Sovrano

by Michael Powers

  With a smile and a wave, Eric nodded to Cody and they stepped outside. Five-hundred security guards stood between the terminal and Eric’s jet. Behind the troops were nearly two thousand Tuteur15 employees waving Tuteur15 flags and singing Walk Hand In Hand.

  Eric gazed around at the spectacle, nearly moved to tears. “This may be the proudest moment of my life,” Eric confided to Cody, voice quivering. “Look at those faces. White, brown, black, male, female, gay, straight, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jew, and more. Each of them knows they have a place in Tuteur15 not because of their race or religion or sexual preference or any other accident of birth. They’re here because of their skill, experience, and performance. Across the world, there’s another thirty million just like these people, with more each day. I know thirty million out of more than seven billion people is a small percentage. Still, it’s a good start, don’t you think, Cody?”

  “It’s a great start,” Cody nodded. “I’m proud of you, Eric. Overcoming thousands of years of bigotry is no easy task.”

  Eric removed a glove, then extended his hand to Cody. “Will you walk hand in hand with me?”

  Cody smiled broadly. “Gladly, sir.”

  “Was all this your idea?” Eric asked his lover as they headed toward the jet.

  “Some of the employees suggested the song, and the honor guard was Joseph’s idea. He has a thing for guys in uniform. Better keep an eye on him. Might be a little Nazi lurking beneath that bland corporate exterior.”

  Ignoring Cody’s teasing, Eric asked, “How long have these people been standing out in the cold?”

  “Since you arrived at the terminal,” Cody replied. “Your chauffeur let us know when you were almost here. Joseph told me they’re all volunteers. In fact, they refused to be paid. They just wanted a chance to see you in person.”

  Eric signaled the unit commander who double-timed over to them, then stood stiffly at attention.

  “Please convey my appreciation to your people. Since it’s been such a good year, tell them they’ll each receive a bonus for being here tonight along with my personal thanks.”

  “Begging your pardon, sir. May I speak freely?”

  “Absolutely, Commander.”

  “Every person on this tarmac is here of his or her own free will. A cash bonus would be an insult, sir.”

  Eric reflected for a moment. “Perhaps you’re right, Commander. All right, no bonus. I just wanted to do something special.”

  “You've already done that, sir,” the young officer assured Eric. “You've given us our own sovrano.”

  Eric cocked his head slightly. The young officer looked vaguely familiar. “Our own sovrano?” Eric repeated.

  “An expression my father uses,” the young officer explained. “Sovrano is an Italian word that means totally self-sufficient; an independent entity. It’s a place where you’re safe and secure.”

  “Sovrano,” Eric murmured. “I like that term. I like it a lot. Thank your father for me, will you?”

  “Yes, sir!” the young officer grinned. “I believe you served together in North Dakota. Captain John Benedetto. ”

  “Yes, I remember your father!” Eric laughed. “He was one of the first missile officers I met. He left the Air Force to become a clown. How’d that work out?”

  “Fine, sir. Landed a job with Disney in Orlando. That's where I grew up. He's still there.”

  “What's your name?” Eric asked as he extended his hand.

  “People call me JJ. Short for John Junior.”

  As the two men shook hands, Eric asked, “Are you gay?”

  JJ nodded vigorously.

  “How does your father feel about that?” Eric asked.

  JJ shrugged. “Like most dads, he had trouble at first, but only because he was worried about me. We get along great. He just wants me to be happy. I dreamed of a military career, but I wanted a place where I would be welcome, not just tolerated. You provided that opportunity for me.”

  Eric nodded as the young man spoke. “Will you tell your father we met, and that I remember him, and wish him well?”

  “I'd be proud to, sir. We'll be talking tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Commander Benedetto. Merry Christmas. You may carry on,” Eric told JJ.

  “You just made that young man's day,” Cody informed Eric as they boarded the jet. “Maybe his whole year!”

  “Might be the other way around,” Eric replied. “Moments like that make everything we’re doing worthwhile.”

  As they stepped inside the passenger compartment of the jet, Cody asked, “How’d it go with your family?”

  Eric sank down on a sofa. “I think Keira and I finally connected. She forgave me on the way out the door. I wish you would’ve come with me.”

  Cody rubbed Eric’s arm. “We agreed tonight would be just for Yorks.”

  “I know,” Eric muttered.

  “You feel like you’re abandoning them again, don’t you?”

  Eric nodded, then rose from the sofa, strolled over to a six-foot oblong window, and gazed at the stars.

  Cody joined Eric at the window, then placed an arm around Eric’s waist. “Tell me what you’re feeling.”

  “Not tonight, Cody. Please.”

  Cody nudged Eric gently until he turned around, then slipped his right hand under Eric’s chin, lifting it until their eyes met. “You’ve stuffed your feelings most of your life. Now tell me what you’re feeling or I’ll throw you off this jet.”

  Eric formed his best half-smile. “Damn few people would even think of talking to me that way.”

  “Damn few people care as much as I do. Besides, I’ve got leverage most people don’t have. You know those baby pictures your mother left you? The naked ones with the bad haircut? Spill your guts, Eric Price, or I’m going public with them!”

  “All right, all right!” Eric relented. “When our parents died within a few days of each other, it was like we’d been orphaned, even though we’re all adults. Look at us! We’re emotional adolescents. We missed out on huge chunks of life. Harry’s a widower. Keira’s divorced. Jerry has never been romantically involved with anyone. I’m the only one of the Yorks involved in a loving relationship. I want to take care of them and make sure no one ever hurts them, but I promised Mom I’d never interfere in their lives again. I regret that promise right now.”

  Cody stroked Eric’s hair. “Your Mom was a smart lady, Eric. What did both of you want for your brothers and sister?”

  Eric glanced at Cody. “For them to be happy and safe.”

  “And what’s the best way for that to happen?”

  “For them to live their lives as they choose,” Eric replied dully, sensing where Cody was going.

  “Your Mom knew her other three children would always live in your shadow if she didn’t make you promise to leave them alone. She knew you well enough to know you’d keep your promise to her. Eric, you’ve done everything a good brother and son should do. I know it’s hard, but you have to let go!”

  “Cody, it’s like losing a limb! I had no idea it’d hurt this much!”

  “What hurts the most, Eric?”

  “That my greed caused my family so much pain,” Eric whispered. “I can never forgive myself for that.”

  “Yes, you can,” Cody countered.

  “How?” Eric asked with genuine urgency. “I hurt the people I loved most in the world. How can I ever forgive myself for that?”

  “Each of your family eventually concluded you were trying to help them, not hurt them, so they forgave you. What do you feel the most guilty about?”

  “What Marcus did to my family.”

  “You didn’t hire him to hurt your family. You didn’t force him to be vindictive and evil. Look at it this way. If you pay a man to do a job, and he uses the money to buy a gun which kills someone, are you responsible for the victim’s death?”

  “In a way, I suppose I am,” Eric nodded.

  Cody was exasperated. “Only in your mind! Your guilt has sha
ped your whole life. Your entire thought process. We’re only responsible for our actions and our intentions, not every conceivable repercussion on the planet.”

  Eric stared dumbly at Cody. “That’s what I’ve been doing, haven’t I? I’ve spent my whole life trying to recover from that one night when I drove my father from our house. In a single instant, I became the parent, and took responsibility for my siblings, my parents, and myself. Then I spent my entire adult life trying to protect myself and everyone I loved from the consequences.”

  Cody nodded. “Mission accomplished. You can stop now.”

  Eric nodded grimly. “I’ll need help.”

  “Then let me help you,” Cody offered, hugging Eric tightly. “I’ll hold you when you hurt so much you want to scream. I’ll walk in silence with you when you ache with memories. I’ll be by your side when you need me. I’ll leave you alone when you ask, except tonight.”

  “Could be a full-time job,” Eric quipped.

  “I’m here for the duration,” Cody smiled.

  “Is that a marriage proposal?” Eric grinned.

  “If you want it to be,” Cody replied. “I’m your life partner as long as you’ll have me. If you want a piece of paper with some magic words, that’s fine with me, but I don’t need it to validate our relationship.”

  “I’ve always felt the same way,” Eric agreed. “Joseph asked me if you want to join Tuteur15’s board of directors. He thinks you feel excluded.”

  “I don’t feel excluded,” Cody assured Eric. “I feel fortunate to be included in your life each morning when I wake and see you next to me in bed. I don’t need any more than that. You’ve been more open and inclusive than I ever thought you could be when we met.”

  Eric reached over and kissed Cody, then they held hands as they gazed out the window for several minutes. Cody retrieved two chilled flutes of non-alcoholic wine and handed one to Eric. “We have a lot to be thankful for. How about a toast?”

  Not quite in the proper holiday spirit, Eric deferred to Cody. “You first.”

  “Okay, let’s drink to our prosperity. At last count, we had five homes, three jets, two yachts, more shoes than Imelda Marcos, and one small island!”

  They clinked their flutes and sipped.

  “To our friends and family,” Eric suggested.

  Again they clinked their flutes and sipped.

  “To the Golden Age ahead,” Cody toasted. “The next decade is going to be awesome! With Jean-Paul’s financial wizardry, David Cheslyn’s manufacturing and security, Joseph Bramston’s admin skills, and Dr. Renben’s technical genius, Tuteur15 will be a powerful force for change in the world.”

  “Hear, hear!” Eric nodded readily, clinking glasses and sipping thoughtfully. “We’re going to see a lot of change. Self-driving vehicles. Machines we control with our minds. More wearable and implantable devices. Cures for deadly diseases. An end to pollution and global warming. The potential to improve the quality of life for everyone is enormous, but only if we share the benefits with everyone. There’ll be hell to pay if one small group hoards the benefits for itself.”

  “That’s where you and Tuteur15 come in, right?” Cody smiled.

  “That’s the plan,” Eric nodded grimly. “Cody, which of the four men you just named do you think is most important to our future? JP, David, Joseph, or Dr. Renben?”

  Certain Eric was teasing, Cody had no intention of playing the fool. “Trick question, right? They’re all important!”

  Shaking his head firmly, Eric disagreed. “They’re all important, but without Dr. Renben, Tuteur15 would be just another big company. In a few months, we’ll announce the first practical application of the W-Particle by introducing the world’s most revolutionary vehicle. We’ll build portable power plants. Eventually, we’ll make fossil fuels obsolete. We’ll change the way people travel, work, and play, but we’ll do it carefully to minimize economic disruption. When the big oil companies and oil-rich nations realize how much the W-Particle will cut oil demand, they’ll hate us unless we give them a stake in W-Particle usage. We’ll need more than the New Zealand Defense Force to protect ourselves. Fortunately, Dr. Renben is not only giving us something as valuable as a monopoly on sunlight, he’s also providing the means to hang onto it when the rest of the world thinks we’re too powerful. Yes, I’d say Billy is our most valuable asset for many years to come.”

  Cody smiled as they clinked flutes. Curious what Eric meant by the means to hang onto W-Particle technology, Cody held his question for later. He didn’t want Eric distracted by business just then. “Beyond that, what more does a person need?”

  “One more thing,” Eric brightened. “Let’s drink to my enemies. That they live out their lives without seeking revenge.”

  Cody frowned. “Are you really worried? You keep tabs on most of them to make sure they’re not a threat. The two you worry most about are both in jail.”

  Eric nodded. “True, but who knows how many people hate me I haven’t even met?”

  “There’s really only one loose end you haven’t dealt with, isn’t there?” Cody observed.

  “What’s that?” Eric asked.

  “Your son,” Cody reminded him.

  Just then, the pilot came back to the passenger compartment, followed by a handsome young man. “Mr. Price, Mr. Alexander,” the pilot began, “I thought you might like to meet the newest member of our crew before takeoff.”

  “Good idea,” Eric agreed.

  “This is Keenan Johnson. He’ll be interning with us before starting classes at UCLA next fall.”

  Keenan jammed his hands into the pockets of his pants. He glanced at Eric, then quickly looked away.

  “Have you decided what you want to study?” Eric asked.

  Keenan shifted his weight from foot to foot, then scratched his neck needlessly. “Thought I might try flying, like my dad.”

  “Your father is a pilot?” Eric asked.

  “He was a pilot, but he died before I was born,” Keenan replied quietly.

  Cody studied Keenan intently, admiring his compact build, blond hair, and sky-blue eyes.

  “I’m sure you’ll make your father proud,” Eric encouraged Keenan. “Welcome aboard and good luck.”

  When Keenan and the pilot were out of earshot, Cody turned to Eric. “Your son?”

  Eric nodded.

  “Will you ever tell him he’s your son?”

  “Maybe,” Eric shrugged. “My detectives found him in a California juvenile detention center. His stepfather Mark used to get drunk and beat Keenan and his mother. Keenan chose a different path than I did. He ran away from home repeatedly, living on the streets. He was arrested for petty crimes and sent home several times. The last time the cops picked him up he was pretty drunk, so a judge sent him to juvenile detention, which may have been the kid’s first lucky break. His entry into the legal system was picked up by my security staff. I sent one of my attorneys to California to pitch the idea of an internship, complete with a four-year college scholarship. The boy, his mother, and the judge all signed on, although Keenan did so grudgingly.”

  “Then his mother knows you know about Keenan?”

  “No, my name was never mentioned. We set up the internship through a company Tuteur15 controls.”

  Cody gazed at Eric. “The similarity of your lives is uncanny!”

  Eric nodded, then sighed. “I just hope we’re not too late. Keenan took a battery of tests. The results, coupled with his poor academic record, spell trouble. He missed a lot of school the past several years, so he’s behind academically. But he’s a bright kid and can catch up with tutors. I’m more concerned about the damage Mark caused. He worships Mark, even after all the abuse. The tests indicate Keenan is self-destructive, and extremely homophobic. I can guess his reaction if I tell him I’m his gay father.”

  “Are you absolutely sure you are?”

  “Already had our DNA tested,” Eric nodded.

  Cody thought for a moment, trying to find the
right words. “Helping Keenan will be a challenge, but I can’t think of anyone better qualified than you, Eric.”

  “Thanks, Cody.” Eric leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Now I remember why I stay with you, besides the great price break I get on all your music.”

  They clinked their flutes and sipped, then Eric became serious again. “Cody, thanks for being with me. I don’t want to end up like Prince.”

  Cody frowned. “You mean Prince, the Minneapolis singer and songwriter?”

  “Yeah,” Eric nodded. “Did you know him?”

  “We met at a couple award programs,” Cody replied. “I liked his music and independent spirit. What made you think of him, Eric?”

  “I never met him,” Eric admitted. “That five-foot-two man became a giant, selling more than a hundred million records during a 38-year career. He was rich, famous, and widely admired, but he was also alone at the end. He had two brief marriages, and a son who only lived a week. Spent the last few years of his life addicted to prescription painkillers. He died alone in an elevator in his recording studio. Nobody had the combination to a vault where he kept millions of dollars of unpublished music, so they had to drill it open. He left an estate estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, but didn’t have a will. Apparently he didn’t love anyone enough to share his wealth and secrets with. That’s why I said I don’t want to end up like Prince. I don’t want the servants to find me dead in my bed, alone and unloved.”

  “I can guarantee that won’t happen,” Cody assured Eric as he grasped his hand firmly. “You’ve shared everything with me. I’ll always love you and be by your side.”

  Kissing Cody’s hand, Eric said, “That means a lot to me, Cody. Thank you.”

  When the jet’s engines roared to life, Eric positioned himself by the oblong window facing the Tuteur15 Terminal. All the guests had joined the employees lining the runway. Eric looked fondly over at Cody who was struggling with his seatbelt, knowing the flight across the Pacific would have been unbearable without him.