Those Golden Eyes
By J.W. Smith
Chapter 9
Joe had wanted to cancel
all of his appointments and accompany him, but Dave had insisted in going to
pick up the Petersons by himself. He had pulled his old 1997 Buick LeSabre out of moth balls. He only
drove it when he had to go a distance he didn't want
to walk or when he had to haul more than he could comfortably carry in his
arms, which wasn't often. Besides Joe made fun of it and
would have wanted to go in his Ferrari. Of course
four unacquainted adults would in no way fit in it.
He had called the
hospital before leaving. Pete's vital signs were all stable, but he hadn't awakened yet. Dave said a little mental prayer that
he was only sleeping at this point. He then called Sue at the bookstore and
asked her to please arrange rooms for the Petersons at
the University Marriott Hotel.
Dave was waiting at the
gate when their arriving flight was announced. Pete's
parents were the first ones to come into the lobby. They looked out of place in
this big metropolitan airport. George Peterson wore a brown suit that had to be
twenty years out of style. His wife, Patricia, was dressed in a flowery dress
with lace around the neck and sleeves. She had on low heeled
sensible shoes. Her mousy brown hair was pulled back and
clipped at the nape of her neck.
Dave stepped up to them.
"Are you the Petersons?"
They looked relieved.
"Yes, yes, we are."
"I'm Dave Gates. I
own the bookstore where Pete works."
"I'm George, and
this is my wife Pat."
"I wish we were
meeting under happier circumstances, but come, let me take you to Pete."
On the way to the
hospital, Dave gave them the report on Pete's condition and then told them
about how the accident had occurred.
"Pete saved my life, he is a real hero in my book. He is
now set for life. There is nothing that he will want
for if I can acquire it. Oh, I reserved a suite for you at the
University Marriot Hotel. It's just a couple of blocks
from the hospital. It's all paid for, so all you have
to do is register. I'll take you there first and let
you freshen up, then I take you to the hospital. I would have rented you a car
for the time you'll be here, but I would prefer to chauffeur you around being
that you don't know this city."
"Thank you, sir.
We're deeply indebted to you for you kindness and generosity," George
said.
"Nonsense. It is I who
owe you. And please, my name is Dave, not sir.
Pete's parents looked at
each other. This man dressed in Levi's and a flannel plaid shirt didn't look like he had any more money than they did. Their
car at home was newer than the one he was driving. But,
he had flown them here in first class and reserved and paid for a hotel suite
for them. George shrugged to the question on Pat's face.
A nurse ushered George
and Pat into their son's room. Dave had dropped them off at the front door,
figuring they didn't need him in their way right now.
"The doctor will be
in shortly to speak with you." She left them alone with their son. He lay
in the big white bed seemingly asleep. His head was covered
in gauze bandage, his chest and right arm were in a cast. One side of his face
had abrasions on it. Pat walked up to the side of the bed and caressed her
son's face.
"Petey,
wake up. Mom's here." She whispered.
Pete's eyelids fluttered,
he sighed, but he didn't wake up. Pat attempted
several more times but got no reaction. George stood at the foot of the bed
with tears in his eyes, helpless to do anything for his only son, while Pat
stood beside the bed holding Pete's hand, George
slumped into the club chair across the room. It seemed to them that time had
stopped as they waited.
Dr. Sanderson walked into
the room and introduced himself. He studied the monitors a few minutes while
George stood with his arm around his wife as they watched his every move. The
doctor looked up at them and cleared his throat. He explained Pete's condition
to them.
"His brain waves are
completely normal. He is actively dreaming. He could wake up at any moment. At
this point it's up to this young man."
After the doctor left they looked at each other feeling helpless. All they
could do was wait. George pulled a chair next to his
wife, and they held each other's hand and watched their son. They talked
quietly to each other, speculated a bit about Dave. They agreed their son was
definitely a hero. A nurse came in and checked the wires and machinery
connected to the sleeping young man, took his
temperature and recorded it on the clipboard. She turned to his parents.
"There is a
cafeteria on the first floor. Why don't you go down
and get something to eat. I will call you if here is any change."
"Thank you, Ma'am.
Let's go get a sandwich or something, Mom."
"I hate to leave him
alone, George. He looks so vulnerable laying there."
"There's nothing we
can do for him right now. Let' stretch our legs and get a bite to eat. The
nurse said she'd call us it there is any change."
Jason stepped out of the
elevator as Pete's parents got on. They paid no attention to him. He turned and
stared at the closing doors wondering if they were Pete's mom and dad. He went
to the nurse's station. A kindly older nurse was sitting there writing. She
looked into Jason's big brown eyes and smiled at him. "May I help you
young man?"
"George Peterson?
May I see him?"
"Are you family?"
"No, ma'am, Pete's
my best friend. Please, just for a moment."
Jason's big brown eyes
and his 'little boy lost' countenance won her heart. "Well, just for a
moment then. But you can't stay. His parents just went
downstairs. He's still hasn't awakened." She accompanied him to Pete's
room. She stood in the doorway and watched as Jason went to the side of Pete's
bed. He leaned down and kissed him on the lips.
"Pete, wake up it's Jason."
Pete's eyes fluttered and
he mumbled. Jason caressed the undamaged side of his face.
"Hey,
hero. Open
your eyes and look at me."
Pete's eyelids fluttered
again, and then he opened his eyes. He smiled.
"Hey,
Jay." He
whispered. "Water."
Jason looked at the
nurse. She motioned to the carafe and glass on the table next to the bed. Jason
poured a little into a glass. He saw a straw laying on
the tray. He put it in the glass and turned to Pete. Jason helped him to raise
his head and let him sip.
The nurse went back to
her station to notify the doctor that Pete had awakened and then she called the
cafeteria to let Pete's parents know that he was awake. She said nothing to
anyone about what had awakened him. She figured that was private between the
two boys. George and Pat left their food and hurried back upstairs.
"I was dreaming that
my mom and dad were here. It's so good to see you, Jay."
"I love you, Pete.
The nurse said I could only stay a moment. I'll be back when you get put into a
regular room."
He squeezed Pete's hand
and left. Pete closed his eyes, the meds were making
it hard for him to stay awake.
"I love you too." he muttered but Jason had left.
Jason stepped out of the elevator on the ground floor as the Petersons stepped
into it.
When they entered the room Pete looked just like he
did when they left. Pat rushed to his side with her husband next to her. She
caressed Pete's face.
"Son? Are you awake?"
Pete opened his heavy
eyelids and smiled at his parents. "Mom, Dad. How did you get here?"
He whispered. "I thought I was dreaming again."
"Mr. Gates had us
flown here, first class."
"You kidding."
Pat shook her head.
Doctor Sanderson entered
and Pete's parents stepped back to let him check Pete over. "How are you
feeling, Son?" He asked.
"My head hurts and
my shoulder and arm are beginning to throb."
"Well, you cracked
your skull and I had to drill a hole in it to drain the fluids that were
building pressure on your brain. You broke your collar bone
and you have multiple fractures in your upper and lower arm. I'll give
instructions to up your painkiller a bit."
"Doctor? Do you know how Mr. Gates is. Did the car hit him, too?"
"No, Son, your quick
wits saved him from all but a few scrapes and bruises. In my books that makes
you a real hero."
Pete blushed.
The doctor turned to his
parents. "We'll keep him in here tonight for observation. Tomorrow
morning, if everything is alright, we will move him to a regular room."
When
the doctor left George and Pat moved back to Pete's bedside. "We're very proud of you,
Son. We always knew you were someone special." George told him.
"Thanks, Dad. I hope
you will always be proud of me."
Pete had an ache in his
chest that wasn't caused by the accident. He knew his
parents would be disappointed to learn about his sexual preference. His dad
would be okay with it, he thought, but he figured his mother would treat him like she did her brother. He knew that he couldn't
hide it any longer even if it did alienate her. He would have to tell them
before they went home. A lone tear rolled down his cheek. His mom wiped it away
believing it to be from the physical pain he was experiencing.
Dave had a busy morning.
After he had taken Pete's parents to the hospital, he had gone directly to his
office and called Clyde Williams. "Mr. Williams, would consider being my
lawyer? You would have to be one of the best to have been
"Well, yes, Mr.
Gates, I would be most happy to represent you. Do you have a particular reason
for asking?"
"As a matter of fact
I do. Yesterday, a young man nearly lost his life saving me from grave bodily
harm, if not my life. I want to reward him for that act of selfless bravery.
I'm not sure of how to go about it."
"What amount are you
thinking of?"
"Five
million?"
"Five
Million?"
"Should it be more? Ten, fifteen?"
"I think five should
be more than adequate. Do you want this to an anonymous bequest?"
"No, I've already
told his best friend and his parents that Pete will want for nothing."
"Are there any
stipulations that you want to go along with this?"
"Only that he not
tell anyone the amount or where it came from."
"Is there any other
matters you would like me to take care of now?"
"Oh. Yes there is.
Can you find out if there is any measure before the state assembly banning the
use of cell phones while driving? And if there is find out which politicians to
grease to get it passed."
"You don't seem to
have much respect for our political system, Mr. Gates."
"Let's not go
there."
"I assume the driver
that hit Pete was using one?"
"You are correct.
The fool still had it to his ear when he came running
back to see what had happened. Which reminds me. Can
you recommend a lawyer to handle the case for Pete.
The man didn't really seem that concerned that he
might have killed him. As far as I know he hasn't even called the hospital to
enquire about him."
"I have just the man
for this case, Mr. Gates. I'll have him contact you
this afternoon. Would there be anything else for now?"
"If we are going to
have a long working relationship I think I'd be more comfortable on a first
name basis. May I call you
"Thanks, Dave. I
will get right on to these and I'll have papers for
you and Pete to sign by tomorrow. Oh, I need his complete name, date of birth,
address, etc."
"Sue Morrow, the
manager of my bookstore can give you all that information,
Dave sat back feeling
slightly exhilarated from the power he felt. He'd
always had this self image of being a little book mouse. He thought a few
moments of how much his life had suddenly changed and then he called the
hospital and asked for George Peterson. He waited a bit before he came on.
After inquiring about Pete and learning that he was awake, he asked,
"George, do you think you and your wife could pull yourselves away from
Pete's side long enough to have dinner with us tonight?"
"I'm sure we could,
Dave. Let me discussed it with Pat. Let me have your number and I'll call you
back."
Dave was walking through
the bookstore as he talked. "My cell is 869-4657. I'll
be waiting to hear from you. Oh tell Pete that I'll be up to see him first
thing in the morning." He stuck the cell phone in his pocket and looked
around. He saw Sue in the Psychology section and veered in her direction. He
waited while Sue helped a young woman find a particular book. She smiled at him
as she handed the book to her.
"Can you come into
the office, Sue? I have something I need to discuss with you." He turned
on heel and headed to his office.
"Of course,
Dave," she answered to his back, wondering if she had messed up or
something. Dave was being so curt. She followed him into the office.
"Close the door and
have a seat." Dave said as he walked around the desk and sat down behind
it. Sue was really apprehensive now. Dave had never
been brusk with her before. She sat down on the front
edge of the chair looking like she might bolt from the room at any moment.
"Relax. You look like you expect me to bite you."
"Promise me you
won't?" She asked meekly. Sue was never a meek person. This caused Dave to
chuckle.
"I promise."
Dave leaned forward. "Sue, I want to thank you for saving my life
yesterday. As sure as the sun comes up every morning I'd have
been hit by that speeding car yesterday if you hadn't sent Pete to after
watch me."
"Just being the
motherly person I am, Dave."
"Well, I glad you
were alert and playing mom yesterday. I want to show my appreciation, but I'm
afraid that if I gave you money you'd just up and abandon me."
"What are you
talking about giving me money, Dave? I keep the books here, so what nonsense is
this?"
"Does the name Way
ring any bells besides it having been Bill's last name?"
Sue thought for a moment.
"There was that wealthy old eccentric woman that was found dead in her
mansion recently. I think her name was
"That was Bill's
mother."
"No."
Dave nodded. "I
inherited Bill's money."
"Bill had
money?"
"He was his parent's
only child. And when he died his mother didn't change her
will. There were no other living relatives."
"So you got it
all?"
Dave frowned and nodded.
"So how much is
it?"
"Let's just say it's way beyond my comprehension. Anyway, to force you to
stay with me I'm going to make you a partner in the
shop. I'm also going to turn the whole thing over to
you to run as you see fit. Which means you get a huge raise.
And when you get your bank statement don't get mad at the bank, they haven't
made a mistake."
Sue had tears running
down her cheeks. "Dave, I had Pete follow you because I care for you. You've been more than my boss. You've always been my big
brother, my best friend."
"I love you, too,
Sue. Look at it this way. I'm only sharing the wealth.
For too many years that money has been accruing and
not doing anyone any good. I'm changing that. That's
all."
"I don't know how to
thank you." She sniffled, and wiped her eyes and nose.
"Don't even try. I
have your love, that is more than enough. By the way, I'm having Pete's parents up for dinner tonight. Please join
us, partner?"
"I'd love to Dave,
if for nothing more than laying eyes on your mate." She said, regaining
her composure and her sense of humor.
Dave grinned at her.
"Okay, as long as that's all you lay on him." ~~~
George had discussed the
dinner invitation with his wife. Pat thought it would be nice. She was very
curious about this man Dave, and his earlier statements. Here was a man dressed
like a common cowboy, driving an old car talking like
he was wealthy. The picture just didn't do together.
She wanted to see where and how he lived. George called Dave and confirmed
their invitation.
"My partner, Joe,
can pick you up at seven sharp. Do you need a ride to the hotel from the
hospital?"
"No, we can walk
that short distance it is only across the campus."
"Well, if you like
walking, we live across the campus from the hospital. You remember the tall
tower we passed on the way?"
"Yes. It's a very
striking building."
"Well, I live in
that building."
"Then we'll
definitely walk. We'd like to see more of the campus while we're here
anyway."
"Fine. I'll expect you soon after seven
then." ~~~
Dave stopped into Fine's, the local grocery store. He had most of what he
planned for dinner, but he wanted some fresh greens and vegetables and also a
few links of Italian sausage. Joe had commented that he liked them almost as
much as his mother's homemade ones.
Being that Fine's served the students at the University, they carried a
great selection of deserts. Dave chose a Chocolate Gateau and some Mocha ice
cream to go with it.
It was nearly four when
he pushed out of the elevator with his bags of groceries. He took them directly
to the kitchen and started putting things away. He noticed movement out of the
side of his eye and turned to see Joe leaning against the door
way.
"Hi,
Babe. I didn't
expect you home for a couple of hours."
"What are you
doing?"
Dave looked around the
kitchen. It was obvious that he was putting away groceries. Then it dawned on
him he had forgotten to tell Joe about his dinner plans.
"Oh, gosh, in my
rush to get dinner ready I forgot to call you. I invited the Petersons up for
dinner."
"Petersons?"
"You know Pete's
parents."
"Okay."
"I just thought it
might be a nice gesture."
Dave stopped and looked
at Joe. "Are you feeling well?"
"Fine." Joe shrugged.
"Something's
bothering you. What is it?"