"Martin, have you done an actual workup on this?"
"One hundred twenty-six jobs lost in a very large job market versus eight hundred thirty-nine additional jobs lost in a small one. It would be about thirty percent cheaper to buy and rework the gear works to make bearings and move sixty-nine families, than it would be to lease a facility to remodel near the current location."
"We could assemble the whole part there."
"They do have four hundred skilled people out of work. It's a beautiful area, Walter, and both those facilities are examples of how one can operate a large manufacturing plant and not pollute the environment."
"Tell me."
"The same firm designed both structures. It's a local firm and the owner likes to fish. They're as clean and safe as he could make them. He did a damn good job."
"Merrie! Staff meeting now! Our new personnel manager has got a plan that's going to put us in the headlines of every business section! He's found a way to get the Frazier stockholders on our side! He's found a way to get everybody on our side! Oh, good trade, good trade, is profit all around, around. Martin, you've made me very happy."
"Thank you. I just finished the workup. I was going to bring it to you today. I'd still like to watch you threaten the trustees."
"You're still the only one who won't be able to keep from laughing when you see their expressions."
"Can we offer the one hundred twenty-six assistance in job hunting? Call an employment agency and offer them a flat fee for it?"
"Put three Shearson people to work finding jobs for their friends instead. They know where they live and how far some commute. Finding the right three is your job. Ask Charla Hayes for recommendations. It's a good way to keep her from yelling at you. She's shop steward. That building is a danger to people who work there. She knows it. Get your proposal. We'll both need whoopees from this bunch to keep us from wanting to strangle someone in the next."
Walter sat and smiled when Martin 'lost it' and told the board of trustees off. He'd 'saved' exactly what "proof" they had for him to tell. He used it very effectively. Chernitsky, of course, didn't have sense enough to shut up. Walter asked him if he thought convincing someone, who would probably be interviewed by a dozen business journals the next day, he was an asshole was wise. Martin burst into laughter. He really did like his boss.
Walter Amunson told Dr. Hoskins the story and said he was planning champagne with dinner and a sincere thank-You in church on Sunday. She told him she'd been borrowing Terry's help since she was six and champagne was the appropriate response twice. He told her Martin's plan had been like a pat on the head and a reminder he really was happy to feel guilty. She pronounced him healthy and told him to call if he needed another reminder. He asked for Terry's number. She told Terry about the call as soon as she got there. She knew he wanted her to.
"Yes! He was in bad shape, Aunt Elaine."
"Which is why Mike sent you. Speaking of sending, this mess is a Christmas package."
"That's three months away."
"No, nine months late. That way they don't have to wait three. Don't you have a present you want to send?"
"Got a box to fit this card?"
"Right over there between the notebook computer and the CDs."
"Oh, they are going to love these."
Jim explained the "alarm code" was yell very loud for Bitsy and hope she heard, as they pulled in the drive. She was holding the back door open when Jim carried Kelly out of the workshop.
"I'm to tell you the number is yesterday's date and let you wonder what it means for awhile."
"Kelly, this is Elizabeth, called Bitsy, against protest, since she was three and Gizmo with awe since she was nine. Hiya, kid."
"Kelly, you are welcome. Him, I'll put up with. Nice smile."
"It's his second, Gizmo."
"What?"
"I don't know if he could smile before. He had major work on his jaw about three months ago and he didn't have much to smile about before, but... "
"You have a feeling?"
"I have a man I love who doesn't feel as flaccid in my arms as he did nine hours ago. Now tell us both not to be scared and help me find out what's going on and how to help keep it going on."
Chapter Three
Kelly was very happy. He was watching the news channel and suddenly Mr. Amunson was on it and he looked happy. He told the interviewer he'd told a young man he was making him personnel manager and he'd handed him a plan that would keep eight hundred people working and revitalize the small town that had appeared to be doomed.
He explained truly environmentally safe physical structures intended for heavy industry were rare and there were two in the town. The other, which was not in use, had been purchased because it was and the current Shearson Bearing facilities were not. The deal with Frazier had been made and he was delighted to point out the very young man who'd found a way to make it a good one for all concerned. He noted he'd also suggested the corporation aid those, who wouldn't be relocating with Shearson, find new employment.
Jim heard the news on TV and hurried in to catch the rest of the story. He squatted down beside Kelly and smiled back. No one who saw that smile would have doubted he was aware.
"You were upset about the proposed plant closure. I was upset about it and I usually don't pay much attention to business news. Sounds like this young fellow, Mr. Amunson is happily bragging about, will figure out a way to save any jobs he can save and do his best to help the people whose jobs he can't. Gizmo is dismantling the van. I have a suspicion I'll be painting it again, but I don't mind at all. The current paint job isn't bad, but I know how much of a rush job it was and that I could do better if I had a bit more time. Gizmo called me 'Hulk' this morning. She's forgiving me. I knew she would eventually, but I expected it to take awhile longer. Kelly, your back isn't healing as fast as it should. It still looks like I just did it. I'm worried, but not badly yet. Gizmo told her dad to work on getting more antibiotics, just in case. I gave you a good broad spectrum injection when I removed the implant, but I got rather specific when she said she'd call her dad. I don't know if you figured out I met Dr. Hoskins because I was going to be part of the family. Gizmo is her grandniece. Met the other one she talks about the day I was fired. She's gorgeous too. She got in on this when a judge had questions he couldn't get answered. She flashes a badge, then says she's off work and does what he really sent her to do, talk to people and help them make good decisions. Yeah, I was impressed with the marshal."
"Hulk," Kelly didn't want Hulk. He wanted his name. No one seemed to use it. The nurses had called him "Hunk," "Muscles," "Big Boy," "Gorgeous" and a half-dozen others of like nature. The trustees had called him "Aide." No one had used his name in his hearing in almost three years and he was getting very frustrated. That too was a rather new emotion. It seemed to be moving in as "the man" moved hopelessness out. Then he did 'it' again.
"You're aggravated about something, aren't you? Frustrated? Yes, frustrated. Are you trying to do something or do you want to know something? You're not worried about your back, are you? No, I don't think that's it. I'll work on it. I've got a feeling it's not a new frustration, but it's definitely becoming more intense. Or maybe you just... didn't have room to notice minor frustrations before."
Suddenly he was in knots and the man was running with him and yelling for Bitsy. He was surprised when he felt hot water all around him. The man was stripping off his wet clothes in it.
"Bitsy, get a cloth to lay on his face! Damn! I don't know what to do! I don't want to take him to a hospital, but this is the third time and it scares me."
"Hulk, it's reasonable."
"What?"
"He spent a couple months with a device making his muscles contract every few seconds. You told me it was too strong. He's got leftovers. Remember the calf muscle you had knots in at intervals for days? We up the amount of potassium, or phosphorus, or whatever it was that helped you, in his diet and see if it helps. Oh, that has got to
hurt. So, you ready to talk?"
"You ready to listen?"
"Yes. I found out I missed your company more in the workshop than in my bed."
"I love Kelly, Bitsy. That's why I was sure they were wrong."
"I don't think you mean in general or as in buddies. I'm working on why it doesn't shock me, or even surprise me much. I've got an arm instead of an iron bar."
"It was easier this time than last."
"So, what are you going to do about it?"
"About... "
"Being in love with him."
"Nothing."
"What?"
"It's the one thing I can't... just think he wouldn't mind, Bitsy. I'd happily talk a woman into having sex with him, but I won't. It's not the same."
"No, it's not. All right, I completely believe you. Kelly, I believe him because it took me five years to get him into my bed. He'll hop into one for a romp with someone he just plain likes once in awhile, but he is not casual about love. He's also very heterosexual, but that's not particularly important to him except you might have hangups about it."
"I've missed you, Bitsy."
"Missed you too, Hulk. Got mad at myself every time I did. I looked for someone to fill the hole you left, but gave up when I realized no one could. I had six years of best friend I was trying to replace. I finally realized I was really looking for a pair of very strong hands just where I needed them every time I needed them and not a lover. That made me madder. I'm working on not getting used to having them there again. Kelly, you got the best best-friend there is. I'd like him back, but he deserves the best friend he wants and that's you. I'm headed back to the shop. I've got an idea I want to work on."
Kelly was stunned. He'd gotten excited when he'd watched the movies, but having sex with someone hadn't even occurred to him. He smiled at the man he did want to make love to him. It scared him because he suddenly realized it had been deliberate. The fear was he was wrong.
Jim was puzzled. He was sure Bitsy 'ought' to be right about the muscle spasms, but about sure she wasn't. He qualified it because he was too emotionally involved to really trust his judgment. That had been obvious. He carefully dried Kelly's back and put fresh ointment and bandage on it. Grabbing him and dumping him in hot water wasn't helping it a great deal. Neither were the muscle contractions that pulled his careful stitches badly.
"I wish I'd brought that implant with us, Kelly. I'd like Gizmo to take it apart and find out what those fibers, wires, or whatever, I left in you were made of. I'd like a nice batch of x-rays to see where they all go and... a reason why you aren't healing as fast as I think you should be. You know exactly how far I am toward being a doctor, but I've learned quite a bit just working with them to help patients too. One of the things I learned is how fast good surgery heals on a healthy patient. I thought I did good, but I'm getting worried. I want to ask you if it's more painful than it should be, but I'm not sure you'd know, if you could answer. Now I'm scared to leave you to help Gizmo. You can't yell across the intercom if you need help."
"Hulk! There's a delivery truck coming up the drive! I'm into this thing to my hips! I'll crawl out if you need to stay with Kelly!"
"I'll get it! I'll be right back to get you dressed, Kelly. Sorry."
Jim accepted four large boxes and carried them to the workshop, then ran for the house. Gizmo walked in carrying one of the boxes just as he finished dressing Kelly. She was giggling.
"They're for you guys."
"Us?"
"Merry Christmas last year from Aunt Elaine. That's what the note said. They're wrapped in Christmas paper, except for this little one. It says Happy eighteenth birthday,' from cousin Terry and Walter Amunson and open last. The tag is in cousin Terry's handwriting."
"Uh... "
"Go get the other boxes. I'll stay with Kelly until you get back."
"Thanks."
"Never thought I'd get over being mad at him. It wasn't so much because he broke our engagement as he got stubborn. He could have accepted one of the scholarships he was offered and gotten a degree in biology or something, then gone into pre-med. He changed his plans for our life because he wouldn't change the one for his. I didn't want to look at the fact that I knew love was the most important thing to him and... he wouldn't have if he really did love me in the same way. You're the proof. I'll help you get through that needed reserve. I just don't have any doubts you want him to make love to you. I'm jealous as hell. He's an incredible lover and I know it's him and not what someone taught because I know I was his first. He had girls chasing him since was the cutest boy in his kindergarten class. I told him what I wanted for my eighteenth birthday when I was fourteen. He made me wait until I was nineteen and still sure. He's the most stubborn man in existence and I'll always love him."
Jim carried in the boxes and sat down in the floor, where Kelly could watch, to open them. He laughed when Gizmo said she was Kelly's "stand in" and started ripping open packages because he was excited.
"Wow! A notebook! Oh, look at the games! Ooh, I want to play this one. I've read about it, but I was sure if I got it I'd end up playing when I should be working. Oh, it's gorgeous!"
"Silk. There are three silk shirts in this box. They'll look great on you, Kelly. Pants, nice pants."
"I've got shoes, shoes and more shoes. This shirt is for you, Jim."
Kelly made the first sound he ever had and he didn't notice. He was too delighted to notice. He had finally gotten a name! He was surprised when Jim was suddenly right in front of him, obviously checking his back.
"Hey! Relax. That wasn't pain, Hulk. Something pleased him."
"I... He... "
"Whoa, easy. You're scared. Tell me why."
"He's never made a sound before, Bitsy. None. Not even when he was hurt."
"Uh, huh. All right. I'm still sure it wasn't a pain sound. Look at that grin. He's real pleased about something. Maybe because he made a sound?"
"Hnh. Hnh. Hnh."
"Uh, Jim. That's not involuntary."
"No. No, it's not. Shit! What's going on? Something... changed, Bitsy. I know he couldn't do that before. I... I want it too much not to be scared."
"Makes sense to me. I think he decided he has to find a way to say yes or just wish you'd make love to him forever. I'm sure people will do about anything to let you know forever is a damn long wait. I told him five years was a bitch and he decided he's not going to wait that long. I don't know, Jim. I know miracles happen. I also know there's usually a physical component helping them along."
"I wish I'd brought you the implant."
"I already figured it out. I'm still working on why it didn't work right. Physiology isn't my strong subject, but I come up with no answer and that is unusual."
"The filaments I left in his body?"
"Or the paths they made."
"What?"
"OK. I'm in physiology and I think in circuits and mechanical things they operate, but your filaments sound like my wires. They're connected to his muscles, right?"
"I don't know."
"So they could be connected to nerves?"
"I don't know if they are connected. I don't know what they're made of, but I'm sure they won't poison him. Or I was."
"How far is the gap between the ends and what's the conductivity of the tissue that's trying to heal around them? The human body is an electrically operated system. The electricity he generated was used to keep the battery in the implant charged. You 'couldn't' have disconnected that implant and got it out of him, Jim. Kelly, they sent you home because they couldn't get it out without killing you."
"I used a soldering iron. You figure how fast I can cut or melt a thread with one."
"That was a short surgery."
"I wanted it out."
"I want to connect the filaments."
"What?!"
"I think he's using them. I think he may be able to learn to use them consciously. I think this miracle needs a little more physical help. I think he's not hea
ling because he's using the system and bridging the gap and needs it to be a bloody mess in there to do it. The spasms may be to keep it that way. I don't think he knows it. I think you're helping. I'm sure you don't know it. Kelly knows exactly what I mean. I talk to him. You carry on a conversation with him. You have no doubt he participates and neither does he. You are impossible, James Arthur Waters. This is mildly surprising by comparison. Get me that level of conductivity, Jim. I'll get you anesthetic. It won't work for anyone else, but I don't leave a penny in the fuse box in other people's houses. I feel like that's what this is. Now, say yes or no. First answer. Your feeling is the most important predictor of probable success on this one, Hulk."
"Kelly wants us to try it. I don't want to do it."
"I'm pretty damn reluctant too. How about a local anesthetic?"
"Local?"
"I know what all those gadgets anesthetists use do. I also know a great dentist with a lot of novocaine and some nice topical to start."
"Why are you so sure?"
"Because I think I might know what the filaments are and you made them anodes and diodes, every one with a little knob on the end just perfect for emitting a spark and that's why he's alive. You didn't short-circuit his electrical system when you yanked it out. Kelly, I take credit for how fast and good he is with a soldering iron. He yelled 'Shit!' and got something soldered fast in my workshop, often. Let's finish opening the packages. I've got something to build before we decide exactly how we're going to do this. I won't know how big it will be until I do build it. I need information before I do that."
"I want to open this one."
"The one that says last?"
"The one that says, 'Happy birthday.' Dr. Hoskins knows I didn't have time to pack. She sent us clothes we need and toys. This is Kelly's present."
"Open it. You cheat for nice reasons. Papers?"
"Yes! He did it! Kelly, this is from the superior court! Walter Amunson gave me full legal and personal responsibility for your care! That's exactly what he wrote at the bottom of the document he signed! Here. Read it."
Hometown Kelly and the Gizmo Team Page 4