by John Charles
Reade stopped packing, looked at his father, and said, “I’ve been at the hospital visiting Alex.” He could see the anger in his father’s face. “Before you start another tirade, I don’t give a shit what you think about Alex. And just for your information, I’m gay too.”
Harrold took two steps toward his son and said with a fury in his voice that would have frightened most sane people, “I will not allow that. You will not visit that fag again. You will move out of his apartment and move into the condominium I purchased for you. You will follow my orders or you will regret the day you were born,” then Harrold shoved the box Reade was packing off the desk. “Do you understand?”
The shouting and noise of the box crashing to the floor brought several members of the senior staff to Reade’s office door wondering what was going on, now. Reade picked up the box and repacked the items that had fallen out. After placing the box on his desk, he turned to his father and said, “Harrold, I am an adult and have the right to live my own life. I have had enough of you and your bullshit. I’ve lived under your thumb long enough and I will not tolerate it anymore.”
The executive staff quietly watched the scene unfold as many had wished it would for some time. For years, they secretly talked about Harrold’s dominance over Ellissa and Reade. Most had felt some of his arrogance, dominance, and bullying through their years spent on his staff, but every one of them hated how he treated his wife and only son. Now that the scene was unfolding in front of their eyes, they felt pride in the way Reade was acting, not reacting to Harrold.
Harrold’s anger continued to grow. He shouted, “You'll never amount to anything without me. I knew from the day you were born that you were nothing. Your mother pampered you against my will. Her heart will be broken when she finds out you are nothing but a fag like that fag you’ve been living with. Well, I won’t have it.”
Reade tried to control his temper but Harrold’s attacks on Ellissa were more than he could take. With a swift motion he moved around his desk and punched Harrold so hard, the man fell backward, landing on the floor. “You will not talk about my mother like that. For your information, she knows I am gay and still loves me. You on the other hand have never loved her or me. As I said, Harrold, I will not take any more of your bullying. Do you understand?”
A hand on his bruised jaw, Harrold stood and faced his son. “You're fired,” he said in his anger-filled voice. “And you’re out of my will, too. Don’t come crawling back to me when everything in your fag world crumbles around you.”
Before Harrold could move, Reade shoved him against the wall and said, “I expect nothing from you and never have. Mother should have left you years ago, but for some dumb reason she did not. Well, that changes today. You have not only lost your only son, you have lost your wife, too. Divorce papers are on your desk right now.”
Reade continued to hold his father to the wall as the information sank into the older man’s anger filled brain. Then while the staff watched, Reade said, “You fight her and I will ruin you. The board hates everything about you, your bullying, and your attitude toward them, my mother and me. I have enough stock in my personal portfolio and enough voting members on my side to remove you from the board and have myself appointed in your place.”
For the first time in all his life, Reade saw his father speechless. Harrold pushed his son away and walked to the door. The staff scattered as he turned again to face his son. “I want you out of here. I never want to see your face again.” He walked through the door, across the executive offices to his own office and froze as he entered. On his desk was a sealed envelope from Ellissa’s attorneys. He knew what it contained.
Carrying two large boxes and his briefcase was difficult, but Reade was determined to leave in one trip. He never made it past the door of his office. Hands reached for the boxes and his briefcase. In front of him were five smiling men and women. Two men carried his boxes, his personal secretary held his briefcase. His anger subsided immediately. “I’ll miss all of you, but mark my words; you’ve not seen the last of me, nor of my mother.”
He bent down and planted a kiss on his secretary’s cheek, held her in a warm hug and whispered, “I have a job waiting for you if you want it. I will let you know when to resign. Okay?”
Smiling into his embrace, she whispered back, “I can’t wait to leave here and nothing would make me happier than to work with you again.”
Reade left the executive suite with the two men right behind him. After putting the boxes in his car, each shook his hand and wished him the best. Reade texted a two word message to his mother, ‘It’s done!’
The drive home was bitter sweet. He had gotten out from under his father’s thumb, but Alex was still in a coma. Come back to me Alex. I will never leave you again.
Chapter 15
"Mmm, that was a nice way to wake up," said Lane as he cuddled into Terry's arms. "I don't want to get up. We can stay in bed all day and just enjoy each other," he said giggling. Then turning in Terry's arms, he planted a passionate kiss on his partner of fifteen years.
"Fifteen years - Wow! Did you ever imagine we'd actually be married for fifteen years?" asked Terry as Lane cuddled into his chest. "Our life just gets better every day that we are together. And soon the world will, once again, know the name Lane Duwalt."
Lane pulled himself up to his elbow and looked into Terry's eyes. "That is the last thing I want to think about right now. I know it's important for the industry, but I don't do my research for the awards." Then he relaxed on Terry's chest again. His fingers gently teased as they traveled down Terry's body. The shudder he felt under his head told him to continue. He did.
Terry let Lane have his way allowing his lover to ravish his body like a hungry schoolboy. Lane always enjoyed sex with Terry. He wanted — no needed it all the time. On days like today, he would pout when Terry started to get out of bed. Lane's sexual appetite was insatiable.
Although Terry did not have the sexual appetite of his partner, Lane knew how to get him excited and succeeded for the second time that morning. Once Terry was ready and more than willing, Lane straddled his partner, slid back and impaled himself in one fluid motion. Their first coupling was intense, heated, and almost animalistic. It had one purpose and that was to get off.
This time Lane intended to make love to his man, his husband of fifteen years, the only person in the world that gave him such happiness. They took their time to give each other the sexual pleasures that can only come from a loving relationship such as theirs.
As Terry held Lane in the afterglow, he looked into Lane's eyes and saw something he never saw before — tears. "What? Why are you crying? Did I hurt you?"
"No, you could never hurt me. It's just that I keep getting the feeling that this will end and I can't imagine what would cause that to happen." Terry had no answer for Lane's fears. He had voiced them in the past when his emotions were peaked such as they were at that point. He held him closer, tighter, with more passion, hoping Lane's fears would calm down.
Their quiet time was broken by the ringing of Terry's cell phone." Ugh, don't answer that thing," said a frustrated Lane. "I'm not ready to join the world yet."
Much to his partner's gentle annoyance, Terry did. It was his mother checking up on them as she usually did. Hallie loved her son and often teased him saying she loved Lane more. Terry knew she was teasing, but also knew there was a special love between Lane and Hallie. After a little catching up, Hallie asked, "Are you and Lane coming to the BBQ next Saturday?"
"Definitely. I think we both need to break free of things, even if it's only for a day. What can we bring?"
Mother and son talked about the family's annual get together, agreed on the menu and split up the assignments. "Love you, mom. We'll see you on Saturday." The lovers got out of bed, took a passionate shower together and made their way to their favorite restaurant for brunch.
The weekend flew by in a blur of activities and errands postponed from their hectic workweek. Their sl
eep was interrupted by the alarms on both phones. A quick cuddle and Monday morning brought them back to their hectic lives — up, showered and off to their respective jobs — efficient. Just prior to opening the door to the garage, Lane and Terry hugged, kissed, and pronounced their undying love for each other.
He was deep in thought, looking out the window, when his assistant walked into his office. "Did you know about this?" she asked showing Terry the article in the local newspaper.
Terry looked at the page then placed the paper on his desk. The headline read: International Society of Health Studies to Award Lane Duwalt their highest honor for his Spinal and Memory Reparation Procedures. "This is their annual awards night and Lane received a call from one of their coordinators asking him to attend. I knew they were planning something but not exactly what it was. Lane's program has helped so many people around the world, but I am surprised he is the only recipient. They usually award several honors at their annual meeting." The date mentioned in the article was two weeks away.
"Is Lane aware he is getting the award?" she asked, knowing how Lane hated fanfare.
"Oh he knows and has jokingly said he might boycott the ceremony. He hates these things but knows how important it is to the medical research community."
The International Society of Health Studies initially held back their praise for his procedures saying they wanted to see a more widespread field of patients in the research. They offered to assist in setting up several double blind studies to help determine if Lane's procedures really did what he claimed they did. Skeptical at first, Lane soon realized that a controlled study outside his staff's jurisdictions might be good for the program. He agreed to the ISHS's offer.
Their first study proved Lane's procedures were, indeed affecting real cures for the participants of the study. At one point, members of the control group refused to go further unless they were made part of the group receiving the real procedure. That never happened in any double blind study the ISHS had conducted. Their second study proved even more fruitful than the first. The review board, saying it was no longer required, rejected the need for a third study. Their findings substantiated that Lane's procedures were as he claimed.
"Will he? Will he boycott the awards?" asked Terry's secretary as she walked toward the door. "I think he should on general principles."
Terry laughed at her comment. "You know Lane would never do that. It's not in his makeup. He'll go, accept the award, smile, and give most of the credit to his faithful staff."
Terry decided to call Sherry and ask if she knew about the award. She not only knew about the award, but also confided in Terry that she worked with the ISHS to make it happen. "Don't tell Lane, please. If he found out that I helped he'll be furious." Terry knew she was right and agreed to keep her secret.
His normal workday was full, today was impossible. Meetings dragged on, people seemed out of sorts, and programs that were working perfectly suddenly failed. Terry had his hands full and almost forgot about meeting Lane for dinner.
Lane's days, though more rewarding, involved the life and death struggle of the people he was trying to help. A young boy had fallen from his bike while performing a dangerous stunt to impress his friends. Now a respirator breathed for him as he lay in the hospital with a severely injured spinal cord. Fortunately, his parents read about Lane's protocols and asked the doctors to contact him. Lane, three of his highly trained technicians, and a team of neurological specialists agreed to perform the initial procedure on the boy. His life depended on the procedure's success.
After learning about the procedure in detail, including the risks involved, the boy's parents signed the consent form allowing the team to begin. "This could take all night," said a technician. "If anyone has a problem please speak up now." Everyone was silent. "Very good. Then let's get the boy prepped and begin with phase one of the reparation process."
Terry received a call from Lane, explaining the situation with the boy. He would be home late, if at all. How could anyone complain when the love of his life was helping a young boy regain the use of his body? He understood, though he did wish that more technicians and neurosurgeons were trained to perform the procedures. He would be spending another night alone with a book.
The family BBQ was a great break from their hectic schedules, allowing both Terry and Lane to relax with loving friends and family. Hallie approached her son when she saw him standing at a distance from Lane.
"Have you spoken with Sherry about your concerns?" asked Hallie as she cornered her son. “Maybe she can convince him to start a new training program. More doctors need to be trained to relieve Lane and his staff."
Their conversation was interrupted by a cousin who wanted time with Hallie, leaving Terry alone watching the people around him. He was startled when Sherry put her hand on his shoulder. "Penny for your thoughts?" she said. "You look as if you are contemplating something huge."
Terry related the conversation he had with his mother asking if Sherry knew why Lane was not doing more training classes. Sherry knew Lane better than anyone else; probably better than Terry knew him. If anyone could understand what made him tick, it was Sherry. She had watched as her very best friend lay in a coma after the accident. Now she watched as he struggled with success. "I've tried to get him to do just that, but you know Lane. When he makes up his mind there is nothing anyone can do to change it. Terry, Lane seems to think that if he does not perform the procedures, someone will get hurt. I know that's not right, but try convincing your husband that he is overreacting."
"Oh my god," said Terry as he paced near Sherry. Has anything happened to people in the program?"
"Not to our knowledge. But remember, Lane has performed or been present for most of the procedures. There are fewer than a dozen outsiders trained and even with those, Lane often insists he or one of his technicians is present when the procedure is performed."
Terry looked at her with total disbelief. What he couldn't wrap his arms around was why Lane continued to feel that way. "What do we do now? Lane can't keep up this schedule. He just can't." He said as if he might lose his best friend again.
"We agree with you Terry. Abram and I think the award ceremony will bring an onslaught of request for equipment and training. Lane will have no choice. He'll have to concede and let others perform the procedures."
Terry looked from Sherry to his partner. Lane was enjoying a conversation with one of the cousins. Their schedules were so busy neither of them had much time to relax with those they loved. This was one of those rare times and Terry didn't want to do anything to disturb it. "I agree. I know my husband; he'll do the right thing."
Terry joined his partner as Sherry sought out some friends both wondering how they would broach the topic with Lane.
Chapter 16
Reade had been visiting Alex every day since the argument with his father. His love for the man continued to grow as he watched Alex struggle with the demons keeping him in a coma. "I love you Alex. You should see what mother and I are doing. The offices are coming along quite well. I've been talking with several CEOs who want to trade within the Asian consortium. They all like what I have done to establish a co-op of American companies that will have unbridled access to Asian trade. Mother was right when she said I should do what Harrold asked of me, even if it would not benefit him at all. Come back to me Alex. I know you'd enjoy the new me - I know it!"
Reade had followed his mother's suggestion and started developing a relationship with various members of the Asian Consortium. He also developed a good understanding of the requirements necessary for an American company to compete in the Asian marketplace.
Before he left the employ of Calan Industries, Reade had established a corporation using a holding company, to prevent his father from finding the real owner's name. Using that new corporate identity, he created the America - Asia Co-op and began negotiations for American companies to have access to various Asian markets. Nervous at first, since he was still employed by Calan
, Reade didn't approach any Calan competitors. After his split with Harrold and Calan, he and his new staff of four, began contacting every company in their extensive files. The reception was huge. Every company they contacted wanted access and willingly joined the co-op. Within a few weeks, the America - Asia Co-op had over fifty members.
When Harrold learned of his son's business, he used his normal bullying tactics in an attempt to shut it down. Ellissa, Reade and their attorneys were granted a restraining order against Harrold and Calan Industries, thus preventing any communications.
"Hi," said Gena as she and Jason entered Alex's room. "How is he today?"
Jason took the chair near the foot of Alex's bed allowing Gena and Reade to have seats closer to Alex's face. "I read an article about your new co-op Reade. I bet your father is livid considering he wanted you to do that for Calan Industries, not his competition. Way to go."
The nurses starting bending the two-visitor rule shortly after Reade started visiting Alex on a daily basis. They considered all three to be family. They even replaced the typical uncomfortable chairs with newer, plusher chairs from the waiting room. They did everything they could to make the trio comfortable. One evening nurse started baking brownies and other snacks for them, saying it was her way to help.
When the trio had conversations, they always included Alex, asking for his input, and offering suggestions that Alex might find interesting. As Reade and Jason were discussing the new business venture, Dr. Jenkins walked into the room.
"Excuse me for interrupting. I'd like to talk with all three of you, if I may." Standing near the foot of the bed, he addressed the trio and Alex. "As you know, I've been checking on Alex daily since he arrived here. It's been over a month with no change in his condition. His broken bones are healing quite well. The various internal injuries he sustained in the accident have fully healed. Yet he remains in a coma." He looked at Gena, Reade, and Jason as he spoke.