“Right,” the female doctor says. “I’m Dr.Margolis. I’m a vascular surgeon. The bullet hit a brachial veinbefore shattering the humerus. I repaired the vein, and Dr.Pritari, an orthopedic surgeon, repaired the bone.”
That seems to be all she’s willing toshare.
Dr. Pritari says, “We had to clean out thearea to prevent lead toxicity, and the vein had to be clamped whilewe repaired the bone. We used as many of the bone fragments as wecould, and repositioned them with the bone into its normalalignment. As is frequently the case with this type of injury, thelength of the bone was reduced. With Ethan we were able to keep thereduction to under four millimeters. The bone is being heldtogether with two plates, and screws, which will remain inside hisbody. After I finished with the implants, Dr. Margolis was able torepair the vein. She’s quite skilled.”
I like him better than her, but if she putEthan’s vein back together, I don’t care if she has the bedsidemanner of a rock.
“Ethan will remain in the hospital for aboutthree days,” Dr. Pritari continues. “I’ve written down the names ofa few of our colleagues in the Boston area. Once you choose, Ethanwill have his follow-up appointments with them, and whenappropriate, the orthopedist will send Ethan to physical therapy.Do you have any questions?”
Yeah. Why didn’t I keep him in the hotel roomwith me for another ten days?
“Did the blood loss affect his organs?” Iknew this was something the doctors monitored religiously with me,especially given where I was shot.
“Fortunately, the officers at the scene actedquickly and tied off a tourniquet, and Ethan was brought here byhelicopter. We don’t anticipate any lasting effects.”
I looked back at Carlos and knew he’d savedEthan’s arm. I wonder which one of these cops flew Ethan to thehospital.
Baz asks, “How long before he regains fulluse of his arm?”
Dr. Pritari bobs his head a little. “Somepeople don’t, but Ethan’s fit and strong, so I have high hopes. Thebone should knit within eight weeks. The real work will be in PT.If he does what he’s told and keeps all his appointments, he’llheal in the four-to-six month range.”
I move forward and place my hand on Dr.Pritari’s arm. “Thank you.” Then I turn to Dr. Margolis and holdout my hand. She gives it a brisk shake, and I tell her, “Thankyou.”
Dr. Pritari reaches in the deep pocket of hislab coat and pulls out a business card. “Call me if you have anymore questions.”
I take the card and stuff it into my jeanspocket. “When can I see him?”
Dr. Pritari says, “He should be out ofrecovery soon. Go to the waiting room on the eighth floor. Someonewill come out to get you when he’s been moved into his room.”
He and Dr. Margolis leave and I turn, walk toCarlos, and give him a big hug. “Thank you. I know it was you whosaved his arm.”
“Returning the favor. He kept me safe.”
I have a feeling there’s more to thatstatement, but I don’t want to know. I turn to the room. “Thank youfor staying here with us. I can’t tell you how much it means havingyour support.” I draw in a deep breath. “Is the helicopter pilothere?”
“No, hon,” a tall thin cop answers. “He hadto stay on duty. But we’ll let him know you said thank you.”
I nod and tell them, “Please, go home. Eatsome real food and get some sleep.”
Over the next few minutes cops come up to meand say good night until it’s Baz, Laura, me, and Carlos left.
“You should go home,” I tell Carlos. “You hada rough day.”
“I will after he wakes up and I stick my headin to say a few words.”
“Deal.”
We walk down the hall, get into an elevator,and Baz hits the button for the eighth floor.
***
“We can’t,” I tell Ethan while sittingastride his lap in the hospital bed. I grab his beard at his chinand yank. He scowls and pulls his head back. “Now that I have yourattention—”
“Babe. You’re sitting on my dick. My arm iswrapped around you. I can see you. I’ve tasted that sweet mouth,and I can smell your hair. How do you not have my attention?”
“You’re ignoring the point.”
“Which is?”
