Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 02:32:46 -0500
From: Darrin Thomas <Djthomas4@charter.net>
Subject: Dylian 29

Dylian

Chapter 29



	The rest of the evening was quiet.  Calvin and Marsha stopped by to
check on the boys.  Even jumped in to tell his Grandpa about Shellie and
her sister.  The man said he would check up on them.

	"Wait!  Let me go with you!"

	My employees mean everything to me.  I make certain to treat them
as members of my extended family.  Here my newest hire was worried about
his job and missing work because of his child's illness.  I wanted to
assure him his position remained secure despite this emergency.  Therefore,
I asked my transportation director to update me about his situation as we
went to meet him.

	"Drew, this poor fellow, Jerald, has experienced nothing but
heartache for the past year.  His youngest was diagnosed with a heart
defect.  He had been an independent long hauler at the time.  The father
sold his truck to pay her medical expenses, then his wife found a lump in
one of her breasts, which turned out to be cancerous, leading to her death.
The illnesses bankrupted him.  Worse left him jobless because he couldn't
drive extended distances.  His eldest, Shellie, relinquished most of her
life to care for her papa and sibling.  She even decided to sell her cello
and drop out of the orchestra to be there for them.  It gets worse... He,
himself, has an eighteen year, accident free record!  Hell, My Friend, few
can make such a claim, which ironically ensured his unemployability.  No
company will pay for that quality of experience.  I promised Dylian I would
offer him an interview, which I did.  When I saw his resume I knew I found
my assistant!"

	"He is our kind of guy!"

	Arriving, we found the young lady and her dad huddled in a corner.
Calvin moseyed over to talk with them, while I checked with the nurse.

	"Hi, please transmit a message to Dr. Edwards.  Now, before you say
anything, I realize she is in surgery, however as an observer!"

	"Umm... very well, Sir!"

	I waited while the woman passed on my message.  She returned with a
visibly upset Debbie.

	"Drew Jacob Thomas!  The nerve you show sometimes!  Why the hell
did you call me out of there?!"

	"Because there is a father, who needs an update on his girl's
condition."  I rebutted, pointing to the waiting room,

	"Oh, God!  We worked on her for several hours.  I bet he is going
crazy!"

	The two of us walked over to where the distraught individual sat.
As we approached, Jerald jumped up.  He looked at the doctor, then at me,
after which he collapsed in tears.  Rushing to him, my medical companion
attempted to find out what was wrong.  The poor man bawled, screaming,

            "My baby, Megan, not you too!"

	"Mr. Gilberts, are you alright?  Sir!  Please, tell me what is
wrong!"

	He glanced at me, before saying in a very small anguished tone,

	"My Little One is gone!"

	"Absolutely not!  She is doing very well!  The operation has
proceeded better than expected."

	 Next, he pointed to me, asking,

            "Why is he here?"

	"Drew Thomas, at your service!  Calvin and I were visiting my son,
when we found out Megan was here.  So, we came to get an update and chat.
I regret upsetting you!  Trust me, I feel your pain.  Hi, Shellie, are you
alright?"

	"Yes, Sir, I am glad to see you again."

	"Sweetie, you know this person?"

	"Yes, Father!  This is Dylian's dad.  The boy I mentioned, the one
who arranged your interview."

	"Wait, you own DJ Enterprises!"

	"Yes!  But, remember, I, too, put my pants on one leg at a time!
Please understand, we are taking care of things here for you.  If there is
anything you need, tell us!  Dr. Edwards is family, her husband, Miles is
my second-in-command!  Young Lady, my invitation covers you, as well!"

	"Jerald, take all the time you need to be with your daughter!  We
arranged for her to be placed on the third floor close to our boys, so she
has loved ones surrounding her.  My wife and I are here most evenings
becoming acquainted with our new grandchildren."

	"I am floored!  I have never been treated as family simply by
working for a company."

	"Don't worry about it!  Debbie, please make sure Megan gets
transferred.  Also, issue a purchase card for her sister on my account.
Sweetie, the plastic allows you to buy items at the shops, and cafeteria.
Thus, you needn't bother your father for cash while your sister remains
hospitalized.  Don't worry about how much you spend, I promise the boys
will top it!"

	We chatted awhile longer.  Calvin stayed, when I returned to
Simon's room.  I wanted to see him, before visiting Dylian.

	The next day I went to work. I talked to my head honcho about our
newest hireling and his offspring.  My second assured me his "Better Half"
grilled him concerning the situation, and he insured everything was in
order for them.  I asked my man to check their financial situation.  After
spending time in my office catching up on paperwork, my friend returned,
looking at his feet.

	"What's up buddy?"

	"I investigated!  It appears he is in some trouble, being five
months behind on his mortgage payments and electric bill.  Steve, at the
bank, told me they held off foreclosure because of his wife's death."

	"Alright, make the back payments!  Also, find out if there are
other debts he needs help with.  Have Peggy, in payroll, deduct twenty
dollar per check. Let's calculate the length at a later date."

	"I will get right on it.  Even was upset concerning this girl's
family last night.  He also talked about poor Bradley."

	"You should be so proud of him.  He did a lot good yesterday on his
own, asking nothing in return!"

	"Oh believe me, I am!"

	I continued to work for another hour.  My second brought me the
agreement, just as I prepared to leave.  I thanked him and informed Sherry
I would be at the hospital for the rest of the day.

	Arriving, I met Hank.

           "Hello Sir, here are the keys to the car, thank you for loaning
it to me!"

            "Keep them for now.  I drove the Land Rover."

             He laughed.

             Then, I went up to see my son.

	{}Hey Dad!  Dr. Sanders was here earlier.  He wants to talk with
you.  Also, Aunt Debbie said Tyler is being released this afternoon.  I
wish I would be!{}

	"Be patient, Son, you're coming home soon!  You were hurt far worse
than your cousin!  Have the nurse call the physician.  I am going to see
Jerald for a moment, okay?"

	{}Sure, Dad.  Even is about to return with the younger two.  Aunt
Nancy and Aunt Carol are testing them.{}

	I left for Megan's room to speak with her father.  He sat with his
head resting on the bed. The patient watched a mute TV.  Seeing me, she
tapped her papa on the shoulder, who awoke, then looked over at me.

	"Oh, Hi Mr. Thomas.  I didn't hear you come in.  Meet my baby.
Dr. Edwards told me she will be fine!"

	"That is wonderful news!  It's nice to meet you, Sweetie!  Sir,
there are a few things I wish to discuss with you."

	"This doesn't sound good!  Darling, I must step out with this
gentleman, I shall be back, momentarily, alright?"

	The small dark haired girl nodded, however she appeared frightened.

	Outside, I steered my companion to two chairs.

	"First of all, please call me Drew.  Mr. Thomas was my Old Man!
Second, I want to mention your disastrous financial state!  I asked Miles
to ascertain your situation.  We found out you were facing default in
payment of certain obligations."

	"Hey, look, I may work for you, but you have no right to
investigate my personal business."

	"No, you don't understand.  You are now current on your mortgage
and electricity.  Have you other outstanding outlays?"

            I pulled out the repayment agreement to show him, before
continuing,

           "Even asked for my aid.  Your repayment agreement stipulates the
sum of twenty dollars per paycheck.  The length of period depends on the
amount of money required to pay unknown additional arrears."

	"I am flabbergasted at your generosity.  The one remaining
obligation concerns my wife's minivan.  I sold my rig, but decided to keep
the vehicle."

	"Alright, give me the name of company holding the loan.  I intend
to rectify the matter as well.  Remember this isn't a gift, simply an
outlay."

	Once signed, I headed back to my son.  I arrived with Dr. Sanders.

	"Mr. Thomas!  I must talk to you and Simon concerning his
recovery. Unfortunately, his voice remains unresponsive.  His vocal cords
crossed while healing.  I asked a specialist, Marcy, to train your boy, so
he can use his voice.  She has succeeded with autistic children. I spoke to
her about his case, without revealing his identity.  She believes he has an
excellent chance to make a full recovery.  May I ask her to take him on?"

	"Of course!  How do you feel, Sweetie, are you willing to work with
this lady?"

	{}Yeah!  I want to speak even if I won't sound as good!{}

	"Please call her!"

	After the physician left, we discussed what he said.  Then, I
teasingly asked,

           "Were you surfing gay porn sites, Son?".

	{}Dad!  I am not looking at smut!  Why would I, I have Even!  I
tried determining if being one eyed disallows me from usual functions such
as driving, or flying.{}

	"And?"

	{}Piloting planes appears unattainable.  However, I couldn't find
anything concerning helicopters.  On the other hand, if I pass the tests, I
can drive.{}

	"With being you fifteen, now is the right time to start thinking
about your license.  What car make interests you?  Remember you may ask for
a Lamborghini, but your chances of getting one remain nil-to-none!"

	{}I gave it much consideration.  I want, but you mustn't laugh, a
Honda Ridgeline which rates very safe and looks kewl!  However, there are
no used ones listed online.{}

	"That speaks well for their quality and performance.  I am proud of
your excellent choice!  However, whether you get one is an entirely
different matter!"

	Soon, we were joined by the other boys who claimed their school day
ended early.  It wasn't long before Mark and Brian appeared as well.
Debbie already released Tyler.  Now, we awaited Bradley's arrival, which
occurred in due course.

	"Hey, may I come in?"

	"Please do!  Hello Hanna, are you feeling better today?"

	Despite her bashfulness, she nodded yes.

	"Sir, I came to return your keys.  I refused to accept this gift.
Nor have I the resources to pay for its upkeep and insurance, even if I
did!"

	"Son, meet Mark and Brian.  They are senior partners with Galley &
Napier, Attorneys at law."

	"Hello, Young Man, my nephews tell me you wish to become a lawyer.
We want you to get a head start.  So, we offer you a part time position of
clerk , two hours daily, Monday through Friday at forty dollars per hour.
During summers, you will work fulltime.  Also included, is a cell phone
with unlimited minutes.  Finally, it comes with a five hundred dollar
monthly vehicle allowance and we will pay for your insurance.  Are you
interested?"

	"Yes, of course I accept!!"

	"Great!  Now, there is one other thing we should mention.  You see,
we are not only professional colleagues but, companions, in every sense of
the word.  Does it present a problem?"

	"No, I gathered as much.  I understand Simon and Even are, too!"

	"Yes, and these are our children Andy, and Tyler, also a couple!"

	"Great!  It's no one's business but your own!"

             While chatting, he bent to cuddle his daughter, who wrapped
herself around his leg.

	"Now it's my turn.  I am converting a cottage on my property for
you and Hanna.  It's nearly eighteen hundred square feet, has two bedrooms
and a single bath with an unfinished basement.  We can do the cellar if you
wish.  A separate driveway exists with a garage and a very short path
through a wooded area, leading to the main house.  It should be ready in
two weeks, which gives you enough time to prepare for your move, and
purchase furniture for your new home."

	"Wow!  I am flabbergasted!"

	"Bradley, I want you to think of me as your "Old Man" without the
formality of adoption!"

	"Really?  That is awesome!  May I call you Pops?"

	"Sure, use any term you want.  I, too, am gay!  You don't mind?"

	"Not at all!"

       "Now for some fun!  Mark, if you will!"

	My friend took out an external device which he hooked to his cell,
converting the latter into a speaker phone. Then, he made a call.

	"Harrison Construction, How may I help you?"

	You could see fear spread across the young father's face, as he
stared at me.  I feared for his sanity!

	"This is Drew Thomas, of Thomas Consulting Corp.  I wish to speak
with Ed Harrison, right now!"

	"One moment, Sir, while I ascertain his availability."

             The operator put me on hold.

	"Hello Drew, what do I owe the honor of your buzz?"

	"I dialed to inform you our contracts with your company are
terminated.  All future contact between our two enterprises must go through
my lawyers.  Here is one of them to explain the rest."

	"What the hell?!"

	"Sir, I am Mark Galley.  As you heard, all agreements were voided
due to conflict of interest.  For your information, we hired a young man
whom you refuse entry to your business.  As it turns out, he was once your
son, until you legally disowned him.  We refuse to deal with people who act
in an immoral or unethical manner!"

	"That shithead!  Whatever he told you is a lie!  He left us after
we wouldn't give in to his demands.  He wanted to keep the little slut's
baby, even though we knew it wasn't his child!  After all, he was only
thirteen!"

 	"We cite the integrity statement in the covenants to abrogate them.
Also, as of eight o'clock tomorrow morning, we plan to enact the repayment
clause of section C, paragraph sixteen.  You have forty-five days to
reimburse all loans and outstanding arrears to Thomas Consulting Corp,
otherwise we intend to place liens against all properties, which become
subject to forfeiture if the debts remain delinquent. The papers stating
our objectives are being delivered, as we speak.  Again, any interaction
must proceed through my firm, my numbers appear in the documentation.
Thank you for your time!"

	The look on Bradley's face was priceless.  It was a cross between
pure fear and sheer joy!

	"You did it for me?  Why? I am confused.  Won't it cost you a great
sum of money in lost business?"

	"It was for you but, also, because I refuse to deal with someone
whom I can't respect.  The individual who once called himself your father
is such a cretin for discarding a child!  Now, I need you to sign a few
papers for me.  Please put your signature on these two lines!"

	"Sir, I am sorry, but I refuse to affix my name to something
unread!"

	"The first is a Declaration of Trust, and the second assigns a
curatorship."

	"Why?"

	"For my granddaughter's property of course!"

	"How come?"

	"Well, I set up a stipend for her.  It's in the amount of five
million dollars.  It will grow rapidly over the years until she becomes
twenty-one."

	"As for you, Young Man, I am the guardian for your's!  Your college
education and expenses have been paid!"

	The hug I received almost broke my ribs!  I felt the teen burst
into tears.

	"Bradley, you are now my son.  I know you wish to be independent
and a great parent, as your past shows, but you needn't act alone!  Let
your family help you!"

	"Thanks, POPS!"

===============================================

Thank you for all the feedback. I also want to thank my Editor, Baruch, for
another great chapter!! Thanks for your support!



Please remember that kids are our future.  It's time to protect them.

No Child Should Have To Sleep On The Street Tonight!

Hugs

Darrin