Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2015 14:16:17 -0500 From: Eff Del Subject: Green Grow the Rushes O- Chapter 30 *Green Grow the Rushes O- Chapter 30* *By Eff Del* Nolitimere156@gmail.com *Even those who do not believe in God often pray.* *There is an essential need to believe that someone or something out in the vast universe cares and can help.* *This is my morning prayer to whoever listens to it;* *There is darkness in me, please shine light upon it.* *There is weakness in me. Please make that stronger.* *Parts of me are broken and some parts are bruised. Please mend what's broken and salve what is bruised.* *Heal what is sick in me and re-kindle the peace and love that has died in me for so many foolish reasons.* *Refresh my soul. Refresh my soul. Refresh my soul and make me whole.* "He's worse than you were." Doctor Joseph smiled. "We're hoping you can help with this. His bullet wound needs to heal and then his life can get back to normal but without his co-operation that will take longer than it needs to." Brian was sitting up in his bed actually scowling. "So, Son, is there a particular reason why you're giving these two good Doctors such a hard time?" He was cowed by my sudden appearance and bowed his head in chagrin. "D-Dad, they won't even let me go to the toilet. They're making me pee in a bottle and I even gotta poop in a bowl. That's just not right. I bet I can get up and sit on a toilet right now. Besides that, I'm so hungry and thirsty. All that I get to do is suck on ice chips. Man, I'd sure like a beer or a soda Dad." "Well, here's the good news Brian, Doctor Joseph just told me that tomorrow morning you're going to be able to try to eat solid food for breakfast. It will probably be something soft and bland like oatmeal. Along with that, you'll get to drink some milk. If your body handles that well, then you can drink all the water you want; no more ice chips. Then, the day after you'll have lunch. It will probably be a thick broth or a soft soup. If that goes well, then a dinner...not much but perhaps more than you've had since you were shot. We're talking about a poached fish filet or a creamy but not very spicy pasta dish like a mild fettucine and cheese. A day or two after that, you'll be allowed back into your own room and life will eventually get back to normal but...Brian, you've been a real brat so you owe these two good doctors a sincere apology. He raised his glance up to Joseph and Mohamed. "I'm very sorry for being so bad but it's just that I'm new here and I don't want to miss out on anything. Thank you for saving my life and I'm so sad that I've been such a pain. It's j-just that I ..." He was crying so hard that I grasped him to me and held him tight while he wept into my chest. "Dad, I was so afraid I was going to die and then with all these restrictions...I was afraid there was something wrong and I'd never be able to act normal again. I was just so afraid. I'm so sorry I've been so much trouble." I rubbed my hands through his dark brown hair and held him tightly against me. "It's more than alright Brian. You've been through a lot more than most people ever have to endure. You only have to put up with stuff for about four more days and then, you're back in your room and normal life. You'll still have some healing to do but that will be quick we think. Now, will you try not to give the doctors any more trouble while they still need to keep you here in the infirmary?" He smiled and held my hand. "I'm really sorry doctors; I'll do whatever you say. I promise." I kissed him and headed to the command center terrified over what news they had about Richard. It was Wolfman at the Com and he nodded his head as I entered. "Coffee's fresh Eric. Just made it about twenty minutes ago." I nodded and poured myself a cup. I noticed a very different but delightful taste. "What's different about this coffee Wolfman?" He smiled. "My late wife taught me years ago that you add a half of a teaspoon of cinnamon to a pot of strong black coffee and you have a cup of what god intended you to drink." "Well, I'll remember that from now on. This is remarkable." I sat in my chair and looked at him. "So, what is the news about Richard?" He sat down alongside of me and shrugged his tight body before he looked at me and said; "Richard is out of his morphine coma and lucid. Most of his vital signs are excellent. This is a remarkable turn-around from the news we had yesterday. We were all afraid we were going to lose him but now it looks like he is destined for a full recovery. His kidneys were really punished and so was his liver. Yesterday it looked like he was undergoing renal failure but those are resilient organs and during the night, they sprang back. They're very fragile still so, he won't be allowed to drink alcohol for a while and he certainly isn't very pretty but we can bring him home in three days. His entire renal system has returned to normal specs. Richard is one tough son of a bitch Boss." I patted his arm in enthusiasm. "Wolfman, I think I'm on the verge of tears. What wonderful news. As soon as it's allowed, will you arrange to have him brought home to us? He needs to be here because this is where he's loved. Will you keep me informed?" "Of course, Eric." "You've just made my day Big Man." I squeezed his shoulder and left the room. ***************************** This was the big day that I'd looked forward to and feared at the same time. Sean was going to land his plane for the first time. He'd already taken off several times but this was certainly more significant. Without any shame or abashment, he hugged me tightly before running off to the Cessna. This would be a complete flight for my boy for the first time. The blue over white craft taxied to the head of the small runway and my heart surged as I realized that it was my little boy doing all of that. Before I could get a mindset on that, the plane was roaring down the tarmac and suddenly in the air. I watched in awe as it circled the airport and then descended. My heart was hardly beating as I watched the little plane touch the runway impeccably...without even a bounce. My little boy had essentially done a complete flight. There wasn't much time to consider congratulations because at once, the little Cessna was wheeling up to the runway and moments later was airborne again. After circling the little airfield, it came down to a once again perfect landing. The process was completed three more times with the same wonderful results. They climbed out of `Dove' laughing and jostling. "This kid is so cool Eric. Next week, we'll be doing `touch and go' on the runway. He could get his license right now if he was old enough and had more hours. He's a natural." Sean grinned and said; "Yeah Will, but you're a natural teacher. I'm so happy Dad found you." "Next week then, Sean. That was wonderful." He wrapped his little arms around me as we walked to the car. "DAD...I took off and landed my own plane! Do you realize how crazy that is? I love you so much that I can't even think of the words that express it. The life I'm liven' the things I've got...there is more in my life than I ever thought would ever happen...an it's all you Dad! It's all you." "No Sean, I've provided things but you DO them. I'm so damned proud of you." "Dad...you know how you had `Red Kitty' painted on my cart? Do you think we could have `Dove' painted on my plane?" I ruffled his hair as we were walking to the car. "Consider it done my Son. Do you want to choose the font and the color?" "Nope. Whatever you select will be perfect I know that." "OK then I hope you'll be pleased next week before your `touch and goes' little man." There is a little Italian Restaurant about a mile from the tiny airport we used. I pulled the `red cat' into the parking lot and my still excited boy and I entered. It took very little time for us to decide on pizza. There was a small deliberation over the toppings but we finally agreed upon ground sausage and mushrooms. We ordered a large because, I was with a thirteen-year-old boy who had just landed his own plane multiple times. I pretty much assumed that he would be hungry. We were seated in a small booth way over in the corner so I said softly to him; "I'll order two beers and you order a soft drink. One of my beers will be for you but be very careful as you drink it OK?" He grinned. "I can be sneaky Dad. Thanks." Our drinks came first and we each raised a beer cup to each other and grinned lovingly. Our pizza arrived shortly after and we smiled over it. The smells were perfect and the chees was white and bubbling just as it ought to be. We each plucked a red hot slice onto our plates, took another sip from our cups and folded the hot slices in half and took a cautious bite. There is nothing more happiness destroying than a hot pizza burn to the roof of your mouth. The taste was exquisite. I had of course, eaten great pizza particularly in Manhattan and the Bronx. This was not on that level but it was way above the level of crap like Domino's and Pizza Hut that should be required to call what they served something far different from `pizza'. I don't know what that stuff was that they sold to the public but it didn't even remotely resemble pizza. The pie cooled down enough that we both smiled and literally inhaled the cheesy magnificence before us. Typically, Sean out-consumed me but I did pretty well. In unimaginably quick time, we'd eaten it all and Sean smiled and swallowed the last of his beer. He let out a magnificent burp and grinned as he placed his empty cup upon the table. "Scuze me" He said it as if he was apologizing but he wasn't really apologizing. Two things Little boys love are farting and burping and they find them so amusing and satisfying. He had the decency to only giggle a little. I looked down at the table and wondered what our waiter was going to think of two empty beer glasses and a root beer that had literally not been touched. I guessed he'd figure it out but he'd be receiving a tip big enough that his curiosity would soon be stultified. **************************** We were walking around the hedge to the pool and as we did so, Gary and Bobby were just walking onto the deck. We smiled at each other and very quickly Sean and Bobby were naked and in the water. "Well Eric, life around you certainly isn't boring is it?" I smiled as I made us both a drink at the patio bar. "Gary, it wasn't so long ago that it was. It used to be drinking myself into oblivion and nothing more. Now it's sharing every minute in the adventure that is a boy's life...make that three boy's lives. I know that sunken treasure hunts, pirates and terrorists aren't a normal part of that prescription but you know as well as I do that being very well off changes the formulae." I looked around for a second and then mused; "I wonder where Jack is?" "He's in a private meeting with Professor Swaim. That's why Bobby has the time off." I nodded my head and replied with a bit of sadness; "I see. Jack has reached that point in his young life that he doesn't inform me of all of his actions or intentions. I wish I'd found him sooner and been capable of being his father. I would so have enjoyed him as a little boy because I sure enjoy him as he is now Gary. I have no doubt that you feel the same about Bobby." He just smiled and patted my arm. ************************ I was sitting at my desk in the study going over some reports when there was a soft tapping at my door. The door itself was actually open so I looked up and there stood Jack and Doc Swaim. "Dad, I know that you're busy but do you have a little time to talk?" "Why Jack, I've always got time to talk with you; you know that. Let's all go sit in the comfortable seats in the corner. Are drinks acceptable or is this a dire conversation we're going to have?" Doc Swaim quickly interjected that drinks were perfectly acceptable. We each took a small sip from our preferred beverage before I asked; "So, my young son, what do you need to talk to me about?" His emerald green eyes almost burned into me as he replied; "Dad, I've talked to Doctor Swaim about this; that's why he's here with me. After what happened, I want to begin my SKUGGOR training now. I know that I'm two years too young to go to an actual training camp, but while Richard is still so injured, I was thinking Wolfman could start with me and when Richard gets better, he could take over. I want to someday be `Galahad' but I want to earn that position not just because I'm a Tucker but because I'm a skilled and trained SKUGGOR." Doc Swaim smiled and cut in; "We talked about the University but after tossing around our thoughts, we've concluded that for Jack to reach his desired ambition, working with Skuggor was a much more intelligent option therefore, I'm here to back-up his proposal. If Jack's destiny is to be head of the SKUGGOR, then his education should be centered around the SKUGGOR. At present, I'd suggest at least three hours a day." I finished my drink and took Doc's glass and moved to the bar. I made two drinks and popped open a beer and I sat back down. "Well, the reality is that with Richard so badly hurt, I can't spare Wolfman for three hours a day. However, the idea is appealing so I'll talk to the guys and see if they will take turns working with you Jack. You'll learn a lot about tactics and strategy from Wolfman and Brutus but time spent with Barry will also be essential if you're going to eventually become `Galahad'. You'll need to begin martial arts training and learn to use our peculiar weapons, but that doesn't have to happen at once. You're two years away from being able to enter an actual Skuggor training program but we certainly can get you a head start Son if that's what you want but...what about the University and the oceanography? What about that Jack?" "Dad, that can always be a hobby and an interest. This family comes first and I'm so unhappy that both times we were assaulted, I was a useless little boy. I want to be a dangerous man that nobody would ever think of coming up against." I nodded and then said; "This wasn't the course I'd have chosen for you Jack, but you have to follow your own star. I'm proud that you've chosen the family but I'm sad you've forsaken the sea." He grinned from ear to ear; "Well Dad, I haven't had a hell of a lot luck out on the sea have I?" I gave that a thought and then chuckled in agreement. **************************** This was the last game of the regional play-offs. Poor Brian was devastated that he couldn't play but we'd brought him to the game to watch his team compete because he was after all a great team player. Despite our absence, Coach Chino had welcomed Sean back into the line-up. I was worried that Sean would be rusty after the treasure hunt but, the first play he snagged at first base convinced me that he was alright. It was now the fifth inning and we were tied two to two. Our pitcher was having a bit of trouble though he'd done a pretty good job so far. There were two outs but also a man on base. The batter had two balls and one strike on his count. Ricco gave the signal to the pitcher. He nodded and delivered. The batter drove a line drive straight to Charlie who snagged it, tagged second base and then tossed the ball to Sean a first. The inning was over and we were up. Ricco tagged popped the first pitch into shallow centerfield and was at first base easily. Little Charlie did his usual patient job and was almost walked on balls before the pitcher made a mistake and he clobbered it into left field. Suddenly, we had runners at second and third. Aaron was up next and made a fantastic connection with the ball on the first pitch. Unfortunately the other team's left fielder caught it instantly and the runners didn't advance. Sean was up and John and Arlen were bouncing in their seats. Brian and I were (of course) under perfect control because there was obviously nothing exciting going on...just kidding...we were all going crazy. My little man took his traditional swipes with his bat before stepping into the box. He looked up at us in the bleachers and gave us all a `Sean smile' before stepping in. The first pitch was high and outside. The second pitch was the same. "They're going to walk him." John said. "Maybe not. Maybe they're trying to fool him Arlen muttered. He was right. The third pitch was down the middle and Sean swung too late for a strike. The fourth pitch was low but inside and Sean just ignored it but the Umpire called it a strike. Two and two The pitcher and the catcher exchanged signals and head nods. "This is the one!" Arlen exclaimed as the pitcher released the ball. Sean's contact was almost deafening as the ball screamed over the fence and the three boys almost danced to home plate. After doing their little boy thing on the field and then lining up to shake the other team's hand's, the team ran up the bleachers and mobbed Brian. "Spider, we never could have done this without you this season. You're the best!" Brian smiled and accepted the accolades as he shook each of his teammate's hands. "We'll have another winning season next year guys." He said with a smile. *********************** We brought Richard home on Wednesday. He was still very battered but he smiled as we carried him down to the infirmary. I wondered if it was his turn to be a pain in the ass. I took his hand as he settled into his hospital bed. "Welcome home my friend. We're so happy that we have you back. Jack would like to see you if that's alright." He actually cried. "Jack was sleeping next to me and all we were doing was sleeping by the way. These guys busted into our cabin and I wok up at once because that's how I am...anyhow I took down a couple of them before there were too many. I was naked and surprised and they got me. Did they get Jack?" "Richard, Jack is alright and the SKUGGOR took care of the situation. All is well with the world. Now, we need is for you to heal. Are you feeling up to a visit from Jack?" He smiled and said; "Send that boy up. I couldn't imagine anything I'd rather do except being back to work." *************************** Brian was of course, back in his room and well on the way to full recovery although most of his time was spent in bed. "So little boy, do you think some time in the pool would feel good?" He smiled and said; "If you'll be there with me Dad." "Of course I'll be there with you Brian, I'm after all YOU'RE goalkeeper. I was lying in bed thinking that things were working out very well when he came into my room. He quickly shucked his underpants, slipped under the covers, and pulled tightly against me. "I never thought that I'd have a real family Dad, but I sure never thought it would be one this neat and I never' never thought I'd have a Dad like you." >From the squeaking sounds he was making, I knew that he was crying. I reached over and pulled him to my chest. "Sean, I never knew I'd have you in my life. You taught me how to live, you taught me how to love and now suddenly' there are the four of us and it's all because of you. If you want to know the truth, it's all because of a video Uncle Phil took of a soccer game almost two years ago. I could see his smile widening. "You chose me Dad but remember that I chose you too." We hugged tightly and as sleep overtook me, I remembered that Jack was safe and asleep in his own bed and so was Brian. We were a family and we were ready to face the world together. We would do that with love and confidence. The End Thank you all who have responded to these chapters. Response and feedback are what allows a writer to go on...well at least this writer. It is my hope that I'll be able to write a fourth chapter but if I can't, you've read this story and know these characters enough that you can invent your own future for them. In some other universe they are alive and well. Thanks and I hope to be back. Eff