Chapter 44
Ray drove around town like a mad man. He had the urge to break someone, some thing. Matt Lauch was not going to be able to help with. The pending charges from the incident months ago prevented him from doing Ray's dirty work. No this would be on Ray. Storming the steps to the Garrett house he was ready to send Nick to the hospital. Pounding on the door he was taken back when it opened to reveal the commander.
Mr. Garrett had always been a strong intimidating man. Someone who commanded respect just by walking in the room. To see him in the third round of treatments shocked him. He had lost a lot of weight and seemed to have aged 40 years since Ray's engagement party. The shock stopped Ray dead in his tracks.
"Come in son." The commander said in an insistent tone. Ray complied.
"I know why you're here and you can not, will not hurt my son or any of his friends."
Ray just stared in disbelief. He started to object.
"No son. Listen to me. Be angry with Nick all you want but you love Hannah and hurting Nick or any of his friends will cause her to hate you. Right now I'm sure she's just as upset as you are but for different reasons. If you love her the way you say you do you will find her and figure out a way to make it work. I assure you if Hannah wants to marry you nothing Nick can say or do will change that. Don't do something stupid."
Ray found talking to the commander comforting. The two sat and talked for sometime. Mr. Garrett explained about the chord cells and how they may save his life and how no one thought that anyone but Gavin was Sam's father until very recently. Apparently it was the adoption that was the catalyst for all the pain they were now suffering. Before leaving Ray took out his cell phone and called Hannah Jane.
Janet answered the phone. After a brief conversation with Janet he spoke with Hannah. They agreed to meet back at her house to talk. He was not pleased that Sam was staying with Eddie and Phil but he agreed that he and Hannah had to talk privately. He thanked the commander and assured him that he would remain calm throughout the evening.