Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2013 03:46:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: John Michaels <mmanlookin@yahoo.com>
Subject: Filipino Love - Chapter 53

			       FILIPINO LOVE
				    BY
				    JM

email: mmanlookin@yahoo.com

Disclaimers and other info: see chapter one

This story is my personal intellectual property, and no copy or
reproduction is allowed without my express written consent.

This and all subsequent chapters are dedicated to my own Filipino Love.


			    CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE


    The trip to the hospital with Lorenzo driving was no less of a
white-knuckle experience than our ride with Josie had been, although those
sphincter-tightening moments were fewer in number.  We were headed in the
opposite direction from the bank trip, and either due to that fact or that
it was later in the day, traffic wasn't as congested, thereby reducing the
number of my panic attacks.  Somewhere along the way, before we left the
city proper, Lorenzo took a left-hand turn that surely aged me
considerably, as he cut his way through the traffic at the intersection.  I
finally had to just close my eyes and take deep breaths until I felt that
we were once again past the danger point.  None of this seemed to phase
either he or Ronni, as they chatted amiably through it all and laughing at
my apparent distress.  I knew they weren't putting me down in any way.  It
was just funny to them to see my reaction to what was an every-day thing
for them.  Ronni took my hand and squeezed it reassuringly while kissing my
cheek, and I felt some of the tension leave my body as I leaned into him.
I still have some serious doubts as to whether or not I'll ever feel
comfortable enough to drive in this motor madhouse, but maybe after living
here for a while I'll get the confidence.  OR NOT, as a tricycle cab zoomed
out out of a side street directly in front of us, causing Lorenzo to have
to brake hard, swerve and lay on the horn.  Thank God there wasn't someone
directly on our tail, or we would have surely been hit.  I felt myself
beginning to panic again, and even Ronni leaned into me with a slight gasp.
Lorenzo did slow down momentarily, and I could hear him cursing the traffic
culprit from the front seat.

    Things returned to normal, if there is such a thing while on the
roadways here, and we soon turned onto the connector road at the edge of
town, heading in a direction away from the airport and mall.  The traffic
was much lighter here, and we were able to make good time.  Lorenzo pointed
out the double-lot property we were buying as we went past, and he soon
took another left turn onto a side road that had an international sign for
hospital.  We could see the building just ahead, and I was surprised at
it's appearance.  It was a 3-story affair and looked like a fairly new
construction, which Lorenzo verified by saying it had only been open a
little more than a year.  While it wasn't overly large by US standards, it
certainly looked more than adequate.  After finding a parking spot not too
far from the entrance, I gratefully got out of the car to stretch my tense
muscles.  I was soon joined by Lorenzo and Ronni, who took my hand, and
together we walked inside.

    The lobby was smaller than what I was used to in hospitals in the US,
but it was pleasantly decorated with the requisite seating arrangements and
an information desk, behind which sat a rather severe-looking older woman.
We walked up to her, and as Lorenzo told her why, in Filipino, we were
there, pointing at me, her face was rearranged itself into a big smile that
suddenly transformed her features into one that made her look like
everyone's favorite grandma.  She pointed us to the elevators, and as we
were leaving, she turned to me, and very clearly said "Thank you" while
still smiling broadly.  I couldn't be sure, but there may have also been
some moisture in her eyes.  I was clearly surprised, and Lorenzo informed
me that she was a good friend of Sanie's and was grateful for what I was
doing for Ronald.  I smiled back at her and said "You're welcome", hoping
her English was good enough to understand.  She obviously did, as she
smiled and nodded at me.  We got on the elevator and were quietly whisked
to the third floor.  Lorenzo apparently knew where we were going and headed
off to the left as we got out.  We walked the length of the hallway and
stopped at the last door on the right, where there was a name tag with the
name "Nunez" on it, so we were obviously at the right door.  We pushed open
the door, and both Ronni and I stopped as we witnessed the scene before us,
a small gasp escaping his lips as he gripped my hand harder.

    Taking a quick look around the room, I wanted to make sure that it was
what I had wanted, and I was pleasantly surprised.  It looked like a large,
well-appointed and comfortable hotel room with plenty of windows for light,
and a seating area over by the windows with a small sofa and recliner,
which I'm sure could be made into a bed.  All in all, it was a pretty nice
room for any hospital, and better than most.

    Ronald was half-reclined in his bed with wires running out of his body
and attached to various machines which were quietly monitoring him, and an
IV line attached from a bag of fluids to his right hand.  He looked a hell
of a lot better than the last time we'd seen him, now shaved, bathed and
with a hair cut, but he was still skeletal in appearance, with dark circles
under his eyes.  But that wasn't what caused Ronni and me to pause in
shock.  It was the sight of Sanie, sitting in a chair by Ronald's bed,
holding his hand and talking quietly to him that brought us up short.  This
vibrant, lively and lovely woman was reduced to a haggard shell, her face
deeply lined with worry and dark circles under her eyes.  It was clearly
evident that unless we could get her away so she could rest that it
wouldn't be long before she herself was a patient here.

    Ronald was the first to notice us, and he informed Sanie of our
presence.  She turned toward us and gave us a small smile as she stood.
Ronni let go of my hand and was soon hugging his beloved lola fiercely but
gently, recognizing her weakened condition, and crying quietly on her
shoulder.  They were talking quietly as I approached, Ronald watching me
warily, while Lorenzo held back just inside the door, waiting and watching.
Our faithful Lorenzo!  He was a treasure.  Sanie finally saw me, and with
her smile still in place, pulled me into a three-way hug.  I gently placed
my hand on her cheek and leaned to kiss her forehead as I sadly smiled
back, silent tears running down my cheeks as my heart broke for the love
and determination this wonderful woman had for her long-lost and damaged
son and for what she would willingly put herself through for him.  We broke
our hug, and Sanie reached up to pull my head down to place a kiss on my
cheek before turning to Ronald and told him who I was - I think - because
it was all in Filipino, but I heard my name as she pointed to me.  She then
told him who Ronni was, as I heard not only his name, but also those of
Marcus and Venus.  Sanie started to again take her seat, but Ronni talked
to her and took her arm, pointing at the small sofa that was over near the
window.  She started to protest, but Ronald joined in, obviously agreeing
with Ronni and then said something as he pointed at me.  Sanie looked back
and forth between Ronald and me before giving a small shrug, leaned down
and kissed Ronald on the forehead before letting Ronni lead her over to the
sofa, where they were soon in a quiet conversation.  I looked lovingly at
them as I relived in my mind the wonderful times we'd had together during
my short stay, and the realiztion of the love and support Ronni and I had
from my new family brought a smile to my face.  I was brought back to the
moment when I heard Ronald speak my name.  In almost perfect English he
asked me to sit down by his bed.

    "Thank you for coming when I asked, Mr. James," he said.  "I needed to
meet you and tell you some things.  I was told you will be leaving in a few
days and would be gone for some time, so I appreciate you coming when I'm
sure you have other things you needed to do before you left."

    "One of the things that I've insisted on while here is that I prefer to
be on a first-name basis with those I have dealings with," I said,
"especially family.  You are my husband's uncle, so I would like it if you
would call me Phil."

    "Your....husband?" he asked, as his eyebrows raised almost to his
hairline.  "Mama has told me about your relationship with Ronni.  I'm more
than a bit surprised - shocked, even - that the family has actually blessed
your relationship, although after the life I have led, I certainly have to
cause to condemn.  And I will be honest with you....Phil.  I have been
secretly watching you and Ronni together ever since that night you were at
Venus' house with that horrible bitch, Sara.  So I knew about you and Ronni
before Mama told me yesterday.  It bothered me that my 14-year old nephew
was possibly following in my foot steps and was whoring himself, but it
wasn't long before I realized that it was not what I thought.  It soon
became very clear that the two of you cared for each other - that you loved
each other very much.  That caused me to begin to accept the fact that you
two were committed lovers, but husband?  How can that be, when there are no
such provisions for gay men to marry here, not to mention, someone Ronni's
age?"

    "Your mother has probably already told you about the dreams Ronni had
for years before I came along," I said.  He nodded.  "He evidently has
inherited some of your mother's....umm...powers, I guess I'd have to call
them.  I have to admit that I was completely caught off balance when I
realized that I had such deep feelings for someone so young.  Ronni is the
first, only and last of someone his age that I will ever fall in love with.
I'm a school teacher back in the states, and I'm constantly surrounded by
boys Ronni's age.  And while I can freely admit that I find some of them
very attractive, they in no way affect me either emotionally or physically.
It's simply an observation.  Up until I met Ronni, all of my sexual
encounters had been with men around my age, some a bit younger and some
older, but all of them definitely of the legal age of consent in the US and
wherever I was at the time.  When I first met Ronni, there was something
about him that immediately drew me to him, and I now am firmly convinced
that he was the one who was meant to be my soul mate.  He completes me in
every way.  Just this week we were able to get a slight name change that
ties our names together: Martinez-James.  And while you're right in saying
that gay marriage is not accepted her - YET - in our hearts, we both feel
bound by all the things that make our relationship a true marriage."

    "I think I understand," he said, nodding his head.  "If it were
possible to have your union blessed here in the Philippines, would you do
it, even if it would have to be a secret ceremony with no real legal
standing?"

    "In a heartbeat," I quickly replied

    "I may know of a priest who would perform the ceremony," he said, "but
you will soon be leaving.  That may give me the time to see what can be
done, so that when you return, you could have such a ceremony.  But please
don't get your hopes up too high!  The church is very strict here, and any
priest found to have blessed a gay union faces excommunication.  But there
are a few clergy who are sympathetic to the gay cause, and I may know one
or two.  I'll see what I can do, once I'm able to get out of here."

    "If you could arrange something like that, Ronni and I would be forever
in your debt!" I exclaimed.

    "It is I who am in your debt," he said forcefully.  "What you are doing
for me, a total stranger, and for my family is beyond price or measure.  I
will do what little I can for you and my nephew, but for now, let's just
call the perceived debts as a standoff."

    He started to chuckle, which caused a coughing fit, bringing Sanie out
of her seat.  Ronald waved her off as the coughing subsided, and I handed
him a glass of water from the stand beside his bed.  He accepted it
gratefully and after handing back the glass, settled back on his pillow.  I
decided that now was the time to try and help get his support in trying to
get Sanie away for a while so she could rest up and try to regain her
health.

    "Ronald," I began, "I think you have made your mother the happiest
woman on the planet by coming back into her life, even in the condition you
were in.  After so many years of not knowing where you were or how you were
doing, she now is trying to make up for lost time and refuses to leave your
side.  She has been by your side every hour of every day since you've been
here, refusing food at times and more importantly, sleep.  She's driving
herself beyond her limits, and if she doesn't get some proper rest and
nourishment, it won't be long before she won't be in any condition to take
care of anyone, including herself, and will be a patient here herself.
Would you please try and get her to allow one of the other family members -
most likely Venus - to take over for a while?"

    "She is my mother," he said, "and she feels it is her duty to be the
family member to take care of me.  I cannot and will not ask her to do
otherwise.  It would be disrespectful!"

    "You selfish prick!" Lorenzo exploded, as he pushed himself off the
wall he'd been leaning against.

    I had even forgotten for a moment that he was there, standing as a
silent sentinel just inside the door. Now, he was stalking toward Ronald,
anger flashing from his eyes.  Sanie had started to get up, but Ronni put
his hand on her arm and made her sit down again.  Ronald was completely
caught off guard by the intrusion of this stranger, but I also noticed him
scanning Lorenzo from top to bottom as he approached, and he unconsciously
licked his lips, clearly liking what he saw, even though he wasn't sure of
what was happening.  Lorenzo is a very attractive young man, and if I
hadn't met Ronni and was still on the prowl, I would definitely consider
him mattress material.  So Ronald's unthinking reaction as a gay man wasn't
all that surprising.  I sat back to see what would transpire, not totally
disagreeing with Lorenzo's character assessment of Ronald.

          "Your mother is driving herself beyond exhaustion and will soon
be too sick to even take care of herself," he fumed, "and you lie there and
accept this as your due.  You disgust me!!  Your mother is one of the most
caring and loving people I have ever known, and you also know this and are
taking advantage of her for your own selfish needs!  Yes, I know you
haven't seen her for many years, but who's fault is that?  YOU are the one
to disappear from her life, taking a good deal of her heart with you.  All
these years she has loved you and missed you, always hoping that someday,
you would come back to her. But she also never stopped loving and caring
for those who were still in her life.  Her heart is simply too big to do
otherwise.  And you know this and are taking advantage of her, selfishly
keeping her to yourself because you feel the need to have her take care of
you to make up for those lost years.  You talk of disrespecting her by not
allowing her to care of you day in and day out.  Her own health is being
destroyed while you lie there, soaking up all her love, trying to make up
for those lost years while ignoring her own needs.  THAT is the ultimate
disrespect!"  For a moment, there was a total silence in the room, and I
swear, I could hear the drip of the IV bag as it fed into the line attached
to his arm.

    "Oh, dear God!" Ronald finally whispered in a voice filled with anguish
as the realization of the truth to what Lorenzo said hit him hard.  'What
have I done?  Oh, God!  Mama!  I'm so sorry!"

    Tears started pouring out of his eyes as great heaving sobs wracked his
frail body, the flood of reality taking it's toll.  The white-hot anger on
Lorenzo's face quickly fled to be replaced with one of deep compassion as
he rushed to Ronald's side and cradled the wailing man's head against his
chest while gently stroking his hair.  Ronald threw his unencumbered arm
around Lorenzo and held on for dear life as his body heaved with his grief
and remorse.  Sanie was quickly by their side, one hand on Lorenzo's
shoulder in compassionate contact while her other hand soothingly stroked
the back of her distraught son's neck.  She didn't try to intrude beyond
those gentle touches, instinctively knowing, as only a mother can, that
this was something that was between the two men, even though she was the
catalyst.  Ronni was quickly by my side and very soon in my lap as we held
each other in love and silent witness to the tableau before us.  Even given
the circumstances, it was a beautiful scene, worthy of a master artist's
brush - grieving son, loving mother and caring friend.  Emotions finally
returned to some semblance of normal as Ronald eased himself back on his
pillow with Lorenzo's help and gave a wan smile to his two emotional
supporters.

    He said something to Sanie in their native tongue, and I guess it had
something to do with me, as they both looked at me.  Ronni confirmed this
when he said that Ronald had told his lola that he wanted to talk to me
some more, then he needed to talk to her.  She nodded, smiled, kissed him
and turned to go back toward the sofa.  Ronni kissed me and said he was
going to try some more to convince her to get some rest.  I reached my
pocket and handed him 1000 pesos and told him to try to get her to go to
the cafeteria and get something to eat and drink, and to assure her that
Ronald would be OK with Lorenzo and myself there.  He clearly liked that
idea, and with another kiss, went to where Sanie was seated and started
telling her my idea.  She gave a worried look in our direction, and I
smiled reassuringly at her and pointed at the door.  With a big sigh and a
shrug, she got up, and the two of them headed for the door, a big smile of
satisfaction threatening to split Ronni's face.  It was a small victory for
us, but a definite step in the right direction for Sanie.  Lorenzo started
to follow them but was stopped by Ronald's hand on his arm, which slid down
until he was holding his hand.  Lorenzo gulped audibly as he looked at
their joined hands.

    "Please stay," Ronald said to him with a smile.  "I want you here.  You
made me realize just how selfish I was being, and then, when I broke down
like that, you comforted me.  Even though we just met, I feel that only a
true friend would do for me what you did, both the lecture and the comfort.
You are my friend, are you not?"  Lorenzo gulped again, and any remaining
resentment he may have harbored toward Ronald, left at that moment, as a
smile crept onto is face quickly follow by a deep blush.  He nodded,
clearly not trusting his voice at this point.

    It was very obvious that now that he had calmed down, Lorenzo was
quickly becoming enamored of Ronald.  Even in his present condition he was
an attractive man, and once fully recovered, would most likely be
stunningly handsome.  And for his part, it looked like Ronald was just as
infatuated with Lorenzo, if the growing lump in his groin area under the
light and revealing sheet was any indication.  Thankfully, Lorenzo didn't
notice this, but it also looked as though his pants were a bit tighter
around the zipper than they were before.  Ronald DID notice this and gave
me a wink before realizing that he was in the same condition, whereupon he
had the decency to blush.  He quickly recovered and patted the side of the
bed that was fairly devoid of wires and tubes and indicated Lorenzo was to
sit there, clearly wanting the physical contact as much as was possible
under the circumstances.  Obviously, so did our Lorenzo, as he carefully
sat as close to Ronald as possible, trying as surreptitiously as possible
to rearrange his swollen cock, and without disturbing the array of tubes
and wires, their hands still linked together.  A small shudder rippled
through Ronald before he turned to me.

    "This has never happened to me before," he said, quietly.

    "What is that?" asked Lorenzo with more than hint of hopefulness in his
voice.

    I had a very good idea of what Ronald meant.  In all his years as a gay
man, he had never felt the immediate and total connection that he did with
Lorenzo.  Poor Lorenzo was clueless as to what was going on, and I resolved
to get a moment alone with Ronald before leaving to ask if I might say
something to Lorenzo about what I saw transpiring between them.  Ronald and
I both had histories of past encounters, while Lorenzo was still virginally
waiting for his first.  The vibes between one gay man and another were
something that us two older guys could recognize, but Lorenzo was basically
clueless when it came to getting together with someone he's attracted to.
I have come to look on Lorenzo as a younger brother, and I felt a sense of
willing obligation to help him work his way through what could be the mine
field of the gay world.  But at the moment, I was waiting to see how Ronald
was going to cover his tracks.

    "Ummm..." he hesitated, but only briefly.  "This is the first time
since I was a child that I've had people who truly care about me - some,
who are even willing to shout a lecture at me to get me to wake up to
what's really important." He emphasized this by giving Lorenzo's hand a
squeeze, which caused our boy to blush furiously as he ducked his head in
embarrassment but plainly very pleased by the compliment, if the smile he
had on his face was any indication.

    "I feel badly about that," he said, lifting his head to look at Ronald,
"but I don't feel sorry.  You needed to realize that the demands you were
putting on your mother were actually making her very sick.  I think it's
because you have been away so long, and because she is your mother, she is
the one you turned to, like you did when you were little.  But this is
different.  You are going to be here for several weeks, not just a case of
the sniffles or a scraped knee that are all better in a day or two and
don't require round-the-clock care.  Plus, your mother is older now, as you
are too, and she isn't the young mother who was able to take care of you
around the clock back then.  And let's be honest here.  The reason you are
in this hospital is because you are in far worse condition than a childhood
illness, and it is extremely more stressful for both of you.  You have only
been here a few days, and she is already at the point of collapse.  Because
you have come back into her life, she also wants to make up for lost time
and be with you, taking care of you every hour of every day until you are
well again, just like she did when you were a child.  But this is totally
different. No one, no matter how young or strong they are can be on call 24
hours a day, every day for the weeks you will be needing care.  Your mother
doesn't see it that way, though.  All she sees is her much-loved son home
again, and she wants to take care of you again like she used to.  And you
also need to realize that you have other family who love you just as much,
especially your sister.  She would be very happy to be here with you, as
would others in the family.  Friends, too."  He added that last very
quietly, as he again ducked his head and blushed, having looking straight
into Ronald's eyes all throughout his speech.  Ronald's eyes were more than
a bit moist, and he had to clear his throat before being able to respond.
I think that at this moment, neither of them was aware that I was even in
the room.  It was just the two of them, the bond between them deepening by
the moment. I'm DEFINITELY gonna have to talk with Ronald - the sooner the
better!

    "Thank you again for waking me up," he responded.  "It sometimes takes
the eyes of a stranger to see what those who are closest cannot."  He
cleared his throat before continuing.  "It won't be easy, but I am quite
certain I can convince Mama to start letting others share the burden.  It
would be good to be able to get to know my sister again.  I've missed her
as much as I've missed Mama.  And you also mentioned friends who would
help. Would you be one of them?  Please?" he added in a hopeful whisper.

    "Yes!" Lorenzo all but shouted, grinning from ear to ear.  Suddenly
aware of the exuberance of his response, his face became an alarming shade
of red, as he tried to do his best imitation of an ostrich by practically
tucking his head under his arm.  He looked so vulnerable and adorable that
neither Ronald nor I could help chuckling.  I stood, leaned over the bed
and rubbed his back reassuringly.

    "It's OK, Lorenzo," I said in the most soothing voice I could muster.
"You're among family and friends here.  There's nothing to be embarrassed
or ashamed about."

    "But I've made such an ass out of myself," he said, miserably

    "And a very fine-looking ass too, if I may say so," Ronald responded
with a chuckle while blushing furiously himself.  As pale as he had been,
the effect was quite startling.

    "You...really think so?" Lorenzo asked shyly, lifting his head slightly
to look at Ronald.

    "Yes, I do," he said, with a serious expression on his face and an
unmistakeable sparkle in his eyes.  "I would like to see you as often as
possible, if you want.  I feel something for you already that I have never
felt for anyone before.  I think you are someone I really want and need in
my life.  I would really like to find out for sure."

    What the hell is it about romance in the Philippines?  It just seems to
explode on the scene in the blink of an eye!  First, Ronni and me, now
Lorenzo and Ronald.  Then there was Dhomz and Jareth, although that one
evolved through a life-long friendship, but it still just kind of popped up
suddenly.  It reminded me of that saying: "Life is too short. Eat dessert
first."  Here, it seems, love crops up before really getting to know the
other one first.  And, in retrospect, it also seems that here, long and
loving relationships were successfully developed from first, love, THEN
friendship, like Ronni and myself, whereas in the culture I grew up in, it
was just the opposite: friends first, then lovers.  I still feel, though,
that I need to talk with both Ronald and Lorenzo separately and together -
sort of like a marriage counselor.  Both were going into this with their
own set of baggage - Lorenzo, with his youthful inexperience and naivete,
and Ronald with his long history of drug use, prostitution and, probably,
failed relationships.  I just hope I get a chance before I leave.  I don't
want to see either them get hurt, especially Lorenzo.

    Just then. we heard laughter just as the door opened, and Sanie and
Ronni walked in, Sanie still chuckling over whatever it was Ronni had said
to set her off.  A look of pure love and joy descended on Ronald's face, as
he looked at his mother, and a small tear escaped the corner of his eye.
In a seeming unconscious move, Lorenzo reached out and gently wiped away
the tear as he gazed upon his new....what?  Friend, boyfriend, future
lover?  It was hard to tell, for the look on his face could convey any or
all of those.  Ronald grasped his hand and brought it to his lips, kissing
it softly, as Lorenzo shuddered, and soft sound somewhere between a sigh
and a moan escaping his lips.  This boy had it REAL bad!!!  If he wasn't
already head over heels in love with Ronald, he was damn close, and from
the look in Ronald's eyes as he gazed at Lorenzo, it was a very mutual
feeling.  Ronni and Sanie had by now joined us, and it was evident that
Sanie saw the looks that were being passed between her son and Lorenzo.  A
slow smile crept upon her face, as she looked lovingly at her son while
placing her hand gently on Lorenzo's shoulder, almost like a benediction or
blessing.  She obviously saw and approved what had transpired between the
two, and she seemed very happy about it.  My Ronni was no slouch, either.
He came to sit on my my lap, settling his back against my chest and kissed
my cheek.

    "Looks like Lorenzo's search is over," he said, quietly in my ear.

    "It certainly looks that way," I replied, just as quietly.  Just then,
Ronald turned his head to look at Ronni and me and smiled.

    "That is the first time I have heard my mama laugh since before I left
home all those years ago," he said to Ronni, another tear escaping his
eyes.  "It is such a beautiful sound, and I would hear it sometimes in my
dreams.  I have missed that sound so much."  Lorenzo was either having a
hard time keeping his hands to himself, or he simply didn't care who knew
how he was feeling, as he reached out and once again wiped the tear from
Ronald's cheek, then placed the palm of his hand there.

    "You have lived for so many years with such great pain in your heart,"
he said, as he gently rubbed his thumb on Ronald's cheek, causing him to
lean into the caress.  "Let me...let US help you get rid of it."

    "The healing is already well under way," Ronald replied, placing his
hand on top of Lorenzo's.  "Just being here with Mama, my family and my new
friend is the best medicine I've had since I got here.  And I most
definitely include you in the list of family, Phil.  Mama already thinks of
you as another son, so I guess that makes us brothers of the heart.  If you
will have me."  He added that last in a very soft voice, seemingly afraid
of what my reaction would be.  Leaning forward as best as I could with
Ronni on my lap, I reached out and place my hand on his arm.

    "I would be honored to call you brother," I affirmed.  "I have
considered you as part of my new family, even before you showed up the
other day.  And don't ever think that I would judge you for what you did or
what you were while you were away.  The past belongs in the past.  Today is
a new beginning for all of us."  I said this last looking directly at
Lorenzo, giving him a wink and a smile.  He once again blushed but managed
to smile at me before turning his attention back to Ronald.  Ronni had been
translating our exchange for Sanie, and when he was done, she looked at me
with a broad smile and nodded her approval.

    Sanie and Ronald got into a conversation that obviously included
Lorenzo as the main topic. Although I couldn't fully understand the
language, I got my clues from watching Lornzo's expressions.  It was almost
comical to watch, and it was evident that everyone was pleased with this
latest development.  While they were talking, Ronni was telling me about
lunch with his lola.  While she didn't eat a whole lot, she did manage to
eat most of the small meal she ordered.  But what I really wanted to know
was whether or not he was able to convince her to share the burden of care
with others.

    "I think she is almost ready to agree," he said.  "She knows that she
will be no good to anyone if she gets too sick, but she has wanted to have
Uncle Ronald back for so long, that she can't seem to give up any time she
can be with him.  I even tried a...what is this?...umm..guilt trip.  Is
that correct?"  I nodded and kissed his forehead.  "I told her she was
being selfish by not letting anyone else help, because we all want to get
to know him, too."

    "Good going, Love," I said, as I kissed him again and gave him a light
squeeze.  "Family is very important to her, and I think you said the one
thing that will really make her think."

    "Actually," he said, " I think it is what's happened here between
Lorenzo and him that may make the big difference.  That is part of what
they are talking about.  Uncle Ronald is telling her that there are people
like Lorenzo who are more than willing to help, and Lorenzo said he would
be very happy to.  Big surprise there, huh!" he added, cheekily.

    " I have something I'd like to do," I said, once I had stopped
laughing.  "I'd like to be able to talk to your uncle alone for a little
bit.  Do you think you could get Lola back to the sofa so you can continue
to try and talk sense to her?  You can even tell her that I'd like some
time alone with Ronald, especially since he asked to see me."  He nodded.
"Good.  I'm going to see if I can Lorenzo to agree to go out and get some
non-hospital food for Ronald.  I think that will be fairly easy, since
right now, I'm sure he would do almost anything for him.  Ready to try it?"

    "Yup!  Let's go for it!" he agreed.

    When there was a slight lull in the conversation, I stepped in while
Ronni went around the bed to his grandmother.  While told her that he
needed to talk to her some more, I asked Ronald about the food he'd been
served here.

    "Last night was the first solid food I've had since being here," he
said.  "While it was sort of filling, it had no taste.  I'd give just about
anything for some General Tso's chicken and some pork-fried rice!"

    "Well," I said, looking significantly at Lorenzo.  "Maybe we can remedy
that.  Lorenzo, you know this town well.  Do you know of someplace where we
could get Ronald the food he'd like?"

    "Yes, " he eagerly said, willing, as I thought, to do anything for his
new love interest.  "There is a place not too far from here.  I can call
the order in so it will be ready when I get there.  It will take about 20
minutes or so.  Will that be OK?"  I swear Ronald started drooling at the
thought of his favorite food.  He licked his lips, and I heard an
appreciative rumble from his stomach, as he looked hopefully and hungrily
between Lorenzo and I, his eyes lit up like a kid's at Christmas.

    "Great," I said reaching for my wallet and handing him 5000.  "Why
don't you order something for yourself, and you two can eat together."  His
face positively glowed at the prospect, then fell.

    "But I have to get you and Ronni home," he said, dejectedly.

    "Don't worry about that," I said.  "I saw a taxi stand out front as we
came in.  Ronni can be the interpreter and make sure we're taking the
correct route home, so we don't get ripped off.  I'm also hoping by the
time we're ready to go, Sanie will have been convinced to at least go as
far as Marcus' house and get some rest, and we can hopefully have Venus
come and stay with Ronald tonight.  That's the plan for now, anyway.  I'm
guessing you wouldn't have any trouble staying with Ronald until Venus can
make the arrangements to get here?  It may take a few hours getting the
family organized and making arrangements about her work schedule.  I hope
if it comes to that, that you won't have too much of a problem."

  "No!  Yes!!  I mean, I have no problem with that!"  He was almost
bouncing with excitement, a huge and happy grin across his face.  Ronald
also looked exceedingly pleased at these developments, and his smile
mirrored Lorenzo's.

    "OK.  Make your call and place the order," I said, trying to suppress a
chuckle at the antics of these two.  "I think there should be a phone book
near the phone here so you can look up the number."

    "No need," he said, pulling out his phone and flashing it at us.
"They're my favorite restaurant.  I have them on speed dial!"

    He proceeded to call the restaurant and was soon talking to someone on
the other end, placing his order.  He confirmed with Ronald what he wanted
and asked if he'd like something to drink with it.  Ronald said he'd be
fine with just the water available here.  Lorenzo completed his order,
disconnected, then looked uncertainly at us and also looking very nervous.

    "OK, then," he finally said, moving closer to Ronald.  "I'll be back
soon with your food."  He then bent down and kissed Ronald quickly on the
lips before fleeing the room.  Ronald had a stunned expression on his face
as he turned toward me, then we both started laughing.

    "I think someone really likes you," I said to him.

    "The feeling is very mutual," he said, grinning.  With that, I sat down
to finally have my one-on-one with Ronald.

    The first topic of discussion was Lorenzo and the apparent relationship
that seemed to be developing between the two.  I expressed my concerns for
Lorenzo's well-being after giving him a synopsis of what I knew about him.
Ronald told me that, while he was definitely very attracted to Lorenzo, he
was also scared shitless by the enormity of his feelings.  He admitted to
several relatively long-term relationships, one of which - his last -
enabled him to get a college degree in business (Hmm!) through the
generosity of his much-older paramour at the time, but that relationship
ended after about 5 years when the guy died of a heart attack, leaving no
provisions for Ronald in his will and essentially leaving his destitute.
This was the last in a short line of attempts at settling down, and he
admitted, that while he felt he had loved the man-of-the-moment, especially
the one he was with for 5 years, that he was never IN love with any of
them.  It was after this last relationship that he started selling himself
to survive, and it was from that experience that he got hooked on drugs.
His drug dependency got so bad that he literally slid into the gutter,
ending up in the condition we found him, making what money for drugs he
could by giving hand and blow jobs to anyone who could buy him his next
fix.  Only a few desperate ones would pay to screw his scrawny dirty ass,
which had been his big money maker in the past.  He was certain that it was
from one or more of these johns that he picked up the diseases that were
ravaging his body when we found him.  He told me all this in a flat,
emotionless monotone, as though he had detached himself emotionally in
order to be able to get it all out.  When he finished, it was as if a light
coming on as life returned to his features, and tears began to pour down
his cheeks.  There were none of the body-heaving sobs that accompanied
this.  It was simply a cathartic release of more of the pain he had been
carrying.  This time, it was I who held and comforted him as he worked
though his emotions.  When he let out a deep sigh, I knew the moment was
over and handed him the box of tissues from the night stand.  Once he had
wiped his eyes and face and blown his nose, he settled back and suddenly
smiled at me.  That smile showed what a truly handsome man he was, even
given his present health problems.

    "You know," he said, still with the smile on his face, "your hug felt
just as good as Lorenzo's, but I like him better. Besides, you're already
taken."  At this, he started to laugh, and I soon joined him, as the tense
emotions of just a few minutes ago dissipated.  Sanie had looked our way
from time to time, clearly worried about her son.  But Ronni, bless him,
was able to keep her calm while Ronald and I began to forge the family bond
which I hope would last a lifetime.  I was beginning to really like this
man and felt a deep respect for him for being able to survive.

    We then spent time as I told him about myself, my background, my life
with Ronni and our personal plans for the future and about the hotels I was
planning to build, and that I hoped he could become a part of that
enterprise, especially given the fact that he had that degree in business
just sitting around.  I didn't, however, tell him about the extent of my
finances.  I was still feeling my way with him and just getting to know
him.  I hoped that eventually that I could trust him enough to make a full
disclosure to him once we were on firmer personal ground, but for now, I
left things as they were.  We were just talking about things in general,
mostly personal anecdotes, getting to know one another better, when Lorenzo
returned with the food.  Ronald's eyes lit up and he fairly glowed as
Lorenzo came toward us.  I'm not quite sure if it was the prospect of his
favorite meal or Lorenzo's presence, although his eyes DID linger on
Lorenzo a bit longer than on the bags of food!  As he set the bags on the
stand, we were suddenly surrounded by the delicious aromas wafting out of
them, and Ronald's stomach went into serious grumbling mode.  Mine wasn't
all too quiet either!  Lorenzo bent over to playfully poke at Ronald's
stomach, and when he did, Ronald grabbed his arm and pulled him down,
placing a soft, quick kiss on a startled Lorenzo's lips.

    "Thank you," Ronald told him sincerely.  "I can't tell you how much I
appreciate this."  It was hard to tell if he meant the food or the kiss.
Probably both.  Lorenzo quickly recovered, and even though he was still
blushing, he leaned down and returned the kiss to a very happy Ronald.

    "You're welcome, " he said, as he started getting the food out onto the
side table.  "Now, let's get this grumbling beast fed," he joked, poking
again at Ronald's stomach.  I left the two of them, talking and laughing,
and made my way over to where Ronni and Sanie were sitting, and he had a
huge grin on his face.

    "Lola has agreed to let Mama come and stay tonight with Uncle Ronald,"
he said, excitedly, as he leaped off the seat and into my arms.  "We have
already called her, and she will be here as soon as she can contact the
people she was supposed to work for in the morning and get Sara and
Christian to bed.  She said she will be here in about 2 hours, and she and
Papa are so happy that Lola will take a rest."  I looked at Sanie, and the
poor woman looked totally worn out.  She had a worried but hopeful look on
her face as she looked toward the bed where her son and Lorenzo were now
obviously enjoying their meal, as all chatter had stopped.

    "Tell her it will be OK, and that we should be going soon.  Ronald will
be in good care with Lorenzo until your mother can get here.  He's already
agreed to stay as long as necessary.  Actually, they will probably have to
kick him out eventually, because I know he won't want to leave."

    "That's pretty neat - the two of them coming together like that," he
said.

    "No more amazing than the two of us," I replied, kissing the top of his
head.

    "Yeah, but look at how they started out," he rebutted.  "I thought for
a minute that Lorenzo was going to rip his head off, he was so mad."

    "But just look at them now," I said, pointing at the two.  Lorenzo was
just about to feed Ronald a bite of his dinner, having just eaten the
forkful that Ronald had just fed him.  Yep!  They BOTH have it bad!!  With
a sigh, I turned back to see Sanie watching the interplay, smiling as tears
rolled down her cheeks.  Ronni and I went to her and both wrapped her in a
cocoon of love.

    Ronni told her what I had said about being able to leave now with
Lorenzo here, and I guess what we'd been witnessing was enough to convince
her to go with us.  We walked over to the two, where Sanie hugged and
kissed them both, followed by Ronni then myself.  As I straightened up,
ready to leave, Ronald grabbed my hand.

    "Thank you, Phil," he said, with tears in his eyes.  "You have given me
life."  I was surprised when Lorenzo stood and wrapped his arms around me
and kissed my cheek.

    "Yes.  Thank you, Phil," he said.  "I love you!"

    "Ronni and I love you, too," I replied, kissing the top of his head.
"Take good care of our Ronald."

    "I will," he said.  Then, he whispered in my ear.  "I think I love
him."

    "I know," I whispered back.  "Just take it slowly - both of you.  You
each have a lot to learn and know about the other.  But we'll be here for
you, whenever you need us."

    We finally managed to make our exit and had no trouble getting a cab.
The cabbie was pleasant enough, and he and Sanie chatted back and forth.
He evidently knew the woman who was the receptionist at the hospital and
who was also a friend and neighbor of Sanie's, so they had an animated
conversation, while Ronni and I snuggled together quietly.  We dropped
Sanie off at the Martinez', as it was the first on our route.  I had
thought about going in to visit for a bit but realized that their household
would be in a minor upheaval, not only with Sanie's arrival, but also with
Venus' preparations for an overnight stay with Ronald.  I had Ronni tell
her to tell the family that we would see them tomorrow. We watched from the
cab to make sure she made it to the house OK and took off once she waved
from the door.  We were soon home, and after a much-needed cr break for
both of us and some serious making out, we got down to getting things ready
for our expected guests.


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