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 set him back onto his feet then we headed to the parking lot.  Matt went around and gave everyone hugs and kisses. After that was done, Matt and his family started heading to their car then he suddenly stopped and ran back towards me. I knelt down and he ran into my arms. “I’ll call you Dr. Dad.”

“I gave your Mom my card with my private home number so you better,” I told him as I playfully swatted his bottom.

He gave me a boyish squeal as he ran back to Barbara and Curtis. I watched as they left the restaurant with Matt starting his new life.

Chapter 42

It was a quiet ride back to the house and my children knew I was already missing Matt. When we entered the family room, I was led to the sofa where I was immediately surrounded by Steven and Marco. Angel took her place on my lap and it seemed all was right with the world. “Paulo, when do you need to be back in Receife?”

Paulo shook his head. “No time in particular Miguel. I just finished a big case and when I get back, I get back.”

Marco got up and put on some coffee while Angel fixed desert. Paulo and I were engrossed in a conversation and I wasn’t paying much attention until she set it on the table. “On my god Marco, how’d you manage to keep that hidden?”

Marco had brought home Ronnie’s German chocolate cake. “Ronnie told me to try and save it for a special occasion so I figured you could use a little pick me up tonight.”

I loved Ronnie’s cake and had two pieces, even though I shouldn’t have. I called Ronnie at the restaurant and thanked him for the cake. We talked for about 15 minutes. “Dad, I hate to cut this short but I have to go. Business is booming and I’m really happy. Give my love to Steven, Angel and Marco. Jay sends his love. Bye Dad.”

The weekend flew by and I’d spoke to Matt each day just to tell me how he was doing. I talked with Barbara and he was settling in fine. Joey and Matt were making their little brother feel right at home. Monday saw Paulo and I getting ready to make a trip to Receife. Steven, Angel and Marco told me they were heading back to Durham to spend some more time with Jay and Ronnie. I told Marco to be careful driving across country on his trip to UCLA.

Marco drove us to the airport then bid Paulo a tearful goodbye. “Dad, I wish you’d slow down some.”

Paulo wiped the tears from Marco’s eyes. “I am son. I’ve told my boss I’m retiring the end of the month.”

I gave Marco one last hug. “Marco, you’re Dad will still have plenty to do. I’m going to have him be our lawyer full time.” We gave our luggage to the staff then boarded the plane.

We had touched down at the airport and Guillermo was there meeting us with the Blazer. Paulo got his things then left for his car. It seems Pablo brought my car back to the home rather than taking it to my house. “I’ll have to bring you back to the home Miguel because my car is there.”

I was glad of this as I was planning on staying there and I wanted to see how the new additions were proceeding. “Thanks my friend. I wasn’t planning on staying there any way.”

“Are they doing more work to your place?”

I smiled at him shaking my head. “No not this time.”

“Ahh I see Miguel. Does someone miss the sound of children?”

I guess I was that transparent. I also filled him in on my temporary foster son Matt too. “Yeah I do. It’s really hard at home now that Ronnie’s graduated and living in Durham while he is getting his new restaurant going. Angel is in Blacksburg with Steven so living in an empty house is very lonely.”

“I imagine it can be. I forgot to tell you when we last spoke that we have another female resident. Her name is Andrea Dominguez. A Deputy found her wandering the streets late one evening and brought her here. I just finished her paperwork and was going to fax it over in the morning to Judge Romero so she could be formally placed in our care.”

The house is growing slow but sure. “How did she look? Were there any outward signs of abuse?”

“None that I could tell. Her clothes were a little dirty but they weren’t tattered. She didn’t have that street attitude either, like we see with so many of the children.”

Maybe she hadn’t been on the streets all that long then,” I replied as we pulled into the home’s parking lot.

Guillermo got my bags out of the back and we went inside. I was instantly greeted by my two members of the welcome wagon, Chico and Mikey.

“Hi Papa Miguel,” they sang in unison. “Are you going to be staying with us again?”

“I had planned on it,” I answered smiling. “That is unless you’d rather I stayed at my house?”

“Noooooooo,” they cried as they reached their arms out for me to pick them up.

I picked them up then I got my usual hugs and kisses. “Oh boys, you are getting heavier. Hanna must be feeding you well,” I said as I set the boys back down then went to see how the expansion was proceeding.

Now, I had gotten a letter from the contractor telling me he had a better idea for the staff and school wing. Rather than locking in the girls and boys’ wings with the staff wing, they decided on building the wing as a second floor that stretched across the two wings and moving the kitchen and dining area. This way the children wouldn’t lose any play area and the outside dining area would remain in tact. The girls’ wing would be added on to have Casey's quarters in the same wing so she could be reached easier rather than someone having to go upstairs to get her is she were sleeping. There would also be dayroom/recreation room so the girls could watch TV or play if they wanted to rather than be in the common room up front.

The boy’s wing wouldn't be added onto for the expansion of the kitchen and the addition of the dining room. The kitchen and dining room were going to be moved and the common room extended back. I was still toying with idea weather to move the existing appliances or buy new ones and sell the old ones. I still had time to make that decision. The old kitchen would be turned into a dayroom/recreation room like the girls’ wing was getting. I would get new televisions for each room and talk with the children about what else they might like to have.

There would have to be some steel support piling driven into the ground to add support to the second floor but the contractor even had a way to make them aesthetic. Time wise, they said this would be faster as some of it could be prefabricated. As I got near the kitchen I could hear the men working outside. I was wondering how Hanna was handling the construction. I walked into the kitchen and saw her and the others hard at work. “Hi Hanna.”

I looked at her and it was like I wasn’t there. “HI HANNA,” I said louder.

Again, she didn’t hear me. I walked over to her and tapped her on the shoulder. Her head snapped up and she smiled once she saw me. “When did you arrive Miguel?”

I started to reply then I saw her reach for her ears. I smiled as I saw her take out ear plugs. Now I knew why she hadn’t heard me when I first spoke to her. “I got in a little while ago. I was wondering how you all were handling the construction and now I know.”

She laughed saying, “If it weren’t for these, we’d all be going crazy. They still have another two weeks here then things should be quieter as they finish working on the second floor.”

I went over to the fridge and got myself a cold drink then went into the expansion area. I saw the steel posts in the ground and knew I was glad I wasn’t here when they were going down. They were now starting to put up the walls and by the looks of things, they would be starting on the roof tomorrow. I went out into the play area and looked across to the girl’s wing and they were working just as quickly. Looking upward I saw the steel beams in place for the second floor then I felt a tap on my shoulder. “What do you think Mr. Sanchez?”

“I like this idea a whole lot better than the other one. The kids won’t lose hardly any space to play but there is one thing I need to talk with you about.”

We walked out into the play area and over to the back fence. “I bought the property behind this fence and it needs to be cleared. It’s bigger than is really necessary for a play area so I was wondering if it all could be cleared and leveled then take down this fence. Use half of the property for the children, giving them a much bigger play area and re-fence it. The other half I’d like paved and that can be employee parking. The lot up front is small and wouldn’t be able to handle everyone once we get a larger staff.”

I saw him thinking for a moment then make some notes on a pad. “I’ve seen that piece of land and that will work nicely with what you have in mind. I can extend the outer fences all the way around the property then bring the back fence from the pool area across then come short about two feet then come back towards the building. That will leave about a four foot secure walk area for the employees to walk from the lot to the building.”

I liked the idea and gave him my approval. It was very hot and my soda was empty so I excused myself and returned to the comfort of the air conditioned building. I headed to my office and got myself another cold drink then went looking for Jackie. I found her and Guillermo in the common lounge talking with a middle aged woman. “I hope I’m not interrupting here.”

I sat down on the sofa and took a long drink of my soda. Guillermo shook his head saying, “No Miguel you’re not, in fact we were going to need to speak with you. This is Amanda Stevens. She’s a nurse looking to come to work here.”

I got up and went over to the table where they were all sitting and Guillermo handed me her file. “It’s nice to meet you Ms. Stevens, I’m Miguel Sanchez.”

She shook my hand saying, “It’s nice to finally get to meet you sir. You’re sort of an institution around here.”

I blushed when I heard that then sat down. “Where did you work before, if I might ask?”

She sipped her drink before speaking. “I used to work at your clinic before the Administrator was fired. When I heard that, I went back but the position had been filled. I looked for a position at the Children’s Wing but they too, were full.”

I felt bad that a former employee was out of work. Why didn’t you contact The Foundation? I’m sure Pablo could have found something.”

She smiled shaking here head. “It’s alright Mr. Sanchez, I managed. A friend of mine at the hospital heard you were looking for a nurse so here I am.”

I looked at her application and she had been at the clinic for several years before Hector started his crap. “If you can give me a couple of days, I should have an answer for you. I do full background checks on all my employees here since we’re dealing with children. I’ll talk with the clinic but since you were with us for several years, I’m sure you were and excellent nurse. I’ll also need to get a copy of your license. It is still valid, isn’t it?”

She pulled an envelope out of her purse and handed it to me. “Yes sir, it’s still valid. In fact, I just had to renew it.”

I opened the envelope and removed the papers. I looked and there was a current police records check signed by Danny. “You seem to be one step ahead of me Amanda. I see Danny has nothing on file so that hurdle has been crossed. I guess the only thing I can say is welcome to the family. As you know, this is a live in position. You’ll have adequate time off but I need someone here almost all the time with children. We are in the process of adding a staff wing and that will be finished in about 6 months. In the meantime, you’ll have a room to yourself in the girls’ wing. Right now we have 4 girls. 3 I know already and one who came in yesterday. Jackie will show you the girls’ wing and you can pick a room for right now.”

As Amanda and Jackie left, I saw Laura come out of the girl’s wing with someone I didn’t know. The girls came into the common room and Guillermo motioned them over. “Miguel, this is our newest resident Andrea Dominguez. Andrea, this is Miguel Sanchez. His Foundation runs this home. What do you think of it so far?”

I extended my hand and she gently shook it blushing slightly as she did. “It’s nice to meet you Mr. Sanchez. I really like it here. Laura is my new friend and she’s even rooming with me.”

I smiled listening to her talk. She was so polite I couldn’t see her making it on the streets for very long. Laura snuck around my other side and wrapped he arms around my neck and gave me a huge hug. “Hi Papa Miguel, are you staying here again?”

Andrea’s eyes got real big when she heard Laura call me Papa Miguel. “I know what you’re thinking Amanda, but all the kids call me Papa Miguel because I really care about each of them. I want the best for all of you and for you to be the best you can be.”

Just then Hurricanes José and Billy came running in. “Papa Miguel, Papa Miguel.”

I had two boys on my lap and Andrea was beginning to see how the kids felt about me. I leaned forward and whispered, “How about we talk after dinner?”

She smiled and nodded as Jackie and Amanda came back into the room. I gave José and Billy a hug then the kids left us adults to our business. I looked at Guillermo and asked, “Is she always that polite?”

He nodded his head as he sipped his soda. “Pretty much. I haven’t even heard her raise her voice yet.”

We sat there and talked for a few mo minutes then I looked at Amanda. “What do you think of the place and did Jackie show you the small medical treatment room?”

“Yes she did,” Amanda replied. “You did a pretty good job. I think it should handle most things here.”

“Glad you like it because that will be your domain when I’m not here. When will you be able to start?”

She thought for a moment the said, “I can start tomorrow. I don’t have that many things to bring other than clothes. My old television died so I’ll get a new one a little later.”

We talked for a few more minutes then it was time for dinner. I escorted her to the door then shook her hand. “We’ll get one of the beds out of your room so that will give you some more space. If there is anything you need, just let us know. We’ll see you in the morning.”

Amanda left then I saw the crew heading down towards the dining room. After dinner I took Andrea to my office and we sat and talked. “What brings you here sweetheart?”

She was hesitant to answer the question. I was getting the feeling something had really happened at home that had her in distress. “Sweetie, no one here will judge you about anything that’s happened. All of these kids have had things happen that should never happen to children. Please Andrea, what brought you here?”

She sat there another few minutes and I could tell she was thinking. She’d open her mouth like she was going to talk then close it. This went on for about 10 minutes. “It’s nothing really Miguel. My Dad just didn’t seem to care about me. When I’d ask him for help with a problem, it was either he didn’t care or it was up to me to figure out the answer.”

I looked at her file and saw she was 13. “How long as this been going on?”

Andrea thought for a minute then hung her head. “I guess for a couple of years now.”

I think I had part of the answer figured out but I couldn’t understand why he’d ignore his child. There was something I needed to bring up and I knew it would embarrass her. “Andrea, when did you start getting your period? How old were you when this happened?”

She turned red then I asked the question. “Um Miguel, that’s a little personal. Do I really need to answer that?”

I was about to speak when a voice said, “Trust him Andrea. Papa Miguel is also a doctor. He took care of me when I came here and I was worse off than you.”

I hadn’t closed the door because I was alone with a girl and now I’m glad Christine overheard part of our conversation. She looked over and asked, “You’re a doctor?”

I nodded my head yes smiling slightly. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you Andrea but it can help answer some things.”

“I was 11 and that’s about when things started to change.”

Daddy’s tom boy was now a young lady. “Did you and he do things that were some what boy oriented?”

She nodded her head in the affirmative. “We used to do loads of things together. But when I started, things changed. I must admit I really didn’t feel like doing things when that time was around, but it only lasted a few days.”

I can see a man not knowing much about that time of the month but treating her as if things were now totally up to her was uncalled for. I had to ask a question that could blow up in my face. “Sweetie, this is an important question and I hope it won’t upset you or made you mad. Do you want to go back home with your Dad?”

I could see that my question got to her and so did Christina. She quickly sat down beside her and held her close. “I don’t know Miguel. I do because he’s my Dad but he doesn’t care about me and I know everyone here does.”

Christina held her as she broke down. I gave her all the time she needed to answer. I didn’t know what she was going to say but I thought for right now, it might be best if she remained here until the father could be interviewed. “Miguel, I think I’d like to stay here. I remember as a little girl when Dad got something in his head, nothing would change it so I don’t see him changing.”

I stood up going around to her then I sat down and held her. “Alright Andrea, just relax. You can stay here for as long as necessary.”

When she heard that, she relaxed and start calming down. Christina took her back to her room while I took a closer look at the intake form Guillermo filled out. I signed off on the form and filled out the request to be faxed to Judge Romero then went back into the common room. As soon as I sat down I was invaded my Mikey, Chico and José. The boys got into the television program while I started thinking about Andrea again. I don’t know how long I was in my own world but when I came back to earth, the boys were asleep. Joey picked Billy up and Guillermo took José while I got Chico and we put them to bed.

To be continued...

Posted: 07/11/08