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...

Ronnie had to be the first to leave as it was time to put the ribs on the grill. As soon as he lifted the cover, he was surrounded by on lookers. Once he put the rest of the meat on, it wasn’t long before we were all devouring Ronnie’s feast. The rest of our time there went by all too quickly and soon we were heading home.

Chapter 15

We said our good byes to our friends there and told them we would be back to visit as soon as we could. When we got home we celebrated the New Year then Jay was back off to Duke for the remainder of his sophomore year. Steven and Angel were hitting the books hard as they were into the home stretch towards graduation.

The next thing I had to do was to plan Steven and Angel’s wedding. Ronnie had been doing a little planning unbeknownst to me. When spring break came around he decided to share what he had come up with. I was sitting out by the pool one afternoon when he came out with a stack of papers and said, “Hey Dad, I have some ideas here for the wedding.”

I looked at him and asked, “You’re not planning on trying to do this yourself are you?”

He giggled and said, “Oh no Dad, but the catering company I worked for would love to get the chance. They’ve hired a full time chef and I’ve seen some of his work. He’s good and his dishes are excellent.”

I took a look at the papers and Ronnie seemed to have pretty much covered everything. “This looks good son. I think you should sit down with Steven and Angel and see what they would like to have. Do they do wedding cakes too?”

“They do,” Ronnie said. “But I know that they send it out to a bakery here. I know which one they use plus I know the baker.”

“Sounds good son,” I said.

That evening after dinner the three of them sat down and planned the food and decided on the kind of cake they wanted. After they had talked Ronnie came back in making notes as he wrote. “That’s done Dad. All they have left is the personal things like the tuxes and Angel’s gown.”

“When did you manage to do all this?” I asked.

“Here at night,” Ronnie said. “I did it after I finished my homework. It really didn’t take all that long because I know what they like as far as food goes.”

“You’ve picked the right career son,” I said.

“I know Dad,” Ronnie said. “I can’t wait until I graduate. I enjoy planning parties just as much as I do cooking.”

“I have an idea,” a voice said as we both turned to see who it was.

I saw Angel standing there in the doorway then she came in and sat down on the love seat. “OK sis,” Ronnie said. “What’s your idea?”

“How about running the kitchen at a luxury hotel?” She asked.

“Sounds good sis,” Ronnie said. “But very few grads are able to be hired as managers, right out of school. It takes years starting as a chef then making head chef.”

I looked at Ronnie and said, “You’ve been doing your homework, I see.”

“Funny Dad,” Ronnie said. “Most of what we’re doing now is the different types of opportunities out there. The next couple of years will be geared to better planning of meals, the preparation and cooking of them.”

“I know you’re not going to get a management position right out of school,” Angel said. “And I didn’t say anything about you working for someone.”

I was wondering what she was talking about. “What’s on your mind sweetheart?” I asked.

“Well Dad,” Angel said picking up some papers. “I’ve been doing some planning too. I remember seeing the homeless kids on the streets but there is an area that is nice. The one thing I noticed is there is a better area of the city but not a nice hotel.”

“What are you suggesting Angel?” I asked.

“I actually have two ideas Dad,” she said. “First is a 5 star hotel. I was leaning towards 500 rooms on 4 floors with a restaurant and dining room on the first and second floors.”

“Sounds pretty nice dear,” I said. “It also sounds ambitious. Who do you propose pay for this?”

“The Foundation,” she said. “But all the profits would revert back to the foundation.”

Ronnie was listening intently as Angel spoke then said, “You do know that while this is getting off the ground, I would have to be there, don’t you?”

“To a degree,” she said. “But this is going to take at least two to two and a half years to build. You could plan trips down when Jay is in school.”

“What’s the other thing?” I asked liking what I heard so far.

“The other is an orphanage,” she said. “I know a lot of the street kids have become sexual in order to survive. I also know that a number of them are going to be gay.”

The orphanage idea I liked. I wasn’t foolish enough to think this would take all the homeless kids off the street but it might put a dent in it. “I like the orphanage idea. It’s something Recife has long needed and I can sell to the powers that be.”

Things around the house were in a constant uproar as my youngest two crammed for finals, had their senior portraits taken and put the final touches on their wedding. While they were doing that, I was meeting with my travel agent for their wedding present. When I walked in the manager said, “Good afternoon Mr. Sanchez. Have you made a decision yet?”

While the bride and groom were getting their invitations and clothes, I was looking over brochures and where to send them. I finally decided on a 7 day cruise out of Miami with 4 ports of call. Since this was their honeymoon, I booked a suite for them that included a butler.

As we moved through the month of May, Steven was becoming a wreck and if it weren’t for Angel, he would have totally lost his focus. They made it though their finals then it was on to graduation. Two days before the ceremony, he received a letter from Virginia Tech where he hoped to become a vet. He came running in and said, “Dad, I made it. Va. Tech accepted me.”

He threw his arms around me and hugged me as all his pent up emotions came rushing out. I lifted his chin and said, “Congratulations. You still have a few other things to concentrate on now son.”

Once he got his emotions under control he blushed then said, “Was I that bad?”

Angel came up and kissed him saying, “Not really but at least one of us kept their head.”

Graduation day came and I was again a proud father as Jay, Ronnie and I watched Angel and Steven take their march and receive their diplomas. They had one final day of school so they could turn their books in and when they did, they received their printed diplomas. Once the business was out of the way, we had our final fittings for our tuxes. Angel was handling her fittings by herself as she wanted her gown to be a total surprise.

The day of the wedding, I was getting nervous. Even though I was giving Angel to Steven, it was like I was losing a member of the family. I had not told the couple what their gift from me was until the day of the wedding.

The night before, Steven was kept on the second floor in the room over the garage as Angel was really superstitious. She was getting ready when I knocked on the door. I stuck my head in and said, “Got a minute for your Dad?”

“Oh Daddy, I always have time for you.”

I handed her an envelope and said, “This is for you and Steven.”

She was standing there half dressed when there was a knock on the door. Angel grabbed her robe and covered herself saying, “Steven, if that’s you.”

Just then Ronnie came in saying, “You guys need to shake a leg. The limo will be here in about 15 minutes. Angel, there is a room set aside for you to finish dressing in. Where’s your dress?”

Ronnie got her dress and I finished helping here find all her accessories. Once all that was done, we had five minutes left until the limo was due to arrive.

Ronnie found a place willing to rent their hall for four hours that also had kitchen facilities. The caterer needed ovens to keep some of the food hot until it was ready to be served plus refrigerators large enough to hold the other items.

The limo arrived and picked Angel up then I was able to let Steven out of exile. He came down stairs and asked, “Where’s Angel Dad?”

Jay looked at him and said, “On her way to the church little brother. Now calm down or Dad will have to sedate you.”

“I’m not that bad,” Steven said pouting like he was ten again.

“Oh yes you are son,” I said coming out of their room. “You’ve been like a cat on a hot tin roof. If we didn’t have the second floor I’m not sure what I’ve done so you two wouldn’t see each other.”

Ronnie walked in and said, “We could have taken him to a hotel last night.”

“Alright guys, I get the message,” Steven said. “It’s just hard being separated.”

Jay put his arm around him and said, “You better get used to it bro, you leave for Tech in the fall.”

Jay was right; this was going to be a real test for them. Neither had been away from the other since Angel came here and now he was going to be 250 miles away. After the two love birds went on their honeymoon I would have to see about an apartment for them.

I managed to get Steven dressed in time to be at the church on time. I hoped when he saw Angel he wouldn’t faint on the spot. Since Steven would be in the limo after the ceremony, I would have room for all their gifts in the Blazer along with Jay and Ronnie.

The wedding was scheduled to start at 4:00. Marco had called the night before and said he would be driving down and would meet us at the church. We got to there at 3 and to my surprise, everything had been set up. Angel’s bridesmaids began arriving and I showed them to their room so they could change.

Marco arrived at 3:30 along with two of Steven’s best friends from school. Jay was going to be his best man with Marco, Ronnie, Doug and Phil serving as ushers. Angel had her best friend Cynthia be her Matron of Honor. Her other Brides Maids were Christine, Debbie, Beth and Cindy.

By 4, everyone was in their places. The priest made his entrance then Ushers and Brides Maids entered. Steven had taken his place at the alter and was patiently waiting for Angel to appear.

I was standing in the back to escort her down the isle and I must admit I wasn’t ready for the ravishing beauty I saw. Angel was wearing a beautiful white gown that made her look like an angel. It was made of satin with pearls around the front. I just stood there in awe until I heard the music and we began to walk down the isle. All the boys had a smile on their face as they finally saw Angel. As we reached the alter, I turned her hand over to Steven and watched my two children get married.

After the ceremony, we had our photos done then formed a receiving line. It took almost an hour to get everyone through and I needed to find a bathroom. Once that was done, Steven and Angel were driven over to the reception. I used the facilities then got Jay and myself there. Marco took Ronnie because Mr. Chef had to make sure everything was just perfect for his brother and sister.

When I walked in, I was amazed at what Ronnie had done. There was a 5 piece combo playing a variety of music. He’d also had a small open bar serving wine and beer. As soon as my eyes adjusted to the surroundings, Ronnie handed me a Bailey’s on the rocks. “How do you like it Dad?”

“You’ve done yourself proud son,” I said sipping my drink. “You have a real future.”

I looked at the far wall and the caterers had a line of warm appetizers. Just then the Bride and Groom came over. I kissed my girl and said, “Congratulations sweetheart.”

Steven hugged me as I saw tears coming down his cheeks. “Thanks Dad. This is one day I’ll cherish for ever.”

While I had the two of them alone, I reached into my pocket and handed them the envelope I tried to give Angel back at the house. “Here son, this is my gift to you and Angel.”

“Aw Dad,” Angel said. “You didn’t have to give us anything else.”

Steven was opening the envelope when I said, “That’s what Dad’s are for at times like this.”

“Oh my god,” Steven said. “I can’t believe this. You gave us a seven day cruise in a private suite?”

I smiled saying, “And that includes a butler.” This time both my children had me in a tight hug just like they did when they were little. “Now, you will be spending tonight at Airport Hotel. Tomorrow morning you’ll catch your flight to Miami where you’ll meet the ship. Everything has been arranged including an on board account for drinks and on board shopping.”

Jay and Ronnie came up and said, “This is for you two also. You’ll need some spending money when you go ashore or want to try your luck in the casino.”

Angel opened the envelope and there were ten one hundred dollar bills. Marco came up and handed the couple another envelope. “I know it’s not much guys but here’s another five hundred. Have a great time and name the first one after me.”

Angel slapped Marco’s hand. “That won’t be happening for a while yet Marco. Just what should we do if it happens to be a girl?”

At eight, dinner was served. The bride and groom had selected a surf and turf combination which consisted of a small fillet mignon and a lobster tail. There were braised potatoes and baby peas and carrots. Angel looked at Ronnie and said, “Big brother, I knew I was right about you. You’ll be a success running restaurants. I can’t wait for the one in Receife to be built.”

After dinner we danced until it was time to cut the cake. By now, we were all looking like our next stop should be bed. Jay took the microphone and said, “May I have your attention please.”

Everyone got quiet then he proceeded. “Now is the time for the toast. I toast my bother and sister all the time but now it’s for a different reason. I know this is unusual but I have three toasts. The first is for my sister. I know some of you are wondering why I'm referring to Angel as my sister. The reason is that she, for the past 9 years has been our foster sister. The day she came into our home, she immediately brightened it up. Steven fell in love the minute he saw her and they soon became inseparable. Sis, thanks for bringing a ladies touch into our life.”

I took a sip of my champagne then Jay spoke again. “Steven, my little brother, you always kept the house on its toes. Even as you grew you still let that little kid out and I hope he never leaves. Steven, here’s to you little brother.”

I took yet another sip and when Jay said, “Today I watched as my little brother and sister became man and wife. I’ve seen the happiness they’re had turn into love. May you both grow old together and your love for each other be as fresh as it is today.”

We all toasted the happy couple then danced for the next several hours. This was an unusual wedding as far as Steven or Angel did not have mothers present. When it came time for the dance with parents, Angel had her dance with me while Cynthia did the honors with Steven.

By 11, the guests were starting to slowly leave and the caterers were beginning to clean and pack their things. Steven and Angel went and changed out of their wedding clothes. The limo was there waiting to take them to the airport hotel for the start of their honeymoon.

To be continued...

Posted: 06/20/08