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Part
72
CB was wheeling down a hall whistling to himself when one of the “others” demanded his turn. You’ve had control long enough, CB. Let me have some fun.
You’re right, Chuck. Just don’t let on that we are here. Okay? CB told him.
But what about what you told Johnny?
He’s blind right right now. He couldn’t see me, so we’re safe.
You’ve got to stop this! Brice screamed at the others. Unless you give me back control, disaster will strike! You mark my words! Don’t forget about Thom. If he gets out, he’ll do something evil again!
Shove it, you nerd. Craig inserted. //Thom isn’t around anymore. I’ll prove it. Hey Thom! You’re a blue-butted neanderthal with the brains of a gnat! None of the personalities make a sound. See? The Thommer is gone, kaputz, no more. It’s our turn to live, and you can’t stop us.
With that, Chuck donned his glasses and smiled as he headed off towards the physical therapy room.
*****
“Toxemia?”, Dixie gasped in dismay.
Kel patted her hand reassuringly. “The tests indicate that it’s of a bacterial nature, probably caused by Mitzi’s mistreatment of you. We’re putting you on an antibiotic, plus something to help control your high blood pressure. Don’t worry Dix, I won’t let anything happen to you or the babies.”
“Thanks Kel,” she replied with a smile, “But I know of a little bit of medicine I could definitely use right now.”
“Oh? What’s that?” he asked, one eyebrow rising upward in that way Dixie loved to see. Grabbing his necktie, Dix pulled him down and kissed him soundly.
*****
Very early the next morning, Becky was hard at work mopping the floors of the ER exam rooms. It had been relatively calm since she arrived an hour ago. With luck this lull will last long enough for me to finish the last two rooms, she thought as she navigated her wheeled bucket and mop into the next room. She started at the far side of the room and worked her way back to the door. With the bucket to one side of the door, she gave the floor one last look over. Looks good. Only one to...
Her thought was interrupted when the door slammed into her and she found herself sprawled out on the floor. She gave an inarticulate cry of shock as she was surrounded by a sea of legs. She found herself hauled up and gently pushed out of the way. The paramedic who had helped her up said something, but he turned back towards the table before she could figure out what he was saying.
Becky took one look at the patient and fumbled for the door. The poor guy had been shot in the face. Becky knew she had to get out of the room before she became ill from the sight. Once out in the hallway, she collapsed against the far wall as she sought to control her rolling stomach.
*****
Joe Early had come in to work well before his scheduled hours for two reasons. First, to visit with Dixie. She was, after all, a dear friend and colleague. The second reason was because of the renewal of old nightmares last night. All of them filled with his darling Beth’s demise.
But Dixie was still asleep when he got here and he didn’t want to disturb her. From what Kel had told him, she needed all the rest she could get. Imagine... being held captive in your home... and by your sister no less...
Joe turned the corner and spotted one of the hospital’s cleaning crew curled up on the floor. Immediately going into doctor mode, he knelt down next to her. “Miss? Are you okay? Can I help you?”
She didn’t reply, didn’t even acknowledge his presence until he put his hand on her shoulder. “Miss?”
*****
Becky was startled when someone touched her. She looked up and was startled again by the face of Dr. Early, a man she had seen recently leaving an obvious liaison with one of the nurse.
Dr. Early on the other hand, was elated. Here was the young woman who looked so much like his Beth.
“Are you okay miss?” he asked, a calm concern on his face. She nodded and reached for her note pad. Her face fell when she found it missing; she looked around, hoping that it had just fallen out in the hall. No such luck. It's probably in the exam room where I fell.
Joe watched, confused, as she searched for something. He stood up with her when she rose. He saw her wince as she drew a card out of her shirt pocket. Quickly reading it, he thought Well that explains it. No wonder she didn’t respond right away. Rebecca Jones.... Well that makes it less likely that she’s one of Beth’s relatives. I doubt the high and mighty Oglethorpes would allow a marriage to someone with such a common surname.
When he looked back at her, she was rubbing her hand. Carefully taking her hand in his, he felt it. She gasped when his finger palped the growing swelling in the wrist. He kept hold of her hand carefully while tilting her head up so she could see what he was saying. “You’ve got a sprained wrist. Come with me and I’ll wrap it up for you.”
For a moment he thought she wasn’t going let him, but then she nodded her head. After finding out which room was open from a passing nurse, he led Becky into room three. She skittishly allowed him to a more thorough examination, just to make sure nothing else was wrong.
While a nurse took her to get her wrist x-rayed, Joe went to go see if he could find out she had gotten hurt in the first place. Since she had not said one word, he figured he’d have to find out from someone else. Remembering that she had been outside of room two when he found her, he started there.
Dr. Morton was just coming out of the room and he did not look at all happy. “Dr. Early, what are doing here so... pardon the pun, early?”
Joe gave a small chuckle at Mike’s joke. “Treating a pretty young member of our janitorial staff. She somehow sprained her wrist. I’m trying to find out how.”
Morton thought for a moment, “Young? Blonde? Blue eyed?” Early nodded. “I didn’t realize she had been hurt, but I think I know how it happened. We were wheeling in a man with a gun shot into the room here. I guess she must have been cleaning and was hit by the door and fell. But why didn’t you ask her yourself.”
“She’s a deaf mute.” Then thinking back on what Mike had just told him. “She probably either hit her hand on the door or on the floor. A gun shot victim? I take it from your earlier expression that he didn’t survive.”
Mike shook his head. He didn’t like loosing a patient. No doctor did. Both doctors stood in silent for a moment then one of the nurses came out of the room.
“Dr. Morton? I think one of the paramedics must have dropped this.” She held out a note pad. “I found it under the table.”
Mike took one look at it and chuckled, “I seriously doubt either of the paramedics would use a bright yellow note pad with flowers drawn all over it.”
Snapping his fingers, Joe explained, “That’s what she was looking for before! I’ll take that, Carrie. I think it belongs to a patient of mine.
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