<\/p>\n
It was 6:45 in the morning when AJ McLean\u2019s black Jeep pulled up in front of the ER entrance of Atlantic City Memorial Hospital. He screeched to a stop, put the car into park, and turned to his girlfriend, Bianca Parker.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sure you\u2019re up to this, Bean?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
Bianca rolled her grayish-blue eyes. \u201cAje, it\u2019s been over a month. I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you say that now, but you have a demanding job. You\u2019re going to be exhausted trying to keep up after being away for five weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. And that\u2019s exactly why I\u2019m coming back. The longer I wait, the harder it will be to get back into the swing of things.\u201d AJ opened his mouth to protest, but she leaned over, kissed him quickly on the lips, and said, \u201cI\u2019ll be fine. Don\u2019t worry.\u201d She gave him a little smile, opened the door, and climbed carefully out of the Jeep.<\/p>\n
It had been over a month since the accident she and her best friend Brianna Chambers had been in, and although she was almost fully-recovered from the emergency surgery she had undergone to fix internal bleeding, she still had to take things slow. She knew that going back to work was going to be a shock to her system, but she didn\u2019t care. She had been lying around, recuperating, for a month, and she couldn\u2019t stand it any longer. She was ready to get back to her job as an ER physician. And from what she had heard, she was desperately needed.<\/p>\n
It was bad enough that she had been forced to take a month-long break, but now Lance Bass was no longer able to work, and the ER was missing two of its staff members.<\/p>\n
It was AJ who had told her about Lance, that he had attempted suicide just six days earlier. Bianca had been unable to believe him. Lance was such a nice person and had always seemed happy to her. Come to find out, he had suffered from clinical depression before and the suicide of a patient he had bonded with had put him over the edge and driven him to a similar fate. Lance had survived the near-fatal gunshot wound to his head, but from what AJ had been telling Bianca, it didn\u2019t look very good for him. He had been in a coma ever since, and although his doctors were fairly sure he would live, no one knew how much damage had been done.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll pick you up at noon,\u201d AJ called to Bianca from the driver\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right. See ya then, babe,\u201d Bianca called back, waving as he reluctantly drove away, heading for the EMT station. Bianca was about to head through the sliding double doors into the ER when a siren sounded behind her. She turned to see an ambulance pull up and paramedics Allison Brooks, Howie Dorough, and Amelia Caston hop out. She immediately hurried over.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you got?\u201d she asked, as they pulled a stretcher out of the back.<\/p>\n
\u201cHomeless man found unconscious in an alleyway,\u201d said Allison. \u201cHe\u2019s severely dehydrated. We started him on saline, IV drip.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bianca wrinkled her nose at the odor wafting up from the man\u2019s body. \u201cLovely. What a way to start a day, huh?\u201d she commented dryly.<\/p>\n
Seeing the look on her face, Howie laughed. \u201cWelcome back, Dr. Parker.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nick Carter hummed softly to himself as he walked through the doors marked Oncology that morning. He had a few minutes to spare before heading to the ER to start his shift and he wanted to check up on someone before work.<\/p>\n
Stopping outside Bailey Cole\u2019s room, he lifted her chart from the door as a smile slowly spread across his handsome face.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, good morning,\u201d Nick said softly, entering the room. He closed the curtain dividing the room and perched on the edge of her bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning,\u201d Bailey greeted him, setting down her book.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re up early,\u201d Nick remarked. It was just after seven.<\/p>\n
Bailey shrugged. \u201cI woke up about six and couldn\u2019t get back to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I heard you got some good news yesterday,\u201d Nick started, unable to suppress a smile. \u201cYour leukemia\u2019s in remission? You\u2019ll probably be going home soon?\u201d<\/p>\n
Bailey\u2019s reaction was not exactly what Nick was expecting. She simply nodded and looked down at her covers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Nick asked immediately, frowning. \u201cThis is great news, Bailey.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess so,\u201d Bailey replied with a half-hearted shrug.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you want to go home?\u201d asked Nick, confused.<\/p>\n
Bailey looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. His eyes were filled with puzzlement, hers with forlornness. \u201cHome? I don\u2019t have a home, Nick,\u201d she said bitterly. \u201c \u2018Home\u2019 for me means going to live with perfect strangers for a few months, then getting shipped back to the children\u2019s home until I can get placed into yet another foster home. But I can never really \u2018go home\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBailey, your foster parents have come every day to see you. They care about you, and I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll be thrilled to find out you\u2019re finally coming to live with them. I know it\u2019s not the same as having your real family and a permanent home, but who knows – maybe this foster family will adopt you, and then you will have a real family and a real home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bailey shook her head. \u201cI\u2019ve given up wishing for that,\u201d she said. \u201cNobody wants to adopt an eleven-year-old. They only want babies or cute little kids. Nobody would want an ugly, diseased thing like me.\u201d Her eyes had filled with tears, but she blinked them back furiously, stubbornly refusing to let them fall.<\/p>\n
\u201cBailey\u2026\u201d Nick started, but he had no idea what to say. He had no idea what her life had been like, and anything he thought of to tell her sounded generic and fake. He reached out tentatively and laid his hand on one of her bony shoulders. \u201cIt\u2019ll be okay, Bailey,\u201d he said, almost pleadingly, wishing he could make her happy. \u201cEverything\u2019ll be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bailey\u2019s shoulder had begun to shake beneath his hand, as tears streamed silently down her cheeks. She looked so alone and helpless, her skinny form hunched over in bed, her head bowed to hide her tears. Impulsively, Nick leaned forward and gave her a hug. He meant it to only be a quick one, but she suddenly thrust her head up against his chest and began to cry harder. Slowly, he felt her small arms lock around him. Swallowing a lump in his throat, Nick awkwardly patted her back, soothing her until her trembling body relaxed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d Bailey said finally, her voice thick, as she pulled away from him. \u201cI needed that.\u201d<\/p>\n
He gave her a sympathetic smile and nodded. \u201cAnytime,\u201d he replied, and he meant it.<\/p>\n
Justin Timberlake strolled out of the lounge, looping his stethoscope around his neck, prepared to start his shift. Right as he walked out into the hallway, the ER doors slid open, and four women came in, pushing a stretcher. Three were paramedics, and the other one was wearing a jacket over a pair of scrubs, her purse still slung over one shoulder. Justin recognized her at once and offered a hesitant smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, Dr. Parker,\u201d he said. Even though she was supposed to be his supervisor, he didn\u2019t know Dr. Bianca Parker well; she hadn\u2019t worked since her car accident on his first night. He had had somewhat of a run-in with her earlier that day and knew he hadn\u2019t given her a very good first impression. But now that she was back at work, he hoped he could change that.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi, Justin!\u201d Bianca replied. \u201cHow are you? Been getting along okay without me?\u201d She winked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYup,\u201d Justin said proudly. \u201cHow are you doing? Looks like you just got here; you want me to take that patient off your hands?\u201d<\/p>\n
Bianca started to insist that she was fine; she didn\u2019t want to be treated like she was weak or fragile all day. But then a devious smile crossed her face. \u201cWhy, sure, Justin, thank you,\u201d she said with exaggerated gratitude. \u201cThe EMTs will fill you in on his condition.\u201d Then she breezed by him and headed into the lounge, snickering as soon as she was out of earshot.<\/p>\n
As Justin approached the stretcher, he instantly regretted offering to take her patient as the rancid smell of rotten garbage, body odor, and urine wafted into his nose. He turned back to Bianca, but she had already disappeared into the lounge.<\/p>\n
Turning around to face the dirty man on the stretcher, he noticed the three EMTs giggling.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooks like you just got screwed over, dude,\u201d laughed Amelia.<\/p>\n
Justin sighed heavily and tried not to breathe. \u201cYeah,\u201d he said grudgingly. \u201cLooks like it. Let\u2019s take him to Exam 3.\u201d<\/p>\n
Justin made a face as he leaned over the unconscious man. He pulled out his penlight and tentatively reached out to hold the man\u2019s eyelids open while he flashed the light into them.<\/p>\n
\u201cPupils are equal and reactive,\u201d he said, his voice breathy, for he was still attempting to hold his breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, would you grow up?\u201d snapped Allison, rolling her eyes in exasperation. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to be an ER doc, you\u2019re going to see people like this, so you better get used to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Justin didn\u2019t reply, but glared at her as soon as she turned away. \u201cGeesh, what\u2019s up her ass today?\u201d he muttered under his breath to Amelia, who was standing beside him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you say?\u201d asked Allison, raising an eyebrow at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing,\u201d Justin said quickly, his face getting hot. \u201cOh, sick, this dude\u2019s got some kind of rash here,\u201d he commented, pointing at the man\u2019s neck, which was covered in small red blotches.<\/p>\n
Allison peered closer. \u201cAh, you get a real treat today. He\u2019s got scabies. Mites.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amelia couldn\u2019t help but shudder; the thought of tiny parasites crawling around on her made her skin crawl.<\/p>\n
Justin grimaced in repulsion. \u201cOh, God, this is just not going to be my day,\u201d he moaned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, we better get going now. Get one of the nurses in here to help you,\u201d announced Howie, grinning devilishly. \u201cHave fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
The three paramedics breezed out of the room, leaving Justin alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat\u2026 now what am I supposed to do with him?\u201d he muttered aloud, shooting the man a resentful glare.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalking to yourself, Timberlake?\u201d nurse Natalie Spade laughed, as she walked into the room. \u201cYou need some help in here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Justin had begun to blush again, but he quickly regained his composure and grinned wickedly. \u201cYeah, I sure do. I think this guy\u2019s gonna need a bath. And isn\u2019t that a nurse\u2019s job?\u201d<\/p>\n
Natalie took one look at the patient, then at Justin\u2019s devilish face, and sighed. \u201cLovely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jaela Miller entered the hospital through the rarely used back entrance, her daughter held protectively against her chest. She was now running twenty-five minutes late, the result of another argument between herself and her husband, Paul. Jaela was running so late this morning, she had no time to drop her youngest daughter off at the daycare center, which was located at the opposite end of town. Jaela made it to the ER without incident as she balanced Rayna on her hip.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, Jaela!\u201d<\/p>\n
Jaela spun around and saw nurse Mandie Smith down the hall, coming her way.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, Mandie. What can I do for you today?\u201d Jaela asked as she turned around and greeted the young nurse with a smile.<\/p>\n
Mandie suppressed her gasp of surprise and returned the smile. \u201cWell, I just needed to know if I could talk to you about something, whenever you are ready, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jaela ignored the look of surprise on Mandie\u2019s face and nodded her head in approval.
\n\u201cJust meet me back here around three; if my plans change suddenly, I will let you know. Can you do me a favor and take Rayna down to the hospital day care center? I was running late today and didn\u2019t have enough time to drop her off, so this is the best alternative.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, no problem,\u201d Mandie replied as she took the young child from Jaela\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Mandie. Now if you will excuse me, I have some things I need to accomplish before I start my shift.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mandie stood in a daze, moments after the other nurse had exited. She now knew she had a lot to tell JC at lunch today. Beginning with the bruises on Jaela\u2019s face not hidden by the makeup she wore.<\/p>\n
Home. A hotel room was now their place of residence. Jim Bass sat in a chair positioned beside the bed, wrapped in a veil of silence.<\/p>\n
Jim had been at his son, Lance\u2019s, bedside almost every possible moment since he and his wife had received the news of Lance\u2019s suicide attempt, which Jim would prefer to call an \u201caccident.\u201d Now he again sat alone, silently willing his only son to wake up and fully recover, to shock the hell out of the doctors who had said it was impossible.<\/p>\n
The reason he sat alone was that his wife had flat out refused to come see their son anymore. Jim figured she probably wouldn\u2019t come unless the worse happened, and Lance did pass on. Jim knew Diane was disappointed in their son, but why couldn\u2019t she just put that behind her and be there for him? He knew it hurt Diane more than she showed, and she was just handling this by not viewing the source of her anguish. Jim sighed and slumped over in his seat, his back muscles screaming in protest.<\/p>\n
Suddenly, the form on the other side of the small hospital bed let out a muffled groan, and then all was silent in the room, except for the beeping of the monitors by Lance\u2019s bedside. Jim looked over at the sleeping form of Chris Kirkpatrick with a sad smile. He was thankful Chris stuck by his friend and was there for him. He also knew that Chris placed a majority of the blame for what happened to Lance upon his own shoulders, when he was not at fault. Lance was the type of person, much like his mother, who kept many of his emotions to himself. Jim himself wished he could have been there for his son and possibly might have noticed the signs and talked his son out of what he did, but deep in his subconscious, he knew it would have done no good at all.<\/p>\n
Jim stood up from his seat when a soft knock echoed throughout the small room. Slowly, the door opened, and Dr. Alana Hill stuck her head inside the room. Jim followed her outside, internally dreading bad news.<\/p>\n
As the old saying goes, no news is good news. All Dr. Hill had come to say was that she and a few colleagues would have a consultation about Lance\u2019s condition later that day. Dr. Hill stressed that they had not and didn\u2019t plan on giving up hope for Lance, and neither should Lance\u2019s family, no matter how easy it may seem to just give up. Dr. Hill had seen plenty of miracles happen within the walls of this hospital, and she never planned on ceasing to believe miracles did exist.<\/p>\n
After the doctor left, Jim quietly walked out of the NeuroICU in search of a pay phone. He had an important phone call to make.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsultation meeting in five minutes. Be ready!\u201d Holli Brunson announced to Alana Hill, as Risha Veers, Kevin Richardson, and Dr. King, an older, more experienced neurologist, followed her into the conference room. Alana immediately excused herself from the conversation she was having with one of the nurses and rushed into his office, grabbing a large manila envelope and a stack of papers from her desk.<\/p>\n
Walking into the conference room and shutting the large oak doors, Alana walked over to the equipment she would use to allow everyone to view the x-rays and flipped the switch, a bright light instantly coming on. As Alana arranged everything she would need, her fellow colleagues talked quietly amongst themselves. Alana took a seat at the head of the table and cleared her throat before she began to speak.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Brunson, Dr. Richardson, Dr. Veers, Dr. King, thank you for taking time to come to this meeting,\u201d Alana said in greeting. \u201cToday we need to discuss the Lance Bass case. As you all know, Lance was brought in with a bullet wound to the head, which was operated on by Dr. Veers. Lance is now currently in the NeuroICU, and I need your input on how I can best deal with this very delicate situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight,\u201d Dr. King said, taking control over the meeting. \u201cAs Dr. Hill said, this is a very delicate situation, and we need to go over the options thoroughly. As you know, we all have been handed information in this case so we can be better prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alana sat back and allowed her superior, Dr. King, to take over. She only spoke when she needed to add information, for Dr. King knew exactly what he was doing and projected the information as if Lance had been his own case.<\/p>\n
The meeting lasted for approximately thirty minutes, and then it was decision time. At first, they decided to try and draw Lance out of the coma he was in. Although risky, the information presented led three fourths of the group to agree to this procedure. This was the plan, until Risha suggested that they try a newly developed combination of physical therapy and cessation of painkillers that may help bring Lance out of the deep coma before moving to the last resort, the risky procedure of bringing Lance out of the coma before his body was technically ready.<\/p>\n
Lance\u2019s life was now resting on a decision made in a large, impersonal conference room. They couldn\u2019t back out now. This decision would either be a success or a failure. Everybody hoped for the first option.<\/p>\n
Around noon, Kevin Richardson took the elevator down to the ER to meet his girlfriend, Elizabeth O\u2019Brien, for lunch. She had just finished with a patient and was there to greet him when he stepped out of the elevator.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou ready to go?\u201d he asked, and she nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll set.\u201d<\/p>\n
He took her hand, and the two of them left the ER. They walked down the sidewalk for two blocks, stopping when they came to Sully\u2019s, the little caf\u00e9 they ate in nearly every day. The food wasn\u2019t exceptional, but it beat the cafeteria food, and it was close to the hospital.<\/p>\n
The couple waved to a few of their coworkers and sat down at a little two-person table together. A waitress came right over to take their order. Kevin ordered a club sandwich and fries; Elizabeth, a salad and soup.<\/p>\n
While they waited for their food, Kevin remarked, \u201cIt\u2019s Homecoming at Johnson tonight. They\u2019re playing Indian Valley. Should be a pretty good game. You wanna go?\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson High School, one of Atlantic City\u2019s two public high schools, was not Kevin\u2019s alma mater (he was originally from Kentucky), but it had one of the best football programs in the area, and it had not taken much for Kevin, who had played football in high school, to become a fan. He didn\u2019t get to go to as many of their games as he wanted, for he was usually either working or out with Elizabeth on Friday nights, but since it was Homecoming, and since he was off that night, he decided he would go.<\/p>\n
Elizabeth made a face. \u201cYou know I hate football,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n
Kevin chuckled. \u201cThat\u2019s only \u2018cause you don\u2019t understand it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t. What\u2019s the point? It\u2019s a stupid game.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not stupid, if you knew what was going on. I\u2019d explain it to you, if you\u2019d just-\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Kevin, I don\u2019t want to spend the night at some stupid high school football game. Besides, it looks like it\u2019s going to rain.\u201d She glanced out the window at the cloudy, light gray sky.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, a little rain\u2019ll never hurt, you big wuss,\u201d Kevin said lightly, but he couldn\u2019t help but feel disappointed. Sometimes he felt so connected to Elizabeth, he could finish her sentences, and other times, it was like they were polar opposites. Personality-wise, they were very similar \u2013 both hard-working, rather serious perfectionists. But as far as interests went, the only things they really seemed to have in common were their loves of medicine and music. Elizabeth played the violin, and Kevin the piano. He also loved to sing and had an exceptionally good voice, which he had developed through years of singing in his church and school choirs. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was tone deaf. He thought it would be a riot to karaoke with her sometime, but Elizabeth wasn\u2019t the kind of person you would take to karaoke night. Or to a football game, I guess,<\/em> Kevin thought dejectedly.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, what should<\/em> we do tonight?\u201d Elizabeth asked.<\/p>\n Kevin frowned at her. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re going to do, but I\u2019m going to the game,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n Now it was Elizabeth\u2019s turn to frown. She looked like she wanted to protest, but she stopped herself, closed her mouth, and just shrugged. \u201cAll right, fine,\u201d she said simply and looked away from him. The conversation died down after that, and they didn\u2019t say much more until the waitress brought their food.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Hayley!\u201d Kevin called, on seeing the red-headed nurse in the hall when he arrived back on the surgical floor.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, \u2018sup, Kev?\u201d Hayley greeted him, smiling casually.<\/p>\n \u201cYou wanna come to the Johnson football game with me tonight? Elizabeth doesn\u2019t want to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Hayley wasn\u2019t much of a football fan either; in fact, she seemed to enjoy making fun of the players and cheerleaders more than actually watching the game. But that was okay; it made her fun to take along. The two had attended other football games together, on nights when Elizabeth was working or refused to come with Kevin, and they always had a good time.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, I guess so,\u201d Hayley said. \u201cIs it supposed to rain tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno,\u201d answered Kevin. \u201cIt\u2019s cloudy, but hopefully it\u2019ll hold off till tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, hopefully,\u201d Hayley replied. \u201cWell, I better get going. I\u2019m assisting Holli on a gastric bypass in a little bit. See ya around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave fun,\u201d Kevin said with a smirk.<\/p>\n Hayley rolled her eyes. \u201cOh, I will,\u201d she said with sarcastic enthusiasm, smiling at him as she turned and walked back down the hall.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Addie, are you ready to go?\u201d Jack Palmer called to his girlfriend, Addie, who was getting ready in the bathroom.<\/p>\n \u201cYup,\u201d she said, emerging. She came out into the apartment\u2019s tiny living room and slung her purse over her shoulder with a tired sigh. After a long day at work, Addie couldn\u2019t wait to get home from the football game they were going to, sink into bed beside Josh, and go to sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, let\u2019s go ahead and leave now then. I need to make a quick stop at the hospital on the way; I have to pick up some charts that I haven\u2019t reviewed yet,\u201d Jack said.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d replied Addie, and the two of them went down to the parking lot outside their apartment house. They climbed into Jack\u2019s black Mercury Cougar and were on their way.<\/p>\n When they reached Memorial, Jack parked in the staff lot and turned off the engine. \u201cJust wait here,\u201d he told Addie. \u201cI\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d she said, as he climbed out of the car. She watched as he hurried off towards the brightly lit entrance of the hospital and disappeared through its revolving glass door.<\/p>\n Jack raced through the hospital, making his way towards the ER. When he got there, he ran straight to the nurses station, where a tearful woman stood, hysterically shouting at Natalie Spade.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, I have to find my daughter! Her name is Abby James. She was in a car accident! Please, where is she? Is she okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMa\u2019am, you have to calm down,\u201d Natalie was saying patiently. \u201cThe doctors are still working on your daughter, and when they\u2019re done, someone will come talk to you. If you could please just wait over there in chairs\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I can\u2019t wait! Not until I know what\u2019s wrong with her! Please, please just let me see her!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMa\u2019am, you need to go sit in chairs right now,\u201d Natalie said again. \u201cJust calm down and go wait. Someone will be out as soon as they know something. You aren\u2019t allowed in the room while they\u2019re working.\u201d<\/p>\n She finally coaxed the woman into going to sit down in the waiting area and then gave Jack a frazzled smile. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d she asked. \u201cYou\u2019re not working tonight, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Jack said. \u201cI\u2019m looking for Justin, actually. He\u2019s still here, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, you just got him in time. He gets off in half an hour,\u201d Natalie replied.<\/p>\n \u201cOh good. Do you know where he is?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, I think he\u2019s with a patient right now. Try Exam 4,\u201d said Natalie.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d Jack told her gratefully and rushed off to Exam 4. He found Justin suturing a little girl\u2019s finger. \u201cHey, Justin?\u201d<\/p>\n Justin looked up. \u201cOh, hi, Dr. Palmer,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re off at seven, right?\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan you do me a huge favor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d asked Justin<\/p>\n \u201cCome here,\u201d Jack said, motioning Justin away from his patient.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a minute, honey,\u201d Justin said to the little girl, who nodded shyly. \u201cOkay, what is it?\u201d Justin asked, as Jack led him out into the hall.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d Jack said, his voice low and secretive. \u201cHere\u2019s what I need you to do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n It smelled like rain, and the dark clouds hanging low on the horizon looked awfully foreboding, but excitement permeated the atmosphere. It was Homecoming at Johnson High School, and their football team, the Cobras, was playing the Indian Valley Panthers, who had not driven forty-five minutes to Atlantic City to lose. Emotions were high as the two teams took the field.<\/p>\n Kevin and Hayley sat together near the top of the stands, right on the fifty-yard-line. Kevin had been carrying on a conversation with her the whole time they had been sitting there, but as soon as the long line of Cobras ran onto the field, he rose from his seat and began to cheer, ignoring Hayley. She just rolled her eyes good-naturedly at him and let him have his fun.<\/p>\n When the teams began to warm up, the crowd calmed down, and Kevin took his seat again. \u201cYou want anything before the game starts?\u201d he asked Hayley, watching as a rather hefty woman waddled by with a large container of nachos.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m fine for now,\u201d she replied. \u201cMaybe at halftime.\u201d<\/p>\n Her eyes drifted over the football field, snickering as they watched the players frolic across the field as part of their warm-ups. Then her eyes roamed down to the track, where the cheerleaders were practicing their stunts. She made a face at the skinny redhead who was standing in the other girls\u2019 hands, a smile plastered on her face as she raised a fist in the air.<\/p>\n \u201cOh wow, did you see that kick?\u201d Kevin was nudging her excitedly in the side. \u201cDid you see that kick, Hay? It looked like it could have been a 50-yarder!\u201d Hayley glanced at the Johnson kicker, who had begun to practice his field goals.<\/p>\n \u201cJeez, don\u2019t wet yourself, Kev,\u201d Hayley teased, grinning at him. \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t see it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWatch, just watch him. He\u2019s got a good leg on him, that kid.\u201d<\/p>\n Hayley nodded, but soon lost interest in the kicker. She instead occupied herself with watching the other people in the crowd. That is, until a large red-haired woman squeezed in front of Hayley, blocking her view.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, excuse me, excuse me, sorry,\u201d the woman kept repeating, as she made her way through the rows of people, trying to find a seat on the bleachers. She sat down heavily on the empty spot next to Hayley and began immediately chatting to the woman on her other side, obviously one of her friends.<\/p>\n \u201cPam! How are you doing, dear? I haven\u2019t talked to you in forever!\u201d Hayley heard the woman exclaim. Hayley didn\u2019t hear the other woman\u2019s reply, but then the red-haired woman said, \u201cOh, look! They\u2019ve got Angel on the top of that pyramid! That\u2019s my girl! She\u2019s the best flyer on the squad!\u201d<\/p>\n Hayley glanced down at the cheerleaders and saw that they had moved into another formation, the skinny redhead again on top. Hayley glanced at the girl\u2019s mother from the corner of her eye and saw that she was wearing a green sweatshirt embroidered with \u201cCheerleader Mom\u201d in yellow (green and yellow were the Johnson colors). She had a button pinned to her sweatshirt with a picture of her daughter posing in her cheerleading uniform. Hayley rolled her eyes and looked away from the woman.<\/p>\n Suddenly, the speakers overhead crackled, and a man\u2019s voice projected over the stands. \u201cWelcome to Johnson High\u2019s Homecoming game, against the Indian Valley Panthers! Would you all please rise and join the Johnson High School Marching Cobras in their playing of the national anthem!\u201d<\/p>\n Hayley looked back to the field and saw that the football players were lined up on the sidelines. The marching band had taken their place in the middle of the field, in a formation that looked crudely like a large \u201cJHS\u201d.<\/p>\n As the band raised their instruments, Hayley dutifully rose, turned towards the flag waving in the end zone, and put her hand over her heart.<\/p>\n Three minutes before halftime, the Cobras were up 21-10 and had just recovered a Panther fumble. Things looked promising for Johnson.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to get something to eat now?\u201d Kevin asked Hayley. \u201cWe can beat the rush if we head down to the concession stand now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, sure,\u201d Hayley replied, standing up. Kevin made his way through the crowd, Hayley following closely behind him. They climbed down the bleachers and walked to the concession area next to the stands.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Kevin asked, when it came time for them to order. He took out his wallet from his back pocket.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, no, I\u2019ll get it,\u201d Hayley said. She had already removed her own billfold from her purse.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no, it\u2019s my treat,\u201d Kevin insisted. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPopcorn and a bottled water,\u201d Hayley replied. \u201cBut really, I can pay for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n Kevin ignored her and ordered her popcorn and bottled water, along with his Coke and pork chop.<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t have to do that,\u201d Hayley said, when he handed her her food a few minutes later.<\/p>\n \u201cI know. I wanted to,\u201d replied Kevin, grinning. \u201cYou ready to head back up?\u201d Hayley nodded, and they made their way back to the bleachers, pushing past the swarm of fans heading towards the concession stand.<\/p>\n They had to stand next to the fence that surrounded the track and football field for a few minutes, as they waited to get back up into the stands. The cheerleaders were on the other side of the fence, fanning themselves and talking animatedly to each other. Hayley noticed the skinny redhead she had seen earlier sitting by herself on the track, her back pressed against the fence, sipping a bottled water. Her skin looked pale and sweaty.<\/p>\n \u201cYou okay, Angel?\u201d asked a tall, tan blonde, noticing the redhead.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I\u2019m okay,\u201d replied Angel, but her voice sounded oddly shaky. \u201cI just don\u2019t feel that great. I think I\u2019m coming down with something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou look really pale. You should eat something. Want me to get you a sandwich?\u201d the blonde asked.<\/p>\n Angel shook her head. \u201cNo, that\u2019s okay. I\u2019m fine. Thanks anyway though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026 okay,\u201d the blonde said uncertainly. \u201cI\u2019m going to go get some more water. Be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n She walked away, leaving Angel by herself again. Meanwhile, the bleachers had cleared out, and Kevin and Hayley left the fence, heading towards the steps leading up into the stands.<\/p>\n Hayley stopped when she heard a scream. She turned back towards the track and saw Angel slumped over on the ground. Another cheerleader had rushed over to her, and the others quickly huddled around her as well, blocking her from view.<\/p>\n One of their voices rose over the others. \u201cSomebody get help!\u201d<\/p>\n AJ, Harry, and Kylie sat in the back of an ambulance, which was parked near the stands on the visitors\u2019 side of the football field. The Atlantic City EMT squad was required to send one ambulance and three EMTs to all of the Johnson football games, and that night, it had been their turn to go.<\/p>\n Kylie and Harry perched at the back of the ambulance, dangling their legs out the back and squinting at the field, trying to tell what was going on in the game. It was hard to see from where they were though.<\/p>\n AJ had brought a Gameboy along and was busy playing that, totally ignoring the game. He had never been into sports that much. He preferred music and acting, both of which he had done as a child. While other kids his age had played Little League, he had been acting in plays and taking voice lessons. For a while, he had aspired to be an actor or singer, but had decided instead to become a paramedic, which was more realistic and guaranteed a salary, which acting and singing did not.<\/p>\n Suddenly, the radio in the ambulance crackled. \u201cEMT squad, please bring your rig around to the home side of the field. We\u2019ve got a cheerleader down.\u201d<\/p>\n AJ jumped up. \u201cGuys, one of the cheerleaders collapsed,\u201d he said to Kylie and Harry. They immediately slid off the back of the ambulance and went around to the front, Harry climbing into the driver\u2019s seat, and Kylie into the passenger side. AJ shut the back doors, and the ambulance started up, quickly pulling out onto the track.<\/p>\n Hayley glanced back at Kevin to see that he had noticed the cheerleaders, too. Without a moment\u2019s hesitation, he turned and ran back, pushing past people to get to the fence. Hayley followed behind him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a doctor!\u201d he called to the cheerleaders. He quickly climbed the chain-length fence and dropped down on the other side. \u201cMove back, girls,\u201d he said to the cheerleaders, gently pushing them away from their friend.<\/p>\n Hayley hoisted herself over the fence as well and knelt down beside Kevin, who was already hovering over the girl, taking her pulse.<\/p>\n \u201cHer heart\u2019s racing. She\u2019s tachycardic,\u201d he said to Hayley, trying to keep his voice low so that the frightened girls wouldn\u2019t hear. Looking up at the cheerleaders, he asked, \u201cGirls, do you know if she took anything? Any kind of drugs?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no way,\u201d one of them said shakily. \u201cAngel would never do drugs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCould it be because she hasn\u2019t eaten?\u201d another one asked. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve seen her eat all evening.\u201d<\/p>\n Hayley studied Angel\u2019s pale, skinny body. She didn\u2019t look like she weighed anything over a hundred pounds. \u201cMaybe she\u2019s anorexic,\u201d she whispered to Kevin. \u201cLook how skinny she is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCould be,\u201d he said. \u201cShe\u2019s severely dehydrated. Are the EMTs bringing the ambulance around yet? We need to get some fluids into her.\u201d<\/p>\n Hayley looked over to the other side of the field. The ambulance had just pulled out on the track and was coming around to their side. \u201cYeah, they\u2019re coming,\u201d she told Kevin.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with her?\u201d one of the cheerleaders cried tearfully. \u201cIs she dying?\u201d<\/p>\n The ambulance pulled up next to them and came to a stop. The back doors were flung open, and AJ climbed out. Harry and Kylie joined him a moment later, and the three paramedics lifted a stretcher out and set it up on wheels. They wheeled it over to where Angel was lying.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s tachycardic and dehydrated,\u201d Kevin told them, as they bent over to lift Angel onto the stretcher.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Kev,\u201d said Harry. \u201cKylie, insert an IV and start her on saline, and let\u2019s get a pulse and BP.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPulse is 170. She\u2019s in V-tach. Her heart\u2019s beating itself to death. We gotta cardiovert her,\u201d AJ said quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get her into the ambulance first,\u201d Harry said. \u201cWe don\u2019t want all these people to see that.\u201d<\/p>\n AJ and Kylie nodded, and the three paramedics quickly transferred Angel into the ambulance.<\/p>\n \u201cYou guys need any help?\u201d Kevin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we got it,\u201d Harry called back. To his team, he said, \u201cLet\u2019s go ahead and transport her to Memorial now. Kylie, you drive. AJ, get her hooked up to the monitors. I\u2019ll charge the defibrillator.\u201d<\/p>\n They sprang into action, Kylie hopping out of the back and getting behind the wheel, AJ closing the ambulance doors. Moments later, the ambulance sped off, lights flashing. The cheerleaders huddled together, frightened tears streaming down their cheeks.<\/p>\n But things went on. Over the loudspeaker, the announcer said, \u201cPlease direct your attention to the track on the home side, where we will now announce this year\u2019s Homecoming court.\u201d<\/p>\n Kevin and Hayley exchanged glances and slowly made their way back to their seats.<\/p>\n \u201cDr. O\u2019Brien, Harry Littrell and his squad are en route to the hospital with a seventeen-year-old girl that collapsed at a football game. They should be here in about five minutes,\u201d said Natalie Spade to Elizabeth O\u2019Brien.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Get a room ready,\u201d Elizabeth replied. \u201cSiara, can you assist me on a patient that\u2019s coming in in about five minutes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Dr. O\u2019Brien,\u201d answered Dr. Siara Reily.<\/p>\n When the ambulance pulled up, the two doctors rushed out to meet the EMTs. Together, they unloaded the patient, a skinny red-haired girl in a cheerleading uniform.<\/p>\n \u201cHer name is Angel, she\u2019s seventeen, collapsed during the football game, severely dehydrated, tachycardic on the scene, lost her pulse in the ambulance. She\u2019s been down for about five minutes,\u201d fired off Harry, as they whisked the stretcher into the ER.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s move her on three,\u201d Elizabeth said, as soon as they got into a room. \u201cOne\u2026 two\u2026 three.\u201d They all quickly lifted Angel up and moved her onto the gurney in the room. \u201cLet\u2019s get her hooked up to the monitors.\u201d The heart monitor registered a rapid, irregular beat. \u201cShe\u2019s in V-fib,\u201d Elizabeth said. \u201cCharge the paddles to 200\u2026 and clear!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNatalie, do you know if anyone for that cheerleader, Angel, has come in?\u201d Elizabeth asked Natalie, stepping up to the counter of the nurses station.<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2026 yeah, a Mrs. McGrail came in a little while ago, looking for her daughter Angel,\u201d Natalie replied. \u201cShe\u2019s sitting over there in chairs.\u201d She pointed out a heavy set redhead in a green and yellow \u201cCheerleader Mom\u201d sweatshirt.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Natalie,\u201d Elizabeth said and went over to the woman. \u201cMrs. McGrail?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d The woman looked up, her face lined with worry. \u201cAre you Angel\u2019s doctor? Where is she? Is she okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I\u2019m Dr. O\u2019Brien, and your daughter has been stabilized. You can go in and see her in a few minutes, but first I\u2019d like to talk to you about her condition,\u201d said Elizabeth. \u201cWhen the paramedics got to Angel on the scene, she was tachycardic, meaning her heart was beating extremely fast. She was also severely dehydrated. Upon closer examination here at the hospital, we found that her skin is very dry and cracked, her hair is thinning, and she is extremely underweight for her height. All of these symptoms are surefire signs of an eating disorder, particularly anorexia nervosa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?! Anorexia!\u201d Mrs. McGrail cried, horrified. \u201cNonsense! Angel\u2019s not anorexic. She just likes to watch her weight. She\u2019s a cheerleader, you know, and she also runs track. She has to keep in shape.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, she\u2019s most certainly not in shape right now,\u201d Elizabeth said, rather sharply. \u201cYour daughter is starving herself to death, Mrs. McGrail. If she keeps this up, she could die. I\u2019d like your consent to check her into a treatment program we have here at the hospital for people with eating disorders. There she can get the medical treatment and counseling she needs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCounseling? What, are you suggesting that Angel\u2019s crazy now too or something?!\u201d Mrs. McGrail cried, her voice rising defensively.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course not. But anorexia is just as much a physical disorder as it is a mental one. It gives its victims a distorted view of their bodies,\u201d said Elizabeth. \u201cAngel needs some counseling to help her overcome that. That does not mean she\u2019s \u2018crazy\u2019 though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you\u2019re not getting my consent for anything!\u201d Mrs. McGrail argued. \u201cI\u2019d just like to take my daughter home now, thank you very much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAngel\u2019s condition is very serious. She\u2019s stabilized now, but she was close to death earlier,\u201d Elizabeth said. \u201cShe\u2019ll need to stay the night at least and maybe even another day or two, until we can get her re-hydrated.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine then,\u201d Mrs. McGrail practically spat. \u201cCan I see her now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly,\u201d Elizabeth said briskly. \u201cFollow me.\u201d<\/p>\n Addie sighed happily as Jack pulled his black Cougar into the small parking lot outside her apartment house. \u201cHome sweet home,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m so glad this day is over. I just wanna take a long, hot bath and go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned and smiled at her. \u201cI\u2019ll join you,\u201d he replied, and Addie matched his devilish grin. He got out of the car and came around to open her door for her and help her out.<\/p>\n \u201cMy, my,\u201d she said impishly. \u201cAren\u2019t you just the gentleman tonight, taking me out to a gourmet Hardees meal and all?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack grinned, shook his head, and led her into the apartment house. They walked slowly up the stairs, hand in hand. When they reached their apartment, Addie took out her key and reached out to unlock the door, but Jack grabbed her hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWait a minute,\u201d he said. \u201cClose your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust close your eyes,\u201d Jack repeated. She gave him a strange look, but closed her eyes. He waved his hand over her face to make sure they were really closed, then took the key from her hand and unlocked the apartment. He opened the door, took her by the hand, and led her slowly in. He did a quick survey of the living room, making sure everything was in order.<\/p>\n Good job, Timberlake<\/em>, he thought with a relieved smile.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat have you been plotting, Jack?\u201d Addie asked, a hint of laughter in her voice. \u201cCan I open my eyes yet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Jack said. \u201cOpen your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n Addie did so, slowly, and when she looked into the small living room, she gasped. \u201cOh, Jack!\u201d<\/p>\n The room was bathed in golden light, illuminated by many flickering candles positioned around the room. On the coffee table sat a bottle of champagne and two goblets. Jack grinned, strode over to the CD player, and hit play. Soft, romantic, piano music began to play.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Jack!\u201d Addie breathed again. \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful! How\u2026 how did you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith a little help from my trusty med student,\u201d Jack said with a grin. \u201cThe kid finally got something right.\u201d<\/p>\n Addie giggled and smiled at him, absolutely charmed and in awe. After a football game and a fast food dinner, the last thing she was expecting was to come home to such a romantic atmosphere. It wasn\u2019t exactly original, but she loved traditional sappy things, and Jack had never done anything like this before.<\/p>\n \u201cCome here,\u201d Jack said, sitting down on the worn couch and pulling her into his lap. \u201cDo you know how much I love you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think I do now,\u201d replied Addie, kissing him gently. \u201cYou\u2019re so sweet. I had no idea.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled. \u201cHere, how about some champagne?\u201d He opened the bottle and poured champagne into the two glasses. \u201cTo us,\u201d he toasted, and they gently clinked their goblets together.<\/p>\n Jack took a sip and set his glass down on the coffee table. When Addie set down hers as well, he took her hand and turned to face her. \u201cAddie, can I ask you something?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Addie\u2019s heart began to pound. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack licked his lips, something he always did when he was nervous, and reached into the pocket of his jeans. With his large sweatshirt, Addie had not noticed the bulge in the pocket. But she saw it now, and she knew instinctively what was coming. Her palms began to sweat as he pulled out a small, black velvet box.<\/p>\n \u201cI love you, Addie. That\u2019s really all I can say. You\u2019re my best friend and my other half. Will you marry me?\u201d He flipped open the little box to reveal a sparkling diamond.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Jack!\u201d Addie cried for the third time that night, her eyes filling with tears. \u201cYes!\u201d<\/p>\n Jack grinned and carefully plucked the ring from the box. Addie held out her left hand, and he slid it onto her finger. Addie held her hand up and admired the ring. It was white gold (Jack knew she didn\u2019t like yellow gold) and simple, but elegant, with just one beautiful diamond glittering up at her.<\/p>\n \u201cIs the ring okay?\u201d he asked, watching her face.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s perfect!\u201d she cried, wrapping her arms around him. \u201cI just love it\u2026 and you.\u201d She pulled back gently and pressed her lips to his. She had waited years for this, to have her own place, her own career, and the beginnings of her own family. In that moment, she felt like all her dreams had just come true.<\/p>\n Jack pulled back and smiled at her affectionately. \u201cI love you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Episode 11: Homecoming It was 6:45 in the morning when AJ McLean\u2019s black Jeep pulled up in front of the ER entrance of Atlantic City Memorial Hospital. He screeched to a stop, put the car into park, and turned to his girlfriend, Bianca Parker. \u201cYou sure you\u2019re up to …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":66,"menu_order":11,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-215","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/codeblue\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/215","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/codeblue\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/codeblue\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/codeblue\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/codeblue\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=215"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/codeblue\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/215\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":221,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/codeblue\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/215\/revisions\/221"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/codeblue\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/66"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/codeblue\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}+++<\/h4>\n
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Episode 12<\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"