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 helped the boys clean up the kitchen then we relaxed and watched a movie. I was still very tired when the movie was over so I called it a day.

Chapter 30 

Time moved on and before we knew it, Ronnie, Marco and I were getting ready for our trip to Durham. I was closing my bag when the phone rang. “Hi Daddy, Steven and I are leaving in about an hour. We should be to the hotel about 3 if all goes right.”

I closed the suitcase and set it on the floor. “As soon as the boys finish getting packed we’ll be on our way. We should get to the hotel about 2 darling. We’ll see you and your brother when you get there and drive carefully.”

The boys were ready when I came out of my room. We loaded the Blazer and we were off. “I spoke with Jay earlier and he said to tell you he’d see us when we arrived. He also said the food was barely tolerable and he wasn’t sure how long the students would continue to eat there.”

This wasn’t the kind of news I was looking for. I wasn’t ready to get a restaurant open quite so fast but I’d gotten an orphanage open on the fly, what’s another endeavor. “How soon are you willing to get to work son?”

Ronnie’s head snapped over with his eyes wide open. “How soon? I hadn’t thought about it Dad. I wasn’t figuring on it until I was out of school. There’s no way I can just work there on the weekends.”

“How much longer until you graduate?” Marco asked as we headed down the highway.

Ronnie turned around to look at Marco “I still have about 6 weeks then finals. Then we’ll be giving the kitchens a good cleaning. And don’t think for a minute I’m missing my graduation.”

Marco patted him on the back. “Relax dude. I don’t want you to miss that. I still have my graduation the end of May. I just hope it’s not the same time as yours bro.”

“I’ll let you know when we get back dude,” Ronnie said rubbing Marco’s arm. “Dad, it would take 2 weeks to open and that’s putting in some long hours. Before we can order a thing, it has to pass health inspection. I figure that will take 2 to 3 days of hard cleaning depending on how bad the place is, then we wait on an inspector; that is the biggest unknown. Once we’re inspected and pass, I can then order food and get it delivered.”

I looked at him and the gears were really working in my head. “What about placing an order when you’re ready to call the inspector? Could you get a tentative delivery date?”

Ronnie was listening intently to what I was saying then he started shaking his head no. “That might work for staples and canned foods. But when it comes to fruits, vegetables, fish and meats, you need fresh. Some of it can be frozen but I really don’t like to work like that. We learned that you’d need meat delivered every other day depending on your refrigeration. The colder you keep your meat, the longer it will last but it should never be kept more than 2 days.”

I listened intently to what Ronnie was saying. The idea I came up with just got shot down but it did make sense. “So much for that idea. I guess we’ll just have to play it by ear when we get there.”

Marco stuck his head in between Ronnie and me and adjusted the radio. “If they close early, Ronnie will get to have a Grand Opening. I’m sure Jay and his friends will make sure it’s a great event.”

“I was planning on that anyway bro,” Ronnie said adjusting himself in the seat. “The place would have to close to be re-inspected. So I would have a Grand Opening. I just hope it’s not going to have to be rushed, that’s all.”

“Ronnie, you’re not going to be rushed son,” I said as we crossed into North Carolina. “We’re going to do this right so everything will be perfect when you’re ready to open. If it has to be closed for a few weeks, then so be it.”

We were making great time heading to Durham. There was a little rest area so we decided to stop for a bathroom break and to stretch our legs. I got us each a cold drink the returned to the Blazer and hit the road for the short drive into Durham. 90 minutes later, we were pulling into the parking lot. “Nice looking place Dad. The owner even had the restaurant’s outside match the hotels.”

We got our bags out of the Blazer then went inside. The décor was very nice and was every bit of 4 stars. “Ronnie, I think your 4 star menu will go perfectly. The lunch menu can vary like you’ve planned for the college crowd.”

I registered and got our room keys then heard a voice. “Hey Dad, you all made great time getting here. When will Steven and Angel get here?”

We left the registration desk then headed for the elevators. “They should be here in about an hour or so. You said the food is getting worse, how bad is it?”

We got out of the elevator and found our rooms. I gave Ronnie his key then Marco and I went into ours. “I know you want to talk with Dad so I’ll see you a few minutes love.”

I put the suitcase on the bed then started unpacking it before everything got wrinkled. I noticed Marco doing the same thing as Jay sat on the bed. “Dad, if this food keeps getting any worse, the guys said they want to look for another place to eat. I know Ronnie still has about 6 weeks of school left plus graduation. I just don’t know if we can keep going there.”

I got my hang up items out and in the wardrobe. “Relax son, you’re brothers and I had a talk on the way down and we’re not going to be flying to take the place over just to keep some of the patrons happy. I was thinking if we could have the place ready to open by the end of June, we could have a 4^th of July Grand Opening in time for that weekend. I’d book you guys a room or maybe a suite here for the month so I could find a small apartment for him to lease.”

Jay looked at me like I was forgetting something. “Um Dad, I will be a senior this year and if you think I’m staying in the dorm while he has his own place here.”

Marco and I broke up when Jay started saying that. “Relax son, I had no intentions of leaving you out of the mix here. I know you two have a lot of catching up to do.”

Marco was still giggling as I was talking. “Bro the look on your face was priceless.  Pop, can you make that a 2 bedroom apartment?”

Jay’s eyes popped out of his head when Marco asked that question. “A two bedroom apartment? I’m not sleeping in the other room with my partner there.”

I loved Jay but at times he could be a little dense. “I should hope you’re not gonna sleep in the other bedroom son. That way Marco would have to sleep with either you or Ronnie.”

Marco lost it yet again. “I think I’ll sleep with Ronnie.”

Just then Ronnie came into the room and judging from the look on his face, I’m sure he thought we all had totally lost our minds. “Like hell you’re gonna sleep with him. I am,” pouted Jay.

I had fallen back on the bed and was laughing in total hysterics. Ronnie looked at Jay, then over to Marco and finally to me. “What the hell is going on here? Did something happen when I was in my room?”

I finally managed to get my giggles under control when I heard a knock on the door. Ronnie answered it and in came Steven and Angel. Steven started looking around like Ronnie first did. “Yes honey, we’re in the right room. We heard the laughing and I thought they gave us the wrong room number for you Daddy.”

I started laughing again and had to recompose myself. “Well Ronnie, Marco and I started pushing Jay’s buttons and he, as usual, fell for it. Then watching him got us all laughing when you, followed by Steven and Angel got Marco and I laughing again.”

Angel rolled her eyes. “I’ve married into a nut house.”

Now that got Steven going. “Married into it love? You’ve lived with us for over 10 years.”

Angel smiled at her husband. “See what I mean, I’ve gone nuts like the rest of you.”

I fell out onto the bed again. “Angel, you wouldn’t leave us if you wanted to and I sure wouldn’t want you to.

I managed to get my laughing under control again. Ronnie sat beside his lover then hugged him. “Why do you let Dad push your buttons?”

“When it comes to you love, it’s not really hard. I’ve missed you so much that I just can’t wait until you’re out of school and we can be together more. I knew when you got the restaurant we could spend more time together.”

I just got a hard lesson. Jay missing his lover made him super sensitive and I hadn’t realized it. I slid over beside him and Ronnie then wrapped my arms around him. “Oh son, I am sorry I got you riled up. I thought you were just playing at first.”

Jay leaned over and wrapped his arms around me. Neither of us was good at holding grudges so when I felt him kiss me on the cheek, I pretty much knew all was forgiven. “I know you didn’t do it on purpose Dad. I guess it wasn’t until I saw him here just how much I really do miss him. If he hadn’t been in school in Va. Beach, I would have asked about getting an apartment here. The friends I have in the dorm really helped keep my mind occupied so I wasn’t moping around when I wasn’t busy studying.”

Ronnie nuzzled him a little then I saw Jay smile. “Do you think you can handle me being away for a few more weeks?”

Jay turned and planted a deep soul searching kiss on his lover. “I’ve handled it this long babe, a few more weeks won’t hurt. Besides, I have plans for you when you get down here. Marco, you stay home for about a week.”

“Don’t worry boys,” I interrupted saying. “I’ll book Marco a room here because you’re going to need all the help you can get to have the place ready for inspection.”

Steven was sitting on the edge of the bed with Angel. “Dad, I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m getting hungry. Angel and I didn’t stop for lunch.”

I looked at the others and they were nodding in agreement. I had to admit that even I was getting hungry. “OK gang, shall we see for ourselves how the food really is?”

Jay giggled when I said what I did. “Don’t worry Dad there are a few other places nearby if the food is really that bad.”

We got ourselves together then headed down to the lobby. I noticed the door leading to the restaurant from the lobby was closed so I stopped at the front desk. “Excuse me but is the restaurant open?”

The desk clerk came over to me and handed me a brochure. “Yes sir it but on a limited basis. The restaurant will be closing in two weeks.”

I read over the brochure. “I see. Just out of curiosity, who owns the place?”

“The hotel owns the building but that’s all. We lease the space to the restaurant.”

I nodded my head in thanks then we headed to the restaurant. When we went in, I noticed a few others already seated and having cocktails. A waitress came over then showed us to a large table then set menus down in front of us. She took our drink order then left us to look at the menus. After a few minutes I asked, “Well what looks good to you.”

I saw Ronnie still looking the menu over very intently. “I see a smoked salmon that sounds pretty good. I think I’ll give that a try.”

Steven was about to speak when the waitress came over with our drinks. “Are y’all ready to order?”

Steven looked over at Angel and she nodded her head. “I’ll have the fillet and grilled shrimp, medium rare please. My wife will have the stuffed flounder. We’ll each have a baked potato with butter and asparagus.”

Ronnie was next up. “I’ll have the smoked salmon with rice au gratin and the steamed vegetables.”

I looked at Jay and he was still trying to make up his mind. The waitress turned towards Marco. “I’ll have the NY strip medium, fries and cole slaw.”

Jay had heard what Marco ordered then closed his menu. “I’ll have the same as him, please.”

I was toyed between the prime rib and the fish. All three sounded good. “I’ll have the prime rib medium rare, baked potato and peas.”

“Thank you sir, I’ll turn this over to the chef.”

After she left I saw Ronnie and Jay talking quietly amongst themselves. “I wonder who is doing the cooking here Dad.”

I didn’t know but most likely the owner would be. “More than likely, the owner or his wife.”

We talked between ourselves for a while then the waitress brought our dinner out. When she started putting it on the table the aroma was wonderful. I hoped it tasted as good as it smelled.  I was the first to sample my prime rib and it wasn’t bad. I had tasted better but this was edible. I saw Jay and Marco dig into their steaks then they both reached for the salt and pepper. “Ok guys how’s your meal?”

Ronnie sampled his salmon then squeezed his lemon over it. “It’s under cooked and over smoked. The lemon should help. How’s yours Steven?”

“The filet isn’t bad but here, you taste the shrimp, it tastes a little funny.”

Ronnie took the shrimp off Steven’s fork then looked at it. He picked up his knife, cut the shrimp then scraped the back of it. “I see what the problem is bro, they didn’t remove the vein after they cleaned it.” Ronnie squired a little lemon in the shrimp then took a bite. “It’s better but with the vein in it, it’s really tastes strong.”

Angel was eating her stuffed flounder. “The flounder is pretty good. It needs to be seasoned a little but it’s not bad. I love the stuffing.”

Marco and Jay were scarffing down their meals. “Earth to Jay, earth to Jay,” Ronnie said giggling.

Jay looked up with a mouthful of steak. “After I put some salt and pepper on it, it’s pretty good. It’s a little tough though.”

I looked over to Marco and he nodded his head as he chewed his mouthful. “It’s good Pop, just a little tough. They need to better season it though.”

It wasn’t the best meal we had but it wasn’t the worst either. The waitress came over and I asked for the check. We finished eating while she brought our check. She handed it to me and for the 5 of us it was just over $150.00. I gave her a good tip then we went back to our room.

It was just about 7PM and Jay said, “Would you all like to see the sights around the campus?”

I was a little tired and had a full stomach so I wasn’t really up to walking around Duke’s campus. “How about we do that tomorrow son? It’s not that late I know but Dad’s a little tired.”

Ronnie smiled when I said that so I know what was on his mind. He wrapped his arms around Jay then nuzzled his neck. “I have some plans that include a tour, but it’s not of the campus. It’s more of a certain student’s body.”

Jay just smiled then turned around into Ronnie's embrace as the two kissed passionately. “Ok you two,” Marco chided.

They broke their kiss then headed to their room. Steven and Angel gave me a hug and kiss then they were out the door.

Marco grabbed the remote and started channel surfing as I got comfortable and started to stretch out on the bed. “Woo hoo Pop, nice ass.”

Normally anyone saying that to me would get me upset. The boys had said that a few times and I just smiled. Now as I am getting older, it’s nice to know my body still looks good. “Thanks son. Yours isn’t bad yourself.”

We got comfortable then watched a movie. There was about 15 minutes left on it when there was a knock on the door. Marco got up and opened it and there were Jay and Ronnie. They came in and headed over to me. “What’s wrong boys?”

The boys came in as Jay replied, “We forget to say good night to you.”

Even as adults, some of the things they liked as children they haven’t out grown. I gave them their hugs then they headed back to their room. On the way out Ronnie looked at Marco and asked, “Hey buddy, you wanna come down?”

Marco thought for a minute before answering. “Nah, not tonight, maybe tomorrow.”

The boys left then Marco and I settled down for some sleep. I’m not sure how long I slept but I was awakened to the smell of fresh coffee. “Hey, what does Dad have to do to get a cup?”

Marco and Ronnie were sitting at the table talking softly when Jay came out of the bathroom. Ronnie got up and fixed it then set is on the table. “Sorry Dad, I’m not bringing it over to you.”

Marco was giggling at Ronnie’s statement. “I know how I’m rated.”

Jay grabbed the cup and came over and sat beside me. “Here Dad, I still love you.”

Ronnie glared at his lover has he hugged me. I saw Jay turn around and stick his tongue out at him causing Marco to break into another fit of laughter. I took a sip of my coffee then had to make a hasty retreat to the bathroom to empty my bladder. As I was coming out I heard a knock on the door. I looked though the peep hole and saw Steven and Angel. I opened the door and they heard Marco still laughing. “I see we’re at the right place Steven.”

I went and put a pair of pants on then got my coffee and sat at the table. Angel bopped Marco on the back of the head as she went to get herself a cup of coffee. “Hay, what was that for?”

“Cause you’re acting goofy, Angel replied sitting beside me. “Are you going to breakfast like that Daddy or are you going to get properly attired?”

I finished my coffee then went over to the closet to find something to wear. “I want to get a shower then shave before we go.”

I went into the bathroom and the others sat and talked while I got myself cleaned up. Jay had everyone’s attention as he was talking to them. “Are you all cool with me showing you the campus?”

“Sure bro,” Ronnie replied as he poured another cup of coffee. “Can we see the Medical School too?”

Jay was nodding his head as Ronnie was talking. “Sure can baby. I got permission to show you the hospital too. I’ll be doing my internship there before I leave for my Residency.”

I came out of the bathroom and heard Jay’s statement. “Have you thought about where you want to do that son?”

Jay took the empty cups to the sink and started washing them. “Yeah Dad, I’d like to be closer to home after having been away for so long. Since I’m going into Pediatrics, I’d like to do that at Children’s.”

I finished getting dressed and listened as he talked. “I think it’s a good idea son. Children’s has a first class Residency Program for Pediatrics. I’ll be working with the Pediatric Surgical Residents Program.”

“Cool,” Jay shouted. “I would love to operate beside you Dad. That’s been a dream for me for a long time.”

I finished getting dressed then put my wallet and keys in my pants pockets. “I would love that too son. Now come on guys, I’m starved.”

To be continued...

Posted: 06/27/08