Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2006 17:13:00 -0400
From: Miguel Sanchez <miguel_sanchez55@hotmail.com>
Subject: Julio - The Growing Years Ch. 13

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Copyright Miguel Sanchez 2006

Julio -- The Growing Years

Chapter 13

Once he was settled in his dorm, I took him around and showed him some of
the places I had classes and found a few that no longer existed due to
expansion. I took him over to the School of Medicine and showed him where I
received my education. I guess I was trying to sell him on going there but
it was going to be his decision. It was getting late and I still had a five
hour drive ahead of me so we said our farewells and I headed home to my
smaller household.

When I got home Ronnie was watching television and I put my hand on his
shoulder saying, "How ya doing son?"

"I'm OK Dad," he said looking lost. "At least I start school Monday. I can't
wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas now. I didn't think I'd miss him like
this."

"I know son," I said sitting beside him. "But you've known he wanted to be a
doctor for a long time."

"Oh I know that Dad," Ronnie said. "And I want him to, but I miss him. I
didn't think it would hit me so hard."

"I'm sure once you've gotten into your studies it will be a little easier
son," I said patting his knee.

"Alight Dad," he said trying to convince himself I was right. "I'm sure
there will be enough to keep me busy."

Ronnie started classes on Monday while Steven and Angel started their junior
year the following week.

Ronnie threw himself into his studies while Jay was having a fairly easy
time of his first year. At UVA, Marco decided to take a full load so he
could graduate a year ahead of schedule.

After he got into his routine, Ronnie started missing Jay again. Every
evening, they were on the phone for at least two hours. Jay was home as
often as he could on the weekends and soon, he was getting ready for exams
before the Christmas break.

Ronnie was cruising along in at school and I have to tip my hat to Angel and
Steven for keeping him occupied. The days were counting down for him when
his lover would be returning home and his loneliness was really beginning to
show. I'd spoken with Marco about his plans for the holidays and he said he
was going to go to Brazil to see Paulo.

The day finally arrived, none to soon for Ronnie, when Jay returned. Ronnie
and the others were still in class when Jay arrived so we had a chance to
talk before he was dragged off to his room. "So how goes college life son?"
I asked as he fixed himself something to drink.

"Not like high school," Jay responded as he sipped his tea.

I laughed at the comment, "You mean you actually have to study?"

"Very funny Dad," he said setting his glass down. "While it's just us here,
I want to show you what I found for Ronnie."

Jay went down to the bedroom and came back with a long thin box. He sat back
down then opened it reveling a beautiful gold necklace. Hung in the center
was a hand crafted pendant that said "#1 Chef." I gasped as I saw the
craftsmanship then said, "Oh son that's gorgeous. I'm sure he's going to
love that."

"I know he will. He'd been looking at the ones we'd gotten for Steven and
you so I decided to get this one made. I had a few other ideas in mind for
pendants but I wanted him to be able to wear it all the time."

"Good idea son. I have a few ideas but glad you went with the chef."

We were talking when I heard the garage door open. I looked at the clock and
I knew I would be stampeded when Ronnie came in and saw his mate sitting
there. "Baby," Ronnie hollered as soon as he saw his brother sitting there.

I ducked out of the way of the incoming Ronnie so he could hug and kiss his
lover. I saw tears coming down Jay's face which let me know he too had
missed his lover. "Oh God baby, it's so good to see you," Jay said.

I stood back out of the way and let the two of them have their reunion. "If
you two want some time alone, I suggest you get it now before your brother
and sister get home," I suggested.

"That's OK Dad," Jay said smiling. "I think that can wait until we're alone
tonight."

Ronnie looked a little disappointed then said, "Yeah, I don't want to rush
things. Class is finished until after the new year."

"So Dad," Jay started. "What's our older brother's plans?"

"He's going to Recife over the holidays to be with Paulo," I said. "He's
informed me he's going to carry a heavy load so he can graduate in 3 years."

"I think he's crazy Dad," Jay said shaking his head. "But if anyone can do
it, he can."

No sooner had Jay finished his statement when the door burst open and my two
youngest came running in to see their brother. I ducked again as two teenage
missiles were incoming with their sights set on Jay.

Ronnie got out of his school clothes and went into the kitchen and started
preparing a special dinner for his brother. He took a whole chicken out of
the refrigerator and put it in a warm bath to bring it to room temperature.
He then made a rub he learned in school. He quickly made some biscuits and
had them rising as he fixed some scalloped potatoes and steamed some fresh
green beans. By six, we were all sitting down to a delicious meal prepared
by our own gourmet chef.

Steven and Angel cleaned up the kitchen and put the leftover biscuits in the
breadbox for breakfast in the morning as Ronnie made a pot of Earl Grey tea.
We all sat and talked and let our dinner digest. By eight, the kids started
going their own ways with Steven and Angel heading to her room while Jay and
Ronnie went into theirs.

It was hard watching my children grow. I can remember when they would be
cuddled on my lap watching television until it was time for bed. I knew in
another short 18 months, my youngest son would be leaving the house heading
off to college. I was glad now that Angel decided not to go to college but I
would try to talk her into continuing her education at our local community
college. I sat back and watched an old holiday classic on television then
got ready for bed.

The next couple of days flew by as the five of us got the house decorated
for holidays. Ronnie busied himself in the kitchen making an assortment of
Christmas cookies and other sweets that would make me exercise until the
next holiday season. Christmas Eve found us at Midnight Mass with all of us
giving thanks to our creator for bringing four wonderful children onto the
face of the earth.

After the kids went to bed, I got to play Santa and put some surprise gifts
I had bought for each of them under the tree. Later that morning I was
awakened with the smells of cooking. I hurried out into the kitchen after
putting my sweatpants on when it suddenly hit me that Luiz wasn't with us.

He'd been dead now for over 5 years but I never really had the chance to
grieve for him. The children needed me so that took priority. Jay fixed me a
cup of coffee as I sat down and gazed towards what was once his room. I
started drinking my coffee then the tears of five years came gushing out.
Angel was the first to notice me crying and she came over and put her arms
around me saying, "What's wrong Daddy?"

I shook my head telling her nothing then went over to Luiz's old room. We
had removed his clothes and some of his things but this was still "HIS"
room. It had been since the first day we moved here. I sat on the bed and
just took in all that was his. I could remember everything from that first
day we moved into this house.

He moved and changed the kitchen at least a dozen times before it was
finally the way he wanted it. I tried cooking something once and he liked to
have chased me out for almost destroying one of his favorite skillets. The
only other person I can remember being allowed into his scared haven was
Ronnie. He had proven to Luiz that he knew his way around a kitchen and had
the desire to continue to learn. I knew he would be proud to see him
continue his love of food with his masterful creations.

I sat in there for a good hour until I finally felt at peace. Even with all
the times I've visited his grave, this seemed to bring some closure to his
absence. As I headed towards the door, I took one last look around then
said, "Rest in peace my friend. I'll miss you always but you will always be
in my heart."

I closed the door and came back to the kitchen. The kids were finishing
their breakfast as Ronnie said, "I saved you some Dad. Are you ready to
eat?"

I went around and gave each of my children a special hug and kiss then said,
"Yes son, thank you for saving it."

"Daddy, what was wrong before?" Angel asked. "Why were you crying?"

I took a forkful of eggs then said, "Dad was just missing someone we all
loved sweetheart."

"Uncle Luiz?" Ronnie asked.

"Uh huh," I smiled. "I guess it all hit me today. I never really grieved and
let him go before now."

"Are you OK Dad?" Jay asked.

"I'm fine now son," I said leaning over and kissing him on the cheek.

After we ate, we went into the living room and Angel was the first to notice
that there were more gifts now than when they went to bed. There were gifts
to all of them signed "From Santa" and they all said, "From Santa, huh Dad?"

"That's right," I said smiling. "Look at the cards."

I would get each of them clothing items they needed or wanted, after talking
with the others first, and put that from Santa. I got Angel a new bathrobe
and slippers that she'd had her eyes on for a few months. Steven had had his
eye on a couple pairs of jeans that were the rage in school. Ronnie and Jay
were a little easier as they each had been looking at sweaters. Jay had been
dropping hints that he wanted one with the Duke University logo on it so I
was able to buy one over the phone and they shipped it to me.

For their big gifts, Jay and Ronnie had talked about wanting to spend the
summer in Receife working in the hospital and I thought it was commendable.
I made arrangements for them to spend a month working there and Paulo said
they must stay with him so he could spend time getting to know them.

Steven and Angel were really difficult to find something special. Since they
hadn't planned a date for their wedding, I decided to let them get married
before Steven left for college the following year. The big thing was their
wedding present from Dad. I would send them on a two week honeymoon cruise
in their own suite complete with butler. The only thing was, now what do I
get them next year.

The kids spent the time off visiting with friends and we even took a few
days and went up to Williamsburg. Marco surprised us by coming back just
before New Years. Ronnie started doing a menu but I decided to take everyone
out for a nice dinner out on New Years Eve. After dinner, we came home and I
broke out a bottle of champagne and we had a toast as the ball dropped. Jay
and Ronnie invited Marco to sleep with them that night and I'm sure they all
had a special welcome for the New Year.

For New Years Day, Ronnie slow cooked a prime rib of beef. Once that was
done, he'd timed it perfectly so when that was standing, he put desert in to
bake. With the desert going, he removed the baked sweet potatoes and the
asparagus and artichoke heart casserole.

Ronnie started carving the prime rib when the buzzer went off on the desert.
He opened the oven door and took out a water bath containing 6 individual
chocolate mousses. He took them out of the water bath and set them on a
platter then refrigerated them until after dinner.

Once that was done, he returned to carving the roast. Angel and Steven
helped bring the food into the dining room while I uncorked a nice bottle of
red wine. Ronnie served the meat while the vegetables were passed around.
Steven served us our baked sweet potato then it was time for a feast. Twenty
minutes later, there wasn't a scrap of food left except for the remaining
prime rib in the kitchen.

Marco and Jay had dish duty while the rest of us relaxed and let Ronnie's
succulent meal digest. About an hour later, Ronnie brought in a pot of tea
and the desert. I thought to myself, `If only Luiz was here now to enjoy
this. He would be so proud of what Ronnie was accomplishing.'

We savored each spoonful of mousse as if it were our last. "Oh son," I said.
"This is magnificent. You should be very proud of yourself."

"Thanks Dad," Ronnie said finishing off his desert. "I hope I didn't make it
too formal for everyone."

Marco looked at him and said, "Bro, with food like that, you can be as
formal as you want. I loved it man, you have a great future ahead of you."

Ronnie collected our dishes then kissed Marco on the cheek as he stopped and
pick up his. It was getting late and Marco and Jay had to pack to leave to
return to their respective schools because classes started on the third.

The school year passed quickly and soon, Jay was home for the summer. Ronnie
was once again in heaven with his lover home. It was mid July when Steven
came to me and said, "Dad, you know I want to be a vet."

"Yes son. I remember you telling me."

"Well, is there a school near us that has a vet school?"

"There is Virginia Tech in Blacksburg."

"Could I do everything there?"

"Sure you can. Look at Jay and Marco. They plan on continuing on to Medical
School when they graduate."

Steven was thinking then asked, "Is there any others?"

I thought then said, "I think there is one in North Carolina. I think NC
State has one. You might want to apply to both in case for some reason
you're not accepted into one."

"When should I start doing that?"

"You can start doing that about Christmas time, I suppose. Getting into the
universities shouldn't be a problem son. You've already got the credits to
graduate. I know you're looking to try to get a few college courses out of
the way now. Once you're seeing how you're doing in those, they would look
good on your application too. I know you scored 1575 on your SAT's so that
will look good also."

"Thanks Dad," Steven said as he headed back to his room.

Birthdays were really getting harder and harder now that all my kids were
becoming adults. I know it was taking the easy way out but I gave each of
them a card with $1,000 in it. I was hugged and kissed just like I would
have been if I had gotten them new cars.

I got status reports from Ronnie and Jay as to how things were going in
Receife when they returned. The AIDS clinic was running at about 80% which
given the current climate with the disease and the children's apprehension
to seek help was more than I'd expected. The children's medical clinic and
wing was another story. It was running at less than 25% and there was
absolutely no reason for that.

I decided that I might have to make a trip down there if things didn't
improve after the phone calls I was going to make. The head of that wing was
getting a stipend from the foundation and if children had to be admitted to
the hospital, his fees weren't going to drop. I didn't want to think that he
was turning away sick and needy children based on his salary.

I called my friend Judge Romero and asked if he could look into the goings
on at the clinic for me and he said that he would be glad to. He also told
me that he was planning on retiring from the bench within the next couple of
years. "So who will be replacing you?" I asked hoping it would be someone I
could build a rapport with.

"I don't know yet my friend," he said giggling. "I haven't announced my
plans to retire yet."

"I see," I said sitting back in my chair. "I just hope your replacement is
someone who shares the visions you have for the children there. I would hate
to have to fight with him or be forced into circumventing him all together."

"I don't think that will be the case," Judge Romero said. "I know a couple
of the people that would be considered for my bench and they are both good
people. One is the brother of the man who adopted Marco."

"Really," I said. "I wasn't aware Paulo had a brother."

"I think they are estranged for some reason," Romero said. "I'm not sure
why. They are both excellent lawyers. I think it might have been the paths
they each took. Paulo went the corporate law route while Javier served the
public."

"That's a shame," I said. "Marco would love to get to know his uncle. Maybe
there will be a way for them to meet sometime."

"That would be a wonderful thing to happen, Miguel," the judge said. "I'm
sure he would love to meet and get to know his nephew."

I hung up from talking with my friend then started wondering how things were
really going in Receife. I didn't want to have to travel there because it
was always so damned depressing. If things didn't change and soon, it was
looking like I would have no choice.

My thoughts were interrupted when my kids came home from spending some time
with their friends before Jay had to head back off to school.

The next thing I knew it was Christmas time and Marco again went home to
Brazil. I wasn't sure what I was going to do for my kids this year because
there hadn't been much they said they wanted. I guess I was going to have to
try to come up with something imaginative.

To be continued