The Undertaking of Adam Novak

by Sofie Hern

  When I finish and hungry enough, I go to the kitchen, take out the soup from the refrigerator and place it on the stove on low heat for a few minutes then Rita comes to mind. Isn’t she something?

  64

  IRENE

  Irene is sitting at the table waiting for Jordyn to come down for breakfast. She’s been thinking about how to stop Jordyn from spending so much time with Adam.

  She makes pancakes and places two on a plate in front of Jordyn’s chair and the girl comes down moments later.

  “What’s the occasion?” asks Jordyn as she sits down.

  Irene takes the orange juice out of the refrigerator and pours some for her daughter

  “Sunday, that’s all.”

  “No brunch today?”

  “No. Julia and Ken are in Houston looking at houses.”

  “Oh, Mom, guess what?”

  Irene sits down. “What?”

  “Adam is taking Aaron to LA.”

  “What?”

  Jordyn takes a fork full of her pancakes and washes them down with orange juice. “Jaycob told me.”

  “Why? When?” She doesn’t quite understand.

  “He said soon. He wants Aaron to get better there ‘cause they can’t help him here anymore.”

  Irene’s face has gone white.

  “Are you okay, mom?”

  “Yeah. Just… not hungry.” She stands and takes the untouched food to the trash.

  When Jordyn is done with her food, she takes her dishes to the sink. “I wanna go visit Aaron. Can I, mom?”

  Her mom isn’t listening, but nods and Jordyn leaves the kitchen.

  Irene slams the counter with both hands. You can’t leave. At this moment she realizes her two mistakes. One, eliminating Tianna and the other asking Levy for help. Not because she feels remorse, but because she realizes now that with the bitch gone Adam had felt obligated to take care of the boy.

  When Tianna was alive at least he was home, pretending to be a father and a husband.

  “I’m so stupid,” she whispers and hits her forehead with her palm. She takes a deep breath, feeling hopeless and has no idea when Adam is leaving—or returning, for that matter.

  She’s been so careless thinking she had it all figured out. Her desire to keep Adam had blinded her judgment and she’d lost.

  One thing that she is happy about is the fact that the boy can't recall the accident, but she still wishes he were dead. She needs to find out when Adam is leaving. She becomes sad, angry and lost. How can this be happening to her? She wishes to go back in time, before Tianna's death. She hates herself for being so damn stupid and needs to do something to bring him back, or at least stop him from going to California.

  She’s pacing the kitchen floor and running different scenarios in her head. If Tianna's death brought Adam and the boy together, what can Irene do to make that happen for her?

  “Be back later, mom.”

  Irene comes out of her trance. “Where are you going?”

  “I told you. To the hospital.”

  “Is Adam picking you up?”

  “No, I’m taking the bus.”

  Irene feels her face flush with jealousy and anger for Jordyn will be seeing Adam, spend time with him when Irene may never see him again.

  Jordyn leaves and Irene heads for the stairs but stops at the desk. She picks up a photo, one of Jordyn on her thirteenth birthday, smiling, and Adam with an arm around her shoulders with that beautiful smile on his face.

  For years she manipulated Adam using the kids. She didn’t allow them to call him dad because she didn’t want them to get too close to him. He was hers, and she didn’t want to share his love with anyone. The rage builds and she slams the photo on the desk and pieces of glass fly everywhere.

  The more she thinks about it the more she realizes that she’s never felt love for her children. She used them for her own good, as tools to make money and keep Adam by her side. Once Colin turned eighteen and his father stopped paying child support she no longer needed him, thus, sending him away making him believe it was Adam’s decision. Jordyn's father, on the other hand, is still paying child support, but neither Adam nor Jordyn know about it.

  She takes out a cigarette and lights it then takes a long drag and exhales, filling the room with smoke. Jordyn still has a couple of years left of child support, but Irene is willing to sacrifice that if it means bringing Adam home. Her mind is going at a hundred miles an hour as she starts to formulate a plan. No more mistakes, Irene.

  65

  ADAM

  By Monday morning I’m feeling much better and the fever is finally gone. I get out of bed and I’m looking forward to the day ahead. I’ve been in contact with the hospital in Los Angeles and have a scheduled conference call with Dr. Patricia Barksdale and her team who will be taking care of Aaron. There is so much to do; I still have to talk to Aaron about it and discuss the plan with Jaycob. The desk clock indicates 7:02 a.m. and I take my phone from the desk to call Jordyn.

  “Hi, dad!”

  She makes me smile. “Hi daughter, how are you?”

  “Good. Waiting for the bus.”

  A pang of guilt hits me. I was the one to drive her to school.

  “And you? Heard you were under the weather?”

  “I'm better now, thanks. Wanted to check in before school. All good?”

  “All good, dad.”

  “I love you, Jordyn.”

  “Me too, dad… Sorry, can’t stop saying it! Doesn’t it sound awesome?

  “Yeah, it does!” I say and we laugh.

  “Call me when you get home.”

  “Okay. Bye, dad.”

  I’m sad knowing I’ll be leaving her behind and wish that I could take her with me.

  I take my clean clothes from the bed and hit the shower and let the hot water wash away any residual aches and again Rita comes to mind. For the last couple of days, I’ve been thinking a great deal about her and at times smile at the thought of her. I go to the room and pack my laptop, grab my jacket, my phone and head out.

  While I wait for the car to warm up, my phone beeps with a text from Rita and I smile like a fool.

  –Hope you feel better! Go kick some lame doctor’s ass!

  –Yes, ma’am!

  –I’ll stop by after work but please keep me posted.

  –

  I enter into a warm hospital lobby, which is decorated with a beautiful tall Christmas tree. I check-in at the front desk where I take my visitor’s pass, but before going up I take a detour and go to Starbucks for coffee then take the elevator up to the third floor.

  I approach the nurses’ station and request to speak to Dr. Jian, who is currently in surgery, but the nurse will let him know that I need to talk to him. I take a sip of my coffee as I walk to the room feeling great about it all, almost invincible.

  –

  Jaycob and Aaron are playing checkers and I’m glad to see Aaron sitting up, though he’ll have to wear the halo for a while longer. I approach the bed, kiss the top of his head and pat Jaycob on the shoulder.

  “Jaycob taught me how to play!” says Aaron.

  “Awesome,” I reply and put my bag on the table, then stand at the foot of the bed with Jaycob’s back to me.

  “Aaron, how do you feel about going to Los Angeles for a few months?”

  He looks at Jaycob and then back at me. “Why? Is… someone taking me away?”

  I go stand next to him. “I am. But it’s because they can make you better. You know how you can’t move your legs?”

  He nods.

  “They can make you better.”

  Silence.

  I sigh and sit by Aaron’s side, being careful not to hurt him.

  “The three of us?” I knew he’d ask, but I’m not prepared to answer.

  Though I’m not comfortable leaving Jaycob behind I know he has to stay and take care of the house, keep an eye on Jordyn and find a job but Aaron interrupts my thoughts. “The day my mom died and we were in Jake’s
room you said it would always be the three of us. Always.”

  He got me there. I take a deep breath and look at Jaycob then back to Aaron.

  “You're right.”

  Aaron smiles and Jaycob looks at me as if to ask, “Are you sure?” and I nod.

  “Will I be able to see the ocean?” asks Aaron.

  “You bet.”

  “Sweet!” he says, making me and Jaycob laugh.

  Jaycob stands and goes to give Aaron a hug. “I'm outta here,” he says and grabs his stuff and we walk to the elevator.

  –

  “I don't have to go, you know?”

  “What? Why?”

  “Are you blind?” he says and counts with his fingers. “The house, a job, Jordyn, not to mention the amount of money you’re going to spend in his treatment alone and there’s—”

  “We need each other, Jake. He needs both of us for support. You guys have lived together all his life, man. He’ll need as much normal as possible, especially far from home.”

  “It’s gonna be so expensive and—”

  “Hey.” I cup his face in my hands to calm his thoughts. “I know there’s a lot to think about, but… I can’t leave you here, Jake. I can’t do this without you.”

  He nods after a moment and I let go.

  “Do you remember Howard?”

  He nods.

  “Well, he lives in LA and he’s going to help us get settled in.”

  I see relief in his eyes. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.”

  He smiles and gives me a hug.

  “We’ll be okay,” I assure him. “Now, go get some rest.”

  –

  It’s my turn to lead the doctor to the empty waiting area. I invite him to sit but he doesn’t and I don’t care. I’m not too pleased with him even though I know he’s done all he can for Aaron.

  I stand in front of him with my hands on my hips. “I need to find out what we need to do to get him transferred to another hospital.”

  The doctor clears his throat to speak. “First, you’ll need to get approval from the insurance and—”

  “No. Fuck the insurance. What else?”

  He looks shocked. “I'm sorry?”

  “I'm not waiting for an insurance company to tell me what to do with my boy.”

  “Mr. Novak, the transfer is quite expensive and—”

  “Just tell me what to do.”

  He studies me for a moment. “Very well. First, we need to know what hospital he'll be going to and if they accept the transfer. Then we—”

  “Done. What else?”

  He appears irritated, and yes, I’m being a massive asshole, but I need to get it done, and as Rita put it, “kick some lame doctor’s ass!”

  “I need to send the information, tests results, x-rays, MRIs, CT scan results.”

  “And when can you send them?”

  “What hospital is he going to?”

  “Grand University, in California”

  “Out of state, huh?” He looks doubtful and scratches his chin. “That's a bit more complicated.”

  “Make it happen ASAP. I’ll give you the info.”

  He nods and leaves the room.

  66

  AARON

  Aaron wakes up and finds himself in a new room with Uncle Adam standing by his side and Aaron smiles. He’s always felt safe knowing his uncle is around, not that Jaycob makes him feel differently, but he thinks that Uncle Adam is super strong and brave.

  “How do you like your new room?” asks Uncle Adam, looking around.

  “When did I get here?”

  “Your doctor said your brain is doing much better and that you’re well enough to leave the ICU. They brought you here right after they operated on your shoulder.”

  Aaron can’t see his own shoulder, but does feel some numbness there. Uncle Adam lifts the bed so Aaron can sit up. The new room is bigger and with a lot fewer machines. There is an empty bed next to Aaron’s and he is glad that his is the one closest to the window.

  There’s a sleep chair below the window where Uncle Adam goes to take a gift-wrapped box from his bag.

  Aaron’s eyes widen and he says, “Is it Christmas already? How long was I out this time?”

  This makes his uncle laugh a good long belly laugh.

  “Charles stopped by while you were in surgery and brought you this.” He hands Aaron the box, wrapped with shiny red paper and a green bow. There is a card attached to it and his uncle takes it out of the small envelope and holds it up for Aaron to read.

  Merry Christmas! (A tad early I know)

  We wish you all the best in California, little Aaron. This is a present for you from Deborah and me. It will help us to stay in touch and it will also prevent you from getting bored. God bless you.

  Love,

  Charles and Deborah

  Aaron smiles. He attempts to open the package with one hand and with help from his uncle the wrap comes off with ease. Aaron holds the box and his jaw drops.

  “A tablet!” He’s so excited, he almost screams.

  “Holy crap. Let me see.”

  Aaron hands him the box.

  “It’s so awesome!” Aaron can’t contain his excitement. “Can you open it, please?”

  While his uncle is setting up his new tablet Rita comes in. Aaron likes that she always has a smile on her face. “Rita!”

  “Hey, little man!” She goes to give him a hug.

  ‘“How’s the little soldier?” she asks Aaron as she removes her coat.

  “Nervous.”

  “You’ll be okay.” She puts her coat on a nearby chair and walks to stand next to his uncle.

  “What time are you guys leaving?” She asks while Uncle Adam continues to set up the device.

  “Seven-thirty.”

  “How exciting!” she says.

  “That's my new tablet,” Aaron tells her. He likes that Uncle Adam and Rita always stand in his range of vision so he doesn’t have to strain his eyes.

  “Holy cow. That's so cool!”

  “All setup, buddy,” says his uncle who puts the device on the table in front of Aaron.

  “I'm going to get coffee, is that okay?” Uncle Adam asks Rita.

  “Of course.”

  “So,” Rita says after Uncle Adam leaves. “Why are you nervous?” She sits at the foot of the bed.

  “Mostly sad.”

  “How come?”

  “Leaving my house and… my mom.” Tears begin to form and Rita moves over to sit next to him and gives him a hug.

  “I know, champ. But don’t forget that no matter how far you are or how close, your mom will always, always be with you, in your heart. She’s an angel and she can travel anywhere in the world and follow you wherever you go. I promise I'll visit her grave every weekend and send you pictures.”

  Aaron feels a little better. “Can you and me talk when I'm over there?”

  “Every day.”

  Aaron is quiet for a moment, thinking about his mom. He sometimes gets scared that he’ll forget her; her voice, her face, but it also scares him that others will forget.

  “Do you miss my mom?”

  “Oh, every day. Everyone at work misses her a lot too.”

  “They tell you that?”

  “They sure do.”

  Again, there is silence for a few moments.

  “Rita?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Did you ever meet my dad?”

  He waits for an answer that takes too long. “No. I never did. Why?”

  He isn't sure if he should tell her that a man claiming to be his dad was chasing him before he got hit by the truck. What if he tells and the man gets super mad and then comes to take him away? “Just… wondering.”

  Rita studies him for a moment. “You sure?”

  “Yeah.”

  Uncle Adam returns and brings Rita a hot chocolate and then they go to sit by the window.

  “Jaycob is all packed up,” his uncle announces.

/>   “Is he leaving before or after you guys?” asks Rita.

  “He’s leaving tonight.”

  After talking to Rita, Aaron is no longer scared about leaving. His uncle and Rita remain on the chair for a moment so he can give her all the information regarding the flight, Howard’s address and the hospital phone numbers and address and all that. Moments later she goes to Aaron.

  “Okay, little man, I have to go,” she says and gives him a gentle big hug. “You're going to do great,” she says, wiping her tears away but manages a smile. “I can't wait for you to come back so we can play baseball and you can ride one of Frank’s motorcycles!”

  Aaron smiles.

  She takes her coat and his uncle walks her to the elevator.

  “I'll talk to you before you guys leave in the morning, okay, little man?”

  “Okay.”

  “Be right back, buddy,” says Uncle Adam.

  –

  Moments later Jordyn walks in with a big smile on her face. “Hey, cousin!” she says and Aaron is glad that she came to say goodbye. Aaron shows her the tablet and she’s looking forward to Skyping with him when he’s in California.

  “We’ll talk every day,” she promises.

  Aaron has not seen Jordyn so happy. Ever. He’s sad to leave her, but seeing her so happy makes him feel a little better, and knowing they’ll talk every day makes him feel even better.

  Soon, Uncle Adam and Jaycob walk in. Jaycob approaches Aaron, who shows him his tablet.

  “Nice!”

  “We can play checkers on it,” Aaron tells him.

  “Hell yeah,” says Jaycob giving Aaron a gentle high five.

  “I’m going to hit the road soon so when you get to LA, I’ll be waiting.”

  Aaron gives thumbs up—well a thumb up—and Jaycob stands next to Jordyn.

  “A few minutes, okay?” he tells her.

  He then goes to sit by Uncle Adam on the sleeper chair to discuss the plan.

  “Adam said I can visit you for Christmas, isn’t that great?” Jordyn tells him.

  They continue to talk for a bit longer, but soon the shoulder pain is too much for Aaron and a nurse comes to give him some pain medicine which makes him sleepy. Jaycob stands and puts his arm around Jordyn’s shoulder. “Time to go, Jo.”