Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:35:14 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Photo 25

Photo
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)


25 Europe

We arrived in Amsterdam about 9 hours after departing.  This flight was
more or less uneventful except Garth Andersen was along on official or semi
official business.  Northwest is associated with KLM and direct flights NYC
to Amsterdam are frequent.

Garth spent a lot of time with us in the first class cabin, telling the
children stories and just having fun.  He is a very funny person when he is
not working and I was looking forward to getting to know him and Tom
better.  Jonas and Shelley were a little disappointed that Eddy was not
along and I was sure Brad would have been delighted to see or perhaps feel
Richard again.  I know we were all delighted to learn that both Wilson and
Eddy along with Richard were already in the Netherlands or Germany singing
and we would all meet up in Amsterdam at Jason's family home.

Mats, Jason's new privet secretary had been in contact with us several
times over our arrival and schedule but had not mentioned that.  He is new
I though, perhaps he does not know we all know each other already.

Herman and Mats met us at Skipol Airport along with several other
bodyguards and an ASL/DSL interpreter.  I was sure impressed by Mats he may
even be older than Jason's Uncle Klass but he sure is full of energy and I
think he personally knows everyone in Europe too.

Mats is a short man about 5' 4" (+1.6 M) mostly bald, and what hair he has
is white.  He is light complicated and slightly built but very fit.  I
think dapper would be an apt description.  I understand he is a life long
bachelor who has worked as a personal secretary for several rich and
powerful people mostly the late Norwegian King Olav and also the former
Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundland and several of her successors.  Mats
told me he tried to retire but that was just to sedentary for him.

He had worked on our schedule and made many arrangements for and changes in
it.  One of the first changes was an audience with the Dutch Queen tomorrow
afternoon.

"Do you mean a real Queen with a crown and everything?"  Shelley signed.

"Why yes she is a real queen and I know she has a crown but I have never
seen her ware it, except at important state functions.  I think you will
get to meet several other Royal persons in other countries too."

"Has Uncle Jason ever met the queen?"  Jonas signed

"Oh, yes but he was to young to remember, he will be with you on this
visit."

"Where does the queen live?"  Shelley asked.

"She has several homes or palaces, I think she mostly lives in Dan Hage,
(The Hage) which is the location of the government.  It is a city not to
far south of here.  Right now the queen is at her Amsterdam palace, here in
Amsterdam."

This conversation went on until we arrived at the Adonis home.  It was
quite an emotional reunion between Trevor and his brothers, and all of us
as well.  It was so good to see Jason again.  We were quite surprised to
find a new brother David.  He is a ten year old black boy, Klass had
adopted from the Bahamas.  Eddy and Wilson had arrived earlier in the day
and all the kids quickly reformed old friendships and now with David new
bonds.  The kid has such an infectious smile and bubbly personality
everyone immediately took to him.  I think his singsong Bahamian accent
added to that charm, a bit anyway.  All the children were billeted on the
third floor in the ball room.  The room doubled as a rehearsal studio for
Eddy and Wilson.  Brad was overjoyed to see Richard was with Eddy.  I could
see they were intent on strengthening their friendship just as I was intent
on strengthening mine with Jason.  .....................

"Apollo would you play chess with me."

"Of course but I must warn you I'm not very good at it."

"Neither am I, but at least it will be a quiet respite."

"I had no idea you planed all these activities for us.  Not that I'm
complaining it is all so wonderful and so interesting.  I never thought we
would meet the Queen and her family too."

"Watch your bishop.  I hope Jonas doesn't mind spending time with David.  I
see that Shelley seems completely tied up with the other women and the
Eddy/Wilson duo spend a lot of time in rehearsal."  Just them David and
Jonas came storming into the library.  I don't think 10 year old boys ever
move much under the speed of sound but when they saw us at the chess board
both came up to an abrupt halt.  They looked at us, looked at each other,
some how communicating, since David did not speak and Jonas did not sign.
They slowly but deliberately walked over to our chairs.  David stood next
to Jason placing his hand on his shoulder while Jonas just climbed into my
lap.  Jason gestured an invitation to David, he smiled and climbed on.

Jason told me and the boys, Klass' story about him and his dad sitting on
Jason's grandfather while he played chess.  Both boys beamed to be included
with the big guys and to know they were wanted not just tolerated.  We both
hugged them just to make sure they got the message.

"If you boys are going to sit with us and I hope you want to, you must
promise to keep what ever is said in this room confidential." Jason said,
David nodded and I signed the words Jonas had trouble with, he nodded too.

Both the boys snuggled in against our chests as we talked.  Jason outlined
a bit about our coming diamond factory visit.  Telling me about the rings
he had ordered for our ladies and why he had done it.  Now I already knew
all about this, most of it anyway but pretended to be surprised.  Jason
asked me if he could give Jonas and Shelley ear studs as David would be
getting his.  Jonas' eyes opened wide and he pointed to his ear and then to
mine, I have studs, have had for years.  What could I do, I had them,
Shelley already had them, all the Adonis brothers, now to include David had
them, I no choice but to agree.  He jumped down and in an instant was at
Jason's side kissing his cheek.  Jason ruffed his hair and signed "your
welcome".  David kissed his other cheek.  I had my camera at the ready and
recorded the full moment.  Just when I was about to put the camera down I
noticed Jonas was studying his new friend trying to determine why he was
crying.  I could see the big tears running down his black cheeks.  Another
Kodak moment for sure, well not just one moment but a whole sequence of
them.  Jonas reached out touching David's cheek to wipe the tears away.
David signed he was happy and Jonas smiled, his eyes wide and bright
signing to me he is just so happy he is crying.  Apollo kissed his forehead
pulling both boys against his body to accomplish it.  I am so glad I keep a
12 to 70 zoom on my Nikon.

Meeting the Royal Family was an honour and an joy.  These people were not
at all like I had thought.  The queen being a grandmother herself was warm
and friendly with the kids, inviting them to sit next to her on a large
velvet sofa.  The Prince consort, her husband is a gentleman of the old
school, much like Klass.  Everyone spoke English and they did it well.
Several of the princes and princesses came in during the meeting.  Some
were not much older than me.  Jason seemed quiet at ease with these people,
well they are distant cousins of his but he had never met any of them
before.  I believe he hit it off with the Crown Prince.  Eva was charming
and after the brief more formal introduction she gathered with all the
young women including Linda, Veronica and Margaret at the other end of the
room.  All of us young men gathered in the centre.  This left the queen,
Prince, Mats and a sign language translator with Jonas and Shelley.  I
could see from their signing that she was expressing great interest in them
as people.  If our reception with other Royals is anything like our
experience with the Dutch Royal family these will be very positive memories
for our kids.

I think what was most touching was a small gesture I caught out of the
corner of my eye.  Jonas was giving the queen one of his sketches.  His
expression was absolutely sincere and hers was one of genuine appreciation.
I guess she has enough experience with children to realize how much she was
being honoured.  Well if they already had PhD's in politics or PR this must
must qualify them as post docks.  .......................

We visited the Adonis Diamond Showroom and plant.  I had never seen an
operation quite like it.  Sure I knew how diamonds were cut and polished.
I had even done some lapidary work in dad's basement as a boy, this was
something else.

One whole end of the show room was devoted to our book.  The display had a
huge version of the kissing picture with the captain: Vrienden voor altijd
(Friends Forever) someone translated the Dutch for me.  Sales were reported
very good.  I suspect Jason's entire staff had purchased at least one copy
and many customers were buying them often several at a time.  To say the
least I was impressed.  Troops of deaf children were being taken through on
tours.  Jonas and Shelley were joining them or meeting up with them in the
factory.  They were intent on meeting and greeting every one.  I was
impressed with how quickly they picked up the local sign language at least
enough to greet and learn names, it seemed to me.

I thought this was a master stroke on someone's part.  It turned out to be
Klass' idea.  Mats had things organized to the second.  I noticed several
limos pulled up and out piled Eva and her entourage, followed by Herman
with David and the Stienhouer children, some of David's neighbourhood
playmates.

"Evelin Van Hute one of the richest women in the Netherlands, she was a
friend of my mother," Jason was whispering in my ear.  "She and mother had
worked on many charitable endeavours together.  I always had difficulty
taking the woman for more than a few minutes at a time."

Eva appeared at his side, literally out of nowhere.  "Jason, you must be
nice to all these people, even Mrs. Van Hute."

"Yes dear, I will be nice," I could hear him saying.  It turned out Evelin
was the honorary chairperson of the a major Dutch charitable foundation for
the deaf, important for us too.  So we all had to be introduced to her.
Once we got the children to settle down Klass made a nice statement about
assisting the deaf children and everyone met everyone.  I could see the
glint in Klass' eye as he introduced Drew and David as his son's.  Jonas
and Shelley came running over to drag David away.  Time for the ear
piercing.  Drew stayed firmly at Klass' side as if protecting him.  Trevor
and Brad were taking pictures, recording every detail I was not able to
catch.

Mrs. Van Hute now turned her attention to Sandra.  "My son has as good a
taste in women as my brother." Klass was saying "Sandra Johnson, this if
Mrs. Van Hute, Evelin was a great friend of Jason's mother."  Sandra
chatted with Evelin for a few minutes until we were called to the main
display cases by Mr. Van Loon the diamond company manager.  "Our craftsman
are ready for Jason to make some presentations."

"As you all know Eva and I have already announced our engagement.  The
master craftsman at Adonis diamonds have created engagement rings for all
the engaged couples here this afternoon.  We..."

"Jason" Eva sang out.  Everyone chuckled.

"I ... though it would be a good way for Eva and I to celebrate our
happiness, by having our friends, who have like intentions, to announce
their engagements this afternoon.  This was the first time since I thought
this little surprise up that we are all in Amsterdam at the same time."

Jason took a box and placed the ring in it on Eva's finger.  She kissed him
and looked very happy.  Jonas and Shelley were so excited they could
scarcely contain themselves.

Then Jason called up Shelley and Jonas.  They came forward and he presented
each one with a special diamond and emerald neckless, a very feminine one
for Shelley and a more streamlined masculine one for Jonas.

"Jonas and Shelley will be our maiden of honor and best man.  These tokens
are their badges of office.  We and it is we this time, could think of no
better symbol of our union than having the "Friends Forever" standing at
our side."

Bob was signing for them.  They were both jumping up and down with
excitement and pride, Jason had trouble fixing the things on.  Eva to the
rescue.  They stood, Jones on his right and Shelley on Eva's left for
pictures then Jonas, with his flare for showmanship signed and gestured for
us to be applauded.  Everyone did as requested.

I don't want to over emphasize all this but those necklaces were not
trinkets in the least.  They were diamonds and emeralds of good size, we
are talking three or four carrots of both stones in each setting.  I was
blown away thinking this is to much but Jason was going to do what he was
going to do; damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.  On the back of the
necklaces were all the details of the event engraved.  Our kids were
ecstatic at this point.  Not only were these beautiful and finely crafted
works of art, they were truly badges of office as Jason put it.  I would
like to think it was the office that excited the kids most.  I hoped so.

"Now I need Margaret Trend and Bob Hardy, Apollo Bidis and Veronica
Newfeld, Brad Sumewalt and Linda Newfeld to step forward.  When you were
taking your tour of the plant the setters were putting the final stones in
each of your settings.  You each helped place those final stones in your
own rings.  Each ring has been designed uniquely for you."  Jason handed
the boxes to the appropriate male.  "When I first met these young people
they impressed me with not only their dedication to each other but to their
artistic project.  They put their personal lives on hold for the duration
because they believed in the project's value and like Eva and I were
totally charmed by these two children.  Do your duty boys."

We each did.  I think Linda was the most thrilled.  I know Bob and Brad
were more than a bit surprised, gobsmacked would be a good description.  I
at least had some idea of what was to happen and just played my part.  Not
that I wasn't blown away by the size and beauty of Ronnie's ring.  Not that
we had not talked about being a couple but she never did ask me.  Trevor
made sure everything was properly recorded.  Everyone was congratulating
everyone else.

"Do we get to be a part of your weddings too," Shelley signed?

"How could it be any other way," Veronica replied.

Evelyn came up to Eva and Jason and all of us to offer her congratulations.
She expressed her surprise and appreciation of Jason's romantic gustier.
The designers then brought out the neckless, pin and tiara combination they
were being prepared for Eva.  They had large sketches.  Eva was quite taken
aback and all the women fawned over it.

"Jason, your mother would be so proud of you.  She was proud of you anyway
but adopting those fine boys and finding such a delightful person as Eva,
and those rings for your friends.  Most of all those two wonderful
children.  It is all so romantic.  I know you think I am snobbish and when
I first met Nancy I was but she changed that, she changed me and you are
your mother's son."

"I think some credit must go to Klass you know, I don't operate in a
vacuum.  I think he found a couple of those adoptees all on his own, for
example."

Jason reached out and pulled Drew, who's attention was focused on something
else, close to himself.  I now had my camera out and along with Jonas was
busy taking pictures.  With all his practice Jonas is getting quite good at
this, I think we will be able to use lots of his stuff in the new book.

"You are right I am sure but you do operate in a kind of vacuum, the kind
that pulls others into your sphere of influence, the kind that inspires
other to be their best."

Mrs. Van Hute was saying, and you know, well you don't but I will tell you,
she is absolutely right.  If the truth be told and I am here to tell it,
that applies to me also, perhaps that's why Jason and I get along so well.
The sex we so freely share of course has nothing to do with it, not.

"Jason has a hidden talent Mrs. Van Hute, when you are sucked into that
sphere of influence you talked about, he touches your life and you are
never the same after.  He may be uncomfortable with that recognition but
just about everyone in this room will say the same thing.  Isn't that right
Apollo?  Look how red his gets when his secret gets out."  Drew was saying.
Being Jason's boy, Drew could get away with just about anything.  I guess
Jonas could get away with just about anything where I am concerned too.