THE NEW NURSE - Amanda's Story by Amy Amanda moved to California after her mother died so she could get away from her abusive father. While her mother had been well she had put herself through college and became a Registered Nurse. When she arrived in L. A. She found an apartment and then started looking for a job. At 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning, she arrived at Rampart Hospital. She went to personnel and put in an application. She was asked to wait. Mr. Gray came out and took her into his office. They talked for a bit and then he said, "well how would you like to start Monday?" "Really?" Asked Amanda. "That would be great." "Ok, good. Now would you like to see where you would be working?" "Yes, that would be wonderful." They went down to the ER and he showed her an empty treatment room. Just as they came out, Squad 51 came in with a heart attack victim. The ER was extremely busy and there were no nurses around. Amanda said, "treatment 4 is empty." Dr. Joe Early came to Treatment 4 and said, "you mind giving me a hand?" "No not at all," answered Amanda. They all went into treatment 4. They got the guy stabilized and moved up to CCU. Dr. Early came over and thanked Amanda for her help and told her, "you did a great job." Amanda thanked Dr. Early. Mr. Gray introduced them and said, "she will be stationed in the ER." "Well," said Joe, welcome aboard." Johnny and Roy were watching and Roy poked Johnny in the ribs and said "Another new nurse for you to use your concentrated Gage charm on Junior." Johnny answered, "All in good time Pally, all in good time. Dr. Early said, "Amanda, I would like you to meet the two best paramedics we have. This is Roy DeSoto." "Hello Amanda nice to meet you." Said Roy. "Nice to meet you too," said Amanda. "This is John Gage," said Dr. Early. "Hello John," said Amanda. "Hello yourself," said Johnny, as he leaned on the counter next to Amanda and gave her one of his famous crooked smiles. She smiled back at him. Dr. Early said, John, Roy, "This is Amanda Crane she is going to be the newest edition to the ER." Two weeks later Amanda was working in the ER when Squad 51 came in with a female around Amanda's age. Amanda went in the treatment room with them. Kel said, "You guys said her father did this to her?" "Yeah," said Roy. "The cops were hauling him off when we got there." Johnny was standing right next to Amanda and noticed her stiffen when Kel asked about the girl's father. Amanda tried her best to help, but just couldn't. "I'm sorry," she said. "I just can't do this." She ran from the room in tears. Dixie had seen her and sent Sharon in to help Kel. Then she went to look for Amanda. She finally found her in the garden area. "Amanda, what's wrong?" Asked Dixie. Amanda looked up at her supervisor and said, "oh Ms. McCall I'm so sorry. I just couldn't stay in there when I found out what happened to her." "What did happen to her?" Asked Dixie. "Roy said that her father beat her." Answered Amanda. "Why is that a problem for you?" asked Dixie. "Because I know exactly what she is going through," said Amanda. Dixie looked at Amanda and said, "You mean your father beat you?" Amanda nodded. Dixie put her arm around Amanda's shoulders to comfort her. "It's okay now. Lets dry those tears and get back to work and then you come to my house for dinner tomorrow, and I think I'll invite Kel, Roy, and Johnny so you can let them know why you ran out on them this afternoon. If I know Kel he'll be looking for some sort of explanation. Dix said. "Yes Ms. McCall," said Amanda. "Amanda, call me Dixie." "Okay Dixie." They went back to work. Meanwhile Johnny and Roy were talking. "Wonder what was wrong with Amanda?" Asked Johnny. "I don't know," said Roy, "but she looked frightened and close to tears." "I know," said Johnny, "that's what bothers me." "Why should that bother you?" Asked Roy, "you don't even know her that well yet." "I know," said Johnny, "but I got the feeling that she needs protection." Roy raised his eyebrows and shook his head at his partner. The next evening they got off from work and went to Dixie's. Amanda and Dixie were fixing supper when the doorbell rang. Dixie let the guys in and they all sat down and ate and then Dixie and Amanda cleared away the dishes. Then, they brought coffee into the living room. Amanda said, "First off I want to apologize for this afternoon, the way I ran out of the treatment room." "Why did you?" Asked Kel. Dixie looked at Amanda and said, "It's okay tell them." Amanda closed her eyes and took a deep breath. All eyes were on her. Roy spoke up and said, "you don't have to do this, if it is that difficult." "No it is okay Roy. I want you all to know why I lost it yesterday afternoon," answered Amanda. "Okay well just take your time," said Kel. "The reason is because I know exactly what that girl was going through. I guess what I'm saying is that I know because I've been through it myself. Everyone looks at Amanda, stunned. "You mean your father beat you?" Asked Kel. Amanda nodded and said, "Well at least he did until I moved out here." "Oh how awful," said Johnny. "Yeah they were awful, but there was only about four times I ended up in the hospital. Three of those times were for about six weeks. The last time it was for four months. They didn't think I was going to make it that time. "Was it just you he beat on or did he beat your mother too?" Asked Dixie. "It was just me. It seemed like every time they fought, I got the worst of it." "Your mom didn't do anything about it?" Asked Johnny. Amanda shook her head no, "she was scared of him, so she kept quiet and by her keeping quiet he never touched her like that." "What happened this last time?" Asked Kel, "I mean how bad were your injuries?" Amanda said, "well I had a broken arm, a broken leg, lots of busted ribs, broken jaw, broken nose, a laceration on my forehead, a laceration on my side, and a lot of internal injuries. I almost bled to death." "How can anyone do that to their child?" Asked Roy. "If you don't mind, lets change the subject please," said Amanda. "Sure," said Kel. "What time does shift start for you in the morning doc?" asked Roy. "Oh about 6:00 A.M.,"said Kel. "I know you guys are planning to go on a fishing trip." "Yeah it is getting kind of late, "said Johnny, "guess we better be going." "Yeah me too," said Kel. They all say their good-byes leaving Dixie and Amanda alone. "Well," said Amanda, "I'll help you with the dishes and then I'd better go." "Oh no I'll do these tomorrow, you go on home." said Dixie. "Well, okay if your sure," said Amanda. "I'm sure," said Dixie. They said goodbye and Amanda left. Johnny and Roy were talking on their way out to their cars. Johnny said, "man it sounded like Amanda has had a rough life." "Yeah it does," said Roy. "Hope she will be okay." Said Johnny. "I'm sure she will since she has gotten away from her father." Said Roy. "I hope so. Maybe I'll call and check on her when I get home," said Johnny. "She gave me her number while we were at Dixie's." "Junior, you've got it bad." Said Roy. Meanwhile Amanda had just gotten home and unlocked her door when she was shoved inside and the door was slammed and locked. "DAD NO!" Her dad hit her and said "SHUT UP YOU LITTLE WITCH AND TAKE WHAT YOU DESERVE FOR LEAVING HOME!" He grabbed her hair and pulled so hard she fell to the floor. He kicked her in the ribs over and over yelling at her "GET UP NOW!" He continued beating on her and then sat on top of her and put his hands around her throat until she passed out from lack of oxygen. He got up and kicked her a couple more times and then left. Johnny got home and decided to call Amanda to make sure she was okay. The phone rang about 4 times. Johnny was just about to hang up when he heard the click of the phone being picked up. "Hello," said a weak voice. "Amanda, it's Johnny. Are you okay?" asked Johnny. "No...I...I...need....help," gasped Amanda. "What is your address?" asked Johnny. "3651 Mayfair Dr. Apartment 3," answered Amanda, in a shaky voice. "Ok I'll be right there," said Johnny. They hung up the phone and Johnny again picked up the phone and called the Fire Department. He gave them Amanda's address. Then he got in his Rover and headed for Amanda's. Once there he could hear the sirens of the approaching squad. He went up and knocked on Amanda's door. Not getting an answer he kicked in the door and found Amanda now unconscious on the floor. He checked Amanda for a pulse. He got one, but it was very weak. He then checked her over for broken bones and other injuries. Amanda started to come around and started screaming "NO DAD DON'T!" She tried to get up. Johnny placed his hands on her shoulders and said in a low soothing voice, "Amanda, it's me Johnny. Just lay still your going to be okay. Now calm down. I'm here and I won't let anyone hurt you." Amanda started crying and said, "Johnny, he...he.... he.... found me." "I know, your going to be okay," said Johnny. "Johnny I'm scared, please hold me." Said Amanda. "Amanda, I can't do that just yet, I have to check you out for injuries, but you are okay, trust me," said Johnny. Just then the paramedics showed up and Johnny told them what happened and what her vitals were. They relayed them to Rampart and Joe said, "Start an IV with Ringers and transport." "10-4 Rampart." They got Amanda to Rampart and Joe said, "what the hell happened?" Johnny explained that her father found her and beat her. Dr. Early examined Amanda and said to the x-ray tech, "I want a full skull series, a full chest series, a full spinal series, x-rays of the extremities, and a flat plate of the abdomen." Dr. Early placed his hand on Amanda's shoulder and said, "we'll be right outside while they do the x-rays." Dr. Early and Johnny went out in the hallway. Mike Morton walked up and said "Well Johnny what brought you here this time of evening?" Johnny said, "I came in with Amanda." "What's wrong with Amanda?" Asked Dr. Morton. "Her father beat her." Answered Johnny. "Oh no, is she okay? Asked Dr. Morton. Dr. Early said, "We're getting x-rays now." "I'm going to call Roy," said Johnny. Roy was sitting in his favorite chair just finishing reading the paper when the phone rang. He picked it up. "Hello? "Yeah Johnny what's up?" Roy sat straight up in his chair. "What happened to her? I'll be right there." Said Roy. Johnny went back to the treatment room. "Doc how is she?" he asked. "Well besides a busted lip, a few bruises and some contusions and a few busted ribs she's going to be fine. "Thank God," said Johnny. They took Amanda up to a room and got her settled in. Roy finally showed up and found her room and said, "How is she doing?" "She'll be okay," answered Johnny, "nothing too serious." Later the next afternoon Reed and Malloy showed up at Rampart and Kel filled them in on what happened to Amanda. Meanwhile in Amanda's room her father walked in waking her up. "You didn't die last night so I'll make sure you do today!" He went over and jerked her IV out. She screamed. "SHUT UP!" He yelled as he punched her in the stomach. Reed, Malloy, and Kel heard the scream and ran to the room. Reed and Malloy grabbed her dad and cuffed him. Reed said, "Do you want to press charges?" Amanda nodded. Kel went over to Amanda and started checking her over. "You okay?" He asked. "I think so, " said Amanda. She coughed and then said, "he...punched...me in my stomach." Kel touched her stomach. When he palpated where her father punched her she said "OW! Right there." Kel said, "Get her moved to the ER STAT!" They got Amanda moved to the ER and were taking her in the treatment room just as Johnny and Roy were coming to check on her, and they saw them taking her in the room and saw the x-ray tech going in too. "What's going on doc?" Asked Roy. "I'm getting an x-ray of her stomach, to see what kind of damage her father did," said Kel. "What do you mean? Asked Johnny. "Oh that's right you don't know do you?" Said Kel. "Reed and Malloy came by to get a statement and we heard Amanda scream. Well when we got there her father was there and punched her in the stomach and jerked her IV out." "Man, what is with that guy?" Asked Johnny. Just then the x-ray tech came out. "I want those STAT," said Kel. They all went into the treatment room. "Oh Johnny, Roy I was so scared. He said that I didn't die last night so he was going to make sure I did today!" Amanda started crying again. Johnny went over to her and gently took her in his arms. "Shh, it's okay. He can't hurt you now," he said. "Now I'm going to lay you back down so Dr. Brackett can finish checking you over." Said Johnny. "Okay," answered Amanda. Kel finished checking her over and the x-rays came back. Kel looked at them and said, "well all he did was bruise your stomach a bit. You will be okay. You will be sore for a while though." Finally they moved Amanda back to her room. "How long will I be in here?" Asked Amanda. "Well I want to keep you here for a couple of days. Then I want you to go home and nothing but rest for three days." answered Kel. "When can I come back to work?" Asked Amanda. "Well we'll see how you're doing after those five days." Said Kel. "Ok," answered Amanda. Johnny said, "I'll take you home when you get out of here." Johnny and Roy left. About an hour later Kel came back in with a shot for pain and a sedative. Amanda looked at him. "Do I really have to have those?" "Yes, afraid so," answered Kel. "Oh okay," said Amanda as she raised up her sleeve. "Uh Amanda, these have to go in your hip." Said Kel. "Oh wouldn't you know it, just my luck," said Amanda. About five minutes later, she finally drifted off. Two days later Kel released Amanda. Johnny came to pick her up and take her home. They got to Amanda's apartment and Amanda said, "this isn't my apartment." "It is now. We talked to your landlord and told him what happened in yours. He didn't figure you would want to go back there, so all the guys at the station got together and moved your stuff into this apartment, so this is your apartment now." said Johnny. "Thanks Johnny. It was nice of you to do this," said Amanda. Johnny helped her in and then he asked, "is there anything I can get you?" "Oh no Johnny, you've already done enough, more than enough. I can manage." Said Amanda. "Well I already talked to Dr. Brackett and he said you would need some help for the next few days so I'm staying here until you go back and see him." "Oh Johnny, that really isn't necessary." Said Amanda. "Yes it is and besides don't argue with me, because you won't win." Said Johnny. Amanda laughed. Johnny stayed with Amanda and they had long talks and agree to go out when she was feeling better. Finally the day arrived to make the trip to Rampart so Amanda could be checked over. Johnny got Amanda into his Rover and took her to Rampart. Kel said, "Right on time." They went into a treatment room and he checked her over and ordered some x-rays. The x-rays came back and Kel said, "Well young lady you can start back to work a week from Monday." A week later Amanda is back at work and everything was fine. She believed her luck changed and her new life here would be just wonderful. THE END |