The following story is gay fiction. If the subject matter is offensive to your or you are too young, please exit now. This work is owned by the author and may not be reproduced without permission. JETjt@aol.com
EMPIRE
Chapter Thirty-nine
Friday 2:30 P.M. Douglas' room, M.D. Anderson Hospital, Houston
"I wonder where Doug is?" Eddie asked the older men waiting with him.
"He'll be along shortly I'm sure," Ron said reassuringly. "I'm going to go find another chair. We'll be here for awhile." He stepped out of the room and headed for the nursing station.
"Pardon me," he said to the nurse busily working at the desk.
"Yes sir?" the nurse said looking up and smiling.
"I was wondering if you could tell me where I could find another chair. There are three of us with Douglas and only two chairs in the room."
She picked up her room chart and looked at it.
"Yes," she answered. "There are two chairs in room 320. I'm sure that you could take one of those. The poor boy in there rarely, if ever, gets visitors."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Ron replied. "It's got to be tough to go through all of this without support."
"Yes, he's a charity case. Fortunately the hospital gets regular funds for these kinds of cases from charity donors. This case is funded by a trust out of Las Vegas."
"It wouldn't happen to be the Turner Trust, would it?"
The nurse looked in the file that happened to be on her desk.
"Yes!" She replied with a surprised look on her face. "How did you know?"
"Just a lucky guess," Ron said with a grin. "I'm Ron Turner, the father of Douglas, the patient in Room 312.
She quickly pulled Doug's file and glanced at the "VIP" designation on it.
"Mr. Turner it's a pleasure to meet you," she said gushing. "Tommy is the twelfth patient we've had this year that has been helped by your Trust."
"I'd like to take all the credit," Ron said smiling, "but my partner Matt handles all our giving. He's Doug's other father."
Caught somewhat by surprise at Ron's revelation she nonetheless smiled quickly and said, "I'd like to thank him too. You both have no idea the good your contributions have done."
"I'm a little surprised myself," Ron admitted. "I knew we funded a fair amount of money for the Emma Thorsruud procedure, but beyond that, I must confess, I'm somewhat in the dark."
"I'm not sure of the details myself," the nurse said. "I just know that your Trust is doing a lot of good here. I'm sorry to be so impersonal," she added looking apologetic, "my name is Tammy White. If there is anything I can do for you, please just ask."
"Thanks Tammy," Ron said taking her offered handshake. "Now I'd better go get that chair. We're waiting for Douglas to come back from testing."
"Certainly," the nurse said with a smile. "I'd be happy to get the chair for you."
"Not necessary," Ron said with a wink. "I don't have a broken arm."
She laughed, thinking `what a nice man,' as Ron turned and headed for room 320.
Reaching the doorway of that room, Ron knocked softly before pushing the door open. Upon entering he saw a young man of, he guessed, 14 or 15 years of age watching TV from his bed. The boy's face was pale and looked tired.
"Hi," he said in greeting. "My name's Ron. The nurse said I could borrow a chair from in here."
"Sure," the boy said with a grim smile, "I don't get visitors. Take them both if you want."
"No thanks, you'll need at least one when I come back to visit," he said smiling. "We can't have a boy here without visitors."
"Why would you want to do that?" the boy asked in surprise.
"I guess I just feel a need to talk," Ron fibbed. "I have a son here at the hospital myself."
"You do?" the young man queried.
"Yes. He's just down the hall and we just arrived this morning. We could use a few pointers."
"I hope he has better luck than I'm having."
"What's the problem, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I need a bone marrow transplant," the boy revealed, "but they haven't found a donor yet."
"Hmmm," Ron responded. "That's too bad, but I'm sure they'll get one soon. I'll be back in a short while," he promised. "Doug is due back from testing now and I need to be there."
"Yeah," the youth said in understanding. "He'll want you to be there. By the way, my name is Tommy Donaldson."
"Nice to meet you son," Ron said with a smile and an outstretched hand.
"Nice to meet you too sir," Tommy said as he took Ron's offered hand and shook it.
"See you soon," Ron committed as he picked up a chair. "Bye."
"Bye," the boy said, looking doubtful about Ron's promise.
Ron exited the room and returned to Doug's room.
"What took you so long?" Eddie asked as Ron set the chair down near where his two companions were still waiting.
"I had a conversation with the floor nurse and the patient where I borrowed the chair. He's a nice boy, and interestingly enough," he said for Matt's information, "is one who is being helped by the Turner Trust."
Matt perked up and smiled. "I'd like to meet him," he said.
"I'm sure he'd like that," Ron replied. "He doesn't get any visitors. Any word yet on Douglas?"
"No," answered Matt. "We're just waiting patiently, so to speak."
"I can understand that expression now," Ron commented just before the door opened to the room and Douglas appeared, being pushed in his wheelchair by the cute orderly, Dave Farnsworth.
"Hi dads," Douglas said taking on a smile. "Hi love."
The men and their young guest responded as Dave wheeled the chair to the bed and helped his charge climb up; the boy's cute ass was exposed as he exited the chair.
"Woo, woo!" Eddie said with a wink. "I see London, I see France, I see someone with no pants!" he giggled.
"Very funny," Doug said dryly, not joining in with Eddie's humor at first then grinning at his boyfriend. "This getup is pretty drafty, for sure," he said as he lay back on the bed.
"See ya later champ," Dave said as he turned the wheelchair toward the door.
"Thanks for the lift hunky guy," Doug responded with a grin and a wave.
"Sure `nuff", the handsome young man said waving back as he vanished behind the closing door.
"Well, how'd it go?" Matt asked.
"It was no fun," replied Douglas. "It wasn't too bad though. I've had worse."
"What did they do to you?' Eddie asked.
"You know the regular stuff. They took blood, did X-rays, did a CAT scan and an MRI. They also put me to sleep and did some biopsies."
"They operated on you?" Matt asked.
"Well, sort of," Douglas said. "The cuts are so tiny that they just put band-aids on `em. I was asleep anyway so I didn't feel anything."
"You look tired," observed Ron.
"Yeah, I am a bit, but I'm excited to see you." He said then coughed. "The other guys doing the tests with me were nice though so it wasn't too boring. I must admit that not knowing what they were gonna do to you was a bit scary. Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."
"Did Dr. Hankhammer say when he'd see us since you ran quite a bit late?" Matt asked looking at his watch and seeing that it was after 3 o'clock.
"Nah, I only saw him once when we were gonna do the biopsies. He didn't say anything about that."
"I'd expect him to be a bit later than planned," Ron said. "Would you guys like to talk alone for a little while?" he asked Doug and Eddie.
"That would be nice," responded Doug. "Do you have somewhere to go?"
"There's a boy down the hall that I met when I was borrowing a chair," Ron said. "I told him I'd be back and I'd like Matt to meet him."
"Sure, that's alright," Douglas agreed. "Am I gonna have another brother?" he asked with a grin.
Ron and Matt both laughed.
"We're not planning on it," Matt responded with mirth.
"Just keep it in mind," advised Doug with a twinkle in his eye. "What room will you be in if the doctor wants to see you?"
"320," Ron answered as he stood and picked up the chair on which he'd been sitting. "We'll be back in a few minutes."
"Take your time," their son said, looking at Eddie. "I have good company."
"Yes you do," Matt said approvingly.
Ron, carrying the chair, led Matt out the door and down the hallway. Stopping in front of the room marked 320, he knocked first before pushing the door open.
"Hi," Ron said to Tommy who was still watching TV. "I brought you another visitor."
"Hi sir," Tommy said with a pleased smile. "I really didn't expect you back."
"When I give my word I keep it," Ron declared then turned to his mate. "Matt, I'd like you to meet Tommy Donaldson. Tommy this is my partner Matt Davidson."
"Nice to meetcha," the youth said.
"I'm pleased to meet you too," Matt said. "Can I have a hug?"
Tommy blushed. "Uh... I guess so. Nobody ever hugs me."
"I hope I'm not `nobody'," Matt declared with a wink as he leaned over the edge of the bed and gave the boy a warm hug."
"I...uh... I didn't mean that," the boy clarified.
"I know son. I was just kidding," said the older man with a wink.
"How come you both called me son?" Tommy asked. "I'm nobody's son."
"Why don't we pretend that you're our son for now," Ron suggested. "Or if you don't want that, we could pretend to be your uncles or just friends, though we wouldn't have to pretend that."
"I'll have to think about it a little," Tommy said. "I'm sorry if I'm standoffish. It's just that everybody I've ever liked has gone away, sooner or later."
"We can't promise never to go away," Ron said sympathetically, "but we can be at least friends for now. That's better than having none."
"I'm not sure about that," the youth replied. "It just hurts so much when someone you love goes out of your life."
"I know what you mean," Ron agreed thinking of the possibility of losing Douglas. "We can go if you want us to."
Ron and Matt could both see the thoughts whirring in Tommy's mind as he paused before replying.
"No...stay," he said. "You're right. At least you'll be some company before I die."
"What makes you think you're going to die?" Matt asked, shocked at the boy's statement.
"The doctors say I have to have a bone marrow transplant. So far they haven't found a donor. That means I'll die if I can't have one."
"What about the Thorsruud procedure?" Matt asked Ron.
"I'm not sure," Ron admitted. "I think the procedure helps the body overcome the disease, but if the body can't help because it can't produce the blood cells, the procedure doesn't work. I suspect that even blood transfusions are only a temporary fix."
"That's kinda what the doctors said," Tommy reported. "So it looks like my goose is cooked."
"Don't give up hope, my young friend," Ron encouraged. "It ain't over `til the fat lady sings."
"What does that mean?" Tommy asked.
Ron laughed.
"Do you know about opera?" Ron asked.
"No. What is it?"
"Well it's like a play except instead of talking, all the characters sing."
"I never saw a play either, but I know what that is," Tommy confided. "I thought that singing stuff was called a musical."
"Opera is like a musical, except most operas were written long ago before there were movies or TV or anything like that," Ron explained. "The singers had voices that were specially and highly trained to be beautiful, but they had to sing loud because there was no way to amplify the sound of the singing. Many of the professional singers got heavy over the years as they got older, and many times the opera would end with a final song sung by the leading lady, who was often fat."
"Oh, I understand now," Tommy said jumping ahead of Ron's conclusion. "The show wasn't over before the fat lady sang," he deduced.
"Right on!" Ron said proudly. "You understand completely."
Ron and Matt both smiled.
"I wish I had someone around that could explain that kind of thing to me," Tommy said wistfully. "I like learning stuff."
"Well, we're here for now," Matt said. "I guess we'll have to do."
"You'll do fine," Tommy beamed.
The door opened and Doctor Hankhammer peeked in.
"Oh there you are," he said in a greeting that carried with it a small but professional smile. "Hi Tommy."
"Hi Doc," Tommy replied with a grin, "you looking for these guys?"
"Yes. I need to talk to them for awhile."
"You take good care of these guys' boy. They're special friends of mine."
"Yes sir," the doctor joked and saluted. "Right this way, gentlemen."
"See you later Tommy," both Ron and Matt promised.
"Take your time," Tommy replied. "I'm not going anywhere."
The doctor led the way down the hallway to a small conference room near the nurses' station. On entering he indicated that they should all be seated.
"Men," he began. "I'm afraid the news is not very good."
Ron and Matt braced themselves for the worst.
"The tumor in Douglas' throat definitely is malignant and seems to be growing fast. I'm not sure we'll be able to save the larynx. At any rate we need to operate immediately if we hope to have a chance of saving his life. I'm sorry to say that that is the good news."
Both Ron and Matt were crestfallen at the doctor's declaration.
"I'm afraid that our biopsies confirmed that the cancer has spread to other parts of his body. At least two major organs are affected as well as the lymph nodes."
"That's what Dr. Franklin in Las Vegas feared," Matt said sadly his eyes tearing up. "What can be done?"
"If the surgery on his neck is successful, we'll have to start an extensive treatment of smaller surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation," the doctor responded.
"That sounds horrible," Ron assessed. "If he goes through all of that, what are his chances?"
"Ten years ago I would have said `zero', the doctor replied. "His chances are still not good as he's a lot weaker than we'd like, but I'd give him a one-in-four chance of survival."
"That seems like a lot of suffering for pretty short odds," Ron observed dejectedly.
"Yes, it is," the doctor agreed. "He'll be pretty nauseous much of the time though there are medicines that help that now. Unfortunately with our present knowledge, it's the best we can do."
"When will you do surgery on his neck?" Ron asked, conceding that they had no other options.
"Tomorrow morning," the doctor replied. "It's scheduled for 8 AM and will probably take around two hours."
"Will we be permitted to stay with Douglas tonight?" Matt asked.
"Of course, if you wish. I'll make arrangements. I'll have the nurse bring in a couple of roll-aways. You can take turns napping if you get tired."
"I'm not sure we'll sleep," Ron said, "but we appreciate the gesture."
"We'll move him in the morning to the surgical center about 7:30 for prep," the doctor informed them. "There is a waiting room there. I'll come out as soon as we know his condition is stable."
"Thank you doctor, you've been more than kind."
"I wish I could do more," the man said regretfully, then thought of something. "How do you know Tommy Smith?" he asked.
"I met him when I went in to borrow a chair," Ron explained. "We got to talking. It seems that his treatment is being funded by our Charitable Trust. He's a nice boy. Is everything being done for him that can be?"
"You're that Turner?" the doctor exclaimed connecting the Trust with the man.
"Yes," Ron replied simply. "Matt here handles the affairs of the Trust."
"You're famous in this hospital Mr. Turner. Your funding has already given many a new chance at life."
"It doesn't look like it will help Douglas," Ron said sadly.
"That's really not true," the doctor reported. "The Emma Thorsruud treatment has gone way beyond the application of treating leukemia. We've having good success, though it's still experimental with other cancers. For instance, our chemotherapy procedure that we'll use on Douglas was derived from Thorsruud and probably improves his chances by at least 10%."
"You know we didn't invent the treatment," Ron countered. "We just funded its application. It was conceived right here in this hospital."
"Yes. You may not have conceived the baby," admitted the doctor, "but you had a big part in the delivery. I can't even begin to tell you how important that is. It's my guess that the speedy application of the treatment and its universal acceptance throughout the world has probably saved thousands of lives that otherwise would not have been spared. I do not exaggerate! Timing is everything these days. For example, if we had known about Douglas' condition as little as two months ago, his chances would have probably been 80%, not 25."
"He only mentioned his sore throat last weekend," Ron reported, "and that was because we asked him when he coughed."
"You can't blame yourself, or even him," the doctor asserted. "It's an insidious disease, often revealing itself when there is little hope of recovery."
"We're finding that out," Ron said. "Is there anything else?"
"I have a question," interjected Matt. "Tommy said that he needs a bone marrow transplant and there are no donors. Could you test me to see if we're compatible?"
"Me too," Ron added through his sadness. "Maybe we can save at least one of the two boys," he choked out.
"That's very generous," The doctor said, dumbfounded. "I'll order the tests this afternoon, if you have time."
"Nothing is more important. Order away," Ron replied. "We'll be with Douglas."
"I don't know how to thank you men," the doctor said overcome with Ron and Matt's generosity. He shook his head as if he were coming out of a dream and said, "I guess that's all for now. I'll see you in the morning, if not before."
"Yes, we'll see you then. And doctor, thank you for being honest with us about Douglas," Ron replied, offering his hand as he stood up.
Hankhammer accepted his handshake with a look of sadness. He then shook the hand of Matt.
"Bad news never gets better by putting it off," the doctor said stoically. "I'm just sorry I had to be the one to deliver it...It comes with the territory though."
"Yes, it does," Matt agreed, his eyes leaking tears. "Thank you. Goodbye."
"Goodbye gentlemen."
The doctor left the room, giving the two men a few minutes to talk together.
"Oh Ron," Matt wept as Ron took him in his arms. "It's just so damned unfair!"
"Yes Babe, it is," Matt's lover agreed fighting back his own sadness. "We have to remain strong though for Douglas and Eddie's sake. It's awful to feel so helpless."
Ron held his lover gently until he began to recover.
Matt sniffed, then asked wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, "Do you get the feeling that somehow Douglas knows?"
"I'm sure that since the prognosis in Vegas he knows, but just not the extent of his illness," Ron concurred. "I think we should be honest with him now. We don't have to make it sound so terrible, but he deserves to be told what he's facing."
Releasing Ron, Matt pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his eyes dry and then blew his nose.
"I'm sure your right," Matt said. "I'll try to keep my emotions in check, though I'm not sure I can be the one to tell him without breaking down again."
"I'll handle it Babe," Ron offered, but dreading the task. "But I'm not making any promises that I won't break down myself."
Ron took Matt's hand and they left the room, turning down the hall and arriving at room 312 a couple of minutes later. They knocked softly, then after a brief pause opened the door. Eddie was just sliding down into the chair. He blushed.
Ron smiled in spite of his devastation. In a short moment as he and Matt approached the bed, the merriment left his face.
"It's bad news, isn't it," Douglas said reading Ron's eyes.
"I'm afraid so son," Ron replied looking down to avoid weeping. "You'll have surgery tomorrow for the neck tumor, but they found some other places where the cancer has spread. I'm afraid the treatment will be long and uncomfortable."
"Am I gonna die?" Douglas asked.
"We don't know," Ron answered honestly. "We can only pray."
"If God wants me now, he can take me. I'm ready," Douglas replied with a trusting smile. "I don't want you to go around being sad if it happens. He's given me almost everything I ever wished for, and they're here right in this room."
Douglas' words broke the dam in Ron's eyes. Tears poured down his cheeks as he took their son in his arms. A weeping Matt took Douglas' distraught young lover Eddie, who had nearly collapsed in grief, into his own embrace.
Douglas released Ron after a long moment and looking at his dads and Eddie, smiled then giggled as he said, "I guess I'd better call for a mop."
Douglas' humor broke the pall of sadness that had filled the room.
Ron laughed through his tears and saw the others smiling with him.
"Oh how we love you, our brave, brave boy," Ron said shaking his head.
"You couldn't have said anything that could please me more," Douglas said sincerely. Then an evil grin crossed his face and he added, "Unless of course it was Eddie wanting to make love."
Ron and Matt roared in laughter, while Eddie just blushed a beet red.
Changing the subject again, the overcast of gloom faded as Douglas asked about the boy down the hall.
Ron told both boys about their visit with Tommy with Ron finally telling the boys about their offer to be tested so see if their bone marrow could be used.
"That's my dads," Douglas said proudly to Eddie. "They're always willing to help a kid."
Doug's kudos were interrupted when the door opened and Dave again entered.
"Alright, who're the guinea pigs," he asked with a smile.
Ron and Matt raised their hands.
"Okay, follow me," he said with a beckoning gesture as he backed out of the room, rubbing his hands together and leering with an evil grin.
Both Douglas and Eddie laughed at the hunk's antics while Ron and Matt just stood, following him with a wave to both of the youngsters.
"Back in a while," Matt promised as the door began to close behind them then quickly hitting the stops.
An hour later.
Ron and Matt knocked again on Douglas' door before entering. Inside they found Eddie reading to Douglas while their son lay back on the bed listening with interest.
"Hi guys," Douglas said smiling, interrupting Eddie's reading.
"Hi Doug. Hi Eddie," they both said.
"Eddie was just reading me his newest chapter of the story he's writing for Nifty," Doug reported. "It's really good."
Ron and Matt could see from the tent in the sheet covering Douglas' crotch that he was telling the complete truth. They smiled.
"Continue," Ron offered. "We'd like to listen too."
Eddie blushed again as he hurriedly closed the folder containing the printout.
"Uh... Uh...Maybe later," Eddie quickly hedged.
"Later would be better. I think," Douglas agreed, not sure of Ron an Matt's reaction to the steamy scenes in the story. "I want you to take us down to meet that kid you were telling us about. It sounds like he could use some cheering up."
Ron was bursting with pride at his son's concern for someone other than himself, while Matt was thinking, `What a chip off the old block!'
"Sure Pal, let's go," Ron said offering his hand. "You might want Eddie to hold your gown closed as we go though, unless you want the whole world to see your cute behind."
"Yeah, I don't want others to be overcome with lust," Douglas giggled. "That stuff back there is only for Eddie."
The blood supply to Eddie's face got another workout, while Ron and Matt laughed.
"Hey Lover," Doug advised, "don't let it bother you. Don't forget these guys are gay too!"
"I know. I guess the people can look at my behind instead," Eddie rejoined, adding to the joke by wiggling his ass.
"Come on you knuckleheads," Matt said grinning as if his face would break. "You're keeping Tommy waiting."
"We can't have that," Douglas said heading for the door with Eddie trailing behind trying not to let the two sides of his lover's gown open. Before he reached the door he stopped and said to his young lover. "I want you here beside me Eddie," he said pulling Eddie to his side and wrapping an arm around him. "If anybody's not seen such cute buns before, let `em have a thrill."
The two older men and the two youngsters gathered in the hallway, with Ron and Matt on the outside, their arms around each other as they marched like a moving wall down the hallway to room 320.
Reaching the room, Ron again knocked then opened the door.
"More company," he announced to the dozing boy in the bed.
Tommy opened his eyes and smiled when he saw who it was.
"Hope we didn't disturb your beauty rest," Douglas said boldly. "I wanted to meet you. By the way, I'm those big guys' son Doug. This is my boyfriend Eddie."
"You're gay?" his amazement overcoming his manners.
"Yep, sure are," Douglas said with a smile, "and loving every minute of it."
"Uh... glad to meetcha. I'm Tommy," the youth said before declaring, "I never met four gay guys in one day before."
"That you know of," Doug corrected. "We're all over the place."
Tommy laughed at Doug's brashness.
"Uh... I might be gay too," Tommy confessed. "I never told that to anyone before."
"Well, you'd better make up your mind before you get too old, like these guys," he said indicating Ron and Matt with his thumb."
"Hey buster," Ron said laughing. "You think you're too old to spank?"
"Oh please kind sir, spank me!" Douglas pleaded putting on an act of being terrified, as Matt roared in laughter along with Tommy and Eddie.
"I've never seen him like this," Eddie explained to Tommy with upturned hands and eyes, joining in the fun.
"I love it, don't stop," Tommy giggled with glee.
"That what Eddie keeps saying," Doug the comic joked.
"You're too much," Matt exclaimed struggling to overcome his mirth. "I think you should behave."
"What fun is that?" Doug asked with a devilish grin. "We came here to cheer this boy up!"
"You've certainly done that!" Tommy agreed. "I haven't laughed that much in a year."
"Then we've done our job bucko," Douglas said to Tommy with a grin. "What say we all blow this joint and get the old guys to buy us some real eats?"
"I'm afraid that won't work," Ron said hating to throw cold water on the suggestion. "First Tommy would have to be temporarily discharged, and you can't eat because of your surgery in the morning."
"Damn!" Douglas said feigning extreme displeasure. Then he looked at Eddie and Tommy and grinned before saying in a stage whisper, "I knew that!"
Throwing up his hands in mock disgust, Doug then exclaimed, "What's a guy to do when everything is workin' against you?" He smiled and winked. "I'll tell you what," he offered, "Matt why don't you and `tough guy' go out to eat and leave us three cool guys here. Oh, and bring back something really good for my guy here."
He looked at Tommy, then said, "Not you silly," then scratched his head. "On second thought, bring something back for Silly too," he said with a grin. "I'll just suck my thumb."
"You're too much!" Ron said laughing. "Come on Matt. Let's let Dopey and the two dwarfs entertain each other for a while."
The response from Douglas was a loud fart, breaking up the whole assemblage with laughter.