Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2004 17:40:45 -0800 (PST)
From: gaymormonwriter@yahoo.com
Subject: Born To Be A Missionary Chapter 13

Born To Be A Missionary 
Chapter 13

(Author's notes: The name of the actual movie mentioned in the last chapter
is LATTER DAYS, which is slowly making its way across the country. The
usual disclaimers legal and copyright.)

>From Jim's perspective:

Rick and I headed for the Harris County Hospital where Tyler had taken
Gary. I told Rick what Tyler had told me on the phone while we were riding
in the car.

We arrived on the emergency waiting room and found Tyler sitting in the
corner by himself.

"Hi Tyler, how's Gary doing?" I asked sitting down beside him.

"I don't know yet, they're still running tests on him"

"Was Gary alert and awake when he got here?"

"Well, Gary started getting worse in the car, by the time we got here he
was passed out. They took him right in. I haven't seen anyone since."

"Okay, Tyler, Rick will sit with you while I try and find out some
information. Okay?"

"Yeah."

I have to admit Tyler is handling this pretty well. I got up and went
looking for the check in desk.

"Hi, " I said to a very nice looking female attendant. "I am Dr. Jim Haines
and I am looking for information on one of your patients."

"What is the name of the patient?"

"Gary Williams."  "Just a second, doctor."

She punched in the info on the pc keyboard watching the screen.

"Yes, Mr. Williams is being treated by Dr. Kelly. If you like you may go
back and talk to him. Here let me get you a name tag."

The young lady fixed me up and I went through the double doors looking for
Dr. Kelly. Fortunately I knew Dr. Kelly since we served our internships
together.  I found Dr. Kelly at the ER center station area writing in a
chart.

"Hey there Charlie" I said.

Dr. Kelly turned around and greeted me with a big smile.

"Hey there Jim, long time no see."

"We need to fix that Charlie."

"I know, I know." He said. "What brings you to the ER?"

"One of my young patients brought in his boyfriend. Gary Williams."

"Yes, I was just working on his chart. Does Mr. Williams have family here
in Houston, Jim?"

"No, just his boyfriend."

"I see. I am waiting on a couple more test results, but my initial thoughts
are that he is septic with severe abdominal pain and possibly heading
towards respiratory failure. With the pain I suspect a bowl obstruction or
a colon problem. He is up getting an MRI now. His blood tests show a high
infection. He has a 103 temperature. Mr. Williams is in and out of it. I
will probably turn him over to the surgeons has soon as the MRI results are
completed. Bottom line, Jim, the boyfriend needs to call Mr. Williams
family and get them here. I am certain Mr. Williams is in serious
distress."

"Sounds like it may be a long day and night."  "Yes, I would say that. Much
longer than that if he survives the surgery, Jim."

"I see."

"Will you keep me posted, Charlie?"

"Sure."

I walked back out into the hallway and headed out to the parking lot,
reached my car and located my day planner. I looked up Tyler's dad's number
and called him. Mr. Miller answered the phone.

"Hello."

"Mr. Miller?"

"Yes."

"This is Jim Haines, Tyler's doctor."

"Hi, is Tyler alright?"

"Yes, Tyler is fine for now. He brought Gary to the hospital with abdominal
pain and fever. I just talked to the doctor and there seems to be some
belief that Gary is in danger."

"I see."

"I only called to give you the information and hopefully you might take the
opportunity to come be with Tyler. I don't really want him to be alone
right now."

"I agree. Where are you?"

"We are at Harris County Hospital."

"Okay, I am on my way."

"Great. See you soon."  I returned to the waiting room to sit with
Tyler. Rick and him seem to be getting just fine. Tyler saw me immediately
when I walked into the room.

"How is he?" Tyler asked.

"They are still running tests. We should know something soon." I figured
the longer he didn't know the better.

We sat around chatting for about another hour when three people walked into
the room. It was Tyler's father, mother and his brother Travis.  I didn't
expect the three of them, but I was very pleased. Tyler got up, not quite
sure what to expect. Travis walked up to him and hugged him.

"We need to talk, Tyler, but right now I am here for you."

"I have missed you Travis."

"I know. I have missed you too."

Tyler didn't seem to know how to take all this but went with the flow. He
looked up at his mother. Her eyes appeared soft.

Tyler released his brother and walked over to his mother. She opened her
arms and embraced her son.

"Mom." Was all Tyler said.

"Tyler, this isn't easy for me, but I am trying son." She said.

"I know Mom."

Tyler's dad walked over and put his arms around the two of them. A sense of
relief and peacefulness was apparent on his face. Finally they sat down and
I began to tell Tyler what the doctor told me about Gary.

"Tyler, you need to call Gary's parents. Do you have the number on you?"
"Yes, Gary insisted we have emergency numbers for each other to carry with
us at all times."

"Smart man there, Tyler. You had better call them now."

"Okay," then he looked over at Travis, "will you come with me?"

"Yeah."

They left the waiting room. I turned to Mrs. Miller.

"How are you doing with all this?"

"Please, doctor, call me Linda. I have done a lot of praying, studying and
talking to my husband. What you told me in the office seems to be so true
and Dave, my husband wouldn't let up on me, " she said smiling, "he kept
telling me that family came first, not the church, that having Tyler is my
life was more important than losing him. I thought about what it might have
been like for me and the rest of my family if anything happened to him and
I shudder with the possibility that it might have happened."

"So, are you coming to terms with the church's insincere feelings towards
the families in crisis on this issue?"

"Yes, I haven't found any satisfaction in anything they have written. I
have been angry at the notion that the church has let me down in trying to
resolve my feelings and beliefs. Bishop Green has been wonderful with us by
his understanding and support. Between you and Bishop Green, I have found
some peace of mind. "

"How do you feel about Tyler and Gary?"

"From what David has told me, I have realized that homosexuality isn't just
about sex, two people can be emotionally involved like a man and
wife. David told me how Gary felt about Tyler and I believed Tyler is safe
with Gary. I am here because I am Tyler's mother and he may need emotional
support from me if and when he needs it. Just like I would be there for any
of my children if their loved ones were ill."

"David, how did you get Travis to come in with you?"

"I called Travis and told him that if he cared about his brother he would
come with us. Travis could never deny that he didn't care for Tyler, so I
put him on the spot. And I thought he was ready."

"Good. If you feel you need to come in and talk to me, just call, but it
looks like the family is healing in the right direction."

"Yes, I feel it is time we healed." Said Linda.



>From Tyler's perspective:

Travis walked with me outside so I could use my cell phone. It feels so
good to have him close to me. And to see my mother after all these months
was wonderful. I missed her so much. We got outside and I found a bench to
sit on. Travis sat next to me. I found the piece of paper in my wallet and
called Gary's parents.

The phone rang and was picked up on the third ring.

"Hello." Came the voice of what seemed to be an elderly woman.

"Mrs. Williams?"

"Yes."

"This is Tyler Miller, Gary's friend."

"Yes, I know who you are."

"I am calling to tell you Gary is in the hospital. He isn't doing well. The
doctor suggests that you come here as soon as possible."

"Oh, my." She said. "I will try and get a flight out of here as soon as
possible."

"Good. Here's is my cell phone number, " I said, " and you call me with
your arrival information."

"I will, talk to you soon."

I put my cell away. I looked up at Travis. He is such a handsome looking
guy. I always envied him and his looks. I always thought he looked better
than me.

"I am glad you are here, Travis."

"Me, too."

"I don't want to lose Gary, I am looking forward to years with him. I can't
lose his now. He's been so good to me."

"Tyler, I guess you love him and he must love you. If there is one thing I
have learned about the gay lifestyle is that it isn't all about the sexual
act. Two people can bond together no matter what the sex of the
individuals. Two people can bond and be friends forever and never have sex
with each. Then two people can bond and make a life together." Travis kind
of looked a little confused. "Is anything I am saying making sense?"

"Yes. I understand what you are saying."

"Besides, Dad worked on me. He told me you were still my brother no matter
what. Period. I would not be offending Heavenly Father or the church by
keeping you in my life. I want you to be happy, Tyler."

"Oh Travis, I am happy," I said, "Gary makes me so happy. I love being
around him. When we drove back from Illinois we talked about life, the
church, how we feel about being Mormons, our families, what we want for the
future...it is a relationship of equal importance to each other. You and I
have always had a relationship as brothers. You being here just brought it
all back."

"I am here for you Tyler, I will pray with you and I will be here with Dad
to give Gary a blessing if that is what you want."

I was so touched that Travis would do that for me. Dad and Travis have
their priesthood duties available to them. I lost mine when I resigned from
the church, but in my mind I feel that I still have my Arronic Priesthood
ordinance in the eyes of Heavenly Father.

Travis and I went back to the waiting room to await the any
developments. Finally, after about 2 hours, the doctor came out to talk to
us.

"Is the family of Mr. Williams?"

Dr. Haines spoke up.

"Dr. Kelly, this is Tyler Miller, " pointing towards me," he is the life
partner of Mr. Williams. The rest of us are here to support Tyler."

"Dr. Haines, I am only permitted to discuss any medical issues with the
immediate family of the patient. Mr. Miller, "he said looking at me, "Do
you have power of attorney for Mr. Williams?"

"No, I don't doctor."

Dr. Kelly turned towards Dr. Haines and took him outside the room.  About
ten minutes later, Dr. Haines returned without Dr. Kelly. My dad and mother
were beside me on the right and Travis was at my left. I feared for the
worst.


>From Jim's perspective:


I returned to the waiting room, all eyes were on me. I looked over at Rick
for reassurance. God do I love that man. I told everyone to sit down as I
prepared to discuss what Dr. Kelly told me.

"Since I am a physician on staff here, Dr. Kelly was able to tell me what
is going on with Gary. Tyler, this is going to be one of the toughest times
you have ever experienced in your young life. Gary isn't doing well. The
MRI revealed a perforation of the colon. The contents of the colon have
spilled into him causing him to be septic, which means his body is filling
up with major infections that could damage other organs of the body. There
is also great concern about his kidneys shutting down. The doctor felt that
Gary seemed to have a strong heart and they are preparing him for surgery
to repair the colon. If he comes through the surgery without complications,
then the treatment for the infections begins immediately. It will be a race
to get the infection before it does any damage. If Gary survives the
surgery and the road to eliminate the infections begins, he could be here
at least a month recovering. The doctors are giving Gary a fifty-fifty
chance for now. "

I watched Tyler as his face turned red. His eyes watered. I knew he knew
without a doubt that Gary could die. Travis put his arm around Tyler and
his mother took his hand. I am thankful to Heavenly Father for bringing the
family together in time to be here for Tyler. With Tyler's family here with
him, I decided that Rick and I should go and asked Tyler to call me when
Gary got out of surgery. It was six hours later when I got the call. Rick
and I returned to the hospital. Once inside I found Dr. Kelly, who
surprisingly was still on duty. He referred to the surgeon, Dr. Smith. I
found Dr. Smith and he told me about Gary and his condition. I went down to
the waiting to give Tyler the latest.

"Tyler, Gary has survived the surgery. They found a 6-inch rupture of the
colon near the bowel connection. The doctor removed that section of the
colon and gave Gary a loop colostomy to give the colon and the bowel a
chance to heal. In a few months, they may opt to do a colostomy
reversal. The kidneys held up, his heart remained strong throughout the
surgery. But it isn't over yet. The infections are now being treated with
every known anti-biotic known to man. They have to monitor him closely with
anti-biotics as he may be allergic to any of them and cause a reaction up
to and including cardiac arrest. He isn't out of the woods yet, Tyler.  He
will need your prayers and priesthood blessings."

Tyler looked relived and scared all at once. I know this has to be rough on
him. I didn't tell him that they were giving Gary a ten percent chance of
survival.

"I have arranged with Dr. Smith for you to visit and administer to
Gary. Dr. Smith is family Tyler. He is in a same sex relationship so he
understands your relationship with Gary. I have explained that there are
members here from his church so they can see him too. When does Gary's
mother get in?"

"She will be here in the morning." Tyler said.

"Good. Rick and I are going home. I am tired, my friend. You should get
some rest. Dave and Linda, Gary is apart of the family now, I leave it all
in your hands."

"Thank you doctor for everything, " Tyler said, "I appreciate you more than
you know." Then he hugged me. Dave shook my hand and Rick's. Rick and I
went home and told each other how much we love each other and glad that we
did what we could legally for the other if something would arise.


>From Tyler's perspective:


Dr. Haines really was a big help. I am blessed that I know him. It was
another 2 hours before they let me in to see Gary. I stood at the door and
just cried as Travis held me. I couldn't believe what I saw. Tubes
everywhere. They were giving him oxygen. IV's galore. His hands were bound
to the handrails. Dad pushed me on in to the room and we all stood around
the bed.  I took Gary's hand and held it. It was warm. His eyes were
closed. Asleep. The sound of the heart monitor beeping was all I
heard. Then Dad said we should give him a blessing. Dad, Travis and I
placed our hands on Gary's head. Dad gave the blessing.

"Heavenly Father, we ask for this special blessing of strength of body and
the strength for the will to live for Gary. Protect him as he endures the
treatments to help him. We all have a special place in our hearts for Gary
and especially Tyler. Please bring Gary back to Tyler. We ask these things
in the name of the son Jesus Christ, amen."

Mom came up behind me and put her arms around me.

"You will have to tell me about you and Gary."

"I will Mom."

A nurse came in and put something in one of his IV's and left. About five
minutes alarms went off. The nurse rushed back in and told us we had to
leave. She reached for the intercom and the last thing I heard as we left
the room....

"He's flat lining."


 End of Chapter 13