Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 10:49:15 -0500 From: Tom Cup Subject: The Innocents: Paulo and Beto by Richard Dean - Part 4 Chapter 9 - 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 Chapter 15: Added 11/14 Age Before Beauty Chapter 6: Added 11/13 Lion of Bolognia Chapter 7: Added 11/12* Lion of Bolognia Chapter 6: Added 11/10* The Innocents: Paulo and Beto Chapter 14: Added 11/05 Airport Voyeur by Adam Bricker: Chapter 5: Added 11/04* Lion of Bolognia Chapter 5: Added 11/03* Lion of Bolognia Chapter 4: Added 11/02* Short Story: Tricked and Treated: Added 10/31 Labor of Love by Peter Wiggins Chapter 2: Added 10/20 The Nasty Boys Club Chapter 2: Added 10/12* Airport Voyeur by Adam Bricker: Chapter 4: Added 10/07* The Innocents: Paulo and Beto Chapter 13: Added 10/07 Calvin: Indentity Crisis Part 2 Chapter 1 Added 10/3 Raptors by Richard Dean Chapter 10 Added 9/28* Lesbian Files: Changing Seasons Chapter 3 Added 9/23 The Nasty Boys Club Chapter 1: Added 9/22* KOA Boy Chapter 9: Added 9/16 Article: A stick in the Queer Eye: Added 9/14 *TomCup.com now offers an Executive Club membership! Check it out at http://www.tomcup.com! ************************************************************************ The Innocents Part 4: Paulo and Beto Chapter 9 By Richard Dean richard@tomcup.com "Oh, Aunt Elena, I haven't the room for all of these clothes. When will I have the opportunity to wear them all before I start growing out of them, as you've told me?" Javiero complained. "Now listen my treasures. As you grow older your bodies will change in increments. You Javier will notice your torso will thicken somewhat, you will gain height not necessarily weight. Should that occur, we need only replace several basic items. The rest you can mix and match. For example: You have one formal suit. I believe your trousers would need to be changed before your suit coat. By adding various shirts within the same color tones or hues, no one will ever suspect that your outfit is mix and match. So if it's a less formal appearance without a tie, you could wear a turtleneck sweater/shirt under your sport-coat. We call that semi-formal. If you want to make your look sporty but not semi-formal, you could, for instance, wear your dark blue blazer over a printed short sleeve shirt, fully buttoned up and wear your tailored gray slacks. Very dashing and au currant. I'll demonstrate this to both of you when we get home. Not to worry. I'm the fashion diva in this family." "What about me, Aunt? I don't wear trousers or sport coats or even ties." "You, Clarinha, are lucky that you are a girl. We can change and add accessories that will change our total appearance by wearing a single chemise. Changing a scarf, adding different handbags, or jewelry, belts or even shoes...makes it all happen. Men's wardrobes are basic in nature. Ours are versatile and expedient. You could wear the same dress, but by adding a jacket over it with a scarf around your neck you can instantly change your attitude and occasion to suit yourself. I insisted that we buy several very good pieces and work other changes into your look. It's simple, cost effective and tres chic. I want both of you to remember, buy the best clothes you can afford. Shirts, ties, and belts are easily changed around and can be less expensive but must be of good workmanship and quality. I do not, I repeat, DO NOT want you to wear baggy oversized clothing. It will make you appear dowdy, overweight and slovenly. If you want to wear those things around the house, I understand. But in public you present yourself as confident, well adjusted and vigorous by being neat, tidy and fashion conscious." "Yes, Aunt." They replied. "It's past lunch time. Would you like to grab a snack here or wait until we get home to have a proper lunch?" "We're your students Aunt. Do with us what you will." Carla entreated. "Well said, my dear. Have I told you children that I love you both dearly?" "Yes you have, Aunt. But I love to hear it regularly. Even our Uncles don't fail to remind us of that. It's great!" Javier beamed. "Me too." Carla interposed. "I'm anxious to see Ricardo's reaction to meeting you both in the flesh so-to-speak. Do you children know anything about Ricardo or how important to all of us he is?" "We know that you, Julio, Beto and Paulo love and respect him. But we don't know why that is so. Oh yes, we know he loved Toninho too." Stated Javier. "Don't forget that he loved grandmother too, Javinho." Carla interjected. "Ah, here's the car. Lets drive home and I'll tell you what I know of him on the way. Put your purchases in the trunk kiddos, don't forget to buckle up...I won't drive one foot until everyone is buckled in. I lost a dear friend because she wasn't buckled in. She thought because it was a short familiar drive it was a bother. She was hit from behind and sandwiched into another car in front of her. She died because of her decision to save a few moments of time." "Why don't you have your man chauffeur you around since you have one Aunt Elena?" queried Javier. "Because, sweetheart, we hired him for the primary purpose to drive Julio to and from work so he can utilize his time reading reports and planning to preclude him having to do it at home. I want his attention then. And also, because I like to drive and enjoy it, I don't have to take the driver away from his responsibilities when he's not driving. He does odd jobs around our place...painting, gardening a bit, helping move things around...like a handyman. He likes the variety of different jobs every day. A bit of driving, some of this and some of that. On special occasions when we are going to a formal dinner or event, he drives us. It's a bit pretentious, but we can afford it, so why not? Do you approve?" "Yes Ma'am, I do." He answered. Excitedly Carla asked, "Ricardo, Aunt Elena, what about him?" "Ah yes, Ricardo. I met your grandmother first and we became fast bosom buddies. If ever I become half of what she was, I could die completely satisfied with myself. She was like a mother, friend, companion, confidant and mentor all rolled into one. I loved her then, I love her still. She told me about Toninho, Paulo and Ricardo. How they met, how they came to live together and when Toninho moved in they became a three-some. They molded him into a young man, a student, and encouraged him to look to the stars unhindered. Toninho encouraged his grandmother to accompany them on a drive to see if he could find some of the acquaintances he encountered when he was living on the streets. He showed Flavia and Paulo the seedy, dangerous way of life those poor children were facing. Flavia became determined to do something about it in her small way, she thought. They each wrote a letter to Ricardo outlining their fact finding mission. He, without a word to them, wrote a letter to a friend of his in the States asking him to assist him in supporting a foundation to aid these children. Because of the interest in this idea, Ricardo's company joined in with a corporate donation to get the ball rolling with every employee contributing a small amount each month. Petrobras became sponsors too, as well as other companies doing business here in Brasil. In the meanwhile, your grandmother started a protest march pleading for the politicians to admit that these children had a right to live a safe and provident life. They refused. She continued her work and soon she aroused the interest of the mass media-- TV, radio, newspapers--to join the fray. Previous to the marches the four of them were living in a small apartment sufficient for two people at most. Paulo conned Ricardo to start looking for larger living accommodations. They ended up living where you live now, Javier. Ricardo contributed his hard earned savings and salary to make things lovelier and easier for all of them. He did this out of love for them, not for his own comfort. I first met Ricardo when he returned from his work and found all three of his partners busy with no time to talk to him or greet him. He felt low, but when I met him he cheered up and told me I would be welcome to invade his privacy at any time. I can't begin to tell you kids how touched I was by this kind, private man. Ricardo values his privacy and is generally conservative by nature. Julio and Ricardo are somewhat alike, yet different. They too became close associates and ultimately buddies. They could sit for hours and talk, smile and laugh about what I haven't a clue. They enjoyed an unspoken alliance. Friends. Toninho saw him as his father, mentor, confidant and lover." Javier blurted, "They were both gay weren't they like Uncles Beto and Paulo?" "Did I say something that should have remained private?" posited Elena in embarrassment as she slowed the car and pulled over out of traffic to park.. Reaching out to touch her/pat her to allay her shock both children smiled at her as Javier spoke, "Oh Auntie, we both suspected it but couldn't ask outright. We're not ashamed of them. Why should you be ashamed for speaking the truth?" "I guess they haven't gotten around to that point yet, Javier, don't you think?" proposed Carla. "Maybe. We haven't spent much time with them without being busy, Carlinha." He responded. "I admit I haven't given either of you quiet time, but I'm not apologizing for that, treasures. There's too much to do before you will have those private times with your Uncles." Countered Elena. A less flustered Elena pulled back into traffic and continued driving them home. Within ten minutes they reached the drive leading to Elena's home. "We're here dears, now to eat lunch, then try on clothes and explaining tricks in couturier customs." She declared. By the time Julio was due home, they were seasoned devotees of clothing their best features and could determine what to wear for whichever occasion or event. It was a steep learning curve to attain their new practical and comfortable incarnation. The young duo had dynamism within their karma which exuded in their spontaneous smiles. "Come on Son, I'll help you carry your things over to your room and have everything arranged and stored by the time your favorite Uncles return home." Declared Julio in voluntary assent. "They'll be pleasantly surprised." "Uncle Julio you ARE one of my favorite Uncles. I have yet to meet my un-favorite uncle. Do you really think they'll be pleased by my surprise?" Convincingly Julio replied, "I'd bet on it my boy." Javier thought, Choices. Uncles said if I make wise choices I would receive self-satisfaction. Actually I chose to listen and react to Aunt Elena's direction. Still feels good, but I'll be ready to leap for the ceiling when Uncles respond favorably. I know they accept me, but do they do it because of my merits or is it out of a sense of loyalty to Toninho. I love my brother, but I don't love the idea of being compared to him. What would it take for me to be accepted on my own when they have a `hero' as their standard? .................quiet and serious." Startled from his reverie Javier said, "I'm sorry Uncle I got lost thinking. I meant no disrespect." "Ah, I was asking you why you had become so quiet and serious." "I was wondering if my uncles were comparing me to Toninho. I hope they're not." "Just a minute, Javier. Comparison is a basis on which to make a decision. I rather feel they would not consciously use Toninho as an example of status for you to attain." He rebutted. "I'm just a kid. What do I know?" "You're more than `just a kid' Javiero. You spent more than a year on the streets by using your pluck and wits. And you did that while protecting your sister. You accepted total responsibility for her care and survival. You never left her side unattended where who knows what could have happened to her. Unlike in Toninho's case he was about 14 I believe and using his own wits to protect himself. Toninho was loved for his own merits...the comparison should be switched around with you as the standard of example. Therefore your concern is not justified." Javier rushed to his Uncle Julio and hugged him with sincerity. ************************************************************************ 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." 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