Life Changes (standard:drama, 5765 words)
Author: Hopes	Added: Jan 16 2003	Views/Reads: 3196/2676	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
David's life as a bachelor changes drastically when he is called upon to fulfill his duty as godfather.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

so there was little need for extra bedrooms.  There were several 
college friends he kept in touch with and he had become close with a 
number of colleagues around the country.  They stayed with him if they 
had work near by. 

It was strange how quickly bonds were made in his business.  It didn't
take long to realize who you were willing to risk your life with and 
who you weren't.  Those in the second group usually ended up dead.  
There were no second chances in his business.  He had spent time with 
several of his friends' families while traveling, sometimes spending a 
couple weeks a year with the ones teaching in training schools.  He 
didn't see how their families handled it, but maybe that's why they 
took regular teaching/training jobs and did trouble-shooting only on a 
called-on basis.  Right now he couldn't handle the thought of staying 
still year round and he loved the trouble-shooting life. 

Randy, Cade, Larry, Jerry and Roy were close friends from work and Alex
and Joe were from college.  They were as different as his varied 
interests.  After college he and Alex had taken a road trip for three 
months and had a ball.  A lot happened and they grew up a bit more from 
their experiences.  David was even Godfather to the children of Randy, 
Roy and Alex.  He loved kids and enjoyed every chance he got to be with 
them.   When he could he slipped down to the local YMCA and got to know 
some of the kids as well as some of the young single men who played in 
the gym in the evenings. 

David really had a great life.  His family was close, he had a good
career, owned his own home and had real friends.  Who would have 
thought that tragedy would strike two of his friends in the same month 
and, in the aftermath, change his own life for ever. 

*   *   *   *   *   * 

In the spring it seemed that many undesirables had spent the winter
creating difficult explosive devices.  He had been called out at least 
once a week lately around the country.  Few cities had experts on their 
payrolls for these happenings so he traveled far and wide.  It was 
unreal.  For the first time in his career, he was tired. 

In June he was on a job with Roy.  They had completed a tricky job and
were leaving the station after completing their reports.  Suddenly Roy 
grabbed his chest and fell to the ground with a massive heart attack.  
There was no history of heart problems in his family.  He lived just 
long enough to tell his family goodbye and give them his love.  They 
were all in shock.  David tried to stay close to Jim, Roy's teenage 
son, during the next few days.  They had always been close, but Jim 
seemed to cling to him now.  A couple weeks later, after all the 
details had been taken care of, Ellen had a nervous breakdown.  She had 
had emotional problems before, but nothing of this magnitude.  The 
grandparents were unable to deal with a teenage boy on a permanent 
basis, so they turned to his godfather for help.  Before asking David 
to be Jim's godfather, Roy had talked to David, knowing the danger of 
his own profession, about what he wanted for his son in lifestyle, 
character, discipline and schooling.  It was not an agreement David 
entered into lightly.  It's a good thing because now he was being 
called upon to fulfill his commitment.  About the first of August, the 
grandparents brought Jim to David's home, a six hour drive.  They spent 
the night before returning home. 

David had moved Jim into the front bedroom upstairs.  He seemed to be
doing ok, but he was probably still in shock over the events of the 
last months.  Gosh, everyone was.  Ellen's collapse didn't help her 
son's situation either. 

The end of June found David doing some serious inventory of his life,
work and attitudes.  Looking at these things for himself sometimes was 
different from looking at them with an impressionable teenager coming 
to stand beside you.  Much time had been spent with his parents, 
together and one on one about the entire situation.  They happily 
agreed to take care of Jim whenever David had to be out of town.  David 
was never one to hesitate whenever given a responsibility and always 
knew as much as possible about a situation before he walked into it.  
That second part was a bit impossible, but he would do his best.  After 
all, hadn't he been raised by the greatest parents of all?  Being a 
natural leader and having had years of watching how his folks dealt 
with the many occurrences while raising five kids, it would work out.  
His younger brother, Pete would be a help in getting him acquainted in 
the area. 

School was another question to deal with.  While Jim had gone to public
school, the kids in David's home were home schooled.  How would Jim 
take to that?  That would be one decision that Jim would be allowed to 
make for himself.  Without knowing just how long Jim would be with 
David, he didn't want to change any more circumstances than he had to.  
If he wanted to be home schooled, David's mom agreed to do it, with 
some help from David.  Jim was a year ahead of Pete, but for some 
subjects that wouldn't matter.  Some of the  math and science was 
getting too tuff for her, and David would help there because those 
subjects were right up his alley. 

Just as David was adjusting to the fact that he had become a
guardian/parent to a teenage boy, tragedy struck again.  And again, it 
would give his own life a spin.  It was a Friday night, actually 
Saturday morning about 2 am, when the call came.  He had returned just 
a few hours ago from an assignment across the country.  Jim was still 
at his parents for the weekend.  They didn't know he was back so he 
didn't bother to wake them with a call about his departure.  There 
would be time later for that. 

His hand answered the phone before his mind was fully awake.  The
trembling, frightened voice on the other end quickly cleared his foggy 
mind.  “David, Alex and Jane have been in a terrible accident and we 
don't know if he is going to make it.  Jane didn't.  Can you come?  He 
was able to talk a little and he asked for you.”  Jan's voice broke 
then.  After assuring her that he was on his way and asking what 
hospital he was in, he quickly grabbed his overnight case that was 
always ready because of his work and headed out the door.  He had just 
enough time to get to the airport to catch the next plane to his 
friend's side. 

As he stowed his case overhead, then leaned back in the seat, he
recalled the first time he had met Alex and Jan.  The brother and 
sister were the best practical jokers on campus.  They had passed out 
an official announcement of a class meeting the first weekend of 
classes.  It sounded like a boring, but required, meeting.  When 
everyone arrived and had a seat, they were instructed to pick up their 
own chair and move them to the walls.  As soon as this was done, music 
suddenly blared as several tables of food and drink was brought out for 
an impromptu gala.  We never knew just how they got their 
‘announcement' given out with the official information we all received 
that week.  They personally tried to talk to every one of the 200 
freshmen there that night.  Their love of people and good times endured 
them to everyone.  David smiled as he remembered that night. 

The next day he was surprised to see Alex appear at his door to announce
that he was to be his new roommate.  David's original roommate had not 
been able to come due to family circumstances.  There was never a dull 
moment from then on.  They were not always having fun.  Alex had a very 
serious and deep side.  He just had a great sense of balance in his 
life.  Many an evening was spent side by side in study or deep 
discussions about school, life in general and their futures.  He knew 
from Jan's roommate that she was much the same way.  Though they were a 
year apart in age, they came to college the same year.  Alex had worked 
a year in his dad's law office before starting college just to take a 
break.  The summer before college Jan had worked in her mom's doctors' 
office.  They didn't have to for financial reasons, but wanted to get a 
better perspective of the real world before deciding on a major.  
Between a doctor's office and a lawyer's office, they did see quite a 
lot.  Everyone on campus knew that if a friend was needed for a quick 
loan or a sympathetic ear, Alex and/or Jan were there for you.  Alex 
graduated with honors in history/education and Jan in education. 

Now, Alex's wife was gone and his life hung in the balance.  It was
impossible to think of the unsinkable Alex not beating the odds and 
coming out with a laugh.  David's heart hoped that would be true.  What 
about the kids?  Jan didn't mention them.  Maggie was 17 and heading to 
college in the fall.  They had adopted her when she was 11.  They had 
only been married a few years, but fell in love with her immediately 
after she became eligible for adoption.  His wife had met her through 
her work with social services.  Maggie had fallen just a deeply in love 
with them.  Andy was only 5 when Maggie came and they loved each other 
completely.  Each cried when the other had to be punished. 

David realized that during his reminiscing he had fallen asleep.  He
awoke to the pilot instructing everyone to buckle up for the landing.  
He quickly hailed a cab and headed for the hospital, hoping against 
hope that his best friend was still alive and waiting for him. 

Jan was standing near the elevator when David exited.  He held her for
several minutes until she was again in control of herself to tell him 
as much of the story as she knew.  Andy was at Boy Scout camp and 
Maggie was at teen camp with her church.  They were picked up by 
members of their church who had generously offered to tell them of the 
accident and bring them home. 

Ann and Alex had gone been gone on a ‘three day retreat' alone and had
just finished a wonderful meal at Ann's favorite restaurant in town and 
were heading home.  It had started to rain earlier in the day and it 
was still misty.  They rounded a curve and ran into a mud slide which 
threw them into the oncoming traffic.  It happened to be a large truck 
that they hit head on.  That driver was being treated for minor cuts 
and bruises.  He had immediately used his cb radio to call for help, 
which was why Alex was still alive.  Ann had been killed almost 
instantly.  She had time only to squeeze Alex's hand that was holding 
her's and tell him that she loved him, Maggie and Andy with all her 
heart.  With a smile, she closed her eyes and was gone.  Mercifully, 
Alex passed out then and only awoke after reaching the hospital.  Jan 
had arrived minutes later and was with him when he was told that Ann 
was gone.  He knew that he was seriously hurt and had asked Jan to call 
David. 

During their talk they had made their way to the window outside ICU. 
Her parents were with Alex now.  A nurse came out and asked Jan if this 
was the man the patient had asked for.  Alex was awake and asking for 
him again.  Quickly, David took a deep breath to calm himself and 
walked in to see his friend. 

David immediately took Alex's hand as he greeted him quietly.  Alex gave
a weak smile and squeezed back.  “I'm so sorry, Alex”.  It was all 
David could get out. 

Alex heard the words and read his heart filled with unspoken feelings. 
“Thank you, David.  I don't think it has become a reality for me yet.  
I can't imagine that it's true.  But I'm glad to have you here.  Thank 
you for coming.”  His voice was quiet but steady.  The family had 
stepped out to give the two a few minutes alone. 

“David, I don't know just how bad off I am or even if I will make it, so
I need to talk to you now.  Even if I live, I don't think I will be 
back to normal for a long time, if ever.  We discussed this possibility 
before you agreed to be godfather to Andy.   Are you still willing to 
fulfill your duty as godfather and take care of Andy if I feel the need 
is here?  Maggie will be at college soon and will come back to my folks 
as her home, but they can't handle an active boy like Andy and give him 
what he needs outside of love.  They have plenty of that.  I can't go 
to sleep again without knowing that Andy will be taken care of as I 
want him to be.  I have already discussed this with my folks and Jan 
today.  Ann's parents love him, but couldn't care for him properly 
either and trust my judgment in you for him.  Both kids know that these 
are the arrangements we made in case anything every happened.  I've 
spoken to them already, just in case.  There will be no financial 
problems.  I know that you just took Jim in and this is probably a 
little much for you to swallow at once.  I've never seen you fail at 
anything yet and I don't think you will now.  In fact, I think you will 
be a wonderful ‘father' figure to both Jim and Andy.  Back to my 
question:  Are you willing to take my Andy and love and care for him 
for me if my situation warrants it?” 

There was no way in the world that he would say ‘no' to Alex.  He didn't
want to.  That decision had been made years ago when he agreed to be 
his godfather.  It was just that the trust and confidence that Alex had 
in him was almost more than he could bear.  “Yes, Alex, I'll do my 
best.”  He struggled with his emotions for a minute and then tried to 
lighten things a bit.  “Just do me a favor and try not to make it 
necessary, ok?  Put that stubbornness to good use and fight for your 
life, will you?” 

Alex grinned and relaxed.  “Now I can relax and let the doctors do their
stuff.  I believe I am scheduled for surgery as soon as everything 
stabilizes.  My blood pressure wouldn't behave because I was worried 
about the kids, but I know everything will be ok now.”  Alex's eyes 
closed and after a moment, David stepped out.  He deliberately moved 
away from the family and down to the men's room.  After about five 
minutes he felt a warm hand on his shoulder.  Alex's dad gently turned 
him around and drew him into a hug.  The two men clung to each other as 
tears streamed down each face for the one in the hospital bed near by.  
Finally, they washed their faces and rejoined the family.  The kids 
were there and he greeted them with hugs and words of encouragement. 

He took them home to get some sleep and brought them back the next
morning to see their dad before his surgery.  As was typical, Alex 
encouraged everyone to keep up their spirits while he ‘slept through 
the doctors' noisy work on him'.  He said he would talk to them when he 
woke up.  With that, the nurses took him away to prepare for surgery 
and the family retired to the waiting room.  A number of friends and 
co-workers for both Ann and Alex were in and out during the day.  Their 
pastor had stayed for an hour or so after seeing Alex and promised to 
return later. 

Four long hours later, the doctor came out to announce that the
surgeries had gone well, but that the permanent results would not be 
known for a while.  If he made it through the next 48 hours, his chance 
of living was very good.  If he lived, the amount of paralysis would 
not be known for months.  There would be months to years of therapy and 
special needs if he made it.  It wasn't exactly a wonderful report, but 
it was more hope than they had had last night.  He was stable for now 
and would sleep for the next 8-10 hours.  He suggested that they get a 
room across from the hospital where they could rest, yet be close by in 
case of a change in his condition.  They made their report to the 
friends in the waiting room and decided to take the doctor's advice and 
get some rest.  Several friends agreed to stay and report the news to 
any other visitors who happened to come by. 

A week later it was a very different setting.  Alex had made it through
his 48 hours and was expected to live, but the next couple years would 
be very difficult for him.  A couple more surgeries and much therapy 
would be required if he was to be able to walk again and go back to 
teaching.  So far, he had handled his prognosis well, probably due 
largely to being there for Maggie and Andy.  They were still reeling 
from the loss of their mother while wondering if they would lose their 
dad too.  It had been decided that in a few weeks Andy would go to stay 
with David on a permanent basis.  When Alex was ready for a long term 
therapy center, they hoped to find one near David's home.  David 
already had it in his mind to take Alex into his own home when he was 
able to live on his own again.  His house was big enough and looked 
forward to that day.  He hadn't brought that up yet, though. 

*   *   *   *   *   * 

It was the middle of July and there were now three ‘men' abiding in
David's house.  Andy was in the room next to Jim.  His bachelor days 
were definitely over.  He couldn't believe how much care there was in 
caring for two more people, especially two teenage boys.  He had taken 
a month leave to help get everyone settled in.  There was also school 
to deal with.  It was finally decided that Jim and Andy would be home 
schooled with Pete under his mom's instruction.  He laughed at her 
excitement and hoped she would still be happy with her ‘class' in a few 
months. 

When he went back to work he requested to be given more instruction
classes locally.  He was a popular instructor and the industry was 
happy to agree to his conditions in return for his having more 
seminars.  He was surprised at the satisfaction he gained from the 
seminars, even though they meant that he was not as available for 
emergencies. 

During a series of talks with his folks, a list of responsibilities,
expectations and consequences were drawn up, to give the merge of the 
three live some order and structure.  Both boys were from good homes so 
this was nothing out of the ordinary.  Things went very smoothly for 
the first month and then the new wore off, comfort set in and true 
personalities came out.  Now and then someone would find their shoes 
filled with rocks, a razor with the blade removed, Vaseline in the hair 
gel dispenser; typical tom foolery.  It was funny, but no one could 
figure out who was pulling the pranks.  It must be the little “Not Me” 
ghost from the Family Circus comic!  Most of the time they were taken 
in stride with pretended displeasure.  However, when they continued, 
and even seemed to be coming more often, tempers began to flair. 

David called a family meeting on Friday evening hoping to end the spree.
 Everyone had had an emotional summer and many new circumstances.  It 
was probably just time to let off some pent up steam in harmless ways.  
No one was in trouble, it was just time for it to stop.  When neither 
would admit to anything, he was surprised and a bit disappointed.  So, 
he grounded them indefinitely; which meant that there would be no TV, 
phone, visits to Pete, or computer time, an early bedtime and writing 
assignments daily.  He set up a long list of chores for them to do, 
some were one man jobs but most would require that they work together.  
They boys groaned in protest at losing one of their last two weeks of 
summer vacation, but still wouldn't speak up. 

Being an early riser, David was up at 6 Saturday morning, made breakfast
and had the boys up, dressed and eating by 8 o'clock.  He allowed their 
moans for a while and then reminded them that this was the result of 
their own actions.  By lunch time the yard was in perfect condition, 
mowed, hedges trimmed, patio and furniture clean, garden fence 
repaired, and porches swept.  The trash was loaded in the truck and off 
they went to the dump.  On the way back they stopped at the hardware 
store for a couple gallons of paint and paint supplies.  They would be 
painting the tool shed that afternoon and cleaning it out.  Both boys 
nodded off during the return trip.  David deliberately took the long 
way home to give them a few extra minutes rest without their knowledge. 
 Back home they had sandwiches, chips and milk for lunch.  Too soon it 
was time to get back to work.  The groaning began anew, but stopped 
immediately at a stern look from David.  They had never gotten that 
from him before, but knew the meaning of it from their own dads.  It 
brooked no tolerance, they knew. 

Actually, both were good workers and not novices at anything.  They
worked well together and got more accomplished than David had expected. 
 He would have to find more work to fill their work list.  They came in 
and cleaned up before eating.  Supper was a pot of soup David had put 
on to simmer earlier and a loaf of home made bread from Mom and iced 
tea.  They finished off a chocolate cake for dessert.  After clearing 
the table they went to the library and the boys were each given a 
pencil and notebook.  One hundred times they had to write, “Practical 
jokes are fun for a while, but then get irritating”.  It had to be in 
good handwriting or lines would be added.    Jim and Andy sat with 
astonishment when they heard what they had to do.  They were writing 
lines like little kids!  They were too old for that!  Each started a 
protest until they saw ‘that look' on David's face again.  Where was 
the happy, teasing guy from supper?  Obviously he was gone and replaced 
by a strict taskmaster.  They began to write.  It was all David could 
do to keep from laughing as he watched both boys fight fatigue and 
sleepiness by the time they were finishing up while he read the paper.  
They had worked hard today and were tired.  He was too.  Maybe they 
would decide their pranks weren't worth another day like this. 

Tomorrow was Sunday and they wouldn't work, but they would still know
they were being punished.  Everyone helped make breakfast and clean up 
before getting ready for church.  They would have dinner at Gran and 
Gramps today.  Expecting a free afternoon with Pete, they were shocked 
when they were sent to Gramps' study and found their notebooks and 
pencils there with a verse to copy 100 times.  When they finished, they 
were sent upstairs for a nap.  A nap!  This was totally humiliating.  
Gran and Gramps and Pete all knew that they were being punished.  They 
were really embarrassed when they woke up and realized that they had 
actually fallen asleep.  Supper was eaten and they headed back for the 
evening service.  By nine they were home and sent straight to bed. 

Monday morning began just like Saturday.  They put wallpaper up in the
extra room downstairs.  Lunch was sandwiches and the last of the soup 
from Saturday. The afternoon brought a new project.  They were going to 
catalog all of David's books just like a library!  Their mouths dropped 
open as they looked at the hundred of books on the shelves.  This would 
take several days!  David hid his smile as he watched the play of 
emotions and thoughts play out on their faces.  He expected an 
outburst, but it didn't come...yet.  They would put the information 
into his computer.  One would read out the title, author and type of 
book while the other typed.  They would alternate positions every hour. 
 They got a lot done before supper.  Grudgingly, it hadn't been quite 
so bad, actually interesting.  It gave them a little more insight to 
their guardian's taste.  They grilled hamburgers on the patio for 
supper and watched the sunset together.  As they finished cleaning up, 
the boys asked if they could talk to him.  This was expected.  He had 
seen them with heads together a couple times today. 

They sat in the living room for a minute before anyone spoke.  “You boys
have something to talk to me about?” David began. 

“Yes, sir,” Jim said.  We're sorry about all the pranks.  I started it. 
I was getting restless and angry about Mom and Dad and wanted to strike 
out, but didn't know what to do.  Somehow, I just kept seeing pranks to 
pull.  Andy started pulling some to get back at me and we threw in some 
for you.” He gave a sheepish grin, then got serious again.  “Andy was 
having similar struggles, too, I think.  It was a way of releasing 
feelings.  We didn't want to make you think we were ungrateful to you 
for taking us in or make you think we wanted to be anywhere else.  
Hurting you was never in our minds.  The situation just got out of 
hand.  We didn't mean any harm, but when you called a halt to it we 
were embarrassed and didn't want to admit our feelings.  Is that about 
it, Andy?” 

“Yes,” Andy replied quietly, barely looking up. 

“I thought as much,” David said.  “That's why I let it go on as long as
I did.  The only thing that bothers me is why you thought I wouldn't 
understand your feelings.  I loved your dads' too and I have moments 
where the tears flow.  There have been a couple times when one of you 
makes a comment or expression and I turn expecting to see one of your 
dads.  Several times I have come to you and asked how you were feeling 
and dealing with all that's going on in your life.  I am not your birth 
dad, but I do love you, and I love your parents.  They entrusted you to 
me, so they loved me too.  Come to me any time, day or night, with 
anything.  There will be things to work out.  There will be times that 
I have to punish you.  Don't ever forget, though, that I love you and 
am here for you.  Ok?” 

Jim and Andy could only nod.  David stood and went over to Jim and
pulled him up into a big hug.  He did the same with Andy.  Then he held 
them both as they all let the tears of loss and pain course down their 
cheeks. 

“Is everything clear now?”  This was from David. 

They looked at each other and Andy asked, “Are we still grounded and do
we have to finish the library?” 

Jim added, “Yeah, you really socked it to us hard.” 

David laughed.  “Yes, you are still grounded, but for a different reason
now.  Before, you were grounded for not stopping the pranks when I 
first told you to.  Now, it is for lying to me when I asked if it was 
you.  Lying is one of the worst things a person can do and will not be 
tolerated.  Do you understand me?”  He was serious now and had ‘that 
look'. 

Shamefaced, Jim and Andy answered together, “Yes, sir.” 

“Ok.  Grounded young men have early bed times.  Scram!”  As they hurried
passed him he swatted each on his backside.  “I'll be up in 10 minutes 
to tuck you in. 

*   *   *   *   *   * 

It had been almost a month since that night.  Life had settled down into
a comfortable routine.  School was going well and each week David found 
time to talk with each boy about his folks and tell a funny memory he 
had about them. 

He hadn't been a ‘parent' long enough to know that the times of peace
and quiet don't usually last long.  Saturday afternoon he went out the 
front door and started down the steps to get the forgotten morning 
paper.  The bucket of molasses hit him right on top of his head and 
streamed slowly down his body. 

David took a deep breath to hide his shock, and then his grin.  In a
moment he yelled loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear and 
long enough to scare the day lights out of the two laughing-and soon 
scared- boys around the corner:  “You two are in serious trouble!” 

1-10-03 


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