Recovery
Part 30
A/N: Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian
Jing-Mei stood at the admit desk stunned. It took her a few minutes to be able to speak.
Jing-Mei: Uh, John. This is...
Carter: I know. I recognized her when they brought her in. I thought you would probably want to take her.
Jing-Mei: How is she?
Carter: I just triaged her but she's stable. She's in exam 2.
Jing-Mei: Has anyone called her husband?
Carter: Deb, her husband was one of our D.O.A.'S.
Jing-Mei puts her hand to her mouth.
Jing-Mei: Oh god! Has anyone told her?
Carter: No, not yet. She wasn't very coherent when she was brought in.
Jing-Mei: I'll tell her.
Carter: I figured you would.
Jing-Mei heads toward exam 2. Before she enters, she wipes the tears from her face, takes a deep breath and looks at Carter.
Jing-Mei: This is the part of my job that I really hate.
Carter nods in agreement and gives her a comforting hug. She enters the exam room where Connie is sitting with Mrs. Peterson. Mrs. Peterson is conscious. She has a small bandage on her head and an IV in her arm. Jing-Mei walks over to her.
Jing-Mei: How's she doing?
Connie: Stable. Vitals are normal.
Jing-Mei: Thanks. Connie, could you give us a couple of minutes?
Connie: Sure.
Connie leaves and Jing-Mei approaches Mrs. Peterson. She starts to look over her chart.
Jing-Mei: Hi Mrs. Peterson. Sorry to have to see you under the circumstances. How are you feeling?
Mrs. Peterson: Dr. Chen, I didn't know you were working today?
Jing-Mei: I wasn't. After I got done upstairs with the boys checkup, Dr. Green asked if I could help out.
Mrs. Peterson: The boys...where are the boys?
Jing-Mei: Relax, Mrs. Peterson. They're in the lounge with a nurse. They're fine, but how are doing?
Mrs. Peterson: My head is killing me and I'm feel very weak...a little dizzy when I sit up. How's my husband? How's Lee?
Jing-Mei(gulps): According to your chart, your CAT Scan came back negative. There's no bleeding in the brain or swelling or any sign of a fracture.
Mrs. Peterson: That's good, then.
Jing-Mei: Very good. It means there's no sign of a brain injury.
Mrs. Peterson: Why does my head hurt so much?
Jing-Mei pulls out a small flashlight and shines it into Mrs. Peterson's eyes.
Jing-Mei: Pupils are active but dilated. You probably have a bad concussion.
Mrs. Peterson: I can go home then?
Jing-Mei: No, I think that we are going to keep you for observation for a day or so. Concussions can be very dangerous. It's just a precaution.
Mrs. Peterson: You never answered my question. How's Lee?
Jing-Mei: I'm going to prescribe some Tylenol #3 and some Vicoden. They should help with the pain.
Mrs. Peterson: Why are you avoiding my question? I want to see my husband, please.
Jing-Mei: You can't.
Mrs. Peterson: Why not? Is he in surgery? If he can't come to me then I want to go to him.
Jing-Mei looks directly into Mrs. Peterson's eyes and unable to hold eye contact with the older woman any longer, she drops her head down to the floor to hide the forming tears that are sliding down her cheeks.
Jing-Mei: Mrs. Peterson...I...I..
Mrs. Peterson (crying hysterically): Oh no, no, no. Don't you tell me that my husband is dead. He's not.
Jing-Mei: I'm so sorry. I know that doesn't help very much now and I wish there was something I could do. I'm sorry.
Jing-Mei slowly moves towards Mrs. Peterson and holds her friend in her arms while she cries and grieves.
Mrs. Peterson(crying): This isn't fair. Today's my son's birthday and now it's been tainted forever. My husband is dead and I don't have him here to help remember Grant. It's not fair.
Jing-Mei: Believe me, I know about life not being fair and I do know what you are going through. I've been there. (biting her tongue)As you know, I've lost my husband too. It's true we weren't married as long as you were but it hurts all the same. (pause) I don't want you to think you are alone in this. Me and my boys will be there for you whenever you need us. Don't hesitate to ask us if you need something.
Mrs. Peterson: I know you will be. Thank you, you're sweet.
Jing-Mei: You're family and family does for each other. You have always been there for me and the boys when we needed you. They love you and think of you like a grandmother. (pause) For what it's worth, Mr. Peterson was killed instantly.
Mrs. Peterson: He wasn't in any pain?
Jing-Mei: No, I don't believe he was. I don't think he even knew what hit you. He died quickly and peacefully.
Mrs. Peterson: The best way.
Jing-Mei: Yes, I wish Dave had gone that way instead of suffering as long as he did.
Mrs. Peterson: It's not right. Why do some families have all the bad luck and tragedies and some families don't know what misery is like? Not that I wish how I'm feeling on anyone else but...
Jing-Mei: I know. We've had more than our fair share of tragedy in our family. But I'd like to believe that is what makes us stronger. We know that we are survivors through the worst that can happen.
Mrs. Peterson: First, Dr. Dave's kidnapping and attack and then my beautiful Grant's death, then Antonio gets taken, then Rusty's mom and aunt's deaths, then Dr. Dave dies, next Rascal gets hurt and now my wonderful dear Lee...(continues to cry hysterically).
Jing-Mei(holding Mrs. Peterson in a comforting hug): Shhh. Don't talk about that now. I'm going to arrange for a room upstairs for you and you promise me that you will get some rest and I'll be back to check on you later.
Mrs. Peterson: I promise.
Jing-Mei administers a mild tranquilizer to Mrs. Peterson and arranges for neurology to take her. She's sent upstairs and Jing-Mei heads into the lounge to collect the boys. Chuny and Malik are now sitting with the kids. Rusty is at the table drawing and Antonio is in Chuny's arms with a bottle.
Chuny: Hey guys, look who's here.
Rusty turns around and Antonio starts to giggle.
Rusty: Mama Jing, look what I drew.
Jing-Mei: That's very nice, Rusty.
Antonio: Mama!
Jing-Mei: Hey baby. How's mama's little man? Thanks for looking after them. I hope they weren't too much trouble.
Malik: Absolutely not. They're great kids. Very well behaved.
Jing-Mei: That's Dave's influence.
Malik and Chuny look at each other and try but are unable to hold back a laugh.
Malik and Chuny: Yeah, right!
Jing-Mei: Okay Rusty, let's go home. Let's go see Rascal.
Rusty: Alright, I'm coming.
Rusty stands up and gathers his belongings. He walks over to his two sitters and extends his hand.
Rusty: Goodbye Maik, thank you for playing with me.
Malik grabs Rusty's hand and shows him the traditional handshake. Rusty does it.
Malik: Alright, man. Cool, you got it. Catch you later.
Rusty then extends his hand to Chuny.
Rusty: Ciao Chuny, gracias for taking care of Tonio.
Chuny smiles and bends down to the little boy and gives him a hug.
Chuny(in Spanish): You're quite welcome. You're fine young men and it was a pleasure. Take care, sweetheart.
Then Chuny gives him a peck on the cheek which he instantly wipes off.
Rusty: Yuck!
Jing-Mei: Rusty, that wasn't nice. I'm sorry Chuny. He's still not very comfortable around girls yet and he hates to be kissed.
Chuny: That's okay. I guess that's where he and Dr. Dave differ.
Chuny squeezes Antonio's little hand in an effort to say goodbye.
Antonio: Bye, bye.
Chuny: Bye, sweetheart.
Jing-Mei takes the boys home, feeds and bathes them then puts Antonio in his swing while she has a little talk with Rusty. Rusty heads over to his video game when he is stopped by Jing-Mei.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, sweetheart. Come here. Sit on the couch. I need to tell you something.
Rusty sits beside her on the couch and looks at the seriousness in her face.
Rusty: Mama Jing, what's wrong? You look sad. Doctor said me and Tonio alright?
Jing-Mei: You're fine.
Rusty: Papa okay?
Jing-Mei: It's not your papa. Rusty, something happened last night. When Grandpa Peterson picked up Grandma Peterson last night...there was an accident.
Rusty starts to panic.
Rusty: Grandma okay?
Jing-Mei: Yes, she's fine. She hurt her head and she'll just be in the hospital until tomorrow, but...your Grandpa Peterson...Rusty, I'm sorry...he didn't make it.
Rusty: He died and now he's with mama and Aunt Sophie.
Jing-Mei: Yes, he's taken care of them and his son, Grant and your Grandma Malucci.
Rusty: Poor Grandma Peterson, she must be sad now.
Jing-Mei: Very. Are you okay, dear?
Rusty: Yeah, I'm ok. I'm use to people dying on me. I think I want to go to sleep now, please.
Jing-Mei: Sure, go ahead. I'm going to put Antonio down for the night and I'll be in to tuck you in. Better bring Rascal in from the yard before you go to bed.
Rusty: Okay, goodnight Mama Jing.
Rusty gives Jing-Mei a hug and kiss goodnight and lets Rascal in. Jing-Mei picks Antonio up from his swing and takes him in the nursery. She changes him and puts him in his crib. She starts to read to him his favorite story, "Green Eggs and Ham". While she read, she couldn't help but understand what is going on with Rusty. He loved his Grandpa Peterson, but he barely seemed phased by his death. Rusty is a very sensitive little boy, yet he felt nothing. Maybe what Rusty said was true: he's lost so many people in his life that he's comfortable with death now. As Antonio drifted into dreamland, Jing-Mei turned on his monitor and started up his mobile. She headed towards Rusty's room to tuck him in as she promised.
She walks to his door and as she opens it, she hears some whining and crying. She turns on the light. Once on, she sees Rusty lying awake in bed, his face drenched with tears and shaking. Rascal is laying beside his bed, licking his hand and whining. She heads over to the crying little boy and picks him up.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, are you alright, big guy?
Rusty(crying): Grandpa Peterson, is gone! It's not right. Why did he have to die? Why? I'm going to miss him so much.
Jing-Mei: I know baby. So am I. I don't know why he had to be taken from us. Why is anyone? And you're right it's not right.
Rusty(crying): He was so good. Mama and Aunt Sophie were too. And now, they're all gone. Everyone I love dies.
Jing-Mei: Hey, hey. Don't you even think that. Me, Rascal, Antonio, Mrs. Peterson and Mr. Santini aren't going anywhere. We are going to be here for ever. (pause) Rusty, I knew this wasn't going to be easy to tell you but I thought you handled it well. Has it just hit you what I said?
Rusty: No, I knew what you said and it upset me but boys don't cry. I didn't want you to see me cry. I'm a big boy and you're going to think I'm nothing but a big baby.
Jing-Mei: That's not true. It takes a real man or big boy to show your emotions. If something or someone hurts you then you go right ahead and cry. You cry your heart out if that makes you feel better.
Jing-Mei sits with Rusty and Rascal until they start to fall asleep. Jing-Mei pulls the cover over Rusty and pats Rascal's head then she gets up from the bed and as she is getting ready to turn out the lights, she hears a small voice call to her.
Rusty: Mama Jing.
Jing-Mei: Yes, Rusty. What is it?
Rusty: What about papa?
Jing-Mei: Papa?
Rusty: You said that you, Rascal, Tonio, Mr. Santini and Grandma Peterson would never leave me, but you didn't mention papa. Is that because papa is going to be the next to die on me?
Jing-Mei: I'm sorry baby. I should have said papa, too. Papa is doing fine and he's getting better everyday so don't you worry about it. Now, go to sleep and have pleasant dreams. Goodnight.
Rusty: Night, Mama Jing.
Jing-Mei feels like kicking herself after that slip up but the truth is she doesn't know for sure if Dave will ever actually be there for his sons...neither physically or mentally. She had to make it a point to do whatever she could, whatever it took to make Erik better. That little boy couldn't lose anyone else he loves and neither could she.
The next morning, Mr. Santini came over to watch the boys while Jing-Mei went to work. She took Rascal with her, explaining to Rusty that she was taken the dog to see Erik. She dropped Rascal off at Dr. Romano's house and headed to the hospital.
When she arrived at the hospital, she went up to visit Mrs. Peterson. She was sleeping so Jing-Mei spoke with her doctor. The doctor told her that he was discharging her later that day. Jing-Mei told the doctor to page her when the discharge came through.
Midway through her shift, her pager went off. She told Mark that she was taken her break now and went upstairs. She entered Mrs. Peterson's room and sat with the older lady, who was still understandably upset. She was dressed and ready to leave.
Mrs. Peterson: Dr. Chen, you came to see me off.
Jing-Mei: How are you feeling?
Mrs. Peterson: Head still hurts but the dizziness is just about gone.
Jing-Mei: That's good. So, are you ready to leave?
Mrs. Peterson: Very much so. Has the nurse called me a cab?
Jing-Mei: I told her not to. I'm driving you home.
Mrs. Peterson: I can't ask you to do that.
Jing-Mei: You aren't. I insist. Besides, you'll be staying with us until you get better.
Mrs. Peterson: That's not necessary. I'll be fine at my house.
Jing-Mei: You'll also be all alone. You shouldn't be left alone now. You still need to be watched, anyway, I could use the company at home.
Mrs. Peterson: Actually, I don't think I'm ready to go home after all. Thank you, I would like to stay with you as long as I'm not putting you out.
Jing-Mei: There's plenty of room. The boys will love it.
Mrs. Peterson: Rusty, does he know?
Jing-Mei: I told him last night and he took it very hard.
Mrs. Peterson: Poor little guy.
Jing-Mei drove Mrs. Peterson home and settled her in. She told Mr. Santini what to watch for and if anything happened to page her immediately. Rusty insisted on helping to take care of her.
Jing-Mei headed back to work and finished out her shift. She got out of the ER late so when she entered Erik's room, he was already under the hypnosis.
Jing-Mei: Sorry, I'm late.
Dr. Legaspi: That's alright. We just got started. (pause) Erik, today I want to discuss what happened the other day in your room. I need you to concentrate and try to go back in time to whatever frightened you happened. Can you do that?
Erik shakes his head.
Dr. Legaspi: Try to. It's very important.
Erik squeezes his eyes tightly shut and within minutes starts to nod.
Dr. Legaspi: You are there, aren't you?
Erik nods.
Dr. Legaspi: Tell me about it. How old are you?
Erik: Sssseven. Sssssophie ttthree.
Dr. Legaspi: What's happening?
Erik: Mmme dddoing hhhomework. Sssophie plllay ddoll. Pppapa ccome iin. Tttakes Ssssophie hhand. Gggo iiinto rrroom. Sssstay mmme rrroom oother.
Dr. Legaspi: Let me get this straight. You were doing your homework while Sophie played with her doll then your father came in and took Sophie into a room and you stayed in another room. Is that correct?
Erik nods.
Dr. Legaspi: Go on.
Erik: Ssscreaming Sssophie. Nnno pppapa. Ssstop iit. Llleave mme llone. Iii sstarted pppounding oon ddoor. Ppppounding til hhand bbleed. Pppapa ccomme ooout gggrabb mme tthroat. Hhhe ssaid Iii wwwant ssee wwhat ggoing oon? Hhhe mmakke ssure Iii hhave fffront rrow sseat.
Erik stops talking and shakes his head trying to get rid of the vision that is in his head.
Dr. Legaspi: No, Erik. Don't try to lose the image. I need to know what frightened you if I'm going to help you. Now, I know this is hard for you, but it's essential you tell me, okay.
Erik: Oookay. (pause) Ppput mme iin ccchair. Ppput rropes rround mme. Cccan't mmmove. Bbbbrings Sssophie iiin. Nnno cllothes. Hhhe ttakes hhis ppants zzzipper ddown. Ppputs Sssophie ooon ccouch. Sssshe ccries. Iii ttell hhim tto sstop iit.
Dr. Legaspi: He didn't listen to you?
Erik: Nnno. Ssscream ooover and ovver, llouder and lllouder. Tttell mme sshutup.
Dr. Legaspi: And were you quiet?
Erik: Nnno. Hhhurt Sssophie. Hhaave tto sstop. Kkkeep yyelling aat hhim. Hhhe ggoes iinto mmy bbedrroom. Cccomes bbback aaand ssstuffs sssock iiin mmmy mmmouth. Iiii ssspit ooout. Hhhe gggets ttttappe annd pputs sssock bbback iiin aaand wwinds tttape rrrround mmmouth. Cccan't tttalk, cccan't sscream, cccan't bbreathe(starts gasping for air). Hhhe kkkeeps tttelling mmme sssshut fffuck uuup ccccause Iiiimmm nnext. Hhhe cccontinnues hhhhurtting Sssophie aand llaughing aat Dddavey.
Dr. Legaspi: How did you get out of that?
Erik: Pppapa lleave fffinally. Sssophie hhhelps Dddavey. Fffrees mmme.
Dr. Legaspi: Sophie untied you.
Erik: Nnno ccan't kknots tttight. Ssshe puulled ttape ooff mmy mmouth.
Dr. Legaspi: She removed your gag, then.
Erik: Iiii ssspit oout ssock. Iii tttalked gggain. Tttell hher tto gget ssccissors. Cccut rrropes.
Dr. Legaspi: Were you both okay?
Erik: Hhhard tto bbreathe. Sssophie ssore. Bbboth ookay.
Dr. Legaspi: So, basically he forced you to watch while he raped your sister.
Erik(nodding): Ttthis ttime.
Dr. Legaspi: He's done this before, but never in front of you.
Erik nods.
Dr. Legaspi: Erik, I have to ask you something that will be extremely difficult but it's important. Take your time telling me. Did your father hurt you the way he hurt Sophie? Did he ever touch you in the same matter?
Erik doesn't reply. Tears cover his face and he starts squeezing his hands into tight fists, although he can't quite close his hand with the cast on it, completely.
Dr. Legaspi: Erik, please answer me.
Erik sits totally still for a moment or two and nods his head.
Dr. Legaspi: He did, didn't he? Tell me about it.
Erik: Sssix or sseven mmonths lllater. Iiii eeight yyyears oold. Pppapa ddrunk. Cccome mmmy rroom. Ggget rready ffor sspanking.
Dr. Legaspi: He's going to spank you. What did you do to get spanked?
Erik(crying): Nnnothing. Mmmatter ddoesn't. Ssspank aanyway. Hhhe gggrabbs mme aaand ttturrns mme oon sstommach oon bbed. Hhhe ppulls mmy pppants dddown aaand...iit hhurts. Pppresses gggainst mmme. Iiit hhurts. Iiii sstart ccrying, sscrreamming. Hhhee ttells mme sshut fffuck up. Hhhe gggetts sssock bbut Iiii hhhold mmmouth cclose. Hhhe ccan't ppput in mmouth. Ssstay qquiet. Hhhhe hhhurts mme. Lllleaves. Cccomes bbback ggain aand ggain. Aall nnight.
Erik's emotions take over and he can barely control his anger, fear and misery. He starts to scream at the top of his lungs.
Erik: OOOH GGGOD!!! PPPAPA RRRAPED MMME!!! HHHE RRRAPED MMME!!
Seeing that Erik is too far gone to continue and with the added distraction of his heart monitor beeping loudly, Dr. Legaspi brings him out of it. She and Jing-Mei help Erik into bed. Jing-Mei wipes his face, checks his vitals and gives him his stuffed dog. She waits for him to fall asleep before joining Dr. Legaspi in the hall.
Jing-Mei: My god. That poor thing. His father was an animal.
Dr. Legaspi: I've dealt with abused kids before but I have to admit it, Erik is one of the most severely abused ones. Usually, the kids that I talk with that are that badly abused don't live long enough to become adults. The ones that do make it usually become the abusers or wind up as emotional basket cases like...
Jing-Mei: Like Erik.
Dr. Legaspi: Yeah.
Jing-Mei: When we did our psyche rotation they told us that abuse runs in cycles. Erik was so terrified that he inherited that part from his father that he told me to abort our baby when I first told him I was pregnant.
Dr. Legaspi: He actually told you to get an abortion.
Jing-Mei: Not in so many words but he implied it. I didn't know what to think. I knew he was against abortion and then to hear him talk to me about it... I was shocked.
Dr. Legaspi: It may not sound like it but I don't think Erik meant it to be mean or because he didn't want the responsibility. He only said it because he wanted to spare the child from going through what he did.
Jing-Mei: Erik would never do the things to his child that his father... Erik despised child molesters.
Dr. Legaspi: Oh, I know. I didn't mean to imply that he would hurt a child sexually... I meant more physically and I don't believe someone who loves kids the way that he does would ever physically hurt a child in any way, but he thought he would... and that scared the hell out of him.
Jing-Mei: I trust Erik with our children...100%. The boys are very comfortable around him and he around them...at least when he gives himself the chance to get to know them.
As the doctors continue to talk, they hear a strange noise---like a thumping sound. Unable to figure out what it is, they decide to follow it. It's coming from Erik's room. They go in and to both of their horror they see Erik continuously banging his head against the headboard of the bed.
To be continued. Please read and review.