TIME-TO-SEE-47
Dr. Kavanaugh's letters were recognizable to everybody in the household by now.
"Hugo, you have a letter from Dr. Kavanaugh," Jilder screamed into the full expanse of the house as he came inside through the front door, slamming it behind him! "Wham!"
"Jilder! For God's sake would you learn how to come into the house like a normal human being? The door is going to come off it's hinges with many more slams like that one," Hugo yelled.
"Yeah, sure....I'm sorry, Hugo..." Jilder yelled back, oblivious that he was a bit more boisterous than the adults.
Hugo walked into the front hallway where Jilder stood looking at the letter.
"Humm? Wonder what Dr. Kavanaugh has on his mind?" Hugo said out loud.
"He's probably ready for you to come to Europe to give your talk about the operation," Jilder answered.
"Can we all go with you, Hugo?" Jilder asked, giving up the envelope to Hugo.
"I don't know, Jilder. First let me see what he wants. This may not be about the lectures at all." Hugo said.
And with that Hugo took the envelope and walked back into the family room, plopping down on the comfortable sofa with a sigh. "Let me see," Hugo exclaimed as he tore open the envelope.
He read the letter and mumbled, sort of reading it half out loud and half to himself.
"HON!" Hugo yelled to Kevin who was upstairs in the office.
"YEAH, HUGO...JUST A SEC..." Kevin answered.
And in a minute or so Kevin came down the stairs, walked into the Family room, and sat down next to Hugo on the sofa...
"What's up?" Kevin asked.
"Read this." Hugo said handing him the letter from Dr. Kavanaugh.
A few moments later Kevin's eyes widened and he smiled. When he finished reading, he lay his hand with the letter in his lap and spoke, "My goodness, Hugo, you're going to need a private jet to get to all of those seminar locations, and for four weeks you'll be going nuts getting from one place to another... You are going, aren't you?" Kevin said...
"Humm... Of course. I feel obligated. I mean, how could I say 'no' even if I wanted to. No, I want to go, but the schedule is a little intimidating on it's own," Hugo answered.
"Well, I can agree with that," Kevin replied.
"And what about you guys? I don't want to leave you for that long. Of course, I'd like for all of you to go with me, but I know that the timing sucks... You'll be back at work for the first time in nearly a year, and Jilder will just be entering school. Nicky should be out of the hospital, but it might be hard on him if we're moving him around a lot... I'm really torn, Kev... What can I do?" Hugo said looking at Kevin with saddness in his eyes.
"You can go!" Kevin replied with no hesitation.
"Easy for you to say," Hugo looked away from Kevin.
"No, Babe! Really, it's the chance of a lifetime. I think it could work out FOR ALL OF US; that is, if you'd consider that a few adjustments might be okay to make.
Say we delay Jilder's return to school until next August when Nicky will be ready to go. (We'll just keep up the home schooling for a while longer...) We can explain our setbacks to the school. I'm sure they'll understand.
And on my account, I think through Dr. Kavenaugh, I should be able to arrange visits to the Cambridge University School of Mathematics and then in Switzerland, the University at Bern. I'm sure that the University here would be happy to gain the prestige of one of their own as a visiting scholar to these august halls of learning..." Kevin said.
And Kevin went on, "Besides, Hugo, Dr. Kavanaugh said that he'd be able to foot the bill for our basic travel and lodging-- you, me and the boys. Really, Babe, how could we pass on this set up?"
Hugo's expression shifted from saddness to one of consideration. "Maybe I can get Craig's project constructed before we'd have to leave...
What? Let me see that letter," Hugo said. "Looks like we'd have about two months before we leave the US... I think Craig and I could make it, if we work at it," and Hugo seemed to breathe easier, and there was even a little smile on his face as he contemplated the possibilities."
"See Babe! Where there's a will there's a way, to be trite about it..." Kevin said.
"I think we need to have a little family meeting-- I mean a little EXTENDED family meeting. We'll include Jake and Craig and Dillon too."
So that very moment Hugo asked Kevin if he had his cell phone on him. "Yep!" and Kevin pulled it from his jeans.
"Hooorah! We are going to Europe. We are going to Europe..." Jilder chanted and pranced around the family room like a silly nut... "Hoorah!.... Dad!"
Then Jilder stopped and glanced up with a look of panic in his eyes! "Dad! Who's going to feed the dogs?"
"Well, that's just one of a lot of details we've got to consider, Jilder. Kevin, are you sure we can do this?" Hugo looked back over at Kevin with a touch of second thought in his eyes...
"Well, as far as I'm concerned, it looks like a 'go' to me, but if you'd rather go alone, I sure understand; although I'd hate for you to be gone and away from us for a month... You do realize you'll be traveling the better part of a month to take in all four medical conferences Dr. Kavanaugh is proposing for you."
"No. Kev. I don't want to go away for a month. It will be stressful enough on me even if you and the boys will come along. I'd feel just awful alone and away from you for that long," Hugo said.
"So we'll manage school, my job, your project with Craig, the dogs and all the other stuff that we'll have to deal with." Kevin said.
"Craig... Hugo here." Hugo spoke into the phone.
"Hi. Yep, good, good..." Hugo replied.
"You think you and Jake could drop by sometime tonight. Say you guys plan to have supper here with us."
(Putting his hand over the phone Hugo whispered to Kevin, "That's going to be Okay, Kev? Isn't it?")
Kevin shook his head in the affirmative, and Hugo went on with his telephone conversation with Craig.
"Yeah! No. Kevin says no problem your joining us for supper. Sure, Dillon is part of the package... OF COURSE HE IS! HE'S YOUR SON!..." Hugo said with some exasperation in his voice.
"Well, the situation is we just got a letter from Dr. Kavanaugh, and in his letter he's asking me--well us-- to attend four medical conferences in Europe in about 2 months. The whole trip will mean we'll be away from San Diego for about a month. What we do will affect you guys; so we wanted you to be in on the planning. I definitely want to construct all of the props for the Museum Conference; so I want you to know the time frame. You may want to bail out after you hear what I'll have to do... I don't want to screw you up, but I can't set the times on this thing myself, and I can't tell Dr. Kavanaugh 'no' I mean... Well, you understand..." Hugo explained.
"Oh, whatever time works for you guys. You don't have to set any certain time. We'll be expecting you anytime. Kevin will get ready for us to eat, and then we can all talk." Hugo said.
Hugo listed to Craig speak, and then he asked, "Do you think the three of you would be up for another visit to the hospital to see Nicky later tonight? We went over there earlier this morning, but we told him that we would be coming back this evening. Of course, don't you guys feel obligated to go, but I know he likes to see you, and you'd certainly be welcome."
"Okay, Craig, we'll discuss it when you and Jake get here. Sure. See you later... Bye," and Hugo handed the cell phone back to Kevin.
"Well, you heard. I hope you don't mind how I obligated us," Hugo said to Kevin.
"Oh, Babe! No problem. Like I said, 'they're family.'" Kevin replied.
"Can I have a window seat on the plane?" Jilder asked.
"And how long will we be flying? Is it a long time to fly to Europe from San Diego?" Jilder said.
"An incredibly long flight-- pretty nearly 24 hours!" Hugo said..
"Or you should say long TWO FLIGHTS," Kevin added.
"Yea!" Jilder cheered...
Then he thought for a moment and said, "I think maybe Nicky will want to sit by the window two; so we can share," Jilder said.
"Well, maybe we can get TWO window seats. One for you and one for Nicky... That's a detail we'll have to deal with later," Kevin suggested.
"Yeah! TWO window seats. That'd be cool," Jilder opined.
And the three family members went about their day at home thinking about the new adventure that was about to unfold for them. Each one was in his own world: Hugo was nervous about having to answer questions and speak before hundreds of medical doctors; Kevin was concerned about getting the schedules of the boys resettled, and then contemplating just how he might approach his administration about the visit to Cambridge; finally, Jilder was thinking that he'd need a small suitcase to pack his things, and he worried about who might be nice enough to come feed the dogs-- may be they would have to pay someone? Or maybe Craig and Jake would do it?
One event: three different perceptions. And all three perceptions seemed like the crux of the situation from each point of view.
Later that afternoon, Craig drove up to Hugo's and Kevin's house with Dillon. Jake would not get off from his shift at the hospital until after six, but Craig wanted to come over earlier; so he came ahead bringing Dillon.
"Hey. Craig. We're back here, outside in the yard," Kevin yelled when he heard the doors to the car slam shut.
"Come on, Dillon. Let's go back and see the doggies," Craig said as he offered his hand to Dillon who was standing near the car, pointing to the fence around the yard.
Very slowly-- but at Dillon's top speed-- Craig and Dillon walked around the house and arrived at the back gate that led into the Astroturf covered section of the yard.
Hugo opened the gate for Craig and Dillon, put his arm around Craig giving him a hug and hasty kiss, and then scooped Dillon up, and put him on his shoulders, where Dillon sat jabbering away, pointing and laughing at the dogs.
This simple entrance was all that was needed to churn up the dogs, who all ran to greet Dillon and Craig, jumping and barking and making all manner of commotion.
Dillon squealed and laughed and his whole body shook as he jostled Hugo around, sitting on his shoulder.
"Hugo! Get that kid off of your neck...," Kevin screamed... "You're forgetting that he could slug you and end your new hearing cells! PLLLLLLLEEEEEEEZE, HUGO,.... PLEEEEEEZZZE!" Kevin screamed.
"Oh, yeah! Hon. I forgot... I forgot..." Hugo shouted back.
"You're right, Kevin" Hugo said, "I'm sorry, Hon.." and with that he gingerly lifted Dillon from his rather formidable shoulders and put Dillon down on the ground among the dogs who were still jumping and barking...
Dillon nearly had a cow. He wanted to be down among the dogs, but they scared the shit out of him for a minute, which made him start to cry and reach up for someone to rescue him...
Jilder happened to be near, and he scooped up Dillon saying, "Don't cry, Dillon... Don't cry, buddy. I won't let em hurt ya... They're just playin anyhow, Dillon. They don't want to hurt you," Jilder said trying to sooth Dillon.
Dillon buried his face in Jilder's neck and clutched his shoulders for dear life. One would have thought that Dillon was escaping from the center of a pack of wolves....
"That's OK, Dillon. I got you. I won't let the doggies hurt you. They are barking 'cause they wanna play with you... Come on, Dillon, let's get down and play with em..." Jilder said to Dillon.
Jilder then sat down in the middle of the Astroturf with the dogs jumping all around him, as he held Dillon close to his chest. In a moment, curiosity was more than Dillon could resist; so he sat up straight in Jilder's arms and began pointing and yelling "No... doggies...No!" with a very stern look on his face...
Well this cracked up everybody. Here was this wisp of a little boy, Dillon, shouting directions at the four dogs, like he really wielded authority around there...
Jilder broke up laughing, "YOU TELL 'EM, DILLON!"
"No! doggies No!" Dillon said again as he looked around for approval from everyone.
Craig said, "You're okay, Dillon. The doggies won't hurt you. You can tell em No, and make em leave you alone..."
Dillon was feeling new courage but he remained in Jilder's arms for back-up protection, "No! doggies..." Dillon yelled again, pointing at them...
"Okay, guys, let's go in and fix supper for the doggies. They'll calm down after they eat." Kevin said to Dillon and Jilder.
Together the three of them walked up to the backdoor that led into the kitchen, Dillon scolding the dogs the whole way... "No, doggie, No."
Inside, Dillon helped pour dog food into each of the four dishes, and Jilder put vitamins on top and brought a pitcher of water to each water bowl.
After everything was in place, Jilder took Dillon over to the back door. "Let's open the door and let the doggies in, Dillon." Jilder said in quite the parental tone.
Of course, the dogs were willing to run over anything and anyone to get to their supper; so Dillon was run over by four hustling dogs, to which he squealed out of excitement; then he pointed and shouted, "No, doggie, No..."
It was a scene right out of the movies watching the boys and those 4 dogs. And surprisingly, Dillon had developed an amazing amount of courage in the situation. His initial fright with the loud and scurrying mutts had mutated into major assertiveness, especially for a two year old!
Craig watched beneficently as his boy went through first the fright and trauma and then the tentative efforts to go back and stand up to those doggies, and finally his downright assertive posture pointing at them and telling them "No, doggie, No..." That's what makes fatherhood worth all of the stress, 'Sturm und Drang'. One gets to see his child grow up before his very eyes... Life is truly marvelous.
Jake arrived just as Jilder and Dillon were shooing the dogs out of the kitchen into the backyard after they ate.
"Hi, Dillon... How you been today, Bub?" Jake said as he scooped him up and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
Dillon pointed at the kitchen door, looked directly into Jake's eyes, and said, "Doggie, No... Doggie NO!" Then Dillon looked around at everyone in search of confirmation of his story.
Craig jumped in to explain, "Jake, you shoulda been here earlier to see Dillon and the dogs. Shortly after we got here Hugo put Dillon down in the yard, and the dogs descended on him and frightened the bee-jesus out of him... It was so interesting to watch Dillon."
Craig went on explaining to Jake while Jake held and bounced Dillon in his arms, "Then Jilder picked Dillon up and helped him to stand up to the dog's exuberance, and finally, Dillon asserted himself like no one would have dreamed he would do. He sat up in Jilder's arms, pointed at the barking, jumping dogs and yelled, "NO! Doggie No!"
"Dillon wasn't afraid anymore-- well, as long as he stayed in Jilder's arms. And he kept pointing and yelling with real conviction: "No, doggie, no, no..." "I tell you, Jake," Craig said, "It was like watching Dillon grow up in front of my eyes... I just wish you had been here to see it."
Dillon, of course, wouldn't have understood very much of Craig's explanation, but he realized it was time to state his case again: "No! Doggie! NO!" Dillon said with great emphasis.
"Oh, my, Dillon," Jake said directly to Dillon, "You had a big day with the dogs, and it sounds like you let em know who's boss too..."
Across the dinner table Hugo and Kevin brought Jake and Craig up to speed on the latest information from Dr. Kavanaugh.
"So we're kinda eager to take advantage of this wonderful trip with the expenses paid by Kavanaugh's Foundation, but we know that you guys are depending on me to help out with the big museum conference; so we just have to ask you what you think we ought to do to make everything easier on you," Hugo said.
"Wait a minute!" Jake said. "This trip is YOUR good fortune; WE will do all that we can to help you get off with a minimum of confusion."
"That's really nice of you, Jake, but we know that this is going to be an imposition on the three of you too; so please don't mind telling us what you think would be best from your point of view."
"Well, I'm a little panicked thinking about the need to get our prop construction underway as soon as possible, like as soon as we can find a space in which to work," Craig said.
"I knew it would be a stress on you, Craig. I'm really sorry too. You don't deserve the extra hassle in life," Kevin said.
"Oh, no, Kev. We'll survive. And it will be fun helping you guys get organized and on your way. Do any of you have passports?" Craig asked.
"Oh, God, No." Hugo said. "I didn't think about that sort of thing. Jilder and I are illegal!"
"What a hassle," Jake said.
"Listen, Hugo... Jake and I love you no matter your immigration status; so you don't have to be self-conscious with us. But I know you'll need to get the wheels moving; so you can escape huge inconveniences... Maybe we can help with something," Craig said....
"Since you'll be in several countries: Dublin, Ireland; Cambridge, England; Bern, Switzerland; and Heidelberg, Germany... I'm just positive you'll need passports? Don't you think?" Craig asked.
"Oh, sure," Jake said.
"Do either of you know anything about getting passports?" Kevin asked.
"I think you'll have to go to the post office with birth certificates and complete something like a four-page application and get passport photos. I think it goes something like that," Craig said.
"Uh, Oh!" Hugo said.
"What?" Jake said.
"I'm not a US citizen. Neither is Jilder. And I have no idea where my birth certificate is... maybe I don't even have one? My parents never said anything about one." Hugo said.
"OK. So, well, then, you'll need to go to the Mexican embassy immediately and get started on applying for a Mexican Passport... Don't you think???" Craig looked around at everyone questioningly?
"I don't even know where Nicky's birth certificate is.... or where he was even born, for that matter... God, this family is an International Legal Mess!" Kevin joked...
"This family is a wonderful creation, a little of God's best handiwork," Craig replied.
"Well, thanks for the compliment and encouragement, but frankly I'm scared to death. The LAST thing I need is to get my ass booted out of the United States, now that I finally have a life going and you guys around me that I love and who love me... Yeah! I know you have the right idea, Craig, but I'm still scared," Hugo said.
"Sure. I'd be scared too," Jake said. "But we'll go ask the questions and help you find out what you have to do; so you don't expose yourself to the danger of being deported."
"OH, guys. I don't know. I don't want any of you to get into any trouble," Hugo said.
"Look, Hugo, I'm sure there's a way to get things done legally, especially with Dr. Kavanaugh available to provide legitimate documentation for the travel. Tell you what. If you'll check with your hospital to see whether they'll let you rent that old warehouse space, I'll call the Mexican embassy and the US State Department tomorrow to find out what I can about the necessary travel documentation. Fair?" Craig said with a smile. He looked around at everyone and said in a stage whisper, " (Besides, I think I'm getting the easier part of the bargain, Hugo...)"
"Listen, guys. This is clearly going to keep us all busy for weeks. Right now, maybe we could continue this conversation tomorrow and squeeze in a trip over to the hospital to visit with Nicky tonight? That is, if you aren't too tired, guys, and want to split?" Kevin said.
"No, I'm getting a second wind after that great supper, Kevin. You are always marvelous with your full blown dinner parties at the drop of the hat. It was just very, very good, Kev. Thanks for the invite to our threesome." Jake said.
"Thank you, Jake. It's always my pleasure. So you're feelin like you can handle the visit to the hospital then. Maybe you need to change Dillon's diaper??? I think I smell something, and he's been very quiet over there in the corner while we've been talking... I think he probably needs a pit stop before we go..." Kevin speculated out loud.
"Oh, my God. I'm sorry, Kev. We're not potty trained yet... But we are working on it. Dillon doesn't like the loud whoosh sound that the toilet makes; so he hides and poops in his pants instead of telling us..." Jake explained.
Jilder laughed at that, thinking that the potty training routine was very amusing.
Then he walked over to Dillon and took him by the hand and lead him over to Craig and Jake for attention.
Dillon walked over with his legs spread wide apart, as if he were trying to avoid dealing with an uncomfortable situation in his pants...
"He's so funny," Craig observed, "He's very aware of his predicament, appearing guilty and a little embarrassed at the same time, never complaining or resisting, but never telling us he has to go either."
"No problem, Dillon," Craig said. "Let's go get some clean pants and then we can go visit Nicky in the hospital with everybody else..." Craig said.
"Yuk!" Dillon said.
That cracked up everyone watching Dillon waddle, legs spread apart, next to Craig as they slowly made their way into Hugo and Kev's bedroom.
"We'll only be a minute," Craig said over his shoulder as they were leaving. "I'm getting pretty good at this..."
"Well, then I think I'd better make a bathroom stop myself, before we go," Hugo said. "Just do whatever you have to, Jake... Find an empty bathroom somewhere.... out off the kitchen, or maybe upstairs, which ever you want."
Nicky was so happy to see everyone. He smiled from ear to ear, his hair spiraling out in all directions; he sat with his legs curled under him on the bed looking like a Pashtun Mufi in the Lotus posture.
Jilder went into Nicky's room first; he was walking slowly with Dillon holding on to one of his fingers.
"Hi, Dillon. Gimme Five," Nicky greeted them.
Hugo went over to one side of Nicky's bed, and Kevin went to the other. Craig and Jake closed in at the foot. Hugo reached over to give him a gentle hug and kiss on the forehead.
"How are you feeling tonight, Nicky?" Hugo asked.
"Oh, Dad, I'm feelin pretty good tonight. I slept a lot today, and I feel better. I think the sleeping helped me."
"Oh, I'm sure you're right," Kevin agreed, leaning over to Nicky rubbing his back and giving him yet another smooch on the forehead.
Nicky was sitting there just beaming his delight, being the center of everyone's attention.
"I'm so glad you could come. I really miss you all... including "Uncle Craig and Uncle Jake and Dillon" (Nicky had established the connection within the family and named it too.) Craig and Jake reached over, pulling on Nicky's toe before leaning across the bed to give him yet another hug.
Nicky squeezed back, his full measure of caring was clear.
"Nicky~!" Jilder shouted at Nick loud and urgent even though he was only 3 feet away from him.
"We're going to Europe! And you and me get to fly for 24 hours in a plane with window seats," Jilder spilled the beans with no preparation.
Nicky looked shocked and turned to Kevin and Hugo. "Is that right, Dad?" Nicky asked.
"Well, Jilder has the big picture correct, but the details of how we're going to do the traveling is still not arranged. One important thing: YOU have to be well enough to travel; so we've got lot's to think about, but, yeah, we're thinking we're going with Hugo when he appears at medical seminars in Europe," Kevin elaborated. "That's in just two months."
"You're not going to put me and Jilder in school?" Nicky asked.
"No. Not for now. You'll have to continue home study with me until August, after the and THEN you and Jilder will both go back to school-- this time No Swan Dives to delay our plans please," Kevin chided.
"Oh! Yeah! I won't ever do THAT again," Nicky replied.
"Did Dr. Gilmer drop by to see you today?" Hugo asked.
"Yeah. He said I'm doin good. He told me that he thinks I can go home this weekend, if I keep on doin good."
"Well, that certainly sounds hopeful," Kevin responded. "I think I'll call him tomorrow and get the idea straight from the horse's mouth...," Kevin said.
"Daaaad! I didn't screw up the doctor's message. He really did say that he might let me go home on Friday!" Nicky retorted a bit indignant that perhaps Kevin doubted the veracity of his medical report.
"Oh, I'm sorry 'baby'. I didn't mean that I doubted what you told me. My mind just jumped to payin the bills; and I haven't spoken with Dr. Gilmer for a while. I need to cover all the bases if he's letting you out this weekend. That's all I meant," Kevin explained for Nicky's sake.
"Dad: is it true that I might be able to sit in a window seat when we fly to Europe?" Nicky asked.
"Well, we will do everything possible to get both you and Jilder one of those really good seats, but nothing at all has been agreed upon except that we will be doing everything possible to take both of you boys and me too along with Hugo when he goes to make his appearances at Dr. Kavanaugh's medical conferences."
Jilder had been holding Dillon since shortly after they arrived in Nicky's room. Dillon started jabbering and pointing and trying to wiggle his way to Nicky's bed. All at once, Jilder surrendered to Dillon's continuous pressure and allowed Dillon to fall in somewhat of a happy heap on the sheets right next to Nicky.
Dillon pulled himself up on Nicky's pajamas.
"Ooooooooo! Be careful, Dillon. That still hurts. I can't play with you like Jilder can-- for now. But you wait, little guy, I'm gonna be after your butt right along with the dogs... You just wait," Nicky told Dillon.
Nicky's reference to the dogs jogged Dillon's memory, and he stopped in mid motion, pointed out in front of him and said, "Doggie, No!" Then he looked around for confirmation from everyone.
They all laughed, and Craig explained all that had happened that afternoon with Dillon and the dogs.
Jake grabbed Dillon and dragged him away from Nicky; so that Dillon wouldn't hurt Nicky inadvertently.
"If I get to come home this weekend, Uncle Jake, would it be ok for you and Uncle Craig to bring Dillon over to visit me. I been missing him and you too since I been in here. I don't like being alone all the time," Nicky said.
"Oh, sure, Nick. Craig and I will be more than happy to rent Dillon to you for a day or two..." Jake said making a joke.
"Noooooo! Uncle Jake. I can't pay rent. Uh? Maybe you would trade Dillon for one of the dogs?" Nicky replied right back to Jake.
"I think YOU don't realize that dogs don't have to have their pants changed. They can go poop out on the Astroturf, and all you have to do is turn on the garden hose. Dillon, on the other hand, requires multiple changes every day... and some are pretty yucky!"
"Yuck!" Dillon said interrupting Jake's conversation.
"Yep! Old buddy. You gotta get working on the potty training routine, you know... Nicky won't want you to visit him if you don't grow up eventually!" Jake pretended to be making sense to Dillon.
"I can learn how to change diapers if you teach me," Nicky said.
"Well, you asked for it... Okay. At our next opportunity, Nick," Craig volunteered.
Everyone talked about Hugo's trip to Europe, and Jilder and Nicky got one another excited just over the trip. Neither of them yet grasped what the sightseeing would be like... Can you imagine how wonderful this family travel would be?
The night slipped by so quickly, but before long Nicky showed signs of growing tired. He was, after all, convalescing from his very serious surgery. And no matter that he was progressing well, he did need to surrender to sleep whenever his body signaled that was needed.
Every one kissed Nicky good-by, and Kevin and Hugo said they would be back late tomorrow morning.
Jilder gave Nicky a tender hug and said to him, "Nicky, I sure miss you. The house seems empty when you're not there."
"I miss you too, Jilder," Nicky said reaching out to hold Jilder's hands. Each boy knew he was lucky to have such a caring brother, but neither understood quite how to say it... So they didn't say any more. They just repeated "I miss you" again, and then all the visitors filed out of Nicky's room. His nurse came in as she saw all of the visitors leaving.
She spoke quietly to Kevin as he was leaving, "Nick misses you all so much; he needs me to keep him company until he falls asleep. Otherwise, he's very, very sad when you're gone."
Hugo heard the nurse and turned back to Nicky in his bed. "Nicky, we are never leaving you. If you'd like me to stay, I'll sleep here with you. I miss you too, Nick."
Nicky smiled and looked embarrassed, but he turned to Hugo and said, "Dad, I'd like you to stay with me tonight, if you would. I won't be a lot of trouble. You can go home when you want to..."
"There's no place I'd rather be, Nicky, than here with you," Hugo said. Then he turned to Kevin and spoke softly, "Do you mind if I stay with Nicky for tonight? I don't want to leave you alone, but maybe this one night... Nicky needs me?"
Kevin leaned over and kissed Hugo on the lips. "I love you, Hugo. And I love our son too. You do what you want to do."
And with that, Hugo pulled off his shoes and dropped them on the floor and climbed up on the hospital bed with Nicky. Kevin took Jilder by the shoulder and led him out of the room while Jilder was carrying Dillon.
And love and caring was abundant for everyone that night.