Chapter 58: Just Another Manic Monday

February 24, 1997, Chicago, Illinois

“Can you forgive me for being a complete ass?” I asked without waiting for a response.

“Shut the door, please.”

I nodded and shut the door, then sat down on her couch.

“I am really sorry, Sweetheart,” I repeated.

“I know. And I understand how visceral your feelings on these matters are, but for the most part, the system works pretty well.”

“Please forgive me if I vehemently disagree,” I replied softly. “But even so, I should never have said what I said to you. Will you accept my apology?”

“You really hurt me, Steve.”

“I know, Sweetheart. If I could go back and undo it, I would. I can’t, so I’m here to apologize. If you want me to grovel, I will.”

“I want you to understand how badly you hurt me.”

“Penny was fairly clear about that,” I replied. “She insisted I call back right away.”

“And if she hadn’t?”

“Who knows?” I sighed. “I’m here, I’m sorry, and I’m asking for your forgiveness.”

“I love you, but you can’t say things like that to people.”

“I know.”

“If you know, then why do it?”

“I lost my temper because I was angry and frustrated. It’s no excuse, but it is what happened.”

“I thought you had that under control; it appears you don’t. Or have you not been following your diet and exercise regimen, or not getting enough sleep?”

“I think I have,” I replied. “I do violate the carb limits on occasion, but I haven’t in the past ten days or so. And when I do, I make sure I get extra exercise. And yes, Al and Mary Whittaker know about those occasional violations.”

“I want you to have a complete physical and see Doctor Mercer.”

“I am seriously busy and have a lot of travel coming up in the next month.”

“Something is wrong and we need to find out what it is.”

I grinned, “I know what’s wrong, and a physical and having my head shrunk isn’t going to fix it.”

“I meant with you, not with the government. This wasn’t one of your usual rants; this was something else. Your anger got a hold of you and that’s not normal.”

“I’ll figure something out,” I replied.

“Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“Then I accept your apology and forgive you. This time.”

“Can I have a hug?” I asked.

Bethany smiled, “I remember asking that question so many times I can’t even count.”

She got up from her desk, I stood, and we hugged each other tightly. When she broke the hug, she took my hand and led me back out to the ER.

“Bala, page Doctor Adams, please,” Bethany requested.

“She’s in Trauma 1; she should be out in a moment. She’s just signing off on a discharge for the Resident.”

“Bethany,” I sighed in protest.

“Confession is good for the soul.”

“But a concussion isn’t good for my mind,” I replied.

“She won’t hit you in the head, though you might need Jesse’s protective cup.”

Jessica came out of Trauma 1 and hurried over when she saw us.

“Tiger? What are you doing here? Are you OK?”

“I might not be after I tell you that I cursed out Bethany and hung up on her.”

“What?!” Jessica exclaimed sternly. “What happened?”

“It’s a long story,” I replied.

“He lost his temper and I believe he needs a complete physical and a talk with Doctor Mercer,” Bethany said. “That’s his penance.”

“Bala,” Jessica said, “please page Doctor Barton ‘stat’ and I’ll need a nurse as well.”

“Jess,” I sighed.

“Shut up, Tiger!” Jessica snapped. “You are going to get your exam right now. Bethany, I’ll need you to explain to Doctor Barton what happened.”

“I can do it, Babe,” I protested.

“You’re going to shut up and get your butt into to Exam 1. Strip down to your briefs. Do you hear me?”

“Yes, Doctor Adams,” I replied flatly. “But it wasn’t a manic episode.”

“That isn’t for YOU to decide,” Jessica said. “Bethany seems to think that’s what happened. And she’s a professional.”

‘Professional pain in the ass’, I almost said aloud, which would have earned me enmity from which even Birgit couldn’t save me. Of course, if she knew I’d said something nasty to Bethany, I might even end up in HER doghouse, which was a VERY rare thing. I realized that complying with Jessica’s ‘request’ was my only option, because I was severely outnumbered by people for whom I cared a lot, and who cared a lot for me.

Ten minutes later, after a very pretty redheaded nurse had taken my vitals, Jessica, Doctor Barton, a Resident, and two medical students came into the room, which was now suddenly crowded. One of the medical students, under the direction of the Resident, attached ten patches to my body for the standard ‘12 lead’ EKG, connected the wires, then turned on the machine. After about a minute, Al tore a strip off the machine and looked it over, then handed it to Jessica.

“It looks normal for you,” Doctor Barton observed. “How are you feeling?”

“Chagrined,” I replied.

“You should, but I was talking about physically.”

“Fine,” I replied.

“Bethany thinks you’ve had another manic episode, and Jessica agrees it’s possible.”

“But I don’t FEEL like I’m having one, or had one,” I protested.

“Well, we’ll do a complete workup on you, and then you’ll get in touch with your counselor in Milford. My orders, Steve,” Doctor Barton said firmly.

Bethany’s orders, but he was making them his because he knew I’d follow them. I simply had no choice and tolerated the complete set of tests, including two blood draws, a quick vision test, an auditory test, and, much to my annoyance, a psych eval by a Resident.

“Your blood pressure was a bit elevated when the nurse first took it, but the second one was down in your normal range.”

“Being pissed off at the government will do that,” I replied acidly.

“Bethany told me. Look, all things being equal, I agree with you on most things. But in the end, as Bethany says, the system usually works. Just as the medical system usually works.”

“I bet that will come as great consolation to Libby Zion and her family,” I said acidly, once again.

“I don’t care what kind of system you put in place, there are going to be problems,” Al said firmly. “But I agree that one was egregious.”

“And beyond New York, what happened?”

“Not much, unfortunately.”

“So tell me about the system working again?”

“Is that a reason to go off on Bethany?”

I took a deep breath and let it out, “No.”

“What is this young woman to you?”

“An abused girl who reached out for help, and, in my opinion, the state is failing to help her and is sending her back to North Dakota against her will, putting her at severe risk.”

Al nodded, “I can see why you got your dander up, but going off on Bethany is way beyond your usual rants, which generally pass quickly.”

“And did you find anything wrong?” I asked.

“We won’t know until the blood work comes back. I don’t think we need to keep you for that, but I want you to call your counselor first thing in the morning and make arrangements to see her right away.”

“Yes, Dad,” I replied.

“Smart ass!” Al said with a grin. “Get dressed.”

Everyone left, I got off the exam table and put on my clothes. I was just about to leave the exam room when Bethany walked in.

“I want your gun,” she said firmly.

“No, because you can’t legally possess it. But I will give it to Elyse to keep until after I see Doctor Mercer. OK?”

“I’ll check.”

“I’d be shocked if you didn’t.”

We hugged and I walked out of the exam room to the clerk’s desk where Jessica was waiting.

“Go home and relax, Tiger. I’ll see you for dinner.”

I nodded then we hugged and exchanged a quick kiss before I left the ER for the walk back to my car. It was actually early enough that I might catch Doctor Mercer in her office, so I pulled out my cell phone and pressed the speed-dial button I’d programmed with her number. Her receptionist answered and said that Doctor Mercer was with a patient, but could call me back in about thirty minutes. I agreed and after ensuring the receptionist had my cell phone number, I hung up, got into my car, and drove the short distance to the house.

When I arrived, I retrieved my gun and satchel, then walked into the house.

“Dad!” Birgit exclaimed when she saw me walk into the house. “You’re early!”

“I am,” I replied, setting my bag down so I could get a hug.

“Steve?” Kara called out, coming towards the back door. “Why are you home?”

“I had a mini-meltdown over Willow being forced to go back to North Dakota against her will and took it out on Bethany.”

“Seriously? Bethany?”

“I know. She, Al, and Jessica all think I’m having a manic episode. I disagree.”

“You’ve had quite a few dalliances again,” Kara said.

“But I don’t FEEL like I’m manic,” I protested. “And I haven’t broken my carb limit since lunch with Dave and Tara.”

“Didn’t you have cake and ice cream a couple of times, too?”

“You’re right; I did have some at Jesse’s party,” I replied. “But only a small piece. And that was two days ago. And before that was Maria Cristina’s birthday, but that was ten days ago. I’ve been exercising, getting enough sleep, and otherwise eating right.”

“Are you going to talk to Doctor Mercer?”

“I already called her. I’m waiting for her to call back. I’ll have to find a time to go see her, but given my schedule, that will be tough.”

“You’ll do it, Steve.”

“Yes, Honey,” I replied.

My cell phone rang and I fished it from my pocket. I saw it was Doctor Mercer, so I pressed the green ‘answer’ button.

“Hi, Doctor Mercer,” I said.

“Hi, Steve. What’s going on?”

“Bethany and Al Barton think I’m having a manic episode and strongly encouraged me to see you.”

“You’re in Chicago?”

“Yes. But I have Kara and her miniature clone standing here with hands on hips, so I think that means I’m coming to Milford very soon.”

“How about early Wednesday morning?”

“Sure. I can drive down tomorrow night, and then back on Wednesday afternoon.”

“I assume it’s OK to use the same release so I can confer with Bethany and Al.”

“Of course,” I replied.

“See you at 7:00am on Wednesday.”

We said ‘goodbye’ and I hung up.

“7:00am on Wednesday morning. I’ll drive down tomorrow evening. I’ll call Joyce and make sure I can use the guest house. I won’t see anyone else, though I might have lunch with my dad if he’s free.”

“I’d prefer you left by 3:00pm so you’re there by 10:00pm Ohio time.”

“OK,” I replied. “I’ll work that out. I’m going to change.”

I went upstairs and changed into shorts and a t-shirt, went to Elyse’s room and put the gun and holster on her shelf, relocked the door, then went back downstairs just in time for Jessica to arrive home. Kara and I went upstairs with her so she could change and I ket her know about my plans for seeing Doctor Mercer. Once she’d changed, we all headed downstairs for dinner.

Elyse was home, so I explained what had happened and that I’d put the gun on her shelf next to the shotgun, and that she should expect a call from Bethany. I got yet another firm talking to, and then we went to the table to eat dinner with the rest of the family. We’d just finished when the doorbell rang. Winter was standing, so she went to answer it.

“Steve,” she called out, “Tom Quinn is here to see you.”

“And the hits just keep on coming,” I sighed.

I got up and went to meet a grim-faced Tom at the door, and took him to my study. I offered him a glass of Blanton’s which he accepted.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“You will be, if you make my wife cry like that again,” he said firmly. “Damn it, Steve, you know how much you mean to her. You can’t say things like that!”

“I know,” I replied. “That’s why I immediately went to see her to apologize. That’s no excuse for what I did, but I do understand that I did something terrible because I let my temper get away from me.”

“Since I’ve known you, I’ve never seen that happen. I heard you had a complete medical check. Is everything OK?”

“Grossly, yes. They’re waiting for the blood test results, and I’m going to see my counselor on Wednesday. Bethany probably hasn’t told you, but my syncopal episodes aren’t the only issue - I’ve been dealing with mild bipolar disorder for years. Bethany thinks that’s what happened today, but I’m not sure. My counselor will figure it out, along with whatever the blood tests show.”

“That does change things a little bit, but you have to make sure you take your medication and have the dosages checked regularly.”

“I’m not on medication,” I replied. “It’s being treated with diet, exercise, and sufficient sleep, and that treatment has been very effective. The bipolar disorder might be related to the syncopal episodes, and it might not. I’ll work it out with my counselor, though, one way or the other.”

I heard the doorbell ring and wondered who else might be dropping by to rip me a new one. I knew it wasn’t Jennifer, who would simply come in the back door to kick my ass, nor Kathy and Kurt, who would simply walk in the front door to do the same thing. About twenty seconds later there was a knock at the study door.

“Yes?” I called out.

The door opened and Kara stuck her head in, “Steve, I’m sorry to interrupt, but you need to come!”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s Amelia.”

I jumped up and hurried out of the study with Tom following behind me. I found Amelia in the foyer with Jessica, who was looking over an ugly red splotch just below Amelia’s eye, which was going to be an ugly bruise.

“What happened?” I demanded.

“My dad was hitting my mom and I tried to stop him!”

I took a deep breath and let it out, fighting the urge to simply storm her house and beat the living shit out of her dad.

“Amelia, what’s your address?” I asked.

“4820 South Kimbark.”

“Kara? Call 9-1-1 and tell the police there’s a domestic disturbance. Go!”

Kara turned and hurried to the kitchen to use the phone.

“Doctor Jessica, do you need help?” Tom asked.

“Yes. I want to examine her. Tiger, we’ll use your study, OK?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll get your bag.”

I sprinted upstairs, bounding up two steps at a time, grabbed Jessica’s bag and took it to the study where Amelia was sitting in one of the leather chairs. Jessica took the bag, opened it, and handed Tom the blood pressure cuff and stethoscope. She took out her light and examined both of Amelia’s eyes while Tom took Amelia’s blood pressure.

“Steve, she’s probably going to need shelter,” Jessica said. “Call the Project Lydia coordinator’s desk, please.”

“On it,” I said, stepping out as Jessica attached a plastic cone to turn her light into an otoscope to check Amelia’s ears and nose.

I found the number in my cell phone contact list and pressed the button to dial. After two rings, the phone was answered.

“Hi, this is Steve Adams. I’m a member of the Board of Directors and I have a young girl, and possibly her mother, who will likely need shelter after they receive medical treatment.”

“We do have two beds. First names, please?”

“Monica and Amelia. I don’t know what time.”

“That’s OK. I’m here until midnight when my relief comes in, and I’ll leave a note.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“You’re very welcome.”

I hung up and went back to the door of the study.

“All set,” I said. “They have two beds, if they’re needed. How’s Amelia?”

“Good,” Jessica replied. “She’s going to have a nasty bruise, but her orbital bones and jaw are fine and her eyes, ears, and nose are all fine.”

“What do you mean, two beds?” Amelia asked.

“He called a women’s shelter,” Jessica said. “They’ll keep you and your mom safe from your dad.”

Kara showed up at the door with a female police officer and Jessica nodded for me to leave. Tom greeted the officer by name, then followed me out of the study, pulling the door shut behind him.

“I know Officer Menendez,” Tom said. “She’s good. Kara, where’s her partner?”

“In the foyer. They said another unit went to Amelia’s house.”

Tom walked towards the foyer and I followed him.

“Tom?” the officer said.

“Hey Jack,” Tom replied. “I’m a friend of Doctor Adams and her husband, and was here talking to Steve when the little girl showed up. She’s got a hell of a shiner going. Says her dad did it.”

“Neil and Paula are at the house. I just heard them call for an ambulance and a Squadrol for transport.”

“How bad?” I asked.

“No idea. I just heard the radio call. How’s the little girl?”

“As I said, she’ll have a hell of shiner by morning,” Tom said. “But that appears to be it.”

“That’s enough for a felony battery charge with high bond because she’s a minor. I’m guessing at least one felony battery charge for assaulting his wife. Why did she come here?”

This was NOT the time to make any snarky comments about the JWs, or even imply anything negative.

“She and her mom were going door to door handing out literature for the Jehovah’s Witnesses. When I spoke to them, I was, well, forthright I guess is the right word. The girl’s interest in alternative viewpoints was piqued, and she showed up at my karate dojo a couple of times to watch. I spoke to her a few times, very briefly, and then she and her mom came back yesterday to talk about their church. We had a short conversation, then they left after I mentioned an estranged brother who I discovered I had met.”

“I think I see where this is going,” Officer Thompson said. “Either the little girl or her mom said something to hyper-religious dad and he took exception.”