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...

I could tell he was surprised by what I’d said so he took the check then shook my hand. I walked around the new house and even though this dream house was now finished, it was missing something too. It was missing the sounds of happy children playing. I checked to make sure everything was secure then went out to the Blazer. I thought to myself, ‘The next time I come here, I’ll have the family with me.’

Chapter 28

I drove back to the Children’s home and decided I was going to spend my last two days there and not in that big empty mansion. I had an idea about maybe having some of the kids spend some time there but wondered about the legalities. I walked back into the home and was immediately met by Guillermo. “Well, is your house finished as promised?”

“It’s beautiful,” I replied going into my office to get myself a soda. “It’s everything I wanted but after spending 2 weeks here, there’s also something missing.”

Guillermo sat down then smiled knowing all to well what that something missing was. “The sounds of children?”

I sat down and started looking at the papers he’d put there. “Yes my friend it was. My time staying here was something I really needed. My kids are all grown now and are in college. I can’t wait until my daughter in law tells me she’s pregnant.”

I finished scanning the papers then went to take a walk outside. As soon as I was in the play area, I heard the unmistakable sounds of the kids in the pool. I quickly went back to my room and changed into my trunks then joined them. As soon as I dove in, I was mobbed by the kids. Lisa tried to dunk me about four times and finally she tried climbing up my back to bring me over. Joey saw this then went underwater and pushed me hard in the butt. This threw my balance off so down Lisa and I went. Just as I was about to break the surface, José hopped onto my shoulders so by the time I was standing, I had another growth on my shoulders.

I’m not sure how long I was in the pool but I knew I had to call it a day when Joey came over and put his hand on my shoulder. I winced in pain as soon as he touched me. “I’m sorry Papa Miguel. You better put something on that before it gets any worse.”

I got out of the water then found a towel to try and dry off with before going back inside. I saw Jackie sitting having some coffee. “Miguel, do I need to treat you like I do the kids? You should know better than go out there without sunscreen.”

“Yes Mother Jackie,” I said as I headed for the first aid room. She was right behind me as I found the spray. “Spray this over my shoulders please.”

As soon as the spray hit my red shoulders it started stinging. Now I remember what the boys went through when they got their butts sunburned. It took a couple of seconds but finally the stinging stopped as did the pain in my shoulders. “Thanks Jackie. It stung a little but now it feels better.”

I got out of my wet trunks and went to see what Hanna was making for dinner. As soon as I went in I knew what was on the menu. The wonderful smells of fried chicken filled the air and I saw a leg there with my name on it. As soon as I snitched it I heard her yell. “Miguel, get out of here now. I swear you’re worse than the children.”

Hanna raised her tongs and made a move like she was going to chase me. “You know I love you Hanna.”

“Out,” she yelled as I left her domain.

I fixed myself a glass of iced tea then went back out to the pool. I sat in a lounge chair and watched the kids play. All of the kids had good tans but today the sun was extremely hot. I was noticing several of the boys were quite red on their shoulders so I decided to get them all out. There were a lot of complaints until I touched a couple of them on their red bodies. I had them get dried and sent them to change and meet me at the first aid office. The boys came down not wearing shirts and they all got sprayed. Casey and I took the girls inside then closed the door and they removed their tee shirts. They moved their bra straps as I sprayed them and they couldn’t believe how red they got. Once the spray dried, the girls gingerly put their tops back on. “Miguel, would you have a problem if the girls wore a bikini top rather than the tee shirts?

I shook my head as I opened the door and the four ladies headed down the girl’s wing. I locked the med room as Guillermo came up to me. “You have a visitor in your office.”

I couldn’t imagine who could be coming out to the home to see me. We headed over to my office and as soon as I went inside and saw the man, I knew who he was. “Hello Nathan, what beings you out here?”

“Hi Miguel, I thought I would come out and go over the plans I’ve drawn up for the third wing.”

“Sounds good Nathan and if you will come with me we can look at these plans.”

I led him out of my office and down to the dining area where I could pull a couple of tables together. I pulled a table over and must have made too much noise because Hanna stuck her head out of the kitchen. Nathan laid the plans out and started explaining them to be. “As you can see, when this last wing is completed, the outside play area will be totally enclosed and no one will be able to gain access except from inside.”

I like that concept because I was still worried about uninvited guests trying to get in. With these new drawings I didn’t see the mechanical room for the pool. “Where is the room that houses the pumps and equipment?”

Nathan pointed to a small area on the plans. “Here it is Miguel. The pump room is actually attached to the end of the girl’s wing and what we’re going to do is bring the end of this wing right up to it.”

One question answered and another one created. “What’s this going to do to Hanna’s domain?”

Nathan looked at me funny when I said that. “Who’s Hanna?”

I laughed because he didn’t see her when she stuck her head out the kitchen door. I walked over to the doors and Nathan followed as we entered the kitchen area. “This is Hanna’s domain. She is the one who keeps all the children here very happy.”

Nathan looked around and inspected the far wall. “This wall here is where the dining room will come up to. We can open this up and put in two swinging doors so food can come out so they can feed the children.”

Every time Nathan told me something I got confused. “How long will that take my friend? These people work close to 16 hours a day here. In fact, I need to hire someone so Hanna doesn’t have to work so hard.”

“Over my dead body Herr Sanchez,” I heard Hanna say in her strong German accent as she came over to join us.

“Hanna you put in way too many hours here,” I started telling her. “You’re here 7 days a week from breakfast until the last utensil is cleaned and put away. You have no time for yourself. This place will be your domain and you’ll have the say as to who you want working in here but you do need more help. Right now there aren’t that many children here but eventually there will be well over 100 and that is going to take a full time staff and you can’t do it alone. Now, do I have to get my son Ronnie down here?”

Ronnie was the only person I’d ever seen stand up to Hanna and win in an argument. “No Miguel, you don’t need Ronnie to come here. Right now everything is fine but after the renovations are complete maybe we can sit and talk about more staff for the kitchen. I enjoy cooking for the children and seeing them eating well.”

I watched as Hanna was talking to us and there definitely was a soft side to this woman. “I know you do Hanna and that’s why I want to get you the help in here you deserve. How would you like it if you didn’t have to spend all your time behind a stove?”

That statement really moved her when I said it but she looked a little upset too. “Miguel, I love cooking.”

I held up my hand to her. “I know Hanna but I was thinking more in terms of the kitchen manager. You’d be supervising the others and you would also have the opportunity to cook. I want to see you down to working 8 hours a day and having some time off too. I know if anything happened to you the children would be devastated.”

Hanna smiled as she turned and went back to fixing dinner. “To answer your question Miguel, it shouldn’t take more than 4 or 5 hours to put the door in and we can stay late one evening so it doesn’t interfere with Hanna and her food preparations.”

Nathan and I returned to the dining area where we finished going over the plans. “Now for the new dining room it will be one large room capable of seating 225 people. I know when it’s finished you won’t be up to full capacity so we will have doors so the unused area will be closed off. I have an idea for tables that can fold up and roll out of the way so you can use the room for other things.”

I was impressed with everything Nathan was designing into this wing. I was about to ask about one unknown area I was looking at when he cleared his throat. “Now this area here will be classrooms. There will be 10 classrooms with the latest technology.”

I looked at what would be across the hall from the classrooms. “I take it these are the staff quarters?”

Nathan nodded his head. “Yes, there are 10 staff rooms. Originally 8 were planned but there was adequate space for 10 and not skimp on size. Each room will be like a small 1 bedroom apartment. The living room will be a little small but adequate enough to watch television or do some work. The bedroom will have a full bathroom off it. Will there be any married staff here?”

I hadn’t thought about that. I had to decide if the people living there had to be and remain single. “No, every live in person will be single. If they meet someone and fall in love and decide to get married, I will help them find a place but this home has to remain centered on the children here.”

Nathan understood where I was coming from now I hoped Guillermo and Casey would. We finished up our meeting and I escorted Nathan back up front. “One more question Nathan. How much is all this looking to cost?”

He smiled at me and I got worried. I was still standing and not ready for massive sticker shock. “I think I can bring all this in for under a million and half.”

That wasn’t as bad as I had thought it would be. “How long will this project take to complete?”

Nathan shook his head as if I had asked the million dollar question. “Not long Miguel. I can get ground broke next week. The one thing that will put a damper on things is once things get going the children will lose some of their outside play area. I am looking at about a year to complete and having the framework and bricking done in about 6 months, maybe a little longer.”

“How much space will they lose?” I asked not really liking that fact.

Nathan went into my office and pulled out his plans. “The privacy fence is adequate around the pool area but I want to put up a temporary reinforcement area along the back side. They might lose about 20 to 25% but I’ll put a temporary wall up so they’ll be safe when they’re out here playing.”

I liked that idea. “That will be fine Nathan. I know how kids can be and they’d be right in the thick of things wanting to watch you all work.”

We shook hands and Nathan left to return to his office. I got myself a soda then went over to Guillermo’s office. “After the new wing is complete, you’ll have new quarters. I’m not sure what to do with your old one.”

Guillermo looked surprised at my statement. “I don’t mean to look a gift horse in the mouth Miguel but why do I need new quarters? The one I have is more than adequate and I like the idea that the boys can have access to me any time they need me.”

I thought about what Guillermo just told me. “Alright my friend, you can keep your room here. I agree that being always available to the kids is a good idea. I’ll make sure access to the new wing is always there.”

The rest of my time there seemed to fly by and soon it was time to leave. That morning, I told the kids I would be back as soon as I could as I put my things into my Blazer for the trip to the airport. I gave everyone hugs and kisses then shook Guillermo’s hand. “Drive carefully Miguel. You have a lot of people wanting you safe. Come back soon.”

I got in and started the engine then headed out to the airport. It was a long drive as I tried to concentrate on the road. Fortunately traffic was such that I had to keep my mind on the road. 45 minutes later, I was pulling into the private terminal parking lot. I found a place to park then went inside to see my pilot filing his flight plan. While he was doing that, I called Pablo to let him know he could come and pick up the Blazer.

I checked in and then went out to the plane and got comfortable. The pilot did his pre-flight inspection then came on board closing the door behind him. After he loaded the information into the computer, he started the engines and we were taxiing out to the runway. We had to wait inline for another aircraft to take off then we were on our way.

During the flight home, I couldn’t help but think back to the week I had at the orphanage. It felt good to have children around me but at the same time, I dearly missed my own. I reclined the seat back then dozed off to sleep. The next thing I remember was the flight attendant gently shaking me awake. I brought my seat up and a couple minutes later felt the wheels touch down on the tarmac.

I felt the plane slow down then we taxied over to the terminal. As we were pulling in I saw Marco and Ronnie standing there with huge smiles on their faces. The pilot cut the engines and the flight attendant opened the door then I was quickly mobbed by Ronnie and Marco. “Dad, welcome home.”

I quickly returned the hug then got my bags as we headed off the plane. “I’ll meet you outside as soon as I go through Customs and Immigration.”

I quickly cleared big brother and was rejoined by the boys. We headed for the parking lot and Ronnie wrapped his arm around me. “I missed you Dad. How’d the trip to Receife go?”

I had to giggle when Ronnie asked at question. “It was interesting to say the least. First off, the renovations to your grandfather’s house weren’t finished and it would be another week before they were finished.”

“Wow Dad,” Marco interrupted. “You must have gone off on them for that.”

We got to the Blazer and I put my things in the back then unlocked the doors. I headed for the exit, paid the fees then headed for the house. “Marco, go off on him was an understatement. After I voiced my displeasure to the contractor, I headed for the orphanage. When the kids knew I was going to have to stay there, I was mobbed.”

Ronnie started laughing at that statement. “I bet you spoiled them silly Dad.”

I filled the boys in on my time in Receife as we drove down the interstate. “Do I have any important mail to go through Ronnie?”

“Nothing for you Dad,” he replied then he got a gleam on his face. “But I’m up for valedictorian and Marco has an appointment to take his citizenship test.”

I don’t know who I was more proud of at that moment. “Hey boys, that’s great. How about we have a celebratory dinner out tonight?”

That met with every ones approval. We chit chatted the rest of the way home and the boys got my stuff unpacked while I went through the mail. Marco showed me his letter from the immigration attorney and his test was scheduled just before spring break. “Ronnie, I thought your course was four years.”

Ronnie came out of his room holding his letter. “No Dad it’s only 3 but we still end up with a Bachelor’s Degree. I thought I told you.”

I read the letter the school sent out. He was one of 4 students with the highest GPA and any one of them could make Valedictorian. “You might have son, I just don’t remember. There’s been a lot going on and it probably just slipped my mind. I’m going to take a quick shower then we can head out to dinner. Oh Ronnie, did you call Jay about this?”

I went into my room and started looking for something to wear for dinner. “Yeah Dad, I called him the minute I read the letter. He told me there might be only one Valedictorian in the family but he’s still on the Dean’s List.”

I was tucking my shirt in when I saw Marco slip up behind Ronnie. He wrapped his arms around him then picked him up in a bear hug as I started giggling. “As long as you have done your best son, that’s all that counts. Marco put your brother down so we can go out to eat.”

Marco was laughing at me as I finally busted out as I couldn’t stifle the giggles any longer. “Aww Dad, I thought I’d carry him in to the restaurant.”

“Don’t even,” Ronnie said fighting the giggles.

I managed to get us under control with our laughing then headed out to the Blazer. We headed to a local steak and seafood restaurant and had a nice meal. After dinner, we took a leisurely drive around the beach then headed home as my day was starting to catch up with me. As we came into the house, I heard Jay on the answering machine. Ronnie ran to grab the phone but Jay had hung up before he would reach it. “Damn Dad, I missed him”

I put my keys on the table then pushed the play button on the machine. “Hi Dad, I guess you’re not home yet. Anyway, why I’m calling is there is this restaurant some of the guys and I like to go to. The place is nice and the food isn’t bad but it is a little pricy for the quality. We went there for dinner tonight and found out the owner is going to close it right after spring break.”

“What was that Jay said?” Ronnie came over and hit the play button on the machine again.

Marco came over and stood beside Ronnie as the message played again. I could see Ronnie’s eyes lighting up and started trying to wonder what he was up to. “God Dad what an opportunity.”

I turned to go into the living room. “What’s going through that head of yours this time son?”

I went over to the bar and fixed a Bailey’s on the rocks as Marco and Ronnie came in and sat on the love seat. “A place like that could be a nice investment, Dad. It’s going to be well over a year before the hotel in Receife is open. Think we could take a look at it?”

I was surprised at his idea. I knew he would want to be his own person in the kitchen, but right out of school? “Are you saying you’re thinking of trying to buy it son?”

Marco was shaking his head and Ronnie was smiling. “That was the idea Dad. I would like to talk with Jay and get some more details then go and take a look at it. Maybe we can get Angel to see it too.”

To be continued...

Posted: 06/27/08