My Mexican Bodega

Part 23

The Last From The Unhinged Mind

Of

Eric Murphey

So its Thursday already. Time is flying by and we need to make decisions about Emilio's future. Mario is still scared, well more worried about the unknown of moving. I'm really have no desire to move. I love it here as much as the boys if not more. Because I know whats different about here and America. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that Mexico is a worry free place to live. Because that would be a lie. Its sometimes a scary place if you are like me and not from here. But its mostly safe so long as you don't mess with the cartel or their money. That is a quick way to wind up in a shallow grave in the dessert. Or just left on a street corner dead as a reminder to others not to fuck with them. The boys and I have been up a good hour or so sitting on the porch enjoying a game of cards. I hear my phone ringing in the living room. I start to get up to go get it but Mario is fast. He has it in his hand before I am half way up. I just sit down.

"Hello Father Lopez. Sure let me take the phone to him."

He hands me the phone.

"So what did I do that your calling me? I swear I didn't rob that bank."
He just laughs.

"No I had a favor to ask of you. After mass I need a little help."
"Sure I would be glad to." I offer.

"No I don't need yours but the boys. I have some things in the attic I want to bring down and I'm just too old I feel to go crawling up there. I figured I could borrow your boys for an hour or three to have them help me out."
"I'm sure it will be fine. But let me ask them."
I put the phone away from my ear.

"Boys Father Lopez needs some help after mass. He asked if you would help him get some things out of the attic for him."
"Sure poppi." Emilio and Mario answer at the same time.

I put the phone back to my ear.

"They said they don't have any important business meetings this morning that they cant put off. So they say they can help."
I hear laughing front eh boys and Father Lopez.

I'm thinking this works out great. I need to go to the other town today and I don't mind the boys going at all. But I also just kind of wanted to go by myself. Is it selfish of me? I don't know. But, in my defense i spend every waking moment with them almost. So its OK I think to have a bit of alone time. Just me driving over. We head to mass shortly after the call and I make the boys put some older clothes in a plastic bag so they don't ruin church clothes. Not that I think they would. But its just better safe than sorry. We get to mass and its mass. Nothing exciting. No big announcements. The boys go with father Lopez as I leave and are giggling because he is telling them jokes. Hes a funny guy I suppose that's why everyone likes him so much. He is funny most of the time. But very serious when he needs to be. I think hes a good priest. He always has time for everyone it seems.

I head back and get into the truck and head over to town and stop at the warehouse. Because I had planned on it anyway. I need to get delivery set up since apparently I'm going to be gone and I don't want to have to add that burden to Bob or Jamie. I also need to hire a couple more people too. I think I will let Bob do that. He is pretty much the manager anyway. I will just give him the title and authority so when I leave for a while he can have control as he needs it. He is a good guy and very responsible. He has proven time and again he is a good worker. Jamie too. But he is also younger and I just think Bob would be better. So I get it all set up and now all we have to do is all it in and it will be delivered the next day. For a "slight" fee of course. I did however negotiate the fee down some. After he learned what I was doing with the profits. He was like. "Well, I understand but I have to pay my guys."
"I get that. But I don't want to waste a ton of money that would be better helping a few children."
"Alright you drive a hard bargain. How about half the regular fee. It almost pays my guys. I suppose the fuel is on me." he says trying to act all sad. But I see the edges of his mouth trying not to smile.

I shake his hand and I start walking through the warehouse. They have everything. Just think Sam's or Costco and double the size. The place is massive and they carry I think everything. I am loading the cart up with what we need. I figure while I'm here may as well get what we are running low on. I am having trouble pushing the cart its so heavy. OK maybe I didn't want time alone. The boys usually push the cart. They used to before Emilio got hurt anyway. But today would be a good day for them to be pushers. I get the truck loaded up and am heading out of town. I see a shop with bikes sitting out front.

"HMM."

I swing over to the side of the road and park. I get out ans start looking over the bikes. Wont the boys go crazy with excitement over these I'm thinking. I look at prices and they aren't bad prices. I am thinking they are so good maybe this will be the next treat for the children at the home. But that many bicycles will set me back a good chunk of change for sure. But you know what. I think they deserve it. A man comes walking out smiling at me.

"See one you like?"
"I see a lot of them I like. Now I'm only going to get two today. However............…"
I go on to explain to him about what I do for the orphans and he smiles at me as I do. I get that a lot it seems. So by the time it was all said and done we negotiated a deal for the bikes for the home and I told him I would be back in a few days with the money to pay him for them. I did put a good down payment on them though. What he did that was great was he really isn't making a peso on them. SO he says and I have no reason to doubt him. He and I go through and pick out the right sizes for all the children and he offers to put them together and deliver them for free. Now I'm really shocked. He is going over and beyond what I had hoped for. The chunk of change I'm spending got smaller with that. But it is still a good amount. You cant buy 45 bicycles and not pay a lot. Even if you get them at cost.

"OK Now I want to buy two for my boys." I tell him when we get done ordering everything.

"You didn't get them in the deal we set up?"
"No. Its separate. These are for my sons and I don't hope or expect any deals on them. When I'm getting for the home I try to get the best deal possible because that way the money goes farther and I can do more. This are for my sons so I tdon worry as much about that. Of course if you cut the price a little I wouldn't complain." I tell him smiling.

"I thought you put those with the others."
"No sir. I want these two right here for them. I know they will LOVE them."

"No problem I will give them to you at cost as well."

"No you cant do that. You got to eat. But I do appreciate the offer. How about say 10% off instead?"
He smiles and I pay the man and load the bikes on the truck. I have no reason to give them bikes other than I love them. Its not a holiday or a birthday or anything that they would expect gifts. I don't care I want to make it fun for them. I stop when I get to town and get a cake and have them add a greeting to it. I smile when I look at it and head home. Bob helps me unload the supplies.

"The boys are going to love those bikes." he says smiling at me.

"You don't think I spoil them do you?" I ask seriously.

"Maybe a little. But with their background they don't take it for granted They appreciate everything you do for them."

We get it all unloaded and I carry the things upstairs I got for us. I cover up the bikes with a big tarp that was downstairs because they are about to start doing the remodel for the restaurant. Man I got lots going on I think.

I text Father Lopez

Let me know when the boys leave. I got a surprise for them.

He texts back almost immediately.

We are about done so maybe five minutes.

I text back.

PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!

I put the cake on the table and grab some party hats we have laying around and put them on the table. I had to the porch and see them walking down the road giggling. Emilio is walking better now. He is still wobbly but not as much. I sigh knowing soon he wont have the cane anymore. I know its good. No its actually great. But I worry. I hear them coming up the steps and grab a champagne popper and when they walk in the living room I shout.

"HAPPY SNIGGLEFRITZ DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
They both are shocked at the popper and me shouting. They are looking at me smiling though.

"Papi whats Snig whatever you said day." Mario asks.

"Oh my goodness you boys don't know about Snigglefritz day?"
They both look at me like I'm insane. Of course they haven't heard of it. I just made it up as they were coming up the steps.

"OK I guess I will tell you. See In Austria there was a baker by the name of Hans Snigglefritz. He made cakes for all occasions. He loved what he did. But he felt sad that a lot of the time the happiness and joy wasn't shared by everyone. Say its a wedding well of course just the wedding party has fun. Say its Christmas well only Christians have fun. A birthday is the person and some friends usually. He wanted a day where everyone in the world was included and wanted to celebrate just being alive. So he created Snigglefritz day?"

"Papi is any of this true?" Emilio asks me.

"The cake says Happy Snigglefritz Day. Have you ever known a cake to lie?"
"Papi they will put anything on a cake. Even dirty words." Mario says saying the last part softly.

"OK its not really a true day. But I got these and I wanted to make it special." I say pulling the tarp off the brand new gleaming bicycles.

Both boys mouths dropped open.

"Wow!!!"
"Cool!!!!!"
I hear as they go to them. The purple one of course Emilio went to and the blue one Mario was already throwing his leg over the seat on.

"Thanks poppi." Mario tells me.

"Yeah thanks papi." Emilio adds.

I just grin and enjoy watching them inspect their new bikes.

It isn't two minutes and I'm carrying bikes downstairs so they and try them out.

They of course follow me down and are excited. Almost as much as me to be honest. I'm so happy I can get them things that they are excited about.
"Here papi hold my cane." Emilio says to me as he slips his leg over the bike.

They both take off at lightening speed.

"Slow down!!!" I holler after them and and greeted by two grins and no slowing down. I just sigh.

I sit down on the bench that's out front. Bob comes out and sits next to me and fires up a cigarette.

"You sure do make those boys happy." he tells me grinning.

"Shit they make me so happy I don't know what to think anymore."
They come racing around the corner with Mario in the lead and Emilio just behind him.

"I will beat you when my legs better again!!!!" He screams as they race by.

"Yeah but I'm winning today!!" Mario shouts back as he is laughing.

After twp more passes I'm surprised when I see Father Lopez and Chuy race around the corner.

"You may be younger but I'm faster." Father Lopez hollers over his shoulder.

"I'm just taking it easy on you." Chuy shouts back as they pass.

I look at Bob and he looks at me.

"Whose next?" he asks with a chuckle.

"Well if I see Sister Carmancita ripping around the corner next I'm going inside. Because I don't want her to see me laugh so hard I pee myself."
He laughs.

"I saw her driving the bus the other day. I barely saw her head over the steering wheel. I couldn't help but laugh."

"I know right." I respond.

The boys come racing around the corner and skid to a stop in front of us.

"Did Chuy tell you?!?!" Emilio shouts at me.

"No Chuy just zipped by."
"Well, he owes me 5 pesos for riding my bike. Father Lopez paid Emilio already."

"You go give that back right now." I tell him.

He hangs his head and they both ride off quickly.

"And you tell Chuy he doesn't owe you anything either!!" I shout after them.

Bob is next to me and looks at me.

"That was kind of harsh boss. Mario was really excited about something and you shut him right down. Did you see the look on his face?"

"I cant say as I did."

"He looked crushed. I never saw you be mean like that before to them. It wasn't nice."
"Bob he took money from a priest." I say defending my outburst.

"Do you really think that's important? Do you think Father Lopez just offered it to them that they didn't ask for it? I know your boys pretty well. They are good boys and I'm sure that he offered it to them. Not they asked for it."
Now I feel like a big dick. I know hes right. I know that Mario wasn't excited about 5 pesos because he doesn't really care about money that much.

"I didn't think about it. I know you are right and when they get back I will apologize. It just hit me funny is all."
"Don't tell me. Here they come." he says and walks back in the store.

They both look like I shot their puppy. I feel like a real douche now.

"Guys I'm really sorry. I over reacted about that I'm really very sorry. I should have known that it wasn't you that suggested the 5 pesos."
"No papi he offered it and they Chuy did too." Emilio tells me.

"I'm sorry guys. Now what was it that had you so excited?"
The smiles return to their faces quickly.

"We go to court Monday to get adopted." They say in unison.

The immediate joy I felt I cant even begin to put into words. I hop off the bench and am hugging and kissing both boys.

"Its really happening Papi. I'm so happy." Emilio says grinning at me.

"Me too. guys. Me too."
I let them ride their bikes around for a good hour and make them stop to get some rest for Emilio's leg and to get some water. I texted Chuy to find out the details while they rode around. Monday at 9am. I am going to legally be these boys father.

We head upstairs and I make them go shower because they are just dripping sweat. But got they look good all hot and sweaty to be perfectly honest. When Emilio and Mario come out I can see they had a lot of fun in the shower from the redness on their cocks. I'm happy they feel so free. I am finishing up our supper. I figured something nice and not hot. I made a salad and sandwiches or us for supper.

We have our supper and get everything eaten and cleaned up pretty quickly. We of course have some of the cake now that they aren't as excited about their new bikes. Because let me think here. Ride new bikes or eat cake? Yeah cake was forgotten about for a long, loooooong time.

When we get done with cake we sit on the couch and they take their spots next to me.

"So did you guys have a good day?"
"Yes Papi. It was the best Snigglefritz day I ever had." Emilio says grinning.

"Me too boys. Best Snigglefritz day in the history of Snigglefritz day."

"Papi we wanted to get you something too." Mario tells me.

"Guys you don't have to get me anything. You just being here is enough for me."

"We know that's why we wanted to get you something real special that we know you will like lots." Mario tells me.

"My little mouse anything from you boys is wonderful."
As I say this Emilio grabs my man bits. Now I don't have to go into detail like I know you want me to do. I'm not going to because it was my present not yours. I'm not sharing. Other than to say they both worked me with their mouths and asses. When I came I came so hard inside Mario that I nearly passed out. One thing for sure is we all needed showers again when we got done. I took one after I could stand up and not feel like I was going to fall over.

"I love you guys so much." I tell them as we climb into bed. "I hope you had a happy Snigglefritz day."
"Best Snigglefritz day ever." They say in stereo.

We snuggle in and get to sleeping pretty quick.

Monday comes quickly and slow at the same time. Its like waiting for Christmas when you are 8. You know its going to get here. But man is it taking years to get here. Monday morning rolls around and we all get out of bed and have breakfast. Chuy arrives as we are eating and I make him a plate as well. He looks so nervous and excited. Just like I'm sure we look and feel too. We have breakfast. Though none of us are eating too much as we are just too excited. We get dressed in our best clothes. A pair of nice slacks, dress shirts, ties and dress shoes for the boys. A suit and tie for myself and Chuy.

We get to the courthouse and its busy. Chuy signs us in because frankly I have no idea what the hell to do in a Mexican courthouse. Glad I got Chuy. Hes not only a great lawyer hes a great friend. We sit down and I'm just picking at my thumb waiting. The boys are playing on a Nintendo Switch I got them a little while back. Its keeping them busy and they seem to be enjoying it. Then its our time to go in. It looks like any courtroom. Big and imposing. I see a female judge sitting at the bench and she looks mean as a snake. The case is introduced and we go take our seats.

"OK I have in front of me a request for adoption of two boys." She goes through all of this and sits the folder down.

"Now it is my understanding that the Mexican minor known as Emilio has been accepted to a University in America is that correct?"
"Yes your honor." Chuy answers for us.

"What really bothers me about this is that the petitioner is not a Mexican citizen. I'm so tired of Americans coming down here thinking they own Mexico and do just whatever they want. So I am going to deny this adoption. She slams her gavel down dismissing the case.

"Papi what happened. Are we adopted now?" Mario asks me.

Now I'm furious.

"No."

I stand up and I feel so small and feel so defeated.

"This is BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!" Chuy shouts out.

"Excuse me young man." The judge says looking over her reading glasses at him. Not looking remotely pleased. Actually looking downright pissed.

"I said this is bullshit. You are being a racist xenophobe. Esteban or legally Steven has been in Mexico for a little over a year. In that time he has adopted 43 children into his heart. He started a little shop I'm sure you haven't heard of but every pesos in income is donated to the orphanage. He bought the home a newer bus so they could get around. He has recently just got new bikes for every boy and girl there. I know him and these boys personally and they aren't just good people that love each other with all their hearts. They are friends of mine. The boys are like brothers as well because I grew up in the home. For you to deny them the thing they most desire in their hearts which is to be a family is just bullshit."
"That is exactly what I'm talking about. He comes here and does all these things just like an American putting his nose into other peoples business where it doesn't belong. If he thought so much of our country why didn't he become a citizen?"
My eyes are leaking rather badly now as are my Panchito and little mouses.

"I never thought about it..........." I start to say.

"You young man I am holding in contempt of court." She says to Chuy cutting me off.

From the gallery I hear in an old tired voice.

"You fat cow. How dare you?" Sister Carmancita is walking up from her seat followed by the rest of the nuns and Father Lopez.

"Let me tell you something about that man you think isn't worthy of adopting those boys because you think he is just as you say "sticking his nose in our business." That man has done nothing but be good to the children at the home. He has gone out of his way and spent a lot of money to help the children. I know you know who I am you hateful b.....person that you are. One thing I have never seen is a check or donation with YOUR name on it. So what are You doing to help the poor children that you don't want adopted by an American. An American that loves those boys so deeply. That cant be put into reports to the court. So let me tell you that I'm GLAD no OVERWHELMED and THANKFUL that God has moved his heart to help all the children in the home. They eat better. They have nicer clothes and none of that is due to you or your help."

"This is my courtroom and you will stop this now.......…"
"Or what you are going to arrest an old nun for speaking her mind. Go ahead and I bet even the President hears about this. I can just see President Lopez Obrador reading about this and being very upset with you and what you have done. Arresting a nun and denying an adoption that should have no problems going through. The an has proven time and again he will do anything for those two boys and If you deny that then you will certainly go to Hell for your actions. Because you have stood int eh way of what the Creator wants for this family. Now you can say what you want and you can arrest me. But one thing is for certain. No matter what you say those boys are staying with that man. They don't need your approval to be a family. They don't need you at all with your hatefulness. They are already his sons and he is already their father..........." she is shaking a bony finger at the judge now.

"So it doesn't matter what you say and do. The love is there and you cant destroy it. But one thing I do know is you don't have the final say in this. We will go to another court and present the facts and you lady will have nothing to say about it. So you go ahead and arrest me for saying what is true. It will not be good for you."
"That goes double for me." Father Lopez says standing next to her.

"Yeah us too." The other nuns say to the judge.

Now she has 9 people in front of her telling her to arrest them for speaking against her racist and xenophobic comments.

She is looking at the group of religious leaders shocked and not knowing what to do.

"Esteban I know its a lot to ask. But watch the children at the orphanage while we are in prison for who knows how long. I trust you and know you will do a good job."

Oh boy I have to take care of all the children now. It will be hard but I know I can do it. I'm already going through my head what needs to be done.

"WAIT STOP!!!!!!!!!" Mario says as the bailiffs are starting to arrest the nuns, Father Lopez and Chuy.

Everyone stops and looks at my little mouse standing up and shouting.

"Your honor. I don't know lots like you do. I'm just a little boy. I don't understand how the world works that much yet. But I do know a few things. I know that I love this man with all my heart and I know he loves me that way too. You didn't see how worried and upset he was when my brother got hit by a truck and was in a coma. You didn't see how he could barely eat and was only able to sleep because he was so exhausted. I never knew OK understood what the love of a family was. I knew I wanted it as did my brother. For the first time in my life I feel loved and accepted for who I am. I don't are if papi was from another planet. The love he has is all I want or need. You don't know the things he does for us. Just last week he made up a brand new holiday just so he could give us bikes and make it more fun for us. So we had Snigglefritz day. One thing our papi is teaching us is to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. He doesn't say unless they are a girl or boy or for any other reason that they too are a child of God as we all are. He has taught us to respect ourselves and each other. One thing I have never seen my papi do is turn anyone down for any request they have for something they need. You may not like him because hes American and that's fine. You can keep hating if you want to. Another thing he has taught us is that our faith and church is important to us. He lives that every day. I say Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them that suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. That is what Paul said to the Hebrews. Father Lopez told us that. Papi is one of those angels. I'm not saying he is a heavenly body not at all. What I am saying is his heart is like that of an angel. For you to deny us this. Our desire to be a family is against everything the bible and the church teach us. That love is the most important thing. But if you see fit to arrest some old nuns and an old priest to make yourself feel important you do that. But one thing I do know is that every day, and I don't mean every day the nuns, father Lopez and Chuy are in jail we will be out there with signs saying how mean and evil you are. We will be there EVERY single day. We will be the thorn in your side Paul talks about and we will never go away."
"You are very disrespectful young man to talk to this court that way." she says chastising him.

"So throw me in jail too. If I cant have my family I may as well have nothing."
"Fine." she says to him.

"Wait just a fucking minute here." I say standing up.

"Let me tell you something lady. You think you have all the power int eh world right now. You are going to throw nuns, a priest, a lawyer and a little boy in jail. Let me just say that you can sit there and feel all high and mighty about this. You may even think you are doing the right thing. But let me tell you right now I will appeal this. I will become a Mexican citizen and there is nothing you can say or do that will stop this from happening. You may delay it. But I love these two boys with all my heart and you cant take that away. Sure I'm an American. Sure I helped children and others that needed it. I don't see how that has any relevance to this case whatsoever. Now I think my son overstated me a lot here. But he is right that we do love each other with all our hearts. If you stop this adoption this will most assuredly not be the last you hear from us. This will just be the beginning. Now let me ask you this. Do you want 43 children and nuns picketing your courthouse every day. How long do you think it will take for the media to latch onto this story. How ling until you see world wide media attention coming your way? My question to you is this. How long until the media finds something incriminating on you? Because you and I both know they will dig and dig deep. You know they live to find corruption in the justice system and in Mexico the world will just shrug and figure. What do you expect its Mexico. Everyone knows its corrupt."
"You sir may join them all in jail as well." She says to me.

"Fuck you!!!!!!" Emilio screams at her.

"Emilio!!!" I say correcting him. "Even though she is not giving us what we want and deserve that is no reason to talk to her like that."

"Looks like you can be a family in our prisons now." she says grinning.

A very sharp dressed good looking man about my age stands up.

"Your honor if I may."
She sees him and her smile is gone quickly.

"Holy cow that's Sr Reyes. He is El hefe Guzman's attorney." Chuy informs me. Now I know who El Hefe Guzman is. Everyone knows he is the head of the cartel and is on the wanted list and has been for years. For some reason he can walk up and talk to a cop and gee no problems. Not arrested or even a warning to him is issued.

"I wasn't aware you had business in this court today." She says kind of scared sounding.

"I have business where my client tells me I have business. Today I have business in your court. TO be honest this is not at all how my boss saw this playing out. My boss has a nephew that is friends with those two boys over there." he says signaling to my boys. "The other day they had a big party at the playground that Sr Esteban put in and I believe he paid for the shipping and his old boss paid for the equipment. However, I have it under good authority that he would have paid for all of it. Not for anything other than for the children around here to have a safe place to play. Now during that party my bosses nephew was injured. Not badly but he got cut. Sr Esteban without even knowing who he was made sure his cut was cleaned up and bandaged. He gave him a soda and some candies along with a hug after he was done being upset. My boss thinks that Sr Esteban is a good and caring man and that he should get whatever he wants."
He sits back down and no one says a word for 30 seconds. Now in a court room no one saying anything for that long seems like an eternity. The judge is just looking at him with a deer in the headlights look. He starts to stand back up.

"The adoption of the two boys is approved by this court. As of this day they will be the sons of Sr Esteban. All contempt of court orders are dismissed." She bangs her gavel and walks out of the court. I did notice that as she was walking out she was a little wobbly on her legs. Fear of the unknown will do that to a person. I have heard stories of what the cartel does to people that cross them. I cant believe some of them. But The thing is they are so horrendous that how can they not be true? You don't fuck with them. If you do you will certainly pay a very painful price before you die.

"Papi?" Mario asks confused by what happened.

Emilio looking at me the same question in his eyes..

"Yes guys. You are my sons."
Mario and Emilio throw their hands up and scream.

"YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! WERE A FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!" They hug each other first Then quickly wrap me in their arms as well. I cant help it I'm a bi girl sometimes and the water works were flowing pretty heavy. I see the man leaving. I break from the boys.

"Sr Reyes. Please may I have just a moment of your time?" I ask chasing after him. The boys behind me.

He turns and looks at me and smiles.

"Sr Esteban how ever much of my time you would like. It is yours."
He sounds so cool. So calm and so much I don't know but something.

"I just wanted to say thank from the deepest wells of my heart for your help and that of your boss. Please tell him thank you for me. If he ever wants or needs anything. You tell him I'm his man."
He smiles at me.

"Sr Esteban all he wants from you is to be happy. Keep doing what you are doing. Keep being you."

I extend my hand and he takes it. I shake his hand.

"I truly cant put into words how truly grateful I am. She was going to destroy my boys lives and mine as well because of her hatred. If you hadn't have been here it wouldn't have been a joyous occasion at all. So again thank you."
"No thank you. The boy you helped was my son."

I let go of his hand and look at him.

"Well, Ill be dog gone. Carlos sure does look like you. Is his arm OK?"
"Thats what I mean by never change." he says to me smiling and pats my shoulder. "And yes its better thank you."
He leaves and the boys and I walk out of the courthouse with Chuy on our side grinning ear to ear.

"We are going to have such a party my friend." I tell him.

"Don't I know it." He says and winks at me.

HM odd. But I don't care I'm happy beyond words right now.

The boys and I get int eh truck and Chuy runs over and gets on the bus. I guess they thought everyone was coming may as well. Makes sense to me. They are off and we get stopped at a light and see them disheartening down the street.

"Papi." Emilio says.

"Yes?"
"Nothing I just wanted to say it. To know its real. That everyone knows you are my papi legal and everything."
"Never in a million years would I imagine I would ever be a dad. But this is better than I can imagine anyway." I tell them.

Mario is just grinning. I feel the same way. I imagine later our jaws will be tired from smiling so much. I simply do not care. Let the cute dimples in Mario's cheeks stay there forever. We get back and I park next to the shop like always. We go through the shop and Bob is texting someone.

"Hey boss everything go alright?" he asks looking up as he sends the text.

"It started out bad. But got really good fast. Ill tell you another time. I got a party to plan. People to invite and things to get."

"Hope I get an invite." he says grinning.

"Nope everyone but you." I say laughing.

He laughs at me.

"Glad it went OK. You deserve those boys and they deserve you."

"Thanks Bob."

We walk into the old apartment and I hear two boys fighting outside the door.

"Now everyone knows the main rule is no fighting." I say kind of mad.

"Yeah someone fighting ruins the fun." Emilio agrees.

We head to the door all three of us and I open it and am shocked.

"SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!" I see a banner the nuns are holding. Congratulations on your new family. It reads. There is confetti being tossed and shot into the air. I see tables and food everywhere as well as everyone from the church and the barrio. Bob is standing in the doorway laughing his ass off.

"We so got you guys." he is grabbing his chest and sliding down the wall.

"You sir aren't invited." i say in a crappy tone but a smile on my face.

The boys and I walk out back with Bob behind us still laughing

So the day is perfect. Big party lots of food and even presents for me and the boys. The boys got serious girts. Like clothes and things like that. A few toys as well. I got mostly gag gifts like diapers. Everyone laughed when I opened them. I helped them up.

"You think its funny. I'm putting them on the shelf to sell." Which got a lot of laughs. But I think the best gifts were from Chuy. I watched the boys open all their gifts. They opened it and it was a plain t-shirt. A nice one a moisture wicking kind. They lifted it out to admire them and they saw the back of the others and started hollering.

"Look papi it has our new last name on it!!!!!!!!!!!!" Mario shouts.

Father Lopez walks up and drapes his arm over my shoulder.

"You are a good friend Esteban. I hate to know you are leaving soon for Emilio."
"Oh my I forgot. I have been so excited about the court date." I get everyone's attention.

"Everyone you all know my sons are the smartest boys ever right?"

I get chuckles.

"But as you all know Emilio has been accepted to a university in America. Now we were all really sad that we have to leave and go to America. We love our community and everyone here and missing all of you would be a terrible burden for us. So I talked to Professor Suarez and he talked to Rose-Hullman and Emilio can do internet classes most of the time. We will have to fly up a few times a semester. But we can stay here!!!!!!!!"
To the boys and me this was in second as the adoption was the first best thing today. The boys race to me nd wrap their arms around me.

I hug them back and of course its not a short hug.

"Now that you boys are mine I can beat you."
They both laugh loudly.

"Whatever papi. We love you." They both tell me.
"I love you too." I say and kiss them both on the cheek.

______________________
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ericmurphey1971@gmail.com

OK guys this will the last chapter of this story. It will also be the last story I post on Nifty. Notice I didn't say I was going to stop writing. I have talked to a couple other writers and they say the a03 site is good and easy. So I may do that.

It is my understanding its hard to find things on the site. So I will let a few other writers know I know most of you read and ask them to list my website.

So why you ask am I doing this? That's a great question from the audience. But if you look at my story list you will see one story is now gone. Unexpected Hospitality. Now you all know I think it was my worst story ever. But it was taken down because of the excessive use of the N word. Apparently someone complained. So I'm thinking OK i have a story about a man fucking boys and they complain I use the N word and it offends them. Now if you recall I only used that word to show ignorance. I don't use the word in my personal life and wont tolerate hearing it either. So because I was censored I'm done. I was extremely angry and hurt as well from this. I was like well fuck you. If its not acceptable none of my stories are. They might offend someone. So I was going to request they take my stories down. I will post them on the new site if I go that route. But for now they can stay where they are. For now. I may change my mind. But still donate to nifty. Its a good place mostly.

I appreciate all of you and the emails I've gotten over the years. I see my emails when I publish and I think. Oh that's nice I haven't heard from them in a while. I hope they are doing OK. Or my goodness your husband lost a few toes because of diabetes. I certainly hope he recovers quickly. I have talked to lots of you that have had cancer. A lot have gotten better a few have not.

Its like old friends emailing. I get emails on holidays even if I don't post a story that day or week even. So thank you all for allowing me into your hearts and minds.

Eric