Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 10:49:15 -0500
From: Tom Cup <tom_cup@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Innocents: Paulo and Beto by Richard Dean - Part 4 Chapter 9 -
A/Y - AF
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The Innocents Part 4: Paulo and Beto
Chapter 9
By Richard Dean
richard@tomcup.com
"Oh, Aunt Elena, I haven't the room for all of these clothes. When will I
have the opportunity to wear them all before I start growing out of them, as
you've told me?" Javiero complained.
"Now listen my treasures. As you grow older your bodies will change in
increments. You Javier will notice your torso will thicken somewhat, you
will gain height not necessarily weight. Should that occur, we need only
replace several basic items. The rest you can mix and match. For example:
You have one formal suit. I believe your trousers would need to be changed
before your suit coat. By adding various shirts within the same color tones
or hues, no one will ever suspect that your outfit is mix and match. So if
it's a less formal appearance without a tie, you could wear a turtleneck
sweater/shirt under your sport-coat. We call that semi-formal. If you want
to make your look sporty but not semi-formal, you could, for instance, wear
your dark blue blazer over a printed short sleeve shirt, fully buttoned up
and wear your tailored gray slacks. Very dashing and au currant. I'll
demonstrate this to both of you when we get home. Not to worry. I'm the
fashion diva in this family."
"What about me, Aunt? I don't wear trousers or sport coats or even ties."
"You, Clarinha, are lucky that you are a girl. We can change and add
accessories that will change our total appearance by wearing a single
chemise. Changing a scarf, adding different handbags, or jewelry, belts or
even shoes...makes it all happen. Men's wardrobes are basic in nature. Ours
are versatile and expedient. You could wear the same dress, but by adding a
jacket over it with a scarf around your neck you can instantly change your
attitude and occasion to suit yourself. I insisted that we buy several very
good pieces and work other changes into your look. It's simple, cost
effective and tres chic. I want both of you to remember, buy the best
clothes you can afford. Shirts, ties, and belts are easily changed around
and can be less expensive but must be of good workmanship and quality. I do
not, I repeat, DO NOT want you to wear baggy oversized clothing. It will
make you appear dowdy, overweight and slovenly. If you want to wear those
things around the house, I understand. But in public you present yourself
as confident, well adjusted and vigorous by being neat, tidy and fashion
conscious."
"Yes, Aunt." They replied.
"It's past lunch time. Would you like to grab a snack here or wait until we
get home to have a proper lunch?"
"We're your students Aunt. Do with us what you will." Carla entreated.
"Well said, my dear. Have I told you children that I love you both dearly?"
"Yes you have, Aunt. But I love to hear it regularly. Even our Uncles
don't fail to remind us of that. It's great!" Javier beamed.
"Me too." Carla interposed.
"I'm anxious to see Ricardo's reaction to meeting you both in the flesh
so-to-speak. Do you children know anything about Ricardo or how important
to all of us he is?"
"We know that you, Julio, Beto and Paulo love and respect him. But we don't
know why that is so. Oh yes, we know he loved Toninho too." Stated Javier.
"Don't forget that he loved grandmother too, Javinho." Carla interjected.
"Ah, here's the car. Lets drive home and I'll tell you what I know of him
on the way. Put your purchases in the trunk kiddos, don't forget to buckle
up...I won't drive one foot until everyone is buckled in. I lost a dear
friend because she wasn't buckled in. She thought because it was a short
familiar drive it was a bother. She was hit from behind and sandwiched into
another car in front of her. She died because of her decision to save a few
moments of time."
"Why don't you have your man chauffeur you around since you have one Aunt
Elena?" queried Javier.
"Because, sweetheart, we hired him for the primary purpose to drive Julio to
and from work so he can utilize his time reading reports and planning to
preclude him having to do it at home. I want his attention then. And also,
because I like to drive and enjoy it, I don't have to take the driver away
from his responsibilities when he's not driving. He does odd jobs around
our place...painting, gardening a bit, helping move things around...like a
handyman. He likes the variety of different jobs every day. A bit of
driving, some of this and some of that. On special occasions when we are
going to a formal dinner or event, he drives us. It's a bit pretentious,
but we can afford it, so why not? Do you approve?"
"Yes Ma'am, I do." He answered.
Excitedly Carla asked, "Ricardo, Aunt Elena, what about him?"
"Ah yes, Ricardo. I met your grandmother first and we became fast bosom
buddies. If ever I become half of what she was, I could die completely
satisfied with myself. She was like a mother, friend, companion, confidant
and mentor all rolled into one. I loved her then, I love her still. She
told me about Toninho, Paulo and Ricardo. How they met, how they came to
live together and when Toninho moved in they became a three-some. They
molded him into a young man, a student, and encouraged him to look to the
stars unhindered. Toninho encouraged his grandmother to accompany them on
a drive to see if he could find some of the acquaintances he encountered
when he was living on the streets. He showed Flavia and Paulo the seedy,
dangerous way of life those poor children were facing. Flavia became
determined to do something about it in her small way, she thought. They
each wrote a letter to Ricardo outlining their fact finding mission. He,
without a word to them, wrote a letter to a friend of his in the States
asking him to assist him in supporting a foundation to aid these children.
Because of the interest in this idea, Ricardo's company joined in with a
corporate donation to get the ball rolling with every employee contributing
a small amount each month. Petrobras became sponsors too, as well as other
companies doing business here in Brasil. In the meanwhile, your grandmother
started a protest march pleading for the politicians to admit that these
children had a right to live a safe and provident life. They refused. She
continued her work and soon she aroused the interest of the mass media-- TV,
radio, newspapers--to join the fray.
Previous to the marches the four of them were living in a small apartment
sufficient for two people at most. Paulo conned Ricardo to start looking
for larger living accommodations. They ended up living where you live now,
Javier. Ricardo contributed his hard earned savings and salary to make
things lovelier and easier for all of them. He did this out of love for
them, not for his own comfort.
I first met Ricardo when he returned from his work and found all three of
his partners busy with no time to talk to him or greet him. He felt low,
but when I met him he cheered up and told me I would be welcome to invade
his privacy at any time. I can't begin to tell you kids how touched I was
by this kind, private man. Ricardo values his privacy and is generally
conservative by nature. Julio and Ricardo are somewhat alike, yet
different. They too became close associates and ultimately buddies. They
could sit for hours and talk, smile and laugh about what I haven't a clue.
They enjoyed an unspoken alliance. Friends. Toninho saw him as his father,
mentor, confidant and lover."
Javier blurted, "They were both gay weren't they like Uncles Beto and
Paulo?"
"Did I say something that should have remained private?" posited Elena in
embarrassment as she slowed the car and pulled over out of traffic to park..
Reaching out to touch her/pat her to allay her shock both children smiled at
her as Javier spoke, "Oh Auntie, we both suspected it but couldn't ask
outright. We're not ashamed of them. Why should you be ashamed for
speaking the truth?"
"I guess they haven't gotten around to that point yet, Javier, don't you
think?" proposed Carla.
"Maybe. We haven't spent much time with them without being busy, Carlinha."
He responded.
"I admit I haven't given either of you quiet time, but I'm not apologizing
for that, treasures. There's too much to do before you will have those
private times with your Uncles." Countered Elena.
A less flustered Elena pulled back into traffic and continued driving them
home. Within ten minutes they reached the drive leading to Elena's home.
"We're here dears, now to eat lunch, then try on clothes and explaining
tricks in couturier customs." She declared.
By the time Julio was due home, they were seasoned devotees of clothing
their best features and could determine what to wear for whichever occasion
or event. It was a steep learning curve to attain their new practical and
comfortable incarnation. The young duo had dynamism within their karma
which exuded in their spontaneous smiles.
"Come on Son, I'll help you carry your things over to your room and have
everything arranged and stored by the time your favorite Uncles return
home." Declared Julio in voluntary assent. "They'll be pleasantly
surprised."
"Uncle Julio you ARE one of my favorite Uncles. I have yet to meet my
un-favorite uncle. Do you really think they'll be pleased by my surprise?"
Convincingly Julio replied, "I'd bet on it my boy."
Javier thought, Choices. Uncles said if I make wise choices I would receive
self-satisfaction. Actually I chose to listen and react to Aunt Elena's
direction. Still feels good, but I'll be ready to leap for the ceiling when
Uncles respond favorably. I know they accept me, but do they do it because
of my merits or is it out of a sense of loyalty to Toninho. I love my
brother, but I don't love the idea of being compared to him. What would it
take for me to be accepted on my own when they have a `hero' as their
standard?
.................quiet and serious."
Startled from his reverie Javier said, "I'm sorry Uncle I got lost thinking.
I meant no disrespect."
"Ah, I was asking you why you had become so quiet and serious."
"I was wondering if my uncles were comparing me to Toninho. I hope they're
not."
"Just a minute, Javier. Comparison is a basis on which to make a decision.
I rather feel they would not consciously use Toninho as an example of status
for you to attain." He rebutted.
"I'm just a kid. What do I know?"
"You're more than `just a kid' Javiero. You spent more than a year on the
streets by using your pluck and wits. And you did that while protecting
your sister. You accepted total responsibility for her care and survival.
You never left her side unattended where who knows what could have happened
to her. Unlike in Toninho's case he was about 14 I believe and using his
own wits to protect himself. Toninho was loved for his own merits...the
comparison should be switched around with you as the standard of example.
Therefore your concern is not justified."
Javier rushed to his Uncle Julio and hugged him with sincerity.
************************************************************************
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