Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:04:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: firehose Joe <firehosejoe@yahoo.com>
Subject: To Thine Own Self Be True Chapter 48

This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Shakespeare (Hamlet)

Thanks to Chael for assistance in editing and proofing the story. This
is wholly fictional with no reference intended to persons alive or dead.

Please do not distribute to other sites without permission of the
author. Comments can be sent to firehosejoe@yahoo.com

From the previous chapter:

Getting ready to leave the office, Alejandro straitened his desk. He sat
for a moment recalling the memories that would soon fade into obscurity. He
remembered the braying of the calf that had been wrestled and tied. He
recalled the smell the moist salt air. His memories ran free, recalling so
many good things. He was grateful.

Chapter 48

Alejandro realized as he penciled in dates for committee and board meetings
that he needed to schedule time for the building project partners. Though
he was adamant with himself that he'd be only one voice among many, he
wanted to make sure his voice was heard. More importantly he wanted to
listen.

The call to Paul Dupuy was all that Matt had warned it would be. The man
was on a mission. After Paul had outlined the major points of the
apprenticeship project, Alejandro suggested a late afternoon meeting at his
condo with dinner to follow. Matt's inclusion was welcomed and a date was
set.

When Paul arrived at the condo Alejandro offered him the dime tour. Paul
was keenly interested in the building, its sleek skin and the warmth that
Alejandro's place exuded. His questions were professional and
detailed. Alejandro was glad he'd been part of the design process so he at
least understood the technical nature of Paul's questions. He feared his
attempts to answer were inadequate but he tried.

Matt soon joined them. When Paul saw Matt come in the smile on his face was
spontaneous and warm. Alejandro said nothing but noted that Matt had seen
his observation. With a wry smile, Matt shrugged and walked over and joined
the men.

They quickly discovered the office wasn't adequate for their needs. Soon
plans were spread across the large dining table. Paul presented his
thoughts in a logical straightforward manner that allowed Alejandro to
process them easily.

Paul had adapted much of the California training program into his
proposal. He'd contacted friends where he'd gone to grad school, and he'd
enlisted support from tradespeople he'd worked with on housing builds he'd
participated in. They had taken the raw notes and photographs Paul sent
them and had roughed out a curriculum that would logically lead to
journeyman cards.

The concept of being able to offer, through one organization, adequate
affordable housing, nutrition and job preparation was unique as far as Paul
could discover. This was something they just had to do.

Alejandro hid his amusement at Paul's tone and posture. Paul was on his
feet and lecturing, determined to win the day. Matt cut a look at Alejandro
and smiled with a wink of `I warned you'.

Matt interrupted Paul's flow occasionally to point out how and where bits
of the training program could be implemented. Alejandro soon saw where this
was heading when Paul began to talk about consolidating the core skills
training in one location.

One couldn't deny the logic; they'd all seen a similar prototype in
California. The difference was that here it would have to be a dedicated
space that was more permanent than the setup in San Francisco. Alejandro
would need to buy one of the buildings and have it serve as a school
setting. Revenue would likely come at some time but not in the foreseeable
future.

Paul wasn't sure of Alejandro's level of commitment though probably had
some inkling from Matt. He knew, or at least felt pretty sure, he was
overstepping the job for which he'd been hired. But Alejandro could tell
that, at the moment, he didn't care. He was on a roll about all the
benefits this would provide at-risk youth.

Alejandro and Matt let Paul run out of steam. Finally when he realized he
was beginning to repeat himself, he stopped.

Looking at Matt, he said, "Did I go too far?"

Alejandro watched Matt shake his head then Alejandro spoke.

"Paul I compliment you on the thoroughness of this presentation. It was
carefully and logically laid out and as a lay person I was able to follow
everything you proposed. However..."

Alejandro realized the pause was a cheap shot. Paul looked stricken for a
moment.

"...however, I'm not sure you've explored all the potential here or the
needs to expand the program in the future. I'm totally onboard with what
you're proposing. If we are to be successful - yes `we' - we need to look
at the potential of every building in light of this. Or," and Alejandro
paused, "we need to buy a building for this express purpose and dedicate it
for training. Make it state-of-the-art, a point of pride for both students
and teachers. What do you think?"

Paul's eyes were as wide as a child's on Christmas morning. "You mean it?
Really?!"

Alejandro saw Matt give Paul a look of `I told you so' and a smile laden
with affection.

`Hummm' Alejandro thought as he watched the momentary interchange.

Paul nearly exploded with questions, grabbing a pen and pad.

"Whoa, we'll get to all of that. Right now I'm ready for a glass of wine
and some dinner. How about you guys?" Alejandro said, giving time for some
of the enthusiasm to settle.

Over dinner and dessert, they made a broad outline of the various
components being proposed. They made a list of potential problems and
solutions. A proposal for the participating agencies needed to be made in
the very near future. Paul agreed to put together a cleaner outline of his
presentation in written form and make a proposal to the partners at their
next meeting. Matt offered to give them a heads-up, one-on-one, so all
would be prepared and hopefully receptive.

When Paul and Matt were getting ready to leave, Paul walked over to
Alejandro and offered his hand to thank him again for his support and
dinner. Alejandro pulled him into a quick hug as he thanked Paul for all
the contributions he was making in such a short time.

Matt looked amused by all of it. As the elevator door closed Matt was
looking at Alejandro and smiling.

The Dynamic-Duo. That's how Alejandro thought of them. They proceeded to
wow every partner with the apprenticeship concept.

Alejandro thought, with some humor, that Mutt and Jeff was a little more
descriptive. Paul's 6'1", trim, swimmer's build was topped with blond
hair. He was the antithesis of Matt's thick, heavily muscled, dark
build. Plus, Paul's eyes were light blue and had an electric quality to
them. Alejandro knew it didn't make sense but that's what he thought of
when he saw Paul. Perhaps it was the energy, who knew.

Spring finally arrived with consistently warmer days. Alejandro began to
make the rounds, as he thought of them, the visits to colleges, museums and
other institutions that the Algara Group supported. He knew his presence
was not required but remembered his Grandparents' belief that if you didn't
watch spending you never knew where the money went. It applied to family
finance as well as philanthropic gifts.

The dinner party Charles planned was a huge success. It went on well past
midnight. The guests, to a person, were entertaining, filled with stories
about Broadway names, old money and general gossip of The City, as they
seemed to refer to New York. Alejandro made a point of spending time with
two of the men in particular that he wanted to get to know better.

He and Charles had a very satisfying reunion in Charles' bed. Alejandro was
welcomed at the board meeting with accolades for his introducing Charles to
the Metropolitan family. The man had made a veritable hit with staff and
patrons alike.

Spring bled into summer with the brief interruption for a visit to the
Yucatan. Alejandro quickly found that late May in southern Mexico was
nearly as unbearable as Chicago in a deep freeze with wind off the
lake. Fortunately the Casa had misters that helped with the oppressive heat
of the intense sun. The rooms were oases of cool air so that when they
retreated to enjoy time in bed, comfort was assured.

John Abernathy's hoped for summer visit was delayed by child-centered
events and the wife's insistence that John be in attendance. He promised to
visit before Christmas.

Alejandro stayed busy all summer with friends, business, and occasional
weekend jaunts. One of his most pleasurable pastimes while in town was
visiting Matt and enjoying the smell of the dirt and the work of
farming. Alejandro, a city boy, thoroughly enjoyed his fieldtrips, as he
and Matt laughingly referred to them. He'd spend a day with Matt, and
frequently Paul, doing whatever gardening or yard work needed doing.

During these visits he confirmed his Mutt and Jeff appraisal. With shirts
off and sweat running freely, the two men were a study in contrasts. Paul's
lean, muscled frame was not skinny by any means. A swimmer's build best
described it. Long-limbed, Paul's muscles were stretched and taut. He had a
sprinkling of blond chest hair near the center of his pecs.

Occasionally when he straightened up from weeding a particularly stubborn
patch, his shorts rode low and Alejandro could see the honey blond treasure
trail begin to widen just at the waistband of his shorts. The boy was
working commando and who could blame him in the heat.

Matt seemed oblivious to the heat. The sweat poured off him. His chest hair
was matted against his muscled torso. When he bent and pulled weeds or
lifted a heavy pot to a bench, his musculature popped with definition. He
seemed oblivious to it all. He was just working as usual.

Both Matt and Paul welcomed Alejandro as one of the boys on workdays. He
wasn't anyone special. Dirt was under his nails and on his brow when they
took a break for some shade and water. The conversation was current and
local -- the heat, the crop, the weeds and plans for the greenhouses in
winter. They took turns showering in the barn using storm run-off water
that was then piped to a French drain. A fraternity of brothers was how
Alejandro thought of it.

He noticed a bond between Paul and Matt when he first came for a workday
but said nothing. After spending the second Saturday with them, there was a
rhythm, a knowing what the other wanted or would do that spoke of much time
shared. Still it wasn't his business and he didn't ask.

Toward the end of summer when they all were busy with harvesting and
canning, he heard Matt call Paul by an affectionate term. After a pause,
Matt turned to Alejandro and smiled. Nothing more needed to be
said. Alejandro was happy for the men. They seemed well suited.

Summer waned and the fall circuit of meetings began. The academic year
fired up, and the fundraising events moved into high gear. Alejandro formed
an ad hoc committee with his lawyer and secretary to review requests for
funding as well as help him with his scheduled involvement.

The three of them quickly saw that a more formal structure was needed to
deal equitably with the growing multitude of requests for assistance. His
philanthropic world had extended beyond the cultural confines of Chicago
and a few other well known institutions in other parts of the country.

Alejandro's day-to-day activities with the company were delegated for the
most part to managing directors. His work was primarily with the Algara
Group's philanthropy. His secretary had long been with the company and, as
the saying goes, knew where all the skeletons were buried as did the lawyer
who worked most closely with Alejandro.

He directed them to pull together a list of likely candidates from within
the company as well as people in the community who had an affinity to the
work of the Algara Group. He tasked the lawyer to come up with a working
document that would guide the activities without restricting requests. It
was a tricky balancing act but Alejandro wanted to continue to be involved
directly with many of the major contributions.

Two weekends prior to Thanksgiving, after the majority of board meetings
had ended, Alejandro made a trip to the Yucatan. It was becoming a retreat
for him -- culturally and physically distant from the demands of his
daily life. Cesar suggested he come to the big house, as Cesar referred to
it, on the hacienda.

Alejandro readily accepted and flew down for a weekend visit. They spent
their time riding, eating, and driving to spectacular sites on the
estate. In the evenings they relaxed in front of a fire on an outdoor
covered lanai before they went to bed.

During their conversation after a day of exploring the estate, Alejandro
reiterated his daydream of having a place on this beautiful coast as a
retreat for himself. It was never Alejandro's intention to ask a favor but
Cesar brought up the oft-repeated wish to force the discussion.

It seemed to Alejandro to be a question out of the blue when Cesar asked,
"If you owned a home on the coast would you ever use it or is the thought
of it a pleasant mental diversion for you?"

"What do you mean? Are you suggesting that I build a place near one of the
coastal villages? I'm confused," Alejandro said genuinely puzzled.

"Each time you come to the Yucatan, I've seen you relax within hours of
your arrival. It's in your face, your posture, you..." he stopped for want
of description. "Does what I say resonate with you?"

"Yes. Yes, of course it does. I've likely said it each time I've visited, I
know. It's something about the air, the pace of the people, the place. It
touches something inside of me I can't describe." Alejandro looked at Cesar
as if he could help find the answer.

"Let me give you an idea just to consider. Think on it and we can talk
about it more tomorrow. I'd rather you take a night to sleep on it. So now
if you will hear me out..." Cesar looked at Alejandro wondering at the
wisdom of what he was going to suggest.

"There are many miles of shoreline that are served by the road we were on
today," Cesar said.

"Is the area completely undeveloped? I remember seeing very little
development along the coast," Alejandro said.

"The small towns and villages are where the people live. We passed through
several, I'm sure you recall. The areas that you admired are of little use
for farming or grazing livestock.

"It would take only a small piece of land, a few hectares at most, for you
to build a small casa of your own. It could be situated on one of the
numerous bluffs you admired that look out on the sea. I would be glad to
provide the land for a small sum if you would agree to give me or my heirs
right of first refusal when you are ready to sell or dispose of it.

"You are, of course, welcome here always. But I know that having a space of
one's own allows a different sense of peace." Cesar laughed briefly as he
added, "There is precious little peace here with all the comings and
goings. You might find me a frequent visitor, if only to escape the
business of running this house.

"Now, please, indulge me with the thought you will consider this and we can
talk more if you like in the morning." Cesar sat back, lifted the bowl of
his brandy snifter from the ornate wooden side table topped with richly
colored glazed tiles. He inhaled deeply the complex aroma as his eyes gazed
into the fire that burned low in the large chiminea.

Alejandro honored Cesar's request and didn't bring up Cesar's suggestion
that evening. They discussed numerous topics that were familiar and shortly
thereafter went to bed.

After a vigorous and mutually satisfying coupling, Alejandro lay in bed
letting his mind randomly consider the various challenges and opportunities
owning a home here might mean. As he fell asleep he was recalling the
hypnotic sound of waves washing up on shore at the Casa.

Over a breakfast of huevos rancheros, chorizo, pan dulce and steaming café
con leche, Alejandro and Cesar began to discuss the various options and
challenges Alejandro would face in building a small casa. The more they
discussed it, the more animated Cesar became. Alejandro found the idea more
than engaging but didn't want to take advantage of his new friend.

When Alejandro addressed his concern, Cesar shushed him saying it would be
wonderful to have him as a neighbor even if for very brief periods. To give
a bit more substance to their discussion they took the same coastal drive
they had the day before to look at various sites.

When Alejandro was flying home, he let himself daydream a bit about the
luxury to be able to steal a few days several times during the winter to
stay at his own place. Shaking himself slightly, he reminded himself he
abounded in building projects at the moment. Still, this would be fun to
think about.

The cold of Chicago was at least ameliorated somewhat by the color and
dazzle of the Magnificent Mile in midtown. Everyone was bundled against the
cold. Stores were filled with people Christmas shopping. There was an
energy and sense of good will. It was contagious. Of course the major
Algara and friends Thanksgiving feast preparation was underway.

As the first nip of fall bit the air, Alejandro decided to have his first
Thanksgiving dinner at the condo for friends who for whatever reason
weren't leaving town or didn't have family to eat with.

In mid-October at a project meeting a schedule was roughed out for the
remainder of the year. Paul volunteered that he'd be in town over the
holiday if any slack needed to be picked up for anyone traveling. After the
meeting Alejandro mentioned his plans to Paul and invited him.

"Matt's going to be here too. Can he come?" Paul blurted out without
thinking.  Alejandro smiled inwardly as the blush began to creep up Paul's
neck. "Of course. Do you know any of the group here that will be in town
without other obligations? They'd be welcome."

They chatted for a few moments after the meeting broke up and Alejandro
suggested that Paul and Matt come home with him for dinner.  Over their
meal Alejandro reminisced about the home-cooked meals of childhood as he
gestured to the takeaway boxes that had held their dinner.

"I'm just not a cook, at least not good enough for me to want to eat it!"
They all enjoyed a laugh. "Somehow catered and Thanksgiving don't go
together in my mind when thinking about dinners at my Grandparents. But who
am I kidding. It will be delicious, easy and," he brushed his hands
together, "that will be that."

"This is going to sound crazy, I know," said Paul, "but it isn't
impossible. In fact millions of families do it every year." His statement
of the obvious was made with a disarming smile. "It might be fun,
Alex. Matt and I would be glad to help with all of it."

Matt looked up with a look of surprised shock.

Alejandro thought he'd diffuse the situation. "Paul that's generous but I
can do the catering thing again."

Paul didn't seem to hear Alejandro's comment or see Matt's reaction. He
plowed ahead.

"A lot of it can be done in advance. Matt's a great cook and I'm more than
competent help in the kitchen. I'd be fun. I mean it doesn't have to be
fancy. It's just for friends, right?"

Somehow before they left for the evening they'd done a rough plan for the
guests, food, along with a time schedule. While it was odd for Alejandro
not to have caterers handle the details, working with Paul and Matt seemed
easy, fun and natural.

When they tallied up the RSVPs there were going to be nearly thirty
guests. Alejandro enlisted one of the brothers from St. Loyola who was
coming to help with wine selection. Alejandro's wine cellar had been
complete for several months now but he'd not had time to share it. He was
pleased at the reaction.  While continuing their preliminary work several
weeks before Thanksgiving Day, Paul and Matt had come over for dinner for a
planning session. Matt was comfortable with the cooking and finalized a
menu that all agreed on. Paul was the logistics man of the moment.

"Alex, when we've been here before we've grabbed plates, napkins and
cutlery from the sideboard. There're some beautiful decorative pieces in
the china cabinet. Do you have `dinner china' in there," Paul made the
quotes in the air, "to serve the number coming?"

Alejandro looked a bit nonplussed for a moment. "There's plenty of china
and silver. But it's not here. I just realized that since I've been in the
condo every big event has been catered. They brought everything in."

"Okay," Paul said, gesturing with his hands hoping to prompt the logical
next comment. It wasn't forthcoming. "Alex, where's the china and silver,
not to mention glasses, serving pieces and all the stuff needed to put a
dinner like this on the table?"

"It was all packed up when the town house was sold and I moved, just after
Father died." He was concentrating trying to remember where all the boxes
had gone. "It's the same pattern as the things in the china
cabinet. Grandmother had lavish dinner parties and had all the guns and
horses to do it right."

"Oh, I recall. It's stored at one of the company buildings. There was so
much stuff that they needed a secure reinforced room for safekeeping. My
secretary will know."

"You mind?" Paul asked approaching the china cabinet and reaching for the
door.  "Not at all. I saved out those pieces because they reminded me of
Grandmother and the wonderful times we shared in the old house."

Paul took a platter down from the glass shelf, handling it carefully. "Very
Deco design. Elegant, yet simple." Turning it over, he read the hallmark,
"Mirabeau by Haviland. My Grandmother had a platter with this design; I
thought I recognized it. You have service for a large dinner party?"

"Forty or more, I'm sure. The silver will be stored with it. We'd better go
on a fieldtrip. Paul, what do you think?"

"It's either that or head to Crate and Barrel for some cheap stuff. Your
call, Guy. But you aren't going to do that." Paul said with a tone in his
voice Alejandro had come to recognize meant that decisions had been made.

"So what am I going to do, Paul?" Alejandro said and glanced over at Matt
who was holding his head in his hands by now, slightly shaking his head.

"We," he said putting emphasis on the word, "are going to find the china
and sterling, get it cleaned up, polished and ready for a Thanksgiving
dinner that will be memorable. And what are you shaking your head at, Matt
Grunwald?" Paul said grinning at his friend.

"Oh, nothing. I'm just the cook. Thank God," he said in a softer voice.

Alejandro said, "Guys, I don't mean to make this so hard. We can rent the
stuff. They'll bring it in. We can even hire someone to come in and clean
up and load the boxes for the rental company." Alejandro was beginning to
think less of the idea by the minute.

Paul looked disturbed. "No Alex. ... Please?" The first said in distress.
The second was almost plaintive. "We always went to Grandma's for
Thanksgiving dinner. She insisted, loved the preparation, the smells in the
house, dressing the table. Mom is not a cook. Grandma died while I was in
college. Since then we've eaten the meal out. I've hated it.

"For me, this will be Thanksgiving with family, sort of. Matt, help me
here, please."

Matt raised his one eyebrow and cocked his head in a gesture that usually
meant, `You're sure?' Paul nodded.

"Alex, you know we've been together for some time now," Matt said as he got
up and put his arm around Paul. "Paul finally told his parents that he was
gay and in a relationship, a committed relationship." He grimaced and
continued, "It didn't go well.

"It didn't get really ugly but they said they didn't want to meet me and
that they needed time to think about what he'd said. That was over two
months ago. No communication since." With a slight nod he finished, "`Nuf
said." He gave Paul another hug and took his seat. Alejandro thought,
`Classic Matt - supportive like a rock, but a man of few words in times
like this'.

For Alejandro the picture quickly became clear and he shared in part the
strong desire that Paul expressed.

"Paul it was the same with me as far as holidays went. My mother died in
childbirth so Isabella, my Grandmother, raised me. Holidays were always
special, all of them, just pick one. She made them special.

"Family times were intimate and fun. The social events were fun too because
she really knew how to entertain. I remember her in the kitchen supervising
and putting finishing touches on everything.

"Guests, lots of them, were welcomed at numerous events through the year.
The house was a happy one, especially at holidays, full of good smells,
delicious food, and friends. That's what we're going to have here. Guys I
can't do this without you. You still in?" Alejandro asked with assurance
that they were.

"Paul, tell me what we need to do and together we'll make it happen. And
you `Mr. Just-the-Cook' begin to make your lists. Don't kill yourself here;
get help. Whatever you want or need, you know the drill.

With a wry smile typical of himself, Matt did a sloppy salute as he winked
at Paul.

The next day, Paul and Alejandro went on a search-and-discover mission
after Alejandro's secretary located the inventory of the Algara house.
After unlocking the room and a separated area, also secured, they found
dozens of stacked wooden crates stamped `FRAGILE'. All were dusty and
covered with cobwebs.

"I guess no one has been in here since it was moved in years ago. We can't
do much without some tools and ways to move it out. Damn, there's a lot
here!" Alejandro was quietly stunned at the number of boxes and the amount
of work they represented.

Paul quickly wrapped his mind around the task. They determined that
professional help was required. An antiques company was contracted to come
in to inventory, appraise, remove and clean each piece. They would advise
on future storage. Tiffany's was contracted to send in a silver specialist
who would do the same kinds of things with the flat- and hollowware.

After seeing Paul in action, Alejandro realized how cathartic this was for
him. Alejandro convinced Paul to be the majordomo and to hire any help that
was needed or buy whatever else would help make this a memorable
Thanksgiving for their friends.

Paul's left brain, the structured, technical side of him, excelled at
organization. What surprised Alejandro, but not so much Matt, was the
creative personality that came to the fore, making sure that everything was
not only functional but tasteful. Flowers, table setting, food placement,
the bar - it all came together as a beautiful whole.

Alejandro, Paul and Matt celebrated Thanksgiving with an eclectic
hodge-podge of friends. Many stayed for seconds while they watched football
-- turkey and cranberry sauce sandwiches followed by the remainders of
the desserts Matt had created.

After everyone was gone, the guys collapsed and toasted the event with some
of the remaining wine. They all had agreed earlier that a staff would come
in to wash dishes and restore the condo. Matt and Paul headed to the guest
room. Alejandro smiled as he stood in his bedroom door and watched them
walk down the hall, arms around each other's waist. There was much to be
thankful for.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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