Chapter 3
Thank you to Guest for your review.
Update:
I'm not a doctor, nor do I pretend to be one. My limited knowledge of DWB and Bosnia is based on Google searches. There was a Bosnian War between 1992 and 1996. Some of the technology in this story is more advanced or embellished to fit the story.
The Webbers treat many people in the impoverished areas of Sarajevo, Bosnia. They live with other volunteers in modest housing about 30 miles from where they administer. Supplies are flown in monthly, and Jeeps are checked out daily to bring necessary items to those in need.
The city has a small airport, stores, a bank, a library, a nightclub, a motel, and a hospital.
At different times, the family would go into town twice a month to visit patients at the hospital. Elizabeth and Steven would party and dance at the nightclub to escape Sarah and Carolyn. Sarah and Carolyn would go to town to get supplies, check out a book, and have a drink before returning to the compound. Jeff would get together with other doctor friends for drinks. The tension grows between Jeff and Carolyn.
Sarajevo, Bosnia
January-May 1994
Elizabeth has been working in the villages for five months. When they first arrived, adjusting to the working conditions and the weather took time. The weather hadn't been as cold, and Sarajevo hadn't received as much snow as they get in Boulder, but she also didn't have her down comforter and adjustable heat that she was used to in Boulder. They received some basic language training before leaving, and a translator was used when citizens were brought to the hospitals. Elizabeth soon picked up more phrases from the locals. She often took the time to teach them English.
Steven helped her finance a dirt bike to travel to more remote areas. He insisted she always carry pepper spray and gave her a hunting knife strapped to her leg when she traveled without him. She quickly became everyone's favorite nurse. The younger boys were impressed by her ability to fend off the advances of the older boys and men. They would call her 'Prelepi Ratnik,' which meant 'Beautiful Warrior. ' She appreciated the self-defense course she took at CU.
At night, she would sit outside and sketch, occasionally sipping Rakija, a type of brandy. She would wear the heavy jackets DWB provided and wool gloves, which she cut off the fingers to draw. Steven joined her one night and held out his hand for a swig of the brandy. He looks at her charcoal sketch of a Sarajevo mountain. "Which one is that?"
"According to one of the local boys, this one is called Igman. But Maroon Bells in Snowmass is more beautiful." Elizabeth takes a swig of the burning brandy.
"So, Lizzy, would you want to go back to Colorado next year? Dad said you could stay in Boulder, but Gramps said you would always have a job in Port Charles."
"Dad gave us all the options to choose our path after one year. I love Colorado, but it's been years since I've been in PC. I miss Gram and Gramps."
"I'm there with you, kid." Steven finishes off the last of the Rakija.
Sarah is her mother's favorite, and Elizabeth is her father and brother's favorite. Sarah often tried to undermine her sister by reminding her that she was studying to be a doctor and that Elizabeth was just a nurse. Elizabeth would retort, "Just a nurse? How do you think Gram would feel to hear you say that? Nurses are the first line of defense in this region. I am the first person they see before you, Steven, Mom, or Dad. Where will you run off to when your year is up?"
"I don't know. GH does have a great intern program."
"Great, I'll have to cross PC off my list if you go there."
Port Charles, New York
January-May 1994
Karen says, "Jason, you should take the semester abroad. I'm transferring to UCSF School of Medicine in May. The FBI is recruiting Jagger, and they want him in San Francisco. We are getting married in March and leaving immediately."
"Congratulations. I have already completed my application. My Mom suggested I talk to Dr. Hardy. His son and his family are volunteering in Bosnia. She thinks I should work with them."
Dr. Hardy's son? Isn't that Jeff Webber? Wasn't he married to your Mom?"
Jason laughs, "Yeah, for about a year. She only married Jeff because the man she really wanted was his brother, but everyone thought he was dead. When she found out Rick was alive, she cheated on Jeff with Rick, but that's okay because Jeff cheated on her with Heather Webber."
Karen laughs, "How do you know all this?"
"My parents are very vocal when they argue, and they love to throw each other's crap in their faces. My room is below theirs. I could hear everything."
"No offense, Jason, but your family is weird."
"None, taken. I love my family, but the only true pure Quartermaine is my Grandmother Lila."
"So, are you going to talk with Dr. Hardy?"
"Yeah, my appointment is Thursday."
-XXX-
Karen and Jagger get married and leave PC.
Jason meets with Dr. Hardy and submits his application. He receives training and shots. Dr. Hardy contacts Jeff through the DWB program and requests help to orient the young medical student.
With Jagger gone, Stone, feeling abandoned, receives assistance from Sonny Corothinos.
Jason is scheduled to leave in May, so his family throws him a going-away party. He also receives the necessary tools and items for his tour in Bosnia.
May 19, 1994
Edward says, "My boy, I want you to have this new Satellite phone. ELQ Industries has developed this prototype, which provides wireless mobile communications through satellites worldwide."
"Grandfather, this is incredibly generous; I don't know what to say."
Alan says, "Just say thank you. We want you to have it for emergencies. Forget about the cost of the phone or how much it would be to make a call. We want you safe. You can place long-distance calls from their phone in the housing areas, but regular cell phones don't work in the villages."
Jason says, "Thank you, Grandfather."
Emily hands Jason a stack of postcards. "I don't know how long it would take to receive mail, but can you write about your experiences and send those to me? I wish I could go with you."
Jason hugs his sister, "I will send you postcards at least twice a week. I don't know how the mail service works, but hopefully, they can take them to the drop-off locations."
Alan and Monica hand him a book of traveler's checks if necessary.
Jason says, "I appreciate all your gifts, but I feel like I'm getting special treatment that others in the area might not have."
Edward says, "Son, you are a Quartermaine. Quartermaines expect special treatment."
Tracy rolls her eyes. "Jason, leave while you can. Stop the madness."
Brenda hugged him and whispered, "Try to get laid while you are there. You are almost 20 and still a virgin." Jason blushes and thanks everyone. His flight is early morning, and he says goodbye to everyone.
Jason takes the Quartermaine jet to London, and due to the time difference, he spends the night and flies to Sarajevo in the morning.
Sarajevo, Bosnia
May 20, 1994
Housing Apartments
Jeff says, "Jason Quartermaine is arriving tomorrow morning. Steven is picking him up at the airport. Jason will go to the orientation and receive the necessary supplies and clothing. He'll get settled in his room and have lunch. Elizabeth, you can show him the ropes on Saturday."
Elizabeth smiles, but Sarah says, "Jason is pre-med like me. I should show him around."
Jeff, knowing how pushy Sarah can get, says, "Your Grandfather suggested Elizabeth; however, after a week, Jason can decide who to pair with."
"I bet Lizzie put you up to it. Lizzie gets what Lizzie wants." The way Sarah says 'Lizz-ie' is more demeaning than how Steven pronounces it.
Elizabeth says, "Sarah, please call me Elizabeth in front of Jason. You know I hate Lizzie."
Elizabeth helps get everything ready for Jason's arrival.
Steven picks Jason up from the airport and shakes his hand. "Jason, you wouldn't remember me, but I was about five when I left PC. Susan still had custody of you; my biological mother was Susan's cousin. I used to watch you sleep." They get in the jeep, and Steven drives.
"Sorry, but I have no memory of Susan or Heather. From what I've heard, it's a good thing."
"Yes, Heather is not a good person. She's in a mental institution right now. Monica and Alan are good people."
"They are. Your Grandfather was the one to recommend coming here."
"There's a lot to learn. My Dad and his wife Carolyn are a few of the doctors here. My sister Sarah is a pre-med student like you, and Elizabeth is a nurse." He parks in the housing parking lot. "Let's get you settled, get some lunch, and I'll show you to the orientation."
"Thank you. I look forward to helping wherever I'm needed."
Steven helps Jason with his bags and shows him to his room. Steven leaves for the village while Jason settles in, eats, and goes through the orientation.
Steven arrives and says, "Hey, sis. Jason Quartermaine is at the apartments. If you want to help him get settled, I'll tell the others you had to leave."
"Why? Can't he handle it himself?"
"Did I mention he's cute?"
"Oh, and you are telling me first before Sarah tries to get her claws into him?"
"Bingo! Go, say hello. I'll delay the others."
"Fine. You are impossible."
"Yeah, I know. You love me anyway."
Elizabeth gets on her bike and revs the motor. She heads back to the compound, parks, and walks toward the accommodations; she mutters, "Steven, you better be right." She drops her stuff in the room she shares with Sarah. Jason reads the manual and watches Elizabeth walk by.
He stood and walked slowly to her room. He was having a difficult time thinking about what he'd say. All he could think of was how beautiful she was. He knocks on the open door. Elizabeth looks up, and he says, "Hi! I'm Jason Quartarmaine. Which Webber girl are you?'
Elizabeth thinks, "Steven was right; Jason is gorgeous." She smiles wide. "I'm Elizabeth, the youngest and often overlooked Webber." She walks to him and surprises him when she takes his face in her hands. "I don't know if you remember, but you were my first kiss when I was ten." Both felt a jolt of electricity.
Jason blushes and stammers, "That was you? I remember. You were my first kiss, too." Elizabeth drops her hands. "Did you ever return?"