In Death He Lives Read online

  “Please make yourself comfortable Mrs. Newfeld. I’m almost afraid to open the refrigerator considering both Alex and I have been away for over a week. Would you like coffee? At least that doesn’t spoil.”

  “Yes, that would be wonderful and please call me Gena. Beside Alex, we have a mutual friend.” Both Reade and Ellissa gave her a questioning look. “I believe you know Jason Heppman,” she said as she took the offered seat. “I hope you don’t mind, he explained why you haven’t been to visit my son.”

  “Actually, Gena, I’ll be there tomorrow. This must sound strange to you, but we,” Reade pointed to his mother, “needed to get some things in order before I crossed that bridge.”

  “Ah, found it,” said Reade as he looked through cabinets. “I remember buying non-dairy creamer for just such situations as this.” He rejoined the ladies. “Coffee will be ready in a few minutes. I guess I should explain,” he started to say when Ellissa interrupted.

  “Gena, Reade’s father is a rather strong willed individual. I knew that when I married him, but had no idea about his personal prejudices until much later. Many of my friends have suggested I leave him, but frankly I do love Harrold even with his extreme prejudices.”

  “Alex has told me stories that seemed so outrageous, I wondered if he embellished them for effect. But after a while, I realized they were true,” replied Gena as she sat at the edge of the couch. “What will your father do if he finds out you visited my son?”

  “That’s what I meant when I said mother and I had to get certain things in order. Without going into detail, Gena, I’m sure my father will try to stop me from seeing Alex, will fire me from the firm, and probably will cut me out of his will. But now I don’t care and thanks to mother's help, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

  Gena looked from mother to son with a questioning face, but asked no questions. If they were not going to offer, she would not ask. “The hospital has a facility for families of critical patients. They have put me up so I can walk the two blocks to the hospital and stay with Alex. They even gave me a meal card. It’s wonderful to not have that burden added to the stress.”

  Reade looked at his mother than back to Gena. “Yes, that is one of mother’s programs. Harrold, my father, is a major benefactor of the hospital. Mother feels that people are a better place to put her money. She set up the non-profit that bought the building and sustains the program.”

  Surprised, Gena said, “I had no idea you were so…” she stopped, brought her hand to her mouth and blushed. “I’m sorry; it’s none of my business.” She leaned back on the couch and stayed silent.

  Both Reade and his mother were use to this. Most people, outside their inner circle, had no idea how much money they controlled and rarely knew how to talk about it. Ellissa put her hand on Gena’s, smiled, and said, “Now do you understand why we had to put certain things in place? Believe me; it was necessary if Reade and Alex want to stay together after this is over.”

  When the coffee finished, they sat at the dining room table and talked about Alex. Gena explained what she knew, how Jason had been keeping vigil, and that she felt Alex was going to be fine. “The doctors say he is healing well. It’s only been a little over a week but even I can see the improvements.”

  “I’ve been getting updates from the few who aren’t afraid of my father. Tomorrow I will see firsthand. What time do you get there?” They talked for a while and agreed to meet in the morning before visiting Alex.

  After Gena left, Ellissa helped Reade clean out the nasty refrigerator. “Wow, are you sure this is only a week old? Some of this stuff looks like it’s been here for a month.” They bagged the spoiled food, brought the bags to the garbage drop, and said there goodbyes. Ellissa had business to attend to, as did Reade. He wanted nothing to get in the way of his plans.

  Chapter 13

  Soft music greeted Lane as he opened the door. Though it was not unusual for Terry to arrive home before him, Lane knew today would be different. Mature trees and a vast lawn, on a large lot in the suburbs, surrounded their home. Terry wanted the lawns. Lane wanted the trees. Neither wanted the city. They both agreed to a longer commute to have their little oasis.

  As he walked into the great-room, Lane was startled by what he saw. Candles on every surface illuminated framed pictures of Lane, some with both of them, others of places they visited together.

  Lane stopped at the entrance to take it all in. He was now definitely overwhelmed. “Where are you?” he questioned in a soft, shaky voice. “How long were you planning this,” he whispered to the room as he slowly walked to the first picture. Once in his hands, Lane realized the picture was of him on the rooftop of the hotel where they had their first dinner together. He had no idea someone had taken the picture. As he looked deeper, he remembered exactly when it had been taken. He was standing at the entrance to the roof gardens admiring the stars. One of the waiters must have snapped it but he didn’t realize it back then.

  Each of the fifteen pictures had a special meaning. Each one showed the love and awe Terry found in things that most took for granted. As Lane moved to the French doors at the rear of the great-room, he saw the man he loved standing in the middle of their deck with a huge bouquet of white roses, Lane’s favorite. “How long have you been planning this,” he whispered as he walked to his life partner. “I knew today would be special, but never anticipated all of this.”

  Terry placed the roses in Lane’s hands, gave him a deep passionate kiss, and hooked his arm in Lane’s. As they walked down the steps off the deck, Lane froze. There on the lawn were seven extremely large posters, sitting on easels, of views from the hotel rooftop where they enjoyed their first dinner. In front of one easel, a small table with two champagne flutes. A three-legged silver ice bucket with a bottle of champagne sat next to the table.

  A waiter appeared and escorted the couple to the table. “Champagne?” he questioned as he held the bottle for Lane’s approval. Forgetting how to talk, Lane nodded to the waiter, who filled both flutes, then walked away.

  Holding his flute up to Lane, Terry said, “I wondered how I would live without you as I sat next to your bed, in the hospital. They kept telling me to prepare for your death. I told them you’d live. You did. When you had no memory, fear replaced the pain of your death. I wondered how we would ever be a couple again. I wondered how I would go on with my life without the Lane I so loved.”

  Tears streamed down Lane’s face as he listened to Terry talk. He said nothing. He couldn’t talk even if he wanted to.

  “Your team knew better than I. They knew how to use your own brain to bring you back to me — to the world. When you said, ‘Hello my love, I’m back,' my life began again. It’s been two years. Two years since the man I love with all my heart and soul came back to me. Two years filled with so much love, learning, and wondrous times, I couldn’t let this day go without doing something special. I thought about bringing you back to that hotel roof, but decided this would be a better surprise.”

  Terry touched Lane’s flute with his and said, “You are the man I loved from the first day I set eyes on you. I will always love you.”

  Lane sat frozen as he listened. When Terry sipped his champagne, Lane put his down. He reached for Terry’s hand, cupped it to his wet face and said, “I never expected to fall in love. Sherry kept reminding me that I had to get out and see the world. That couldn’t happen with my situation back then, so I stayed in my cocoon.” Lane stopped talking and looked around their garden. His eyes met each poster taking in the wonder of it all. “Then I met you. From that day forward I knew you were the man for me, but I never imagined how wonderful it would be.”

  Terry started to speak, but Lane stopped him. “Let me finish while I can still talk. I cannot imagine what my world would be like without you Terry. I’m not sure I could have held on like you did two years ago, but I’m glad you did. I love you Terry Wattenberg, and I always will.” Lane then took his flute and toasted the man whose hand he still held to
his face.

  Dinner was superb. Terry duplicated their first night exactly. One very attentive waiter, soft music, an excellent dinner, and dancing. Every detail was duplicated, except one.

  When they finished their second dance, Terry held Lane at arm’s length, looked into the eyes of his partner, and said, “We’ve been together for four wonderful years. Before that, we dated for another two. But something is missing. Something I’d like to fix right now.”

  Lane felt sick. What is Terry going to do? What is missing?

  On cue, the waiter brought a small silver tray to the couple. Terry took the box it held allowing the waiter to move away, knelt on one knee and said, “Lane Duwalt, I love you with all my heart and cannot imagine living without you.” He opened the box to reveal two beautifully crafted rings. Taking one, gently holding Lane’s hand, he asked, “Will you marry me?” as he placed the ring on Lane’s finger.

  The insecure, shy man stood there in awe. He looked from the ring on his finger to the man he loved and back again. Then without speaking a word, Lane knelt, took the other ring from the box, and as he placed it on Terry’s hand, he said, “Definitely. I can’t imagine living with anyone but you, my love.”

  Lane stood, pulled Terry to his feet, hugged him, and admired the ring on his finger behind Terry’s back. “Why now?”

  It was Terry’s turn to have tears in his eyes. It took him a minute to compose his feelings. “I’ve wanted this for years but the timing always seemed off. So I just made the conscious decision to do it today.”

  With no further discussion, Lane and Terry danced, holding each other as close as possible. After their fourth dance, the waiter appeared again. “Gentlemen, dessert is served inside. If you will follow me please.”

  Lane looked at Terry not sure what to expect. The only response he received was a smile and an arm. The two entered the house to find a table and two chairs set in the middle of their great room. On the table were two plates with apple fritters on each and two steamy mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows. Lane’s laughter was contagious and soon had Terry laughing with him.

  They enjoyed dessert, in near silence. The night was so overwhelming Lane found it difficult to maintain any semblance of conversation. After a short pause, Terry stood, took Lane’s hand in his, bent close to Lane’s ear and whispered, “Now that you’ve had your fill, and said yes to marriage, it’s time to enjoy the rest of the night.” Lane had no choice as Terry pulled him from his seat, escorted him to their bedroom and closed the door.

  Chapter 14

  “Nervous?” asked Jason shaking Reade’s hand as they stood next to the locked ICU doors.

  “No. I thought I would be, but right now, I just want to see Alex. What is the procedure when we get past the gatekeeper?” he said pointing to the sign next to the intercom. Only family and those on the approved list will be admitted to visit a patient in the ICU. Please press the intercom button and identify yourself.

  Jason explained that the nurses only allow two people to visit at a time. “Alex is past the severe critical stage so we no longer need to scrub and gown outside his room, but we can’t bring anything into the room with us. I forgot about that rule and had to leave my laptop outside his room the other day.”

  After Jason pressed the intercom button outside the ICU door, a nurse asked for his name and who he wanted to see. Having gone through this several times, he looked toward the camera aimed at the door, and said, “Good morning - Jason Heppman and Reade Calan to see Alex Newfeld.”

  “Hi Jason,” came the nurses reply. “Alex’s mother is already in his room so I can only allow one of you in right now.”

  Jason looked at Reade and motioned for him to go in. “I’ll be in the waiting area. If you or Gena need a break come out and let me go in.” Then he looked at the camera and said, “I’ll be in the waiting room. Let Reade in and remember he’s not been here before so give him the 25 cent tour, okay?”

  The nurse laughed and buzzed Reade through. Once past the doors, Reade felt as if he entered a different world. The area was darker than the hall he just left; monitors showing patient vital signs surrounded the nurse’s station in the center of the room. He saw several doors around the perimeter of the ICU, each with a monitor above the door showing more details about the patient in the room.

  He was startled when the nurse put her hand on his arm and asked, “First time in an ICU?” as she led him to the center nurse’s station. “It can be a bit much on your first day.”

  “I wasn’t nervous before, but I think my nerves just caught up to me,” he said in a very low voice, looking around the room.

  “That’s typical, don’t worry about it. You’ll get past the nerves when you see Alex.” She led Reade to a room near the corner of the ICU. “Before you go in, we need you to use the disinfectant cleanser on your hands and face.” She showed him the dispensers for the cleanser and sterile towels. “Don’t touch anything after you clean your hands,” she reminded him.

  Reade followed her instructions and held his hands up as a surgeon might prior to entering a surgical suite. “Do I need gloves?”

  “Not any longer. Alex is past that stage, but we’re taking appropriate precautions, just in case.”

  Reade turned to see Gena looking at him. He smiled and quietly voiced good morning. Gena smiled back and waved him into the room.

  Alex lay in a tangle of wires and tubes. The fluctuating lines on the heart monitor indicated he was alive. The machine attached to the tube in his mouth did the breathing for him. Alex looked as if he were sleeping, but the wires, tubes and machines made him look like some chemistry experiment gone wrong.

  Gena saw the near panic on Reade’s face. Standing, she put her arms around his shoulders and said, “It’s okay to feel this way. I did, Jason did, and the nurses say it’s normal for us to be a bit frightened. Alex is doing much better than he was two weeks ago. Every day he gets a little better.” She led Reade to the chair she just vacated. “Sit here. I’ll pull the other one over and sit next to you.”

  Overcome with emotions as he sat next to the bed, Reade touched Alex’s arm and said, “I’m here Alex. I wanted to come sooner but things got out of control. I’m here now and I’m not going to leave you ever again.” Then to Gena’s surprise Reade put his head next to Alex’s and cried. “I love you so much. I’m sorry it had to come to this for me to wake up, please forgive me and come back Alex.”

  Gena put her hand on Reade’s back and allowed him a few minutes of personal time with her son. When Reade pulled his head up, he said to her, “You know what I’m going to do, and it may get nasty, but whatever happens I will never leave Alex again. That I promise.”

  The two sat and talked to Alex about what was happening. Reade explained that he would be confronting his father that very afternoon. He also explained that his mother and he had worked out the details with their attorneys, so both of their personal fortunes were protected.

  “You’re doing all this for Alex?” questioned Gena after Reade explained the plan to her son.

  “No, I’m doing this for myself. I’ve lived under the thumb of that tyrant for too long and so has my mother.” Looking at Alex, he said, “And I’m doing this for us. It took a major accident for me to realize that I had what I wanted all along.”

  The nurse had left them alone for too long. As she entered the room to check on Alex she said, “Jason had some errands to run and said he would come back later. He wants you to call him when you leave the hospital.” She gave Alex a check up and left them for her next patient.

  “I have to get going, too. I’m sure my father is wondering where I am and is frantically trying to call me. I turned my cell off before I came here so I bet he’s left a hundred nasty voice mails by this time.” Reade got up, kissed Gena on the cheek and asked, “Will you be here later?”

  Gena explained she had some errands to run. “I’m out of clean clothes. The facility I’m staying at has machines; I’ve just not had the t
ime to use them.”

  Reade kissed Alex gently and said his goodbyes. “I’ll be back later. Right now, I have some important things to handle. Love you!”

  Gena kissed Alex and joined Reade as he walked from the room. They used the cleanser and sterile towels before leaving the ICU. While waiting for the elevator, Reade turned on his cell phone to find a dozen voicemails from his father. Then he mumbled, “The shit’s about to hit the fan.”

  Jason answered on the second ring. “How did it go?” he asked wondering if Reade would go through with the plans after seeing Alex in a coma.

  Reade repeated what he told Alex and Gena. “I am determined to live the life I want and Alex is a major part of that life. I’m on my way to the office right now. I will be back with Alex later this afternoon. I forgot to ask the nurse, when are his visiting hours over?”

  Jason explained that visiting hours were on a patient and family basis. Each case was different. They did stop everyone from visiting after ten at night unless the patient was near death. Alex was no longer in that situation.

  Reade ignored the calls and voice mails while driving to Calan Industries' headquarters. After parking his car, he texted his mother to let her know he was at the office then took the elevator to the executive floor.

  When the doors opened, the executive secretary gave him the look that told him everything. Harrold was having another hissy fit. “I’ll be in my office,” he said knowing his father would be right behind him. Once in his office, he started packing his desk into the boxes he had hidden in his coat closet. He had quietly removed his important files and personal things over the last four days so two boxes were all he needed.

  Within five minutes, Harrold walked into Reade’s office. “Where have you been? I’ve been calling you all morning,” he shouted. The veins in his neck were near the bursting point. When Reade didn’t answer, Harrold shouted again, “I asked you a question and I expect an answer when I talk to you.”