This story contains graphic sexual scenes between males. If material of this nature offends you then you should not read this story. Additionally, if you are under 18 years of age in most states you are not allowed to read this story by law.
This story is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to person's living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely coincidental.
The author claims all copyrights to this story and no duplication or publication of this story is allowed, except by the web sites to which it has been posted, without the consent of the author.
Mark Stevens
Nurse and the Patient, Part 22
Lance and Jonathan were in the den. Lance had just finished a telephone conversation with his lawyer.
"It's true," he spoke quietly. "The old man's not my father."
Jonathan jumped to his feet. He walked across the room and knelt down beside the man he loved so much. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Lance nodded. "I think I'm okay with it. At least I don't feel guilty for hating the bastard so."
Jon reached for his hand. "If there is anything I can do, please, just tell me."
Lance looked down and gave him a tender smile. "Just giving me your love is enough, Jon. You have been my main stay in all of this. In fact, from the very first time you set foot inside this house I felt your strength. As for this telephone call from Glenn, as I said, I was expecting things to work out this way. I had absolutely no reason to doubt Edith."
"I know that," Jonathan agreed. "So, what happens next?"
"I'm not certain; however, I do know this. Glenn just told me that all assets, both from the company and from my father, I mean Sam, are frozen. And they will remain so until this is all settled."
Jonathan asked, "How about your funds? Will they be frozen as well?"
"I don't think so. Of course, I won't draw anything from the company until everything is settled."
"Will you be okay with that?"
Lance nodded and said, "Nothing to worry about. Besides, I have you to live off of until this mess is cleared up. He grinned as he said the words.
"All that I have is yours," Jonathan assured him.
"I know that. Trust me, we'll both be fine."
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During the next two weeks Jonathan and Lance were kept busy. Lance had a visit with his doctor and was happy to hear Doctor Todd tell him he could start weaning himself off his crutches.
"Just take things easy," the doctor warned. "And you see that he does, Jonathan."
"He knows I will knock the hell out of him if he doesn't do what I say," Jonathan said with a grin.
"I don't think my doctor would appreciate you knocking me around, being all I have gone through."
Doctor Todd looked across the room at both men. "I must have been blind," he said. "Not to have seen this," he added.
"Seen what?" Jonathan asked innocently.
William Todd was quiet for a moment. Then smiling, he said, "The two of you are in love." It was a statement, rather than a question.
Lance spoke up first. "You are correct, my good doctor. The nicest thing that has happened to me in years was my accident. The result of that brought something so wonderful into my life that words can't describe how I feel."
"I have heard you have a hell of a lot going on in your life these days," Dr. Todd remarked. "I hope it's not stressing you out too much. Stress is never good for anyone, and in your case, with you now back to walking independently, it definitely would not be good for you."
"I'm helping to keep his stress down to a bare minimum," Jonathan assured the doctor.
William Todd smiled. "I'm sure you are, Jonathan. Speaking of such, are you about ready to come back to the hospital? Lance is not going to need you any longer."
Before Jonathan could answer, Lance spoke up and said, "That's not true, Dr. Todd, I do need him. He has a job with me for the rest of his life. I am going to be a full time patient for him to care for."
William Todd looked at Jonathan. "Is this true, Jon, are you not returning to work?"
"I am thinking on that line of thought. However, I will not leave the hospital in a jam. If they need me, I will return to work and remain there until they can find a replacement."
Todd was silent for a moment. Then he said, "Let me visit with Ann at the hospital. She's been managing without you, so perhaps you won't even have to come back. That is, if this is truly what you want to do," he finished.
Jonathan looked at Lance and then focused his eyes back on William Todd. "I think it is what I want to do. I just want to make sure it doesn't leave Ann in any type of bind."
"I will check with her and get back with you then."
William Todd reached out to shake Lance's hand. "Good luck to you, my friend." He then turned and extended his hand out to Jonathan. "And the very best to you, my good friend," he said. "If ever you want to return to the hospital, all you have to do is contact me. Is that understood?"
"I appreciate that, Doctor. More than you can imagine," he added.
Back home they discovered there was a message from Ty Bennett, and Lance returned the call.
When Lance had the police officer on the line, they talked for several minutes. When he ended the call, Lance looked at Jonathan. "Well, the report is in. The fire was definitely not caused by wiring. Or anything else for that matter," he added.
"We both know different, don't we?"
Lance nodded. "Yeah, we do, and that scares the hell out of me. I could have lost you."
Jonathan quickly made his way across the room. Taking Lance in his arms, he said, "I'm still here, and you are stuck with me for good. I am not going anywhere, at least not without you."
"It could have ended so badly." Lance choked the words out.
"Yeah, it could have, but it didn't. I could get hit by a car, too. Anything can happen to us at any given time, Lance. Life is just a chance we have to take."
"I know, you are right," Lance agreed. "Still, every time I think of you being in that fire, it just drives me absolutely crazy."
Jonathan changed the subject. "So, did Glenn say what the next step would be?"
"Since they can't prove Sam or Agnes had anything at all to do with the fire, that part is history," Lance answered. "He said the next thing is to try and prove the old man is guilty of embezzlement to the company, and any other wrong doing he can be linked to."
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Jonathan and Lance were sitting at the table the next day. They had just finished lunch and were discussing the idea of when Jonathan would move in.
"Do you have a lease with your apartment complex?" Lance asked.
"Yes, but it will be up in another month."
"That's perfect. That should give us plenty of time."
Jonathan looked closely at Lance. Are you sure you want me to move in?"
"I do. Question is, do you want to live with me?"
"I just don't want people think I am free loading on you."
"Who the fuck would think that?" he asked. "Whose business is it whether or not we move in together? Besides, the people that matter, I think, are excited about that happening."
"I realize that. I just didn't want-"
Whatever Jonathan was going to say was interrupted just then by the ringing of the door bell.
Lance stood to his feet. "This conversation is far from being over," he warned.
When he opened the door, Lance discovered Ty Bennett standing before him.
"Ty," he greeted. "Please, won't you come inside?"
"Sorry to drop in unannounced, Lance," the police officer said in way of apology. "I have something I need to run by you, and I thought it would be best to do so in person."
"That's quite all right."
Lance led the man into the den and called out, "Jon, Ty is here."
Jonathan came in from the kitchen. Smiling, he said, "Hey, Ty, what's up?"
"Please, have a seat, "Lance pointed to a chair.
As Ty took a seat, he said, "Jonathan, as I told Lance, I have something I need to run by you guys, and I thought it would be better to do so in person."
"All right," Jon said. "Would you care for anything to drink?"
"No, thanks," Ty said.
Jonathan and Lance took a seat on the couch.
"What's on your mind?" Lance asked.
"I understand they can't prove anything about the fire."
"That is correct."
"So, what does Glenn Maxwell say is the next step for you?"
"Well, the only thing that has been proven is the fact that Sam is not my real father."
"So Edith Baxter was telling the truth about that, I suppose?"
Lance gave a nod. "She was," he said.
"And of course they say there is absolutely no proof that the fire in Sam's house was started intentionally," Jonathan added.
"That fact really surprises me," Ty admitted. "I was sure it had been."
"Oh, I have no doubt about it," Lance said. "I know for certain it was intentional. There is just no way to prove it."
Ty Bennett was silent for a moment. Then looking directly at Lance he said, "Here is what I wanted to speak with you about. How badly do you want Sam Thompson out of your life?"
Lance wasn't sure what Ty was getting at. "I don't follow you, Ty. Sam is already out of my life and has been for a long time. He has nothing at all to do with neither me, nor I him."
"I understand what you are saying. I know Sam has had nothing to do with you since you lost your mother."
"Then what are you getting at here, Ty?" Jonathan asked.
"Okay, here it is. Yes, there is enough evidence to take this to court. It may take a lot of effort, but I do feel we can dig up enough stuff on Sam Thompson to put him away for a long time. However, Lance, here is another way of looking at this situation. What if we offer Sam Thompson a deal?"
"What kind of a deal?"
"I would want you to discuss this with Glenn, but here is what I am suggesting. To make things simple, would you be willing to settle with Sam just to get him out of the picture?"
"Explain," Lance said.
"My thinking is this: if Sam is guilty, I believe he will take whatever deal we offer. If he is not, then he will refuse."
"Unless he is too damned greedy and thinks there is a slim chance he won't be found guilty," Jonathan pointed out.
"True," Ty agreed. "Still, what do you think, Lance?"
"What sort of deal would we offer?"
"Again, you need to discuss this with Glenn. My thinking is simply this: offer the old man a little money with the stipulation he has to move completely away from here and never been seen around these parts ever again."
"You think he would agree to something like that?"
"Who the hell knows? We can always put it to him and see what he says."
Lance looked at Jonathan. "You think I should do this?"
"I can't honestly say, Lance," Jon answered. "I do see Ty's point. This could extend into one lengthy and expensive court battle, and in the end, there is always the chance nothing could be proved."
"So, if the old man would agree to this settlement, whatever the hell it would be, we could demand him to get lost?"
"Whatever deal the police offer, if he accepts it in lieu of prison time, then he must do whatever the deal requires of him."
"What about Agnes Doughty?" Jonathan asked.
"She doesn't get any kind of deal, because, as far as the police are concerned, this is all about Sam Thompson. Going after her is another can of worms altogether."
Lance was quiet for a couple of moments. He seemed to be in deep thought. Finally he said, "Okay, here is what I will do. I'll contact Glenn and make an appointment to see him. I'll tell him everything you've told me, and we will get back with you on what he thinks we should do."
Ty stood to his feet. "Sounds good to me," he said. "Again, I apologize for barging in unannounced. Like I said, I felt it was something we needed to discuss in person, rather than over the telephone."
Lance walked the police officer to the door. "I appreciate your help in all this, Ty," he said. "I really do."
Ty shook his hand. "I just want this to work out for you, Lance. I hate to think that Sam Thompson might get away with so much shit, but at the same time, if he's willing to walk away from everything, only taking what you allow him, and then perhaps that is truly the best way to handle things. Just see what Glenn suggests and let me know. Good bye, Lance."
When Lance returned to the den, he said, "So, tell me, Jon, do you really feel this is the way we should go? You can be completely honest with me, you know that."
"Well, I do hate it that Sam has managed to get away with this shit all these years. Part of me wishes he would be put away to rot and never see day light again; however, as has been said, when it comes to the law and the court, you never know how things will turn out. Not to mention it would be not only a nasty battle, but an expensive one as well. So, guess I am saying this: talk to Glenn, see what he has to say. Who knows, he may discourage you from offering any type of deal."
"I'll give him a call."
On the telephone Lance was told that Glenn was out of the office for the rest of the day. He would be back in the next morning if he wanted to make an appointment.
When Lance ended his call, he said, "We have an appointment at ten o'clock in the morning."
"I'm glad. Let's see what he has to say and go from there."
"There's something I would like to do this afternoon, if it's okay with you."
Jonathan grinned. "You want to take me to bed and fuck my brains out?"
"Oh, yeah, I do. However, believe it or not, that's not it. At least for now," he added.
"I'm hurt." Jonathan pretended to pout.
"Get over it," Lance told him. "Later after we are home, I will fill you up with so much of my man juice you will think you are drowning."
"I'll hold you to that. So, just where are we going?"
"I would like to see Edith, if it's all right with you?"
"You know I always enjoy visiting with that lady."
"I sort of want to run it by her what the plans may be."
"You want to go alone? After all, Dr. Todd did say you could drive now."
"Thank you for suggesting that. You're so sweet. However, no, I don't want to go alone. I want you with me. Besides, if I showed up without you, well, I'm not so sure I would be as welcomed."
"That's a crock of shit, and you know it."
"Then just humor me. Come with me."
When Lance gave his grandmother a call, the woman was tickled to death to hear his voice. When he asked if he and Jon could drop by, she said,
"I would love to see the two of you. By all means, come on over. I will have tea and a snack ready when you arrive."
An hour later the two were ringing the old fashion bell. They heard her walking toward the door and stepped back.
"How are my two boys?" she greeted warmly from behind the old fashioned screen door.
"We just wanted to see our grandmother," Lance said, his eyes sparkling.
"Well, come inside this house. I have tea and cookies all ready to serve."
Jonathan followed Lance into the living room. He never entered Edith Baxter's home without thinking he was going back in time. He doubted if anything had been replaced in the room in the last fifty years.
They took seats, and Edith reached for the tea pot sitting on a tray on the table beside her chair.
"So, how are things with the two of you?" she asked. She handed them each a cup of steaming hot tea. "Here, have some cookies," she added. She handed them each a large home made cookie.
Lance took a sip from his cup. Then placing it in the saucer and on the low table in front of him, he said, "Edith, Jon and I want to discuss something with you."
"I'm listening," she said. Her face held one huge smile.
Lance, with the help of Jonathan, proceeded to tell the woman of Ty Bennett's visit earlier that afternoon. When they had finished, Lance asked, "So, tell me, Edith, what you think we should do?"
The old woman was thoughtful for a moment. Finally she said, "Tell me, would you be happy with that sort of arrangement? Or, as you put it, `deal'?" she added.
"Well, to be honest, part of me would like nothing better than to make Sam pay for all of the hell he has put the people through I care for. I would love to see him rot away, never to see his face again."
When he didn't continue, Edith said, "Do I hear a `but' here?"
Lance gave a nod with his head. "Yeah, you do. Another part of me says `to work up a deal' with him. See if he will take it and just get out of our lives forever."
"So, which part of you are you going to listen to?"
"I'm leaning more toward offering him a deal, I think. What do you suggest?"
"Oh, I agree with you completely. I would love to see Sam Thompson get what he has coming to him. He has dealt everyone misery that has ever come in contact with him. Trust me, I know from first hand experience."
"So, you think I should drag his ass to court?"
"Such language, Lance," Jonathan grinned.
Edith looked over her glasses, a habit she did regularly, and said, "Young man, in my life time, I assure you, I have heard much worse."
Jonathan grinned. "I stand corrected."
Edith looked at her grandson, and her eyes filled with such love. It was a moment before she could speak. When she did, it was, "Lance, you do whatever you feel you need to do. Just know I am here for you in any way you need or want me to be. We both are," she added glancing toward Jonathan.
"I appreciate that, Edith, more than you can imagine. I hope over the next many years I can make up to you whatever personal hell you have been put through."
"Well, I don't know about `many years', being I am far from being young any longer. However, for however long we do have together, you will always have my love and my support. Both of you," she added softly.
"Then as it stands now, I guess we will see the lawyer in the morning, bring him up to speed and seen what he advises us to do. Would you like to go with us to see him?"
"Lands, no," she declared. "Just know that I will be with you in spirit, and will back you, whatever your decision will end up being."
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The next morning found both Lance and Jonathan sitting in Glenn Maxwell's office. They had just finished telling the lawyer of Ty Bennett's visit the day before and what he had suggested could be a possibility.
Glenn Maxwell sat behind his desk, his hands folded in front of him. He had listened carefully to what the two men had told him. Now, he was processing it all and several thoughts ran across his brain all at the same time.
Finally he said, "First of all, Lance, I have to ask you this: Let's say we work with the police and offer your father, rather the man who has claimed to be your father, some sort of deal. Could you live with that? Would you be satisfied with things turning out that way?"
"I think I could," Lance answered with a nod. "Yeah, I would love to see his ass rot in prison, but you and I both know that probably wouldn't happen. Who knows if we could ever prove he did anything wrong?"
"Oh, I have no doubt we could prove it. What I can't say is just how long it would take. And to be honest, Lance, I would hate to see you put through that much shit. And I can assure you, there would be a lot of shit thrown around. However, I am willing, if you are. Also, even though I have no doubt you could afford it, it would be pretty damned expensive by the time everything was said and done. I don't think that would be fair to you either."
Lance leaned toward the front of the desk. "Then, what sort of deal do you suggest?"
"I will need to work with the police. Also, I need more information, namely more knowledge of Smyth Company assets. This will take a bit of time, but I can do it. My main concern is for you. I don't give a crap about Sam Thompson. If it were up to me, I'd send his ass on down the road with nothing."
"Ty Bennett seems to think if they offer Sam a deal he will accept it hands down."
"He could," Glenn agreed. "Then again, he could be the greedy bastard you know he is and fight it all to the end."
"He could," Lance said. "Ty feels if we offer him some money and demand that he disappear he will accept it and we'll never hear from him again."
"It could work that way," Glenn agreed. "Tell you what; let me request all the information I need. I will study it all very closely, and then, together, we will meet with the police and go from there. Okay?"
The two men stood to their feet, and Lance said, "Sounds good, Glenn. Thanks for taking time to hear us out."
"I just want you to get what you have coming to you. And rightfully so, I might add."
"Do you have an estimate of what sort of time frame we might be looking at here, Glenn?" Jonathan asked.
"I really can't say, Jonathan. It will depend on how much resistance I get when I request the information I need."
"If there is anything I can do to help with that, please, let me know," Lance said.
"I will be in touch, fellows. "Good bye."
On the way home Jonathan asked, "So, tell me, Lance, are you really okay with heading in this direction?"
Lance who was actually driving for the first time since his accident, said, "I am okay. I think for me to get any peace at all, to really let this go so I can get on with my life, well, it has to happen this way. I think if I can just get Sam out of the picture I can move on and really learn about my real family. I think when I do I will come to understand the reason my mother was so happy all those years. All the time, I thought she was unhappy with me. The more I find out things, the more I am coming to realize that, while I was a result of one part of her unhappiness, I wasn't actually the cause of it."
"Your mother loved you, Babe. Of that, I have no doubt. It had to be awful to know all those years that you belonged to the one man she loved the most, and yet, she could do nothing about it. She was trapped into a hopeless situation."
"I can see that now."
As Lance pulled into the drive some time later, he said, "Thank you, Babe."
"Whatever for?"
"For sticking around when I was such an asshole. Early on," he added.
"Speaking of assholes, you know what I think of your ass."
"I know. Still, thank you for being so patient with me, even when I didn't deserve it," he said.
"Like I've told you before, you are stuck with me. I don't ever plan on moving out, unless you ask me to."
"As if that's ever going to happen," Lance said with a grin.
As they walked into the house, Jonathan turned to Lance and said, "Okay, you promised earlier to take me to bed and fuck my brains out. Don't you think it's time to put your cock to work?"
"I am so ready. Just spread your ass and I will pound you so fucking hard you will lose your mind."
End Part 22
Okay, guys, I do apologize for taking so long to write this. I could have an excuse, but you know what people say about that. So, just please, accept my apology. I do promise to write the next and final chapter very soon. Besides, like you guys, I am anxious to see what happens to Sam Thompson.
Hugs
Mark Stevens