Date: Sun, 11 May 2003 11:32:07 -0400
From: Tom Cup <tom_cup@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Innocents: Paulo and Beto  by Richard Dean - Part 4 Chapter 2 -
    A/Y - AF

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The Innocents Part 4: Paulo and Beto By Richard Dean Chapter 6 Added 5/11
Of Our Teenage Years Chapter 12 Added 5/5
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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
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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 Part 4: Paulo and Beto
By Richard Dean
Chapter 2

Both children, streetwise beyond their tender years, walked the familiar
trek to their favela located high in the hills overlooking the city and the
waters of the Atlantic Ocean which from the heights showed the beaches of
Ipanema and Copacabana with antlike figures cavorting at various sport
activities, sunning themselves.  Nearing the favela (ghetto) dotted with
ramshackle abodes tacked on to the wall of their neighbor, hastily
constructed to shelter the occupants from the elements until they could make
amendments as soon as they were able financially with whatever lumber,
concrete block, tarpaper and if they were fortunate metal sheeting to tack
on to side walls and/or roofs.  With no running water or sewage disposal
efficiencies, they had to sidestep running open ditches teeming with offal
and residual odors that seemed commonplace to the residents.  Women and
children with buckets, jars searched for water at the nearest open water
source.  Some communities had the luxury of a communal faucet and tap
installed by the leaders whom to the residents were the de facto
mayors/government of the favela.  This act of generosity was politically
motivated and to further the allegiance of the residents.  Rarely would
police wander into the overcrowded favela to investigate a murder or other
disaster fearful of being attacked or run out by the leader of gangs that
controlled the area.  Even taxi drivers would not enter some of the more
dangerous favelas for fear of being attacked for their money or the theft of
the taxicabs.  When unseasonable rains cascaded down the mountainside many
hovels were swept away with the deluge causing loss of life and limb.  The
contrast of the haves and have nots seemed light years distant.

Within each favela organizers of Samba clubs created dancing school for
their representative contingent to vie for the honor, distinction  and
personal pride of the members to be judged on display, routine and
popularity.  Some cash prizes were awarded for the costuming, dance steps,
musicality, theme and routines performed during the celebration of Mardi
Gras.  Poor though the participants were they saved their money to belong to
one of the clubs as  the distinctive celebratory highlight of the year for
every family.  Not every one was without work, some held full or part times
jobs but because of the lack of affordable housing and payment of a living
wage they existed from hand to mouth to feed  and clothe their families.

Theft, drinking, drug exchanges, prostitution, illicit black marketing of
goods are rampant within these favelas.  As one walks through one of these
ghettos the cacophony of sounds of radios blaring out the music of every
type and genre crescendo with the normal sounds of building, yelling or
shouting trying to be heard above the din.  As unhealthy an atmosphere
through it all live a people generous with their smiles, eager to dance with
rhythmic sway of hip and groin emulating copulation and an amiable
affectation to display their bodies to enhance their sexual prowess and
athleticism.

Catholicism is the national religion of choice.  As such they insist certain
condemnatory conditions must be followed in order to gain entry to heaven.
No birth control is allowed.  The poor breed like flies with few amenities
or other costly pleasures.  As such no family planning is followed.
Although they love their children, they force the older children out of
their residences to fend for themselves so that the younger remaining
children are fed and clothed.  And so it goes, family after family
disgorging their offspring to beg, steal, rob and become a general nuisance
to foreign travelers, the general population and businessmen alike.  The
unwanted become derelict and an eyesore which are a blot on  the
consciousness of the more well off.  An estimated 2 to 3 millions of
children are abandoned throughout Brazil.  Many businessmen to preclude
children sleeping/living in the doorways, alleys and sidewalks of their
premises hire guards to dispel these unwashed, sickly, hungry, despondent
children from the area.  All too often they hire thugs to run them off.
Many have been beaten suffering disabilities and broken bones which can not
heal as emergency care is withheld or non-existant.  The unfed sicken more
and die.  Some have been murdered by squads of roving off-duty policemen
hired to eradicate them.

Hope for a better life for these unfortunate children is an unknown word or
thought.  Given the opportunity they will become valuable and resourceful
citizens to their country.

Javier and Clara have seen, encountered and endured these repulses by
society.  They've had to harden themselves simply to live and exist for
another day.  Hungry bellies propel them to walk on through the smegma of
their social order in hopes of seeing their parents and brothers and sisters
once again, if only for a short while before they must resume their forced
lifestyle.

"Keep a sharp eye on that drunken lout over there Clara.  I don't trust him.
  Look how his eyes are sweeping back and forth.  He wants something.
Perhaps it's a girl or a boy.  Don't look at him, but be aware and on the
alert.  Run if you have to.  If it comes to that I'll try to divert his
attention.  I won't be far behind you."

"I see him Javier.  I'm not dumb you know.", she rejoined.

"No you're not dumb but you're unaware at times.  I want you to defend
yourself if you must.  Prepare yourself before something happens.  Stay
alert.  Walk like you have a purpose."

Exasperated, Clara denounced, "OK.  OK."

With determined faces they skirted the possible danger, walking with
straightened backs they continued for another kilometer until they reached
the neighborhood of their youth.  Recognizable landmarks brought back
familiarity of sights and sounds.

"Remember, we're here on a visit.  If conditions are favorable we'll stay.
If not, we'll leave.  Don't go crying and blubbering like last month.  It's
not Mae's fault.  She had no other alternative; conditions such as they
are."

"Jesu Christo Javier!  Lighten up.  Why do you continue to remind me time
after time?  It's the same tune you play."

"I'm the oldest.  You're my responsibility.  I won't have you mucking it
up!"

Swallowing her bitter words, Clara said nothing except to nod her
understanding.  God, how I hate it when he rattles on and on about the same
thing.  I mustn't let it get to me, but it does rankle, she thought.

Catching sight of the miserable hut, Clara ran into it screaming, "Mae, Mae!
  We're here!"

Startled Gloria Carpazetti de Sousa set her youngest child on the hard
packed earthen floor and opened her arms wide to accept her eldest daughter
within her embrace.  Tears flowed from her tired weary eyes.  "Minha
criancas...I've missed you children too much."

Opening her arm she swept Javier into her embrace enclosing her two children
with tight secure bonding.  "Javinho you are so handsome.  You look
remarkably like Toninho."

Blushing in pinkness Javier blurted, "O Mae, I love you too.  We've missed
you.  Ola Albertinho.  Come give your big brother a hug and kiss."

"Shhhhh children, your Pae sleeps.  He's had a hard night last night."

In an angry retort Javier voiced "You mean he's drunk again don't you Mae?"

"You don't understand your Pae Javinho, he has issues that are difficult for
him."

"I love my PaPae MaMae, but his problems are our problems too.  It isn't
fair to burden you with that.  He's a big strong man MaMae, why can't he
have the strength to say no to it?"

"I don't think it's that easy son.  The reality is that he has a problem
that isn't readily dismissed as you wish it.  I want him to admit it to
himself.  He cannot do it yet.  One day perhaps.  I pray it's soon because
we can't endure things as they continue to get worse.  I went out two nights
this week in order to earn enough money to eat.  Don't get that moral look
of disgust in your eyes, Javinho.  I must do what I have to do."

In resignation Javier replied, "I know MaMae, you are a soiled Saint, but I
don't have to approve of that kind of behavior.  We were taught by yourself
to dismiss that kind of work.  It's unseemly."

Gloria responded, "Lets talk no more about this.  Come sit down for a bite
to eat.  I want you two to go with me someplace.  But first let me explain
something about your oldest brother that I've kept from you for too long
now."

As they sat at the table to enjoy their repast, Gloria explained all that
she knew of Toninho's plighted efforts.  How he was adopted by an Americano
scientist.  She told them of their efforts to respond to circumstances that
captured the attention of the media and started an entity that assisted
children like themselves to be schooled, fed and clothed and enter into a
profession that would make them secure for the rest of their lives.  She
told them of the Lady Flavia, their grandmother who came to Rio de Janeiro
to live with them and assist in their venture.  Sadly with more tears in her
eyes, she related that their grandmother had passed away before Toninho had
reached his majority and then of his subsequent death.  She told them she
was wracked with immense guilt of sending her eldest son to make his own
life on the streets of Rio...much like she had done with themselves.  The
depth of her guilt in abandoning her children  lay so heavily on her heart,
she could never make herself known in public as Toninho's parent.  Pride,
remorse and regret consumed her every minute of every day.

"What is this place?  Where is it MaMae?  Why do you feel they will admit us
as students?  Neither Clara nor me have anything to offer them.  What is to
become of our brother and sisters?  Will they take them too?"

"Listen to me clearly children.  I will escort you to the place called My
Brother's Keeper which is located in the Distrito Central.  They will, I
believe, accept you because of who you are; your heritage, your name, your
relationship to Antonio.  His name is revered within the community and is
the symbol of hope and renewal.  I want you to have those same ideals for
your futures.  There will be no argument about this.  I do not easily give
you up now as I easily gave you up over a year ago.  It is something I must
do.  I could not save Antonio.  By God.  I WILL save/sacrifice you two, if I
can save no others of our family.  We shall...."

"MAMAE!" Javier bleated, "are you saying what I think you are saying?  You
want us to go to that place to be saved and the rest of our family is going
to rot here in the favelas?  NOOOOO!"

Both children rushed to their mother's side attaching themselves to her.
Crying, blubbering, shaking.  The noise awakened their father who rushed
into the room demanding to know "what in the bloody hell is going on in
here"; didn't they realize he is `a sick man'?  The younger children came
into the room hearing the outbursts.  Too young to understand the
implication of the decisions made in that room, they hovered frightened
clinging to their parents for security.  Federico approved of his wife's
decision knowing full well he was as guilty as she.  For over an hour they
explained, cajoled and prophesied that they would have worthwhile lives in
their future endeavors if they accepted the decision.

Resigned to the parental decisions made that day, Javier and Clara gave in
to the ultimatum.  Both knew they in all probability not see their parents
or other siblings for years perhaps.  Dutiful to their parents wishes they
acceded.

With tearful good-byes to their father, Federico and their siblings, they
followed Gloria out into the bright sunshine of the afternoon stumbling
after her down the path to a future unfulfilled with fearful anticipation.

************************************************************************
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