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 got nods from some of them and blank stares from others. After a few minutes, they started heading towards their respective rooms in pairs. Victor had the two youngest boys and I could tell they weren’t letting him out of their sight. Guillermo started walking with Joey and Robbie when I saw them stop and talk for a minute. The boys headed to their room by themselves. I still had Mikey in my arms when I heard someone come in the front door. I turned around and there stood two welcome faces. I felt like the cavalry had arrived. “Boy, am I glad to see you two.”

Chapter 46

“Well you look right at home Daddy,” Angel said smiling as her and Steven came up and kissed me on the cheek.

Mikey’s head was turning so fast I was afraid he was going to hurt himself. “Who are they Papa Miguel?”

I had forgotten he and a few of the others hadn’t met Steven and Angel. “Mikey, this is my youngest son Steven and his wife Angel. Steven, Angel, this is Miguel.”

“I’m Mikey,” he quickly corrected me.

Steven ruffled his hair and Angel leaned in and kissed him gently on the cheek. He reached out for her and soon she had an arm full. “It’s nice to meet you Mikey.”

Steven looked at Angel and smiled. “You look good like that sweetheart. So Dad, what’s been going on? Guillermo said it seemed like all hell was breaking loose here.”

I was wondering how these two managed to show up just when help was needed the most. “Oh, nothing that a few more arms can’t handle. Mikey, you need a shower little one.”

Mikey looked at Angel and then back to me. “Umm can she help me Papa Miguel?”

I smiled at Angel. “Well sweetie, looks like motherhood agrees with you. It’s alright with me Mikey but it’s really up to Angel.”

Steven reached out and patted Angel on the head. “All right Mikey where do we go?”

I pointed to my room. “You can use the bathroom in there. That’s my room and I’ll get him a pair of clean underwear.”

Steven and I walked down towards the trio’s room and as soon as I opened the door, there stood a naked José and Billy with their squirt guns taking aim at Victor. “Hold your fire boys.”

“Oh oooo,” Billy said softly. “I think our backsides are in for it now.”

Poor Victor was soaked. I walked over and picked Billy up and took his water pistol away from him. “Victor, you need to get changed. Billy, I don’t paddle my kids.”

Steven disarmed José then picked him up. “That’s right. Dad may yell at us but he’s never spanked us.”

‘Boys, this is my youngest son Steven,” I said heading to the bathroom.”

“Who’s going to give us a shower now Papa Miguel,” José asked looking at Steven.

I just smiled and giggled at Steven. “Looks like you’re elected son. Ok you guys, in the bathroom and get the water going. Steven will be in there in a minute and no more squirt guns.”

I gave Steven a hug then went into Mikey’s dresser and got him a pair of undies. “You’re a natural father too, son.”

Steven hugged me and gave me a quick kiss. “I guess it’s in the Sanchez genes Dad.”

I left Steven with José and Billy then took Mikey’s undies down to him. When I want in, there was Angel sitting on the bed drying Mikey’s hair. “She gives good baths Papa Miguel.”

Angel looked up at me and smiled. “I had a good teacher Mikey.”

I handed Angel Mikey’s undies then she got him dressed. I was wondering who he would go to but that was answered soon enough. Mikey walked over on the bed and raised his arms to me. Angel looked sad then Mikey walked over and gave her a hug and kiss. “I love you Angel but I kinda need Papa Miguel.”

I picked him up and we went back out to the common room. Just was I was passing the offices, Guillermo stuck his head out. “Miguel, Dr. Perez is on the phone for you.”

Mikey lit up when he heard that. “Is that about Shane?”

I set him down but he went right over to Angel so she picked him up. “I’m sure it is little one. I promise I will let you all know how he’s doing.”

Cassie and two of the girls went into the common room and I pointed to Angel where to take Mikey while I talked with Dr. Perez. I went into the office and picked the phone up. “Dr. Sanchez here.”

The voice on the other end started telling me about Shane. “Hi Miguel, the young man is out of surgery and is doing fine. I had to repair a tear in his anus that was only about 10 millimeters. I inspected his rectum and colon and there were no perforations. I did see a little bruising but that’s all. He’ll be on soft foods for a couple of days then he should be able to tolerate solid foods. I’ll have him on stool softeners and he should continue them until he’s healed. He should be totally healed in 5 to 7 days. If he tolerates the diet and can move his bowels without complications, I suspect he could be discharged in a couple days. X-rays didn’t show any fractures to his ribs but he is going to be sore there for a few days. The pain medication he’s on now should keep him comfortable. He’s in recovery now and he’ll be moved to a room in about an hour or so.”

A wave of relief swept over me when I heard his report. I had to wipe my eyes and regain my composure before I could talk. “Thank you for everything Bill. I’ll be in to see him in the morning. When he wakes up, tell him his room here is waiting for him.”

“I’ll be sure to tell him that Miguel. I know someone there is anxious to hear about him so I’ll let you go. I need to check back in on him. I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night.”

Guillermo saw me wiping my eyes. “I’m so glad he’s going to be alight Miguel. I know Mikey is also.”

I went and washed my face then headed to the common room. When I went in, all the kids were attached to an adult in one way or another. “Shane is out of surgery and is going to be fine.”

A wave of whoops, hollers and applause went out when I said that. I waited for them to calm down before continuing. “The doctor had to fix his bottom but other than that, he’s ok. His ribs will be sore for a few days but nothing is broken. If all goes well, he should be discharged in about two days.”

“Can he be my room mate Papa Miguel,” Mikey asked right off the bat.

I smiled and nodded my head. “Yes Mikey, he can be your room mate.”

I could see a weight get lifted off all the children when I gave them the news. Several of the children were talking softly amongst themselves. I saw Laura looking at me then talk with Lisa then look back at me. “Miguel, why do people hate boys who like other boys?”

“I wish I had an answer for that sweetie,” I started saying.

“It’s because people can’t handle others who are different from what society considers normal,” Steven started saying. “Oh, I’m Steven Sanchez and this is my wife Angel. We have two older brothers who are gay and they are lovers. When they were in school, Ronnie got beat up once because of it. Then there was this kid who thought if you weren’t circumcised you were gay. It is just so stupid. My brothers don’t go out looking for trouble and they sure don’t go around hitting on other guys looking to have sex with them. In school, they studied hard and made good grades. Ronnie just graduated from Culinary Arts School and just opened a restaurant and Jay will start Medical School next year. Dad knew all about us. We all lived on these very streets here in Receife. Jay was almost killed and Dad found him and got him fixed up.”

Christina raised her hand. “I’ve heard some say it’s a sin to be gay and God will send them to hell.

Angel sat up to answer that question. “I’m no expert on the Bible. I went to church when I was a little girl before Miguel rescued me and this is what I know. God loves us all. Black, white, rich, poor, boy or girl so if that is true, how could he hate gays? We’re all made in his image and he knows all there is to know about each and every one of us. There is just no way he could hate someone who is gay no sooner than he could hate someone who is black or brown.”

“But is says in the Bible it’s a sin,” Christina added.

Guillermo stepped up. “The Bible is a book written by men in a different language a very long time ago. It’s been translated by other men many times. No one really knows what the very first Bible says about that subject. Every minister interprets the verses his own way and that’s how he gives his message.”

I walked over to Christina. “Sweetie, do you have a problem with gays and lesbians?”

She dropped her head towards the floor and I saw tears start to fall. Andrea and Lisa hurried over to her side and wrapped her arms around the crying girl. I knelt down and I saw Lisa whisper something to her. “No Miguel I don’t. I just hope Laura can accept what I have to say.”

Laura was puzzled by that statement. “Christine, we’re friends. I love you like a sister. Why wouldn’t I accept you?”

Lisa looked over at her sister then gently kissed Christina on the lips. Lisa smiled at her sister. “Lisa, I think she was afraid you’d be angry if you found out I was her girlfriend.”

Lisa went over and hugged her sister then Christina. “Sis, you never could keep secrets from me very well at all. If you two are happy together, then that’s all that matters to me.”

I looked around and I saw several of the boys dozing and others yawning. “Well, now that the good news has been heard here, I think it’s time you all headed to bed. I’ll leave a note for Hanna to have breakfast at 8 so you all can sleep al little longer. Andrea, would you mind rooming with Lisa tonight?”

Jackie, Casey and Angel took the girls and got them settled in bed while Steven, Guillermo, Victor, Sammy and I got the boys settled. Angel passed a sleeping Mikey over to me and I took him down to my room. “Papa Miguel, I’m sleeping with you tonight, right?”

I laid him on my bed and tucked him in. “Yes little one, this is my room. I’ll be back in shortly as soon as I check on the others.”

I showed Steven a room that he and Angel could use. He gave me a strange look when he saw two single beds in there but he and Angel would just have to make do. I checked on José and Billy first. They were cuddled together in one bed. “Do I need to get a bigger bed for you two?

I leaned down and gave each boy a hug and kiss. “Maybe you can move a bed next to this one,” Billy said with a grin.

I ruffled the boys’ hair. “I’ll think about it.”

My next stop was Chico and Alex. I opened the door and both boys were sound asleep. I turned the light off and went to see Robbie and Joey. I knocked on the door and heard someone say come in. The boys were on the bed cuddling each other. “Papa Miguel, I see now why you’re such a good father. You treat everyone as if they were the same.”

I saw down on the edge of the bed. “That’s right Robbie. That is how my Papa taught me. I never think badly of someone unless they give me a reason to do that and even then, I still try to find something good in them.”

Joey looked at me with wide eyes. “Even when someone tried to kill your son?”

He had me there. When I found the person who hurt Jay, all I wanted was revenge. “It was hard but yes, even when I found the person who hurt Jay. I was angry with him and all I wanted to do was find out why he did that but things got ugly and he tried to hurt Steven, who I’d just found earlier. He tried to hurt Steven and I did what I had to in order to protect him.”

The boys got quiet for a moment. “I guess there are bad people in the world and nothing will change that.”

I leaned down and kissed each of the boys. “I’m afraid so Joey. I hope some day that will change. Sleep well boys.”

I headed for the door and turned off the light. As I closed the door I heard, “We love you Papa Miguel.”

“I love you too boys.”

The adults met back in the common room and pitched in putting things back in order. “Jackie, you might as well take a room and stay here tonight. Angel, Steven can show you where you will be. Victor and Sammy were already in their room and I saw Guillermo locking the front door. We started turning some lights off then we all headed for our respective rooms. I kissed Steven and Angel before going in and heading to bed. I went into the bathroom and got undressed so I wouldn’t disturb Mikey. After doing my nightly business, I gently crawled into bed. As soon as I was comfortable, I had a little boy snuggled against me. “Good night Papa Miguel.”

I leaned down and kissed him on the head. “Good night Mikey.”

The next morning I woke up with an 11 year old blanket. I looked at the clock and it was 7:30. I needed to empty my bladder and wake Mikey so I kissed his little nose. “Hehe that tickles Papa Miguel.”

I tried to roll him off but he was having none of it. “Mikey, if you don’t move you’ll be more than getting tickled.”

Mikey was in a playful mood this morning. “If you want me to move, you’ll have to carry me.”

I was in no position to argue with him at the present time so I managed to get out of bed and carry him with me to the bathroom. I put him down then quickly emptied my now screaming bladder. Mikey heard my water hitting the toilet then he felt the urge to go also.

I got dressed then sent Mikey to his room so he could wake José and Billy up. On my way to the dining area I made sure the other boys were up then got myself a cup of coffee. I was surprised when I went in to see who was already awake. “Morning Daddy, I checked on you and Mikey looked so comfortable on your chest.”

I fixed my coffee then joined Angel and Steven at the table. “Thanks love but he didn’t want to move this morning. Did you see if the girls were awake yet?”

Just then Casey came in with the girls closely behind her. I got my usual morning hugs from each of them. I was about to speak when Guillermo paged me. “Miguel, you have a phone call in the office.”

I went to my office to see who could be calling me so early. “Miguel Sanchez here.”

I sipped my coffee as the voice began to speak. “Morning Dr. Sanchez, Dr. Perez here. I just checked on Shane and he’s asking for you. He’s still in some discomfort but he tolerated his breakfast well.”

I was glad he handled his food. “I’ll be in as soon as I have breakfast.”

I finished talking to Bill then went back to the dining room. Hanna already had the food out and the kids were eating. Steven had fixed me a plate so I quickly ate then left to go to the hospital. I was coming out of my room when Mikey and Joey came up to me. “Papa Miguel, can we go with you?”

I didn’t think it would hurt if they missed class. “Go tell Casey you’re going with me then wash your faces and hands.”

The boys came walking out to the Blazer then we were off to the hospital. We went inside and I saw Bill in the cafeteria. The boys got themselves a soda while I talked with him. After the boys got their drinks, we headed to the third floor. I stopped at the nurse’s station and got Shane’s chart then went to his room. As soon as we went in, Mikey was right at his side. Shane was dozing then I saw a little smile appear on his face. “Hi Mikey.”

Mikey took his hand and held it. “Hi Shane, how are you feeling?”

The boy put on a brave face and I could tell he was uncomfortable. “I’m doing OK buddy. My ribs are sore but not too bad.”

I stepped over and lowered Shane’s covers. “Mikey, I need to take a look at Shane’s bottom.”

Mikey stepped back but Shane held onto his hand. “It’s OK Dr. Sanchez if Mikey sees me.”

Shane gingerly turned onto his side and I took a quick look at his rectum. There was some swelling but Dr. Perez did a great job repairing the tear. I helped Shane onto his back then sat down and wrote some notes. Shane was talking with the boys as I wrote. “Guys, thanks for getting those two guys off me.”

Joey was by his other side and patted his shoulder. “No need to thank us Shane. No one is raping anyone if we can help it.”

Just then the door opened and in walked the ADA. “What is it now Ms. Ruiz?”

She walked past me putting her briefcase on the floor. She grabbed Joey by the arm then picked up the phone. “Let go of that child right now.”

“Ow,” Joey cried out. “Let go of me lady.”

“This is ADA Victoria Ruiz; get me the Sheriff’s office right away.”

I was about to head to the nurse’s station. I reached for the door and was almost knocked down by someone coming in. I looked around the door and there stood Danny. “Just the person I need to see.”

I saw Joey yank his arm out of Victoria’s grasp. “I said let go of me bitch.”

She slammed the phone down and I couldn’t believe what I saw next. She reared back as if she was going to slap Joey. Danny ran over and grabbed her arm. “I wouldn’t advise you doing that.”

She tried to yank her had out of Danny’s but he was much too strong. “I’ll not let some punk criminal speak to me like that. Now, arrest him. I’m charging him with rape.”

Shane looked right at the ADA. “Lady, have you lost your mind? He didn’t rape me, he helped catch the two guys who did.”

Ruiz glared at Shane. “What? Are you protecting him?”

I went over and took the ADA by the arm and led her out of the room. “What’s gotten into you? You have the 2 people in jail plus an admission of guilt heard by several witnesses. Danny’s son works with one of the adults who raped the boy.”

Victoria stood there with a blank expression on her face. “Victoria, you try one more time to pin something on anyone at the home and I’ll bring charges against you. Do we understand each other?”

She walked back into Shane’s room grabbed her briefcase then stormed out of the room. Shane started to giggle when he saw that woman storm out. “Dr. Sanchez, do you think I can get out of here?”

I would have to have Bill check him before asking but I didn’t see why not. “I’ll talk with Dr. Perez and see what he says son. But if he does say you can leave, you’ll have to rest.”

I went out to then nurse’s station and had Bill paged. He called the desk and I told him about Shane wanting to leave. He said he would be up shortly and take a look at Shane. About 15 minutes later, Bill came in and examined Shane. “Miguel, if he rests in bed and uses the stool softeners, I’ll let him leave.”

I looked over at Shane and he was nodding his head along with Mikey. “He’ll be good Papa Miguel, won’t you Shane?”

Shane tried to sit up but his ribs let him know he wasn’t any where near 100% yet. “I promise I’ll behave and rest.”

Bill wrote the discharge orders then we had to come up with some clothes for Shane to wear. I called Guillermo to go into the clothes closet and get some clothes for Shane. Steven and Angel brought them over to the hospital. Shane was sitting on the side of the bed and had his gown off when they came in. Shane put his hands over his crotch turning bright red. Mikey got his clothes then pulled the curtain closed. Five minutes later, Shane was ready to come to his new home.

To be continued...

Posted: 07/11/08