Extract From Diamond Fellowship -
Meanwhile at the hospital whilst the guys
chatted with Art, and some of the other patients, dj sought out the doctor in
charge, who told him that the nurse had already updated him and how grateful
they were.
dj asked about Art and the doctor said he
knew what he was asking and he didn’t know.
He was a battler, where others gave up.
He was also there much earlier than most.
“And since Dao and Jaew shot the report, he
has been more determined than ever. I
had to force him to use a wheelchair last night. He doesn’t need it. It’s just that the last thing we needed was
him being overcome with emotion and falling over, the lesser of two evils. It was his decision not to tell you until
last night; it was something to look forward to. I can’t say how long. If he hadn’t been in such a bad state when
one of the nurses found him, we’d never have taken him in. Now he is helping us out a lot with the
others. He is the local hero after last
night.”
dj thought.
“If we plan to do a show in 2 weeks, would that be something for them
all to look forward to.” The doctor
nodded.
dj said he’d call with a date the next day
and asked what else they needed.
“You name it, we need it, as we say in the
programme. For a start old magazines,
snacks, music. Boredom is a major
problem. We have 20 patients. It’s as many as we can afford, and even then
it’s difficult.”
He took dj for a walk and showed him their
fundraising target. “If we achieve that,
we can convert these two rooms into 10 cubicles each and give them some privacy
and their own TV. It will also help
control infections. Beyond that, we’d
like to expand but that needs big money as we’d need to have enough in the bank
to cover running costs for at least a year.”
They got back to the ward to see a smiling
Art, sitting next to his bed whilst the others chatted with the other patients. Art got up and walked over. dj asked if he’d upset the others already.
“No, I told them to go and introduce
themselves. I’m happy, and I have much more
time. None of us have anywhere else to
go. Most of them won’t be here much
longer.”
He explained that he was HIV+, and that the
doctor said he couldn’t tell when it would develop to AIDS. The hospital had agreed to take him after one
of the nurses found him sleeping rough in a doorway. He helped out with the others. Sometimes he felt guilty for taking a place
that someone else needed, but he had nowhere else to stay.
dj told him that they would bring the show
in about two weeks and he’d call him with the date the next day.
“I don’t have a phone. I had to sell everything I could for food
before I had a place at the hospital.”
“I know.
Here is a phone and we have already put everyone’s number in and there
is 500 Baht of credit. “We’ll put 100 Baht
a week on for you. Now we’ve found you,
you aren’t getting rid of us! Once a
diamond, always a diamond so here are some shorts and a shirt.” He handed him the clothes and said Rit was
sure 23 was his number. Art smiled and
hugged him.
“Oh and it’s my birthday next week. The doc says you can come and visit for 24
hours. We won’t be working, just a party
at the houses.”
Art looked at the doc who said he couldn’t
foresee any problems. He’d give them the
medication and find someone to give him his injections.
When the others returned, Art told them,
and thanked them. Run said he wouldn’t
be there for dj’s birthday, but he was down second Tuesday of every month and
would come and visit.
They said their goodbyes, and headed off in
silence. dj called Rit and asked where
they were.
“On the way to Todd’s to eat, meet us
there.”
dj, almost in tears, told them what had
happened.
Judy asked what day his birthday was, and
he said Monday. She said fine and that they
would be back in town that day, she used to be a nurse, so would take care of
Art and his injections.
Mike told dj to come to the next committee
and propose half the future funds raised went to the hospital.
Judy told Steve they should visit when they
were back and she would see what else they needed. Steve suggested to Mike that they had better
find a condo to rent, as he knew Judy when she got like this.
“I’d rather rent somewhere like the guys
than live in a glorified flat where I can’t avoid the neighbours.”
Rit said there were some available, one
identical to Rot’s about six doors down on the other side of the soi. Steve asked how much.
Rit said 6 months, 12,000 Baht, 12 months
10,000. Mike told him to add between 2
and 4 for services depending on how much they used the aircon, but no
furniture.
Judy asked how much Mike had spent on furniture
etc
He said about 55,000. Rot said they would do their laundry, if they
wanted.
Judy told Steve there was a green ATM at
the Family Mart, go and transfer another 70,000.
She turned to Rit. “Rent the place, buy us a bedroom set, TV and
fridge like Mike’s. Put it in whoever’s
name you want, just have it ready in a four days. I’ll tell the family they are slumming it
when they come at Christmas, if you can help accommodate them. Mattresses on the floor are fine. And what they were going to spend on hotels
can go to your committee. Rot and Nut,
make sure the car is ready and look for a motorbike for me. dj and Oot, I’ll email a list of shopping to Mike
tomorrow. Make sure it’s in the house
for our arrival. And no house rules when
the kids are present.”
Steve returned with Rot and said he had
transferred 100,000 and asked how things were going.
Oot laughed, “Now I remember another reason
I don’t like ladies, too much boss!” This earned him a friendly slap from Judy.
Mike asked if there was anything else, as
they had to leave for the bus in 15 minutes, which earned him a slap, which
brought hoots of laughter from the guys.
“Yes, there is. You have to find some lady bars for Steve and
the family, you have to teach me to cook Thai food and I am paying for all the
wedding outfits. I don’t have a daughter
or granddaughter, so it will be my only chance.”
“Is that was for all the weddings?” She nodded.
Mike laughed. “Oh well, we’d better tell you. On the 25th Cap and Run, and Hum
and Ton are getting married at the resort.
You are cooking Christmas lunch for us all in the evening.”
Steve laughed and told Judy she had walked
into that one and they’d better get to the bus station.
On the bus, Steve turned to Judy and said
he didn’t know what the family would say.
“Who cares, and come to that do you want a
nice flat that I have to keep clean and we have to be nice to the
neighbours. You have your fun car and I
have my low maintenance house.”
 | Diamond Fellowship ISBN : 9786162221156 Category : Erotica & Adventure Pages : 283 Price from : 4.99 US$ (ebook) 
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