Ache

The Prize

Inside of 5 minutes, the hospital's administrator and legal council were in Anthony's room, trying to calm down and under play the whole situation. The hospital administrator, tried to huddle Cassie out of the room while "the adults talk", but Cassie, with her coldest stare told him in no uncertain words to,

"Get you pencil pushing hands OFF of me! I'm not going anywhere! PAPA!!"

Shocked by the force of this little creatures voice, the administrator looked questioningly at Anthony, who said,

"She stays! And if ANYONE lays a hand on her again, I will have grounds for 2 lawsuits!"

The administrator jerked his hand away from Cassie, tried desperately to regain his composure by endlessly clearing his throat.

Cassie just beamed from ear to ear, smiling at Anthony. She settled into her chair, and just glowed as HER Papa recounted the events of last night, told the administrator and their legal council exactly what he expected from them, and she was almost giddy as the administrator shuttered in his shoes at the thought and implications of the impending legal storm that was now hanging over his head. He could just see his paycheck, cushy job, comfortable 401K, everything, just vanishing if he didn't handle this VERY delicately.

By the end of the conversation, the hospital administrator had fully agreed to pay for Anthony's legal council, agreed to a rather large settlement (the exact amount to be determined at a later point). Cassie just sat in awe of her Papa's skill at working the situation to the best possible outcome.

The remainder of Anthony 's stay at the hospital was filled with a serious upgrade in the quality of his food, meals provided for Cassie, and a bed placed next to his for his perfect little princess to sleep more comfortably and right next to her Papa. The final weeks of the visit, Anthony's legal council showed up and the conversations were short and to the point, money, interest, payments arriving weekly until well into the future. His attorney left after each visit, smiling like the Cheshire cat. He often laughed during their talks because Anthony had, "Made my job incredibly simple."

Upon Anthony's release from the hospital, as he was wheeled out the door, his attorney, his new Dr., Cassie's Mom, and most importantly, his perfect little princess, flowed behind him like a triumphant little parade. Awaiting him outside, was a brand new car, provided by the hospital, and exactly what Anthony had specified, 1967 Chevrolet Impala, completely restored to its original glory. Anthony, Cassie, her Mother, and his attorney climbed into the car and, with his attorney driving, went to a part of town that Anthony and Cassie had NEVER been to before, the part of town where the uptight, upper crust of the area lived.

After a 20 minute ride, they turned up a long drive, lined by trees and flower beds. The driveway opened up in front of a gargantuan building. Anthony turned to his attorney,
"And everything is as I requested?"

"Of course Sir. I oversaw the remodeling myself. And if you don't mind me saying, it's a very impressive home."

Anthony thanked him and continued to climb out of the car, followed by the oohs and awes of Cassie and her Mother. The attorney led them up to the front door, unlocked it, handed Anthony the key, then opened the door to let them enter. As the gigantic door swung open, it was as if the house itself heaved a huge sigh of relief.

Cassie burst ahead of everyone, chattering excitedly about this table, that hallway, the tile, the carpet!! "Papa, it's all so big and gorgeous!!"

Anthony smiled, winced just a bit because his jaw still ached, and looked in his most serious tone at Cassie.  "Princess, I need you to stay calm if you can. There's a lot of house to see, and I don't want you to have a heart attack before we even get to your surprise."

Cassie gasped, "I get a surprise??!!?? What're is it Papa? What is it Papa? Tell me! Tell me!", then her voice turned stern and her tone more demanding, "Tell me NOW old fart!"

Cassie's Mom gasped in shock, Anthony just laughed and laughed. Then he looked hard at his little prize, "Papa WILL tell you AND show you, WHEN HE IS READY little one. Understand??"

Cassie instantly settled, "Yes Papa. Sorry Papa."

And the tour came to the last room, the kitchen over looking the gigantic backyard, Cassie, quiet the whole time., looked as if she was almost vibrating with excitement. Anthony suddenly halted, a strange kinda quirky smile on his face. Anthony looks his attorney, the attorney looked at Anthony, nodded slightly, and Anthony turned to face Cassie.

"Cassie, you have been by my side since this all started on the floor of my living room. You took care of me, helped me, and showed me that there was still love in this world for an old man like me."

"And to show you that everything you have done for me is appreciated, out the back door, across the yard, behind that little stand of trees, is a 4 bedroom home with detached garage and 2 acres of land in your name. And it is all yours. But your Mom will oversee it until you are old enough to legally own the property."

Cassie's jaw dropped. She looked at her Mom, who stood motionless, eyes glazed over, slack jawed and stunned. Cassie's gaze returns to Anthony, who was now holding a set of keys in her direction.

A sudden high pitched squeal escaped from Cassie's lips as she snatched the keys from Anthony's hand and launched herself across the kitchen, out the back door, and catapulted herself across the yard towards the trees.

Helen and Melody followed the path left by Cassie, wandering towards the trees, Hellen moving as if in a daze, Melody pulling relentlessly at Helen's hand in an effort to propel her Mom more quickly in the direction that Cassie had gone. As they finally moved through the trees, Anthony turned to the attorney, shook his hand, and thanked him.

"There's one last thing Sir, this way please."

The attorney led the way down the hall and into the den. On the back side of the desk, he removed a painting from the wall revealing a safe.  He handed Anthony a small card, again, shook his hand, and left the house. Anthony moved in front of the safe, used the combination on the card, turned the handle of the safe, and swung the door open to reveal stack, after stack, after stack of cash! Anthony smiled, skipped the card into his pocket, took out a oils of bills, put them in his wallet, and sat in the oversized office chair behind his desk, hands behind his head, smiled , and started laughing. His laughter filled the den and hallway, and followed the path of the girls towards the trees, carried on the breeze.