An All American Love Story
Ch. Eight: Getting to Know You
Six came and went while there was no sign of Elizabeth. Romano's food was out of the oven and ready, while he sat on the couch with a glass of wine. He hadn't called her. It was only six thirty and he didn't want to seem over anxious. He was sure there was a reason for her tardiness. Just as he got up to put the lasagna in the refrigerator he heard his phone ring. Jumping to answer it, the phone never got to its second tone. "Hello?" he said, briefly clearing his voice. "Robert!" Romano pulled the phone away from his ear. The person on the other end was not who he expected. Instead of hearing Elizabeth's pleasing voice, he heard Kerry Weaver's shrill cackle come through. More then a little annoyed he answered to his name.
"What Kerry? I'm off tonight you know."
"I don't care. We are short staffed and you are the only one who has answered their phone so far. I have been trying to pull our so called doctors in here all night."
"Kerry, I am expecting company, and I don't want to come in. I'm working graveyard tomorrow anyway."
"Well I'm supposed to be off tonight too! I will go to your house and drag you out by your ears if I have to put you better be here in twenty minutes!"
After that Romano heard the other receiver hang up. He looked outside his window, hoping that Elizabeth would miraculously show up but all he saw was driving rain. After changing his shirt and putting on a jacket he was out the door. He had left a note on his door for her in case she ever showed up, but he didn't think it likely. Exactly twenty minutes later he arrived at County's doors. Even though he ran inside he was still soaking wet by the time he got there. Wiping his dripping face he was greeted by Weaver throwing a flashlight at him. "Good to see that you made it. The power is out, start making rounds, do a little triage, and you might be out of here by two or three." Giving a sarcastic grin he watched as she started for the door. "Where the hell do you think your going?" he asked. "I got you in. I have been on for fourteen hours and I am going home." She curtly responded as she exited the hospital. Furious, Romano slammed his hand down on the table. "Damn it!"
Four hours later he had dispoed eighteen patients, ruled out two M I's, and sent three car crash victims up to surgery. After checking the board he walked into the ER lounge however, he quickly left after finding Pratt sitting on the couch. He didn't want to deal with anyone right now, especially not Pratt. Slowly he made his way up onto the surgical floor where he briefly checked on the patients who he had sent up. Not really caring he walked into the much nicer surgeon's lounge. The lounge was always dark, but with the power out it seemed to be almost pitch black. Now, being close to midnight he was starting to feel the effects of his lack of sleep even more. Slowly sitting on the leather couch he rolled his tight neck on his shoulders. Just as he had rested his head on the back of the sofa he heard someone come in. they didn't speak, but just felt their way across the room. Romano remained quiet. If it was someone like Dorsett, he would rather them think that no one was here until he could slip out. After a few moments he heard a cell phone open and be dialed. Within seconds he felt the vibrating buzz of his own phone on his belt. Knowing now ho the person was with him in the room he decided it best to remain quiet.
After several rings Elizabeth heard Romano's answering machine pick up. "God he must be livid." She said to herself. After hearing the recording Elizabeth began to speak. "Robert. I am sorry about tonight but Weaver called me in. I was already late because Ella's doctor's appointment ran over and then I got called in. By the time I called your house no one answered. I am going to be off in about a half an hour if you want to go get coffee or something. I am really sorry." After pausing shortly, deciding if she should say anything else, she hung up the phone. Sighing into her chair she put her feet up on the coffee table
Still quiet, Romano decided to keep up the charade. Silently scrolling down on his beeper he found Elizabeth's number and hit enter, paging her down to the ER. Within moments she was up and out of the lounge. After waiting a suitable amount of time Romano got up and left too. Knowing that Elizabeth would take the emergency elevator, which still had power, he took the stairs. As he exited the stairwell, almost at a run, she came flying out of the elevator. They both hit each other with a thud, sending them both onto the floor. "So sorry." Elizabeth said as she turned her flashlight onto Romano's face. "Oh here you are! I had been calling you. I just got beeped into the ER." Romano grinned as he got up. "I know. I paged you. It's an emergency! If we don't leave right now, we will both be suck back into the ER vortex of doom and might not ever get back out again!" now smiling too Elizabeth walked with him to admit. "Well we can go as long as everything is all caught up here." Finding only two minor injuries Romano was more then happy to be off and out.
Mostly silent until they reached the door, both doctors looked out at the still pouring rain. "God, I'm exhausted." Elizabeth mumbled. Hearing her words Romano caught her hidden meaning. "Well, tonight's not meant to be. Why don't you go home to your baby?"
"No, that's not what I meant. I need a break anyway. Where do you want to go?"
"Have you eaten dinner yet?"
"No, I came straight from the nanny's to here."
"Well let's go to my house then. I mage some lasagna, all I have to do is heat it up."
Not even thinking it over Elizabeth agreed. Soon they were both at Romano's house waiting for the food to come out of the microwave. While Romano waited, he couldn't help but look at Elizabeth sitting at his table. She did look awfully tired. "How about you go sit in the living room and I will bring this in when it's ready?" not waiting for a response he spoke again. "Go down the hall and take a right."
Elizabeth did as she was told. She was glad Romano was far enough away from the hospital that he had power in his house. As she reached the living room she clicked on the light. The room was nicely decorated with dark greens and browns. Books lined the far wall and there was a computer in the corner by the window. She walked over to the wall and quickly scanned his reading selection. After going through medical books and magazines and some novels about WWII she found something even more interesting.
Ten minutes later Romano walked in with two plates of food and a bottle of wine. Noticing that Elizabeth was reading a book he quickly looked over he shoulder. "What are you snooping through Lizzie?" Looking back she smiled, "I'm not snooping. Just reading the best of Holy Ghost Prep. 1981." Knowing what she meant Romano sat down next to her, faking a smile, and slightly embarrassed. "Ah. That's senior year. A lot of good pictures of me in that one." Setting their dinner down on the table he sat to the left of her and placed his right arm along the back of the couch, behind her head. "I didn't know you went to a private school." Elizabeth remarked after reading the mission statement in the front of the book. "And a religious one at that." Nodding Romano started to flip through the pages. "You should go to the baseball section. I know I'm in there." After finding the appropriate spot, Romano pointed at a team picture.
Looking at it Elizabeth could hardly believe her eyes. There, in the middle row was a square jawed, very handsome, young man. Looking at it more she could tell it was him. "Number fourteen huh?" "Yep that was me." Reading the captions she found another picture of him. This one was a split picture with a quote underneath. The caption above read, " A double all-star." And it was two pictures, one of him batting and the other smiling in the dug out, sitting with another young man. The quote beneath the pictures was from him. "Winning state was a tremendous accomplishment for the team, especially when we beat Brookwood to do it. However, the best feeling over that was when I found out that Lenny made all-star with me!"
Elizabeth was now beaming. She loved learning about Romano, she was finding out quickly what a truly interesting man he was. "If you flip the page you will be in the swimming section." He said to her. There was no team picture this time, yet instead a very big clip of Romano, dripping wet with goggles around his neck, standing next to a girl. Elizabeth noticed his hair was short, even then. Probably on purpose though, but what she noticed most was his muscular build. He had his left arm around the girl and his right arm flexed, showing off. "Who is the girl in the picture? Was she on the team with you?" Biting his upper lip Romano thought back quickly. "No. That school was an all boys program. She was from the girl's academy next to us. Her name was Jenny O'Rielly, my first girlfriend." Now shifting in the couch, Romano scooted far enough away from Elizabeth to comfortably look her in the face and talk to her. "How long did you to go out?" she asked, changing her voice slightly from the inquisitive tone it had been to a softer one. "We went out all of my time in high school. That's how all of my girlfriends ended up being. I was never in short relationships, but then again I never had many because of it." Leaning in, slightly closer Elizabeth tried with another question, "Well how many have you had?" slowly moving his fingers, Romano held up four. "One in high school, one through college, and two before I was working in County. Those were the major ones at least. You can't count all the numerous woman that throw themselves at me daily." Romano added sarcastically, a smile creeping up on his face. He knew what Elizabeth was doing as she leaned in closer to him, only inches away from his face. "What was that mark on your back that I saw in the picture." She asked before she closed her eyes.
"Tattoo" he answered as he closed his.
"Really? What of?" now Elizabeth was almost at a whisper. She could feel the warm breath touching her face.
"That's another story, for another time." Romano answered bringing his right hand down to rest on her shoulder.
Romano slightly tilted his head to the side as he lightly brushed the side of her face. Leaning forward their lips barely had a chance to touch before the lights went out.
"Oh Christ!" Romano yelled, snapping back up straight. "Stay here, I'll be right back." After a few minutes Romano showed back up with two flashlights. "I don't believe the power went out here too." He said as he handed her the light. Taking the flashlight Elizabeth looked at her watch. "It is getting really late Robert. I am on tomorrow." Fully understanding, since he was feeling fatigued as well he gave her his hand to help her stand up. After helping Elizabeth put on her coat Romano walked her to the door. Although it was still raining outside, the wind had let up and it appeared as if it was about to clear.
"I'm working the Graveyard tomorrow. When are you on?" he asked. Putting her hair back up in the clip it had originally been in she didn't even think before she answered. "I am on from six to twelve. Short day, just paperwork, I probably wont even have to go down to the ER. Why? Are we going to try this a fourth time?" "It is supposed to be a charm. Besides, I think I have something that can't get postponed." To this Elizabeth didn't answer. The look she gave was more then enough to say she would be there.
After he closed the door Romano leaned against it. Watching a moment to see her leave he let out a deep sigh. "Here we go."
Six came and went while there was no sign of Elizabeth. Romano's food was out of the oven and ready, while he sat on the couch with a glass of wine. He hadn't called her. It was only six thirty and he didn't want to seem over anxious. He was sure there was a reason for her tardiness. Just as he got up to put the lasagna in the refrigerator he heard his phone ring. Jumping to answer it, the phone never got to its second tone. "Hello?" he said, briefly clearing his voice. "Robert!" Romano pulled the phone away from his ear. The person on the other end was not who he expected. Instead of hearing Elizabeth's pleasing voice, he heard Kerry Weaver's shrill cackle come through. More then a little annoyed he answered to his name.
"What Kerry? I'm off tonight you know."
"I don't care. We are short staffed and you are the only one who has answered their phone so far. I have been trying to pull our so called doctors in here all night."
"Kerry, I am expecting company, and I don't want to come in. I'm working graveyard tomorrow anyway."
"Well I'm supposed to be off tonight too! I will go to your house and drag you out by your ears if I have to put you better be here in twenty minutes!"
After that Romano heard the other receiver hang up. He looked outside his window, hoping that Elizabeth would miraculously show up but all he saw was driving rain. After changing his shirt and putting on a jacket he was out the door. He had left a note on his door for her in case she ever showed up, but he didn't think it likely. Exactly twenty minutes later he arrived at County's doors. Even though he ran inside he was still soaking wet by the time he got there. Wiping his dripping face he was greeted by Weaver throwing a flashlight at him. "Good to see that you made it. The power is out, start making rounds, do a little triage, and you might be out of here by two or three." Giving a sarcastic grin he watched as she started for the door. "Where the hell do you think your going?" he asked. "I got you in. I have been on for fourteen hours and I am going home." She curtly responded as she exited the hospital. Furious, Romano slammed his hand down on the table. "Damn it!"
Four hours later he had dispoed eighteen patients, ruled out two M I's, and sent three car crash victims up to surgery. After checking the board he walked into the ER lounge however, he quickly left after finding Pratt sitting on the couch. He didn't want to deal with anyone right now, especially not Pratt. Slowly he made his way up onto the surgical floor where he briefly checked on the patients who he had sent up. Not really caring he walked into the much nicer surgeon's lounge. The lounge was always dark, but with the power out it seemed to be almost pitch black. Now, being close to midnight he was starting to feel the effects of his lack of sleep even more. Slowly sitting on the leather couch he rolled his tight neck on his shoulders. Just as he had rested his head on the back of the sofa he heard someone come in. they didn't speak, but just felt their way across the room. Romano remained quiet. If it was someone like Dorsett, he would rather them think that no one was here until he could slip out. After a few moments he heard a cell phone open and be dialed. Within seconds he felt the vibrating buzz of his own phone on his belt. Knowing now ho the person was with him in the room he decided it best to remain quiet.
After several rings Elizabeth heard Romano's answering machine pick up. "God he must be livid." She said to herself. After hearing the recording Elizabeth began to speak. "Robert. I am sorry about tonight but Weaver called me in. I was already late because Ella's doctor's appointment ran over and then I got called in. By the time I called your house no one answered. I am going to be off in about a half an hour if you want to go get coffee or something. I am really sorry." After pausing shortly, deciding if she should say anything else, she hung up the phone. Sighing into her chair she put her feet up on the coffee table
Still quiet, Romano decided to keep up the charade. Silently scrolling down on his beeper he found Elizabeth's number and hit enter, paging her down to the ER. Within moments she was up and out of the lounge. After waiting a suitable amount of time Romano got up and left too. Knowing that Elizabeth would take the emergency elevator, which still had power, he took the stairs. As he exited the stairwell, almost at a run, she came flying out of the elevator. They both hit each other with a thud, sending them both onto the floor. "So sorry." Elizabeth said as she turned her flashlight onto Romano's face. "Oh here you are! I had been calling you. I just got beeped into the ER." Romano grinned as he got up. "I know. I paged you. It's an emergency! If we don't leave right now, we will both be suck back into the ER vortex of doom and might not ever get back out again!" now smiling too Elizabeth walked with him to admit. "Well we can go as long as everything is all caught up here." Finding only two minor injuries Romano was more then happy to be off and out.
Mostly silent until they reached the door, both doctors looked out at the still pouring rain. "God, I'm exhausted." Elizabeth mumbled. Hearing her words Romano caught her hidden meaning. "Well, tonight's not meant to be. Why don't you go home to your baby?"
"No, that's not what I meant. I need a break anyway. Where do you want to go?"
"Have you eaten dinner yet?"
"No, I came straight from the nanny's to here."
"Well let's go to my house then. I mage some lasagna, all I have to do is heat it up."
Not even thinking it over Elizabeth agreed. Soon they were both at Romano's house waiting for the food to come out of the microwave. While Romano waited, he couldn't help but look at Elizabeth sitting at his table. She did look awfully tired. "How about you go sit in the living room and I will bring this in when it's ready?" not waiting for a response he spoke again. "Go down the hall and take a right."
Elizabeth did as she was told. She was glad Romano was far enough away from the hospital that he had power in his house. As she reached the living room she clicked on the light. The room was nicely decorated with dark greens and browns. Books lined the far wall and there was a computer in the corner by the window. She walked over to the wall and quickly scanned his reading selection. After going through medical books and magazines and some novels about WWII she found something even more interesting.
Ten minutes later Romano walked in with two plates of food and a bottle of wine. Noticing that Elizabeth was reading a book he quickly looked over he shoulder. "What are you snooping through Lizzie?" Looking back she smiled, "I'm not snooping. Just reading the best of Holy Ghost Prep. 1981." Knowing what she meant Romano sat down next to her, faking a smile, and slightly embarrassed. "Ah. That's senior year. A lot of good pictures of me in that one." Setting their dinner down on the table he sat to the left of her and placed his right arm along the back of the couch, behind her head. "I didn't know you went to a private school." Elizabeth remarked after reading the mission statement in the front of the book. "And a religious one at that." Nodding Romano started to flip through the pages. "You should go to the baseball section. I know I'm in there." After finding the appropriate spot, Romano pointed at a team picture.
Looking at it Elizabeth could hardly believe her eyes. There, in the middle row was a square jawed, very handsome, young man. Looking at it more she could tell it was him. "Number fourteen huh?" "Yep that was me." Reading the captions she found another picture of him. This one was a split picture with a quote underneath. The caption above read, " A double all-star." And it was two pictures, one of him batting and the other smiling in the dug out, sitting with another young man. The quote beneath the pictures was from him. "Winning state was a tremendous accomplishment for the team, especially when we beat Brookwood to do it. However, the best feeling over that was when I found out that Lenny made all-star with me!"
Elizabeth was now beaming. She loved learning about Romano, she was finding out quickly what a truly interesting man he was. "If you flip the page you will be in the swimming section." He said to her. There was no team picture this time, yet instead a very big clip of Romano, dripping wet with goggles around his neck, standing next to a girl. Elizabeth noticed his hair was short, even then. Probably on purpose though, but what she noticed most was his muscular build. He had his left arm around the girl and his right arm flexed, showing off. "Who is the girl in the picture? Was she on the team with you?" Biting his upper lip Romano thought back quickly. "No. That school was an all boys program. She was from the girl's academy next to us. Her name was Jenny O'Rielly, my first girlfriend." Now shifting in the couch, Romano scooted far enough away from Elizabeth to comfortably look her in the face and talk to her. "How long did you to go out?" she asked, changing her voice slightly from the inquisitive tone it had been to a softer one. "We went out all of my time in high school. That's how all of my girlfriends ended up being. I was never in short relationships, but then again I never had many because of it." Leaning in, slightly closer Elizabeth tried with another question, "Well how many have you had?" slowly moving his fingers, Romano held up four. "One in high school, one through college, and two before I was working in County. Those were the major ones at least. You can't count all the numerous woman that throw themselves at me daily." Romano added sarcastically, a smile creeping up on his face. He knew what Elizabeth was doing as she leaned in closer to him, only inches away from his face. "What was that mark on your back that I saw in the picture." She asked before she closed her eyes.
"Tattoo" he answered as he closed his.
"Really? What of?" now Elizabeth was almost at a whisper. She could feel the warm breath touching her face.
"That's another story, for another time." Romano answered bringing his right hand down to rest on her shoulder.
Romano slightly tilted his head to the side as he lightly brushed the side of her face. Leaning forward their lips barely had a chance to touch before the lights went out.
"Oh Christ!" Romano yelled, snapping back up straight. "Stay here, I'll be right back." After a few minutes Romano showed back up with two flashlights. "I don't believe the power went out here too." He said as he handed her the light. Taking the flashlight Elizabeth looked at her watch. "It is getting really late Robert. I am on tomorrow." Fully understanding, since he was feeling fatigued as well he gave her his hand to help her stand up. After helping Elizabeth put on her coat Romano walked her to the door. Although it was still raining outside, the wind had let up and it appeared as if it was about to clear.
"I'm working the Graveyard tomorrow. When are you on?" he asked. Putting her hair back up in the clip it had originally been in she didn't even think before she answered. "I am on from six to twelve. Short day, just paperwork, I probably wont even have to go down to the ER. Why? Are we going to try this a fourth time?" "It is supposed to be a charm. Besides, I think I have something that can't get postponed." To this Elizabeth didn't answer. The look she gave was more then enough to say she would be there.
After he closed the door Romano leaned against it. Watching a moment to see her leave he let out a deep sigh. "Here we go."