And if he does, what will you do, Terry? Once again youve leaped into a situation without thinking.
Well, she didnt need to think about it to know these people needed help. What kind of a paramedic would she be if she walked away? One way or another, she was getting this child to a physician.
A pair of headlights slashed through the dusk as a car bucketed down the lane. Distracted, the crew chief spun to stare as the car pulled to a stop a few feet away, the beams outlining their figures.
She was caught in the act. She wouldnt have to take Juan to a doctor. Jake had come to him.
Jake took his time turning off the ignition and getting out of the car. He needed the extra minutes to get his anger under control. One day into the program, and Terry had broken his rules already.
Shed also, from the tension in their stances when his headlights had picked them out, put herself in a bad situation. There had been something menacing about the way the crew chief confronted her, moderating Jakes anger with fear for her.
The manJordan, he rememberedswung toward him. What is this? A convention? Dont you people have enough to do without bothering us?
Jake let his gaze rest on the man until Jordan shifted his weight nervously. Then he turned toward Terry.
Her shoulders tensed, as if expecting an assault. But no matter how tempted he might be, he owed Terry a certain amount of professional courtesy.
What do we have, Ms. Flanagan?
Her breath caught a little. Juan Ortiz, age six. Youll recall he was treated in the E.R. Temp 103, upset stomach, dehydrated. I was about to bring him to the E.R. when Mr. Jordan intervened.
He knew enough about Terry to know she couldnt turn away from a sick child. His gaze sliced to Jordan. Why were you trying to keep them from taking the child to the hospital?
Jordans face twisted into a conciliatory smile. Look, it was just a misunderstanding. Id never do a thing like that.
He felt Terrys rejection of the words as if they were touching. Well, theyd deal with Jordan later. The important thing now was the child.
Lets go inside and examine Juan. Then we can see what else is necessary.
The girl, Manuela, explained to her mother in a flood of Spanish, and they all trooped into the cement block building that appeared to be home.
A few minutes later he tousled Juans hair. Youre going to be fine, young man. He glanced at Terry, naming the medications he wanted. You have all that at the clinic?
She nodded. Ill run over and get them.
Wait. Ill drive you. And well talk. He turned back to Manuela. Im writing down all the instructions for you. Its very important to give him liquids, but just a little at a time. A couple of sips every ten or fifteen minutes. Youll make sure your mother understands?
Yes, doctor. She straightened, as if with pride. I will take care of Juan myself. Everything will be done exactly as you say.
Good girl. You sound as if youd make a good doctor or nurse one day.
He saw something in her face thenan instant of longing, dashed quickly by hopelessness. Hed seen that look before. It shouldnt be found on childrens faces.
I would like, yes. But its not possible. This is my life. Her gesture seemed to take in the fields, the building, the people.
But, Manuela Terry began.
He shook his head at her and she fell silent. Now was not the time. But her expression made him fear Terry was taking off on another crusade.
Well, you can practice your skills with your little brother. He handed her the instructions. Do you understand all that?
She read through it quickly and nodded.
Good girl. Hell be a lot more comfortable once we get his fever down. Well be back in a few minutes with the medication, okay?
Okay. Her smile blossomed, seeming to light the drab room.
He glanced at Terry. Shall we go?
She picked up her kit. Im ready.
They walked to the car in silence. Hed intended to read the riot act to Terry once they were alone, but by the time they were bouncing down the lane, his anger had dissipated.
She was the one to break the silence. Why did you come?
He shrugged. I wanted to check on how the first day went. Instead I found your car there, you gone. This seemed the likely place.
You mean you expected me to break the rules. She sounded ready for battle.
Lets say I wasnt entirely surprised.
The child was sick. What did you expect me to do?
You should have called me. Look, Terry, I understand why you went, but thats not acceptable. If it happens again, Ill pull the plug on the clinic.
Her hands clenched into fists on her knees. Youre pretty good at that, arent you? Cutting your losses.
The jab went right under his defenses, leaving him breathless for an instant. He yanked the wheel, pulling to a stop in front of the clinic. Before she could get out, he grabbed the door handle, preventing her from moving. They were very close in the dark confines of the car.
I thought we were going to leave the past behind. He grated the words through the pain.
Im sorry. It was a bare whisper, and the grief arced between them. I shouldnt have said anything.
No. You shouldnt have.
This was no good. They were both trapped by what had happened, and he didnt see that ever changing.
Chapter Four
Terry walked back into the clinic, aware of Jake pacing behind her. Why didnt he just leave and let her take care of getting the meds to Manuela? The last thing she needed was to have him trailing along behind her as if she couldnt be trusted to do a simple thing like this.
And does he know that he can trust you, Theresa? The voice of her conscience sounded remarkably like her mother. You certainly havent shown him that youll follow his rules so far.
Even worse, shed brought up the past that both of them knew theyd have to ignore if they were to have any sort of working relationship. She had to do betterhad to find a way to curb her tongue, along with that Flanagan temper that flared too easily.
She took a small cooler from the shelf and began filling it with ice.
The antibiotic doesnt have to be refrigerated.
He was second-guessing her already. She would not reply in kind, but her lip was going to get sore from biting it if she had to be around Jake too much.
I know. I thought Manuela could give Juan some ice chips to suck on.
He gave a short nod and took the cooler from her, holding it while she scooped the rest of the ice in. Where is the drug box? His voice sharpened. Surely you didnt leave it here with the clinic unattended.
She held back a sarcastic reply with more control than shed thought she possessed. She met his gaze. Its locked in the trunk of my car.
Good. He snapped the word, but then he shook his head. Sorry. That wasnt an accusation.
She supposed that was an olive branch. A good working relationship, she reminded herself. You dont have to like the man, just get along with him professionally.
I know. Believe me, being responsible for that drug box is at the top of my list. She hesitated. How much more should she say about what had happened tonight? My family always accuses me of leaping before I look. I guess I proved them right tonight, didnt I? I reacted on instinct.
I know. Believe me, being responsible for that drug box is at the top of my list. She hesitated. How much more should she say about what had happened tonight? My family always accuses me of leaping before I look. I guess I proved them right tonight, didnt I? I reacted on instinct.
That was an apology, if hed take it that way.
Fast reactions are important for first responders like paramedics
She had a feeling there was a but coming at the end of that sentence. Dont forget Im a firefighter, too. Sometimes its tough to keep the jobs sorted out.
He blinked. I didnt realize that. In the city, being a paramedic is a full-time job.
Its what Im doing most of the time, but our department isnt all that big. When an alarm comes, I do whatever I have to. She smiled. Cant let the rest of the family down.
Now shed confused him. The rest of the family?
All of the Flanagans are associated with the fire department in one way or another. My father and one of his brothers started the tradition, and our generation just carried it on. Even my cousin, Brendan, the one you met at the board meeting
He nodded, frowning a little, as if that board meeting wasnt the happiest of memories.
Brendans the pastor of Grace Church, but hes also the fire department chaplain. He manages to put himself in harms way a little too often to suit his wife. The otherswell, youll meet them all at the picnic on Sunday.
This was the point at which he could make some excuse to get out of Moms impulsive invitation. He probably wanted to.
Ill look forward to that. He paused, his arm brushing hers as he reached for the lid of the cooler. Unless thats going to be uncomfortable for you. If youd prefer I not come, Ill respect that.
He was too close, and she was too aware of him. Instead of looking up at his face, she focused on his capable fingers, snapping the cooler lid in place as efficiently as hed stitch a cut.
An armistice between themthat was what she needed. Maybe letting him see the Flanagans in full force would help that along. Besides, as Mom had said, theyd all be on her side, whether she wanted their help or not.
The silence had stretched too long between them. Hed think she was making too much of this.
Of course I want you to come. She met his gaze, managing a smile. Youre new in town. We all want to make you feel welcome. Even though shed rather hed found any hospital in the country other than Suffolks Providence Hospital to work in.
Ill look forward to it, then.
Fine. Ill write up the directions to my brothers farm for you. A truce, she reminded herself.
She began sorting the intake forms that had been left on the desk. Ill just put these away and then run the meds over to the camp on my way out. If youd like to leave, please dont feel you have to stay around.
Ill take the meds over. He shook his head before she could get a protest out. Its not a reflection on you, Terry. I just think its safer if you dont go over there tonight. In fact, no one should be at the clinic alone.
Shall I add that to the rules? She couldnt keep the sarcasm out of her voice, and his mouth tightened.
The rules are designed to keep everyone safe. Including you. But you have to follow them.
I know. Stop making him angry, you idiot. Next time anything comes up, Ill call the hospital first.
No, call me. You have my cell number, dont you?
She nodded. But you werent on duty tonight. Wouldnt you rather we call the E.R.? And now shed let him know that she was keeping tabs on his schedule.
That doesnt matter. Id prefer to be called, so I know firsthand whats happening here. The welfare of the patients and the staff are my responsibility.
That almost sounded as if he cared about the clinic, instead of finding it an unwelcome burden foisted on him by the hospital administration.
Im glad you feel that way. Its good to know we can count on you.
She glanced at him, but he wasnt looking at her. Instead he was frowning at the cement block wall, as if he saw something unpleasant written there.
My responsibility, he repeated. Then he focused on her, the frown deepening. Look, its just as well you understand this. Anything that goes wrong at the clinic is going to reflect on me in the long run. And I dont intend to have my position jeopardized by other peoples mistakes. Is that clear?
Crystal clear. She nodded.
It really was a shame. Just when she began to think Jake was actually human, he had to turn around and prove he wasnt.
Dr. Landsdowne, may I have a word, please?
The voice of the hospital administrator stopped Jake in his tracks. It felt as if William Morley had been dogging his steps ever since the migrant clinic program got off the ground. He turned, pinning a pleasant look on his face, and stepped out of the way of a linen cart being pushed down the hospital hallway.
Im on my way down to the E.R., Mr. Morley. Can it wait until later?
Morleys smile thinned. I wont take much of your time, Doctor. Have you read the memorandum I sent you regarding cutting costs in emergency services?
Every department in any hospital got periodic memos regarding cutting costs from the administratorit was part of the administrators job. Morley did seem to be keeping an eagle eye on the E.R., though.
Yes, Ive been giving it all due attention. How did the man expect him to assess cutting costs when hed only been in the department for a couple of weeks?
Morley frowned. In that case, Id expected an answer from you by this time, detailing the ways in which you expect to save the hospital money in your department.
Jake held on to his temper with an effort. He couldnt afford to antagonize the man. Its important to take the time to do the job right, dont you agree? Im still assessing the needs and the current staffing.
Perhaps if that were your first priority, youd be able to get to it more quickly.
He stiffened. The first priority of the chief of emergency services is to provide proper care for the patients who come through our doors.
Well, of course, I understand that. Morley said the words mechanically and leaned a bit closer, as if what he had to say was a secret between the two of them. However, the hospital has to make cuts if its going to remain solvent. We cant afford to have money bleeding out of the E.R. every month. We need an E.R. chief who can make it run efficiently. I hope thats you.
Money wasnt the only thing bleeding in the E.R., but it seemed unlikely Morley was ever going to understand that. The threat was clear enough, though.
Ill work on it. Now, if youll excuse me
Morley caught his arm. Another thingIm sure youre spending more time than youd like dealing with this migrant clinic.
Jake nodded. The need to approve every step taken by trained nurses and paramedics was tedious, but he couldnt see any other way of dealing with the situation.
It occurs to me that something might come upperhaps has already come upthat the board would find a logical reason to postpone this effort until another time.
The man was obviously fishing for any excuse to shut down the clinic. Jakes mind flashed to the incident two nights earlier when Terry had gone to the migrant housing, clearly breaking his rules. If he told Morley about it, the daily hassle of supervising the clinic might be over.