Dr. Karen Baldwin-Cates took a deep breath as she followed her aunt out of Tammy Hanson's room. "Umm, I'll start writing the transfer orders," she offered.
"Actually, the transfer orders need to be written by the transferring service. I'll give Ellen a call and then I'll dictate the consult. Is Dr. Ramsey or Dr. Lambert on call tonight?" Dr. Monica Quartermaine asked.
"It's Eve, Chris is on Friday," Karen said.
"Can you let Dr. Lambert know that my plan is to do a TEE tomorrow morning so the patient will be NPO but if anything changes or she has any problems she can just page me directly?"
"So, should I have just accepted this patient last night?" Karen asked.
"I think in some areas of medicine there are a lot of different reasonable approaches. I think a patient with suspected endocarditis can certainly go to a general IM service, and at some institutions they almost all preferentially go directly to the Infectious Disease service. I personally feel that until we have a definitive plan for treatment then it is reasonable for Cardiology to be the primary. Now, if the TEE looks like early valve replacement is not indicated and we have culture data back to support/refine our antibiotic choices then I think it is very reasonable at that point to transfer back to IM if there are other reasons the patient is not suitable for discharge. I realize you discussed this with Dr. Devlin last night and he had a different perspective on this. His perspective isn't wrong but today is a different day, Dr. Burgess requested an official consult and I just think it is reasonable for us to take over as primary at this point."
Karen wondered if she would ever be able to be so diplomatic. It was at least the tenth time than Dr. Devlin had told her something on call that his colleagues disputed in the morning. At least her aunt seemed to understand that she had just been following the advice of the on-call cardiologist. Dr. Ford and Dr. Rothstein both seemed to overlook that fact.
"I know it can be hard to be an intern and feel like different attendings tell you different things. I think what I would encourage you, and all of our housestaff, to do is to try to understand why the decisions were made. There are some areas of medicine where there is clear evidence or practice guidelines, like a patient with an ST elevation MI needs to go to the cardiac cath lab emergently. I don't think any of my colleagues would dispute that. But then there are other areas of cardiology where the evidence is still evolving and I think you will see different approaches. On that note, why don't you try to get everything wrapped up in the next hour and see if you can get out of here and get some sleep? You look exhausted!"
Mmmm sleep, Karen thought. Instead she mumbled, "Thanks!"
Yet, as she left her aunt Karen knew it wasn't just being over tired from call. Seeing Tammy Hanson reminded her of the days they had worked together at the Paradise Lounge. Although that sometimes seemed like it had been almost a different life it had really only been about four and a half years ago.
January 15, 1992
Even in the shadows, Karen Wexler, could recognize Ray Conway. Perhaps that was fitting since he had so often come out of the shadows and into her bed while her mother slept off her latest alcohol binge. Those were the nightmares she had never been able to wake up from.
Karen's could feel her heart pounding even above the loud music. She felt Tammy nudging her from behind but she couldn't move. It was as if her feet were glued to the floor and then suddenly everything went black.
XXXXXXXX
Karen woke up lying on a leather couch. It took her a minute to realize she was in club owner Sonny Corinthos's Office.
"Are you ok? What happened out there?" Sonny asked.
Karen struggled to sit up. "I'm sorry, I'm just tired, the semester just started and classes and all," she lied.
"Are you sure? Ok, well, why don't you get changed and I'll drive you home."
True to his word, Sonny had driven her home. He had offered to stop at Kelly's Diner and for some reason Karen had accepted. In spite of what others had alluded, he had been a perfect gentleman. Over clam chowder he asked her about school. She told him she wanted to be a doctor. He told her he had a sister who was a doctor. That had surprised her. He had told her that he and Lois were very different. Later, in the car on the way to her mother's house she had admitted that Ray Conway had once been her stepfather and, on the nights her mother had been too drunk to meet his needs, he had forced his way into her bed.
Sonny had been furious! He had called someone and assured her that Ray would be removed and lifetime banned from the Paradise Lounge. Karen hadn't expected that. For the first time someone had believed her and taken up for her. In retrospect, she knew it was both ironic and very messed up that a strip club had become her safe place. Yet, for a few months after that night it had seemed to be.
XXXXXXXX
Ned Ashton groaned when his secretary let him know that Katherine Bell was holding on line three. He debated calling her back later but he supposed that it was always better to know about Katherine's crises sooner rather than later, even her manufactured crises. So, with an internal groan, Ned picked up the phone and depressed the line. "Good morning, Katherine, what can I do for you?"
"What do you know about Deception Cosmetics testing cosmetics on animals?" Katherine asked.
"What?"
"Does that mean we aren't doing it? Someone leaked something to Veronica Bowles and now she is pestering me for a comment. I have much more important matters to deal with," Katherine said.
"Deception has never tested products on animals. Perhaps Ms. Bowles is just fishing since apparently Melador Cosmetics was testing their mascara on rabbits. As you pointed out, I think we both have other more pressing matters to focus on."
"I was thinking maybe we could do lunch and figure out a plan," Katherine said.
"Unfortunately, I have a prior lunch engagement. I'll reach out to Stewie and have him send an official statement regarding our product safety testing policy to WLPC."
Katherine laughed. "You know, Ned, if I didn't know better, I would think you were trying to avoid me," she said.
Ned shook his head. His grandfather was always lecturing him on the importance of action and accomplishment over attempts. He wondered if his grandfather would be impressed that he wasn't merely trying to avoid Katherine. He was succeeding! "Is there anything else, Katherine? As you said, we're both busy."
"Well, I guess I will see you tonight, at the reception before the Shareholder's Meeting?" Katherine asked.
"Yes, Carly and I will be there," Ned said as he noticed the flashing light which indicated Staci had placed another call on hold for him. He smiled. "But speaking of busy, I have to take another call. I'll have my secretary reach out to Stewie," Ned said.
Ned carefully hung up the phone before Katherine could object and depressed the intercom button. "Yes, Staci?" he said.
"Mr. Ashton, Julia Barrett is on line two."
"Ok, thanks. Oh, would you mind calling Mr. Lloyd in Marketing and PR at Deception Cosmetics and ask him to send a copy of our product testing policy to Veronica Bowles at WLPC. Tell him if he has questions, he can call me."
"Of course, I will do that now."
"Thank you," Ned said as he picked up the phone. "Good morning, Julia, what can I do for you?" he asked.
"Hello, Ned, you are always so cordial on the phone. Perhaps you could hold an inservice for the Buchanans," Julia said.
Ned chuckled. "Yeah, I don't see that going over well. Seriously though, how can I help?"
"Perhaps Celia mentioned that Barrett is interested in using the ELQ copper extraction process. I was hoping we could set up a time to discuss the licensing and royalty agreement when I'm back in the states in November."
"Definitely, that will give me a chance to discuss it first with Celia and Quentin," Ned said.
"Thank you, I appreciate that. I also appreciate you being willing to share the technology especially considering the history there," Julia said.
"To an extent, I think both of our companies were pawns in Bill Eckert and Paul Hornsby's game."
"That is a very mature perspective," Julia said.
"We all have to grow up eventually, right?" Ned said.
"Speaking of that, dare I ask how my sister is doing?" Julia asked.
Ned considered how to answer that question. He really didn't want to get into the middle of a battle of sisters between Julia and Brenda. He supposed he had known Julia longer. He had met Julia in 1993 when she had been engaged to his fiancée Jenny's older brother Bill. Then he had become ELQ pro-counsel and ELQ and Barrett Industries were fighting over who owned the patent rights to a copper extraction process. ELQ had been granted the original patent and the HBE patent interference appeal had been denied. Less than six months after that patent hearing, Lois had introduced him to her friend Brenda Barrett at Luke's Club. He had hardly made the connection back to Julia and he definitely knew Brenda better. In many ways she had become like a little sister to him.
"I'm sorry Ned, maybe that isn't fair. I didn't mean to put you on the spot. Contrary to popular belief, I do care about Brenda."
"I've never thought otherwise, Julia. I even understand why you had reservations about her relationship with Sonny. I definitely did," Ned said.
"But you were still planning to attend their wedding," Julia said.
"I suppose I didn't think my objections were going to make a difference in what Brenda did. So, my intention in attending their wedding was to support her."
"I see you're still channeling Quartermaine diplomacy," Julia said.
"The diplomacy comes much more from my Morgan side. You've met my grandfather, I'm sure you would agree."
"I've also met your Uncle Alan, but perhaps he is his mother's son," Julia said.
"I think even grandfather would admit that. I'll talk to Celia and see what we can put together for a royalty agreement. When you know what your travel itinerary looks like, just email me with some potential dates and I'll have my secretary make one of them work."
"I appreciate that, Ned, and I appreciate you looking out for Brenda."
"Of course," Ned said but as he hung up the phone he wondered if it was easier for him to be diplomatic and unconditionally supportive about Brenda's choices because she wasn't his sister.
XXXXXXXX
Brenda Barrett was a bit stunned when she looked at the 100% on her statistics exam. She couldn't remember the last time she had received a perfect score. As she exited Willard Hall her cell phone rang. Adeptly she pulled it from her bag and opened it. "Hello," she said.
"Brenda, it's Jax, what time should I pick you up tonight?"
"Tonight?" Brenda asked.
"Yes, the Deception Cosmetics Shareholder's Reception is tonight. It starts at 7:00."
"Why would I be attending that?"
"Because I have Deception stock and I need to attend, with a date," Jax said.
It seemed in poor taste to bring the spokesmodel for a rival cosmetics company as your date to a shareholder's reception. Of course, it didn't really seem out of character for Jax. So, perhaps she was just meant to go with it.
"Brenda?" Jax asked.
Jax's impatience came through the phone line loud and clear. It was so tempting to terminate the call and blame it on the connection. That would be dishonest but it was so tempting.
"You can pick me up at seven at the Quartermaines. I'm honestly not sure if either Alan or Monica will be home much before then," Brenda said.
Jax exhaled audibly conveying his frustration with her response. "Perhaps you are forgetting that you signed an exclusive agreement with Jacks Cosmetics."
Jax was half correct. Technically her contract precluded her from representing another company as a spokesmodel through September 1999. It didn't preclude her from having other jobs or even working for another company in short term contracts. Ned had insisted on reviewing the contract for her and had made sure of that. There was also the issue that Jax considered dating him part of her contract and she was pretty sure many self-respecting women and perhaps even the SEC would have a field day with that. Unfortunately, Brenda herself didn't feel up to challenging any of that.
"Well, perhaps if I had more than eight hours of notice that I was expected to attend this I would be more prepared and flexible. Anyway, I need to get home and fix lunch for Katelyn so I have to go. I'll see you tonight," Brenda said. Then she closed her phone quickly before Jax could protest.
XXXXXXXX
While she waited on an antique sofa in the lobby of the Port Charles Hotel Carly Ashton looked at her sparkly silver nails and smiled. She supposed she could get used to a life of facials, manicures, and shopping. Or maybe she could. It was one thing to watch Dynasty with Simone and fantasize about marrying into a family like the Carringtons. It was another thing to actually marry into the Quartermaine family, especially if that meant inheriting the Honorable Tracy Quartermaine-Grabler as a mother in law.
Although she would never admit it to anyone, even Simone, Carly was both terrified and intrigued by her husband's mother. She was an accomplished attorney who had become a judge. But more notably she was polished and articulate in a way Carly was quite certain she would never be, and she supposed that caused her to question if her mother in law really thought it was great that she and Ned had found each other. Of course, she claimed that she did. She had even dropped off a hand knit blanket for the baby a few days earlier. Ned had conveniently gone back to the office so it had been up to Carly to at least pretend the blanket was like the greatest gift ever. She had probably failed. So, once again, she was quite certain her mother in law was onto her.
As Carly continued to stew over her mother in law, a petite brown-haired woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties came into the lobby and promptly sat down beside her on the couch. Carly forced a smile although she really wanted to scream is there some reason you couldn't sit on any of the four other completely empty couches or five empty wing chairs?
The brown-haired woman smiled back and extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Caitlin Longsworth Hornsby, you're Ned Ashton's wife, right?"
"Yes, I'm Carly Ashton."
"Our family also attends Trinity Episcopal Church so I saw you last Sunday but didn't want to overwhelm you. I think you met my mother Audrey Longsworth at the bible study at the Quartermaines last night."
Carly nodded. She had met far too many people to actually remember all of their names. Audrey Longsworth had stood out a bit because she had been lauding Dr. Monica Quartermaine's praises. Apparently, she had saved her granddaughter Audra's life. "Yes, I'm glad to hear your daughter is doing better. We prayed for her continued healing last night," Carly said.
"Audra is actually my niece. She is my brother Joey's daughter but I am sure that he and his wife Jeanine appreciate all of the prayers. When I spoke to him this morning, he said that she might be discharged tomorrow if she continues to do so well."
"That's great," Carly said.
"Yes, it is. It is definitely proof that God works through us. If Monica hadn't made the diagnosis so quickly things could have been different."
Carly nodded again. She was glad that Caitlin's niece was going to be alright. Of course, she didn't want a child to suffer but the whole idea of God working miracles was kind of lost on her. She didn't feel like she could admit that so she just tried to look moved.
"Well, I have a spa appointment at noon, but I'm glad we got a chance to chat. Perhaps we can do lunch one day next week," Caitlin said.
"Sure, that would be nice," Carly said just as she saw Ned walk through the front door of the hotel. She would say it was perfect timing, but true perfect timing would have involved Ned arriving about ten minutes earlier and saving her from her little chat with Caitlin.