"Seriously?" Karen shook her head. "So they what... dress up like animals or something?"
"They can. At the extreme end of the spectrum, some people modify their physical appearance with tattoos and implants to better match their 'inner' animal."
"Wow."
"So back to Cat Guy," Jess said. He still had not shut up and her headache was getting worse. "I haven't seen him in the ER before. And I'm sure I would have heard about it if he had come in while I wasn't here. What do you want to do with him?"
Kim shrugged. "I'd like to just street him. Maybe it would convince him to give up on this." Kim raked her fingers through her hair. "There are lots of ways to get shelter and a hot meal without draining an ER's limited resources. But as long as he's like that, I can't take the chance, in case I'm wrong."
Jess racked her brain, then grinned to herself when inspiration struck. Oh, yeah. This will flush you out, buddy. "So you're sure he's faking?"
"As sure as I can be. Nothing in psychiatry is a hundred percent," Kim said.
"Okay. I've got an idea." Jess looked at Karen. "Now, don't ever try something like this on your own without consulting Dr. Donovan or myself first. Understood?"
Karen nodded. Jess could see the questions in her eyes, but Karen resisted asking.
"When we get inside, I need you to follow my lead, no questions asked."
"I can do that," Karen said.
"What are you going to do?" Kim asked.
Jess smiled at Kim. I knew you'd ask. Although Kim thought the patient was faking, he was still her first concern.
She hadn't missed Karen's shocked expression on seeing her smile. Maybe it is time to loosen up a little. Kim was showing her that it was possible to be professional without keeping everyone at arm's length. Myra has claimed enough of your life. It's time to let all that go.
Turning her focus back to the business at hand, Jess said, "Sometimes an unusual situation calls for a unique solution." She pushed open the door and entered the room before Kim could question her further. For this to work, she needed the patient to see Kim's and Karen's shocked reactions.
As soon as they entered the room, Cat Guy ceased to yowl and began to meow again.
Jess strode up to the side of the gurney and met the patient's eyes. He stared right back and hissed. There was none of the gaze avoidance or any of the other behaviors she would have expected to see in a patient this dissociated from reality. Kim was right. This guy knew exactly what he was doing.
Karen took up position on the opposite side of the gurney.
"Dr. Armstrong, would you get a suture kit, please."
Karen's eyebrows shot up, but she turned and headed for the cabinet holding the trays.
Totally ignoring the patient, Jess turned to Kim. "This is a very interesting case. I've read studies about this. Once they devolve into their pure animal state, there is no going back."
Cat Guy's meowing got quieter with longer pauses. He was clearly worried about where Jess was going with this.
Karen returned with the requested suture tray.
"Ah, good. Thank you." Jess pushed the over-the-bed table away. She grabbed a stand and placed the instrument tray on it and then opened the tray, exposing the contents.
Kim's expression grew wide-eyed. "Ah... Dr. McKenna?"
Perfect. Kim sounded honestly concerned.
A glance out of the corner of her eye showed Cat Guy looking nervous. Jess could see sweat beginning to form on his forehead. Not such a great gimmick now, is it, bud?
"Don't worry, Dr. Donovan. It's a very simple procedure to neuter him. Believe me, it's the best thing for him. It will make him much calmer... and quieter."
Cat Guy squeaked, then his meowing stopped. Sweat ran down the sides of his face.
"But... don't you need permission," Karen asked. Her eyes sparkled with interest.
Good job, Karen. Jess sent her an impressed look.
"Well. I would, Dr. Armstrong, if he was a person. But as he has clearly demonstrated to us, he's a cat." Come on, guy. Break. I can't go much further with this. "A person could speak up and refuse the procedure."
Jess took her time setting up the tray before pulling on sterile latex gloves. Shit. He's not going for it. There was one more thing she could try. She moved over to a nearby drawer and pulled out a disposable scalpel. On her way back to the bed, she pulled off the outer wrapper, but left the sheath on the blade.
She faced Cat Guy. "Ready?"
Kim and Karen gasped simultaneously.
"Wait. No. You can't do that. I refuse." The words burst rapid fire from Cat Guy. He pressed himself against the opposite side of the gurney, as far away from Jess as he could get.
About time! Jess didn't relent. "People give their names when asked. Cats don't. What's your name?"
"Donny. Donny Nowicki. I swear. I'll give you my social security number. You can check."
Jess turned her back on Donny and Karen to hide her grin. "All yours, Dr. Donovan."
She tossed the scalpel in and then scooped up the open suture kit. As she moved past Kim, she lowered her voice, "Good luck with your cat. As you know, I'm much more a dog person myself."
* * *
Jess pulled off her gown and tossed it into the marked hamper near the door. She glanced back at one of the nurses. "Check the pulses in that leg every five minutes until ortho arrives to take him to the OR. If there is any change before they get here, page me."
"Sure thing, Dr. McKenna."
Jess's stomach growled, reminding her it was time for lunch. She had gotten pulled into a trauma right after leaving Kim and Karen.
Wonder how Kim did with her cat.
She turned the corner and headed for her office. An automatic smile blossomed when she spotted Kim ahead of her in the corridor. "Dr. Donovan."
Kim stopped and waited for her to catch up.
"How did it go with Donny?" Jess asked as they resumed walking.
"I can't believe you did that," Kim said, nudging her with an elbow.
"Hey. I never touched him."
"True." Kim shook her head. "Well, it was certainly effective, I'll give you that. Once he started talking, I didn't think I was ever going to get him to quit."
"Did you street him?" Jess asked.
"No. He's not a bad guy. He lost his mother and then their apartment. He just made bad choices."
Ah. I'm not surprised. You always go that extra mile for your patients.
"I contacted the Homeless Services Authority," Kim said. "They'll get him situated temporarily and then find a therapist to work with him."
The sound of raised voices interrupted.
What the? Jess lengthened her stride.
As Jess neared the junction of the two corridors, Karen's voice became clear. "Knock it off, Peter. No one wants to hear that garbage. Who cares if they're together? More power to them."
"You're just pissed 'cause Donovan wouldn't give you the time of day," Terrell said.
Jess stopped just short of the corner. She glanced back at Kim and could tell from her expression she had heard what had been said.
Without a word, they quickly backtracked down the hall and took a different route to Jess's office.
Kim spoke up as soon as the office door closed behind them. "I'm sorry. I wish you didn't have to put up with all this." She sighed. "But I don't see any way to stop it."
"It's not just about me. I don't want you to have to put up with this either." Jess gave Kim's arm a gentle squeeze. "Once everyone figures out that we're not making any attempt to hide the fact that you're my girlfriend, it'll be no big deal anymore. They'll move on to the next hot gossip."
Kim stared at Jess for several stunned seconds. A brilliant smile lit her face. "Your girlfriend?"
Jess realized she had talked about their future, but never actually told Kim that was how she thought of her. She knew her smile rivaled Kim's. "If you'll have me?" She's a lot more than your girlfriend. You need to tell her how you feel.