This is a story about a man and a handicapped teenage boy that meet and fall in love. If you are underage or offended by the subject matter, please leave. Up to the point where they talk for quite some time, the story is real for the most part. We did part without ever exchanging anything more than conversation. He was just as beautiful as described. Maybe if I had been more agressive...who knows? The rest is strictly fiction on my part. Please send any comments to redfordtodd_@hotmail.com. Be kind as this is my first effort. No offense to handicapped persons is intended. I already have additional chapters ready, if you the reader are interested. It may come across as long winded and I don't always get right to the sex. (there is more in later chapters) I wanted the reader to feel like these were real people, and get to know them. I want to give credit to my good friend, Wilson, who has helped me more than he will admit as my editor.
Chapter 8- The Graduation
Of course Bill and Em insisted that I stay with them. They were wonderful and not much older than my parents so we bonded quickly.
It felt so strange to sleep in Gerry's room at the beginning. That first night I just looked at all that he held important. It made me feel so much closer to him somehow. Several framed photos spead across the top of his dresser. From left to right there were pictures of him with his grandparents, another with what must have been his parents, and, last, his graduation photo.
I took it and sat on the bed staring at it. The expression in the photo was everything that he was to me. In his picture he wore that unforgettable smirk. Just looking at his incredible blue eyes with their bright twinkle, the line of his jaw and the slight curl of his lips brought rushing back so many memories to me. Thinking of his tender sweet lips, I hugged the photo tightly to my chest. Would we ever be able to share our passion again, our love, as we so briefly had. He had made me open my soul to him and he had captured my heart at the same time. As hard as I tried to hold it back, the despair began to take over and I sobbed softly.
After quite some time, I felt cried out and replaced the photo with a kiss.
Looking around a little more, I found his year book. I was shocked to see that only a small number of people had written in it. By what they wrote, they had to be close. It almost felt like I was spying by reading it and I put it back.
Seeing a notebook on his nightstand, I opened it, and was shocked at what I found. He was his class valedictorian and here was his speech. I read it over and over. He pulled no punches and let them know that the world was cold, and harsh. He also let them know that they could either accept it as it was or fight back, if not for the world as a whole, then for themselves. The future was theirs to do with as they would. 'Don't just accept it, I haven't.'
The insight this gave me to the strength and courage of this young man was almost overwhelming. How could I possibly feel despair when he was the epitome of hope in my life? I took the photo from the end of the dresser and placed it on the nightstand. I went to sleep staring into his eyes and feeling very comforted.
The next week was wicked. Gerry faced that he might be totally paralyzed this time. We wouldn't know for sure for a few weeks yet. He underwent four surgeries in that first week, and continued to hang in there. But, day after day, his spirit seemed to weaken a bit more.
My affections for him grew immensely during that week. It was difficult seeing him in so much pain, and almost as heartbreaking to see him under sedation for it. Knowing it was the pain causing it, I never let it bother me when he was short tempered, which he frequently was. What did bother me was that it seemed like he was slowly losing his fight to keep going. The three of us knew it, but didn't speak about it to each other. We could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. Each day there was a little less spark and his tones were a bit more quiet. I was scared, so damned scared.
After I had had many talks with Em and Bill, an idea came to me. There was something that I thought very important should be done for Gerry. I told them and they agreed. We helped each other in every way we could.
Gerry's graduation was the next Friday night. There would be no way for him to attend it, of course. I contacted his school and met with his principal, Mr. Parker, bringing with me Gerry's speech. With a little convincing, he agreed that it was the least that he could do. Gerry's speech would be read at the ceremony. When I explained the rest of my plan, Mr.Parker gave me his blessing. I would be the one to read it.
There was one more thing to set up. I met with some people from the local cable company. When it was explained to them what I had in mind, they eagerly said yes and that it would be no problem.
This had to work. It just had to. Gerry couldn't afford for his spirits to slip much more, and I couldn't handle the thought of my life without him.
I refused to think the unthinkable.
Gerry's graduation day finally arrived. Em, Bill and I, went home for a while that afternoon. I decided to just stretch out for a little while, and fell asleep. Knowing how exhausted I was, Em and Bill let me rest.
They both must have dozed off as well. If not for a phone call from Gerry demanding to know why we still weren't there, all of my plans would have been ruined. I stopped for just a few minutes at the hospital. I was dressed casual, as I still had to change. Rushing in, I gave Gerry a quick kiss. His face told me that he'd had another pain-filled day. It broke my heart to see it.
"For all that I've been through today, Todd, and that's the best you can do?" he scowled.
"I'm really sorry, baby, but I had something else on my mind." I looked at my watch. I had to hurry. "I saw something on my way in, I'll be right back."
I left before he could protest. Only about ten minutes left for me to get there, I'd really have to hurry.
I arrived at the graduation, having changed on the way. Just as I made it to the edge of the stage, they announced Gerry's name as the valedictorian. A hush came over the crowd, as I took center stage. The cable company was good to their word, and had cameras rolling.
"Good evening, family and graduates. As most of you are aware, Gerry O'Neil couldn't make it here tonight. Later, through the help of your local cable company, he will be able to see this night. I've read what he wrote for your once-in-a-lifetime experience. Your graduation. Many people have heard his words and believe that you should hear them too."
I did my best to get through his speech without losing it. More than once I looked up to see other people with tears in their eyes. Finally, I was at the end.
" 'Don't just accept it, I haven't.' " I paused, the applause was terrific. Then, I held up my hands for silence. "For any of you that don't know, Gerry was in a very serious accident not very long ago. I hope that you will send him your thoughts and prayers."
I walked toward one camera, with my clenched fist held high. "Keep going, Gerry!" I chanted. I turned to the audience, "Keep going, Gerry!"
In less than a minute, the whole place thundered with the mantra. 'Keep going, Gerry!' It lasted for over ten minutes. I finally left the stage as I had to get back.
When I arrived, the next part of my plan was put into action. It had been arranged for a much larger TV to be brought to his room earlier in the day. When I walked back in, he gave me such a nasty look.
"It sure would be nice if you could spend more than five minutes with me!" he almost shouted. "Where the hell have you been?"
"Gerry! How dare you talk like that to Todd!" Em scolded.
"It's okay, Em" I turned back to Gerry, "baby, I'm so sorry," I crossed my legs, "but I've been on the run all day, if you know what I mean."
I gave him my most sheepish look. His scowl slowly changed to a smirk, and then he laughed.
"Maybe, you could puleeezze forgive me for not staying in the room for long. I didn't think you really wanted to put up with me in that shape."
He laughed some more, and wrinkled his nose. I leaned toward him, and he sniffed the air first.
"Well, okay, you're off the hook this time. Just don't let it happen again."
"I'll try not to, baby."
I leaned forward and gave him the longer kiss that we both wanted.
"Definitely off the hook," he said with a smirk. His mood swings were unpredictable.
I looked around the room. I made it a point of noticing the TV.
"Say, Gerry, with a set this big, I'm afraid you're becoming a major TV junkie. I wonder what's on?" I asked as I turned on the set.
The channel was all preset. It was the local cable news program. A few minutes left.
"Todd, I don't want to watch TV right now!"
Boy, was he ever cranky.
"Just want to watch it for another minute, baby." I replied.
"Will you just turn that damned thing off?" He was getting so agitated, I hoped that the time they gave me would be right. Finally I could see the stage in the background.
"And now for tonight's graduation ceremonies at Central High...."
The camera zoomed in on me as I walked across the stage.
"Todd... is that you?" Gerry asked in a puzzled tone.
I nodded.
"You went to my graduation." he said in a hushed tone.
"Yes, Gerry, I did."
Em and Bill just sat and watched as the scene unfolded. Gerry himself was quiet as he watched.
"My speech," he whispered.
"Yes, baby." I said as I took his hand in mine.
When the speech ended, and the mantra began, I put my cheek to his. I could see the tears of happiness on his face. Em and Bill dabbed at their eyes too.
"Happy graduation, my baby."
"Oh, Todd, I love you so much. I'm sorry I was such an ass earlier."
I looked deep into his eyes. There seemed to be a bit more spark in them. "Baby, you don't have to apologize. Not now, not ever."
Just then the anchor person came back on, but I could swear I still heard the crowd. I turned down the volume. It came from outside. It was the mantra. The picture on the TV changed to show the outside of the hospital. There was a huge crowd in the front. I turned up the volume.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are standing here outside of County Hospital. I don't believe London has ever seen anything like this before. You saw the scene from the graduation just a few minutes ago, and since the actual time of the graduation a little over an hour ago, it looks like the whole town has Gerry fever. We estimate that there's at least five thousand people out here. There's a special group from the high school. We have Principal Parker here. He has something he'd like to say."
The crowd quieted a bit as the principal made his way to the front.
"Thank you. Gerry, I hope you're watching right now. You may not have realized it, but you have always been an inspiration to all of us. You were the only one that didn't get your diploma this evening, until now."
A giant diploma was brought out and then unrolled. It must have been about six feet high by ten feet long. It looked as accurate as could be. There seemed to be something else on it.
"Gerry, when you get a chance to see it closer, it has been signed by every person at school, as well as several alumni too."
The camera then zoomed in to show how almost every inch of space was covered with names.
As I looked at Gerry, he seemed so stunned. "Wow." was all he could manage.
"Congratulations Gerry," wiping tears from his eyes, he then said, "One more thing... Keep going, Gerry!"
The crowd began all over again. I went over and opened the window.
"Em, Bill, let them know that Gerry has heard them."
They leaned a little out the window and waved to the crowd. The crowd went up another notch. This lasted for much longer than I could have ever expected. At least an hour passed before it began to die down. Em and Bill closed the window.
I looked at Gerry. I've never seen a happier kid. There were tears in all of our eyes still.
"You didn't think I could forget that this was your graduation night did you?"
"That's why you're mam," he said softly.
"Baby, I'd like to take credit for the whole thing, but so many people helped at the graduation. And I honestly don't know who set up this last event."
Em stood up and cleared her throat, "Gerry, don't let him get away with being so modest. What spare time there has been, mostly in the early mornings, or late evenings last week, Todd, made the calls and we helped with a little of the follow through. I swear I don't know when he slept. As for this scene here at the hospital, it was everyone's idea that love you Gerry, and wish the best for you."
He looked at the three of us, the spark in his eyes a bit brighter than before, "I have the best, I have you three."