Chapter 9
"AJ!"
Katie gasped as the young student stumbled into the hospital blood smeared over
his hands and face. "My God, AJ, what happened?" the nurse asked as
she helped him sit down. "I thought you were going home?"
"I
was," he coughed out. "But I ran into a little trouble on the
way."
"What
trouble?" she questioned obcerving his injuries.
"Hazel's
boyfriend," he sneered.
Her
eyes widened. "You didn't?"
He
lifted up his bloody hands. "I did. I gave him a piece of what he gave
her."
"Shit...."
Katie sighed bringing her palm to her pale brow. "Come on," she
directed steering him through the crowded hospital. The small woman opened the
door to lounge making sure it was empty. "Go sit in there and be
quiet," she told him hurrying away to get the supplies she needed.
"No
wonder this is where Richardson is always hangin' out," AJ mocked as he
entered the plush room taking a seat.
"Okay,
here we go," Katie breathed as she returned dragging the items needed
behind her. She took a sit infront of him. "How do you feel? Did you hit
your head?"
"Like
shit, and no I didn't hit my hard head."
She
rolled her eyes. "That's very helpful." Katie quietly began cleaning
the wounds. "Why'd you do it, AJ?"
He
shrugged. "It felt right. Hell, I really don't know why, Katie. I just saw
the bastard and I don't know what came over me."
"It
was probably adrelin," she sighed cleansing his skin with the rubbing
alcohol. "You lost your first patient, AJ, you're sick.... It's a lot to
take on. Sometimes, tempers get the best of anyone."
AJ
winced at the sting of the liquid. "What about Kevin and Annie?"
Katie
shook her head. "Who knows what goes on with those two. Annie's my best
friend, but I never know what she's thinking. She's the sweetest person I know,
but there's just this little part of her she'll never let go of to show
anyone."
"I
think she's damn brave," AJ added.
Katie
pushed her brown hair out of her. "That's what I'm afraid of." She
finished taping the bandage to his hand. "All right, let's take a look at
that head of yours'."
AJ
shut his eyes as she examined the scrapes. "I don't know what's wrong with
me anymore."
"What
do you mean?" Katie asked softly.
"I..I.."
he paused his voice breaking. "I punched out a drunk, I'm always in a
fight with Richardson, I yelled at that guy for treating his girlfriend like crap...Now,
I beat him up. Let's face it, I'm not cut out to be a doctor!"
"Stop
talking like that," she whispered resting her hand on his knee. "I
happen to think you're very talent. Maybe more doctors need to be like you,
more involved, more direct."
Tears
suddenly found his eyes. "I just can't take this!"
"I
know," she sympathized wrapping her arms around him pulling him into a
hug.
"God
if Richardson knew....Why does he hate me so much?"
"Shh...He
doesn't hate you." Katie sighed. "He hates everyone."
"I
think Dr.Turtle should prick him during surgery with her scallop," AJ
grumbled.
The
brunette grinned patting his back. "Don't give her any ideas. Now, let's
finish up fixing that head of yours'. Then, I can insert an IV."
"An
IV?" AJ groaned pouting like a small child.
"Yes,
an IV," she repeated grabbing the equidment. "Brian wanted me to put
you on one earlier, and now that you're back I'm going to." She grimaced
at the one lodged in her arm. "They're not exactly fashionable or
practical, but they should help to keep you from passing out."
AJ
gazed up at her the tears slowly drying from his chocolate- colored eyes.
"How do you do it?"
"Do
what?" she asked searching for a suitable vein.
"Be
so strong? I mean, you're really the type of person anyone could depend on.
I've never cried infront of anyone before," he whispered his face flushing
with embarrassment.
She
shrugged. "I just try to be there for people. It's obvious someone needs
to take that role here. Brian was kind enough to help me, and it really made a
difference, so I'm going to help anyone I can."
"I
appreciate it," he told her honestly a small grin surfacing.
"Well,
I'm glad to help."
"Ouch!"
he whistled as she inserted the IV. "How are you feeling anyway?"
"Really
rundown. I think I could sleep for two days straight and still be tired,"
she sadly admitted checking the position of the IV.
"Shouldn't
you go home?"
"Nah,
I couldn't leave Brian in this kind of outbreak with all those sick little
kids." She placed her hands in her lap. "All finished. Just stay
here, rest and keep quiet, okay?"
He
nodded. "Okay."
Katie
chewed on her bottom lip. "AJ, maybe you should consider seeing
Hazel."
"After
what I did to her boyfriend?"
"Well,
you don't have to tell her that part. But maybe if you see her it'll help
you."
"I'll
think about it," AJ promised.
"KATIE!
KATIE!" Brian threw the door open. "Oh, Katie, there you are!"
Brian breathed in relief. "I could really use your help!"
"I'm
coming," she replied standing rushing to the door.
"AJ,
what happened?" Brian gasped viewing the med student from a distance.
"Oh,
you see, AJ was leaving, but he was a little dehydrated and collapsed in the
parking lot. So....I brought him in here, so, he could rest and get some
nutrients through the IV and save us the extra room for patients," she
fibbed giving a AJ a quick wink.
"Oh,
good thinking," Dr.Littrell praised. "Rest up, AJ."
****************************
"Hey,
Dr.Turtle!" Nick greeted taking a seat beside her in the cafeteria.
She
glanced up at him speaking softly. "Hi, Nick."
"Could
I ask you a question?"
The
redheaded lady nodded. "Of course."
"Do
you think I could take on more cases by myself? Small cases, that would really
just slow more experienced doctors down."
"I
think you could handle that, Nick. And I think it would be very helpful to the
others," the doctor agreed. "Just find someone to sign off your
charts and never hesitate to get help when things get out of control.
Okay?"
"Okay,"
he beamed suddenly feeling he was truly a member of the team.
Dr.Turtle
continued picking at her lunch. Nick studied her. "You look kinda' pale,
Doc. Well, I mean you're always pale. Ya' know, you're actually the palest
person I think I've ever met."
"Thanks,"
Annie replied her voice monotone.
He
fidgeted with his hands in embarrassment at his comment. "Is this about
yesterday? With the dog and the old lady?"
"No,"
she responsed quickly pushing her long red strands away from her eyes.
"I'm just not very hungry. Here," she said passing the tray along to
him. "You might as well eat this."
"Are
you sure?"
"It's
fine," she assured him. The doctor stood suddenly as her beeper sounded.
"I have an emergency upstairs!" she sighed running off.
"Another
lunch alone," Nick sighed.
****************************
"Hazel?"
AJ whispered as he entered the dark room.
The
teenager faced him. Her face covered with bandages and bruises. "Hi,"
she croaked. "I remember you."
"Yeah,
um...I remember you, too," he replied slowly making his way closer to the
bed.
"Sit
down," she offered pointing to the chair. "You have an
accident?" she wondered gazing at his presence.
AJ
glanced down at his bandages and IV. "Yeah, something like that. How you
feelin', sweetheart?"
She
bit her lip as tears came near. "Could be better."
The
med. student started at the floor. "Um, Hazel, I'm really and truly sorry
about your baby."
"Me
too," she choked tears freely leaving her eyes. "They didn't know if
it was a boy or a girl, so, I just named it Jessie. That's a boy/girl name. You
like that name?"
"It's
a nice name," AJ answered.
She
took a deep breath. "I'm pressin' charges against Joe. I won't let him
hurt me or anyone else again!" she declared.
"That's
a very wise thing to do, Hazel."
She
wiped her eyes. "Maybe this was God's way of helping me. Just like you
help people here. Maybe He didn't want my baby to be hurt by Joe, so, he took
my baby to Heaven."
AJ
nodded. "I bet so."
Hazel
grinned. "And I'm getting stronger. God's giving me the strength to fight
back and help myself and other people. God works in mysterious ways, doesn't
He?"
AJ
took a deep breath. "Yes, He does."
*******************
"Dr.Littrell!"
Howie Dorough yelled as he hurried through the halls dragging a stretcher
behind him. "We've got an assload of kids!"
"What
happened?" Brian yelled helping pull the first stretcher through.
"Bunch
of kids were ice skating on the pond near the school. There was a weak patch in
the ice, everything started caving in! Five fell through."
"Five?"
Brian sighed. "Katie!" he hollered behind him to the nurse bringing
in another patient. "Start getting some warm saline and stock up on
blankets!"
"I'm
on it!" she shouted rushing down the opposite hall.
Brian
took a deep breath finally getting a good look at his first patient. "Hey,
buddy, what's your name?"
"C-Charlie,"
the boy managed to mumble out of his trembling lips.
"Can
you tell me how old you are?"
"Seven."
"Seven?
That's a fun age," Dr.Littrell commented as he helped the child out of the
wet clothing.
"Why
a-are you t-takin' off my clothes? I'm cold," the patient complained.
"I
know you are, Charlie, but if you stay in those wet, cold clothes you could get
really sick. You don't want that, do you?"
"No."
"Okay,
then, we'll get you out of these and start making you feel better, okay?"
"Okay."
"How's
he doing?" Katie asked as she joined the doctor and young patient.
"Temp's
91, but he's holding strong. Start him on warm saline and give him some warm
blankets. Let's warm him up slowly. I don't want to give him too much all at
once."
"I
can handle it," Katie promised as she took over helping the child into a
gown. "Why don't you go check on someone else? We're okay here."
"Okay,"
Brian sighed returning to the crowded halls. He paused as he viewed the
scattered freezing children and now accustomed vomiting patients stalking the
waiting room. He hung his head. "What I would give for a sedative!"
"Dr.Littrell,
we need you!" a voice called.
"I
know....I know," Brian whispered massaging his brow. "I'm
coming," he answered taking over the care of another child.
"Need
some help?" Nick asked as he finished with his patient.
Brian
nodded. "I need a lot of help. There's a case in two, can you take it?"
"Sure,"
Nick granted taking the chart. "Pain in the adomen, nausea....Sounds
familar," he grumbled opening the door. "Hello," he greeted as
he entered.
"Hi,"
a meak voice replied.
Nick
sat down giving the little girl a smile. "Hey, Marcy, I'm Nick."
She
sniffled brushing her black hair out of her eyes. "Are you gonna' make me
better?"
"I'm
going to try," he promised. "So, your tummy's been hurting?"
"Yeah."
"Your
Mommy and Daddy been taking good care of you?"
"Uh
huh."
Nick
examined her stomach. "Have any of the kids at school been sick,
Marcy?"
She
nodded. "Yeah, a lot."
Nick
retrieved his hands. "Well, honey, I do believe you've caught yourself
this nasty stomach bug."
"Mr.Nick?"
the girl suddenly called out.
"What's
wrong?"
"I'm
gonna'.....gonna' AGGGGHHHH!"
Nick
looked down at the vomit that had contacted his shoes and pants. "Will
wonders never cease?"
**************************
Nick
Carter stood uncomfortably at the front desk in complete exhuastion.
"Katie?" he sighed.
The
weak nurse lifted her tired head. "What, Nick?"
He
stared at her his eyes slightly glazed over and his expression blank. "Ten
children hurled on me today."
She
fought not to smile. "I'm sorry, sweetie."
He
sat down beside her resting his head against her shoulder. "Am I some kind
of target? Do kids hate me? Do I smell like vomit and target a chain
reaction?"
Katie
patted his back. "You are not a target, kids do not hate you and you don't
smell like vomit."
He
buried his face further into her shoulder. "Am I just kidding myself by
even trying to make it here? Maybe I should've stayed in Chicago, instead of
coming to this tiny town."
"Nick,
if you had stayed where we worked you'd have kids throwing punches and blades
at you instead of vomit."
The
blonde lifted his head. "That does sound worse."
"That's
because it is, silly," she chuckled continuing her paperwork.
"How
are you feeling?" he asked standing up.
"My
stomach feels a lot better accuatly," she answered filing another chart.
"But I'm still really tired."
"Maybe
you should go take a nap on one of the spare cots?" he suggested.
Katie
grinned. "That sounds Heavenly, Nick, but unforunately I have to file all
of these charts and get them organized before Richardson has my ass for
it."
Nick
rolled his eyes. "He's always on someone's ass. I don't know how Dr.Turtle
puts up with him."
"I
think she invested in a punching bag for her apartment," Katie replied
allowing a smirk to surface.
"Hi,
guys," Howie greeted as he came up to the desk a stack of papers in hand.
"Here ya' go, Katie. I got these done," he said handing to her.
"Howie,
thank you so much!" she thanked him a bright smile forming. "You have
no idea how much you helped me."
"My
pleasure." He leaned against the counter. "How are those kids doing
that I brought in earlier from the pond?"
"They're
all doing just fine. Thanks to Dr.Littrell, he was able to treat them all
before they went into hypothermia or shock."
"Thank
God," he sighed. "I was really worried when I got to the scene."
"I
can imagine," Katie sympathized.
Howie
scratched his stomach. "Anybody else hungry?"
"Not
me," the nurse quickly replied burying her face back into the paperwork.
"I
could use a bite to eat," Nick answered. "It would be nice to have
some company when I eat for once." He faced the nurse. "Would it be
all right for me to go grab some dinner in the cafeteria?"
Katie
nodded her brown ponytail bopping up and down. "I don't see why not.
Things have really calmed down. Besides, it would probably do you a bit of good
to get away from here for a little bit. It's getting late and everybody's on
edge."
"Even
Bri?" Howie asked as he pulled out his wallet.
"Yes,
especially Dr.Littrell," Katie responsed.
"Hey,
who's that?" Nick asking looking over Howie's shoulder at the wallet.
"Oooh,"
Howie whispered his face turning a mild crimson as he blushed. He held up the
picture of the Spanish beauty. "That's my Maria."
"Your
girlfriend?" Nick asked.
"Yep,
she's pretty, huh?"
"Very,"
Nick nodded.
"Does
she live around here?" Katie asked taking a glimpse of the photo.
Howie
shook his head. "No, she lives in Florida near my family, but once she
finishes school she's going to move out here. We both want to live in a
spacious area like this."
"I
hope you see her soon," the nurse said sweetly. She groaned as she glanced
at opening elevators doors seeing Richardson's form emerge. "Nick you
better get out of here while you can."
Nick
paled at the sight of the strict surgeon. "Let's go, Howie," he
instructed rushing away.
"If
it's not Scrooge in the flesh," Katie grumbled under her breath as
Richardson came closer.
"Nurse
Mist, I asked you to have these papers done hours ago. You've had all
day!" the senior employee griped.
"It
was a busy day," she sighed. "And nothing is very easy with this
stupid IV hooked up to me."
He
crossed his arms. "Would you prefer to pass out?"
She
bit her lip. "I would prefer to end this revaulting conversation and
finish my work, then we'll both be happy."
"It
should have already been done to begin with!"
"I
already told you it was a busy day, and I haven't been feeling well," the
nurse argued.
"Kevin,
would you lower your voice!" Brian hissed as he stood next to his anal
cousin in apparent fatigue. "Patients can hear you! Now, what's the big
deal?"
"The
big deal, Brian, is the fact that your nurse on this floor couldn't get the
work done that I asked her to, and she had all damn day."
Brian
rolled his eyes. "Cut it out, Kevin. It's been a busy day, she's sick and
had to help me due to an accident at the pond and staff shortage."
"Well,
that's not my fault," Kevin spat.
"It's
not her fault either!" Dr.Littrell shouted. "At least, she's been
trying to help. What have you done except give Annie's a little help with the
suction upstairs and boss people around?!"
Kevin
opened his mouth but froze as he was at a loss for words.
Dr.Littrell
continued to rant. "It has been complete chaos down here. AJ's too sick to
work, I had five kids in an accident, I'm always near someone's who puking and
I have to try to take care of my staff as well! Now, where in the heck do you
find anything to complain about? Since, you're obviously not doing anyone any
good why don't you go back upstairs and bug someone or go home and rest like
the rest of us only wish we could do!"
Dr.Richardson's
jaw tightened as his green eyes narrowed into mean slits. He turned on his heel
without a word leaving the unpleasant situation behind.
Katie
stared at the pediatric doctor in shock. "Dr.Littrell, are you all
right?"
The
man hung his head. "I apologize for snapping like that, Katie. I don't
know what came over me. It's just been such a hard day," he explained
massaging the brow. "Sometimes, I just don't think I can take anymore of
this. Ya' know?"
She
nodded. "Believe me, I can relate more than you will ever know."
He
released a deep sigh. "I should go apologize to Kevin, shouldn't I?"
Katie
shrugged. "I don't know about that. I wouldn't apologize for what you
said, only the way you said it to him."
Littrell
sat down his form slumply lazily in the chair. "Kevin's not exactly
Mr.Popularity around here, is he?"
"Oh,
he's something all right...just not popular," the nurse answered.
He
glanced at her arm. "Want me to take that thing out? That is if you feel
up to having it removed."
Katie
happily extended her arm. "I'm proud to bid the IV ado." She frowned
studying him as he began to remove the needle. "Brian, are you okay?
You're really not acting like yourself today."
"Is
it that obvious?" he sighed.
"I
didn't mean to upset you," she apologized rubbing the tender area where
the IV had been placed.
"I'm
just very tired today. Too tired," he admitted.
"You
don't look well," she observed.
He
yawned stretching his shoulders. "I don't exactly feel well."
"Want
me to rub your shoulders?" she asked watching him wince in pain.
"You
don't have to do that."
"Don't
sweat it." She assured him standing behind him. "I owe you for
everything you've done for me."
"You
don't owe me anything, I try to help anyone I can."
"Even
Kevin?"
He
took a deep breath. "I know I'd need a sedative afterwards, but yes, even
Kevin."
"Your
temperature's up a little," Katie said placing her hand on his cheek.
"Maybe your just getting this disgusting virus."
"Yeah,
maybe..." Brian yawned his voice trailing off. "I've got more
patients to check on," he sighed getting up walking away. "Hey,
Katie?"
"Yeah?"
the brunette called back over her shoulder. "Thanks for just being there.
I'm glad to know I have someone I can confide in."
She
smiled. "The feeling's mutual, Brian." She ran her hands through her
hair. "Apparently, everyone likes to confide in me lately," she
whispered under her breath going back to the filing.
*******************************
"Great
job in surgery, Dr.Turtle," the nurse praised helping the doctor strip out
of her layers of protective clothing.
"Thank
you, Didi" the redhead replied shutting her eyes for a moment. "It
was good to have something run so smoothly after the day we had, huh?"
The
nurse nodded.
"Everything
going well up here?" Kevin Richardson asking in a booming tone entering
the area as Dr.Turtle cleaned her hands.
"Everything
is on schedule, Dr.Richardson, I just finished with Mr.Gogi's surgery and it
was quite a success."
"Good,"
Richardson said giving a blunt answer as he took inventory of the supplies.
"Annie,
were you all right in there?" the nurse wondered. "Your work was
super as always, but your hands were shaking through out the entire
operation."
Annie
froze feeling two pairs of anxious eyes staring at her. "Well, you see,
Didi, um....I was called out before I could eat lunch. So, I haven't eaten
anything today." She jumped as she heard the door close behind her,
Richardson exiting with his notes.
Didi
shook her head at the man. "How do you like that? The man enters without a
hello and leaves without a goodbye. What a prick." She waved to Annie.
"See ya' tomorrow, Dr.Turtle. Get some food in your stomach, you hear
me?"
The
redhead smiled, Didi had almost become like a second mother to her. And the
only member of the sugrical team that seemed to enjoy her presence and work in
the environment. "My first surgery to go well after so many sad attempts
to save life," she whispered to herself running her hands through her red strands.
"If only life were like fairy tales....Then, people wouldn't have to die.
Or even need surgery."
The
doctor sighed falling into an empty chair drawing her knees to her chest. She
bowed her head down wishing her intense headache would disappear.
"Here,"
a deep voice called the door opening.
She
lifted her head to see someone's hands holding a bag of pretzels and water
bottle out to her. "Kevin?" she whispered setting her legs down.
He
gently tossed the items into her lap. "I can't have you passing out during
surgery," he said blankly.
Annie
stared at the items. "Thank you-" she paused realizing he had once
again left without a goodbye.
***