Chapter 27: Los Angeles
There was a shrill ring in the darkness. One ring, a pause, then followed by a second ring, which finally spilled through the sleep fog. In the dark, an arm reached out from under the covers and grabbed the phone and pulled it back under the covers.
"Yes?" A female voice asked.
"Doctor Scott, the ER needs a cardiac consult," The Voice on the other end report.
"Okay," The female voice answered back to the phone and hung it up. Next, the arm searched for and slipped on the light switch, lighting the stark room. Throwing off the covers she sat up. There was a stretch to work out the knots in her back before she slid out of the bed and onto her feet.
Looking at her watch she saw it was well before sunrise on New Year's Day. This was never good. Walking over to the mirror and sink she took a hard stare and noticed the bags under her eyes. These were the moments when she felt her age or older. At thirty-two she was an older resident, but that was because she was learning her second specialty.
Her now brown hair, it had darkened with age, was worn in a French braid to keep it under control, if left to its own devices it would be a mess. The blue eyes that stared back, looked very tired, was it from lack of sleep or the years. She would be considered pretty if not beautiful in a conventional way, if not very WASPish looking. Her body was in decent shape from her working out, mostly habit and to help with stress. Her scrub top and mock turtleneck were on a nearby chair, so she stood there in her sports bra. That pale scar right down the center of her chest was clearly visible. That scar was the reason she was here, the motivation.
Turning on the sink she cupped her hands under the stream of water and let it fill her hands. When it was the right temperature, she splashed the water on her face. This finished waking her up and breaking the grip of sleep she felt in her eyes. Next, she washed her hands.
After drying her hands and face she pulled on her mock turtleneck and scrub top and put her shoes on. Looking in the mirror again she sighed. Looking at her ID badge, it said Doctor Candace Scott. She nodded, took a series of deep breaths, slipped on her lab coat, grabbed her stethoscope, and headed out of her on-call room.
She adjusted her lab coat as she headed for the elevators. At this hour the hospital was quiet. That wasn't always a good thing, she always believed in the old line "Calm before the storm." One of the nurses was waiting for her at the door out of the ward. There was a cup of coffee in her hands which Candace knew it was for her. Candace always made sure she took care of the nurses she worked with; they always made her life easier.
"Thanks. Did the ER send anything up on this patient?" Candace asked and took the cup of coffee she was offered.
"You're welcome, and no Doctor Scott, they were hot for you to go down," The Floor Nurse said.
Candace nodded and shook her head, "Thanks," she said and walked out of the ward. She drank the magically black liquid that bestowed her superpowers as she walked to the elevator. After finishing the cup, she pressed the call button and looked around for a trash can. None was to be found. Finally, the elevator arrived, and she got on and rode it down to the level the ER was on. Once the car stopped, she got out and headed towards the Emergency Department.
At the ER she looked around and saw why there wasn't any information sent up. They were busy. After all her years in this hospital, Candace knew this was typical for New Year's Day in the ER. Finally, she came to the nurse's station.
"Hi Dani, I got called for a consult," Candace said.
"Yeah, I know," Danielle Pena-Craven, RN, said.
"So, who called for it?" Candace asked, looking around for a trash can for her empty cup.
"Doctor Burns," Danielle said, "Candi."
Candace looked around and didn't see him. "Where is Doctor Burns?" she asked, wanting to escape the ER.
"With a patient," Danielle said.
Candace nodded, and then yawned, "Look at us Dani, working on New Year's Eve," she said.
"From what I understand you volunteered," Danielle said looked up at Candace, "Shouldn't you be out on the prowl?"
Candace laughed, "So should you," she said.
"Me? Hell, if I looked like you Candi, I'd not even worry about working, I'd be worried about the next party at my much older sugar daddy husband's mansion," Danielle said, with a laugh, "Anyways, you know Marcial wouldn't want me cheating on him."
Candace laughed, "You can look at the menu, you just can't eat, Dani. Anyway, if my brother has to work on New Year's I could and not complain," Candace said.
Danielle nodded, "So, when does Keith get back?" she asked.
"Around Saint Patrick's Day, he knows but he can't tell us the exact date," Candace said.
Danielle smiled, "We should do a girl's night, our own New Year's Eve," she suggested.
"God, I don't know. Remember last time we tried that, our schedules and all," Candace said.
"You mean your schedule," Danielle said with a laugh, "Live a little, I bet your sisters are."
Candace nodded, "Ellie is, I don't know about Kay," she said, "Sawyer is most definitely celebrating. Anyways what you know about this patient?"
"I'll let Doctor Burns tell you because here he comes," Danielle said.
Candace nodded and turned to see a slightly older Doctor walk over. She could see he was exhausted. It looked like it was one of those days or nights, who could really tell anymore.
"Doctor Scott," Doctor Caiden Burns said as he walked up.
"Doctor Burns," Candace said, "Tell me about the patient."
"Fifteen-Year-old male, experiencing dizziness, shortness of breath, and chest pains," Burns said.
"Syncope?" Candace asked.
"No, but reported almost, and zero on the toxic screen," Burns said.
Candace nodded and took the chart from Doctor Burns. "I would have normally gone with they partied too hard," Candace said, "I don't like this. Did you check all the extremities for pulses?"
"I thought the same thing too, but the tests were negative," Doctor Burns said, "No we didn't check the extremities for pulses."
Candace scratched her temple, "What am I missing here?" she asked.
"I think it's cardiac-related, but I'm not sure," Doctor Burns said.
Candace nodded, "It's leaning that way," she said, "Okay, let's meet the patient."
"Follow me," Doctor Burns said and looked at her, "What are you thinking?"
"I don't know," Candace said, "Those are common signs, I want to meet the young man and see what his story is."
They walked to where the young man's bed was. Candace studied him quickly and noticed he looked fine, as fine as a young person could be that was in the ER on New Year's. Also, you can look perfectly fine but still have something very wrong with you. Candace remembers a rotation that a man in his forties walked into the ER, literally walked into the ER. Was only showing signs of sweating but was alert and speaking. Had a gall bladder infection and when they went to remove it, it was gangrenous. He lived but, he was also dying.
"Ms. Wilson, Lamont how are we doing?" Doctor Burns asked.
"I'm okay Doctor, when can I go home?" Lamont asked.
"Hopefully soon, but we want to make sure your healthy first," Doctor Burns said, "This is Doctor Scott, she's going to ask you a few questions."
"Okay," Lamont said.
"Hi Lamont, I'm Doctor Scott, how are we feeling tonight?" Candace asked.
"Okay, I guess," Lamont said.
"Don't Lie," his mother said from the chair.
"Mom," Lamont said.
"Don't Mom me, tell the Doctor what happened," Ms. Wilson Said.
"Mom, it's embarrassing," Lamont replied.
"Tell her, and don't be stubborn," Ms. Wilson replied.
Candace smiled slightly, "Don't worry Lamont, it's okay," she said, and turned to Ms. Wilson, "I have a brother who gets this way and a cousin."
"Pain in the rear," Ms. Wilson said.
"Well with James he doesn't want to be sick, he likes his job. My brother, on the other hand, is just pig-headed," Candace said.
"Mom," Lamont said.
"You're pigheaded too, tell the nice Doctor your story," Ms. Wilson said.
"I was playing basketball and suddenly my chest and legs started hurting, I couldn't catch my breath and I got dizzy," Lamont said.
Candace walked over to the bed and listened. She took up one of his wrists and looked at her watch. Slowly counting the heartbeats. "You play basketball? I used to play in college," she said.
"Really, on a team? Where you any good?" Lamont asked.
Candace kept checking his vitals, as she moved along the bed. At one point she was checking his pulse but rested her and his arm across his rib cage. Every so often she would glance up at the monitor. "I played on a team, not intermural. I'd like to think I was good," she said, as she finished taking the pulse from his other wrist.
"For a girl, I meant," Lamont said.
Candace chuckled, "My sister would have an issue with that statement, as would my aunt," she said.
"Your sister and aunt?" Ms. Wilson asked.
Candace nodded, "Yeah, they both play professionally," she said and looked at Lamont, "Does this happen often when you play basketball?"
"Not all of the time. The not being able to catch my breath yes. The chest pains sometimes, but not being dizzy and chest pains," Lamont said.
"Lamont, why didn't you tell me this?" Ms. Wilson asked.
"I didn't want you to worry Mom and I didn't think it was that bad," Lamont said.
Candace looked at Lamont and then to Ms. Wilson, "Doctor Burns, can you check Lamont's femoral pulse, while I check his right radial?" she asked.
"Sure," Doctor Burns said. He explained to Lamont what he had to do. Candace looked at Ms. Wilson and Lamont.
"This is just a diagnostic check we're doing, hopefully, everything is fine," Candace said.
After they checked they thanked them and excused themselves. Out in the hallway, they compared numbers and Candace sighed.
"What are you thinking?" Doctor Burns asked.
"What I'm thinking isn't good. When I was checking his left radial, I also did his respirations and I brushed up against his rib cage, there were some abnormalities. I'm going to order an MRA, it should show up there," Candace said.
Candace and Doctor Burns went back into the area where Lamont was and explained they were going to be doing some more tests including imagining. After that Candace walked to the Nurse Station and put in the order for the imagery. She looked at Doctor Burns.
"I'm going to get some breakfast," Candace said.
Doctor Burns nodded, "It should take a while," he replied.
Candace went to the cafeteria which had just opened. She got a coffee and a muffin, she really wanted a bagel, but that would have to wait for her trip to New York. They have good bagels in New York, just like they have good barbeque in North Carolina. But a muffin would have to do for now. She took her seat at a table and leaned back. A moment later someone joined her at the table.
"So, what are you thinking about that young patient in the ER?" The person, another woman asked.
Candace looked across the table at the head of her cardiac program, Doctor Leigh Hagberg.
"I'm hoping it isn't what I think it is," Candance said.
"That doesn't answer the question, Doctor Scott," Doctor Hagberg said.
"Coarctation of the Aorta," Candace said and sighed.
Doctor Hagberg shook her head, "Not good for someone so young, are you sure?" she asked.
"I know it's not good. The signs are there, but I want the imagery for it, hell we need the imagery," Candace said and without her knowing it her free hand went to her chest and rubbed her scar through her scrubs.
Doctor Hagberg noticed this. She was aware of the reasons Candace Scott was in this program. Sometimes she wondered if she was trying too hard. "So, how are you doing?" Doctor Hagberg asked.
Candace shrugged, "Tired, good overall, hoping and looking forward to getting home and visit my family," she said.
"When does your brother get home?" Doctor Hagberg asked.
"It would be nice to know when exactly, but I don't know, and he can't tell me," Candace said.
"Okay, I wanted to check on the patient you consulted on and I'll let you finish," Doctor Hagberg said and left.
Candace finished her muffin and coffee, then headed back to do her rounds. She also went down to the ER to check on the young Lamont Wilson. She also found out when the imagery was going to take place and was down in the ER when Doctor Burns told the family. Explained it was routine stuff. They asked about the worst-case scenario and they had to tell them surgery on the heart.
When Candace relief came in, she updated them on the patients and walked through everything. Shaking her head, she grabbed her stuff at the end of her shift and headed out. Leaving the hospital, she looked out at the parking lot and the early morning California Sun. She had been in Los Angeles for almost eight years now, the better part of a decade. It was so different from New York or North Carolina, for one it was almost always sunny. It was also vainer out here, and it helped her to stay motivated to stay in shape.
Working in Torrance she had to head to the shore, where she lived. Heading west, the sun was now behind her and hopefully, she could get home and get some sleep before anything got crazy or too bright for her to sleep. Night shifts sucked. Also, this trip was all surface roads, and she was glad she got her residency where she did, as she didn't want to drive into Los Angeles. Driving home, she looked in the rear-view mirror and was glad she wore her sunglasses. There was traffic, there was always traffic, so what else was new, Candace thought.
She drove North through Redondo Beach and turned West onto Herondo Street and got caught at a stoplight before she crossed over the Pacific Coast Highway. Near the end of the road, she turned north onto Hermosa Avenue. It was a little bit above average commute to the nearby city in which she lived, the sea-side city by the name of Hermosa Beach. She went up a few blocks and turned West again and North onto Beach Drive.
Finally, she arrived at the house where she had been renting a room with several other doctors. She was hardly home so she didn't need a lot of space. This had been her headquarters for several years, well since the owner bought, a friend from Medical School. She clicked her garage door opener and waited for it to open. Being the longest-tenured tenant had some privileges as she got the other space in the garage.
Parking her veteran of a car, it was the same old beat up the car she bought when she was in medical school. She got out and grabbed her bag, she headed inside the house proper and walked into the open concept family room/dining room/kitchen. Sitting at the island was one of her housemates, who wore her shoulder blade long brown hair down her back. She was wearing board shorts and a gray t-shirt shirt in blue that said Melbourne.
"Hey Candi," Doctor Madyson Longford, one of her housemates, said, with a distinct Australian Accent.
"Hey, Mads," Candace said and stuck her head in the refrigerator.
"Tough shift?" Madyson asked.
Candace yawned, "Long shift, Longford," she said, stressing Madyson's family name, "Had to tell a fifteen-year-old boy he might need heart surgery." She grabbed an apple and went to the counter and grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee, that magical superpower supplying nectar of the gods.
"How did he take it?" Madyson asked, studying Candi with her hazel eyes.
"As to be expected," Candace said and started to leave the kitchen.
"Want to head out, do something tonight?" Madyson asked.
"Is this another one of your young hot female doctors out on the prowl ideas again?" Candace asked.
"I don't know, maybe, or I just want to have fun with my friend," Madyson said.
Candace yawned "Let me shower, I want to wash off this layer of funk," she said, "Then I'll be on The Strand jogging," she finished.
"Have it all planned out, I see," Madyson said, teasing.
Candace yawned, again, "Yeah, well I'm old and boring," she said.
"I borrowed a dress last night," Madyson said.
"Which one?" Candace asked.
"The blue and black one I like," Madyson said and laughed.
"I might as well gift it to you," Candace said, "You look better in it than me."
"It fits better on you," Madyson replied.
"Yeah, well it was tailored for me," Candace said.
"Not everyone can be so lucky," Madyson said.
"I hope you were luckier in it than I ever was," Candace said, "Pardon me, my funk is starting to demand a name."
"I'll tell you about it later, or when we hit the town on our day off," Madyson said.
"Yeah, girls' day, is Flynn off?" Candace asked.
"Yes, Alden gave permission," Madyson said.
"Anyways, talk to you after my shower," Candace said.
Madyson laughed and went back to reading her tablet. So much bad news in the world. So much crap, she shook her head and put the tablet down, as another housemate came in. She was a relatively tall woman, not as tall as Candi, maybe five foot eight-inches, and had what was know as a banana body shape. She was the youngest and newest of the housemates, being just starting her residency. Her blonde hair was flowing behind her as she entered.
"Morning Madyson," Doctor Kaelyn McCullough said as she came through the door, with a young man following her. Candi looked at the new arrivals and shook her head, thinking that Kaelyn had that stereotypical Southern California look, "Candi," she followed up with.
Candi's blue eyes met Kaelyn's, and Candi just nodded, "I'm out," she said, and left before her house guest was even fully in the house.
"Kaelyn," Madyson said, "going into overtime?"
"What? No, passing through heading out again," Kaelyn said.
"I see, who is this young gentleman?" Madyson asked.
"Oh, this is Ross," Kaelyn said.
"Ross? Don't you work at the hospital?" Madyson asked.
"Yeah, I'm a resident," he said.
"Okay, thought you looked familiar," Madyson said.
"Yeah, umm, can I use the…" Ross started to say.
"Yeah down the hallway at the end, take a left," Madyson said.
"Thanks," Ross said and walked back into the hallway.
Kaelyn looked at Madyson, "So, what do you think?" she asked.
Madyson shrugged, "I don't know, see me after a month," she said.
"Mads, I'm not that bad," Kaelyn said.
"If you say so," Madyson said.
Ross came back into the room. "All set?" Kaelyn asked, Ross.
"Umm…the door was locked," Ross said.
"Okay, you can use my bathroom," Kaelyn said.
"Where is it?" Ross asked.
"Upstairs duh!" Kaelyn said.
"I mean directions," Ross said.
"Of course, upstairs take a left, you can't miss it," Kaelyn said.
"Thanks," Ross said and went to the stairs. At the top of the stairs, he turned left and went straight, not sure which of the three doors he should choose. He opened the first door on the right. Instead of a bathroom, he found what looked like a guest bedroom, as it was basic furniture and rather plain. Shaking his head, he closed the door and went to the next door. When he opened it, it wasn't a bathroom either, but he found himself in one of the coolest bedrooms he ever saw.
On the bed, which didn't look slept in, was a used pair of scrubs. He knew he should leave but he was taken aback by Kaelyn's housemate's taste. The Housemate liked metal music, by the posters on the wall, all were framed. There was a Gothic Serpent poster and on a closer look, it was signed by all the band members, every single one. Ross also noticed several Nordwind posters, including from their most recent tour, they were also signed by all the band members. There was a Mental Lapse one as well, from the band's first tour, that took Ross back for a minute, and he sadly nodded. He turned to the next poster, which was one of the newer bands Tacit Blue, and this poster was also signed by the band. There was one last poster in the collection with a rather boring band name, Hartmann, Scott, and Jared, it was a one-off tour with members of both Mental Lapse and Nordwind. Ross then saw many backstage pass laments hanging by the desk.
Turning around there was also a framed signed poster on the wall of James Scott, the Basketball player. On the shelves were the normally medical books, and a few books by Lucas Scott, with worn spines. There was also a copy of the book that a lot of women he knew loved, The Girl Who Always Wore Purple. That spine was worn as well. He also noticed a Duke University Blue Devils Banner on the wall.
Ross thought whomever a resident in this room was the coolest. He wouldn't mind meeting them.
"What the hell are you doing in my room?" A woman's voice boomed in the four corners of the room.
Ross turned around and saw a tall woman, around six-plus feet tall. He couldn't tell what color her hair was as it was wrapped up in a towel. She was also only wearing a towel wrapped around her. Ross could see she had well-toned muscles. His eyes were drawn to the valley between her breasts and saw a faded scar running vertically.
"I was looking for the bathroom," Ross said.
She nodded, "You're one of Kaelyn's playmates, aren't you?" she asked.
"Umm.," Ross said.
"You missed it by a door," she said, "Now get out."
"Okay," Ross said, and beat feet out of the room, closing the door behind him. He found the bathroom and did what he needed to do. He returned to the kitchen and looked at Kaelyn and Madyson.
"So, who's your tall housemate?" Ross asked.
Madyson laughed, "You mean Candi?" she asked.
"Candi?" Ross asked.
Madyson nodded, "Yeah, Doctor Candace Scott, she's a cardiac resident at the hospital, already has a specialist in pediatrics, she's in the hospital directory," she said, with a sly grin.
"What's with all the stuff in her room?" Ross asked.
Kaelyn laughed, "You should see her closet, it's full of haute couture dresses," she said.
Madyson smiled, "Let's just say Candi has already led a more interesting life than we ever will," she said.
Candace came into the kitchen, wearing basketball shorts, a tight t-shirt that said, "Property of Duke Athletics," with a basketball shoved under her arm. She grabbed a bottle of water and was out the door. Ross noted she had brown hair and she had it pulled back in a ponytail.
"So, what's her story?" Ross asked.
"Nothing much to tell, as I don't know much other then what I see," Kaelyn said, "Madyson, you're close to her, maybe you can enlighten us."
"Nothing much to say she told me she worked at a record label during her undergrad," Madyson said.
"That explained the music posters," Ross said.
"Maybe we should get her to go out with us and we could ask her," Kaelyn said.
Madyson shrugged, "Maybe, but you know Candi," she said.
Kaelyn nodded, "Maybe Flynn could talk her into it," she said.
Madyson laughed and looked over to the stove, "That's if Flynn would be up to it after he wakes up," she said.
"Flynn?" Ross asked.
"One of our other housemates," Kaelyn said.
"Oh okay," Ross said, "Candi's significant other?"
"Oh no, not at all," Kaelyn said.
"Most certainly not," Madyson said.
"I see," Ross said.
The door opened, and Candace came into the kitchen, her basketball under her arm. She looked them over and sighed.
"Did you forget something?" Kaelyn asked.
"Your run can't be over already," Madyson said, looking at her tall housemate, with the basketball tucked under her arm.
"I just got a call from Kayla," Candace said.
"So, what does Ms. High and Mighty want?" Madyson asked.
"Tacit Blue is playing LA she said and as a courtesy called to see if I wanted to attend and how many will come with me," Candace said.
"Tacit Blue is playing?" Kaelyn asked, "Where?"
Candace shrugged, "I don't know," she said.
Madyson laughed, "I'm in if you are," she said.
Kaelyn looked at Candace, "I can go if we include Ross," she said.
Candace rolled her eyes, "Let me text Flynn and Fawn," she said and left the room.
Ross looked at Madyson, "Who's Kayla?" he asked.
Madyson shrugged, "I don't know who Kayla is, exactly, but I do know she's Candi's connection for tickets," she said.
"So, why do you call her Ms. High and Mighty?" Ross asked.
"Kayla has a 'tude," Madyson said.
Ross nodded, just in time for Candace to come back into the room. "Flynn and Fawn are in and we're all set, doors at seven, so be here by six," Candace said.
"Okay," Kaelyn said.
"Can I borrow a dress?" Madyson asked.
Candace sighed, "We'll talk after I take a nap," she said, "Oh and Kaelyn, give better directions to the bathroom, or how about this, tell them about the downstairs bathroom."
"Sorry Candi, I didn't think he'd find your room," Kaelyn said.
"This isn't your parents house in Encino, you can't run roughshod over everyone and expect people to just laugh it off. Sure you want to be close to work and be edgy, live on the beach, but please respect other peoples space," Candi said.
"I will Candi," Kaelyn said.
"Mads, I'm going to take a nap, and organize something for you to wear, out of my closet, again," Candi said.
"Thanks," Madyson said.
"Only to get a few hours of peace," Candi said and left the kitchen.
"Told you more interesting then you can imagine," Madyson said and got up, "This could be a fun night."
Madyson left the room leaving Kaelyn and Ross quiet.
