I got off the elevator just as Debbie was coming out of Simon's room. I walked up to her and all I had to do was look at her and I knew it wasn't good news.
"Tell me, please, Deb?" I asked her.
"That is one strong kid in there. But I have to tell you Drew, it doesn't look good. I am not going to tell you what the outcome is going to be, because I am not a neurologist. All I know is that Dr. Powers wasn't happy with what he saw." She said, laying her hand on my arm. "Why don't you go in there with Simon? Dr. Powers will be down in a little while and then we will know what is going on." She told me.
I walked into Simon's room where he was now sitting up on his bed going through his new computer. "Hi Son. How did the tests go?"
"I don't think it went like they wanted it to. Dr. Powers wasn't happy at all. He stormed out of the room yelling something. I haven't seen him since. Aunt Debbie brought me back down here. The tests weren't bad at all, I mean they didn't hurt or anything." Simon typed and showed it to me.
"I see. Well, I guess we will just have to wait for Dr. Powers to come down and tell us what is going on." I told him. I could tell something was bothering him. "What's up, son? What is bugging you?"
"I feel weird having to turn the computer every time I type something. I don't always know where the person I want to speak to is. But, it's Ok. I mean I will only not have a voice for a few days." He answered.
"Well, that maybe so, that you only have a few days. But, I don't like you having anything that's bugging you right now. Let me see if I can fix at least this problem." I told him. I pulled out my cell phone and called the office.
"DJ Enterprises, how can I help you?" Mandy my receptionist answered.
"Mandy, hi, it's Drew. Can you please get me Allen?" I asked her.
"Yes Sir, right away. Umm… Sir, how are the boys?" She asked me.
"They are doing well. Thanks for asking." I told her before she put me on hold.
"IT Department, Allen speaking how may I help you?" Allen said answering the phone.
"Allen, it's Drew. I have a problem with the computer you sent for Simon." I started.
"Wait a damn minute. I built that computer myself. There was nothing wrong with it. It will run what ever program you want, with ease." He was ranting, I think I pissed him off.
"Hang on! Not that kind of problem. USER problem!" I tried to explain.
"Sorry, Drew, I guess I get a little protective. What kind of user problem are you having?" He calmed down enough to ask.
"Simon can type faster then I can. But, as you know, he is blind and can't speak for several days, maybe up to four. Anyway. He is bothered by the fact that he doesn't always know where the person is that he wants to speak to. I was wondering if you could come up with something to help solve this problem." I asked him.
"Let me think on it, and I will have it solved and completed with in an hour." He told me then hung up before I could thank him.
"If that man wasn't so good at what he does, I would have to give it serious thought to firing his ass!" I commented to Simon laughing.
"Why?" Simon typed.
"Because his people skills aren't all that good. I do get a few complaints on him from time to time. But, it's not only how good he is, remember he is family as well. And, well if someone doesn't like how I do business, then they can kiss my umm butt." I laughed. "I just had a nice conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Koch. They came down to see how Dylian and you are doing. Mr. Koch feels really bad that he didn't do anything to help you. I wanted to give you a heads up before he comes up to see you. I am sure that he will say something about it. Just be honest with him on how you feel. I have also asked them to move out to the old house with us. They are going to take over the 'servants quarters' above the garage. I know what you are thinking, but it's bigger then their house they have now. Also, I have asked Mrs. Koch to be one of your tutors." A big sigh was heard when I told him this. "What?"
"She was a very tough teacher when I had her last time. I really liked her, though. I am glad she will be one of them, but who will be the other?" He typed.
"Well, you know who Bruce is, Right?" He nodded. "Well, his wife is a teacher as well. I have asked her if she will help out as well. Her name is Nancy and she and Carol have been talking over everything, downstairs. Nancy is a lot of fun, I think you will really like her." I told him. I was going to explain more to him when there was a knock at the door.
"Mind if we come in, there is a lot of us out here?" Miles asked, sticking his head in the door.
Simon nodded so I told them to come on in. Miles was right, there were a lot of them. Miles and his two boys, Greg and Carol and their two, Dylian, Mark and Brian and their two, and Bruce and Nancy. The room was very crowded.
It was Mark who was first to speak up. "Drew, Brian and I are going to take Andy and Tyler home, now. I will check in with you tomorrow to see how things are going and if you need anything." He told me.
"Ok, thanks for everything that you two have done. Andy and Tyler, you two take care and if you need anything you call me, OK?" I told them. There were hugs all around and then they left.
"Simon, I am your new Aunt Nancy. I am Bruce's wife. Although I am not sure I should claim that. Anyway I got you some PJ's so you don't have to wear that gown. How about everyone step out, and your Dad and Bruce can help you get into them?" She asked him. He nodded so she told everyone to get out. And they did. I was laughing.
"She sounds like a teacher. I guess everyone else thought so, too." He typed.
"YEP! That is my Bess. She can tell everyone to go to hell and they wouldn't think she did anything wrong! Damn I love that woman!" Bruce said with pride.
Bruce and I got Simon changed into his new PJ's and back into a comfy position. Then I let everyone back into the room.
"Thank you very much for the PJ's Aunt Nancy. They are very soft and much warmer than what I had. I am sure I look better in them then I did in that old gown. And I don't have to worry about my butt showing." Simon typed and tried to show her. I had to move the computer for him.
"You are very welcome. I am glad you like them." She replied.
"Simon, I can't tell you how sorry we are about all that has happened. I really wish we would have known what that bastard was doing to you boys. We would have done something to stop him." Greg started to tell him as he was starting to break down.
"There was a reason I didn't tell you, Mr. Greg. You have always treated me good. You were the one that showed me that I could make something of myself. You were the one that would help me when I got stuck on something. You didn't treat me like a kid. You didn't turn me away when I told you I thought I was gay. I knew that you had a lot going on with Sara being sick and all, but that wasn't why I didn't come to you. I just didn't get the chance. One night I got caught with a friend, the next I was sold into slavery. There wasn't any time to come ask for help. I can't answer for Dylian on why he didn't come to you for help, but knowing the old foster, I am sure Dylian was scared to death that something would happen to him or to you guys if he told. You can feel bad about what has happened to us, me, Dylian, Even, Andy, and Tyler, but you are not allowed to feel guilty about it. Not unless you were the one who used and beat us! That goes for you, too, Mrs. Carol." Simon typed to him.
It took everyone a little time to read his response. I figured for now I would read them until Allen came up with something else.
"Simon, do you really feel that way?" Carol asked him.
"Yes ma'am, I really do. I would have never in a million years put your family at risk. John was capable of doing anything. I was always worried that he would get mad if we spent too much time down at your house. I have always wished for parents like you two. And now I have one. You have to understand that Dylian and I didn't have anything to lose but each other. I am the one that messed up. I should have never put my desires above Dylian's needs." Simon typed then I read.
"Simon, I have told you that this was not your fault." I reminded him.
"Yeah Dad, I know." He typed.
"Knock, Knock." Allen said poking his head in the room.
"Come on in, Allen. Let me introduce you to a few people. This is Greg and Carol Koch, and their son Nicky, who is Dylian's best friend, and their daughter Sara. And this young man is Even, he is Miles and Debbie's new son. Everyone, this is Allen, he is the head of my IT department, and also Tom's brother." I told everyone.
"Simon, I think I have solved that problem you were having." Allen started without even noticing others were there.
"Say hi, Allen." Tom prompted him.
"Sorry, hi. It's nice to meet you all. Back to what I was saying, Simon. Let me install this real fast." He took the computer from him and loaded a disk. His fingers were flying all over the keyboard and then he mounted a little thing on top of the screen. He handed the computer back to Simon. "Ok pal, give me your hand. Feel this button right here?" He asked, holding Simon's hand on the little thing on top of the computer, Simon nodded. "This is a one of a kind 'micro digital video projector' it will project what ever is on your screen up to 25 feet away on to any wall or flat surface. That button you felt turns it on and off. If you want to type something that you don't want to be seen, make sure that button is out. Pushed in is turned on. The only thing I couldn't figure out was how to make sure that you are aimed at a wall. But, I figured that your dad could help you with that one. Let me know if you need anything else. If you press the F11 key, can you figure out what one that is?" Simon touched it. "Wow, you are good. Ok, I programmed your computer so that if you press F11 you will be connected to me, what you type I will get, either on my phone or my computer. Sir, here is that other item you asked for." Allen said then he said, "Good bye, all, it was nice to meet you. Keep in touch Simon." Then he was gone.
"Tom, I am really getting worried about him." I told him.
"I know, Drew, so am I." Tom replied.
I made sure that Simon's computer was facing the wall and let him know. He hit the button. "Well, how does it look?" He typed trying out his new gadget.
"Wow, Simon, your words are HUGE! That is so kewl." Dylian said excited.
"It looks great, Simon. I think this will work very well." I told Simon.
"Umm…Dad?" Dylian asked.
"Yeah, little man, what's up?" I answered.
"Can I spend the night with Nicky then go to school with him tomorrow to see my old class?" He asked.
"Did Nicky invite you or are you inviting yourself?" I asked him.
"Nicky and Greg invited me. They know you're going to stay here with Simon again tonight, and Donnie has school tomorrow." He replied.
"Are you sure, Greg?" I asked looking at Greg standing behind Nicky.
"Yeah, Dylian is never a problem when he has stayed with us, and he has some clothes at our place. I know that his teachers and the other kids at school would love to see him. They were all very worried about him when he was missing." Greg told me.
"I guess I don't have a problem with this." The boys started jumping up and down hugging, "However, before they go to school, he will get an escort, an armed one. Bruce will handle the arrangements." I told them.
"Wait, you are going to send an armed guard into a school with him?" Greg looked at me like I was nuts.
"I am sure that Bruce can make arrangements for the guard to wait outside or in the office, but you have to remember that by tomorrow, all this is going to hit the news. There is a very good chance that Dylian could be named in the press, or that it could be figured out that he was one of the boys involved. Then there is the fact that he is now my son. That is bound to be announced tomorrow that I have taken in two boys that I plan on adopting. You know that there are plenty of nuts out there that would think he was an easy target, and that is one thing he will never be." I told him.
"Well, I see your point. I will go with Bruce tomorrow to the school to help make sure things go smoothly." Greg told me.
"Let me talk to Dylian and then you all can go." I told him and then held out my hand for Dylian to take it. He and I walked out into the hall. I sat down on a bench and pulled Dylian onto my lap. "Little man, did you understand what was being said in there?"
"Not really." He said, shaking his head.
"Ok, well, basically what we were talking about is that I want you to have protection. Someone that is going to be like a bodyguard. Uncle Bruce will set it up and you will meet that person tomorrow morning. The reason for this is that I have lots of money, and I am worried someone would try to hurt you to get money out of me. I would pay any amount to keep you safe, but would prefer that you would never be put into that situation. I have something for you." I told him, getting the box out and handing him a new cell phone. "This is yours, I want you to be careful with it and not abuse it. All the important phone numbers are programmed into it. And you are to keep it turned on at all times. The reason for that is that there is a GPS tracking on it. I will always know where you are. No chance of you getting lost." I was explaining to him when he cut me off.
"You mean if Simon had this, then we could of found him much sooner?" He asked.
"Yes, that is correct." I answered.
"Then you have to give it to him, I don't want to lose him again." He said trying handing it back.
"Oh my little man, Simon will get his own, once he is out of the hospital. But, if you are going to go with Greg and Carol tonight, then you need it, now. Now, tomorrow when you meet your bodyguard, you have to promise me that you will do what he tells you. If you don't like what he tells you to do, then you call me and I will decide what to do. Can you do that for me?" I asked him.
"Yes, Daddy, I will do that, cause I love you and don't want you to worry." He said hugging me.
"I love you so much, little man!" I said while hugging him back. Hand in hand we walked back into the room where Bruce was talking to Greg and Carol.
"Drew, I was just letting Greg and Carol know my game plan for tomorrow. The protector I plan on using is Thorn. Thorn was a Secret Service agent for the First Family before coming to work with me after getting married. He is great with kids, and knows how to work schools. Tom also said he would have a State Trooper at the school." Bruce told us.
"Thanks, Bruce, I knew I could count on you as always." I hugged Dylian and told him to call me anytime if he needed to. Then Greg and Carol took the kids home.
Next to go was Miles. He needed to get Donnie home to get ready for school the next day. Even fought a little, he didn't want to leave Simon, but in the end, he went with his dad. All that was left was Bruce, Nancy and Tom. I told them to go ahead and head out.
"Drew, I am not going. I plan on staying until late or until we find out what Dr. Powers has to say." Tom told me.
"Uncle Tom, what about Lisa? Who is staying with her? Shouldn't you be with her?" Simon typed then pointed to the wall. We all turned and looked.
"Well Simon, those are good questions. Lisa is with her nanny. I spend as much time with her as I can, but with my job it's hard. But, right now, there is another member of my family that needs me a little more, and that is your dad. He is here for you, but he also needs someone to be there for him." Tom answered his questions.
"Thanks, Uncle Tom. I am glad that someone is looking out for him. I still can't get over all that he has done for me and my brother in such a short amount of time." Simon typed to Tom.
"He is a very hard-headed man, but I do try to look out for him," Tom replied.
There was a knock at the door. I went over and opened it to find Dr. Powers standing there with Simon's chart in his hand. "Sir, can I come in?"
"Yes, of course. Please tell us what you found out." I told him.
"Well, first off, I want to apologize to Simon for storming off like that. I got upset after seeing the effects of his abuse. Simon and I spoke about this earlier."
"It's ok, Doc. You don't have to apologize. I remember what you said about viewing violence. I can only imagine what I must look like." Simon typed.
"Thanks, Simon. And WOW, that is too kewl. Where the hell did you get that?" Dr. Powers said after reading the wall.
"Dad's IT man, Allen, made this for me. He is also Uncle Tom's brother. He is awesome." Simon typed.
"I would say so! OK, so for the results. I sent them over to a friend of mine to be sure what I was seeing. I am sorry to say it's not good. There are two areas that are causing us problems. First is the lower left quadrant of the Frontal Bone. This area has had a major fracture to it and has splintered. The Splinter has severed the optical nerve for the left eye. The other is the right Sphenoid bone. This is the problem with the right eye. Pressure from the fractured bone is causing the problem with the right optic nerve. We think that we can reverse the issues with the right eye, however, I am sorry to say that it would be far too dangerous to try to solve the problems with the left eye." Dr. Powers said with tears in his eyes.
"So what do we do, Doc?" I asked.
"I want to do surgery on his right Sphenoid Bone. By drilling it and slightly pulling it back out and into place I hope to be able to relive the pressure to his optic nerve. Simon has indicated that he can tell light from dark. This is a good sign that we might be able recover his sight in his right eye. I would like to schedule his surgery for tomorrow morning." He said.
"Drew, I concur with what Dr. Powers is saying. I think that Simon is strong enough to deal with this surgery just fine. Both Dr. Edwards and I think that this is his best option." Dr. Sanders said, standing in the doorway.
"Oh, Sorry I didn't know you were there. Simon, what do you think?" I asked Simon.
"Dad, like I told you before, I will fight. I think the sooner the better." Was this amazing boy's answer.