My Father, My Son

By Linda McCain

Meet Bray Berman. He is young, handsome, intelligent, and every parents' dream. One day, the unthinkable pays him a visit. However, the strength, endurance, and steadfast determination of this seventeen-year-old will make you recognize that teenagers endure a lot, sometimes say little, and face life's challenges with remarkable courage. Steadfast love and devotion, known to heal all wounds, can sometimes make the worst situations seem trivial. Will the love between a father and a son, a husband and a wife be strong enough when tested beyond the extreme? Will the support of family and friends diminish with the passing of time, or will the bond of family and friendship be the saving grace of the Berman family at a time when needed the most? Sometimes help can come from those we least expect it from. From those who have touched our lives in some way for only a short period of time or from those who have been with us forever. A father loved and adored by his son and a seventeen-year-old son faced with a monumental challenge while enduring the worst, yet trying to hold on to all he has left…hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781647019495

Book preview

Chapter 1

Waverly! Waverly! Waverly, are you all right? What are you doing? You are losing her! Waverly stood there, sweat forming on her forehead. She was unable to focus on what she was doing, her mind a mass of confusion. Move! Cree Hayes shouted at her. Waverly didn’t respond. I said move, I’m taking over! Cree said and then started giving urgent orders to the staff supporting her. The operating room where Waverly had performed numerous surgeries had suddenly become an unfamiliar and scary environment.

Dr. Cree Hayes snatched the operating tools from Waverly’s hands as she stood holding them over a fifteen-year-old girl she was operating on. The child was rushed to the hospital, suffering from a head injury, the result of an accidental blow by a teammate during a soccer game. Cree worked desperately to bring the child’s rapid breathing under control as a nurse quickly led Waverly out of the operating room and over to have a seat in the waiting area.

Doctor, are you all right? Wait here, I’ll get you some water, the nurse said and ran off. When the nurse returned, she handed Waverly the cup of water and then said, I’m sorry, I’m very sorry but I’ve got to get back in that operating room! I hope you’re okay!

Two hours later, Cree walked swiftly from the operating room and over to the chair where Waverly sat holding her head in her hands. What happened? Did you forget the procedure? What?

I don’t know, Cree, so help me, I don’t know! It was as if my mind just went completely blank. I couldn’t move, lost my train of thought!

Waverly, you have got to get some help. You are under a great deal of stress. I know how hard it must be for you to try and function…

Waverly looked at Cree, anger and hurt crowding out reason. You have no idea how hard it is for me, Cree, no idea! So please spare me the comfort speech! Waverly fired back at her.

Waverly, we’ve been close friends for a long time and I am here for you, but I can’t allow—

Are you pulling rank on me, Cree?

No! I am not pulling anything on you. I am just trying to get you to see that you need professional help! You are an excellent doctor and I don’t want to lose you, but I cannot… Cree paused and chose her words carefully. I will not let you jeopardize the life of any patient that sets foot in these hospital doors, especially in the operating room. We are surgeons, Waverly. Fighters to save lives, not endanger them!

Waverly stared at Cree while raising from her seat. I will save you the trouble of sugarcoating what you really want to say.

Waverly, all I am saying is, please get some help, Cree said while looking at her sympathetically. Not just for your sake but for all involved…our patients, your family!

Like I said, I will save you the trouble. I quit!

Two months earlier

The sun rose high over the Taverston River that flowed continuously over its banks. The river’s waters glistened like mocha chocolate as the sun spread its morning rays over the massive spread of the river. Birds carried on an intense conversation outside Noel Berman’s bedroom window, causing her to raise her auburn mane of naturally curly hair from underneath her pillow long enough to look out the window and say to the birds, Really! I’m trying to sleep, you talkative creatures.

Noi! Get down here if you want to catch a ride to school with Dad. He is leaving soon! Noi, the nickname given to her by her father, made her smile to herself. She liked it more than some of the other names her family had tried to attach to her. She rolled over on her back and propped her pillow underneath her head and then pushed her hair back from her eyes and said to herself, Ride to school with Dad? Well, that would depend, Mom. Is he sober this morning? Noel groaned and dragged her body out of bed as she struggled out of her sleep shirt and staggered to the shower. She stayed in the shower long enough to rinse at least some of the dirt off. Stepping out of the shower, she dried off, brushed her teeth, and walked over to stare in the mirror over the sink.

Who are you? she said to the pretty freckled girl staring back at her. She surveyed the directions her mounds of hair were falling in, plucked at them, and then said, Forget it! I’m rocking it like this today. A little lipstick and I’m good!

Noel Denise Berman, get down here now!

Coming, Mom. I’ve got one leg in my jeans. Just give me a chance to get the other leg in and I’m there.

Noel hurried into the kitchen and planted a kiss on her mother’s cheek and then patted her dad’s head, he was seated at the table sipping a cup of coffee. Good morning, Mom! What’s up, handsome? she said to her father who never took his eyes off the newspaper but gave her a gesture of a kiss. Noel’s mother stood in the middle of the floor and stared at her daughter.

Waverly Berman was just a little taller than her five-foot-five child and boasted the same thick mane of auburn hair, although she wore it straight and usually pulled away from her face and secured on top of her head. Noi, come on, you can do better than that! Didn’t you wear those jeans yesterday?

Of course, why mess up a good thing, Mom? Everybody liked them yesterday, so I figured I would wear them again today. My top is different, Noel said while taking a sip of the orange juice her mom set in front of her. Waverly exchanged a frustrated glance with her husband before saying, I’m trying, but I don’t think it’s getting through.

What do you think, Dad? I look okay, right? Besides, TJ said just so I’ve showered and put on clean underwear. Who cares about what the rest of me looks like!

I do! her dad said, looking at her in disbelief. Now go put on some clean jeans and let’s hit the road. I’ve got to be in my office in forty-five minutes for a conference call.

Thank you, Nevin. I’m glad she will listen to one of us. Remind me to have a serious talk with TJ the next time she is over here.

She won’t listen to you, Mom. You think I’m hopeless? Noel said and rushed off to change her jeans.

*****

Hey, Noi!

Noel was rushing to make her class on time; she turned around quickly and said, What’s up, Dylan?

Dylan stood with her hands on her hips and stared at Noel as if she was a queen, and how dare Noel not give her the utmost attention she so deserved? Noel stopped and noticed Dylan staring at her, nostrils flaring. What? I’m late! If you are looking for Bray, I don’t know where Bray is. He is your boyfriend. I would think you would be able to keep up with him better than I can.

I have sent him three text messages. I’ve already told him…if he wants to be with me, he’d better let the others be, or else I’ll set him free! Dylan said in a huff as she rolled her eyes, pushed her long black braids out of her face, and stormed off.

Dylan, he is probably at the track. Stop assuming things, Noel called after her.

Dylan Hayes marched back over to the track field and flopped down on a bench. Pulling out her cell phone, she sent Bray a text that said, Bray, where are you? You were supposed to meet me at the track an hour ago! I’m going to run a lap or two and then head to my next class. Love you, but only a little right now. You’re pushing it!

Just as Dylan was finishing up her second lap around the track, Bray came running up behind her and tickled her. Dylan screamed and gave him a playful punch. Bray, you nearly scared the life out of me. I was about to give you a kung fu punch!

Girl, you’re so short your leg would never reach high enough to touch me, he said and burst into laughter.

I have sent you a bunch of text messages. We were supposed to run the track this morning, like an hour ago, she said while tapping the imaginary watch on her wrist.

I know, I know, I’m sorry. I had an unexpected meeting with coach this morning. You know the big game is tonight! You are coming, right?

Of course, I never miss any of your games, and you’d better be glad you’re cute. Otherwise, I’d give you the boot, Dylan said and laughed.

Bray was the star basketball player at Raymond DeMassi High School, known as Hoop by his teammates because he never missed a three-pointer. He was sought after by the girls because of his six-foot-three stature, slim but muscular build, and handsome face that boasted an amazing smile. Dylan had her work cut out for her as far as keeping the girls away. Dylan and Bray were honor students and loved sports. Dylan, although petite, ran track for DeMassi and had placed first in several track competitions. She and Bray met at a basketball game when she came up to congratulate him on a win. Bray took one look at the cute but talkative Dylan, and they were inseparable ever since.

Being an interracial couple for them while in high school was not easy from the very beginning, but Bray, determined to focus on his relationship with Dylan instead of what others were saying about them, had soon showed them all that he and Dylan were a couple. He being white and she black didn’t determine the depth of his feelings for her. He made it a point to always sit with her wherever they went for lunch, on school grounds or off. It was his routine to kiss her in front of everyone after every game. Dylan couldn’t have cared less what people said about her relationship with Bray. She held his hand in public, cheered the loudest at his games, and always had his back.

Chapter 2

Waverly and Cree sat in the cafeteria reserved for the doctors at Simon Memorial Hospital.

I feel like I need a vacation. I had so many emergencies today I could hardly keep up with them all. Cree sighed.

Hey, but you handled them like the pro that you are!

Thanks, Waverly. I could not have handled them without you by my side. We make a great team! Nice stitch work on that last patient of ours.

Poor Mr. Benjamin, the man is almost eighty years old. Now what was he doing trying to roller skate? Waverly said. They both hollered, laughing.

Girl, you leave Mr. Benjamin alone. I just hope I am in as good a shape as he is when I reach his age. Better yet, I hope I reach his age.

Isn’t that the truth, Waverly said and downed the last of her bottled water.

I guess we should be glad we live in a small town because it could be worse, a much heavier workload. I mean, the worst I have had so far is a few gunshot wounds. Of course, we have the norm, the cancers, the amputations, but these illnesses are the ones we expect. I like the fact, too, that most people here know each other. I love it here! It’s clean, beautiful, and quiet. There is no place like Taverston, Virginia.

I know what you mean, Cree. I fell in love with this place the minute I saw the beautiful colonial and cottage-style homes. I love to garden, and you know the gardens here are amazing, and the sky! Oh my goodness! It’s such a crystal-clear, beautiful blue at night. Not to mention the sunsets!

Waverly’s pager went off. I am being summoned. I will see you at the game tonight, Cree, or do you want me to swing by and pick you up?

Sure, I’ll be ready! Dylan will want to ride with us, I’m sure. Is that okay with you?

Of course it is. Besides, Bray has already asked me to pick her up. He would be too upset with me if I showed up without Dylan.

Cree laughed and said, Our children!

I know. I will pick you up around six thirty so we can get a good seat.

All right, see you then!

Cree Hayes and her daughter, Dylan, moved to Taverston after she’d finished medical school, graduating with high honors, and was offered the position at Simon Memorial Hospital as head of surgery. A single parent, it had not been easy for the dark-haired and attractive Cree to earn her degree. However, when she learned she was pregnant with Dylan and the child’s father never showed up at the hospital when Dylan was born and later decided he wanted out of her life and the life of their child, she knew her job as a waitress was not going to keep them afloat.

With the help of her parents and the reliance on her savings, she was able to work and pay her way through medical school. Her mother, a retired nurse, kept Dylan for her, never charging her a dime, and for that she would always be grateful.

Dating during medical school was not an option, never even a consideration; her focus was on getting her degree and caring for her baby girl. Men came and soon went, she made it clear to them she wasn’t interested in any type of relationship while she worked to earn her degree. Her child was the center of her life, and she was determined that Dylan would never wake up and see a strange man standing in her home. Dylan’s safety, her security was her priority. In the end, Dylan blossomed into a mentally stable, smart, and happy teenager. Cree’s struggle to graduate at the top of her class paid off. As a result of hard work, more than a few sleepless nights filled with pill and drink-free study, she fulfilled that goal and cemented a stable life for herself and, more importantly, her child.

*****

So I don’t know if I will make the game tonight, Noi. My parents are heated! Mom was so angry with me last night she couldn’t even fuss at me right. She started stuttering and she was talking so fast. Girl, she gave me a shower before I hit the bathroom last night! They both laughed.

TJ, seriously, I feel your mom’s anger…eight hundred on your SAT score? Man, my mom would have had a heart attack behind that!

I know, Noi. That is pretty bad. But hey, we can’t all be like you, Bray, and Dylan. I mean Dylan scored, what, sixteen hundred?

I know, right! That girl is a walking dictionary, math book, and encyclopedia all rolled into one, Noel said while shifting her weight in an effort to get more comfortable.

Look who’s talking, Noi. You scored fourteen hundred!

Yeah, but I studied my butt off because I knew the college I applied to would accept nothing less. I really want to be a doctor like my mom. I love people, especially the older ones. They need medical care the most and their health benefits stink! When I open my clinic for the elderly, I’m not going to turn anyone away, health insurance or not!

I hear you, girl. Well, tell that fine brother of yours I said hey if I don’t make the game tonight, only don’t let Dylan hear you when you do.

TJ, really!

I know I don’t stand a chance. Bray is totally into Dylan, but one can always hope!

Bray loves you like a sister, TJ.

I know, that’s the problem. Anyway, I got to go. If my mom catches me FaceTiming after she warned me last night to bury my head in the books and not my phone, I’m dead! Later!

Later!

Noel wandered into Bray’s room and plopped down on his bed. What are you doing?

Seriously, I’m on the phone. You see this instrument right here? Bray said while holding up his cell phone after asking Dylan to hold on. "It’s called a phone."

"No, Noel said, feigning surprise. TJ said hey!"

Tell her I said hey. Now make your exit, please. Noel could hear Dylan screaming across the phone.

Tell who you said hey? Who is she talking about, Bray! Who?

Bray rolled his eyes at Noel and said under his breath while covering the phone with his hand, Now see? See what you started? I’m going to have to hear about it the rest of our conversation. You are out of here!

Hey, Dylan, chill, girl! Noel said, laughing.

Noi, you tell TJ I said she’d better back off, or else I’ll iron the clothes she wears to school since she obviously doesn’t know how to, Dylan yelled over the phone. "Go, Noi, now!" Bray shouted at her. Noel laughed and walked out of the room.

Chapter 3

TJ got up off her bed and walked to the desk at her window. All she could think about was going to the game tonight and then hanging out with Noi and the rest of their friends for pizza afterward. She felt bad that her SAT score was so low, but she still had time to test again, and the next time she was determined to score higher. Bray’s score was thirteen hundred, just a bit below Dylan’s. Well, she was not going to be outdone by Dylan. She had Bray, that was enough, but she was not going to outshine her as far as colleges. She was determined to get into veterinarian school and become a veterinarian; fifty percent of veterinarians owned their business, and TJ loved this fact.

What was so special about Dylan, anyway? Sure, she was cute but not pretty. People were always telling her how pretty she was, not Dylan, she reasoned in her head. With her being taller than Dylan with big eyes and short natural hair that emphasized her keen features, boys were always coming on to her at school. But not Bray, not the one she wanted the most. She had to find a way to change that.

She’d been working out for months and Bray had noticed, she thought to herself with a smile. He’d complimented her on how good she was looking and encouraged her to keep up the hard work. She smiled to herself again as she remembered his words. Hey, TJ, what’s up? Your workouts are paying off. Noel told me how much you’ve been working out lately. Dylan and I are going to the gym tonight, meeting the gang there. Why don’t you join us? She was pleased with his compliment, happy even, until he mentioned Dylan’s name. Enough about Dylan! She had to find a way to get to the game tonight.

Mom? Amelia, TJ’s mother, looked up from the oven as she removed a vegetable casserole she’d prepared for dinner.

Oh, hey, TJ. I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you come in. Why don’t you wash up for dinner? Everything is almost ready.

Mom…

Yes?

I was wondering if you and Dad have decided whether or not I can go to the game tonight? Amelia let out a heavy sigh and pushed a long black strand of hair from her oval face. She then rubbed her brown eyes and stared at her daughter. She was tired, super tired after an hour of working out at the gym. She pulled off the oven mittens she’d used to lift the casserole from the oven and tossed them on the counter, then slowly walked to the kitchen table.

TJ, come here, honey, Amelia said as she motioned for her to take a seat at the kitchen table beside her. TJ already knew the answer; she could tell even before her mother said anything further that she wasn’t going. TJ, I’m not going to water down our answer. No, you can’t go to the game tonight. As a matter of fact, you’re grounded for the next two weekends!

What! Mom, you can’t be serious! Why?

Why? TJ, do you even have to ask? Your grades have been falling here lately, and your SAT score was… I can’t even talk about it right now.

TJ threw her hands up in the air and said, I don’t understand what the big deal is, Mom. So what if my SAT score stinks right now? I still have time to take the test again and I will do better next time, I promise!

"What the big deal is, as you so simply put it! Well, let me tell you what the big deal is, Tamara-Jaye. Your life! That’s what the big deal is! The difference in making minimum wage and thirty-five to sixty dollars an hour. The difference in scrubbing floors and caring for sick animals, which is what you say you want to do. Remember that dream of yours of one day becoming a veterinarian? Well, sweetie, trust me, you can’t FaceTime it into reality! The