In The Wrong Place
Chapter 28
The next thing that Steve heard was a faint alarm going off somewhere close to him...Opening his eyes very gingerly he attempted to look around...The room he was in was quite dark, lit only by dimmed artificial lighting...His head felt heavy and very foggy but other than that he actually felt somewhat better...As his eyes accustomed themselves to the dim lighting Steve noticed a slight movement at the end of his bed and focusing on it he saw the nurse writing on his chart and then glancing up and seeing her patient looking at her, she smiled and made her way up beside him...
"Well,well look who's awake!...How are you feeling?"
"A little groggy."Steve answered rubbing at his eyes" Oh man!...That was some injection! How long have I been out?"
Again the nurse smiled..."About four hours...and you slept very peacefully I'm pleased to say."
Starting to come back to himself a little he suddenly noticed that his shakes were gone..."I'm not shivering..."
"No...your fever broke about three and a half hours ago..Also your rash is starting to clear..Looks like you're on the mend Steven Keller! I told you things would improve soon didn't I?"
"Yeah...yeah you did...Well that's all good news..."
"How's the nausea?"
"Yeah...it seems to be gone...I feel much better...Say you think I could go back to lying on my back...I've been in this position so long my right side is going numb..."
"Sure...if the nausea is gone that shouldn't be a problem...Hold your sore side tight for me and roll over when I tell you to Ok?"
Steve nodded and with the nurse's help they rolled him over onto his back again...The change in position felt good to Steve and next Samantha raised the back of his bed and plumped up his pillows...All in all he felt so much better and thanked God that his ordeal was finally over...This one really had pushed him to the limit of his tolerance... Brushing his hand through his hair it felt clammy and damp and suddenly feeling in need of a shower and a clean up he shuddered...Seeing his shudder Samantha became slightly alarmed and reached out to feel his forehead...
"I hope your temperature is not rising again!"
Seeking to reassure her Steve quickly replied...
"No...no..I just feel kind of...well...ugh...after the fever and all...I don't suppose I'm allowed to freshen up yet...huh?"
Smiling mischievously at Steve, Samantha countered...
"Well I could arrange for a sponge bath if you like?"
Steve's face fell and blushed and immediately he stammered...
"Oh no,no,no...I was thinking more of a shower thank you very much..."
Samantha laughed and swatted him playfully..."Spoilsport!..." which made Steve laugh too...Then when they stopped laughing Samantha continued...
"I suppose I can arrange that but you'll have to use the shower chair...You're not quite up to a stand up shower just yet...You're still going to be a bit light-headed and weak for a few days after this ordeal..."
"I can handle that as long as I get to be in there by myself!" Steve replied still chuckling...
"Don't worry!...One of the male orderlies will bring you down to the shower room and wait outside...There's an alarm pull in there so if you feel faint or unwell be sure to pull it and he'll come and help you..."
"Well let's hope it doesn't come to that!" Steve replied which made them both smile again...
"I'll have to just check with the doctor first to see if he's ok with that...He should be here any time now..."Samantha said checking her watch...
As if on cue the door to ICU opened and Dr. Armstrong entered and made his way to Steve's bed...As he came around the curtain the Doctor was pleased to see Steve sitting up and looking lots better...
"Well, Steve...I must say you look a lot healthier than the last time I saw you...How are you feeling?..." then picking up Steve's chart he proceeded to study it...
"Yeah...much better thanks...I don't know what you injected me with but it sure worked a treat!..."Steve said grateful to the doctor for his earlier intervention...
"Good...That's what I was hoping for..I see your temperature is back to normal. How's the side?"
"It's a little sore but not too bad..."
"Ok...Let's take a look..."
And with that the Doctor removed the dressings and checked both wounds...Steve winced and jumped slightly when the doctor checked the stitches...
"Are they very sore?" the doctor asked noting Steve's reaction
"Yeah...but just when you touch them..."
"Well that's normal...your sides going to be pretty sore for a few days yet Steve!...Same rules as before...no stretching...no bending and if you have to, hold the wounds firmly to avoid anymore damage ok?...You're going to need pain killers for a good few more days too just to keep you comfortable...And I'll be giving you a few days of antihistamines and steroids to take home too...I'm going to get Samantha here to clean and redress these and then I need her to take some bloods. I want to wait for the results this time before we see about discharging you...How's the nausea ?"
"Yeah..its ok...I think it's gone..."
"How would you feel about trying to eat some breakfast?...Nothing heavy...just something light..."
Steve thought about it for a second...He didn't feel sick anymore and he actually felt a little hungry...
"Ok...I'll give it a try...just not toast ok? I can't stomach it lately for some strange reason!" Steve said casting an amusing glance at Samantha who remembering the incident the previous morning shot a "Very funny!" glance back at him...
Not aware of or understanding the private joke about the toast the doctor continued...
"Ok...maybe some scrambled eggs and some coffee and juice..How does that sound?"
"That sounds nice...thanks..." Steve said still smiling at the nurse who just then decided to get him back for the toast remark...
"Oh doctor, Steve asked if he could have a shower to clean up but I recommended that maybe a sponge bath would be easier at the minute in his weakened condition?..."
Steve's smile faded as he heard what she had suggested but before he had a chance to protest thankfully the doctor replied...
"No...I think you should be ok for a shower Steve...Just make sure you use the shower chair as you will probably be a bit dizzy for the time being...Also make sure you get those wounds taped up first so they don't get wet..."
Steve sighed with relief and looked at the nurse again who was highly amused at Steve's reaction to her suggestion...
Finishing his checks on Steve, Dr. Armstrong spoke again...
"Well Steve...you sure seem a lot better so I think we can get you out of here and back downstairs to a room...Let's get the bloods taken,transfer you back downstairs and then we'll organize a shower and some breakfast...Ok? Early this afternoon I should have the blood results and I'll see whether we can let you home or not...I'll see you downstairs...Take it easy now!..."
"Ok Doc...And thanks for everything!"
"You're welcome Steve...Glad to see you on the mend!" and with that the doctor left the ICU.
Steve smiled at the nurse..."Sponge bath huh?...I guess I deserved that for mentioning the toast incident. Touché!"
Samantha laughed..." I was just teasing you...I knew he wouldn't suggest one!...Let's get these wounds cleaned and redressed ok?"
Steve nodded and for the next ten minutes the nurse carefully cleaned and re-bandaged the wounds on Steve's side...Steve squirmed a little as the antiseptic stung ...Samantha noted his discomfort...
"Hang in there Steve...We're nearly done!"
"I'm ok...It just stings a bit...You know ...I don't even know your name..."
Finishing her work, the nurse looked up at Steve and smiled...
"It's Samantha...There!...All done..."...and with that she stifled a yawn...
"You look as tired as I feel. What time does your shift end ? I bet you can't wait to get home and get some sleep huh?"
"I've still got just over two more hours yet...and yes! these twelve-hour shifts are a killer but I won't get to sleep as soon as I get home..Not for a little while anyway... You see I have a little girl waiting for Mommy to get home..." and then seeing Steve still hold his side and wince a little and figuring he needed a distraction she continued..."You want to see a picture?"
"Yeah..."
Reaching into her nurse's pocket Samantha retrieved a photo and handed it to Steve...The picture was a family photo of a couple with a little girl in the middle...Steve recognized the woman in the photo as Samantha...The little girl had the same blonde hair and blue eyes and was a dead ringer for her mother...
"She's beautiful...What's her name?"...
"Molly...She's three..."and pointing over to the man in the picture she continued..."That's my husband Mark...He's a mechanic..."
Handing her back the photo Steve smiled...
"You have a nice family...Guess that's what attracted you two to each other huh? You both fix things!"
"Maybe...Except what I fix has a pulse!.."
Steve chuckled and Samantha laughed as she put the photo back in her pocket...
"Now let's get these bloods taken..."
"Oh man! More needles huh? You know I'm starting to feel like a pin cushion!"...Steve said making light of the situation but Samantha could tell that he was nervous...
"You really don't like needles..huh?"
"No...not really..."Steve said uncomfortably ...
"Well don't worry because I came top of my class in phlebotomy so you won't feel a thing!" she said as she took out the things she was going to need and started to prep his right arm...
Seeing the needle Steve shuddered again and turning his head to look out the window he attempted to make light of the situation again...
"Well if it's all the same with you I'm not gonna look...Hey and don't take too much that's getting to be a rare commodity lately where I'm concerned!"
Samantha laughed and carefully went about her task...
"Just stay still...It will be over before you know it..."
Looking out the window Steve noticed that the first rays of sun were starting to filter out over the San Francisco skyline...
"Looking at that sunrise it must be around five o'clock...Am I right?"
"Close...it's quarter past five...How did you know that?"
"All night stake-outs!...You get to know what time it is by how much daylight there is..."
Samantha smiled."I guess we both work the same lousy hours... huh? There! All done! Here...Hold your finger on the gauze while I get some tape..."
Dutifully putting his finger where he was told he marveled at how he hadn't felt the bloods being taken at all..."You must have gotten high grades in that !..I never felt a thing!" Then as he waited for the nurse to place the tape over the gauze, blurred memories of his time in the ICU came back to him in flashback...He remained lost in his vague memories and his sudden quietness alarmed Samantha who placed her hand on his shoulder...
"Are you ok? You're not feeling faint after the bloods are you?
"No...no...Sorry...I was just thinking...Last night is a bit of a blur but at some stage was I...was I holding your hand?" Steve asked slightly embarrassed.
"Kind of !"
"Kind of ?...How can you kind of hold someone's hand? "
"Well...Yes !.You were holding my hand...but I distinctly got the impression that you thought you were holding someone elses!"
Even more confused, Steve looked at the nurse with a puzzled look on his face...
"I know my brain's a bit fuzzy at the minute but I'm not following you..."
"Well.. when your fever spiked last night you started talking in your sleep..."
When Steve heard this he became anxious...He had no recollection of what he was supposed to have said..." Oh?...What did I say?" Steve asked not really sure if he wanted to hear the answer or not...
"I think you were mostly talking about whatever you went through yesterday...You were talking about someone by the name of Joe, then you called for Mike and then you were calling for someone called Jeannie ...I really felt that you thought it was her hand you were holding...As a matter of fact it was the only thing that seemed to calm you down in the height of the fever ..."
At this revelation Steve blushed and looked away from the nurse..."Oh...ok...Did I...say anything else?" Steve asked really hoping her answer would be no.
Seeing Steve's embarrassment Samantha quickly sought to reassure him...
"No...don't worry...That's all you said...But it sounded like you care a lot about this girl Jeannie..huh?"
Again blushing slightly Steve smiled and avoided looking directly at her while he answered...
"Yeah...You could say that...She's different you know?...She's intelligent and caring and ...and...she's special..."
"Look Steve, you can tell me to mind my own business but I get the impression she doesn't know how you feel about her...Does she?"
Steve's smile faded and he sadly answered...
"No...no I don't think she does...It's not really possible...It's VERY complicated!..."
Samantha sensed his sadness and putting a hand on his shoulder she said...
"Steve Keller!...Things are only as complicated as you make them you know!"
Steve smiled and decided a change in conversation was in order...Thinking about the previous night again he remembered something he had wanted to ask...
"Hey...by the way...that poor man who was groaning last night...He's awful quiet..I guess he must have gotten one of those injections too huh?"
It was Samantha's smile that faded this time...Not really knowing how to break it to Steve she decided that honesty was probably the best way to handle it...
"No Steve, I'm afraid he passed away shortly after you went to sleep last night.."
Steve's face fell as he remembered the terrible sound the man had made and his heart went out to the man's family...after all he had to have been someone's son, brother, father or husband... Seeing Steve's genuine upset at the news she had just given him Samantha marveled at how he could care so much for a total stranger and realized in that instant what made him such a great cop...He cared...but maybe too much sometimes...Squeezing his hand in sympathy she said...
"Hey, hey...Don't dwell on it huh?...He was very ill Steve and there really wasn't anything else the doctors could do for him...You know you're kind of the exception to the rule down here...Most people who end up here in ICU are critically ill or at end stage in their illnesses...Don't let it get to you...Ok?"
Looking at Samantha, Steve knew she was right but it didn't make it any easier...
"I know you're right...It's just well...Here I am feeling better and someone over there behind a curtain takes the count...It just doesn't seem fair does it?"
Suddenly Steve felt very tired as if the world were weighing him down...He thought of Jeannie and the poor man who had died and Mel Shaffer and Joe...Rubbing at his tired eyes he stifled a yawn and his heart felt strangely heavy..Why did life have to be so damned complicated and depressing? He thought to himself...Samantha sensed his change of mood and saw how visibly exhausted he appeared to be and for the umpteenth time in the last ten hours Steve evoked her sympathy...Once more squeezing his hand sympathetically she attempted to cheer him up...
"Hey...Now don't you go getting all morbid on me!...Ok?...You look exhausted...Why don't you try to get some more sleep while I go and organize your transfer back downstairs...Soon you'll be showered and in your own room and if you promise to cheer up I'll even sneak into the doctor's lounge and get you some of that nice coffee you liked and believe me when I say that I don't do that for everybody!...Ok?"
Samantha's attempt worked and Steve smiled and he replied...
"Ok you've got a deal...That coffee was really good!...And I do feel a bit tired.".Steve said stifling a yawn...
Seeing Steve yawn made Samantha yawn too and reminded her of what a long night it had been...
"Ok...sleep now and I'll be back when I have your room downstairs sorted" and with that Samantha turned to leave...
"Oh Samantha!..."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks...you know for everything..."
"You're welcome...now SLEEP!...Nurses orders!"
"Yes Ma'am!"
With that Samantha went to the nurse's station to make the phone calls that were necessary to arrange Steve's transfer downstairs...Steve settled back against the soft pillows...Looking back out the window Steve saw that the sun had risen a little more. Watching the San Francisco skyline Steve remembered something that Mike had said once...Steve had joked that Mike was a romantic at heart and Mike had said that when he saw the San Francisco skyline at night he thought it was beautiful..Seeing it at break of day as the sun filtered through and bathed everything in morning light, Steve thought it was equally mesmerising...One of the other nurses had opened the window a bit to allow a bit of fresh air in and Steve could feel the cool breeze hit his face and it felt good...From outside Steve heard a distant police siren and thought about what had brought him here in the first place...Thinking again about Mike and Jeannie he wondered what time they would be into see him at? He started to look forward to seeing them and as he lay there immersed in his own thoughts, his eyelids became strangely heavy and before long they had closed as Steve drifted off into a peaceful and healing sleep...