Stolen Moments (Read 15,849 times)

[Kpatch]

Chapter 34


Philip’s eyes widened as an idea came to him. He just thought of someone who might be willing and able to help. “Why didn’t I think of this sooner,” Philip mumbled as he scrolled through the contact list on his iPhone. He tapped one of the listings and waited for an answer on the other end.

“Hi. This is Philip Kiriakis. ... Please don’t hang up. It’s a matter of life and death.”

A voice on the other end said, “Really Philip? Isn’t it always a matter of life and death with you? There’s always a catastrophe du jour where you’re concerned, and frankly, I don’t want to hear about it anymore.” Philip tried to get a word in edgewise. He even knew what Nancy Wesley was going to say before she said it. The woman was nothing if not predictable. “You and you alone are the source of all my daughter’s problems and I just thank the gods every day that you are totally and completely out of Chloe and Parker’s life, and that a decent man like Dr. Daniel Jonas is my grandson's father and not you. Good bye.”

“Nancy, wait, don’t hang .... Damn it!” Philip dialed the number again. He needed to talk to Craig. If anyone could help him, it was Chloe’s father. He was a doctor. He’d be more reasonable than Daniel. Or Nancy. He would see for himself what’s going on with Chloe.

Philip just prayed that Craig would answer the phone this time. If not, Philip might just have to rev up the Titan jet and make a trip to New York to talk to him in person.

“Yes, Philip,” Craig answered, already sounding exasperated.

“Craig. Thank God,” Philip said. “Look, I know I’m not your favorite person, but please hear me out.” Thankfully, Craig didn’t hang up, so Philip continued. “You know Chloe is being treated at The Oaks.”

“Of course I know that,” Craig sounded offended. “I’m in close contact with her medical team and Daniel. He briefs me every other day.”

“Then you must know that Chloe isn’t getting better.”

“Oh? That’s not what Daniel says.”

“I don’t know what planet Dr. Jonas is living on, but Chloe’s condition is deteriorating. I’ve seen it with my own two eyes.”

“Ah yes, about that. I understand you’re not supposed to be seeing Chloe at all.”

“Never mind that!” Philip raised his voice, tired of the petty cat and mouse game Craig was playing. “Listen to what I’m saying, would you? Chloe doesn’t know who I am. She doesn’t know who Parker is. She told me she has no children. She doesn’t know the difference between her dreams and reality. She’s lost weight. And I’m afraid that if we don’t get her out of there, she’ll continue to go downhill.”

Craig was silent for a few minutes on the other end. “I’ll be there tomorrow. I’ll call you when I land in Salem.”

Philip exhaled. “Thank you.”

[wendylou]

Okay! Finally I'm feeling hopeful that Chloe may be getting some actual help. Surely Craig will see that Chloe is not well.

[gapeach]

Phillip is growing up! That had to be a hard call for him to make knowing how Chloe's parents feel about him. He is finally putting someone else first!!!!

[jc20886]

Philip has finally got the ball rolling ; hope it lands on Kate and Dr Jonas

[MrsM]

I hope this is the turn that he needs to get Chloe help!!

[fluffysmom]

I'm glad Philip called Craig. Glad he's coming to Salem quickly. Hopefully he arrives in time to save Chloe from the surgery.

[melly]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I HEART CRAIG AND NANCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kpatch]

Chapter 35


After Craig touched down in Salem, he rented a car and drove directly to The Oaks. Standing at the front desk, he impatiently drummed his fingers on the counter. He hit the bell again trying to catch someone’s attention.

“Finally,” he said, as a woman came to the desk. “I’m here to see my daughter, Chloe Lane.”

“You have to sign the register,” Luisa, the receptionist, told him.

Craig scanned the countertop. “Where is it?”

“Oops, sorry, here it is.” She took it from behind the desk and placed it in front of him. After he signed, she looked at the book. “Greg Weasel...”

“It’s Craig. Dr. Craig Wesley,” he said impatiently.

“Sorry. Hmmm. I don’t see your name on the approved visitors list.”

Craig rolled his eyes. “Didn’t you hear me? I said I’m her father. I don’t need to be approved.”

“Actually, all of Chloe’s visitors need to be approved in advance by Dr. Newman.”

“Fine, Dr. Newman knows who I am. He knows that I’m a respected New York City doctor, and my time is very valuable. So you just tell Dr. Newman that Chloe’s father is here to see her. And I don’t like to be kept waiting.”

“I wish I could, Dr. Weasel, but Dr. Newman is at another facility today, and then he’s out of town for the rest of the week, so....”

“It’s Wesley you little fool and don’t try telling me that the doctor is unreachable for a week. Doctors are always reachable!” Craig pulled his anger back when he saw he was upsetting the young woman. “What’s your name?” He looked at her name plate. “Luisa? Look Luisa, I’m sorry I yelled, but I just flew all the way from New York to see my daughter, and if I don’t get to see her right now, Dr. Newman is going to hear from my attorney.”

“Um. Okay. Um. Please wait here. I’ll see if I can find Dr. Kiley.” Luisa left the desk and so did Craig.

Craig reached into his pocket and took out his stethoscope, draping it around his neck. He strolled through the corridors, trying to look like he worked there. As he passed a room, he grabbed a patient chart from the plexiglass holder attached to the door so he could use it as a prop.

He stopped an orderly in the hallway. “Pardon me, I’m consulting on Chloe Lane’s case. Could you tell me her room number?”

“Didn’t they tell you up front?”

“Yes, but I’m a bit dyslexic. Is it ... um ...152?”

“Close. It’s 128. Down that way.”

“Ah, yes, of course. Thank you.” Craig hurried down the corridor until he reached Chloe’s room. He knocked lightly and entered.

When Craig entered, Chloe was standing next to a chest of drawers, chin propped on her hand, staring at a framed picture of Daniel.

“Sweetheart?”

Chloe casually looked in Craig’s direction. “Are you a new doctor here?”

“Baby, it’s me, your father.”

Chloe blinked several times and her lips parted. “Daddy!” She rushed into his open arms.

[fluffysmom]

That's pretty suspicious that her own dad wasn't on the approved visitor list. So glad that Craig found Chloe.

[gapeach]

I am glad she recognized Craig. Loved how the receptionist kept calling him Weasley!!

[melly]

LOL @ "Greg Weasel"...

[Kpatch]

Chapter 36


The intercom buzzed and Marie said, “Philip, Dr. Wesley is here to see you.”

Philip opened the door to his office and extended his hand to Craig. “Boy am I glad to see you.”

Craig walked into Philip’s office without shaking his hand. He took a seat and pointed toward Philip’s face. “I hope you got the license plate of the truck that hit you.”

“Oh this,” Philip said, touching his own jaw where Daniel’s fist landed. “It looks worse than it is. So....?”

“So, I just came from seeing Chloe.”

Philip sat down on the corner of his desk. “And? What did you think?”

Craig looked Philip in the eye. “I think you’re right. Something is off.”

“Thank God! I was worried you wouldn’t see what I was seeing.”

Craig got up and paced around the room. “Oh I saw it alright, starting with her greeting.” He stopped pacing and gripped the back of the chair he’d been sitting in. “She called me Daddy. Chloe has never in her life called me Daddy. ... Dad or Craig, sure. But never Daddy. I mentioned Nancy and she didn’t even know who I was talking about. I even mentioned you. The only person she seems to connect with is Daniel.”

“I’ve noticed that she seems to remember things from the distant past,” Philip commented. “She remembers me from high school, but not from present-day. She doesn’t seem to even know she has a son.”

“Where you’re concerned, and even Parker, it could be a defense mechanism,” Craig conjectured. “Could be she associates the both of you with more recent emotional distress.”

“But that’s not what it is, is it?”

“I don’t know,” Craig said. “She seemed child-like. Could be the drugs she’s on. Wish I knew what they’re prescribing. I couldn’t find her chart, so I did my own assessment. Her pulse was slow, too slow. And when I tried to get her to follow my finger with her eyes, she couldn’t focus.”

“Damn.”

“What I want to know is why aren’t the doctors paying better attention. It’s a first-rate facility, Newman’s supposed to be tops in his field, he’s Daniel’s friend from med school.” Craig was getting heated. “And if Daniel sees her all the time, why isn’t he intervening? Why aren’t they doing a better job of taking care of my girl?”

“I ask myself that every day. Actually, I ask Daniel too.”

“What does he say?”

“To me?” Philip shrugged. “Not much. We don’t exactly see eye to eye lately.”

“I’m worried, Philip,” Craig confessed. “I left Newman a voicemail, but I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

“What are you thinking?”

“No idea,” Craig answered. “I want a consultation with Newman, but they told me he’s out of town until next Tuesday.”

“More roadblocks,” Philip was exasperated. “What about asking to see her medical records?”

“Privacy laws. Unless Chloe herself authorized it in advance, we couldn’t get her records without a court order.”

“Fine, then let’s get one. I’ll talk to Justin, see what he can do.”

“Good,” Craig agreed. “Make sure he’s discreet.”

“Of course. ... You know, Craig, I’ve been doing a lot of research on The Oaks, and I keep running into dead ends,” Philip explained. “What I’d really like to do is have Chloe transferred to Stonybrook in Chicago. But ... Craig, I have no authority over Chloe’s care. But as her father, you do.”

“Hmmm. I’d sooner see her in New York than in Chicago, but I’d really like more information about her care before I uproot her. I want to give Newman and Jonas the benefit of the doubt before we do anything drastic. ... What? I can see that you’re angry.”

“Not angry,” Philip said. “It’s just that I really hoped that we’d get somewhere faster with you here in town.”

“We will. Just be patient.”

Philip shook his head from side to side. “I’m out of patience. This has been going on too long. I want answers. I want to see Chloe improving.”

Craig was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “Thank you.”

Philip raised his eyebrows. “What for?”

“For caring so much. Look Philip, it’s no secret I’ve never been a fan of yours. I didn’t like you from the day you walked into my living room to pick Chloe up for your sophomore prom. You reminded me too much of me at that age, and trust me, that’s not a compliment.”

“High school was a long time ago.”

“Yeah, and my opinion of you hasn’t changed much,” Craig said bluntly. “But ... I’m glad you’re keeping an eye on Chloe. More than glad. I’m grateful.”

“I’m not looking for any gratitude, Craig. I just want Chloe to get well.” Philip looked down at his desk momentarily, then he looked Craig in the eye. “I still love her. I still ... she’s everything to me.”

Craig nodded. “I can see that. ... It’s ironic.”

“What is?”

“That I used to think you were just a punk. I always expected you to love her and leave her and break her heart, but it was the other way around, wasn’t it?” Philip didn’t know how to answer that, so he didn’t respond. “Well, I’d better get going.” Craig extended his hand to Philip.

“Thank you for coming,” Philip said, shaking Craig’s hand. “Hey, Parker is staying at my father’s.” Craig looked at Philip questioningly. “I figured you’d want to see your grandson while you’re in town, so ....”

“Yes. Definitely. I was planning to see him while I’m here. I’ll head over there now.”

“Wait,” Philip said putting on his coat. “I have a board meeting at the hospital. I’ll drop you off at the mansion on my way there.”

“I’ve got a rental,” Craig said, “but I’ll ride down the elevator with you.”

“Great. And I’ll give Justin a call from the car.”

[jc20886]

Yahoo the big guns are taking action

[gapeach]

I am glad that Phillip called Craig and he (Craig) is going to do something! Am also glad they are getting along better!

[fluffysmom]

Philip is right. They need to do something soon.

I liked Craig's realizations about Philip.