Date: Sat, 03 May 2003 11:28:51 -0400
From: Tom Cup <tom_cup@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Innocents: Paulo and Beto by Richard Dean - Part 4 Chapter 1 -
A/Y - AF
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This is a fictional story involving alternative sexual relationships. If
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What's New at TomCup.com?
The Innocents Part 4: Paulo and Beto By Richard Dean Chapter 4 Added 5/01
Of Our Teenage Years Chapter 11 Added 4/28
KOA Boy Chapter 6 Added 04/23
Stephen Miller's Journal Chapter 12 Added 4/13
Mentoring Brandon Chapter 8 Added 4/13
Raptors By Richard Dean Chapter 7 Added 4/13
Age Before Beauty Chapter 4 Added 4/08
Calvin: Identity Crisis Chapter 12 Added 4/02
Private Lessons Chapter 5 Added 3/06
In Memory of Steve: Chapter 9 Added 2/13
Short Story: Ambrosius Added 1/29
Short Story: Blair Manor Added 1/29
Sexfiles File 10 Added 11/30
Short Story: Can I Stay With You Added 11/30
Terms of Living Chapter 11 Added 11/16
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The Innocents: Paulo and Beto
By Richard Dean
Preface
In essence readers this story is a continuum of The Innocents. I suggest
you familiarize yourselves with the cast of characters and events of that
story to preclude confusion and consternation. Ricardo had returned to the
US after the loss of his job/career due to being one of many whom were
downsized by his company. He left Brazil broken hearted, dispirited and
bereft of the death of his companion, lover and son Toninho. Unable to find
a position within his specialization of Seismology he returned to University
and within a year received certification to teach his second most favorite
subject, US history. Through correspondence and telephone calls with Paulo
he was given updates about the lives of his dear friends and events of Our
Brother's Keeper as deemed appropriate in his stead as he was still one of
the Board of Governors of that charitable organization.
Chapter 1
As the sun rose steadily to spread its light and heat on the city and
populace of Rio de Janeiro, life awakened slowly to most but too hastily to
those whose dread of another day of seeking and searching for sustenance
became commonplace. Within the cardboard carton which once held a
refrigerator lay two small bodies. A boy of 13 and a girl aged 11. A
gnawing hunger rumbled within the boys' stomach as he groggily opened his
sleep crusted eyes. Rubbing them, yawning and stretching his lean
musculature to rid himself of the kinks associated with lying on the hard
ground, he reached into a cloth bag and extracted their morning meal
consisting of three oranges, two bananas and several hard crusted rolls.
"Clara! Clara! Wake up my little one. It's time to get up now." He
jostled her gently but steadily.
"Please Javier I want to sleep. I'm tired," she groaned.
"You have to get up and eat. Today we are going to see Mae and Pae. Maybe
their fortunes have changed and we can stay with them now."
The likelihood of that occurring seemed out of the question to Javier, but
he knew full well that he had to give his sister hope. For over a year, he
and Clara had been forced to look to themselves as they were sent from their
home. He knew the money his Mae made by renting out her body from time to
time would go to finance his Pae's alcoholism. It's what he knew. That was
the truth of the matter. If only they would take Clara back into their
hovel things wouldn't seem too bad. He could by himself manage to survive.
In a disparate world several miles apart from this young couple another
couple awakened within an environment of cleanliness, order and
meaningfulness. The couple understood they were more privileged than those
whom they nourished in mind and body. Paulo and Beto were lovers and
companions within their privacy but to the citizens of Rio they were givers
of hope, educators of the needy and unwashed, purveyors of a planned
livelihood to those few whom they chanced upon. Having completed their
breakfast and enjoying a cafezinho Beto sunnily remarked to Paulo, "I don't
recall having so much fun with so few people as we had last night at Júlio
and Elena's place! It was exactly what we needed my dearest. At least it
was what I needed. I felt completely at peace with friends and several
drinks. Did you feel that way too?"
Responding to Beto's warm glowing accolades of the small dinner party Paulo
exuded, "Me too, sweetheart. We are so fortunate that we have such loving
and responsible friends that make our lives enjoyable. Without you at my
side I'd still be searching for it."
"Bless you. You know the right things to say to me. I still can't get over
meeting you for the first time in Fortaleza. My God, Paulo, I had to
swallow my heart several times to get it back in place. You were the living
dream that appeared in front of my eyes. Not only that, but next to you was
Toninho. His smile, standing by your side looking to you with his trust and
allegiance. It was noteworthy. Unlike any two handsome men I've ever
seen."
"I miss them so much, Beto. It's hard to explain, but I get misty eyed and
my heart breaks anew when I think of the times I've missed with them."
"Don't think like that sweetheart. We are both lucky that we have their
memories engraved within our hearts and minds. They will be with us for
eternity as well as our memory of Lady Flávia. We wouldn't be where we are
today without any of them. They still direct and remind us that we have a
job to do that enriches those who haven't the memories that we do. They've
given us a rich resource that is immeasurable. The lost young kids.
Remember what Lady Flávia called them?"
Nodding with a wistful smile Paulo enjoined, "The living dead!"
"Exactly! Oh oh, look at the time. We can't be late for school. I'll get
the car out and meet you in the front."
Brazilians are notably the kindest, warmest, most considerate people one
would ever meet. It all changes once a driver gets behind the wheel of a
motorcar, taxi, bus or truck. With eyes narrowed in angry-like
concentration the rules of civility are lost, and woe betide the slow
cautious driver. They'll be blown away by the horns blaring, other cars
darting within and out of lanes. Traffic jams are constant with drivers
cursing, shouting, displaying the one-fingered gesture stabbing into the air
that does not mean `you are number one'! Each tries to out- maneuver,
out-race the normal posted speed limit. Scrapes, dents, scratches and some
cars running about lacking bumpers left embedded in another car are normal.
Insurance rates are abysmally high. It's a frightening experience. As a
passenger it would be best to say your prayers with tightly closed eyes.
You WILL arrive at your destination with wobbly legs, sweat beaded brows,
your heart beating as fast as you can remember and thanking the God of the
Unwitting Passenger that all is well. Whew! Finally! Is it any wonder that
the international racing scene is populated with Brazilian drivers of world
renown?
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