Standard disclaimers applied. See Prologue for further details.
Author's Note: Finally, you will find out what happened with Neela. Sorry for the long wait, you guys have all been very patient.
Chapter 7: The Loss of Innocence
Susan Lewis stepped into the all-familiar room of the ICU. She paused momentarily by the entrance at the sight that greeted her. Abby Lockhart was brushing a stranded piece of hair away from the face of patient lying on the bed. Despite her actions, the patient showed no visible signs of waking.
Susan made a soft cough to make her presence known. Abby glanced up briefly and nodded. "No change," said the blonde. It was just a statement of fact and she really did not expect an answer.
However, this prompted a response from Abby, "No, but Neela is strong."
"She'll pull through," Susan said determinedly.
The Indian doctor was initially brought into the ER as a victim of a major car pile-up. Witnesses stated that Neela had been crossing an intersection when a drunken truck driver ran a red light, lost control and swerved into the next lane to avoid her. However, a SUV happened to be there but the driver was busily talking to her cell phone, so she could not avoid the truck in time. Behind the SUV was a teenage driver who just got his license. He had been tailgating the SUV, so there wasn't enough distance for him to stop safely. The truck was carrying metal pipes at the time, when the vehicles crashed with Neela stuck in the middle of the pile-up.
The emergency response services arrived on scene and with all the debris, it was hard to extricate Neela in the midst of it all. By the time, Abby phoned Ray, there was already massive bleeding to her head, along with the previously stated cracked bones, pneumothorax. The surgery had been successful in patching up the lungs and finding the cause for the internal bleeding. She crashed twice but was brought back by shocking the heart. However, the biggest worry was that Neela had yet to wake up from her coma. Dr. Corday had said that the massive bleeding was the cause but that Neela had every chance to wake up once the swelling had minimized.
Everyday since, the staff in the ER alternated shifts to see Neela in the ICU. Abby divided her time at the hospital, at work and then at home with Jake. Pratt had almost taken up residences there as well and was often seen with a coffee in hand and talking to the unresponsive Neela. Then, there were Susan, Carter and Chen along with Weaver and Luka. Even Sam, Frank, Jerry, Morris and Jane had stopped by with get-well cards. The only conspicuous absence was Ray who was away on a family emergency in North Carolina. Abby updated him by phone and Carter called as well.
Now, the only thing that they could do was wait, but their worries were not alleviated with each passing moment. It was simply a matter of time.
-o-o-
He stared stupidly at the caller ID on his cell phone. All the while, it kept ringing until he was interrupted by Eric. "Yo man, you gonna answer that?"
It took another thirty seconds to register the fact that he was supposed to answer the phone. However, he already knew what was on the other line. "Barnett," he answered out of a habit.
He belatedly realized the slip of his tongue when he saw the raised eyebrows from Eric. "Hello?" he repeated into the phone.
"Landon? Honey..."
There was silence but he knew. He knew before he answered the call, "I know, ma."
"I'm sorry," she murmured.
Wordlessly, he hang up the phone. Eric watched him anxiously. "I'm sorry," he echoed.
"I know."
Eric drove them over. Reverend Sullivan had wanted to die at home, much liked his daughter who refused to spend her last days at the hospital. His last years were hard with the loss of both his wife and daughter, but he never regretted gaining a son-in-law and his family. He held onto his faith and his beliefs. He died peacefully in his sleep only moments after watching the sun set just beyond the horizon.
Many of his possessions had been donated to the church. Some were given to the Carters, and other faithful parishioners from over the many years. He had addressed notes and paraphernalia for some, and tokens for others. For Landon, he had left both, a old letter chest filled with handwritten notes and a book - one which was lovingly treasured throughout the years. It was the same one that Jamie had given to Landon before her death. At that time, it was too painful for Landon to keep, so he had given it to the Reverend. Now, it was returned to the intended owner.
"Landon."
Landon turned at his father's voice. Dan Carter came out to the porch of the Carter's home. As all the arrangements had already been previously made before the Reverend's death, the Carters held a memorial services at their home after the funeral.
"Everybody tells me that he would have wanted me to be happy."
"There is no doubt about that. Your happiness is very important for him. Each death is never easy, especially if they are the people that you care about.
"I try to forget, to get away from it all. In Chicago, I have another life, another identity. I'm a doctor for crying out loud! I shouldn't been feeling like this."
"Like what? Grief, sadness, anger ... I think that's called being human. No matter what your name is, Landon or Ray, whether you are in Beaufort or Chicago, you are going to feel those emotions. There is no shame in that though."
"I'm going back to Chicago in the morning," he blurted out.
"Oh."
The single word acknowledgement made Landon turned. "It's just that I've been gone for over a week now. My roommate was in surgery when I left..."
"I can't say I'm terribly surprised. You were right when you say that you had another life. How's he doing?"
"Who?"
"Your roommate ... how's he doing?"
"Oh, you mean how's she doing? My roommate works at County General with me. When I called, she was in a coma. Apparently, there was a lot of bleeding in her head from the trauma. She went into the OR but I like I said last time I checked she hasn't woken up yet."
"How long ago was this?"
"Before the funeral."
"You matured a lot through these few years. I know I don't say it very often, but I'm proud of you. I'm more proud of the person that you have become, but Ray never forget who you are inside."
-o-o-
Ray flew back to Chicago at the earliest flight back. On the plane, he tried to get a few precious hours of shuteye. Before he left Beaufort, he had called back to County. Dr. John Carter had offered a plane but Ray declined stating that he already made previous arrangements. Neela was still in the ICU but she was stable Ray took the time on the flight to think and reminisce.
His mother had not been happy to hear that he was heading back to Chicago so soon, but she couldn't stop him either way. "I know that over the years, life has hit you hard, harder than most people your age has to face. Landon, I know inside you are a very strong person, but you have to tap into that strength."
He remembered the first time that he was called Ray, shortly after having his name changed. It had taken him a full minute to realize that he was actually being addressed. He had chose 'Ray' because Jamie sometimes referred to him as her ray of sunshine.
(Flashback)
"You are my angel, Landon. Before you, I was getting along with everything. I accepted the fact that I had leukemia, and then ... you happened. I don't need a reason to be angry with God, but somehow you have become my ray of sunshine after a cloudy day."
(End Flashback)
Thinking of his current destination, his thoughts returned to Neela. He had left so much unsaid and too many harmful insinuations. He winced at the thought mention of their last conversation, the one that was immediately prior to her admission into the ER. The first time that he had met Neela, she called him 'Barnett.' Of course, she was just reading off his name tag but all subsequent times, she referred to him as 'Ray' whether they were at work or at their apartment. Likewise, 'Neela' was his preferred address for her. The only thing that she absolutely objected to was any form of endearment, "No honey or hun, baby or babe. No sweety, or dear. No chick ... nothing and I mean it, Ray."
He laughed, "That's not a problem, Roomie." With that, he winked and said, "I don't think that counts."
He never understood it, until, he caught a glimpse of one of Gallant's letters that was addressed to Neela. He hadn't meant to pry but he was cleaning the apartment when he debated whether or not to clear up the waste paper basket in Neela's room. The letter was in the trash along with others, but Ray read only the few lines to understand.
(Flashback)
"My dear Neela,
It's only been a couple months but I miss you - your laughter, your curiosity, your spark. Out here fighting, it puts certain things about life into perspective. ... All I know is that I'm fighting for the right reasons and that is you - I want the best for us, baby, because you are my girl... and I love you..."
(End Flashback)
He didn't go into her room after that. He understood a little bit of her past with Gallant. Pratt had been both a friend and confidante and spoke fondly of the "other med student." Ray never quite analyse the relationship that he had with Neela. Certainly, she was the only one who came close to befriending him on such a level. At first, it was out of necessity, the mutual need for a roommate to help with the rent, etc ... Yet, there was something about his Indian roommate
She with all intent and purpose never asked questions about his past, because she took him for the person that he was, Ray Landon Barnett. She gave him space accordingly to his moods whether he was angry or frustrated. She was liked Jamie in that, they both saw something good in every situation. Jamie had firm beliefs in her faith, while Neela had strong convictions to simply do good. They were both passionate to the point of stubbornness. Yet, there were times when they were unsure of themselves and of their own abilities. In their similarities, there were also differences. Jamie for the most part, relied on her faith, while Neela on facts and figures. Jamie almost lived in a life that never went beyond Beaufort, North Carolina but Neela had seen the worst there was as an ER attendant.
The first stop that he made when he got off the plane was to stop by at County. He hadn't even bother with stopping at the apartment to drop off his stuff or change. He quickly found Neela's room. His presence surprised Susan who had been making her rounds, but one glance at his dishevelled look , she simply nodded and stepped out. There would be time for explanations later. For now, he was content by drowning himself with the sight of her. Pulling a nearby chair closer to the bed, he took one of her cold, unresponsive hand in his own, before drifting off to sleep.
End of Chapter 7
AN: I have never worked in the ER myself, so I don't really know how to describe surgeries / injuries and the like. Forgive me for my attempt to describe Neela's injuries.
I find that some chapters come easily, but some don't. This one was the latter. I'm not too happy with it because I find that the pace is too slow, so let me know what you guys think.
Also, can somebody confirmed Landon's father's name from the book? Is it Worth Carter? One of the reviewers was telling me and I just want a second confirmation before I change it.
