Chapter 51 : The Playing Of Dangerous Games

The Rawsone Residence, Denver, Colorado...

The game had finally gotten underway and everyone seemed to be having a good time that attended, well almost everyone as Julia Rawsone was busy watching her lover and her husband like a hawk. Waiting for any signs that Gary would overstep his bounds and admit to their affair and possibly bring the entire party to ruin. Ann observed her daughter with a suspicious eye and wondered what had suddenly made her so standoffish when it came to Gary, he was after all Hadrian's best friend and the chosen godfather to her twin daughters. Julia made light of her annoyance and simply passed off Ann's concerns about her as "reading too much into things". Of course, Ann wasn't in the least deterred. Hadrian on the other hand seemed to enjoy having his best friend back in his orbit.

The two of them laughed and joked about it like it was old times. Julia thought for a moment that it would have been nice if it was, she wouldn't have to battle with so much guilt and worry over what would happen if her husband had ever found out how she set out to hurt him. Hadrian for the most part seemed to just be glad that he was once more among friends and family. Maureen smiled when she saw him relaxed for the first time in weeks and just as sly and charming as he'd been before his unfortunate situation.

"Hey Reen," he said approaching her with a cup of red fruit punch.

"Hadrian," said Maureen with a smile. "It's good to see you enjoying life again."

"And I have you to thank for it," he replied with a smile of his own. "I can't tell you how much your help has been invaluable to me."

"Glad to hear it," she replied. "So this party was a good idea..."

"Something like that," replied Hadrian amused. "Had to blow off some steam some way and game day was on the way."

"Just remember not to get too worked up," warned Maureen.

"Alright "Mom", I'll take it easy." Hadrian made his way over toward Julia who had been attempting to evade her mother's line of questioning in the kitchen while everyone else had been outside.

"This party is getting underway," he said pleased by the experience. "And I have two very lovely ladies to thank for it."

Hadrian kissed his mother-in-law on the cheek and walked over toward his wife, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her close to kiss her on the lips. Ann smiled always delighting in the show of affection between her daughter and son-in-law.

In her eyes, they couldn't have been more than perfect for one another. Unlike most people who had known them, Ann Renwald was privy to a good deal about her son-in-law and daughter's relationship even from the very beginning.

"Jasper didn't burn the food this time did he?" asked Ann making conversation.

"Not this time." replied Hadrian with a sly smile "I'm making sure of it."

"Then you'd better head on back out there...he's been by himself for well over five minutes." chimed Julia.

Hadrian smirked and kissed his wife on the lips once more.

"You know I love you don't you Mrs. Rawsone?" he asked meeting her gaze with a serious expression.

"And I love you Mr. Rawsone," replied Julia meaning everything she said before they kissed a final time and Hadrian went back outside.

Ann was pleased to see them getting on so well.

"See Mom, nothing to worry about," said Julia as she continued with her cooking and arrangements for the party.

She had spoken too soon of course as Gary Sanders was within earshot and had witnessed the little exchange between her and Hadrian. She could tell by the look on his face he was none too pleased but he knew the risks of coming to the party in the first place and that she had not wanted anything to upset Hadrian due to his condition.

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

Later....

Following kick-off and several rounds of yelling, drinking, and eating up a storm, the party traveled outside following a well-earned win on the part of the Jets, much to Gary's chagrin. Hadrian was ecstatic and even rushed to the phone when Sam called to confirm they were watching the same game. The men had the idea that since they were so amped up from the game to play a bit of football of their own in the backyard. Initially, Julia had been against it until the men managed to convince her the children would be playing and no real harm would be done.

Gary had been the mastermind behind the idea, for old time's sake of course but Julia knew better as he got the men all rallied up for a game, Hadrian especially.

Maureen, Ann, and Julia were skeptical about the promise of roughhousing, but the men insisted they had everything well in hand.

Larry, Hadrian, and Jasper made one team. Gary, Alex the neighbor, and Porter from work, made up the opposing team.

One of each kid seemed to pick a side despite not actively playing with the men on the grass.

Naturally, the team's names were The Jets and The Bears.

Julia had not normally been so concerned but given Hadrian's condition as of late it was no telling how this game would go and the bonus of Gary possibly showing off due to being enraged by her affection for her husband was also in the forefront of her mind.

The Rawsones had a rather large backyard with an even larger brown fence and a swimming pool on the property and if one wasn't careful they could end up falling into the water, it proved to be yet another reason Julia had been so against the game in the first place. Hadrian waved off her concerns and headed out with the rest of the men.

The game got underway and as soon as it did, all promise of not roughhousing had gone with it as the competitive spirit began to take over the fun of the game. Gary was determined to show up to Hadrian on his home field so to speak and Hadrian had been quite competitive when it came to sports despite not playing any in high school.

He had always been a fan of football though even then.

A few plays in, Gary's team saw their way to tackling Hadrian and Maureen's husband for real instead of tagging as they promised. Although they didn't bother tackling Jasper due to him being an older man.

Julia became upset when a particularly nasty exchange happened when Gary threw the ball and Hadrian went to catch it while Gary quickly rushed him and caused him to hit the ground hard and drop the ball.

Hadrian grew quite upset but refused to back down as the evident bruising and illegal blows began to take place.

Despite the serious tone, Hadrian and his team were only a score away from winning, much because Julia had been anxious and declared the next point game over no matter who had obtained it.

Once again Hadrian and Gary were in the thick of it, wrestling for the ball when a solid throw sent the ball sailing back toward the pool. Gary who had been racing Hadrian for it pushed his friend in the name of "tackling" him and Hadrian lost his balance and fell into the pool.

"HADRIAN!" shouted Julia rushing to get toward them without a thought about whether it had been a prank of some sort or not.

What Gary had not known was that Hadrian froze at the sight of the water as he was falling and couldn't move even if he wanted to. It was a strange thing to be going for the ball as something of a horrific flash came over him and he tumbled into the pool unable to stop himself.

Gary got a big laugh out of the ordeal and everyone else did too until it was clear that Hadrian wasn't getting back to the surface for a while. Julia was furious as she rushed over toward the pool and Gary unsure what had happened did the same as he rushed passed her and dived down to the bottom and caught Hadrian before he drowned and pulled him back to the surface.

Everyone had fallen silent as they watched Gary pull what appeared to have been an unconscious Hadrian Rawsone from the pool as Julia and everyone else looked on horrified. Gary himself was shocked to see Hadrian in the fits of what appeared to have been a nonepileptic seizure once he'd been pulled from the depths of the pool.

"Hadrian!" said Julia dropping to her knees beside her ailing husband.

Everyone was shocked that Hadrian was indeed having a seizure. Almost immediately, Julia took charge of the event ordering people to bring her a towel, and water and to clear the way so he could breathe.

"Hadrian....can you hear me?" she asked softly stroking his water-slick forehead. "Dren you have to wake up...please can you wake up...open your eyes for me..."

The children did not know what to say as they were pulled into the house against their will.

"Dren?" said Julia as tears began to stream down her cheeks. "Dren I love you now open your eyes."

Hadrian's body convulsed and she did her best to prevent him from biting his tongue as she held him down while everyone watched. Gary appeared to have been terrified as he watched the scene unfold. Initially, he had no idea how sick his friend truly was and only goaded him out of jealousy.

"Dren...please," said Julia unable to keep the tears from coming.

It seemed as if everyone in attendance was holding their collective breath as Hadrian Rawsone finally began to come around. He seemed out of sorts as Julia stroked his face and kissed him repeatedly, grateful that he'd been alive.

Hadrian was confused for a few moments before looking up at Julia.

"Jules?" he said his voice weak from the water.

"It's okay," said Julia softly. "You're safe now."

"What...what happened?" he asked still confused.

"You fell into the pool and nearly drowned," said Alex.

"More like Gary pushed him," growled Maureen.

"No," said Hadrian with a bit of difficulty. "Gary missed...I...couldn't stop....and my body froze...and the next thing I knew I was underwater."

Alex and Jasper helped Hadrian to his feet at the behest of Julia who had narrowed her eyes at Gary.

Once Hadrian was taken into the house she slapped Gary across the face and kicked him out.

"I told you he wasn't well," said Julia furious. "And you had to go and push things."

"Julie I had no idea that he was that sick." pleaded Gary. "I never meant for..."

"GET OUT!" growled Julia before she too entered the house and saw to them getting Hadrian cleaned up.

Sensing the party was not at an official end, everyone else began to leave. Gary included after he chatted with Julia.

Hadrian was taken upstairs and put to bed while Julia set to work cleaning the house alone. Julia checked on Hadrian around the clock but his headache and inability to remain awake had gotten the better of him and he drifted off to sleep.

Once Julia finished cleaning the house, she decided it would be best to turn it in for the evening as well.