The garage doors were both flung wide open. The kitchen door was propped open too. Every opening to the house was gaping with people going in and out. All four dogs ran around frantically in the back yard barking and jumping as the boys lugged their huge suitcases down the staircase, "bump, bump, bump" bumping and banging every step of the way. Nicky and Jilder dragged their bags over to the waiting SUV, but just left them next to the open hatch-back. They were just too heavy and bulky for them to load into the car.
"Just leave em out there boys. We'll be out to load the car in just a few minutes," Hugo could be heard calling out to the boys from inside the house.
"OK, dad," they replied, dropping their loads and running back inside to be a part of the rest of the departure turmoil, preparing to leave for the airport.
Jake was watching Dillon who ran around and around the colorful flowers and shrubbery near the driveway, clapping his hands and squealing out of happy sympathy with what everyone else was doing, but having no idea what all the high tension activity was about.
Craig came out of the kitchen door with a huge suitcase that had to belong to Hugo, since it had a scene from the Undersea Project painted on its side. He went back inside and met Kevin on the way out carrying an equally large suitcase that was the twin of Hugo's. On the side of Kevin's suitcase was a group portrait of the whole family: Jilder, Nicky, Hugo, and Kevin. What a shame to lay these beautiful works of art vulnerable to the abuse of travel. But that was Hugo for you: he did his thing and the world could take it or leave it or bang it up; Hugo wasn't concerned. He created because that's what he did: create. He loved as he created, not worried about whether or how his love would be received. And the results in both cases were eloquent expressions of God at work.
"Now you guys feel free to use the house and anything here. Spend the night; live over here..." Kevin was telling Craig. "I showed you where the dogs' food and vitamins are. And don't worry if you have to be late with the feeding, they'll do okay."
"I think the notes we took yesterday will guide us through. You and Hugo just don't worry. We'll keep everything safe and in good order here," Craig said.
"And remember, there's nothing that Dillon can hurt, even if he breaks something, we're not going to have a cow. Just watch him that he doesn't hurt himself. This place isn't child-proofed," Kevin said while he piled suitcases into the SUV.
"Jake! We really appreciate your volunteering to drive the SUV to the airport. Feel free to use it whenever you or Craig want. We're insured for guest drivers..." Kevin said turning his head in Jake's direction. "We'll send you an email and call you with the return arrival time when we know it... It'll be sometime around 8pm, if I remember."
"Oh, my pleasure, Kev. We'll get along just fine." Jake said.
"Okay, Kev. I've got all of the passports, tickets, insurance papers, birth certificates, medical reports from Dr. Gilmer for the boys, my medical records, cash, just all of our important papers here in this satchel," Hugo said to Kevin as he brought it out to the SUV.
"Don't let that damn thing out of your hand for a second, Hugo. Give it to me to hold if you need to pee or do something else. I'll be happy to cover for you ANY time. That shit is just too darned important to put down--- EVER!" Kevin answered.
"So, is that everything, Kev?" Hugo asked after the SUV was loaded with the four suitcases.
"Where's the boys' carry-on luggage?" Kevin asked.
"Hummm? I thought they brought it out along with their suitcases?" Hugo said. He leaned into the car looking around for the laptop carrying cases.
"BOYS! WHERE DID YOU PUT YOUR LAPTOPS?" Hugo yelled out to where ever the boys might be.
Replies came from the backyard where the dogs frolicked. "We have them with us out here, Dad!" Nicky yelled back.
"Well, come on in now. Tell the dogs good-by and bring your laptops with you," Kevin yelled too.
"OK, Dad," Nicky replied, and in just a moment the boys burst into the garage with their laptop carrying cases slung over their shoulders.
Dillon ran over to the boys carrying a flower he'd pulled from the plants outside the garage. He offered it to them smiling broadly telling them, "flower, jabber, jabber, jabber..."
"Sure, Buddy," Jilder answered. He took Dillon's flower and put it above his ear, leaned down and picked Dillon up in his arms. Then Jilder planted a big, loud smooch on Dillon's cheek and said, "I'm gonna miss you, Buddy!"
Dillon smiled and returned the kiss, a considerably sloppier version, but the intention was clear.
Nicky went over to Dillon and gave him another kiss on his little curly, blond head. "Love you, Dillon," Nicky said, after which Dillon leaned over to give Nicky a sloppy smooch in return-- with his mouth wide open, a little drool consummated the kiss.
Kevin and Hugo began closing the house, leaving the dogs in the backyard, and when it was done, Kevin neatly deposited a big pile of keys in Craig's hand. "Here are the keys to the kingdom, guard them well..." Kevin joked.
With Jake driving the SUV that was loaded to the brim with baggage, Hugo slipped into the "shot-gun" seat with his satchel of important papers. Craig drove their car, with Kevin, Nicky, Dillon, and Jilder crammed into what space was left. It truly did require TWO vehicles to get this show on the road.
And off they drove to LAX, the Los Angeles International Airport, just outside of Los Angeles. It would be a two hour drive north from home. Then there would be processing through airport security, an experience that Kevin and Hugo dreaded. But what could they do??? It was rather like the thorns on a rose.
Departure from the Bradley International Terminal at LAX required that the party bring their luggage to check-in stations located at the curb. Carry-on bags would accompany the passengers through Security.
"Good Grief!" Jake muttered as he swerved and worked his way across the 5 lanes of swirling, impatient traffic that circuited its way haltingly around the horseshoe in front of the terminal. Craig jockeyed his car carrying everyone else right along behind Jake, and they manuvered both vehicles to the curb in front of the Bradley Terminal without incident. No small accomplishment.
When both vehicles came to complete stops, valets opened the doors nearest the curb, to help passengers out and assist with unloading the baggage. They tagged the bags for the flights identified on Hugo's tickets, and the boys scrambled out of Craig's car onto the sidewalk, dragging their laptops over their shoulders.
"Dad! Dad! Did you see the airplanes parked when we drove into the airport?"
Hugo was attentive to his duties, checking-in everything systematically and determining just where he would have to take the family to begin their processing through security. But nonetheless, he turned to answer the boys over his shoulder, "Yes, Guys! But those were just "little" airplanes. The one WE'RE gonna be flying on is parked out back of this big building. You can see them through huge windows after we get inside the terminal. Stay close by and DON'T GET LOST!" Hugo admonished.
"Yes, Sir." they chorused, lending intentions of utmost cooperation to help as they could, even if it were only to follow directions exactly...
"Craig, I'm really gonna miss you. Sometime I keep my balance by looking at how you run a business and take care of Jake and a two-year old, all without complaining and always doing a terrific job of everything. And besides all that, I sorta love you too!" Kevin said with a smirk on his face....
"SORTA!" Craig exploded in mock shock.
"Well..... more than "sorta" I suppose," Kevin admitted... "Like I love the heck out of you, but maybe I ought not make your head swell unnecessarily with the compliment!" Kevin admitted.
With that Kevin leaned over to Craig and gave him a hug and a kiss. "Really. No foolin, Craig. I'm REALLY gonna miss you. Take good care of yourself and Jake and Dillon... and feel free to use the house and SUV however you need to. And a million thanks for feeding the mutts for a month." Kevin said...
"I'll miss you too, Kev." Craig said looking Kevin in the eye. "We'll be looking forward to when you get back. But in the meantime, have a wonderful trip, and enjoy it to the max."
Jake and Hugo finished unloading the last of the suitcases. Jake closed the back hatch on the SUV, and Hugo closed the two doors to the vehicle on the curb side. "Jake. I never thought I'd be going to Europe when I was cleaning up puke on your ward back at the hospital a year or so ago, but here I am," Hugo said with a smile.
"And there's NO ONE who deserves the privilege more than you. You've always been an unusual guy, Hugo, somebody who is always making things happen by just being there. Hugo, I don't get to tell you this often, but I am so very happy for you-- having Kevin and the boys and all... and.... and... uh.... I guess what I'm tryin to tell you is 'Hugo, I love you!'"
Hugo took Jake in a big bear hug and rocked him slowly back and forth. "Thanks, Jake" Hugo said. "You are part of the family, and a part that I love no less than anyone else.
Jilder yelled, "OK, you guys. No smooching! We gotta plane to catch..." What a turkey that kid could be when he tried to be one.... or even when he wasn't trying...
"Calm down, calm down... we'll make it" Kevin yelled. He walked up to Jake and gave him a big hug and said, "Jake. I'm gonna miss you guys a lot. Please take good care of yourself and your guys. I love you much too much to lose any of you." Kevin was getting practiced at this honesty. Life is too short to prevaricate. And he kissed Jake too.
Craig walked up to Hugo with his arms open just waiting for one of those "Hugo-Bear-Hugs". "Okay, Hugo. Now watch for anything that could hurt those new ears of yours. Tell the pilot how he has to be careful with the cabin pressure now you're on board. And just relax and enjoy the show. It's all for you, Hugo. And remember that Kevin and the boys love you, and... yep... I love your Handsome, talented big ass too! We're gonna be really busy when you get back--- Hollywood and all--- so enjoy yourself and rest up."
"You and Kev and the kids have a nice trip, and don't worry about being the center of attention, "Jake advised, trying to put Hugo's mind at ease.... "Those doctors aren't any different from you or me..."
"Oh, okay. I'll try...," Hugo said knowing that just the same he'd be a nervous wreck when it came time to answer questions at the seminars...
And with the good-bys said, Jake and Craig checked Dillon still strapped in his car seat; they mounted the driver seats and prepared to leave, waving to Hugo, Kevin, and the boys one more time. Then out into the flow of maddening traffic they went, heading back to the peace and quiet and beauty of their neighborhood in the San Diego/Escondido countryside.