The dedication was set for Saturday morning at eleven in the morning. From what I understood, it was going to be quite crowded, the news media would be in attendance as well. I picked up Mr. & Mrs Timmons on Friday afternoon at the airport, driving them back to my condo. I showed them the guest room, they moved in and began unpacking. After about thirty minutes, they both came into the main room where I was sitting on the sofa.
"Brian, you have a very lovely home here," Mrs. Timmons remarked.
"Thanks, but it's not mine, I am only subletting for a couple of years. I will eventually have to buy something myself.", I replied.
We talked for a while, most about nothing that meant much at all. I couldn't help but be saddened as I sat with them. Before we had lost Courtney, these people were like family to me, we were inseparable. Now, it was hard just to maintain a fluid conversation. Mr. Timmons love of football had waned considerably, he barely brought it up anymore.
Later that evening, I took them to dinner at a really nice restaurant, then dropped them off back at the condo. I had one thing left to do, prior to tomorrow's dedication, it had to be done at night. I drove over to the hospital at about nine that evening. I met with one of the contractor's who would finish off the last, but most important details.
He was waiting for me on the fourth floor when I arrived, the large crate resting in the middle of the hall. Visiting hours were over, so only the night staff was on, it was extremely quiet. As we pulled the large framed artwork from the crate, I explained to him where I wanted each of the piece's hung. We then carried each of them to the appropriate places, he promised they would all be hung and draped for privacy by the time the morning shift came on. I thanked him and headed back home to get some sleep, it was going to be a long day tomorrow.
We left the condo about nine that morning. I called Alexis and asked if she wanted to ride with us. She told me she would take her own car and meet us there. By the time we parked and made our way into the lobby, the news media had already set up, they were waiting for interviews. I stepped in front of Mr. and Mrs. Timmons, trying to shield them from the chaotic activity. One female reporter forced her way forward, placing her microphone inches from my face.
"Brian, can you tell us why you decided to choose this hospital, why limit your foundation to just one project ?", she asked.
"Everyone, I will make a statement just before the dedication, now please, respect all the hard work and effort that went into this and be patient.", I asked, making our way to the elevator.
The hospital had security posted as you exited the elevator, they were screening anyone who came onto the floor. We were admitted on the floor by security, then moved to the waiting room, which was really the only area available, total secrecy was in effect. Fifteen minutes before the dedication, the hospital's CEO and a few of his staff walked into the waiting room. He noticed me and walked right over to where we were standing.
"Mr. Stevens, I can't tell you what this day means to us here at Children's Hospital. Your foundation has done a remarkable job in the past few months, no words from me can thank you enough." he said, shaking my hand.
"You're quite welcome sir.", I replied.
I then introduced him to Mr. and Mrs. Timmons, joking that they were my surrogate parents from back home. They both smiled at the remark, they each exchanged handshakes. We were signaled that it was time to start the dedication, we moved to the center of the fourth floor where the central nurses station was located, it was by far the biggest open area on the floor. There was a small podium that had been set up against the center wall, just over it hung a huge square object, a black cloth covering it completely. Likewise on both ends of the foot, they were similar objects hanging also draped.
The CEO stepped up to the podium, the news media's cameras rolling as he leaned forward into the microphone.
"Good morning everyone, it gives me great pleasure to be here this morning for this wonderful event. I met with a young man many months ago here in my office, he had met and been inspired by one of our young patients he had visited here. He was immediately overwhelmed at the courage and spirit of that young man, taking him on a journey that has led us to this point. I'm sure you all know this young man, he is from our own San Diego football team, their rookie tight end sensation, Mr. Brian Stevens.", he stated, motioning me to come forward.
The crowd that was gathered applauded loudly, as I stepped up behind the microphone, I was as nervous as I had ever been in my life. Not only were there several hundred people here, this would be seen all over the state, maybe even the country. I reached into my pocket, withdrew a few index cards on which I had scribbled some notes. I spread them out in front of me, then leaned into the microphone.
"Thank you sir, for those kind words. As you were told, I arrived at this hospital, this floor quite by accident. I received a call from a parent informing me that his son, who was a patient here, was my biggest fan. Naturally being only a rookie, not very well known, I just had to come see my biggest fan.", I started, the crowd laughing loudly.
"I met this young man in that room just down the hall. I immediately asked him why I was his favorite player. Without hesitation he simply said, because my name is Brian too and you jump real high and catch the ball.", I continued, again laughter throughout the room, "But he did remind me quickly his name was spelled
B-R-Y-A-N, just so I wouldn't be confused."
"After visiting with this young man several times, he taught me what the words Courage and Warrior really meant. These children are so young, so innocent, so frail to be stricken with these diseases. I decided I wanted to do everything possible to make their time here at the hospital as positive as possible.", I continued.
"As some of you may or may not know, I lost my Dad when I was a teenager still in high school. Just recently I lost my best friend, Courtney Timmons to cancer quite suddenly. I loved her dearly, there's not a day goes by ,I do not still grieve at her passing. Her parents are here with me today, though I am sure they are still not clear why. I thought long and hard about what I wanted this foundation to be about. It took me quite a while to put it together, but I am very pleased to announce, this foundation has an enduring legacy, which I hope will continue for a long, long time.", I ended.
I stepped back, reaching up grabbing one corner of the black drape covering the large wall hanging.
"I can't pretend to know the heartache of a parent losing their child, I only hope in some small way, we can ease the financial and emotional burden they suffer.", I said, quickly pulling the drape from the wall hanging.
What hung on the wall was a huge framed display, with the words
"Courtney's Kids' ', on top of the jet black square matting that surrounded the center. In the center, I had enlarged one of the photos that Mrs. Timmons had given me, it was absolutely breathtaking. One the bottom of the matting under the pictures, in the same gold leaf were the following words:
If you must go, Then I wish you love.
You'll never walk alone, Take care my love,
I'll miss your love.
The reaction in the room ran from applause, to uncontrollable emotion. I heard Mrs. Timmons begin to cry, she turned and buried her face in her husband's chest, he held her tightly. I pointed to both ends of the floor, and the hospital staff undraped the same picture at the end. I turned and pointed to the bottom of the huge frame behind me, leaning over into the microphone.
"Those were the last...the last words my Courtney whispered before….", I stopped, unable to continue.
I took a second to collect myself, then stepped back up to the microphone.
"Now I want to show everyone what "Courtney's Kids" will bring to the floor of Children's Hospital, " I told the crowd.
The CEO of the hospital motioned for everyone to follow him down the hall towards the old waiting room. By now the craft paper had been removed from the large doors and windows, exposing the enormous work that had been put into the project. There was a large black plaque on the wall next to the entrance that read :
In Loving Memory of
Courtney Timmons
The crowd slowly streamed into the open door, marveling at the detail of the murals on the walls. They walked around looking at all of the new projects that would be available to the children who had to stay here for an extended period of time. There was one surprise left on the far back wall, still covered by a drape. The CEO walked over and pulled it down quickly, the crowd was stunned for a second. One of the graphic designers had drawn and painted a full size mural on the wall. It showed Courtney in a long while flowing robe reaching down from the clouds. Beneath her on the ground were dozens of children reaching up for her, trying to touch her. The resemblance to Courtney was absolutely uncanny. I had stepped back against one of the rear walls, trying to collect myself, my emotions running high.
The group was then taken to the media center, where they were shown the video gaming systems, the movies and the laptop computers. With the tour over, many of the hospital staff began returning to their stations throughout the building. I had stayed behind in the waiting room, the media quickly found me, they began to ask questions.
"Brian, what future plans do you have for your foundation," one reporter asked.
"Well, eventually I would like to buy possibly a large building, maybe turn it into a dozen or so small apartments where parents from out of town could stay at while their child was here at Children's Hospital.", I answered.
"In addition, I hope to make some monetary help available for parents struggling through the financial burdens of dealing with these illnesses," I added.
Just about that time out of the corner of my eye I saw Jenny walk into the room, she was holding a child's hand, the child was out of view behind her. Reporters were still shouting questions, when I saw my little man, Bryan Butler pop his head out from behind Jenny's skirt.
He was wearing the skull cap and gloves I had given him, he had put on a few pounds since I had last seen him. I walked over quickly, reached down and scooped him up, holding him on my hip.
"This little man here is why all of this started. This is Bryan Butler, my biggest fan. How are you doing buddy ?", I asked him.
"Good Brian.", he replied.
You could tell he was nervous in front of all the cameras, he kept turning his head putting his face into my shoulder. Reporters were still asking questions relentlessly, I couldn't keep up with all of them.
"I think I have answered enough questions, if anyone has any questions for Bryan, you can ask him now.", I laughed.
One of the female reporters right in front quickly got the jump on her colleagues.
"Bryan, what's the biggest thrill you have had since meeting this big guy holding you ?", she asked, smiling.
"That's easy…..it's when he caught the touchdown ball he promised…..then he gave me the ball…my Daddy says it's worth a lot of money…but I would never sell it…..he caught that for me and won the game.", he replied.
"Is he referring to the catch in the Kansas City game, you gave him that ball ?", she responded.
"Yes mam, he kinda made me promise I would catch him a touchdown, boy did I get lucky.", I laughed.
I thanked everyone for coming again, then made my way out of the waiting room back to the nurses station where I found both of Bryan's parents waiting. I handed the small child back to his father, then straightened my clothing.
"Brian, you have done some marvelous work here. This will bring countless hours of joy to the children, in a time when they need it most. Thank you so much.", Mrs. Butler said, hugging me tightly.
"You can thank this guy here, he's the one who started it all.", I replied.
By now most of the crowd had filtered away, there were still several reporters packing equipment, a few people near the nurse's station, but the staff was trying to clear the floor to get things back to normal. I saw Jenny over at the nurse's station, she had her scrubs on so I knew she was on duty. Two other women and a young man were standing there talking to her, so I decided to walk over and tell her I was leaving. As she saw me walking toward her, I could see the expression on her face change to one of extreme apprehension.
"Hey Jenny, just wanted to thank you for all of the help you put into getting this off the ground. I couldn't have done it without you.", I said sincerely.
"Oh ok, thanks Brian.", she said, extremely nervous.
"So you're Brian Stevens, it's a pleasure to meet you, you had a great year.", said the young man standing there, "I'm Kevin, I am Jenny's husband."
The last six words hit me so hard, it almost knocked the wind out of me. My eyes darted to Jenny, I could see the look of terror on her face. Now it all made sense, why she had been so silent the next morning. It was guilt, she had cheated on her husband. I quickly recovered as best as I could, I know everyone saw the surprise in my reaction.
"It's nice to meet you Kevin, thank you for allowing Jenny to help me with this project, it was very kind of you.", I replied.
"Well I am out of town a lot, I know she gets bored.", he answered.
"I'm sure she does.", I quickly shot back, looking her dead in the eyes.
I said goodbye and walked down the hall to where Mr. & Mrs. Timmons was still taking in the many tributes to their daughter on the walls of the hospital. I walked up to them slowly, not to interrupt their private conversation with each other. Mrs. Timmons turned to me and fell into my arms, her own arms around my neck, squeezing me tightly.
"Brian, I love you so much, thank you for giving us this wonderful gift, we will be forever grateful to you.", she sobbed.
We all three walked back to the elevator and rode down, exiting the hospital quickly. We left the hospital, stopped and got an early dinner, then headed back to my condo. We spent the rest of the night talking about the old days, sharing memories we had of Courtney. The next morning, I dropped them off at the airport, and they had an early flight back. As I drove back to my condo, it was the first time I really had to reflect on just what Jenny had actually done. I was angry, extremely angry. I even wondered if the story about her being abused by her husband was even true. One thing for certain, I would have to end our personal and professional relationship immediately.