I'm signing out my last patient and I'm out of here. Please take my name off the board.
Randi erases Jing-Mei's name as Carter walks up to her.
Carter: Early day today, Deb?
Jing-Mei: Luka's covering the rest of my shift and I'm working his graveyard, tomorrow.
Kerry: Big plans?
Jing-Mei: Actually, I have to take Rusty over to the vet hospital and visit Rascal.
Kerry: Rascal, what's wrong with him?
Jing-Mei: I accidentally backed over him with the car.
Carter: Is he okay?
Jing-Mei: He needs surgery, so he's going to be there for a few days.
Carter: How's Rusty taking it?
Jing-Mei: He's understandably upset seeing someone else he loves hurt but I'm trying to help him get through this as much as possible. I've got to go. Tell Luka, if you see him that I said thank you.
Kerry: We will and if there's anything we can do, please let us know?
Jing-Mei swings by the school and picks Rusty up and they go over to the hospital. The nurse lets them in the back and as soon as he spots his puppy, he runs over to him.
Rusty: Rascal. Rascal.
Rascal doesn't respond causing Rusty to get upset.
Jing-Mei: It's alright, Rusty. Rascal is just tired. He's sleeping.
As Rusty visits with Rascal, Jing-Mei speaks with Dr. Levin.
Jing-Mei: So, how's the patient?
Dr. Levin: He's coming around. I'm going to examine him again after you leave and take some more blood samples and if the infection is gone and his fever is down then I'll arrange for his surgery.
Jing-Mei: When will I be able to bring him home?
Dr. Levin: I want to keep him at least an additional 24 hours post-surgery. I want to watch him and make sure his wound doesn't become infected again and monitor the surgical wound.
Jing-Mei: We can't wait as you can see. (pause)We'll get out of your way, doctor. I just needed to bring my little boy here to see that his puppy was okay. Rusty! Let's go.
Rusty comes over to Jing-Mei. She took out her dictionary.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, this is Dr. Levin. He's going to make Rascal all better.
Rusty walks over to the doctor and hugs his legs.
Jing-Mei: He's happy that you are going to help his doggy.
Dr. Levin: Glad to help.
Rusty and Jing-Mei leave the ward. Rusty looks back and waves at an unconscious Rascal. They head over to the rehab center. They enter Erik's room as his occupational therapist, Ellen, leaves. He spots them and they move closer to his bed.
Jing-Mei: Hello Erik, how are you?
Erik kept searching the room, not paying much attention to his visitors.
Erik: Pu...ppy. Wwwh..er.e's pu...ppy, Ccch..in?
Jing-Mei gulps and tries to figure out a proper way of breaking the news to him. She sits down on Erik's bed. She runs her hand down the side of his face. She takes a deep breath, looks into his eyes and prepares herself.
Jing-Mei: I have to tell you something, Erik? It's about Rascal. There's been an accident.
To be continued. Please read and review.