Julio – The Growing Years

 by: Miguel Sanchez

© 2006-2009 by the author

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 79

Javier glared at Larry and then thought about all he had heard. “I’ve heard the City Attorney’s charges and they have enough evidence right now to bring him to trial. He is willing to withhold filing formal charges which is within his rights. Since he’s agreed to this, I will allow the United States to take him there to stand trial on their charges. Sheriff, you will bring me an inventory of everything you have recovered from Mr. Curtis’ residence and a signed receipt of what you turned over to the United States within 48 hours.”

Danny stood and nodded. “It shall be done Your Honor.”

Judge Romero banged his gavel. “This case is adjourned.”

We all stood and waited for Javier to leave the bench and go into his chambers. As soon as the door closed, Danny and Insp. Franco headed to the holding cells so they could get Curtis. They weren’t gone but a couple of minutes when we heard Curtis mouthing off. “I told you bastards I’m not going any place.”

The door opened and Curtis was being held firmly by his arms. Larry walked over to the man. “You have no choice Mr. Curtis. If you had sat in here and kept your mouth closed, you might have been able to say something that Judge Romero might have listened to.”

Curtis was trying to break free of the grip Danny and Franco had on him. “Just what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Special Agent Douglas came over. “Here, I’ll say it in words a child will understand. You are going back to the United States.”

Curtis started wiggling harder then broke free running towards his lawyer. “You incompetent ass, why did you just sit there and not say a thing?”

Payne slammed his briefcase down on the table. “What was I supposed to say? The US presented some of its evidence. It wasn’t up to me to dispute it, this wasn’t a trial. That will happen when you and your attorney in the US meet with the prosecutor assigned to the case. On a personal note, the shit you pulled here was senseless.

Payne picked up his briefcase and stormed through the rail. When he got to the back of the courtroom he looked at Curtis. “You’re a real piece of work. Brazil will be far better off without you.”

Payne walked out of the room as Curtis stood there with his mouth hanging open. He looked at Larry then smiled smugly. “I want another lawyer. He didn’t do shit for me.”

Larry shook his head. “Judge Romero has made his decision and you’re going back to the States.”

He got into Larry’s face. “Do you know what the fuck you’ve done? You’ve just signed my death warrant.”

I walked over and got nose to nose with him. “Well, if you hadn’t killed innocent people, maybe none of this would have happened.”

“Who said I killed anyone?” He fired back realizing he stuck his foot in his mouth.

I shot back as fast as he had. “Well, if you hadn’t killed anybody why did you say Larry signed your death warrant?”

We could see him thinking trying to get out of what he’d said. “I know how you guys work. Find someone to pin the rap on whether the person did it or not just as long as you can add another conviction on your belt.”

Danny and Franco tightened their grip on Curtis’ arms then led him out of the courtroom. As they reached the door I fired back one last time. “If you’re really innocent, the jury will let you go but remember, you still have a date back here in Recife.”

Larry looked at Leon. “How much of the money in that safe does the US want to claim?”

I followed the others out to the car as the 2 lawyers talked. “I’m not sure, to be honest. I’ll have to call my boss and see what he says. At most, he’ll agree to us splitting it in half. What will you do with your share?”

Larry stopped then looked at me. “We’ll probably turn it over to Miguel.”

I heard what he’d said so I made my way over to them as Leon spoke. “I don’t think my boss would agree to turning over 10 million dollars to just anyone.”

“You misunderstood what Larry meant by what he said. As you may or may not know, I run a very large foundation that was started by my father a number of years ago. Now, what I’d do is this. I’d have my accountant put that money into a high interest account and use that to send the kids at the home to college. If they don’t wish to go to college or a trade school, I’d give them enough so they could get established.

Leon looked at me skeptically. “You’d just give an 18 year old kid say $500,000 and say have a good life and not want to know what the money was being used for? Hell sir, he could use it to buy dope.”

Larry took exception to that. “You obviously don’t know Miguel that well then.”

“I’m not going to let someone give a kid the means to…”

“Shut your mouth now,” Inspector Franco shouted. “I think you need to see what Dr. Sanchez does here.”

I got in and separated the two. “I have a home for kids that have been tossed out into the street and have no where else to go. Some of these children have had to do things just in order to survive. I rescued my 3 boys here in Recife a number of years ago and then I rescued my daughter in the US.”

Leon was surprised. “Your 4 children were on the streets?”

I nodded my head. “Just goes to show you, you can’t judge a book by its cover.”

Larry looked at Leon. “So what’s it going to be?”

Leon shook his head. “We’ll split the money.”

I saw Danny and Franco pull out with Curtis then the rest of us headed for our cars and returned to the Sheriff’s office. When we arrived, Danny and Franco were coming out of the holding cells. “When are you planning on returning to the US?”

Agent Douglas looked up at the clock. “Well, it’s 4:30 now so I think we’ll be leaving in the morning. Would you mind looking after him one more night?”

Danny shook his head. “Not at all, besides this will give us more time to finish inventorying and cataloging those tapes.”

“That’s all done Dad.” A voice said as we all looked to see who it was. “We also got the safe from Victoria’s place inventoried, here is the sheet we did. Hidden in one of the shoe boxes there was a video tape which showed her and Curtis with the teen. We did a count of the money in that safe. There were 30 shoe boxes each containing a different amount of money. The grand total is 30,685,000 Reals.”

The value of the Real compared to the US dollar is about 2 to 1 so that would translate to just over $14 million. “I think some of that money should go to Chad as compensation for the loss of his parents. I know money will not bring them back but I think it’s the least we can do considering. I think we should set up an account for him with $2,000,000.

Rolando was sitting at a desk punching numbers into an adding machine, “Miguel, if my figures are correct, that would translate to just over 4,300,000 Reals.”

Danny smiled. “That would set him up for life Miguel. When he turns 18 he will be very surprised. Son, can you do a transfer of inventory for me please? Judge Romero wants that as soon as possible.”

He took the inventory sheet from Danny then went to work filling out the transfer. “Dad, the cash is being divided equally?”

He nodded his head. “Yes it is son. Miguel, how’s your shoulder? You’ve been here almost all day?”

I had to agree, my arm was sore. “It’s sore Danny; I think I’m ready to get back to the home.”

He grabbed his hat. “Come on buddy, let’s get you comfortable.”

I got up and headed to the door. On the way, I stopped and talked with Leon James and Brian Douglas. “I hope your case against him is as strong as you say. This is one person who needs never to see the light of day outside of a prison cell ever again.”

Leon extended his hand towards me. “Now that we can put a face to those fingerprints we have, he’ll never leave prison under his own power again.”

Brian came over then and shook my hand. “Miguel, keep up the work you’re doing here. I wish the US had a few thousand people like you because there would be hundreds of children living in a place that gives them a real home with love and caring.”

I put my hand on his shoulder. “It’s not hard to do man. All you need is a caring staff and for them not to be afraid of showing love to the kids there.”

He shook his head. “Unfortunately society would think something abnormal was going on and go on a witch hunt. Do you think I could stop over later?”

I nodded my head. “Sure, the door is always open.”

Danny and I walked out to his car and left for the home. “Miguel, now that this is over we can concentrate on Chad now.”

When Danny and I arrived at the home we went inside and the first thing I noticed was it as really quiet. Danny and I went into the play area and saw all the kids playing. I could see Danny looking around for Chad. “Miguel, I don’t see Chad playing.”

We walked around for a couple of minutes then I saw Jackie walking towards us. “Jackie, have you seen Chad?”

“I think I know where he is.”

“Where and what’s going on?” I asked in a concerned voice.”

“This morning he was his usual self, laughing playing and just having fun with the others. After lunch, I noticed that while he was still playing he also seemed to be withdrawing into himself. I tried talking to him but he said everything was fine so I didn’t push it. Later on, he stopped playing and sat by himself. I was with the others for a little bit when I noticed he wasn’t outside, that’s when you guys got here.”

I thought for a moment. “Come on, I have a good idea where he’s at.”

We went inside and stopped at Mikey and Shane’s room. I quietly opened the door and looked inside. I pulled my head out closing the door. “He’s not in there?” Jackie asked.

I shook my head then I motioned for them to follow me. I stopped outside my room. “I should have come here first. This is his safe haven.”

I gently opened the door and looked inside. Sure enough, he was lying on my bed. I was about to go in when I felt a hand on my shoulder. It startled me momentarily then I saw it was Marco. “Where’s Chad Pop?”

“He’s in my room lying on the bed. Son, I need you to call your Dad and have him get over here. I want to talk to him for a minute and see if he’ll tell me what’s going on. I’ll leave the door cracked so you can listen to what’s being said.”

I went inside and walked over to the bed and gently sat down. I could see he was lost deep in thought. I moved the hair out of his eyes then he looked at me. “Hi Papa, is it OK for me to lie here?”

I smiled and rubbed his chest. “You’re always welcome in here son. Jackie said you spent a lot of the afternoon alone, how come?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “I dunno; guess I was a little tired.”

I looked at him skeptically. “I’ve seen you tired son and this isn’t being sleepy. You’ll tell someone you want to lie down; now what is it really?”

I was still rubbing his chest but now he was looking at me. “I was feeling lonely Papa.”

“Lonely?” I asked. “Son, you have a whole family here. Every boy and girl here is your brother and sister.”

“I know that Papa.” He started. “But…”

“But what,” I asked.

He sat up and was looking me in the eyes. “I know I have brothers and sisters.” Chad was losing the battle fighting back the tears. “I just don’t have…”

Danny stepped inside and stood there quietly. He too had tears coming down his face as Chad sniffed then ran his hand under his nose wiping it. He went to get some tissues and as he turned around, he spotted Danny. He was off the bed like a shot, “Daddy.”

Chad got about 3 feet from Danny then launched himself into the man’s arms. “Now, what is it you say you don’t have?”

Chad stuck his thumb into his mouth then leaned his head against Danny’s shoulder, “A famawy Daddy.”

Danny turned the boy around so he could look at him. “Son, you have one of the biggest families around. You have a Dad in Miguel, loads of brothers and sisters, not counting all the women here who mother you.”

Chad’s eyes got big as his thumb was still in his mouth. “Wu mwean wu don’t wanna dopt me?

Danny eased the boy’s thumb out of his mouth. “Did I say that?”

He thought for a moment then looked down shaking his head. “No but are you going to adopt me?”

Danny kissed him on the nose just as we heard a knock on the door. I went over and opened the door. “Well hello Paulo.”

Paulo came in then shook my hand. “Is there a little boy looking to be adopted?”

Chad jumped off Danny’s lap then ran over to the man then started jumping up and down, “Me, me, me.”

Paulo let out with a huge belly laugh. “Well then little man, I suppose we better go down to Miguel’s office so I can fill out the papers.”

“Yippie,” Chad said running back over to Danny pulling on his arm. “Come on Daddy, this man is going to fill out papers so you can dopt me.”

Danny, Chad and Paulo went down to my office as I took a pain pill then went to see the other children. I was walking down the hall when I was almost caught in a stampede of boys. Chico came up to me and took my hand. “Will you sit with me tonight Papa?”

“How can I refuse an invitation like that?” I replied smiling as Chico hugged me.

I had to stop and wait for some of the boys to go into the dining room when I heard the pitter patter of running feet. I turned around and saw Chad running. “Papa Miguel Daddy gonna dopt me, Daddy gonna dopt me.

“Don’t run in the house Chad.” Chico yelled.

He stopped in his tracks then looked at the ground. “I’m sorry.” He said as I looked at Chico and then over to him lifting his chin up. “I was happy that Daddy was gonna dopt me.”

Chad leaned against my good arm and leaned his head against my shoulder. I saw Chico standing behind the little guy then he leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “I shouldn’t have yelled like that.”

Chad looked up then turned around and hugged Chico. “It’s OK, I shouldn’t have been running.”

 

The two boys hurried into the dining room as Danny came up. “Where’s Paulo?”

Danny and I went in so we could get dinner. “He had a dinner meeting with a client. He said he’d file the papers and try to get a quick hearing.”

“That should make Chad happy.”

Danny giggled. “He was talking a mile a minute while Paulo was filling out the papers.”

We got our trays then went through the line. “Let’s hope this brings him out of his funk. I want to discuss his parent’s funeral with Jackie. I don’t know if his being there would be good or bad. The last thing I want is to send him over the edge.”

When we walked into the dining room, the first thing I noticed was Chad telling Mikey and Shane about the meeting with Paulo. I was amazed when they both hugged him then they took off for the food line. Danny and I joined them when Shane looked up at Danny. “I’m glad you’re going to adopt him Danny. Can he still come to visit us?”

I reached down and ruffled his hair. “He’ll be here all the time Shane. Chad will be here for school so you’ll all get to see him.”

That news brought another round of hugs. We got our food then Danny headed over to the seats Chico saved for us as I looked at Jackie. “After dinner, we all need to meet down in my office.”

Jackie nodded her head then joined the adults while I sat with Chico, Chad and the other children. It was quite an animated affair watching the boys eat and talk. After everyone had eaten and taken their trays to the window, I motioned for Chico, Shane and Mikey to come over. “Boys, I know you’ve taken on a lot helping with the others. I know I haven’t said it enough but thank you all. I also haven’t spent the time with you like I normally do and I’m sorry for that.”

The three boys came around and gently hugged me. “Papa, you got shot, Chad has needed you and so did Andrea.” Mikey said smiling.

“I know that son, but I fell I’ve let you down in the process. This weekend I’m taking it easy so we’ll be able to have some time together, just the 3 of us. How does that sound?”

Shane hugged my right arm. “That would be great Papa.”

The boys too off then I headed down the hall to my office. When I walked in, Jackie got my attention. “Were you able to find out what was bothering Chad?”

Hanna had brought our desert down so we could enjoy it while we talked. I sat down then nodded my head smiling; “Yep, a big dose of insecurity. He knew he had brothers and sisters here but it was when Danny had mentioned adopting him that raised his hopes. With everything that had been going on, Danny had been busy and Chad took that to mean he didn’t want him any more.”

Danny stepped in then. “When I heard him tell Miguel what was really eating at him it was time to do something for him.”

I watched as Jackie ate mulling over what we’d just told her. “I hope you’re right guys.”

“Jackie, did you see how he was when Danny and I joined him and the others?”

I could see her mulling that over in her head then she smiled. “It looks like as that might have been the solution Danny but I’m here anytime you need.”

Danny had just taken a mouthful of desert so he chewed then swallowed. “Thanks Jackie, I’ll remember that. I’m sure there will be a few bumps in the road along the way so having someone to bounce things off of will come in very handy.”

Jackie was about to speak when Guillermo came in. “Miguel, I just got off the phone with the funeral home.”

I dropped my head into my hand. This was yet another thing that had almost fallen through the cracks. “What’s up?”

“The director told me that there is no way Chad could see his parents. Both of them were shot in the head and there isn’t any way he can make them presentable.”

I looked at Jackie and Danny. “Do you think he wants to be there when they’re buried?”

Danny swallowed his mouthful. “The only time I mentioned it to him he just said he wanted me to be his Daddy.”

I looked over to Guillermo. “Did he say when they’d be ready?”

“He said it would be Monday at the earliest.”

That would give Danny a few days to see if he could get a solid answer from Chad. “Jackie, what are your thoughts here?”

“Miguel, he’s only 6 and his world was turned upside down. One minute he might say yes then later decide against it. Danny, my best advice is let him take the lead and be prepared for him to change his mind many times.”

Danny looked at us nodding his head. “I’m taking the weekend off so how would you feel if he stayed with me?”

I looked at Guillermo and he nodded his head. “You know that’s not a problem Danny.”

We sat and talked a little longer while we finished desert. After we finished I headed for my room as I needed another shower and my boys were right there to help me. This time I wasn’t the least bit self conscious about being naked around them. “Dad, you’re dressing is soaked. How much did you do today?”

I turned and looked in the mirror and he was right. “I guess I over did again. I was in court with Danny and Larry Moreno.”

Ronnie left the bathroom and returned a few minutes with David. “Miguel, what have you done now?”

I felt like one of the boys when they’d messed up. “Nothing really David, I was in court for a while then at the office with Danny.”

“Come on in here and lie on your bed. If you don’t slow down for a few days you’re going to wind up in the hospital.”

David removed the dressing then shook his head. “How bad is it really David?”

“The draining seems to have slowed back down for now but if you keep over doing, this thing will never heal. I highly recommend Miguel that you take these next few days and just do nothing.”

‘Nice thought but almost impossible here.’

“I’ll try David but you know what it can be like here.”

David shook his head. “I do Miguel but you have a staff here and we do manage to handle things when you’re home. Why did you leave your sling in your room and not have it on?”

Man, I was really catching it. “I forgot it.”

I saw David start to give it to me again when there was a knock on my door. I started to sit up when the door opened and Danny’s head poked around. “Miguel, there is someone here who wants to say something to you.”

I didn’t have to ask who it was because before Danny finished speaking a little boy wiggled in between Danny and the door. Chad stopped at the side of the bed and had a sad look on his face. “Papa, is your arm alright?”

I patted the left side of the bad and he quickly hurried around and crawled up sitting beside me. “Yes baby, it’s alight.”

“Why is it bleeding then?”

David looked up then ruffled his hair before he put on a pair of rubber gloves. “It’s draining Chad. It’s a mixture of some blood and fluid from the hole in his shoulder.”

Chad watched as David removed the bandage and saw as I winced in pain. “Don’t hurt Papa.”

I patted his leg with my left hand then the little guy held on to it. “It’s OK son. It’s sore and the tape stuck to the skin.”

Danny came over and picked Chad up. “Wasn’t there something you wanted to say to Miguel?”

He looked lost for a moment then his eyes lit up. “Oh yeah, Papa, would it be OK if I stayed with Daddy at his house?

I was about to play with him until David put a new dressing on my shoulder. “I’ll be good Papa, honest.”

I couldn’t say no to him. “Sure you can stay with Danny son.”

My arm was throbbing now as Chad wiggled down out of Danny’s arms then scurried up onto the bed. He leaned down then kissed me on the cheek. “Thank you Papa. You better listen to David so your arm will get better.”

I tried to sit up but Chad still had a hold lf my left hand. David reached down and helped to get me sitting. “I will son. Do you have clean clothes packed?”

Chad’s head started bobbing. “Yes I do Papa. I’ll even have Daddy help me get a bath.”

“Alright you two, go on have good time. I’m planning on taking it easy.”

Jay came out of the bathroom. “We’ll see to it Chad. Now you have fun with Danny.”

He went around giving everyone hugs then stopped in front of me. I leaned down and kissed him on the head as he held onto my good arm. I was about to sit up when he held on then kissed me on the cheek. “I love you Papa.”

He then turned and ran over to Danny then launched himself at him. “I’ll see you guys on Monday.”

Danny and Chad left then my boys went about washing me. I couldn’t manage the shower so I got a bird bath at the basin. “How’s the arm now Dad,” Jay asked as he finished drying my legs then held out clean underwear.

I stepped in then Jay pulled them up. “It’s throbbing worse than a toothache.

Ronnie was heading out the door again. “Tell David to give me 15 minutes son.”

He stopped then looked at me. “How’d you know where I was going?”

Jay helped me get into my sweat pants then into a shirt. “I know you son and I was going to see him too.”

I got my sling on then went into community room. As soon as Mikey and Chico came up to me. “Papa, Papa what’s the matter?” Mikey asked almost afraid to touch me.

“My arm is just really sore boys; that’s why I have it in a sling.”

Chico took my left hand and led me to the couch to sit down. I talked with the group for a few minutes then I had no choice but to submit to the pain and take the shot and call it a night. I was out in the hall when David came up holding a syringe. “Are you ready to call it a night Miguel?”

I opened the door to my room and David followed me in. “Yeah I am buddy.

He helped me get undressed then pulled my underwear down. I got comfortable then he gave me the shot. “Holy shit David.”

He started rubbing my hip to work the medication in. “Sorry Miguel, you know it’s the medication.”

“I know David but it still stung.”

David then slapped me on the rump, “Don’t be such a wimp, Miguel!”

“Well, so much for sympathy.”

David was shaking his head. “I’ll give you plenty of sympathy when you learn to follow orders.  Right now it’s ‘Tough Love’.

There was a knock on the door and in came my children. “Daddy, will you please take it easy now?”

“I will Angel. I’m not doing anything tomorrow or Sunday.”

They all sat down and we talked until the medication made that impossible. Each one of them came over and gave me a kiss then I closed my eyes and let sleep take over.

To be continued...

Posted: 03/20/09