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Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 14
It was late October in Torremolinas, a beautiful warm sunny October, a little over two weeks before the day which would see Raul and Reya finally married.
Their relationship had suffered bumps along the way, mainly due to Raul's low self esteem, even now as an adult who'd coped with the loss of a leg since he was a child, he worried that he was not the best that Reya deserved, something which occasionally incensed her so much it caused her to fly off the handle.
They'd been practically joined at the hip since meeting when they were only a few years old.
Everyone had expected them to marry as soon as they came of age, but no, it had never happened.
There was never any fear that either would find another partner, neither one ever looked or wanted to.
Most had given up hope of a wedding when Raul had surprised everyone last Christmas with his proposal.
They were to be married in the local Church of San Miguel in Torremolinas where PJ and Lenny, then Ramon and Pip had married and where the triplets, Pete, Pauly and Beth were christened.
For Pauly and Reece late October marked their homecoming.
Almost ten months earlier at the beginning of January they had departed for America, happily looking forward to a wonderful vacation before the children returned to school, only for Reece to be gunned down in a Florida Mall on their last day, leaving him fighting for his life.
It had been a long hard battle, one which Reece had won, he was not only walking, he was running, every morning his runs got longer as he made an effort to regain his former strength, a feat his doctors said was impossible, Josef had said they were all idiots, to him the idea of his Poppa being content to never walk again was as foreign as the idea that the moon was made of green cheese, though on reflection, he had to admit the jury was still out on the latter.
Josef and Sofia had been back several days when Pauly and Reece agreed it would be good for them to return to school on the Friday, that way they could get used to it and do only one day before they were treated to the weekend break again, it was a great start, they were welcomed like returning heroes.
Their classmates had been skyping constantly, getting reports on Reece's progress and sending letters with get well messages.
That Friday morning as they entered the classroom Sofia spotted a boy sitting alone, he looked scruffy, unwashed, his hair a curly mess, asking her friends who it was they told her his name was Juan, he was an orphanage boy and he smelled, so nobody got near him.
Sofia pulled Josef away from his friends pointing out Juan and telling him what she'd heard.
Josef being Josef marched over to the boy with Sofia right behind him.
"Is this seat taken?".
Juan looked up, fear in his eyes, "No, err, no, but please no one ever talks to me or sits by me, the other kids won't speak to you if you sit here".
Josef smiled and thrust out his hand, "Hi I'm Josef, this is my sister Sofia, we sit with whoever we want to sit with, if the others don't want to talk to us that's their loss".
Juan had been a little taken aback, he'd been attending the school for over three months and this was the first time anyone had said anything nice to him, mostly they called him smelly Juan, "I'm Juan and it's whomever not whoever".
Josef giggled, he liked this guy.
Over the course of the morning Josef got the full story, he was good at that, getting people to talk was easy for him.
Juan was put in the local orphanage when his father was arrested for something to do with drugs, he had been an important man, a banker, but all anyone would tell him was he'd got a life sentence and was in prison, neither Juan nor Josef understood what that meant.
Juan admitted his father hurt him most of the time, so to be honest that was where he hoped his father would stay, life was hard at the orphanage but he was resigned to suffering it.
He was made to perform tasks when he got back from school and again every morning, this caused him to miss out on shower time and laundry collection, hence why he smelled, he only got to shower once a week on Saturday and his clothes only got washed every two weeks.
At lunchtime Josef told him to tag along as they made their way to the cafeteria, when they got there Juan hung back until Josef called him over, "What are you having for lunch?".
Juan looked down at the floor, "Nothing, I don't have money, I don't get lunch".
Josef remembered being in this situation, "Wrong answer, I'm paying so pick what you want, course, if you don't pick something I'll have to do it for you and you might not like my choice so go ahead, I've been listening to that belly of yours rumbling all morning, I ain't listening to it all afternoon as well".
Juan timidly picked a couple of things until Josef spoke again, "Okay, I'm taking over".
With a wink to the lady behind the counter he said,"Give him the works, some of everything please mam.
As they made their way to a table Juan could see all of Josef's and Sofia's friends staring at him, Josef saw it too, as they sat down he looked at his pals and said,"Yes, he's from the San Miguel Orphanage, in case any of you forgot, so was I, anyone who doesn't want to sit with us can find another table, oh and just so we're clear, cut the crap from now on".
Sofia was sitting opposite them and passed a cold bottle of orange to Juan saying, "You didn't get a drink Juan so I got two for us, will this be okay?".
In effect she had just told her girl friends she agreed with Josef's statement and they too shouldn't mess with Juan.
Leaving the cafeteria they walked out onto the school playing field and sat in the shade under a large old tree, Josef had been quiet for a while before looking at Sofia, "I think he should come home with us this afternoon".
Juan looked panic stricken, "I can't, I'll be caned if I don't do my chores and I won't get any supper".
Josef almost cried at how frightened Juan was at the prospect of upsetting anyone at the orphanage.
"How often are you punished Juan".
Both Sofia and Josef saw the tears as he looked down before replying, "Most days, I get things wrong, I don't mean to, it just happens".
Josef pulled out the phone his parents had given him for emergencies, this would be the first time he'd used it, walking away from Sofia and Juan he told them he'd be a few minutes.
"Pops, no I'm okay, Sofia's okay as well, no there's no emergency, yes I know, but, but, but, Pops will you please take a breath, I'm sorry I frightened you but I need you to do something and I think you'll understand".
Pauly listened to his son and agreed with Josef, telling him he'd take care of the details and he'd pick them up, Juan included, at the usual time.
Whilst Josef was talking to Pauly, Sofia put her arm around Juan, "You don't have anything to worry about Juan, Josef just decided you are his next project, we came from the orphanage you are in now, we were fostered out as well, but not together, when they told us we were being adopted we thought we'd never see each other again but our dads fought to get both of us instead of just one of us, we've been so lucky, we see it as a sort of mission, we have to help others, it's only fair".
Juan understood most of what Sofia said but when she finished he asked, "What did you mean when you said your dads, don't you have a mother?".
Sofia smiled, "No we just have two dads, Pops and Poppa, they love each other and they love us".
Juan absorbed the information and in typical child fashion said, "Okay, cool".
Pauly rang Lenny that afternoon, "Hi Momma, I may need your help and advice with child services".
Pauly described his conversation with Josef, chuckling as he said, "I get the feeling Josef has decided this is a project he intends to be involved in, but Reece agrees, this boy sounds as though he needs a little help".
Pauly had called the orphanage and asked if Juan could accompany his children home for supper that evening, he'd received a rather curt no before the line was disconnected.
His next call was to child services where his mother had told him to speak with her friend Consuela Gomez, within a few minutes they were connected.
"Consuela, thank you for sparing me some time, I know how busy you are, I'll get straight to the point, there's a boy in the San Miguel Orphanage who is in school with my son Josef and daughter Sofia, the boys name is Juan Ramirez, Josef invited him for supper but when I called the orphanage I got a rather rude response and was cut off, now I'm worried the boy is going to suffer some sort of backlash or penalty because of my son and I, I wondered if perhaps you could get the boy released for an evening, though I have to say, Reece and I are both very keen to have him as a foster child if it could be arranged, it seems both of our children are quite taken with him and you probably know from my mother we place a great deal of trust in their judgment".
Pulling up outside the school that afternoon Pauly got out of the car and leaned on it in the afternoon sun, he was almost laughing, he knew a secret and he could bug his son with it, they always enjoyed secrets, even Reece enjoyed keeping a secret, knowing a prize of cuddles could be gained from their children in return for sharing.
Josef and Sofia came ambling out of the school yard, arms linked with a smaller boy who Pauly would have guessed was a couple of years their junior had Josef not told him already they were the same age.
Josef and Sofia let go of Juan as soon a they got near to Pauly, throwing their arms around him, accepting the kisses he reigned on them, "Hello munchkins, now who is this little fellow with you?".
Josef grabbed hold of a frightened looking Juan, "Pops this is Juan, he lives at the San Miguel Orphanage where me and Sofia came from, Juan this is Pops".
Juan held out a shaky hand, "Hello Mr Pops, thank you for having me for supper, but I don't want to be a nuisance, if it's not convenient I can walk to the orphanage from here sir".
Pauly opened the drivers door and sitting sideways on the seat with his legs still outside he lifted the clearly nervous Juan onto his lap, "Josef, Sofia, in you get and buckle up, Juan, I want you to trust me, we are going to the orphanage, but only to collect something, then you are coming home with us for supper and I have a secret which is going to drive Josef and Sofia crazy until they know what it is, are you okay, will you trust me?".
Juan nodded.
Josef and Sofia with their super focused hearing had picked up their fathers mention of a secret and immediately started to badger him with questions but Pauly was giving nothing away, "Okay Juan, you get to ride shotgun with me, jump in and strap yourself in".
It only took a few minutes to travel the short distance from the school to the orphanage and Sofia was the first to spot their Grandmother standing outside, "Grandma", she screamed and was first to unbuckle when Pauly pulled the car to a halt, he was laughing as Josef and Sofia made a beeline for their Grandmother and her hugs.
Juan sat still, Pauly saw tears rolling down his face, "Juan, I told you earlier I have a secret, it's about you, if you want to, you can come to live with us as our foster child, I promise you that's just a start, if you agree we'll do everything possible to adopt you, but only if you agree it's what you want, the only reason we're here now is to collect your things, then we're going home, are you okay with this?".
Juan nodded again, the tears still coursing down his cheeks, "Yes Mr Pops, please, I'll be good, I'll try not to forget things, honest I will".
Pauly almost cried with him, "Juan call me Pops or Pauly, that's all, now let's go meet my Momma and get your things".
Pauly helped Juan to unbuckle then held his hand as they walked to where Lenny was still hugging Josef and Sofia.
Pauly gave his mother a kiss then introduced Juan, Lenny being Lenny scooped him up into a hug, "Hello Juan, I'm guessing you know the secret now, so let's go get your things".
Walking into the orphanage they were confronted by a man they assumed was the Warden who shouted at Juan, "Where the hell have you been boy, your up for a caning, that'll teach you to dawdle after school, you've chores to do now move it".
He moved to strike the boy who cowered down into a ball sobbing, Josef meanwhile jumped in front of Juan defying the man to strike him instead.
The man was a definite fool, he made a move to strike Josef but he didn't get that far, Pauly's fist caught him under the jaw propelling him backwards into a large armchair, there he remained looking decidedly dazed, "Raise your hand again to any of my kids, that includes Juan, and I'll rip your fuckin head off, now stay out of the way while we gather Juan's stuff or I'll deck you again for good measure".
Unbeknown to any of them Consuela accompanied by a police officer and another woman was standing back watching all of this play out, now she moved forward, speaking to the officer she indicated the Warden, get him off the premises and make sure he knows if he comes back he'll be arrested for trespassing".
Looking directly at the Warden she said, "Finally, I have the evidence to end your reign of terror, you're sacked, I'll forward any personal belongings, now get out and don't come back".
She greeted Lenny and urged Pauly to gather Juan's belongings while they chatted.
When all of Juan's belongings were packed they filled only half of one plastic supermarket shopping bag, to Josef and Sofia it was a familiar sight.
Having said their goodbyes to Lenny, who was happy to stay and chat with Consuela and the woman she was appointing to manage the Orphanage, Pauly loaded the children back into his car for the journey home.
Josef and Sofia were now badgering Pauly to find out what the secret was, with Josef throwing in the threat of telling Reece about Pauly's colourful language at the Orphanage if he didn't spill the beans.
Pauly was laughing, "Okay, I'll put a dollar in the swear box, and you Josef can put two dollars in for trying to blackmail me, unless of course you'd like me to tell Poppa about your blackmail attempt?".
Josef was vexed but he knew he was outfoxed, "No, please I'll pay up, just don't tell Poppa, he'd be upset with me, but please, please please Pops what's the secret?".
Pauly was laughing again, "Why don't you ask Juan, he knows".
Both Josef and Sofia turned to Juan, "What is it?, tell us".
Turning slightly to look back at them, he was nervous, what if they didn't like the idea of him being fostered at their house, his lip began to tremble, tears started falling, "I'm being fostered, I'm sorry, I'll go back to the Orphanage if you want me to, I didn't ask, don't be mad, I like being your friend".
Josef was grinning, "Are you kidding me?, it's great, you'll be our brother, we are going to have so much fun you'll see".
Juan couldn't believe they were happy about this, "Are you sure, nobody ever wants me".
Josef was serious now, "We want you, now cheer up".
As Pauly guided the large vehicle towards the wrought iron gates Juan gasped thinking they were going to crash into the gates, he was mesmerised as the gates swung open to admit them, Pauly stopped the car by the gatehouse on the left of the entrance and spoke to the uniformed guard inside, "Manuel the two urchins in the back you know, but this one here beside me is hopefully the newest member of the family, Juan meet Manuel, you can rely on Manuel to keep you safe if ever there was a problem".
Manuel leaned in and shook Juan's hand, "Pleased to meet you Juan, welcome home".
Juan squeaked out a reply, "Thank you Mr Manuel".
Pauly continued along the paved driveway bordered by flowering shrubs and as they rounded a bend the house came into view, Juan was again mesmerised, it was huge, white, beautiful.
Circling the fountain in the centre of the front courtyard Pauly parked in front of the main portico.
"We're here Juan, this will be your home if you want it to be, we hope you do, I'm going to let Josef and Sofia show you the bedrooms so you can pick one out for yourself, Josef, can you sort out some things you've outgrown for Juan until we can go shopping tomorrow, and help him get showered and changed, I'll find Poppa and bring him up to speed, he wasn't expecting Juan so he'll be surprised, now off you go guys".
Josef and Sofia literally dragged Juan off to the bedroom wing on the right side of the Villa, once they got there they pointed out their own rooms, then Pops and Poppa's room at the far end of the hallway.
In between were a further seven bedroom suites, with Josef's encouragement Juan chose the bedroom next to Josef, he sat quietly on the bed not daring to touch anything while Josef and Sofia went to sort through Josef's wardrobe and drawers, when they returned he was sat perfectly still with tears running down his face.
The twins were immediately across the room and had him wrapped in a hug with Sofia telling him, "Don't be afraid, we'll look after you until you get used to it, we understand Juan, we came from the same place you did, we couldn't believe Pops and Poppa wanted us but they do, and they want you too, get used to it, you're going to be so happy, promise, now get showered and try some of these clothes Josef found out for you, when you're ready the lounge is at the end of this hallway we'll be waiting for you".
Josef and Sofia made to leave but Juan called out, "Wait, please, I don't know where the shower room is".
Josef giggled, "Oh yeh, I forgot that one".
Leading Juan to a door on the wall opposite his bed he opened it and led Juan into a small hallway, leading off were two further doors, the first was a dressing room with massive amounts of hanging and drawer space, the second door led into Juan's bathroom, complete with whirlpool bath and walk in shower.
Josef showed him how to operate the shower then left him to wash up.
Juan was overwhelmed, he had his own bedroom, his own dressing room and his own bathroom.
As Juan approached the lounge he started shaking, he couldn't help it, he knew there was one man he hadn't met, and Mr Pops had said the other man hadn't expected him to be here, what if he didn't want Juan to be here, he was wavering when a door behind him opened and Reece stepped out.
Juan, spinning around was rigid, fixed to the spot, terrified, staring at Reece until Reece spoke, "Well hello little fella, I've been waiting to meet you, welcome home, I'm Poppa or Reece, whichever you want to use, shall we go find the others?".
Juan just nodded, Reece scooped him up into his arms planting a kiss on his cheek and carried him into the lounge, "Hey guys look who I found in the hallway, I think he definitely needs some feeding up he's as light as a feather".
Reece set him down on a sofa between Josef and Sofia, addressing them he said, "I know I probably don't need to tell you this but, look after him guys until he gets settled, we three know how frightening it can all be sometimes don't we?".
Sofia and Josef nodded and each wrapped an arm around Juan.
Walking in from the patio Pauly exclaimed, "Well look at you Juan, you sure scrub up well, you okay little buddy, did you find everything you needed?".
Juan nodded, "Yes thank you Mr Pops, I cleaned the bathroom, do you want to check it now sir?".
Pauly smiled, "No Juan, I don't, if you say it's okay then I believe you, now I'm Pops or Pauly not Mr, just Pops or Pauly, okay?, this is Reece who I'm guessing you've already met, he's either Poppa or Reece, so guys, I think we should let Juan choose what we have for dinner tonight as it's his first night".
Juan asked timidly if he could choose pizza, Reece scooped him up into his arms,"If you want pizza then pizza it is, now it's pocket money day".
Reece counted out twenty five dollars for each child, Josef and Sofia picked theirs up, thanking Reece and adding it to the cash they already had in their wallets, Juan just stared at the money.
Reece prompted him, "Go on Juan take it, it's your weekly pocket money, Josef will explain what you do to earn it, Josef, do you have a spare wallet Juan could borrow until we get him his own?".
Josef jumped up, "Sure Poppa, I won't be a sec, I'll get it now ", and he was off down the hallway to his room.
When Josef came back he gave Juan a small leather wallet on which Were the initials J C-T tooled into the leather and highlighted in gold, it was still encased in its protective wrapping, "It's my most special, it was a present from Grandpa PJ, you can use it until you get your own".
Reece and Pauly couldn't help but be impressed by their sons thoughtfulness, they knew he had several old wallets but he'd just given one of his most precious possessions into Juan's safe keeping, a true sign he cared for the boy.
They took the large white 4x4 to the pizza restaurant and Juan relaxed a little when the pizzas arrived, Reece and Pauly noticed, just like the other two, he sure could eat, given the chance, which they realised he probably hadn't seen much of in a long time.
Reece asked Juan if he liked any sports, "I like running Poppa, no one would have me to play with them, I upset them because I smelled, but running I could be on my own, it's all I've ever done".
Reece was visibly annoyed, as was Josef who spoke up, "Poppa and me run every morning at the weekend, Poppa runs every morning, you could run with us if you wanted, but only if you wanted".
Juan looked thoughtful, "I'd like that, and it's Poppa and I, not Poppa and me".
Juan saw the thoughtful look on Josef's face, "I'm sorry Josef, I can't help it, my father would beat me if I used poor grammar, I will try not to upset you, I know I can be irritating at times".
Josef was grinning, "No prob's Bro, I need correcting, I'm not daft, I'm just not as good with English as you are".
When it was time to pay Pauly gave their waiter his credit card.
Reece pulled out his wallet, finding a couple of euro's for himself and Pauly he dropped them in the centre of the table, Josef and Sofia followed suit, adding one euro each, Juan whispered to Josef, "I don't know what to do".
Josef whispered back, "We always share the tip, put a five euro note in and take the four euro's back that way we've all given the waiter a tip for giving us good service".
Juan did as Josef had told him, beaming from ear to ear.
Back home they lounged on the patio, Reece and Pauly with glasses of wine while the youngsters had soft drinks, Josef and Sofia made sure Juan went everywhere with them so that he'd get to know the layout of the Villa and where everything was.
Pauly reminded them the following day would be a shopping day to stock Juan up on essentials, he asked Josef and Sofia to make a list of things he needed for his bedroom, sports and for school.
Pretty soon it was bedtime, the twins kissed Reece and Pauly goodnight each in turn, Juan stood in front of Pauly, "Thank you Pops, this has been the best day ever, I promise I'll be a good boy".
Pauly pulled him into a hug and kissed his cheek, "Sleep tight little one we have a busy day tomorrow".
Reece pulled Juan onto his lap, "Don't be frightened son, it's all a little new but Josef and Sofia will look after you, you know where we are in the night, if you need us come find us we won't be upset okay?".
Juan nodded and got a kiss on the cheek from Reece.
"Thank you Poppa".
Alone in his room Juan found a pair of pyjamas on his bed which Josef had brought in for him, along with a pair of running shorts, trainers and several t-shirts.
Undressing he put his used clothes, as Sofia had instructed earlier, into the laundry hamper in his dressing room, then after brushing his teeth he put on the fresh clean pyjamas, searched in his plastic bag and climbed into bed.
Within minutes he was asleep.
When Reece and Pauly did their nightly round to check the children they found Juan curled into a ball clutching a small plastic framed photograph, it showed a well dressed attractive woman sitting in a park setting with an obvious Juan on her knees, he was laughing as she kissed his cheek, it must have been taken several years earlier, it was a beautiful picture.
Juan slept until Josef woke him next morning at 7am by sitting on his bed shaking him gently whilst whispering his name, "Poppa and I are going for a run, if you feel up for it join us, or if you want a lie in I'll see you when we get back".
Juan was up and into the running shorts and trainers Josef had provided for him in about two minutes.
He followed Josef out onto the patio where Reece was stretching, "Okay guys, stretch out first, Josef show Juan how to get ready for a run".
Josef went through a warm up routine which was now familiar but took the time to explain each part of it for Juan.
Leading the boys off the patio they jogged across the lawns to a side gate where Manuel was waiting, once out of the Villa grounds, they ran steadily for around half an hour along the estate roads before coming to a roundabout where they turned and headed back the way they came, they'd been out exactly one hour and when the arrived back at the side gate Josef showed Juan the passcode which opened the gate into the Villa grounds.
After showering Juan made his way to the lounge where he found Sofia and Pauly.
Pauly looked at the boy and could see a handsome face with a wiry body which he knew Reece was right about, the boy would never be massive, but he definitely needed some meat on his bones, he wasn't malnourished, but he was definitely undernourished, he had missed a lot of meals.
"Good morning son how was your run?".
Juan was bubbling with energy after their run and he could hardly contain his excitement, "It was really good Pops, I've never run with anyone before, I always had to run on my own, no one would run with me, it's more fun with company, I wish Poppa would let me run with him every morning, he's really good, so is Josef".
Pauly didn't answer, Juan seemed to be thinking.
"Why did you do this for me Pops, no one ever wanted me after Mommy died, Daddy hit me all the time, can I stay here, I like it, I feel safe?".
Pauly had listened intently, now he lifted Juan onto his knees, "Yes Juan, you can stay here, if it's what you want, I know it's what we all want, now, you asked why are we doing this, that's easy, it's because you deserve it, you're a wonderful young man who any sensible person would be proud to call their son, if you'll let us Reece and I would like to have that honour, you know, I reckon if your Mommy saw you now she would be so proud of the young man you are, I know we are son".
Juan was beaming as Pauly hugged him.
After breakfast Josef and Sofia showed Juan the routine for clearing the breakfast table and rinsing then stacking everything in the dishwasher, where the soap tablets were kept and where everything else was kept in cupboards.
As soon as they were finished Reece and Pauly collected wallets and they piled into Reece's 4x4 for the trip to the Mall.
First stop was a school uniform store where Pauly asked for Juan to be outfitted with 3 pairs of grey flannel trousers, 1 black uniform blazer, a dozen white shirts, a dozen pairs of grey socks, 3 ties, and 2 pairs of black formal shoes, meanwhile Josef rattled off a list of sports kit to another sales clerk.
Moving on they got to a trendy boutique for young fashions, here Pauly pulled up short and beckoned the three children to him, "Okay, this is where you get free reign, Josef, Sofia, make sure he picks enough outfits to stop his dressing room looking like a closing down sale just happened".
Turning to Juan he held out a credit card, "This is yours, the PIN number is the day and month of your Momma's birthday, I did that so you could easily remember it and every time you spend on it I know she will be smiling, now, your brother and sister will show you what to do, so go and enjoy yourself, Poppa and I will be over there having a coffee".
The youngsters disappeared into the store, emerging again an hour or so later laden with bags.
Pauly was just returning from a little shopping trip of his own.
Juan looked worried, as if he was about to cry when Josef said, "Pops he's having a panic attack , he's worried he spent too much, really he didn't spend anything, we had to force him to get these things, then we had to practically wrestle him into paying for them, tell him it's okay please".
Reece scooped Juan up onto his lap before Pauly could move, "Listen to me little one, I know it's all strange but trust your brother and sister, they were the same at first, they have a good idea of what is acceptable and what isn't, today we'll spend a lot but that's because we want you kitted out the way you deserve, now no more panicking okay it's all good".
Reece kissed him on the cheek and settled him in his own chair, then he and Pauly collected milkshakes for all three of them.
After a stop at the outfitters for formal suits, shirts, shoes, socks, ties underwear and casual trousers they were finally approaching the store Josef so wanted to be in.
As they got nearer Josef said, "Listen Bro, you might want to close your eyes and ears in here because I'm going to kit you out with everything your room needs and it might just stop your breath".
Inside the store Pauly arranged for an assistant to gather everything Josef picked out and have it delivered later that afternoon, Reece steered Juan to another part of the store whilst Pauly paid for their purchases, that way they avoided Juan's nervous looks.
Josef had chosen, a computer, printer, TV, stereo system, games console and a tablet for note taking at school, add to that a dozen game discs, headphones and a cell phone to match the ones Josef and Sofia carried and he was just about done.
They stopped at an Italian Restaurant for lunch where Pauly insisted pizza was not on offer they were to choose a pasta with a salad course so they didn't overeat and spoil there appetite for dinner.
It was around three o'clock when they arrived home after five hours of shopping, the van from the electrical store arrived about 10 minutes behind them.
Juan's room was a mass of bags and boxes, he was sat on the bed in the middle of it all looking bewildered when Josef and Sofia walked in.
Josef knew exactly what he was thinking, "What do you reckon Sis?".
Sofia sat next to Juan, her arm around his shoulder as she answered Josef, " I think we both know the answer to that one, he's thinking they'll think he's to expensive to keep because of all this, only difference is that with us it happened in a store changing room instead of a bedroom, but it's about the same, I think it's time for Pops to have his little talk don't you?".
Josef nodded, "You stay here I'll get Pops", and Josef was gone.
It was only a couple of minutes before Josef returned with Pauly in tow, Josef looked at Juan, "We need to clear something up, it's easier if Pops explains, it will help you understand why buying all of this is okay, so Sofia and I, that is correct isn't it?, will leave you to talk, then when you're finished we'll help you unpack"
Juan nodded, "Yes, that was correct".
Josef beamed, "Okay, over to you Pops", and they left Juan and Pauly alone".
Pauly looked at a nervous Juan, "Okay, stop the nervous thoughts, this is not a reprimand it's an explanation of why we can afford to spend what we did today, though it's not an okay to squander money, now before we start get yourself up here on my lap, so I can at least get a cuddle".
Relieved but confused Juan snuggled into Pauly's lap.
"So, Josef told me you felt the same thing he and Sofia did when they first went on a spending day with us, he also told me I needed to explain to you exactly what I explained to them, that we are extremely wealthy, that the wealth we have was mostly hard earned and the things we bought today are what we think are necessities, from now on you will be expected to buy whatever personal items you want from your allowance, you'll earn extra credit for how you perform at both school and home".
Juan was trying to understand, but above all he was enjoying the hugging he was getting from Pauly, he finally spoke, "Josef and Sofia think I'm silly, I know that, they like me, I know that too, I like them, they don't treat me like I'm someone who is below them, I really like them for that, I don't want you to think I need all of this, I just want you to like me, I won't cost you much, I promise, we can send all of this back, I still have twenty four of the Euro's that Poppa gave me, you can have that back, please don't send me to the orphanage, I won't ask for anything, I promise".
Pauly realised, Juan was now holding on to him for grim death like a drowning man.
"Okay, I want to ask you something, do you understand the principle of overkill, over reaction?".
Juan nodded, "Yes I think so, is it when you do something but do it much more than you need to, like swatting a fly lots of times even though you know the first time did what you needed to do?".
Now Pauly nodded.
"I think that's what you're doing here, so I want you to stop, breath and consider what I'm about to say, can you do that?".
Juan again nodded in agreement.
"Good, now for a start, we're wealthy enough that today's spending means little or nothing to us, you on the other hand mean a great deal to us, everything we bought, or you bought, or Josef and Sofia bought, is a present from us to you, to show you that you are a part of this family, I'm sorry if it frightened you, we didn't intend to do that, we just want you to be an equal, to have what we all have".
Juan was still hanging on tightly but he was making little noises of agreement.
"We could have spent one hundred times, a thousand times the amount we spent today and it wouldn't have bothered us at all, please don't be afraid we might send you back to the orphanage, we will never do that, we want you to be a permanent part of this family, now I'm going to call Josef and Sofia back in to help you unpack and get all of this stuff sorted, are you okay now?".
Juan nodded, "Yes Pops, thank you for all my presents".
Pauly almost fell over Josef and Sofia as he left the room, they were eager to start helping Juan.
Sofia took charge, "Josef, you guys get the electrical stuff set up wherever Juan wants it and I'll unpack the clothes and hang them".
They were just finishing and the room looked great when Reece called out for them to wash up for dinner.
In the dinning room before their dinner was served Pauly pointed to three parcels, one large, one medium and one small, "I hope you won't be upset Juan, I borrowed something from your room before we went shopping, I've put it back, and those parcels are a little extra from us".
Juan had to be urged to open them.
He started with the large parcel, removing the wrappings to reveal a portrait sized, framed picture taken from the one he held every night while sleeping, it showed him in the park with his mother, he sat for a long time just staring at it, he only said one word, "Momma".
Josef urged him to open the other two presents, the medium size one was a smaller version of the same picture, to stand on his bedside table, the smaller, a little cushion, only six inches square, it had the same picture printed on both sides.
Juan didn't say anything more, with tears streaming down his face he crossed the room to Pauly and put his arms around Pauly's neck.
"We could see how much that picture means to you, so we thought with the large portrait on the wall you will see each other all the time, the smaller one you can take with you when we travel and the cushion is for you to hold at night without wearing out the precious original".
Eventually they ate dinner before retiring to the lounge to watch television, Juan cuddled up to Pauly, with Josef and Sofia on either side of Reece.
Before bedtime Juan went to his bedroom to collect the wallet Josef had lent to him, handing it, still in its protective cover, back to Josef he said, "Thank you Josef, I didn't use it because I was frightened of spoiling it and it's precious to you".
Josef smiled, "You're welcome to anything of mine, we're Bro's".
A week later they were all dressed early on Saturday morning, ready to join the other guests at the wedding of Raul and Reya in Torremolinas.
Although Juan was nervous, everyone was agreed, by the end of the day his self esteem could only be improved.
TBC
ARB Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.