Читать книгу Undercover Scout - Jenna Kernan - Страница 11

Chapter Two

Monday afternoon the tribe’s urgent care center had gone from crazy to ridiculous. Since the dam collapse in September there was no more normal. Kee had hoped that with the arrival of FEMA things would get better. But the EMTs had just brought him another patient. He knew this one. Not unusual on such a small reservation. But this one was the son of his high school friend Robert Corrales.

Robert had the boy when they were in tenth grade and Robbie Junior was now twelve years old. But he wouldn’t make thirteen if Kee didn’t stop the bleeding.

Lori Mott assisted and he was happy for the extra hands. Redhorse, his mind corrected. She was no longer a Mott, since she had married his younger brother Jake, less than a month ago. Kee kept forgetting to call her Lori Redhorse. His brother had married the nurse so fast, he still hadn’t gotten accustomed to the change.

Kee assessed the damage. The EMTs had done a fair job stopping the bleeding on his arm. But his head wound wasn’t the same story. The plate-glass window had opened a gash on Robbie’s forehead that was giving Kee trouble. Lori kept pressure on that wound, allowing him the time he needed to clamp the artery Robbie had sliced open in his right forearm. Either one was hemorrhaging fast enough to kill him. The boy was pale from shock and blood loss, his lips had gone blue and his skin had taken on the ghastly pallor of a corpse.

“Got it,” he said. “I’ll finish that after I stitch his head.”

“The EMT said he didn’t think he could make it to Darabee,” said Lori.

“He was right.” Kee quickly stitched the gash that ran in a jagged line from the boy’s hairline to above the outer edge of his eyebrow.

Lori shook her head as she assessed the lacerations. “I’ll get another Ringer’s lactate. You want plasma?”

“No. This should do.”

Lori left him to use the computer terminal at the intake station in the FEMA trailer that now served as their urgent care facility. When she came back with the fluids he had the gash closed.

“As soon as he’s stable, arrange transport to Darabee,” said Kee.

Darabee was only twenty miles away but with the river road under construction and the switchbacks leading down the mountain the ride was thirty to forty minutes from Piňon Forks, and from Turquoise Ridge, where the clinic had been temporarily placed, it was more like an hour.

Lori finished inserting the IV and nodded. “You got it. His dad is waiting.”

“He needs a vascular surgeon if he’s going to keep that hand.”

“Betty is calling over. They’ll have one.” She smiled at him. His sister-in-law, he realized. Jake was a lucky man. He was so happy the two had finally worked out their differences.

“Good work, Kee.”

Kee stripped off his gloves as Dr. Hector Hauser stepped into the curtained examining area.

“Need a hand?” he asked.

“We got it,” said Kee.

Lori pulled the blood pressure cuff off the wall and slipped it around Robbie’s thin arm.

Hauser looked around at the amount of blood and bloody gauze and gave a low whistle. He checked the boy’s pupils and his pulse.

“Weak,” he said and then checked the IV bag suspended on the stainless-steel rack.

Day poked his head into the room. “Need a hand?”

Before he could answer, Hauser waved him off. “We got it.”

Kee gave Day an apologetic shrug. Day’s mouth was a grim line as he sighed and returned the way he had come.

“I’ll speak to the dad,” said Hauser.

“You know his expertise is emergency medicine. Right?” Kee lifted his chin toward the exam area Day occupied. “He’s taken the FEMA emergency medical specialist training. And he’s board certified.”

“Well, if the trailer collapses, I’ll be sure to call him.”

Hauser returned a few minutes later with Robbie’s younger brother, Teddy, who had a gash on his lower leg.

“Parents didn’t even see this one,” said Hector. “Cut himself getting to his brother.” He switched to Tonto. “You are a hero, son. Got his big brother help in time.”

Teddy gave him a confused stare. Hector’s smile dropped. “Did you understand that?”

Teddy shook his head.

Hector sighed. It was a crusade of his, that children learn their language. He held Teddy’s hand and steered the boy out of the curtained area and right into the boys’ parents.

Robert Corrales turned to Kee but peered past him to his older boy. “Is Robbie going to be okay?”

“He’ll need some surgery at Darabee. But, yes, he’s going to make it.”

Robert threw himself at Kee, forcing Kee to take a step back as Robert hugged him. His wife joined in and Kee was pressed like chicken salad between two slices of bread. Weeping and thank-yous blurred together. Lori took Teddy into the exam area beside Robbie’s to wait for Dr. Hauser, and the parents crossed through the curtain to their oldest child.

It was another twenty minutes more before Kee was satisfied that Robbie was ready for transport. Robert accompanied his son and his wife remained with Teddy.

Once his patient was off, Kee waited for Hector to finish stitching up Teddy’s lower leg. Kee was aiming for the momentary pause between one patient and the next to speak to Hector about his decision to resign from the clinic. Kee had agonized about leaving at such a time, but his mother had decided to foster the three teenage Doka girls. A wonderful act on her part, but unfortunately, a decision that would leave Kee without a place to live once they returned to Piňon Flats. The young fosterlings would need the space. Kee had moved in with his mother to help decrease his monthly expenses, and it was unrealistic of him to expect to afford a place of his own on his current salary. Not with the massive medical school debt hanging over his head.

Dr. Hauser had been only slightly older than he was now when Kee had first met him in the tribe’s health clinic. He had not known at the time that meeting Hector would change his life. Kee wanted nothing more than to stay on his reservation and tend the sick and injured on Turquoise Canyon. But you did not always get what you wanted. And he had financial obligations that could no longer be put off.

Hector glanced up at Kee over the thick black rims of his transition lenses. His hairline had receded to the point where he had more forehead than hair. What was left was trimmed short so you could see the single gold medicine shield earring he wore in his right earlobe. Kee frowned as he noticed the diagonal earlobe crease, knowing that it was a possible indicator of coronary artery disease.

Hauser lifted his brow, making his forehead a field of furrows. “What’s up?” he asked.

“I need a minute.”

“Sure. Hand me that gauze.” He pointed with a thick finger, his light russet skin a sharp contrast against the white of his lab coat. The dam collapse, which had necessitated them moving into the temporary FEMA trailers, had tripled their workload. Kee had never expected any sort of terrorism to touch his little corner of Arizona. But he thought that the extra load might be too much for Hector, judging from the puffy circles beneath his eyes.

Kee handed over the gauze and Dr. Hauser stripped off the outer covering, then expertly wrapped the boy’s leg in a herringbone pattern that would prevent slipping.

“There, now,” he said to the boy. “All done.”

The boy still had tear tracks on his cheeks but he was quiet now that the Novocain was working and the blood had been mopped up. Hauser turned to the boy’s mother. “Give him some Tylenol when you get him home. Two 80 mg tablets, three times a day, for today only, and keep this dry. Bring him back in ten days and I’ll take out the stitches.”

The boy swung his legs off the table and glanced at Hauser.

“Go on. You can walk on it. But no running or swimming or scratching!” He held out his hand to shake. Teddy hesitated but took Hector’s hand. “Good work today, Teddy. You should be proud. You take care of your brother and look after your mom.”

Teddy nodded his acceptance of this duty and slid to the floor. It was what Kee’s dad had said to him before the sentencing. Ironic, since his father had never done so. He was a living example of what happened when you made your own rules.

The pair headed out of the curtained exam room. Hauser followed to the hall.

“Give me a minute, Lori,” he called.

Lori Redhorse waved in acknowledgment, taking charge of the boy and his mother, ushering them out.

Dr. Day popped his head out of the exam area beside Hauser’s.

“Mrs. Cruz says she wants to see you,” he said to Hauser.

“Well, of course she does. She’s been seeing me since she was born.” He muttered something, and Kee caught the word worthless. “In a minute.” Hauser glanced at Kee, motioning with his head. Kee followed. They paused halfway between Day’s examining area and the reception table, where Lori sat at the computer.

Hauser’s mouth turned down, making him look like one of the largemouth bass Kee loved to catch. Hauser shook his head. “That ambulance arrived. He—” Hauser jerked his head toward Dr. Day’s examining area “—didn’t even step out to check on it. He must have heard it. You sure did.”

Kee shrugged, having no explanation.

“I swear he needs more looking after than the babies in our NICU. What kind of doctors do they have at FEMA anyway?” He tugged at the black stethoscope looped around his thick neck.

“Give him a chance.”

“Nobody wants to see him. Besides, this is my clinic. Up until now that is. The tribal council has no right to meddle here.”

The dam collapse gave them every right, Kee thought, but said nothing.

Requests like Mrs. Cruz’s had been happening a lot lately but Kee could not figure why so many patients were being so difficult. The clinic was short-staffed and the tribe had managed to get FEMA to provide them with an extra hand. Richard Day seemed nice enough, but he sure was not a hit with patients.

“So...” said Hauser, changing the subject. “How was the interview?”

Kee was a finalist for a position at St. Martin’s Medical Center in Phoenix. It was internal medicine and he preferred emergency medicine and he also preferred to live here with his tribe instead of out there. But beggars could not be choosers. He’d been shocked at how fast the loans came due once he finished the last of his educational requirements. Now he stared up from a seemingly bottomless pit of debt. It would take years and years to get clear of them and return to the tribe. Reaching his dreams had come at a high cost. The ironic part was that his ambition was to help his tribe members the way Hauser had once helped him. Now, instead, he’d be miles away treating strangers.

“They’ve offered me a position,” said Kee.

“Not surprised. But I hope you’ll consider ours, as well.”

Kee’s brows lifted. He hadn’t known that was a possibility and had assumed there would be no place for him. With his residency completed, he needed a job.

“What about Dr. Day?”

“He’s temporary. Once we get back to the clinic at Piňon Flats, we’ll be able to handle the load with two doctors. Maybe add a physician’s assistant.”

They’d had this discussion before. When he got his residency in Darabee, just off the rez, Hauser had managed to keep Kee here part-time and count the hours toward his residency requirements.

“My mother is fostering the Doka girls,” said Kee.

“I heard that. She brought them in for a checkup. Malnourished and need some dental work, but nothing your mom can’t handle.”

“The point is, eventually I’ll need a place to live.” Sharing a FEMA trailer with Dr. Day worked for now, giving him easy access to the temporary clinic. But they expected to be back in their permanent facility this week.

“I see. The Doka girls have taken your bedroom, I imagine.”

Kee nodded. “Dr. Hauser, I need to start repayment on my loans. I can’t afford to work here part-time.” And I don’t know how much longer I can survive with only work, work and more work, with only a few hours of sleep in between.

He’d been living with his mom, but he’d had so little time to spend with her, he barely knew how the transition with the Doka girls was going. And he hadn’t seen his brothers Colt or Ty since a week ago Saturday when they’d driven off on Ty’s motorcycle after he and Jake had tried and failed to get Colt to seek help for his PTSD. Jake had told him that Colt had been seen and released. Kee worried about Colt living up in the woods at the family’s mining claim since he’d come home from Afghanistan. Jake said Colt took off every time he went up there. Only Ty had succeeded in reaching him.

“Listen, is this about your living situation or your loans?”

“Both.”

“Easy. My grant to hire you was approved.”

Kee fiddled with the head of his stethoscope. “I need a permanent posting.”

“Five years sound permanent enough?”

Kee didn’t keep the surprise from his voice. “Five?”

“Yes, includes housing. In the new housing in Piňon Flats. We’re building especially for the tribal employees. Doctors get priority. Should take about three months, so you can move in by Christmas. We’ll all be in the same area near the clinic. Three bedrooms, garage and screened deck. You get an auto allowance of $500 a month. Plus forgiveness of your loans for working in a rural facility if you stay the full five years.”

“And the salary?”

After Dr. Hauser’s response, Kee’s hands dropped to his sides. He blinked in shock.

“Plus a five percent cost of living raise each year,” Hauser added.

Kee had been embarrassed to accept the Big Money his brother Ty had offered. Big Money was the sum total of each tribe member’s royalties from the casino held in trust and released when each member reached their majority. Ty’s money amounted to eighteen thousand and had kept Kee’s head just above water, covering his living expenses during medical school in Phoenix. Without it, Kee could not have completed his education. With the salary Hauser had just offered, he could pay his brother back and fix his mother’s car.

Hauser was still talking. “So about the auto stipend—get rid of that wreck you drive.”

The 2004 midnight blue RAM pickup truck had been used when he bought it. The only reason it was still running was because Ty fixed it for free.

“Besides,” Hauser continued. “I’m used to you. I don’t like breaking in new physicians.” He thumbed toward the corridor and Dr. Day.

“Why didn’t you tell me this before today?” Kee had been interviewing from Flagstaff to Tucson and was heartsick at having to leave the rez, especially now. People were moving and building and naturally getting hurt in the process. Accidents due to drinking were way up and there was a troubling spike in heroin overdoses.

“I only got word today. Email’s in my computer. It’s just been approved by our oversight board. So, you need time to think about it?”

“Forgiveness of all my loans? I have five.”

“All.”

“Private and government?”

“All means all,” said Hauser.

Kee felt the weight of his burden lifting off his shoulders and he almost felt like dancing. He laughed.

“Well, then yes.” Kee grinned. “I could work with that.”

Hauser extended his hand and they shook. His mentor reeled him in and wrapped an arm around Kee’s shoulders.

“Good, good. I’ve been thinking. I’ve been here doing this thirty-five years. When the time comes to turn over the reins, I’d like that someone to be you.”

Kee was speechless.

Hauser let him go and spoke in Tonto. “You are like a second son to me.”

Kee felt the hitch in his throat and didn’t think he could speak.

“You know Turquoise Canyon,” said Hauser. “You are a part of this place. You belong here with your people.” He switched back to English. “Besides, I’ll be damned if I’ll lose you to some big city hospital when you are needed right here.”

“I’m honored to follow your example, sir.”

“Well, it’s settled, then. I’ll get you the paperwork. Get it back when you can.”

Kee felt humbled. This man was all he ever wanted to become and earning his respect...well, Kee was brimming with joy. All the hard work and effort was paying off. Hauser had called him a second son. Kee thought he might cry.

“Now we have to find you a nice girl, hmm?”

Kee flushed. That was an odd thing to say. “Time still for that.”

“No time like the present. Pay off the loans. Find a wife and have a few children. You’ll be all set. Settled. A man the community can trust.”

That was a strange way of saying it, thought Kee. He thought he’d build trust by having a sterling reputation and all the necessary credentials. Unlike his father and Ty, Kee had steered clear of trouble and taken the road that involved hard work and sacrifice.

“My wife has a niece you should meet. She’s beautiful, traditional and lives in Koun’nde,” he said naming one of their three settlements.

“Well, we’ll see.”

Hauser clapped him on the shoulder. “Good man.” Then he turned to go, waving a hand in farewell. “Patients waiting.”

The female voice came from behind them. “Dr. Hauser?”

Kee knew that voice. It was the clinic administrator, Betty Mills.

Hauser turned and smiled at the woman who kept the place running. Betty was in her middle years, with onyx eyes and hair to match. She dressed better than anyone Kee knew, with never a hair out of place. Her makeup was thick and meticulous from the liner to the bright unnatural pink of her lips. High heels and the jangling gold bracelets she always wore on her left arm announced her on each approach. Betty loved her bling. Even the chain that held her reading glasses on the bright purple blouse was gold with clear crystal beads.

“There’s my boss,” said Hauser to Kee and winked. “What’s up, Betty?”

“Waiting room is full and so we’ve set up lawn chairs outside. They’re full now, too. You both need to pick up the pace.” She snapped her fingers, the long acrylic nails painted purple to match her outfit.

Hauser winked at Kee and then scuttled down the corridor to the exam area where Dr. Day waited.

Betty gave Kee a critical stare. “I’ll tell Lori you’re ready for the next one.”

Down the corridor, Dr. Day stepped out of the examination area rubbing his neck. Hauser frowned after him and then drew the curtains closed behind him.

Hauser had not liked Day since the minute the tribal council had informed him that they had voted to get them extra help. It seemed Hector did not mind being bossed by Betty, but he did not like the tribal council interfering with his clinic.

Dr. Day reached Kee and gave him a defeated look. “All I did was ask if he’d speak in English when I’m there.”

“I can imagine how that went over,” said Kee, feeling sympathy for the doctor who was struggling to fit in with the local culture.

Kee glanced to the receiving station and the young mother carrying a crying toddler in his direction. He smiled and motioned them into the free exam area.

She spoke to him in Tonto Apache and Kee answered in kind. He could not believe how lucky he was to be able to stay here in the place he loved with the people he knew. A house. A car and a salary that was more money than he could even imagine. It seemed nearly too good to be true.