CHAPTER FIVE
Graham was overwhelmed by the hospitality of the team. Food was brought out on massive trays, placing more in front of him than he could eat in a week. And yet, he couldn’t seem to help himself.
“Food is healing, Graham,” smiled Ajei. He smiled at the beautiful woman and nodded. “My name is Ajei. I’m married to Luke. I’m also one of the nurses at the hospital. Right now, our team is preparing for your son’s arrival.”
“I don’t understand how you’re going to be able to help him. Only a transplant can help him.”
“Graham, have you ever experienced something that you couldn’t explain? Something that seemed so unfathomable you would have sworn it was magic, maybe witchcraft?”
He seemed to think about that for a few minutes, finally nodding at Ajei who smiled back at him.
“This land belonged to my husband’s ancestors. It holds more magic than you can possibly imagine. We are constantly dumbfounded by what it provides to us. Take for instance those gardens out there,” she said pointing to the lush greenery beyond.
“They’re beautiful,” he smiled. “My wife is going to love them. She’s the one with the green thumb.”
“Luke’s grandmother is the one that taught me about those plants. Her and his aunts. Those plants contain medicinal properties that the rest of the world can’t even fathom. But there are other things here that provide miracles for us every day.”
“Okay,” he said nodding. “I understand. And you’d like to keep those miracles secret?”
“Please,” she nodded.
“For my son’s life, I would keep anything and everything secret. We can start with the fact that I don’t even know where I am. Your man picked me up at the diner and blindfolded me. I assume I’m still in Louisiana.”
“Yes,” she smirked. “You are in Louisiana.”
“So, what will happen when my son arrives? Will you be conducting new scans, tests? He’s been through so much I just don’t know how much more he can take.” Ajei smiled, nodding at the man.
“We’re going to give him a hot bath.” Her comms pinged, notifying her that the chopper had arrived and Julius was being taken to the pond. “Your son and wife are here. Would you like to come with me?”
“Here? B-but how? How are they here already?” Ajei just smiled at the man and he nodded. “I see. One of those secrets.”
He stood, following her out of the cafeteria, surrounded by at least a dozen other people. Inside the ATV, he was treated to luxurious leather seats, heat and air-conditioning, music, and the smoothest ride he’d ever experienced.
The paths seemed to wind forever. To Graham it felt as if they’d traveled for miles and miles. When the ATV stopped, he looked up ahead to see his son wrapped in a white sheet, being held by one of the largest men he’d ever seen in his life.
“Wh-who is that?” he whispered.
“Don’t worry,” smiled Ajei. “He’s actually one of the kindest, sweetest men you’ll ever meet. He’s also my husband’s uncle. Uncle Alec, this is Graham, Julius’ father.”
“Hello, Graham,” smiled Alec turning so the son could see him.
“D-dad?” he whispered.
“We need to hurry,” said Virginia. “He doesn’t have much time.”
“Tina? Tina, honey are you alright?” he asked his wife.
“I don’t understand any of this, Graham. They tried to explain it to me but I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I but for some strange reason, I trust these people.”
“Alec will be stepping into the water with your son but they both have to be naked,” said Ajei. “You might want to turn around.”
“Young lady, I’ve seen my son naked many times,” said Tina.
“It’s not your son I’m worried about you seeing,” she smirked. Tina turned for just a moment and gasped seeing the naked body of Alec. She noticed the scars on his back and turned, covering her mouth.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s alright. Alec isn’t self-conscious about them anymore. It’s his, um, front side I didn’t want you to see,” she said with a blush.
“Ah. Yes, he does look as though he might be rather, um, substantial,” smirked the woman.
“Honey, I’m right here,” said Graham.
“It-it’s warm,” they heard their son whisper. They both turned around to see Alec still holding their son. Then his head lifted and he looked around at all the people. “It’s really warm and-and comforting.”
“You should be able to let go of me now,” said Alec. He gently released the young man, seeing the ashy-gray color of his skin turn to a flushed pink.
“Look at his coloring,” whispered Tina.
“He’s healing,” gasped Graham.
“The waters have healing properties that we don’t fully understand.
It’s one of the many secrets that we will ask you to keep to yourself.
Without those waters, your son had a zero percent chance of survival.
Beyond the fact that his blood type is unusual, he had other antibodies that would have made a transplant nearly impossible. ”
“We had no idea. Didn’t the doctors in Wisconsin know?” asked Graham.
“They did,” nodded Ajei. “It was in his medical records but we think the doctor’s didn’t want to tell you. They should have. But, well, it doesn’t matter now. In about five minutes, you’re going to have your son back.”
While everyone turned their backs, Alec stepped out of the warm pool and dried off, putting his clothing back on.
“Thank you, Uncle Alec,” said Ajei, kissing his cheek.
“Always a pleasure honey. He’s pretty heavy even with all this weight loss. I hope he’s fine now.” He nodded at the boy’s parents and left them to see their son.
“Mom! Dad! I’m swimming. I’m swimming and I’m not in pain and I feel amazing!” he yelled from the pond.
“I don’t know who you people are but I know that there is nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for you for saving my son.” Graham hugged his wife, laughing uncontrollably.
Their son got out of the pond, wrapping himself in the thick, plush towel. He jumped up and down, then looked at the crying faces of his parents.
“It’s okay. Mom. Dad, it’s okay. I’m okay,” he smiled. Turning to Ajei and Virginia, he smiled. “Thank you. Whatever you just did to me, thank you!”
“Well, you’re not done young man,” said Virginia. “We want to take a look at all the bloodwork that we took from you on the chopper. I also want to see everything that was done in Wisconsin. Whatever he pumped into you was not like anything we’ve seen before.”
“He kept telling me to double the doses but I just couldn’t. I knew it was making me crazy, making me feel horrible. The other guys, they have to be suffering if he’s not there any longer to give them the shots and pills.”
“He gave you shots and pills?” asked Virginia.
“Shots, pills, drinks, bars, everything. The drugs were in it all,” said Julius.
“You knew?” whispered his mother.
“I’m sorry, Mom. Yes, I knew. Coach Williams was pretty convincing and then when we all started to figure out what he was doing, he was threatening to us. Said he’d expose all of us to the university and we’d never play ball again.”
“Son, I wish you would have told me,” said Graham.
“Me too, Dad. Me too.”