Recovery
Part 19
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian
Anything written in between ** is in Dave's dream sequence
Romano runs his hand across his bald head and looks back at the desperation in Jing-Mei's eyes as she pleads with him to get help for her mentally unstable husband.
Jing-Mei: Please Dr. Romano. He's needed help for so long and has never gotten any. Don't let this go on any longer. He needs to speak with someone who has experience dealing in these kind of matters and problems. We have to get him help while he still has some of his sanity and mind left.
Romano: I'll speak with Dr. Legaspi and see if she can work him in to her schedule. You do realize that if she agrees to meeting with Erik, we will have to fill her in on everything.
Jing-Mei: I understand that.
Romano: You also understand that the more people who know about his existence the more at risk you put him, your children and yourself.
Jing-Mei: I don't like that thought, but we need to do it. If he would have gotten the help he obviously needed before, it may not have progressed to this point. Erik is depending on me. I can't and I won't let him down.
Romano leaves to speak with Dr. Legaspi while Jing-Mei remains with Erik until he finally succumbs to power of the sedative. Once he is out, she kisses his cheek and then tiptoes out of his room. She heads back down to the ER.
During her break, Jing-Mei calls the police station.
Jing-Mei: This is Dr. Chen. I need to speak with Capt. Amos. It's very important.
Receptionist: He's in a meeting. Leave your name and number and I will have him call you...
Jing-Mei: No! Not this time. I'm tired of this. Every time I leave a message, I never hear back from him. You go in there and drag him out of that meeting and get him on this phone! I'm going to stay on this phone until I speak with him. And if he still doesn't come than I'm going to the press and let the world know what kind of police we have out there protecting us. I'm sure the mayor will just love that kind of publicity of his police department especially in an election year.
Receptionist: Alright, calm down. I'll see what I can do. Please hold.
Jing-Mei: You better believe I will.
After a couple of minutes, Capt. Amos comes to the phone.
Capt. Amos: Capt. Amos, how may I help you?
Jing-Mei: Captain, it's me---Dr. Chen. I really need to talk to you.
Capt. Amos: So I hear. Nice threat. It's certainly got my attention. So what can I do for you?
Jing-Mei: We discussed putting a guard back on my children, remember.
Capt. Amos: Yes, and you were against it last I recall.
Jing-Mei: Not totally against it since that incident with Rusty. I want the guard back again. Not for myself but for the children. I've just got this bad feeling.
Capt. Amos: As you wish. What bad feeling?
Jing-Mei: I don't know. Call it woman's intuition. Erik is going to start speaking with a shrink which means she will have to know his secret and soon it won't be long before Erik's true identity is exposed and that scares me. It puts Erik and my children at greater risk.
Capt. Amos: Okay, I'll arrange to have a guard over at your house as soon as possible.
Jing-Mei: Thank you, captain. By the way, have you had any leads on the person who shot Erik at our son's christening? Was it that Rico?
Capt. Amos: No leads yet and no it wasn't Rico. He has an airtight alibi. Seems he was spending the day in our drunk tank.
Jing-Mei: So when Erik said that Rico shot him, he was referring to the time at the hangar. Erik didn't see who shot him the second time.
Capt. Amos: We don't know that for sure. Maybe if you could work on him, he will remember seeing something that will help us.
Jing-Mei: As much as I want to help Erik and put an end to all this, I can't pressure Erik to talk until he's ready to talk. I've done enough damage already. (pause) Captain, I'm sorry I threatened you to get you to come to the phone.
Capt. Amos: Don't let it bother you. I admire your initiative.
They hang up their phones and Jing-Mei heads over to pour a cup of coffee when Luka walks into the lounge.
Jing-Mei: Is everything alright out there? Are you getting busy?
Luka: No, we're fine. The board is practically empty. I just came in to take a few minutes. I'm working a double today. Are you okay?
Jing-Mei: Yeah, I'm okay. Why? Don't I look alright?
Luka: You just look a little distressed when I came in.
Jing-Mei: I just got off the phone with Capt. Amos about getting back a guard for the boys, but that's not what is bothering me.
Luka: Maybe I can help?
Luka and Jing-Mei get their coffee and sit down at one of the tables.
Jing-Mei: I was up visiting Erik. I knew he was still weak from his surgery and I just don't know what came over me but I couldn't help myself.
Luka: What happened?
Jing-Mei: Dr. Romano is going to arrange with Kim Legaspi to start scheduling some psyche sessions with Erik.
Luka: A little soon for that, isn't it?
Jing-Mei: Not after what happened today. Erik had another nightmare earlier. He remembers his father's attack on him.
Luka just about chokes on his coffee. He sits up and attempts to speak.
Luka(whispering): You mean the rape.
Jing-Mei: Well, he didn't say it in so many words but yes---he remembers his father raping him and it's scared the hell out of him.
Luka: That's understandable. Well then, maybe it's a good idea if Dr. Legaspi has a chat with him.
Jing-Mei: Huh, oh yeah. Good idea.
Luka: That's not it though. There's more to Erik's problems.
Jing-Mei: I'm afraid that I might have instigated Erik's nightmare.
Luka: How?
Jing-Mei: You have to understand. I saw Erik laying in the bed up there and I didn't see Erik I saw Dave, my husband, and I guess I just lost control of my hormones and I started acting like an over-sexed wife and took advantage of my sick man and I think I made a wrong move on him and touched him in a way I shouldn't have, he freaked out on me.
Luka: How do you mean freaked out on you.
Jing-Mei: He pushed me away from him. Ever since this whole thing happened with his attack, he has been very jumpy when it comes to anyone touching him. He's swatted me away before, but he's never, never pushed me or used any kind of force against me. But I've really upset him. I told him I was sorry but I don't know if he'll ever trust me again and I don't blame him.
Luka: Of course he's upset. He's not ready for that part of your relationship yet. Give him a chance to deal with his past first before you rush the future. He's going to get help now. Once he comes to terms with his own feelings, he'll be ready to move on. I know it's hard but as frustrating as it is for you, it's probably ten times worse for him. Who knows we may see an entirely new Malucc...Erik when it's over with.
Jing-Mei: I hope you're right, Luka. Thanks for this little talk. And I will really think about what you said.
Luka: Anytime you need to talk, I'm here.
Both Jing-Mei and Luka finish with their coffee and go back to work.
Upstairs on the sixth floor in Erik's room, he is still under the sedation when he has another dream:
**Davey and Sophie each pack a bag of clothes. In their limited amount, a bag for each of them is practically their whole wardrobe. Once they have their things packed they meet Mr. Santini at the door.
Mr. Santini: Are we all ready, you two?
Davey: Be right there, Mr. Santini.
Sophie approaches Mr. Santini with her bag and they wait for Davey. In a few minutes, they here a toilet flush and Davey comes over to them.
Davey: Now, I'm ready. Let's go.
The three of them head out of their apartment and down to Mr. Santini.
Davey: Thank you, Mr. Santini for letting me and Sophie come stay with you while pa`pa is in the hospital.
Mr. Santini: No problem. We love having you. There's plenty of room and the girls are looking forward to your visit. They said it will be like having a brother in the house and they adore Sophie.
As the three of them enter the apartment, they are greeted by Mrs. Santini and two little girls and a baby.
Mr. Santini: We're finally here.
Mrs. Santini: Well come in, you two. Put your bags down for now. Dinner is just about ready. Please sit at the table wherever you like and consider this your home for the next week.
Davey and Sophie: Gracia, Mr. and Mrs. Santini.
Mrs. Santini: Sophie, why don't you sit next to me, and Davey, where do you want to sit?
Davey: I'll sit next to Alicia.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Santini smiled at each other. Alicia, the oldest of the Santinis' daughters goes into the kitchen to help her mother bring in dinner.
Mrs. Santini: Put this bowl over next to your boyfriend.
Alicia: He's not my boyfriend.
Mrs. Santini: He thinks he is. Alicia, he obviously has a crush on you. I think it's cute. I thought you liked him?
Alicia: I do---like a brother. He's real cute but he's too young for me to take seriously as a boyfriend.
Mrs. Santini: He's not that much younger.
Alicia: Mother, he's only 8. I'm 10. That's too young for me.
Davey(from the other room): I'm going to be 9 in two weeks!!!
Alicia looks at her mother and shakes her head.
Alicia: Still too young so don't try to marry us off yet.
Alicia and Mrs. Santini come out of the kitchen both carrying food. Davey and Sophie, look at one another, excitedly.
Davey: Pizza!!
Mr. Santini: Something special for our special guests.
Davey: Thanks a lot, Mr. and Mrs. Santini.
Alicia: God, calm down. It's only pizza. You've had pizza before, haven't you?
Davey: Maybe once or twice. Your dad bought me some down at the fruit market when we were working before.
Alicia: You are deprived, aren't you?
Mr. Santini starts to get upset with his eldest daughter.
Mr. Santini: Alicia!! That's enough. Now, Davey and Sophie are our guests. You will respect them and we will have no more talk like that! Understood!!
Alicia: Yes, pa`pa. Sorry you guys. I didn't mean anything by that.
Davey: It's alright. May I have some bread, Mr. Santini?
Mr. Santini: Sure you may. Help yourselves children.
As Davey was reaching for the bread, his arm knocked over a glass of juice. Both he and Sophie nearly jumped out of their skins. Davey started to panic and tears ran down his face.
Davey(hysterical and crying): I'm sorry, Mrs. Santini! I'll clean it up! I didn't mean to do it! It was an accident! I'm sorry! Please don't hit me!!
The Santinis looked in horror at each other. Mr. Santini walked over to where Davey was sitting. Sophie jumped up out her seat.
Davey(crying): Please don't hit me!! I'm sorry!
Sophie: Mr. Santini, I'll help Davey clean it up. Please don't spank my brother. We're sorry we didn't mean to mess up your nice table.
Mr. Santini: Take it easy, kids. No one is going to hit you, Davey. I would never hurt you. I know it was an accident. Relax, we'll have it cleaned up in no time and then we'll can get on with our pizza.
Sophie: Are you sure, Mr. Santini?
Mrs. Santini: Positively. Now, stop that crying, little guy. You're soaking your pizza.
Davey: Okay, I am sorry.
Mrs. Santini: Stop apologizing. You did nothing wrong.
Davey tried to calm down and finish his pizza. During the rest of the meal, both Davey and Sophie filled up on bread, pizza, pasta salad and juice. They had second and even third helpings.
Alicia: Wow mama, papa, looks like we won't have to worry about leftovers while these two are staying with us.
Davey stopped eating his pizza and put it down, then he nudged Sophie and she did the same. Both Davey and Sophie knew they kind of made pigs out of themselves so they pushed their plates away and sat at the table with their heads hung in shame.
Mrs. Santini(angry): Alicia, that's enough. Watch what you say around our guests!
Davey: We're sorry. We did over do it a bit.
Mr. Santini: Think nothing of it. It's nice to see two growing kids with healthy appetites. There's always plenty of food. Don't ever be scared to ask for food to eat if you're hungry.
Sophie: Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Santini. I guess we don't have good manners. We don't usually have meals at a table. We most always eat in our bedrooms...
Davey: Uh Sophie. We don't need to bore them with our dinner routine. Come let's help clear the table and wash our plates.
Mrs. Santini: Nonsense. Alicia will help me. Go relax before bed.
After dinner, Alicia helped her mother with the dishes. Sophie played with the Santinis' other daughter, Cristina, also 4 years old as was Sophie. Davey sat down on the floor and did his homework.
At 9:00, it was bedtime for the children. Sophie slept in the spare bed in Alicia's and Cristina's room and Davey slept on the couch. Each child took a bath and got into their pajamas. Davey was last. Mr. Santini offered to help Davey get ready for bed but Davey refused.
Davey: I'm a big boy. I can get dressed by myself.
Mr. Santini: Of course you are. Sorry, I didn't mean to imply...
Davey: I'm sorry. You were only trying to help. It's just...
Mr. Santini: I know. I understand.
Mr. Santini did understand, too. He knew that Davey was embarrassed by the many scars and bruises on his back and body. Even though, he knew Mr. Santini had seen his scars before, it still made Davey uncomfortable.
Once the children were settled down ready for bed, Mr. Santini read to them in his daughters' bedroom until they all fell asleep. Then Mr. Santini carried Davey into the couch and covered the sleeping boy with a blanket.
Just before midnight, Davey was awaken by the tapping of his little sister.
Sophie: Davey, Davey wake up.
Davey: What is it, Sophie?
Sophie: I'm scared.
Davey: Why, don't you like it here?
Sophie: I do. I like it too much.
Davey: I know what you mean. This is the first time I can remember going to bed and not having to worry about when he'd come in and hit me or you know--touch us. This is how a real family lives and as soon as I save up enough money, I'm going to find us a mama and papa to love and take care of us---like the Santinis. Look, go back to bed Sophie. Enjoy this time as much as possible because after this week, we'll be back in hell again.
Davey hugged his little sister and took her back to bed. After he tucked her in, he returned to the couch in the living room and went back to sleep. Mr. Santini was standing in the doorway of his bedroom, listening to the Malucci children's conversation. He backed up into his room and walked over to the bed, waking up his wife.
Mrs. Santini: What's wrong? What's going on?
Mr. Santini: Those poor little children. That monster of a father of theirs, has them walking on eggshells.
Mrs. Santini: I know. Did you see how upset those kids got over a little spilled juice. They were so afraid of being punished. And the way they ate, you'd think it was the first time they ever ate. Given how small both are for their age it's obvious that they are malnourished.
Mr. Santini: It's probably been along time since they had a hot, home cooked meal and not a sandwich or something out of a can.
Mrs. Santini: I wish we could take those kids in and raise them ourselves.
Mr. Santini: So do I. But we have our own children to think about. If Vincenzio even thought we were interfering in his raising his kids, god knows what he would do?
Davey stood outside the Santinis door on the way back from the bathroom. He tiptoed back to the couch. He laid down and wiped the tears from his eyes.
Davey(to himself): I won't let pa`pa hurt you and your family, Mr. Santini.**
Erik slowly started to wake up. For the first time in a long time, Erik woke up calm and not screaming or scared and upset from one of his dreams. This was one of the nicer memories he had of his childhood.
As he started to go back to sleep, he was startled by the presence of a female visitor.
Dr. Legaspi: Hello Erik, I hear that you and I need to have a talk.
To be continued. Please read and review.
****To my newest reviewer, Susan, I want to personally thank you for your review and if you ever want to email or chat with me, please feel free to leave send me an email. Please leave your email address too so we can chat. Thank you, everyone who did review my story and I promise if you hang in there with me long enough the story will start to get dark and mysterious again with more twists. So please keep those reviews coming, I really do appreciate them.