Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2003 12:14:10 -0500 (EST) From: publishing@tomcup.com Subject: The Innocents: Paulo and Beto By Richard Dean Part 4 chapter 10 - A/Y - AF Copyright 2000-2003 by the Paratwa Partnership: A Colorado corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, except in the case of reviews, without written permission from the Paratwa Partnership, Inc, 354 Plateau Drive, Florissant, CO 80816 This is a fictional story involving alternative sexual relationships. If this type of material offends you, please do not read any further. This material is intended for mature adult audiences. Names, characters, locations and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. ********************************************************************** What's New at TomCup.com? The Innocents: Paulo and Beto by Richard Dean Part 4 Chapter 16: Added 12/9 Lion of Bolognia by Tom Cup: Lion's Heart Chapter 8: Added 12/05* KOABoy by Tom Cup Chapter 10: Added 12/04 Words Are Not Necessary by Adam Bricker Chapter 1: Added 12/03* The Confederados by Richard Dean Chapter 2: Added 12/03* Airport Voyeur Part 2 by Adam Bricker: Chapter 1: Added 11/29* The Confederados by Richard Dean: Chapter 1: Added 11/28* Raptors by Richard Dean Chapter 11: Added 11/22 Calvin: Indentity Crisis by Tom Cup Part 2 Chapter 2: Added 11/20* Airport Voyeur by Adam Bricker: Chapter 6: Added 11/20* The Innocents: Paulo and Beto by Richard Dean Chapter 15: Added 11/14 Age Before Beauty by Tom Cup Chapter 6: Added 11/13 Lion of Bolognia by Tom Cup Chapter 7: Added 11/12* *TomCup.com now offers an Executive Club membership! ** Tom Cup's "Of Our Teenage Years" is scheduled for publication and release in paperback in the Spring of 2004. Check it out at http://www.tomcup.com! ********************************************************************** The Paratwa Partnership, Inc. is a publication and marketing agency and is not responsible for the content of the Tom Cup Library, TomCup.com or its affiliate sites, or stories written by Mr. Cup or his associates. ********************************************************************** The Innocents Part 4: Paulo and Beto Chapter 10 By Richard Dean richard@tomcup.com Chapter 10 Visibly shaken after hanging up the phone, Ricardo's mind dervished with thoughts of scenes and events past. The reality of Elena's conversation was short, direct and implicit. Toninho's brother and sister have been found! Tears dribbled down his face intensifying the emotions racing through his numbed mind. "Will you come to Rio now?" she asked. Will I? How can I not? Ahh, Toninho, you still pull and tug at me. When you died, Brazil died. I vowed that I would never return. Brazil is imbedded too deeply within my heart and soul, as you are. Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes your siblings pull and tug at me too. "I, uhh, emm, uhh, will be there as soon as I can find a substitute to take my place. Failing that, as soon as the finals are done I'll be there. By next week at the latest I should think. I'll e-mail you my travel flight number, date of arrival and the like. One of you will have to meet me at the airport. I sure don't want to go through the hassle of finding a taxi and then grimacing all the way there expecting at any moment to be in a car crash." "Don't worry about a thing, darling. The children and I will be there to meet you. They are certainly going to want to meet you, since you are central to the relationship with Toninho." She cooed. "Elena, I have mixed feelings about meeting them at the airport. I do want to meet them of course." "Don't you get wimpy with me Ricardo. Of all the people that you know, I certainly wouldn't bring them along unless I felt it best for all of you. I know you think you'll probably break down and cry in public. So what? You're no different than millions of other people throughout the world whom cry at greetings and good-byes. We love you. Those children will love you too. They're going to need a unifying force to tie them into a new family and life. That's you, my darling man." "Dammit! Elena you know me too well. Very well, I'll concede to you on that. By the way, I still have clothes at the house don't I? I want to pack only a carry-on so I won't get hassled waiting around at the baggage carousel." "Of course you do, sweetie. Unless you've gained or lost weight, I should think you have several seasons of clothes still in the closet and hautboy. Hurry down here as soon as you can, Ricardo. There is so much we have to decide and determine relative to the future of these children we can't delay too much longer. I'll personally take care of getting them evaluations for psychological, physical health and dental work if they need any." "Bless you Elena. You think way ahead of me. I hadn't even considered their health aspects. I assure you I'll be there as soon as I can possibly arrange it." "That's all we need to hear darling. It will be so good to see you again. I hope Paulinho won't be too angry with me for calling you before he had a chance, but I felt that I could relay the news better than he could, since I know when you both start talking you'll get all weepy and blubbering. Keep us advised on your schedule so we won't have any mix-ups won't you?" "I will, dear heart, I will. Good-bye Elena. Relay my love to all of our family, won't you?" "Rest assured I will. Good night Ricardo." For the next two days Ricardo made all arrangements and preparations for his flight to Rio, after checking that his passport had not expired. He faxed his travel itinerary to Júlio and Elena. Once done, his anxieties were allayed. On the day before he was to leave his home for the drive to Miami, he received from Beto, a fax containing `the letter' and supporting documents, a picture of the children and an up-date on what had transpired thus far. On a sheet of foolscap he made annotations of points he felt he should cover in case none of the others considered them. The children come first and foremost! You agree don't you Toninho? Lady Flávia, have I forgotten anything? NO! You can't ask me to do that! WHY? I have my life here, another profession. I've already given all I can give. Everything was taken from me. You and, then, Toninho. Now you want me to give those children my name too? Have they no say in this matter? Good Lord, Flávia, you presume too much! Toninho! What are you saying? You too? I have no right to those children. Their mother gave them over to OBK...your mother, Ton; your daughter, Flávia. She didn't give them over to my care. Júlio and Elena, Paulo and Beto can care for them more easily than I can. They'll be lost and eaten up if they come here to the States. They can't speak English yet. I can't think with you both talking at the same time. Wait. Wait. OK, I have an idea. You both agree that they need to go to school. In two years time, they should have learned enough English that will ease their transition to live and continue their education here under my guardianship. Javier will be 16 and Clara will be near 14. Those two years are important to them. Clara especially, as she needs a woman's hand in her tutelage of the mysteries/enigmas of womanhood. I don't understand the lessons of the feminine side of her gender, that's a big deal to a young girl. And you, Flávia don't want them separated until they're near enough to their majority. They can live out their school year with me while I'm teaching at College and we can spend our breaks and summer hiatus in Brazil. Is that agreeable with both of you? Alright, I will accept that, but they will have to voice their agreement before I sign on the dotted line. I am not going to force anything on th! em because YOU want it. Okay, Toninho. I agree. You ARE/were a great driver! Stop bugging me about that! You two had best use your best persuasions with our four counterparts in order for them to concede to your desires. "Senhor! Senhor! Wake up. We're in our landing pattern now. We should be in Rio very shortly. Please adjust your seat back in the upright position before landing." "Huh? Oh, oh. Thank you Steward. I, I must have dozed off." With his passport and visa application in one hand and his carry-on in the other, Ricardo followed in a queue to the familiar entry corridor leading into the cavernous bowels of the airport. Passing through the entry each of the passengers noted a flashing light. Red indicated they were to have their baggage checked by customs. Green indicated they were to pass through and have their visa and passport stamped wherein they continued on through another door which opened to the hustle and bustle of waiting relatives and acquaintances. "Your passport and visa Senhor." A control agent said as he took the proffered documents. Scanning then he inquired, "What is the reason for your trip, Senhor." "A personal reunion with friends officer." "Yes Senhor. I see you've been here many times before. Enjoy your stay. Go through that door please." "Thank you very much. Good day to you Senhor." As he passed through the door he scanned the crowd trying to locate and recognize Elena. There were too many people crowded around the entry passage. Trepedation consumed him as he wasn't looking forward to the sights and sad memories he had of this city, yet he was elated too, thinking of his valued relationships with such close and dear friends. "Ricardo! Ricardo! Over here. Over here." Elena's voice found its way to his cognizance. With a quarter turn to his left he espied Elena waving at him. He smiled and walked through people whom had preceded him and stood in his way. He snaked through them to encounter the radiance and beauty of his delightful lady friend, Elena Calvalcante d' Souza. Standing with Elena were `the children', Javier and Clara flanking her with generous smiles emanating from their aura. He saw they were well dressed, freshly scrubbed and beheld their beauty of youth in their expressions and body language. He could see the resemblance to Toninho in small ways that banished his suspicions that it may be a hoax or plot to extract money in some bizarre fashion. Grasping Elena's hand he moved forward and kissed her on both cheeks in the Continental fashion. He positioned himself in front of Javier and proffered his hand while Elena made the introductions, "Ricardo meet Javier and Clara Scarpazetti d'Sousa; brother and sister of Antonio whom we knew so well. Children meet our dearest friend Senhor Ricardo Dean. "It's our pleasure to meet you Mestre Ricardo." "Thank you, Javier. And you are Clara, eh? I can recognize some of your grandmother's features in your eyes and mouth. It's good to meet both of you, finally. Shall we get out of this crowd and be on our way home?" "Allow me to carry your bag, Mestre Ricardo." "You don't have to do that, Javier, but I appreciate your offer." "Please, Mestre. It would please me." "Certainly you may." Elena interrupted, "Come now. We'll see if we can find the car and get you settled in Ricardo." Javier and Ricardo followed Elena and Clara. On the drive to town, they managed small-talk, back and forth questions and replies. Ricardo remarked that little seemed to have changed since he was last in Rio. Elena asked Ricardo if he found satisfaction in his new profession. He admitted he found it had different challenges, but he derived satisfaction when the results were positive. Javier inquired, "How is it you speak Portuguese so well, Mestre Ricardo?" "Ahh that's a long story, Javier. I'll tell you all about that when we have more time." "Tell the children the shortened version then, Ricardo. We have the time for that." Elena interjected as she drove efficiently through the traffic. "Very well, if you're certain I won't bore the children to death, Elena." "Hmmph, I rather doubt that." "I'd like to hear it, Mestre Ricardo." Carla sang out. "Very well. First, though, I'd like to get something cleared up. I appreciate that you children have accorded me with the status of `Mestre'. I really don't deserve such an accolade. I won't feel offended if you simply call me Ricardo." "Forgive me Senhor. I disagree. Uncles Beto and Paulo have told us if it weren't for you, there would be no family, no OBK, and that none of us would have had reason to know each other. You deserve to be our Mestre. You are the leader and head of our family. I think Uncle Júlio and Aunt Elena would agree too, Mestre." "Well said young man." Elena concurred. "Mestre is only being modest, children. Forgive him." "Elena! Stop that. I am the master of no one." "Apparently you don't realize it, Ricardo. `Mestre' also means: Head, Teacher, Leader. You fit all of those categories. Javier is correct and justified to assert you are the leader/head/teacher of the family. Every one of this small band are honored to be members. Children, when we get home, remind me to show you the articles and stories in which our Mestre is reported by the press and television news as the leader and unifying force behind our family. Grandma Flávia and Toninho came up with the idea, but our Mestre put it into action. He started the ball rolling with his connections and acumen. Our Mestre is too modest to admit it and would rather shrink down to the size of a pea to avoid becoming a known-to-the-public news interest. I think your uncle Júlio has some video-tape of the Mestre being interviewed by reporters of all sorts of media when he came home after being gone for 2 months. He is well known here in Rio, children, and is accorded respect from near! ly every one I've met. Even the Mayor of this city and the Governor of this state are well aware of his stature." "Please Elena, stop." "It's true, Ricardo. You can't deny it." "But Elena, you make it sound grander than what it is." "Mestre Ricardo, does aunt Elena lie?" queried Javier. "What? Ah, umm, No, of course not. Your aunt Elena does not lie. She's doing what I call `gilding the lily'. That means she adds words or interpretations to enhance or flavor her assertions. Much like an ad-man would do to sell a product that is normal run-of-the-mill. After they add words and suggestions it makes the product look better than what it actually is. Do you understand?" "I think so, Mestre. She adds her values on to you, while you subtract your values to make yourself less appealing. Isn't that right, Mestre?" At that moment Elena could feel and sense that the children's estimation of Ricardo leaped much beyond words, actions or deeds. In their minds, the elevation conjured him as a God, their protector, their Savior, their benefactor. They knew he was their Mestre. Unlike anyone else whom they knew or would ever know, Ricardo Dean was their ultimate father. Fidgeting, uncomfortable at being found out, Ricardo admitted, "Well...ahem...that is correct, son." Conspiratorial smiles were shared between Javier and Carla. The whispered ghostly words of encouragement, solace and plan of their departed kin was coming to fruition. They had shared the dreams they had most recently wherein a loving warm feminine voice murmured to them of their future. They had sensed it was of their grandmother. On a subsequent night they shared a dream which they interpreted as coming from their brother, Toninho. He reiterated to them, they would soon have a Mestre attend them in all things good and positive. Noiseless sighs of relief were exhaled. ********************************************************************** Send comments to: richard@tomcup.com To support this and other stories by the author, join at http://www.tomcup.com. If you like this story, check out Tom Cup's "Calvin: A Coming of Age Story." Available at Barnes and Nobles Bookstores, Amazon.com, your local independent bookseller, or from Tom Cup.com. Tom Cup's "Of Our Teenage Years" is scheduled for publication and release in paperback in the Spring of 2004. Check it out at http://www.tomcup.com!