Recovery
Part 12
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian
Jing-Mei: Erik, that's your father. Do you remember him?
Erik slammed the album shut, pushed it to the floor and turned over in his bed.
Jing-Mei: Do you remember him?
Erik shook his head no, over and over again. Then he scrunged down further into his bed and pulled the blanket over his head. As Jing-Mei was trying to pull the blanket off him, she could see him shaking and then the machines started beeping.
Jing-Mei: It's okay Erik. We don't have to talk about him anymore if you don't want to. You can relax now.
Slowly the machines regained their normal rhythm and Erik came out from under his covers. Jing-Mei saw his face covered in tears and sweat. While he got his bearings back, Jing-Mei took the album to the other side of the room, removed the picture of Erik's father and brought the book back.
Jing-Mei: See Erik, now there's plenty of room for all your pictures of Rascal.
A big smile appeared across his face. She showed him how to put them in the album and has started doing it himself, Jing-Mei sat on his bed and ran her hand through his hair and thought to herself.
Jing-Mei: If you don't remember him then why are you frightened? What in the hell has you so scared?
A week later, Jing-Mei walked into the ER carrying Antonio and with Rusty hanging on her arm. She stopped at the admit desk.
Jing-Mei: Randi, have you seen Dr. Weaver or Dr. Green?
Randi: Dr. Weaver is in a meeting with Dr. Romano and Dr. Green is in the lounge.
Jing-Mei: Thank you.
Jing-Mei and her brood went into the lounge and saw Mark, Elizabeth, Abby and Carter sitting there.
Jing-Mei: Hi, everyone. I hope I'm not interrupting.
Elizabeth: Oh course not. And who do we have here?
Jing-Mei: Just my two men.
Abby(playing with the baby): They are getting so big.
Elizabeth: Yeah, Antonio's sitting up now and Rusty, he must have grown at least six inches.
Carter: I think the last time we saw them was...
Jing-Mei: At Dave's funeral.
Carter nods.
Elizabeth: Well, they are growing up into handsome young men.
Mark: They look so much like Malucci, it's scary.
Jing-Mei(with sadness in her voice): Act like him too.
Abby: Is everything alright, Dr. Chen.
Jing-Mei: Yes. I just miss Dave so much and looking at the boys don't make it any easier. I love my sons, it's just...I wish Dave could have been here---to be part of their lives---watch them grow up.
Carter: Malucci would have love them.
Jing-Mei: If he gave himself the chance to love them. To even get to know them. He was just so afraid of turning into his father that he shut them out. (pause)I guess he thought he was doing what was best for them. But in reality, he was actually hurting them. Don't get me wrong, Dave would have never done anything to intentionally hurt his children. He loved them. He was just scared. I hate his father for what he did to Dave. He not only emotionally and physically scarred Dave for the rest of his life but he even made him afraid to be a part of his children's lives and that's sad.
Carter: That's pitiful.
Jing-Mei: Very.(pause) Let's just drop it.
Mark: So, what brings these two big guys to the hospital today?
Jing-Mei: Check-ups with Dr. Waylon. That's why I needed to speak to you, Mark.
Mark: Sure, what's up?
Jing-Mei: I forgot that I made the appointments for them and Mrs. Peterson is at home nursing her husband, he's come down with a summer cold. So, I had to bring them myself. I tried to reschedule but with Antonio's asthma, I really don't want to do that. So, I know my shift doesn't begin for another two hours but you know doctors. I don't know how long this will take. I may be a little late for the start of my shift. Would that be okay?
Carter: I'll cover until you come down, Deb.
Mark: Alright, then. You worked it out without me.
Jing-Mei: That was too easy. I guess I'm use to dealing with Kerry and having to explain my every move with her.
Abby: Think how poor Malucci felt with her up his but all the time. (pause, blushing embarrassed) I'm sorry, Dr. Chen.
Jing-Mei: It's okay, Abby. It's true.
Elizabeth: So, what happens after the doctor's visit with the children.
Jing-Mei: I'll put them up in day care until I get off. (pause)Thanks John for covering for me. (pause) Well guys, let's get going. The sooner we go the sooner we get to go to the playroom.
Rusty starts to cry and Jing-Mei pulls out her dictionary.
Jing-Mei: What's wrong, Rusty?
Rusty: No doctor. Doctor hurt.
Jing-Mei: He's afraid of the doctor and of getting a shot.(pause) Rusty, do you think Rascal will put up a fight tomorrow.
Rusty: Rascal, good puppy.
Jing-Mei: Si, Rascal good puppy. Today's the boys checkup and tomorrow is Rascal's.
Abby: How is he doing?
Jing-Mei: Good. I think Dr. Levin will be taking his cast off tomorrow. He may have to start physical therapy to get the leg strengthen before he'll be able to walk like before.
Carter: Physical therapy for animals, what will they think of next?
Jing-Mei: It only makes sense. Animals are almost human and they are definitely part of the family and deserve the same treatment as any other member.
Carter: Yeah, but insurance doesn't cover them so won't that be expensive?
Jing-Mei: Probably, but it doesn't matter. Rascal is a good dog and deserves the best medical treatment ever. Besides, if it weren't for my carelessness, the accident would never have happened.
Abby: That dog means alot to you, doesn't he?
Jing-Mei: To all of us. Because of that little puppy, I got to hear Dave's voice again before he died. Rascal is the one who got Dave to speak for the first time since his attack. I hate to say it but as the days go by it gets harder and harder to remember what Dave sounded like or even looked like. I'm afraid guys.
Carter: Afraid of what?
Jing-Mei: Afraid that soon I'll forget Dave completely.
Abby: That won't happen because you loved him too much.
Carter: Abby's right. Besides, Malucci's not exactly very forgettable.
Mark: Jing-Mei, has Capt. Amos gotten any leads on who shot Dave?
Jing-Mei: No, not yet and I don't know if we will ever find out who killed Dave. I keep on him trying to push the case so they don't try to close it or shove it into the file for unsolved cases. Last time I spoke with him, he said the trail to Dave's killer was cold.
Rusty starts to pull at Jing-Mei's arm, impatiently.
Rusty: Come Mama Jing, play then get shots.
Jing-Mei: No, you don't. The doctor first and then daycare. I guess I shouldn't have mentioned the playroom until after we saw the doctor.
The next day after Jing-Mei dropped Rusty off at school she took Rascal to the vet hospital. She and Rascal sat in the waiting room with other dogs, parakeets, cats, 2 turtles, a snake and a rabbit. It took most of the morning but they were finally called into the back. Dr. Levin took an x-ray of Rascal's leg. Fifteen minutes later, the x-ray came back.
Dr. Levin: Well Jing-Mei, the leg and hip are looking good. I think we can get that annoying cast off him now and set him up with a physical therapy schedule.
Jing-Mei: That's great. I know Rusty will be happy about that. It will be nice to have the old Rascal back, running around the house--getting into trouble and living up to his name.
Dr. Levin: Now wait a minute, Rascal will be lucky to be able to walk without a limp at first. It'll be sometime before he's able to run. As a matter fact, even though the cast is coming off, I don't want him to overdue it on that leg.
Jing-Mei: But he needs to exercise it, right?
Dr. Levin: Of course, but there is such a thing as pushing it too far. As a doctor, you should know that.
Jing-Mei: You're right. I'll make sure that both Rascal and Rusty know the rules.
Dr. Levin: Alright then, let's free that little guy.
Days pass and Rascal has started his therapy. His doggie therapist raises and lowers his leg. Rascal whines and nips at the therapist's hands. Although Rascal protests, he makes quick progress. Within the second week of the therapy, he starts walking around with a weight on the bad leg to strengthen it. Rusty learns the exercises that Rascal has to do and helps him with them. After a month of therapy, Rascal goes back for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Levin.
Dr. Levin: How are we doing today, Rascal?
Jing-Mei: He's coming along. He does his exercises and Rusty helps him as much as possible. I think he's healing nicely.
Dr. Levin: I'll be the judge of that. Okay Rascal, can you jump up on the table here?
It takes a couple of minutes, but Rascal manages to board the table. The doctor positions him and while Jing-Mei keeps him still, Dr. Levin snaps a couple of x-rays at different angles.
Fifteen minutes pass:
Dr. Levin: X-rays are back. Do you want to take a look at them, Dr. Chen?
Jing-Mei: Sure.
Both doctors examine the pictures and then discuss them.
Jing-Mei: They look good. I mean I'm not a vet but I assume that dog bones don't look much different than humans.
Dr. Levin: They don't---just the positioning of them. But you're right, they do look good. I'm happy to say that Rascal has made a full recovery. He may always have a limp but it shouldn't interfere with his growth, activity or future health. He will be able to romp around like he use to.
Jing-Mei: Good to know.
A week later, Jing-Mei stops by the rehab center and enters Erik's room. She finds it empty. She goes to the front desk and asks a nurse.
Jing-Mei: Nurse, where is Dr. Mal...what am I saying. Don't mind me. I mean Erik Evad. He's not in his room. Is everything alright?
Nurse: Yes, Dr. Chen. He's down in the physical therapy room.
Jing-Mei: But, I thought they cut back on his physical therapy because of his heart condition and he only went for physical therapy on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Nurse: I know, but this is his last session with Larry before Larry goes on vacation and Erik won't let any of our other therapists near him.
Jing-Mei: He's use to Larry. It takes him a while to adjust to someone new. (pause) How much longer will they be there?
Nurse: Let me see. (she looks at her chart) He's schedule for an hour and a half downstairs. Between time in the therapy pool and his periodic breaks so he doesn't overexert himself, I don't know how much actual therapy he'll get in. He has at least another 45 minutes to go.
Jing-Mei: When he comes back to his room, tell him I'll be back later with a surprise for him.
Jing-Mei leaves and heads back to work to finish her shift before she comes back to the rehab center.
Back at the ER, Jing-Mei is confronted by Elizabeth when she calls the British surgeon down for a consult. After Elizabeth redlines the ruptured appendix to the OR, she pulls Jing-Mei over for a private chat.
Elizabeth: I didn't get a chance to ask you before, but how is Dave doing?
Jing-Mei: Shhhh!! Erik. He goes by the name Erik for now.
Elizabeth: Of course, how is Erik doing?
Jing-Mei: He's coming along. His speech is getting better. He still has the aphasia, stuttering and slurring but it's improving until...
Elizabeth: Until?
Jing-Mei: Until Rascal was injured.
Elizabeth: What's the dog got to do with it?
Jing-Mei: Erik only seems to respond to Rascal. As far as me and the boys are concerned, he doesn't even know that were alive.
Elizabeth: I'm sure that's not true. He loves you and his sons.
Jing-Mei: I know he does. Don't get me wrong, it's just I wish he would pay half as much attention to us as he does the puppy.
Elizabeth: How is Erik handling Rascal's injury?
Jing-Mei: Not well, at first. He totally regressed on us. He stopped speaking, he wouldn't let anyone touch him, much less do his physical therapy, and when Capt. Amos tried to question him---he said he didn't remember anything---not me, the boys, his attack---only the dog.
Elizabeth: So now what happens?
Jing-Mei: Well, I decided to take pictures of Rascal and bring them to the rehab center so Erik can see that his puppy is okay. That seems to satisfy him. He still doesn't speak or remember but at least he's doing his physical therapy.
Elizabeth: That's good news, then.
Jing-Mei: Not all good news. Erik can only do his therapy is short sessions. He had an anxiety attack and his doctor at the center said that he's going to need more heart surgery and soon. The prosthetic valve that was implanted when he had his triple bypass needs to be replaced. He may be coming back here. I would like you to do the surgery, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth: That shouldn't be a problem since Romano and I are the only surgeons that know about him. (pause) Listen, I have to get up and scrub now for this appendectomy. I'll speak with Romano and get back to you but if there is anything I can do in the meantime---let me know.
Jing-Mei: I will. Thank you, Elizabeth.
Three hours later at the rehab center, Jennifer is in with Erik. She keeps trying to get him to speak but isn't having any luck when Jing-Mei comes in.
Jing-Mei: Sorry to interrupt. How's he doing?
Jennifer: Still not so much as a peep. I don't get it. He was doing fine before. Well, I can spend all day working with him if that's what it takes. (winking at Erik)
Jing-Mei rolls her eyes at the horny therapist and then smiles at Erik.
Jing-Mei: I have something that might help---that is someone who might help.
Jing-Mei walks over to Erik and takes his face in her hands with Jennifer fuming in the background.
Jing-Mei: Erik, I have a surprise for you. Wait one moment. Close your eyes and keep them closed til I tell you to open them.
Erik doesn't close them so Jing-Mei places her hand over his eyes and closes them herself. Erik opens them again as soon as Jing-Mei removes her hand so she waves Jennifer over.
Jing-Mei: Cover his eyes, please.
Jennifer: My pleasure.
Jing-Mei (thinking to herself): Boy Erik, you better appreciate what I'm going through for you.
Jing-Mei walks over to the door and brings in Erik's surprise.
Jing-Mei: Alright Erik, you can open your eyes now.
At that moment, Jennifer dropped her hand and as Erik's eyes adjusted to the light he saw Rusty standing before him. There was no reaction out of him. Then he felt his bed move and the touch of soft, warm fur. Erik's face lit up when he saw who had joined him in bed.
Erik: Rrrr...a.zzzal. Ppppuppy!!
To be continued. Please read and review.