Stories From the Past
Part 9
By Cari
cxcarleo@naz.edu

The main changes in this revised piece are that I corrected it to have Romano as Chief of Staff, but the rest of the story is pretty much the same.

I would encourage you to read the past stories in the series so that you know what is going on. The series doesn't necessarily follow any one episode, but rather it is how I might have written Season 6 if I had the option.

This story starts on Wednesday February 12, just two days after the last one ended. Carol has taken Susan shopping for some new clothes, and Susan is exploring several job options. She has also made an appointment with Nina Pomerantz at County. Susan knows that her friends will be there for her, but she also needs someone else to talk to. She made this appointment over the telephone and has not returned to County since having her arm set.

Other than the characters of Dr. Martin Kehofsky and Dr. Louis Vistra, I do not own any of the characters and am making no money from their use. Just having some fun. Please e-mail me with any feedback.



It is Wednesday evening, February 12th, and Doug and Mark are standing at the admit desk looking over charts. Mark had been out the last two days and consequently had some catching up to do. It had been a busy day today so he hadn't had much time to review charts so was doing it now in the last few minutes before he went off duty.

Mark was looking at the chart of a woman brought in for a broken arm and said, "I wonder if no meds were needed or Malucci forgot to note them down?"

"Which case was this?" Doug asked. Looking at the chart, he said, "No, she refused meds."

"How did you know? Were you involved in treating her?"

"No...." Doug trailed off, not knowing how to continue and what he should say.

FLASHBACK


It is the previous night and Doug, Carol, and Susan are sitting in the den talking. Susan and Carol had gone out shopping for clothes, and now Susan was deciding what she wanted to do about work.

Doug said, "I'm sure that you could talk to Robert Romano, the current chief of staff, about what is open at County"

"I had considered that, but I'm not sure how or if I would be accepted there."

Carol said, "I don't think there would be any problem. You were always well liked and you are a very good physician."

Doug asked, "Are we talking about being accepted in general or by one person?"

"Well...I don't know how Mark feels. I am so happy that he is engaged. I'm glad that he is doing so well. I just...I do not know if he hates me. I do not want to deal with someone hating me right now, but I also do not want him to hide what he really feels just because he feels sorry for me. Do I make sense?"

Doug said reassuringly, "I know that he does not hate you. He has been wondering where you have been, and if you were OK. He has wanted to get in touch with you, but none of us knew how."

"I am sorry about that. I should have found some way to get in touch with you guys. Even before I met Alan. There was no excuse for what I did and I really regret it now."

Carol said, "Don't worry about that now. You're here, with us, and that's all that matters."

"Thank you. Do you guys really think Mark might be willing to see me?"

"I think he would be very happy to see you. He and I are working the same shift tomorrow, did you want me to see if he wants to come over when we get off?"

"That would be great. Just please...Fill him in somewhat on the situation. I don't know if I can go through telling that to too many people right now."

"Sure. I will see what I can do. I think he will be happy to know you are back in town. He has always considered you one of his best friends, and he missed you."

"I would love it to get to see him, and meet his fiancée."

Carol said, "Elizabeth is a very nice woman. You will like her."

END FLASHBACK


Doug said to Mark, "Why don't we take a trip to our usual hiding place. We're off in under five minutes."

"Umm...Sure...Is everything OK?"

"Sort of. I just need to tell you something and I want it to be somewhere private. People have been in and out of the lounge all day and I can't risk anyone else hearing this."

"Sure. Let me just let Elizabeth know where we are going. Should I have her wait for us?"

"Yes, we won't be that long."

As they went through the roof door and faced the cold air that is typical of a February in Chicago, Mark asks, "Are you in some kind of trouble? Or the woman is? Who is she?"

"One question at a time buddy. I am fine. I am not in any trouble. For once in my life," Doug said with a smile. "Now, do you remember the woman's name on the chart that we were just looking at?"

"Rodgers...Suzanne?"

"Susan."

Mark gives Doug a questioning look as he tries to place the name, "Susan Rodgers .... Ms. Rodgers...Susan...Susan.... Our Susan??"

"Yes. She came in for treatment for a broken arm with little Suzy."

"Wait... What is she doing here in Chicago?"

"At a conference with her husband. She saw me as she was leaving. That was right around the time when Carol comes for lunch, so the two of them spent the afternoon together."

Mark sensed a look of sadness on Doug's face and asked, "What? What happened? Please tell me that she is OK. Can you tell me anything?"

"Yes. She actually asked me to. She wants to see you. She knows that you are engaged and is very happy for you. She was afraid you were going to hate her for leaving the way she did...."

"I hope that you told her I don't."

"Of course. Anyway, she wanted me to ask if you and wanted to come over for dinner, pizza or something. She also would like to meet Elizabeth."

"I would love to come. Now?"

"Yes, but there is more you need to know first."

"What is it? Is she OK?"

Doug took a deep breath and said, "She's been abused. Emotionally and physically for the past two or three years. She and Suzy are staying with us until they get back on their feet. She wanted to know that you would not hate her before she saw you. She did not think she could deal with the pain of that on top of everything else. But at the same time, she did not want you to not be mad at her just because you felt bad for her. She wanted me to tell you what had happened so that she did not have to go through the pain of telling it again. It's still a little too fresh for her."

"I would never be mad at her. Her leaving was rough, but that is in the past. I care for her so much as a friend and hate that she went through this. I cannot imagine what she must have been going through. I really want to see her."

"OK. Why don't we go get Elizabeth and pick up a pizza?"

"Sounds like a plan."

About 45 minutes later, Doug, Mark and Elizabeth arrive at Doug and Carol's house with two nice hot pizzas. They had called from the car to let Carol and Susan know that they were on their way. So, when they walked in the door, Doug said, "Food's here."

Carol and Susan walked out into the living room. For a moment, Mark and Susan just looked at each other, unsure of what to do.


FLASHBACK


Doug, Mark and Elizabeth are leaving the hospital.

Mark said, "Elizabeth, do you remember my friend Susan that I told you about? She used to work here until about four years ago."

"Yes, of course." (Sensing the look in Mark and Doug's eyes) "Is she alright?"

"She's back in town. She's....She's been in a very abusive relationship and just left her husband while they were in town here on his conference. She came into the ER Monday with a broken arm."

"That's so sad that she has been through so much."

"Would you mind if we went to see her tonight? She is staying with Carol and Doug. She wants to see me and would like to meet you."

"I think that would be great so that she knows she has the support of friends through all of this. I would really like to meet her as well."

Doug said, "OK. I will call them to let them know we are on our way and will pick up dinner."


END FLASHBACK


Mark and Susan walked toward each other and hugged. Mark looked down into Susan's eyes and said, "I'm so sorry to hear what you have been going through."

"I'm just glad to be leaving that life behind. I want to try to get on with my life, somehow."

Mark remembered his manners and said, "Susan, I would like you to meet my fiancée, Elizabeth Corday. Elizabeth, this is my dear friend, Susan Lewis."

"Pleased to meet you,"

"Same here."

Mark commented, "I cannot believe how big Suzy has gotten. She was just a baby when you left Chicago."

An hour and a half later, Doug, Carol, Susan, Mark, and Elizabeth were sitting around a fire drinking coffee, Emma and Suzy had been put to bed. Mark asked, "Was it strange to come into County as a patient?"

"Yes, but I wanted to. The hotel was actually closer to Mercy, but.."

Susan paused and Mark said, "If you don't want to discuss it, that's fine. I should not have pressed you."

"You didn't. I need to get it out...It's just hard."

"Take your time, we are here for you."

"I had been thinking about some way to leave Alan for some time. I did not want to stay there, but had no place to go, When I found out that his conference was here in Chicago, I asked if Suzy and I could go with him. Very surprisingly, he said yes. While we were on the plane here, I kept trying to think of ways to make an escape work. It turned out to be a lot easier than I expected. Monday, our first full day here, he told us to 'get lost' so he could go to his meetings--or sleep with that woman, I guess. So I asked him for some money for that day and..."

Susan broke off, starting to cry as she thought about what he had said to her. Carol and Mark who were sitting closest started to rub Susan's back, and Doug and Elizabeth each took hold of one of her hands.

Knowing that she needed to get this off her chest, she continued a few minutes later. "When I asked him for money, he told me to go work the street corner. That it was the only job I could ever be good at anyway."

"ASSHOLE!" Mark said.

Doug added, "That's too nice a word for him."

Carol and Elizabeth both had tears sliding down their cheeks. Susan said, "I know Suzy is too young to understand what that means, but I hate that she had to hear that. I hate the environment we were living in. I was so angry with him for saying that, although it was not the first time. Something just snapped in me that time. I said some choice words; also that should not have been said in front of Suzy. At that point he picked me up and threw me into the table. I landed on my arm and knew immediately that it was broken. He screamed at us to get the fuck out, and I knew I needed to get to a hospital. The hotel was nice enough to call a cab and after seeing my condition-I told them I had fallen-they paid for the cab. I made the decision to go to County in hope that someone I knew would still be there; if only to give me an address for a shelter. I knew at that point I could not stay there any longer. After they set my arm was when I ran into Doug. I still have to work out a payment plan at the hospital to pay the bill."

"Already taken care of," Doug said.

"Thank you. I'm going to owe you two so much by the time I start working."

"Don't worry about it."

"Speaking of work," Mark said. "Have you given any thought to what you're going to do?"

"I really want to go back into medicine. I miss being a doctor."

"When did you stop?"

"Shortly after I started seeing Alan. He forced me to quit. However, I have always wanted to go back. For the past few years, I would volunteer at a local clinic. So I'm thinking about calling the hospitals around the area tomorrow, to see if there are any openings."

"Including County?"

"Yes. I would love to go back there if I could. I was unsure at first, but that was my home."

"Well, Dr. Robert Romano just announced an opening for a new position of Junior Attending in the ER. I could put in a good word for you if you would like."

"That would be great if you could do that. I will call about the position tomorrow to see if I'm qualified and maybe set up an interview."

Elizabeth had been quiet through all this, just thinking back on her past.


FLASH BACK


Years ago, Elizabeth is still in England, we see her studying at a table and as she looks up to see who has entered the room, we see that her eye is blackened and she has other scrapes and bruises on her face. At this time, she is living with a man named Richard.

Richard asked amgrily, "What are you doing? When I come home from work, I expect to see you cooking my dinner."

"Well perhaps if you came home at dinner time, that would be the case. It's 9 PM and I had dinner made three hours when I expected you home. The leftovers are in the fridge. Now if you will excuse me, I need to get back to my studying."

"Leftovers? I don't eat leftovers." He grabbed Elizabeth by her collar and yanked her to a standing position. "You will make me some fresh dinner and you will do it now. I don't know why you waste your time studying. You are too stupid to be in college. You will never graduate."

"Actually, I just turned in some of my applications for medical school. I am near the top of my class."

"You will never be anything. Although you are anything but a lady, you are a woman and your place is in the kitchen, making me dinner... So, do it.... NOW!"


END FLASHBACK


Mark sensed that she had been quiet and asked, "Elizabeth, are you ok?"

"Yes. Sorry, this just brought back some memories for me." Elizabeth turned to Susan and said, "I've been through this. I know that I cannot understand exactly how you are feeling because every situation is different, but I may understand some of what you are going through. And I want you to know that even though we've just met and I don't know you that well, that I am here for you if you need to talk about this."

Mark, Doug, and Carol exchange a look of surprise because they never knew this about Elizabeth's past. "Thank you, that means a lot. I know that a lot of women have gone through this, it's just..."

"You never really think you can be the one who is affected?"

"Exactly. And I always said when I saw cases of domestic abuse come in that I would never let myself stay in such a situation. However, being there, it was different. I cursed myself for losing touch with all of you."

Carol said, "Don't worry about that now. You are here now. You and Suzy are safe and that is all that matters."

It is now the next morning. Susan wakes up and looks at her clock. She is shocked to see that it is 9:00 and the house is silent. She felt bad that Carol must be watching Suzy and Emma. Then, she noticed a note on her nightstand from Doug.

The note said, "Carol isn't feeling well and I didn't know if you might have to schedule some interviews for today so I took Emma and Suzy to the hospital day care. I will talk to you later. Good luck with any interviews."

Susan wondered what might be wrong with Carol because she seemed fine when they went to bed.


FLASHBACK


It is earlier that morning around 5:15, and Doug is in the bathroom getting ready for work. Carol wakes up feeling extremely nauseous. Seeing that Doug is just shaving, she makes a run for the bathroom and gets to the toilet just in time. Doug quickly stops shaving and crouches down behind her to hold her. As she finishes, he helps her to her feet.

"Did that come on all of a sudden?"

"I just woke up and knew I was going to be sick. I have a headache that's turning into a migraine."

"Just what you didn't need. Let me get you back in bed and I'll make you a compress and give you the medicine."

"Emma and Suzy will be awake soon...And Susan may need to have interviews today. I need to get up."

"I'll take them to the daycare. You need to be in bed so this doesn't get worse." He helps her back into bed, and feels her forehead."You don't have a fever."

"I feel ok. It's just a very bad headache."

"I'll be right back."

He came back to the room carrying her medicines, and an old garbage can. He put the garbage can next to the bed. Carol is lying on her stomach with her head turned toward the camera, and we can see that she is crying quietly. Doug is sitting behind her on the bed, gently rubbing her back

"Are you ready for the medicine?"

"I guess."

After he gives them to her, he leans over her so he can see her face. Seeing her tears for the first time, he continues rubbing her back with one hand and takes her hand with the other.

"Baby, I know it hurts. I hope that the pain will ease a little when the meds kick in. Do you want me to stay home with you?"

"No, thank you. That's not necessary. There is nothing that you can do by being home. We both know I will fall asleep as soon as the Compazine kicks in."

"OK. You're probably right. Do you want me to come home around 10 to give you the meds again?"

"You don't have to do that. I can ask Susan to do it if she is here. Thank you though."

"I better go get the girls ready so I can get there in time to drop them off at the day care. Call or page me if you need anything and I'll come right home. I love you."

"I love you too. Thanks for everything."

Doug leans over and gives her two kisses; one on the lips and the other, a gentle one on her forehead. "A kiss to take the hurt away," he says softly.

"Thanks."


END FLASHBACK


Because the door was open, Susan walked quietly into Doug and Carol's bedroom because it appeared that Carol was asleep. As Susan sat down on the bed Carol, still with her eyes closed, whispered, "Doug?"

"No, it's me. Doug left me a note telling me that you weren't feeling well. Are you ok?"

"I have one of the worst migraines that I have ever had in my life. It hurts so much," Carol said, tears beginning to fall again.

Taking a hold of Carol's hand, Susan asked, "Have you taken anything?"

"Doug gave me meds before he left, but this is a bad one that I'm going to have to ride out, I think."

"Is there anything I can do that might help?"

"Could you make me a cold compress?"

"Of course."

Susan returned with it and gently placed it on Carol's forehead. Carol asked, "Did you get any interviews?"

"I haven't made any calls yet. I just woke up and saw the note from Doug so I came to check on you. I won't schedule any for today so I can take care of you."

"No. Don't do that. I'm going to try to sleep as much as I can. If you can get appointments for today, then go for it. I'll be ok."

"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you if you need anything."

"I'm sure. You can help me with my meds before you leave and I'll be ok because as soon as the Compazine kicks in, I always fall asleep."

Fixing Carol's blankets, Susan said, "OK. I'm going to make some calls. Try to get some rest. Just let me know if you need anything."

"OK."

About an hour later, Susan goes into Carol's room again. We can see that Susan is dressed for an interview, wearing one of the outfits she had bought. Seeing that Carol is changing the sheets, Susan said, "You should be resting. Why are you changing the sheets?"

"I got sick on them, I couldn't make it to the bathroom."

"You should have called me. Sit in the chair, I will finish this."

"Are you sure?"

"Doctor's orders. You need to rest." Carol curled up in the chair as best she could. Susan asked, "I take it your stomach isn't any better?"

"The Compazine is wearing off. That stuff works great but it wears off too quickly. You have an interview I guess?"

"Yup. At County, I'm going to leave in about twenty minutes. I want to get there in plenty of time."

"Good luck. I'm glad you decided to apply there."

"Me too. I've missed it a lot."

Susan finished with the bed, and as Carol crawled into bed, she said, "Thank you. Clean sheets always feel so good when you're not feeling well."

"They definitely do," Susan agreed as she sat down beside Carol and started to rub her back. "Relax, you are very tense."

"I'm sorry. My head just hurts so much."

"Do you want to take the pain meds as well?"

"Yes, if you wouldn't mind helping me."

"Of course not."

As Susan gave her the meds, she said, "They have some new prescriptions out for migraines that are stronger. I remember hearing about them."

"I do too," Carol said. "They came out in the fall, which was when I was pregnant so I couldn't take them. And this is the first killer migraine I've had since Emma was born."

"Did you want me to look into them at the hospital? Maybe I can get you a prescription?"

"I would really appreciate that."

"Consider it done. I'm going to make you a fresh compress before I leave."

"Thank you."

Susan brought that in along with a cup of water. "I should be back within a couple of hours. If there is anything you need me to bring home, just call and leave me a message at the desk, I will check in there on my way out."

"OK, thank you so much for taking care of me. Good luck with the interview."

"Thanks." Susan gave Carol a hug as she left.

Show Susan walking into the ER at 10:55, in plenty of time for her 11:30 interview with Dr. Romano. Doug, who is at the desk, sees her come in and asks, "Hey! Got an interview I see?"

"Yes. At 11:30. I'm so nervous."

"Don't be. You'll be fine. Did you see Carol at all before you left?"

"Yeah. She's not doing so well. She's in a lot of pain and the Compazine had worn off. I gave her the next dose of both meds before I left and she said she would be ok. I didn't want to schedule any interviews for today but she insisted."

"I figured as much. I offered to stay home, but she didn't want me to."

"She did want me to ask about some of the stronger pain meds now that she isn't pregnant."

"I will look into those and if you stop by here on your way home, I will try to have a prescription filled. She hasn't had a bad headache since Emma was born and I forgot all about the new meds."

"I think they will help her a lot."

"Me too. I need to go see a patient," Doug said. "Good luck on your interview."

"Thanks."

She was called into Dr. Romano's office right at 11:30. "I'm pleased to meet you, Dr. Lewis. You come very highly recommended."

"Thank you for giving me the chance to come interview. I have always loved County and have missed it since I was gone."

"What have you been doing since you left County?"

"I worked at Phoenix General under the supervision of Dr. Martin Kehofsky for two years, but then when I went to Seattle I volunteered at a clinic run by Dr. Louis Vistra. I have both of their phone numbers if you would like to contact them."

"Thank you. I also have very positive recommendations from Mark Green and David Morganstern under whom you worked here in County. I have to say things look very positive for you. We have a Board Meeting today at 2 PM. Could I let you know later this afternoon?"

"Of course. You can reach me at 555-3574. I appreciate you taking the time from your busy day to interview me."

"It was my pleasure."

It was after 1 PM by the time she left Romano's office, stopped to visit Suzy and Emma in the daycare center and walked down to the ER Desk. Doug was nowhere to be found, but Elizabeth who was standing at the desk asked, "Hey. How did it go?"

"Very well, I hope. I'll know later today after the board meeting."

"That's great. Doug asked me to give you this," Elizabeth added, handing Susan a bag with meds in it. "He said it was for Carol, is she ok?"

"She has a bad migraine."

"Please tell her that I hope she feels better."

"I will do that," Susan said. "I also wanted to thank you for offering to be there for me last night. That means a lot to have someone to talk to who has been through this."

"You're very welcome. I know what it feels like to think no one will understand. A promise I made once I got through it was to make sure that people I came into contact with who had been through the same knew that they were not alone."

When Susan walked back into Doug and Carol's house, it was close to 2 PM because she had to wait awhile for the El. She walked into Doug and Carol's bedroom holding something behind her back, but she immediately saw that Carol was crying. "What's the matter?"

"I'm in so much pain. I just can't take it anymore. I can't stop crying."

"If it helps, keep crying. I got you a prescription for the new pain medicines. Do you want to take it?"

"Please. But I think we'll still have to go with the alternate route. My stomach is a little better, but not great."

"That's ok. Here is something for you to hold while I give it to you," Susan said, handing Carol a stuffed animal she had gotten for her at the gift shop.

"Thank you."

After Susan gave Carol the medicine, she said, "I'll be right back." While she was gone, Carol just laid and cried. Susan came back within a few minutes, all changed into sweats and a tee shirt, and carrying a fresh compress which she placed on Carol's forehead. She then got into bed, took Carol's hand with one hand and rubbed her back with the other. "When I don't feel well, sometimes the thing I want most in the world is to be held. I thought you might like that too."

"I do."

"Well I will be here with you all afternoon. I'm not going anywhere."

"Thank you so much," Carol said as she stopped fighting the tears and just let Susan hold her. They both fell asleep within 20 minutes, and that was how Doug found them when he got home.

Doug got home with Emma and Suzy around 4:30. He said to Suzy, "Please be quiet while I go look for mommy and Aunt Carol."

"OK."

He went into the bedroom and was glad to see that Carol looked to be sleeping peacefully. He gave her a kiss, fixed the blankets, and quietly pulled the door closed so that they could sleep.

Just a few minutes later, the telephone rang and Doug answered it. "Hi...Hold on, let me see if she's available." He quietly walked up to the room and gently woke up Susan. "It's Dr. Morganstern."