12- New beginnings… chapter twelve
Walter awoke the next day- bored out of his skull.
The doctor made his rounds asking questions, the nurses came in for checks, monitoring, and administering medicine. It was maddening the constant beeps, hums and clicks of monitoring machinery in the rooms up and down the hall and the lack of a computer to focus on.
When Lynn entered his room, book in hand it elicited an ear to ear grin on Walter's face, "Gods, you have saved a life, again," he told her.
"I will stop in again after work. I stayed at the garage last night- surprisingly quiet there. You have all day to read this. You are to get out of here tomorrow afternoon, right? I will pick you up in the convertible- easy in, easy out. Have to head to work- hi-ho, hi-ho off to work I go," she sang. "You get that reference?"
"Good grief, again? What did I miss this time?"
"Remember I told you of the Snow White dwarves?"
"I remember everything you say. You said "Sneezy, Grumpy, Sleepy, Doc, Bashful, Dopey, aaaaaand HAPPY," so what reference am I missing?"
"Snow White sat around the house singing to birds while the seven dwarves hiked to work in the mine….. singing that song like they were having a blast working in a mine all day." She explained. "Snow White farted around all day enjoying life, the dwarves busted their butts- and were convinced they were happy. Geeze, nobody gets the political angle at all, especially you since you've never seen it. I gotta' get to work… singing all the way." She looked at his puzzled expression. "HA, got you AGAIN….. gods you are easy." and she laughed going out the door then started whistling the 'hi-ho-hi-ho' tune as she went down the hall.
Midday Richard came by again. "Enjoying some light reading, I see, Walter."
"Been a long time since I had occasion to get into metallurgy- useful for component fabrication to get into the different molecular structure of different components of alloys. Once certain metals are blended depending on the ratios the structure changes and reacts differently than the individual components… but I am talking of things you are well aware of. Especially when it comes to fabrication for components experiencing the stresses of space. Anyway, thank you for visiting. I know your days are quite busy."
"Just checking on you," he said sitting down. "Once again we came close to losing you. I hope you learned your lesson- again. Plus I recalled you said something about thinking longer before submitting designs to ensure the eggheads don't try to alter it. I would prefer you not wait over long submitting designs and let the work stand for itself."
"Don't worry, Richard. I come up with any designs for your space program, I will submit it to you and you can have the engineers deal with it…. don't even have to have my name on it. I told you, I don't have to have my name plastered on everything, you know what things are worth and I am quite happy with your valuations. I do not need much, now have more than enough in my accounts to do as I please. As you know, I will design, code, make proposals, work the math, whatever comes to mind whether I get paid for it or not. You have been straight with me, truthful in business transactions, you have people loyal to you which says a lot. I am more than happy to continue to do business with you. That meet with your approval?"
"Excellent. You just have to quit with the near death experiments- try and stay away from the crazy, and quit being so difficult to get along with. A lot of people really do like working with you- you need to expand your horizon beyond the garage." Richard rose. "Dr. Wilson said you can probably go home tomorrow- take it easy, relax, do what you do best- think- and save the running around until fully back on your feet. Have a good evening."
"Before you leave, Richard, I have a question for you."
"What you need?"
"Lynn has really gone out of her way giving me a hand, even after my… shall we say, less than pleasant behavior, she even offered to pick me up when I am discharged tomorrow." Walter said. "You seem to know your employees quite well, especially those working in this complex, and I would like to repay her for her help- appears she saved my life, actually. I should show some appreciation, but beyond her liking a strange American car model, I know nothing of her."
Richard sat down again giving Walter a calculating look. "You want to be careful with Lynn. I recruited her from MIT, myself, she is an exceptional individual, and not just for her degrees. While she is quite out-going, she has 'personal issues' as deep and harsh as yours. You two just handle things differently. She is more out in society where you cocoon in your garage, but she is just as prone to isolate as you- possibly more so," Richard said. "On this subject, Walter, do think long and hard before getting involved….. tread lightly- flowers, box of chocolates, something Chevrolet related should do it." Richard rose again, "enjoy your light reading," and left.
Walter sat thinking of what Richard had said. Interesting, then went back to reading. After numerous visits by nurses, taking his medications, check-up with Dr. Wilson, and a couple dozes, Walter was reading again when Lynn, Tim and Joe came in after work.
"What you reading Walt?" Joe asked coming through the door followed by the others. "Does not look like some popular novel some daytime show host hawks… a chicken soup for the psyche of some sort?"
"Looks like some deep reading to hit the eggheads with REAL science half of them don't know squat about," Tim injected. "Glad to see it, read on, it's for a good cause."
"Ha, the eggheads probably will run interference in the hall to keep him from entering next time," Lynn snickered sitting down, Joe taking the second chair and Tim leaning in the doorway.
"So when they going to cut you loose, and will you be following directions this time?" Tim asked. "If not it isn't so far a drive after work visiting you here as opposed to that garage Joe says you live in, but doctors are evil when you piss them off and keep coming back."
"Come on, Tim, nobody like doing rework over and over," Joe said. "Should have heard Lynn crabbing the other day retesting the eggheads modifications….. crabbing all morning. And you should have seen the report….. did you even read it, Tim?"
"No, why should I take the time when I was there and saw the results, for crying out loud."
"Nice," Lynn said. "I take the time to write up the report, word it just so, send it out and nobody reads it, nice going guys."
"Anyway, Walt, how you feeling?" Joe asked again. "See what happens when people leave work? They take it with them."
"I am feeling much better, looking forward to getting out of here and away from the threatening sergeant-major nurse, the poking and prodding doctors not to mention the incessant machinery noise."
"Geeze, with that attitude bet they will be just as happy to see you gone," Tim laughed.
"Yes, just like my math teachers through the years, threw parties I think when I moved on. I just don't understand why."
"Yeah, right," Lynn snickered. "You are just a so very pleasant, well-mannered individual- just ask the eggheads, I am SURE they will invite you personally for their next conference and have a seat front and center reserved just for you."
"Come on, Lynn, people may be happy to endure those conferences if they know Walter here will be there as an entertainment factor." Tim said laughing. "Walter, good to see you are feeling better, when they let you out, follow directions. Gotta' go…. hot date tonight."
"Yeah, I have to head out, too," Joe said. "The wife gets out her rolling pin if I be too late getting home. Get up and around soon, O'Brien," Joe said getting up to leave.
"Hang on Joe, I'll walk out with you. Anything you need from command central, or just get you there when you are discharged tomorrow?" Lynn asked.
"No, thanks for coming in to visit," Walter said with a smile, and watched them leave as the nurse came in to dole out his medication.
"How you feeling, Walter." The nurse asked handing him the pill cup and cup of water. "Looking forward to going home tomorrow?"
"Yes, sergeant-major Rachael. And yes, I will follow directions to the letter when I am home."
"Good, glad to hear it. I will keep my patient beating stick handy just in case. Keep that in mind," she said as she left.
Walter laid back to relax and replayed the visit by the lab engineering crew. Interesting, they visit him yet he spoke very little, just listened to their talk about their work. For the years working with the Scorpion crew, after a case was completed, returning to the garage, everyone tended to go to their 'space' within the garage and continue their individual pursuits. Sylvester to his chalk board to work math, Happy to her tools, Toby to his books, and he to the computer to do research, code or work on an experiment. It was completely different from their usual day when Paige brought everyone together to fix chicken piccata. With her inclusion, there was more comradery over time. But it became evident there really was no cohesiveness outside the jobs.
Getting to know and being around this test lab engineering crew may give him some insight on being around people. He amended that thought- being around 'normal' people. That may have been his biggest mistake- finding geniuses- people too similar to each other…. and all obviously had personal 'issues'. He would have to inquire with Lynn if she continues to stay at the garage after he is discharged. She certainly deals with society with deftness no matter who is around. First thing to inquire about- why does Joe remain with a wife who threatens or beats him… that is a quandary, indeed.
Thinking along these lines his dinner was delivered, drugs doled out afterward, and he dozed through the night.
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In the morning Walter awoke looking forward to getting out of the incessant noise of the clinic. Dr. Wilson came by to let him know he would be discharged later in the afternoon.
"We discharge patients just in time to get in the LA traffic jams. Gives you fond memory of the calm peaceful time with us before out in the craziness again. Your chart shows all is well- while here. We send you home later and you have to come back a third time it will not go well for you."
"Nurse sergeant-major Rachael let me know in no uncertain terms the patient beating device will be kept on hand should I return. To be honest, I do not want to go through this again. No jobs outside the garage until you OK it after my two week check-up."
"GARAGE? No doing anything outside the garage!" Dr. Wilson said. "No doing anything IN a garage. What part of 'take it easy' is beyond your understanding?" Walter laughed, "I live in a garage- up in the loft though I will stay in the first floor living area when I get out of here."
"Live in a garage? I must say you are one of my more unusual patients, O'Brien. And yes, stay off the stairs for a while until the surgery heals." Dr. Wilson said. "I sure don't want to see you back here, Walter. The body can only take so much abuse before permanent damage sets in. Think on that before doing anything that may be questionable- you can decide to ride a roller-coaster now, or walk when you are fifty. Seeing your x-rays and having compiled your past medical history, once you are fully recovered from this medical issue, I think you will continue your past questionable behaviors. I remember seeing some of your exploits on the news. The air bottle ride to the helicopter in Santa Ana winds, the tar pit diving- crazy. You're not getting any younger. I strongly advise you leave that kind of craziness to the younger nuts."
"Believe it or not, all those behaviors were fully thought out and were reasonable actions to get the necessary outcome." Walter said. "The mathematics, physics, risks were fully calculated before any action taken. I'm really not crazy."
"No, certainly not crazy," Dr. Wilson said, "but possibly not fully cognizant of the concept of self-preservation- maybe too smart for your own good? Food for thought while you are taking it easy in your garage for the next two weeks after which you will come in for a check-up. I strongly suggest you listen to your doctor. You have someone picking you up this afternoon?"
"I believe so- with a convertible so easy to get in and out without twisting."
"Glad to hear it. I have paperwork to take care of so will see you when time for discharge," Dr. Wilson said leaving the room.
Shortly after Dr. Wilson left, nurse sergeant-major Rachael entered. "Time for your medication, Walter," she said handing him a cup of water and the pill cup. "You will be leaving us this afternoon. The clothes and possessions on you when you were brought in are in this bag. We will send you off in nice, loose fitting scrubs for your ride home. Will be brought in before being discharged- if you need help getting dressed let us know and a male nurse will help you. The scrubs are easily put on and taken off and won't rub the surgery site."
"Thank you, sergeant-major Rachael, I must admit I will certainly miss your bedside manner," Walter said with a smile. "Has truly been a joy to be with you."
"Yes, I will miss you as well, Walter. But I will keep the stick handy until you clear your first check-up in two weeks, back before that for another round, I will use it on you then give it to Dr. Wilson to continue, then Dr. Peters for messing up his needlework," Rachael said sternly. "We will be up with your paperwork, scrubs and get you ready to leave in about an hour."
Walter relaxed looking forward to being discharged and back in the garage and finding out when his replacement laptop should be delivered- should be within the next few days.
"Hi there," Lynn said entering Walter's room. "Everything taken care of to get you out of here? Your paperwork complete, drugs in a bag, where's your book?"
"Here." Walter said, "All ready to go," he said getting up from the bed when Nurse Rachael walked in the room.
"You here to transport Walter home? Did you really think you were just going to walk out, Walter?" she asked. "You starting already and not even out of the room yet- you will wait for the wheelchair, it will be here in a minute- wait for it."
"I will bring the car around to the door," Lynn said taking the book with her. "See you in a couple minutes."
"It really is a nice driver, makes getting out of hospital even better when it is a pleasant drive home. I have missed the place." Walter said as Lynn pulled up to the garage roll-up door.
"Hang on, I'll open up and pull the car in and you can get out inside." Lynn said. "I already picked up some groceries- you like New England clam chowder?" she asked getting out of the car to open the place up. Going in the front door then opening the roll-up door of the back bay she got back in the car and pulled it in.
"Yes, I like New England clam chowder, even like the New York version," Walter said as Lynn came around to open the passenger side door for him. "What is this?"
"Joe has been here he said and said he had an adjustable bed in a spare room, so he and Tim brought it over in Tim's truck yesterday after work- said you should not be going up stairs for a while. So, looks like you really WILL be living in a garage like you say you do. Anyway, got some clean sheets on it. You will be all set here on the ground floor without having to sleep on a sofa. We put it here close to the downstairs bathroom for convenience, so if you get up in the middle of the night, don't bump into the car. Joe said the sooner you are better, the sooner you can get back to doing security for the data centers and component design to show up the eggheads."
Walter stood next to the car with a frown. Lynn closing the roll-up door turned and seeing him asked, "What's the matter?"
"None of you have known me very long and some of my behavior has been less than pleasant, yet you do so much." Walter said looking up at her.
"Yeah, like you never went out of your way to help anyone, right?" Lynn asked.
Walter glanced at her.
"Let's see, some kid a cliff fell on, some chick in a car stuck in a tar pit, a hospital full of fungus, a doctor stuck in a helicopter, bunch of scientists in a government facility threatened with toxic gas, shall I go on?" Lynn said looking at Walter's bland expression.
Tilting her head forward, eyebrows up she said, "You mean to tell me, computer guru that you are you have never done an in depth search on Walter O'Brien?"
Walter looked a bit uncomfortable. "I think I need to stretch out," he said walking to the adjustable bed against the wall to lean on it a moment before sitting on it to lay flat with a sigh and closed his eyes.
Lynn walked over to look at him. "You really never did a search on yourself?" she asked shaking her head. "Sue did when she saw your name on the booster design. She likes to check out people- especially those whose designs we fabricate and test."
Walter laid on the bed with his eyes closed. "You have to understand, those were cases the entire Scorpion team were on, not just me. That team walked out, one put me in the hospital. That should tell you something."
"Yeah, the whole team crawled through a collapsing sand tunnel dragging that kid out, the whole team went into the tar pit, right? Walter, I saw the security feed the cops got from here when your 'team member' assaulted you. Video and audio- what was it he said, 'we need your direction', 'we all depend on you', 'help us'. They walked then wanted you to lead them again?" She stood there looking at him. "I'm going to whip up some clam chowder. I'll let you know when it's ready," she said turning to go to the kitchen.
When the chowder was ready Lynn came to the back bay to see if Walter was awake. "How you feeling?" she asked. "I have the bed plugged in so you can raise it to sit up or do you want to come to the table to eat?
Walter continued to lay with eyes closed. "This is much more comfortable than the sofa, relay my thanks to Joe and Tim." He opened his eyes. "Think sitting at the table would be good. I have spent more time in bed the past couple weeks than I have in a year's time. Can one get tired of being in bed?"
Walter carefully got up and followed Lynn to the kitchen table to sit. "Looks good," Walter said taking a taste. "Much better than hospital fare, too. I know Richard touts that clinic as the best in SoCal, but hospital food is hospital food. This is much better."
"Didn't realize how hungry I was. Really good, thank you," Walter said. "I am going to check on when that custom laptop is ready for shipping. Just a minute at the desk then I am going to take my medicine and get some sleep. How you like living in a garage?"
"Like I said, surprisingly quiet and cozy, really. I see why you like the place." Lynn said. "You check on your laptop I'll bring your medicine there after I clean up."
Walter sat down carefully at his desk and powered up the desk top. He looked up at Lynn when she came to the desk with his antibiotics. "Thanks," he said downing the drugs. "Two more days and it will be delivered. Taking them long enough, but it will be even more powerful than my old one and once I get done with it, will be quite a one of a kind rig."
"When I go to work tomorrow you will stay downstairs and take it easy, right? I will be calling once in a while to check up on you."
Walter chuckled. "Believe me, I absolutely do not want to do anything that might get me back under the care of nurse sergeant-major Rachael. She threatened me with bodily harm should I return before a two week check-up, and I am already beat up enough. I am going to call it a night and get some sleep. Good night, Lynn, and thank you."
'Good night, Walter."
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