Brotherhood Beyond the Yard (The Simon Trilogy)

by Sally Fernandez

  Happily, for all concerned, Paolo used his charm and persuasive manner to slice through the anger, and was finally able to appeal to the senator’s sense of duty as a father and soon-to-be grandfather. “Ultimately, Alicia decided to have the baby, Josh agreed to marry her after graduation, and the senator was looking forward to welcoming his new grandchild. It was the most exhausting emotional encounter I’ve ever experienced.” Paolo let out a deep sigh of relief.

  The consummate ladies’ man proved to be decent to the core. Paolo’s version of the truth was substantially accurate, although he had left out the actual names of the parties involved and he downplayed his ability to resolve the situation. There was one thing that plagued him, though, and that was the arrival of the senator at the clinic. The only other person who had known the time and the location of the clinic was Simon. Paolo never challenged Simon, partly because he was guilt-ridden for misleading him in the beginning, and in the end, with a successful conclusion, it seemed pointless. Paolo liked to think Simon’s motives were honorable, but his doubts didn’t leave him immediately.

  Simon, on the other hand, was immensely pleased. Paolo proved not only worthy of his reputation but also for his loyalty. His seductive nature and artful persuasion were skills Simon had prized and particularly needed in the group.

  —

  Hours had gone by, and there were empty beer bottles to spare, one of which was pointing directly at Seymour. Steering away from Simon, his Gamblers Anonymous sponsor, he posed the option to Chase. He logically assumed Chase would choose truth; a dare would have been too risky, and out of character.

  Seymour asked his straight-laced brother, “Did you ever commit an unethical act at the bank where you formerly worked?”

  The only incident Chase had to offer was a bank account he had established for himself without following the proper banking regulations. He explained it was an education fund he’d set up to store the money he had taken out as a loan to pay for his expenses at Harvard.

  It seemed rather mundane, compared to the other confessions, but that was Chase—loveable, but perhaps a bit dull.

  Simon had no need to test his abilities. However, Chase once again validated his loyalty.

  —

  Simon was pleased and proud of the group of scholarly brothers he had personally assembled, so he took the opportunity to offer his own sort of “dare.”

  As they sat in their booth, both private and quiet, away from the lively crowd below, Simon expressed his views to the others. He praised them for their honesty and the trust they showed by sharing their experiences. Most of all, he said he was most honored by their loyalty, adding, “Each of you understand my meaning.”

  Then, following a sip of his beer, the moment came when he suggested they cement their friendship, formalizing their commitment to each other. He suggested they form a secret society similar to those that already existed on campus.

  It was an eerie few seconds for the others, who were somewhat struck by his statement about loyalty, but also because they had reached the same conclusion individually, about formalizing the group by various routes. It was as if Simon had psychic powers.

  However, before anyone had any opportunity to endorse his proposal, Hank chimed in with, “Simon, you were never presented the challenge; truth or dare?”

  Simon grinned as he pronounced, “Truth, of course; it is so much more interesting.”

  Hank, quite straightforward, asked, “Have you ever hacked a computer?”

  Simon proceeded to stun the group, announcing, “I never formally applied to Harvard.”

  Watching their expressions carefully, he could see they were astounded. “A conventional entrance was much too simple,” he bragged. “It was more challenging to break into the campus computer system and manipulate the records.” Simon explained, “I was able to create a record with all my pertinent personal information, indicating I’d completed the acceptance process, and with flying colors, of course,” he admitted with a half smirk. He proudly announced that he was also able to enroll in all his courses at that same time.

  Each of them was in a state of shock and disbelief, but then it was a moment of truth, culminating in a sense of relief. Simon was an exceptional person in many ways, and this was just one more aspect of his puzzling character.

  When the aftershock ultimately subsided, and after a long pause, Paolo was the first to speak. “If we’re going to be part of a clandestine group, we most certainly need a name.” As the name rolled smoothly across his Italian tongue, the others smiled with implied acceptance.

  They swore it would be their own private fraternity.

  With a clink of their beer bottles, the group officially became La Fratellanza.

  5

  THE SIXTH BROTHER

  There would have been six members in this extraordinary group had Simon’s plan succeeded perfectly.

  Amazingly, the members of La Fratellanza never thought to ask why there were six chairs around their study group table. Perhaps because Simon always loaded it with his books—his prerogative, as it was his apartment—but “Why are there six computers?” was a common query.

  Much later, they learned Simon had reserved the sixth chair and computer for Lordy. He was the only other candidate on campus that could match or perhaps outshine Simon’s intellect, especially in the world of information technology. Simon himself respected his superior intellectual ability and desperately wanted him to join the group.

  Lordy was to play an essential role, eventually.

  He was a fellow classmate of Simon’s who attended most of his computer science classes, but unlike the rest of the group, he was a loner. Lordy’s intellect, accompanied by an aloof personality, caused many to consider him a geek. Early in his life, he had been the subject of derision, which carried on to some degree in college. He had learned to keep his distance, more out of self-preservation, and he learned to thrive in solitude.

  Lordy was the ideal candidate for the group and Simon tried to entice him at every opportunity, only to have Lordy respectfully decline. Simon, never one to tolerate rejection, spent the first semester creating somewhat difficult situations for Lordy, and then would swoop in to save him in an effort to win his loyalty, as he did the others.

  His first attempt was to hack into Lordy’s computer, located in Dudley House’s computer lab. He erased an unusual assignment Lordy had been working on tirelessly. The next day, after perpetrating his hoax, Simon noticed that Lordy was predictably distraught.

  Cleverly masking his insincerity, he inquired, “Hey, Lordy, what’s with the downcast look?”

  Simon didn’t need to pry further; Lordy gave a full explanation of his predicament. Ironically, Lordy was in the process of designing a foolproof computer program to prevent access to individual computers by hackers.

  “I believe I know exactly how to solve your problem,” Simon crowed, generously offering to help.

  During 1996, the technology was still rather raw, and few understood how to erase a hard drive totally. However, this was an area of Simon’s expertise.

  “I don’t see how it is possible. The program is completely wiped out. It’s gone,” Lordy lamented.

  “Have a little faith. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

  Lordy may have had a higher IQ, but this was uncharted territory, and Simon had made it his specialty. They worked together for several hours and eventually were able to retrieve the program.

  “Unbelievable! Simon, you are a miracle worker. How can I ever thank you?”

  Waving off his gratitude, Simon replied, “I’m glad I was able to help.”

  His first attempt to win Lordy’s confidence appeared to be working.

  Weeks later, Lordy was crossing the Yard one evening when, as defined in those days, a “lady of the night” propositioned him. While Lordy was in the process of rejecting her blandishments, the campus police arrived. It was an odd situation because the campus police had been extremely successful at ke
eping these “ladies” away from the Yard. Besides, their preferred hangouts were near Broadway and Hampshire, lined with some of the students’ favorite watering holes.

  Once again, Simon had miraculously appeared on the scene while the fiasco was under way and vouched for Lordy’s reputation with a litany of facts defending his character. The campus police escorted the woman off Harvard Yard while Simon walked in the opposite direction with a slightly embarrassed but grateful Lordy, who had naively paved the way for Simon’s intervention.

  “That’s twice you’ve bailed me out of trouble. How can I repay you?”

  Simon offered a huge smile, and Lordy knew the answer.

  “You know how I feel about this group thing. I just prefer to work alone!” Toning it down a notch, Lordy offered, “Let’s just be friends.”

  Simon, confident he would win in the end, offered a high-five and dropped the subject.

  Unlike some of the members of La Fratellanza whose troubles were self-imposed, Lordy was always Simon’s unwitting victim. Throughout the next several months, other minor incidents occurred and Simon always appeared in a timely manner to lend a hand, directly or indirectly. After those torturous months and a string of episodes, Lordy finally warmed up to Simon and considered him a true friend, agreeing to socialize occasionally.

  Still, not even Simon’s “goodwill” had been enough for him to become part of the group. Notwithstanding the fact that it was a group of intellectuals he admired and respected. Lordy had come to know the other members, first by reputation and then on an individual basis. He liked them all, but he was a consummate loner and liked that even more.

  —

  Then, tragedy struck in a devastating way. Two weeks before the second semester was to end, the dean’s office had called Lordy. The office had just received a phone call from Lordy’s sister, Natalie, who had been trying to reach him. The dean had to break the news to Lordy’s that his parents had died in a terrible automobile accident and his sister needed him to return home at once.

  While crossing the Yard shortly after he received the terrible blow, he happened upon Simon.

  “Lordy, my God! What is wrong?” he asked with unusual sincerity.

  In a monotone, Lordy replied, “I have to go home. My parents are dead.”

  Simon escorted his friend back to the dorm, all the while attempting to offer comforting words. Apparently, Simon’s initial effort to console Lordy had been fruitless, but he wasn’t about to give up. While Lordy prepared for his trip home, Simon slipped out to make a few calls from the communal phone down the hall. When he returned to Lordy’s room, he informed him, “I have arranged for a car to take you to the airport, and there is a ticket at the American Airlines departure desk waiting for you as well.”

  Still in shock, and not taking in the fullness of the generosity of his friend, he distractedly offered, “Thank you, Simon,” and headed to the limo parked out front.

  “I found Lordy somewhat dazed,” Simon explained later to the group, “moving like a zombie with a face so ashen it resembled death.”

  The group had thought it was quite melodramatic coming from Simon, but he said he had comforted his friend and encouraged him to call upon them should he need anything.

  —

  Lordy spent several weeks in his hometown of Independence, Kansas, settling his parents’ affairs. Natalie worked closely by his side, for which he was eternally grateful. Nonetheless, he knew, as the head of the family, his sister must be the one to return to college and complete her education. Given the limited resources, there wasn’t enough money for both tuitions, so Lordy pooled all his savings for her expenses for the next semester. However, she, being as independent and strong willed as he, refused his help.

  At the end of the second week, Natalie, with tears in her eyes, hugged her brother and reluctantly returned to school. Lordy returned to Harvard, but this time only to pack up his belongings, with plans to return home and find a job.

  —

  Unexpectedly, La Fratellanza was there to greet him the day he returned. It was actually late in the day, so they invited Lordy to join them at Jake’s for a beer. At first, he refused, but they insisted, telling him that they had something vital to share with him.

  Sitting in their booth, this time six of them, Simon informed Lordy, “While you were away, all of us worked together to complete your assignments. I was able to convince each of your professors that I would personally fax the course work to you and then arrange to have the assignments returned for credit.”

  The others admitted that most of the work ended up in Simon’s lap, especially those assignments from his technology classes.

  In an attempt to add levity to the conversation, Seymour admitted, “When we turned in the course work, many of your professors expressed an opinion that your work was not up to its usual standard.”

  “That also included the assignments I completed for your tech classes,” Simon offered with slight embarrassment.

  “At least we were able to convince each of the professors to take into account how the death of your parents had affected you,” Paolo said, in an attempt to console him.

  Lordy expressed his gratitude, then with anguish in his voice said, “It was all for nothing because I won’t be staying at Harvard.”

  Simon chose that moment to excuse himself and asked Lordy to join him in the hallway near the men’s room. Alone with Lordy, he announced, “I would like to advance you a loan to pay your tuition.” Sensing rejection on Lordy’s part, he quickly added, “Hear me out. My late Uncle Rob was wealthy and generously left me a sizable trust fund at the time of his death.”

  “I’m truly thankful for the incredible offer, but I must refuse,” Lordy rejected vehemently.

  “It is not an imposition,” Simon responded.

  After much persuasion, Lordy accepted Simon’s offer, with a promise to repay. When they returned to their booth, the other members of the group noticed that Simon seemed pleased and Lordy appeared more relaxed. They assumed it was a private matter and did not intrude.

  Chase had suspected the conversation had something to do with Uncle Rob, and if true, it would have been a kind gesture on Simon’s part. He was aware he could well afford to help Lordy.

  It was obvious that the outpouring of support Lordy received from a group of chaps he had earlier shunned heartened him. Although this episode did cement their friendship, incredibly it still was not enough to entice Lordy to join La Fratellanza. Nonetheless, Lordy broke from his self-imposed solitude, mostly out of gratitude, to join the group for a few beers and occasional dinners. In a way, he considered La Fratellanza his brothers, and he felt indebted to them.

  The feeling had been reciprocal, although initially the others were sympathetic toward Lordy and resented the tricks Simon had played on him. Those views, however, were quickly erased from their minds when they remembered Simon’s enormous generosity to Lordy in the end.

  What they didn’t contemplate was Simon’s ulterior motive for such generosity.

  As with the others, Simon had a backup candidate for Lordy waiting in the wings. He had been so confident that he wouldn’t need a backup for Chase, and was so full of himself believing he’d have no trouble co-opting his other top candidates for the group. In fact, apart from Chase, the other three members of La Fratellanza were his first choices.

  However, Lordy was a tremendous setback, one that cost Simon a devastating three months. He had spent days on end courting Lordy; there was no more time left to co-opt his backup candidate. Simon had to accept the fact that he would have to carry the bulk of the technology assignments he had planned to delegate to his latest recruit.

  That would be his first serious mistake.

  6

  THE FINAL ANALYSIS

  In the course of their final year, La Fratellanza had agreed to formulate their senior theses topics early. It was months before they needed to submit their proposals for approval, but each of them thought getting a head
start would give them more time to frame, massage, and test their theories in the group, before presenting them to their respective academic advisors. They all admitted their course work was rather mundane, and they had plenty of time left to forge ahead with weightier assignments—an advantage their intellectual superiority allowed.

  Over the next several months, they took turns presenting the basic concept of their theories, along with their problem statement and methodology. Simon, who generally assumed the part of devil’s advocate, would challenge the basis of their arguments, and in most cases, his points found their way into their theses. Almost subliminally, the others leaned toward his inferences and conclusions, each seeing his own thesis take on a new shape as the discussion sessions progressed.

  After endless hours of shaping, reshaping, and fine-tuning, they were ready to present their final renditions.

  —

  It was on a Thursday when they began to debate their theses topics, and Hank, as expected, was the first to volunteer.

  “I am going to construct a national campaign for social justice using the Internet to advocate, organize, campaign, and recruit.” He had dubbed the Internet “The New Wave.” “My thesis topic is ‘Internet Activism: Campaigning for Social Justice.’”

  Hank confirmed that he would need to establish a means of funding to support this endeavor and had planned to use the Internet to solicit donations as well.

  It didn’t take long before Chase unleashed the urge to show off his economic prowess and interjected, “Soliciting donations via the Internet becomes a sticky wicket, especially when there is a need to file documents with the IRS. How do you plan to manage the regulations regarding those donations?”

  Hank appeared to be slightly irked at the interruption, but under the surface was delighted to answer. “I will actually be addressing that very issue in a moment, if you’ll be patient.” Hank, readdressing the group, explained, “In the future, I hope to have the opportunity to organize community-based projects under one umbrella, depending on the success of my model. My umbrella will be the ‘National Campaign for Social Justice.’ The larger the community, the greater the power, and that power would allow me to influence established lobbyists.”