TIME-TO-SEE-42
The opening of the second semester at San Diego University was only two weeks away. Kevin was in start-up mode for that part of his life for the first time since that day in the burrito shop.
One evening after supper, Kevin asked Nicky and Jilder, "Boys, Hugo and I would like to speak with you in the family room. Can you get rid of the dogs and come in here with us?"
"Sure, Kevin," Jilder said. "Yeah, Dad! Lemme go to the bathroom first. I'll be right there." Nicky said as he went up the stairs two at a time.
When they were both in the family room, and Kevin had shut off all possible distractions, I said, "You guys have known for some time that eventually we'd have to end our home schooling, and you'd go back to regular school. Well, truth is, it's almost that time."
"Yeah, Dad, we knew that," Nicky volunteered.
"Well, Kevin and I have decided that we would like you to study at Summerdale Academy. They're a small middle and senior high school that is held in high regard academically. And, since you two are still far from being out of danger of injury to your retainers, we thought that the smaller school and alert teachers there would be a good place for you to re-enter education with other kids your age."
"Can we go see the school," Jilder asked.
"Sure. We'll take you there as soon as I arrange an appointment with the Dean of Admissions." Kev said. "I'm pretty sure they will want you to take some entrance tests for placement purposes. You know, to decide what classes you ought to study."
"But I'm in the 5th grade," Nicky said.
"You WERE in the 5the grade before you had to drop out when you were sick. But now, you've been studying catch-up math and English with Kevin. Maybe you are in 6th grade in some subjects? We'll need to see where you'd fit best," Kevin explained.
"We want you to know that this particular school requires its students to wear uniforms... I think they are dark blue trousers (no jeans), and a white shirt and a tie,.... and sometimes a suit coat." Hugo added.
"A TIE!!!??" exploded from both boys at the same instant.
"Well, YEAH.... a tie.... (I promise you won't DIE from wearing one...) You've heard of those things... Dr. Gilmer wears one, and so does Dr. Kavanaugh, and the professors at the University. There's a place for dressing up, and school is a good place for you to learn about such things..." Hugo explained
"YOU don't have to wear a tie, Hugo!" Jilder threw up at him.
"Yep. You're right... Except I'll have to wear a tie when I speak at Dr. Kavanagh's medical meetings, and we all had to wear a tie when we went to Mr. Lundgren's funeral. A man must learn to understand such things, Jilder. You'll change into shorts for sports. This is just a high quality school that's educating its students about life in general..."
"Well,...." Jilder paused... He was not overjoyed, but he was a logical kid, and he could understand that Hugo was not bull-shitting him. "Yeah. Well, yes, we gots to learn different things... so OK..."
"Say, Jilder," Kevin couldn't help himself..." 'we gots to' really isn't the best way to say what you had in mind. It would be better to say, 'we've got to' or maybe even 'we have to', but not 'we gots...' That's a 'no-no'," Kevin corrected him.
"Oh, OK," Jilder replied without rancor.
I went on, "Now guys, we'll try to set up a visit with the school later this week. We'll keep you posted."
"Sure, Dad," Nicky added cheerfully. "In a way I'm ready to go back to school. It gets boring sometimes without other kids to talk with,"
"Yeah. Nick's right. I like being with other kids too," Jilder said.
"Okay, boys. Now I have to caution you that there are a lot of nice kids at school, but there can be one or two that are "a pain in the butt", if you know what I mean," I said passing along a little fatherly advice.
"We'll all learn who the good kids are and who are hard to live with... But we have to learn to be around a few people who aren't behaving their best...."
I went on, "But, a few of those people, even, can change, if we're reasonable in response to their being UN-reasonable..."
And I even continued further, "We don't want to confirm to them that we think they're assholes by TREATING THEM LIKE ASSHOLES, because then they WILL BELIEVE that they really ARE assholes. We have to know how to be good human beings when some other people are forgetting the right way to act..."
"Dad, that isn't easy," Nicky opined.
"Yeah! I'm afraid you're right, Nicky. But our job as people is to learn every day how to do better at what life brings to us. So far, you two guys have been super, learning to manage when you've had really bad sick times... I'm sure you'll get good at learning how to deal with people acting ugly. Kevin and I will help you, if you'll just talk with us about what happens each day... Okay?" I said.
"Okay," Jilder said, but I don't think he had really heard very much of what I was trying to say. Yet there would be TIME-TO-SEE as life unfolded, I knew.
Craig and I had finished the ballroom after two days of exhaustive work. It was a magical place after we finished with it... One might feel as if he were actually joining Alice in her Adventures in Wonderland, by simply entering the ballroom and seeing all of the art and floral work. I was so excited to be a part of such a professional enterprise.
The evening we finished putting everything in place, Kevin brought the boys down to the Marriott to see the ballroom and to take some photographs for our records.
"Hey, Dad. This is awesome... all those pictures YOU PAINTED. You are really good, Dad," Nicky volunteered.
"Hugo, can we get our pictures taken in front of the Rabbit and Alice?" Jilder asked.
"That's a good idea, Jilder." I said.
Then I called over to Kevin, "Say, Kev, will you come over here and join me and the boys in front of one of the art panels; so Craig can take our picture?"
"Yeah, Hugo... gimme a minute. I've just got to snap some shots of all the panels," Kevin replied.
Then he joined us for our picture. "Hugo, this is just fabulous. I had no idea what you two guys were putting together, but this is nothing short of Hollywood professional."
"Thank, Kev, we've been throwing everything we had into it... It's good to know that it shows," I said.
Really, I was so happy to be part creator of such a wonderful show.
Craig got pictures of Kev, me, and the boys in front of several of the panels. And then Kev snapped several of Craig and me together.
After the excitement of transforming the ballroom into fantasy land, Craig and I and the guys all left the Marriott and went across the street for dinner together at a nearby Coco's. The boys were in good spirits, and their behavior was excellent. They had grown used to the idea that in just weeks they'd be going to school every day; they still weren't too sure of what a tie would do to them. They even talked to each other about their pending life at school.
Crag called me aside and pulled an envelope from his inside jacket pocket. It was a little crumpled from where he had stored it, but when he opened it, I realized that it was a check made out to me in the amount of $10,000!
"Oh, shit! Craig. Does this thing say what I think it says?"
"Well, if you think it says ten-thousand dollars, then, 'yep', it does indeed," Craig said with a big smile on his face...
"Isn't some of this yours," I asked.
"Nope! It's all yours." Craig said. "The Publishers saw our finished product this afternoon and went in a wrote out an additional check to me for the same amount! We hit the fucking-jackpot, Hugo! (But they own the panels now...)"
"Whoopie!" I said, more a scream than a word.
"What's going on with you two," Kevin said from the crowd of three. He was supervising both boys alone.
"You won't believe, Kev. I have to show you... Wait up. Let the boys go on in, and we'll sit down in Coco's lobby, and then I'll show you there," I said.
Craig was on the cell speaking with Jake by now.
"Yeah! Babe, I've got something to show you... You think you can meet me and Hugo and Kevin and the boys at Coco's across from the Marriott? Like right away?"
The voice on the phone said, "Sure, Craig. I'm only about 15 minutes away. You okay?"
"Oh, yes. I'm very okay, Jake. Just go ahead and hurry up and meet us here. It'll probably take us a few minutes to get seated. It's busy here. Just ask for the Ramirez Party. We'll leave a message with the Maitre' d."
"HUGO! Oh, my, God! This is the payoff for all that hard work? Congratulations! Babe," Kevin said and gave me a full on kiss on the mouth right in the middle of the crowded lobby of people waiting to be seated in Coco's. "Let'em look and drool, Babe. On top of being talented, you're handsome too!" Kevin added only loud enough for me to hear.
We were seated eventually, and a few minutes later, before we had decided on our orders, Jake came in and joined us.
"What's the celebration?" Jake said first thing after he sat down.
"Life!" Craig said... "Did I ever tell you I love you?" and he leaned over and put a juicy smooch right on Jake's lips.
Jilder looked over and confided to Nicky.
"Ohhhhh, Brother.... smoochie, smoochie, smoochie.... adults are so embarrassing sometimes."
Nicky laughed. Then Craig leaned over and put a big kiss right on Jilder's cheek!
Shocked, Jilder smiled sheepishly but was clearly delighted that he had gotten his share too.
"Now, Babe. What IS all this happiness about?" Jake asked.
"Lookie," Craig said as he opened the crumpled envelope again and took out another check. Jake took the check in his hand and whistled!
"Wow! Babe! That ain't chicken feed," as they say... "Were you expecting this much?"
"Noooo, not at all, Babe. But the representative of the Publishers doubled our fee because he wanted to take ownership of all the artwork... Somehow, he thought he was getting a deal... It was okay with Hugo and me..." Craig explained smiling.
"Holy crap, Craig" Jake said. "This is wonderful. I hope you haven't spent it already..."
"Groan... Well, not quite honey. But I do have a lot of ideas about how I can use it..." Craig said.
"You gotta promise me you'll put 20% in a saving place: you know, saving account, or CD, or somethin like that," Jake said.
"Jake, I gotta report this to my accountant to get his take on it, lest the government gets it all in taxes..." Craig replied. "You know, when one becomes a wealthy man, one has to watch his investments..." Craig added joking.
Kevin then said to me, "Babe, I think it might be time for us to get you an accountant to help you manage these new income streams, the stipend, this sub-contractor income, and your salary. I don't have much experience with managing business money. But we can't wait, this check has got to be deposited right away. We'll have to open an account for you tomorrow."
Little did I know that there were several obstacles that would develop as a result of me being an illegal alien... Oh, God! Is there never any end to problems in life?
"HUGO! Don't start up that ego of yours that does nothing but worry and try to depress you. Good Grief, man. You are doin terrific... Just enjoy this evening, and we'll deal with the next step tomorrow..."
And I said, "Okay!" out loud, as if I were speaking to someone. And I was: God.
Conversation at dinner was light and happy, and the boys were in their element sitting next to their favorite friends.
Craig began, "Say, Hugo, Kevin, would you guys have anything that the boys must do tomorrow, or could you spare them for a day's outing with Jake and me?"
"I don't know about Hugo, but tomorrow's Saturday, and we don't have any home school lessons on the weekend. The boys do have a homework assignment that has to be done sometime before Monday class, but, no, I don't think there's any commitment for the boys otherwise... Is that right, Hugo?" Kevin said.
"Nope. Kev. I've got some things I have to do myself, but nothing that must include the boys," I said. Then turning to Craig, I asked "What did you have in mind?"
Jake picked up the conversation... "Craig and I talked about taking the boys to Sea World down in San Diego one weekend. And we would have them spend the night at our place the night before; so we could get an early start in the morning. You think they could spend the night tonight and then make it to Sea World tomorrow?" Jake asked.
Kevin said with a big smile, "Oh, Jake that sounds terrific. I know they'd love it. Are you two sure that you are ready to take on all that two slightly civilized pre-teens imply?"
"DAD!" Nicky said indignantly. "We are NOT slightly civilized. We ARE CIVILIZED! And I wanna go to Sea World if you guys'll let us... Pleeeeeze...."
"Yeah! Oh, that'd be way cool, Jake... Can I bring my camera that Hugo gots me when he got out of the hospital?.... " Then looking at Kevin, Jilder corrected himself, "I mean 'the camera that Hugo GOT for me?' "
Kevin beamed from ear to ear, turned to Craig and Jake and said, "Oh, My God, am I really having an impact, or do my ears deceive me..."
Craig laughed, "No, Kevin. I think you're winning the battle with barbarism..."
"'Barbarism'... What's that dad?" Nicky asked Kevin. "Is Craig making fun of us?"
"No. Nicky. Craig is paying you a compliment, albeit he's using a joke to do it... We love every barbarism in your body, buddy... So don't plan on running away from home just yet. We still want to get those steel bars out of your rib cage sometime in the next two years."
And then turning to Jake, Kevin said "But in all dead seriousness, you need to be aware that the boys can't fall down or get hit in the chest. And they need to be watched, because they're impulsive and will end up dashing into something that might be more of a challenge than their physical condition can deal with... I can't imagine that there would be any trouble, but I'll give you the doctor's number and the hospital too, just in case an emergency develops and you have to move fast..."
Craig spoke up, "Oh God, yes, please prepare us for dealing with emergencies. I would never forgive myself if I let anything happen to those boys," and with that he reached over and squeezed both of the boys on their shoulders.
"See, Dad. We'll be safe. Craig and Jake will take good care of us..." Nicky was selling us on the safety aspects of this venture.
"I'm sure they will," I agreed with him.
"Okay. Then," and next I turned to Jake and Craig and said, "They're all yours. They can ride with you from here. Then you can swing by the house to pick up their pajamas and things to wear tomorrow, and let them feed the dogs. Kevin will give you the medical details, and we'll plan on seeing you sometime on Saturday late or even Sunday, if you're in the mood. Take your time and enjoy yourselves."
"Hurray! We're gonna go to Sea World... Have you ever seen a whale, Jilder? I haven't..." Nicky was beside himself with excitement.
"Noooo. I never seen one. I hear they're really big and make the water splash all over the people watching them," Jilder added.
Craig looked over at Kevin with a big smile, "Okay... I'll take over for you, Kev."
Then Craig spoke to Jilder, "You know, I think it would be better English to say, ' I've never seen one..' Isn't that right, Jake ????"
Jake smiled and responded indulgently, "Yep! I think you're right, Craig. But, I understood what Jilder was saying..." trying to walk the line between parent and friend.
"Yeah! I never did!" Jilder replied not really understanding what Jake and Craig were talking about... "I'm gonna bring my new jeans, but they might get wet if the whale jumps up near me..." he told Kevin.
"Sure, that sounds like a good idea. And don't worry about getting wet. That won't hurt you if you dry off with a towel or something..." Kevin said.
The boys drove off from us, waving wildly through the back window of Craig and Jake's Ford Bronco. We wouldn't be seeing them for a little more than a day.
"Awww! Babe, I miss them already!" Kevin said to me.
"I do too," I confessed immediately.
"I didn't realize how big a part they played in life," Kevin said.
"Me either!"
"I think I could cry, if I thought about it."
"Well, I'm not feeling that bad, but I do think that I love those guys like I love you. You are my life, Kevin. And they make me so thankful for the life we all have together."
"Humm!" Kevin said as he snuggled over to me in the SUV.
"I wish I could drive, Kev. I feel like a little ride over to Escondido for some dessert."
"Yeah. That would be good. You mind if I do drive over there right now?" Kevin said.
"Of course not, that's just what I was saying I'd like to do,"
"Good. Then we can go home and fuck all night... and all day tomorrow.... I can't remember having this much time with you since BEFORE I GOT OUT of the hospital myself."
I said, "Hum? You may be right, Kev..." "But I haven't forgotten how to fuck..."
Kevin smiled... "You are a naughty man, Hugo... Why do I love you so much?"
"Because you like my big dick?" I said being as outrageous as possible...
"No. It's because I LOVE your big dick!" Kevin corrected me... and raised me one...
"And your big heart, Hugo..."