Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2003 12:14:10 -0500 (EST)
From: publishing@tomcup.com
Subject: The Innocents: Paulo and Beto By Richard Dean Part 4 chapter 10 - A/Y
- AF
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The Innocents Part 4: Paulo and Beto
Chapter 10
By Richard Dean
richard@tomcup.com
Chapter 10
Visibly shaken after hanging up the phone, Ricardo's mind dervished with
thoughts of scenes and events past. The reality of Elena's conversation
was short, direct and implicit. Toninho's brother and sister have been
found! Tears dribbled down his face intensifying the emotions racing
through his numbed mind. "Will you come to Rio now?" she asked. Will I?
How can I not? Ahh, Toninho, you still pull and tug at me. When you died,
Brazil died. I vowed that I would never return. Brazil is imbedded too
deeply within my heart and soul, as you are. Like the Phoenix rising from
the ashes your siblings pull and tug at me too.
"I, uhh, emm, uhh, will be there as soon as I can find a substitute to take
my place. Failing that, as soon as the finals are done I'll be there. By
next week at the latest I should think. I'll e-mail you my travel flight
number, date of arrival and the like. One of you will have to meet me at
the airport. I sure don't want to go through the hassle of finding a taxi
and then grimacing all the way there expecting at any moment to be in a car
crash."
"Don't worry about a thing, darling. The children and I will be there to
meet you. They are certainly going to want to meet you, since you are
central to the relationship with Toninho." She cooed.
"Elena, I have mixed feelings about meeting them at the airport. I do want
to meet them of course."
"Don't you get wimpy with me Ricardo. Of all the people that you know, I
certainly wouldn't bring them along unless I felt it best for all of you.
I know you think you'll probably break down and cry in public. So what?
You're no different than millions of other people throughout the world whom
cry at greetings and good-byes. We love you. Those children will love you
too. They're going to need a unifying force to tie them into a new family
and life. That's you, my darling man."
"Dammit! Elena you know me too well. Very well, I'll concede to you on
that. By the way, I still have clothes at the house don't I? I want to
pack only a carry-on so I won't get hassled waiting around at the baggage
carousel."
"Of course you do, sweetie. Unless you've gained or lost weight, I should
think you have several seasons of clothes still in the closet and hautboy.
Hurry down here as soon as you can, Ricardo. There is so much we have to
decide and determine relative to the future of these children we can't
delay too much longer. I'll personally take care of getting them
evaluations for psychological, physical health and dental work if they need
any."
"Bless you Elena. You think way ahead of me. I hadn't even considered
their health aspects. I assure you I'll be there as soon as I can possibly
arrange it."
"That's all we need to hear darling. It will be so good to see you again.
I hope Paulinho won't be too angry with me for calling you before he had a
chance, but I felt that I could relay the news better than he could, since
I know when you both start talking you'll get all weepy and blubbering.
Keep us advised on your schedule so we won't have any mix-ups won't you?"
"I will, dear heart, I will. Good-bye Elena. Relay my love to all of our
family, won't you?"
"Rest assured I will. Good night Ricardo."
For the next two days Ricardo made all arrangements and preparations for
his flight to Rio, after checking that his passport had not expired. He
faxed his travel itinerary to Júlio and Elena. Once done, his anxieties
were allayed. On the day before he was to leave his home for the drive to
Miami, he received from Beto, a fax containing `the letter' and supporting
documents, a picture of the children and an up-date on what had transpired
thus far.
On a sheet of foolscap he made annotations of points he felt he should
cover in case none of the others considered them. The children come first
and foremost! You agree don't you Toninho? Lady Flávia, have I forgotten
anything?
NO! You can't ask me to do that! WHY? I have my life here, another
profession. I've already given all I can give. Everything was taken from
me. You and, then, Toninho. Now you want me to give those children my
name too? Have they no say in this matter? Good Lord, Flávia, you presume
too much! Toninho! What are you saying? You too? I have no right to
those children. Their mother gave them over to OBK...your mother, Ton; your
daughter, Flávia. She didn't give them over to my care. Júlio and Elena,
Paulo and Beto can care for them more easily than I can. They'll be lost
and eaten up if they come here to the States. They can't speak English
yet.
I can't think with you both talking at the same time. Wait. Wait. OK, I
have an idea. You both agree that they need to go to school. In two years
time, they should have learned enough English that will ease their
transition to live and continue their education here under my guardianship.
Javier will be 16 and Clara will be near 14. Those two years are important
to them. Clara especially, as she needs a woman's hand in her tutelage of
the mysteries/enigmas of womanhood. I don't understand the lessons of the
feminine side of her gender, that's a big deal to a young girl. And you,
Flávia don't want them separated until they're near enough to their
majority. They can live out their school year with me while I'm teaching
at College and we can spend our breaks and summer hiatus in Brazil. Is
that agreeable with both of you? Alright, I will accept that, but they
will have to voice their agreement before I sign on the dotted line. I am
not going to force anything on th!
em because YOU want it.
Okay, Toninho. I agree. You ARE/were a great driver! Stop bugging me
about that! You two had best use your best persuasions with our four
counterparts in order for them to concede to your desires.
"Senhor! Senhor! Wake up. We're in our landing pattern now. We should
be in Rio very shortly. Please adjust your seat back in the upright
position before landing."
"Huh? Oh, oh. Thank you Steward. I, I must have dozed off."
With his passport and visa application in one hand and his carry-on in the
other, Ricardo followed in a queue to the familiar entry corridor leading
into the cavernous bowels of the airport. Passing through the entry each
of the passengers noted a flashing light. Red indicated they were to have
their baggage checked by customs. Green indicated they were to pass
through and have their visa and passport stamped wherein they continued on
through another door which opened to the hustle and bustle of waiting
relatives and acquaintances.
"Your passport and visa Senhor." A control agent said as he took the
proffered documents. Scanning then he inquired, "What is the reason for
your trip, Senhor."
"A personal reunion with friends officer."
"Yes Senhor. I see you've been here many times before. Enjoy your
stay. Go through that door please."
"Thank you very much. Good day to you Senhor."
As he passed through the door he scanned the crowd trying to locate and
recognize Elena. There were too many people crowded around the entry
passage. Trepedation consumed him as he wasn't looking forward to the
sights and sad memories he had of this city, yet he was elated too,
thinking of his valued relationships with such close and dear friends.
"Ricardo! Ricardo! Over here. Over here."
Elena's voice found its way to his cognizance. With a quarter turn to his
left he espied Elena waving at him. He smiled and walked through people
whom had preceded him and stood in his way. He snaked through them to
encounter the radiance and beauty of his delightful lady friend, Elena
Calvalcante d' Souza. Standing with Elena were `the children', Javier and
Clara flanking her with generous smiles emanating from their aura. He saw
they were well dressed, freshly scrubbed and beheld their beauty of youth
in their expressions and body language. He could see the resemblance to
Toninho in small ways that banished his suspicions that it may be a hoax or
plot to extract money in some bizarre fashion.
Grasping Elena's hand he moved forward and kissed her on both cheeks in the
Continental fashion. He positioned himself in front of Javier and
proffered his hand while Elena made the introductions, "Ricardo meet Javier
and Clara Scarpazetti d'Sousa; brother and sister of Antonio whom we knew
so well. Children meet our dearest friend Senhor Ricardo Dean.
"It's our pleasure to meet you Mestre Ricardo."
"Thank you, Javier. And you are Clara, eh? I can recognize some of your
grandmother's features in your eyes and mouth. It's good to meet both of
you, finally. Shall we get out of this crowd and be on our way home?"
"Allow me to carry your bag, Mestre Ricardo."
"You don't have to do that, Javier, but I appreciate your offer."
"Please, Mestre. It would please me."
"Certainly you may."
Elena interrupted, "Come now. We'll see if we can find the car and get you
settled in Ricardo."
Javier and Ricardo followed Elena and Clara. On the drive to town, they
managed small-talk, back and forth questions and replies. Ricardo remarked
that little seemed to have changed since he was last in Rio. Elena asked
Ricardo if he found satisfaction in his new profession. He admitted he
found it had different challenges, but he derived satisfaction when the
results were positive.
Javier inquired, "How is it you speak Portuguese so well, Mestre Ricardo?"
"Ahh that's a long story, Javier. I'll tell you all about that when we
have more time."
"Tell the children the shortened version then, Ricardo. We have the time
for that." Elena interjected as she drove efficiently through the traffic.
"Very well, if you're certain I won't bore the children to death, Elena."
"Hmmph, I rather doubt that."
"I'd like to hear it, Mestre Ricardo." Carla sang out.
"Very well. First, though, I'd like to get something cleared up. I
appreciate that you children have accorded me with the status of `Mestre'.
I really don't deserve such an accolade. I won't feel offended if you
simply call me Ricardo."
"Forgive me Senhor. I disagree. Uncles Beto and Paulo have told us if it
weren't for you, there would be no family, no OBK, and that none of us
would have had reason to know each other. You deserve to be our Mestre.
You are the leader and head of our family. I think Uncle Júlio and Aunt
Elena would agree too, Mestre."
"Well said young man." Elena concurred. "Mestre is only being modest,
children. Forgive him."
"Elena! Stop that. I am the master of no one."
"Apparently you don't realize it, Ricardo. `Mestre' also means: Head,
Teacher, Leader. You fit all of those categories. Javier is correct and
justified to assert you are the leader/head/teacher of the family. Every
one of this small band are honored to be members. Children, when we get
home, remind me to show you the articles and stories in which our Mestre is
reported by the press and television news as the leader and unifying force
behind our family. Grandma Flávia and Toninho came up with the idea, but
our Mestre put it into action. He started the ball rolling with his
connections and acumen. Our Mestre is too modest to admit it and would
rather shrink down to the size of a pea to avoid becoming a
known-to-the-public news interest. I think your uncle Júlio has some
video-tape of the Mestre being interviewed by reporters of all sorts of
media when he came home after being gone for 2 months. He is well known
here in Rio, children, and is accorded respect from near!
ly every one I've met. Even the Mayor of this city and the Governor of
this state are well aware of his stature."
"Please Elena, stop."
"It's true, Ricardo. You can't deny it."
"But Elena, you make it sound grander than what it is."
"Mestre Ricardo, does aunt Elena lie?" queried Javier.
"What? Ah, umm, No, of course not. Your aunt Elena does not lie. She's
doing what I call `gilding the lily'. That means she adds words or
interpretations to enhance or flavor her assertions. Much like an ad-man
would do to sell a product that is normal run-of-the-mill. After they add
words and suggestions it makes the product look better than what it
actually is. Do you understand?"
"I think so, Mestre. She adds her values on to you, while you subtract
your values to make yourself less appealing. Isn't that right, Mestre?"
At that moment Elena could feel and sense that the children's estimation of
Ricardo leaped much beyond words, actions or deeds. In their minds, the
elevation conjured him as a God, their protector, their Savior, their
benefactor. They knew he was their Mestre. Unlike anyone else whom they
knew or would ever know, Ricardo Dean was their ultimate father.
Fidgeting, uncomfortable at being found out, Ricardo admitted,
"Well...ahem...that is correct, son."
Conspiratorial smiles were shared between Javier and Carla. The whispered
ghostly words of encouragement, solace and plan of their departed kin was
coming to fruition. They had shared the dreams they had most recently
wherein a loving warm feminine voice murmured to them of their future.
They had sensed it was of their grandmother. On a subsequent night they
shared a dream which they interpreted as coming from their brother,
Toninho. He reiterated to them, they would soon have a Mestre attend them
in all things good and positive. Noiseless sighs of relief were exhaled.
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