Chapter 8
By Wednesday of the next week, everyone had found some equilibrium again.
Don was at his desk, going over a profile Megan had done of one of the suspects in a banking fraud scheme, when Larry called him.
"Donald, hello, how are you?" the professor asked. "Do you have a moment?"
Larry never introduced himself on the phone, but Don couldn't imagine confusing him for anyone else. "Sure, Larry," he grinned. "What's up?"
"I'll try to be brief," Larry started, and Don rolled his eyes. "Larry" and "brief" were mutually exclusive words. He tuned back into the conversation. "Amita and I have done some research, and, well, we'd like to be involved," he heard.
"Involved? I'm sorry, Larry, did I miss something?" Don asked. "Involved in what?"
"With Charles, of course," answered Larry. "We understand he'll be needing transportation to and from chemotherapy, perhaps some company during the sessions…It's just that we would, both, like to be part of any rotating schedule that you and Alan may be setting up."
Don was silent long enough that Larry spoke again. "Don? Have I stepped over family boundaries?"
Don took a deep breath, and hastened to reassure the man. "No, No, Larry of course not. You know you're an important part of Charlie's family. I guess we just hadn't thought that far ahead."
"Well, if you'd like," offered Larry, "we'll be happy to design the schedule ourselves, taking into consideration everyone's variable needs and availability…"
Don couldn't hold back a fond laugh. "Larry!" he said. "Don't you think that's a little more than we need?"
"I know that it might seem that way, Don," Larry answered, "but these things can become quite overwhelming very quickly. Besides," he continued before Don could speak again, "don't you think Charles would appreciate an algorithm designed for him specifically?"
Don knew Larry was probably right. It was best to go into something this big with a plan.
"Yeah, " he said finally, "why don't you come over some evening this week, and we'll all work on it together?"
Don could hear the relief in Larry's voice. "That will be fine Don. Would tomorrow evening be all right?"
Don quickly checked his calendar. "Sure," he said. "Why don't you come for dinner? I'll tell Dad to expect you."
"Very good, Donald," Larry answered, and then he seemed to hesitate briefly. "And Don? One more thing?"
"Yeah, Larry?"
"I'm sure it will remain very important to Charles to stay mentally active, especially if he has to take a leave of absence from the University…"
"Wait a minute," interrupted Don, "what do you mean 'if'?"
"Well, I spoke with him yesterday," Larry answered. "He hopes to be able to continue teaching half-time."
"That's ridiculous," started Don, but Larry quietly cut him off.
"Is it, Don? Doesn't he have to at least try?"
Don gripped the phone more tightly and raised one hand to rub his temple. "I guess so, Larry. I don't know. Anyway, what did you start to say?"
"Oh, yes, well, I am sure he will also want to remain consulting, at least with the FBI."
This time Don's voice was loud enough to make Megan look over at his desk. "Absolutely not!" he bellowed.
"Don, please," pleaded Larry, "I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to say that Amita and I will be pleased to help him on any case he does take on. And if you have a need you'd rather not bother him with, well…I just want you to know, Donald, that Amita and I will do what we can for you."
Don felt a genuine rush of affection for this friend of Charlie's, who had proved his loyalty already in so many ways. "I'm sorry, Larry. Thank you. I appreciate that, really."
"You're welcome, Don. I'll see you all tomorrow night."
NUMBERS NUMBERS NUMBERS NUMBERS NUMBERS
Tuesday. Tuesday was his day to pick up Charlie at school and take him to the hospital for chemotherapy. When Larry and Amita has presented their schedule, he was surprised to see Megan on it as well, but they had assured him that she had contacted them, and was actually responsible for the idea of a schedule in the first place. So now, Charlie had chemotherapy five days a week, and Don's day was Tuesday.
He idled the SUV at a red light, and thought, "This is my second Tuesday. There will only be two more before Charlie is in remission." He reminded himself that while he was at the hospital this afternoon, he needed to make an appointment to have a tissue type blood test done, to see if he could be Charlie's bone marrow donor.
Soon he was at Cal Sci, and Charlie was waiting on a bench in front of the math building. Don pulled to the curb and studied his brother, who appeared to be sleeping. The week of chemo behind him had been difficult. Symptoms he already had — fatigue, nausea, lack of appetite, fever — were worse then ever in the evenings, and into the night. So far, though, he had managed to get up every morning and go to work. He taught two classes every morning, and conducted office hours. During the chemotherapy session, he actually worked on lesson plans. Looking at him now, though, Don didn't know how long he could keep up that schedule.
Suddenly Charlie's eyes opened and he raised his head. Focusing on the SUV in front of him, he smiled and lifted a hand in greeting. He pushed up slowly off the bench and was soon climbing in next to Don. "It must be Tuesday," he said. "Don-day."
Don laughed. "You got it, Buddy," he said. "Though Dad and I are planning on switching next week, just so you won't know what day it is!"
Charlie smiled. "Hey Don?" he asked, as they pulled out into traffic.
"Yeah?"
"Do you have any cases you need my help on? I could use something to do this afternoon. With only two classes to teach, lesson plans don't take long. I think I'm six months ahead already."
After his talk with Larry, Don was ready for this. "I really don't, right now," he said, "and I mean that. If I needed your help on something, I'd still ask you."
He heard his brother's breathing for a few moments before a small voice asked, "Really?"
He reached over and clasped Charlie on the shoulder. "Really," he said. "Take a nap this afternoon. Put on your headphones and relax. When I do need you on something, you're going to need just a little more energy." He took his eyes off the road briefly to look at Charlie, prepared to say more if he had to. But he didn't, because Charlie was leaning against the window again, asleep.
