Friends and Family Series
Murdoch and Ryan

By: Ron Robbins
(© 2012 by the author)
Editor: Frank Perry

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

Chapter 1 

Murdoch and his good friend Mark were rushing to their next class in Brentmore Hall.  Ryan Spenser, the University football star quarterback, was hanging around the entrance along with his cronies. Ryan grinned as Murdoch and Mark approached, "Hey, Murdoch, you're late," Ryan said. "Aren't you afraid one of the other brown nosers will knock you out of your number one spot?"

Murdoch shook his head not responding to the remark, continuing on his way.  "Hey, wait up, Murdoch," Ryan said. "I need to talk to you about the track practice on Saturday."

"Not now, Ryan; I'm late for class; let's talk after this class?"

"I can't.  I've got football practice after this class; how about after practice?"

"Sorry that's too late for me, Ryan. I'll be home by that time," Murdoch said.  "Look; give me your number and I'll call you tonight; we can talk then."

Ryan gave him his telephone number, and Murdoch continued into the building with Mark. "Why are you so nice to that cocky bastard, Murdoch?" Mark asked.  "He treats you like dirt."

"He is his own worst enemy," Murdoch said. "I feel sorry for Ryan in a way; he always feels he must perform for his audience.  He is enjoying the spot light now; let's see what happens after he looses a few games. I'll bet his popularity will drop by his so-called friends."

"Come on, Murdoch; I can't believe his taunting doesn't bother you?" Mark said.

"Not even a little.  I refuse to be drawn into his little games. Why give him that satisfaction?  Actually, Ryan is really envious of me. Why do you think he goes out of his way to harass me?"

Mark laughed out loud, "You're something else. Where did you come up with that off-the wall theory?" Mark asked.

"Because he doesn't take Finance this period; secondly, his next class is in the building across the quadrangle.  And finally, he could have picked up the telephone and called me at home.  I'm telling you, Ryan goes out of his way to attract my attention. He can't stand my indifference and it bothers him. Maybe you can give me a better reason?"

"For openers, let's assume he can't stand you and he has never forgiven you for whipping his ass at track, for the last two seasons.  And secondly, he is hurting because your team won the debate last month.  That, my friend, didn't endear you to him; Ryan hates to lose, and especially to a guy like you."

"Look, I have to drop off some books at the library after this class and pick up a video for my mom; I'll swing by and pick you up at the pool after your work out," Murdoch said.

"Thanks, buddy; see you then at four."

*        *        *

After dropping Mark off at his dorm, Murdoch stopped by the supermarket before heading home.  After he unloaded the groceries and put them away, he walked down to his mother's room. "Hi, Mom; ready to get up now?" Murdoch asked as he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek? 

"Yes, sweetheart; how was your day?"

"Just fine; I picked up three videos for you," Murdoch said.  He lifted his mother up and helped her into her electric wheelchair. "There you go, Mom.  How does baked chicken with rice and mixed vegetables sound to you for dinner tonight?"

"Just fine, dear."

"I have to work out for an hour today," Murdoch said. "Is there anything you need before I head downstairs?" 

"No, dear; I'll be fine. I'll call on the intercom if I need anything."

Murdoch finished his workout and went to the kitchen to pop the chicken into the oven for dinner.  He headed to his room to shower.  He returned the kitchen and finished preparing the rice and vegetables. While that was cooking, he set the table in the dinning room.

He joined his mother in the den to watch the evening news on TV.  He heard the timer go off in the kitchen and left. "Dinner is ready, Mom; you go on into the dinning room and I'll bring the plates in."

"Anything interesting happen today?" his mother asked after they were seated in the dining room?"

"I aced this quarter. I'm in the top two-percent of my class according to my professors. That was welcome news. If I can just keep this up for the next six months, I should be able to graduate with a 3.85 GPA, which means, I should have my pick of the top jobs in Atlanta."

"You'll do just fine, son. You've worked hard for the past four years for those high grades, besides taking care of me and the house;  I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, Mom; oh, by the way, I'll be leaving early tomorrow morning for my practice at the athletic field with Ryan Spencer."

"We're supposed to start working out together for that intercollegiate track meet next month.   The coach paired us up thinking we could spur each other on to better things.  But I seriously doubt that.  I'm willing to give it the old college try, if it keeps the coach happy."

"I thought you had misgivings about Ryan, dear?"

"I do, Mom, with one exception — Ryan, is straight arrow. I don't have a chance with him.  Mark thinks Ryan really has it in for me."

"Mark is a nice boy; and he means well," his mom said. "Have you told him you're gay?"

"No, I don't think I'll bother at this point. We'll both be graduating in a few months and moving on. Mark has accepted a job in Seattle with Microsoft, and I'll be working in Atlanta. I don't think our paths will cross that often. What would be the sense of telling him now? Maybe I'll see him at the next college reunion in ten years."

"Promise me you'll try and put Ryan out of your mind, I'm sure there's a young man out there for you. I do wish you had joined the Gay Support group at the University."

"I did join, three months ago. I meet some interesting guys, but unfortunately, most of the guys are either lower classmen or attached couples. The president of the group suggested I try the chapter in Atlanta after I relocate.  Another six months are not going to kill me.  Well, I better get started cleaning up the kitchen.  Do you need anything?"

"I'm fine dear; you go on with your chores."

Murdoch was in his room when the telephone rang around eleven o'clock.  It was Ryan.  Murdoch could tell he had been drinking. "Look, buddy, you didn't call; how about we meet at the athletic field tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM?" 

"That's fine with me," Murdoch said.  "And Ryan, unless its an emergency, don't ever call me after 10:00 P.M.  The telephone could wake up my mother. She needs her sleep."

"Well, excuse me," Ryan said.  "Why didn't you call?"

"I was tied up with research work and I was going to call when I got off the internet. I'll see you Saturday in the morning, good night."

"Wait, Murdoch!  I apologize for calling so late.  My folks gave a surprise going-away dinner at the club tonight.  This was the first opportunity I had to call you.  They're leaving early tomorrow morning for their flight to Greece, I didn't know your house rules."

"How long will your folks be away?"

"Maybe six months; maybe more. Who knows with them?"

"You mean they won't be here for your graduation?"

"No! That's the reason for the surprise dinner party tonight, I'm supposed to be spending the day with them in Atlanta. They wanted me to be there to pick out a BMW as my graduation present.  I plan to drive up next week to Atlanta to pick-up the car.  I'll be joining them in Madrid at end of June for a month of fun in the Sun.   It's a long story, I'll tell you about it someday.  I'm zonked right now, see you tomorrow."

***********

Murdoch pulled into the campus parking lot at the sports complex.  It was 5:45 AM.  He decided to do a few warm up laps while he was waiting for Ryan.  He made it around the second turn when he saw Ryan jogging toward the track.  He was around the final turn when he noticed Ryan sprawled on the ground between two overturned hurdles.  He ran over to him to see what was wrong.  Ryan was out cold. He had a bad gash on his head. Then he noticed that his knee was twisted in an odd angle.  Murdoch quickly realized that Ryan was in bad shape and needed medical help right away.  He ran to his car grabbed his cell phone and dialed 911. Then he called the campus security office to report the incident. He walked back to Ryan and removed his car keys and wallet from his sweet pants.  The ambulance and the security arrived a few minutes later. They examined Ryan, then loaded him into the ambulance and headed for the hospital.   Murdoch followed in his car. He pulled into the parking lot and headed to the emergency room. The admissions secretary asked him to fill out the paperwork since Ryan was out cold.  Twenty minutes later, the resident came out and told him Ryan was conscious and wanted to talk to him. He followed him into the cubicle where Ryan was waiting. "How are you feeling," Murdoch asked?

"Like hell," Ryan said.  "Look, I'm sorry I have to drag you into this, but I need your help.  They've x-rayed my knee and it doesn't look good.  The Orthopedic surgeon is on his way over here right now to take a look at the x-rays.  The resident said my kneecap was shattered and that I may need to have a prosthetic knee joint.  I know we haven't been the best of friends, but I trust you. Will you please stay with me until this is decided? The pain in my head and knee are killing me. They gave me a shot to block the pain in my leg so I'm not at my full powers mentally at the moment."

"Of course I'll stay with you," Murdoch said. "Ill stay with you as long as you need me. Look I need to make a couple of calls, but I'll be right back."  Murdoch was back in ten minutes to sit with Ryan.  A few minutes later a nurse came in with some operative forms for Ryan to fill out and sign.  Murdoch took the clipboard and filled out the form for Ryan.  "Ryan, what name should I put down for your next of kin?"

"Put your name down and get two people to witness our signatures. Make sure you keep a copy for yourself.  I would like you to call my lawyer, George Grant, at Grant, Moore & Ashland and let him know what's happened.  Also call Annie Gilchrist, my housekeeper and let her know what happened.  Ask her to make arrangements to have the car picked up from the parking lot.  The telephone numbers are in my wallet. Murdoch, please hold on to my wallet and keys until I need them."

"No problem," Murdoch said. "How do I get in touch with your parents?"

"They're on a private yacht off the Greek Islands by now," Ryan said. "Let Annie handle that."  The resident returned with Doctor Haslett. "Why … Murdoch!  It's good to see you again; how is your mother?"

"She is doing just fine, thank you. My friend Ryan, is the one who's not doing so well."

"Well, let's see what we can do to get you back on your feet again, Ryan," the doctor shook Ryan's hand. "I'm Doctor Haslett and I'm a specialist in Sports Medicine.  I've examined your x-rays and I've made my diagnoses.  You have two choices, Ryan.  We can go in there and try to patch you up, or we can do a knee joint replacement.  You shattered your knee when you fell.  If I go in there to do a patch up job, there is no guarantee that we restore it to the way it was before.  There's a good chance you will be back again for a second operation in the future.  You can expect a great deal of pain until the bones knit together again.  The alternative is a knee replacement, which I heartily recommend in your case.  You will be able to walk a lot sooner and even be back playing foot ball again.

"Before you make your decision, I've asked Doctor Macy, our chief of surgery to give you a second opinion.  I've also contacted Doctor Grant, your internist, and he should be here in a few minutes to help you make your decision. In either event, my team is on hand and the nurses will be prepping you for surgery.  See you upstairs in an hour, son."

"I'm going to have the knee replacement surgery. I've seen a few patch-up jobs, and those guys always had a lot of swelling and were in a lot pain.  I don't plan to live with pain killers for months. I like this Doctor; you seem to know him; is he good?"

"I think he is the best.  He has been treating my mom for some time now.  You're lucky he was on call this Saturday."

"Will you stay with me, Murdoch?  I'm a little scared."

Murdoch, patted his hand.  "Don't worry, bud; I'll stay with you until the operation is over."

"Thanks. You know, it's all your fault; if you weren't such a jock, we wouldn't be out on that god-forsaken track busting our butts for some silly meet."

Murdoch smiled. "Maybe if you weren't such a klutz to begin with, this all could have been avoided."

"Damn! There goes my football career."

"Ryan, knock it off; you'll be graduating in a few months. Your football days were over anyway.  You're lucky you landed on your knee, and not your skull."

Ryan chuckled.  "Probably nothing would have happened; it's too damn thick."

Doctor Macy and Grant, arrived together and spoke to Ryan and Murdoch.  After they left, the orderly came in and prepped Ryan for surgery. The anesthesiologist came in and asked the usual questions, injected a tranquilizer in his IV tube and left. Finally two nurses dressed in surgical uniforms came and said, "We're taking you into surgery now, Ryan."

One nurse said to Murdoch, "It's okay for you to come along to keep Ryan company.  The surgical waiting room is outside the operating rooms.  Dr. Haslett will come and talk to you after Ryan's surgery."

Murdoch followed the nurses down the long corridor that led to the operating rooms.  They stopped just outside a large room which was the holding area for the surgery patients, the sliding doors at the other end led into the operating rooms. "You can stay with your friend if you like," the nurse said.  I patted Ryan's hand. "Everything is going to be fine, bud. You'll be able to take that nap now."  Ryan smiled and waved as they wheeled him beyond the doors.  I saw Dr. Haslett coming down the corridor. "Dr. Haslett … how long should this operation take?"

"From the time they finish preparing him for surgery, until he's out of recovery, probably about five hours.  Ryan is a healthy young man so I'm not anticipating any complications. You don't have to sit around here and wait. Why dont you take off and come back later."

"I think I'll run home and take care of a few things, I'll be back in four hours." Murdoch left the hospital and drove home. 

He walked into the den, "Hi, Mom, hi, Cathy."

"How is Ryan?" His mother asked.

"He's in surgery right now," Murdoch said. "I have a few errands to run and I should be heading back to the hospital after lunch. Is there anything you need while I'm out?"

"We're running low on diapers and rubbing alcohol, can you pick some up at the supermarket," Cathy asked?

"No problem" how about a pizza for lunch," Murdoch asked? They both nodded in agreement. "Mark may be joining us for lunch, but I'll let you know after I talk to him."  He called Mark to ask him to drive him over to pick up Ryan's car.

Murdoch was waiting outside when Mark pulled into the driveway. "What the heck happened to Ryan," Mark asked?  Murdoch related the whole story.  "Hey, that's a bummer; I wouldn't wish that on anyone.  That's a tough break for Ryan, and the school. Too bad he couldn't have finished the season.  Have you told anyone yet?"

"No, I thought I'd call the coach after Ryan's surgery.  I'll ask Ryan if he wants me to release the story to the paper?"

"Get real, Murdoch; of course he'll want it in the paper.  This is his last hurrah. His fans will eat this stuff up. He'll end his career as the undefeated star quarterback."

"Where's your compassion, Mark?  Ryan is really a lonely guy right now.  He had a stupid accident that ruined his leg. He has no close family by his side to comfort him. His parents are off on some grand world tour and can't be reached. And according to Ryan, even if they could be reached, they wouldn't fly back. They won't even be back home to see him graduate. Give the guy a break."

"Look, Murdoch, who said life was fair?  You're the perfect example of how life sucks. Sure Ryan was dealt a tough blow, but at least he has a golden parachute to cushion his fall.  His folks may be out of town, but they'll see to it that Ryan has the best medical treatment money can buy.  Ryan is lucky to have you in his corner, in spite of the way he treated you. Stop bending over backwards for him. People like Ryan are users; he'll drop you as soon as you've served your purpose.  If he's smart, he'll keep you as a friend, because after the notoriety has run its course, he'll need a friend. All his so-called friends will drop him, trust me. The king is dead; long live the king."

"It's not my nature to walk away from someone in need of my help. I feel obligated to see this through. It doesn't matter to me what Ryan does after he recovers. What matters is that I did the right thing. I would do the same thing for you or anyone who needs my help." They turned into the parking lot and pulled next to Ryan's convertible, "You go ahead and drive back to the house.  I need to make a stop by the drug store on the way back. Would you like to join us for lunch?" 

"Sure; I make a rule never to pass up a free meal," Mark said with a grin

"Good, here's twenty dollars; swing by the Pizza place and pick up my order.  Don't wait for me, you three go ahead and start eating."

"Sounds like a plan," Mark said.

Murdoch decided to do the weekend shopping and took longer than he'd planed.  He loaded his groceries in the car and headed for home.  Mark helped him unload the car after he returned. "Hey, buddy, we saved you half a pizza," Mark said. "If you don't need me for anything, I'm off to the pool for a work out. Call me later and let me know how Ryan's operation went?"

"Thanks for your help, Mark. I'll keep you posted."

Murdoch put away the groceries and warmed up his pizza in the microwave.  He finished up and went into his room to shower, shave, and dress.  He selected a text book and pad and walked down the hall to say good-bye to Cathy and his mother. "Cathy, I should be back around five.  But, will you stick around and put Mom in her wheelchair after her nap?"

"Sure, no problem.  Let me know it you want me to stay longer?"

"Thanks Cathy; I'll call you around four to let you know if I want you to stick around."  He kissed his mother and left for the hospital."

Saint Mary's Hospital

Murdoch was seated in the waiting room engrossed in his textbook. "Murdoch," Dr. Haslett said, smiling, "that must be some book?"

"Yes, sir, it sure is, if you love the Law the way I do.  So how did Ryan do?"

"The operation was successful. Ryan should be out of recovery in an hour.  He'll be heavily sedated for the next few days.  Luckily, he didn't have anything to eat this morning.  As I said before, he is in excellent physical condition.  He should be able to go home in a week. The social services people will sit down with both of you later. They'll explain his treatment program, both for his hospital stay, and his outpatient treatment plan.  Usually the hospital provides a lecture with our knee and hip replacement patients prior to the operation.  But, Ryan's case was an emergency. We'll have the physical therapist give Ryan and you a crash course on this tomorrow.  The Surgical unit where Ryan is going is one of the best and they know their business.  I will be monitoring Ryan every day.  Well, Murdoch, I've worked up an appetite; it's time to grab a bite to eat. I'll talk with you later."

"Mr. McDonald?" Murdoch looked up from his book.  "Would you like to join us? We're taking Mr. Spencer to his room. The same two nurses were pushing Ryan in what appeared to be a regular hospital bed.  Ryan was groggy, and his eyes were at half mast. "How"s it going, Bud?" Murdoch asked.

Ryan smiled when he recognized Murdoch. "A piece of cake," Ryan said.  Murdoch followed the nurses into the elevator. They took him to the sixth floor and wheeled him down to the end of a long corridor and into the last room at the end.  "Ah, I see Ryan has the royal suite," the nurse said. "This is one of the largest rooms on the floor. The nice part is that it's quiet at this end of the floor."  They pushed the bed against the wall and began hooking Ryan up to the wall connectors.  As the surgical nurses left, two floor nurses arrived. One took Ryan's vital signs while the other attached two bootie type devices to his feet.  "These are designed to stimulate the blood circulation in his feet to help prevent blood clots from forming," the nurse said as she plugged the machine into the wall outlet.

"Mr. Spenser, I'm Janet, your charge nurse." She lifted both side rails into place.  "All the controls for this bed, including the lighting switches, TV, call button and the telephone are in this small console.  As you can see, they have a little drawing on each button; the blue button is the one you should remember. If you need me just push that button and we'll respond.  We have a very good intercom system.  Finally, there is no reason why you should suffer from pain.  This little round box is to help you eliminate any pain. If you experience any pain at all, you punch the button on this box and it will inject a dose of morphine into your arm. If you feel this is not doing the job let us know and we'll give you something that will take away your pain. I'll be back every hour to take your vital signs.  You're on a liquid diet, so if you want anything let me know we have a refrigerator stocked with every kind of juice you can think of and if you like we can heat up some broth for you as well." The charge nurse left.

"Ryan, I hate to bother you now, but there are a couple of decisions that can't wait."

"What are they?  Do you want to go public with your accident?"

"God, I don't know, I certainly don't feel up to a lot of people calling me right now. What do you think?"

"I agree, but you're a celebrity and I feel that people should know about your accident. How about me calling the coach to get a reading from him first?  I'm sure this is not the first time he's lost a star player.  I'll call the hospital PR people to see what they suggest regarding the calls.   I'm sure they can have your calls forwarded to your home until you're feeling better. You can use your cell phone for your personal calls."

"Sounds like a good plan."

"I moved your car to my house for now. I'll drive it to your house later."  

"Thanks.  I hate to ask this, but would you call the Dean and explain my predicament to him?  I need to keep up with my class work. See what can be worked out.  I would like to graduate with my class."

"I'll take care of that on Monday.  Doctor Haslett said your operation was a complete success and you should be out of here in a week.  Social Services and the rehab people will stop by this afternoon to explain your treatment plan. I'll stick around until they leave. In the meantime I'll call your housekeeper and let her know what going on. Would you like me to call any of your friends to let them know what happened?"

"Not until after you talk to the coach and the hospital people.  The coach will let the team manager know. Let him contact my teammates.  Do you still have my wallet?" 

Murdoch pulled it out of his pocket, "Here, sorry; I almost forgot about it."

"No, you hold on to it. Just leave me twenty dollars in small bills and slip it under the liner in my drawer. If you don't mind, would write down your telephone in case I need to reach you?"

"Sure; look you can call me any time during the night; Ill turn off the ringer on my mom telephone for now."

While Ryan was asleep Murdoch made his calls.  He was reading his book when the Social Services and rehab ladies came into the room.  They ran through his treatment plan and left.

Ryan woke up. Murdoch said, "How do you feel now that you had a little nap?"

"Out of it man, I feel nothing."

"I talked to the coach. He said he and the PR department would take care of the media. He will drop by this evening for a short visit.  His assistants will call your friends as soon as they release the statement to the media. It should be on the evening news.  I'm having Mark record the six and eleven o'clock sports news. The hospital has taken care of forwarding your calls. You also have a private line that does not go through the board.  If you don't need me, I think I run along.  Ill be back tomorrow morning around nine. Would you like me to bring you anything from home?"

"Would you stop by my apartment and pick up my electric razor and a cotton bathrobe? I hate to ask this, but I left my laptop at the house. If it's not asking too much, would you drive by my house to pick up my laptop from Annie, my housekeeper?  You'll find the keys to my apartment on my key chain.  And Murdoch, Ill make this up to you one day, I promise.  I can't thank you enough."

To be continued...

Posted: 04/13/12