The Last Laugh

Chapter 15 - The Change

***

I woke up the next morning to find a man in suit and tie by me. I sat up.

"Good morning, Sheridan. How did you sleep?" the man asked.

"Um, well."

"Okay. Good to know. I'm Dr. James. Victor's doctor. Here to help. Do still feel pain all over your body?"

"Not really. Uncle Victor gave me pain killers and a little pomade to put on the wounds and bruises."

"I can see the wounds are dried up. And the bruises?"

"They don't hurt anymore. Though they're still there."

"Don't worry everything will be okay. Now I have to treat your knee."

"Okay."

He stood up and opened his briefcase before taking out some medical utensils from it. I was surprised.

"You're gonna treat me here?"

"Yeah." the man said amused, "Why go to a hospital when your uncle can get you his doctor to treat

you at home."

This was too cool.

"Okay." I leaned back and allowed the man to do his job.

Some minutes later, after a medical knee massage, other stuff and a checkup, the doctor was done.

He'd wrapped my knee up.

Uncle Victor's fiancee, Laury, came in and approached us. She smiled at me.

"Good morning, Sheridan. How did you sleep?"

"Quite well." I smiled back. She then turned to the doctor.

"So doctor, what about his knee?" she asked.

"Luckily it isn't dislocated like you thought."

"Really?"

"Yes. But it's badly hurt. Buy rub. One of the strongest. Use it to massage his knee everyday. By the

end of this week. He'll be okay."

Thank goodness!

"Oh, that's good news." Laury said.

"Yes, it is. Now my work done, I'll leave."

We told the doctor goodbye and he left.

"Where's uncle Victor?" I asked.

"Gone to work dear."

"At my dad's company?" I asked. She smiled.

"Yes."

"Will he take me one day to see it??"

"You'll ask him, okay?"

"Okay."

She smiled. She had a very beautiful smile and she was beautiful herself. Her and uncle Victor made a

beautiful couple. She was twenty five and he thirty two.

"I made breakfast. Bacon eggs and everything nice."

I smiled stupidly. I was hungry.

"Really??"

She giggled.

"Yup. Go shower. After you eat I'll go buy you some clothes."

"Thank you. Very much."

"Sure dear. You deserve it. It's thanks to your dad that Victor is this successful. We're thankful."

I smiled. She smiled back and left the room. I got up and limped my way to my traveling bag that I'd

brought along. I took out a towel and some clothes that still fit me. I'd outgrown most of my clothes in

only a year and a half. Since my dad's death, I'd grown taller and slightly different. Probably puberty

starting like Christina had said.

I then made my way to the bath to shower. Even the bathroom was big and beautiful.

***

After one heavy and delicious breakfast, I and Laury got into her awesome car and drove off.

"Do you work?" I asked her while we drove through the beautiful city of California.

"Yeah."

"What do you do?"

"I own a spa."

"You work in a spa or you own one??"

"I own one."

"Wow! How?? You're too young!"

She laughed.

"It belonged to my mom. She died and gave it to me."

"Cool!"

She laughed.

Laury took me to a mall. I had never been to a mall in my life. In my hometown we had mostly thrift

shops and little shops. I looked around me in awe. It was some sort of indoor town. I could get lost.

She took me to where clothes were sold. She bought me a lot of cool stuff with her own money. I only

had sandals and boots adapted to the environment of Barnsville. She bought me sneakers. Lots of cool

sneakers. I was so thankful.

After a long day, on our way back home, she bought two pizzas and ice cream. She was awesome! I

had a wonderful day. And plus, we were gonna eat pizza that night.

*

At Nine that night, uncle Victor returned and I told him about my great day with Laury. He was glad for

me. After he'd changed, we all gathered round good pizza and a movie.

I asked him when he could take me to go see my dad's company and he promised that he would make

me visit at the end of the week. I was all excited and impatient.

***

The first week passed and a lot happened. Uncle Victor was busy making new papers for me and

finally didn't get time to take me visiting.

Once that first week passed and I had all my new papers done, I started school not as Sheridan

Wesley but as Ace Stonewall. Uncle Victor was able to negotiate with my new school and they put me

in the class I was supposed to be in at that age. 8th grade.

I didn't really have problems adapting to the new system. It was easy for me. I was glad to have

resumed school. It was hard in the beginning when at times my classmates or the teacher would call

me Ace but I wouldn't answer because I was always forgetting it was my new identity. But with time, I

got used to the name.

One day, uncle Victor returned earlier than usual from work. It was about 1pm when he returned. We

were surprised.

"Why are you back early?" Laury asked. I was home cause it was a Saturday.

He looked at his fiancee and dropped his briefcase on the table.

"I left my job."

His words seemed to be part of my imagination.

"You what??" Laury asked.

"I quitted."

"Why??"

"Put on the TV. News. You'll know why."

Laury and I looked at him in confusion. She picked up the remote and put on the TV. We listened to the

news report. They showed a very big company with the the initials "P.W" in big letters at the top of the

building.

It was my dad's company. The reporter then spoke:

"Here we are in California in front of the biggest dairy products company in the state belonging to

apparently late Paul Wesley, or which once belonged to the late Paul Wesley. That's right people, the

company is now in the hands of a woman named Christina Welds, wife of also late Kenneth Welds, Mr

Wesley's closest friend."

A picture of Christina appeared onscreen. I felt my stomach twist and my throat go bitter as the bad

memories of the ranch returned.

"She arrived Los Angeles with her daughters a week ago claiming that Mr Paul Wesley had signed all

his property to her to keep till his son was grown enough to take over. But according to her, the little

boy had disappeared weeks ago and after thorough search to no avail, he was proclaimed dead by the

Sheriff of the town. As you might understand, Christina Welds is the new head of all Wesley dairy

Products and all Wesley property."

Laury switched off the TV. I felt a lump in my throat. I felt awful. Hatred. My hatred increased on the

spot. Christina would regret.

"I can't believe this." Laury was as shocked and upset as me.

"Now you know why I quitted. I'm not gonna be that witch's personal assistant."

I looked at him.

"But how will you do, uncle Victor?"

"Don't worry, son. I've been investing in another successful company to become co-manager. I'm

already gaining enough profit from the investment."

"O- okay."

"I'm sorry, buddy. You won't be visiting your dad's company no more."

I was sad but I knew what was better. I couldn't take the risk of letting Christina know I was still alive. I

just couldn't. It was after hearing the bad news that everything changed.

******

Writer's POV:

Sheridan began to study even more, determined to graduate with the best of results. Years soon

passed, Sheridan grew up to become a very handsome teenager. Victor and Laury had gotten married

when Sheridan had turned thirteen and Victor's investment in the other company brought him a lot of

profits that enabled him to start his own business that flourished.

Until the age of Eighteen, Sheridan was known by all as Ace. He was popular without making efforts.

He had completely changed as he grew up with the traumatising memories of High Meadows. It turned

him into a quiet and mysterious person. He was always thinking and on his own. He didn't approach

people. People approached him, forcing contact and friendship. Other than that, he was friendly when

you got to know him well. He talked less but was loved by all, teachers like students. He went from the

joyful talkative little boy to a quiet and charismatic young man who didn't smile much.

He graduated from highschool at eighteen with excellent results.

At that age he'd become independent. When he started his first year in the university, he got the news

that Victor was affected to Canada and had to go along with his wife and child. Yes, victor and Laury

had a girl.

It was hard to say goodbye to the good people who'd raised him but he had no choice.

Before leaving, Victor left him with more than enough money in his bank account.

"Use it wisely. Finish your studies and get back what is rightfully yours. Call me if ever you need my

help." Victor had said.

"I will."

"And come visit us in Canada soon."

"Of course, uncle. Thank you so much uncle Victor. Without you I won't be here today."

"No problem, son. Was the least I could do for you."

He hugged his uncle one last time.

"Take care, buddy."

After Victor packed out, he left his house in California in Sheridan's hands. It was his for the keeping.

Sheridan left university and made four years in a professional college. He graduated at the age of

Twenty two with a Master's degree in Management.