Recovery
Part 40
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.
Carter swallows the lump that is forming in his throat which doesn't go unnoticed by the others.
Carter: Uh Deb, uh...
Jing-Mei: Are you alright, John? You look a little green there.
Carter: No, I'm not. Deb, can we go and talk somewhere?
Jing-Mei: What's going on, John?
Carter: Uh I..uh
Carter starts pulling at his shirt collar and loosening his tie to help him breathe better, while the whole time he's sweating profusely.
Mark: Just spit it out, Carter. Do you know something about this article?
Carter: I'm afraid I know everything about it.
Jing-Mei: You talked to a reporter about Erik?
Carter: Not intentionally. I didn't know... that is, yesterday a patient of mine in Curtain...uh what does it matter, Abby and I were talking just outside the curtain and we might have mentioned Erik...no, I'm sure we mentioned him.
Jing-Mei: What does any of that have to do with this article? It mentions Dave's name not Erik's. There's no way anyone could have made the connection.
Abby: It doesn't have to say Erik... when I was talking about him I referred to him as Dr. Dave. I also think I used your name, Dr. Chen and the name Malucci also came up.
Jing-Mei: Abby, how could you call him by his real name. How long has he been using an alias? You know that we call him Erik. How could you?
Carter: Deb, don't blame Abby. It's not her fault. She didn't know that we weren't alone---exactly. If you are going to blame anyone, blame me. I knew better than to do that.
Abby: So, do I. I am so sorry Dr. Chen. If there is anything I can do to make it up to you, let me know. I feel really bad about this.
Jing-Mei: You should.
Mark: I still don't understand how this story got on the front page if you were alone in the hall.
Carter: I told you we weren't exactly alone. My patient behind the curtain.
Jing-Mei: You think he overheard and told the newspaper.
Carter: I know he overheard but he didn't have to tell the newspaper.
Carter shows them the article.
Carter: My patient's name was Henry McMillian.
Jing-Mei: I definitely have to call Capt. Amos now, and have him put security back on us and increase Erik's security.
Mark: Carter and Abby, I want to have a word with both of you in the lounge before you sign in about breeching hospital security and patient confidentiality.
Jing-Mei picks up the phone and calls the police station. She gets the front desk and leaves a message for the captain. She hangs up and heads home.
She unlocks the front door. The house is empty, except for Rascal. Mrs. Peterson and Antonio took Rusty to school. Jing-Mei flops exhaustedly down on the couch, barely able to keep her eyes open. Suddenly, she feels something tickling her hand and giggles. She forces her eyes open to see Rascal licking her hand. She scratches the playful pooch behind the ears.
Jing-Mei: Hey there, did you miss me? I missed you too. But I am so tired now. I'll play with you later, alright. Maybe, I'll take you to visit your girlfriend when I go to work. Would you like that?
Rascal barks. Jing-Mei continues to scratch Rascal's ears and the happy dog lays down on the floor next to the couch and both fall fast asleep.
Mrs. Peterson awakens Jing-Mei after a few hours of sleep.
Mrs. Peterson: Dr. Chen, I'm sorry to wake you but there's a phone call for you.
Jing-Mei(groggy): Is it Capt. Amos? I left a message for him earlier.
Mrs. Peterson: No, it's Rusty's school. They need to speak with you.
Jing-Mei jumps up from the couch, startling Rascal. She runs and grabs the phone.
Jing-Mei: Hello, this is Rusty's mama, Dr. Chen. What's wrong? Has something happened to my little boy?
Principal: This is Mr. Taylor, Rusty's principal. No, Dr. Chen. He's fine but there is a problem.
Jing-Mei: What is it?
Principal: I think it's something we need to discuss in person. Would it be possible for you to come in and meet with me?
Jing-Mei: Yes, I'm on my way. But you are sure that he's alright?
Principal: He's right here in my office and he's okay.
Jing-Mei: Thank god! Tell him I'll be right there.
Jing-Mei hangs up and runs around the house to look for her purse and car keys.
Mrs. Peterson: Calm down, Dr. Chen. Is something the matter with Rusty?
Jing-Mei: According to his principal, he's okay...I just thought they got him.
Mrs. Peterson: Who got him?
Jing-Mei: Uh, Erik's assailants. Didn't you read the newspaper today?
Mrs. Peterson: No, not yet. Why?
Jing-Mei picks the morning paper off the table where it was put earlier that day. She shows her the front page, which Mrs. Peterson read.
Mrs. Peterson: Oh no, this means that word is out that Dave is alive.
Jing-Mei: Yes. That's why I called Capt. Amos earlier. Looks like we are going to have to start having security guards around us again.
Mrs. Peterson: Of course. Rusty won't be too happy.
Jing-Mei: I know. You can see why I was worried when his school called. I've got to go.
Jing-Mei runs out the door and into her car. She heads to Rusty's school.
An hour and a half later, Jing-Mei and Rusty walk through the front door.
Jing-Mei: Young man, go straight to your room and start your homework. Don't come out until I call you for dinner.
Rusty stomps off to his room, crying.
Jing-Mei: And don't ...(BANG) slam that door.
Mrs. Peterson: What in the world happened?
Jing-Mei sat at the table and put her head in her hands and started rubbing her temples.
Mrs. Peterson: Problems?
Jing-Mei: You can say that. You know, that little moppet in there got himself suspended from school. It's only his second week back and now he's going to miss a whole week of school.
Mrs. Peterson: What did he do to get suspended?
Jing-Mei: Fighting. He's been fighting. The one trait of Erik's I wish he hadn't inherited was his temper.
Mrs. Peterson: That sweet little boy fighting? I can't imagine that. I know he doesn't believe in violence---none of us do. What was he fighting about?
Jing-Mei: That's what is totally amazing. He was fighting over a girl.
Mrs. Peterson just about chokes on her coffee.
Mrs. Peterson: Rusty!! Over a girl!! I can't believe that.
Jing-Mei: Oh, believe it. As I recall, his papa was suspended when he was younger than Rusty. But that was for putting a cherry bomb in a toilet. That was also the day that his mother was...uh, yeah. I'm sure Erik has had more than his fair share of fights that got him in alot of trouble. Erik was always very good at getting into trouble. In fact, it was the one thing Erik excelled at in his life.
Mrs. Peterson: I would have an easier time of believing that Rusty was fighting a girl than over one. I know he's too much of a gentleman to hit a girl. We've taught him better than that.
Jing-Mei: The story I got from Rusty in the principal's office was that another boy was picking on his little friend, Gina, and Rusty acted like Sir Galahad and tried to rescue her.
Mrs. Peterson: Gina, isn't that his little girlfriend who's party he went missing at?
Jing-Mei: That's the one. Just don't call Gina his girlfriend where Rusty can hear you if you don't want to be caught in middle of an Italian argument with him.
Mrs. Peterson: Right. I'll start dinner. Why don't you try to get some more sleep before you go back to work.
Jing-Mei: I can't. I'm wide awake now. I'll never get back to sleep and if I do I'll probably oversleep. I think I'll take a bath.
Jing-Mei started to fill the tub when she popped her head back into the kitchen.
Jing-Mei: Did Capt. Amos call me back yet?
Mrs. Peterson: Not yet.
Jing-Mei: I'll call the station after my bath.
Jing-Mei heads back to tend to her bath water when she is called back to the kitchen by Mrs. Peterson.
Jing-Mei: Yes, Mrs. Peterson.
Mrs. Peterson: By the way, out of sheer curiosity...who won the fight?
Jing-Mei: The Italian Stallion Jr. won. Oh, Rusty got a small cut over his lip but the other kid is going to have a black eye and shiner for a long time to come. I guess he won't mess with Rusty again.
Jing-Mei goes into the bathroom and Mrs. Peterson continues cooking.
Mrs. Peterson: Alright, Rusty!! You go boy!
After her bath, Jing-Mei calls the station and gets Capt. Amos on the phone.
Capt. Amos: Yes, Dr. Chen I got your message. As a matter of fact, I was just getting ready to call you.
Jing-Mei: I suppose you read this morning's paper.
Capt. Amos: Oh yeah. Looks like Erik's cover is blown. What happened?
Jing-Mei: Slip of the tongue by two of our co-workers. Captain, I want security put back on us?
Capt. Amos: I told you whenever you were ready I would put it back on you. I'll put another guard on Erik too. (pause) How's he doing? Can I talk to him yet?
Jing-Mei: Not too good. He's not in that great of shape, yet. You can talk to him but I don't think he'll be too helpful to you, now. He still hasn't said anything about his attack fifteen months ago. I'll let you know though. I want to put an end to this soon.
Capt. Amos: Me too. I'll arrange for your guards.
Jing-Mei hangs up and goes into her bedroom and finishes dressing for work. She comes out and Rusty is finishing his dinner.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, when you are done your dinner I want you to come over here.
Rusty wipes his mouth with his napkin. Mrs. Peterson starts to remove the dishes. Rusty goes over to Jing-Mei.
Rusty: Mama Jing still mad at me.
Jing-Mei: I'm not... well, I was a little mad at you first, but I had a chance to cool down.
Rusty: Damian, push Gina. Boys don't hit girls. I protect like papa protect aunt Sophie and Uncle Niclas.
Jing-Mei: I know you thought that you were doing the right thing, and I guess you were but I don't ever want you fighting again.
Rusty: I win.
Jing-Mei: Rusty, you are missing my point. Fighting never solves anything. It just causes more problems.
Rusty: Aunt Sophie say that papa fought when he was my age. He even had gloves to wear.
Jing-Mei: That is another matter all together. There is a time and place to fight and a safe way to do it. (pause) Rusty, how would you like to take boxing lessons.
Rusty looks at her confused. He starts to scratch his head.
Jing-Mei: You'll get to use those gloves of your papa's.
Rusty: Yes, yes please Mama Jing.
Jing-Mei: I'll arrange it then, but for now, while you are suspended from school---you are not to leave this house and I want you in your room studying and not playing your video game. Understood?
Rusty: Yes. Mama Jing still love Rusty?
Jing-Mei: Always and forever.
They hug and Jing-Mei kisses his forehead.
Jing-Mei: Now, go get ready for your bath and then bed. I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight.
Rusty: Goodnight.
Jing-Mei walks into the pantry and then the kitchen and comes out with Rascal on his leash. Rusty hears the leash and comes out of his bedroom half-dressed.
Rusty: Where Rascal go?
Jing-Mei: Rascal is going to spend the night with his girlfriend. Now, bath time young man.
Jing-Mei drops Rascal off at Dr. Romano's place and hands him off to Romano's maid. She continues to the hospital. She isn't able to get through the ambulance bay doors. They are blocked with police cars and news vans. The ER is overran by reporters. Jing-Mei finally makes her way to the admit desk.
Jing-Mei: Randi, what on earth is going on?
Randi: Your husband's news again.
Jing-Mei: This is all because of Erik?
Randi: Yup, they're animals. We've already had four people brought in with injuries from being pushed, shoved, trampled and punched.
Out of the lounge pops Dr. Romano.
Romano: CHEN! GET IN HERE NOW!!!
Jing-Mei pushes her way through the hoards of people in the lobby and into the lounge, which is being guarded by hospital security. In the lounge, Romano is pacing back and forth. Kerry and Mark are with him.
Jing-Mei: Yes, Dr. Romano.
Romano: Do you see that out there. This is your doing. Yours and that mess' upstairs. Now, you got my ass incriminated in some sort of cover-up.
Jing-Mei: I know and I am really sorry. But you can't be held legally responsible for covering up or falsifying Erik's death. Capt. Amos made sure of that.
Kerry: I don't think that is what has Dr. Romano so upset, Jing-Mei.
Romano: This is the end of it, now. It's over. He punches a hole in one of my walls. Attacks you and Dr. Legaspi, breaks my nose, turns my hospital upside-down and makes himself a genuine pain in ass. That's all I'm going to put up with.
Mark: What are you saying, Dr. Romano?
Romano: In a few minutes, I will being making a statement to the press and I will not confirm Erik's existence, but if they ask---and you can be sure as hell, they will---I will not deny it. So, you had better be prepared to deal with this. I can't believe that I helped you all this time keeping him under wraps and you do this to me...
Jing-Mei: I am sorry, Dr. Romano. Erik and I appreciate everything you did for us and I spoke with Capt. Amos about increasing security around Erik. I promise you he won't cause anymore trouble.
Romano: See that he doesn't. Otherwise, I will carry out my earlier threat and well or not---I will kick his gimpy ass so far out of my hospital---you'll have to take a Greyhound Bus to find him. Do I make myself clear?
Jing-Mei: Yes, Dr. Romano.
Mark: Romano, what happened to the Hippocratic Oath? You know, Do No Harm.
Romano: I had my fingers crossed. Now, excuse me. I have to go out there and clean up this disaster you created.
Romano walks out into the hall amongst all the reporters.
Jing-Mei: Wow, I guess I know how Erik felt getting lectured by all the doctors all the time.
Kerry: Trust me Jing-Mei, Erik let everything that was said to him go in one ear and out the other.
Jing-Mei's pager goes off. She pulls it out of her pocket and looks at it.
Jing-Mei: Oh hell!! That's Erik's room.
Jing-Mei darts up to the sixth floor and heads for Erik's room. She is stopped before she can go in by Dr. Legaspi.
Jing-Mei: Dr. Legaspi, I was paged here.
Dr. Legaspi: I know I paged you. Erik is having a grand mal seizure.
To be continued. Please read and review.