Recovery
Part 16
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian
Jing-Mei starts taking deep breaths to keep from hyperventilating. She pulled the phone closer to her while her hands shook.
Jing-Mei(on the phone): What do you mean, Mrs. Peterson, Rusty's missing? He's at his schoolmate's party, remember.
Mrs. Peterson: Mrs. Poppa, the little girl's mother, called. They were playing a few games in the backyard. She called them in so Gina could blow out the candles on her cake. She thought he was just in the bathroom, but as she and her husband were serving the cake and ice cream they couldn't find him. Everyone at party searched. She called here thinking maybe he made his way home.
Jing-Mei: Alright Mrs. Peterson, stay close to Antonio and make sure the alarm is set on the doors and windows. Answer the door to no one. I'll call you.
As Jing-Mei tries to hang up the phone, she completely misses the hook and the phone falls to the floor. Kerry walks over to her. She bends down and picks the phone up seeing that Jing-Mei is staring out into space and doesn't even realize it fell.
Kerry: Jing-Mei, are you alright?
Jing-Mei: No, I'm not. I took Rusty to a birthday party at a friend's house.
Kerry: Is there a problem?
Jing-Mei: That was Mrs. Peterson on the phone. The mother of the little girl, Gina, who's having the party, called. They can't find Rusty anyway. He's missing.
Kerry: Are they sure? Have they looked really good? Maybe he just wandered off.
Jing-Mei: I need to go over there but I can't leave Erik now. I want to make sure he's okay after his trip.
Kerry: Go to Rusty, Jing-Mei. I'll find out about uh, Erik for you and if there are any problems, I'll page you.
Jing-Mei: Thanks Kerry. You have my pager number and cell phone...
Kerry: Yes, now go.
Jing-Mei runs out the ambulance bay doors and heads for her car. She drives directly over to Gina's house the whole time wondering if Rusty's nightmare the other night was just that---a nightmare or a premonition. Maybe he knew something was going to happen to him and now if he is gone and whoever has him will be coming for Antonio. It's only about a 20 minute drive to the house but traffic seems to be worse than ever now. Trying to hold her composure but failing, she sits at the wheel of the car at a red light and starts hysterically crying. A horn from behind her alerting her of a green light brings her around.
Jing-Mei(thinking to herself): What if I never see my little boy again? Rusty didn't want to go to the party to begin with and I made him because it's what a proper young man does and now, oh god my little boy, where is he?
She arrives at Gina's home to see everyone at the party searching and calling his name. She approaches Gina's mom.
Jing-Mei: Mrs. Poppa, what happened?
Mrs. Poppa: The kids were playing in the yard. I called them in for cake and ice cream and he wasn't there. I thought he was delayed out here in the backyard or in the bathroom but my husband and I checked the house---he was nowhere. I asked the other children and no one saw him after they started playing the games. I'm so sorry. Nothing like this has ever happened before.
Jing-Mei: I'm sure it hasn't. Do you mind if I use your phone?
Mrs. Poppa showed Jing-Mei the phone.
Jing-Mei(on the phone): Hello, I need to speak with Capt. Amos. This is Dr. Chen.
Receptionist: Sorry, but the captain is unavailable right now. May I take a message?
Jing-Mei: Tell him to call me on my cell phone. He knows the number. In the meantime, I want to report my little boy missing.
Receptionist: How old is the child?
Jing-Mei(crying): He's seven.
Receptionist: And how long has he been missing?
Jing-Mei: I guess just over an hour or so...but you don't understand...
Receptionist: We can not file a missing person's report until the person is missing at least 24 hours regardless of age unless there is evidence of a kidnapping. So you'll have to call back if you don't find him in the next 23 hours. Look for the kid, he'll turn up. Have a good day. (hangs up)
Jing-Mei(sarcastically): Thanks a lot. At least, I know my tax dollars aren't going to waste on your job.
Jing-Mei hangs up and joins the search. As the other kids' parents come and pick them up, the search team shrinks down to just Jing-Mei, Gina and her parents. They check every inch of the house. Closets, the basement, attic and under beds and still come empty. Dark is approaching and Jing-Mei's fears are growing. Since Capt. Amos still has not returned her calls, she tries to call back several times. She is still unable to get him. She tries to retrace what happened at the party according to Gina. They start out in the backyard and again split up to search. Mr. Poppa put on the pool lights and checks the pool.
Mr. Poppa: All that's in the pool is water.
Jing-Mei: Thank god. Gina, tell me again, what you were doing before you noticed Rusty was gone.
Mrs. Poppa translates. Gina starts to think very carefully before breaking down in tears.
Jing-Mei: It's alright, sweetheart. No one is going to be angry with you or blame you for anything. I just want to know where my little boy is.
Gina: We were just playing hide-n-seek. I was it. I went to look for the other children and...
Mrs. Poppa translates.
Jing-Mei: And you couldn't find him. Then where could he be?
Out of nowhere, a voice is heard.
Rusty: Here I am!
Everyone turns around to see Rusty walk up behind them. Both him and his suit are a mess---torn and dirty. Jing-Mei runs over and grabs the little boy into a hug and starts to cry.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, where in the world were you?
Rusty hesitates. Jing-Mei looks at him straight in the eyes with a stern look that he never saw before so he knew she meant business.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, we have a right to know. Now, where were you?
Rusty turns around and points in the air behind him.
Rusty: Up in the tree.
Jing-Mei: In a tree? Why?
Rusty: We were playing hide-n-seek and I was hiding.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, I'm trying real hard here to understand this but didn't you realize the game was over when no one came and found you.
Rusty: Yeah, I knew the game was over.
Jing-Mei: Then why didn't you come down from the tree.
Rusty drops his head, starts dragging his foot in front of him as if he were trying to make a design of sorts, but actually he was stalling from telling them the real reason why he stayed hidden. Then Jing-Mei noticed as a blush appeared across his face---or maybe it was just the lighting from the pool area.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, for the last time, why didn't you come down from your hiding spot.
Rusty: Because Gina was going to try to kiss me again.
All of the adults: Ohhh!!
Jing-Mei: Didn't you notice it was getting dark out?
Rusty: No, I fell asleep up there.
Jing-Mei: Just like your daddy. Fall asleep in the weirdest places. One time I found him asleep across the dining room table in his apartment. Of course, I think he had a whole six pack in him at the time that contributed to it. (pause) Rusty, DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT TO US AGAIN, YOUNG MAN!! Do you realize how worried and scared we were, especially me.
Rusty: I'm sorry, Mama Jing.
Jing-Mei: I know you are but I am not the only one you have to apologize to. Go ahead.
Rusty: I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. Poppa. and Gina. I didn't mean to ruin your birthday party.
Jing-Mei: And it will never happen again if you have me over again.
Rusty: It won't happen again if you let me come back over.
Mr. and Mrs. Poppa look at each other, nod in acceptance and hug the little boy. Gina, who has finally calmed down and stopped crying comes over and hugs Rusty and in the process plants a big, wet one directly on his lips. Rusty gets a disgusted look on his face as he starts wiping his lips off.
Rusty: Yuck!!! I told you Mama Jing.
Jing-Mei(running her hand through Rusty's hair): Ahhh, poor baby.
Jing-Mei gets Rusty into the car and head for home. While in the car, she has a chat with him.
Jing-Mei: Look at your new suit. It's ruined. I guess we can have it cleaned and mended but how well it will hold, I don't know. Rusty, you should have known not to disappear on us like that. I was scared to death.
Rusty: You gonna tell papa and Rascal. They are going to be angry with me.
Jing-Mei glances over at the tired little guy and sees that he is starting to cry.
Jing-Mei: Well, I don't think it's necessary to tell Rascal or you're father right now. He has a lot on his mind at the time.
Jing-Mei pulls into the drive-way and she and Rusty get out of the car and approach their well lit home. Up on the porch, Jing-Mei stops Rusty.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, don't you know that you are suppose to go up into a tree to be kissed---not to avoid it. You ever heard the song. Gina and Rusty---sitting in a tree---K-I-S-S-I-N-G-- Oh never mind. We have to get your papa better soon so he can give you some pointers in the romance department.
Rusty: Girls yucky. Except you, Mama Jing and Gramma Peterson.
Jing-Mei: You won't always feel that way, Rusty once you hit puberty. And if you are anything like your papa I'd say that should be happening with in the next year at least.
Rusty and Jing-Mei walk in the front door. Mrs. Peterson comes out of the nursery with Antonio.
Mrs. Peterson: Oh thank god! You found him! Where was he?
Jing-Mei: In hiding.
Mrs. Peterson: Huh?
Jing-Mei: I'll explain later. Rusty, go in and get ready to take a bath. I'll fix you something to eat.
Mrs. Peterson hugs Rusty with her free arm and then taps his but as he goes off to the bedroom.
Mrs. Peterson: So, what happened with him?
Jing-Mei: He treed himself to avoid being kissed by his girlfriend.
Rusty(from the bathroom): Not my girlfriend!
Jing-Mei holds out her arms and Mrs. Peterson hands her Antonio.
Jing-Mei: Has he eaten yet?
Mrs. Peterson: Yes...but I was just getting ready to...
Jing-Mei feels the baby's bottom and gets a horror-struck look on her face.
Mrs. Peterson: ...change him. If you want, I can do that before I leave.
Jing-Mei: No, that's alright. I'll do it. You go home and spend time with your husband. We've kept you long enough.
Mrs. Peterson: Alright, have a nice night.
Rusty comes running out of his bedroom in his robe and slippers.
Rusty: Bath time!
Jing-Mei: One moment Rusty. Let me just finish with your brother. Uh Mrs. Peterson...
Mrs. Peterson: Do you want me to draw his bath?
Jing-Mei: Would you, please?
Mrs. Peterson: Be glad to.
Rascal comes in from the kitchen with his rubber ball in his mouth. Rusty takes the ball from the dog and tosses it across the room and watches as Rascal fetches it.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, go with Gramma Peterson. Play with Rascal later.
Rusty and Mrs. Peterson head towards the bathroom when they hear a sound like they never heard before.
Antonio: Dada...
Everyone look at the smiling, half-naked baby on the changing table. Jing-Mei picks up the baby and holds him.
Mrs. Peterson: Antonio, that's wonderful.(pause) Too bad Dr. Dave wasn't around to hear it. I bet he'd be so proud of you, though. (pause)Well, come on little man let's get to that bath.
Rusty: 'Tonio speak again.
Mrs. Peterson: No more stalling here. Antonio will speak again but you are not putting off your bath to hear it. Now, move it.
After Rusty and Mrs. Peterson go into the bathroom and shut the door, Jing-Mei breaks the hug she has the baby in and puts him back down on the table. She looks at his smiling face.
Antonio: Dada...
Jing-Mei(whispering to the baby): Mrs. Peterson is right. Your daddy will be proud of you when I tell him. He's already proud of you but, but....damn it, another milestone in your life and he's missing it again.
Jing-Mei sits down and starts to cry. After a few minutes, Mrs. Peterson comes out of the bathroom.
Mrs. Peterson: Alright Dr...
She stops in her tracks when she sees Jing-Mei crying. She slowly and quietly puts her hand on Jing-Mei's shoulder.
Mrs. Peterson: I know how upsetting Antonio starting to speak is for you, especially with what he said.
Jing-Mei: I'm happy that he's talking it's just...Dave should be here for it.
Mrs. Peterson: I know. He didn't see them with Rusty, right. And now he was killed before he had a chance to see any of these first time little moments of Antonio's.
Jing-Mei: It's just not fair.
Mrs. Peterson: Dr. Chen, do you want me to finish changing the baby?
Jing-Mei: No, that's okay. I'll be fine. You can go ahead home. Goodnight.
Mrs. Peterson: Alright. Rusty is in the tub and Rascal is sitting next to him, chewing on his rubber ball. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight.
Mrs. Peterson leaves for the night and Jing-Mei continues to change Antonio.
Jing-Mei(smiling): When I tell your daddy that you are starting to ask for him, he'll get better quickly. I know he will.
Once both boys and dog are put to sleep, Jing-Mei gets the phone and starts to dial.
Jing-Mei: Hello, this is Dr. Chen. I need to speak with Capt. Amos.
A few minutes later:
Capt. Amos: Capt. Amos, how may I help you?
The next morning, Jing-Mei heads to the sixth floor of the hospital to visit with Erik. On the way up, she runs into Carter.
Carter: Deb, I heard about Rusty. Is he okay?
Jing-Mei: He's fine, John. He just caught up in a game of hide-n-seek.
Carter: That's good. Are you on today?
Jing-Mei: In an hour. I have to go up and check on Erik.
Carter: On who?
Jing-Mei looked intensely at Carter, not saying a word.
Carter: Oh, that Erik. Mind if I tag along?
Jing-Mei: Actually, I do. I don't want Erik to have too many visitors right now. It may cause suspicion if a lot of people keep going in and out an off limits room. You do understand, don't you?
Carter: Yeah, I do and your right. Tell uh, Erik that I hope he gets better soon.
Jing-Mei: I will.
Jing-Mei and Carter go their separate ways. Jing-Mei goes up and enters the Authorized Personnel Only room. She sees an unconscious Erik in bed. She starts to look at his machines when Dr. Romano, Peter and Elizabeth walk in. She stands up and walks over to them.
Jing-Mei: So, how's he doing?
Elizabeth: All his tests came back pretty much how we expected.
Peter: His doctor over at the rehab center was right. We can't wait any longer. The heart muscle is weakening. He can't survive without the valve replacement.
Jing-Mei: Well, he's got the best surgeons working on him.
Romano: Not really. I'll be at a medical seminar but he'll be in good hands with Peter and Lizzie.
Jing-Mei: So when is he having the surgery?
Peter: It's scheduled for noon, which is in about 45 minutes.
Jing-Mei: I'll be working down in the ER. You will let me know how everything goes, right?
Elizabeth: Of course. Come on Peter, let's go get ready and scrub.
Romano: I better get to my seminar. I'll check on him when I come back to the hospital.
Jing-Mei: Thank you, everyone.
Romano: No problem. Listen Dr. Chen, there's something I need to talk to you about later if you have some time.
Jing-Mei: Sure. Right now, let me check on my hubby.
The surgeons leave and Jing-Mei goes over to Erik's bed. She sits down next to him and holds his hand.
Jing-Mei: Well, the next time you wake up you'll be in a different place again. You're back at Cook County. You may start to see some familiar faces again. I spoke with Capt. Amos and I told him I may need to have the guards put back on me and the boys. I promised Rusty I wouldn't tell you why I want the guards put back on. I will someday, but you don't have to worry about it now.
Elizabeth and Peter walked into Erik's room.
Jing-Mei: What are you two doing back?
Elizabeth: We forgot. No one else is suppose to know about him so we have to take him up to surgery ourselves, then we'll scrub.
Jing-Mei: Can you just give us one more moment?
Peter and Elizabeth both nod and stand back.
Jing-Mei: Look's like it's time for you to go up for your operation but before you leave here's some good news to get you through the surgery: Antonio said his first words. He said dada.
At that moment, Erik opened his eyes and smiled at Jing-Mei.
To be continued. Please read and review.