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...

Once he was settled in his dorm, I took him around and showed him some of the places I had classes and found a few that no longer existed due to expansion. I took him over to the School of Medicine and showed him where I received my education. I guess I was trying to sell him on going there but it was going to be his decision. It was getting late and I still had a five hour drive ahead of me so we said our farewells and I headed home to my smaller household.

Chapter 13

When I got home Ronnie was watching television and I put my hand on his shoulder saying, “How ya doing son?”

“I’m OK Dad,” he said looking lost. “At least I start school Monday. I can’t wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas now. I didn’t think I’d miss him like this.”

“I know son,” I said sitting beside him. “But you’ve known he wanted to be a doctor for a long time.”

“Oh I know that Dad,” Ronnie said. “And I want him to, but I miss him. I didn’t think it would hit me so hard.”

“I’m sure once you’ve gotten into your studies it will be a little easier son,” I said patting his knee.

“Alight Dad,” he said trying to convince himself I was right. “I’m sure there will be enough to keep me busy.”

Ronnie started classes on Monday while Steven and Angel started their junior year the following week.

Ronnie threw himself into his studies while Jay was having a fairly easy time of his first year. At UVA, Marco decided to take a full load so he could graduate a year ahead of schedule.

After he got into his routine, Ronnie started missing Jay again. Every evening, they were on the phone for at least two hours. Jay was home as often as he could on the weekends and soon, he was getting ready for exams before the Christmas break.

Ronnie was cruising along in at school and I have to tip my hat to Angel and Steven for keeping him occupied. The days were counting down for him when his lover would be returning home and his loneliness was really beginning to show. I’d spoken with Marco about his plans for the holidays and he said he was going to go to Brazil to see Paulo.

The day finally arrived, none to soon for Ronnie, when Jay returned. Ronnie and the others were still in class when Jay arrived so we had a chance to talk before he was dragged off to his room. “So how goes college life son?” I asked as he fixed himself something to drink.

“Not like high school,” Jay responded as he sipped his tea.

I laughed at the comment, “You mean you actually have to study?”

“Very funny Dad,” he said setting his glass down. “While it's just us here, I want to show you what I found for Ronnie.”

Jay went down to the bedroom and came back with a long thin box. He sat back down then opened it reveling a beautiful gold necklace. Hung in the center was a hand crafted pendant that said “#1 Chef.” I gasped as I saw the craftsmanship then said, “Oh son that’s gorgeous. I’m sure he’s going to love that.”

“I know he will. He’d been looking at the ones we’d gotten for Steven and you so I decided to get this one made. I had a few other ideas in mind for pendants but I wanted him to be able to wear it all the time.”

“Good idea son. I have a few ideas but glad you went with the chef.”

We were talking when I heard the garage door open. I looked at the clock and I knew I would be stampeded when Ronnie came in and saw his mate sitting there. “Baby,” Ronnie hollered as soon as he saw his brother sitting there.

I ducked out of the way of the incoming Ronnie so he could hug and kiss his lover. I saw tears coming down Jay’s face which let me know he too had missed his lover. “Oh God baby, it’s so good to see you,” Jay said.

I stood back out of the way and let the two of them have their reunion. “If you two want some time alone, I suggest you get it now before your brother and sister get home,” I suggested.

“That’s OK Dad,” Jay said smiling. “I think that can wait until we’re alone tonight.”

Ronnie looked a little disappointed then said, “Yeah, I don’t want to rush things. Class is finished until after the new year.”

“So Dad,” Jay started. “What’s our older brother’s plans?”

“He’s going to Recife over the holidays to be with Paulo,” I said. “He’s informed me he’s going to carry a heavy load so he can graduate in 3 years.”

“I think he’s crazy Dad,” Jay said shaking his head. “But if anyone can do it, he can.”

No sooner had Jay finished his statement when the door burst open and my two youngest came running in to see their brother. I ducked again as two teenage missiles were incoming with their sights set on Jay.

Ronnie got out of his school clothes and went into the kitchen and started preparing a special dinner for his brother. He took a whole chicken out of the refrigerator and put it in a warm bath to bring it to room temperature. He then made a rub he learned in school. He quickly made some biscuits and had them rising as he fixed some scalloped potatoes and steamed some fresh green beans. By six, we were all sitting down to a delicious meal prepared by our own gourmet chef.

Steven and Angel cleaned up the kitchen and put the leftover biscuits in the breadbox for breakfast in the morning as Ronnie made a pot of Earl Grey tea. We all sat and talked and let our dinner digest. By eight, the kids started going their own ways with Steven and Angel heading to her room while Jay and Ronnie went into theirs.

It was hard watching my children grow. I can remember when they would be cuddled on my lap watching television until it was time for bed. I knew in another short 18 months, my youngest son would be leaving the house heading off to college. I was glad now that Angel decided not to go to college but I would try to talk her into continuing her education at our local community college. I sat back and watched an old holiday classic on television then got ready for bed.

The next couple of days flew by as the five of us got the house decorated for holidays. Ronnie busied himself in the kitchen making an assortment of Christmas cookies and other sweets that would make me exercise until the next holiday season. Christmas Eve found us at Midnight Mass with all of us giving thanks to our creator for bringing four wonderful children onto the face of the earth.

After the kids went to bed, I got to play Santa and put some surprise gifts I had bought for each of them under the tree. Later that morning I was awakened with the smells of cooking. I hurried out into the kitchen after putting my sweatpants on when it suddenly hit me that Luiz wasn’t with us.

He’d been dead now for over 5 years but I never really had the chance to grieve for him. The children needed me so that took priority. Jay fixed me a cup of coffee as I sat down and gazed towards what was once his room. I started drinking my coffee then the tears of five years came gushing out. Angel was the first to notice me crying and she came over and put her arms around me saying, “What’s wrong Daddy?”

I shook my head telling her nothing then went over to Luiz’s old room. We had removed his clothes and some of his things but this was still “HIS” room. It had been since the first day we moved here. I sat on the bed and just took in all that was his. I could remember everything from that first day we moved into this house.

He moved and changed the kitchen at least a dozen times before it was finally the way he wanted it. I tried cooking something once and he liked to have chased me out for almost destroying one of his favorite skillets. The only other person I can remember being allowed into his scared haven was Ronnie. He had proven to Luiz that he knew his way around a kitchen and had the desire to continue to learn. I knew he would be proud to see him continue his love of food with his masterful creations.

I sat in there for a good hour until I finally felt at peace. Even with all the times I’ve visited his grave, this seemed to bring some closure to his absence. As I headed towards the door, I took one last look around then said, “Rest in peace my friend. I’ll miss you always but you will always be in my heart.”

I closed the door and came back to the kitchen. The kids were finishing their breakfast as Ronnie said, “I saved you some Dad. Are you ready to eat?”

I went around and gave each of my children a special hug and kiss then said, “Yes son, thank you for saving it.”

“Daddy, what was wrong before?” Angel asked. “Why were you crying?”

I took a forkful of eggs then said, “Dad was just missing someone we all loved sweetheart.”

“Uncle Luiz?” Ronnie asked.

“Uh huh,” I smiled. “I guess it all hit me today. I never really grieved and let him go before now.”

“Are you OK Dad?” Jay asked.

“I’m fine now son,” I said leaning over and kissing him on the cheek.

After we ate, we went into the living room and Angel was the first to notice that there were more gifts now than when they went to bed. There were gifts to all of them signed “From Santa” and they all said, “From Santa, huh Dad?”

“That’s right,” I said smiling. “Look at the cards.”

I would get each of them clothing items they needed or wanted, after talking with the others first, and put that from Santa. I got Angel a new bathrobe and slippers that she’d had her eyes on for a few months. Steven had had his eye on a couple pairs of jeans that were the rage in school. Ronnie and Jay were a little easier as they each had been looking at sweaters. Jay had been dropping hints that he wanted one with the Duke University logo on it so I was able to buy one over the phone and they shipped it to me.

For their big gifts, Jay and Ronnie had talked about wanting to spend the summer in Receife working in the hospital and I thought it was commendable. I made arrangements for them to spend a month working there and Paulo said they must stay with him so he could spend time getting to know them.

Steven and Angel were really difficult to find something special. Since they hadn’t planned a date for their wedding, I decided to let them get married before Steven left for college the following year. The big thing was their wedding present from Dad. I would send them on a two week honeymoon cruise in their own suite complete with butler. The only thing was, now what do I get them next year.

The kids spent the time off visiting with friends and we even took a few days and went up to Williamsburg. Marco surprised us by coming back just before New Years. Ronnie started doing a menu but I decided to take everyone out for a nice dinner out on New Years Eve. After dinner, we came home and I broke out a bottle of champagne and we had a toast as the ball dropped. Jay and Ronnie invited Marco to sleep with them that night and I’m sure they all had a special welcome for the New Year.

For New Years Day, Ronnie slow cooked a prime rib of beef. Once that was done, he’d timed it perfectly so when that was standing, he put desert in to bake. With the desert going, he removed the baked sweet potatoes and the asparagus and artichoke heart casserole.

Ronnie started carving the prime rib when the buzzer went off on the desert. He opened the oven door and took out a water bath containing 6 individual chocolate mousses. He took them out of the water bath and set them on a platter then refrigerated them until after dinner.

Once that was done, he returned to carving the roast. Angel and Steven helped bring the food into the dining room while I uncorked a nice bottle of red wine. Ronnie served the meat while the vegetables were passed around. Steven served us our baked sweet potato then it was time for a feast. Twenty minutes later, there wasn’t a scrap of food left except for the remaining prime rib in the kitchen.

Marco and Jay had dish duty while the rest of us relaxed and let Ronnie’s succulent meal digest. About an hour later, Ronnie brought in a pot of tea and the desert. I thought to myself, ‘If only Luiz was here now to enjoy this. He would be so proud of what Ronnie was accomplishing.’

We savored each spoonful of mousse as if it were our last. “Oh son,” I said. “This is magnificent. You should be very proud of yourself.”

“Thanks Dad,” Ronnie said finishing off his desert. “I hope I didn’t make it too formal for everyone.”

Marco looked at him and said, “Bro, with food like that, you can be as formal as you want. I loved it man, you have a great future ahead of you.”

Ronnie collected our dishes then kissed Marco on the cheek as he stopped and pick up his. It was getting late and Marco and Jay had to pack to leave to return to their respective schools because classes started on the third.

The school year passed quickly and soon, Jay was home for the summer. Ronnie was once again in heaven with his lover home. It was mid July when Steven came to me and said, “Dad, you know I want to be a vet.”

“Yes son. I remember you telling me.”

“Well, is there a school near us that has a vet school?”

“There is Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.”

“Could I do everything there?”

“Sure you can. Look at Jay and Marco. They plan on continuing on to Medical School when they graduate.”

Steven was thinking then asked, “Is there any others?”

I thought then said, “I think there is one in North Carolina. I think NC State has one. You might want to apply to both in case for some reason you’re not accepted into one.”

“When should I start doing that?”

“You can start doing that about Christmas time, I suppose. Getting into the universities shouldn’t be a problem son. You’ve already got the credits to graduate. I know you’re looking to try to get a few college courses out of the way now. Once you’re seeing how you’re doing in those, they would look good on your application too. I know you scored 1575 on your SAT’s so that will look good also.”

“Thanks Dad,” Steven said as he headed back to his room.

Birthdays were really getting harder and harder now that all my kids were becoming adults. I know it was taking the easy way out but I gave each of them a card with $1,000 in it. I was hugged and kissed just like I would have been if I had gotten them new cars.

I got status reports from Ronnie and Jay as to how things were going in Receife when they returned. The AIDS clinic was running at about 80% which given the current climate with the disease and the children’s apprehension to seek help was more than I’d expected. The children’s medical clinic and wing was another story. It was running at less than 25% and there was absolutely no reason for that.

I decided that I might have to make a trip down there if things didn’t improve after the phone calls I was going to make. The head of that wing was getting a stipend from the foundation and if children had to be admitted to the hospital, his fees weren’t going to drop. I didn’t want to think that he was turning away sick and needy children based on his salary.

I called my friend Judge Romero and asked if he could look into the goings on at the clinic for me and he said that he would be glad to. He also told me that he was planning on retiring from the bench within the next couple of years. “So who will be replacing you?” I asked hoping it would be someone I could build a rapport with.

“I don’t know yet my friend,” he said giggling. “I haven’t announced my plans to retire yet.”

“I see,” I said sitting back in my chair. “I just hope your replacement is someone who shares the visions you have for the children there. I would hate to have to fight with him or be forced into circumventing him all together.”

“I don’t think that will be the case,” Judge Romero said. “I know a couple of the people that would be considered for my bench and they are both good people. One is the brother of the man who adopted Marco.”

“Really,” I said. “I wasn’t aware Paulo had a brother.”

“I think they are estranged for some reason,” Romero said. “I’m not sure why. They are both excellent lawyers. I think it might have been the paths they each took. Paulo went the corporate law route while Javier served the public.”

“That’s a shame,” I said. “Marco would love to get to know his uncle. Maybe there will be a way for them to meet sometime.”

“That would be a wonderful thing to happen, Miguel,” the judge said. “I’m sure he would love to meet and get to know his nephew.”

I hung up from talking with my friend then started wondering how things were really going in Receife. I didn’t want to have to travel there because it was always so damned depressing. If things didn’t change and soon, it was looking like I would have no choice.

My thoughts were interrupted when my kids came home from spending some time with their friends before Jay had to head back off to school.

The next thing I knew it was Christmas time and Marco again went home to Brazil. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do for my kids this year because there hadn’t been much they said they wanted. I guess I was going to have to try to come up with something imaginative.

To be continued...

Posted: 06/20/08