CHAPTER THREE "I don't understand.," his Doctor said.
"The stroke was severe and it forced Frank's nerves and brain to shut down, if coached right he can regain his speech back but for now, it will be slurred and his memories will be mixed."
"So he will remember some things not all."
"Yes." Pratt assured Frank's family.
"Can we see him?"
"Yea, he's been asking for a Juju." Frank's wife smiled and hugged her daughter.
"Juju is my nickname." Frank's wife said.
"Good, that's a very good." ---------------------------------------------------- Luka's office... Abby and Elizabeth came into the office smiling as they saw Luka asleep on a pile of papers, which were all over the table. "You know he's rather cute like this." Elizabeth said. "Unfortunately he can't stay like this forever." Abby said tapping his shoulder, Lucas awoke and smiled. "How long have I've been like this?" "Enough to miss fourteen pages from me and our temp- receptionist never coming; but Malucci filled." Abby said. "Oh, and to be relieved of duties, it's five and my turn." "Good." "Hey, I'm still here." "Sorry." "I except." "Well, I need dinner anyone else off." "Sam Taggart." Abby said smiling. "Stop thinking what your thinking." "I'm not thinking anything." she said leaving out with him as Dr. Corday laughed and closed the door. ------------------------------------------------- Kerry's room...
Dr. Romano came into the room while Kerry sat watching the wall again.
"Dr. Weaver?"
"Dr. Romano."
"Kerry, charges were filed against young Arthur, and the only one who can do that is you. Now I understand you doing this but I wish you'd reconsider. How do you know you know Arthur was the one?"
"They found his DNA, Robert." Robert paused and looked down.
"I'm sorry, Kerry."
"No your not, I took one for the hospital."
"Kerry, please, I didn't know he would-"
"I know." she said still ignoring him.
"Well, I am sorry, really." he said as he turned to leave he heard Kerry speak.
"Don't you ever ask me to do anything else." she said staring straight face into Robert's eyes. As Robert left, Luka came in with a chart.
"Hey, Kerry."
"Hey, Luka."
"I just came by to tell you that we're ordering you two weeks off and more if you'd like and that you're free to go at anytime."
"How did everything go?"
"O-k, it was kind of a slow day, except for the fact that I had to get use to all that paper work you do. But it should even out between me, Dr. Carter and Dr. Corday. Besides that, we were minus a front desk receptionist."
"What? Why, Frank didn't come in?"
"No, Frank had a stroke, Kerry."
"So how is he?"
"The stroke caused his left brain functions to shut down, so he has the sometimes slurred speech and short term memory."
"Where is her? I have to talk to him before he goes."
"Kerry, you've had a hard day, why don't you just lay low, you can talk to him later."
"No, Luka. Yes, something happened to me that should never ever happen to anyone but it's not going to make me isolate myself from my friends and loved ones. So take me to Frank."
"Well, I think he should be on his way out."
"Help me, I want to see him." she said getting up as Luka grabbed a wheelchair. --------------------------------- Outside at the desk...
Malucci sat in Frank's usual spot reading the newspaper.
"Is it that chair? Or does everyone who sit in it have the sudden urge to read the newspaper."
"I think it's Frank's fault." Malucci said turning towards Susan and a young woman standing behind him.
"Well, let's hope you won't be that way, Doris."
"Oh, I won't." she assured Susan.
"I believe you're done, Malucci. Here's Doris, our temp."
"Great."
"So how was your visit?"
"If visiting for a day is like this, I'm never coming back."
"Yea, well, I hope you come back Doctor."
"Thanks."
"May I?" Doris said as Malucci moved out of the way and grabbed his coat. When he and Susan looked to find Frank down the hall coming towards him with his family and Pratt.
"See you, Frank." Dr. Carter said as they past him.
"Bye." Frank replied.
"Come back soon, Frank."
"Ditto on that for me." Abby said as Frank smiled and nodded.
"Bye, Frank. Your in my prayers." Jing-Mei said as Greg stopped.
"This is where I get off, but I'll catch cha' lata, Frank." Pratt added.
"You too, Doctor Pratt." Frank said. Soon Gallant and Rasgotra came up to Frank and his family.
"You get better!" Michael said.
"Soon!" Neela added as Frank smiled, and continued to walk when he reached the front desk, he paused and looked at it weirdly, he came up to it.
"Frank, will miss you." Susan said.
"Yea, they need you here pretty bad." Malucci replied. Dr. Kovac suddenly came around the corner pushing Kerry in a wheelchair to the group.
"Frank?" Kerry said, Frank looked down at her and smiled.
"Yes, who...who...are.ar.are you?" Frank stuttered out.
"Frank, I'm Kerry, we were very good friends."
"Oh." he said.
"Well, Frank you get well soon, we need you." Your desk will be waiting for you."
"Really?" Frank said as he looked down and thought for a moment. He then looked at Doris and cleared his throat." Excuse ma'am, a little advice someone once told me...say, "Have a nice day." it makes the sick feel better." she nodded to him and smiled. Frank turned to his wife and daughter. "I'm ready to go home."
"O-k, Frank, let's go."
"Bye." Frank said to everyone as he left out with his family Kerry, Luka, Susan, Doris and Dave stared at him.
"Well, back to your room, Kerry?" Luka stated.
"No, I'm going to take those couple of days off at home."
"Well, I can give you a ride?"
"Na, let me." Malucci said, Kerry looked up at him and smiled.
"O-k, Malucci."
"Sure." he said wheeling her back in the direction she came to get her things.
"Dr. Lewis, I was wondering if anyone can show me were the locker room is, I want to put my purse away."
"Sure, just follow me." she said as Doris followed. Luka stood and looked at the desk for a moment and walked away. ------------------------------------------------------------

NEXT TIME ON ER...

County General is in the fight of a lifetime when The Kingston's take the hospital to court. Dr. Pratt and Abby are sent to a Medical Conference in which they will be accepting an award for County General. What happens when racial tensions escalate between Dr. Lewis and a gang member whose life may be in danger in more than one way?