COMPASSION
Chapter 10
"Dad it's really great to be home and looking after the animals. I only have one problem. Adam has been your vet for as long as I can remember and I am now starting to erode his business. Brad's dad has come across to me and the same with Tom's. Both of them are saying that Adam doesn't look as though he is keeping up with modern practice. That will soon get round and other ranchers will come to me leaving Adam with just the domestic market which is hardly enough to keep him."
In his mid twenties now, Jack continued to be a compassionate young man. He and Darren had been totally happy all their years at college. Their apartment off campus was a love nest. Every morning two happy bunnies had kissed goodbye and driven to their respective college, always returning to the arms of their lover at the end of lectures. Darren had a first class qualification as a doctor having completed his internship at Johns Hopkins as well. Jack had become a veterinary surgeon, not just a technician. John had built a custom surgery for Jack on the ranch so that he could carry out surgical procedures on animals where necessary, a first in the area, but not a full on operating facility. Many animals that would have been put down were now being saved. Jack employed a technician to help , and to run the practice while he did all the calls.
Darren was practising as an MD in town, once again taking a loan from John to set up a small clinic. John of course, never intended to take any money back from his `second son', he was as proud of him as his biological father was.
"We did right by the boys, Paul, I'm so proud of both of them."
Paul smiled, thinking about all the angst he had suffered accepting John's offers of help.
"Yes John and I am also. I was a fool to worry about accepting help from you for my first son."
John knew that Paul accepted Jack as his son in the same way that he did Darren.
"Not a fool Paul, a proud man and concerned father. I'm pleased to call you friend, and to share my son with your family."
That was how the conversation went at one of the frequent get togethers the two families enjoyed.
Jack took the matter of Adam's loss of business seriously and did the only thing he could think of to get it right. He went to see him.
"Come in my boy, how are you?"
That was Adam's greeting when Jack went to see him. No underlying tone of censure, no apparent animosity.
"I'm very well Adam, but feeling a little guilty at all the business I am taking from you."
Adam laughed. "You are doing me a big favour Jack. I'm getting to old to look after all the ranchers. Leaving me mostly domestic business that I can conduct right here is doing me the world of good. I've reduced my golf handicap by six since you came home and my wife loves to see so much of me. You are manna from heaven for me."
Jack was mouth agape with surprise.
"Are you serious Adam, you aren't just saying that to make me feel better?"
"No Boy, I'm over sixty, it's way beyond time that I slowed down. I've been responsible for pushing business your way, and my clients are happy with you. I'll probably keep the surgery open for domestic work for another few years, then I'll probably ask you if you can spare your technician a few days a week to handle this side, and I'll go and play more golf."
Adam was laughing and Jack had a lump in his throat.
"Is there some financial compensation I can make Adam for stealing your practice?"
Still laughing, Adam put his arm around Jack's shoulders.
"You've seen the vets bills your daddy has been paying over the years. All the other ranchers have been doing the same, add to that the bread and butter money from the domestic side and you must realise I am a wealthy man. I don't need your money Son. You invest it in your business and serve these ranchers as I have done."
Jack was overcome, he had known Adam since he was a baby almost and respected him for his dedication to his calling, but he didn't expect this generosity.
"Thank you Adam, I really appreciate your generosity. If you need the services of a tech. at any time, give me a call and I'll help if I can. No charge."
Jack's turn to smile.
"Get on with you Boy, you just make sure you don't let down any of these good folk."
When Jack told Darren he got a sad look.
"I wish Dr. Gibson was as magnanimous. He stormed into my clinic today accusing me of stealing his patients. I was really embarrassed Jack, until one of my patients spoke up. He said, `If you weren't such a miserable old quack we wouldn't need to change doctors.' The whole waiting room cheered, and he left."
Darren giggled then.
"I'm sorry Jack, it was funny but I feel sorry for the old boy, I am getting very busy and there are only the same number of people as there ever were, so they must all be Gibson's old patients. I'm getting an awful lot of children, so I'm thinking of specialising in paediatrics."
Jack hugged his lover.
"I'm sure you'll be great with them, how could they not love someone like you."
"Get off me, you're only saying that because you want my body."
You can't make comments like that without a response. Jack picked Darren up and carried him off to their bedroom.
"You've guessed correctly Doctor, I'm going to carry out a severe rectal examination using my penis."
Unfortunately, that had to wait, both men were laughing too hard to get serious about sex, and then Sheila was calling them for supper. The young men had been home from college a good few months by this stage and John and Sheila were feeling guilty. The boys had taken over a wing of the house and made it their permanent accommodation, which meant Paul and Elise didn't see very much of their son.
"Jack, Darren, your mother and I are worried about your parents Darren. I told your dad years ago that we would never use my wealth to distance you from them, but that's what we are doing now. Giving you half the house means you have your own home, but with us as neighbours, so we have the pleasure of your company every day."
"That's so thoughtful of you Dad, but I discussed it with my parents when we qualified. Jack and I were going to buy our own home, but as Jack pointed out, sensibly, we didn't need to take on a huge mortgage when the ranch was so huge. He said it would all be his one day, what was the point in lumbering ourselves with a house when we both had practices to set up that would need money. My parents agreed with Jack's thinking. Dad said to me, `Just make sure you aren't strangers', and we aren't. I see them for a little while almost every day and Jack pops in when he is near town on a visit. We'll spend the odd weekend as well when we are truly settled in our respective jobs."
That pleased John and the subject was dropped.
Life looked as though it was going to be good for these two young professionals, and it was for nearly a year after their return. Both practices prospered.
With a softening of attitude between Dr. Duncan and himself, Darren was able to leave his practice for courses as he followed the steps necessary to becoming a Paediatrician. What became the reality was Colby Duncan effectively closing his offices and taking up residence in Darren's much more spacious clinic. With so much emphasis being placed on child care Darren had clients from quite far afield swelling the practice.
The good life continued, but the peace of mind was shattered one day when a twelve year old boy was brought to the clinic as an emergency, just after school was out for the day. He had been badly beaten and kicked. He was definitely an emergency case and would have to go to hospital, but the father had realised how badly the boy was damaged and hoped that Darren would stabilise him before the much longer journey to the county hospital.
Darren put the boy on a drip while he sorted out the most obvious injuries. He x-rayed most of the boy's body, finding much damage to major organs and several broken ribs. Once he had done all he could, he called County and told the receptionist he was bringing a boy in for emergency surgery, could she assemble a team. He told her all the damaged areas, which got him a gasp from the other end of the telephone line.
"We should be there in about an hour. I have him on an IV and I will accompany him. Please inform the police as well, they will want to see him."
The clinic had its own Ambulance and Darren travelled in it to observe the boy. The parents followed in their own car. The boy was in surgery for six hours with four different specialist surgeons working on him. Darren was allowed to remain as an observer and was amazed that the boy was still alive. When he rejoined the parents they told him what they had told the police.
"If I hadn't been coming home early from work Doc. my son would probably be dead, the thugs that attacked him were still kicking him when I drove past, and luckily stopped. They were all masked and most were the same size as me, grown men. There were a couple of smaller ones, I guess Andy's age, or close. Is he going to be alright?"
Daren shook his head.
"To be honest Mr. West, I don't know. I watched all of the surgery. There was an awful lot of damage but he has had four surgeons working on him. He is stable but I'll let the lead surgeon give you a prognosis."
The prognosis was not good. The boy had survived so far because of the father's decision to go to Darren first and Darren's actions in stabilising him.
"If you had taken any other action Mr. West, your son would probably have been DOA. You can thank Dr. Michaels for your son's life, now it is in the lap of the Gods, we can't do any more. He will be in IC for now and I expect him to regain consciousness in a couple of hours. He will be continuously monitored but I am sorry, you can't see him for now."
Darren couldn't leave, he felt responsible for the boy. He `phoned Jack and told him, then Colby to ask him to hold the fort if there were any calls.
It turned into an all night vigil. Andy West didn't regain consciousness until mid- morning the next day. He was in considerable pain in most regions of his body, but he was functioning all be it with the aid of a ventilator. Pain killers administered, parents relieved, Darren went home.
Several days later the local sheriff called on Darren.
"Doc. the county police have asked me to tell you the results of their enquiries into the beating of Andy West. You remember that attempt when we were boys, to set up a KKK type society to deal with gays?"
Darren nodded. The sheriff had been in the year ahead of Darren and Jack.
"Well, it looks like it may have been resurrected. It appears some boys thought Andy West was a faggot, and he's been taking a bit of bullying. Old Maynard is still principal and has let the LGBT group fall into the doldrums, so gay bullying has risen in incidence again. This one is the worst, but if we don't knock it on the head we are going to have a dead boy on our hands sooner or later. They still aren't sure young Andy is going to recover completely. I understand he was pretty broken up internally."
Darren nodded, "Yeah, I observed all the surgery. He's only a little guy, but he must have a huge heart to fight so hard to survive."
"You remember the boys that went to prison for raping Gary and Jack and for beating up Jack earlier?"
"Of course."
"Well they are all back in town. I wondered if you would like to give me the names of all of them. Not just the ones that went to prison, but the gang members that didn't."
Darren nodded and sat at his desk writing out a list of names.
"I have the names of boys that have been razzing Andy as well. If any of those match the names of the thugs in our years we could have a good lead, you know the old adage, like father, like son."
Darren stood up and looked at Wayne Bridger, the sheriff.
"I hope that's true Wayne. I remember your old man. I would have been proud to have him as my father."
"Thanks Darren, I was."
With that he left. Darren knew why. Wayne's father had been a major in a unit ambushed in Iraq, and paid for it with his life. Wayne had been devastated, having worshipped his old man. The good father, good son thing was true. Wayne didn't let the grass grow under his feet. Using county resources as well as local ones he very quickly had a list of names of men he thought might well be culprits in this case. The next task was to get the boys in for interrogation, but he would need to be very careful. Questioning minors was a minefield, particularly if you didn't want the parent present.
Legal advice was sought from the DAs office and the wheels were put in motion. Two boys had father's that were in the original gang when Darren and Jack were at school. They were brought in for questioning with a lawyer present to protect their rights. Later Wayne told Darren.
"A bit sad really Darren, it was like taking candy from a baby. Their lawyers tried to shut them up but once I had got them talking it was like the flood gates had been opened. We have six men in custody for the beating, and another six as accomplices. We might be very lucky here, the society has only recently been formed so it hasn't had a chance to snowball. Your old friend Rowdy Yates is the prime mover."
Darren smiled. "Why am I not surprised. I didn't realise he was out, didn't he get ten years for attempted murder."
Wayne laughed, "Yes big boy and how old are you now?"
Darren grinned, "Oh God, Wayne, where has the time gone?"
"Well, I don't know Doc. but I'd say you've put it to pretty good use."
Darren blushed, Wayne had emphasised the word Doc, and yes, he had worked hard for ten years to have that title.
Andy West wasn't going to be much help with the prosecution so the two boys from his school became the mainstay of the prosecution's case. The DA prosecuted this one himself because he had a gay son, (See `Sander', posted recently), and gay bashing was going to be seen to be an activity to be avoided. Predictable result, all of the men were found guilty of attempted murder and given long sentences. The accomplices were given various terms depending on culpability. The two boys had cut a deal and received a slap on the wrist and were ordered to go for counselling.
Andy came out of hospital in a wheel chair, and on a portable ventilator and orders to return for blood dialysis frequently. Nothing had failed, but damage to lungs and liver, particularly, was extensive. Prognosis, don't expect much improvement.
Darren was shattered, he bled for this little lad.
"Jack, I haven't seen the boy yet and I only have sketchy notes on his condition. If it transpires he can do it without danger, can I start bringing him out to the ranch and let's see if we can teach him to ride, and do other things on the ranch. The fresh air will be good for him, and we might be able to help his mobility."
Jack look at this man who years ago had brought out the compassion in him that he was now seeing mirrored in Darren's thought pattern.
"I'll clear it with Dad, but I guess that will be ok."
The West's were asked to attend Darren's clinic with Andy.
"Hi, Andy, how are you feeling?"
"Ok Doctor Michaels. Thank you for saving my life."
Darren could see Andy wasn't ok, and that sat in front of him was a very brave little boy expecting to live in a wheelchair for the remainder of his life.
"I've talked to your Mum and Dad, and they have agreed to let me take you out to the Double M sometimes. My partner Jack, and I, thought you might like to learn how to ride a horse, and perhaps do some other things that ranchers do."
Eyes as big as saucers. "Oh gosh, can I, Dad, can I really?"
"Yes Son, but only because you'll be under the care of Doctor Michaels."
The look given to Darren by Doug West made it clear that if anything happened to Andy he had better run.
That weekend after he had finished clinic, Darren went for Andy.
"Don't look so worried Doug, I'll be at his side all weekend. Dr. Gibson is carrying the pager so I'm free unless there is a dire emergency."
Darren had put together a small ventilator that Andy could have strapped to his back when on a horse. By Sunday morning Andy, had an audience. He was riding round the paddock looking like a professional and with a broad grin that never left his face. His oxygen mask was being used only occasionally, not missed by Darren. All the fresh air and exercise had stimulated his respiration and his appetite so that on both days he had eaten a good amount of food. Darren had added extra nutritional supplements to his drinks as well. When he arrived home on Sunday evening he was full of it with his parents.
"Oh gosh Dad, it was awesome. You have to see me, I can ride a horse now, can't I Doctor Michaels."
Darren was laughing with him.
"True Doug, at this rate I reckon we'll have him roping and branding cattle in a few weeks."
While his mother wheeled the boy into the house Darren got serious with his father.
"Doug, that boy just needed a good reason to live again. I've monitored him all weekend. He has used his oxygen for less than 50% of the time I would guess. He has sat a saddle well, which means he is starting to use his muscles again. He survived the beating against the odds. No one gave him a chance because he's small, it's the same with the prognosis. I think we can forget it and look to Andy having a more mobile future."
Darren could see the tears in Doug's eyes.
"You wouldn't be shitting me over this Doc, would you?"
"No Doug, I promise I'll only ever tell you my true thinking on the state of Andy's health."
`Shit, now I have a real long term obligation', was Darren's thought as he returned to the ranch. ******************************************************************************* Two very satisfied young men watch their little project make astounding progress in the next part.