The Visit

Chapter 7

Luke had just entered the square in Old Towne when he bumped into Casey and Jason.  “Hey, you two.  Where are you heading?”

“Hey, Dude.  We’re picking Andy up from school.  He’s been doing pretty well and he wanted us to see his recent project in music class.  I think Ethan’s been working on it with him.”

“You can say that again, Case.  The twins think dueling guitars are the perfect components of a lullaby.”

Casey snorted and Jason nodded.

“Damn!”  Luke looked in the basket under the stroller.

“What’s up, Luke?  What’re you searching for?”

“I left the kids’ diaper bag at Al’s.  We just had lunch there with Reid, Noah, and Mason.”

“Whoa!  I heard about the impending visit from the former professor of sleaze, but I didn’t expect a showdown at the diner.”

“It went better than I expected, but I don’t think Mason’s shown his entire hand yet.”

“Why don’t we take the drool machines off your hands, and pick up Ethan when we get Andy?  You can go back and get the rugrat supplies and come over when you’re ready.”

“Are you sure?  The twins will probably sleep another hour or so, but they can be a handful.”

Jason laughed.  “Casey has a full time pediatrician at his beck and call.  I don’t think I’ll be too taxed with a couple of extra children around.”

Casey leaned into Jason.  “Beck and call -- is that what they’re calling it now.” 

Luke’s eyes widened.  “Casey!”

“Hey, dude, it’s nothing you haven’t been doing with the brain doctor for years.”

“It’s amazing.  Why is it that every time I talk to you I feel like we’re teenagers again?  It’s hard to believe that you’re one of the most respected attorneys in Oakdale.”

“In the state,” Jason added, planting a kiss on Casey’s cheek.

“You bring out the kid in me, Luke.  I’m okay with that.”  Casey took the stroller from Luke.  “You’ll know where we are.  Go grab the bag before someone else tries to stick their hands in it.”

“Thanks Casey, Jason.”  Luke smiled and quickly returned to Al’s. 

He was surprised to see Reid and Mason still sitting at the table.  Slipping inside the door unnoticed, Luke slid into a nearby booth, out of direct eye-line of his husband, who was focused on the man sitting opposite him.

“Well well, Mason Jar, what’s the real story of your visit?”

“That’s an old joke, doctor.  I’ve heard it a million times.”

“And now you’ve heard it one million and one times.  Some things are irresistible.”  Reid clasped his hands, resting them on the table top.  “You still haven’t answered the question, Mr. Jarvis.  Why are you here?  And don’t give me any more bullshit song and dance about Noah’s skill and opportunities.  It’s clear to anyone who meets you, and has half a brain, that you’re only out for yourself.”

“You don’t mince words, Dr. Oliver.”

“That’s Dr. Oliver-Snyder, and if you screw it up again, your time with me is over.”

Mason held up his hands as if surrendering.  “I didn’t mean to offend.  It just surprises me when someone of your extreme skill and stature in the global medical community decides to relegate himself to such a backwards, provincial location.  Was it Luke’s money?  I must admit, I found that his most attractive trait when I met him.  But at the time, what I needed was a young talent.”

“Mr. Jarvis, for one thing, you most certainly offend me.  Second, if I wasn’t such a brilliant surgeon, one who needs to care for his hands, be assured I would throw a right cross to your face this very moment.”

“Don’t you think you deserve more recognition than Oakdale, Illinois can provide?  I can do that for you, and give Noah a chance to be my Assistant Director in the process.  It would be a win-win.  You would get your long overdue kudos for all the work you’ve done for patients all over the world who’ve been sent your way, and I can make up for disappointing Noah by giving his career a boost.”  Luke couldn’t believe Mason’s enthusiasm and gall.  “I’m in a position to give you and Noah what you’ve both always deserved; much more than anything or anyone in Oakdale can offer.”

Reid laughed out loud but said nothing for what seemed to Luke like an eternity.  Could Reid really be considering Mason’s offer?  He wished he could leave as discreetly as he’d entered but the crowd in Al’s had thinned significantly and he was stuck in the booth.

Soon he heard someone’s chair scrape against the floor.  “Mr. Jarvis, if you’ve done the thorough research on me and my career that you imply you have, you would be aware I’m a genius.”

“And I know you’re far from modest, so why hide it?  Let the world see how a brilliant surgeon has given back to society by helping the little people in this town and making those in need come to him.”

Luke cringed, remembering a time long ago when Reid referred to Oakdale residents as the little people. 

“You’re a lousy liar, Mr. Jarvis.  It’s more than evident, despite my lack of experience with the film industry, there’s a producer who has offered you a lucrative opportunity, but only if you can deliver.  The funny thing is, if you’d come to me with this idea ten years ago, I might have considered it.”

“And now?”  Mason no longer had a cocky edge to his voice.

“And now, the amazing, far from little, people who share my life in Oakdale mean a shit-load more to me than any solo recognition I could possibly get from your ridiculous and ill-conceived film project.  In fact, I don’t trust your judgment at all.  You’re the same idiot who gave Luke the idea he wasn’t good enough to be a writer.  Guess what, Mase, he’s as brilliant at writing as I am at neurosurgery.  In fact, he wrote one of those Emmy winning pieces Noah directed.  Where are your awards, Mase, old buddy?  Oh, that’s right, you’ve only been nominated.”

Luke let out a breath, closed his eyes, and smiled.  If he could, he would crash his lips against Reid’s right at that moment.

“Dr. Oliver-Snyder, it looks like I misjudged your interest in promoting your skills and getting the recognition you rightfully deserve.  This will also keep people in the dark, so to speak, about what you and Memorial Hospital can do for them.”

“Mr. Jarvis, I’m confident my hospital and its team of gifted medical professionals will get all the recognition they deserve by action, deed, and reputation.  We don’t need you to promote us, and in the process tear our families apart, all to pad your own pockets and regain whatever reputation you had, or want to have.  My guess is you’re floundering and have once again failed in producing what the backers want.”

“You should try out for a quiz show, doctor.  You’re ability to guess is quite good.”

“I told you, Mr. Jarvis, I’m a genius, and don’t you forget it.  Noah is a romantic who has finally found his place in the world and is happy with his life, both personally and professionally.  While I can take him or leave him, Noah’s husband is my closest friend, and my husband is Noah’s best friend.  Let this be a lesson to you.  Never mess with someone smarter than yourself, especially if it might threaten those he loves.”

“Loves?  Most geniuses don’t have time to explore love.”

“They do if they want to live long and satisfying lives; it’s been documented in medical studies.”  Luke heard Reid smack his hands on the table.  “I think it’s time for you to go back where you came from, Mr. Jarvis.  I’ll pass on your fond farewell to Noah.”

“If I stay, can we get together?  Maybe I can encourage you to reconsider, make a few side offers of enticement.”

Luke balled his fists.  The nerve of that asshole. 

“Mason, you make an interesting proposition.”

Luke’s eyes widened.

“Please stand up.”

“Yes, doctor, anything you say.”  Mason’s voice became huskier and Luke wanted to scream.

Hearing both men stand up, Luke dared to inch closer to the edge of the booth as he continued to look in their direction.  The next thing he saw floored him.  Reid delivered an amazing right cross into Mason’s cheek.  “You may have been the catalyst that ultimately brought me to Oakdale and the man I intend to spend the rest of my life with, but otherwise you’re trash, Mr. Jarvis, and my guess is your backers will soon see that as well.”

Mason quickly left the diner.  Luke spotted Janet grinning behind the counter.  “Well done, Dr. Oliver-Snyder.  I’ll bring you some ice for your hand.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Donovan.  It is still Mrs. Donovan, isn’t it?”

Janet chuckled.  “Yes, you know very well we remarried last month.  You and Luke were there to see it.”

As soon as Janet disappeared to assumedly bring Reid his bundle of ice a shadow fell over Luke.

“Did you like what you heard and saw?”

“Reid, uhm.”  Luke stood up.  He and Reid were nose to nose.  “How long did you know I was there?”

“Not the entire time, but long enough, especially when I realized the diaper bag was still under the table.  I knew you would be too responsible to not come back for it.”

“He wanted to use Noah to get to you and then use both of you to further his career.”

“That’s why they call bastards like him users.”

“Did you mean everything you said?”

“You know I never lie, Luke.”

“I love you, Reid.”

“Right back at you.” 

Luke and Reid shared a warm kiss until they heard a cough.  “Excuse me, but I think there’s a surgeon who should probably ice his hand before it swells.”

“Thanks, Janet.”  Luke smiled and took the dishtowel wrapped ice bag from her.  He then gently placed it on Reid’s knuckles.  “Does it hurt much?”

“It’s not too bad.  Satisfaction tempers pain.”  Reid grinned, then took a deep breath.  “We’ll have to tell Noah the truth, Luke.”

“I know.  How about I call Casey and Jason?”

“Why?”

“They have all the kids.  I’ll ask them if Miri and Bobby can stay with them a while.  We can drop off the diaper bag with their bottles, toys, and diapers, then we can meet Noah and Mark at the hospital and fill them in.”

“Very wise, Mr. Oliver-Snyder.”

“I also have a few extra ideas that might help cushion the injury to your hand and any discomfort left in its wake.”

Reid raised an eyebrow.  “Oh really?  Care to share?”

“After we see Noah and Mark.”

“Okay, let’s go.”  Reid’s broad smile matched Luke’s as they left the diner together.

[TBC]

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