CHAPTER NINETY —If only they both ain't dying

The next day was Thursday. Damian nodded gravely at his PI, James, as he opened the door for him. Once he was in, the door was closed firmly. James nodded that the driver should move while his men got in the other car behind. His boss was in no chatty mood. Hadn’t been since the pictures emerged. And he gets it. His frustrations were understandable since he had made several attempts to meet with Ainsley, which was blatantly turned down. So, he didn’t bother his boss with anything in his own understanding way. All he needed was where they were headed, and he got the work done. He knew Damian that well to know what he wanted with a flip of his fingers. And he acted accordingly that if not because his boss was in a foul mood, he had have gotten an appraisal already.

Axel, who just got back,, noticed his promptness in taking charge while his boss was busy. He had commended him on a job well done. While he had smiled and nodded gratefully at the compliment, he didn’t see how that was a big deal. It was his job, after all. Nodding to the driver, he got into the car. Once seated in the car behind, he barked orders rapidly in the driver’s ears as to where they would be going then removed his ear pods. “Let’s move.” he told his driver, and the car zoomed off after Damian’s car.

He began coordinating his men on the event Axel wanted them to monitor while their boss was occupied. “We are dropping him off, then we leave for the venue, okay?” he said to the two men. They nodded briefly. “It’s not a big deal, all right?”

“Even if it is…” said one of the men.

“Anything for the boss.” added the other.

James smiled satisfactorily. He wasn’t the one staff member who would go the extra mile for the boss. Most of the staff would. His men especially were loyal. The other staff in the other unit might have something against him. The creative team were always on the receiving end. They might have something against their boss. Of course, Damian could be hard on them when he needed them to deliver. If they failed to meet his expectations, he was always prompt to challenge them or call them to order. But his men, the security task force, loved him. He was an easy man to work with. And when he was distracted, they knew to let him be. Nodding at the driver who peered at them through the rear mirror, he added, “That goes for you too.” the driver nodded and focused on the road. “Any question?”

“None.” the men chorused.

“Good.” said James, leaning back in his chair while he tried to think of anything he had left out. He stood up to check the items they had dumped in the boot. Checking the items, he ticked them off the list he was holding. “Checked, and all checked.” he noted and sat back down.

While the cars moved, Damian ignored his father as he stared out the window. His mind was nowhere here at all. Ainsley had stubbornly refused to see him despite several attempts. And he was running out of options. Perhaps he would need to ask his father for help. But pride wouldn’t let him. Even though he had volunteered to help, the man had said nothing ever since. What was he to do now? Realizing Axel was looking at him, he suddenly felt guilty. The man had cancer. He was dying. Keeping grudges with him wasn’t in his best interest. “Are you okay, dad?” he asked him pointedly. Though he awaited his response, his mind tried to remember what James had said about the doctor he asked him to check out. He was sure his PI had given him the report last night. Quickly, he tapped his ear pod and was connected to James immediately. But before he could ask, his father replied. He left the connection open.

“I’m all right.” said Axel. “Can we not tell your mom about my illness?” he asked, feeling guilty. “I wouldn’t want to upset her.” the reason he had disappeared from all their lives was the pitiful look. Axel hated to be pitied. Not even when he was a pauper, struggling to make ends meet, did he ask to be pitied. He loved to stand on his feet and say he fought hard and well. But when looked pitifully, his spirit groans in agony, which was why he tried to stay away from situations that earned him the look. When he found out about his disease, the timing had been ideally suited since his son had also zoned him out. It was better to leave them thinking he was upset than that he had cancer and be pitied. Then the pitiful looks would begin. They would always be on edge around him. He didn’t want that. He hated the look. And that was the same look on his son’s face right now. Stop, he told himself. He’s my son.

“Are you kidding me right now?” asked Damian, looking at his father like some scarecrow. “She doesn’t remember anything. She can barely keep up with talking sensibly for thirty minutes.”

Axel sighed, “That bad, hun?” he sighed, noting that his son wasn’t looking at him pitifully. He was just concerned about his mother. Come to think of it, had Damian ever looked at him with pity? Well, maybe when I tried to make him take over the music empire, he chided himself. He had always known the young man had his mind. And the approach he took to hand over the company was never going to sit well with him.

“Yep.” he replied, then listening to James on the ear pod, asked, “About the doctors?”

“Yes, I told you that last night, the best doctor is Abby, Indian. He’s at a conference right now in Germany and expected back next week.” Said James, recounting what he had informed the boss last night. He had known he wasn’t paying attention then and had tucked the information safely in his memory should he need it.

“Good, please book an appointment and let’s have him as soon as he’s back.” he disconnected the call and turned to his father. “We will get you all the help you need.” He promised.

“I know.” he held his son’s hands. “Thank you.” He said, for not thinking I am pitiful. That he said within himself, then he said out loud. “You make me proud.”

As the car drove on, both men smiled and looked out the window. “I have a reservation for you.” Axel said, handing over a card to his son. “Be there early. It’s very important.”

Damian took the card and nodded. Turning the car over, he said, “The reservation is in your name.”

“Yes.” Axel shrugged, “But I cannot be there since I’ll be staying over at Emily’s tonight.”

“You’re staying with mom?” the gesture made him happy. That was sure to make his mother excited. Perhaps it would even joggle her memory a little bit.

“Yes. I am. So you head there for me. Will you?” asked Axel with a mischievous grin.

“I will.” He assured, sliding the card in his inner pocket.

The car stopped at the hospital, Damian and his father got down while the driver looked for a parking space. James nodded curtly at both men then took his leave. He had an errand to run, unknown to his immediate boss. An errand he was happy to oblige. Like most people around them, he wanted the rift between Damian and his woman to be settled. They were planning a big surprise for the two. “Where is he headed?” asked Damian when James drove off in the other car.

Axel smiled and murmured incoherently as he took his son’s hand. “Shall we?” he nodded towards the door, so they could walk in and meet his wife.

That distracted Damian from questioning his father further. Holding his hand firmly, they walked through the door. Emily and his mother had no idea they were visiting. He was sure they would be overjoyed on seeing them. His mother and her sister wanted to know why Axel didn’t come every visit. It was as if they could sense something was amiss. Only Emily knew about Axel leaving Texas. They kept that piece of information hidden from his mother. And not even Em knew Axel wasn’t in a good relationship with his son. That not only was he out of town, but he was also incommunicado with his only family. His mother knew this. But that was before her dementia started. Now, she remembered none of those. And it was for the best. Those days were painful memories for her. He always caught her weeping and looking forlorn. Tossing his head to stop himself from overthinking things, he greeted his mother cheerfully with a warm smile. They were here now. Everything would be fine. “Hey, mom.” greeted Damian as they got into the hospital. His mother was seated on her bed, eating tacos. Dipping his hand in the bowl, he scooped some and sat beside her. Emily was nowhere around. He looked around the room, noticing a few adjustments. “Did you redecorate?” he asked his mother as she sat up to lean on the wall.

Mrs Greggory sat up straighter and adjusted her pillow. She hugged her son happily, “Yes, Em made a few changes.” then turning to the man beside him, looking grim, she cautioned, “Wipe off that smug look, Mikey.” she scolded her husband as she opened her arms for a warm hug. “I’ve missed you so much. Hasn’t it been years since we last spoke?” she looked from father to son thoughtfully. Her mind worked out the mashed webs around her memory. She recalled nothing. Couldn’t even remember what she was thinking about. That made her tired. Why did she keep forgetting things?

Damian, who had been impressed that his mother could recall that Axel hadn’t been around, smiled. But his smile became a deep, burrowed frown when she started to rub her temple. She was going off; he knew that. He didn’t interrupt the reunited couple when they hugged. Staying back, he could only hope they get something meaningful of each other before she zoned out.

Axel smiled sadly while pulling back. He quickly changed his expression and hugged his wife again. She was looking so frail it weakened him. “I miss you too.” He said, sitting beside her. Holding her tightly, he never wanted to let her go.

“Good to see you, Axe.” greeted Emily, stepping into the room with two juice can. She had heard the voices when the visitors came in. Is that Axe? She asked herself, rushing down to see if her ears heard right. To her surprise, it was the man. They hugged briefly before she turned to his son, whose hands were buried in her snack. “And get your hands out of my tacos.” She yelled at Damian, who was reaching for another scoop.

“Hey, aunt.” greeted Damian as he quickly scooped some and chewed. His aunt eyed him viciously while taking her tacos from his mother. She put the bowl on the upper cabinet and then turned around to hug the man. “Been a while, son.”

“I miss you, Em.” he chuckled as he reached for the snack that was hidden away on the shelf. But he didn’t take anything. Instead, he collected the juice can opened one for his mother and handed it to Axel. “Come with me.” she said, dragging him away.

The two chatted excitedly in the living room while giving the couple some private moments. But even as they talked, Damian kept looking back at his parents. For the first time in a while, his mother didn’t zone from what he could see. “Do you think she can beat this?” he asked, wondering if by some sheer luck he wasn’t going to lose both parents.