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From Chapter 10:
"Alejandro, I promise I won't do that. Have I ever broken a promise to you?"
"No, not ever."
"Do you know why?"
"So I will always trust you?"
"That's part of it, buddy. The other part is I love you more than my life."
Alejandro looks deep into Eric's eyes and can see in his soul that his Poppi would indeed lay down his life for him. That Eric does indeed love him more than his own life. At first he doesn't know what to think, feeling the love that is so strong from his Poppi. Then a warmth comes over him. A feeling of real security. Something he has never had before. But he was still terrified of losing him.
"Put your shoes on; we are going for a ride."
"I thought you were taking a shower."
"It will wait. This is much more important."
When Alejandro leaves to put on his shoes, Eric pulls out his phone and calls Joy.
"I need you to watch Tran and Joey."
"Sure, what’s up?"
"It’s time."
"For what?"
"You know we talked about it a lot."
"I don't know, Eric. I don't think he’s ready."
"Joy, I know my son. I know he needs this now more than ever. I believe it will help him come to terms with things."
"Which one?"
"Both."
"Are you sure he can handle it?"
"Joy honey, he can handle anything. I don't know if I can handle it."
"I will be there in half an hour."
"We will be gone but the other boys will be here."
"I will let myself in."
"I will let them know you are coming."
"Eric?"
"Yes?"
"Are you really sure?"
"The only thing I have ever been more sure of was making him my son."
They end the call. Eric puts on a different Oxford, a nice tie, and a sport coat. He slips on a pair of loafers as Alejandro comes back into his room.
"Where are we going, Poppi?"
"Somewhere you need to go," Eric tells him. He puts his hand on Alejandro's shoulder and guides him out the door to Joey’s room. He sees Tran and Joey playing a racing game.
"Guys, Alejandro and I need to go somewhere. Joy will be over shortly to make sure you eat and don't turn the house into a brothel."
Tran giggles.
"What’s a brothel?" Joey asks.
"Tran can tell you."
"Can I come too, dad?"
"No, it’s something Alejandro and I have to do alone."
"But da...." One look from Eric cut him off mid-word.
"When will you be back, Ba?"
"It might be pretty late. I don't know."
"Do you want us to wait up?"
"No Tran, you guys go to bed at a decent hour. OK, let me clarify that. Go to bed at an hour that I think is decent. So, weekend bedtimes tonight."
"OK, dad. I hope whatever it is, is good."
"I think it will be in time. Has anyone seen Buddy?" Eric asks, looking around the room.
"He is in my room sleeping in his bed. He needs his private time, I think," Alejandro tells him.
"Joey, I am going to put you in charge of making sure he gets his supper. He gets two scoops and no more. You guys can give him a few treats but not the whole bag. Have fun and make sure you give Joy a hard time," Eric grins.
"Oh, we will for you, Ba."
"You are good boys," he says with an evil grin and laugh.
They all four chuckle at Eric's antics. Eric has to lighten his mood a little. He knew this day would come, but he had never looked forward to it.
"Come on Alejandro, let’s get going."
"Kay, Poppi," Alejandro says meekly. He doesn't know where they are going, but he knows it’s not going to be good. It’s sure not Playland or anywhere he wants to go, he is sure of that.
They walk downstairs to the garage and get in the car.
"Poppi, are you going to tell me where we are going?"
"A storage building I own."
"Why?"
"You have to wait," Eric said, and not in the usual fun way he uses with a surprise.
Alejandro is starting to get scared. Where is Poppi taking him?
They buckle in and Eric drives to one of the storage buildings he owns. He pulls up to a big garage door and enters a code. When the door opens, he drives through the door and into the building about fifteen feet. He stops the car, and the garage door closes automatically now that the car is inside. He turns off the car and opens the door. When he shuts it, Alejandro hears the echo of the door. It feels cold in here. He doesn't want to be here at all. He just sits there not moving. Eric opens his door.
"Come on, buddy."
He unfastens his seat belt and lets it slide slowly through his fingers. He turns slowly and gets out of the car. Eric takes his hand and shuts the door. The banging and echo makes Alejandro shiver.
"It will be OK, I promise," Eric tells him in an attempt to reassure him.
They walk over to some steps to what looks like used to be an office. Eric and his boy slowly walk up the steps. When they get to the top, Eric enters a code on the door and it unlatches. He opens the door and Alejandro can see in. He sees a chair with a lamp on a table next to it. Some books and other things are on the table as well.
"Come in," Eric invites him.
Alejandro walks through the door and looks around. He starts to realize what he is looking at.
"Poppi, is this......." He can't finish the sentence.
"Yes, this is everything from your mother’s apartment that could be saved."
"Poppi, I don't want to be here!"
"I know."
"Poppi, why are you doing this to me?"
"I love you so much Alejandro, and I want to help you. I don't want to hurt you even though I know this will cause you lot of pain. But after that pain will come the healing you need. Come and sit with me. I want to show you some things."
Eric walks to the chair next to the lamp. He sits and Alejandro sits on his lap. Out of habit, Alejandro flips on the light like he always does for him and Poppi.
Eric grabs a small book and opens it up, revealing that it’s a photo album.
The first picture is of Alejandro as a baby at the hospital. The picture is cut into a heart shape.
"That's you when you were first born. I am guessing your mother cut your picture like that. I asked one day at the hospital when we were there for I don't know what. They said they don't do that."
Alejandro stares at the picture of himself. After a moment Eric turns the page revealing two pictures.
The one on the left is a picture of a group of people sitting around a kitchen table laughing and seeming to be having a great time. There are beer bottles on the table.
"In this one your mom is breast feeding you. You see the huge smile on her face? Look, all the other people have beers in front of them. Your mom has a Pepsi. She apparently took breast feeding you seriously. On the next page is your mom and you sitting on a couch. She’s holding you and smiling. You see that smile? That is a smile of pure love, my son."
Alejandro looks at it and absorbs every detail of the photos. Eric gives him a while to look at them. He turns the page.
"Here are pictures of you being christened. You see your mom there holding you and looking at you with those loving eyes? Look at this one here. You’re sitting in a bouncy chair showing your fresh pink gums, obviously laughing and having fun."
They go through that album and two others, with Eric making a comment on every photo. He should be able to; he has been to see them pretty much weekly for the past year. No one, not even Joy, knew he was doing this. He is trying so hard to help Alejandro, and he figured this is the key. He just has to figure out how to use it. He still isn't sure this is exactly right, but he knows that it will help him with some of his issues.
They have been there for a few hours and Alejandro hasn't said a word. He has hardly moved, just absorbing the memories that he can't recall that are captured in the photos. When Eric closes the last one, he wraps his arms around his son, holds him, and kisses the top of his head.
"Now we have three boxes of things that are yours. I want you to help me load them in the car. When we get home we are going to go through them. But first we have another stop to make."
Alejandro slides off of Eric's lap. Eric picks up the photo albums, walks over to a box, opens it and puts them in. He folds the corners back in to give it a kind of seal. He picks up two medium sized boxes and Alejandro gets the last. They walk back down the stairs and get to the car. Eric has to put the boxes down to hit the trunk switch. They load them and get back into the car.
Alejandro still hasn't uttered a word. Eric is starting to doubt if he can handle it, but figures in for a penny, in for a pound. Eric starts the car and the garage door opens by remote. He backs out and they drive for five minutes when Eric pulls into a lush-looking area and through a gate. Alejandro knows immediately what they are going to do. He starts to cry softly.
Eric stops and gets out. He opens Alejandro's door, unfastens his belt, and lifts him out. He holds him tight to himself and shuts the door. He walks to an area with a big oak tree that is the center of a circle. Eric walks through one of the openings and there are four rounded benches surrounding the grave. It is a lifted tomb made of marble. Alejandro reads his mother’s name and her date of birth and date of death. Underneath these he sees etched into the stone, Mother of my beloved son Alejandro.
Eric sits Alejandro down and he sits on a bench.
"I told you he has grown a lot," Eric says to the grave.
Alejandro looks at Eric.
"I visit your mother’s grave often. I tell her about you. I think she really would want to know. I don't know if she can hear us or not. It might be silly and probably is. But it makes me feel a whole lot better. I think if she can hear you that she would like to."
Eric reaches down and gets a stone next to the bench. He places it next to many others already on the grave. Alejandro looks at him quizzically.
"It’s just a way to say we were here."
Alejandro nods, picks up a stone, and puts it on the grave next to Eric's. He sits in the grass next to the grave and puts his hand on it. The tears hadn't stopped since the car. But the second his hand touched the marble, he began to sob. His little body heaves, letting grief out that had been bottled up much too long. The pain and everything else he endured is all right there at the surface. Eric wants so badly to scoop him up and hold him, but he knows this is one of those awful times that you just have to let him have this experience himself. He sat and cried and cried and cried for over an hour until he just had no tears left. Alejandro looks at Eric, his face tear-stained and his eyes blood shot from crying.
"Why?"
"She loved you very much, Alejandro. It’s the drugs that stole her from you."
Alejandro turns back to the grave and sits silently for another good twenty minutes. After that he gets up walks over to Eric and takes his hand. They leave her grave walking hand in hand back to their car. After about twenty paces Alejandro looks back and gives a soft wave goodbye.
Eric opens Alejandro's door and he climbs in and fastens his belt. Eric does the same and they drive to a store.
"Wait here, I will be right back."
He rushes in to grabs a few things and comes back out with a small sack.
He gets back in and they drive home, but Eric doesn't stop at the house. He drives down the hill to the rather large ditch. They are about 250 yards from the house. Eric gets out and opens the door for Alejandro and he climbs out.
"I'm going to show you something that only one other person in the world knows about. That's Joy."
Eric climbs carefully down into the ditch which has a small creek running through it. It however is very small, maybe three feet wide at its widest. It has rocks on the sides making a nice pathway to walk on. Eric helps Alejandro down and they follow the creeks path a good half mile and Eric stops.
"Here it is. Gosh, it’s been twenty-five years since I have been down here and I still remember it like it was yesterday. We are almost there. This is my secret spot. Everyone should have one and I want to share mine with you. It’s a place where you come to just think or if you just want to be by yourself. I would come down here when my dad and I would have an argument, or my mom and I for that matter. It was always about the same thing. Actually the same thing you’re worried about, me spending too much time at work."
Eric and Alejandro are trekking through the woods now, Eric clearing the path ahead the best he can. Alejandro trudges along behind.
"I guess loafers weren't the best choice of footwear. But I didn't know I was going to give you my most sacred place in the world, which by the way we now own," Eric says, smiling. "We are almost there," Eric says as he breaks through into a clearing.
"Good, it’s still here. I was worried it had broken by now."
Eric points to a tree that had fallen only god knows how many years ago and it lay across another little creek. It is maybe about ten feet above the water at most. It is a slow-moving creek, only a few inches deep, with water so clear you can see the pebbles under it. Eric walks out onto the tree and in the middle he stops and sits down on the old thing. Alejandro follows suit and sits next to Eric.
If you look here you can see the river; it’s only about twenty feet away. I remember when I was a boy, I swam in it, but please don't you do it. We have a pool so there no excuse for you to do it." Alejandro looks up at him.
"Now what I would do when I got here is I would just sit and think. You can hear the water from the river flowing. I found it very relaxing. I spent a lot of hours sitting right here trying to figure stuff out. You let me know when you are ready to go back."
They sit in silence for a good while, when Eric decides to open the bag and hand Alejandro a Snickers bar and a Coke.
"Not exactly the best supper, so don't tell Miss Julia."
Alejandro smiles. He opens his most favorite candy bar in the whole world and takes a bite. When he finishes the bite, he looks at Eric.
"She did love me, didn't she?"
"Yes son. I think she did a lot."
He takes another bite, then finishes the bar and takes a drink of his Coke.
"Why did she do drugs if she loved me?"
"It’s a very strong addiction, heroin is. A person who is addicted to it HAS to have it. They get to a point to where they don't care what they have to do to get it. That is their only concern in life, to get that next high, to get another bump."
"But why would she start? I mean, only stupid people would use drugs. You would never use drugs, Poppi, that's for sure."
"That's where you are wrong. I have done drugs. When I was younger I was sad a lot and always wishing I could somehow have a boy just like you and your brothers. Boys to love and to raise and care for. But I knew, because I wanted to have sex with them, that I could never have a boy. So I smoked a lot of marijuana to help ease the pain and struggles I was having. I tried cocaine once when it was offered to me by a friend, who is not Joy. She doesn't know, so don't tell her. But I only did it the one time."
"You didn't like it then, huh?"
"No, the problem is I did like it. I liked it a lot. It made me feel absolutely amazing. I had never felt so good before."
"Then why did you just do it the one time if you liked it so much?"
"Because I knew, and still know now, that if I did it again I would want to do it again and again. Soon I would be addicted and lose everything I love. You boys, our house. All the toys we have. Even if I didn't physically lose you guys and the stuff I would lose it mentally. I wouldn't be here like I am and it would be bad."
"Why didn't my mom do that?"
"Buddy, I imagine that she was at a party one night and a friend said, ‘Hey, you want to try this?’ She probably had said no to tons of other people. I know I did. But this one time she thinks, ‘You know what, let’s try it, just once.’ Then she did and she felt amazing like I did.
“Maybe she went a few days or even years before she did it again. Then she got that same great feeling and figured, ‘I'm not addicted; it just feels nice. I will just do it every now and then.’ Then after a while it turns into I will just do it on the weekends. Then it becomes all the time as the addiction sneaks up on her. Then before you know it she is a full-blown addict, doing anything to get that fix. Now it’s not as great a feeling but they have to have it, or they will go into withdrawal which is painful and very hard. A lot of people end up going back to the drugs because it’s too hard to stop."
They sit in silence for a while, just enjoying being outdoors with time to think. As the sun goes down, Eric is thinking about how he can help his son through this hurdle so he is able to put it behind him the best he can. He doesn't want him to forget, just to come to terms with it better.
"Poppi?"
"Yes."
"I'm ready to go back now."
"OK."
They stand up and carefully walk across the log and back through the woods. Once they get to the creek bed, Alejandro takes Eric's hand and they walk up the steep incline never letting go. Once they get to the car they walk by it, neither of them even thinking to get in it because neither wanted to let go of the other. When they get to the house, Eric puts his thumb to the lock. It opens and he and his boy walk in.
He sees on the grandfather clock that it’s 1 a.m. They walk up the stairs, still holding hands, and go into Eric’s room. They continue to the bathroom and Eric turns on the shower. They finally let go of each other and slowly undress. Eric steps in and Alejandro follows. Eric watches the water cascade off of Alejandro's smooth brown skin, making it glisten. It is always a huge turn on for Eric, but that's not what he wants right now. He gently soaps up his little guy’s body and then gently shampoos his hair. He rinses it out and does it again.
He rarely uses conditioner himself, but tonight he does for Alejandro. He gently massages it into his hair. He sits him on the seat in the shower and then quickly washes himself. It takes him maybe two minutes at most. He picks up Alejandro, holds him against his hip, and gently rinses out the conditioner. Eric turns off the water, steps out, and stands Alejandro on the bath mat where he gently dries him off. He quickly dries himself, then picks up his boy and carries him to his bed. He turns on the bed side lamp and grabs some lotion. He has Alejandro on his back and he slowly and gingerly applies and rubs lotion into his chest and arms. He works each little finger and thumb as well as his little hands. He then works on his feet and his little boy toes and then works up to his legs. He carefully turns him over and starts applying lotion and massaging the back of his legs. Eric is taking his time, letting Alejandro feel the love he has for him with each passing second.
Eric works up to his pert little butt and rubs lotion into it. Then he starts to work on his back and shoulders, careful to be soft and gentle. He works on his neck, then turns him onto his back once again. Eric gently touches his balls and watches as Alejandro’s cocklet rises quickly. Eric takes it between his thumb and index finger and slowly begins to stroke it. Alejandro lets out a moan of satisfaction. Eric bends down and starts to gently lick and suck his nipples, which he knows Alejandro loves, all the while slowly working his boy’s cock as well. He doesn't want him to get off fast; he wants him to lay back and enjoy the pleasant feelings. He gives him soft angel kisses all over his chest and tummy, then takes the very hard boy cock into his mouth and starts to gently work his tongue around the head. Alejandro is so relaxed his body is like pudding. Eric lifts up from his boy’s cock and starts to suck his little sack into his mouth while he slowly strokes his boy.
Alejandro puts his hand on the back of Eric's head and slowly runs his fingers through his Poppi’s hair as he enjoys the feelings his cock he is getting from Eric’s mouth. Eric can feel he is getting close, so he lifts off, goes back to his sack, and starts licking his taint. Alejandro sighs and lifts his legs, exposing his beautiful boy hole. Eric flicks his tongue over it and then starts to lick his tight little anus as Alejandro moans with pleasure. Eric takes his time and savors his boy’s taste as he does. He takes a final few licks, works his way back up to his taint, and then to his balls, taking his time on each area. He moves back to his cock and swallows it whole. He starts to suck in earnest as he feels Alejandro getting closer. He works his head and shaft over with his tongue while he sucks him. He feels pressure from his sons hand on his head and Alejandro gently starts bucking his hips up into Eric's face. Alejandro feels the pressure build up and then he feels the orgasmic bliss start to rush through is body. He feels his balls pull up against him and he feels the tingles shoot through his cock. He is lightly moaning the entire time. Eric feels his cock pulse several times before he lets up on him. He lifts his mouth off his boy when he knows he can't take it anymore. He kisses the head of his boys cock then his belly. He works up to his chest and then he kisses him on the lips.
"I love you so very much, Alejandro."
Alejandro is panting but he replies sleepily, "I love you too, Poppi." Then the lights went out for him as he drifts into the world of of puppies and rainbows.
Eric just watches him sleep, his chest rising and falling, his beautiful little body. He wonders if Joy is still awake. He knows she probably isn't, but he is hopeful nonetheless because he needs to talk to her. He slips on his robe and house shoes, and heads down the main staircase because it’s just easier to get to that part of the house that way. He walks to her door and gently knocks.
"Come in, jackass."
He walks in finds her in bed with the lamp on and a book in her hand. It’s some child psychology bullshit of which Eric doesn't even understand the title, so he knows he would never understand what’s in between its covers.
"So how did it go?"
"About like I expected."
"So, not good?"
"Not bad. Well, not as bad as it could have gone. I was terrified he was going to go mute on us again."
"There was a chance of that happening."
"He didn't say anything for hours."
"When did he talk?"
"At her graveside.
"What did he say?"
"One word: ‘Why?’ We talked a little after. OK, I talked a lot and he listened. But he did communicate."
"What did he talk about?"
“A few questions about why she didn't love him. I think now he is more confused because he learned that she did love him. I hope this is the start of him getting past it. He has just been ignoring it. I think that him knowing Buddy was abused and him being the caregiver to the abused has stirred up a lot in his very clever young mind. Instead of the reverse."
"I'm sure it has. How has he bonded with Buddy?"
Eric smiles, "They are like peanut butter and marshmallow fluff."
"Can't you just say peas and carrots like everyone else?"
"No, it doesn't describe it right. They are stuck together like peanut butter and marshmallow fluff."
"You are such an ass!" she says, grinning at him.
"Been this way my whole life."
"I know, it’s why I keep you around. I never know what you are going to say."
"That makes two of us," he chuckles.
"That's straight bullshit Eric. You think for hours I'm sure trying to come up with clever shit to say."
"No, it just pops into my head. I'm not that smart."
"So have you thought about what we discussed? I know you have been busy and other things on your mind. But I'm still hopeful you will say yes."
"I have given it great deal of thought and have made my decision," he announces and then and stops.
"Well?"
"I want a soda. You want a soda?" he asks, standing up from the chair he had sat in.
"I would love an answer so I know what to do."
"So no soda then?"
"No, you fucking jerk off. I don't want a soda."
"Oh sure, ask me for a favor and then call me a jerk off? I see how it is."
"It’s always been how it is. What have you decided?"
"I say this with great hesitation, but yes."
She flies off the bed, lands on his lap, and hugs him.
"I knew you would say yes."
"I tell you no a lot."
"You do; I grant you that. I wish you never did because I would have this place packed with boys."
"I have enough sons now, thank you very much."
"You are such a sweet heart, you know that?"
"I know," he answers, grinning and egging her on.
"We’d better get to bed. I don't want to be tired for Alejandro’s ceremony tomorrow."
"Tell Lucas the attire is northern."
"What?"
"He will understand. Now get your fat ass off of me so I can go to bed."
"Fat ass? Really?"
Joy weighs about 105 pounds soaking wet, so fat is hardly the word for her.
"Yep, really." Eric stands up holding her and flips her on the bed.
"Sleep tight, cock sucker."
"You too, fat ass."
He starts to walk out the door.
"Hey Eric."
"Yeah, Joy?"
"I really appreciate you saying yes."
"I know. I love you Joy."
"I love you too, jerk off."
He smiles and heads upstairs. He looks at the grandfather clock in the foyer and sees it’s now 3:05. He thinks, “Man, I'm going to be tired tomorrow. Crap.”
He goes upstairs, gets to his room, and takes off his robe. He slips carefully into bed and as he gets settled. Alejandro has already wrapped his arm over him.
"I love you," Eric says as he kisses the top of his son’s head.
He feels a little arm tighten around him slightly then let up.
Eric closes his eyes and is in the land of Nod quickly.
He wakens to a dog licking his hand that is off the side of the bed. He glances at the clock and it reads 8:18.
"Buddy, I was hoping to sleep a little longer, but I understand," he whispers.
Eric slips out of bed and grabs his robe. Buddy is behind him as he heads downstairs. He opens the door and the dog is out like a shot.
"Must have really had to go," Eric says to the open door.
He steps outside and smells the lilacs in the breeze. He inhales the aroma deeply.
"I love it here. It’s nearly perfect."
Buddy is racing round the yard burning off energy. Eric sees a ball on the porch and grabs it and tosses it. Buddy is after it fast as lightening. He brings it back just as quick.
"You’re a good boy. Yes you are," he tells Buddy, scratching his head. Eric puts his hand under his mouth and he drops the ball into it.
"A little slobber won't kill me, I guess."
He tosses it again. They play for a good twenty minutes, enjoying the cool morning air while the dog is racing and Eric is smiling and laughing. He flipped out when Buddy jumped up and caught the ball. He thinks they need a Frisbee for Buddy. He may have a blast with that. He has seen it and always thought it looked like the dog and the person were having a blast.
He calls it quits and they go in the house. Buddy leaves the ball on the porch. Eric wonders if the dog is that smart to leave it there for another day, or if he thinks it belongs there. Who knows what goes in a dog’s mind? Hell, who knows what goes on in anyone's mind, including your own? He shakes his head at this thought and heads to the kitchen. He gets a bowl of kibble for Buddy, who is already lapping up all his water. Eric refills it and puts a couple ice cubes in it, which Buddy quickly eats.
"I like you, dog."
Buddy looks up at him like, “I like you too, person.”
Eric makes himself a cup of coffee and sits down to drink it. He sees a box of powdered donuts on the table and takes one out and eats it. He chases it with a drink of coffee and has another one. He eats about six of the miniature donuts and is finally satisfied. Buddy is done and laying next to his chair.
"Buddy, it’s you and me to help our little guy."
Buddy looks up and starts panting. Eric looks at the time and it’s pushing 9 now.
"I better get everyone motivated," he says as he gets up and stretches.
He goes and wakes Joy first, then the boys. He heads downstairs and starts making some blueberry muffins. He told them all it would be a little while for breakfast but he wanted them up so they can get cleaned up and dressed. They have to be at the luncheon at 11. He also doesn't want to fill them up too much as they will have lunch around 11:30 or so.
Joy walks in and says to Eric, "You better have made FRESH coffee."
"I did, just for you. I poured out probably two cups. Just wasteful."
"You’re so nasty. You know that, right?"
"Insults before coffee even."
"Never want an opportunity to pass."
She kisses him on the cheek as she passes to get a cup of coffee and sits down.
"I like what the boys have done for you."
"And that is?”
"You are happy now. I'm not saying you were sad before. Just kind of, I don't know, lost."
"I have never been happier in my life. Nothing can compare to it."
"I know. I got a son too, you remember."
"Shut up."
"Come on you two, it’s too early for this," Tran says as he walks into the kitchen with his hair askew from sleep. He has his robe around him and his house shoes on.
"Never too early to tell a mouthy woman to shut up," Eric says with a laugh.
Joy is sipping her coffee and nearly chokes on it.
"Men are so ignorant, Tran. I feel sorry you are one."
Tran smiles and Eric pulls him in for a good morning hug.
"Good morning, son. Did you sleep well?"
"I had dreams all night of puppies and rainbows, Ba."
"Glad to hear it. I'm making muffins."
"Cool," Tran says. He pulls away and heads to the fridge to get some juice. He sits down and they chat about little things but nothing of any consequence.
Suddenly the other two boys appear, stark ass naked.
"Good morning, boys." Eric says, chuckling.
"Morning dad."
"Morning Poppi."
"Casual attire this morning, I see," Joy says with a wry smile.
"Yeah, I thought about putting something on. But then I thought I just got to take it off after breakfast to take a shower. Didn't see the point of it all," Joey explains with age-appropriate logic..
"What’s your reasoning, Alejandro?"
"I slept with Poppi and didn't feel like stopping in my room cuz I'm starving," he tells her with a grin.
"OK, these reasons seem pretty well thought out to me." She nods and smiles at the boys.
"They thought you were gone already," Tran tells her, laughing.
"That is what I believe," Eric says with a matching laugh.
They all have a nice breakfast and Eric and the boys head upstairs to get ready to go. Joy heads to her house to get ready as well. Marco is picking her up and they are riding together.
Eric heads to Alejandro’s room when they get upstairs.
"Buddy, the boys said we are dressing like penguins."
"But Poppi.....…"
Eric cuts him off.
"They want to do it to honor you and your award. They are proud of you buddy, and so am I."
"But Poppi, it’s no big deal. I don't even want the award. I mean..…"
"I know. But it’s important to them and to me. So you wear what you think is right."
Eric leaves it at that and heads to his room to get a shower. He does his hair nicely with product and everything, which he rarely does. He gets dressed and is tying his bow tie when Tran walks in, tie in hand.
"Ba, I can't get it to tie right."
"Obviously because it hates you."
Tran laughs.
"Whatever, Ba. Will you tie it for me?"
"You know I will."
Eric takes the tie from Tran and ties a nearly perfect bow for his oldest.
"Ba that's perfect, thanks!"
"Anytime." He kisses Tran on the lips.
Joey walks in a moment later as Eric is fiddling with his tie.
"How do I look, dad?"
Eric looks at Joey’s ten-year-old frame in a tuxedo.
"You look smashing," Eric tells him in his best English accent.
"Thanks, dad. I'm so happy Alejandro is getting some recognition for his dedication to helping people."
"Hmm, interesting way for a ten-year-old to put it. Sounds pretty grown up; maybe this school thing is good?" Eric says, raising his eyebrows.
"Daaaaad."
"It sounded nice, is all I'm saying."
"Dad, will you loosen my cumber thing. It’s too tight and I can't get it." he asks while holding up the cummerbund.
"Sure, buddy." Eric takes it from him and loosens it slightly. He tries it and then loosens it a bit more.
"There you go, perfect," he says after fastening it.
"Thanks, dad," Joey says and races out of the room.
Eric puts on his shoes and he goes to check on Alejandro.
He finds him dressed in his tux sitting on his bed swinging his feet gently, with Buddy on his dog bed watching him.
Alejandro has his face scrunched up in his worried look.
"Whats going on in that pretty little head of yours?" Eric inquires, sitting next to him and draping his arm over his son.
"I don't know what to say to them."
"Just speak from your heart, son. You can never go wrong with that, because it’s honest."
"What, tell them I don't deserve it?"
"If that's what’s in your heart. We best get going."
Alejandro and Eric stand up and Buddy follows them as they all meet at the bottom of the stairs, then head to the garage. They put Buddy in his crate and head to the ceremony.
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ericmurphey1971@gmail.com
Sorry this one is late. It took a little extra time. I will let you know that not next week but the following will be posted late as its Rosh Hashanah. I will not be able to post it until the following day. Sorry for any inconvenience. But I only celebrate two holidays and thats one. The other is Yom Kippur which is a couple weeks after. It just seems right to me.
Anyway many thanks to Zero my faithful editor. Without him I get emails telling em I have have run on sentences and my grammar is for shit. Which it is really. I know this. You know this. It is what it is as they say.
I think all of you are great and appreciate each and every one of you. What yes even you. Stop thinking I didnt mean you I meant ALL of you. Im working on a story that i dont know if you guys will like it or not. Its really a lot of how I feel a good portion of the time. Self hatred, feeling Im evil or a monster. Its coming along slowly. But, its coming along. Like in my life it starts with the main character wanting to take his life due to the fact he is just so tired of hurting all the time. Bt through the story he comes to terms with himself with the help of his young neighbor. It may be great or total shit. I dont know yet.
Anyway as always I wish you
Peace Love and Good Happiness
Eric