Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: Opening Up

Mike carefully watched the younger man as he squeezed his hands so tightly he expected to see bruises forming right before his eyes. Moving closer he placed a large hand gently over the clasp, forcing his friend to look at him.

"Conrad there is nothing to be worried about. You're in control," the Psychiatrist spoke softly for he saw the panicked look flicker across the pale features, "all I want to do is talk. Nothing else."
"But ...," Conrad shoved away the calming hand and got to his feet shakily.
"You know you can't go on like this."
"I just ....... I don't think .... I can," the Resident walked over to the sink and splashed some water on his face, hoping it would restore his equilibrium for his world seemed to have tilted on its' axis.
"Now there we disagree," Mike had walked over to lean against the counter, "you are one of the most ingenuitive and determined people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting."
"Yeah right!"
"You calling me a liar?"
"No .... but ....,"
"Good. Now tell me about the first time your father locked you in your bedroom."
"Mike can't you just drop it?" Conrad pleaded as he patted his face dry and sank down on a stool.
"Tell me," the persistent man sat down on another seat at the counter but made sure there was a space between them, his young friend was in fight or flight mode right now and he needed to thread carefully.

Over two hours later the pair still sat in the kitchen. It had taken Conrad a full ten minutes before he uttered the first word after Mikes' directive. Telling the older man of the degrading conditions he had lived in when locked up without access to facilities Conrad had blushed in shame. His friend however had reminded him quickly that they were both Doctors after all and basic bodily functions were simply a part of life. Somehow as time passed the unwell man found himself divulging things he had never before brought out into the open. Things he had never thought he would ever speak of. And yet he still held secrets in the deep recesses of his mind which he fought to keep safe from prying eyes.

"You've told me of how he treated you when your eyes were bad by locking you up for days at a time. Now tell me what he did to you physically in addition to not feeding you."
"Mike that's all he did," Conrad quickly assured in genuine honesty.
"'Physically'," Mike repeated.
"Yeah."
"He never hurt you in any other way?"
"No."
"So tell me what is it that is scaring you right now?"
"What do you mean?"
"I can see it in your eyes. You're afraid of something," Mike spoke with absolute certainty as he folded his arms across his chest, "whatever you tell me stays between us. You know you can trust me so trust me with whatever it is you are holding back."
"Think I've told you enough about my childhood," Conrad objected firmly as he walked over to an overhead cupboard and took down a box of cereal.
"Won't work you know."
"You want a bowl?" the fair haired man refused to take the bait and ignored the comment.
"No thanks."
"More for me," Conrad filled a large black bowl to the brim with his favourite flakes and drowned them in milk and sugar.
"I'm still waiting."
"You'll have a long wait."

Conrad had refused to volunteer any more information for the rest of the night and the Psychiatrist left with a warning that the other man was to take the next couple of days off. Arguments to the contrary were not entertained and Mike had been the victor in the end when he stated he had in fact informed Personnel already that the Resident was on sick leave. Threatening also to go to Thorpe was the final nail in the coffin and the older man left with a smile and a promise. He would be back. Conrad didn't offer up any protest because he didn't plan on sticking around.

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Three days later Conrad returned to work, still pale but looking slightly better. He yet again brushed aside any concerns and was almost at the end of his shift when he was called down to Emergency. Meeting Devon on the way down from the fourth floor in the elevator the pair discussed how Paul Kirkwood was doing and his transfer to a hospice the following day. Despite his wifes' wishes the middle aged man insisted on being transferred straight from Chastain to the facility rather than spending some time at home. It was clear to everyone that each spouse was acting out of love for the other. It was also obvious however that Kirkwood would prefer to go home, no matter how many times he denied it. No doubt that was why Sean Benton had asked to talk to them, away from the Wards.

"It's a pity he won't allow himself to go home," Devon sighed as they descended.
"He loves his wife. Probably figures it's for the best."
"And she loves him but is agreeing because she thinks he wants to be close to medical help."
"And that won't make a difference," Conrad continued as they reached the ground floor, "unfortunately some families wind up going against their loved ones' wishes unintentionally."
"You going to try to explain that to Benton?"
"I'll try. The fact is if Kirkwood doesn't speak honestly he's going to the hospice. We can only do so much."
"Guys in here," Irving called from a cubicle as he saw the pair approaching.
"What's going on?" the third year Resident frowned.
"Officer Benton here wishes to talk to you Conrad."
"Just me?"
"Yeah," Benton replied.
"Why was I paged?" Devon looked at Irving.
"Sorry thought it was work related," the bearded man gave a short apology as he left without a backward glance.
"I'll catch you later," Conrad nodded towards the door.
"Okay," the first year Resident headed off reluctantly in search of Irving.
"So what can I do for you?" the fair haired man checked curiously.
"This is about you Doc," the uniformed man elaborated.
"I don't understand."
"Sarge wants to talk to you again."
"Told you already I didn't get a good look at the guy. Doubt if he saw my face either. It was dark. You know that already from my Statement."
"Sarge wants you down there in the morning. He wants to know why you don't want the guy charged."
"Look you said he's a petty thief not a criminal mastermind."
"True."
"Well have you forgotten it was an accident?"
"No."
"Well then ....,"
"Sarge wants to talk to you. He didn't meet you the last day."
"Am I missing something here?"
"Ten a.m.," Benton ignored the question.
"I'm working .....,"
"He said he'll call here if it's a problem."
"Okay, okay I'll be there," Conrad conceded defeat knowing he wasn't going to get any answers from Benton.
"Good," the Officer sighed in relief, his Sergeant liked his orders obeyed, "now can I talk to you about Paul?"
"Sure," Conrad nodded forgetting his own problems immediately.
"He wants to go home really."
"I know. Have ye tried talking to Mary?"
"Yeah but she has blinkers on. She's desperate to do what she thinks he wants even though it's killing her."
"You want me to try talking to her?"
"Appreciate it Doc if you would."
"I'll talk to her tomorrow after I speak with the patient. He's my first responsibility. The transfer isn't due to take place until after lunch."
"Thanks," Benton offered a hand and a smile in gratitude.
"No problem," Conrad shook the appendage, "you want to tell me what's going on?"
"Tomorrow," the Policeman uttered succinctly.
"Sure tomorrow," Conrad rolled his eyes wondering just what he was going to face in the morning.

tbc

Authors' Note

28.07.18 - As I was typing Chapter 25 of Perseverance the numerical order of the Chapters changed on the Watpad page for some reason. I checked the Viewer version and they are also after changing there. Each Chapter is noted by the correct number I typed on page so hopefully it will not cause too much confusion. As I only joined in June I am not sure how to rectify the matter.