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 5

“He really is some little character, isn’t he?” commented Allan as they drove away from the mansion.

“Quite.   He has the same exuberance for life his father always had.  I just hope he never loses it,” replied Travis.

“So, any plans for this evening, Boss?  Or at least I hope I can still call you Boss,” stated Allan a little sheepishly.

“You better call me Boss.  I don’t want to see you going anywhere unless it’s with me, buddy!  Maybe we can sit down and talk. I think you and I could discuss where we can go from here.  I know it’s been an awfully short time, but for some reason I don’t want to even think about you being any where except with me.  I’m hoping you’ll want to continue to work with me like we did last night.”

“Are you referring to our work at the wedding, or after we got to your place?” asked Allan with every attempt to keep his demeanor as serious as possible, all the while ready to burst with laughter.

“Both! I never thought I’d say this, especially so soon after meeting someone, but I can’t stand the though of you not being around.  Maybe we should talk about it, get our feelings out in the open so there isn’t a chance of a misunderstanding.”

They soon found themselves pulling into Travis’s driveway and quickly entered through the kitchen door.

“Want a bite of something to eat before we start anything else?” asked Travis.

“Sounds good to me, are we dining in here or in the bedroom?” replied Allan with a laugh.

“Let’s do both.  We can grab something in here.  Restrain ourselves long enough to have that conversation in the den, and then head to the bedroom for the last course.”

After a speedy but filling sandwich and some soup they washed up everything and once all was put away headed for the den.

“You said you’re nineteen and have your high school diploma, right?” asked Travis.

“With the accident I lost a lot of school and had to repeat the year.  That put me a year behind so I just graduated the end of May.  When Mom died towards the end of June, any plans we might have had went out the proverbial window.  I had hoped that I could start at Minneapolis Community and Technical College in the fall, but even before what happened to Mom we weren’t sure just how we were going to be able to swing it, but after she died it just looks like it is impossible.”

“What were you planning to study?”

“I really didn’t know for sure yet.  I thought if I was careful and took courses that would be needed anyway, I might have some time to be able to decide.”

“Smart approach, there are always a core of classes you need for any degree and to take them first before you decide on your area of study is not a bad idea.  Were you planning to work as you were going to school?”

“I don’t know of any other way, but once Mom was gone and our housing, that made it all just too much to try to handle.  Truthfully, yesterday morning I only had a hope of what I might be able to do just to get by, let alone try to get college back on track.  I am glad things have worked out the way they have so far.  I really appreciate all you have done for me.”

“I’ve done very little, you’re the one who showed up and helped me.  I’ve only done what any decent person should do; help someone when they needed it. You’ve done more for me than you can imagine.  I can only hope I will have a long time to repay you.”

“That sounds good to me.  Now I just have to figure out what I can do to get things back on track.”

“If I could offer you a job, a place to stay, and insure that you could afford to go to the community college for the two years and get your associates degree, would you be willing to work at it?”

“Be willing?  I do about anything I could do to be able to have that opportunity! And, if at the same time I would be able to spend my time outside of class with you it would be great!”

“I don’t see any reason why it couldn’t work.  Have you applied to college yet?”

“The counselors at school recommended that we apply, especially if it was to Minneapolis Community and Technical College.  I did and had gotten an acceptance but wasn’t able to reply to finalize registration. “

“We’ll check tomorrow and see if we can still get you enrolled for the upcoming semester. Do you have a driver’s license?”

“Yes, with it being my left leg that was injured I haven’t had a problem with driving, of course the vehicle has to be automatic and not a stick shift.  The only problem was I got through driver’s education; afterward I used a borrowed car to finalize everything and take the driver’s test.  We never had a car so though I have a license; I haven’t gotten to use it very much.”

“We should be able to take care of that, you’ll need a way to get back and forth to classes and work.  I can’t haul your ass all around all the time.”

“You can do other things with my ass if you’d like you know!”

“Really, should we adjourn to the bedroom and explore that thought?”

“We could, but before we do should we discuss how I’m going to be able to afford any of this?”

“OK, simple, starting yesterday you’re on my payroll, employee’s get tuition reimbursement with passing grades.  I forward the fees you need to get started then as you are reimbursed you can pay for the next semester.  Somehow I think my original investment will be repaid in one way or another, I’m really not worried. Everything else will fall into place. So, with that explanation are you ready for our final course?”

Without comment Allan rose and extending his hand to Travis helped him to rise from the chair in which he had been seated and arm in arm headed for the bedroom, turning out all lights and locking the doors on their way.

Allan was well received by the crew at work; it seemed that one and all recognized the change that had come over their boss, realizing Allenh had to be the reason for the change.  For the ones who had been there long enough to have worked with Travis when he was a college student himself just working for the previous owner, it was easy to see the glow return that had so quickly been extinguished when Phillip III had been taken from them. For the first time in the five years Travis seemed to be happier than ever.  He had always been the professional, his clients never would have guessed that he was as unhappy as he had been, but now all around him could see and feel the difference.  He was always a fair and good employer to work for.  Now he was the Travis they had all loved before Phillip III’s death.

Travis daily taught Allan more and more about the business.  From sitting in on arrangements, contract signings, or even meetings with suppliers’ salesmen, Allan was learning just what made the business go.  More importantly he was learning daily just what made Travis go and every time the opportunity arose he saw to it that Travis and he would certainly make every attempt to make a lot more rise, cumming and going to any extent needed to become closer.

All too soon college classes started and Allan had to be separated from Travis for a portion of each day.  It may have been difficult, but both accepted the importance involved and it seemed to make their time together all that more special. 

Things were steadily getting busier on all fronts.  Business was up for TC’s, classes were drawing close to a close for the semester with finals just around the corner, and Allan and Travis were even closer than ever.  If Allan wasn’t in class or studying as Travis insisted on, he seemed to be Travis’s shadow.  If by chance someone had a question, they could usually get an answer from either of the young men as they both kept abreast of it seemed, everything that was going on, and with such similar mindsets were always in agreement and about any topic.

Phillip IV was not to be left out of the growing relationship.  If he didn’t hear from Uncle Travis or now, Uncle Allan, he would badger Mammy until she would dial for him and allow him to talk to either one of his now favorite uncles.  Many a meal was spent at the Samuelson table with Phillip IV finding it difficult to decide just who he preferred to be with, so he usually managed to get them to sit on either side of him so he could share them both.  When time allowed, he got his wish and would spend time on some adventure, spending the day or whatever portion available with his uncles, being at the zoo, a movie, or even shopping.  He was always on his best behavior and never a problem for his uncles. Phillip II often joined them, but realized it was important for the three to spend some time together alone as well.

It was the week of Thanksgiving.  All of Allan’s instructors were reviewing for the finals which would take place within the second week of December.  It was hard to believe that the first semester would be wrapping so soon.  It was getting closer each day to Christmas.  The catering business was like a madhouse.  It seemed it was a battle each year to figure if May or December would be the busiest month of that particular year.  End of the school year banquets, spring banquets, graduations, and any other excuse for a party brought a lot of business through the door in May, then in December it was Christmas parties.  Once December 1st came about there was no rest until December 24th.  Travis had learned from his previous boss that the holidays were special for family.  Any business to be conducted would be handled by noon on the 24th of December before Christmas and likewise by noon on the 31st.  From then through the holiday itself, be it the 25th for Christmas or the 1st for New Years Day, the business would be closed.  The employees would spend the day with their own families, not out providing services for others. The same policy held for the other holidays through the year as well.

Mammy was planning Thanksgiving dinner.  Graciously she had allowed Travis to assist her in its’ planning and he was handling part of the meal.  She, however would prepare the Turkey and stuffing, Travis was able to do a fantastic version himself, but Mammy’s was the one that they all longed for and she was not about to let any one of her family down.

Travis would bring several special salads, the appetizers, and several types of pies for dessert.  They would be lucky if they could even move to leave the table after the feast that was to be before them.

All was ready and Travis and Allan had loaded up the Hummer and started for the Samuelson home.  Suddenly Allan mentioned he wasn’t feeling too well.  As they pulled in he was feeling worse.  They no longer walked in the door when Mammy turned and with one look at Allan rushed to his side.  One hand placed on his forehead, and a stern look directly in his eyes and she asked him, “What’s the matter? You’re not well, I know something is wrong, you’re too warm and your color is too drained.  Where does it hurt?”

“My side hurts and I just don’t feel well.” Allan responded.

When Mammy placed her hand on his side he groaned in pain. 

“Earnest, take these boys to the hospital and now!  I think something is serious with Allan and I don’t want to take a chance.”

“I can take him,” said a disturbed Travis.

“No, honey, let Earnest drive so you can stay with Allan in the back seat to comfort him.  I think he may have a problem with his appendix. I don’t want you driving if he has a sudden problem. Now all three of you git! Call me as soon as you know what’s wrong.”

Mammy was not to be argued with.  Allan was feeling worse by the minute.  Travis was too worried to think of anything else but Allan and Earnest, well he had learnt many years ago that when Dr. Mammy said something was wrong, something was diffidently wrong and he best be moving ASAP!

The drive didn’t take long and before they realized it they were pulling into the emergency entrance to the hospital.  A few words to the nurse at the desk and Allan was soon on his way to an exam room.  Travis and Earnest sat in the waiting room after Travis had taken care of the paperwork for the admitting department.  A nurse came out and informed them that Allan indeed was suffering from appendicitis and was on the way to surgery.  It was not unusual for some amount of blood to be needed and if the gentlemen would care to they could donate if possible and they would in sense trade, each unit of blood donated would be deducted from that which would be used and normally charged to the patient or their insurance.  Besides it would probably take some time in the surgery and it would be a good cause that would occupy some of their waiting time.

Earnest and Travis were directed to the blood bank and on the way were too concerned with Allan’s condition to be concerned with the displeasure they shared in giving blood.

An hour and a half after the men returned to the waiting room from the blood bank, the surgeon finally came in to let them know who things had gone. 

“Allan was lucky you got him here quickly.  We just got in before it appeared his appendix was about to burst.  We caught it in time and I was able to remove it without any contamination of the area.  Within a couple of days he should be able to leave.  By this evening I want to get him out of bed and start him walking.”

“That soon?” asked Travis.  “The last I heard it was usually several days before a patient after that type of surgery was even getting out of bed, let alone coming home.  Not that we don’t want him home, we do, as soon as he can be.  But, so quick?”

“Oh, yes, we have found it is much better to have them up and around within the same day. Walking helps and there is no reason to keep them confined to the hospital.  What recovery is needed comes much faster then they are at home.  By the way, there was some blood loss and with Allan having a rarer blood type, we typed yours to see if it could be used.  You didn’t say you were related but we found you have the same blood type and actually the fact we had your donation made things go all the better for Allan.  From the preliminary tests one would think you two were brothers.  The fact that you’re last names are different made me wonder, but as much as the two of you look alike I didn’t know about the different names until after I had requested the tests for compatibility.  Are you sure you aren’t related. When we get the final tests I ordered we could know more but for now he’s doing well and that is what counts after all.”

“No, Doc, I don’t know of any relation but I’m glad I could help.  He’s become so close to me I wouldn’t want to think of losing him,” answered Travis.

“I’ll have the nurse let you know when you can go in and see him and what room he will be in.  He’s still in recovery right now, so it will be a little while before they have him settled in his own room. With any luck I may still be able to get to my family Thanksgiving Dinner.  I’m sorry you had to go through this today, but everything should be all right and it won’t be too long before he can have a Thanksgiving dinner too.”

“Thank you, doctor.  Earnest, I think we better call Mammy again and let her know he’s out of surgery and should be all right.  How did she know what his problem was?”

“Mammy lost a sibling to appendicitis a number of years back.  Everyone at the time just thought it was a case of an upset stomach, but Mammy knew better even though no one would listen.  Instead of being able to bring her sibling home from the hospital whatever number of days it would have been later, they were attending a funeral.  The appendix had burst and the infection brought death within a short period of time.  Mammy vowed she would never forget and wouldn’t ever let that happen to anyone again if she could help it.”

“I’m just glad we were coming over to the house.  If Mammy wouldn’t have caught it I would never be able to live with myself.”

“I know how you feel.  I’m sure Mammy will just be relieved that every thing is all right.”

“Allan, how are you feeling?” asked Travis as the nurse lead him into Allen’s room.

“Like I just fought ten rounds and somebody else won.”

“I know you said you didn’t know if you could manage to eat much as we had planned for dinner, but there are other ways you could have kept from doing so, you didn’t have to end up in the hospital!” said Travis with a bit of a grin and a tad bit of laughter in his voice.

“Thanks for trying to pull my leg. Speaking of leg, I want my peg back. They said you have it.  But you just wait, I’ll get even for that remark, one of these days.  I will have to thank Mammy though; she knew just what was wrong and wouldn’t let anyone get in the way of getting me treatment.  Not that I wanted to be operated on but, at least this way I’m still here and I’d hate to think of the alternative.”

“Now you just need to do as you’re told and before you know it you’ll be out of here.  Then we can have that Thanksgiving Dinner with a special something to be thankful about, you’re still around.”

Mammy was more than relieved to hear that every thing turned out all right and insisted that Allan come to the mansion when he was released so she could be sure he was taken care of properly.  Phillip IV wasn’t in the least bit unhappy with Mammy’s edict, as he was thrilled that Allan would spend even just a few days there with them as he mended.

By Saturday, Allan was released from the hospital and, as instructed, Travis brought him directly to the Samuelson mansion.  Mammy was waiting and had Travis’s old room waiting to accommodate her patient.  It was all Phillip IV could do to remember not to jump on Allan as he lay in bed, but Phillip was a very smart munchkin and, with little more than one or two reminders, remembered how he should act.  It was funny in a way, he wanted to spend time with Allan so he constantly went to check and ask if there wasn’t something, just any thing he could get for Allan.

Just as Travis was finalizing the paperwork so Allan could be released, the surgeon happened to come by and seeing Travis stopped to talk.  It seems the final reports were back and the surgeon was totally befuddled as to the results.  It seems that the tests indicated that there was much more in common than just a similar blood type.  Travis would have to have a conversation with Allan once they were back to his home, now their home, to see if an explanation could be found.

Within a few days Mammy did her magic and Allan was feeling pretty back to normal.  He did have the pressure of the finals coming up and fortunately, had only missed a couple of days of classes, all reviews.  He always took good notes and was very conscientious about the attention he paid in class.  He had done well on all tests so far this semester and could credit Travis with some of that, as Travis was always checking to be sure Allan was studying sufficiently to get the best he could from each of his classes.  Travis always was telling him that if it was worth doing, it was worth doing right the first time.  Spend the effort and get the most from it the first time around.  There were too many things to learn to have to go back and study something a second time because it didn’t receive enough attention the first time.

The day finally came when Mammy decided her patient could go back home with Travis.  She loved having him around and every free minute he was there so he could be with Allan.  Mammy understood the relationship and knew they would be better off at Travis’s now that Allan had progressed in his recovery to the extent he had.

Once they were comfortably back at home, they sat in the den for a rest.

“Allan, I have a question for you.  When you were having surgery the nurse recommended Earnest and I might possibly donate blood.  It would take away some of the waiting time and if you needed blood they would exchange what we donated for any you might need, removing any charge that might have been incurred. The doctor didn’t notice our different last names and because he considered we looked alike and thought we were brothers, he had our blood checked to see if it was the same type.  It turned out that you needed blood and mine was a match, they needed to use it and I’m glad they could.  The question I have though, the day you were released, the doctor talked to me again and said that from the blood tests there was an indication that we were related.  Do you have any idea how that could be?”

Allan hung his head, there were so many thoughts rushing through it. He was almost starting to hyperventilate as he was trying to formulate his answer. The time had come; he couldn’t put it off any longer.  It was time to tell Travis everything.  He could only hope that when he did, nothing would change or at least not change to the point that he would find himself homeless again.  He couldn’t put it off any longer, Travis had a right to know, but would he accept the explanation and continue to love and care for him as he had up to this point?

Slowly and deliberately he began to speak. “Travis, I must tell you some things I haven’t told you before.  I can only hope that you will still feel for me afterwards the way you have up to now and the way I feel for you.”

To be continued...

A special thanks to Jesse Mercer for editing.

Posted: 09/17/10