Recovery
Part 28
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian
Dr. Legaspi was puzzled at Jing-Mei's statement.
Dr. Legaspi: Why would you think that he was strangling himself?
Jing-Mei: I don't know. There's so many unanswered questions about Erik. It's like all of a sudden, his whole life is like this mystery novel slowly unraveling. Dr. Legaspi, I want to get to the end of this book and finish with it. I just want a normal life with my husband and sons. Is that too much to ask for?
Dr. Legaspi: No, it isn't.
Dr. Romano, Elizabeth and Capt. Amos walk out of Erik's room and approach Dr. Legaspi and Jing-Mei.
Jing-Mei: Well, did you find out what's wrong with him?
Romano: I'm ordering a head CT scan and a series of chest x-rays to see if their is problem with his lungs or maybe his brain injury.
Jing-Mei: You will do the tests on him, right?
Elizabeth: We always do.
Capt. Amos: I have to get back to work. Dr. Legaspi, as soon as Erik starts to talk about the day of his attack, please let me know.
Dr. Legaspi: I will. Now, if you will excuse me I'll see about writing those prescriptions for Erik.
Romano: I had better arrange for a portable x-ray to Erik's room and clear out the CT lab.
Jing-Mei: Wait Dr. Romano.
Romano: Lizzie, go take care of those arrangements for me.
Elizabeth heads to the lab while Romano stays back with Jing-Mei.
Romano: What can I do for you, Dr. Chen?
Jing-Mei: Not for me. It's Rascal. He's got a little case of anxiety himself. I think he wants to go back and visit with Henrietta.
Romano: I noticed the same with my pooch. We started the process and we shouldn't put a dead stop on it now. (pause) Alright, we'll have to make the preparations to get them together again.
Jing-Mei: I was hoping we could do it tomorrow. I told my son that Rascal has a vet appointment tomorrow. It's the only way he will let Rascal out of his sight and it buys me a little more time to avoid questions about...
Romano: The birds and the bees. Well, I'll be here most of the day but you can drop the dog off early in the morning and pick him up later tomorrow evening.
Jing-Mei: Thanks, Dr. Romano.
As Jing-Mei starts to walk away, Romano grabs her arm and stops her.
Romano: I got to know. If this is none of my business just tell me to back off and shut up. But why with all that's happening with your husband now, did you bring up the dogs.
Jing-Mei: I need a way of taking my mind off of Erik's problems and Rascal is getting very high strung. I guess I just figure if I couldn't get any than I shouldn't deprive someone who could. Excuse me, Dr. Romano.
Jing-Mei walks off and Romano leers at her behind her back. He shakes off the feeling and heads off to attend to her husband.
Later, Jing-Mei walks in the front door of her house and sees Rusty with Rascal on the floor. Rusty is trying to open Rascal's mouth.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, what are you doing to that poor dog?
Rusty: Playing doctor like papa. I'm taking out Rascal's tonsils.
Jing-Mei: I don't think dogs have tonsils besides you may hurt him. So leave him alone. Has Rascal had his bath yet?
Rusty: No, Mama Jing.
Jing-Mei: Why don't you get the tub ready for him? Where's Mrs. Peterson?
Rusty: In with Tonio.
Jing-Mei goes into the nursery where Mrs. Peterson is reading to Antonio.
Mrs. Peterson: Antonio, look who's here.
Antonio: Mama.
Antonio, who's sitting on Mrs. Peterson's lap supported by her arm, stretches his arms out to his mommy. Jing-Mei, picks him up.
Jing-Mei: Hi, Mrs. Peterson. Hi baby. I didn't mean to interrupt. What are you reading to him.
Mrs. Peterson: Green Eggs and Ham. He seems to like this book.
Jing-Mei: His father did, too. One time they brought a little girl into the ER. She had been in a car accident and Dave had just discovered that she'd been molested by her father, who was a patient in next room. To keep from killing the guy, Dave read this book to the little girl while a pediatrician did a pelvic on her.
Mrs. Peterson: He sure had a thing about...
The two ladies heard a scream from the other room. It's Rusty.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, what happened?
Rusty: Rascal bit me.
Jing-Mei: I told you not to try to operate on the dog.
Rusty: I was playing with him.
Jing-Mei: I'm not sure if Rascal knew that. Are you alright?
Rusty: I'm bleeding.
Jing-Mei: Let me see it.
Rusty comes running in to the nursery, crying. He shows Jing-Mei and Mrs. Peterson his finger.
Jing-Mei: It looks like he just nipped you. You'll be fine. Go into the bathroom, clean it and then put a band-aid on it. Then draw Rascal's bath.
Rusty does as he's told while the ladies exchange smiles.
Mrs. Peterson: Anyway, like I said, Dave had a thing about abused children because of what his father did to him.
Jing-Mei: He does take them personally...uh, he did take them personally.
After the last week or so she spent with Erik in his sessions, she's looking for a way to change the subject so she starts bouncing Antonio, who's laughing the whole time.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, I don't hear any water running in the tub!
Rusty: Doing it now. Come here, Rascal.
Mrs. Peterson: Those two are so cute together.
Jing-Mei: Yeah, a real comedy team. Uh oh...
Mrs. Peterson: What's wrong?
Jing-Mei: Antonio's feeling a little wet and...
Jing-Mei starts to take a sniff. Mrs. Peterson follows suit.
Mrs. Peterson: Oh, right. I'll take him.
Jing-Mei: That's okay. I don't mind. Will you check on those two for me?
Mrs. Peterson: Sure.
After Mrs. Peterson checks on the dynamic duo in the bathroom, she stops by the nursery and says goodnight to Jing-Mei and Antonio.
That evening, after both Rascal and Rusty had their baths and are sitting in the living room with Antonio watching tv, Jing-Mei is sitting in the lounge chair reading when Rusty walks up to her. He starts to stare at her without saying a word. Jing-Mei is waiting for him to say something, but he doesn't. He continues to stare.
Jing-Mei: What do you want, Rusty?
Rusty: Rascal, he's okay?
Jing-Mei: Yeah, he's fine. Why?
Rusty: He has to go doctor tomorrow. He's sick.
Jing-Mei: No, he's not. Just because he's going to the vet doesn't mean anything is wrong. He's having a check up, that's all---just like you and Antonio have every couple months.
Rusty: Can I go with you tomorrow?
Jing-Mei: No, I don't want you outside so soon after coming home from the hospital. Your throat may still be sore and you'll get sick again.
Rusty: No, I won't.
Jing-Mei: And if you get sick then I will have to take you back to the doctor and he'll give you a shot.
Rusty: I'll stay home.
Jing-Mei(smirking): If you insist.
Rusty: Mama Jing, will you ask the doctor if Rascal has tonsils and they have to come out and I can give him ice cream.
Jing-Mei: Yes, I will ask him.
Rusty sits back on the floor with Rascal and turns his video game on.
Rusty: Mama Jing, when can I see papa again?
Jing-Mei: Not for awhile. Your daddy's not feeling too well now. He doesn't want you to see him until he's better. But he sends all you guys his love.
Rusty: Tell him Rascal and me love him too.
Jing-Mei: I will.
Rusty: When can he come home?
Jing-Mei: I'm not sure. I hope soon...
Antonio starts to wheeze causing Jing-Mei to pick him up off the floor and carry him into the nursery.
Rusty: Tonio, okay?
Jing-Mei: He's alright. He's just having a small asthma attack. He'll be fine once I give him a treatment. Go back and play with your game.
The next morning when Mrs. Peterson arrives, Jing-Mei instructs her to watch Antonio carefully and that he may need another treatment today.
Jing-Mei: If the treatment doesn't seem to work or he gets worse, don't hesitate to bring him in, alright.
Mrs. Peterson: I won't.
Jing-Mei puts Rascal on his leash. Rusty gives his dog a hug and heads for his video game. Jing-Mei takes Rascal out to the car, which she had repaired, drives him to Dr. Romano's and drops him off before heading to the ER to start work.
During one of her breaks, Jing-Mei sees Dr. Romano and asks about Erik's test results.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Romano, have you gotten all the results to Erik's tests back?
Dr. Romano: Yeah, and they're...
Jing-Mei: They're what?
Dr. Romano: Negative. I can't find any reason why Erik couldn't breathe.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Legaspi was probably right then. Erik's recent breathing problems are psychosomatic.
Dr. Romano: When is his next session with her?
Jing-Mei: This afternoon.
Dr. Romano: You going to be there?
Jing-Mei: Of course. I always am.
Dr. Romano: Just keep him under control and tell Dr. Legaspi if she can find out what is wrong with him that would cause him to stop breathing.
Jing-Mei: I will in both cases.
Dr. Romano: You drop the dog off this morning?
Jing-Mei: Yes, and Rascal seemed that he knew his way around your house already. He ran right for Henrietta. That's a Malucci for you. Only one thing on his mind.
Romano: Like master, like dog.
Jing-Mei signs out her last patient and heads up to Erik's room. Dr. Legaspi is already in there with Erik. As Jing-Mei slips in the door of the darkened room and pulls a chair over towards them, Erik's head drops and he's under the hypnosis.
Dr. Legaspi: Erik, can you hear me?
Erik nods.
Dr. Legaspi: Erik, you told us about when you went to jail and how you got that rod in your back, now what do you want to talk about today?
There's a silence in the room. Slowly Erik starts to talk.
Erik: Sssophie, hhhave tto ggo nnow.
Dr. Legaspi: How old are you?
Erik: Sssisteen.
Dr. Legaspi: That makes Sophie twelve, right.
Erik nods.
Dr. Legaspi: Where are you going?
Erik: Wwwork. Oon sstreets. Mmmy fffriends. Mmmake mmoney.
Dr. Legaspi: You're going to sell drugs, aren't you?
Erik(with tears in his eyes): Yeah.
Erik opens his eyes and Dr. Legaspi notices that they are glassy.
Dr. Legaspi: Erik, have you taken any of those drugs yourself?
Erik frantically nods his head and then drops his head down, embarrassed.
Dr. Legaspi: It's okay. You were just a scared kid. Go ahead, Erik. Tell me more. How long did you stay out?
Erik: Nnnever ccame hhome.
Dr. Legaspi: Why not?
Erik: Wwwent jjjail.
Dr. Legaspi: This is when you were arrested.
Erik nods.
Dr. Legaspi: Alright, we already heard about that part of your life. Let's try to go somewhere earlier time.
Erik thinks for a moment. Then slowly drifts back into his past.
Erik(crying): Pppapa, Iii ddidn't mmean tto gget ssusspended. Ppplease ppapa ddon't hhurt mme. Iiim ssorry. PPPAPPA NNNOOO!!!
Erik starts to imitate his father's voice using an Italian accent.
Erik: YYYOU'RE AAA LLLOSER!! YYYOU'RE AAA WWWORTHLESS PPEICE OOF SSHIT!!! YYYOU'LL NNNEVER AAAPPRECIATE AANY TTHING III DO FFFOR YYOU!! MMMAYBBE YYYOU NNNEED MMMEE TTTO BBURN AA LLESSON IIN YOU, PPERMANENTLY.
Erik(crying hysterically): PPPPAPA, SSSTOP!!! IIII BBBBEE GGGOOD BBBOY! DDDDON'T HHHURT MMME!!!
Dr. Legaspi tries to comfort her scared patient. Erik gradually calms down and starts wiping his eyes.
Dr. Legaspi: Erik, how old are you?
Erik: Sssix.
Dr. Legaspi: And what is your father doing to you that has you so scared?
Erik: No, no.
Dr. Legaspi: It's okay, Erik. You can tell me. I won't let him hurt you.
Erik: Promise?
Dr. Legaspi(nodding): Promise.
Erik: Hhhe pppunisshed mme.
Dr. Legaspi: He spanked you?
Erik: Sssstarted ttto, ttthen.
Erik goes silent. He starts looking around the room, hoping that the lady stops asking him questions.
Dr. Legaspi: Erik, what did you mean when you said that your father was going to burn a lesson in you?
Erik shrugs. Dr. Legaspi gets one of the dolls she used in her last session and hands it to Erik.
Dr. Legaspi: Show me with the doll.
Erik rolls the doll on his side. He points to it and then himself.
Erik: Mmme.
Then he pulls up the doll's shirt and shows it's back. With his other hand, he points his index finger at the doll's back. Then pokes the doll with it.
Erik: ZZZZZZZ (pause) ZZZZZZ
Dr. Legaspi: What was he doing to you?
Erik: Bbburnning mmmy lllesson iiin mmee.
Dr. Legaspi: With what? What did he use on you?
Erik: Iiiiron.
Dr. Legaspi: Iron? Like you use to press clothes?
Erik shakes his head, no.
Erik: Weeelding.
Dr. Legaspi: Welding? (pause) Oh, god. A soldering iron. He burned you with a soldering iron.
Erik nods continuously. Dr. Legaspi tries to keep her own emotions under control while she continues to question Erik.
Dr. Legaspi: Was he drunk?
Erik: Yyyeah.
Dr. Legaspi: What happened next?
Erik: Mmmama rrrun in. Tttry ttto sstop hhim. Ssshe cccouldn't. Hhhe wwouldn't.
Erik tries to catch his breath before he continues.
Erik: Mmmama tttell ppapa bbbback ooff mme. Llleave mmme aallone. Ppppapa cccalled hher wwhore aaand ggget wway. Ssshe's nnnext aaafter hhe ffinishes wwith mmme.
Dr. Legaspi: Then what happened?
Erik: Ggggrab hhher. Kkkkick mmme. Ccchase Ssssophie. Tttoss mmmama dddownsstairs. Ssshould bbe mmme.
Dr. Legaspi: Your mother okay?
Erik(crying hysterically): Nnno, nno. Kkkilled hher. Hhhe kkkilled mmmy mmommy. Hhhe kkkilled mmmommy. Wwhy? Ssshould bbbe mme.
Dr. Legaspi: No, Erik. It shouldn't be you. He had no right to kill anyone.
Erik: Iiii bbbad bbboy. Iiii dddessserve tto ddie.
Dr. Legaspi: Your father was bad, not you. Was your father ever punished?
Erik shakes his head.
Erik: Gggot wway wwith iit. Dddoes aalwaays.
Dr. Legaspi: This wasn't your fault, Erik. Do you understand that?
Erik nods.
Dr. Legaspi: Alright, I think that's enough for today. I'm going to bring you out of your sleep now, Erik. I want you to wake up now but you won't remember a thing that we talked about. You will be calm and relaxed. I need you to breathe in and out slowly but steady.
Jing-Mei gets up and leaves the room. As soon as Erik is conscious, Dr. Legaspi joins her in the hall. Jing-Mei wipes her tears when she notices Dr. Legaspi walking over to her.
Dr. Legaspi: You okay?
Jing-Mei: I'm fine. What about him?
Dr. Legaspi: He's tough. He'll make it and he'll be a stronger, tougher man when this is all over.
Jing-Mei: He's a bastard.
Dr. Legaspi: Erik?
Jing-Mei: No, that monster of a father of his. How could he do that to his own son? I'm not saying that my boys are perfect but I hate yelling at them. I do because they need discipline. If I ever raised... I could never even think about laying a hand on them. I don't believe in spanking a child. I can't imagine ever doing to them what Erik's father did to him.
Dr. Legaspi: That's cause you're a good mother. Unfortunately, not everyone is a good parent. You told me before that Erik never had anything to do with his older son.
Jing-Mei: He never even saw him before---just in pictures. I had his sister come with Rusty after his attack. He loved his son---he loves both his sons, but he just can't be around them.
Dr. Legaspi: He's scared.
Jing-Mei: I know. That's what he told me the day I told him I was pregnant. The same day that he was...never mind. He said he was afraid of turning into his father and now I can see why. Don't get me wrong, Erik would never hurt his children the way he was...
Dr. Legaspi: I believe that.
Jing-Mei: Um, not to change the subject but I've been doing alot of thinking about something you said during Erik's last session.
Dr. Legaspi: What was that?
Jing-Mei: He still doesn't use his left hand very much...actually not at all. I've been lifting his legs up to strengthen the muscles and keep the circulation going but that's not enough. I'll have to speak with Romano about starting his physical therapy again.
Dr. Legaspi: Sorry, not my department. I deal with the inner workings of the human body, not the outer.
Jing-Mei: Sorry, I shouldn't be laying this on you.
Dr. Legaspi: That's okay. I'm not only here to help Erik, but the whole family. Now, let's put your husband to bed.
Jing-Mei and Dr. Legaspi head back into Erik's room when they hear a bang. They run in to find Erik on the floor next to his bed.
Jing-Mei: ERIK!!
Dr. Legaspi: Damn it. He must have wheeled himself over here and tried to get into bed himself. Help me get him up. Is he alright?
Jing-Mei: He's disconnected his vent again, but other than that he seems alright.
Jing-Mei reconnects Erik's vent. She and Dr. Legaspi help Erik up, but he panics when the women grab him. He starts to squirm about.
Erik: Ggget off mme! Dddo sself!
Jing-Mei: Erik, relax. We'll just trying to help you.
Erik: Dddon't wwwant hhhelp! Dddo sself!
Erik continues to squirm, making it difficult for the ladies to put him in bed. Without warning, Erik screams and puts his hand through a wall causing him to start to howl in agonizing pain.
Erik: OOOUCH!! HHHAND!!!
The doctors manage to get him into bed. Jing-Mei sedates Erik while Dr. Legaspi looks for a portable x-ray. The x-ray is done on a semi-conscious Erik and within twenty minutes, Jing-Mei is looking at the picture.
Dr. Legaspi: Well, what do you think?
Jing-Mei: I'm definitely going to get a second opinion on this but I think Erik not only broken several bones in his hand but damaged the plate that was implanted to hold the hand together. I think he may need surgery.
Dr. Legaspi: Maybe you should talk to Dr. Romano and schedule him for physical therapy again?
Jing-Mei: Now, I'm not so sure. If Erik is this aggressive now in his weaken condition, how is he going to be when he regains his strength and movement? We can barely control him now.
Dr. Legaspi: And I'm afraid the deeper we get into his mind and past, the more aggressive he's going to become.
To be continued. Please read and review.