Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:47:52 -0400 From: Chris Johns <chris-johns@hotmail.com> Subject: compassion Pt.11 COMPASSION Chapter 11 The long term problem was discussed with Jack that night. "I want to bring that boy out every weekend Jack. Is that ok?" Jack wanted to be selfish. The only real quality time he had with Darren now was weekends. Both of them worked so hard during the week that all they did most evenings after dinner was fall into bed. "I guess, but for how long?" "I don't know, the boy made so much progress this weekend I think we can get him fully mobile. He'll still need dialysis I guess, but if we can get his lungs functioning properly we can build his strength so that he'll get rid of that wheelchair." "Whoa, Tiger, Jesus walked on water and raised the dead, but you're a country doctor remember, not Jesus Christ." "Ok, but with his help, maybe we can do it." Jack shook his head, "You really are a piece of work Darren Michaels, what on earth did I do to deserve you?" Into a close snuggle before replying. "You made my last two years at school memorable, you gave up your ass to defend me, you've lavished more love on me than I expected in a million years, you support me in anything I want to do. Is that enough, or do you want me to tell you some more." Jack shook his head, kissed the man that had brought him complete happiness and said, "No, I guess that will do for now." Scene was now set. The next weekend the wheel chair was put away and Andy walked to and from the paddock on crutches. The first time he was crying by the time they reached the horse. "Tough, little fella, isn't it?" Andy looked at Darren, realising he wasn't being horrible and nodded. "Well, I'm going to give you the chance to revert to the wheelchair then if you want to. On the other hand you might like to think about how good it would be to give that up for good." "Honestly?" "Yes, I think we can build your lung power back so that you have the energy and strength to walk again, and maybe a lot more." By supper time on the Saturday, Andy was exhausted. He ate his supper, just, and then fell into bed. He had needed Darren's help to shower he was so wiped out. It gave Darren the chance to see the whole of Andy's body. He realised then how much the boy had wasted away fighting to stay alive. He decided to control his diet all the time, not just at weekends. "We are going to put some meat back on these bones Andy. I'll give your mom the extra supplements I want you to take and recommend a lot of these energy drinks instead of sodas." That was how it worked. In less than two months, Andy had discarded his wheelchair completely. He had also put on fourteen pound in weight. Darren took him for his major check up on the two month anniversary of being released from hospital. All the machines hooked up to him made him laugh, thanks to Darren making it a whole lot less frightening. When the results were in the consultant had Darren and Andy in his office. "What on earth have you been doing with this boy Doctor Michaels?" Darren looked bemused. "Sorry." "How much does he use his ventilator now?" "Oh, you don't use it at all now do you Andy?" "Just occasionally at school if I try to do too much. I keep your portable one in my backpack, but I haven't filled the bottle for ages." "Ok, that's good." "That's not the only thing that's good. The x-rays show new tissue growing on his liver. It's slow, but if it continues he is going to come off dialysis. Already there is an improvement in the working of the liver. The lungs are responding to his working them more, we now think they will return almost to normal. He isn't going to become a champion sprinter but he should be able to function quite normally within a year I would guess." Everything was so positive that on the way home Darren spoke to Andy about their relationship. "Would you say we were friends now Andy?" "Oh yes Doctor Michaels, you're the best friend I've ever had." "Well in that case I think you should drop the Doctor and start calling me Darren, and I know Jack wants you to call him by his first name. He thinks he's too young to be a mister." Andy giggled at that comment. Wheelchair to crutches to sticks to nothing. Andy very soon discarded the oxygen as well. No one had, initially, given him a cat in hell's chance of getting out of a wheelchair, now, he could run short distances, and there wasn't any doubt in Jack's mind that he was the best young rider in the county. He was allowed out to the ranch whenever he wanted to come, but now Doug brought him, freeing up Darren and on the ranch Jack as well because he had been given his own pony as a present by John and was always linked with a ranch hand for the day when he came out. The first time Doug brought him and saw how he saddled his own horse and rode out like a true cowboy brought tears to his eyes. John saw it. "He's turned out to be quite a guy Doug, you must be very proud of him." No attempt to hide his emotions Doug replied. "I am John, but you should be the one that's proud, your two boys have honoured you with their dedication to my son." John picked up on the obvious reference to Darren as his son. "Yes, they are quite a combination aren't they?" "Andy had just started kindergarten when those two first hit the headlines so to speak. I watched how they behaved when they started the fight for gay rights at the high school. Andy was always delicate, and small. I thought then that he would probably be accused of being a faggot, you know, small and delicate he has to be gay, so I wanted your boys to succeed. I still don't know if Andy is gay, but without knowing he was it still nearly killed him. That can't be right. If he's gay he should be able to lead his life the way he wants to, like your boys have, but they had to fight for it, I don't want Andy to have to do it as well." "It will get better, Doug, Jack and Darren are helping it and young Gary who was the third one in the group has turned out to be quite a guy as well. We'll get it through people's heads eventually that being gay is what they are, not who they are." "I hope you're right John. Now, I must be going I've taken up enough of your time. I'll collect my boy this evening before dark." "You don't have to Doug, why not leave him and let me bring him back to you on Sunday evening. Give my boys a quiet weekend." "I won't forget your kindness John, I know Andy loves to be here so yes to that." John watched Jack and Darren at supper that night. How they interacted with each other and how they interacted with Andy. He marvelled that at such a young age they were able to show so much compassion for anyone not as well off, physically and emotionally, as they were. Then he thought back ten years to the day Jack took on responsibility for a little chap, who he very quickly came to love, and how the two of them have gone on together for ten years and been successful in their endeavours. Jack picked up on his dad's thoughtful look. "What's up Dad, problem?" John shook himself. "No Son. I was just thinking how lucky your mother and I are, and Paul and Elise, having two such fine sons to be proud of." Jack and Darren looked at each other, almost in shock. `Where had that one come from', was a joint thought. John was not big on showing emotion so that comment was seriously not expected. "Come on Dad, what's wrong?" John smiled, he guessed what both his sons were thinking. "I know, I don't show either of you much affection, or tell you how proud of you we are. I should do. When I look at all the losers that went through school with you I shudder to think that you could have gone the same way. Tom and Brad must be cut from the same mould, both of them have taken on the responsibility of their father's ranches letting their parents enjoy travel and quality time together before they get too old. There aren't too many others that have shone. "Ah, I get it Dad. When do you want me to take over so that you and Mum can go swanning round the world while I work my butt off to finance it?" John laughed himself silly. "Are you kidding? It will be a long time before you get your hands on this place. You worry about being a fine veterinarian. When your mother and I want to swan round the world we'll leave Gavin in charge." "Phew, thank heavens for that." Jack grinned as he said it. Both men knew that he was capable of taking over anytime John wanted him to. "In that case will you lend me a ¼ million so that I can install a fully equipped operating theatre in the surgery?" John looked at his son to make sure he was serious. "Do you think there is enough work to justify that Son?" "Yes Dad, I've researched it. The ranchers and farmers around here spend a fortune when they need major surgery on an animal. Transportation is the biggest expense, and because the animals have so far to travel it's detrimental to their health. If I operated here I could cut out that major expense and the animal would be in a much better state when I operated giving me a much higher chance of success." Father and son discussed interest rate, payment, return of capital and settled it all over supper. Darren and Andy looked on goggle eyed. "I'll have Gary draw up a contract tomorrow then Dad." John grinned and replied. "Good, and that's another lad whose parents should be proud of him." "I hope I can make my parents proud of me as well, Darren." That little voice reminded everyone that Andy was still with them. "You already have Son. That's why you are a welcome guest on this ranch anytime." John thought he was right here and he looked forward to seeing how this boy handled growing up when he had fought his way back to health after a horrendous beating nearly killed him. **************************************************************************** Never a dull moment as Andy continues to grow in confidence and ability.