Date: Tue, 06 Apr 2004 02:46:28 +0200
From: Adrie van Dijk <ganymedes62@hotmail.com>
Subject: Passing through Stone Chapter 6

The following story is fictional. Any similarity with actual events and
persons is purely accidental and unintentional. The central theme of the
story is the relationship between an adult male and a teenage boy. If you
don't like such stories or if you're not allowed to read them, please exit
this page.

I do try to answer all e-mails I get, so feel free to fill me in on your
thoughts about it.

Please be aware that, even though this story is fictional, there are indeed
a lot of street kids out in the real world. If you are in a position to help
them, then please do so. There are lots of charities all over the world that
help out these kids, they need your support.


Passing through Stone

Chapter 6.

I pushed the door open a bit further and peaked inside. My heart
jumped as I was presented with a sight that I was sure would stay with
me for the rest of my life. There, in the middle of the bed, lay Boris,
sleeping, with his arms around his brothers who flanked him like two
little angels. Their faces looked so peaceful, as the three of them clang
to each other. I slowly backed away and closed the door as silently as
possible. Then I went into the kitchen to make coffee and tea ready.

When I was just halfway through my first cup of coffee the door to the
bedroom opened up. Through it came Boris, yawning, with the twins
hot on his tail, still wiping the sleep from their eyes. I told Boris tea
was ready in the kitchen, but he first came towards me and kissed me
full on the lips, the twins followed, giving me each a kiss on my
cheek. They giggled a bit as I hadn't shaved yet and the day's growth
on my cheek must have tickled them. I tousled the hair of each of
them before they got away from me and followed Boris into the
kitchen.

As we all were settled in the living room Boris explained to me that
the twins had come into our bedroom during the night. They had
woken him up and had asked if they could sleep with us. As he was
afraid I might get angry about it, he had decided to sleep with them in
their bed instead.

"Why do you think I would get angry?"

Boris just shrugged and I realized he was probably as insecure about
everything as I was. Only a little earlier I had been afraid that he and
his brothers had packed up and left. He was afraid that he might do
something to upset me and that I would stop loving him because of it.

I pulled him close to me.

"I love you Boris. I will always love you no matter what. And you
don't have to be afraid that you'll make me angry, I don't think it will
ever happen. And I love Pavel and Pjotr too. Not like I love you, but
like they were my sons or my very little brothers. Do you
understand?"

Boris slightly nodded.

"When I woke up this morning and you weren't in bed I got afraid
too. When I couldn't find you here or in the kitchen I got really
scared. I thought you and Pavel and Pjotr had gone and left me alone."

"O no, I never leave you. I love you," he said, while an affronted look
crossed his face. I smiled at him, as I combed his hair with my fingers.
Then his bright smile reappeared and he gave me a fierce hug. "I
understand," he whispered, and I knew he did. Then the twins
surprised me by joining us, one hugging me, the other one hugging
Boris. Another Kodak moment, it flashed through my mind.

After the group hug it was time to hit the shower and get dressed. We
would have to go out for breakfast as the refrigerator was near empty.
I also had some other shopping planned, but I thought it would be best
to just surprise the boys with that. So a little over an hour later we
were on the streets again, looking for a place to have a decent
breakfast. We came across a nice looking cafeteria, walked in and
took our seats at one of the tables. When one of the waiters came over
I told him we would like to order some breakfast. He smiled at me, but
then said something in Rumanian to Boris and the twins, which made
them blush furiously and they looked at me with weird expressions.

"I'm sorry, but what did you just say to these boys," I asked the
waiter, who was still standing at our table as if waiting for something.

"O, I asked them to leave sir, because we don't serve their kind here."

My face must have turned completely white, as it usually does when I
get extremely angry. Then the guy had the nerve to ask me if I was
feeling alright and if I maybe needed a glass of water. I got up from
my chair, doing the utmost to stay calm and asked Boris and the twins
to follow me so we could find some other place to have breakfast.

"You're not going to have breakfast here, sir?" the waiter then asked
as I walked past him. I turned around to face him, now trembling from
anger. "You have just insulted my three guests here. Do you really
think I would still have breakfast here, you little piece of shit?" I spat.
Not waiting for an answer I turned away again and walked out,
guiding the three boys in front of me.

After we had walked a little distance from the cafeteria I noticed the
expressions of fear on the boys' faces and stopped walking.

"Are you going to send us away now?" Boris asked in an almost
whimpering voice. Looking into those beautiful light brown eyes of
Boris, I felt all the anger that had been building up leave me.

"O no, why would I send you guys away? I love you. Do you think I
would send the three of you away, just because that man there is an
asshole and a little piece of shit?"

At that Boris started to giggle a bit and I guess he translated pretty
literally what I had said to the twins as they joined him. With the three
of them giggling and the anger gone, I started to laugh too and told
them we'd find another place to have breakfast if they were still
hungry. They were.

We ended up having breakfast at a very small restaurant just off one
of the main boulevards. The place was cosy and the twins especially
enjoyed a copious meal. It was just amazing to see how much food
could disappear in such relatively small bodies. When we were out on
one of the boulevards again, I noticed a large clothing store and
started to guide the boys towards the entrance. As we were nearly
there Boris suddenly stopped and looked at me questioningly.

"I know you are a proud boy," I said, as I put my hand on his
shoulder, "and I don't want to upset you, but I think you three would
look so much nicer if you had new clothes." Bending over and
whispering into his ear, I added: "And I think you just look much too
sexy in the clothes you're wearing now."

He chuckled as I gave him a wink and then we walked on into the
store.

The boys had clearly felt a bit uneasy at first but then slowly started to
enjoy trying out new clothes. By the time I was finished they were
each carrying large bags filled with every piece of clothing
imaginable. Next stop was a shoe store and the boys were really
getting into the shopping streak. Personally I loved every minute of it
as they were slowly driving some of the staff into desperation. But the
boys finally found what they wanted and with a few more bags we
proceeded on our way.

It was time to head back to the apartment, but as we were nearing a
large electronics story an idea hit me. I had no idea what Hans or his
friends would come up with, but I wanted to be prepared and a small
copier/fax machine could really come in handy. We went into the
store and I had quickly made my choice. The boys in the meantime
had wandered off and found their way to a part of the store where
some other boys were playing videogames on one of those modern
game systems. Boris and the twins were totally mesmerized, which
gave me some time to talk to one of the staff. When I had gotten
everything I wanted and had it packed and paid for, I called out to
Boris and the twins. After a little hesitation they walked over and
joined me as I got out of the store. Walking back to the apartment they
were talking amongst themselves in Rumanian, and from the little
gestures they made with their bag filled arms and other body parts I
could easily imagine the main topic. I tried not to snicker as I was
pondering one of the purchases I had made.

When we got back to the apartment the boys had at least settled down
a bit, but of course had to try out all their new clothes. When the twins
came into the living room wearing their new identical dress pants and
sweaters it was indeed a sight to see. They looked absolutely stunning,
but I admit that I was extremely biased. As Boris entered the room
wearing the exact same combination I almost went over the edge. Out
of nowhere a huge lump had appeared in my throat and I could hardly
breathe. I managed to ask Boris for him and the twins to sit down on
the couch, which they did. Then I took one of the bags I had gotten at
the electronics store and put it on the coffee table.

"I bought this as a surprise for you guys, when you weren't looking.
You three look so handsome now, and I hope you will like it," I
croaked, while I stepped back.

Boris translated and then the three of them just looked at me
questioningly. I gestured they should go ahead and open the bag up,
but only Boris moved forward and pulled the bag down over its
content. As the Xbox was revealed, the boys' eyes grew as big as
saucers and it looked like they were actually holding their breath. For
a little while there was total silence, and then I got buried under a pile
of boys. I got pushed back into a chair with the twins on either side,
nearly pulling out my arms and Boris on my lap, wetting my face. It
looked like I had made a pretty good choice.

When the boys were finished tearing me limb for limb, they quieted
down a bit and we got to unpacking. The whole thing was set up
pretty fast and the twins had their first go at playing a video game.
Like most young people, they took to it like fish to water, soon
becoming oblivious to the things around them. In the mean time I had
set up the 3-in-1 printer/copier/fax machine and was enjoying the
twins at their play. Then I suddenly remembered we had forgotten to
buy us some of the most important things: food and drinks. So Boris
and I went out again, leaving the twins with their new found treasure.

The rest of the day went by rather uneventfully. Boris and the twins
tried out all of the games that I had gotten them for the Xbox and it
was a joy to watch them. I had asked Boris for the birth certificates
and made copies of them with the 3-in-1, which came out pretty good.
We had our meals and snacks and I realized that taking care of three
boys would take a lot of shopping. Watching Boris and the twins
being happy and carefree made me incredibly grateful, and I couldn't
help but wonder what it would be like if I had them at home.

After an early dinner and as the time to call Hans drew near I became
tense and nervous. A myriad of questions and possible scenarios was
filling up the back of my mind. Boris somehow noticed and snuggled
up to me. Sprawled on the couch I held onto him and the closeness
had a soothing effect. He felt so warm, so comfortable, it made me
want to nod off and just hang onto him like that forever. Here I was;
the guy who thought he'd be alone for the rest of his life, hooked on a
fifteen year old boy, whom I met just a few weeks ago. The thought
made me smile and I pulled Boris just that little bit closer and tighter
to me.

I closed my eyes for a few seconds, only to notice that three quarters
of an hour had passed. I told Boris I had to make a phone call and he
reluctantly moved aside so I could get up. As I picked up the receiver
I took a deep breath, and started dialling Hans' number. He must have
been sitting next to the phone as he picked up almost immediately.

After the regular introductory remarks had been made, Hans started to
fill me in on what he had found out.

"Well Ton, as I expect you will want to keep everything nice and
legal, you indeed have only one option, and that is to adopt the boys.
Under normal circumstances that could take quite some time, but I got
the name and address of a Rumanian attorney in Bucharest that seems
to know how to play the system. According to this friend of mine, if
you're willing to grease the wheels, you should be able to take them
with you within as little time as a few days."

"What you're saying is that if I have some people bribed, I can easily
take them with me?"

"Yes, that's about what it boils down to."

"Isn't that rather dangerous and couldn't it backfire? And would the
adoption really be legit?"

"As I've gathered, bribes are a fact of life in Rumania and the legal
system is no exception to that. Just let that Rumanian attorney handle
everything, pay him whatever he asks for and don't ask any questions.
And the adoption will be completely legitimate, I was assured of that."

"I don't really like the idea, but if you think it will work then so be it.
What's this guys name and address?"

Hans gave me the name and address of the attorney and a number for
me to call to make an appointment. I was assured that whoever I
would get on the phone would understand English, so making an
appointment wouldn't be too much trouble. I thanked Hans for his
efforts and promised to keep him informed on the progress, which was
something he insisted on. When I put down the receiver I realized it
was time now to talk to the boys and I knew I was afraid they might
say no.