LOVED (19 page)

“Not for me. Gene?” I asked.

“Coffee, baby.
That’s all,” he said.

“Wait a minute, can you even
have
coffee?” I asked.

“I can
have
whatever I can lift to my mouth. When I get home I’ll have a fucking scotch. You think you’re big enough to stop me from drinking a coffee, shit head? I still know a few things about whipping the ass of a snot-nosed kid,” he said.

“
Get him a coffee,” I said, pointing to the door.

Kelli walked toward the door and laughed as she gave me a kiss. After she stepped through the door, Gene looked at me and smiled.

“You know I’m toying with you, don’t ya son?” he asked.

“I do,” I responded as I sat down in the chair by the door.

“Well, I sold the dealership. I wanted you to know. While I’ve been in here, the general manager finished the deal. It’s done. I have a few things to sign, but it’s gone,” he said smiling.

“Oh, shit. You sure that’s what you want to do, especially now?” I asked.

“Well, I fucking did it, didn’t I?” he responded.

He sure had a way with words.

“I suppose you did. Well, what are you going to do now?” I asked.

“I have a few ideas. Retire. I was going to anyway. Kelli doesn’t need to run that dealership. Hell, I haven’t told her yet, but I will. Same as before, keep your fucking yap shut, got me?” he said.

“Mums the word, Gene,” I said as I motioned my fingers across my lips as if I were zipping them shut.

“Smart-ass,” he said.

I smiled.

“So, you’re never going to find out who donated the kidney are you?” I asked.

“No, they said they had some form of record, but the name isn’t published or something. He donated it and left. Sounded like he was on
a
list, or on
my
list or something for a while. I don’t remember what all they told me. Son-of-a-bitch told them they could tell me it was from Santa Claus or the Pied Piper or some smart-ass thing. Doctor said he actually said that – the donor. The Pied fucking Piper. I don’t remember what all they said I was still loopy from the anesthesia. I did ask the other day if I could donate money to his family, and they said no,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Well, the important thing is that you’re in good health. He’ll be rewarded for his gift to you ten-fold,” I said.

“I believe that,” Gene said as he stood from his chair.

Kelli walked through the door with two cups of coffee and a bottle of juice.
Gene gave me the nastiest stink eye he could manage and pursed his lips as she walked in.

“Here you two go. A
re you getting along better?” she asked as she handed each our cups of coffee.

Gene shook his head.

“He’s stubborn, Kelli,” I said.

“You’re telling me,” she laughed as she handed him his coffee.

Oddly, sitting in the room with Kelli and Gene, I felt as if we were a family. His arguing and his stubborn nature were his own way of accepting me into his life. I felt for the first time in as long as I could remember that I was a part of something bigger than myself.

With the upcoming holidays, I felt as if I would be filled with a different, welcomed, and newfound love. I smiled at Kelli as she sat on my lap.

“She used to sit on my lap like that when she was little. I’d bounce my knee up and down. Hell, half the time, she’d fall off. She’d always get back on, though. She’s as stubborn as I am,” he laughed.

“You’re telling me,” I laughed.

The door opened and the doctor walked in. I patted Kelli on the leg and motioned for her to stand so I could stand up and address the doctor.

“
Mr. Parks are you ready to go home?” the doctor asked.

“God damned straight, doc,” Gene said as he stood from his chair.

“Daddy!”  Kelli said.

“Well, I am. Shit,
I been in this son-of-a-bitch for a month. I’m ready to get the fuck out. I’ve got shit to take care of. Sorry doc,” he said.

“Well, I’ve signed you out. You’re ready to go,” the doctor said.

I turned to the doctor and motioned for the door.

“Oh no you don’t.
You two pricks are in cahoots with each other. Couple of fucking doctors going to go out in the hallway and plot and plan,” Gene said loudly.

“Daddy!”
Kelli said.

“Well, it’s the truth. Get that ape on a leash,” he said.

“Fine, Gene,” I looked at the doctor and rolled my eyes.

“So, are there any special instructions we need to follow,” I asked.

“The basics. He’s actually in good health. He’s finishing an antibiotic for his pneumonia, not the kidney. He has three scripts and the iron. One is for the kidney, to assist in that his body doesn’t reject it, the antibiotic, and pain medication. He needs to rest. Drink fluids. Eat plenty of fiber, and see his doctor in two weeks for a check-up. That’s it. He’s extremely fortunate,” he said.

“So…” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“So, I can leave now, you big ape. Come on Kelli, these two can stay and swap spit all they want,” Gene said.

“Daddy!”
Kelli said.

The doctor laughed. I couldn’t help but laugh. Gene approached my right side as I faced the door.

“You staying or coming with us?” he asked.

“I’m driving,” I said.

“Thank you doctor,” I said as I extended my hand.

As he shook my hand, the reality set in that we were actually leaving. It had become so common for Kelli and I to come here to visit, I felt as if this was going to become a normal occurrence. With great relief I walked through the door and to the elevator as Kelli and Gene walked hand-in-hand.

As we walked to the car, I sighed. Again, overcome with the relief that we were leaving this place. I never really cared much for hospitals. Probably yet another reason I don’t practice.

“
It’s right here,” I said as I pointed to the car.

As soon as we approached it, I realized Gene had snuck out of the hospital without the assistance of a wheelchair. This ornery bastard was going to be a handful. I smiled and laughed a little thinking of his antics and smart mouthed attitude.

“Gene, you made it out of there without a wheelchair, good job,” I said as we walked up to the rear of the car.

“I’m full of tricks. Toss me your keys and I’ll show you how to drive this
god damned thing. Hell, I’ll blow the cobs out of it for ya,” he said.

I looked him in the eye as he held out his hand. He was dead serious.

“Well?” he asked.

“Daddy?”
Kelli said.

“Hell, I’ve sold more of these damned things than he’ll ever own in ten lifetimes,” he said to Kelli.

I thought of him selling the dealership and the fact that he may never get to drive a car like this again. Considering the nature of the car, the dealer may not have another for a year or so. Regardless of his desire to drive, or my desire to let him, it wasn’t quite that simple.

I cannot ride in a car with someone unless I truly trust them. It’s a character defect of mine. Relinquishing that control, for me, is impossible - unless there is trust.

Total trust.

“Shotgun,” I screamed as I tossed him the keys.

ERIK.
“Ask me, it’s a good fuckin’ deal, Doc. Hell, she probably didn’t wanna run that damned place anyway. Shit, Kelli runnin’ a BMW dealer? That’s just ridiculous. Her ability to sell is not her most prepossessing quality,” Teddy said.

“Jesus, Crash,” I said, making note of his newfound vocabulary.

“Well, it’s something she’d have to work on,” he said.

“
Train, grab that waitress when you get a minute. Hell, I’m parched,” Teddy said as he finished his beer.

“Got it, Crash,” A-Train said.

“So, what you all gonna do for the holidays?” Teddy asked.

“Well, Kelli and I are cooking, Gene’s coming to our house for Thanksgiving,” I responded.

“How’s that set with ya, Doc?” he asked.

“Real well, Crash.
Real well. Shit, I never would have guessed I’d be where I am today,
ever
. I’m here, though. Hell, I like it. I like it a lot,” I admitted.

“Yeah, won’t be long, and we wo
n’t be able to sit out here anymore,” Teddy said, motioning to the patio seating.

“When you gonna get your bagger, Doc?” Train asked.

“I don’t know, before spring. If I wait too long, they’ll be out of the 2013’s, and that 2014 looks like shit in my opinion,” I responded.

“That fairing has a hole in the middle of it. Looks fuckin’ retarded,” Teddy said.

“I agree,” I said.

“Well, if you need a ride to Tulsa, let me know. I’ll haul ya down,” A-Train offered.

“Appreciate it, Train,” I said.

“This getting dark early is horseshit, you ask me. Every year it gets dark earlier. Where’s my fucking beer, Train?” Teddy said as he looked to the west.

“It gets dark the same time every year, Crash. Jesus. You’re just getting old,” I laughed.

“Kiss my ass, Doc. Still take your ass any day,” Teddy brag
ged.

“I got a twenty on Doc,” A-Train said.

“Shit, Train, I got a hundred pounds on this little prick,” Teddy said as he motioned my direction.

“Yeah, but Doc’s fast as fuck,” A-Train said as he took a drag off his cigarette.

“Well, I ain’t plannin’ on boxin’ his dumb ass. I’m just gonna beat him like a red headed step child,” Teddy replied.

“There’s the rabbit,” A-Train said, pointing to truck driving into the parking lot.

“What’s he doing driving a cage?” I laughed.

“Dumped a rental in Vermont or wherever the fuck he went. Hit sand when some shit-bird pulled out in front of him.
Fucked up his knee and hip. Not bad. That hard-tail kills his back,” A-Train answered.

I looked at Teddy. Teddy shrugged his shoulders. Bunny parked his truck and started walking across the lot.

“Hell, he looks fine to me,” I said.

“I don’t think he’s hurt bad, just fucked up his hip a little. It doesn’t hurt him to walk, just to ride,” A-Train said.

“I ain’t dumped one yet,” Teddy said as he knocked on the wooden table.

“No, but your drunken ass knocked over about two dozen when I was in Afghanistan,” A-Train laughed.

“Well, that ain’t dumping one,” Teddy snarled, “And where’s that fuckin’ waitress?”

“I’ll get her as soon as Bunny gets here,” A-Train said.

“So Bunny, you dumped one on your little vacation?” I asked as he walked up to the table.

I shook his hand and hugged him as he tossed his keys on the table. He winced when I hugged him.

“Damn, you alright?”
I asked.

“Yeah, just fucked up my hip.
Knee is a little banged up. Just hurts when I twist wrong. Doc said a few weeks and I’ll be fine,” he said.

“What ya want to drink?” A-Train asked.

“Water,” Easter answered.

“Water?
Since when do you drink water?” Teddy asked.

“Since I’m on pain killers for this hip,” he answered.

“Well, get me two of them big beers. And a plate of them fried pickles,” Teddy said.

I shook my head at Teddy. Some of the things that he eats surprise
d me. I know that not everyone is as health conscious as I am, but his choices in food make me laugh sometimes. I never eat fried food, and rarely eat anything that isn’t considered healthy.

“Fried pickles?” I asked, still shaking my head.

“Ever ate one?” Teddy asked, leaning his stool back onto the rear legs.

I shook my head, “No.
I wouldn’t eat one if I had to.”

“Maybe that’s part of your problem, Doc. Live a little. Try new shit, it’s the little things that can help make ya a new degree of happy,” Teddy said.

“Hell, I’ve tried em. They’re damned good,” A-Train said as he walked toward the entrance to the bar.

“Me too, they’re good
. Get a
couple
plates of ‘em,” Easter said in A-Train’s direction.

“
Fryin’ a pickle ain’t something that a guy would ever decide to do on his own, but I’m glad someone decided to fry one up. You suppose they got a guy somewhere that just tries new shit, and decides if it’s good or not?” Teddy asked.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked.