Chapter 9 Chapter Six

Massachusetts, Boston Monday, June 5, 2006 Evening seven: thirty-five Jack's Delta commuter flight arrives at the airport at 6:30.Because he couldn't recognize the way, he had to follow the crowd and soon came to the sidewalk in front of the Delta terminal.Another five minutes later, the Hertz car rental company's shuttle bus arrived.Jack got into the car. He hadn't been in Boston for so long, and the airport was under construction so endlessly that he couldn't recognize anything.As the car drove through the terminals, he secretly thought about how the Berman family would be welcomed.The only certainty is that Alexis will be enthusiastic.He wasn't sure about the others, especially Craig.He and Alexis haven't seen each other in over a year, too, and it's always a little awkward.The last time I saw her was in New York, where she was alone at an academic conference on psychology.

Jack sighed.He didn't want to come to Boston at all.He knew there was little chance of him being able to help other than to pat his sister on the back in sympathy.And he was not happy to leave Laurie at this time.He believed Laurie would forgive him, but her mother had put a lot of pressure on her in the past few weeks.Ironically, she should have enjoyed the wedding and the preparations.But now, this has become a burden.Several times, Jack wanted to say that she was asking for trouble, but held back the words.According to Jack, just invite a few friends to get together.He's a bit cynical, feeling that any big social event always ends up being unromantic.

Jack and his fellow passengers finally arrived at the Hertz rental car location.He got into a creamy white Hyundai Accent without much trouble.The car's shape reminded him of an old-fashioned Little Meade can of juice.Holding a dilapidated map and listening to random directions, he bravely drove on the road, and soon became dizzy.The city of Boston is not friendly to passing drivers.Drivers in Boston are not easy to mess with.Jack finally finds the town where Alexis lives.He came here very rarely, and his sister always came to pick him up. At 9:15, an exhausted Jack finally pulled into the driveway of the Bowmans' house.It was almost the summer solstice, the sky was not completely dark, and the lights in the house were already on. For a moment, Jack had an illusion that the house still looked very warm.It was a very grand house, as all houses in Newton are.It is a two-and-a-half-story brick building with a whitewashed exterior and a row of skylights on the roof.Like other houses, there is a wide lawn in front of the house, a few large trees dotted among the bushes, and a considerable area of ​​flower beds.There are window boxes full of flowers under every window on the first floor.A Lexus is parked next to Jack's Hyundai.Jack remembered one time when Alexis mentioned that there was still a must-have station wagon in the garage.

Nobody rushed out of the house to welcome him with little flags.Jack cut off the engine, and for a moment felt tempted to turn and leave.But he knew he couldn't do that, so he reached out and took the travel bag from the back seat and got out of the car.In the night, the crickets are singing, and other bugs are echoing.Other than that, there was no other sound. Standing at the front door, Jack looked into the house by the side light.There is an umbrella stand next to the small entrance, and behind it is the corridor, where you can vaguely see the stairs leading to the second floor.Still no one, no sound.Jack rang the doorbell, and he could hear the ding-dong clearly through the crack of the door.Immediately a small figure came downstairs, it was not clear whether it was a man or a woman.She was wearing a simple T-shirt, shorts, and no shoes.The child was agile, with flaxen hair, white skin without freckles, and thin arms and legs.She pushed the door open with a jerk, clearly assertive.

You must be Uncle Jack. yeah who are youJack felt his heart beat faster.He seems to have seen his dead daughter Tamara. Christina, she announced aloud.Then, looking straight at Jack with her green eyes, she yelled, Mom!Uncle Jack is here. Alexis appears at the end of the corridor.She walked over, exuding a homely atmosphere.She was wearing an apron and was wiping her hands with a check rag.Oh, let him in, Christina. Although she looks much older, Alexis looks much the same as she did back home when she was a child in South Bay, Indiana.They must have been brother and sister, with sandy hair and maple-sugar eyes, the same chisel, the same skin, if not in the sun as well as in the sun.Even the coldest part of winter is never off-white.

Alexis smiled warmly as she walked over and gave Jack a long hug.Thank you for coming, she whispered in his ear.Jack hugged Alexis tightly when he noticed two other girls at the top of the stairs.It was easy to tell that fifteen-year-old Tracy was more than a foot taller than eleven-year-old Megan.Not knowing what to do, they walked slowly down the stairs, hesitating at every step.When they got closer, Jack found that their personalities were the same as their heights, and there was a big difference.Tracy's blue eyes burn with confidence, while Megan's hazel eyes flicker and won't meet yours.Jack swallowed.Meghan's eyes suggest that she is shy and withdrawn, like Jack's daughter Lydia.

Come here and say hello to Uncle, Alexis ordered kindly. As the children descended to the ground floor, Jack was taken aback by Tracy's height.She was almost at his eye level, three or four inches taller than her mother.He also noticed that she was pierced in two places.One is on the nostril, filled with a small diamond.The other is on the navel, and a silver ring is worn.She was wearing a bias-cut sleeveless cotton top that wrapped her tall breasts, and she wore low-waisted skirt pants.The ensemble and accessories make her look playful and sexy, as bold as her eyes. This is your uncle, children, Alexis introduced.

Why haven't you come to see us?Tracy opened her mouth and came, her hands deliberately in her trouser pockets. Did your daughter really die in a plane crash?Christina asked almost simultaneously. children!Alexis exclaimed.She had difficulty saying the word, which seemed to be five or six syllables long.Then she apologized to Jack.sorry.As you know, kids don't always know what to say. It doesn't matter.Sadly, both questions make good sense.He looked Tracy in the eye and said maybe we could talk in a couple of days.I'll explain to you why I've been a stranger for so many years.Then, looking down at Kristina, he added, and in response to your question, I did lose two daughters in the plane crash.

All right, Christina, Alexis interjected.Since you're the only one who gets the homework done, you'll show Uncle Jack to the guest room in the basement.Tracy, Megan, you two go upstairs and get on with your homework.Jack, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Jack nodded.He had eaten a sandwich at LaGuardia Airport, but it had disappeared down the digestive tract.Although he didn't expect it, he was really hungry right now. Let's have some macaroni.The marinara sauce is still warm and I can make a salad. very good. The guest room in the basement was pretty much what he had imagined.There are two tall windows with brick sills on the outside.The air is humid and cool, feeling like a vegetable cellar.It's tastefully decorated though, with shades of green everywhere.The room has a large bed, work desk, armchair and reading light, a flat-screen TV and a bathroom.

Jack took clothes out of his travel bag and hung them up in the closet as best he could.Christina sat down in the armchair, spread her arms flat on the armrests, stretched her legs forward, and looked Jack up and down.You are thinner than my dad. Is that good?Jack asked.He put the basketball shoes in the bottom shelf of the closet, took the shaving supplies into the bathroom, and found that there was a large shower instead of a normal bathtub, which he liked very much. How old was your daughter when the plane crash happened? Jack expected that Christina would repeat the old story, and she was not satisfied with her answer in the living room just now, but this direct personal question still reminded him of saying goodbye to his wife and daughter at the Chicago airport.Fifteen years have passed.He was driving the family to the airport to catch a plane back to Champagne that day when storms and hurricanes were sweeping across the Midwestern plains, approaching Chicago.He was training in forensic pathology in Chicago at the time.It was the heyday of healthcare expansion, and his eye practice was swallowed up by a healthcare giant.Jack tried to persuade Marilyn to move to Chicago, but she refused for the sake of the child.

The passage of time did not dilute the last parting in Jack's memory.As if just yesterday, he seemed to be able to see Marilyn, Tamara and Lydia through the French windows of the airport as they walked through the gate of the departure hall and slowly descended on the escalator.When they got to the boarding aisle, only Marilyn turned to wave goodbye to him.Tamara and Lydia were young and restless, and disappeared in a flash. Jack learned that night that about fifteen or twenty minutes after takeoff, the small propeller plane rushed at full speed into the fertile black soil of the Great Plains.At that time, it was struck by lightning and encountered strong shear airflow.In an instant, all passengers on board were killed. Uncle Jack, are you all right?asked Christine.For a while, Jack remained motionless, as if in a freeze frame. I'm fine, Jack said, feeling a little relieved.Just now he re-experienced the scene he least wanted to recall in his life, but there was no usual visceral reaction, his stomach was not overwhelmed, his heartbeat was normal, and he didn't feel a sudden thick blanket covering his head, which made people suffocate.It was indeed a tragedy, but he felt that it was far away from him, as if it had happened to someone else.Maybe Alexis was right on the phone: Maybe he really has dealt with the pain and can move on. How old were they? About the same age as you and Meghan. It's too awful. Yeah, Jack agrees. Back in the dining room, Alexis is warming up pasta and asks Jack to sit down at the table first.The kids have gone upstairs to bed and have school tomorrow.Jack looked around. The kitchen was large but cozy and suited the exterior of the house.The walls are painted bright yellow.Facing the fireplace was a comfortable sofa, covered with a bright green floral cover, with cushions on it.Above the fireplace was the largest flat-screen TV he had ever seen.The curtains were the same color as the sofa covers, and the curved windows looked out on to terraces.Behind the terrace is the swimming pool, and behind it is the lawn, and a gazebo can be vaguely seen in the night. What a beautiful house, Jack commented.Not only was it beautiful, it seemed to him the epitome of luxury compared to where he had lived for the past decade. Craig is really doing his best to provide for the family, and I said that on the phone, as Alexis said, pouring the macaroni into the sifter to drain. What about others?Jack asked.No one mentioned his name.Jack thought he might have been out, either in an emergency, or possibly in discussions with a lawyer. He slept in the upstairs guest room, Alexis said.I said we hadn't slept together since he left home and moved to the city. I thought he had gone to the emergency room. No, he's not seeing patients this week.He hired someone to run the clinic during the trial, on the advice of his lawyer.I think that's fine too.Although he is a good doctor, I don't want him to see me at the moment.He's a little absent-minded now. I didn't expect him to fall asleep.If it were me, I would just be awake and pacing around the room. He may have taken some medicine, Alexis admitted.She brought over the macaroni and salad and set it in front of Jack.The first day of the trial was indeed difficult, and it was normal for him to be a little depressed.I'm concerned that he may be prescribing his own sleeping pills for his insomnia.Possibly a little alcohol: Scotch, to be exact.It's not too much, so I don't think you need to worry too much.At least for now. Jack nodded, but said nothing. I'd like a glass of wine.What do you want? And some wine, too, Jack said.He knew what it was like to be depressed, even though he didn't want to know it.After the crash, he struggled with depression for several years. Alexis brought an opened bottle of white wine and two glasses. Does Craig know I'm coming?Jack asked.He should have asked this question before he agreed to come. Of course he does, Alexis said as he poured his drink.I discussed it with him before calling you. He agreed? He was a little skeptical it would work, but let me decide.To be honest, when I discussed with him, he was not very active.I was a little surprised by what he said.He said he thought you didn't like him.You never said anything like that, did you? Of course not, Jack said.As he ate, he wondered whether to continue the conversation.Back when Alexis and Craig got engaged, Jack didn't think Craig was right for her, though he said nothing about it.Because he has always felt that most doctors are not ideal marriage partners, although he can't explain why.Only recently, through his own painful recovery process, has he come to understand where this early intuition came from.Physicians are either born narcissistic, or become narcissistic because of the profession, or both.Jack felt that Craig was particularly outstanding in this regard.He pursued medicine wholeheartedly, so that interpersonal relationships were very superficial. From the analysis of psychology, the balance between work and interpersonal relationship was zero. I told him you don't think so, Alexis continued.I said you actually adore him, you told me that once before.Am I not mistaken? I mean, I adore him because he's such a good physician.Jack said.He knew he was avoiding it. I did say you were envious of his accomplishments.Did you say something like that? That's right.I have always admired his ability. He can not only engage in basic scientific research, publish articles, but also manage a clinic of a considerable scale.This is the dream of quite a number of doctors, but few people can achieve it.I tried it when I was an ophthalmologist.But in retrospect, my scientific research was nothing but self-deception. I also find it unlikely.I still know you better. Closer to home, what's Craig's attitude to me being here?You didn't answer the question just now. Alexis took a sip of his drink.She was clearly weighing the answer.The longer she pondered, the more uncomfortable Jack became.After all, he's Craig's guest now. I guess I didn't answer on purpose, she admitted.Asking for help is embarrassing for him, and you guessed right on the phone.He does feel that asking for help is a sign of weakness, and this lawsuit has him asking for everything. But I don't think he's begging, Jack said.He finished his pasta and started eating salad. Alexis puts down his glass.You're right, she said reluctantly.It was I who begged on his behalf.He is not happy that you are here because he feels embarrassed.But I'm glad you can come.Alexis reaches across the table, grabs Jack's hand, and squeezes it surprisingly hard.Thank you for caring about us, Jack.I miss you so much.I know it's not right for you to come out now, which makes me all the more grateful.Thank you, thank you, thank you. Jack felt a sudden surge of emotion all over his body, and his face was a little hot.At the same time, the evasive nature of his personality kicked in and gradually gained the upper hand.He broke away from Alexis' grip, took a gulp of his drink, and changed the subject.Well, tell me about the first day of the trial. A smile curled up on Alexis' lips.You're so crafty, same as ever!It's a 180-degree turn from the relationship problem to jump here.Do you think I didn't notice? I keep forgetting that you're a therapist, Jack said with a smile.It was just an instinctive self-protection. At least you can admit your emotional side.Speaking of the trial, so far, there are only the opening statements of the lawyers of both parties and the testimony of the first witness. Who is the first witness?Jack finishes his salad and lifts his glass. Craig's accountant.Randolph.Bingham later explained that he was asked to testify only to prove that Craig was responsible for the deceased.It was easy to prove that the deceased had prepaid the consultant fee and that Craig saw her regularly. What do you mean by consultant fee?asked Jack in surprise. Craig used to practice medicine the traditional way, paying for doctor visits.Switched to Butler Medical Services two years ago. real?Jack asked.He has no idea.Why?I think Craig seems to be doing a good job, and he likes it. Even if he doesn't want to tell you the real reason, I'll tell you, Alexis said, approaching the table as if to reveal a secret.Over the past few years, Craig has felt less and less in control of his patients.As you must know, insurance companies and various health care institutions are now forcing hospitals to reduce expenditures, and intervening more and more in the relationship between doctors and patients.It is basically equivalent to telling the doctor what to do and what not to do.For someone like Craig, this is a nightmare from which he cannot wake up. If I asked him why he changed careers, what reason would he tell me?Jack was intrigued.He had heard of butler medicine, but thought it was a fringe service, or a fashionable quirk of the medical system.He had never talked to a physician involved in the business before. He will definitely say that he has never been diagnosed and treated because of external pressure, which is absolutely self-deception.In order to make ends meet, he had to see more and more patients every day.He'll tell you that he turned to stewardship for the opportunity to practice the way medical school taught him, with the ability to control his hours according to his patients' needs. It's one thing. No, there's still a slight difference, but there's a hint of sophistry on his end.The difference is that one is passive coping and the other is active fighting.He explained it that way, emphasizing the patient. Does his practice have anything to do with this malpractice case? Yes, at least that's what plaintiffs' attorneys say.This man is much more powerful than we imagined. How to say? You'll know when you go to court.At first glance, he doesn't look like a strong lawyer.How should I put it: He's a bit of a cheesy personal injury lawyer chasing ambulances, a full-on gangland defense attorney, and a little bit of both.But he was pretty good at jury control. So what does Craig's practice have to do with this case?Did plaintiffs' attorneys mention this in their opening arguments? Of course it was mentioned, and it was the point.The concept of butler medicine is to emphasize meeting the patient's needs, just like a receptionist in a hotel. I know that. That is to say, each patient can find a doctor at any time through a mobile phone or email, so that as long as the patient needs it, he can find a doctor at any time. It sounds like the patient can do whatever he wants. I think some patients may be like this.But Craig wasn't bothered.He seemed to like it and started going out to clinics after get off work.I think it's kind of nostalgic for him to do that. outpatient?Jack asked.Outpatient clinics are basically a waste of time.Now that technology is so advanced, what problems can outpatient clinics solve? However, some patients like it, including the deceased in this case.Craig often sees her after get off work.On the very morning of the alleged malpractice case, Craig visited her home to see her.That night, her condition worsened, requiring Craig to come out to the clinic. I don't think there's anything wrong with it. That's right, but according to the plaintiff's attorney, Craig's medical malpractice lies in choosing to go out of the clinic instead of sending the patient to the hospital.Because in the event of a heart attack, doing so is equal to delaying diagnosis and emergency treatment. That's ridiculous, said Jack angrily. When the plaintiffs' lawyers said it in their opening statement, it didn't sound like that.There are other issues involved in the case.At the time of the incident, Craig and I were officially separated.Craig was living in a Boston apartment with his secretary and medical records administrator, Lena. God!Jack exclaimed.I don't know how many times I've heard about married doctors and assistants having extramarital affairs.I don't understand what's wrong with these male doctors.In today's society, men of this age in other industries know not to mess with employees, or they will get into lawsuits. I think you are too kind to married middle-aged men.These are people who originally had a romantic vision of life, only to find themselves trapped by reality.I think Craig is that kind of guy, but it wasn't Lianna's twenty-three-year-old body that prompted his transformation.Rather, it was, ironically, the transition from hospital to stewardship care, because it gave him something he didn't have before: time.For someone like Craig who has devoted half his life to medicine, having downtime is actually dangerous.It's like he suddenly wakes up, looks in the mirror, and doesn't like the image of himself.He suddenly developed a crazy interest in culture.He wanted to regain the lost time, wishing he could become the colorful person in his mind overnight.But he didn't have time to concentrate on this hobby.He wanted to devote all his energy to it, as he had done to medicine, and insisted that I come along.I obviously can't, I still have a job and I have to take care of the kids.That's why he left home, at least I think so.Lianna came later because he felt lonely. If you say that to make me feel sorry for him, then I can't. I just want you to understand the problem we are facing.The plaintiff's attorney knew that Craig and Lena had booked tickets to a concert the night of the plaintiff's wife's death.He said witnesses would testify that Craig insisted on going out to the clinic despite suspecting that the patient might have had a heart attack because he took chances.If it wasn't for a heart attack, he would still be able to go to the concert in time.Because it is closer to the music hall from the plaintiff's house than to Newton Memorial Hospital. So Lianna is the plaintiff's witness. certainly!She is now a jilted lover.To make matters worse, she's still working in Craig's clinic.He didn't dare to fire her for fear of causing other lawsuits. In other words, the plaintiff's lawyer believes that Craig risked the patient's life and death because of his luck in the diagnosis? That's what I mean.They said it did not meet medical standards in terms of timely diagnosis.And evidence suggests that, for heart patients, timely diagnosis is critical.They don't even need to prove that the patient would have survived if they were taken to the hospital in time, they just need to mention the possibility.Of course, the most ironic thing is that the plaintiff's allegations are the exact opposite of Craig's practice style.You also know that he puts patients first, more than his own family. Jack ran his hands through his hair in desperation.Things are more complicated than I imagined.I thought the point of the case was to get to the bottom of a particular medical problem.In this way, I can't help much. Who knows?Alexis said resignedly.She left the table and returned to the operating table, holding up a large manila envelope stuffed with files.She went back to the dining table and threw the envelope on the table with a muffled thud.This is the information I collected related to the case, almost all of which are here, including questioning, evidence collection and medical records.The only thing not included is the transcript of today's trial, but I've given you the gist of it.There are even some of Craig's most recent papers, which he let me put in.I don't know why: maybe it's for the sake of face, thinking that you will admire him after reading it. It depends on whether I can understand it.Well, it looks like my task is scheduled. Not sure where you want to work.There are many options.Let me take you around, you choose the place yourself, including your own room downstairs. Alexis shows Jack around the first floor.The living room was large, but it looked too clean to be comfortable, and the thick carpet seemed as if no one had ever stepped on it.Jack refused.Next to the living room is a mahogany-decorated library with a small bar, but the lighting is not good, it looks dark, and it has a funeral atmosphere.no thanks!Next door is an audio-visual room with a projector on the ceiling and rows of easy chairs.Inappropriate, worse than library lighting.At the end of the corridor is a fairly large study room, with two matching male and female desks placed against the wall.The men's desk is very neat, and every pencil in the pen holder is sharpened like a needle point.The women's desk, on the contrary, is cluttered with books, magazines, and photocopied documents.There are several reading chairs and footrests in the room.There is a curved window like the living room, with flower beds and a small fountain outside the window.Facing the window, there are towering bookcases on both sides of the door. In addition to medical and psychological books, there is also Craig's old-fashioned leather-covered emergency kit and a portable electrocardiograph.In addition to having a working atmosphere, this room has another advantage, that is, the lighting. There are spotlights on the ceiling, desk lamps on the desk, and a floor lamp in front of the two armchairs. It's a nice place, Jack said.But are you sure you don't mind if I use your private study?He turned on a floor lamp.The light is warm and has a wide range of illumination. I don't mind at all. Would Craig mind?This is also his study. He won't mind.One thing is guaranteed when it comes to Craig, he's not very territorial. Well, I will pick here.I feel like it could take hours.He put the bulging manila envelope on the table between two reading chairs. As the saying goes, do as you please.I'm going to bed.I have to send the kids to school tomorrow morning.There were enough beverages in the kitchen fridge, not enough in the bar.Pour yourself if you want to drink. very good!You don't have to worry about me. Alexis looked Jack up and down, then at his face.As I said just now, brother, you look good.When I went to see you in Illinois and you were still running an eye clinic, it looked so different than it does now. It was really different back then. At the time I worried that you might be overweight. Really overweight. You look strong and hungry now, with a skinless face, like the heroine of a western-style macaroni ad. Jack laughed.This metaphor is very creative.How did you come up with it? The kids and I have been watching a few Sergios recently.Leone's old movies.It was homework for Tracy's film class, which she took.Seriously, you're in great shape right now.Any tips? Street basketball plus mountain biking.I take it as seriously as a second career. Maybe I should try too, Alexis said with a wry smile.Then she added: Good night, bro.meet tomorrow.You also know that three daughters are really messy enough. Jack watched Alexis go to the end of the corridor, and she waved her way upstairs.He turned around and looked at the study again.A sudden silence wrapped the room like a blanket.The place looked and smelled very different from the surroundings he was familiar with, like on another planet. It's always a little uncomfortable being in someone else's house.The floor lamp shone on the easy chair, Jack sat down, and the first thing he did was take out his phone and turn it on.Warren had texted the name and phone number of his Boston friend.That man's name is David.Thomas.Jack immediately contacted him on the phone, thinking that if tomorrow is really as tense as he fears, it is necessary to exercise.Alexis has been avoiding talking about Craig's attitude when he came to Boston this time, which at least shows that he is not very popular. Warren must have blown Jack up on David, because David was so enthusiastic about Jack saying he was coming to play. This season, we start playing ball every night at about 5 o'clock, man!David said.Come here quickly, kid, we want to see what level you are.He told Jack how to get to the field on Memorial Avenue near Harvard, and Jack said he wanted to go there at dusk. He then called Laurie to report that he had settled down as best he could under the circumstances. What do you mean?asked Laurie warily. I haven't seen Craig yet.Boman.He didn't seem very happy about my visit. Anyway, that's not great.He is still like this at this time. Then Jack reported another good news. He saw several daughters of Alexis and the reaction was very positive.He told Laurie that one of his daughters had even asked about the crash, and he had handled it so calmly that he hadn't thought of it himself. I was surprised and happy, Laurie said.Great, now I can breathe a sigh of relief. The only bad news, Jack went on, was that the case wasn't about a medical technical issue, but something more complicated, which made it even less likely that he would be of much help. I hope that means you can set off right back, Laurie said. I'm going to read the file, Jack said.I can only count after reading. Good luck. Thanks.I do need luck. Jack hung up the phone and put the phone away.For a moment he wished desperately that there would be some movement in the house, but it was as quiet as a grave.He dumped the contents of the manila envelope on the table against the wall.At the top is a paper by Craig, co-authored by a well-known cell biologist from Harvard, published in the authoritative New England Journal of Medicine.The article discusses the effect of the function of sodium ion channels in the cell membrane on the motor potential of nerves and muscles, and even includes several schematic diagrams and electron micrographs of subcellular molecular structures.He glanced at the research materials and research methods.He was amazed that anyone could understand such an obscure concept, let alone study it.Feeling beyond his present ability to understand the paper, he threw it aside and picked up a copy of the testimony.It's Lena.Lightner's testimony.