Stumped Part 1

The boardroom was filled with the normal bunch of corporate hangers-on and consultants.

Then Tom caught sight of a wheelchair and then when someone moved, he saw the young man sitting in the chair.

Tom’s body shook, the man had no legs and was missing an arm. What type of accident could have caused this, Tom thought, as his boss came by and in doing so moved to introduce the wheelchair man to Tom.

“Tom Smith this is David Frenchman” his boss said with the kind of way that he had for introducing people. It was a skill he envied.

Tom smiled and the man smiled back, slightly ill at ease.

“David is here to work on the tunnel project with the engineering team.” Tom’s boss said cheerily and then moved away leaving Tom with the man in the wheelchair.

“Hi! I am David!” The wheelchair man said holding out his remaining hand.

“Tom…” Tom answered.

“Before you ask ..and everyone does even when they try to avoid it …it was an accident a couple of years ago.” David said with a shrug.

Tom tried not to stare at the David’s two leg stumps but he caught David’s eye.

“Tom, don’t worry it is normal. Most people seem fascinated. I sort of understand why …”

Tom found himself chatting easily with this man. He had a winning smile and despite the obvious difficulties imposed by his condition David seemed at ease with himself and his body.

“You know without the help of my specialist I would never have comes to terms with my body.” David said smiling, “…he’s such a great guy….”

Tom spent the rest of the party talking with David. He still found looking at David’s stumped body disquieting. On one hand he was disturbed and on the other he intrigued by the idea of having no legs or arm.

Then David suggested something unexpected. “I am having lunch with my specialist tomorrow …why don’t you join us?”.

Tom couldn’t decide but David was insistent so the next day he found himself unexpectedly not at a restaurant but at the specialist’s office.

“Tom, this is Dr. Reynolds. He is orthopaedic surgeon and spiritual trainer”.

Tom looked across the room at the tall, distinguished grey haired man who greeted them as they entered his office. He offered Tom a seat and he sat down on a surprisingly hard chair across the desk of the doctor.

The office was sparse, brightly lit, white and almost clinical. There were no papers on the doctor’s desk only one blue folder and a computer. The doctor’s white coat blending with the surroundings

Tom was uncertain what David meant by “spiritual trainer” but was impressed by the firm handshake and calm smile of the Doctor and David seemed to be living proof of the Doctor’s ability to help disabled people.

“David tells me that you had a pleasant Tome last evening at your company cocktail party. I am pleased. David needs to get out more to social events. It has been quite a while since his accident and he doesn’t seem to be socialising as much as we would like.”

The doctor’s words instantly put Tom at ease and were somehow instantly calming. His quiet voice almost ethereal. Tom began to understand how the doctor had helped his patients, not what he said by how he said it.

Tom had to almost pinch himself, he seemed to be drifting off as the doctor talked on about David’s accident and the aftermath. Somehow he wasn’t hearing what was said. His eyes could barely say open. He found himself drifting mentally. Images of his arms and legs wnet through his mind. Images of pain and other sensations floated into his mind.

“Well that just about it …” Reynolds said finally.

Tom jolted back to consciousness. He felt weird, disoriented.

“Doctor I think Tom is not feeling well.” David said grabbing Tom’s arm.

Tom tried to stand. He couldn’t. Somehow his mind could not activate his body.

“It is alright Tom. We understand.” Reynolds said in his calming voice.

“David why don’t you leave Tom with us.” Reynolds said and David wheeled his chair to the door and left the room.

“Now Tom, you know what must be done don’t you.” Tom nodded. “What do you think has to happen?”

“Doctor I have trouble with my legs and arms. They seem to be unable to work.” Tom answered, almost robotically.

“I know Tom. They are a dead weight. What do you think should happen?” Reynolds said in his quietly disconcerting way.

“Doctor Reynolds, I think we should cut them off to save my life?” Tom found himself saying.

“Tom, it is the only solution.” Reynolds smiled at him.

Reynolds pressed a buzzer under his desk. The door opened and two male nurses entered. They lifted Tom from his chair and carried him between them out of Reynolds office.

******

Tom drifted sleepily into consciousness. He felt wonderful. He could not understand why. There was some discomfort. His body ached and his head throbbed a little but that was all.

But he was so happy. He was free.

Reynolds smiled gently as he looked at his latest patient.

It had gone well, no complications. Tom had given up his arms, legs and he was sure Tom’s testicles would be amongst the best he had ever taken.

So now Tom lay in the bed in front of him ready for stage two ……ready to move to the basement.

To be continued …