The Hospital

Part 2

Memorial had become Reid’s home away from home. It had taken less than a year for him to feel that way -- and he didn’t mean by comparison to his former home in Dallas. His primary home was with Luke. Now Luke was going to probably be residing at Memorial until everything was resolved with his kidney. But Reid was determined to make sure it wouldn’t be Luke’s final home. This was just a temporary relocation... for both of them.

He now understood how Bob must have felt when Kim hadn’t been well. He had heard the stories and was glad he hadn’t been there to watch the torment his predecessor had to deal with. Unfortunately, he was now the one who had the dubious privilege of being the doctor at the helm, needing beyond anything else to ensure his spouse didn’t become another inpatient statistic.

Hospitals had always been Reid’s sanctuary, his safe haven. Safe was now the furthest word from his mind.

His first stop when he arrived the morning of Luke’s appointment was Chris Hughes’ office.

Ignoring what’s-her-name, Chris’ secretary, he barreled through the closed door to his Co-Chief’s office, the one that formerly belonged to his father.

“Why the fuck did you keep me out of the loop? I shouldn’t have been blindsided.”

The young Dr. Hughes wasn’t a fool, despite the behavior he’d demonstrated periodically over the years. It wouldn’t take a huge leap of genius to figure out what Reid was referring to, so he felt no need to go into further detail.

Chris looked up at Reid, remaining silent.

“Stop sitting there, all smug and omniscient. I should have been told. You should have told me.”

“And you should know that I don’t have the legal right to do that.”

“Of course you do. Luke isn’t your patient, and I’m supposed to be your colleague; on top of everything else, according to Katie we’re friends. In any case, you shouldn’t have kept me in the dark.”

“He wanted to tell you himself.”

“So what?” Reid waved his arms in the air, getting angrier by the minute. He knew Chris had acted appropriately, but at the moment that didn’t matter.

“Reid, Luke knew the minute he told you, it would become all too real. I think he wanted to block it out for as long as possible.”

“And because you acted equally insanely and irresponsibly at one time in your own life, you endorsed this?”

“No! I know my choices were reckless, and I’ve apologized over and over to you, Luke, Katie, my parents. But Luke also has the right to make his own choices, and I have to respect his decisions, whatever they might be. I can only advise him, you know that.”

“To say the least. So that does mean you’re supporting Luke’s reckless decisions.”

“He was never reckless. Luke saw his nephrologist, and with your connections in Boston, he consulted with the best and she’s coming to do the surgery.”

Reid turned away, facing a picture of Bob and Kim that hung on the wall of Chris’ office.

“Are you sure you’ll have a kidney for him?”

“I owe that to you, and him.”

“Damn right you do. I flew in a fucking helicopter for you.” Reid bit his lip, not knowing how much Chris was aware of from those frightening, uncertain few days. “Are you aware of how small those flying sardine cans are?”

“I remember the medical assistant on board later telling me that, according to the supervising doctor on board, the chopper was so small and stifling it made him feel like he couldn’t breathe.”

It suddenly didn’t matter that Chris knew Reid’s weakness. Besides, Luke was his true weakness now, not claustrophobia. Luke made Reid human. “See what I did for you!”

“You know I’d do the same for Luke should it become necessary. We won’t let him--”

“Don’t even say it.” Reid turned around, his eyes narrowed.

“Okay.” Chris came around from behind his desk. “Katie told me Ethan is with your mother.”

Reid nodded.

“You should arrange for him to come back.”

“We just agreed that wouldn’t be necessary.”

“I know, but bring him home anyway. Katie shared some advice you gave her seven and a half years ago. He needs to be here, to be with Luke. He couldn’t be with his parents. Don’t rob him of what might be--”

“Doesn’t Katie know how to keep her mouth shut?”

Chris laughed. “You know the answer to that as well as I do.”

Reid huffed despite his anxiety. “I know you’re both right. But it seems like I’m giving Luke the green light not to fight if I start assembling the family.”

“We both know Luke thrives on his family’s support. He always has. Don’t keep them away. He’ll do better with them around.” Chris put a hand on Reid’s shoulder. “Should I have Katie call Emma? There’s no need for you to pass the word.”

“Not with Katie in the family.”

Chris smiled. “I won’t tell her you said that, even though we both know it’s true.”

“I’ll be surprised if either of your kids can get through life without all their secrets unfolding on Katie’s ridiculous talk show.”

“Reid, when’s Luke coming in today?” Damn Chris. He wasn’t letting Reid avoid the subject at hand.

“He’ll be here at eleven-thirty. His appointment’s at noon.”

“She’s the best, Reid. We both know that from our school days.”

Nodding, Reid took a seat in one of Chris’ comfortable armchairs. “I suppose Luke will want Noah to know.”

“It’s probably better that he hears it from Luke than Mark.”

“How would Jenkins know? He should be focusing on his own patients.”

“Every nurse in this hospital knows Luke. Almost all of them also know Noah. And I must admit, the fact that both Luke and Noah ended up involved with neurologists at Memorial is still prime grist for the gossip mill. Mark will find out about Luke when the nurses inadvertently think he knows everything due to his association with Noah, and bring it up to him. As you and I know, the gossip mill is a thriving part of Memorial.”

“Okay.” Reid lowered his head. “I see your point. No damn degrees of separation. Oakdale -- the world’s most incestuously close knit community.”

“And you’ve learned to love it.” Chris chuckled.

“No, I still can’t stand it, but there are some aspects I will admit to loving -- under duress.”

“I know. You forget, there’s only one real reason I stayed too, and it wasn’t for the Chief of Staff position or the newly upgraded pediatric wing.”

“We’re a pitiful pair, Dr. Hughes.”

“I wish I could argue with you, Dr. Oliver.”

“What do I do, Chris?” Reid hated feeling so needy, but at least he could trust Chris to be clinical and honest with him.

“Have your mother bring Ethan back, talk to Noah, let Katie handle the rest of the Snyder and Walsh clan, and never leave Luke’s side.” Chris sat down opposite Reid in the other armchair in his office. “You can do this, Reid.”

“I have no choice. It’s for Luke.”

“We’ll make sure he comes out better than ever.”

“Like we did for you.”

Chris snorted. “Maybe even better.”

“Good.”

Reid stood up, ready to leave the office and supervise rounds in the neuro wing.

“Reid.”

“What?” He turned around before his hand turned the door knob.

“If you need support, ask for it. Not everyone knows the best way to help. Let us. We want to be there for Luke and you.”

Nodding, Reid left the office. Damn. When did he become my friend? It’s like he’s channeling his father? This town really is an offshoot of the Twilight Zone.

[TBC]
 

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