COMING HOME

By EJKatz

“Hey, Jim. Thanks for coming to this with me. It means a great deal.”

“No problem. So, who was this guy?”

“Richard Kinney.”

“The Richard Kinney? Multimillionaire and business legend?”

“That’s him. Believe it or not, he and Naomi used to be quite the item when I was about twelve. I haven’t seen him since he and Naomi split but we sort of kept in touch. He was a great guy, he sent me cards for my birthday from all over the world.”

“Sounds like you really got along well with him.” Jim sensed there was more to the story and Blair hadn’t finished telling it. His quiet statement was meant to encourage Blair to open up. It was rare for the young man to do so and when he did, Jim jumped at the chance to learn more about his best friend.

“Yeah we did. Most of the guys Naomi dated didn’t really care for me. Only if hey could use me to get to her. But Richard was different. He spent time with me, just the two of us. Even with his business responsibilities, he took the time to go to parent/teacher days when Naomi couldn’t. He once even took me on a Father/Son outing for school. I use to fantasize that he was my dad. He always treated me like a son and I remember hating Naomi for making us leave.” There was a touch of fond remembrance in Blair’s tone that made Jim smile.

“I take it he never had family of his own?” Curiosity made him ask.

“Nope, he never married. He used to say he amassed his fortune the hard way with sweat, blood and tears. Even though we were only with him for about a year, he taught me that hard work was rewarded with fine results. I guess he kinda shaped me for school. He was always proud of me when I got my report card. I guess that is kinda why Naomi left. I was getting too attached and you know her policy of detaching with love.” Now Jim could hear the deep regret and switched the subject slightly.

“So why are we going to this thing again?”

“Well, Richard had no one to leave his estate to so he requested that it be auctioned off, the money to go to his favourite charity, the Cancer Society.” Blair smiled sadly. “That’s what he died of two weeks ago. I got a letter asking me to come.”

“An invite?”

“Yeah, personalized in his handwriting. Anyhow, he had this most amazing art collection. Some very rare and extremely valuable Masters included. You know, Rembrandt, Picasso, Monet. He also had other lesser known works and I am kinda hoping I can get one in particular.”

“A painting?”

“Yeah. Richard took me to the beach once and there was this artist there. He wasn’t famous or anything but he had a real knack for capturing the soul of the people he painted. He was working on this most amazing scene on the beach with a dozen or so people in it. The colours he used were incredible but, aw, man…the people were so real. An anthropological study right there in that painting. It was beautiful. Richard bought it for me but Naomi wouldn’t let me take it when we left.”

“I take it that this isn’t just wanting the painting is it?”

“Well, that and I just what to say goodbye. I really loved him, Jim. He was like a father to me and I just want the chance to tell him that, in his home.”

Jim reached out and ruffled the young man’s hair. “Then, lets go get you a painting.”

Blair grinned up at his friend as they headed through the hallway of the luxurious mansion to the back room.

The room had been set up as an auction hall, but there were obvious signs that it had once been a library, although the books that had once lined the shelves had been removed.

Chairs had been lined up in rows facing a large white podium. The stand with a microphone stood before glass doors, which let in the early afternoon sun.

Already the seats were full with dozens of people waiting to bid. A man was moving towards the podium even as Jim found them two seats at the very back of the room.

“Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. I am Gerald Hennsay, Mr. Kinney’s lawyer. Before we begin the auction, I have been asked to explain Mr. Kinney’s reasons. Each of you was specifically invited to be here today due to your relationship with Mr. Kinney. Since he didn’t want to forget anyone in his will he decided this would be the best opportunity for you to get what you all deserved from his collection.

“His feelings for all of you ran deep and his last words were to wish you all well. Now… on to the auction.” He gestured to another man who brought out the first painting.

From Blair’s description, Jim could easily recognize the beach scene. The colours were indeed incredible but it was the insight the artist displayed through the faces of his subjects that caught Jim’s attention. It was a very interesting piece of artwork.

The auctioneer was trying to get the crowd to calm down. It was obvious from the calls that they wanted to see the Masters and didn’t want to be bothered with insignificant, unknown paintings.

Jim smiled as he realized that there wouldn’t be much bidding competition for his friend and they’d be able to get out of there early.

Finally the crowd clamed down enough for the auctioneer to speak.

“Do we have a starting bid for this painting?”

“Oh, come on. Don’t waste our time, man,” one businessman called out.

“Yeah, just get on to the good stuff,” another yelled.

“Get to the masters,” was the general cry.

“Please Ladies and Gentlemen. Let’s have a bid please.” The man at the podium persisted.

Again, before Blair had a chance to speak up, pandemonium reigned as complaints were issued in a cacophony of sound.

It took a couple of minutes before order was restored.

“I’ll bid one hundred for the painting.” Blair finally managed to call out.

“Thank you, sir. We have a bid for one hundred, do I hear two?” There was nothing. “Do we have two hundred for this painting?”

“Just give him the damn thing for two hundred and let’s move on.”

The auctioneer asked once more for another bid before finally he announced, “we have one hundred going once… twice… sold to the gentleman in the back for one hundred dollars.”

Jim could feel the excitement pouring off his friend.

“It’s mine, Jim. A little piece of my past is mine.” His whispered words reached Sentinel ears.

“All yours, Chief.” Jim watched as the painting and easel were removed and the Auctioneer closed the auction.

“What do you mean over. Where are the other paintings? The masters?” The question was echoed several times before Mr. Hennsay took the podium.

“Please, Ladies and Gentlemen. Let’s have order.” The noise level faded to muted whispers of displeasure but the crowd decided to listen.

“Mr. Kinney had a stipulation in his will that I was under orders not to reveal until now. He was quite clear on this point. The auction was to be over when this painting was sold. Whoever purchased the painting was to inherit the entire estate. Thank you for coming. That’s all.”

His words left the audience stunned but none more so than Blair Sandburg and Jim Ellison.

Jim turned to stare at Blair who stood, slack-jawed and mouth opened in astonishment. He was staring forward; eyes locked on the man whose simple statement had just changed his entire world.

*****

Blair still couldn’t believe he had heard correctly. He and Jim had been escorted to the study while security cleared out the house. He barely registered the noise as everyone left, nor did he hear Jim who was resting his hand gently on the shocked man’s shoulder.

Finally Hennsay reappeared. He took a seat behind the desk. Pulling papers from his briefcase, he turned a please expression to the dazed anthropologist.

“You must be Blair Sandburg.” He said with a chuckle of amusement. “Rick talked a lot about you. He followed your career very closely and was very proud of you.”

“He did?” Blair asked, still in shock.

“I have something for you.” Hennsay pushed a large manila envelope across the desk.

Numbly, Blair reached for it, casting a glance at Jim who nodded in encouragement. Blair felt a gentle squeeze on his shoulder and was immensely grateful for his friend’s presence.

Opening the envelope, he pulled out a soft cover book and a folded piece of paper.

The book held newspaper clippings, articles and other pieces of information regarding Blair’s scholarly accomplishments plus it held all the letters Blair had ever written Richard Kinney. He passed the book to Jim before unfolding the letter. The familiar handwriting blurred as tears filled his eyes at the words he read.

Dear Blair:

I wish we’d had more time together. I always regretted that. A card once a year was not enough but it was all I had. I know that you are not my son, but I always felt you were. Our adventures meant the world to me. I watched from afar as you grew and developed into a fine young man and I see so much of myself in you. That always made me so damn proud of the man you’d become.

Tracking you, feeling this pride for you from a distance was hard, but Naomi had made it clear when you left that I would not be welcome and I respected that. Please don’t be angry with her, she had your best interests in heart. Just know that I have loved you as my own son and I treasured every moment I had with you.

I know that inheriting my estate was not what you expected but I know of no one in the world who would appreciate the art and treasures I collected, much of which I did with you in mind. I wanted to give you one last thing, which would show how much I loved you.

Continue to make me proud, my son. Keep that generous heart and spirit. Don’t let life get you down and take care of that friend of yours. It is obvious that you two are close and it is about time. You deserve that kind of friendship.

Be well, My Son. I love you.

Richard

The tears fell unnoticed as Blair tried to re-read the letter. “He knew.” He whispered. “He knew and felt the same.”

“He loved you so much, Blair. He wanted you to know that. He wished he had been able to be more demonstrative of his affection for you but he was happy with what he had. Even from a distance, you brought him more happiness than he had ever known. And for that I am ever grateful.”

“You?”

“Richard and I were best friends, like brothers even. All those other people, who came today, hung around hoping for handouts, expecting something in return. But to Richard, you gave everything and never expected anything in return. He knew you would come to his invitation. He knew you would bid for the painting. He wanted everyone else to know that you were to get everything and that you were his choice. You were his son even if not by blood at least by choice. He hoped you would have felt the same.”

“I did. He always treated me like I was special, not like the others that Naomi went with. Richard made me feel important, he taught me so much and I am glad I brought him happiness. He gave me so much also.”

“He wanted to do this for you, Blair. I hope you will accept his gift. I know from what Richard said that this might be a little much for you to grasp all at once, but take some time, think about it. Let me know next week and I can begin the probate proceedings.”

“Thank you.” Blair rose and looked to Jim again. Blair had never been so grateful for the stoic man’s presence as he was right then. In one fell swoop his whole world had been flipped and yet the older man remained at his side giving him silent support.

“Come on, Chief,” he heard as Jim’s hand took his arm, “let’s go home.”

As they stepped outside, Blair looked around. Things had changed but everything still looked the same. Maybe it would all work out. After all, he had his best friend at his side. Everything else was just gravy.

‘Look out world,’ he thought with a smile, ‘I’m coming home.’

End