The telephone rang and rang and rang... Kevin roused enough to realize it needed to be answered. He staggered across the bedroom to the dresser where he left it last night and spoke into the wrong end.
"Kevin Kramer speaking. Can I help you?" These words were imprinted years ago when he was in the Air Force. And being half awake, these were the only words that came to him.
"Mr. Kramer?? This is Dr. Kavanaugh in Ireland."
That name sent a dash of adrenalin into Kevin's system, and he woke up instantly.
"Yes, Sir. How are you? We've been very excited ever since we got your letter inviting Hugo, me, and the boys to your seminars. I hope everything is still in order." Kevin replied.
"Oh, Indeed. Everything here is just tidy and smart. I wanted to speak to you boys in person though, just to make sure that things were going along satisfactorily there. You are all planning to make the itinerary, as Hugo wrote earlier?"
"Oh, yes Sir... We are all busy getting our lives in order to undertake the major travel. It's going to be the highlight of our lives-- FOR ALL OF US."
"And how is Hugo doing? I mean physically and psychologically?" Dr. Kavanaugh asked candidly.
"Well, Sir. It's really nice that I can share such very good information about Hugo. He's a new man since his hearing re-established itself completely. He is behaving and relating as though he had never suffered that terrible deafness. I am so happy for him too. Our life together is so enjoyable." Kevin said.
"That's wonderful to hear, Kevin. I realized how much of a task he was undertaking having to learn the language and relate in new ways at the same time. But he's a bright boy, and very tenacious, and with a physically strong constitution. I knew he'd have an excellent chance to make a marvelous transition." Dr. Kavanaugh said.
"Yes. We're both very thankful," Kevin added.
"Is Hugo there? I wonder whether I might speak with him."
Kevin said, "Well, actually he's still asleep. He had a late night working last night; so today he planned to sleep late. May I ask him to return your call at some specific time?" Kevin asked.
"Of course. Why not have him call me at my cell number in six hours from now. The time difference is about 16 hours, but I'll be looking for his call." Dr. Kavenaugh said.
"That will be perfect, Dr. Kavenaugh. While I have you on the line, I wonder whether you might share a few details of the seminars with me. First, do you expect to perform a physical examination of Hugo during any of the seminars? I mean, will he need to wear a suit and tie just for interviews, or would loose fitting comfortable clothing for ease of examination be more in order?" Kevin asked.
"Oh, yes. There will be both settings. Three of the seminars will be in the interview format. We will ask him to sit in some auditory testing booths that are on stage, but mostly we will want to speak with him, carry on conversations with him, and ask him about his experience of recovering his hearing.
"One of the meetings will be for our team only, the people who came to San Diego and actually performed the transplant and lab work. They will want to relate to Hugo more personally; do blood work; and examine him carefully; so perhaps a loose fitting sweater and shirt that could be removed easily would be more comfortable for Hugo," Dr. Kavanaugh explained.
"We were just preparing our luggage to minimize excess pounds of luggage; so your explanation will be extremely useful. I'm assuming that the boys and I will be permitted to attend the seminars. The boys are very mature, and I guarantee that they would be no trouble. I would personally guarantee to remove them should their presence become a distraction." Kevin said.
"Oh, my boy. I think it would be marvelous if the boys could see their father in this setting where he will be so highly regarded. I compliment you for the effort you will expend seeing that they benefit from this travel. We look forward to being with you all once again." Dr. Kavanaugh went on.
"It's entirely our pleasure, Dr. Kavanaugh. We are all terribly pleased that Hugo's operation was successful and that you wish to speak with him about his experiences." Kevin replied.
"Very well. Kevin... And, again, will you ask Hugo to telephone me 6 hours from now?"
"Oh, absolutely. I'll let you go. I'm sorry to have detained you. But Thank You very much for your help. We all look forward to seeing you." and Kevin put his cell phone down suddenly being aware that his speaking might have awakened the house full of sleeping boys and friends.
But no such thing had occurred. Instead it was quiet, and even the dogs were still quiet, though it was well after 8am. Many mornings the dogs were begging for food by this hour, but it seems that last night was even a bit late for them too.
"Shhhhhhhh!" Jilder said to Nicky as he led the way for Nicky and himself to sneak downstairs without disturbing anyone else in the house.
"Did you hear Kevin on the phone?" Jilder asked.
"Yeah! I couldn't hear everything, but I think he was talking to Dr. Kavanaugh in Ireland," Nicky replied
"Good. Maybe that means that our trip is still going to happen," Jilder said.
"Yep... Uh? I'm going to get something to eat. You want to get something too, Jilder"
"Yeah. I'm really hungry. What should we fix?" Jilder asked.
"I think I want something fast, like cold cereal with banana on it and milk. But I'm also hungry like I want some eggs and toast too. What'da you want?" Nicky said.
"That sounds good. Can we make two of everything? I'll get the eggs and break em. What? You think we should fix two eggs for each of us?" Jilder asked.
"Hum? That ought to do it," Nicky answered. "Get two big bowls for the cereal. I think I remember that we have some bananas on top of the frig. I'll get em now. We can cut up the bananas on top of our cereal. You want some?" Nicky asked Jilder.
"Yeah! Here's the bowls... Shhhhhhhhhh! You're making too much noise. We'll wake everybody." Jilder said
"I'm not making ANY noise. YOU'RE making noise rattling the bowls." Nicky said with exasperation.
"Oh, yeah.... Okay," Jilder replied, realizing how loud he was being...
The door between the family room and the kitchen creaked open and Dillon waddled into the kitchen.
"Now look what we've done," Nicky said to Jilder pointing at you-know-who.
Dillon was dragging a shredded bath towel that was serving as his security blanket. Dillon had his legs apart as he walked and he pointed to his crotch and said, "Yuck!" with a little sneer on his nose...
"Dillon's pants are wet," Jilder said to Nicky. "What are we going to do now?"
"Well, change them, of course, Dummy!" Nicky said as he strode over to Dillon taking things under control.
"OK. Dillon, I'll help you get some dry pants. I sure hope you didn't poop last night..." Nicky took Dillon by the hand and led him over to the side of the kitchen next to the breakfast nook where they were fixing breakfast. Nicky put some soft bath towels down on the floor and then lay Dillon on top of them. Gingerly he pulled off Dillon's outer pajamas and then his rubber pants. Now Nicky was face to face with a sopping wet cloth diaper, but he pressed on. He carefully opened the diaper pin on Dillon's left side, then the pin on the right. And he unfolded Dillon's wet diaper off and lifted Dillon up by the feet; so he could pull the diaper out from under Dillon.
Dillon lay there smiling, looking right up at Nicky, and being very, very still. He must have realized that they were trying to help him. "Phew! No poop," Nicky said. "We're in luck..."
"Here let me help you. Where are Nicky's diapers?" Jilder said.
"I don't know? Maybe in the family room... Wait a minute. I think I can use a dish towel for a diaper rather than bother the guys looking for the diaper bag." Nicky said.
"Yeah? You think?" Jilder wasn't so sure.
"Of course. You gotta be able to handle weird stuff if you're going to ever be an adult!" Nicky preached to Jilder with some satisfaction.
"Okay. I know where the dishtowels are." Jilder said. And with that he went to a drawer at the far end of the kitchen and fetched a clean dishtowel that, as it turned out, fit Dillon's butt just perfectly.
In short order, Nicky had it pinned in place and returned the rubber pants on top. Dillon's outer pajamas really weren't wet at all; so they went back on last.
"Ya want somethin to eat, Dillon?" Nicky said.
Dillon sat up and squirmed around getting to his feet. He looked at the bowls on the table and saw the bananas sitting next to them and said, "Nan-na... Nan-na" pointing to the top of the table.
"Ok, Buddy. We'll fix ya some cereal with bananas on top." Nicky said putting the wet diaper in a plastic bag and then crossing the kitchen to the sink to wash his hands.
Jilder hoisted Dillon up onto the bench around the breakfast nook, and Dillon got to his knees and scooted over to the table reaching for Jilder's spoon.
"Wait a minute! Wait a minute!, Dillon. We'll give you some. Just hold on..." Jilder ordered Dillon.
Jilder started filling a third bowl with cereal and slicing bananas on top, and then he poured milk over the top and slid the bowl over to Dillon.
"Now be careful! Don't spill anything," Jilder ordered next...
Dillon grabbed the spoon and jabbered something that was beyond understanding. He sloshed the cereal and bananas around in the bowl, out on to the table top, and yet he came up with nothing to put in his mouth!
"Here, Buddy, let me help you," Nicky said.
Nicky scooped up a small helping of cereal with a nice piece of banana on top and put the spoon into Dillon's waiting wide-open mouth.
Dillon tried to chew, but everything began to ooze out of his mouth, and before long he had lost some of his first spoonful. But at that point, Dillon reached into the bowl of wet cereal and fished out bananas with his hand and stuffed it into his mouth. He seemed just as happy with his less than couth table behavior, and Nicky and Jilder were at a loss to improve on matters. They all started shoveling in their own cereal, and there the three of them sat, chowin down with great satisfaction, having solved two major problems of the new day.
Hugo rolled over and snuggled up to Kevin glad that they didn't have to get moving early this morning.
"Kev?..." Hugo said very quietly... "You smell that? I think somebody's cooking scrambled eggs with onions... "
"Huh?" Kevin said, wiping the drool from his chin and nuzzling up closer to Hugo.
"Yeah. It's onions alright. Maybe Jake and Craig are up in the kitchen?" Kevin said.
"You in the mood to eat?" Hugo asked.
"Yeah. But I'm in the mood for sausage..." Kevin replied.
"What? I didn't know you ate sausage..." Hugo said.
"Maybe not the regular kind," Kevin mumbled into Hugo's neck...."but the tube kind like you have down there under the covers..." Kevin said with a smile and a few nibbles on Hugo's neck.
"Kevin! I'm surprised that you have such thoughts with both boys in the kitchen and the house full of company..." Hugo chided Kevin...
"Yeah! I'm terrible, ain't I," Kevin said nudging Hugo's belly with his own hard sausage.
"Well, maybe I AM in the mood for a little sausage myself, now that I think about it," Hugo whispered into Kevin's ear.
"Lemme have a sample of yours," Hugo said as he dived under the covers and took Kevin's hard penis in his mouth...
"Uahhhhh!" Kevin responded, surprised at how gooood it felt. "Don't stop now, Babe..." and he thrust his pelvis up forcing Hugo back..."
"Oh, Kev, it's leaking salty juice," Hugo said.
"You keep that up... and you'll see you ain't tasted nothin yet!" Kevin answered.
Hugo squirmed around under the covers while Kevin arched his back, spread his legs and moaned softly.
Hugo massaged Kevin's buttocks and moved his hands around into Kevin's crotch fondling his hard stiff cock.
Kevin pulled both of his legs back with his hands, grabbing them behind his knees, and Hugo rolled him further back onto his shoulders and began licking and tickling his hairy, pink anus with his tongue.
"Ohhhhhh, God, Hugo..." Kevin said in a hushed throaty voice, "That feels SOOOOOO good, Babe..."
Hugo thrust harder and deeper with his tongue and twisted and rocked Kevin's body back and forth with his arms.
In record time, Kevin let his legs go and reached for Hugo's head, pulling him down onto his body kissing his lips hungrily.
Hugo answered the gasping, sloppy kisses by maneuvering his sizeable phallus over the opening to Kevin's body and with a single lunge, pushed it into Kevin's inner reality.
A quiet "Oh, God!" was all Kevin registered. He continued kissing Hugo, slathering saliva all over Hugo's face and embracing him with a strength and urgency that registered with Hugo as though this were their first intimate encounter.
"Kevin, I love you so much
"Hugo, being with you is all that I want in life. You are wonderful," Kevin answered.
Hugo rared up on his knees holding Kevin's legs by the feet, spreading his sensual crotch to the maximum extent possible. Hugo looked into Kevin's manly crotch and felt a surge of sexual feeling in his own as he did. He lifted his eyes to find Kevin staring directly into his. This locked the two men in a remarkable, magnetic trance, leaving them both feeling soooo good and oblivious of the world except for each other.
Love, caring, and sensual sharing brought them both to the edge of ecstasy. Hugo moved in and out of Kevin's anus and rubbed his still hard penis, pushing him over the edge. A white spurt of semen left Kevin's penis and arched up to his chin; five more discharges left Kevin exhausted as he stared into Hugo's eyes with a long moan.
Hugo felt a monstrous pressure in the bottom of his crotch, just between his anus and his scrotum. He thrust his hefty phallus into Kevin's pliable anal opening and unloaded his own series of pulses that filled Kevin with sperm.
Both men sought refuge from the shattering ecstasy in the other's embrace, and together they sank into the sublime brain state that materializes at the end of orgasm.
"Oh, God, I love you, Kevin..." Hugo whispered.
"I love you too, Hugo."
"Dad! Dad! Aren't you going to get up today?" Nicky said a bit impatient, as he stared at the closed door into Hugo's and Kevin's bedroom.
"Hugo! I think Dillon just went poo in his pants. Maybe you could help us?" Jilder added.
With that there was a small commotion in the hallway outside of the guy's bedroom door. Craig and Jake wandered out of the family room where they had been sleeping... Craig was barefoot in his jeans and a tee shirt. Jake was still in only his boxers and a tee shirt.
Craig said, "You guys! Shuuush! Kevin and Hugo don't get to sleep late very often. Let's not disturb them. How about we take Dillon off your hands; so you don't have to worry about dealing with the poop. And we'll go help you out in the kitchen too."
Jake scratched his head letting his floppy black hair fall over his eyes. "Did you guys feed the dogs yet? I didn't hear any noise this morning..."
Nicky answered, "Yeah! We cooked breakfast for ourselves and Dillon; changed Dillon's wet diaper; and fed the dogs all by ourselves."
"No. shit!" Jake said, surprised and feeling a little guilty that he and Craig had left Nicky and Jilder to care for Dillon.
"We should have been up taking care of Dillon. I really appreciate your cleaning him and letting us sleep." Jake said. "We owe you one."
"Really?" Jilder said.
"Yeah! Really." Jake answered.
Figuring that he had his chance now to talk with Jake and Craig about feeding the dogs when they went to Europe, Jilder said, "Well there is something we wondered whether you'd think about."
"What's that, guys?" Craig answered.
"Well, you know we have to go to Europe for a month in a little while, and Kevin and Hugo haven't decided how to get the dogs fed. When we get home from Europe, could we pick up your laundry and wash and fold it for another month, as payment for you guys living here and feeding the dogs while we're gone?"
"Have you talked to Kevin and Hugo about that, guys?" Jake asked.
"Well, no." Nicky said. "But Jilder and I wanted to do something to help them ourselves, and we couldn't think of any other way to get the dogs fed two times a day."
"Well, I don't know, guys. Jake and I will have to talk it over and decide whether we can do that. And I would like to hear what Hugo and Kevin think of the idea too. So, I'm not saying yes or no; I'm saying we really want to help you out, and it sounds like a very generous offer from you guys. Can you wait a couple of days for us to think about it and talk to Hugo and Kevin?" Craig said, looking from Nicky to Jilder and then back.
"Oh, sure," Jilder said smiling. This kid might make a good lawyer after all with such strong negotiation skills.
"Nan-Na" Dillon said as he walked up behind everyone squeezing a banana into goo in his hands.
"Here, honey, let daddy help you," Craig said as he leaned over to tidy up Dillon, who looked positively content, his smiling face covered from ear to ear with browning banana goo.
"Nan-Na... Nic, Jil-er..." It seemed Dillon's vocabulary had expanded to include his friends Nicky and Jilder. Both of the boys ran to Dillon and led him from Craig into the kitchen where one of them got a wet cloth for his face and the other began wiping the goo off of his shirt.
Craig turned to Jake and said, "Those two have really adopted Dillon. I'd say that he's got two big brothers now for real...."
Jake nodded his head, reached his arm around Craig's shoulders, leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. Then Jake said, "I can't think of two better brothers for him to have..."
Craig said, "You start THAT KISSY STUFF, Mr. Jake, and I'll drag your fuzzy butt right back into the family room and have my way with you!"
"Ohhhhh, I'm soooo scared. Pleeeeze, Mr. Craig. Not that!"
"You are such a turkey, Jake," Craig teased.
"Just WHAT is all the commotion out here? Can't a couple of guys get a little shut-eye? Is everybody holding a convention outside of our door this morning?" Kevin said in mock complaint as he emerged from his bedroom... Hugo was just steps behind him...
"Hummm? Looks like the two of you were getting more than just "shut-eye" if my radar serves me..." Craig said.
"Shhhh! The boys will hear you and ask us what you mean.... I'd HATE to have to explain these matters, even though I KNOW sometime it will be necessary." Kevin said.
"Oh, come on, Kev. If you wait just a couple of more years those smart kids will already have it figured out, and all you'll have to do is stop explaining when they both tell you 'forget it, Dad, we already know...'" Jake said.
"You know, he's right" Hugo volunteered. "They'll both realize something's going on, 'cause they figured out we were boyfriends without us even saying a word. Then they told everybody how we were "kissy kissy" all the time... Yeah! I'd say it probably won't take more than a year..."
"Well, you're all probably right. But I just don't want them to be pushed into adulthood until they're ready to deal with it. Just the unusual nature of it will require some sensitivity I'd say," Kevin volunteered.
"Well, you're probably right about the "unusual nature" part; but boys get hards on and curiosity well before these boy's current ages. I'd say that they'll make it known when they're interested in details..." Craig said.
"And do you have any hint about whether these guys are 'breeders', " Jake asked.
"Well, I'd say a very 'probably yes', they're breeders, but they don't get very specific quite yet. I guess when we notice what websites they're frequenting, we'll get a pretty clear message about how they're wired." Kevin said.
"Dad!" Jilder called from the kitchen. "Dillon really needs to get some clean pants. Do we have to do it?"
"SURRRRRE!" Hugo yelled back just trying 'to yank Jilder's chain.'
"Daaad! I thought maybe you would do it, or maybe Craig or Jake...."
"Ohhhhhh NOOOOO, Jilder. We think YOU ought to do it!" Hugo was amused at Jilder's very clear reluctance to deal with a little poop.
"Really!!!!!???" Jilder hollered back.
"Okay. I'm comin... Just hold on to him. Let me get the diaper bag," Craig shouted in to Jilder to get the poor kid off the hook.
"He's gettin fussy. I think he's tired of having poo in his pants," Jilder said.
"Okay. Just hold on a minute."
"Hugo, are you ready for a little breakfast?" Kevin asked.
"Yeah! Poo or no poo, I'm hungry. I think it's all that exercise you put me through this morning, Kev." Hugo replied.
"See, I KNEW you two were doin 'it'." Jake said.
"You're just jealous," Kevin retorted.
"No. I'm just horny, and Craig is into being a parent at the moment; so I gotta wait. That's all," Jake said laughing.
All three men went out into the kitchen and found Dillon standing motionless with his legs spread apart looking very guilty.
"Just a sec, Dillon, Daddy will help you get some nice clean pants," Jake said as he kissed Dillon on the top of his little curly blond head. "Oh, my God! Ugh! I'd say Dillon really DOES need a diaper change... and I can't say as I consider Jilder's disenchantment to be all that hard to understand..." Jake said to Kevin and Hugo.
The morning bloomed into late morning, pushing toward noon at midday, as the guys all sat around the breakfast table talking. By now Nicky and Jilder and Dillon were all three outside playing with the dogs on the Astroturf. Dillon was not the least bit intimidated by even the largest and loudest of the dogs, and the older boys kept Dillon running around like they did the dogs. Dillon would without question collapse eventually from exhaustion and blissful contentment with all of the fun he was having.
Nicky and Jilder started throwing a Frisbee sending the dogs into a frenzy. Dillon couldn't catch the Frisbee yet, but he held his arms up like the older boys, trying his best to do it. Dillon, it seemed, would have terrific models in Nicky and Jilder. And they were very patient with him and his vast age related limitations.
Nicky was always keeping an eye out for Dillon, where ever the three of them went. It must have been love at first sight between Nicky and Dillon; after all, Nicky had almost given his life to save Dillon from the whale... May be there was an unconscious connection between them. What ever way one tried to explain it, Nicky had become the ever vigilant big brother.
"Say, Kev, Hugo, did the boys say anything to you about doing our laundry?" Craig asked.
"What? Doing your laundry?" Hugo said "What have they cooked up now?"
"Well, I thought it was a pretty clever scheme, but it requires a lot of support from the four of us, and I'm not able to speak for anyone but myself. In brief, Jilder said that he was trying to get the dogs fed while you guys were in Europe--for a month that would be--and he was proposing that Jake and I move in here, feed the dogs, and in return he and Nicky would collect our laundry every day for a month, wash and dry it, then fold it up for us."
"That's a pretty unusual scheme for two pre-teens to hatch, but it has its attractive features. One thing, Dillon generates more than his fair share of laundry; so I'd really appreciate the help. But you guys would have to buy off on letting the three of us move in here while you're off in Europe, and I have no idea, maybe you've already got a plan for feeding and housing the dogs, at say, a dog kennel or something."
"Jilder made this proposal to us this morning just before you guys finished playing around," Craig said with a sly smile.
"What ever is he saying?" Kevin addressed his question to Hugo...
"He's saying that they know we were screwing around and they're both just jealous," Hugo replied to Kevin.
"Aw! Pish...," Craig said jabbing Hugo in the side to interrupt his flow of candid explanation...
"Okay. Well, sort of..." Craig admitted.
"Would you two really consider living here for the time we're in Europe? I mean, you'd have to move Dillon's stuff--high chair and all the other paraphernalia you use with him." Kevin said.
"Yep, that's true," Craig replied.
"And both you and Jake could live with the inconvenience that staying here would mean for you?" Hugo asked in all seriousness.
"Hugo, Craig and I hang over here so much that it wouldn't seem all that unusual. And feeding the dogs really would require living here, because they eat twice a day. Thinking about it, I'd say I'm game, if Craig will go along with any inconveniences?" Jake said.
"No, Hon, I'm fine with it, and I think Dillon would just love living with the dogs. We'll probably have to get one for our house, if he gets too attached," Craig said.
"Oh, gosh. This all sounds terrific to me. I have to admit to you guys that I didn't have a clue what we were going to do with the dogs, but if you're game for Jilder's plan, I'll be happy to pick up and deliver the laundry everyday after we're back." Kevin replied.
"Okay. So it's a deal?" Hugo asked.
"Deal." Craig said looking into Jake's eyes.
"Yeah. Deal." Jake repeated.
"Oh, you guys are just going WAY BEYOND what friends can be expected to do. We'll owe you a BIG ONE (not the big one between Hugo's legs), but YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!" Kevin said.
Hugo blushed and smacked Kevin on the shoulder playfully. "KEV!"
"I promise I won't embarrass Hugo." Jake replied with a straight face.
Hugo said, "Oh my God.... Is there any more hot tea?"
"Now, Hugo, I'll arrange to have the props and all the sections of the sub picked up from the warehouse and delivered to the Hotel this weekend. Are you able to go over and begin preparing the ceiling beams to support those suspension cables?" Craig said, speaking into his cell phone.
"We won't be able to hang everything immediately. Do you know how much storage space the Hotel has? Maybe we should phase the delivery of the pieces to match with suspending them in the atrium?" Hugo answered.
"Well, that's a good way to do it. Do you have any idea of how we should sequence the pieces?" Craig said.
"Pretty much. I'd like to get each piece of the submarine hung and secured before we bring over another piece. Then we can deal with the rest of it. I think that would eliminate problems with storage space over at the Hotel, and it will help us to proceed with the installation with a minimum of handling. Whatda you think?" Hugo suggested.
"Whatever you say, Hugo." Craig said.
"How long is the entire installation going to remain in place," Hugo asked.
"Like we planned. It will stay up for two weeks; we can't wait until after you get back from Europe to supervise the removal," Craig said.
"That's what I was gettin at. Otherwise, you'll have to see-- on your own-- that everything is removed safely while I'm gone," Hugo replied.
"No, no. I'd feel better if you were directing everything, Hugo," Craig said.
"Well, Okay. You want to take the first piece over on Monday?" Craig said.
"It's good with me. I'll arrange for an open truck and two men to help us. Does that sound okay?" Craig asked.
"Will that cost a lot?" Hugo asked.
"Well, it'll cost, but not more than a few hundred dollars, probably well under a thousand," Craig said.
"Okay. I'll leave the business part to you, Craig," Hugo said.
And the installation process was under way.
"Yes Sir..." Hugo said as he spoke on the telephone to Dr. Kavanaugh.
"Each seminar will last about 90 minutes. You'll be interviewed by me and by several guest physicians. You needn't worry about what you can or can't say. There is no part of your conversations that are proprietary. Our stem-cell processing and the timing and use of nerve growth hormone ARE proprietary, but you won't be able to say anything that would be a problem," Dr. Kavanaugh said.
"And should I dress up? I mean do I need to wear a coat and tie?" Hugo said.
"Well, I think you'd be most comfortable dressed like everyone else, that is, in a coat and tie, for the interview seminars, but for the closed seminar, which is mainly for our transplant team, we'll be taking blood samples and giving you more extensive examinations; so I think you'd be more comfortable in a loose fitting sweater or shirt and trousers." Dr Kavanaugh explained to Hugo pretty much what he told Kevin earlier.
"And you'll be free to be with Kevin and the boys between seminars. Just make sure that you all meet the scheduled travel obligations. We want you to be in place and on time at all of the venues. I think that the pace will not be so strenuous that it will be a problem. And you'll have plenty of time in each city for being a tourist." Dr. Kavanaugh explained.
"Well that sounds great, Dr. Kavanaugh. You can count on me to be there and on time everywhere." Hugo promised.
"I know I can, my boy." Dr. Kavanaugh answered.
"We will send your airline tickets by certified courier. You'll have duplicate tickets for all legs of the travel for all four of you. The airlines will allow you to board, however, if you identify yourselves with passports, even if you should misplace the tickets. However, I hope you protect them well, as there is much more time-consuming verification and re-verification if the tickets are lost." Dr. Kavanaugh said.
"I will carry them with me all the time, Dr. Kavanaugh. We will not lose anything. Thank You very much." Hugo said.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you, my boy. And I want you to know that I am personally so very happy that this enterprise has turned out so well for you. After all, life is to be enjoyed and appreciated. And you deserve your birthright-- a good life, Hugo." Dr. Kavanaugh said.
"Thank you very much, Sir." Hugo said with a bit of a lump in his throat. Dr. Kavanaugh had been sounding especially fatherly, a comfort that Hugo had not known most of his life.