Los Angeles Interlude
Oct. 9th, 2004 12:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hotelbearsfThere are those times in your life that you never forget the friends that helped you. Wednesday night I was driving back to the city after having dinner with my grandparents when I received a call from my pal Larry in L.A. In short, he was having a colonoscopy the next day and wanted me to be there.
He didn’t need to say anymore. I would be there.
When we met back in 1984, I had gone out on one date with Larry. He called for a date the following week and I was flat on my back due to a injury from playing in a golf tournament. I was placed on four months bed rest – no golf, no work, just major rehabilitation. I explained my awkward, if temporary position. He came over the next night and whenever his schedule allowed. And because there wasn’t any sex in the beginning, we got to know each other very well. One time I told him I needed help during the day and needed to find a housekeeper. He found me one who would make my meals and drive me to physical therapy. I short, he was gem, and I will never, ever forget his generosity and love towards me. So when I got the call on Wednesday night, I would gladly change my plans and be there for him.
I got home and explained to Bob my change of plans. I left on Thursday morning at 5am and got to Larry’s at 9:45am including a 10 minute stop for gas and stretching. I can assure you that I was way above the speed limit.
Larry has always been very careful about what he does to his body. His Dad died at a young age of colon cancer and what little family he has left has shunned him for his homosexuality and all live on the East Coast. There’s no current boyfriend or partner and while we both share an extraordinary group of friends, in some ways I’m the only family he has.
Larry opened the door with his telephone headset on; he was conducting business so I put my bag in the guest room and made my way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and something to nosh on. About 20 minutes later the doorbell rang. It was a notary; Larry wanted me to be his Power of Attorney for healthcare so I signed on the dotted line as did he and in 5 minutes we were off to the Colonoscopy center near Cedars. Larry drove. We didn’t talk much. I could tell he was nervous as hell so I just held his hand. We got him checked in and I sat with him in the waiting room until his name was called. I gave him a hug and a kiss and watched him disappear behind the door. I gave the receptionist my cell phone number and she told me when it would be a good time to return; in about 90 minutes. So I got into Larry’s car and tore off to Bristol Farms and bought some groceries for lunch and dinner. As I pulled into the lot, I realized that it was the site of the old Chasen’s restaurant. The memories flashed back – we used to go here a lot when we were together. Maude Chasen bought wine from me and loved Larry. We were usually the youngest guys there because Chasen’s attracted the older Hollywood crowd. Maude was old and wanted to retire so the restaurant became a grocery store. Gosh, I miss her. Dashed back to Larry’s and put the groceries away, and hurried in the car back to the Colonoscopy place. Larry had just been placed in recovery; the Doctor came in and told me that they had found about 6 polyps and were sending them off to the lab. He didn’t think they were cancerous but he wanted to check just in case given his family history. He asked me to tell Larry this at my convenience; he would also be in touch with Larry’s doctor. About 30 minutes later our boy was ready to go home. He was very, very groggy but hungrier than hell for bacon and eggs. So we zoomed home, he went to lie down on the couch in the Library and I cooked his meal. He ate it all up with relish and then announced he was going to take a nap. He didn’t ask about the results and I wasn’t about to tell him now.
I called his office and told his assistant that he was fine but no calls to the house. Just to make sure, I went to the garage and disconnected the phone system. I found his cell phone, detached the battery and hid it in the refrigerator. I grabbed a couple of magazines and headed out to the pool.
Around 6pm I headed inside. Larry was still asleep so I got dinner together and the BBQ started. I woke him up at 7 with a small drink and a little tray of cheese and crackers. When dinner was ready, I put it on trays and we ate in bed and watched a pilot of a TV program one of his clients was starring in. He was out of the groggy stage but rather sore. After the second bite of his lamb chop he asked what the Doctor said and I told him. He didn’t say much except “how many polyps?” I told him. “Well, it’s better than 10” he laughed half heartedly. I knew he’d be upset.
After dinner we played three games of backgammon. He won. I looked at the clock; it was around 10:00. I pulled out of bed and said he should get some sleep. We said goodnight. Twenty minutes later there was a knock on my door. He came in with tears coming down his cheek. I got out of bed, held him and we went back to his room where we slept side by side with no alarm clock set. (Besides, I forgot to turn on the phone system and reconnect his cell phone).
I woke up at 7am on Friday and got out of bed to hit the shower. By the time I got out, Larry was up and in the bathroom. I quickly remembered to power up the phone system and Larry’s cell phone. I made breakfast and Larry appeared shortly thereafter.
We had a nice breakfast together and then I had to jump in the car and head to the country; Larry had to head to the office. We said our goodbyes and Larry thanked me over and over for being there. “You are my family” he said.
We got in our respective cars and took off. After I got over the grapevine, Larry called on my cell phone. “Check your Glove Compartment” was all he said and then hung up.
I opened up the glove box and there was a small box from Tiffany and a card. To avoid a wreck, I pulled off at the next exit. The card was heartfelt, sweet and made me feel good. Inside the Tiffany box was a sterling silver pen with my initials engraved and a little note attached – ‘to sign the contract for you next big deal’.
He didn’t need to say anymore. I would be there.
When we met back in 1984, I had gone out on one date with Larry. He called for a date the following week and I was flat on my back due to a injury from playing in a golf tournament. I was placed on four months bed rest – no golf, no work, just major rehabilitation. I explained my awkward, if temporary position. He came over the next night and whenever his schedule allowed. And because there wasn’t any sex in the beginning, we got to know each other very well. One time I told him I needed help during the day and needed to find a housekeeper. He found me one who would make my meals and drive me to physical therapy. I short, he was gem, and I will never, ever forget his generosity and love towards me. So when I got the call on Wednesday night, I would gladly change my plans and be there for him.
I got home and explained to Bob my change of plans. I left on Thursday morning at 5am and got to Larry’s at 9:45am including a 10 minute stop for gas and stretching. I can assure you that I was way above the speed limit.
Larry has always been very careful about what he does to his body. His Dad died at a young age of colon cancer and what little family he has left has shunned him for his homosexuality and all live on the East Coast. There’s no current boyfriend or partner and while we both share an extraordinary group of friends, in some ways I’m the only family he has.
Larry opened the door with his telephone headset on; he was conducting business so I put my bag in the guest room and made my way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and something to nosh on. About 20 minutes later the doorbell rang. It was a notary; Larry wanted me to be his Power of Attorney for healthcare so I signed on the dotted line as did he and in 5 minutes we were off to the Colonoscopy center near Cedars. Larry drove. We didn’t talk much. I could tell he was nervous as hell so I just held his hand. We got him checked in and I sat with him in the waiting room until his name was called. I gave him a hug and a kiss and watched him disappear behind the door. I gave the receptionist my cell phone number and she told me when it would be a good time to return; in about 90 minutes. So I got into Larry’s car and tore off to Bristol Farms and bought some groceries for lunch and dinner. As I pulled into the lot, I realized that it was the site of the old Chasen’s restaurant. The memories flashed back – we used to go here a lot when we were together. Maude Chasen bought wine from me and loved Larry. We were usually the youngest guys there because Chasen’s attracted the older Hollywood crowd. Maude was old and wanted to retire so the restaurant became a grocery store. Gosh, I miss her. Dashed back to Larry’s and put the groceries away, and hurried in the car back to the Colonoscopy place. Larry had just been placed in recovery; the Doctor came in and told me that they had found about 6 polyps and were sending them off to the lab. He didn’t think they were cancerous but he wanted to check just in case given his family history. He asked me to tell Larry this at my convenience; he would also be in touch with Larry’s doctor. About 30 minutes later our boy was ready to go home. He was very, very groggy but hungrier than hell for bacon and eggs. So we zoomed home, he went to lie down on the couch in the Library and I cooked his meal. He ate it all up with relish and then announced he was going to take a nap. He didn’t ask about the results and I wasn’t about to tell him now.
I called his office and told his assistant that he was fine but no calls to the house. Just to make sure, I went to the garage and disconnected the phone system. I found his cell phone, detached the battery and hid it in the refrigerator. I grabbed a couple of magazines and headed out to the pool.
Around 6pm I headed inside. Larry was still asleep so I got dinner together and the BBQ started. I woke him up at 7 with a small drink and a little tray of cheese and crackers. When dinner was ready, I put it on trays and we ate in bed and watched a pilot of a TV program one of his clients was starring in. He was out of the groggy stage but rather sore. After the second bite of his lamb chop he asked what the Doctor said and I told him. He didn’t say much except “how many polyps?” I told him. “Well, it’s better than 10” he laughed half heartedly. I knew he’d be upset.
After dinner we played three games of backgammon. He won. I looked at the clock; it was around 10:00. I pulled out of bed and said he should get some sleep. We said goodnight. Twenty minutes later there was a knock on my door. He came in with tears coming down his cheek. I got out of bed, held him and we went back to his room where we slept side by side with no alarm clock set. (Besides, I forgot to turn on the phone system and reconnect his cell phone).
I woke up at 7am on Friday and got out of bed to hit the shower. By the time I got out, Larry was up and in the bathroom. I quickly remembered to power up the phone system and Larry’s cell phone. I made breakfast and Larry appeared shortly thereafter.
We had a nice breakfast together and then I had to jump in the car and head to the country; Larry had to head to the office. We said our goodbyes and Larry thanked me over and over for being there. “You are my family” he said.
We got in our respective cars and took off. After I got over the grapevine, Larry called on my cell phone. “Check your Glove Compartment” was all he said and then hung up.
I opened up the glove box and there was a small box from Tiffany and a card. To avoid a wreck, I pulled off at the next exit. The card was heartfelt, sweet and made me feel good. Inside the Tiffany box was a sterling silver pen with my initials engraved and a little note attached – ‘to sign the contract for you next big deal’.
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Date: 2004-10-09 10:13 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2004-10-10 02:14 am (UTC)WOW!!
Date: 2004-10-10 01:02 am (UTC)hugz!
Re: WOW!!
Date: 2004-10-10 02:15 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2004-10-10 06:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-11 03:19 am (UTC)