HOW TO SAVE A LIFE

Sorry for the long wait I was involved in a case at work and it pre-occupied me. I will skip a few chapters to keep up and try to finish this story within this week. But to update Leo and Camille were married, Adrian is engaged to Omar, as are Grace/Jack, and Amy/Ricky. Ben has met up with Chloe, but it was determined from x-rays from his accident he has a tumor in his brain that is located near his cerebellum. The tumor is benign, but it must be removed before it continues to cause Ben problems.

Although Ben is no longer working he is using personal funds he acquired without Leo's knowledge to pay for his doctor visits, as well as his medications without his insurance being involved. However Dr. Leonard who is Ben's neurologist is worried about why Ben's reason for not telling his family about his current illness. Ben is further troubled when he is told the only person who can perform the surgery is none other than Dr. Shaka Shakur who is Ricky's adopted father...

Dr. Leonard: Ben do you know Dr. Shakur? (seeing as though Ben, has some recognition of the man in front of him.)

Ben: Yes, I do know Dr. Shakur. I don't know him that well this is our first real introduction. (Ben shakes his hand).

Shakur: Yes it is Ben, and I do think that our introduction to one another is long over due.

Ben: Probably...(hesitantly) But, I have to know is Dr. Shakur the only person who is capable of performing this type of surgery? (looking at Dr. Leonard.)

Dr. Leonard: Ben, Dr. Shakur is one of the most renound neuro surgeons in the country, and he is one of the leading experts when it comes to this type of surgery. In fact he revolutionized the procedure for what you are dealing with now since the tumor is in such a delicate area.

Ben: You said that he is one of the leading surgeons in this field, but he is not the only surgeon in this area is he? (Ben asked)

Dr. Leonard: Ben, why would you need another surgeon, when we have the best in the world right here. Is it because of his religion or nationality that you have a problem? (becoming offended at Ben for his question,)

Shakur: No, it is neither of those things Dennis. Ben doesn't want me to perform the surgery primarily because of my relations. (Shakur said seeing the look on Ben's face and knowing inadvertently of Ben/Ricky's altercations.)

Dr. Leonard: Shakur I don't understand.

Shakur: Its a complicated situation Dennis, and if it had been another patient that asked for another surgeon I would have tried to tell Ben, that my skills as a doctor are very certifiable and proven. But, Ben is not questioning my skills as a surgeon or a doctor. He wishes a new doctor for reasons that are his own, and reason's that I perfectly understand.

Dr. Leonard: Shakur, you have me at a slight disadvantage...

Shakur: Ben, has a long history with a member of my family, and unfortunately that history is not good, at least not for him. As a doctor, I would tell him that it is dangerous to let personal feelings interfere with his health and well being, but under circumstances like these I completely understand Ben. I will also give you a list of other doctors who are highly certified, and can help you in a case as delicate as yours.

Ben: Thank you Dr. Shakur, and I am sorry if this offends you, but...

Shakur: It doesn't offend me as a Doctor at all Ben, but it does offend me as a father. But, that like your sitaution is personal.

Dr. Leonard: I really don't understand this at all (bewildered both at Ben for not wanting Shakur to perform his life saving surgery, and at Shakur for understanding, without even putting up a fight which was not like Shakur who would do anything to save a life specifically for someone so young.)

You know I hate to be the elephant in the room between the two of you, but Ben your situation is dire. Your tuma could rupture at any moment and cause you serious paralysis. You could have a brain hemorage which might cause memory loss, brain damage, or worse an anurism which could cause death. Shakur I am just as shocked at you since you have seen his test results, and as a leading doctor in this field you of all people know just how serious this situation is. There is no treatment, or medication for this Ben the only option for your case is surgery. Surgery that you must have immediately. Even with the surgery there could be dire complications. You could have temporary to permanent memory loss, or you could suffer brain damage. You could die on the table for all we know and those are risks you face if you had the surgery today. What ever personal problems you and Shaka have should be resolved immediately.

Ben: Dr. Leonard, I understand your concern, and your worry. But, this is my problem, my tumor, and my life, and I will deal with it. If you can't understand as Dr. Shakur can, then I might have to get another doctor. He takes his file and leaves with the list of other doctors Shakur wrote down for him.

Dr. Leonard: Shakur can you please explain to me what the hell is going on?

Shakur: What is going on is Benjamen Boykewich is a young man who has been inadvertenlty given the negative chakra of my son Ricky.

Dr. Leonard: Ricky, yes your adoptive son, you've told me about him. Wasn't he valedictorian, and got engaged.

Dr. Shakur: Yes, and he owes almost everything he has now to Benjamen and his father Leo. Ricky used to be anything like what he is now. But, thanks to the two of them, and his family Ricky has had a complete change. However you can't get an omelet without breaking an egg, the egg that was broken was Benjemen.

Dr. Leonard: How so?

Shakur: Didn't you read his file.

Dr. Leonard: I know that his mother died of cancer, luckily he doesn't suffer from it, and I also know he lost a child in this hospital not too long ago.

Shakur: That is only part of his pain. Let me tell you all of it ( Shakur recounts his knowledge of Ben/Ricky's relationship from the beginning of all he knew to Dr. Leonard. He is very well informed of the entire situation. This knowledge shocks, and gives Dr. Leonard much insight into Ben's personality. Dr. Leonard had been Ben's neurologist for four months and couldn't understand the young man's menatality for secrecy and endurance for the pain his tumor was giving him.)

Dr. Leonard: I once thought that the tumor might be the cause of much of Ben's personality flaws, but I see that his life is the cause of much his distress.

Dr. Shakur: Yes it is, and much of it was the fault of my son and his fiancee. He suffered a lot on their behalf, and now I am suffering for it too it seem's.

Dr. Leonard: Shakur it is not your fault if Ben doesn't wish you to perform jhis surgery. That is personal.

Dr. Shakur: I would agree with you Dennis if it were not understandable, and being Ricky's foster father I have to hold myself responsiible for his actions, and his treatment of others. I knew his life style was wrong, but I made no attempt to change it even when it was too late. Now someone else is paying the price. I also fear that it will affect my life in the future as well as the rest of my family.

Dr. Leonard: Now you are confusing me again, Shakur?

Shakur: My religion teaches that there is a balance and for the negative energy that is created someone must recieve it. Ben recieved my son's negative energy in order for my grandson to be born. In turn his child died. Now his life is being threatened for the continued negative energy being produced. I just fear what will happen when It comes full circle.

Dr. Leonard: Shakur you know I don't put much faith into Hinduism, sometimes life just sucks. For that young man it sucks very bad, but if he has the surgery, and in time I'm sure Ben will get better. He is the son of the wealthiest man in the city.

Dr. Shakur: That is good for you Dennis, but I do believe in Allah, and I fear for the repurcussions not only Ben, but my son will face for his own actions toward Ben, and others.

LATER AT BOYKEWICH MANOR: Ben is in his room lying on his bed reviewing the names given to him by Dr. Shakur. Chloe comes in, and asks what he is looking to pester him as she likes to do now that she has such a paranoid, yet loving older brother.

Chloe: So what are you doing.

Ben: Just doing some online research on an unimportant matter (closes his computer and hides his medical file)

Chloe: So no plans tonight again? I would think with you being free of not being a husband you would be living up the bachelor life.

Ben: I was a bachelor and all it did was get me in trouble now, all I want to do is enjoy being single, and lonely.

Chloe: Isn't that boring? (smiling)

Ben: With the life I have had already, and all I have cost Dad. Boring is what I really, really, need right now.

Chloe: Well, you did get a new sweet car out of the deal.

Ben: Only because I wrecked my old one.

Chloe: Ben, I literally know 40 year old married men with kids my age who have less guilt than you.

Ben: (grimaced at being reminded of his sister's past life) That's because they haven't seen the consequences their actions can have. So what do you want to do?

Chloe: I don't know, lets go out to the Dairy Shack and chill out with other teenagers.

Ben: Okay, your highness. (he joked). Let me grab my key's, and...(gets off of bed and grabs his head and begins to stagger as another headache and dizzy spell hit him.)

Chloe: BEN! (grabs Ben as he stumbles, and catches him)

Ben: I'm okay, I guess I shouldn't have skipped dinner. Maybe we should just have Mike drive us.

Chloe: Good idea. (Ben goes out of the room, and Chloe lingers looking at the medical folder which came from under Ben's laptop when he stumbled and grab the bed spread. She leafs through it but could not understand what it meant, even when she got to the x-rays of Ben's brain.)

SHAKUR HOUSE HOLD 6:00 PM

Margaret: Shakur, what are you doing you never drink?

Shakur: Until now I have never really had a reason to have one. (Pouring a scotch from the liqour cabinet)

Margaret: What reason do you have to drink to break you vow of sobriety.

Shakur: A patient

Margaret: Shakur, we both agreed that you should never let your work come home with you. We both know that you can't save everyone. Sometimes things are just left up to fate.

Shakur: I know that, but sometimes fate curses us. (Taking a sip from his glass, and not liking the taste) Now I remember why I really didn't like to drink.

Margaret: So what is your problem with a patient, did someone die? I thought you didn't have any surgeries scheduled, only consultations.

Shakur: I didn't. It was the consultation that was the problem. The patient didn't want me to save their life.

Margaret. Shakur we all know that some people can be bigotted we have been living with that, our whole lives. I know times, have changed and people are more open minded. But some things still stay the same. (trying to console him.)

Shakur: No, Margaret they literally didn't want me personally to help them. It had nothing to do with my religion, nationality, or anything of that nature, and it wasn't even me they disliked. I wish it was a prejudist against all that, even a prejudice against me. But it wasn't any of that.

Margaret: Now you have me confused, sweetie. If they didn't hate your religion, your nationality, but you was it one of your ex-girlfriends, or one of my sister's who you had to consult?

Shakur: (Smiling) Thanks for trying to cheer me up, but I'm afraid it won't work.

Margaret: So, what is the problem if me insulting my sister's didn't help cheer you up.

Shakur: This person has something against one of my children.

Margaret: One of our kids, Shakur you have to be more specific we have taken in over 14 adopted children.

Shakur: I can't say, my love. It is against the doctor/patient confidentiality code for me to even discuss this much with you. But, I really wish I could.

Margaret: Shakur if this person doesn't like our children than, that is their problem. Our kids aren't perfect, but they were all good kids, and have done their best to be good people, and that includes the one we have now (referring to Ethan.)

Shakur: I wish, I could agree with you, but they weren't always good kids, and this patient actually has reason to be angry. (But I still can't talk about it.)

Margaret: Okay, but I will be here to listen, if you need it.

Shakur: I will my love. (Margaret leaves his study. He picks up a picture of Ricky, John, and Amy) Ricky I pray for you my son that Ben does survive, but even if he does I feel that one day your past will finally catch up to you, and I can't save you from that. I only wish I had been a better father to teach you to respect others, then all of this would have never happened. But, that is my sin, and I pray Allah will let me suffer for that, and not you or Ben. It is the least I can do for him after all he and his father have done for us, and especially you.

NEXT DAY AFTER THURSDAY 4:00 PM. HOSPITAL

Ben: Yes, Dr. Shakur. My doctor said you wished to see me about my case. (Ben opens door to Shakur's office)

Dr. Shakur: Yes, Ben please come in. I would like to talk to you about your condition, and other matters if it is alright?

Ben: Dr. Shakur, I'm sorry if my not wanting you to perform my surgery seems immature, careless, and really stupid. I know that it does, but I have my reason's, and I thought that you would understand that.

Dr. Shakur: Ben I do understand very well why it is you don't wish for me to perform your surgery. My son and you have been at odds with one another since before you met. But, this is your life, and I reviewed your file, and your condition. In my medical opinion Dr. Leonard was being generous when he said how if yesterday the surgery might not even save you. Ben, your condition is deteriorating even as we speak now. I know that my son is not your favorite person in the world. But, what happened cannot be helped, and this is your life we are talking about. Although I have nothing against the doctors I recommending to you yesterday, those doctors may not have the time to understand the condition in which you are in. I have been studying your case since Dennis showed it to me some time ago.

Ben: Some time ago, how long have you known about my tumor? (worried he told someone about his condition)

Dr. Shakur: I have known about your condition since you have Ben. Dennis consulted me the moment he saw where your tumor was located, which is in a very precarious place. It is so dangerous Ben, I am one of the only doctors in the world who has successfully managed to save patients with little to no side effects from the surgery.

Ben: But others have performed it. Dr. Linitz of Germany perfomed five as of two months ago. Dr. Hans Fredericks has only done four, but he is highly reccommended. There are three other doctors in your field besides them who have performed the surgery from the position from which mine is located, however you three are the only ones whose patients didn't suffer brain damage, or any other side effects. You were so good you were given an award last year for having done your twelth successful surgery. In fact the other doctors all complimented you on your first three surgeries for video taping the events and writing a paper on how you managed to succeed. They use your technique as a guideline by which they performed their own successful surgeries. But then again you were studying the field of neurology since your father's death when you were fourteen so that is no surprise. Not to mention you went to Princeton Medical school and was also mentored by the now surgeon general of the United States, who prides you as their best student. You stayed in India for seven years to perform your residency before coming to the U.S. to practice neurology on mostly terminal cases, where you met your wife. It was a case of a young orphan who had brain truama from a car accident that killed both her parents. She had no other relatives, and your wife became her social worker while she was made a ward to the state. You helped save her life, and during which time married Margaret, and adopted the young girl. You then opened your home to many trouble cases of kids, some with medical illnesses, and emotional and mental problems like Ricky, and Ethan. You even won an humanitarian award four times for your hard work, and dedication.

Dr. Shakur: Ben how did you know all of this. (shocked that Ben had such knowledge of his work, and his life)

Ben: I might be a rich kid Dr. Shakur, but I'm not stupid. I did all of this the moment I found out I had a tumor. Honestly the fact that you are most highly reccommended to perform this surgery doesn't shock me. It kind of rounds out my life. The moment I met your son my life has literally revolved around him, and the more it does it gets worse with every revolution.

Dr. Shakur: Ben you can't possibly tell me you are willing to let yourself die, or risk brain damage because of anger you feel toward Ricky. I know Ricky didn't make the best decisions when dealing with Amy, Adrian, or you, but this is your life Ben.

Ben: Yes it is, its the only thing I have that I can have control over. The only thing that Ricky can't really take from me or corrupt. He took Amy from me, before I even had her. He took John from me, before he was born. He took Adrian from me, and he didn't even want her. He took my dad from me, and he already had you. He is even taking my family's business from me, I don't even want that. He is even trying to take my daughter and mother from me, and their both dead. So I will hold on to everything that I have left that is mine. This tumor is mine (pointing to his head and getting emotional). It is the one thing he can't take from me. It is killing me every day, it makes it hard to read, to concentrate in school, to even sleep, but its mine. The only thing that your son can never take from me is my pain.

Dr. Shakur: Ben I know that you feel Ricky has wronged you in some way, but he never intended for any of this to happen.

Ben: I would say that Dr. Shakur if three years ago I wouldn't have asked him. Three years ago I asked him which did he want Amy or John, then he told me he wanted both. He told me that no matter what I did he would have Amy, John, and my dad on his side before I even said birth control. If I had taken him seriously I might not be here. But I was too over confident that my dad, or Amy would want someone so selfish and such a jerk. But I underestimated him. I didn't know he was much more intuitive than me. I always put my faith in people, I believed that people underneath were good, as my mom told me. But, that is a lie underneath people are selfish cruel, and concieted. Just like he was. I thought he was my friend when in truth, he was just making a fool out of me. One of the best tricks in the world was the devil fooling the world that he didn't exist. Thanks to your son I know that is true. He might not be the devil to the rest of the world, but he is mine. But, you don't believe in the devil do you.

Dr. Shakur: Ben I can assure you, that my son is no devil, and he does have good in him. Look at all he has done so far. He has come a long way. He works for your dad, and got a promotion. He's going to college, he is a great father to John. He is faithful to Amy. He is even friends with Adrian now. Why can't you and he overcome your differences?

Ben: Because he didn't sacrifice to have all of that I did. He wasn't made the laughing stock of school for dating the pregnant girl, or marrying the pregnant slut. I was. He wasn't the one who kids point and whisper about how his best friend got a car for fucking his wife I was. He isn't the one who girls want to date so they and thier boyfriends can get a free home, I am. That is why he can change Dr. Shakur. He didn't need to change, he just needed to evolve.

Dr. Shakur: (looking at Ben and realizing his religion spoke of energy, and Ben had absorbed all the negative energy of Amy, Ricky, and Adrian. He was living in the darkness so they could live in the light. He couldn't help, but feel sorry for Ben.) Ben, I'm sorry, but let me help you. It is the least I can do to repay you, or at least make up for all I you feel Ricky has done to you.

Ben: Thanks, Dr. Shakur. But, no thanks. Because I would rather be dead than live with the fact Ricky Underwood's dad saved my life. Knowing he could lord how pathetic I am over me with that. I couldn't live with myself. (gets up to leave.)

Dr. Shakur: Ben at least try and talk to someone about what you are going through. Your parents need to know. you know what it feels like to lose your child so suddenly. Don't let your father suffer the same fate. (Ben looks at Shakur and leaves.) Ricky my son. (he whispers) Why, couldn't you have been that strong?...

BOYKEWICH ESTATE: 7:30 PM FRIDAY EVENING Leo, Camille, and Chloe are gathered in the den, for family game night. Ben instead of walking in with a board game, walks in with a file.

Leo: What game is this pictionary.

Ben: No, its guess what I have.

Chloe: A folder?

Camille: Your report card? (jokingly)

Ben: No, Dad your turn.

Leo: I don't know, the college you want to got too?

Ben: No, let me give you a hint, its small, anyone can get them and no one wants them.

Leo: A bill.

Chloe: No, he said it was small, but then again no one wants a bill.

Camille: A dear John letter.

Ben: No, its something that you grow biologically.

Chloe: A zit, (joking)

Leo: Back hair. (laughing)

Camille: Height.

Ben: No, No, and no.

Leo: we give up, what do you have that is grown biologically, no one wants them, and anyone can get them.

Ben: A tumor.

Leo: Ben this is not funny. (remembering Sarah's sign of breast cancer.)

Ben: Dad, you of all people know, I'm not trying to be funny. (takes the file from behind his back and gives it to them.)

Chloe: (immediately recognizes the folder) Is that why you've been getting dizzy, and the nose bleeds.

Leo: Nose bleeds?...

Camille: Ben, how long have you known. When did this start to happen. (gets up from sofa, and rushes to her step son placing warm hands on his face, and crying.) I didn't do anything bad when I hit you did I? Scared of the answer.

Ben: No, I have had it for a while I just thought it was stress. Stress from Amy and her pregnancy. Adrian, and her pregnancy, Mercy dyding, the divorce. Henry, and Alice. I never really thought it was anything until my car accident. Its' benign not cancerous it is just in a very delicate place, and needs to be operated on. This is the file on what I know, and what you should know. (gives file to Camille)

Leo: (in shock and remembering Ben's mom) Ben your accident was months ago, and you've been keeping it from us this whole time.

Ben: Honestly Dad, I wouldn't have told you, but I really didn't want to put you through what I went through with Mercy.

Leo: Its that bad?...(Crying)

Chloe: Is there anything the doctors can do? When is your surgery?

Ben: I haven't scheduled it yet? Or chosen a doctor.

Leo: We should talk with Ricky's father, he can help he's a brain surgeon. (picks up the phone)

Ben: Don't Dad, (Places hand over the phone and puts it down.) He already knows, and he's given me a list of names.

Leo: He knows, why didn't he tell me, after all I have done for Ricky...(angrily)

Ben: Dad, he's bound by the hypocratic oath not too reveal anyone's PRIVATE MEDICAL INFORMATION with anyone eighteen and older. Otherwise he could lose his license. But, he is already the reason I am telling you now.

Leo: Son, why didn't you come to me, we could have done something.

Ben: Because I could handle it on my own.

Leo: What made you think that you could handle something like this on your own. Ben this is a serious problem

Ben: Yes, Dad and its my problem. I have managed to take care of it and handle it well enough for the past eight months.

Camille: Ben this says that Shakur was asked to perform your surgery, but you declined. (reading through his folder). It says that in your consultation with him, he reccommended you have the surgery immediately, to prevent any further complications.

Ben: I know. But, I don't want him to do the surgery. I have aleady spoken with a Dr. Franklyn Barrett of Britain, and he has agreed to look into my case.

Leo: Benjamen, if Shakur can help you why don't you let him.

Ben: You know why, Dad? (looking at his dad with hostility.)

Leo: No, I don't. Ben if you are sick then why won't you let Ricky's dad help you? (getting angry, and frustrated wit Ben.)

Ben: Because he's Ricky's Dad that's why! (yelling and angry.) I don't want to live my life knowing that I owe anything to that bastard. I have spent everyday since the day I met him, coming in second place, or not coming in at all. While he is praised for doing nothing. I cannot live the rest of my life while he is praised for saving it! (yells, gets a headache, and his nose starts to bleed.)

Camille: (sees that this argument is hurting both Ben and Leo. Goes to Ben and wipes blood from his nose.) Chloe help Ben upstairs Leo we need to talk. (looks angry and sad at Leo.)

Ben: I don't need Chloe's help, I can get up stairs on my own. (turns to leave.)

Chloe: Well I'll just walk with you then (looks sad, and scared for her brother, and the state of her new family)

Ben: I don't want anyone else to know. Not Henry/Alice. Adrian, especially Ricky/Amy. This is our family, our business and my problem.

Leo: Ben their your friends. They would want to know.

Ben: Why. So they can be there to help me.

Leo: Yes, they can be there to help you.

Ben: How, the same way they were all their for me every other time. No thanks. I have done much better without their...help.

Leo: Ben, do you have that much lack of faith in them.

Ben: Can you stand there and blame me, or are you so naive that you can't see.

Leo: See what Ben?

Ben: That they aren't my friends. Their yours, the only reason they even talk to me is because they wanted to meet the Sausage King, and they couldn't care less about me.

Leo: How can you say that about them, after everything all of you have been through together.

Ben: This tumor dad has done one thing, and its made me see that I went through everything on my own. No one went through anything with me. Dad, this is how I want it. That may be selfish, but under the circumstances. (looks angrily at Leo before Chloe takes his hand and leads him to the stairs

Leo: Ben...

Camille: Leo. If thats the way you want it Ben, then no one else will know. I promes

As with previous stories have the song HOW TO SAVE A LIFE by THE FRAY playing

Step one you say we need to talk
He walks you say sit down it's just a talk
He smiles politely back at you
You stare politely right on through
Some sort of window to your right
As he goes left and you stay right
Between the lines of fear and blame
You begin to wonder why you came

CHORUS:
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

Let him know that you know best
Cause after all you do know best
Try to slip past his defense
Without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told him all along
And pray to God he hears you
And pray to God he hears you

CHORUS:
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

As he begins to raise his voice
You lower yours and grant him one last choice
Drive until you lose the road
Or break with the ones you've followed
He will do one of two things
He will admit to everything
Or he'll say he's just not the same
And you'll begin to wonder why you came

CHORUS:
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

CHORUS:
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
How to save a life
How to save a life

CHORUS:
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

CHORUS:
Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
How to save a life