Lives and Trials of Jupiter - 21. Chapter 21

Lives and Trials of Jupiter Chapter-21

<<<<Alex>>>>

I saw the Doctor come out and talk to Dr. Reed, they talked and the hospital Doctor showed Dr. Reed my dad's charts. Then he shook his head and walked off. I was starting to get worried. Dr. Reed came over to talk to us. He did not look too sad so I figured that meant my dad was OK.

“They had to be some brain surgery. But he will be OK. They have him in a chemically induced coma while the swelling goes down. It seems that when he landed he fell on a small rock, it caused a blood vesicle to tear. They went in and repaired it, but we won't know if there are any long term effects until he wakes up. The doctor said that he did wake up just before they started and said that he should tell his family he loved them. “

Well it's not bad it could be worse, at least he is alive. That is all that matters right now. Then Dr. Reed said something that really pissed us all off.

“Unfortunately, Issac did not have anyone sign a medical power of attorney. So the hospital called his parents. If any of his kids were over 18 they would not have had to call them.”

“What? They're coming here? But Isaac hates them! He would never let them make choices regarding his care.” I heard Charles all but yell.

“Until he wakes up, he does not have a choice. I can tell you that the minute he does wake up he's going to sign one that's for sure. I can't believe he never had one made out.”

“Can we keep them out?” I asked turning to Phil. He knew exactly what I meant cause he nodded then walked off with a radio held up to his mouth.

“Can we see him?” I need to see for myself that he is OK. I wonder if this is how dad felt when I was in here.

“Not yet. He's still in post op recovery. As soon as they move him to the ICU we should be able to have one or two see him at a time.

We sat in the lobby for a few hours waiting then a nurse comes and gets us. We are allowed to see him but only two at a time and only for five minutes at a time. Dr. Reed stays in there with us so he can answer any questions we might have. Angela and me are the first in. As soon as I saw him lying in the bed I broke into tears again. Seeing my strong dad lying in a coma with bandages all over his head and around his chest, was too much. I told him I loved him then needed to go. I walked out and slumped down against the wall. Charles came and got me . He held me and told me it was OK. Then Angela joined us. We stayed there till we stopped crying then Charles walked us out.

<<<<Derrek>>>>

I was the last to go in, I was not prepared for what I saw or how I felt. The emotions ran through me so fast it made me dizzy. The intense sadness, followed by worry then anger; anger like I have never felt before. I wasn't angry at him; I was angry at who hurt him I realized at that moment he was my dad in all the ways that matter. I had not known him that long but already I knew I loved him like he was my dad. I walked over to his side, oblivious to the fact that Dr. Reed was still there.

“Dad, you gotta get better. I need you , I know that for sure now. You have been more of a dad to me and shown me more love since I came here than I have had my whole life. I don't want to lose you. Please get better.” I started to cry when Dr. Reed's voice startled me.

“You really love him, don't you?” He asked in a soft voice.

“Yeah, I don't know how anyone couldn't. He really is the only real dad I have known. I see that now. My birth father was always distant and never really had any time for us. I thought that was just the way it was till I met him. He has changed my whole life. Then he went out and got my my brother back. I can't lose him I just got him!” I started to cry again. I felt Dr. Reed's arm go around my shoulder.

“He has a habit of doing that, changing peoples lives I mean.” He looked off in the distance like he was remembering something. “Has anyone told you how I came to work for him and live at the compound?”

I shook my head no so he explained.

“When I first met Isaac, I was a drunk. My wife had just died of cancer, and I was left a single father of a 4 year old. I drank myself to the point that the medical board threatened to pull my license if I did not get into treatment. CPS was even talking of taking my son from me. I was walking out from their office when I literally ran into Isaac. I knocked him over then threw up on him. He helped me out not even once complaining that I just ruined his suit.” He started to chuckle at that. “Not the best first impression. Well, he took me home and got me cleaned up. I later found out that the Social worker assigned to my case had told him what was going on. When I woke up he was still there. He looked down at me and said. ' If you get you life together I have a job for you and a place to live. If you don't want to get treatment for yourself then do it for son. You're a good father and good doctor, or at least you were before you started drinking all the time. Even that I can understand. Give me a call when you make up your mind. I'll even cover your detox care.' After he said that he left. It was a wake up call. I called him the next day and never looked back. Now I live at the compound take care of the families there and raise my son. There are no more office hours and my life has never been better. That's why I push the not drinking thing with you kids so hard. I have been at the other end of the bottle, it's not a good place to be. In one moment, a moment where most would have yelled at me, he changed my life, and probably saved it too.”

His story only confirms my thoughts. Why would anyone want to hurt him. How many people do you know that would take a guy that just threw up on you home, sober him up, then offer him a job? I don't even know if I could do that. We walked back out to the lobby just in time to see Dad's parents barging into the hospital. So much for the guards keeping them out.

<<<<Charles>>>>

Great here we go; when Isaac wakes up I'm going to rip him a new asshole for not being prepared for this.

“Mr and Mrs Daniels, thank you for coming. Isaac is stable for now they are just keeping him sedated while the swelling goes down.” I said to them, I figured that if I could start thing off well they would not cause any problems.

“Why are you here? You are not family leave, and take the street trash with you.”

OK so going well with them is not going to happen.

“I'm not going any where and neither are his kids.”

“We'll see about at.” Mr. Daniels says as he storms off toward the administration offices, his wife following behind him. He did not even care about his son, all he cared about was getting rid of us. Then I heard Alex behind me.

“How did it go?”

“Not well. They headed to the administration offices so I think they're going to try and have us thrown out. They can probably do that with me but not you and the rest of the kids. Whether they like it or not you are his kids, and so have the right to be here. “

“Why didn't the guards keep them out?”

“I'm not sure, but lets go find out.” We walked to the door and started talking to the guards.

“Mind explaining why they were allowed in?” Alex says before I can stop him, he needs to learn it is easier to catch flies with honey.

“They are his parents, so we let him. What is it to you?” One of the guards says, OK so maybe he did deserve the attitude Alex gave him.

“Do you know who I am?”

“Your just some kid, it don't mater who your are, now buzz off and bother someone else.” That was the wrong thing to say to Alex. One thing I have learned over the years was that with Alex you got as much respect as you gave, and this was not the way to handle a pissed off Alex.

“You may not know who he is but I'm sure you know who I am. “ I try to head this off before it get any worse.

“Don't much care.” He says back. OK so I was wrong this guy deserves everything he has coming.

“Excuse me, I'm the CEO of the company you work for. Don't you dare talk to me like that.”

“Yeah, If I believed every ne that said that I would have met the CEO 20 times now. Now do I have to have you removed or are you leaving.”

“Who is your commander?” Alex says through grited teeth.

“That is need to know, and you don't need to know.” That did it, I pulled out my cell and called Phil.

“Phil, this is Charles I need you by the main entrance. “

Three minutes later Phil came up. “What is the problem Charles?”

“Well this guy let my grandparents in, and now he has decided that he does not need to follow instructions or answer questions. I want him removed from guarding my father. If he can't do the job he should not be here.” Alex looked livid.

“Alex calm down OK lets figure out what is going on.” Phil says. He apparently does not know how to deal with Alex either; he should, he has been around him enough.

“Calm down. You want me to calm down? How about this Phil, you either fire him and remove him form this hospital now, or I fire you and have your replacement do it.”

“Alex calm down. OK? I can't just fire someone cause you throw a tantrum. Your father is in the ICU, so I understand why you are on edge.”

“Phil last warning, I have known you all most all of my life, but this is an order either follow it or your done. “

“Phil, you need to listen to him, I don't think he's bluffing, I told this guy I was the CEO and he laughed; he has been a total ass to us, not to mention the guards were under strict orders to stop Isaac's parents form coming in. He just let them walk in. “ Phil seemed to look at us, like he was trying to decide if a power struggle was worth it.

“Why did you let them in and why did you refuse to answer their questions?” That was a bad move on his part, looked over at Alex and saw his face turn red. This is exactly why Isaac wrote out his will the way he did. He knew that even long time friends like Phil would not listen to Alex without it begin made formal.

“Phil you fired, I warned you I was not playing around, My dad gave me the company and until he is better; I'm your boss. Can you honestly say you have done that to my dad?” Then he turns to me, “Call who ever is next in line of his division and tell them they have just been promoted, then have both of these guys escorted out, and have CLAIR revoke all access privileges Phil has. “

Phil just looks at me in disbelief, as I dial the numbers, I start with CLAIR since I have no idea who is next in line. I have her terminate Phil, and call the new guy. I feel bad about this, but maybe it will serve as a lesson to the rest of the board and executives. Now I had to deal with Isaac's parents.

Me and Alex walk back toward his dad's room, I pull him off to the side. “Alex, I'm going to stand by you on this, but you really did not have to fire him.”

“Yes I did, it will serve as an example to others. He tested me and lost, not to mention I'm not really in the mood for all the political shit from the board members. If my dad wants he can rehire him, or I may if he can convince me that he is sorry for questioning me, but until one of those happens he is no longer working for us.” That surprised me, a 14 year old boy, knew how to play power games. He was right too after that, no one would be trying to question him and John again.

“How do you know they won't just rebel more?”

“Because just like at school, if you give into the bully they walk all over you, if you take him down no one will lay a finger on you. Bigger play ground same type of people.” Then he walked off, that 'kid' as everyone kept referring to him as, had one hell of a head on his shoulders.

When we got back to Isaac's room I saw he had on a DNR bracelet, I went to find a doctor, there was no way in hell Isaac would have wanted that.

“Doctor why does Isaac have a DNR bracelet?”

“His parents signed a DNR, they wanted you and the kids out too, along with all the guards, but Isaac did have express instructions about that, If at any time a member of his house hold is hospitalized a standing guard is to be present, I kinda stretched that to include you, and since the kids are his they can't be forced to leave either. I know Isaac would not have wanted a DNR, but there is nothing I can do.” I could not figure out what their game was, why would they sign that, it just made no sense. I went in search of answers.

'Mr. Daniels, why did you sign a DNR order for Isaac, you can't possibly think he would want that.”

“What my son wants is not always what is best, his actions have proven that, and when he dies, you are all out on the street where you belong.”

“So that is what this is all about, you want his money. Well I hate to tell you this but that has already been taken care of, you can't get at it, even if he dies.”

“We are already challenging the will.”

“Why, its iron clad, and why do you think he is going to die, the doctors say he is stable.”

“Things have a way of working out.” I did not like the sound of that at all. It sounded like he was planing on and counting on Isaac dying. Just what the hell was going on. I went to find Jess, since the new guy was not here yet.

“Jess, I have a bad feeling about all this, I want a guard stationed inside his room along with Dr, Reed, I don't want any thing given to him that Reed has not checked first, any injections are to be taken from the bottle in front of him, and from unopened bottles as well, no pills, and no premixed iv bags, I think someone is going to try and kill him. His parents seem far to sure that Isaac is going to die tonight before he wakes up.”

“I'll see to it, and this time I'll make sure that who ever is stationed there knows not to make any exceptions, I heard about what happened. I never would have thought Phil would challenge Alex like that in front of a subordinate. I'll let you know when Nathan gets here too; he was Phill's number 2.” He walked away shaking his head, Jess I knew would never question Alex, he would have listened to him even with out the documentation.

“Charles!” I hear the Doctor yell out behind me. “I need to talk to you.”

“I'm sorry if it is about the orders I gave, they're for a good reason.”

“What orders, oh those, no its not that, its his parents. They're refusing to allow us to ween him of the drugs keeping him in a coma. They won't sign the release paperwork. You have to do something.”

“I'll get the legal team on it. How long till you have to start decreasing the dosage?”

“I should start it by morning, then slowly ween him off over the next 24 hrs after that. The longer he is in a coma the higher the chance he will stay in one.”

“Thanks Doctor, I know you could get in trouble for telling me, but don't worry we won't let any thing happen to you.”

I started making calls, to see if I can get an injunction. His parents are a real peace of work, that's for sure.