The Essence Of Time

Chapter 20

"Alright young man, as soon as the orderly arrives you are released." The doctor turned his attention back to Chris, "Now remember, no strenuous activity for a week. After that he can start light activities. If he has any pains in the kidney area bring him back to the hospital immediately."

Ezra listened as the elderly doctor rattled on about his hospital release, wishing the man would finish so he could leave the hospital. He wasn't sure how he felt, too many emotions were running through his head. Over the past few days he had many visitors to his room, each one apologizing for the predicament he had found himself in. His dad had not said much beyond he was sorry and he promised it would never happen again. He wasn't sure he believed him though, he had too many promises broken in his life to simply accept the words of momentary guilt. He listened to the different views of what happened from the others and was saddened that he wasn't even given a thought beyond some unknown agents sent to watch over him. Agents that never even managed to make it to him before they were eliminated from their protection duty. Why had his father not come himself? Why was he always the after thought? Sure they all seemed repentant, but could he really believe they would not do the same if circumstances put him into the same position again? A hand squeezing his shoulder pulled him from his thoughts.

"Hey, you okay?"

Looking into his father's worried eyes he pulled his protective mask down. "Yes sir." There was much unsaid behind his words, but he didn't want to delay leaving any longer.

"Alright then, let's get you ready to go home."

Home, he thought, is it really home?

"You sure your alright? Seems your a million miles away today."

"I'm fine."

He watched as his father dragged a chair closer to the bed, before sitting down in front of him.

"Look, Ezra, I know I screwed up. Big time. I'm sure your pretty mad at me, no more than I am at myself. I may not say it as much as I should but you are my son and I love you very much. I know this doesn't excuse what I did, hell there ain't no excuse. I was wrong. I'm just so sorry that you were taken and hurt because of my decisions."

He couldn't speak, too many emotions were filling him. The hope shown through his eyes as he inclined his head to gauge his father's sincerity. A quick dip of his head released the tension in the room. A rare smile curled across his father's face. A second chance, he would give him another chance.

~~~~~~7~~~~~~

Vin brushed his horse with even strokes lost in thought. Ezra was sleeping in his room, tired from the trip home. It was to be expected. He wasn't sure what he expected when Chris and Ezra arrived home, but the amiable peace was not what he was thinking. His father wouldn't tell him what happened between them and Vin decided to just accept the peace while it lasted. Full of energy and not wanting to disturb Ezra he had come out to the barn to take care of the horses. He was still mad at Chris for leaving Ezra open for the men to take and was having trouble of his own finding the forgiveness to mend their strained relationship.

"Vin" his father's concerned voice floated to him.

"Chris" he acknowledged, his strokes becoming harder. The horse stepped away from the pressure and snorted. "Sorry" he murmured patting the silky coat.

"Damn," the disappointment in his dad's voice caught his attention. Turning to look at the man, he could see the strain playing on his face. "We need to talk son, not good to let this eat at you."

Anger boiled inside him, "fine, why? Why did you not protect Ezra?" He was nearly shouting as he questioned the man.

Chris clasped the top of the stall, "I don't know Vin, I really don't know." The frustration bleed from his words. Sighing Chris went on, "I've spent so many years trying to bury the hurt of losing my family, Sarah, Adam, and our unborn child, all gone in an instant. Ezra gone and no trace to be found hours later. It was a nightmare. I think sometimes that his being here isn't real. A dream or fantasy I've created. He's not the boy I remember from so long ago. I'm having such a hard time getting to know this son of mine. We're so different, everything seems to become something to argue or fight over."

Vin listened to the disjointed ramblings of his father, knowing the man needed to voice his concerns. "Dang it Chris, why, why would you forget your own son?" He pushed him, hoping to get at the truth.

"I…I didn't think past you being my son. Ezra's been out of my life for so long, I just didn't think. Damn it. Why the hell didn't I think."

~~~~~~7~~~~~~

Ezra felt that strange sensation that someone was watching him. Opening his eyes just enough so that he could see who it was he relaxed into the mattress with Vin's smiling face starring down at him.

"You can stop pretending to be asleep, Ezra. I know you're awake."

"What has you so jubilant this morning?"

"Morning? It's almost noon Ez."

"Yes, that is still considered morning."

"Two minutes Ez, two minutes to noon and you're still calling it morning."

"Until it is noon it is still morning, and as I am awake at this time, it is still morning. But you sir are avoiding the question about your happiness this morning." Ezra grinned at his brother, finding joy in baiting him in some verbal play. Gesh am I that desperate for something to do that baiting Vin is a highlight of my day?

"Don't you remember what Dad said last night?"

A blur of scenes from the previous day sifted through his memory. A party, the adults surprising him with a cake, turning 15…oh dear, he can't be serious?

Vin watched as the comprehension of what they were doing today sunk in. "Now get up and get dressed, we have a lot to do so we can get started." Without waiting for a reply he took off from the room, sure that his brother would be following him out shortly.

Ezra watched his brother leave, his mouth gaping. Surely this was going to be a big mistake. What is Dad thinking? "Vin, teaching me to drive, in that, in that…contraption he calls a vehicle." Nope, this was not going to be good at all!

The End…for now.