I’m an old woman now without many more sunrises. I have no right to ask anything of you, but I have two requests. First, your father and I do not fear death. We’ve seen our family reunited and our children become fine adults. We’ve made peace with this world. I know you can afford the best medical care, but please let us die without any heroic measures.
My second request is for your brothers and sister. Please don’t make your siblings live in your shadow. Keep your relationship with them secret. Let them develop lives and careers of their own. I know you want to help them, but do it discreetly. Help them regain what they lost, and then leave them alone. They deserve the opportunity to make their own way in the world.
If you agree to honor my last two requests, the next time you see me just say yes and I will understand.
With age sometimes comes wisdom. I understand now that the genius Jason York came to us for a short while. We were merely caretakers. Our job was to care for you until you could care for yourself. I asked God’s forgiveness for failing you. I asked your forgiveness and received it. I have also forgiven myself. Now, I encourage you to do the same. It’s time to forgive yourself, my son. If you don’t know how, seek help. Ask your Higher Power. Ask Cody. When you forgive yourself, you’ll be able to achieve all your dreams for the right reasons. Your loving mother, Joanna.”
Tears rolled down Eric’s cheeks, but he brushed them aside before they could blur his mother’s words. “Okay, Mom. Time to honor your second request.”
Jerry’s Apartment
They had finished opening their Christmas gifts and were thanking each other when there was a knock on the door. Jerry jumped to his feet, showing off how agile he had become since his surgery. “Who could that be on Christmas Eve?” he muttered.
Jerry opened the front door hesitantly, not quite sure what to expect.
Eric’s solemn face slowly became a wide grin. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
“Of course!” Jerry beamed, excited to see his older brother. “Come in, come in, Eric!”
Jerry closed the door, then turned and hugged Eric. “Harry and Keira are in the living room. Let me take your coat. Can I get you something to drink?”
Eric was amused by Jerry’s nervousness. He had grown accustomed to people knocking themselves out whenever he entered a room, but still felt uncomfortable when his family behaved that way. Keira and Harry stood when Eric entered the living room.
“What a nice surprise!” Harry grinned as he hugged Eric. “We never expected to see you tonight.”
“You know how I love a surprise, Harry!” Eric reminded his older brother.
Eric turned to Keira and felt her hostility, but was determined not to let it interfere with the task at hand. “Merry Christmas, Keira.” He stretched out his arms to embrace her.
Keira glanced at Jerry, then decided to maintain the peace for his sake and accepted the hug. “Merry Christmas to you, too, Eric.”
Eric removed three small boxes from his suit jacket, handing one to each of them. “When we were very young, Mom bought each of our birthstones, intending to have them set into a piece of fine jewelry when we married. One by one, she sold them as things at home got worse. I remembered that about a month ago and thought it might be a way of having our parents share Christmas with us, so I…..well, open them up.”
Jerry opened his first and found a huge diamond in a large gold band. The diamond was surrounded by several smaller diamonds. “Wow! This ring must be worth a fortune, Eric!”
Eric chuckled at Jerry’s reaction. Next, Harry opened his box and removed a similar ring with an emerald stone. Keira opened her gift last. As a child, Keira had seen the star sapphire intended for her. When she removed the cover of the jewelry box, she found the largest sapphire she had ever seen affixed to a gold chain. Every three inches, diamonds sparkled up at her.
“Oh, Eric, this is exquisite!” Keira whispered. “I thought I was the only one who knew about those stones.”
Eric beamed contentedly. He had finally found a way to bring simultaneous smiles to his siblings' faces. “Try them on,” Eric urged them.
“What about you, Eric?” Jerry frowned. “We didn’t expect to see you this Christmas, so we haven’t any gifts for you.”
Eric shifted uncomfortably. “Your smiles are my gift.”
“What stone did Mom have for you, Eric?” Harry asked.
“I’m wearing it,” Eric replied, holding up a ruby ring. “This is the original stone. Mom slipped it to me just before I got on that Greyhound bus in Skyline so many years ago. When I could feel it on my finger, I knew I had a family somewhere. For twenty years, this was my only link with the family. Sort of my good luck charm.”
They chatted in Jerry’s living room through a half dozen pots of coffee, trading memories from a time none of them could ever recapture. The alarm on Eric’s phone beeped at eleven.
“Can you stay the night, Eric?” Jerry asked anxiously. “I can sleep on the couch.”
“No, but thanks for asking. I’m meeting Cody at the airport at midnight. I should be going, but before I leave, I’ve got something I’d like to say.”
There was a long pause as Eric gazed at each of them. “You can’t imagine how happy I am to be with you tonight. It’s a dream come true. The problem with dreams is while they’re coming true, the world is changing. I changed. You’ve all changed. Mom and Dad are gone. We each have new dreams and new challenges. And there are people who will stop at nothing to make sure my dreams never come true.
“Many years ago I put the entire family in danger. I decided I knew what was best for all of us, then made some poor choices, and we all paid the price. I am so sorry, and even as I say that, I know my words are inadequate. Harry, I feel responsible for the death of your wife and son, and for the time you served in prison because it was my enemy who killed them. Keira, that same enemy switched labels on your drugs, which led to the death of your patient, and all the misery which followed. Jerry, my nemesis was also responsible for the accident which crippled you.”
Tears formed, but Eric refused to let them spill onto his cheeks. His voice became husky as he continued. “I’ve done my best to make things right with each of you, but money and influence only reach so far. I can never restore the time you’ve lost. And I can’t bring back the dead or take away the pain you've felt. I will go to my grave regretting the consequences of my youthful greed.”
Both Jerry and Harry opened their mouths to speak, but Eric held up a hand to indicate he was not finished.
“Before she died, I promised Mom I’d do everything in my power to repair the damage I’d done to each of you, then never interfere in your lives again. That promise will be easier to keep now. Cody and I are moving to an island off the coast of New Zealand which my company has acquired. I feel it would be best to keep my relationship with each of you a secret. I’m afraid you’ll be victimized if people find out I’m your brother. I can’t force you to keep our secret. All I can do is ask. Will you do that for me?”
“Eric, New Zealand?” Jerry whispered. “Why so far?”
Eric grinned. “I suppose it does seem odd, but Cody and I both love oceans, beaches, and tropical climates. We searched everywhere for an island that fit our needs. Discovered a small island claimed by several nations, so we offered to settle the dispute by paying each of them what they thought it was worth. We now own two-hundred square miles of sand, volcano, and trees.”
Harry squinted. “You bought a whole island?”
Eric’s shoulders bounced as he laughed. “It’s really very small. About one-fifth the size of Rhode Island.”
“Are there people living there?” Jerry asked.
“Couple thousand,” Eric nodded. “Mostly farmers, fishermen, and plantation owners. We’re offering them generous relocation allowances. Or they can stay and work for Tuteur15. They’ll be treated fairly and given choices.”
Keira cleared her throat. “What country will you be living in then
?”
“That’s the beauty of it,” Eric replied softly. “The island won’t belong to any country. We’ll build an airport, harbor, roads, and other infrastructure, plus housing and offices for Tuteur15’s corporate staff.”
Keira shook her head in disbelief. “So now you have your own country?” she snarled. “What’s to prevent pirates from stealing all your valuables and torching the place when they leave?”
Admiring Keira’s logic, Eric chuckled playfully. “I’m so pleased you’re worried about my safety, Keira! No need to worry though. New Zealand has a small, but capable military. They’ll provide air and sea patrols until Tuteur15 has its own defensive capability.”
“What’s the name of this place?” Jerry asked.
“It has three names now, but I’m sure you’ve never heard any of them since it’s not on most maps. I have trouble pronouncing all the names, so we’ll probably change it to something simple.”
“Does this mean we’ll have to keep contacting you through your lawyer?” Harry asked.
Eric nodded.
“Is all this cloak and dagger crap really necessary, Eric?” Keira asked cynically.
Jerry shot his sister an angry glance. He was about to scold Keira, but Eric lifted his hand to silence Jerry.
“I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t necessary, Keira.”
“Well, can you be a little more specific about who and what you’re afraid of? I know you peddled some drugs in your day, but that was years ago! It’s no secret you’re gay, so who’s after you? I mean, I thought you were supposed to be this all-powerful corporate chieftain with untold trillions at your disposal.”
Eric smiled sadly. “I wish I could be more specific, Keira, but I can’t. I didn’t get where I am without making enemies. I don’t even know who they all are, and I’m sure I haven’t made my last enemy yet. I can’t shield you from all of them unless you live in a fortress. You don’t want that, and neither do I. I’m asking for your silence partly for selfish reasons.”
“That figures,” Keira muttered.
Ignoring Keira’s sarcasm, Eric continued. “You make me vulnerable. As far as the world knows, there’s only one person who can be used to blackmail me and that’s Cody. He and I will both be heavily guarded from now on. I don’t want a lot of hostage candidates running around loose. My freedom of action would be severely limited with a gun to the temples of my loved ones. It’s that simple. If you advertise your relationship with me, you might be signing your own death warrant. If one of you goes public, you drag the other two with you. You might as well take a knife and slit your own sibling’s throat. Consider that carefully.”
Harry nodded. “No wonder it was you that took a shotgun to the old man instead of me, even though I was older and bigger. You’ve always been smarter. I’ll do whatever you ask, Eric. You want my silence, you got it.”
Jerry nodded his head vigorously. “Me too!”
Eric gazed at Keira. For a moment, she looked so much like his little playmate from the fourth grade. Forcing her tears back, Keira lifted her head to meet Eric’s eyes. “Sure,” she agreed.
Eric nodded his appreciation. As he stood and buttoned his coat to leave, Keira sized Eric up and down. She saw a formidable man before her. Handsome, meticulously groomed, and masculine, she had only a vague notion how powerful her brother was. She could only imagine what an intimidating impact Eric had upon people who never had the opportunity to see his gentle side.
“Can I ask you something before you leave?” Keira whispered.
“Of course, Keira. What is it?”
“You’ve got more money and power than most people ever dream of having. When will you have enough? Or, will you ever have enough?”
Eric chuckled while he secured a belt loosely around his middle. “Right now, a small group of mostly white, mostly Christian, mostly heterosexual men control the global economy. When that’s no longer true, I’ll retire.”
“How long will that take?” Harry frowned.
“Don’t know,” Eric shrugged. “Probably the rest of my life.”
“I know I said one question, but I’ve got another,” Keira continued. “Is it the gay thing you’re most worried about? Being gay is a lot more acceptable than when we were growing up. Do you really have anything to worry about?”
Eric shrugged, not wanting to argue. “Being gay may be more acceptable now, but millions of people still hate us just because we’re different. Three sailors in Virginia recently tracked down gay men and beat them to death to discourage gays from enlisting. When a gay man admitted he had a crush on a straight man on a national talk show, the straight man shot and killed the gay man three days later. We’re still widely hated. At best, we’re tolerated. I want more than that.”
“This is absolutely the last question,” Keira promised. “Will you tell us who killed Harry’s wife and son and did all the other stuff? We deserve to know.”
As Eric glanced around and met three pleading sets of eyes, his resolve melted. “I guess you deserve at least that much peace of mind, but you each have to promise me two things before I’ll tell you. First, promise me you won’t try to get revenge. Second, promise me you will always wear the gift I gave you tonight, so there will always be a connection between us.”
Jerry, Keira, and Harry all nodded.
“His name is Mark Jensen. I knew him as Marcus Sloan in Skyline. His stepfather is Griffin, the DA who prosecuted Harry. Mark is in a California prison for killing a male prostitute. He’s serving a twenty-year sentence for manslaughter, eligible for parole in five years. As soon as he’s free, my attorneys will move to have him extradited to Wisconsin for murdering Harry’s wife and son. We already have depositions from several people willing to testify that Mark bragged to them about the murders. I promise you won’t have to worry about him bothering you ever again.”
“Thanks, Eric,” Harry murmured. “That explains so many things. I needed to know that more than anything in the world. I don’t blame you for what happened either.”
Still unable to forgive himself, Eric patted his older brother’s arm appreciatively, then turned to leave again.
Jerry shot up from the floor where he had been sitting cross-legged at Eric’s feet. “I’ll walk you to the door, Eric. Thanks for the ring. I’ll never take mine off. This is the most special gift I’ve ever gotten.”
At the front door, Eric hugged each of his brothers and his sister. He stepped back, gazed at each of them in turn and smiled. “I love you all so very much. No matter what our futures may hold, that will never change.”
Just as Eric reached the front door of Jerry’s apartment building he heard Keira shout his name. He turned to see her running toward him. “Another question?” he grinned.
She shook her head. “Not this time. I just wanted to say I forgive you. And I love you. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for us. Sorry it took me so long to tell you.”
Eric smiled. “Thank you, Keira. That means a lot to me.”
Keira’s bottom lip quivered. “I’ll miss you,” she whispered. Unable to hold her tears back any longer, she cried freely while Eric held her in his arms, gently stroking her waist-length auburn hair.
Jerry and Harry stood behind Keira. When Eric separated himself from her, Jerry and Harry each held one of her hands while Eric returned to his limousine. Turning one last time, he smiled and waved, then stepped into the limo.
Moments later, Eric’s dark limousine was racing toward Tuteur15’s private airstrip. Eric was oblivious to the snowy shroud which had entombed Minneapolis during his visit. For a few moments that night, the York children had defied the laws governing time. They shared the past, the present, and the future. Eric felt they had made peace with the past while reaching an uneasy truce with the future. He slumped down in the back seat of the limo, glad he had honored his promise to his mother. The peace of mind that gave him made the trip worth the risk.
CHAPTER 27
Rather than deliverin
g Eric to his jet as instructed, the chauffeur stopped outside the brightly lit Tuteur15 terminal. Annoyed, Eric pressed the intercom. “Why are we stopping here?”
“Sorry, Mr. Price, but Mr. Alexander changed my orders. He’s waiting inside and will explain everything.”
Eric waited for the chauffeur to open the door, then stepped onto the pavement. As he inhaled the freezing night air, his gaze swept the terminal’s impressive façade. Towering above the terminal, the Tuteur15 flag fluttered among the snowflakes. Seeing the circle of multi-colored hands waving in the breeze pleased Eric. Satisfied everything was in order, he walked briskly to the front door. Armed security guards saluted Eric as the doors flew open.
All of Tuteur15’s founding directors, Jean-Paul, Robert Dornfeld, Jack Gentry, Steven Arroyo, Dr. Renben, Cody, and other close associates formed a double line to greet Eric. Each held a champagne flute. Joseph Bramston, Tuteur15’s new Chief Executive Officer, stepped toward Eric, and raised his glass. “A toast to the safe journey of Chairman Price and Cody Alexander as they depart for their new island home!”
A chorus of “Hear, hear!” rose from the gathering. Eric laughed, pleased with the surprise farewell. “This wasn’t necessary, but I’m grateful nonetheless,” he told them. Eric worked his way down the line, exchanging hugs, kisses, and handshakes with his well-wishers. When he reached the end, he turned to them and the terminal grew quiet.
“It’s late, so I'll keep this short. It occurred to me you should be home with your families, then I remembered we are family for each other. The bonds may not be biological, but they’re nearly as strong. I know I don’t say it often enough, so thanks for everything you’ve done for me, for Tuteur15, and for our people. Merry Christmas to all of you, thanks for the sendoff, and good night!”
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