See Circle of Life part 1 for disclaimers!

Circle of Life

Part 2

by

Fantasy

October 25, 2000

Chapter 4: United We Stand…

By the time we got back into the house, everyone had gathered around the kitchen table. Harley, Syd, and Margie were drinking coffee, while Angie was drinking herbal tea. Angie had never been much of a coffee drinker, preferring tea to the much stronger, darker beverage. So eliminating caffeine from her diet wasn’t going to be a problem. When the breakfast diners saw us they acknowledged our presence.

"Good morning kids. How are you doing this fine day? Sleep well?" Angie waggled her eyebrows wickedly. This woman is the one who’s sick, but she’ll be the one to hold us all together, of that I’m sure.

"Hell they didn’t sleep, they were…" Angie stopped him with a gentle squeeze of her hand on his. "What? I was only gonna say they must have been talking about anatomy all night. I know I heard something about hands and fingers." Damn you Harley, you’ll pay for that. Even Becca’s tan couldn’t hide the blush that crept up her neck to cover her face. It was funny; Becca was far from bashful, and certainly not prudish when it came to sex. But coming from her father, Becca just couldn’t take the gentle ribbing. I guess it had to do with acknowledging the fact her parents knew we had a very healthy sex life. I guess even at forty-nine, Becca was still her daddy’s little girl. I on the other hand suffered no such handicap.

"Hell yes Harley, fingers and hands are very valuable and useful parts of the anatomy; you’d be surprised how much you can accomplish in a really short time or draw things out to last and last and last. Just like the ‘Energizer Bunny’, it just keeps going on and on and on and on…" I smirked knowingly; everybody at the table grunted or chuckled. Harley blushed and Angie oddly enough took my side.

"You see Harley, it’s okay; they aren’t the least bit ashamed of their love for each other, nor are they ashamed to express that love in a passionately physical way. Their love is a very beautiful thing, just like ours." Harley was very contrite.

"I guess trying to be damned funny blew up in my face huh? Rebecca, Stacey, I apologize. Angie’s right. The love you two share is no different than the way I feel for Angie. Like I said earlier, I’m damned proud to call you both my daughters." Syd’s head flew up.

"What about me gramps? You’re proud of me too right?" Questions like that made me realize just how fragile my little girl was at times.

"Aahh honey buns of course I’m proud of you. C’mere and give your ol’ grampa a big hug. I really need one of those right now." Syd jumped up from her chair and into her grandfather’s lap. She flung her arms around his neck and looked deeply into his eyes.

"How ‘bout a big kiss too?" Syd asked. Harley’s face beamed with ride and happiness.

"You bet! I need lots of those." A virtual hug feast ensued. Both grandparents were the recipients of sloppy kisses and bear hugs. I sat down in a chair and pulled my lover down into my lap and held her close.

"Makes ya feel good all over don’t it? Y’know you were right. Love is the most powerful force on earth. Ya know what else? If anyone can beat this thing, it’d be mom." My angel kissed my neck and nuzzled my ear.

"Welcome to the family." Huh?

"What?" My baby smiled at me lighting up my world as only she can.

"Welcome to the family. You called her mom." Hey yeah.

"Wow, I sure did. It wasn’t very hard either." ‘Bout damn time if ya want my opinion. I wasn’t aware anyone did. "Thank you. I’m glad to be a part of this family." My angel sucked on my neck greedily leaving a small love bruise behind.

"Glad to have you too! Now that you’re a part of it, you can’t leave. You’re stuck for life. Got it?"

"A life sentence huh?" Sounds good to me.

"Yep. No possiblity for parole either." Sounds even better.

"Promise?"

"Promise, forever, for always, for eternity." Our lips pressed together for a long passionate kiss. It would have lasted longer had Margie not interrupted with breakfast.

"All right, break this up, breakfast is ready, you two vacuum cleaners can do that on your own time. Go wash up Syd, and take those flea bags out while we eat." Dogs and people food didn’t mix where Margie was concerned.

"Hey my dogs aren’t flea bitten. They’re pedigreed finely bred Rottweilers. Nary a flea in sight." Heh wanna bet? At that moment Nip sat down at the door and scratched furiously at his belly.

"No fleas huh?" Margie smirked.

"Hell no! Dry skin, that’s all it is! Haven’t you ever had to scratch, huh? It doesn’t mean you have fleas does it? No sir! My dogs don’t have fleas and that’s final. But so as not to offend your delicate sensibilities, Margie, Syd take the dogs out. Thank you." My dogs do not have fleas. I’ll give her fleas. Damn irritating woman. Becca massaged my shoulders and neck lovingly.

"Babe Margie is just…well…she’s…Margie. She has a thing about dogs in the house, especially around food. She knows, as far as dogs go, Nip and Tuck are clean. She just likes to hear you yell more than anything else. And you fall for it every time.

"Are you telling me she’s doing this just to piss me off?" My angel smiled knowingly.

"It’s working too." Why me? Cause you’re such a dumb shit sometimes. Now think how pissed she’ll be when you just start ignoring her?

"I don’t need this right now," I groaned.

"Then call a truce." What?

"Give up? Get along? Admit she’s right and I was wro…wron…wrong?" Becca nodded.

"Yes dear. Call it a cessation of hostilities." My God now she’s beginning to sound like Angie. Could be a lot worse. For sure, a whole lot worse.

"Okay, you’re right, this is stupid. But it’s kinda fun too." My wife just shook her head.

"Honey you can’t have it both ways." Okay I can do this.

"Margie, how ‘bout we make a deal here. We don’t need the extra stress in this house right now. What say we back off a little where the dogs are con-cerned, a compromise? What do you say?" Margie stared at me dubiously.

"A compromise?" Gotcha!

"Yeah, I’ll keep the dogs out during meal time, and you don’t make any disparaging remarks about their ancestry, parasite infestation, you know, that sort of stuff? Deal?" Margie agreed, almost too easily.

"Okay, for Angie." I knew it; this isn’t for me! Why that old… Now hold on. Remember Angie is the important one here, not your ego. "Pax?"

"Pax." I spit on my hand and extended it toward Margie. You just never give up do you? Nope. Margie repeated my gesture and we clasped hands firmly. My lover sighed loudly.

"Finally, now maybe we can have some peace and quiet around here for a change." From Syd’s perch on her grandfather’s lap, she grunted.

"Not likely." Harley agreed.

"That’s right; more than likely you and Margie will find something else to harangue each other about." Think so? We’ll see. "Now can we eat? I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m hungry." Syd nodded.

"Yeah me too." I looked to Margie and she smiled brightly. She thinks she’s got me, well not so fast there bucko.

"Of course. I’ve got Denver omelets, hash browns, juice, coffee, milk, and tea coming right up. Oh, Angie is there something special you’d like. I mean does your diet preclude eggs? I can fix…" Angie held up her hands to stop the cook’s speech.

"Margie, slow down. Ordinarily I would say yes, but they’re going to take blood for tests today, so I can’t eat or drink anything but tea until they’re finished. The doctor says my blood pressure and cholesterol levels are fine, I just need to limit caffeine and salt for now. So I’ll take a rain check on the omelets. Now the rest of you eat while it’s hot. I’ll just enjoy the company. How’s that?" Well now that the subject has been brought up, I might as well jump in with both feet. Oh this should be good. I will choose to ignore that remark.

"Um Angie what time is your first battery of tests?" I already knew, but I didn’t what her to feel like I was intruding or taking over. From you that would be a first. Shut the hell up.

"I’m supposed to be there at 10:00am. Why Stacey?" Okay easy does it. Harley will be the one to protest. My angel squeezed my thigh under the table as a show of support.

"Uh I was thinking Becca and I would come with. Ya know to keep y’all company." Syd popped up enthusiastically.

"Me too mom!’ Ya ain’t leaving me outta this.

"Stacey, that’s very sweet, but I don’t think you all need to disrupt your schedules just for me." Harley interjected.

"Now babe, they are all just concerned. I don’t see why they shouldn’t all come along. Syd already asked me to help her with her homework, so we’ll stay busy, and Becca can keep me and sm…Mac out of trouble. Besides, Mac comes and goes in that hospital like she owns the joint, so she can let us know how things are going. What do you say?" Everyone sat in stunned silence. Well almost everyone. Who in the hell is that man and what happened to the ‘jarine’?

"Yes mother, then after you’re finished, maybe we can go have a nice lunch at ‘The Lobster Tail’, if you’re not too tired of course. Mamma please, we don’t want you to feel alone in this." Angie stroked my love’s cheek and then took her face in both hands and kissed her forehead.

"If I am sure of anything in this world, I’m sure I’ll never be alone. All right, if you’re all set on this then fine, but don’t any of you cause any sort of disturbance, that’s an order!" Good ol’ Angie. She’s still the boss ain’t she? Was there any ever doubt?

"Okay now that’s settled. I’ll go into the trauma center; there are a few things I need to get done. I want to touch base with Rachel and Irish. Also I want to let Dr. Jefferson know he will be on call for me, unless there is a really terrible situation he can’t handle. Which is highly unlikely." I deliberately left out the meeting I wanted to have with Dr. Isabelle Monson. No point in getting everyone all excited unnecessarily. "I’ll meet you at the med center before you go in for your tests. I would like to be able to visit with Dr. Francis if that’s okay with you Angie." Angie agreed immediately.

"Yes Stacey, I would like that. I seem to get the impression Dr. Francis doesn’t think I am capable of understanding anything he says. I must say, his bedside manner isn’t very pleasant. Dr. Anderson is far more accommodating, but she says Francis is the best at what he does." That son of a bitch messes with my mom, and I’ll grab him by the short hairs and change him into a so-prano so quick he’ll never see it coming. Slow down there butch.

"Angie he is the best. But that’s no excuse for being rude. He can be quite full of himself at times. Don’t worry, we’ll straighten him out." Harley entwined his fingers with Angie’s.

"Damn straight babe. That panty twist will be looking to find where his important parts have gone if he messes with you." For once we all agree. Ya s’pose we should write this down somewhere? Probably wouldn’t hurt, may never happen again. Good now that’s all cleared up I’d better get moving.

"I’m glad we all agree. Now I’d better get moving, I’ll see you all a little later. Syd you be ready. I’ll take you to school for your first two periods and your mum can pick you up on the way to UCLA." Syd’s smile instantly disap-peared.

"Aahh mom why do I have to go to school for two hours? It’s not fair." Who said life was fair.

"Hey buckwheat cool your jets; you can get your assignments, and bring them to the center with you. It’ll give you and gramps something to do. Now move it. Oh by the way, life isn’t always fair; get used to it." You are so funny.

"Oohhh all right, but I don’t have to like it." Harley gave Syd’s butt a swat on her way out.

"Don’t argue with your mother. She can be really mean." I smirked at Harley’s attempt at character assassination.

"Cute Harley, really cute." Becca reached out and swatted my derrière as well. "Ow why’d ya hit me?" My angel grinned lasciviously.

"Cause you have such a cute ass, and I love touching it." Damn she’s hot.

"That was more than a touch. Better be careful, I’ll be damaged goods."

"Then I’ll just have to repair the damage." My eyebrow quirked suspic- iously. "You know therapeutic hot oil massage, hot packs, that sort of thing." Eyebrows waggled seductively, and a grin split my baby’s face from ear to ear.

"Uh huh, right. Well before I fall completely apart, I’d better get to the shower. See you in a bit folks." What else can happen?

I finished up my shower in short order. I decided that today I would forego the usually khakis and Bergenstocks for a power suit. I’d dazzle Dr. Charles ‘asshole bedside manner’ Francis with my professionalism. I wondered if he realized I was part of Angie and Harley’s family. I chose my gray Armani silk suit. The matching jacket and trousers were a custom fit, and my gray matching pumps added a couple of inches to my 5’6" frame. This would put me at about eye level with the good doctor. That was a good portion of his problem. He suffered from ‘short man’s syndrome’. For whatever reason, he tried to compensate his lack of stature with bravado. What was really maddening was his bravado was actually warranted. Unfortunately he added a large dose of condescension too, that didn’t sit well with most folks, myself included. Ah well, I’ll just have to be the enforcer for awhile. God I love it!

Fully dressed, I went into my study and came out with my briefcase stuffed full of the information I downloaded describing hypertropic cardoio- myopathy. I wanted to get Izzy to explain some of the items I had highlighted. There were some really reasonable suggestions for changing diet and exercise to control the disease. From what I had read, the biggest danger was from getting overtired and run-down. Vitamin supplements were suggested, especially vitamin B. Potassium and sodium levels needed to be monitored closely as well. Caffeine should be strictly restricted. In some really severe cases, a heart transplant was warranted. But Angie had nixed that idea in no uncertain terms, so that option wouldn’t even be a consideration. And quite frankly, I couldn’t say I disagreed with her. At her age, there was really nothing to gain from the complicated surgery with all the attending complications involved. The only really uncontrollable ‘x’ factor was the sudden death for no apparent reason that was possible with this disease. There was nothing that could be done for it, so we would just have to deal with that eventuality if and when it were to hap- pen, and not dwell on it now. No sense in borrowing trouble. Becca met me at the study door.

"Whoa, look at you. You look good enough to eat." My angel couldn’t hide the unabashed look of lust covering her beautiful face. She encircled me in her arms to begin feasting on my neck. "Aaahhh baby you smell go good, I love White Shoulders on you." My lover began licking and sucking my neck and earlobe furiously. I really had become the main course, and it felt so good to be devoured.

"Thought you already had breakfast." My angel continued to suck gently on the pulse point at the base of my neck.

"I want desert." The tip of a pink tongue came out to begin licking it’s way down my chest to my cleavage.

"Breakfast doesn’t come with desert. That’s not how it’s done." My wife wouldn’t be easily deterred.

"I think we should start a new breakfast menu. You can be the main course." Warm hands began a gentle exploration under silk material. "Do you have anything on under this thing?" My lover asked accusingly. Long, slender, warm fingers explored the flesh under my jacket. "You don’t, miss thing. What’s the deal?" The warm fingers closed around my protruding nipples pinching and tweaking them mercilessly.

"I thought…oh yeah…mmm that feels good…I’m going to…baby stop…

you know I can’t…Becca STOP! Please." The fingers finally ceased their delight- ful torture.

"You’re no fun at all," my wife pouted.

"Yeah well this is for effect, not playing around. We’ll do that when we get home, ‘kay? I’m gonna knock Francis for a loop. What do you think?" The form fitting double-breasted jacket plunged to just above my cleavage. I wore a single gold chain around my neck, diamond studs in my ears, my diamond and emerald wedding ring, and my Rolex wristwatch. I presented the picture of a commanding, forceful, administrator who knew her job and was quite capable of destroying doctor’s careers with the blink of any eye or the wave a hand. I’d done it before to stronger, more powerful men than Charles Francis. I felt my wife’s lapis pools caress my body the way a lover’s hands caress their partner’s skin.

"Oh yeah, it works for me. But hon, he’s gay. What makes you think this will work on him?" Sweetheart stop thinking with your hormones.

"Honey the way I’m dressed affects you sexually. I want to intimidate him professionally. Now look at me the way a colleague would, not my lover." You’ve got to be kidding!

"Oh I see, but believe me it’s very difficult. I’ll see what I can do." My lover looked me over appraisingly. "Yep you ought to knock the ol’ doc for a loop. You do look powerful, confidant, and intimidating in that suit. It suits you." Ha ha, very funny.

"Okay smartass…"

"Hey that’s my line," Becca complained.

"Whining doesn’t become you dear, so knock it off. Well I guess I’d better get going. Syd ready?" Becca nodded.

"Good, I’ll see you at UCLA then." I took my wife in my arms pressed my warm, wet lips to hers. A soft, moist mouth welcomed my tongue and licked and sucked my mouth to hers. "Hmmm, you taste so good. But if we don’t stop this now, I’ll never get done what I need to." Reluctantly, we separated and walked arm in arm to the living room. The rest of the family had moved to the comfor- table furniture having finished their breakfast. Syd was in the middle of an animated telephone conversation. I ruffled her short hair and encouraged her to finish up the call.

"C’mon sweet cheeks, time to go." Syd nodded.

"Ange I gotta go, mom’s ready to leave. I’ll see you at school in a few minutes." Syd clicked off the talk button and turned to me. "Wow mom, you gonna fire somebody today?" What’s up with that?

"No I’m not gonna fire…what the hell…whatever gave you the idea I was going to fire someone?" I was totally in the dark here.

"Really mom, that’s your power suit. You only wear that when you want to scare some poor…mom you’re not gonna talk to my teacher’s again are you?" I was truly stunned. I extended my arms in frustration and looked to Becca for help. Harley was thoroughly enjoying my discomfort that much was obvious.

"Yeah Dr. McGregor, who’s the poor slob that’s gonna get the ax?" Angie slapped the retired sheriff up side the head lightly.

"Harley Danforth, you stop that right now. Stacey isn’t going to fire anyone. I think you look quite professional, stunning actually." There ya see?

Still if Syd really thought…naw…couldn’t be. Why don’t you ask her shithead?

"Syd don’t you think I get dressed up occasionally because I want to wear something different?" Syd nearly fell off the chair laughing.

"Mom you hate wearing that stuff. You do it to look intimidating. But it don’t work on me."

"Doesn’t."

"Yeah that’s what I said. It don’t have any affect at all.

"No I meant it doesn’t work. That’s the proper English usage. Don’t sound so damn ig’nernt!" Syd stopped laughing.

"God that sounds awful mom."

"Now you know how using poor grammar sounds to me when you do it. Now getting back to my style of dress. Explain yourself."

"Mom, you usually wear Dockers, shorts, or surgery scrubs. Mother has to just about tie you down to get you to dress up. So now you come out looking like you just stepped off a model’s runway. What gives?" You know you’re busted smartass. Fess up. Harley wasn’t the only one enjoying himself.

"All right, I just need to talk with Dr. Charles Francis. There’s no point in going down there looking like a bum, so I got dressed up a little." A little ha!

"Sure mom whatever you say. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when you get your ‘schwerve on’, the guy will be toast. Let’s go, Ange is gonna shit when she sees you." Angie and Becca spoke simultaneously, Harley just grunted.

"Sydnee René! Do not use that kind of language." I swatted Syd lightly on the butt.

"Yeah, what kinda young lady are you turning into anyway." Who was I kidding; my language has never, nor probably never would be very good.

"We better get going or we’ll be late." I kissed my wife goodbye. "See you in a bit ‘kay? I love you." I walked over to Angie, leaned down to kiss her silver hair. "I love you too, mom. We’ll all be here for you, understand?" Angie hugged me tightly and held my hands in both of hers.

"Thank you Stacey. You’ll never know how much your love and support mean to me. I’m actually looking forward to seeing you in action." Oh God, this is just great.

"Syd get in the ‘jag’, we’ll leave the SUV for your mother." Syd’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Way cool. Man you’re goin’ all out today. Wait til the guys at school get a load of you." The blonde haired pixie was out the door in a flash.

Syd loved pulling up in front of her school with either Becca or I in the silver Jaguar convertible. Syd wasn’t the least bit concerned about having ‘things’, but she did like the way everybody looked at us, and the boys drooled over our fancy sports car. Of course, the affect was far more dramatic when Becca was driving. The teenage boy’s hormones were fairly blazing when they got an eye full of my sexy wife wearing her Raybans waving goodbye to Syd. I kid her every now and then about a middle-aged woman, who looks to be thirty something, giving teenage boys such a come-on.

"They have a name for that ya know. People go to jail. Let’s see…uh what…oh yeah sexual predator." That remark usually earned me a playful swat. I’d just laugh. Especially when Becca would pull her sunglasses down to expose lapis pools ready to swallow up the hapless teenagers. Generally a wink and a sexy grin were enough to do the boys in, then she was gone. I often thought it rather cruel, since I had been on the receiving end of one of those looks often enough to feel their affect. It wasn’t pretty. At least I could do something about relieving the sexual tension that resulted, the boys couldn’t. Oh c’mon, you don’t know teenage boys very well do you. Anyway, I loved driving our ‘little toy’. And today, it was the last, very integral, part of my ensemble. All part of the plan. Just as expected, heads turned as if they were on swivels. Syd just grinned.

"You’re really liking this aren’t ya?" I chuckled. The blonde haired rascal’s grin broadened even more.

"Heck yeah. It’s not everybody who has two, drop dead gorgeous moth- ers." I snorted loudly. "Mom stop, you really are gorgeous! I think it’s cool when my friends give you guys the once over. Then they leave me a lone." What?

"What’s that supposed to mean? Are people hassling you? Cause if they are, it will be taken care of immediately, I promise." Syd leaned over and kissed my cheek and patted my hand.

"No mom, it’s nothing like that. I just don’t need the problems my friends do with guys, or significant others. I’m too young for that, mom. I’ve got plans for my future that don’t include guys or girls right now. I don’t want to make a huge mistake just for one night of sex and then end up with a baby or worse. You taught me to make wise choices. So right now I want to concentrate on school. I want to go to college; I’d like study to be an anthropologist maybe play softball or soccer. I want to make something of myself the way you and mother have." My concerned demeanor tipped off my teenage daughter. "Don’t worry mom, its not like I haven’t been interested a time or two because I have. But I just don’t need that kind of complication right now. So don’t worry, ‘kay?" Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than smart. In my case, frequently I’m just damned lucky. Having a daughter like our Syd is just one example of that.

"Sydnee René have I told you just how much I love you baby girl, and how proud I am of you? I don’t think I tell you often enough, I’ll try to do better from now on. I am so glad God brought you into our lives. You’re a good kid ya know? Now scoot, it’s 7:45, you don’t want to be late for class. See you in a little bit." Just then, Ange came jogging over to the car.

"Wow cool ride there Syd. Hi coach, I’m ah…well…uh…about Mrs. Danforth. I just want you…gosh coach. She’s a cool lady, and I’m sorry she’s sick. My folks said I should tell ya they send their regards too. Hope she gets better." God it’s always so hard to know what to say at times like this.

"Thank you Ange, and thank your folks too. When Angie’s finished with her tests today, we’ll let everyone know what we find out. I’ll be sure to tell Angie you asked about her. Now you two getta move on, you’ll be late." The two friends waved as I pulled out into the early morning traffic. We really do have very good friends. Even though Angie’s condition is so very serious, I feel better and better as time goes by. I’m sure she’s gonna beat this.

Only a quick twenty minutes passed before I pulled into my parking space at the trauma center. The sign just in front of the car read, Dr. Stacey Lynn McGregor, Trauma Center Chief of Staff. Well now dad just what do you think of that? I didn’t particularly want something that ostentatious, just my name would have been plenty. I still remember the discussion as we stood around the sign just after it had been set…

"Would you look at that! Why couldn’t you have just put my name on the damn thing? Why does it have to have all that title business on it too? And what’s with all the damned foliage; it looks like a damned florist shop. My friends had placed flowers and potted plants around the standard just to get my goat, and it worked. I’ll be damned if I’m gonna have a stupid parking place turned into some sorta shrine! Get rid of all this stuff. Take them up to the patients where they will do some good. It’s a parking space for God sakes. I don’t see why there has to be a sign at all. Frankly I don’t care where I park as long as the guy next to me doesn’t slam into my rig." Irish and Rachel were adamant about what the sign should read.

"Mac you have to let people know who the boss is. It’s more for the board of directors than anybody else. They seem to think a certain amount of pretentiousness is a good thing. For the rest of us, the sign gives us something to vandalize." Irish snorted.

"Hell yeah, just go with it, things could be a lot worse. If Harley would have had his way, the sign would read smartass," Rachel interjected. We all got a good laugh at that. Harley had called me smartass for as long as I could remember.

"If truth be told, I feel more comfortable with that than Trauma Center Chief of Staff." My two friends grabbed me around the shoulders and dragged me into the ER.

"Hey think of it as protection for your valued staff. We want to make damn sure, if a disgruntled patient or family member wants to take their frustration out on the boss’s car, they know which car belongs to whom," Irish snorted hysterically. Oh thanks a heap; your care and concern for me are overwhelming.

That was nearly twenty years ago. The sign had been refurbished over the years, but fortunately no one’s car was ever vandalized. As a matter of fact, with the exception of Arlan Faraday, we had never had any disgruntled patients or relatives to worry about. Well up til now. Jason Jenson might be another story. On top of all our family trouble, Irish informed me, Jenson was out on bail, and the first place he headed was the trauma center to check on his wife. Fortunately, Gil threw is sorry ass out of the ER doors. We would have to do some minor door repair. He forgot to open them before he tossed the jerk out. Imagine that, a fifty-six-year-old man taking care of a twenty-nine–year-old professional football player. Note to self: pay raise for Chief of Security effec- tive immediately. It wasn’t like Jenson was there out of any concern for his wife’s well being mind you, but rather to see if he would be prosecuted for murder. Moron! Well the mood I’m in, if he chooses to mess with anybody here, he’d find impending imprisonment the least of his worries. I walked through the ER doors, and nodded to Cindy Henderson, the ER unit secretary. She was engaged in a ‘active’ phone conversation. Probably her mother; Ida Henderson just wouldn’t let go. She refused to believe her daughter was capable of being on her own in the big city. Cindy was obviously frustrated over the call. I removed the receiver from her clenched fist.

"Hello Mrs. Henderson, this is Dr. Stacey McGregor, Chief of Staff, your daughter’s superior. She is on duty in the ER; she is not allowed to take personal phone calls unless, of course, they are an emergency. These lines must remain open. I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you not to call again while Ms. Hender-son is on duty. Feel free to call during her lunch, however, we do encourage our staff to relax as much as possible during their breaks due to the nature of the stress attendant to their job functions. Thank you and I hope you understand." I terminated the call without giving the woman time to answer. The chagrin Cindy felt was evident on her face.

"I am so sorry Dr. McGregor. She just doesn’t understand I can’t be talking to her while I’m at work. If you wish to make a formal reprimand to go into my personnel file, I completely understand." It never ceases to amaze me how easily parents can humiliate their children, without a thought, no matter their age.

"Don’t worry about it Cindy, you’re not going to receive a reprimand, formal or otherwise. I know how it feels to have a parent embarrass you. After our little talk, I doubt she’ll call again. You do your job very well; you’re very re-sponsible, so don’t let this get to you. Believe me, if you ever do something to warrant a formal reprimand, it will be for something far worse than a nagging mother. If anyone is looking for me, I’ll be in my office." Cindy nodded.

"You look very nice today Dr. McGregor, I hope everything is all right." What is it with people? I get dressed up and suddenly it’s a federal case. Diedre was busy transcribing notes I had dictated when I arrived at her desk. I nodded and smiled, then continued on into my office. A soft tap on my door was follow- ed by a fairy face, with short-cropped red hair, peered around the door.

"Good morning doctor. I just wanted to say how sorry I am about Mrs. Danforth. She is such a sweet, kind person. I hope there is something that can be done and she gets better very soon." Diedre was a damned good executive secretary, and a valued friend. Note to self: review Diedre Hollingworth’s personnel file for salary increase.

"Thank you Diedre, I’m sure we’ll get through this if we all stay together. We’re a very strong family, and there isn’t anyone stronger than Angie. She has some tests scheduled today at UCLA Med Center. In fact, I’m going to be there for the day. I just came in to talk with the staff. Would you call the department directors to Conference Room 2 for a meeting? Schedule it for 9:30am. Thank you." Just before she disappeared, she gave me the once over.

"You look very professional today, very competent. Is this for the meet- ing? I mean I don’t need to call in personnel do I?" If one more person intimates that I’m gonna fire someone I think I just might.

"No Deidre, that won’t be necessary." I tried to remain calm. As she turned to go, I asked my secretary. "Deidre, tell me something. Is the staff afraid of me?" The stunned appearance of my secretary’s face left me shaken.

"You really don’t know do you Dr. McGregor. People here are not afraid of you at all. You are highly respected and I think, genuinely liked by everyone. The staff is very proud to work for you. You make them feel like they are very important to the trauma center. It doesn’t matter if they work in housekeeping or custodial or are one of the top surgeons. You treat everyone the same. I have worked in hospitals where the employees are just numbers; they are no longer individuals. The administration and the doctors could care less. They think they’re better than the rest of us. No Dr. McGregor, the staff definitely isn’t afraid of you. Don’t get me wrong, you can be very intimidating, and I certainly wouldn’t want to be on your bad side. You can be very demanding, but not any more so of others than you are of yourself. I think you just care so much about the patients that you want the very best treatment possible for them from everyone here." Huh, I’ll be damned. "If you don’t mind, why do you ask?" C’mon smartass tell her.

"I guess…I mean…this is rather embarrassing, but people have asked me from my daughter, to her school mates, to the staff here, what the deal is with the suit. My daughter even asked if I was going to fire someone today. Then you asked if personnel needed to be called for the meeting. I was just wonder-ing…um…is the only time I get dressed up when I fire someone?" Diedre could- n’t help but chuckle and instinctively covered her mouth with her hand to hide the laughter.

"Uh hum, oh Dr. McGregor, I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh, but no not at all. It’s just that you don’t wear your…" I provided the term she was searching for.

"My ‘power suit’?" My executive secretary shrugged her shoulders.

"Yeah I guess so. You are very intimidating dressed like that. I could just picture you addressing a meeting of the AMA dressed in that suit and having everyone mesmerized." Mesmerized?

"Aahh, I guess I never thought of myself that way. Becca says the same thing, but I just figured she was prejudiced in my favor." Diedre smiled affectionately.

"Believe me when I say Dr. McGregor you are very intimidating in that suit." Not to mention sexy as hell, she thought. I’d better get the department heads notified. Just then Irish and Rachel barged into the room, both trying to get through the door at the same time. Ten months ago before Irish’s weight loss that wouldn’t have been possible. Before I acknowledged ‘yutz and clutz’ I asked Deidre to call Drs. Jefferson and Monson to come to my office immediate-ly. Time to get to work.

"I can only assume from your rather unprofessional entrance into my office that you have something very urgent to discuss with me, hum?" Oh that’ll go over big Doctor!

"We have something…Jesus H. Christ Mac. What the hell is the matter with you? Of course we have something urgent to talk about. ANGIE!!! You dumb ass! How is she?" Tol’ ya.

"Do you have any idea what would happen to you if you worked for someone else and you talked to them the way you talk to me? You’d find your funny ass looking for a new job! Calm yourself Irish, jeeze you’ll explode. Angie is okay. She’s going to UCLA in a couple hours to have a battery of tests run, and I…"

"Then what in the fuck are you doing here. My God woman your family needs you, Jesus what…" Did what I just say make one damn bit of difference to that woman? Rachel stopped the tirade fortunately, or I might use the power suit for something other than intimidation.

"Mac, what my former rotund friend is trying to point out in her usual tactless fashion is we can certainly handle things here while you take care of your family’s needs." I appreciate that.

"Yes I am well aware of that, and I intend to leave here shortly. However, I have responsibilities here too. For one, I just performed major brain surgery on a patient less than forty-eight hours ago. I really should check on her condition. Secondly, I wanted to touch base with Bob; he will cover for me. Third, I wanted to notify the department directors, you included, about Angie’s condition. The last thing I want to do is visit with Izzy about hypertrophic cario-myopathy before I talk to Dr. Charles Francis, Angie’s doctor." Light dawned on my Nursing Services Director.

"Aaahhh that’s the reason for the ‘suit’, shudda known." Damn I am gonna fire someone. "Ya gonna kick his pompous ass all over UCLA? I hope." God Irish, let’s try to be civilized. Why? I don’t know, just cause.

"I certainly hope it doesn’t come to that…" A knock at my door interrupted my train of thought. "Come." A neurosurgeon and a cardiologist entered my office. "Bob, Izzy thank you for coming. I need to talk to you both. I’m sure you’re both aware my wife’s mother is very ill. I’ll not be here today Bob, so you’ll cover for me. Izzy I need to pick your very talented brain. What can you tell me about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?" The other three medical directors took that as their cue to return to their duties. This was not informa-tion I wanted to become general hospital knowledge. Oh that reminded me. "Excuse me a sec Izzy." I punched my intercom and spoke with my secretary. "Diedre would you come in here please." In a flash said secretary was standing in front of my desk.

"Yes Dr. McGregor."

"Deidre I need a memo circulated to all department heads, and staff in general about confidentiality. I don’t want to have my people gossiping about other staff member’s personal matters anywhere in this center." Izzy cocked an eyebrow knowing specifically the incident to which I was referring. "You know how I want it worded. Get it typed up and I’ll sign it before I leave this morning." Diedre looked at Izzy and then back to me. "Was there something else?" Deidre hesitated for just an instant. "Deidre don’t worry, your orderly isn’t in any trouble. I just don’t want it to happen again. Dr. Faraday and I had a little talk with Don and he understands the need to keep the gossip out of the center. I’m sure he’ll be fine. Now if you would be so good as to get the memo typed up, I’ll sign it." Deidre left the office her face beaming.

"Dr. McGregor I do believe we have a romance blooming here. Are you adding matchmaker to your many skills?" God is she watching that Amazon chick too. Greek, not Amazon, the blonde is the Amazon.

"Izzy, I am not now, nor have I ever been, a matchmaker. I leave that stuff to Becca and Angie. Harley, Syd and I just sit back and watch the explosions when they hit. Now you’re the expert here, what can we do for Angie. Tell me all you know about this damn disease. I want to be able to be on equal footing with Charles, well maybe not equal, but at least be able to under-stand a little of what he says. I don’t want him to be able to manipulate Angie and Harley. You know how he is, and I don’t want him to try to talk them into something they don’t want. So what can we expect?" Izzy reached for my hand and gave it a little squeeze.

"First of all tell me about Angie’s symptoms, weakness, fatigue, erratic heartbeat. Things like that, then I’ll be better able to tell you what you might expect. Now mind you, I can’t make a diagnosis without seeing her, and I take it that isn’t likely?" I never thought about it.

"Izzy…I don’t…I never gave that any thought. Your patients are usually quite a bit younger than Angie. And there is no way Charles would go for a con-sult on this. His ego couldn’t take such a hit. In fact I’m not sure he even knows I’m related. I know he’s never met Becca." Izzy smiled.

"The power suit makes sense now. Gonna scare the little shit to death are ya? Can I watch." There was no love loss between the two cardiologists. He took over the care of one of Izzy’s patients, at the request of the parents, after heavy heat from Francis. The little boy died of complications from a controver-sial procedure Izzy was adamantly against. Francis chalked it up to research. Izzy left the hospital where she was working. It wasn’t long after she came to work here, a decision for which I was eternally grateful.

"Not you too? Izzy I swear if one more person makes a disparaging re-mark about my clothes, I’ll fire the lot of you." Izzy laughed right out loud.

"Easy there boss. It wasn’t meant as a slam. Frankly, I think you look great! I’ll bet Becca does too." Eyebrows wiggled mischievously. "I just meant you look like hell on wheels when you’re dressed to the nines. Hell you don’t do it very often, so when you do, it really makes an impression. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you are a bit embarrassed by all the attention. Am I right?" Not!

"That’s ridiculous! I’m perfectly comfortable with my clothing choice… Sorta…kinda…oh hell. Look let’s get back to the important business at hand."

"Of course." Izzy and I spent the better part of an hour and a half dis-cussing symptoms, diagnosis, and the prognosis of Angie’s condition. I told her everything I knew about how Angie was feeling; her medical history and any-thing else that I could think of that might give Izzy more information to better help me out.

By the time we finished our talk, I was feeling better about my eventual confrontation with Dr. Francis. 9:15am good, I have plenty of time to see Mrs. Jenson and talk briefly to the department heads before I had to leave for the short drive to UCLA Medical Center. I went directly to ICU and the room where Beverly Jenson and her son were recuperating. The charge nurse Gerry Connell saw me get off the elevator and immediately got the Jenson chart. Nurse Connell and I had a little misunderstanding about the appropriateness of having the little child in the same room with his mother. Fortunately, the situation was resolved, after I explained to the nurse it was ‘my way or the highway’.

"Good morning Dr. McGregor. I am so sorry to hear about your…uh…" God, I really don’t like this woman. We either.

"My mother. Thank you Nurse Connell. I’ll pass along your sentiments to the rest of the family. How is Mrs. Jenson this morning?" I checked over the chart making sure my orders were followed explicitly. "Good I see you have been keeping her medicated. If we keep her pain controlled the healing process will be accomplished much quicker and much less stressful." Nurse Connell wasn’t my biggest fan either, but she was a damn good nurse.

"She seems to be resting comfortably, and she has been reacting well to light stimulus. She is reacting to pin pricks in all her extremities as well." Okay, now I’ll have a look.

"Good morning Mrs. Jenson." I didn’t really expect an answer, I saw her eyes were closed, I assumed…careful there smartass…she was still not awake and lucid. I walked over to the neonatal incubator to check on the little one. He was lying there on his back; eyes open taking in his surroundings. "Hey there little guy. How are you? You’re quite the talk of the center ya know that. Everyone is quite taken with you. Pretty soon when your mamma wakes up, she’ll give you a name. Cool huh?" The weak low voice was barely audible over the beeping of the various pieces of medical equipment in the room.

"His…name…is…Jesse…Wayne…Jenson." I turned toward the bed where Beverly was laying. I’ll be damned. I crept over to the bed, and took my patient’s hand.

"Mrs. Jenson, I am Dr. McGregor. You’ve had a very serious brain surgery. We also had to do an emergency cesarean to save your child, who’s doing quite well by the way. We also had to remove your spleen. Everything went very well. The surgeries were two days ago, Friday evening. Now I’m going to ask you some questions and do some tests to make sure you’re completely with us. Then I’ll introduce you to a very fine young man. Okay?" A small smile touched Beverly’s lips at my announcement. She nodded her acqui-esence so I continued. I asked her full name, age, when she was born, where, where she lived now, family names, things of that nature. She answered all my questions. Then when I checked her reflexes and sensitivity to light she passed those tests as well. "Mrs. Jenson, you are going to be just fine. Now let me get your son so you can hold him. Do you feel up to that?" Stupid question smartass. Not so stupid, she might be too weak ya know. Who the hell’s the doctor here anyway? Get outta my face.

"Yes…please." I picked up the precious little bundle in my arms. He was so small, a lot smaller than Syd, but still holding him brought back wonderful memories of Syd’s babyhood.

"Here ya are." I gave the small package to his mother. I couldn’t help notice the loan tear that trickled out of the corner of Beverly’s eye when she first looked at her son.

"Thank…you," She said weakly. She turned to me, a sudden fearful look passing across her face. Not a problem. I smiled and squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.

"I don’t want you to worry Mrs. Jenson, you and your baby are safe here. No one will harm you, no one, I promise." My patient struggled to hold her little baby, but didn’t want to let him go. I can fix that.

"Nurse Connell please get me another pillow." The nurse turned on her heel and returned shortly with another pillow. I arranged the extra pillow on Mrs. Jenson’s stomach so the baby could rest between the pillow and his mother’s breasts. "Um I don’t know if you planned to nurse the baby, but for now you can’t because of the drugs in your system. But once you’re home and the drugs have left your system, you will be able to if you choose. He’s prema- ture, but very healthy. You have nothing to worry about. Now, I’ll just let you two get acquainted; the nurse will put him back to bed when you’re ready. I’ll be back to check on you later today." I glanced at the clock on the wall, and realized I had just enough time to get downstairs to the conference room, and then to UCLA before Angie went in for her tests. I motioned with my head to Nurse Connell requesting she follow me to the nurse’s station.

"I think Mrs. Jenson will make it fine. But if there are any changes whatsoever, Dr. Jefferson will be on call for me. He’s in the building, so have him paged. I’ll be a UCLA all day. If he thinks it’s necessary, he can page me. I want you to call Nurse Latimer over here from Peds to look after the little one. By the way, his name is Jesse Wayne Jenson. See to it his name is placed on his chart. Also the father is not allowed anywhere near those two. I doubt he’ll get past security, but if so, call Chief Warren immediately. Understand?" The look of disgust was clearly written all over Connell’s face. What the hell’s the matter…aahh the peds nurse. "I have no reason to doubt your abilities Nurse Connell, but little Jesse will need extra care, unless you want to change diapers too, I should think you’d welcome the help. I want both of my patients to receive the utmost care. Is there a problem with that?" I knew the emphasis on the word my caught Connell’s attention; I was sure there would be no mess-ups. Connell just nodded. I made a few more notations on the chart and left the unit headed for my meeting. Everyone was seated around the conference table when I arrived.

"Thank you all for coming. First of all I wanted to thank you for all the love and concern you and each member of your staffs have shown to my family and I, it is greatly appreciated. And that brings me to the reason for the meet- ing…" I filled in the department heads on my mom’s condition, and the need for me to be with my loved one’s in the coming weeks and months and the change in schedules that would undoubtedly result. Everyone was very under- standing and supportive. I knew without a doubt that with Drs. Donnovon-Evans, Jefferson, and Monson, along with Nursing Director Rafferty-Warren the in charge the center would be in good hands. I adjourned the meeting and walked to my car. It didn’t take long for me to reach the UCLA Medical Center; it was practically next door. I pulled into my parking space: Reserved for Dr. SL McGregor. My God, I think these things are reproducing. I climbed out of my car and into the ER unit doors. All right Francis, I’m loaded for bear; you’d bet- ter be on your toes or I’ll eat you alive.

This is the end of part two. The conclusion to ‘Circle of Life’ will follow soon, promise. Let me know what you think so far.

Continued in Part 3.