I can't remember when I fell asleep, but as I slept, my dreams were filled with my time on Earth, to be exact, the time leading up to an accident which would change my life forever. It was summer 2014. I was on my way home from work excited for a well needed R&R with my family. It was my turn to spend 6 months out of the year with Uncle Yuriy and Aunt Katya.
To be honest, my employer tried to threaten me. They off by saying my job (which I signed a contractual agreement) should be my primary focus. In response, I gave her an ultimatum.
"Either you allow me to work remotely (since my work is done on a secured network to which I have full access to from anywhere) as I am in management position in the company. Or I will walk taking everything I brought, developed and implemented in the company with me. All of these services, programs, and contracts were all under my security firm. Or did you forget I originally was a private contractor!"
To be clear, I was the manager of internet security for a (at the time) small investment firm in 2010. They brought me on originally as a contractor to provide a specialized security system. I was asked to customize said security solely for this company. In the contract I had it stipulated...
"... Should Part A (the company) ever attempt to revoke access, or limit Part B's (me) ability to provide services to Part B's other clients internationally, Part B is granted the right to void the contract. Additionally, Part B may repossess all services and equipment provided to Part A. Further, an additional infringement fees are to be awarded to Part B for Part A's contractual infringement."
After 1 year with my patented security software, the company was had protected their investors from the constant stream of hackers targeting this type of firm. As a result, the firm to grew exponentially. By fall of 2013, the firm grew to the point where they worked extensively with international accounts both business and private.
As a means to prevent me from leaving, they offered insane compensation. Their offer included a major stake in the company, my management position, and approximately $480k in addition to the original contract still in effect. What kind of fool would I be to say no to that.
In a matter of 3 years, I went from a fresh out of undergrad software programmer to making six figures every quarter. (From rags to riches; a true Cinderella-man story.) In spite of that, I still lived like I was a poor college student. I made sure to only spend money when I needed to.
Anyway, I got my "employer" who was the business owner to back down. They would be fucked if I left, and they knew it. Without worry, I prepared for my traditional commitment to the family.
When I got home, I was greeted by my little bundle of joy and energy, Julianna my eldest child. At the time, she was 5 years old and excited to be going to another country for the first time. Originally, all children where to spend 3 months out of the year with Uncle Yuriy in Ukraine.
That all changed after certain current events. After 9/11, Uncle decided to do away with that tradition. Instead, he wanted the children to only come with their parents during our assigned 6-month allotment. Regardless, this would be like going to a new world for my little girl.
"Daddy, your home!!" She cried while like a magnet attached herself to me.
"Hello, princess! Were you good for mommy today?" I would always ask while throwing her up in the air and carrying her back towards the house.
"Of course, daddy, I am always a good girl."
Julianna said as if it was common knowledge. Laughing at her response, we went to the front door where her mother stood waiting for us. In Jocelyn's arms was our barely 1 year old son, Anton. Walking up to her and my son, I gave her a big kiss and rubbed my Mini Me's tiny but big head. The little guy in response laughed and grabbed my hand, to which I smiled to see how happy he was to see me. As we walked back inside, I inquired of Jocelyn,
"How were the kids today? I hope they took the news well."
The "kids" I was referring to are my niece and nephew who loved us more than Jocelyn's sister, which always annoyed her to no end, hehe. My secret: give everything the little kids want. And when they are bouncing all over the place, send them back home to their parents who don't have, or won't give them what we have here. I.e., spoil them rotten.
Then have their parents deal with the rest, hehehe. One time, my nephew Curtis asked if I could teach him to ride a bike without training wheels. To which, I not only taught him, but also got him a brand-new bike unlike the one he had at home. Too bad he couldn't take It home with him on the plane since his family lived over in Santa Clara, California, while I lived in Richmond, Virginia.
While thinking about my "second" children, Jocelyn answered,
"They were upset they wouldn't get to see us for a while, but I reassured my sister we would spend time near them when we come back from Ukraine."
She said, while playing with our son still trapped in her embrace. The little guy was an escape artist as attempted few times to broke free from her and run to me. After which Jocelyn would again catch him mid stride as he giggles his little head off.
The kid likes escaping and seemed to have made a game out of it. It was dreams like this, I never wanted to wake from. The joy of my wife and children, the peace which a family brings, the purpose and responsibility of being a husband and father. My parents, despite their differences, always told me this here was the real reason for living, and I absolutely agree with them.
The dream then flashed to the moment we were driving to the airport the next morning. There was nothing unusual about the drive save the heavy downpour. I was driving on the highway heading to the airport, Jocelyn in the front passenger seat, and the children in their car seats behind us.
We were talking about something, but I could not hear what was said in the dream. Then it happened. As I was taking the off ramp, a truck which was fleeing a Virginia state trooper came barreling up the off ramp. I didn't even notice the truck before the bright lights flashed in my eyes. Attempting to swerve out of the way, the car spiraled out of control and flew off the downward sloped off ramp into a bridge support beam.
While still in the dream, I saw myself wake up in a hospital bed startled, confused, and semi suspended off the bed due to the full body cast being held up by tethers. When I came to, I saw an unfamiliar face and began to panic since I couldn't remember how I came to being there. The person, being a nurse, called in the doctor and my family. I was then greeted by my parents, sister-in-law Jacqueline, but not my children or Jocelyn. Confused, dream me asked,
"What's going on? How did I get here? Where are my children? Where's Jocelyn?"
-End of Chapter