"Now, Joseph," she gently admonished as she turned around. "I don't think you're in any way ready to make that call. You were in a terrible wreck and have been fading in and out of consciousness." Kinsey rushed back over to his side and immediately picked up his hand and began checking his pulse. He was still hooked up to the monitors, but she felt better double checking the equipment with the good-old-fashioned, hands-on approach.
"I'm tougher than I look. Right now the only thing I want is to see George," Joseph repeated.
Kinsey looked into his pain filled eyes and felt her own tear up. She knew how much he was blaming himself for the accident. She also knew that family was more important to him than anything else. His family couldn't afford to lose him, though, and she needed to get that through his head.
"Joseph, I understand that you're tougher than a freight liner, but I think you're in shock. I've seen this before. I'm very concerned about the headache you've had since arriving. I want you to have a CT scan and a consult with a Neuro Surgeon," Kinsey argued. Now she was fighting with the doctor and her patient. Her job was rarely easy.
"Kinsey, dear, I've been through worse than a little car accident. I'm okay. Now, listen to your doctor, and help me get out of here. I need to check on my brother."
"Please, just indulge me for another hour? That's not asking much. I'll personally go and check on George and come right back with an update," Kinsey pleaded.
"Dad!" Lucas rushed into the room. "How are you feeling? What has the doctor said? Where's Uncle George? I can't seem to get answers from anyone," Lucas fired, not giving Joseph enough time to answer before he fired off another question. Alex and Mark came in right behind him, along with Amy, Jessica and Emily.
Kinsey smiled at the look of love and worry on their faces. Her best friend was indeed lucky to have married into such a beautiful family. They were good people, inside and out. She quietly slipped from the room so they could visit privately.
"Did you start the discharge process?"
Kinsey took a fortifying breath before turning. The same doctor was back, breathing down her neck. She knew now it was just a power-of-wills. He didn't care about the patient – he cared about his orders being followed.
"As you can see, Mr. Anderson's family just arrived. He'll be busy for a while answering their questions. When he's finished, I'll start the discharge process," Kinsey stalled.
"Don't think I don't know what you're doing. I will be reporting you to your supervisor. Get him discharged, now!"
"You pompous, son-of-a-b … "
"Stop right there. I don't care what it takes. You'll be escorted out of here within the next hour. It's either you, or me."
"Why can't you just admit to the fact that you may be wrong? It doesn't hurt you, in the least, to order a CT scan and have a neurosurgeon do a consult." Kinsey was done dealing with the doctor. She'd go to her supervisor – but she wasn't backing down.
"You're finished here," he snarled before walking off.
Yes, I most likely am finished, she thought as she walked over to the nurses' station and picked up the phone.
"Yes, Dr. Mason has ordered a Neuro consult on a patient, Joseph Anderson, and it needs to be soon. Also, he's ordered a CT scan," Kinsey said.
Not knowing the difference, they sent out the page, and Kinsey turned toward the room Joseph was in. She felt it in her gut that something was wrong. The doctor would be furious with her, but she didn't care. If Joseph turned out to be okay, it was worth the doctor's wrath. She'd already made the decision to sacrifice her job.
"Kinsey!"
Kinsey turned just in time to catch Cassie as she threw herself at her. She had to fight her frustrated tears from falling as Cassie broke down in her arms.
"I'm so glad you're here, Kins. They won't tell us anything. We finally got to come see Uncle Joseph, but we still know nothing about my Dad. Do you know anything?" Cassie asked as she leaned back.
"I'm sorry, Cass. I've been with Joseph the whole time but I'll make some calls and see what I can find out about George," Kinsey quickly assured her friend.
"I just don't understand how something so awful happens to two of the most wonderful men I know," Cassie said, still holding onto Kinsey.
"I don't know, Cass. I see it every single day, and I still don't get it. So many tragedies, so senseless. But, they're both alive, Cass. Don't give up on them."
"I know, I know. I'm just … my hormones … I'm sorry," Cass shook as her tears fell freely.
"You haven't mentioned depression," Kinsey said with concern.