Episode 11:

 

Homecoming

 

 

It was 6:45 in the morning when AJ McLean’s 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.

 

“You sure you’re up to this, Bean?” he asked.

 

Bianca rolled her grayish-blue eyes.  “Aje, it’s been over a month.  I’m fine.”

 

“I know you say that now, but you have a demanding job.  You’re going to be exhausted trying to keep up after being away for five weeks.”

 

“I know.  And that’s exactly why I’m coming back.  The longer I wait, the harder it will be to get back into the swing of things.”  AJ opened his mouth to protest, but she leaned over, kissed him quickly on the lips, and said, “I’ll be fine.  Don’t worry.”  She gave him a little smile, opened the door, and climbed carefully out of the jeep.

 

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’t care.  She had been lying around, recuperating, for a month, and she couldn’t 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.

 

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.

 

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’t 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.

 

“I’ll pick you up at noon,” AJ called to Bianca from the driver’s seat.

 

“Alright.  See ya then, babe,” 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.

 

“What do you got?” she asked, as they pulled a stretcher out of the back.

 

“Homeless man found unconscious in an alleyway,” said Allison.  “He’s severely dehydrated.  We started him on saline, IV drip.”

 

Bianca wrinkled her nose at the odor wafting up from the man’s body.  “Lovely. What a way to start a day, huh?” she commented dryly.

 

Seeing the look on her face, Howie laughed.  “Welcome back, Dr. Parker.”

 

+++

 

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.

 

Stopping outside Bailey Cole’s room, he lifted her chart from the door as a smile slowly spread across his handsome face.

 

“Hey, good morning,” Nick said softly, entering the room.  He closed the curtain dividing the room and perched on the edge of her bed.

 

“Morning,” Bailey greeted him, setting down her book.

 

“You’re up early,” Nick remarked.  It was just after seven.

 

Bailey shrugged.  “I woke up about six and couldn’t get back to sleep.”

 

“Well, I heard you got some good news yesterday,” Nick started, unable to suppress a smile.  “Your leukemia’s in remission?  You’ll probably be going home soon?”

 

Bailey’s reaction was not exactly what Nick was expecting.  She simply nodded and looked down at her covers.

 

“What’s wrong?” Nick asked immediately, frowning.  “This is great news, Bailey.”

 

“I guess so,” Bailey replied with a half-hearted shrug.

 

“Don’t you want to go home?” asked Nick, confused.

 

Bailey looked up at him, her eyes meeting his.  His eyes were filled with puzzlement, hers with forlornness.  “Home?  I don’t have a home, Nick,” she said bitterly.  “ ‘Home’ for me means going to live with perfect strangers for a few months, then getting shipped back to the children’s home until I can get placed into yet another foster home.  But I can never really ‘go home’.”

 

“Bailey, your foster parents have come every day to see you.  They care about you, and I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to find out you’re finally coming to live with them.  I know it’s 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.”

 

Bailey shook her head.  “I’ve given up wishing for that,” she said.  “Nobody wants to adopt an eleven-year-old.  They only want babies or cute little kids.  Nobody would want an ugly, diseased thing like me.”  Her eyes had filled with tears, but she blinked them back furiously, stubbornly refusing to let them fall.

 

“Bailey…” 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.  “It’ll be okay, Bailey,” he said, almost pleadingly, wishing he could make her happy.  “Everything’ll be okay.”

 

Bailey’s 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.

 

“Thank you,” Bailey said finally, her voice thick, as she pulled away from him.  “I needed that.”

 

He gave her a sympathetic smile and nodded.  “Anytime,” he replied, and he meant it.

 

+++

 

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.

 

“Good morning, Dr. Parker,” he said.  Even though she was supposed to be his supervisor, he didn’t know Dr. Bianca Parker well; she hadn’t 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’t given her a very good first impression.  But now that she was back at work, he hoped he could change that.

 

“Hi, Justin!” Bianca replied.  “How are you?  Been getting along okay with out me?”  She winked.

 

“Yup,” Justin said proudly.  “How are you doing?  Looks like you just got here; you want me to take that patient off your hands?”

 

Bianca started to insist that she was fine; she didn’t want to be treated like she was weak or fragile all day.  But then a devious smile crossed her face.  “Why, sure, Justin, thank you,” she said with exaggerated gratitude.  “The EMTs will fill you in on his condition.”  Then she breezed by him and headed into the lounge, snickering as soon as she was out of earshot.

 

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.

 

Turning around to face the dirty man on the stretcher, he noticed the three EMTs giggling.

 

“Looks like you just got screwed over, dude,” laughed Amelia.

 

Justin sighed heavily and tried not to breathe.  “Yeah,” he said grudgingly.  “Looks like it.  Let’s take him to Exam 3.”

 

+++

 

Justin made a face as he leaned over the unconscious man.  He pulled out his penlight and tentatively reached out to hold the man’s eyelids open while he flashed the light into them.

 

“Pupils are equal and reactive,” he said, his voice breathy, for he was still attempting to hold his breath.

 

“Oh, would you grow up?” snapped Allison, rolling her eyes in exasperation.  “If you’re going to be an ER doc, you’re going to see people like this, so you better get used to it.”

 

Justin didn’t reply, but glared at her as soon as she turned away.  “Geesh, what’s up her ass today?” he muttered under his breath to Amelia, who was standing beside him.

 

“What did you say?” asked Allison, raising an eyebrow at him.

 

“Nothing,” Justin said quickly, his face getting hot.  “Oh, sick, this dude’s got some kind of rash here,” he commented, pointing at the man’s neck, which was covered in small red blotches.

 

Allison peered closer.  “Ah, you get a real treat today.  He’s got scabies.  Mites.”

 

Amelia couldn’t help but shudder; the thought of tiny parasites crawling around on her made her skin crawl. 

 

Justin grimaced in repulsion.  “Oh, God, this is just not going to be my day,” he moaned.

 

“Well, we better get going now.  Get one of the nurses in here to help you,” announced Howie, grinning devilishly.  “Have fun.”

 

The three paramedics breezed out of the room, leaving Justin alone.

 

“Great… now what am I supposed to do with him?” he muttered aloud, shooting the man a resentful glare.

 

“Talking to yourself, Timberlake?” nurse Natalie Spade laughed, as she walked into the room.  “You need some help in here?”

 

Justin had begun to blush again, but he quickly regained his composure and grinned wickedly.  “Yeah, I sure do.  I think this guy’s gonna need a bath.  And isn’t that a nurse’s job?”

 

Natalie took one look at the patient, then at Justin’s devilish face, and sighed.  “Lovely.”

 

+++

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.

“Good morning, Jaela!”  

Jaela spun around and saw nurse Mandie Smith down the hall, coming her way.

“Good morning, Mandie. What can I do for you today?” Jaela asked as she turned around and greeted the young nurse with a smile.

Mandie suppressed her gasp of surprise and returned the smile. “Well, I just needed to know if I could talk to you about something, whenever you are ready, of course.” 

Jaela ignored the look of surprise on Mandie’s face and nodded her head in approval. “Just 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 the hospital day care center?  I was running late today and didn’t have enough time to drop her off, so this is the best alternative.” 

“Of course, no problem,” Mandie replied as she took the young child from Jaela’s arms.  

“Thank you, Mandie. Now if you will excuse me, I have some things I need to accomplish before I start my shift.” 

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’s face not hidden by the makeup she wore. 

+++

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. Jim had been at his son, Lance’s, bedside almost every possible moment since he and his wife had received the news of Lance’s suicide attempt, which Jim would prefer to call an “accident”.  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. The reason he sat alone was that his wife had flat out refused to come see their son anymore, and Jim figured she probably wouldn’t come unless the worse happened, and Lance did pass on. Jim knew Diane was disappointed in their son, but why couldn’t she just put that behind her and be there for their son? 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. 

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’s 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.  

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. 

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’s condition later that day. Dr. Hill stressed that they had not and didn’t plan on giving up hope for Lance, and neither should Lance’s 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.

After the doctor left, Jim quietly walked out of the NeuroICU in search for a pay phone.  He had an important phone call to make.

+++

“Consultation meeting in five minutes. Be ready!” 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.

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. 

“Dr. Brunson, Dr. Richardson, Dr. Veers, Dr. King, thank you for taking time to come to this meeting,” Alana said in greeting. “Today 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.” 

“Right,” Dr. King said, taking control over the meeting. “As 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.”  

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.

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.

Lance’s life was now resting on a decision made in a large, impersonal conference room. They couldn’t back out now. This decision would either be a success or a failure. Everybody hoped for the first option.  

+++

Around noon, Kevin Richardson took the elevator down to the ER to meet his girlfriend, Elizabeth O’Brien, for lunch.  She had just finished with a patient and was there to greet him when he stepped out of the elevator.

 

“You ready to go?” he asked, and she nodded.

 

“All set.”

 

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’s, the little café they ate in nearly every day.  The food wasn’t exceptional, but it beat the cafeteria food, and it was the close to the hospital.

 

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. 

 

While they waited for their food, Kevin remarked, “It’s Homecoming at Johnson tonight.  They’re playing Indian Valley.  Should be a pretty good game. You wanna go?”

 

Johnson High School, one of Atlantic City’s two public high schools, was not Kevin’s 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’t 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.

 

Elizabeth made a face.  “You know I hate football,” she replied.

 

Kevin chuckled.  “That’s only ‘cause you don’t understand it.”

 

“I don’t.  What’s the point?  It’s a stupid game.”

 

“It’s not stupid, if you knew what was going on.  I’d explain it to you, if you’d just-“

 

“No, Kevin, I don’t want to spend the night at some stupid high school football game.  Besides, it looks like it’s going to rain.”  She glanced out the window at the cloudy, light gray sky.

 

“Oh, a little rain’ll never hurt, you big wuss,” Kevin said lightly, but he couldn’t 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 – 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 for 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’t the kind of person you would take to karaoke night.  Or to a football game, I guess, Kevin thought dejectedly.

 

“So, what should we do tonight?” Elizabeth asked.

 

Kevin frowned at her.  “I don’t know what you’re going to do, but I’m going to the game,” he replied. 

 

Now it was Elizabeth’s turn to frown.  She looked like she wanted to protest, but she stopped herself, closed her mouth, and just shrugged.  “Alright, fine,” she said simply and looked away from him.  The conversation died down after that, and they didn’t say much more until the waitress brought their food.

 

+++

 

“Hey, Hayley!” Kevin called, on seeing the redheaded nurse in the hall when he arrived back on the surgical floor.

 

“Hey, ‘sup, Kev?” Hayley greeted him, smiling casually. 

 

“You wanna come to the Johnson football game with me tonight?  Elizabeth doesn’t want to go.”

 

Hayley wasn’t 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.

 

“Sure, I guess so,” Hayley said.  “Is it supposed to rain tonight?”

 

“I dunno,” answered Kevin.  “It’s cloudy, but hopefully it’ll hold off till tomorrow.”

 

“Yeah, hopefully,” Hayley replied.  “Well, I better get going.  I’m assisting Holli on a gastric bypass in a little bit.  See ya around.”

 

“Have fun,” Kevin said with a smirk.

 

Hayley rolled her eyes.  “Oh, I will,” she said with sarcastic enthusiasm, smiling at him as she turned and walked back down the hall.

 

+++

 

“Hey, Addie, are you ready to go?” Jack Palmer called to his girlfriend, Addie, who was getting ready in the bathroom.

 

“Yup,” she said, emerging.  She came out into the apartment’s tiny living room and slung her purse over her shoulder with a tired sigh.  After a long day at work, Addie couldn’t wait to get home from the football game they were going to, sink into bed beside Josh, and go to sleep.

 

“Alright, let’s 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’t reviewed yet,” Jack said.

 

“Okay,” replied Addie, and the two of them went down to the parking lot outside their apartment house.  They climbed into Jack’s black Mercury Cougar and were on their way.

 

When they reached Memorial, Jack parked in the staff lot and turned off the engine.  “Just wait here,” he told Addie.  “I’ll be right back.”

 

“Okay,” 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.

 

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.

 

“Please, I have to find my daughter!  Her name is Abby James.  She was in a car accident!  Please, where is she?  Is she okay?”

 

“Ma’am, you have to calm down,” Natalie was saying patiently.  “The doctors are still working on your daughter, and when they’re done, someone will come talk to you.  If you could please just wait over their in chairs…”

 

“No, I can’t wait!  Not until I know what’s wrong with her!  Please, please just let me see her!”

 

“Ma’am, you need to go sit in chairs right now,” Natalie said again.  “Just calm down and go wait.  Someone will be out as soon as they know something.  You aren’t allowed in the room while they’re working.”

 

She finally coaxed the woman into going to sit down in the waiting area and then gave Jack a frazzled smile.  “What are you doing here?” she asked.  “You’re not working tonight, are you?”

 

“No,” Jack said.  “I’m looking for Justin, actually.  He’s still here, right?”

 

“Yeah, you just got him in time.  He gets off in half an hour,” Natalie replied.

 

“Oh good.  Do you know where he is?”

 

“Um, I think he’s with a patient right now.  Try Exam 4,” said Natalie.

 

“Thanks,” Jack told her gratefully and rushed off to Exam 4.  He found Justin suturing a little girl’s finger.  “Hey, Justin?”

 

Justin looked up.  “Oh, hi, Dr. Palmer,” he said.  “What are you doing here?”

 

“You’re off at seven, right?” Jack asked.

 

“Yeah, why?”

 

“Can you do me a huge favor?”

 

“What is it?” asked Justin

 

“Come here,” Jack said, motioning Justin away from his patient.

 

“Just a minute, honey,” Justin said to the little girl, who nodded shyly.  “Okay, what is it?” Justin asked, as Jack led him out into the hall.

 

“Alright,” Jack said, his voice low and secretive.  “Here’s what I need you to do…”

 

+++

 

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.

 

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.

 

When the teams began to warm up, the crowd calmed down, and Kevin took his seat again.  “You want anything before the game starts?” he asked Hayley, watching as a rather hefty woman waddled by with a large container of nachos.

 

“No, I’m fine for now,” she replied.  “Maybe at halftime.”

 

Her eyes drifted over the football field, snickering as the 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’ hands, a smile plastered on her face as she raised a fist in the air.

 

“Oh wow, did you see that kick?”  Kevin was nudging her excitedly in the side.  “Did you see that kick, Hay?  It looked like it could have been a 50-yarder!”  Hayley glanced at the Johnson kicker, who had begun to practice his field goals.

 

“Jeez, don’t wet yourself, Kev,” Hayley teased, grinning at him.  “No, I didn’t see it.”

 

“Watch, just watch him.  He’s got a good leg on him, that kid.”

 

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.

 

“Sorry, excuse me, excuse me, sorry,” 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.

 

“Pam!  How are you doing, dear?  I haven’t talked to you in forever!” Hayley heard the woman exclaim.  Hayley didn’t hear the other woman’s reply, but then the red-haired woman said, “Oh, look!  They’ve got Angel on the top of that pyramid!  That’s my girl!  She’s the best flyer on the squad!”

 

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’s mother from the corner of her eye and saw that she was wearing a green sweatshirt embroidered with “Cheerleader Mom” 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.

 

Suddenly, the speakers overhead crackled, and a man’s voice projected over the stands.  “Welcome to Johnson High’s 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!”

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 “JHS”. 

 

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.

 

+++

 

Three minutes before halftime, the Cobras were up 21-10 and had just recovered a Panther fumble.  Things looked promising for Johnson.

 

“You want to get something to eat now?” Kevin asked Hayley.  “We can beat the rush if we head down to the concession stand now.”

 

“Yeah, sure,” 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. 

 

“What do you want?” Kevin asked, when it came time for them to order.  He took out his wallet from his back pocket.

 

“Oh, no, I’ll get it,” Hayley said.  She had already removed her own billfold from her purse.

 

“No, no, it’s my treat,” Kevin insisted.  “What do you want?”

 

“Popcorn and a bottled water,” Hayley replied.  “But really, I can pay for myself.”

 

Kevin ignored her and ordered her popcorn and bottled water, along with his Coke and pork chop.

 

“You didn’t have to do that,” Hayley said, when he handed her her food a few minutes later. 

 

“I know.  I wanted to,” replied Kevin, grinning.  “You ready to head back up?”  Hayley nodded, and they made their way back to the bleachers, pushing past the swarm of fans heading towards the concession stand.

 

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.

 

“You okay, Angel?” asked a tall, tan blonde, noticing the redhead.

 

“Yeah, I’m okay,” replied Angel, but her voice sounded oddly shaky.  “I just don’t feel that great.  I think I’m coming down with something.”

 

“You look really pale.  You should eat something.  Want me to get you a sandwich?” the blonde asked.

 

Angel shook her head.  “No, that’s okay.  I’m fine.  Thanks anyway though.”

 

“Well… okay,” the blonde said uncertainly.  “I’m going to go get some more water.  Be right back.”

 

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. 

 

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.

 

One of their voices rose over the others.  “Somebody get help!”

 

+++

 

AJ, Harry, and Kylie sat in the back of an ambulance, which was parked near the stands on the visitors’ 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.

 

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. 

 

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 awhile, 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. 

 

Suddenly, the radio in the ambulance crackled.  “EMT squad, please bring your rig around to the home side of the field.  We’ve got a cheerleader down.”

 

AJ jumped up.  “Guys, one of the cheerleaders collapsed,” 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’s seat, and Kylie into the passenger side.  AJ shut the back doors, and the ambulance started up, quickly pulling out onto the track.

 

+++

 

Hayley glanced back at Kevin to see that he had noticed the cheerleaders too.  Without a moment’s hesitation, he turned and ran back, pushing past people to get to the fence.  Hayley followed behind him.

 

“I’m a doctor!” he called to the cheerleaders.  He quickly climbed the chain-length fence and dropped down on the other side.  “Move back, girls,” he said to the cheerleaders, gently pushing them away from their friend.

 

Hayley hoisted herself over the fence as well and knelt down beside Kevin, who was already hovering over the girl, taking her pulse.

 

“Her heart’s racing.  She’s tachycardic,” he said to Hayley, trying to keep his voice low so that the frightened girls wouldn’t hear.  Looking up at the cheerleaders, he asked, “Girls, do you know if she took anything?  Any kind of drugs?”

 

“No, no way,” one of them said shakily.  “Angel would never do drugs.”

 

“Could it be because she hasn’t eaten?” another one asked.  “I don’t think I’ve seen her eat all evening.”

 

Hayley studied Angel’s pale, skinny body.  She didn’t look like she weighed anything over a hundred pounds.  “Maybe she’s anorexic,” she whispered to Kevin.  “Look how skinny she is.”

 

“Could be,” he said.  “She’s severely dehydrated.  Are the EMTs bringing the ambulance around yet?  We need to get some fluids into her.”

 

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.  “Yeah, they’re coming,” she told Kevin.

 

“What’s wrong with her?” one of the cheerleaders cried tearfully.  “Is she dying?”

 

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.

 

“She’s tachycardic and dehydrated,” Kevin told them, as they bent over to lift Angel onto the stretcher.

 

“Thanks, Kev,” said Harry.  “Kylie, insert an IV and start her on saline, and let’s get a pulse and BP.”

 

“Pulse is 170.  She’s in V-tach.  Her heart’s beating itself to death.  We gotta defibrillate her,” AJ said quickly.

 

“Let’s get her into the ambulance first,” Harry said.  “We don’t want all these people to see that.”

 

AJ and Kylie nodded, and the three paramedics quickly transferred Angel into the ambulance.

 

“You guys need any help?” Kevin asked.

 

“No, we got it,” Harry called back.  To his team, he said, “Let’s go ahead and transport her to Memorial now.  Kylie, you drive.  AJ, get her hooked up to the monitors.  I’ll charge the defibrillator.”

 

They sprung 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.

 

But things went on.  Over the loudspeaker, the announcer said, “Please direct your attention to the track on the home side, where we will now announce this year’s Homecoming court.”

 

Kevin and Hayley exchanged glances and slowly made their way back to their seats.

 

+++

 

“Dr. O’Brien, 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,” said Natalie Spade to Elizabeth O’Brien.

 

“Okay.  Get a room ready,” Elizabeth replied.  “Siara, can you assist me on a patient that’s coming in in about five minutes?”

 

“Sure, Dr. O’Brien,” answered Dr. Siara Reily.

 

When the ambulance pulled up, the two doctors rushed out to meet the EMT’s.  Together, they unloaded the patient, a skinny red-haired girl in a cheerleading uniform.

 

“Her name is Angel, she’s seventeen, collapsed during the football game, severely dehydrated, tachycardic on the scene, lost her pulse in the ambulance.  She’s been down for about five minutes,” fired off Harry, as they whisked the stretcher into the ER.

 

“Let’s move her on three,” Elizabeth said, as soon as they got into a room.  “One… two… three.”  They all quickly lifted Angel up and moved her onto the gurney in the room.  “Let’s get her hooked up to the monitors.”  The heart monitor registered a rapid, irregular beat.  “She’s in V-fib,” Elizabeth said.  “Charge the paddles to 200… and clear!”

 

+++

 

“Natalie, do you know if anyone for that cheerleader, Angel, has come in?” Elizabeth asked Natalie, stepping up to the counter of the nurses station.

 

“Uh… yeah, a Mrs. McGrail came in a little while ago, looking for her daughter Angel,” Natalie replied.  “She’s sitting over there in chairs.”  She pointed out a heavy set redhead in a green and yellow “Cheerleader Mom” sweatshirt.

 

“Thanks, Natalie,” Elizabeth said and went over to the woman.  “Mrs. McGrail?” she asked.

 

“Yes.”  The woman looked up, her face lined with worry.  “Are you Angel’s doctor?  Where is she?  Is she okay?”

 

“Yes, I’m Dr. O’Brien, and your daughter has been stabilized.  You can go in and see her in a few minutes, but first I’d like to talk to you about her condition,” said Elizabeth.  “When the paramedics got to Angel on the scene, she was tachycardic, meaning her heart was beating extremely fast.  She was also severly 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.”

 

“What?!  Anorexia!”  Mrs. McGrail cried, horrified.  “Nonsense!  Angel’s not anorexic.  She just likes to watch her weight.  She’s a cheerleader, you know, and she also runs track.  She has to keep in shape.”

 

“Well, she’s most certainly not in shape right now,” Elizabeth said, rather sharply.  “Your daughter is starving herself to death, Mrs. McGrail.  If she keeps this up, she could die.  I’d 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 medial treatment and counseling she needs.”

 

“Counseling?  What, are you suggesting that Angel’s crazy now too or something?!” Mrs. McGrail cried, her voice rising defensively.

 

“Of course not.  But anorexia is just as much as physical disorder as it is a mental one.  It gives its victims a distorted view of their bodies,” said Elizabeth.  “Angel needs some counseling to help her overcome that.  That does not mean she’s ‘crazy’ though.”

 

“Well, you’re not getting my consent for anything!” Mrs. McGrail argued.  “I’d just like to take my daughter home now, thank you very much.”

 

“Angel’s condition is very serious. She’s stabilized now, but she was close to death earlier,” Elizabeth said.  “She’ll need to stay the night at least and maybe even another day or two, until we can get her re-hyrdated.”

 

“Fine then,” Mrs. McGrail practically spat.  “Can I see her now?”

 

“Certainly,” Elizabeth said briskly.  “Follow me.”

 

+++

 

Addie sighed happily as Jack pulled his black Cougar into the small parking lot outside her apartment house.  “Home sweet home,” she said.  “I’m so glad this day is over.  I just wanna take a long, hot bath and go to bed.”

 

He turned and smiled at her.  “I’ll join you,” 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.

 

“My, my,” she said impishly.  “Aren’t you just the gentleman tonight, taking me out to a gourmet Hardees meal and all?”

 

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. 

 

“Wait a minute,” he said.  “Close your eyes.”

 

“What?”

 

“Just close your eyes,” 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.

 

Good job, Timberlake, he thought with a relieved smile.

 

“What have you been plotting, Jack?” Addie asked, a hint of laughter in her voice.  “Can I open my eyes yet?”

 

“Yeah,” Jack said.  “Open your eyes.”

 

Addie did so, slowly, and when she looked into the small living room, she gasped.  “Oh, Jack!”

 

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.

 

“Oh, Jack!” Addie breathed again.  “It’s beautiful!  How… how did you…”

 

“With a little help from my trusty med student,” Jack said with a grin.  “The kid finally got something right.”

 

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’t exactly original, but she loved traditional sappy things, and Jack had never done anything like this before.

 

“Come here,” Jack said, sitting down on the worn couch and pulling her into his lap.  “Do you know how much I love you?”

 

“I think I do now,” replied Addie, kissing him gently.  “You’re so sweet.  I had no idea.”

 

Jack smiled.  “Here, how about some champagne?”  He opened the bottle and poured champagne into the two glasses.  “To us,” he toasted, and they gently clinked their goblets together.

 

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.  “Addie, can I ask you something?” he asked.

 

Addie’s heart began to pound.  “What?”

 

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.

 

“I love you, Addie.  That’s really all I can say.  You’re my best friend and my other half.  Will you marry me?”  He flipped open the little box to reveal a sparkling diamond.

 

“Oh, Jack!” Addie cried for the third time that night, her eyes filling with tears.  “Yes!”

 

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’t like yellow gold) and simple, but elegant, with just one beautiful diamond glittering up at her.

 

“Is the ring okay?” he asked, watching her face.

 

“It’s perfect!” she cried, wrapping her arms around him.  “I just love it… and you.”  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.

 

Jack pulled back and smiled at her affectionately.  “I love you too.”

 

+++

 

 

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