Three weeks later
"What the hell do you think you are doing? Get your hands of my son!" Vin was surprised at both the words and the presence of the woman speaking them.
"I am helping Ezra exercise, and I will 'get my hands off him' when I'm done. Nice of you to show up Maude. Only 9 weeks – record time for you." He was in no way inclined to show her any consideration.
Chris had tried for weeks to track her down, and with JD's (unofficial, unauthorised and totally off the record) help finally was able to track some credit card spending to a European resort. After leaving multiple messages, each with increasing degrees of urgency, she finally called him back. Her reaction was appalling, but sadly not completely unexpected.
"Really Mr. Larabee. I see no point in abandoning my business venture if I can be of no help to poor Ezra. I doubt very much he would expect me to do so."
"Well, I have to agree with you there Maude. I doubt he'd expect you to give up anything for him."
"That is not what I meant sir – and I believe you know that."
"May not be what you meant, but it sure as hell is the truth. Don't you waste a minute of your time worrying about him. He's got folks who care tending to him now." He hung up before she could respond, grateful she had called to his landline so he had the satisfaction of slamming the receiver down. He looked at the mess on his desk and sighed as he pulled out the forms necessary to requisition a new phone.
Now, a month after the call, here she stood.
"What happened Maude – your latest scam fall through?"
"How dare you talk to me that way. I would have been here sooner if I could. And it's not 9 weeks – it was barely 4 weeks since I spoke to your annoying Mr. Larabee. Honestly, the man has fewer manners than you do."
"May only be 4 weeks, but he was trying to reach you for over 4 ahead of that."
"Nevertheless, I am here now, so you will please take your leave Mr. Tanner. Your presence is no longer required."
"I'm not going anywhere Maude, and you have no authority to make me, so save your breath."
"What do you mean I have no authority? That is my son you are standing beside – and I believe I told you to take your hands off him!"
Vin had continued doing physical therapy with Ezra throughout the conversation, as he had every day at the home. The movements helped to keep muscles from atrophying, not to mention helping with bedsores and other problems he might have encountered. And Vin remained convinced that the simple physical contact meant Ezra knew he wasn't alone, his friends stayed near.
"May be your son Maude, but he's my responsibility – all nice and legal. I have the power of attorney for his care – including all medical authority." He finished the stretches and began a slow massage of Ezra's legs."
"Why on earth would he give you any such authority?" She watched as he continued to treat Ezra, then suddenly her eyes opened wide. "Legal? Oh my God – what have you done to Ezra? You've seduced him? Tricked him in some way? Please don't tell me your married? Ezra would never do that to me!"
Vin starred, stunned, at the ranting woman. He had no idea where to start straightening her out. "Shut the hell up Maude. Just how would Ezra being happy equal doing something to you? Never mind. In the first place, I have yet to meet anyone who could trick Ezra into anything. It's one lesson he learned very well from you. In the second place, we are not married. We're both straight – not that you seem to know your son well enough to be aware of that. But yeah – you got part of it right. I love your son. Never was lucky enough to have a brother, least not till I met him. Other than my mom, I never knew what it meant to care about someone like that – to have family."
Maude stared at him, not completely understanding what he was saying. He tried to calm himself enough to deal rationally with the woman.
"Bottom line Maude. He trusted me to keep his best interests in mind, to honour his wishes. He made those very clear. So, you have two choices. You can, for once in your life, put Ezra ahead of yourself. Do as he asked. You go along with that, and you are more than welcome to spend as much time with him as you'd like to. I won't stand in your way.
But – you challenge any of this, you try to take over and put your own agenda first, and you are out the door. I have no problem with that either. I will not let you disrespect him any longer."
She pulled herself out of her shock enough to move into a state of indignation. "Why I never! You have no right –"
"He has every right Maude." Chris stood in the doorway, eyes black as coal. "Legal, moral, any way you look at it, he's got every right. But you go right ahead and fight. Document was drawn up by one of the best lawyers in the state – probably in the country. Witness happens to be Judge Travis, so there again, you might have a bit of trouble finding someone to overturn this. But you feel free to waste your time and money."
The idea of wasting money seemed to quiet the woman in a hurry.
"That your concern Maude?" Chris continued. "Don't worry none, this isn't costing Ezra anything. Insurance covering it all – work related so Ezra's estate won't be affected by this." Vin tried to keep the surprised look from his face. Ezra hadn't been on duty when he was hurt, there was no way this should be paid by his coverage. Chris gave him a small nod, confirming what he'd said. Clearly someone had pulled a few strings.
Chris turned his focus back to Maude, almost snarling at her by this point. "Course the estate doesn't involve you, so doesn't matter anyway."
"Let me guess. You all conned him into leaving everything to you. The car, the condo, everything. Oh, rest assured I will challenge it – all of it."
"Not to us Maude – to charity." She gasped. "Yeah. Despite your best efforts, you failed. Ezra turned out decent. Think you best leave now." He glared until she backed down. Holding her head high, she strode toward the door. He gently grabbed at her arm and as she turned, he reached into his jacket pocket and handed her a note he'd been carrying for weeks. "It's from Ezra." He looked her in the eye. "You're welcome back anytime you are ready to face facts." She shook his grip off and marched down the corridor.
Mother:
The catalogue of explanations that have prompted me to compose this missive is undoubtedly more extensive than the note itself will be. The fact you are reading this signifies I have either been permanently incapacitated, or I have died. Either way, I regret putting you through my loss. I choose to believe, all evidence to the contrary, that you will feel some sorrow at my death.
I wish with all my heart we had had the kind of relationship that would have rendered this letter pointless. But you taught me that wishes have no place in the lives of people such as we. And neither of us has the ability to alter history, so…
The intent of this is to try to persuade to cause as little misery for my friends as possible. Yes mother, I said friends. To be fair, I am not certain that word does justice to the feelings I have for these 6 men, but it will have to suffice. I dare not call them brothers. It would be presuming far more than I am willing to chance. It has taken me some time to even dare to presume to call them friends, for I remain unconvinced I am worthy of such an accolade. I know they would dispute that, and that fact alone warms me more than I can express.
So I write this to assure you that I was not under any undue influence or in any way 'non compos mentis' when I left responsibility for my care to Vin Tanner. He is a man I trust implicitly, as I do all of the others. However, Vin has an understanding of me that can come only from one who shares the designation of loner. Would that I had as much assurance in your willingness to honour my requests as I have in his.
Likewise, my will is outside of your reach. I do not have the wealth you repeatedly maintain would be at my disposal had I used my God-given talents in the manner you would have preferred. Nevertheless, there is a reasonable sum set aside and it will be benefitting those far more deserving of it than either of us could claim to be. A few mementos will go to my friends, in hopes that it will keep me in their memories a little longer. And you too shall have a token that represents my memories of you. I hope you will cherish it.
I am truly sorry that this will cause you discomfort or angst, but again, looking out for my own interests is a lesson I learned at your feet. I do love you mother, whether you choose to believe that or not, and whether or not you return the sentiment.
Maude read the note over twice, not quite believing the contents on first review. These men meant more to her son than she did? As she neared the end the second time through, she was shocked to find the trace of tears on her cheeks. Despite all he had written, all he had said, he still cared. She wiped the moisture from her face with an air of anger. "You're a damned fool. Emotions are a waste of time and energy." As she folded the note and put it into her purse, she wondered fleeting if those words were meant for Ezra, or for herself. She hailed a taxi and drove away from her son, not looking back.
10 days later
Vin was gathering up a new workload from the office, having dropped of the latest batch of updated files. It was the first time in his adult life that he'd been grateful for paperwork, as it provided ample opportunity for him to work without having to spend too much time away from the home. He glanced to the clock and was surprised to see he'd been here almost 4 hours. Not all that long ago he'd been able to mentally track almost to the minute the passage of time, but hours spent with Ezra seemed to have dulled that skill. Time didn't mean all that much in that room.
He stood and stretched, heading over to the open door of Chris's office.
"Buck said he's bringing that toxic salsa of his tomorrow, so you might want to bring a plan B snack option."
"I'm gonna stay at the ranch – get some dinner set up for everyone to come out when the afternoon game is over."
Vin glared at him. "Plan on watching all the games with him – like we always do."
"Yeah, but we're usually watching them at the ranch. Figured we could divide up the day this year."
"Figured wrong Chris. I'm staying with him. You can't be bothered to, well that's your call." He turned and stalked out of the office without another word.
"JD and I had the same fight, if that's any comfort Chris."
"Not much, but thanks anyway Buck. Since you're bringing food, you obviously gave into him."
"Don't I always. Kid puts on the damned kicked puppy look and I can't fight him. 'Sides, I figure this is our last Thanksgiving as a team – last Christmas too, so you can bet we'll have the fight again."
Nathan looked at his friend. "Last as a team – you mean last with Ezra don't you?"
"You see this team coming back together once he's gone? Hell, we're barely together now. Josiah's retired and more or less in seclusion. Vin's away more than he's here. Can't really see him coming back to the set up when it's all over. Even JD's been talking about looking for another job. Leaving law enforcement all together. At least leaving ATF."
Nathan frowned, nodding his head. "Have to admit, I've thought about it too. Raine would definitely be happier if I was in a different line of work. Wants me to go back and get a medical degree. At least look at becoming a paramedic."
Chris was at the same time surprised and not to hear that. He knew the team was barely holding on, and couldn't find a way, or a reason, to fight the momentum. He knew he was letting Ezra down, but couldn't find the reserve within himself to make the effort.
The next day organized chaos reigned in Ezra's room.
"JD, you cannot set up the TV there – glare from the window will be too strong." Buck glared at the man who was moving chairs out of the way.
"Well I can't put it where you said because it'll block the door."
"What's wrong with the other corner." JD looked at his partner incredulously.
"You're kidding me right?"
"No glare, nobody will trip over anything. It's perfect."
Vin grinned, recognizing what Buck was failing to take into account, and thrilled JD had seen the problem.
"Ezra won't be able to see the games if the TV's there."
Buck stared, fighting to not say what he was thinking. Did he really think it mattered to Ezra? Could he still believe, after all this time, there was any awareness there at all? He glanced over to the bed for a moment, then back looked at the eager young face.
"Right – wasn't thinking that through. We can move the dresser. That'll give him a perfect view."
They were gathered for the Thanksgiving ritual of football and junk food. Of course Nathan brought something healthy, and it sat at the end of the table, where it would remain until all other options had been exhausted. Then, with some reluctance, they would devour the final offering.
Vin looked at the chairs spread around the room. They'd have to grab a couple more if Chris and Josiah changed their plans and showed up. He wasn't really expecting Josiah. The big man still hadn't come to terms with everything, and the few visits he made to see his surrogate son had been at quiet times, late, when he was sure to be alone. Vin regretted his absence, but understood what the man was trying to deal with.
Chris, on the other hand, was a totally different story. They hadn't spoken since Vin stormed out of the office and he hadn't been in to see Ezra since the confrontation with Maude 11 days earlier. Vin found himself growing more resentful daily of the attitude and actions their leader was demonstrating.
The first kick-off was about to happen. The men had made themselves comfortable around the room and Ezra was propped a little higher in the bed. It was all an illusion, but one they were willing to live with for the day. Just as the game started, Chris walked into the room. He tossed a few bags of chips on the dresser and opened the small fridge to add a couple of six packs.
"No turkey dinner?" Vin questioned, trying to keep his tone neutral.
"Yeah, there'll be dinner. Nettie said she whip up a bunch of turkey sandwiches for us and bring 'em by later. Said she hadn't seen you for a while and figured this was a chance to make sure you were behavin' yourself."
"Assume you tell her I was?"
"Course not – wouldn't lie to her now, would I?" He grinned as he said it, and was relieved to see a smile in response.
"Nah –she'd find out and tear a piece of your hide out."
"We here to watch, or we here to talk?" Buck growled.
"Yeah – you know Buck can't do both at the same time." JD ducked when the big guy took a playful swing at him.
TBC
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