Date: Wed, 13 May 2020 06:57:23 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mike Austin <nasstop@yahoo.com>
Subject: Nifty GAY/BEGINNINGS- "The Pet Sitter" Ch 12

THE PET SITTER						by Mike Austin
							nasstop@yahoo.com

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XII.

The many fucks had me aching from the hardon Bob sports when he really
turns it on. He let me sleep some and got the coffee going and dogs watered
and fed. I knew I was out for the count since when I woke up, I wasn't
really sure where I was and needed to get my bearings. No dope, just the
leftover deep sleep. Then that throbbing pain, nope not in my butt, rather
my piss hard. I heard the news on coming from the kitchen as I made my way
from the bathroom and down the hall, still bleary-eyed but gradually waking
up. The dogs must have sensed I was awake and were barking like mad as I
crossed the den into the kitchen and gave Bob a quick hug and kiss before
seating my worn out bod on a bar stool "gingerly". "Sore there boy" came
his query. I looked up over the rim of the coffee mug uttering, `what do
YOU think"? Then resumed another sip of wake up java. He beamed proudly,
refreshed his own mug and settled on the stool next to me. I was surprised
when he actually took hold of my hand. Stymied, I thought, how does this
tender stud get so fucking aggressive when he fucks? Then sipped more
java. I wondered more now about Jared's B/F Sam and how he died while
hunting? Though I realize accidents can happen, they are a rarity. I began,
"Bob what happened with Sam's accident"? "I know they can happen and are
tragedies, but how did something go THAT wrong"? "Why was Jared so torqued
at Jarvis"? I posed in rapid succession.

Bob finished his mug, brought the carafe over to refill both our mugs and
began. "Well I told you about the rivalry and bad blood that existed
between them before, during and after Jared's injury which ended his
college and Pro football career you recall; they had almost reconciled
things after both parents had eventually passed away. Their dad had a major
alcohol problem and died from cirrhosis of the liver. Their mom wasn't able
to live alone any longer and Jarvis stepped up to the plate to have her
move in with him after his own divorce, since Jared and Sam were living
together and she wasn't quite able to accept that but didn't make a fuss,
well not too much anyway. Jared contributed to her care and living costs
since Jarvis was housing her, etc and felt that was equitable. While not a
religious zealot, she expected to go to church weekly and Jarvis did his
best to attend or at least take her to and from the church service and
activities with her church friends, pretty much putting his post-divorce
life, on hold. By the time she passed away, Jarvis had a sense of freedom
but had also built a modest resentment toward Jared since he hadn't known
the extent of or seeming regard for Jarvis' role with their mom. As I said,
they had slowly recovered that bond and the three (Jarvis, Jared and Sam)
plus another bud of Jarvis (Keith) had made plans to go hunting in Central
Texas. They agreed to alternate pairings Jared and Sam as one pair and
Jarvis and Keith on day one. The second day of the hunt they split up as
Jared and Keith and Jarvis and Sam. That alternate set-up would be the
rotation the four days of the hunt and hopefully get the guys days to meet
their goals. It was day 2 and Jarvis and Sam were wide apart making their
way eventually to a small stream. Jarvis spotted a buck as it approached
the stream, paused then stepped into a clearing giving Jarvis a clear
shot. What he didn't know until later was that Sam had already crossed
stream, had left the opposite side of the same clearing, but the buck had
emerged from Jarvis' side of the clearing and stream and when Jarvis got
the buck in his sights, saw no other issues and fired. The bullet took out
the buck BUT went straight through his neck and hit Sam in the chest. It
was only when Jarvis got to the buck that he saw Sam's orange vest covered
in blood about 5 yards further in the thicket. He was still alive but not
for long and screaming Jared's name in the woods once, died in his
brother-in-laws arms. Jarvis went beserk and fired shots in the air hoping
to get Jared or Keith's attention. When they finally arrived, Jarvis was
hitting his head on a tree and was bloodied himself from
self-punishment. Jared sent Keith to the trucks and get help, took Sam's
pulse but felt none and was inconsolable. When Keith returned with a
sheriff and Game Warden, Jared could not leave his lover and remained until
an ambulance arrived and then all wrestled Sam onto a stretcher and made
their way to the road, their trucks and ambulance. Jared rode with Sam to
the hospital and evidently had to be sedated from rage and loss. When
Jarvis and Keith arrived they were met with a real horror story at the
small town's hospital ER. It was hell on earth" Bob closed, refilled our
mugs again and as I sat in silence trying to imagine the scene and the
emotions, I realized that I barely knew either of these brothers and had no
clue of Sam and yet was softly sobbing at the loss and nightmare, that Bob
had just described. Bob began again, "it was years before the two could
tolerate being around each other and only the past year did they even have
any social interaction, usually here at the house where I could referee or
at a Lab Rescue fund raiser. Jared's periodic jabs at me and Jarvis' roles
with dogs is his attempt to poke fun at, yet somewhat re-establish a bond
with his brother". Shaking my head, I gripped Bob's hand and this time
squeezed it and just held on. "You can never mention a word of this to
either of them and DEF NOT TO PETE' if Jared wants Pete to know anything
leave it to Jared to tell the story" Bob stopped, stood and asked "so now
what do you want to have for breakfast"? Still shaking my head from this
recap, I shrugged to indicate no particular things in mind, dried my eyes,
walked to the patio doors and watched the dogs at play in the yard, when
Bob edged up behind me and wrapping his arms to comfort me, sat his chin on
my shoulder and whispered, "you ok babe"? Silently, I nodded yes.

Bob made breakfast. It was good and filling, but we both ate quietly. I
knew I suddenly felt a new regard for and bond with Jared and perhaps even
with Jarvis. I held onto Bob as we cleaned up the kitchen and urged him
back to bed for security. This pet sitter, this gay man had touched my soul
with his passion and compassion. I think there is love here, but what was
his own story; as we drifted off to a nap in each other's arms?

As usual, Bob's cell roused us from our nap. In the backyard the dogs were
barking up a storm so I headed to them and left him to his call. I had just
turned the water hose off as Bob called me to get dressed we had to get to
the hospital. He was screaming for me to hurry as I slipped on my topsiders
and we jumped in his truck. Racing to the hospital he went on to tell me
that Jarvis was in a head-on collision and that he was unconscious. Jared
had told me to get there pronto, they weren't sure about him. As we slammed
to a stop in the ER parking area, Jared and Pete greeted us. Bob hugged
Jared big time and for what seemed like an unending grasp. Pete stood next
to me for some sense of safety I guessed as we weren't really part of this
`union'. Jared was sucking it up and relayed the story that some drunk
crossed the median and slammed head-on into Jarvis on the left front
fender, somehow jerking his head into the A pillar of the truck at his left
temple. The other driver was killed on impact, the DPS Trooper had
advised. Pete and I were visibly shaken but didn't know what to do other
than be there for any errand and support. "It's happening all over again, I
can't go through this again, not Jarvis not now like before just when we
were getting close again, not another time OMG this can't be happening
again..." Jared was crying to Bob. The two big men stood bracing each other
in a love that defines the word. Bob's face as was Jared's was red,
streaked and caked with salt from tears and both angry and grimaced with
fear. Jared went on to explain they had induced a medical coma and were
icing him down to reduce the effect of trauma and swelling, had multiple
IVs running full out and just had to wait and see. The plan was to
stabilize him there and then transport him to the nearest Trauma Center in
Galveston by helicopter. Bob came to us, told me to get plenty of cash
together from the ATM around the corner and get back here and be prepared
to drive flat out to Galveston if that time came and told Pete to go with
me. We did as directed and were back in under 15 minutes. Bob said Jared
had been OK'd to fly with his brother but no one else, so we were just
waiting for the helo's arrival and then would make the 45 mile drive to the
island Trauma Center. I handed cash to Bob for Jared to have and we sat for
5 minutes before the duty nurse came out and said they were about to take
off and that Jarvis was still unconscious and vitals were stable. We three
hit the truck and the highway and as we pulled onto the freeway saw the
helo lift off and lights blinking, turn east and vanish into the sky.

We all remained quiet as Bob drove hell-bent for fury onto the island,
knowing the helo had already landed and Jared was alone. We sped along the
2 lane highway and then widened into a four lane divided one, slowing to
run through stop lights and then gunning back up to speed until arriving at
the ER center waiting room where we found Jared sobbing. I thought the
worst had happened already before we arrived, but was relieved to learn he
was just having another understandable break down, waiting for any news. As
before, Jared and Bob hugged like huge brothers. Pete and I knew we weren't
being ignored, but made sure Jared knew we cared and were there to do
anything he needed of us. He just nodded and continued the hug with Bob. It
was another 2 hours before a physician came out with an update. He told us
that Jarvis remained stable it might be another 8 hours before they knew
anything more, that they had run both EKG and EEGs and were in the process
of scheduling a CAT Scan and MRI and if any news changed, that he'd be out
with updates. We sat in silence, waiting. Bob and Jarvis sat adjacent to
each other while Pete and I were faced opposite them. Time just seemed to
crawl by. It had now been almost 5 hours since getting the call from Jared
and we all faced the fact that another 8 or so hours would seem an
eternity. Pete and I did turns getting soda, coffee, snacks, iced water,
anything we could or that was needed. I knew Pete wanted to hug Jared as
much as I did Bob, but decorum didn't really afford us that
tenderness. Pete and I now faced the fact that we were part of this ut also
had our own jobs to confront and now that it was well approaching 2 a.m.,
knew we needed to make arrangements to phone our firms and someone would
need to cover Jared's; most likely Bob. Pete and I left VMs with our firm's
explaining the situation and that we'd both give an update later in the
morning. Bob would wait for Jared's boss to be in, before making that call,
as he wanted to speak to him personally. I was relieved Bob and I had
gotten a good nap, as we were both relying on that rest to get us
through. You could tell that Pete was exhausted, but as he gulped cups of
coffee, you also knew he wasn't about to grab any ZZZZZZs. About 3:15, the
same doctor came out. His appearance was stressed and again I feared a turn
for the worst. He reassured us that Jarvis remained stable, though still in
his induced-coma state. The skull was fractured though somehow, based on
the accident's description and impact zone, he couldn't believe more damage
hadn't resulted. There was definite brain swelling, but that the "icing",
meds and induced coma were minimizing the swelling at present. He said it
might be another 8-10 hours before they knew more and for us to try and get
some rest. We nodded agreement but said we weren't going anywhere and he
was understanding, though urged us to look out for our own well-being too
as we'd need strength and lots of it. He offered no recovery
percentages. You could see relief painted on all our faces, mixed with
salty tears, huge red eyes and start of morning beard stubble.  I offered
to go find breakfast if anyone wanted any. No takers. A bit later, Pete
disappeared and returned with cans of sweet tea he'd found at some vending
machine. It was cold and a welcomed change from vending coffee. At 6, Bob
made the call to Jared's boss and the call went well, the BOSS TOLD BOB IF
JARED NEEDED ANYTHING, TO CALL HIM DIRECTLY. Relieved, Bob returned to us
three and relayed Jared's boss' support and offer. Jared just nodded
understanding and resumed his tense vigil. By 8a.m. we were all bleery-eyed
and Pete was struggling to stay awake. The ER waiting room had emptied and
refilled and was again now empty since we had been there. A new physician
came out to meet with us and said they were moving Jarvis to a special ICU
set-up for brain injuries, but that his condition remained stable, he was
physically fit and there'd been no increased swelling but that they were
keeping him in his medically-induced coma. Bob sent me on a journey and I
dragged Pete along for support and to give him a change of pace. We were to
get a nearby motel room and hit a WalMart or such to get sundry items and
changes of clothes. He was going to call another lab Rescue team member to
go feed our bunch and then go to Jared's place and tend to `Spike'. He also
asked them to be available for tonight as well as care giver to both
households of dogs. I went about my set of tasks and we returned in about
an hour and half with the update and card keys for a motel that was just
two blocks away. Pete and I had phoned our employers again and begged off
for the day and likely Tuesday, since our buddy had no other family and
friends were far away as well. Both firms were understanding. We took
turns, with Pete and Jared going to the motel room and getting cleaned up
and changing first, since we learned of Jarvis' transfer to the new
unit. Bob and I remained in the waiting room and I offered as much support
as I could. Within 30 minutes Jared and Pete were back, looked a bit
refreshed and urged us to go clean up and change. Jared thanked all of us
again for the support; then Bob and I headed out to clean up and change,
then stopped at a Waffle House and brought back some ToGo orders of
scrambled eggs, toast and hash browns. Jared picked at his eggs and had a
piece of toast, until Bob urged him to finish the plate, which he
reluctantly did. The rest of us chowed down to the Styrofoam. Bob used the
waiting time at Waffle House to phone Jared's boss with a report on Jarvis'
relo to the new brain injury unit and again the boss restated his support.

While the brain injury was the critical matter, he'd also broken his nose,
left arm in two places, broken his collar bone, left ankle and 4 ribs. He
was in tough shape but he was also a tough guy and we all hoped his
toughness would benefit him right now. The attending came back about noon
and reported they were doing another series of scans and workups and that
he remained stable. The guy said "he had no realistic percentages but that
Jarvis was very stable and that if the scans and such showed no
deterioration, they may begin reducing some of the meds to maintain his
coma status and see how he responded". He urged us to try and get some rest
and that he may allow Jared to visit Jarvis for a short period at 2pm,
providing all remained stable. He reminded us that Jarvis was in a coma and
would not be alert and stressed "ONLY a short visit and be prepared for the
worst picture with the extent of his injuries and medical equipment". We
nodded understanding and Pete moved to Jared's side and gave him a
supportive hug. At 2:30 a nurse came out, said she would lead Jared to the
Special Unit and that he'd need to gown up, etc. We assured him we'd be
there waiting for him and the two headed off to a staff elevator. Not even
20 minutes later both returned. Jared was ashen, the nurse told us we could
come up to the designated waiting area at the Special Unit to get out of
the open ER area and we followed her to that same staff elevator then rode
up in silence. "He looks God Awful" Jared admitted as we settled into a set
of chairs; "just fuckin terrible". It was 6pm when the admitting physician
from the previous day came out to give us an update. The scans were typical
and showed no further deterioration and they were beginning to reduce some
of the meds and would know more about his response in 6-8 hours. We were
all relieved and Bob admitted to getting hungry. Bob suggested Jared get a
nap at the room if he thought he'd be able to, but was declined. I'd made
some food offers. We agreed Whataburgers sounded best and there was one
nearby, so it got the nod of approval. When Pete and I returned, the doctor
was visiting with Bob and Jared. Pete and I froze after stepping out of the
elevator. When we saw Jared's face break into a huge smile, grab the doc's
hand with both of his and shake vigorously, we knew the news wasn't the
worst. Bob grinned some as well and then Bob and Jared hugged while we
stayed back. The doctor disappeared back into the unit and they filled us
in on the recent progress. The basics were that within an hour of reducing
some of the meds, Jarvis had eased his right hand and wiggled his fingers,
then moaned in pain. All very good signs. This was the first relief we'd
had and the sense was palpable in the room; a collective sigh of
relief. The progress continued that evening and the next two days, as they
gradually continued to reduce the meds and restore Jarvis' status and
consciousness. On day four in the hospital they felt him stable enough to
risk anesthesia and surgery on the various fractures to get his physical
self in order. Bob remained with Jared at the motel room while Pete and I
resumed our routine work schedules, making the drive to visit the hospital
each night after work. By day 10, Jarvis was hostile and wanted "out of
this damned place". He and Jared had reconnected during this ordeal, which
could have been so much worse. Jared had returned to work coming to visit
Jarvis each night. Jarvis was relocated to a rehab facility and remained
there for 4 weeks. The brain swelling again normal and with no cognitive or
physical impairments, Jarvis was declared recovered and was released for
his normal routine with some limitations. It was great that he'd been able
to retire previously and didn't have to face a job or risk loss of one as a
result of this accident and long recovery. In fact the recovery had been
brief considering all the injuries he sustained.