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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 17
Rick had Juan rolled into a recovery position as Josef leapt into action, barking into his ear mic.
"Control get a first aider into my office, number two has collapsed, have my transport primed, route is Malaga to Madrid urgent, gather everything you can on what's happened and Ralph's status, I need his location at all times, cut into Emergency Services, direct them to Universitario Santa Christina it's literally around the corner, insist, nowhere else, call my wife, bring her up to speed, number two's plane will be free if she decides to follow, number three is in charge, over and out".
While he'd been issuing orders the first aider had revived Juan, but he was groggy, Josef didn't wait to let him come round.
"Rick, help me, we need to get him to the car, I'll take care of him after that".
Josef was surprised by the first aiders response.
"I'll come with you, if he's okay when we get to Malaga I'll drop out, alternatively your stuck with me sir".
Between the three of them they man handled Juan into Josef's limousine, the first aider continually monitoring his progress, but Juan came back almost as quickly as he passed out, barking constant questions at his brother which led to Josef threatening to personally put him out again if he didn't get a grip.
When they reached Nice Airport, their car was boarded by a customs officer who instructed the driver to head for the plane, the formalities being dealt with on the way, as they pulled up next to Josef's plane their documents were handed back and the customs official actually helped steady Juan up the steps into the plane before wishing them a safe journey and going back to the car.
Strapped in, the plane was heading for the runway and in a matter of minutes they were wheels up heading for Madrid.
The minute they were able to accept incoming messages, Josef could be heard talking to Control.
"Okay, that's good, have you been able to find out what happened?, okay, how bad, got it .........yes, keep monitoring, give the hospital our family med insurance details would you, it'll save me some time when we get there, I believe you have the company's PIN number, ........ What?, okay, patch number three in on conference, stay on the line, .....Rick, Control don't have the family medical PIN number, can you rectify that, check they have the employee one as well, it should be a permanent for both family and employees, it's a critical point in fast treatment, I'll want an update on that particular point when I'm next in the office please, okay I'm over and out now".
He leaned over to a still dazed, but agitated Juan and said.
"Calm down, he's going to be okay, it was a window apparently, it was supposed to fall out into a controlled area, but it did the opposite, collapsed inwards on top of Ralph and his foreman, Ralph saw it coming, shoved his foreman bodily out of harms way, but in doing so he left himself in the danger zone, it knocked him out, he's got a lot of cuts, but it seems nothing critical, I've ordered some hot sweet tea for you, relax, we'll be there soon".
As he finished speaking to Juan, the telephone in the cabin buzzed, it was his pilot telling him Carry was on the line.
"Jo, I'm about ten minutes behind you, what happened, have you heard anything, is he alright?".
Jo felt he could at least relax a little now as he answered playfully.
"Bloody hell Mrs, twenty questions, calm down my love, he's not critical, a building site accident, a massive window collapsed the wrong way onto him, he chose to push his foreman out of harms way and take the hit, it knocked him out, cut him up a bit but nothing critical, ask your pilots to talk to ours, if you're only ten behind we'll wait for you at Madrid".
His pilot came in a few minutes later.
"I've asked them to increase speed, you'll need to square it with the boss, it'll increase their fuel costs dramatically, we should be no more than four, maybe five minutes apart when we land".
Josef called Jacqueline.
"It's Jo, Ralph had an accident, he's injured, but we now know he's going to be okay, we're heading for Madrid in my plane, Carry's ten minutes behind in Juan's plane, I've authorised them to increase speed so we land at roughly the same time, it will increase costs, bill me please, okay, yes I'll keep you informed, I'm going now, Juan's a little traumatised, okay will do".
He turned to his pilot saying.
"Sorted, the Boss says just do whatever is needed".
He hadn't left, and he seemed really stressed so Josef motioned for him to sit down and asked what was the problem.
"It's my co-pilot, he's been diagnosed with Severe Asthma, it means his license will most likely be revoked at his next medical in about a months time, he's got a family, wife and two kids, he's at his wits end, I really feel for him".
Jo remembered Juan saying he needed someone really reliable for the apartment manager position in Madrid.
"Do you think he'd consider living in Madrid, if he would I think I could have a solution, I'll investigate and we'll talk on the return trip".
The pilot, thanked Josef, heading back to the cockpit.
As they approached Madrid, the co pilot came into the cabin to advise them to buckle up, Josef thought it strange, his steward would normally be the one to inform them, then the co pilot said.
"Jerry told me you're investigating a possible job for me, I just wanted to say thank you sir, if it doesn't work out its okay, I really appreciate you thinking of me when you have a family trauma to deal with".
Josef shook his extended hand.
"No thanks necessary, it's a few minutes of my time, if I can swing it for you I will, we'll speak on the way back".
They didn't really have to wait after landing in Madrid, the pilot had explained their emergency mission with the second plane behind them and Air Traffic Control brought them in one behind the other.
They were rushed through the FBO Offices and into a car heading towards the hospital in no time at all.
Carry passed Juan a bottle of water in the car but he was shaking so much he spilled most of it down himself.
She put an arm around him saying.
"Come on Buster, get a grip, we know he's not in danger, and he doesn't need to see you as a wreck when we get there, deep breaths, get your act together".
At the hospital they were whisked up to Ralph's room, where they were confronted with a swathed Ralph, his arms, legs and torso were heavily bandaged, it was obvious his right arm was broken and in a cast, the complete right side of his face had a pad of gauge taped in place covering everything including his eye, but apart from that his head was unscathed.
He was conscious, and obviously in pain.
Juan was crying as he tried to gently hug him, but even that was too much for Ralph, who almost squealed.
A doctor came in after they'd been there about ten minutes, he spoke to them as if Ralph weren't even there.
"I'll make a decision on discharging him tomorrow, we're keeping him overnight because of the concussion, we want to monitor him, there may be some small shards we missed, but we pulled around eighty glass shards out of him, he is so lucky, one shard missed his femoral artery by a thousandth of a cats whisker, he must have someone looking over him, from what I hear, the time it took to extract him, if it had hit the femoral artery he wouldn't be here now, no work for twelve weeks".
And he was gone, leaving them all speechless.
Juan sat on the side of the bed, holding Ralph's good hand.
"Don't ever do that to me again, I was terrified, you can't imagine what went through my mind".
Ralph's answer shocked all of them.
"I wasn't worried, I had someone holding my hand, a teenager, with dark hair spiked up with gel or something, bright blue eyes, he told me to be calm, he said, 'Juan's coming, he'll look after you, look after him for me', that was Pierre wasn't it?".
None of them could answer, he'd just described to Josef and Juan, a Pierre when he could first walk after his operation, when he'd decided to spike his hair to make himself look attractive for Juan, it was how he'd appeared to them when he'd exited the elevator at The Nest, and fallen forever into Juan's arms.
Josef and Carry went to the apartment for the night promising to return next morning, Juan was not going to leave Ralph, when he succumbed to the aftermath of the painkillers and other drugs they'd given him, slipping into a deep sleep, Juan snuggled down in the chair next to his bed, waking occasionally, checking him, then snuggling down again, confident he wasn't the only one watching over Ralph.
Next morning, Ralph was waiting for a completely shattered Juan to wake up.
When he did, Ralph said.
"Water, need water".
Juan was out of the chair and had the cup with straw to his lips in seconds.
"Drink as much as you need then I'll get you some fresh chilled from the machine in the corridor".
Juan couldn't believe how much Ralph drank, both warm, and chilled, until he relaxed back on his pillows.
"Remind me to buy a cattle prod if I ever need to wake you up, I thought I was going to die of dehydration, I was willing you to wake up, God, I could have taken up knitting and completed a quilt by the time you stirred".
Juan giggled.
"Sorry".
Ralph was discharged the following day, Juan took him back to the apartment and warned him.
"You're under instruction, no exertion, rest only, do anything not allowed and I'll have to chastise you".
The glint in Juan's eyes led Ralph to play along.
"What would you do if I was really naughty?".
Juan could tell he was playing up, so he leaned in and whispered.
"First I'd have to take you over my knee, with your pants pulled down of course, I'll let you imagine what comes after, but I can assure you, in my story, we both come afterwards".
Ralph didn't answer, he couldn't, he just gulped, and his hole twitched in anticipation.
Josef and Carry stayed for a few days.
Ralph asked his foreman to come visit after work in the evenings, giving him instructions on what needed doing day by day.
The night before they were due to leave, Josef sat down with both Juan and Ralph.
"I have a problem, but I think my problem might actually be a resolution to one that you have, it's my co pilot, he has asthma and he's fairly certain his license is going to be suspended at his next medical, he's looking for alternative employment".
They both looked interested so Josef carried on.
"He's married with two youngsters, I've met his family, they're nice, the youngsters, both boys, have impeccable manners, he's a good all round guy, I wondered if you might consider him as a building manager in one of your properties?".
Juan looked at Ralph, who nodded, but it was Juan who answered.
"I have to come back to Torremolinas on Thursday to collect some papers, I'll be returning on Friday, I'll meet him and his family at Malaga Airport FBO around midday Friday, tell him to pack for a long weekend, we'll have them here, I'm thinking, he could be the one we need to run the concierge operation, I'd like for us to get acquainted".
Josef was beaming.
"I'll do that, you probably don't remember him but you've met him a few times, it's Artura Alphonsa , we always used to laugh at his family name being so similar to ours, I'll be sad to lose him, he's a no nonsense guy, but he has this knack of putting people at ease".
Juan remembered from that.
"Arty, yes I remember, he's a great guy".
After they'd left Ralph asked for Juan's opinion.
"It's about my foreman Manny, it's becoming less and less necessary to issue daily work orders, he's got to know what I'll be asking for next, I'm thinking, with this greatly increased workforce, I'm now up to forty five, he should be given a step up, take the reigns, it would give me a bit more time to be scrutinising standards, what do you think"?.
Juan didn't need to think about it.
"Great idea, we're not going to get any less busy over the next two years, we have enough properties for the renovation schedule to last that long, and we'll be acquiring more as they come onto the market, so I think it's a no brainier, if as you say, the guy understands your needs, better still if he is capable of predicting what you want, I'd go for it".
That evening when Ralph's foreman arrived they asked him to stay for dinner.
He'd been a little nervous, they were dressed in clean clothes, he'd just finished a busy day on a building site, he was sweaty, his work clothes were messy and he hesitated, until Juan said.
"You're about my size, jump in the shower and I'll lay some stuff out for you, Ralph wants to chat something through with you, don't be concerned, I think you'll like what he has in mind".
The guys name was Manuel, but everyone called him Manny.
What came back from the guest room Juan had shown him to was an absolute transformation, an olive skinned man around thirty five years of age, who filled out the shirt and pants Juan had left for him perfectly.
When he spoke it was with confidence.
"Thank you for the clothes, I must admit I was feeling decidedly dirty when you asked me to stay for dinner, but that shower is amazing, I was tempted to skip dinner and stay in there, I'll have these clothes cleaned and returned to you sir".
Ralph giggled saying.
"Manny, his name is Juan, that's all you need to use, he hates sir, now come sit down, have a beer, I want to talk"
As Manny sat with his beer Juan had a sudden thought.
"I'm really sorry, we never asked if you had plans for this evening, do you have family waiting for you at home?".
Manny smiled.
"I don't have any family, I live in a hostel, I have to be in by ten o'clock or the door is locked".
Juan looked confused, and he had to ask.
"Why do you live in a hostel, you must make a fairly good wage working for Ralph, I don't understand?".
Ralph was the one who replied, not Manny, which surprised Juan even more.
"Because it's a condition of his parole, he served two years of a five year sentence for aggravated assault, he told me everything on the day he came for an interview, I admit, I asked him a lot more than I probably would have asked someone without his background, but I felt he deserved a chance to prove he could be the man he said he wanted to be, so I hired him, and that secured his parole, there's nothing I can do about his staying at the hostel, it's crazy I admit, he should be allowed to advance himself, but those are the parole board rules".
Juan looked at Manny who had his eyes cast down to his feet, what he said frightened both of them, but it needn't have, it wasn't what they thought.
Juan pulled out his cell phone, whilst dialling, he said angrily.
"This is just plain stupid".
"Poppa, ......yes he's definitely on the mend, I think another couple of weeks when his cast comes off and he'll be able to do some light work, of course that's not how he sees it, .............yes I'm flying back to Torremolinas on Thursday to finalise the security details for Vans visit, you do know Junior is hosting you at the Kensington House, ......oh good, ..........yes, but that's not why I called, how much pull do you have at the Spanish Royal Court these days?, I want the parole regulations for a Manuel Artiz relaxed, ..............Poppa, don't blame me, it was you and Poppa Pauly who programmed my moral compass, I just follow your lead, anyway, he's Ralph's foreman, and destined to be so much more, but he was rather silly in the past, now he's on parole, and as a condition he has to live like a vagrant in a hostel, it's ridiculous, ........... You're an absolute star, use our Madrid address he'll be staying here, yeh, well it's not like he's crowding the place is it, this place reminds me so much of The Nest, I think it's why I feel so comfortable here, ..........okay, and thanks, I love you, give my love to Van, speak to and see you both soon".
Both Ralph and Manny were looking mesmerised when he finished the call.
"Okay, Poppa will call The King in the morning, stay here tonight, we'll get your stuff from the hostel tomorrow, you'll stay here in the guest room you used until we get this madness sorted, now, I'm going to tell cook we'll be ready to eat in about an hour, I believe there is something you want to discuss with him Ralph, I'll leave you to it".
As he left they both just stared, open mouthed.
Ralph looked at Manny.
"He never fails to surprise me, but it's true, there is something I want to discuss with you".
Manny was still open mouthed as he looked at Ralph and said.
"He's that connected?".
Ralph laughed.
"Oh don't get me started, I've given up on asking sarcastic questions, I'm usually defeated, but know this, when he's on a mission, he will win out, he doesn't seem to know what the definition of defeat is, either that or he refuses to acknowledge it even exists in his vocabulary".
Manny nodded, agreeing, as Ralph continued.
"I need a second in command, it has to be someone who knows what I'm thinking, knows exactly what it is I'll want next, to date that has proved to be you, so I'm offering you a new role, with the title 'Projects Controller' it won't be easy, it means you have to ensure everything I want on every project is delivered, you can appoint a Deputy Projects Controller, I'll leave that decision to you".
Ralph's words had shocked him, but the next statement threw him into a meltdown.
"It carries double your current salary, and a company car to get you around, so, I know this is a big ask of you, take some time, tell me what you think after dinner, any questions I'll do my best to answer".
Dinner was an enjoyable time, Manny proved to be an entertaining dinner guest, having them all in stitches at times, unlike when he described the events that led to his living in the hostel, that had been a fun time that turned into a nightmare.
"I'd been out for the evening, met a group of lads I'd seen several times, had several drinks with, but not really got to know, anyway, this particular night they were going on to a club and I tagged along, I didn't know it at the time but it was a gay club, I understood when we got there, mainly because it was underwear or naked only night".
Ralph and Juan were engrossed.
"Don't get me wrong, gay doesn't bother me, I'm a get it where you can guy, so man on man didn't faze me, but the underwear night did, I was commando, and I was not going naked, well anyway, the club had a solution for anyone who needed a cover up, they had brand new thongs, in packaging, guaranteed never worn before, so I bought one, and here's where I was mortified, when I got changed, it was pink, and so brief I may as well have stayed commando".
By now they were all laughing hysterically, at the thought of a macho builder, in a tiny pink thong.
"When I came out of the changing rooms, one of the guys, well only a boy really, but quite cute, he said.
"Jeez, you could make a fortune as a lap dancer, I'd give a lot to get in there".
"I told him I preferred one on one situations of my own choosing, I wasn't into anonymous sex or random groping at all".
Manny got really serious, as though he'd gone back to that time, and the conversation suddenly took a turn to the sadder side of life.
"He was the boy that I eventually battered, and to this day I'm still so mixed up about what I did, his name is Anton Torres, he's around twenty or twenty two"
Juan wanted him to elaborate, he could see Manny was struggling with something, but he carried on trying to explain.
"I really liked him, he knew I was self conscious about being so exposed, but over the course of the night he made me feel comfortable, lightly hit on me, but nothing heavy, we chatted quite a lot, I remember him saying he was an accountant, with a large well known company, anyway, to cut a long story short, I got progressively drunker until I don't remember leaving the club, I just remember waking up next morning with spunk running out of my arse, and he was asleep next to me, and not three feet from us there was a box of condoms, I was completely incensed that he'd rode me bareback, well I freaked, I didn't give him time to wake up or explain, I beat the crap out of him, and I left".
Juan tried to say he didn't see what was wrong with that, but Manny stopped him.
"I got it so badly wrong, I'll always, forever regret that, it's why I changed my plea to guilty, so he wouldn't have to come to court, he'd been listed as a witness but he didn't turn up, obviously he was worried about being identified, I couldn't in all consciousness expose him, it went against everything I believed in, he didn't deserve to be exposed in that way, he'd tried to protect me, I'd hurt him as a result".
Both Ralph and Juan were now confused, they couldn't understand, it seemed straightforward, but Manny's explanation shocked them.
"He'd taken me home to his apartment because I wasn't capable of telling him where I lived, he'd stripped me and put me to bed on the couch, then went to his own bed, in the night he was woken by noises and came out to the lounge where he found his flat mate fucking me, he threw his flat mate off me, and lay next to me all night to protect me, only to be beaten to a pulp next morning by me, he didn't know why I'd done it, and didn't stand any chance of protecting himself, I hurt him so badly, I don't think even to this day he understands why I did what I did, and that's the real shame, because I really felt something for him".
Manny paused.
"That's why I've accepted whatever degradation and penalty has been thrown at me, I really liked him, he tried to save me, and I did that to him, you think my treatment is wrong, I don't, I don't question any of it, I accept it, because only he could give me absolution, and I very much doubt that's ever going to happen".
But Manny obviously hadn't listened when Ralph told him, Juan on a mission was unstoppable, and failure was not an option.
Juan set himself a target that night, find this Good Samaritan.
The following day Juan took a call from his Poppa.
"Hi son, I got a reply from an equerry at court, there's nothing they can do about the probation term, it reflects the seriousness of the crime, but they have secured permission for him to reside at any address, so long as the local police chief is made aware of his permanent address, so I've requested he be officially recorded as resident at your address from yesterday, that's the best I can do I'm afraid, good speaking to you but I need to go, Van's recording the last few tracks on his new album, I need to set some weird levels he's come up with".
Juan chuckled, his Poppa, like himself, had gone a long time after his partner died, not wanting anyone else, then just like himself, when you weren't expecting it, one springs at you and you're hooked.
Juan took a walk along the Avenue, finding Manny in the site office which was in one of the four buildings they were currently working on.
"I thought I'd let you know straight away, as of yesterday your official address is our apartment, it's registered with the local police chief, if you change it you have to let him know by reporting to the station and filling out a residency change notice".
Manny actually hugged him.
"You probably have no idea what this means to me, I can buy new clothes for a start, in the hostel there's so much thieving it's pointless having much of anything, unless you can carry it with you it's ripe for nicking".
Juan patted him on the back.
"Until the weekend when you get a chance to shop I'll sort you some things out, and don't feel obliged to return or replace them, it's a pleasure, honestly".
Manny thanked him and, as Juan left he saw him getting stuck into work.
Back at the apartment he sorted several pairs of jeans, chinos and shorts, with a couple of pairs of clingy trackie bottoms, plus a selection of shirts, T's, and vests, with several sweaters, a variety of different coloured socks, and a selection of both boxers and hipster briefs all still in their packaging, he added a pair of brown and black formal shoes, along with a pair each of grey, blue and black canvas sneakers, then stacked them all on Manny's bed.
He was just coming back out of Manny's room after delivering the last pile when Ralph met him in the hallway.
Looking in and seeing the clothes he put his arms around Juan for a hug, kissing his cheek.
"That is so nice, you really are a wonderful person, I have no idea what I did to deserve you, but I'm not challenging fates decision".
Juan just beamed, blushing, and hugging him back, it was something most of the family suffered with, they had no problem with giving praise, definitely no problem with giving or receiving hugs, but they all got acutely embarrassed when receiving praise, Ralph surmised it was all too do with the way they'd been brought up, the values that hadn't just been instilled into them, values they'd seen demonstrated time and again as well, the biggest of all being never to miss an opportunity to help others.
Later that evening, Manny came into the lounge and thanked Juan for the clothes, he was carrying the several pairs of underwear Juan had left out for him.
"I wanted to say thanks for your generosity, those are some really nice clothes, but I wanted to give these back, I never wear underwear, I prefer to swing free, I'll drop them in your room for you".
The following day Juan was heading out on his trip to Torremolinas, at breakfast before he left, they were joined by Manny who usually only had fresh fruit, cereals and coffee.
Juan was talking softly to Ralph, reminding him, without seeming bossy, that the doctors had insisted no strenuous activity for another few days.
As he was leaving for work Manny assured Juan he'd keep a watchful eye on Ralph.
Juan completed the work on Vans upcoming trip to London, allocated his extra security staff and two drivers because it was a full on schedule spread over ten days.
Van was recording an 'Evening With', television show for the BBC, he also had four sell out nights at The Royal Albert Hall, plus three charity dinners where he would perform several numbers and, Juan guessed, would donate his fee back to the charity with a matching amount, effectively doubling the donation, it had almost come to be a game, where charities tried as hard as possible to pay him, only to get it handed back to them twofold.
Whilst he was in Torremolinos, one of his researchers visited him in his office at Guardian.
"Hi Juan, do you have a couple of minutes?, it's too do with that location task you set for me".
Juan waved her in, he was just about to make a call but replaced the receiver instead.
"Come in Dania, I can make time now for you, what progress have you made?".
She laid out a large folder on the desk in front of him.
"It's rather sad really, I found him, he's living in a small apartment in a really seedy area of Carabanchel, just about the worst area of Madrid".
Juan was confused, and said as much.
"Why is he living in a seedy area?, from what I heard, he had a pretty good position as an accountant, with a supposedly well known company if I remember right, he must make a fairly good salary".
When she replied, Juan could see how what she said upset her, and she was hesitant about telling him.
"He did have a really good job, but he was the victim of a hit and run, no one was ever traced for being responsible, it left him paralysed from the waist down, he lives on a small pension, his apartment is third floor, no lift, he never leaves the building".
Juan had not been prepared for the, 'paralysed from the waist down', part of what she'd said, it completely threw him, he didn't realise until Dania was crouching down next to him with a glass of water.
"Juan, Juan, relax, take a drink, it's just a mild panic attack, you're okay, take another drink".
As he relaxed, he could see the worried look on her face, so he tried to reassure her.
"I'm okay Dania, sorry if I freaked you out there, it was the paralysis I think, it took me straight back to Pierre when we first met, he was paralysed from the waist down, were you able to get any of his medical reports?,".
She nodded, returning to the other side of his desk and opening the folder, flicking through she came to a hefty section of papers.
"It's all here, there's conflicting evidence as to whether an operation could repair any of the damage suffered, two experts say it would not work, one says it has a seventy percent chance of success, though all are agreed, it would only restore his ability to stand, and have very limited mobility, he doesn't have any private medical insurance, and the state system won't authorise what they see as a waste of funding".
Juan was feeling completely deflated.
"When did this happen?".
She could answer that exactly.
"On the second day of Manny's trial, he was scheduled as a witness but the RTA left him in a coma for nearly two weeks, the police suspected his flat mate, but they had no evidence and he'd vanished, the prosecution successfully lobbied for the information about the RTA to be suppressed, so it looked as though he just hadn't turned up".
"Thanks Dania, you've done a really good job as usual, leave it with me, I'll have to think on it".
As she left she said.
"You're going to help him aren't you?".
That was something he didn't have to think about.
"Yes, I have to, there has to be a reason why this is sitting here in front of me, the only logical explanation is that Pierre wants me to do something with it, all I need to do is figure out what's best, but yes, one way or another, I'm going to help him".
On Friday he was heading for the airport to meet up with Arty and his family.
The weekend would tell them if Arty was what Ralph and Juan were looking for in a Concierge Manager.
TBC
Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.