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For most of the year, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania is gray.
The sky takes on a single shade, making the city lose all depth. The world around you is dull and flat, bringing a new kind of seasonal depression Dennis was not prepared for.
Everyone in the city movies in a haze from January to April. With the holidays over, all that is left is cold, wet, slushy, gray. Snow never quite melts on the sidewalks or streets. His brother's hand-me-down boots were well worn, but they worked well enough to keep out the wet and the cold from his feet.
Right now, they weren't quite helping Dennis. As he’s laid out in the middle of a Pittsburgh street, right over a shallow pothole. Leaving his whole back wet. He’s not sure why he’s here? All he could see was the hazy gray sky above.
Cold wet bites at his skin, a distraction from the pain in the rest of his body. Slow thoughts sludge through gus brain. Intense ringing in his ears overwhelms him.
A man’s face comes into view, blocking most of the sky. He’s out of focus, but Dennis could tell he was moving his mouth. The words didn't quite reach his brain, but with a little focus he could make out the distinct sound of sirens.
He tries to say “I’m fine” but his mouth doesn’t cooperate with him.
Time goes fuzzy then.
Bright red lights, dulled by fog, cut through the gray. The sirens are louder now, making his head hurt worse. In fact, the more he lays here, his whole body hurts worse. More people surround him, speaking to him. ‘EMT’s’ a small voice in the back of his head supplies.
That makes sense. His whole body hurts. A collar is fitted to his neck, and his pain flashed hot and burning as he was moved to the stretcher. The dull gray sky is replaced with the metallic gray of the ambulance. He’s really sick of gray. Needles poke and prod at him. They work around him, and he shuts his eyes. One moment they are moving, the next they are coming to a speeding stop. The doors ahead of him fly open and a rush of cold hits him. Noise overwhelms him as his bed moves. Above him, he finally sees someone he knows. Dr Robby looks like he’s seen a ghost, but Dennis can’t question him what’s wrong before his eyes drift closed again.
—------------
Trinity Santos won’t admit it, but these two weeks Dennis has overnight’s have been… annoying. The roommates have a strange relationship. Anyone can see that. It’s only when you spend time with them you find out about the sibling bond they have formed. He’s her annoying little brother. She’ll bully him relentlessly, but now that he’s in her life she couldn’t imagine it without him.
As she sits at the hub charting, her focus drifts to her attending and charge nurse. Doctor Robby and Dana stand on the opposite side of the desk, chatting about a patient. Trinity tries to eavesdrop in, but they are too far away to hear.
Dana answers the phone after one ring, listing intently. “Paintent Incoming. Male, 20’s. Hit by a City bus crossing the street. Definite concussion and broken leg. Possible broken ribs and collarbone. Caution for spine injury.” She looked over to Robby.
“Santos, you’re with me.” He points towards the ambulance bay doors, walking away without her. She whispered out a thanks under her breath. This poor guy saved her from charting.
Meeting Robby outside, the cold air makes her shiver. “I’m so sick of the cold.”
“And it’s only February." She groans at his lament, watching the ambulance speed in. Her and Robby hover back, waiting to jump into action. The van stops, doors flying open. An Emt jumps out and Robby runs to meet her. Santos stands a little farther back, ready to meet them once the patient is unloaded. She watches Robby do something she’s never seen him do. Hesitate. His face pales when he sees the patient. But quickly schooling his expression and assisting the EMT’s move the stretcher. Traces of a grim look linger on his features. She doesn't have time to question why.
Seeing the patient’s face, her heart stops.
Her body works on muscle memory and instincts. She helps push the stretcher towards the doors. Her eyes locked on the bloody face of Dennis Whitaker.
“He’s in and out of consciousness" an EMT says, as they rush a pale Dennis into the ED. As they rush past the nurses hub, Robby turns his head to Dana. She gasps at the sight of the resident in the bed.
“It’s Whitaker. Keep Santos OUT.” His tone is final “McKay, Langdon. With me!” The two residents quickly follow, as Dana grabs onto Trinity’s shoulder. She watches as her co-workers rush in after Robby. Her brain catches up to her, to the situation. They work efficiently on the other side of the glass. Transferring Dennis to the exam bed, checking him over.
“Wait, Dana I’m going in? I need to help!”
“No, you’re not, kid.” Dana tightens the grip on her shoulders, “You’ll do more harm than good in there. You know that.” Trinity does, rationally. But watching Princess cut open his old winter coat and sweatshirt it pains her that she’s stuck on the other side of the glass. She gets a look at him through the Doctors and Nurses, his chest a mosaic of bruises. Blood sticky on his head. She can’t look away as they do tests.
Langdon guides a tube down his throat, Intubating him. He needs surgery. They all work on Dennis with no hesitancy. Like the person below didn’t laugh and joke with them just a few days ago. Tubes and wires surround him, with warming blankets placed on either side. He looks so small and pale, laying there.
Trinity has never felt so stupid and helpless in a very long time. All medical knowledge she has slips through her fingers as she tries to focus on what is happening to Dennis. McKay and Robby are at Dennis’s head, Robby shining his pen light into eyes he holds open. Langdon is at his right leg, which is a deep purple color. A slice of white peaks through dark red. His femur bone, she thinks. Knowing it’s his femur bone turns her stomach.
The balance of the ED is off. Nurses and Doctors look over. One of their own is hurt, and everyone knows. It’s rare someone comes in off duty to be seen, in this condition it is a shock.
Mel approaches her side, nervous. “Dr. Santos, is that really,” her voice drifts off as she gets a look at his face. Blood has been wiped off, but streaks still stand out against translucent skin. “Oh my gosh. Dennis.” Horror and heartbreak fill her voice. She reaches for Trinity’s arm, squeezing tightly.
“Car accident” she hears herself say. “He was hit by a bus.”
With serious efficiency, the Surgery team rushes towards the room, along with two nurses she recognizes in radiology. Garcia meets her eyes for a moment. Though her face is composed, Yolanda's eyes flash with concern when they meet. No doubt, Doctor Robby made sure they were aware it was one of their own. His injuries alone were concerning enough, but the Hospital staff protected each other. Garcia checks over Dennis, inspecting his leg. She can’t hear what her and Robby say to each other inside.
She watches Garcia and her team wheel her best friend away. One moment, she had eyes on him, now he’s gone. The chaos of the Trauma room is halted. Empty without the stretcher and equipment. The Doctors and nurses inside look lost. Standing in place as they process the situation. Robby is the first to move. He rips his gloves off, hurling them at the trash as he storms out. He doesn't look at her or Mel as he walks past. They watch him walk away, until he’s out of sight.
They don’t notice Langdon approaching them. “Why don’t you two wait in the family room for me?” His voice is soft. Trinity usually argues with him. She just pulls Mel with her now.
The family room is not sound proof, but the closed door muffles the sounds of the ED. Trinity would never describe herself as a touchy person, but sitting here Mel holding her arm tightly is her one one lifeboat. They don’t speak, too much in shock at the turn the last hour had taken.
They both look up to the door opening. Langdon and Mckay walk in together. They sit in the chairs across from them. Trinity wants to laugh, at the absurdity of it all.
Doctor McKay speaks up first. “I’m going to start by saying Dennis is okay. His injuries are serious, but at the time he came in they were not life threatening. He’s in surgery to repair his leg. That was his most dire injury.” McKay has a calming quality to her voice. Amazing with patient care. Trinity can feel her anxious heart rate slowing. “He has a few broken ribs and a broken collarbone, those just need to be set and have time to heal. Same with his concussion. There were no signs of internal bleeding. He’ll have a CT and x-ray. Garcia and her team are overseeing his care. Full focus on him.”
“How are you two?” Langdon asks, arms resting on his knees. Hands folded.
“I froze.” Is all Trinity can muster. Knowing Dennis is okay, she thinks to her reaction to the trauma. She would have hoped in a situation like that, she could carpenmentalize better.
“No. Santos, you were pulled back from the case. I saw you help transport him in. Robby had Dana pull you back. She kept you where you needed to be. There is a reason we don’t treat patients you have a close relationship with.” Trinity does know this. “It’s completely different. You lose clear judgment.”
Mckay shakes her head, “None of us are as close to Whitaker as you. But even for us. It was hard seeing him like that. No one expects you to be cold blooded. It’s good that you care. Now you can be with him in his recovery.”
Trinity still feels ashamed, she’s sure her face is full of guilt. Langdon must notice it. “When my son, Tanner, broke his arm two years ago. I was a mess. It was a clean break, I knew that. But it was like I forgot all my medical training. All I knew is that someone I loved and cared about was hurt. That was all my brain could focus on.”
Trinity feels emotionally raw. Exposed in a way she tried her hardest to avoid. Especially at work. Her and Langdon have a rough history together, but he’s the best person to tell this to her. Late at night, when she can’t sleep, she can’t help but to compare herself to him. Brash, overconfident, dedicated doctors. Each with traumas and secrets that define them.
The door opens again, this time Doctor Robby walks in. He looks tired. Worn and older than his age. Like he did before leaving for his sabbatical last summer.
“Santos. You’re listed as Whitakers Emergency Contact?” He sounds surprised. She was surprised herself when Dennis asked her originally. A month after she collected him like a stray cat.
“I am. His family’s all in Nebraska. It made sense for me to be called first.” What she doesn't say is that his family’s shitty. The little details he’s revealed to her paint a sad picture.
Robby nods at her, dragging his hand down his face. “Okay. You are taking the rest of today off. Doctor King, you too. We can see about your shift tomorrow.”
Mel Speaks up, “I’m off tomorrow. We can switch shifts. You should stay with Dennis.” Trinity grabs Mel's hand, squeezing it.
“Thanks Mel.” She whispers, then turns to face Robby again. “Dennis was scheduled for tonight.”
“Don’t worry about leave for Whitaker. Anything Logistical, I’ll handle. I’m here for both of you.
Langdon, help them grab their things and take them up to Surgery’s waiting room.”
“Thank you Doctor Robby.” Trinity stands, she needs to be standing for this. “And thank you for being in control back there. For helping Dennis. When I couldn't"
He gives her a tight smile, “You’re right where you need to be, Doctor Santos. As Trinity, a friend for Dennis. I’ll be up to check on you when he's out of surgery.”
—-----------------
The chairs in the surgery waiting room are made of hard, uncomfortable plastic. They look like cushions, but the easy to clean material has no give or remorse for the person sitting. The chairs are spread out in rows. Some single seats, some double.
Trinity and Mel share a double seat. Trinity has her legs scrunched up close to her. Mel resting her head on Trinity’s shoulder. Together they watch the double doors in silence. It’s been a few hours since Dennis arrived at the ED. Their shift would be almost half over, if they were downstairs. It’s a very strange feeling. Being at PTMC, but not working. The whole situation feels unreal.
Sitting here, Trinity wishes she could go down and work. Her hand fidgets with her scrub pants. Anxious just sitting here. At least down working chairs, she could keep her mind occupied.
Robby would never let her.
There are people she needs to text. Victoria, who is on an Ortho rotation at UPenn in Philadelphia. Samira is off today. Her phone is in her bag on the floor. She can’t make herself grab it. The messages can wait. It would be better to text when Dennis is out of surgery. Then she can send a more definite update. Victoria doesn't need the stress of knowing her friend is in surgery across the state, no way to get there. No need to add extra stress to the girl. Trinity is thankful Mel is here with her.
The surgery doors open, and Yolonda Garcia walks out. Their eyes meet. Trinity breath hitches at the sight. Her and Mel jump to stand.
“Is Dennis okay?” Trinity asks, as Garcia is still approaching.
“Surgery went well. He’s in a private room; Robby’s request. You two can follow me.” She leads them to Dennis’s room. It’s nice, with big windows on the side. Three chairs sit by his bed.
Trinity wants to run and hide when she sees his body, laying unconscious in the hospital bed. He looks peaceful, but molted bruising covers the right side of his face. A butterfly bandage rests just above his eyebrow. His right leg, which sustained the worst of the damage, is wrapped in thick bandages and elevated with wires.
As Emergency residents, they see gruesome sights daily. She’s worked on patients with their chests wide open. Patients with degloving injuries. Still, seeing Dennis on this bed makes her stomach turn.
“He’s got Clear imaging and no internal injuries. His ribs and collarbone are set and braced. His right femur and ACL were the trouble. We repaired the open fracture on his leg. Needed three screws. He had a tear in his ACL, that we repaired. He’s got extensive bruising. His sedation should wear off soon, then we can remove his trach.” Garcia losses her professional Surgical demeanor, holding Trinity's gaze. “Are you two okay”
“Better knowing Dennis is recovering” Mel Answers. She goes to sit in the chair by his feet. She softly rests her hand on his good leg.
“Are you spending the night here with him?”
“I’m not Leaving.” Trinity responds, her focus back on Dennis.
—-------
Trinity and Mel sit at Dennis’s bedside together. All his major injuries are on his right side, so they stay on his left. Mel sits and reads her kindle. Looking up occasionally to check on Dennis and his vitals. Trinity can't take her eyes off her friend. He’s been moving more, slowly breaking through the sedation. His fingers start twitching in her hand. She squeezes back.
He lets out a groan, eyes scrunching. It pulls on the cut on his forehead, and he lets out a whine.
“Hey Huckleberry. Can you open your eyes for me?” Trinity stands up, still holding his hand. Both girls have their full attention on Dennis.
His eyes blink blearily, confused.
“You can’t talk yet.”
“I’ll go get someone to remove his tube.” Mel runs out the door, grabbing a nurse. Removing a trach tube is an uncomfortable experience. Not made easier by his bruised ribs.
“Trin.” He lets out a weak cough. The nurse brings a cup of water with a straw up to his mouth. He drinks greedily. His eyes are glossy and confused.
“Do you know why you’re here Huck?”
Dennis smacks his lips together. Mouth still dry and uncoordinated from the breathing tube. “I’m in the hospital?”
“Yes.” Trinity responds, relieved. “Didn’t get your brain completely scrambled then”
“How are you feeling, Dennis”
“Mel? You’re here too?”
She smiles at him, “Of course I am.”
Dennis takes a second to shift around his body, taking notes of the aches and pains he feels. He feels slightly detached, floating from pain meds. “I’m sore.”
“I bet you are Huck! Wanna tell me how you got hit by a city bus?”
“Trinity! Let his rest, he just woke up!”
“I was hit by a bus!”
“Oh, don’t worry Mel. He’ll have plenty of rest. I’m too pissed to not let him rest.” She adjusts his bed and pillows to a more comfortable position. Dennis looks at his leg, taking in his most serious injury.
“I was hit by a bus.” he sounds astonished by this. “I remember… crossing Highland?” His confused look is replaced by a sad one. He frowns at Trinity with a sad, pathetic puppy dog look. “I remember. I wanted Noodlehead.”
Trinity gapes at him, then laughs. Mel joins in, and they can’t stop. Dennis just pouts.
Always at an inopportune moment, Doctor Robby enters the room. This was not the scene he was expecting to see of his residents. “I guess you’re doing well Dennis” He says with an amused grin.
Trinity can’t bother feeling embarrassed, and continues giggling. With Dennis talking, she has a wave of relief still washing over her. “He got hit getting Noodlehead!” She laughs out, as Dennis lets out a childish whine.
“I didn’t even get my food! I was crossing the street to get there! Not even worth getting hit if I didn’t even get to eat.” He pouts. His pain meds lowering his inhibitions. Dennis is a whiny drunk, no wonder he's the same after sedation and morphine.
“Kid, I’ll get you food. No need to get hit by a bus.” Robby looks at him fondly, “I take it you’re feeling good?” Dennis nods, uncoordinated. “I just spoke to Doctor Garcia as well. She’s happy with the results of your surgery. It will be a tough recovery. You’ll need physical therapy. But, we’ll support you. As friends, and as staff here. I spoke to Gloria after you went to surgery. We don’t want you worrying about your residency or work. The police called while you were under as well. The bus driver was distracted by a fight on the bus. Blew through the red light. This wasn’t your fault.” Robby glances at Trinity, “Santos, don’t give him too hard a time.”
She holds a hand to her heart, “The only bullying he’ll receive from me is to lay the fuck down, sir.”
“Good.” He smiles. Students and residents pass through his ED all the time. Most are forgotten, just connections in his rolodex or linkedin. This group is special. They bring new energy to the ED. With their passion and dedication. Each with their own strengths, balancing off each other. And their bond outside of The Pitt only strengthens their teamwork. They are like siblings. Trinity and Mel the older sisters. Victoria and Dennis as little sister and brother. A very endearing dynamic. He can’t mention it yet, but he already accepted Victoria Javadi’s application to spend her residency at The Pitt. He won’t let such a promising young doctor like her slip away. And, he can’t bear to separate the siblings. Like an adoption.
“I’ve got to head back down, Night shift will be in soon. I’m really glad you’re okay Whitaker. We can’t lose one of our best.” Robby pauses in the doorway, looking back over his shoulder, “just look both ways before crossing next time, yeah?” Dennis groans, and Robby chuckles as he walks away.
Dennis falls asleep soon after. Mel has to leave, needing to pick up her sister. “Please text or call me if anything happens or you need anything” Trinity hugs her. Mel smooths Dennis’s wild curls down, and takes her leave.
Nurses bring in a cot for Trinity. It’s not very comfortable, but she’s not leaving. Garcia stops by after her shift and drops off some spare gym clothes she keeps in her bag. Trinity has never been so thankful for an old pair of Old Navy shorts and a Fun-Run 5k t-shirt. Garcia departs with a kiss, letting Trinity know she’ll be back tomorrow for her shift.
Dennis wakes up again, for just a few minutes after 10pm. Trinity is able to get him to drink some orange juice. They chat about nothing for a while, as his eyes droop. Trinity is talking about her childhood cat, when she sees Dennis fall asleep.
Trinity sleeps restlessly. Noises from the hospital and nurses keep her from sleeping too long. At 6, a nurse checks on Dennis and Trinity is unable to fall back asleep. She moves from the cot, back to the chair next to Dennis. Airpods in, she listens to music and watches him sleep.
A few minutes after 8, Doctor Abbot knocks on the door and walks in. “Good morning, Doctor Santos.” He greets, smiling. He takes a seat in the chair at the foot of Dennis’s bed, stretching out his right leg. “How’s our favorite farm boy? Gotta say, there are easier ways to get off work.”
Trinity huffs a laugh, “He’s doing good. Slept through most of the night. Nurses have been keeping up with his pain meds.”
“Robby filled me in, before he left.” She feels his stare drilling into her. She’s a little self-conscious of her outfit now. Doctor Abbot has only seen her in scrubs. Not messy hair and her situationships ratty back-up gym clothes. “You’ve been here too long. Go home, get something to eat, shower. Sleep in a real bed. I’ll stay with him.”
Trinity wants to argue with him. She’s fine where she is, with Huck by her side. But, he continues.
“You’ve been here, what? Twenty-Four hours? Longer now. Take a few hours to re-coop. You’ll feel better.”
“Are you saying I look bad?”
“Yeah. I am. Go, Doctor Santos. I’ll keep him company.”
Trinity does feel disgusting. Sweat from working all morning yesterday dried down long ago. Now layered by sweat and gross from sleeping in a hospital.
“Text me if anything happens. And when he wakes up. If he needs me.”
“I don’t want to see you back here for another six hours. I’ll keep you updated, but I’m not leaving. I’ll be right here when he wakes up.”
Trinity nods, standing up. “Thank you, Doctor Abbot. I can grab some of his things, too.”
“Attagirl. Denny and I will be just fine.”
—-----
Dennis only stayed in the hospital for another two days. Discharged with a thick blue cast on his leg, sling over his shoulder, and strict orders to relax. Thankfully their apartment has an elevator.
Trinity sets him up on the couch, when they return. Dennis insisted, stating that he was sick of being confined to a bed and he wanted to sit like a normal person. It was a more comfortable position for him anyway. His back was supported, and his leg stretched out over the length of the couch. He wore an old, oversized sweat set. Cozy, on his own couch, and out of the hospital Dennis sunk into the cushions.
“You’re the best Trin” Sleepy eyes and a dopey smile look up at her. “I don’t say that enough.”
“Don’t need to, Huck. I know.” her phone buzzes.
Doctor Robby BOSS: I’m at your apartment.
“I’ll be right back. She tosses him the remote from the coffee table. “Don’t hurt yourself before I get back.” Dennis sticks his tongue out at her as she leaves.
Robby stands outside of her apartment. He holds one plastic take out bag, and three reusable bags full of groceries. She opens the door and holds it open, gesturing him inside.
“What else did you buy?”
“I got you some groceries. Easy stuff to make for you two.”
“Softie.” She teases, and they head up to her apartment. “Come check on him. I know you want to see him with your own eyes.” Robby pointedly does not respond to this.
Their door is at the end of the hall. It’s decorated for valentines day. A handmade wreath is hung in the middle. She lets them both in, grabbing two of the bags from his hands.
Dennis looks up, confused. “Doctor Robby?”
“Hey kid. Happy to be home?”
“Yeah. I don’t mean to be rude but, why are you here?”
Robby laughs, setting down bags on the table. Out of the plastic bag he pulls a take out container. He spins around towards Dennis, and holds it out like a prize.
“I hear your order is a Street Noodle 1, veggie spring rolls, and chive cakes?”
Dennis’s face lights up, smile wide. He pushes himself to sit up further with his good arm, as much as he’s able to with the cast, his sling, and his ribs. “Ohhhhhhh my god you are actually the best!” with his good arm he makes grabby hands, reaching out toward Robby and the Thai food.
“Wow, replace me that fast fuckleberry?” Dennis just shrugs. Smile beaming as he finally gets his food.