by Jim Stovall
“Well, as I’m sure you can guess, the operation was a success and gave me back almost half of my adult life. What I’m sure you couldn’t guess, and what no one has known until now, is that the kidney that Mr. Hamilton found was his own.
“There’s only one way in the world to explain something like that, and it’s called friendship.”
I sat back in my familiar leather chair and tried to catch my breath. I thought about the emotions involved with giving someone one of my kidneys, and I further thought about having a friend at a level so deep that they would give up their kidney for me.
The image haunted me. I was questioning whether I had anyone like that in my life when the phone on my desk rang. I had told the switchboard to hold all my calls, so I knew who it was. As I picked up the phone and said, “Hello, Marie,” I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had someone like that in my life and she, in turn, had me. I would continue thinking about The Gift of Friends and how it related to my life, but I knew that I first and foremost would always be grateful for the fact that I had found my best friend and asked her to marry me.
The month dragged by, but eventually I found myself back in court dealing with The Case.
As I called the court to order, I just stared at Theodore J. Hamilton. I couldn’t get the story Red Stevens had told out of my mind. I had always considered Theodore J. Hamilton an incomparable practitioner of the law. Now I knew him to have been an incomparable friend. He stared back at me, and somehow I was sure that he knew that I was aware of his Gift of Friendship with Red Stevens. I nodded at him in greeting, and he smiled and actually winked at me.
I gestured for him to proceed. Jason took his now-familiar place on the witness stand, and Theodore J. Hamilton asked, “Jason, during the last month, have you had an opportunity to explore and demonstrate your ability not only to understand friendship but to impart that gift to others?”
Jason nodded, and Hamilton said, “Please share your experience with us.”
Jason cleared his throat and started, “When I left here last month, I wasn’t sure what to do since Mr. Dudly doesn’t seem to count people who know you have money as friends. With all of the TV reports and everything because of this trial, everybody knows me.
“Then I remembered a young man I met last year named David Reese. David is a blind guy I met while learning about The Gift of Laughter. I heard that David was teaching over at the school for the blind across town. I called him, and he told me he was teaching sort of an introduction class for newly blinded people or those just entering the school. I told David I was looking for a group of people to discuss The Gift of Friends with, and David thought this would be a really good part of his class.”
Jason looked toward Hamilton for approval, but Hamilton was reviewing notes. Miss Hastings, seated next to Hamilton, smiled at Jason angelically, and Jason continued confidently.
“Well, I thought that since all the people would be blind, they wouldn’t have seen me on TV and wouldn’t know who I was or that I might be rich. So I went to the class and, after David introduced me, I told about twenty-five blind people that I couldn’t imagine having to make the adjustment they were all making and I really respected their efforts. I also told them that I thought if I were going through something like they were, that I would want and need my friends around me.
“They all agreed, but some of them shared that after becoming blind they had lost a lot of their friends. They felt it was probably because people were uncomfortable and just didn’t know how to react to them. We went around the room and talked about what we needed from friends and what we each thought we had to offer. I connected with several people that day who I hope will be my friends in the future.
“One of the things we all discovered was that in order to have a friend, you have to be a friend. I was struggling to think of how these people could reach out and be a friend to others. Then I remembered the senior citizens’ center I had driven past on my way to the school for the blind. I told them that there must be hundreds of people there who would really appreciate and welcome a telephone call. Some of these calls would just be a pleasant encouragement, while others might blossom into friendship.”
Jason reached into his inside jacket pocket and withdrew a folded sheaf of papers. He looked up at me questioningly as he continued.
“Your Honor, I’m not sure who to give this to, but this is a list of all the people who are making regular phone calls to the elderly and a number of letters from the elderly people describing how making new friends has made their lives better.”
I followed the direction of Jason’s gaze and observed Miss Hastings with tears in her eyes smiling back at Jason.
Hamilton quipped, “I believe the young man has spoken for himself.”
Jason was glancing between me and the court reporter, holding out the bundle of papers questioningly.
Dudly interceded, “I’ll take that, and I do have a few questions.”
Dudly rifled through the pages quickly and said, “So, Jason, let me get this straight. In order to find friends, you went to a school for blind people and a nursing home. Wouldn’t you agree these are not traditional places to find friends?”
Jason shrugged and answered, “I don’t know. I just went to the school for the blind so that I could meet people who hadn’t seen my picture on TV or in the papers. I thought I could stay anonymous.”
Dudly smirked and inquired, “Well, did you stay anonymous, or did you or your friend David let all these people know that you stand to gain control of several billion dollars if you somehow deprive my clients of their inheritance?”
I glanced over, anticipating Hamilton’s objection, but he just smiled and waved his hand dismissively.
Jason responded, “Well, I didn’t tell them who I was, but they kind of found out.”
Dudly pressed the issue. “And how, pray tell, did this breach of security involving your identity occur?”
Jason chuckled and replied, “Well, it was after the class and the times we spent together coordinating the calls with the senior citizens when David and several students at the school for the blind actually laughed at me quite a bit and told me how ridiculous I was to think they wouldn’t recognize my voice from the TV and radio. They all knew me instantly, and they asked about the case.”
Dudly continued down this path, asking, “Just exactly what did they ask about the case?”
Jason shook his head and mumbled, “Oh, nothing really specific.”
Dudly drew himself to his full height and demanded, “Young man, you are under oath. What specifically did they ask you about these proceedings?”
Jason responded innocently, “They wanted to know if you really worked for a firm named Dudly, Cheetham, and Leech.”
Laughter could be heard throughout the courtroom as I tapped my gavel for quiet.
Dudly recovered some of his dignity and changed course. “Mr. Stevens, exactly what formula or recipe do you feel you followed at the school for the blind or the nursing home that could indicate to this court that you have the ability to find or create friendships?”
Jason glanced up at me then back at Mr. Dudly, answering, “I couldn’t guarantee anybody anything. Friendship and friends are gifts we receive. The only thing we can do is plant the seeds and help other people plant them; and occasionally when we’re really fortunate, a friendship will grow and blossom and provide seeds for more friendships in the future.”
Dudly just stared at Jason dumbfounded.
Finally I broke the silence, inquiring of Dudly, “Counselor, any further questions?”
Dudly shook his head and returned to his counsel table. I smiled at Jason and told him that would be all.
I stared at Mr. Hamilton as I ruled. “I believe we’ve all learned something about friendship in this place today. The court wishes to thank Jason Stevens for
his lesson and commend him on not only being a friend but helping others become friends as well. I would encourage everyone here to think on these things.
“This court is adjourned until 10:00 a.m. Monday.”
Learning lights a candle in the darkness that illuminates our dreams.
Six
THE LIFE OF LEARNING
It was a blessed weekend. Some weekends are merely accustomed parentheses at the end of a work week. Other weekends are a needed prescription for an overburdened soul.
Marie informed me Friday night as we were dining at one of our favorite restaurants that she had scheduled some family activities for us over the weekend. The term family activities could otherwise be loosely translated into chores. My family activities, among other things, were to involve raking leaves, cleaning out guttering, and trying to rearrange the garage so it might hold two cars this winter instead of one. I was about to lodge a complaint as I considered all of that work with the only prize being to get one additional car in the garage when I remembered that the additional car in the garage this winter would be mine.
Marie and I had a delightful dinner remembering good times past and planning trips and holiday celebrations in the future. I am always amazed and thankful that after knowing this person over fifty years, we have yet to run out of things to talk about. In fact, the years—instead of exhausting the possibilities between us—have opened vistas we can still explore together.
I think we both tried to avoid it as long as possible, but like an elephant in the living room, it was simply unavoidable, and eventually we settled on the topic of The Case. Marie knows that I am opposed to discussing ongoing cases other than the aspects of the trial that may have been introduced into the media. The media coverage of the Red Stevens’ contested will case had been so thorough I felt comfortable in discussing any and all matters surrounding The Case.
Marie asked, “Why do you think the family can’t just be satisfied with hundreds of millions? Why do they have to go after the billions of dollars Jason was to manage through the charitable trust?”
I thought for a minute and then offered a possible explanation. “After seeing thousands of people come and go through my courtroom, fighting over money, property, and all manner of personal possessions, it has come to my attention that there is a disease rampant among humans. The disease is called more. It is a veritable epidemic.
“People who have nothing want something. People who have something want a lot. People who have a lot want everything. And people who have everything want more. It just never ends. Otherwise contented and well-adjusted people can learn that someone else is receiving something, and all of a sudden what they had is no longer enough. They want still more.”
Marie frowned and shook her head. She commented, “It’s too bad those kinds of people can’t travel abroad as you and I have and see the abject poverty in which most of the world is living.”
I nodded, thinking about some of the heart-wrenching sights of poverty I had seen as I spoke. “That would seem to be logical; however, some of the wealthiest people I have ever known will step over a wounded homeless person in the gutter as they rush to a meeting to try to make their next million.
“There is a balance that must be achieved. The drive to be successful is what has made our country great. Scientific breakthroughs and medical advances are a part of this ongoing effort and striving. On the other hand, people must come to understand how, in a global sense, we are all wealthy beyond imagination.”
Marie sipped her coffee and said, “It’s sad, because you are in a roomful of Stevens’ family members, all of whom have enough wealth for a hundred lifetimes. But their greed has put them in a position where someone is going to walk away with absolutely nothing.”
I chuckled as I thought about that eventuality.
“These are people who have never learned how to make it without money. Being poor is a skill that must be learned and cultivated.”
Marie laughed and said, “Your Honor, I remember those days very well. Law school wasn’t cheap, and we both learned how to sleep on the floor and eat whatever was on sale during double coupon day. I wouldn’t want to go back to that.”
I responded, “I agree, but some of our best times were then, and we both know if we had to we could survive on next to nothing. The Stevens family simply doesn’t know what they don’t know. There’s a whole world out there that they’ve never been exposed to.”
Dessert arrived, which called for lighter, more pleasant table conversation. We settled into talk of grandchildren and gardening.
As we were walking out of the restaurant arm-in-arm, I commented, “I needed that.”
“The food was good,” Marie said.
I stopped and looked deeply into those familiar and still-fascinating eyes and said, “I don’t mean the food.”
As I climbed up to the bench and settled into my chair, I noticed that I was quite sore in my lower back. A remnant, no doubt, of the several hours of raking leaves, otherwise known as family activities.
I tapped my gavel for order, nodded a greeting to the overflowing courtroom, and announced, “Today we will take up the matter of The Gift of Learning. I want to remind everyone of the gravity of this case and the fact that this is an ongoing matter that, unlike most estate cases, will not be resolved in a day or two. This case will be heard periodically over an entire year and holds serious consequences for the parties involved.
“If the Stevens family, represented by Mr. Dudly …” I paused, glanced toward Dudly, and motioned to that side of the courtroom, “… is successful in overturning the Red Stevens’ will and attached Ultimate Gift provisions, they will divide among themselves several billion dollars currently frozen in the Red Stevens’ Charitable Trust.
“On the other hand …” I looked toward Mr. Hamilton, Jason, his fiancée Alexia, Hamilton’s able assistant Miss Hastings, and the ever-present but silent Jeffrey Watkins and announced, “… on the other hand, if Mr. Jason Stevens, represented by Theodore J. Hamilton, is successful in defending the last will of Red Stevens, including The Ultimate Gift provisions, the charitable trust will remain in place and be under the sole direction of Jason Stevens; and the resources inherited by the Stevens family members will be forfeited as they have contested the will, and those resources will be added to the Red Stevens’ Charitable Trust.
“Although this case is very unorthodox and I have granted extreme latitude in the display and demonstration of evidence, I caution counsel and all those present that this is, indeed, a most serious court proceeding, and I will expect everyone to act accordingly.”
I gazed judicially about my courtroom and then glanced toward Hamilton.
“Mr. Hamilton, I call on you and your client to make your case before this court that Jason Stevens has, in fact, lived up to the provisions of The Ultimate Gift as outlined by Red Stevens with respect to The Gift of Learning.”
Theodore J. Hamilton, following my admonition to treat this matter as a formal court proceeding, rose in a dignified manner and intoned, “Your Honor, we call Jason Stevens to the stand.”
Jason rose from his chair, moved around the counsel table, and took his place in the witness box.
I reminded everyone that Jason Stevens had already been sworn in this matter, and he was still under oath with regard to his testimony in these proceedings.
Hamilton began. “Jason, as a part of your grandfather’s Gift of Learning, you made a trip to South America.”
Jason nodded affirmatively, and Hamilton encouraged him. “Would you tell us about your experiences there?”
Jason replied, “I traveled to a rather remote village where my grandfather had established a library for the people of the region. I worked on reorganizing and categorizing books in the library.”
Hamilton inquired, “Wh
at did you discover about The Gift of Learning while performing your duties in the library?”
Jason paused to reflect before continuing. “First, I learned that the people of the region have a hunger for learning. They don’t have access to schools, books, libraries, and computers like we do. I was surprised when I first got to the library to learn that most of the books were gone. The librarian told me that the majority of the books were always checked out and were distributed among even more remote villages encompassing an area of many miles.”
Hamilton directed the testimony by asking, “Isn’t it true that you were actually kidnapped during your time in South America and imprisoned by a group of drug lords?”
Jason recounted, “Yes. It was the most frightening experience of my life. I fully expected to be killed at any time.”
Hamilton inquired, “Did you acquire any knowledge about The Gift of Learning during your imprisonment?”
Jason nodded and spoke, “While I was in my prison cell, occasionally pages of a book would be passed to me by other prisoners. They were in Spanish, which took me a long time to decipher. I came to treasure the moments when these pages would appear, as they seemed to be my lifeline to the outside world and any hope of being free again. I will never forget the value of even one page of a book.”
Hamilton nodded as if thoroughly satisfied and announced, “That will be all.”
Theodore J. Hamilton returned to his accustomed spot at the end of the counsel table. I looked across the aisle and gestured at Mr. Dudly.
He spoke. “Yes, Your Honor, we have several lines of inquiry regarding this so-called learning experience or field trip into the jungle that Jason Stevens took last year.”
I looked at Hamilton anticipating an objection, but he just smiled at me and shook his head as if it didn’t really matter.