All for Acceptance

By: Rod
(© 2010 by the author)

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

Chapter 2

Unfortunately, this was not the case.  It was the University of Minnesota Hospital emergency ward calling to see if there was a Travis Wainman available who knew a Phillip Samuelson III.  As Earnest repeated everything being said on the phone so that the other two could understand just what was being said all faces turned ashen.  No one breathed as Ernest asked the most important question. “What is the condition of Phillip?”

Tears appeared in Earnest’s eyes as he repeated the reply. “He is in grave condition, in surgery but we don’t know that he will survive the surgery let alone the night sir.”

“We will be there as soon as possible,” stated Earnest as he turned to see Mammy and Travis with tear stained faces.  Each rose and hurried to grab what they needed and head out the door to the hospital.  As they got in the car Earnest said, “I know we should call his father, but I think it would be best if we knew more first.”  With nods of agreement they silently pulled out the drive on their way to the hospital.

It was a short trip in all actuality but it seemed to take forever, first to get there, then to find a place to park, and then finally to find where they needed to go to find out about Phillip’s current condition.  They were shortly settled in a surgical waiting room while a nurse requested that Travis come with her to take care of some forms.  Earnest accompanied them explaining his position and the fact that it was actually him who needed to give them the information they were seeking.  It was just that the only thing they had been able to find on Phillip at the time was a picture he always carried of the two of them; it had been taken on the estate with the address visible.  On the back the two boys full names had been written along with the date the picture had been taken.  It was just a week after Travis had moved in permanently with Phillip, the significance being that this was now their address not just Phillip’s. It was the totality of the information that had enabled a smart clerk in the billing office to put everything together and find the number to call. It had taken a while though as between the regular day shift leaving and the night shift coming on there had been some other excitement bringing in a group of teens from a school bus accident that had happened on the way to a sports function, and it had taken the administrative staff a while to take care of everything and get back to the identification of the patient now in surgery.

Once the forms were completed Earnest and Travis returned to the waiting room.  No one had been in to give any indication of Phillip’s condition; they still only knew what they had been told over the phone. Mammy was beside herself.  She and Earnest had never had any children of their own. Phillip, then Travis was the son they had never had.  A mother could not have been more concerned at the time.  If only someone would let them know something.  Travis ventured out to the nearest desk and inquired but was told that as long as they were in surgery there would be no more information.  As soon as the surgeon could, he would be out to bring them up to date but for now he had more important things to do, like the surgery.  Travis was upset with the attitude displayed but understood and went back into the waiting room to endure the seemingly endless torture of not knowing.  If only he could hold Phillip once more.  If only he could lay there and rub the stump of Phillip’s arm.  He knew they both would be content.  He never admitted it before and he really loved Phillip, but he realized he was a devotee as well.  Every time he saw an amp he would stop a look a little longer than he really should.  In his mind he would play though a litany of scenarios that would explain the person’s condition.  He would wonder if they were born that way or if they had somehow suffered some horrific accident or situation that left them without limb.  His heart always felt tenderness for the person. 

After what seemed like hours the surgeon finally graced them with his presence.  He asked if they were the relation of Phillip Samuelson and almost turned to leave refusing to give them any information until he was told in no uncertain terms that Ernest and Mabel had full authorization as guardians, besides Phillip was now 22 and at that age not a minor.  Travis was his life partner so they were due an explanation of what the current status was.  They would be in contact with Phillip’s father who was currently out of the country and if this doctor would not provide them with the information, he would end up being very sorry.  Travis had never seen Earnest so vehement and forceful but then he normally had no need to be.  In their home Earnest was held in the highest regard by family and staff and no one would ever refuse him.  After Earnest’s outburst the doctor seemed somewhat chastised and willing to sit and bring them up to date.  It had been a very trying surgery of several hours.  In fact they still didn’t know for sure if Phillip would even live through the night.  There had been so much internal damage they were surprised that he had even survived to get to the hospital.

The ambulance had broken every speed limit they went through to get him there as soon as possible.  Every red light had been run with the driver praying that they too would not be in accident caused by some inattentive jack ass driver too busy texting to pay attention to the traffic.  It seems that is what had happened to Phillip, as he was driving his car through an intersection on a green light, a seventeen year old too occupied with texting his girlfriend trying to convince her to go out with him this evening had broadsided Phillip’s car and evoked the carnage.  Somehow the idiot had managed to walk away from the accident with very little, if any, injury.  It was Phillip and his loved ones who would pay the price for the idiot’s stupidity.  The officer at the scene when checking the offender driving record found that this was his third moving violation and second accident in just six months.  Why someone like this was allowed to drive was beyond what anyone viewing the aftermath could understand.  At least this time he had been arrested and, with any luck, it would be a long time before he could be asking his girlfriend out on a date.  That is if he still had one not named Bubba.

They decided that they would all stay and take turns going in to sit with Phillip as the staff would allow.  As soon as possible, once they knew the status, Earnest called Phillip II and apprised him of the situation.  He stated that he would make some calls and be home as soon as he could get a flight out of Amsterdam where he had been involved in a series of company meetings.  He didn’t care what the status of the meeting was; he would be home as soon as he could to be with his son.  He could only pray for his sons recovery or be able to see him at least once more before any thing else might happen.

Travis managed to hold back the tears when he sat in the room with Phillip but couldn’t when he was in the anterior room provided for them.  Whether it was Mammy or Earnest with him all he could do was bury his head in their shoulder and cry repeatedly asking why this had to happen.

Phillip II had managed to make just the right connections and considering the little over nine hour flight the best he could do was leave early morning Amsterdam time arriving at the Minneapolis airport around 12:25 PM. Just being a little after noon he prayed that his son would make it through the night and still be breathing when he arrived some fourteen hours later.

Earnest left the hospital in time to pick up Phillip II at the airport, the plane had actually caught a good tail wind and arrived a half hour ahead of schedule.  Of course, Earnest was so used to handling Phillip’s air travel he knew when and where to call to know when a flight would be arriving.  Customs would not be a problem Phillip knew each of the individuals by first name going through there so often.  Within practically no time the two men where on the way to the hospital.  It didn’t matter to Phillip how he looked or felt he had to get to his son.

As he entered his son’s hospital room he saw Travis by the bedside slowly rubbing the stump peaking out from the solid blue hospital gown.  Phillip called his son’s name as he approached and kissed him tenderly on the forehead.  Tears were streaming from all three men’s eyes as they stood and looked at the beaten and bruised body before them.  With hardly a sound Phillip slowly opened his eyes looking straight into his father’s eyes then a glance at Travis then back to his father before he whispered “I’m glad you could make it here, I wanted to see you at least once more.”  He then turned again to Travis and again just as softly said, “Love please remember me, but don’t let me stand in the way. Find someone to share your love with, I will always love you.”  With the last breath he close his eyes just as the insidious machine at his side squealed it’s alarm reflecting the flat line announcing Phillip’s departure from the living.  Mammy had followed her husband as they entered the door, staying slightly behind but close enough to hear and witness all that occurred.  When the machine began its’ alarm she let out a pitiful wail that only could add more explanation to that which had brought the nurses running.  They called a code and tried to check Phillip for any signs of life or possibility of bringing him back but the doctor accompanying them just solemnly stated the time of death for the record and pronounced him dead.

The next week was full of sorrow as the four survivors went about the task of burying their loved one.  Phillip II became withdrawn as he moped around the mansion in disbelief that his loved one would no longer be there. He had spent the last twenty plus years doing everything he could think of to bring his son to the position where he could pass him the reigns to the empire he and his father had begun.  Now it was of no consequence.  His son was no longer there to take it over.  All of this suffering occuring because some teenage punk was trying to get a date with his girlfriend for the evening.  If there were some way he could do something to prevent this from every happening again he would certainly do so.  But no matter what he did, he could never bring back his son, his loving son who even with his own handicap had always reached out to help anyone else who was in need.  The only good coming from his introspection was that he realized that his son would have wanted him to forgive, not forget, there was something for him to do and now was the time for him to dedicate his endeavors to that end.  He had a task to accomplish in memory of his son.

Travis was so overcome with grief it was difficult to even get up each day let alone do those things he now needed to do.  Everything was moving quickly with the transfer of the business.  Phillip II had assisted him financially all through college and had outright given him enough to acquire the business, not to pay for it completely but to have enough to take it over.  He would have to make the business earn its own way and pay for itself.  Phillip II and he had many discussions on the topic and though Phillip II would have gladly given the full amount, they came to the mutual conclusion that it would only be worth it if Travis earned the money to pay it off.  Then it would truly be his and the fruits of his labors.  They respected each other enough to realize this was the only acceptable way of handling things. 

Mammy and Earnest were deeply hurt and grieved internally and to each other.  In their years of service they had learned that they had a job to do and no matter what their feeling might be they must accomplish their task.  So, it was with very heavy hearts they continued to do each and everything needed to keep the estate running and prepare for, and live, through Phillip’s funeral.

The day of the funeral the sun shone brightly, it was warm, causing everyone at the church was to be thankful for the air conditioning as the church was packed.  It was hard to believe that so many would attend.  Even though the church was large and seated over 900 people, there wasn’t an extra seat to be found, for that matter, a number of people were standing at the back of the church and still more were outside unable to get in.  One would have thought the entire student body and staff of the University was in attendance, and they probably were.  There were many others, people who had at sometime met Phillip and had been overwhelmed by his attitude and total disregard for his disability.  He had become well respected in all the circles in which he was involved. Only loving thoughts could be had as all awaited the service to begin.  Once the service had concluded, the line of cars approaching the cemetery was one of wonder.  The cemetery was not that terribly far away and as the first car approached the grave site where Phillip III would be placed to rest next to his grandfather Phillip I, the last cars where just pulling out of the church.

The cemetery crew had been advised of the attendance at the church and had gone so far to set up all the chairs they had and even brought out a portable pa system so that all would be able to hear the graveside service. The longest part was awaiting the amount of time necessary for everyone to arrive and take their place so that the service could continue.  It was often customary for a luncheon to be served afterward and the ladies of the church had taken upon themselves to be sure this was handled.  Travis had thought that it should be his responsibility with his company to handle things but this was one time that Phillip II had put his foot down and told him he would not.  It would be handled by the ladies, Travis had enough to be concerned with let alone to have to handle such an endeavor.  Deep down Travis was relieved, but felt that he was somehow letting his lover down by not taking care of things himself.

A few weeks after the funeral Phillip II was once again in traveling mode, he had different reasons now, his goal was to raise public awareness and perhaps manage to get some legislators to enact laws against the use of a cell phone while driving, especially texting.  One way or another he would make something come of good out of the loss of his son.

Mammy and Earnest were hard at work keeping the house running, although without Phillip III around there didn’t seem to be as much need or life in the place as there always had been.

Travis was working harder all the time in his new business and finding it difficult to travel back and forth to the mansion with the hectic schedule he was keeping.  It also hurt deeply when he constantly was reminded of Phillip’s absence.  It wasn’t long before he sat down with Earnest and discussed the idea of moving out.  Earnest and Mammy both hated to think of his leaving but understood the reasons behind it.  When Phillip II came home again, this time from Washington D.C. where he had testified before congress on the issue they sat down and discussed his moving.  Phillip was also distressed by the thought but agreed it would probably be in Travis’s best interest if he did move, but he should always remember, he was welcome at any time, for any amount of time, to come back and he should always regard the mansion as home.

The following week provided the opportunity for Travis to make the move.  He found a house close to work that would suit him just fine.  There were several bedrooms so he could set up a guestroom and an office at home besides his own bedroom.  It had a large kitchen that would be the envy of any cook with ample storage just off the kitchen.  It had been well built and well maintained.  It was quite obvious that someone had cared deeply for the house.  What he hadn’t known was that Earnest and Mammy had originally built the home but moved out when they became employees of the Samuelson’s.  Over the years they had rented the home but been very careful who they allowed to occupy it.  Many years ago on the advice of Phillip II they had changed the ownership into a factitious corporate name so that when the realtor approached Travis with an unbelievable sale price he had no way of knowing just what had prompted the offering.  He could only rejoice as he shared his pleasure in escorting Mammy and Earnest through the property to get their opinion, which of course was to snap it up ASAP.  They even demanded to help with the finances to insure Travis would be more than comfortable in procuring it and able to afford the meager payments that resulted after all the dust had settled and he actually had the payment book in hand. He couldn’t believe how fortunate he had been in such a find.  Little did he know!

For the next several years Travis steadily worked day by day, building his reputation, refining his skills, serving his clients, be they the average Joe and his family down the street or the governor, or any other political bigwig that requested his service.  He always remembered his love, but he also remembered his dying words.  It was just that he had not been able to find anyone, he was too busy.  Time had passed; trials and tribulations had come and gone. He maintained contact with Phillip II, Mammy and Earnest but it just wasn’t the same.  He was busy, he thought fulfilled, but there was still an empty spot deep within his heart, the spot that had once been filled with the love of Phillip, his amp, his friend, his confident, his soul mate. Whether or not he could ever find another he didn’t know, and for the time being he was too busy to look.

Back to the Present:

“Well I think that’s everything. What can I do now, Boss?” asked his new assistant.

“You know we haven’t even introduced ourselves to each other, that’s a fine how do you do, isn’t it?” said Travis.

“Well I know you are Travis Wainman owner and operator of TC’s the best caterer in all of the Twin Cities, and I’m Allan T. Scott. Glad to make your acquaintance sir!” replied the young man.

“Wow, that was some intro there, how did you know who I am?” asked Travis.

“Well anyone who reads any society page knows of your reputation and has seen your mug on at least a few newspaper pages or TV News broadcast with the likes of the Governor and who knows who all else!” exclaimed Allan.

“Ok, you got me there; I didn’t know I was such a celebrity.  Do you mind if I ask the story behind the peg leg? Of course we really should be getting busy; we’ve got a lot to do to get all these people fed tonight.  There is another uniform in the front of the truck I think should fit you.  I always carry a few spares just in case one gets messed up while carrying things in.  If you want to grab it and change, I’ll get you started on what we need to do and how we do it.  And by the way, I hope you will allow me to give you that meal afterward and get a chance to hear your story as well.” 

Travis turned to start taking things out and setting up the buffet table equipment as Allan went down the stairs and out to the truck to get a uniform.  Meeting up with Travis hadn’t been as difficult as he though it might have been; he was overjoyed things were working out so easily.  He could really come to fall head over heels for this guy, even if he knew that society said he shouldn’t; if Travis only knew what he could tell him.  Travis had been all that was on his mind for the last month, every since he had found that diary his mother had written over several years.  It was hard to believe that his grandmother had known all about its contents but never told him.  It was only after his mother died that he found the dairy and started reading it when all things he had wondered about for so many years had been finally explained.

To be continued...

A special thanks to Jesse Mercer for editing.

Posted: 08/27/10