Riding The Wave

By Kathy L. Wiesenauer

Having had a less than ideal childhood, Mitchell Lawrence found himself alone and penniless when considering how he was going to attend college. But through hard work, a lot of luck, and some very good friends, he was able to put himself through college and law school. Living in California and being hired by

• Language: English
• Publisher: Telepub LLC
• Release date: Jul 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781959379836

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RIDING THE WAVE

Copyright © 2023 by Kathy L. Wiesenauer

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by the copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator. at the address below.

ISBN for Paperback: 978-1-959379-81-2

ISBN for Hardback: 978-1-959379-82-9

ISBN for Ebook: 978-1-959379-83-6

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023913149

Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, places are products of the author’s imagination.

Printing Edition of 2023.

TelePub LLC.

Long Beach, California

USA

Prologue

Mitchell Lawrence didn’t notice the slow creep of darkness outside his window. In fact, he hadn’t noticed much of anything in a very long time. He had immersed himself so deeply into his work that there was little time for anything else. The practice of law used to be a source of pride and pleasure for him…now it was simply a place he could hide from the world…a place he could bury himself and literally lose himself in the lives and trials of others. He always asked for the largest caseload and was always first to arrive at the office and last to leave. The stack of files on his desk never seemed to lessen and the fact that his work week often stretched to seven days suited him just fine.

When he finally sat back in his chair and ran a hand through his already rumpled thatch of wavy brown hair, he glanced at his watch and was surprised to see that it was after 9:00. His half-eaten lunch remained on the corner of his desk and his stomach hadn’t reminded him that dinner time had long since come and gone. With a sigh, he gathered up the notes and files he would need for court tomorrow and shoved them all into his briefcase, planning to continue working at home. Yet the image of the rooms that awaited him in one of the more upscale apartments downtown almost made him smile as he knew that no one in their right mind could consider them anyone’s home. A desk, a bed, a computer and a sofa were a mirror image of what his life had become. Sparse, cold furnishings that spoke volumes of a man who had little left in his heart but a desire to believe in the work he was doing.

As he gathered up his belongings and threw on his overcoat, he couldn’t help but notice that the rest of the offices on the tenth floor were dark. Just as well he thought to himself, not wanting to be forced into the small talk required for the sake of politeness when running into his colleagues. He silently rode the elevator to the first floor and, with a quiet Goodnight, Billie to the doorman, he exited the building and started the chilly walk home.

The blast of cold air that hit him as he stepped outside was almost refreshing after such a long day behind his desk but as the wind whipped up from Lake Michigan, he pulled his overcoat a bit higher around his neck. He peered up and saw the falling snow shimmering in the soft light of the street lamp and wondered at the wisdom of leaving the sunny skies and warm ocean breezes of California for the cold and snowy winters of Chicago. But then, as the familiar pain threatened to overtake him, he knew he had done the right thing. He had no choice but to run away…he had to try to forget.

Chapter 1

Mitchell Lawrence was indeed, one very lucky young man. Born the only child of a three-star General in the Air Force and the daughter of one of the most prominent attorneys in Chicago, his life was destined to be one of ease. But Mitch, even at an early age, looked upon it as one of tremendous opportunity.

He accompanied his parents all over the world on General Lawrence’s command assignments and learned to be comfortable in almost any situation. Mitch had a quick wit as well as an insatiable thirst for knowledge and was fluent in three languages by the time he was five. Given the fact that the family was moving to a different location almost every six months, his mother took it upon herself to school Mitch and she was stern yet supportive. She realized quite quickly the intellectual level of her son and pushed him harder than he would have been in any school. And the harder she pushed, the harder Mitch worked to please her. She had a simple way of teaching that made difficult subjects seem challenging yet the way she applied them to real-world situations made them easier to learn. She took Mitch with her on mercy missions to help him learn compassion for those less fortunate than himself and she was both surprised and pleased that her young son needed no prodding or encouragement to assist her. More than once she saw him sneak food out of the mess hall and take it to the especially needy families on his own. Her pride in her son knew no bounds and he adored her in return.

General Lawrence often allowed his young son to accompany him on diplomatic missions that were considered to be as much out of harm’s way as possible. He wanted to teach Mitch that words could be as powerful as the guns and bloodshed he had been unfortunate enough to witness. And Mitch was always full of questions and ideas for his father. He was still naïve enough to question why people would want to hurt one another when there was so much good in the world to pursue and General Mitchell felt he had a responsibility to show Mitch that evil did exist. And though Mitch trusted in the words of his father, he was determined, one day, to find a better way.

The family spent as much time together as possible and often tried to Americanize their outings so Mitch’s transition back to his homeland would not be such a difficult one. They had family picnics where Mitch learned about football and baseball and the traditional American holidays. They talked about the differences between military and civilian life and how one day, Mitch would have to make a choice as to how he wanted to live his life and what career he would choose. Mitch knew, even then, that it was his choice to make but he also knew that mediocrity was not acceptable.

But more often than not, they just spent time talking and laughing. And Mitch was curious about his extended family. Being an only child, he was eager to know about cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles. He knew that his father’s parents had passed away before his own parents were married but he knew that his mother’s parents were still alive and puzzled as to why she never spoke of them. He didn’t ask often as he was acutely aware of a pain deep in her eyes when he did, but sometimes his curiosity got the best of him and he couldn’t help himself. When he was a little older, his mother told him solemnly that her mother had left when she was a young teenager and that she had lived alone with her father until she was old enough to go to college. When he pressed her harder she simply said that sometimes, if you’re not happy with the family you have, you have to find one of your own that you can love and cherish. And that simple explanation made sense to Mitch although it didn’t lessen his curiosity. But he was smart enough to know that his mother had found a family of her own and that he was loved and cherished beyond imagine.

It was only after ten years of international commands that General Lawrence was offered a permanent appointment to the Pentagon. As much as they had enjoyed their assignments, both Franklin and Helen decided it was time to put down some permanent roots and settle into a more traditional family life. Mitch was also at the age where formal schooling was becoming important if he was to achieve the expectations he knew his parents had for him. His future had not been specifically designed for him, but he knew that their expectations for him were set at a high standard.

His parents immediately enrolled him at the Capitol Hill Day School, an exclusive, private school well known for its emphasis on assessment and application of classroom learning to real-world scenarios, similar to the way his mother had been teaching him. Although his initial battery of standardized tests indicated that he was two grade levels ahead of the children his age, his parents opted to keep him at the age appropriate class. The majority of life with his parents had been in primarily adult situations and they felt that peer socialization would be integral to Mitch’s adjustment to a more normal environment. And they knew Mitch would thrive regardless if he was held back. If the work was too easy, he would help the other children or do extra credit. He was just that kind of young man.

It wasn’t long after they arrived in Washington that the Lawrence’s were invited to the White House as a gesture of appreciation for the General’s service to his country. Although Mitch was not accompanying his parents, he was almost insanely proud of his father. He had always been a hero to Mitch but to have the President of the United States recognize him for his efforts was almost a dream come true. And the river of pride extended to his mother as well and his adoration for her was clear. On the evening of the event, Mitch presented both his father and mother with a single white carnation tinged with red and blue. His mother immediately pinned the flower on the lapel of her coat and bent down to kiss her son on the forehead, so moved was she by his gesture. Franklin’s eyes grew misty at the thoughtfulness of his young son and bent down to hold him close. As they were leaving, they turned with a last wave and goodbye but Mitch begged them to wait while he ran and got his camera. He returned quickly with his Kodak instamatic and snapped a picture of his parents as they took their leave. Somehow he sensed he would need it.

Chapter 2

Mitch sat in his room, staring at the letters of admission from the various universities to which he had applied. Yet his attention was drawn to only two: Stanford and Northwestern. From his grandfather’s perspective, there was no choice to be made. Mitch was going to Northwestern. He had graduated summa cum laude from Northwestern and now his only remaining heir was going to follow in his footsteps. Had he known that Mitch had secretly applied to Stanford, he would have been irate. California, in his mind, was for surfer boys and hippies, and definitely not for his grandson. But Mitch had different ideas. California was a place to escape the expectations, the well-defined plans and, for that matter, the well-defined life imposed by his grandfather.

After the deadly car crash on that fateful night in Washington, Mitch had been sent to live with his only surviving relative, his maternal grandfather. Gone were the laughter filled days, the home filled with love and warmth, the support he knew surrounded him. And what was left was a home filled with expensive furnishings, servants to answer every beck and call and an atmosphere of focus, drive and determination. Not that Mitch didn’t appreciate those qualities—he did. But he also recognized the need for balance, for play time as well as work time, for enjoyment as well as the achievement of success. But his grandfather couldn’t be bothered with such trivialities. Success wasn’t just a part of life, it was life. And he was going to ensure that Mitch was successful.

He had to admit that the last few years had been lonely ones. His grandfather usually worked late at the firm and when he finally did come home, he certainly wasn’t one for casual conversations. His demeanor was usually terse, as if he was mad at the world and the only thing that seemed to interest him about Mitch were his grades and his accomplishments. Of course the servants were in plentiful supply but it always seemed as though just when he was feeling comfortable with one of them, they left for a different job because they were tired of putting up with his grandfather.

He often wished that his mother had been more forthcoming about what really happened with her parents. There were no pictures around the house of his grandmother and most of the servants who had worked there when his grandparents were still together were long since gone. But there was gossip and Mitch was led to believe that his grandmother had left for many of the same reasons as the servants; she was tired of putting up with his grandfather and living in a house that was void of warmth and love.

And after seven years of living in that environment, Mitch could understand her actions although he couldn’t comprehend how his grandmother could have left his mother behind. But he sensed that his mother had inherited many of the same qualities as his grandmother as he could see no physical or emotional resemblance to his grandfather at all. Mitch still glowed when he thought of her and the many hours they had spent together learning, playing and talking about the future. It seemed ages ago that he had spoken with anyone who made him feel like his parents did. He wasn’t allowed to have friends at the house and he was expected to come home right after school unless there was an after school activity in which he was involved. It took only one act of disobedience and the ensuring tirade by his grandfather to realize that it just wasn’t worth it to stray from his directives.

But he was older now and he knew he couldn’t allow himself to participate in the life plan that his grandfather had for him. As had his grandfather, Mitch had also made his decision. He was going to Stanford. He had suffocated long enough in an atmosphere of unending expectations and plans. As a boy, he had experienced freedom and had been given the opportunity to explore and delight in what the world had to offer and he knew he had to find those things again if he were ever to regain the perspective that had been choked out of him. He knew the conversation would be difficult. But he also knew that putting it off would not make it easier. When he heard his grandfather come in that evening, he summoned up his courage and went out to greet him.

Good evening, Grandfather he said rather tentatively. But his grandfather was too focused on berating one of the servants for moving a prized vase that he didn’t notice the hesitation in Mitch’s voice.

Hello, Mitchell. Come in to my study and tell me about your day. It was more of a command than a request but Mitch took it as the opportunity for which he had been waiting.

As they entered the study, Mitch quietly closed the door behind them. Grandfather he said in what he hoped was an assertive voice. I have received my acceptance letters from my top three colleges and I wanted to let you know that I have made my decision.

His grandfather cocked an eyebrow and looked at him intently. What decision is there to be made? We have planned on you attending Northwestern and then on to Harvard Law. That is the only decision!

"No, grandfather, you planned on me going to Northwestern and then on to Harvard. I was never given a say in the matter."

That’s because you have no say! his grandfather stated emphatically. You will be going to Northwestern.

With all due respect, Grandfather, I won’t. I have informed Stanford University that I will be attending there this fall.

Over my dead body, you will he raged. This conversation is over. Either you get your sights set on Northwestern or you will find yourself paying for college yourself. As you know, you can’t touch your trust fund until you are 25 and by then, you will have graduated.

The smugness of his grandfather’s attitude somehow gave Mitch courage he hadn’t felt in a long time. He faced his grandfather, eye to eye, and stated firmly, If that’s the way you want it, so be it! I’ll find a way to do it on my own but I am going to Stanford.

His grandfather laughed derisively and said Go ahead. You’ll be back here begging on your knees in no time. And don’t expect me to accept your apologies. If you do this thing, we are through as a family and you will be as dead to me as your mother.

Mitch’s eyes filled with angry tears with the mere mention of his mother in the same sentence as family. We have never been a family and we never will be Mitch said softly and turned and left the room. Henry Mitchell stared at the door long after Mitch had left and secretly admitted to himself that he admired the boy’s resolve. Maybe this would be good for him, having to make it on his own although he was furious that he had been defied. Henry wrote himself a mental note to have a few of his best men monitor Mitch’s progress. He wanted to be there to throw it in his face when he failed.

Chapter 3

Mitch quickly returned to his room amid a sphere of emotions. He was angry and excited but most of all, he was scared to death. He had never defied his grandfather before and though he had expected there to be consequences, he had certainly not expected this. And he had absolutely no idea of what he was going to do. He was certainly bright enough to earn a scholarship but was sure the application deadline had passed. Student loans? He would need his grandfather’s participation for that as his grandfather was legally his guardian. Getting that information was now impossible. Mitch had some savings but it certainly wouldn’t cover even half of the $41,000 tuition bill much less books and room and board. That meant only one thing—he was going to have to work his butt off to find a job and excel in his studies. His mind wandered back to a time when he and his parents had been in one of the poorest parts of Vietnam and the daily struggles the peasants went through just to find food to feed their families. And for the first time in several hours, he smiled. If they could overcome life’s biggest challenges, so could he.

Fortunately for Mitch, he had completed his high school requirements at the end of the first senior semester and was now only taking courses for additional credit. Technically, he was a high school graduate and, with that knowledge, Mitch began to formulate a plan. He knew that life in his grandfather’s house would be a nightmare unless he gave into his grandfather’s demand to attend Northwestern. And he was determined not to do that. That evening, he began to pack, throwing together only those things that he knew he would need: clothing, some favorite books, his personal papers and of course, some pictures of happier times with his parents, including the final picture he had taken the night his father was to be honored at the White House. He wanted nothing of what his grandfather had given nor would he take his car, a gift he had been given on his sixteenth birthday. He wanted nothing that would remind him of the unhappiness of the past seven years.

As he lay in bed that night, both his excitement and fear began to grow. Though he was emotionally exhausted, his mind would not rest and find sleep. Several hours later, Mitch realized he hadn’t had dinner and padded silently down to the kitchen. Somehow he found solace in the quiet room, void of the usual servants, and somehow comforting to fix his own sandwich. He poured himself a glass of milk and carried both back to his room. Not long after, sleep sought him out and surprisingly, he rested peacefully.

Chapter 4

The next morning, Mitch got busy as soon as he knew his grandfather had left for work. His first stop was to his high school guidance counselor’s office to inform her that he was dropping his extra classes and would be leaving for college early. He then stopped at the bank, emptied his savings account and his safety deposit box, and then headed to the bus depot in downtown Chicago. It was filled with tired, haggard looking people, some old, some young, some with children but all appearing as though they could use a meal and a shower. Mitch was definitely out of place but he didn’t care. This was the last place his grandfather would think to check and he was already thinking of ways he could slip into the crowd without being noticed.

He stood in the ticket line and asked for the next time there would be a bus to Palo Alto. Luckily, there was a bus leaving later that afternoon that would take him as far as Los Angeles and he could make additional arrangements from that point. He paid for the ticket, looked at his watch and realized he would have to hurry in order to make it back in time.

He made a quick stop at the Goodwill store across the street and then hurried home. Once there, he changed into the rather ragged looking clothing he had just purchased, jammed the clothes he had been wearing into his suitcase and took a long, last look at the room he had occupied for the last seven years. He felt no sense of nostalgia or misgiving as to what he was doing. He made a quick call to a local cab company and asked them to pick him up several blocks from his grandfather’s mansion. The cabbie was waiting for him when he arrived at the specified location and he asked to be taken to the bus depot. When they arrived, he gave the cabbie his fare plus a sizeable tip, stared one last time at the Chicago skyline, and quickly turned and boarded the bus to his new life.

Chapter 5

Mitch slept most of the first few hours of the ride as the wheels of the bus churned away the miles and moved him farther and farther from Chicago. When he finally awoke, he found himself seated next to a young woman and her son and he smiled at