Recovery
Part 37
A/N:
-Anything in bold italic is being spoken in Italian.
-It's implied that Jing-Mei and Mrs. Peterson are using an Italian/English dictionary to communicate with Rusty. However, they're scrambling through the book so they're really not talking as fast as it appears.
Both doctors were dumbfounded. Jing-Mei continued to bounce Antonio til he finally calmed down. She put him back into his stroller.
Jing-Mei: Rascal, go over and comfort Antonio.
Rascal got up from the floor and walked over to Antonio and licked the baby as Antonio reached out and scratched Rascal's ears. The doctors advanced towards Erik.
Jing-Mei: Erik! You spoke!
Dr. Legaspi: Yes he did. Looks like he's out of his catatonic state. Did you hear what he said?
Jing-Mei: He called Antonio--Nicholas. But why? I know Rusty bares a resemblance to Erik and his twin when they were younger and although Antonio does have some his daddy's feature---like his complexion and his spirit for life not to mention his lungs---but for the most part, he favors me.
Dr. Legaspi: Maybe cause Antonio is just a baby. Erik relates him to his brother.
Dr. Legaspi bends down to look at Erik in the eyes.
Dr. Legaspi: Erik, is there something about Nicholas you want to tell us?
Erik shakes his head. Dr. Legaspi straightens up and strokes his head.
Dr. Legaspi: That's alright. You spoke and you said your brother's name for the first time in I don't know how long. That was a giant step. We will work at getting you to open up some more. Listen to me Erik, if I go too quick or get too pushy or talk about things that you aren't ready to, then you just let me know and I'll back off. I will never disrespect your feelings again, like I did before. I am so sorry for what I did to you.
Erik nods and then shuts his eyes. Erik's visitors leave him to sleep.
Jing-Mei: I thought if I brought Rascal up that would break the ice with Erik. I had no idea it would be Antonio's presence that made the difference.
Dr. Legaspi: It is said that a child shall lead and now one has.
Jing-Mei: Yes, but up til now, Erik has never paid any attention to either of his kids. (pause) Does this mean we can start him back with his sessions?
Dr. Legaspi: In time. Let's not rush him. We don't want to scare him back into silence by pushing him too fast.
Jing-Mei: Agreed. We waited this long. Well, I've got to get these little guys home and I'll see you tomorrow.
Dr. Legaspi: Bye. (waving to Antonio and Rascal)
Down in the ER, Jing-Mei spreads the news about Erik's improved condition. To her delight, everyone seems relieved that Erik is getting better.
At home, Jing-Mei puts Antonio in his sleeper and lays him down in his crib. She activates his mobile while Rascal stands guard by him, chewing on his bone. She picks up the phone and calls the hotel where Mrs. Peterson and Rusty are staying.
The phone rings several times when it is finally answered.
Mrs. Peterson: Hello.
Jing-Mei: Mrs. Peterson, it's Dr. Chen.
Mrs. Peterson: Hi. I called earlier but you were out.
Jing-Mei: I know I got your message. Is everything alright? You sounded worried on the phone.
Mrs. Peterson: Not exactly. We visited Jada and Sophie's grave but my curiosity got the best of me. While Manny, Rusty and Marissa stayed at Sophie's grave, I spoke with the cemetery keeper about Nicholas Malucci's grave. I know I overstepped my ground but I thought maybe if I saw the grave then when Erik was well enough and could make the trip over here, then we would know exactly where he could visit his brother.
Jing-Mei: That's alright. I know you meant well. I thought that Nicholas would be buried with Sophie.
Mrs. Peterson: Not quite. She's here and their mother's here but Nicholas is not too far away. It's just a few feet away. But we have a problem.
Jing-Mei: What is it?
Mrs. Peterson: Rusty wandered over to where I was and saw the grave. He knew the last name "Malucci", but couldn't read the first name. He did however, read part of the first name, "Nic". He asked me if that was his little friend. What did he mean by that?
Jing-Mei: When Rusty was in the hospital having his tonsils out, he had a nightmare. Nic, was the name of his friend in the dream. But, it wasn't Rusty in the dream: it was Erik.
Mrs. Peterson: I don't understand.
Jing-Mei: It all has to do with Erik and his brother. It's kinda confusing. I'll explain later. Where's Rusty at now?
Mrs. Peterson: Out playing bocci ball with his friends. I'm worried about him.
Jing-Mei: Why? What's going on with him?
Mrs. Peterson: He saw the dates on Nicholas' grave and he started asking me questions that I was very uncomfortable answering.
Jing-Mei: Like what?
Mrs. Peterson: He asked me if Nic was a little boy and how did he die.
Jing-Mei: What did you tell him?
Mrs. Peterson: The truth. As much of it as I knew. That Nic was only two when he died but I didn't want to tell him how he died, so I said I didn't know. Then he asked me if Nic was related to him because they have the same last names. I said that Nic was his uncle but he died a long time ago.
Jing-Mei: Did that satisfy him?
Mrs. Peterson: I thought so, at first. But, later that night, he had a nightmare and he woke up screaming that the monster got Nic and was after him now. I don't know what to do.
Jing-Mei: You'll be coming home in a couple of days, so try to wait it out. If it gets any worse, than take the first plane home. Once you're here, I'll see if Erik's shrink can speak with Rusty, too. Maybe, she could stop his nightmares.
Mrs. Peterson: Okay. So, how's everything going there?
Jing-Mei: Antonio's home.
Mrs. Peterson: That's great news!
Jing-Mei: I have even more good news. Erik spoke. He's out of his catatonic state.
Mrs. Peterson: Wonderful! He's doing alright then?
Jing-Mei: Well, we are going to have to take it slow with him and not push any issues that he is not ready to talk about. Dr. Legaspi said that he may be able to resume his therapy in a couple of days. We have to see how he does over the next day or so.
Mrs. Peterson: Well, you give him, Antonio and Rascal our love and we'll see them soon. Goodbye.
Jing-Mei: Goodbye.
A few days later, Jing-Mei makes arrangements to take the day off, so she can pick Mrs. Peterson and Rusty up at the airport. Jing-Mei puts Antonio in his car seat and heads for the airport. She waits at the gate for the two travelers to arrive. Twenty-two minutes there and she hears Rusty's voice talking to Mrs. Peterson, who doesn't understand a word he's saying and is scrambling through her dictionary. Jing-Mei walks up a few feet to greet them.
Jing-Mei: Well, hello you two. Did you have fun?
Rusty: Si, Mama Jing. Tonio better.
Jing-Mei: I told you he would be.
Mrs. Peterson: I can't thank you enough for the trip. I had a great time.
Jing-Mei: I'm glad. Come on, let's go.
Rusty pushes Antonio's stroller to the baggage claim. Mrs. Peterson and Jing-Mei get the luggage and put it in Jing-Mei's car. Rusty insists on putting Antonio in his seat. While driving home, Jing-Mei tells Rusty and Jing-Mei about the break-in, making sure to leave out certain details. She explains to them how Rascal tackled the intruder.
Rusty: Rascal hero.
Jing-Mei: Yes, he is. The police wanted to take Rascal and train him to be a police dog.
Rusty(shaking his head fiercely): No, no take Rascal. Rascal's mine.
Jing-Mei(snickering): Relax Rusty. I told them that we weren't giving Rascal away and that you would never let him go.
Rusty breathed a sigh of relief as they pulled into the driveway. Jing-Mei parks the car and Rusty jumps out and runs up to the front door. He waits outside because he can't deactivate the alarm. Mrs. Peterson grabs some of their bags while Jing-Mei gets Antonio out of the car. The foursome go into the house and Rusty instantly runs into the kitchen and sees Rascal laying in his bed, sleeping.
Rusty: Rascal!!
Rascal automatically puts his head up and starts to wag his tail. Rusty goes over and hugs his brave pooch. Rascal starts to lick his face.
Rusty: I proud of you!! You my hero!!
Jing-Mei and Mrs. Peterson watch Rusty with Rascal and smile, but on the inside Jing-Mei is upset because she would love to see Rusty run up to Erik, hug him and say those very words. She knows that Rusty loves his dad, but it's hard for him to be close to him, like he is with Rascal, because Erik doesn't feel a connection with him. Some how she had to figure a way to get them to bond: all three of them---Erik, Rusty and Antonio.
Jing-Mei gets her returning family settled and then takes Rascal on his leash to visit Erik. After she puts the leash on Rascal, he pulls her towards the kitchen. She lets go of the leash, thinking Rascal needs water before they go. Minutes later, Rascal returns with his bone in his mouth.
Jing-Mei: Sure, Rascal you can bring it with you.
Rusty: Can I come, Mama Jing?
Jing-Mei: Uh, not today Rusty. You just got back from a long trip. While don't you just rest for today and we'll see about tomorrow. You look so tired.
Rusty: I fine. I'm not(yawning) tired.
Jing-Mei: Really.
Rusty: Well, maybe just a little.
Jing-Mei and Rascal get into the car and head for the hospital. She wanted to take Rusty with her. It's been a long time since he last visited Erik, but she didn't want him to see Erik tied to his bed or answer any of his questions about why his daddy is wearing restraints. She thought maybe if Erik was in better spirits by now, then maybe they could remove his bindings and Rusty could come see his daddy.
Jing-Mei and Rascal enter Erik's room and he's alone and wide awake. He's moving his right arm around his bed as if he was looking for something.
Jing-Mei: Sit Rascal.
Rascal lays down on the floor and chews on his bone. Jing-Mei walks over to Erik and kisses his head. He pays her no mind.
Jing-Mei: What are you doing there?
She watches him for several minutes and then realizes what he's doing.
Jing-Mei: Is this what you are looking for?
Jing-Mei lifts up the tv remote in Erik's line of vision. Erik nods.
Jing-Mei: You want the tv on?
Erik nods.
Jing-Mei: Here let me do it.
Jing-Mei turns on the tv and starts changing channels when Erik begins swinging his cast in the restraint and slams it against his bedrail, causing Jing-Mei to jump.
Jing-Mei: Erik, are you alright? You scared the hell out of me. What's wrong?
Erik tries to grab at the remote but his limited movement is making it impossible.
Erik: Mmme ddo. Wwwant.
Jing-Mei: You want to work the tv yourself? Okay, here you go.
She hands the remote back to him but he is unable to position his bound hands to
point the remote sensor at the tv. He tries several times and then gives it up. He throws the remote on his bed, leans his head back into his pillow and closes his eyes, obviously frustrated. Jing-Mei consoles him. She makes room on his bed for herself and gently brushes his jet black hair off his forehead and starts giving him small kisses.
Jing-Mei: I am so sorry about these(pointing at his restraints). I know the restraints suck. If you promise to behave yourself, I'm sure they will take them off you.
Erik starts pulling and tugging at the restraint on his right arm as his paralyzed left arm remains motionless on the bed. Both sit silently for the next few minutes thinking deeply. They are brought out of their daze, by the opening of the door. Dr. Legaspi steps in and walks over to the couple.
Dr. Legaspi: How are you two doing today?
Jing-Mei: Not too good. Uh, Dr. Legaspi, can I see you over here?
Jing-Mei and Dr. Legaspi walk outside Erik's room. They stop in front of the door as it shuts.
Dr. Legaspi: What's wrong?
Jing-Mei: He's really depressed.
Dr. Legaspi: That's not unusual.
Jing-Mei: Erik and I had a talk and he promised to behave himself. So, will you please take the restraints off him?
Dr. Legaspi: I don't know. What if he has another spell?
Jing-Mei: He won't and if he does I will take full responsibility. He can't do anything with them on. Besides, my older boy is back from Italy and he's asked to visit his papa. I don't want Rusty to see him tied up. Please you have my word, that nothing will go wrong.
Dr. Legaspi considers Jing-Mei's request.
Dr. Legaspi: Alright, I'll remove his restraints on the condition that when he does start back up with his therapy that we put them back on him.
Jing-Mei: Why?
Dr. Legaspi: In case you haven't noticed, but we are starting to get to the source of Erik's problems. You know it, I know it and Erik knows it and it's scaring the crap out of him. He's going to rebel. Hell, he's already started. Don't get me wrong, Dr. Chen, I like Erik and believe me he is probably the most interesting patient I've ever had but I can't allow him to throw tantrums during his sessions. It's not good for us and certainly not good for him--mentally or physically.
Jing-Mei: You said it's good for him to get his anger out about his past.
Dr. Legaspi: I know and I meant it, but his anger is turning violent and I can't allow him to harm anyone or himself. I'm really sorry but this is only way I will turn him loose.
Jing-Mei opens up Erik's door and sees Rascal with his front paws up on the bed. Erik is smiling at him and trying to pull his hand over to pet his playful friend, but can't. She closes the door, turns to Dr. Legaspi and nods.
Jing-Mei: You win. I don't like it, but I'll go along with it.
The doctors re-enter Erik's room and head over to his bed. Jing-Mei gets Rascal down off the bed and he goes back over to his spot on the floor. Jing-Mei smiles at her husband.
Jing-Mei: Erik, I told you that I was on your side, that you can trust me. I won't ever hurt you. I only want to help you. Now, we will untie you but you have to behave yourself, alright.
Erik nods. The doctors untie his hands and feet. Once the restraints are removed, a red ring appears around Erik's right hand and both ankles. He shakes them to get the circulation back.
Dr. Legaspi: You feel better, now?
Erik: Rrrrazal. Razzzal.
Jing-Mei: I think we can take that as a yes. Well, he's waited long enough. Come here Rascal, come Rascal.
Rascal comes over to Erik's bed and again puts his front paws up on the bed, dropping his bone on the bed. Erik starts to reach over to pet Rascal. Rascal becomes unsteady on Erik's bed so he tries to pull his entire body up but can't. The bone is in the way.
Jing-Mei(laughing): I'll get that out of the way.
Jing-Mei reaches on to the bed and pulls at the bone that is wedged between Erik and Rascal. She finally gets it loose and raises it up in one hand, causing Erik to shake and pull his right hand over his head, completely covering it and pulling his legs up into a ball.
Erik: Dddon't hhhit pppapa, sssorry Nnnnicholas. Dddidn't mmean hhhurt Nnnicholas.
To be continued. Please read and review.