The Day My Life Began III
Changing Seasons

 by: Miguel Sanchez

© 2005-2008 by the author

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

I went back to reading the paper and drinking my coffee and wasn’t paying any attention to the time. I poured my last cup of coffee when Jimmy came into the kitchen and said, “Hey Dad, where’s Jamie.”

I was about to answer when the phone rang. I answered it and on the other end was a frantic Robert. He was crying and asking, “Mark is Jamie there? The front door was wide open when Tim and I got up and I know I locked it before we went to bed.”

Chapter 9

Right away I knew what happened. Jamie must have seen Robert and Tim asleep in the same bed and he freaked. I told Robert to come down and we can talk. Before we hung up I asked, “What were you two doing? Were you asleep or were you doing something else?”

Robert didn’t answer right away so I pretty much knew the answer. He said, “Well we were having oral sex.”

Now I was worried. I said, “Robert, look in Jamie’s room and see if there is a set of sweats on his bed.”

He walked into his room and said, “No Mark, I don’t see anything.”

“Get up here now,” I said then hung up the phone.

Jimmy was crying then said, “What happened, Dad? Did Robert have a friend that spent the night with him?”

“Yes son,” I started. “That’s exactly what happened. Jamie needed some dry clothes so he went home and I thought his friend would be gone by now but such wasn’t the case.”

“Oh god Dad,” Jimmy said. “Jamie didn’t take off did he?”

“It would appear so son,” I said. “Can you think of any place where he would go where he could think or feel safe?”

“I don’t know Dad,” Jimmy said crying harder. “I really don’t know.”

“Where was it you two went the other day?” I asked trying to stay calm for Jimmy’s sake.

“Ah, ah oh yeah,” Jimmy started saying. “We were over at Chris’ house. I don’t have his phone number though. He might go over there or he could go over to Chad’s but I don’t know where he lives.”

“How far is it to Chris’ house?” I asked hoping Robert would get over here.

Jimmy thought for a moment and said, “Gosh Dad, it’s about a mile.”

I heard the doorbell ring and knew that was Robert. Walking to the door I said, “Get dressed and make sure you have your long johns on then ride over to his house. Also, take your cell phone with you that way we can keep in touch. When you go upstairs, wake your bother up too.”

I opened the door and Robert and Tim were both standing there like lost puppies. They came inside and Robert totally broke down saying, “Shit Mark, I really blew it this time. Tim and I were up early but I thought one more round of fun would be alright before he left. I should have realised Jamie might come home early.”

I hugged him and said, “You really didn’t know that for sure so quit beating yourself up for that. It’s done and over with. Now we just have to find him. He’s not dressed all that warmly and if he gets wet he could get hypothermic.”

Jimmy came downstairs and kissed me as he headed for the garage. He took off on his bike for his friend’s house and all we could do was wait until we heard from him. I fixed another pot of coffee then I got an idea to get more eyes out there. I called the dispatcher and gave her a description of Jamie, his bike and what he was wearing. I had her send it our to all the EMS units on the street plus the Zone cars. This way if they saw him they could radio me and let me know his latest location. She said it wasn’t kosher but she would do it for me any way.

While we were waiting on Jimmy I had a chance to get to know Tim and I found out he was quite a nice guy. I noticed at times he could be a little effeminate and I told him to be very careful of that around his coworkers.

We were into our second cup of coffee when the phone rang. It was Jimmy telling me he was about half way to Chris’ house and it wasn’t looking like Jamie had come that way. I told him to keep going in case he went a different way and he was there. He said he would then call me back as soon as he spoke with Chris.

I warmed everyone’s coffee then looked at Tim and came out and asked $64,000 question. I took a sip of my coffee then asked, “Tim, I want to ask you a question and no matter what the answer is, it will stay here in the house.”

I’m sure he knew what I was going to ask but he smiled at me then said, “Sure Mark, what is it you wanna know?”

I looked him in the eyes and said, “Are you gay?”

He looked at Robert then said, “Yeah and I am in the closet. I’ve only come to grips with my sexuality within the past few years and Robert here is the first person I’ve ever done anything with. He’s also the first person I’ve had feelings for so this is really new to me.”

Bryce finally managed to get up and join us wearing his usual morning attire, his boxer briefs. He was still half asleep when he walked in and went right to the coffee cups. He poured himself a cup and took a sip. It wasn’t until after he’d taken a sip that he realised we had company. I could see Tim’s eyes glued to Bryce’s body when Bryce said, “Ah err hi Robert, Dad ah.”

“Bryce this is Tim, Robert’s friend,” I said trying to save any further embarrassment. “Tim, this is my son and boyfriend, Bryce.”

I said that so Tim could get his eyes back into his head. Tim stood up and extended his hand saying, “Nice to meet you. I’ve seen you at the station before but didn’t know you were already taken. You looked a little young too so I never said anything.”

I pulled him onto my lap then said, “Bryce is emancipated so he can go to the fire academy next year. He will graduate from the community college when he’s still 17 and the class starts before he turns 18.”

Tim was impressed with Bryce’s goals and said, “Good luck with college and the academy. I’m sure you’ll do well and make an excellent firefighter.”

Bryce finished his coffee then went upstairs to put some clothes on. While he was upstairs Jimmy called again to say Chris hadn’t seen nor heard from Jamie. He said that while he was there he called Chad’s and he hadn’t been there either. Jimmy said he gave Chris his cell number in case he did show up and Chris said he would call if he did. I told Jimmy to start heading back to the house so we could try to come up with some other places Jamie might go.

I filled Robert and Tim on what Jimmy told me when Bryce came back downstairs. Jimmy pulled into the garage and leaned his bike against the wall. He came in and took his boots off then his coat and I could see he was trying not to loose it. I walked over to him and as soon as I was within arms reach, he jumped into my arms and started crying. I held him close to me then he started saying, “Dad, I’m really worried about him.”

I was getting the feeling that this was more than someone worrying about a friend. I held his close until his tears slowed then said, “You starting to love him aren’t you son?”

His face was buried in my shoulder and all he could manage was a muffled, “Un huh.”

I kissed his cheek then sat him back down on his feet. I started thinking of where he might go but I really had no idea because when they were together, I was at work. I looked at Jimmy and said, “Isn’t there any other place he might go where he would want to be alone?”

I could tell he was in deep thought as he was standing there. I was looking at Jimmy as his lips were moving but not a sound was coming out. It was like he was having a debate with himself. I heard Bryce coming down the stairs then he said, “Oy Dad, it looks like the little bugger has finally lost it. Now he’s talking to himself.”

I nudged him in the ribs and said, “Knock it off. Do you have any idea where Jamie might go?”

“Haven’t a clue Dad,” Bryce said.

Jimmy looked up and said, “The recreation center.”

“Huh?” I said.

“The recreation center,” Jimmy said. “That’s the only place I can think of where he would go to be alone and think.”

“It’s closed though son,” I said seriously. “Does he know how to get inside?”

“No Dad,” Jimmy said. “But he might go to the playground.”

“OK,” I said. “Robert, go get your car and follow us. Check the house and make sure he didn’t come back while you were here.”

I went upstairs and dressed in some warm clothes and grabbed my medic bag and put it back in the Ram. I looked at the clock on the table and it was after 10 which meant that he’d been outside for over three hours in freezing temperatures.

I put my bag in the Ram then took three bags of IV fluids and put them in a small warmer I had. If he was outside in the elements, he would need to be warmed quickly and starting warm fluids is a good way. Bryce and Jimmy came out to the garage and we took off for the recreation center. I stopped at Jamie and Robert’s house and he shook his head no telling me the boy wasn’t inside.

I took off heading towards the center with Jimmy looking out the window hoping to see any sign that Jamie came down the street. With kids out now and playing it’s hard to see if a bike came down the road or sidewalk.

I decided to hurry up because of the amount of time he’d been out there and it took just ten minutes to get to the center. I got my EMS radio and put it on my belt and we headed for the back of the building and the playground.

Robert pulled into the lot and Jimmy went with him and Tim while Bryce stuck with me. We walked around the building and Jimmy saw something then hollered. Bryce and I ran over to him and we saw bike tracks. We started following the tracks and they went onto the woods behind the playground. We started through the brush and Jimmy saw Jamie’s bike and took off running past me. I saw where there was a dip in the ground and grabbed Jimmy by the coat so he wouldn’t loose his footing. I had Robert and Tim hold onto me as I eased my way down. Bryce came down next then I sent Tim to get my bag out of the Ram.

We went another 20 feet or so and the ground dipped again and I saw a body that had to be Jamie. I got on the radio and said, “EMS 5, request an ambulance to Trant Recreation Center. We have a child down, unknown injuries at this time. Request a ladder unit for manpower.”

The dispatcher said, “10-4 EMS 5, time 1013.”

I knew Station 5 was the closest station so I had good people coming and people I’d worked with before. I eased down to where Jamie was and he was barely conscious. I heard the dispatch and Rescue 521 was responding. I started checking him over for injuries and couldn’t feel anything unusual. Jimmy came down carrying my bag and he started crying when he saw Jamie. I looked at him and said, “I know it’s scary right now but you have to keep it together for Jamie.”

I was sure Jamie didn’t have any life threatening injuries so I told Bryce to help me get Jamie ready to move out of where he was and flat on the ground. I got him in a C-collar then was about to lay him flat when I heard the ambulance. I had them bring a back board with them so we could carry him out and onto the stretcher. I had Bryce check his vitals and they were fair. I wanted to get an IV started and so I could start to get him warmed. The fire department arrived and they brought the back board to me and helped me get Jamie on it. We strapped him down then they carried him out set him on the stretcher.

Robert and Tim helped us out and I and the paramedic started two IV lines on Jamie. I went to the Ram and brought the warm fluids and got them going. I got a digital thermometer and took Jamie’s temperature and it was 93 degrees. We got him into the ambulance and Robert went with them to the hospital. I let the paramedic with the ambulance handle Jamie’s care on the way to the hospital. One the way there he came to and saw his Dad and started crying. Robert heard him and said, “Oh son, I’m sorry. I should have sat down and talked with you.”

“N n n no d d d Dad,” Jamie said shivering. “I s s should h h have talked t to y you. I I’m s s sorry.”

Robert reached over and held his son’s hand and said, “Look kiddo, let’s not worry about that at the moment. We need to get you warmed up and back home where you belong.”

Jamie closed his eyes and rested as the warm fluids started to raise his body temperature. The heart monitor started beeping wildly and the paramedic called me and said they were stopping so I could join them. I had Bryce take the Ram as I went to the rig. As soon as I closed the door the driver took off with lights and siren wailing. I looked at the monitor and Jamie was in v-tach (ventricular tachycardia). I went into the unit’s drug box and gave Jamie 50 mg of lidocaine and that relaxed the heart muscle bringing him back into a normal sinus rhythm.

We pulled into the emergency room and the staff was ready for us. We wheeled Jamie into the trauma bay where fresh bags of warm IV solution was hung and a nurse immediately took his temperature again. His temperature was now 95.4 and he was awake and more alert than during the ride here.

The doctors let him be for a while then a trauma surgeon came out to talk with Robert. We were all sitting there when the Doctor said, “Mr. Coleman, your son is doing well but we would like to keep him overnight for observation.”

Jimmy heard this and started crying softly. “Can’t you watch him Dad?” Jimmy said through the tears.

I rubbed his head and said, “Right now son I think he is better off here in the hospital. He and his Dad have a lot to talk about.”

“He didn’t try to hurt himself,” Jimmy said. “He was just scared about what he saw.”

I looked at him and said, “How could he be scared about what he saw son?”

“OK Dad,” Jimmy said. “Scared wasn’t the right word. I should have said startled or shocked.”

“I’ll buy that,” I said. “But I don’t think it’s something he hasn’t seen or even done before.”

“I agree,” Jimmy said looking at me.

“Now do you see why I wanted Jamie to talk with his Dad?” I asked my son.

“I know Dad,” Jimmy said. “I did my best to get him to talk too, but he just wouldn’t.”

“Looks like he will now,” I said kissing him on the head.

Robert went into the trauma room to see Jamie and as soon as he saw his Dad, Jamie started crying. Through the tears he started saying, “I’m sorry Dad. I shouldn’t have barged in and then ran off like that.”

Robert looked at his son and through his own tears said, “No son, it’s not your fault. I’ve needed to tell you some things for a while now but could never get up the courage to do so.”

Robert was about to speak again when the doctor came in and said, “Mr. Coleman, we’re going to be moving your son to his room now. You can follow us then have a seat while we get him settled.”

The nurses pushed Jamie down the hall and Robert stopped and nodded for us to follow him. The nurses took Jamie up in one elevator and we followed in another. They pushed him into his room then we waited outside. A few minutes later they came out and we all went on to see him. I looked at him then said, “Heya kiddo, how ya feelin’?”

He started crying again saying, “I’m sorry Mark.”

I took his hand and moved his hair out of his face then said, “It’s OK pal, no ones mad at you. We’re all just relieved that you’re OK.”

Jimmy came over to him and said, “Jamie, you really had me going. Please baby, you know you can talk with me about anything. I know I haven’t said this but I love you.”

Jamie smiled and said, “I love you too.”

Jimmy gave his boyfriend a kiss then we left so he and his Dad could talk. I leaned down and kissed Jamie on the cheek and told them both I would see them later.

I let Jimmy stay a few minutes while Robert and I stepped outside into the hallway. Robert looked at me and said, “Did I just hear correctly Mark?”

I nodded my head and said, “Yes Robert, you did. This was why I wanted you to talk with Jamie. I’ve know about him being gay right after you moved here and he and Jimmy became friends. He asked me not to tell you so you know why I couldn’t say anything.”

“God Mark,” he said looking at the floor. “I feel like such an idiot for not seeing it in him.”

“Don’t be,” I said patting him on the back. “He didn’t see it in you either. You two need to talk more than ever especially if you and Tim plan on staying together.”

Robert was about to speak when Tim came up and put his hands on Robert’s shoulders. He looked at his friend then said, “Yeah Mark, we do plan on staying together. I so want Jamie to meet Tim and know what a really great guy he is.”

I went back inside with Robert and Tim and saw Jimmy talking quietly with Jamie holding his hand. Tim looked over to me and said, “That’s quite a pair.”

I just smiled then said, Hey son, let’s get out of here so father and son can be together.”

Jimmy stood up and kissed Jamie on the cheek and said, “I’ll see you later babe.”

I shook hands with Robert and Tim and Jimmy gave Robert a quick hug as I left to go and find Bryce. I was about to have him paged when I saw him get off the elevator. I looked at him and said, “Where have you been?”

He smiled and said, “I was talking with a few friends from Station 5. Sorry I lost track of the time. How’s Jamie doing?”

“He’s doing fine son,” I said as I rang for the elevator. “He will be staying over night for observation. He and his Dad are talking and getting some things worked out.”

“That’s good Dad,” Bryce said. “It’s wild that both a father and son are gay yet neither of them knew about the other one.”

The doors to the elevator opened and we got in. I pushed the button for the first floor then said, “I think everything will work out now. I’m just sorry it had to happen this way.”

To be continued...

Posted: 07/18/08