Healing
Part 5
Friday, July 27, 1984
Camp Kensey, WA
Saying goodbye was hard. Jim found himself clearing his throat several times as he told his campers goodbye. Without Dan, it was even more difficult: Cowboy’s absence left a huge hole, and Ranger struggled to fill it. He checked bags, dispensed praise and well wishes, along with big hugs and cheery grins, and generally made sure that the boys were ready to leave Camp Kensey. Matthew Wheeler and Thomas Maypenny watched, offering assistance when it was needed, but otherwise, just staying in the background.
Jim tucked a package of peanut butter crackers into Sam’s pocket, and gave him an affectionate knuckle rub across the head. Sam grinned at him, before joining Luis, Brady and Kris on the bus. As the bus pulled away, all four boys waved wildly. Jim raised his open hand, shading his eyes. Beside him, Mark and Denis did the same.
“Aunt Marina is waiting for us,” Mark said soberly, pointing across the parking lot to where his aunt stood. Jim had spoken with the woman once or twice. She seemed nice. “We should get going.”
Jim searched for something helpful to say, but was at a loss; Mark had been Dan’s special project.
Denis turned to Jim, his words tumbling out in an excited jumble. “Aunt Marina said that when we get to her house, we’re going to be by a beach and have our own rooms and meet our cousins. There are three of them. And later, we get to go on an airplane to Connecticut and meet our grandma and other aunts and uncles and cousins. There’s a gazillion of them. Right now we get to drive to Oregon, Ranger, and we’re going to stay in two hotels, and eat junk food all the way there. Aunt Marina said so! Isn’t that cool?”
He stopped for breath, and Mark gave him a gentle head shove. “Yeah, and when you get car sick, we’re going to leave you on the side of the road.”
Denis tried to scowl, but laughed instead. He threw his arms around Jim, and gave him a big hug. “Bye, Ranger.”
“Goodbye, Denis.” Jim returned the hug and gave the boy a quick head rub. “You have a safe trip, and I wish you all the best in your new home.”
Denis looked at Mark, expectantly. “Go on, Den,” Mark said. “Help Aunt Marina get Jules in the car. I’ll be there in a minute.” As Denis ran off, Mark turned to Jim. “Cowboy told me you were adopted.”
Jim nodded. “That’s right. About two years ago.”
Mark frowned, his forehead wrinkling. “Is your new dad related to your old dad? I mean, you guys look alike.”
Jim smiled. “That’s a coincidence. Da...Cowboy’s uncle looks like us too, but none of us are related. It’s the red hair. My new dad and my first dad were friends, though.”
“So you knew him, before he adopted you?”
“No.” Jim ran his hand through his hair. “I had never even heard of him. He and my parents lost contact when I was very little. I actually met my sister, their daughter, before I met them. I knew them for about two months, before the adoption was final.”
“How did you know it would be, you know, okay?” Mark asked, chewing on his lip.
“I didn’t,” Jim answered. “But I knew that it would have to be better than my life before. I was alone, on the run, angry, scared, and hiding. So I took a chance. I gave it a chance, and two years later I really don’t have any regrets.”
Mark cast a look back across the parking lot. Denis was chasing a little girl with blonde pigtails around a station wagon. His petite aunt stood nearby, watching, laughter shaking her blonde pageboy. “So I should give it a chance, right? Give her and her house by the beach a chance?”
“What are your other choices?” Jim asked.
“Foster care, back in LA,” Mark said, wrinkling his nose. “Not my first choice. Julia is already with her, and Den really wants to be there, too.”
“What do you have to lose?” Jim asked. “What is the worst that happens if you give it a try?”
“Nothing, really.” Mark cocked his head. “I was worried, before. Every time I get moved, I feel like I lose a part of myself. But I figured something out.”
“What?”
Mark smiled. “I can do anything, if I really need to. No matter how hard it gets, I just have to keep going. Cowboy said that to Denis, and it’s true. I don’t have to lose any pieces of me, unless I want to.”
“Well said!” Jim told him. “True, too.”
“I’m going to give it a chance,” Mark stated firmly. “I’m going to do everything I can to make this family thing work. For me, for Den, and for Julia. If it doesn’t, it won’t be because of me.”
“That’s the spirit!” Jim held out his hand. “I have faith in you Mark. I believe in you, and I wish you all the luck in the world.”
Mark shook the hand soberly, “Thanks, Ra...Jim. Tell Dan I hope I see him again. I hope I meet both of you again, someday.”
“I hope so, too, Mark.” Jim put his hands in his pockets, to keep himself from hugging the boy. “I’ll let Dan know.”
“Thanks. Thanks for everything.” Mark shrugged, his familiar gesture, and turned away.
Jim watched him saunter toward the car, gathering his brother and sister as he went. Marina Gillman ruffled her nephew’s hair, and directed him to the passenger seat. Jim closed his eyes, and sent up a silent prayer. Lord, if you’re listening, let that work out. Please. As the car pulled away, he went to join his father and Mr. Maypenny.
Sunday, July 29, 1984
Spokane, WA
9:45 am
Crutches! Dan almost felt like dancing. Almost. If it weren’t for the strain on his arms, and the shooting pain that occurred whenever he moved his leg too fast. Instead, he contented himself with swinging around the nurses’ station, down the hall to the elevators, and back again. Sven hovered like an oversize guardian angel, but Dan ignored the blond man. He made it around the circuit three times before reluctantly admitting he was tired.
Tucked back in bed, he made only a token fuss when handed his cup of medication. He was exhausted, his arms trembling, his leg aching. Sleep was calling even without the pills, and although he was frustrated with his weakness and lack of stamina, Dan knew that crutches were one step closer to going home.
Sunday, July 29, 1984
Spokane, WA
10:00 am
“I think I’ll stay here, Dad.” Jim faced his father across the table. “I know you have to get back to work, and Mother has made it quite clear that she wants me home, but I need to stay. Dan and I came here together. I want us to go home together, too.”
“I can understand and respect that, son,” Matthew said. “I rather expected it, as did your mother.” Matthew drank from his coffee cup. “Thomas is pushing to have Dan released from the hospital by the end of the week. We’ll keep the rooms here, and as soon as Dan is able, I’ll send Bob back to get you.”
Jim nodded, relieved that he wouldn’t have to fight to stay. “Thanks, Dad,” he said. “When do you have to leave?”
“This afternoon. The jet is ready, and I have a meeting in Boston tomorrow morning.” Matthew looked at his son. “I can cancel the meeting, if you want me to stay.”
Jim smiled. “I’d like you to stay, but I don’t need you to stay. I’m okay. Besides, you need to get back to work so you can pay for my hotel room.” Matthew laughed, and they both looked around at the pleasant, but not extravagant lodgings.
“It’s a nice old hotel,” Matthew said. “I was thinking about purchasing it and remodeling it; making it a boutique hotel. What do you think?”
Jim started to laugh, but stopped at the serious expression on his father’s face. “Seriously?” he blurted.
“Why not?” Matthew asked. “This is a historical building, and it’s for sale.”
“I’m sure Mother would be interested in the redecorating,” Jim mused. His eyes lit up. “What if you bought the tower building across the street, too? You could build suites, with a sky-bridge.”
“Maybe add a couple of top-notch restaurants?” Matthew welcomed the change in conversation, and within a few minutes they were cheerfully arguing design ideas.
