3?
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After informing the coach that the girl would have to be a little longer at the hospital, and redirecting the entire line of people outside the office to one of the other nearby available lines, House and I went out in search of the rest of the team.
The first was Foreman, who wasn't very far. Attending his own line it was clear that like me, and House long before me, he was exasperated by the monotonous repetition of the task.
Embarrassed, obviously only me, by the unpleasant looks we were getting. House and I advanced among the people who were lined up. I didn't blame them, after all being lined up for a long time was, by far, something no one enjoyed doing, and with House and I wearing regular clothes, it seemed like we were cutting the line.
Noticing a second later, the unpleasant looks we were getting. "I'm sorry" House declared without a shred of honesty to the closest person, "we're much more important than you to wait in a line" he pointed at me and then at himself with exaggerated arrogance.
Fortunately only a couple of people heard House's unpleasant comment and, much better still, there was no time for anyone to react. Right then we reached the front of the line where Foreman was dismissing his last patient, a blue slip.
Not paying attention to who was at the front of his line. "Next" said Foreman raising his hands ready to do the next physical exam, turning a second later, he was surprised to find House right in front of him.
Surely a very unpleasant surprise
"You're coming with me" ordered House, and before Foreman could ask anything, he walked away moving forward with his new cane.
With no interest in putting myself in an awkward moment with the doctor who, truth be told, was slowly tolerating me more. Without saying anything I immediately followed House.
A moment later, back in the hallway we came through, Foreman quickly caught up with us. "What is going on?" he asked immediately.
Noticing that House had no interest in answering, I sighed before answering for him. "A new patient-"
"No spoilers" House interrupted me, frowning and turning immediately toward me with genuine offense, "one's missing" he reminded me with obviousness in his tone and, even though he hid it the best he could, with a touch of regret in his voice.
Surely due to Cameron's absence from the team.
Raising my shoulders in apology, an apology that Foreman actually accepted with a small nod. We followed House through the hospital hallway in search of Chase, who wasn't very far.
Working also on his own line, he was equally bored and annoyed by the task. Unlike with Foreman, House just stopped at the back of the new line and, with a simple whistle, he got the attention of the third doctor. With a small nod of his head, House called Chase before turning on his feet.
Fulfilling House's expectation, only a moment later Chase caught up with us. Obviously anxious to escape the monotonous task. "What is it?" he asked Foreman with expectation.
Raising his shoulders, Foreman pointed us out, House and me, with his head. "I just know there's a patient."
Turning his face toward me, without stopping his walk to the lounge. "Now you don't have to explain it two times" House told me, smiling exaggeratedly, "and even better, I don't have to hear you explaining it twice" he added sarcastically returning his attention forward.
Snorting I shook my head, immediately noticing the attention of the two doctors on me. Despite my poor relationship with either of them, I quickly explained the case, after all it was about a twelve-year-old girl and I was a professional.
With all the information we had up to that point. "Maybe it's something systemic" Chase theorized.
Shaking his head. "Or maybe" Foreman exhaled cynically, "it's meningitis."
"It doesn't fit" I denied immediately, "she's had the rash for a week, if it were meningitis-"
"She'd be dead by now" House finished.
At that moment, appearing in front of us. "There you are" declared Dr. Cuddy exasperated, clearly she was looking for us, "you guys figure we're done down there?" she crossed her arms incredulously, "that the eight hundred people milling around are just waiting for the bathroom?" she asked sarcastically, frowning.
Even though the woman stood in front of House intending to stop him, the man dodged her and kept walking, and with him the rest of us had no choice but to follow him, including Dr. Cuddy.
"Well I've found a twelve-year-old female, with fever, rash and neck pain" House declared ironically, "not meningitis" he clarified a moment later.
Sighing exasperated, the doctor shook her head. "It's the definition of meningitis" she waved her hands next to her head.
And she, like Foreman, was right, with just that information and what was happening in the hospital, any capable doctor would diagnose meningitis, but there were factors that put the diagnosis in doubt, the duration of the rash being one of them and the direction in which her neck hurt the other.
"Well sure, pus in the spinal canal makes it hurt to move your head up and down" House said obviously, "but her neck only hurts moving side to side" he added a moment later, raising his eyebrows.
Shaking her head, doctor Cuddy snorted. "Oh side to side" she said sarcastically as if that information solved everything.
Shrugging. "Doesn't fit" House insisted.
Not buying the theory the doctor shook her head. "The four of you, lobby, now" she ordered a moment later.
Sighing House finally stopped. "Those little pills you're passing out so efficiently..." he said slowly, "aren't gonna do Miss-" he added looking at me sideways.
"Mary Louganis" I answered immediately.
"Those pills aren't gonna do Miss Lounganis squat" House repeated with exaggerated intensity.
Studying House in silence for a second. "You just don't want to deal with the epidemic" Dr. Cuddy murmured exasperated.
And to be honest, knowing House I didn't blame the doctor at all for thinking that.
"That's right, I'm subjecting a twelve-year-old to a battery of dangerous and invasive tests to avoid being bored" House murmured sarcastically, causing everyone, including me, to stare at him fixedly, "okay, maybe I would do that, but I'm not" he excused himself, "come on kid, you saw her" he added incredulously, looking at me fixedly.
Keeping silent a second longer than necessary. "Yeah" I sighed finally backing House up, "it doesn't fit" I repeated seriously to the doctor.
"Yeah, and if it turns out she's got meningitis, you're right, you win" House raised his shoulders unconcerned, "but if we go back to the lobby and she dies..." he added raising his eyebrows, "uh, your face will be so red" he murmured pressing a smile onto his face.
Fortunately Dr. Cuddy wasn't a sociopath, so the possibility of a twelve-year-old girl dying in her hospital wasn't one she wanted to bet on. "You have an hour" she accepted, immediately turning around and walking away from us.
Turning immediately to Foreman. "Get a lumbar puncture" he ordered, "Some brain infections can be pretty clever at hide-and-seek."
"I'll get on her blood work" Chase declared quickly.
"No" House stopped him in his tracks, "you won't. You sir, will research all the causes in the universe of neck pain" he added with false kindness.
Frowning, with clear incredulity in his expression. "The list is, like, two miles long" Chase said frustrated.
"Start with the letter 'A'" House raised his shoulders.
Searching for any sign that House was joking, Chase stopped in silence for a couple of seconds. Finally exhaling upon understanding that House was serious about his order.
Watching Chase walk away down the hallway, visibly annoyed, toward the hospital library. I felt a little pity for the guy, at least for a second. After all it was true there were hundreds, if not thousands of reasons for neck pain, at least the list narrowed considerably when it came to a twelve-year-old Caucasian girl, an athlete, with no history of chronic illnesses on record.
Nodding satisfied, also seeing Chase walk away. "And put her on rifampin" House said to Foreman who was still there.
Frowning, puzzled. "Rifampin is for meningitis" Foreman said, "you just said-"
"In case I'm wrong" Foreman raised an eyebrow, "it has happened" House admitted unconcerned.
Snorting, Foreman turned on his feet ready to leave.
"Wait" House stopped him, "go with him" he ordered me.
Turning back toward us, Foreman frowned as he set his eyes on me.
Great.
Shaking his head. "House-" the doctor was about to argue.
"Calm down, we do need blood work" House interrupted him, "and I bet you'll need all the help you can get" he added, this time keeping his gaze fixed on me, "especially from someone young."
Snorting I shook my head, it was obvious what he was implying.
"So what?" Foreman asked.
Apparently not so much.
With no intention of answering Foreman, House kept walking.
Sighing defeated seeing House walk away, Foreman looked at me for a second in silence before giving in. "All right, come on" he urged moving his head as he resumed his walk.
Under a very uncomfortable silence, Doctor Foreman and I arrived some time later where the girl and her coach were waiting.
Even though I had pointed out exactly where they were. "Mary Lounganis?" Foreman asked, "I'm Doctor Erick Foreman" he added after the girl nodded, shaking the coach's hand who immediately stood up introducing himself, "and you already know PJ" he pointed at me, "I understand my boss, Doctor House, already explained our concerns about Mary's symptoms" he said while guiding the coach away from the girl, obviously to explain the procedure that was coming.
Watching her coach walk away with a new doctor. "Is something really wrong?" the girl asked me, for the first time, with a certain worry on her face.
Shaking my head, I sat down right beside her. "Don't worry" I smiled at her softly, "it's just going to be a few tests to make sure any treatment we give you works the way it should."
With her attention still on the coach and Foreman in the distance. "Okay" the girl murmured distractedly.
She seemed to be looking for any sign of worry on her coach's face, anything to justify feeling scared.
Not wanting the girl to get more nervous than she already was and looking to fulfill House's implicit 'mission.' "So, are you a diver?" I asked looking to learn everything I could about her, even things she wouldn't want to reveal directly, "how's that?" I rested my face on the fist of my hand, giving my full attention to the girl, "I'm sure you're really good."
Looking into my eyes in silence for a second, obviously processing my words. Mary snapped out of her trance surely noticing how close we were, moving away in her own seat, immediately avoiding eye contact.
"I guess I'm alright," she said, shrugging evasively.
Pretending not to notice the slight blush on the girl's cheeks. "Come on, I'm sure you're better than just 'alright'" I exhaled pretending to be exasperated, "what's your best dive been?" I asked genuinely interested.
Not because I wanted to get information from the girl did it mean my questions and interest in her were completely empty, it was the resolution I had reached some time ago. I would do everything possible to try to help a patient, but I wouldn't be completely immoral about it.
Finding the palms of her hands fascinating, Mary swallowed before answering. "Once I did a forward three and a half somersault tuck" she admitted with pride, seeking eye contact for an instant before, again, avoiding it completely.
Nodding impressed, or at least trying to seem so, I went blank for a moment imagining dozens of possible dives I'd seen in movies or somewhere else without really arriving at a clear image.
I had no idea about diving.
Unable to help it I laughed.
Mary, who by that point had looked in every direction of the hallway except where I was. Turned abruptly, looking at me with her brow furrowed. Clearly puzzled by my laugh.
Raising my hands. "I'm sorry" I said forcing my silly laugh to end, "I just really don't know what that means" I admitted embarrassed, "is that like a cannonball or something?" I asked opening my eyes exaggeratedly.
Raising her eyebrows, Mary pressed her lips forcing herself not to smile. "A cannonball?" she murmured and, this time unable to contain it, let out a laugh, "oh yes it's identical to a forward three and a half somersault tuck" she said laughing, with clear sarcasm in her voice.
Smiling seeing the girl laugh. "Oh really?" I asked pretending to be offended, "well I bet my cannonball is a hundred times better than that something, something summer salt truck of yours" I declared arrogantly, deliberately ruining the name she had given her dive.
Fulfilling my objective, Mary laughed openly, this time making such a scene that it caught the attention of the people around us.
Unconcerned I let the girl laugh. As much as she put up an uninterested front, Mary was twelve years old, I knew she was hiding how scared she really was.
Trying to stop her laughing fit, wiping the corners of her eyes that had filled with tears. "I'm willing to take that bet" she said catching her breath with complete confidence.
Raising my hand offering a handshake. "All right" I said smiling as I squeezed the girl's hand, "I wouldn't be so confident" I warned her keeping up my fake arrogance facade.
Smiling broadly. "I'm shaking" Mary shook her body in a bad attempt to act scared.
Retrieving my hand. "Now explain to me, what's a stormersault luck?" I asked exaggerating even more.
Shaking her head amused, Mary rolled her eyes pretending to be exasperated. "It's a forward three and a half somersault tuck" she explained word by word, emphasizing the last part.
Frowning. "That's literally what I said" I defended myself innocently.
"No it was not" Mary denied immediately, offended.
"Really?" I asked frowning incredulously, "I think I'd remember if I said it wrong" I denied smiling with absolute confidence.
Deciding the fight wasn't worth it. Mary explained, moving her hands, how the dive was, apparently very advanced for someone her age, as well as the story of that competition.
Interrupting our conversation right as Mary was telling me about the score the judges gave her. "What's up?" Foreman asked.
"I'm learning about diving" I answered immediately.
Sighing somewhat subdued. Surely worried since Mary would have to undergo a lumbar puncture. "You couldn't learn from anyone better" the coach said smiling stiffly.
Perhaps feeling like he'd lost the center of attention, or much more likely feeling that the topic of conversation wasn't suitable for what was coming. "Great" Foreman murmured with visible discomfort, "Mary, talk to your coach about the procedure we're going to perform, I'm going to explain it to you and I'm going to answer any questions you have, just please wait until I finish explaining" he continued speaking slowly with the girl.
Clearly noticing the change in attitude in her coach, Mary nodded stiffly.
"So I'm going to do a lumbar puncture" Foreman began to explain.
With growing nervousness hearing about the procedure. Mary lost all trace of her previous smile.
It was definitely sad to see a girl the age of Gabe or Missy have to go through what Mary was going through, but if we wanted to help her by finding whatever was wrong with her it was an absolutely necessary evil.
Gently holding the girl's shoulder, I smiled at her trying to calm her down a little.
A couple of minutes later, Foreman and I walked away leaving the coach and Mary, who had no questions, on the hallway benches.
While we walked toward the internal medicine desk, since the procedure required a bed in a private room and the support of a nurse. "Good work back there" Foreman said, suddenly breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"Thanks?" I said not really knowing how to react.
With those encouraging words from Foreman, it added one more moment to my collection of 'strangely pleasant moments with Foreman,' a collection that for now I could count on the fingers of one hand.
Tilting his head slightly. "It's obvious if you think about it" the doctor declared raising his eyebrows, "given your age and looks, it was only a matter of time before the girl opened up to you."
Unable to help it, as soon as I heard Foreman. "You think I'm attractive?" I asked with false arrogance, once again filling an awkward situation with a bad joke.
Surprising me once again, Foreman snorted, seemingly more out of amusement than exasperation. "I never said that" he clarified shaking his head, "nor do I think it" he added with a certain sense of urgency, "but it's clear that in the eyes of a twelve-year-old girl it's different."
My first instinct was to immediately deny Foreman's theory, Mary was a twelve-year-old girl, seeming attractive to a twelve-year-old girl wasn't something I even wanted to think about, but honestly, there was definitely truth in the doctor's words. Something similar had happened with Missy.
Despite that, I didn't feel comfortable admitting it out loud. "I just listened to her" I clarified raising my shoulders.
Nodding. "And that clearly calmed her down" Foreman declared, "I can't believe I'm about to say this" he added a moment later, sighing, "but, maybe it's not such a bad idea for you to get a little more involved in this case" he said, looking at me sideways.
It seemed like Foreman wanted to break a record.
Coming out of my initial shock, deciding to test the waters. I smiled mischievously, raising one of my eyebrows. "You're starting to like me" I sang teasingly.
Denying immediately, Foreman snorted staying silent for a couple of seconds. "You spend too much time with House" he finally lamented.
And he was quite right... but that didn't stop me from noticing the lack of response to my statement.
Finally arriving at the internal medicine wing, we found, obviously thanks to the crisis being lived at that moment in the hospital, the nurses' desk surrounded by dozens of other doctors. Among all the perfectly ironed and clean white coats, Brenda, the head nurse of internal medicine, clearly overwhelmed by all the work she had, kept a perpetually irritated expression on her face while dealing with the doctors.
Before I could offer to talk to the nurse, and maybe feeling the need to prove himself in front of me. "Wait here" Foreman ordered confidently, right before advancing among the lined-up doctors.
Pushing his way to the front of the group causing various annoyed reactions from the rest of the doctors, Foreman got Brenda's attention who kept an unfriendly face upon seeing the doctor.
A minute later. Visibly embarrassed. Foreman came back avoiding my attentive gaze.
It was clear he hadn't accomplished anything.
Despite that. "What?" I asked feigning ignorance.
Shaking his head frustrated. "We need to find a place where I can do the lumbar puncture" Foreman admitted, "there are no nurses available so you're going to have to help me" he added with rigidity in his jaw.
Forcing myself to show no expression, I nodded slowly. "You know what, let me try" I said raising my shoulders.
"It's not worth it, there's no-"
Turning toward him, I raised my shoulders. "We've got nothing to lose" I interrupted him.
Passing by the line of doctors I received completely opposite treatment from what Foreman had received, with genuine apologies I passed among smiles and greetings without any problem reaching the front of the desk.
"Hey Brenda" I said getting the nurse's attention who was working diligently with a pile of documents.
Raising her face, immediately changing from a scowl to a wide smile. "PJ, honey" the woman said cheerfully, "I heard it's your birthday" she added.
Of course she heard.
A few moments later I returned to where Foreman was waiting. "There'll be a room available in a few minutes" I smiled calmly at the doctor, "they're going to prepare it" I explained as I started my way back.
Incredulous Foreman just shook his head looking toward the desk, where Brenda was still being bombarded with orders from doctors.
Stopping I turned back to him. "Oh, and she's going to call a nurse there" I said making an effort to keep my face completely expressionless.
Lowering his gaze to the floor, seeming defeated. "Unbelievable" Foreman exhaled.
The time it took us to go get Mary and the coach was enough for the room to be prepared.
Leaving the girl to change her clothes for a hospital gown in her room, Foreman and the coach walked away again to work on the necessary paperwork. After all at that moment the man was Mary's legal guardian.
"I'm ready" Mary said calling from outside the door, "what do you think?" she asked, as soon as I entered the room, raising her arms and showing off the gown as if it were some kind of dress.
Nodding seriously. "You look great" I answered immediately, "it's the latest in fashion" I added raising my eyebrows making the girl snort.
Opening the curtain that separated the half of the room where the bed was. Carrying a bag with what were surely Mary's belongings. Beth, the internal medicine nurse smiled at me, satisfied and proud. "See, I told you she'd say something like that" she declared arrogantly.
When we arrived at the room, Beth was already there. Calmly preparing everything a new admitted patient might need.
Mary shook her head amused. "Yeah you did."
Pressing my chest, with exaggerated fear in my expression. "Am I that predictable?" I asked.
Fixing the bed so Mary could lie down without her gown opening. "Well, one way or another all gentlemen are" Beth winked at me.
Defeated I lowered my head. "I'm predictable" I murmured with exaggerated sadness.
"Oh don't be sad honey" Beth said immediately, "that doesn't make you any less charming" she added with pity.
Tilting my head and raising my shoulders. "If you say so" I said resigned, making both the nurse and the girl laugh amused.
While Beth prepared everything Foreman had asked for the procedure on a small metal table. Mary and I continued our previous conversation, from time to time the nurse interrupting with her own questions, interested like me, in learning more about diving.
Almost running out of questions about platform height and pool depth, Beth finished preparing everything necessary. Arranging a pair of sealed gloves next to the rest of the materials. "And it's all" she said, turning toward me.
Peeking into the hallway, since I was sitting next to the room's door. I looked for Foreman or the coach. "They might be a little longer" I commented embarrassed since they weren't in plain sight.
I didn't know what Beth had been doing before coming, but I knew she was here just because it was me. With the number of patients coming in with meningitis, I doubted very much that she didn't have work piled up waiting for her to return.
Raising her shoulders unconcerned. "It's fine" the nurse murmured focusing her attention on me, "now, tell me what are you going to do for your birthday?" she asked me smiling excitedly.
Sitting up suddenly in her bed. "It's your birthday?" Mary asked frowning, "and you're spending it here?" she added partly equally impressed and incredulous.
Opening my eyes with exaggerated irony. "Can you believe it?" I asked joking.
Hugging my shoulder affectionately. "He's a very responsible young man, isn't he?" Beth asked with pride, as if she were showing me off.
"It's dumb" Mary declared offended, "I'd be out celebrating with friends, not among a bunch of sick people" she added with obviousness and some distaste.
"It's not dumb, it's the opposite it's... what's that word?" I asked playfully.
Pressing her lips, Mary shook her head. "No, seriously, what are you doing here?" she asked me frowning annoyed, "are you forced to be here?"
Sharing a look with Beth. "Morally, kinda" I joked.
Perhaps not understanding what 'morally' meant, Mary frowned with confusion.
Okay, maybe not all my jokes landed.
"I'm joking, no, I'm not forced to" I answered honestly, "I just like being here" I added not being entirely sure of the answer.
I mean, it was definitely true, but it wasn't the answer Mary was expecting, at least not judging by her expression.
"You like being here" Mary spat with distaste, "you like being here and not at a party or something."
"Okay, I don't know what you think my life is" I murmured narrowing my eyes, "I know I look like a cool guy and everything but, I'm actually a big nerd" I confessed pressing my jaw, "a big one, I mean I usually don't go to parties and the ones I have gone to aren't long enough for me to be there all day" I continued making Mary raise her eyebrows, "so why not come to the hospital where I can meet super interesting people, like you" I raised my shoulders nearly up to my ears.
Pulling away from me. Beth, like Mary, looked at me fixedly and expressionlessly. "That's sad" she said a second later.
"Depressing" Mary added immediately.
"Hey I get invited to a lot of them" I defended myself immediately, "it's just that I'm a very busy guy" I continued, "I have school, this, my training and Diane" I felt the pitying looks of the two girls in the room, "my girlfriend, I have a girlfriend" I clarified feeling like I was drowning, at least metaphorically.
Nodding with her cheeks puffed out, Mary looked at me fixedly in silence.
Beth, who had somehow moved to Mary's bed on the other side of the room. "You don't have to prove anything to anyone honey" she said raising her hands.
Was I acting crazy? I felt like I was acting crazy.
Calming my nerves that for some reason had gotten worked up. I nodded stiffly. "I know" I said more to myself than anyone, "I know" I repeated with more confidence speeding up the pace of my nods.
The silence in the room was so uncomfortable that my arms started to itch. Fortunately or unfortunately, Mary, who had kept her face completely expressionless, suddenly burst into a loud laugh that immediately spread to Beth.
"Oh great" I exhaled with a bit of embarrassment, "yeah laugh at me, why not?" I said slapping my hands against my sides exaggeratedly exasperated. Which only served to make both nurse and patient laugh harder.
Entering the room suddenly. Killing the loud laughter at once. "What's going on?" Foreman asked surprised.
"An amazing joke I told" I answered before either of the other two could respond.
Entering the room fully with the coach right behind him. "Okay" Foreman murmured visibly puzzled, "is everything ready nurse?" he asked a moment later, using the tone full of superiority that only doctors knew how to use when talking to nurses or general staff below their hierarchical 'level.'
Returning to the metal tray with the tools. "It is doctor" Beth answered smiling forcedly.
Moving beside Mary. "Good, let's begin the procedure" Foreman said to the girl gently, "PJ please step out" he ordered a moment later, and unlike how it would normally be, this time he said it with relative kindness.
Even though I would have loved to see a lumbar puncture for obvious reasons, I knew better than to argue with Foreman when there were no specific orders from House for me to be present and, to be honest, the procedure was quite invasive in terms of privacy.
I wouldn't fight to see the exposed back of a girl with whom I now apparently had a very good relationship.
Smiling at Mary trying to ease any nervousness that might arise in her, I saw the change in her expression before I could even try to turn on my feet to leave. "No wait" she said suddenly, visibly nervous, "why can't PJ stay?" she asked Foreman frowning.
Sharing a quick look with me, which for the moment told me nothing. "Well Mary" Foreman murmured awkwardly, "as I explained for the procedure we have to expose your entire back" he paused to study the girl's expression, "so for your privacy it's better if we're few people present" he finished once again sharing a look with me.
This time, unlike what I would expect from Foreman, I didn't see a single sign of resentment in the man. He didn't seem to blame me for the patient's sudden interest in involving me. He seemed to really be trying.
Raising her shoulders. "I don't care" Mary declared indifferently, "I'm normally in a swimsuit with five thousand people staring at my butt, I don't mind if PJ sees my back" she added smiling at me as casually as if she were talking about the weather.
That a twelve-year-old girl would discuss so disinterestedly about people staring at her butt was extremely worrying. I knew, from our conversation, that Mary would spend weeks, even months, away from home and far from her parents during competition season and, being surrounded by hundreds of teenagers several years older than her I didn't even want to imagine the kind of environment she was surrounded by.
Alongside Foreman and Beth, who were clearly thinking the same as me, the room fell into a rather uncomfortable silence.
Noticing the strange atmosphere. "These kids are all very mature" the coach tried to explain, "They travel around the country from event to event."
Nodding, trying to hide the discomfort the situation caused him. "Okay" Foreman said moving past the topic.
Surely unaware of how much of a stir her apparently 'innocent' comment had caused. "So, can PJ stay?" Mary asked interested, "he's supposed to learn, right?" she added looking at me fixedly.
Still unable to shake off the worry for Mary's health and psychological and sexual well-being, the twelve-year-old girl. I nearly missed the conflicted look on Foreman's face right behind Mary.
A couple of seconds later, Foreman sighed. "All right" he finally said giving in making Mary celebrate silently, smiling at me triumphantly, "come on" he added urging me to come closer, "she's right, you gotta learn" he exhaled looking at me seriously.
Smiling at the girl, I didn't even have time to be surprised by Foreman's decision, focused on completely hiding that I was still thinking about her 'innocent' statement. I nodded at the doctor walking to that side of the bed.
Next to Foreman who was adjusting his gloves I watched as Beth prepared Mary, carefully opening her gown and positioning her body toward us.
Looking at me fixedly, Foreman seemed to be debating internally whether to actually teach me or not. "Fine" he finally murmured, arranging the tray next to the bed, "do you know the position?" he asked me monotonously.
Nodding I made an effort to bring my attention back to what was happening. "Fetal position to open the intervertebral spaces" I answered, "so hold your knees and tuck your head" I addressed Mary, noticing how the girl's breathing sped up.
"Like a dive?" she asked trying to hide the nervousness in her voice.
Apparently not noticing the front Mary was putting up. "Exactly" Foreman answered smiling even though the girl wasn't looking at him, "Landmark?" he asked me immediately after.
"Iliac crest tracing an imaginary line to the spine" I answered, "L3, L4 or it could be a space below L4, L5. Always below L2."
Nodding, Foreman pointed out on the girl's exposed back the vertebrae I was talking about. "I'm going to apply a topical sedative on your back, it might feel cold" he warned Mary after showing me the exact spot with his finger, "this novocaine will numb you for the lumbar puncture" he finally explained noticing the tension in Mary's body.
"Okay" the girl answered with a trembling voice. Surely feeling Foreman's finger on her back the reality of the situation had hit her like a bucket of cold water.
Quickly trying to soothe Mary. Beth stroked the girl's head while exhaling a soft shush.
Nodding seriously. "What's next?" Foreman asked me.
"The spinal needle goes with the bevel parallel to the fibers of the dura" I answered, "there will be two small resistances, the ligamentum flavum and the dura, two small 'pops' before removing the stylet."
Impressed, even though he tried to hide it from his expression. "Correct," Foreman nodded, "here we go Mary, don't forget to breathe" he added preparing his hand with the needle.
Holding Mary's head and legs, helping the girl not to move. "Breathe honey" Beth reminded her.
The needle went in with Foreman's perfectly controlled pulse. "Ow I feel it" Mary complained immediately, "ow, I feel it, I fee-, ow" she continued, unfortunately Foreman couldn't go faster without risking hurting Mary.
Surely feeling the second 'pop,' Foreman removed the stylet and the CSF began to drip. Clear as water. "Try to relax Mary" Foreman murmured collecting the fluid in the first of four tubes.
Leaning in to cover the girl a little in an attempted hug. "Relax honey" Beth repeated softly.
While helping change the tube so not a drop of the fluid would fall. "What would it mean if it didn't drain?" Foreman asked me.
"A fiber might be blocking the bevel, you rotate the needle ninety degrees or pull back a little" I answered immediately while the girl cried silently.
...
Author Thoughts:
As always, I'm not American, not a doctor, not a fighter, not Magnus Carlsen, not Michael Phelps, not Arsene Lupin, not McLovin, not Elliot, not Capone, not Tiger Woods, not Sam Fisher and not Greg Louganis.
Another chapter has passed, so new thanks are in order. I would like to especially thank:
11332223
Victor_Venegas
RandomPasserby96
I think that's all. As always, if you find any errors, please let me know, and I'll correct them immediately.
Thank you for reading! :D
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