"Nooo," screamed a small boy in the paediatric emergency room.
"Page orthopaedics," the ER resident called.
Allison's pager buzzed in her pocket and she ran into the room.
"Hi," Allison introduced her self, "I'm Dr Blouin but you can call me Dr Allie. What's your name my friend?"
"Hayden," the little boy said.
"So Hayden what's wrong," Allison asked.
"My arm weally weally hurts," Hayden whined.
"How did you hurt it," Allison asked.
"He was chasing the cat and fell down the last couple stairs," the mom said.
"My son likes to chase our cat," Allison smiled, "he's had some good falls chasing our cat."
"Hayden I need to look at your arm then you're going to go get a special type of picture that will show me your bones," Allison said.
The dad joined them, "Allison, you're Asher's wife."
"Yes," Allison replied, "Jack right?"
"Ya," Jack replied.
"So I need to page someone else," Allison said, "I can't treat Hayden."
"Why," the mom asked.
"Because I'm married to Jack's oldest brother," Allison replied.
"We haven't met," the mom said, "I'm Violet Blouin."
"Allison Blouin," Allison replied.
"What are you doing here," Violet asked, "are you a nurse?"
"Surgical resident," Allison replied, "I'm a doctor."
"What's wrong with his arm," Jack asked.
"Looking at the deformity and swelling it's broken," Allison replied, "I'm going to put in the requisitions for X-rays and I want a head CT. His eyes aren't tracking well and his pupils are unequal. "
"Do you think," Jack asked.
"We have to check. Let me page my attending to take over and I'll get those tests going for you," Allison replied, "it may be a wait but we will get him in as soon as possible."
"Thank you," Violet said.
Allison stood outside the ER as she waited for Schmidt to meet her, he was the ortho attending on call.
"Dr Blouin you said there was a conflict," Schmidt said.
"Yes," Allison replied, "the patient is my nephew who I met for the first time today. Asher and I have been no contact with his parents and siblings for several years. I hadn't seen the father since my own wedding before med school."
Asher stood on a ladder outside OR 10 one of the ones on the paediatrics building. Allison rushed by following a gurney holding a screaming little boy. As she ran she was trying to soothe the boy.
"Asher is that your wife ," one of Asher's buddies called.
"Ya," Asher replied seeing Allison making her way down the hall.
"What's she doing," an apprentice asked.
"Allie is an orthopaedic surgeon," Asher replied, "she specialises in paediatrics. Looks like she's taking the kid into surgery."
"She's a what," the apprentice asked.
"A surgeon," Asher replied, "she works on kids' bones and muscles. She's got 18 months left of training left."
"She's not really a doctor," the apprentice asked.
"She is she has her MD," Asher replied, "four years of college, four years of medical school and then 5 years of residency and 2 of fellowship. She's a resident. Doctors here are colour coded. Attending surgeons are the navy blue, fellows are royal and residents are light blue. Each department has their own colour. I know a few of the colour codes. Medical students wear grey and the short lab coats. Nurses are the light green."
"How is your wife a surgeon didn't you guys have kids really young," another guy asked.
"Allie is. It was hard," Asher said, "Ev was born May of our senior year of high school Allie started at UW taking a full course load in September. Our kids see a very strong mom. And talking about kids. Ben is away for the day because he's at an appointment for his girlfriend and their baby. Our crew needs to do something. His last day is next Friday. I'll email out but spread the word everyone is going to bring in a case of diapers, any brand any size diapers and wipes. We're filling his truck."
"What," a third man asked.
"Stewart and the crew I was on did it for me when Ev was born," Asher replied, "every crew I've been with since has done it for first babies since. I think we should do it for all babies. They all need diapers and wipes."
"That's all," an apprentice asked.
"Start there," Asher replied, "the amount of stuff people give you for babies that is used for a short period is insane. Diapers are useful."
"Is Ben okay," the apprentice asked.
"He's got a heavy load," Asher replied, "he's 17 but he's got basically a wife and child. It's hard and he has to be strong and support them. We support him."
"Asher," Jack called, running down the hall towards the OR.
"Jack," Asher replied hoping down from the ladder.
"Your wife took my son to surgery," Jack said.
"Jack calm down, they won't let you in the OR," Asher replied, "Allie is good at what she does. She's a surgeon. She works hard."
"Dad said," Jack started.
"Dad doesn't know us and is a narcissist," Asher replied, "he runs the church like a cult we were raised in a cult. Allison is good. Her attending the senior surgeon is good. Did they say what was wrong?"
"He needs something called a crainy something his brain is bleeding and he needs one of his arms pinned together," Jack replied.
"Allie will be on the arm," Asher replied, "I saw Dr Silverstone the neurosurgeon going with them. She'll fix his brain."
"Is she good," Jack asked.
"She's my sister in laws best friend," Asher replied, "she did Evs shunts and has been great with Ev."
"I need your help," Jack said.
"I'm working," Asher said, "but I'll take my lunch now."
Asher put his tools away and lead his brother to a cafeteria near the OR.
"I don't think it was an accident," Jack blurted.
"No," Asher asked, "why?"
"Renee is staying with us," Jack replied, "Violet and her are good friends. Hayden has had some odd bruises lately. I don't know what to do."
"You protect your son," Asher replied, "we did that's why we stay away. We've seen mom a few times."
"How do I get him away from them," Jack asked.
"You leave her and take your son," Asher replied, "Allie and I can help you. You get the report on what happened and the injuries."
In the scrub room Allison turned to Schmidt, "Dr Schmidt we need to call CPS."
"Why," Schmidt said.
"Look at the old injuries on the x-rays, this isn't chasing after the cat," Allison replied, "and I know the family. He said Auntie Renee pushed him. Renee has been charged with assulting my daughter before. I'm making the call."
"Call," Schmidt agreed, "Allison you have good instincts with kids. If you think something is wrong call it."
Allison finished the surgery and placed the call to CPS. She knew her evidence wasn't perfect but the history with the family she had to say something.
Even though it was late she found Asher sitting in the waiting area with Jack and Violet.
"Allie," Asher asked.
"Jack, Violet," Allison started addressing her in-laws, "the surgery went well. Hayden is in recovery. When we were putting the pins in and reconstructing his left arm there were old injuries that have not healed properly. His X-rays reveal significant injuries over time to his arms and clavicles."
"What does that mean," Jack asked.
"The pattern is suspicious," Schmidt said, "our protocol states that we need to alert child protective services when these things occur. Hayden will be seen by a social worker before he can be discharged and they will meet with you as well to determine next steps."
"It's Renee," Jack guessed.
"We can't say," Allison replied.
"It is she's hit Mitch's kids and Everly," Jack replied, "you guys got the restraining order. She hurt my son."
"Jack don't get worked up here," Asher cautioned, "go see Hayden when you can. Don't tell dad or Renee he's here. Go no contact with them. The CPS case is hard. We've had one based off a false report from Renee. You're going to go see your son and pretend to be calm. And only Allie and I know you're here. When he's discharged come to our house and we will meet with you for next steps."
Schmidt led the anxious parents to see their son.
"Our kids," Allison asked.
"Your dad," Asher replied, "I agree with Jack. Renee is abusing any kid she's around. They were talking about how he's off after she babysits and then texted Mitch and Mitch said she's hit his kids but they didn't report it because they thought she had stopped."
"So what do we do," Allison asked.
"We guide them," Asher replied, "Jack is a linesman, he has money they can support themselves. She's a preschool teacher she knows. They're in a good place."
"We can guide them. They sound more prepared than Mitch's family," Allison replied.
"Sierra is pregnant again," Allison replied, "I had a clinic shift this morning and saw her. Their 6th."
"They can't," Asher groaned.
"She won't use birth control," Allison replied, "she's like 36 weeks I had to have an intern counsel her on options after and she declined all options and the consult."
"I don't get it," Asher replied as they walked towards the locker room.
"I know we're not done," Allison said, "when I'm closer to done residency, Andy has to be two before we try anyway."
"Three sounds right," Asher replied.
"We don't have to decide now," Allison replied, "let me at least be a senior resident and in my fifth year."
"When you're ready," Asher agreed.
"We're just sleeping through the night," Allison replied, "if I'm not on call."
"Tonight," Asher asked.
"Nope, I was on last night," Allison replied, "didn't get called. I'm off tomorrow and Sunday then have a 24 hour in hospital stretch on Monday and Wednesday."
"Okay," Asher replied, "Tuesday?"
"I'm in clinic 8:30-noon and one scheduled surgery at 1," Allison replied, "Thursday and Friday are the same."
"So family weekend," Asher asked.
"Yes," Allison smiled, "Ev has a swim meet."
"And Andy starts swimming on Sunday," Asher replied.
"A pool weekend," Allison smiled as they reached the locker room, "I'll change out of scrubs and meet you at home."
"See you at home babe," Asher smiled giving her a quick kiss.
"See you soon," Allison smiled.