Julio – The Growing Years
 by: Miguel Sanchez

© 2006-2008 by the author

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

We had a nice time in Orlando but all too soon it was time to go. I looked at the kids on the flight home and there were looking dejected at the prospect of returning to school. “Hey guys, we’ll come back soon. Maybe we can do this over Christmas or during a school break.”

They didn’t like the mentioning of the word school but in just eight days they would be back in class.

Chapter 2

We landed in Norfolk and Luiz was waiting for us. Each of the kids ran up to him showering the man with loads of hugs and kisses. I could see the smile on his face as I could tell he had missed them.

The next week went by like a blur, partly because I spent four days in the OR. When school started I was going to be putting more time in so I could give Paul a break.

I had the kids registered at one of the best private school in the Beach and the school had both myself and Luiz as those authorized to pick them up. The school had a soccer team and Jay decided to try out for it. Ronnie had never been much for sports so he just stuck to academics.

Steven and Angel had been assigned to the same class and since she didn’t have the same last name as Steven the other kids didn’t associate them as being brother and sister.

The school year was progressing nicely and the kids were dong well, especially Angel who was a straight A honor student. This brought her plenty of ribbing from her brothers but they all had made honor roll. Soccer practice was in full swing and Ronnie would always stay after so he could watch Jay and some of his friends.

After practice the boys were noticing some strange things in the locker room when they returned. Stuff was being dumped on the floor and lockers were opened. They told their coach about it and he said that he would take care of it.

On the way home from practice Jay asked, “Have you seen anyone hanging around bro?”

Ronnie thought about it for a second. “No bro I haven’t, but I haven’t really been paying attention either. I’ve been too busy watching your cute butt run up and down the field.”

Jay leaned over and kissed his lover on the lips. “Ummm, I like that but can you keep an eye out on the locker room too.”

“Sure,” Ronnie said as his hand continued to rub Jay’s crotch.

After dinner the kids had their homework to do when the phone rang. Luiz was busy so I got it and it was Paul. He had been called in for an emergency procedure that would take the better part of the night. He said, “Miguel can you cover for me tomorrow? This surgery is going to take about six hours.”

“Do you want me to come in and assist?”

“That’s OK,” he said. “I have a fifth year assisting. I’ll need you to see the three patients in the office and make rounds for me.”

“Sure thing dude, it’s not a problem and if you need me just call.”

We hung up and I checked on the kids. It was almost ten and my youngest two were in bed sound asleep. I went to check on Jay and Ronnie and they were just coming out of the shower. I looked at Jay and he looked a little distant. I decided to find out if anything was wrong so I asked, “Is there something on your mind son?”

“No Dad,” he replied still looking lost in thought. “I’m just trying to sort a few things out in my mind, that’s all.”

Ronnie looked at me and said, “Just some weird shit happening in their locker room at school.”

“Oh, what’s going on son?”

“It’s weird Dad,” Jay said looking at both Ronnie and me. “We know how the locker room was before we left but when we get back there is stuff strewn all over the place. Even some of the lockers are opened but nothing has turned up missing so far. We told the coach and he said he’d take care of it but it really has me weirded out.”

Jay doesn’t get spooked like this. “I’ll call the Headmaster in the morning and see if they can get a teacher or the janitor to keep an eye on the place during practice.”

“Thanks Dad,” Jay said and both boys gave me hugs and kisses before going to bed.

I watched the late news then decided to call it a night since I had to be up with the kids tomorrow. I woke the next morning at seven and showered and shaved. I put on a shirt and tie and went into the kitchen. Angel hugged me and said, “Why are you dressed up Daddy?”

I returned her kiss saying, “Daddy has to go to work today. He has some patients to see at the office and others to see in the hospital. Luiz will be picking you up after school, then will be back to pick up Jay and Ronnie.”

I looked at the clock and I had time to call the Headmaster and tell him about what Jay had said. The Headmaster said that once practice had started the doors going into the locker room would be locked and secured from the outside. The doors going out to the field would be the only ones left open so students could use the bathroom if they needed to. The only way to the field is through the locker room and with the outer doors being locked that should solve the problem.

I was satisfied at what they were doing to keep the kids safe so I told Jay the problem had been solved. I finished my coffee and headed out the door for the hospital. It took me forty-five minutes to make the drive down the interstate to the hospital parking lot. As I walked in through the emergency room I looked into the doctor’s lounge and saw Paul crashed out on the sofa. I went in and nudged his foot and all he did was groan at me. I shook him and said, “Hey come on buddy wake up and get home.”

He opened his eyes and focused on me saying, “God what a sight to wake up to first thing in the morning.”

“Gee thanks, now get up and get out of here.”

“Ugh,” he said moaning again. “I’m going Miguel. Here is an updated patient list and their room numbers. I’ve called the office and told Betty that you’d be in this afternoon and see the patients. It’s all routine follow up care.”

I took the list and saw eight patients. He’d really been busting his ass and here I was out on vacation. I saw Paul drive off then went and made my morning rounds. My first patient was the young man I assisted Paul with the exploratory laparotomy. I went in and said, “You look a lot better than the last time I saw you.”

“Hi Doc,” he said rather chipper. “Yeah, and I’m feeling better too.”

“Well let’s take a look at you,” I said walking over to his bed.

I pulled the covers down to his waist and lifted his gown and saw he still had a surgical dressing on it. I went out to the nurse’s station and got his chart and some sterile gloves. I read all the notes and his staples were due to come out today. I got a staple remover then put on the sterile gloves. It took a few minutes but he had a small cup with 32 surgical staples in it. I put a clean dressing on it then had him get up and walk for me. I was satisfied with his progress and wrote discharge orders on him for the following day. Paul would do one last check on him then we would see him in the office.

It took most of the morning and into the afternoon but I managed to see all eight patients and change their dressings. I was a little late to the office for my first appointment but those three didn’t take any time at all. My first appointment was an eleven year-old girl who had had her appendix removed by Paul when I was on vacation. I was looking at her incision when she said, “Well Doctor, am I good enough to go swimming yet?”

I was gently pushing around the area looking for any signs of pain then I said, “I think you can. I don’t see any problems here.”

“Cool,” she said. “Now can we go to Disney World Mom? The Doctor says I’m fine now.”

Talk about being set up, but it was all right. “When you had this out that’s where I was with my family. But I think you will have to wait at least until there is a school holiday.”

She didn’t care for that, but oh well. My next patient was a six year-old boy Paul did an umbilical hernia repair on and he was into everything in the exam room. I finally had to just wrap my arms around him then palpate the incision. I was satisfied he was healed so I told the mother that unless there was any further problems we wouldn’t need to see him again.

I checked his name off my list and the last patient of the day was fourteen year-old Jamie Robinson. Paul had done an inguinal hernia repair on him last week and he had been chomping at the bit to go back to sports. I knocked on the door then went in. I looked around and asked, “Where’s one of your parents?”

He smiled replying, “My Mom is in the waiting room. I just don’t like dropping my pants in front of her. Dr. Combs said it was fine when I saw him.”

“No problem,” I said. “I just normally ask when I don’t see one in here. When I would start to examine you I would then ask her to step out.”

I asked him the usual questions about how he was feeling and if he had any pain. This kid was gorgeous and if Jay or Ronnie hadn’t been attached they both would be drooling. I set his chart down and walked over letting him know I was going to have to examine him. He kicked his sneakers off then dropped his pants and underwear to the floor in one move then jumped back onto the table. I saw the incision along with the four stitches. I went and got a pair of suture scissors and a pair of tweezers so I could remove them and see exactly how he was doing. He saw what I was carrying and asked, “Ah what are you going to do Doc?”

“I need to remove those four stitches there. Is there a problem?”

“Ah well,” he started. “No sir but just don’t cut it.”

I wasn’t really thinking when I asked, “Cut what son?”

“My dick,” he said blushing when he realized what he’d said.

“Don’t worry son,” I said laughing. “I haven’t cut one off yet.”

I showed him how the scissors worked and he laid back and tried to relax. Paul made his incision just to the left of his penis and there was no way I could remove these stitches without my hand touching him at some point. I moved it so it pointed to the right and then picked one of the stitches up in the tweezers and prepared to cut it. I hooked the stitch and clipped it then removed it. “That wasn’t too bad,” he said then smiled at me.

I looked over and he was holding his now very hard tool in his hand. I looked at the stitches and quickly removed the others. Once all four had been removed I looked at him and said, “There you go kiddo.”

He began to stroke himself and said, “Thanks Doc. Ahhh this feels so good. I’ve been waiting a long time to be able to do this.”

“Good for you,” I said turning my back on him. “If you want to do that, wait until you get home. I have paperwork to do then I want to get home myself.”

“How about I tell my Mom you made me?” he said.

I walked back over to him. “First off after I told her a few things she’d never believe you. Second, I don’t like kids trying to threaten me. I’m gay and I’m open about it. I have two sons who are gay also and they know that Dad will never touch them sexually.”

Jamie started to cry a little and said, “I’m sorry Doc. I just need to blow my nuts. It’s been so long they hurt.”

“If that’s what you wanted why didn’t you just ask rather than come out with all the other bull?”

“Well,” he said. “I was hoping you’d wanna help. I’m gay also and I thought you might be too. I guess though I was only half right.”

I looked at him and said, “It’s just not in me to touch a child sexually son. If you want to relieve yourself after I walk out that’s fine. I’ll tell your Mom you’re getting dressed and you’ll be out in a few minutes.”

I left the room and did like I said then went into my office to start my paperwork.

At school, Jay and his friends were just starting soccer practice. The coach stood at the front door and waited for all the members to arrive before locking the door. The boys changed into their gear and Ronnie put his books in the locker with his brother’s and followed them outside. Practice had been going on for about 45 minutes when Ronnie said, “Hey Coach I have to use the bathroom.”

He turned and headed inside to empty his bladder. After he finished he turned to walk back outside when someone grabbed his arm and said, “Well, well who do we have here?”

Another boy said, “He looks like a fag. What do you think?”

“I ain’t no fag,” Ronnie said but that was about all he could get out when a fist landed in his stomach.

Ronnie doubled over in pain but tried to get up again. Another fist came down landing in his back just above the belt. “What do you say now fag?”

“I’m not,” he managed to get out before passing out.

Just then Jay and the others came in from practice. “Hey coach,” Jay shouted. “Have you seen Ronnie?”

“He said he was coming in here to take a leak,” the coach said answering Jay.

Jay heard someone shout, “Over here quick!”

Jay and a few of his friends ran to where the voice was heard and Jay shouted, “RONNIE!”

The coach heard the commotion and went to call an ambulance. Jay kneeled down beside his brother and felt for a pulse and listened for his breathing. He saw Ronnie’s eyes open some and he said, “Behind you bro. The guy is behind you.”

Jay jumped up and grabbed the kid. Several others from the team held on to him as he said, “Let me go, I didn’t do nothing to that faggot.”

Carlos the team captain said, “No one said anything about anyone being gay.”

“Well look at him,” the kid started to say.

Jay looked into his eyes and said, “That’s no faggot asshole. That’s my brother.”

Jay had his fist balled up when a voice said, “No Jay.”

The coach was standing there and said, “Who are you? You don’t go to this school. How did you get in here?”

Carlos was looking around and spotted someone missing. He said, “Hey guys find Allen.”

Allen was over at his locker getting dressed when three players surrounded him. One of the boys yelled, “We got him and he’s dressed.”

The coach walked over to him and asked, “Did you let that other guy in here?”

“What of it,” Allen spat. “You high and mighty assholes don’t know how to properly take out the garbage.”

About that time a fist came in and hit him in the back and he went down hard. The coach yelled, “That’s enough! Hold on to these guys while I call the police. Jay, you should call your father too.”

Jay pushed the number two and my private office line was ringing. I picked the phone up and said, “Dr. Sanchez here.”

“Dad, Dad,” Jay started shouting. “Ronnie’s been attacked.”

I was about to speak when I heard sounds of the paramedics arriving. I got Jay’s attention then said, “I want you to just step back now son and let them do their job, when they have put him on the stretcher hand the phone to one of the men.”

I waited for what seemed like an eternity while they worked on Ronnie. I could hear things and wanted so very badly to be there so I could see for myself what was going on. Finally I heard Jay tell a medic, “Here my father wants to talk to you. He’s a Doctor.”

I heard a voice say something when I said, “This is Dr. Sanchez. The patient you have there is my son, Ronnie Sanchez. I want him taken to Children’s Hospital. There will be a trauma team standing by when you arrive. Also, I don’t want you giving him anything for pain right now. Also, the young man who handed you the phone is my other son; can he please ride in with you?”

The paramedic acknowledged everything I said and Jay was put in the front. The police arrived just as they were loading Ronnie into the ambulance. The coach told them how one boy had let another student into the locker room who then assaulted Ronnie. Both boys started yelling about gays and stuff and had to be led outside.

Ronnie was on his way to the hospital and it would take about twenty minutes before he would arrive. I called Luiz first. I told him as much as I knew and I would let him know more as I found out. I also told him not to let Seven and Angel know anything for the time being and that Jay was riding in with his brother.

My next call was to Paul. I needed him to be available in case Ronnie needed emergency surgery. I got his service and told them it was his partner. A few minutes later a voice said, “Hey Miguel, did everything go ok today?”

“Everything went fine. But that’s not why I’m calling. Ronnie’s been assaulted at school and I don’t know how bad he’s been injured. I’m on call but you know how I feel about having to operate on one of my kids.”

“I’m on my way Miguel,” Paul replied. “I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”

I got into my car and scooted from the Medical Tower over to the hospital in about three minutes. I went into the ER and saw my friend Dr. Williams on duty. I filled him in on Ronnie’s assault and said he would be there in about ten minutes.

Inside the ambulance the paramedic was getting an IV established and putting him on oxygen. Ronnie was still unconscious so he had no choice but to cut his clothes off him. Ronnie was on a heart monitor and everything was fine there. He started waking up just as they pulled into the ambulance entrance.

Jay ran around to the back door just as the driver got there and he stepped back as his brother was unloaded then wheeled into the ER.

I was standing beside Dr. Williams as the medic gave his report and by the time we were ready to slide him over onto the exam table we had all the information. Dr. Williams and I undid the straps on the backboard and log rolled him so we could examine his spine. He was sore and bruised but we didn’t think he had anything broken.

We rolled him back then carefully put a gown on him. I saw him open his eyes and he said, “Hey Dad, it’s a little drafty in here and besides I don’t give free shows.”

I kissed his cheek replying, “At least you still have your sense of humor. I’ll have a nurse get you a blanket. We need to take some x-rays of your neck and back just to be sure nothing’s broke then we can get you off that board.”

“Thanks Dad.”

I saw x-ray coming in so I went and saw Jay. As soon as he saw me he ran into my arms. I picked him up and held him while he said, “Some kids did this because Ronnie’s gay Dad.”

I let him cry for a few minutes and when he settled back down then asked, “You haven’t been holding hands or anything like that have you?”

“No Dad honest.”

“All right,” I said. “You can believe I will get to the bottom of this.”

We talked for several more minutes then I saw x-ray leave. I decided to let Jay see his brother since he was awake. We walked in and Jay almost ran to his bedside then said crying, “Oh baby I’m sorry I wasn’t in there with you. Maybe if I had this wouldn’t have happened.”

Ronnie lifted his hand and rubbed his brother’s face then said, “Maybe bro but what’s happened has happened. I’ll be alright in a few days.”

Jay looked at him sternly, “I will take care of it for you bro. No one hurts my boyfriend or brother and gets away with it.”

I let Jay vent his anger in the room but knew I would have to talk with him real soon. Paul brought Ronnie’s first set of films in and everything looked good. I looked down at him and said, “Let’s get you off this thing now, shall we?”

I helped him onto his side then Paul pulled the board out. Paul examined Ronnie’s belly and thought he felt some fluid in there. I looked around and saw the ultrasound machine and brought it over. We looked at his belly and it didn’t appear there was any fluid there but decided on a CT scan to be sure. Neither of us wanted to have to explore him if we didn’t need to.

Paul called CT and got Ronnie scheduled. It would take about ten minutes before someone came and got him so I let Jay visit with him again. I was pretty sure he wasn’t going to need surgery but I wanted the CT to confirm it. Ronnie looked at me and said, “Daddy, I gotta pee.”

I got him a urinal and he started crying as he tried to pee. I helped him to sit a little then said, “What’s wrong son?”

He was trying to start his water but couldn’t. I felt his bladder and it was pretty full. “It hurts Dad,” Ronnie said. “It hurts in my back.”

I laid him flat and rolled him onto his side. I saw the tell tale sign of a bruise forming and it was right over his kidney. I called CT and said, “We have one coming STAT.”

Transport came for Ronnie and I amended the order for the CT. Not only did I want his belly but I now wanted both his kidneys too.

Since he didn’t need to occupy a bed in the trauma unit Ronnie was moved into another room. As soon as he was settled I handed him the jug back and he said, “OK Dad, I’ll try again.”

He tried to go and I could see it was really hurting him. I looked at him and said, “Looks like I’m going to have to put a tube in you son. I don’t want you straining and I also need to see if there is any blood in it.”

He looked at me and said, “No Dad, please. Not that.”

I went and got his brother to hold his hand while I did what I needed to. I got a pair of gloves ready, a catheter and a prep tray. I was about to start when Paul came in and I said, “Just what I need; another pair of hands.”

Paul stayed un-sterile while I gloved and started. I moved the sheet and pulled the foreskin back on Ronnie’s uncut dick then cleaned the tip with a sterile solution. I dipped the tube in KY then held his penis and prepared to insert. Jay looked at his brother and said, “Just relax bro. It shouldn’t hurt but it might be uncomfortable.”

I slipped the catheter into his piss slit then slid it into his bladder. Ronnie let out a small moan but he stayed still like a real trooper. Paul attached the catch bag while I blew up the balloon. “It’s all done now son.”

I noticed blood in the urine so I called a kidney specialist to have a look at him while Ronnie was in CT. While I was waiting on him to arrive I called Luiz to let him know how Ronnie was doing. I was getting hungry so I sent Jay to the cafeteria to get us something solid to eat.

Dr. Williams came in with his CT scan and his belly looked good, but I was concerned about his kidneys. I had some blood drawn so I could see what his blood was looking like also and so I could see how his kidneys were actually functioning. The specialist came in and looked at the CT scan. “For right now I prefer to wait and see what happens. Although there is blood in the urine it might just be from the initial shock the kidneys took. I’ll check on his blood work as soon as it’s done.”

I had Paul write admission orders on him while I called Luiz back again. I told him Ronnie would be staying in the hospital and Jay and I would be here for another few hours.

We got Ronnie settled into his room when he said, “I’m sorry Dad.”

I leaned down and kissed him gently. “This is not your fault son so you have nothing to be sorry for.

By eight Ronnie was in a lot of pain. He had about a half dozen bruised ribs plus bruises elsewhere. I saw the lab report on his kidneys and it looked like with time and rest they would heal. I went out and wrote an order for IV pain medication and a nurse came right in with it. She stood there while Jay and I gave him a kiss good night because that medication would put him to sleep. The nurse slowly injected the medication and Ronnie went off to dreamland.

To be continued...

Posted: 06/13/08