TIME-TO-SEE-52
Everything seemed to be falling into place as the guys prepared for their European trip.
"Babe, here's a package that arrived today from the Mexican embassy," Kevin said handing a large envelop to Hugo when he walked into the kitchen.
"Let's see??" Hugo said tearing open the envelop.
After a moment: "Yep. Here are passports for Jilder and me, and they're stamped with visas for Ireland, England, Scotland, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.... SWITZERLAND?" Hugo said a little shocked.
"Oh, they probably just listed the European Union Countries and then threw in Switzerland for good measure." Kevin said. "Did they say anything about your parents?"
"Humm...Not really.... The letter says that the embassy is inquiring for their whereabouts, but has no information at this time. Who knows whether I'll ever find out anything from these people?" Hugo said sadly with resignation.
"Well, you can keep trying through other channels if this one doesn't turnout," Kevin said trying to encourage Hugo, who sounded a bit depressed that once again his attempt to connect with his mom and dad had been thwarted.
Kevin leaned over to Hugo and put arms around him and gave him a kiss on the head. Hugo's hair smelled clean and fresh, like he'd just stepped out of the shower.
"You and Craig cleaned up everything after the Seascape Project?" Kevin asked.
"Yeah! Pretty much. I emptied the hospital warehouse of our tools and moved them all to Craig's shop. Then the two of us stored the left over art supplies...." Hugo paused and then said, "You in the mood to go with Craig and Jake this weekend to the Marine Biology banquet at the Marriott?"
"Sure. But what are we going to do with the kids?" Kevin asked.
"Craig said that one of the nurses that the boys met when I was in the hospital at Christmas is willing to have them spend the night at her house next Saturday night," Hugo said.
"You're kiddin? All three of them?"
"Yeah... That's what Craig said????" Hugo answered clearly as surprised at that arrangement as Kevin was.
"Who is it?" Kevin asked.
"Marcy. You remember, the one that let the boys watch all the television in the lounge outside my room," Hugo replied.
"OOOOOooooh, yeah! The one that the boys charmed: So that explains it." Kevin said realizing how this worked out.
"And she won't mind having a two-year-old along too?", Kevin asked.
"Apparently not???" Hugo answered absent-mindedly looking over the European trip paperwork that was accumulating in a big box in the kitchen.
"Do we have Nicky's passport yet?" Hugo asked.
"No. The information from Kansas came in very slowly. I just got out the application and pictures for Nicky's passport a little over a week ago," Kevin said. "But I'm hoping this week... Otherwise, I'll have to call and beg... Gees! What WOULD we do if there's a delay in Nicky's Passport?" Kevin asked rhetorically....
"Shit!" Hugo replied with no emotion.
The telephone rang, and Jilder ran into the kitchen to answer it.
"Yes, mama. You want to talk to my dad, Kevin. Just a minute please..." and Jilder lay the phone down and went upstairs to find Kevin.
In a moment Kevin came into the kitchen and picked up the telephone receiver left there by Jilder.
"Hello. Kevin Kramer speaking."
"Mr. Kramer. This is Emiline Rothmeyer, Nicky's aunt. I'm calling because I just heard from a friend in the County Registrar's Office that my nephew, Nicky, will be going to travel out of the country. I was just curious about what he's doing these days, since I lost touch with him."
"Ms. Rothmeyer, what a surprise. We've never been apprised that Nicky had any interested, living relatives. Just what is your relation to Nicky? Are you aunt on his father's side or on his mother's side?"
"Nicky's mother was my sister. We lost contact with Nicky's father after he moved with Nicky to California."
"I see. You must know then that Nicky's father is deceased?" Kevin said.
"Oh, my goodness, no." Emiline said with less than a totally convincing response.
"Yes. And since that time, I have been one of Nicky's legal guardians. We are, in fact, pursuing adoption. In light of the severe and on-going medical condition that Nicky is living with, we are all very strongly supportive of Nick and ready to protect him from any further trauma or contention."
Kevin wanted to make it clear that he was prepared for any petty-assed meddling from the likes of Emiline or her family.
"He's encountered quite enough trauma, that you may infer from this conversation. Nick's physician and surgeon, who helped establish our guardianship, has directed his treatment from the beginning, and Nick just recently experienced a near-fatal setback, which incurred yet another major medical expense."
"We consider ourselves quite fortunate to have Nicky. And as a wonderful, unplanned experience, the family will be taking all of the children to Europe shortly for a vacation." Kevin said making his legally sanctioned posture unequivocally clear.
"Well, I heard about your requesting Nicky's birth certificate recently; so I thought I'd call to find out how he's doing."
"He is quite happy and receiving the very best of medical care that is available. There promises to be several ten's of thousands of dollars of additional medical expenses in the future, however. Once again, I cannot stress enough how we must protect Nicky from the toying inquiries of the curious. I'm sure you understand, given how grave his condition has been."
"Yes, sir, Mr. Kramer. I didn't know. I hope you will tell Nicky that he has relatives in Kansas who wish him well. I won't be bothering you or trying to contact Nicky without proper authorization.
Hummm? I wonder what the fuck "proper authorization" is supposed to mean, Kevin thought.
"Yes. Thank You. We certainly have taken legal measures to insure that Nicky is protected from all possible influences that might have un-expected consequences on his health and well-being, until he is 21 years of age." Kevin said.
"Yes, sir. I do understand," Emiline said for lack of any strategy to pursue.
"Thank you." Kevin acknowledged.
"Well, I guess I better be goin," Emiline said.
"Good-by, Ms. Rothmeyer," Kevin said, maintaining his vigilant, no-nonsense demeanor lest this woman become a thorn in the side of his wonderful family.
Now what the fuck does this woman want? Kevin thought as he hung up the phone. Speaking to himself Kevin said, "I'll have to think about this one a long time before I let Nicky in on it... I'm going back to our attorney and to Dr. Gilmer... Thank God I have people I can talk to about this... It worries me to think some disinterested relative who never gave a fuck about Nicky's dad or his family, is NOW showing up, because Nicky is going to take a trip to Europe. What is it with some people???"
"Babe, you are one handsome hunk in that tuxedo!" Kevin said helping Hugo to tie his black bow tie.
"I'll bet you said that to all your 'boyfriends'," Hugo replied.
"Ohhhh, You!" Kevin exclaimed rolling his eyes.
Putting his hands on the back of Hugo's neck and drawing him closer, Kevin gave Hugo a long, wet kiss and said, "I don't remember any other boyfriends, and certainly no one as sexy, handsome, and wonderful as you...
"And Hugo, I hope it doesn't get lost in our kidding around, but I love you sooooo much, that whether you were physically as beautiful as you are, I would never care, because you are one beautiful and caring spirit. God was feeling especially generous when He gave you a spirit as wonderful as he did..."
Hugo became visibly self-conscious, looking for all the world like a little boy who'd just discovered that he was very good indeed.
"Aw, Kev. I'm gonna start turning red if you keep that up..." Hugo said.
Kevin delivered yet another kiss on Hugo's lips and said, "That would make you even more handsome," and smiled at Hugo even while Hugo squirmed and looked embarrassed.
"Dad! Hugo. You look really nice in those nice suits," Jilder said when he walked into his dads' bedroom.
"Why thank you, Jilder," Kevin replied letting Hugo off the hook and returning to putting his own tux jacket on.
"When did you get those new suits?" Nicky asked joining everyone in Hugo's and Kevin's bedroom.
Kevin replied to Nicky while looking in the mirror and smoothing his own hair in place with his hands: "We'll need these tuxedos to attend some of the social functions in Europe. We have to get you two to the store to buy you both dark blue suits and tuxedos too. You will have to dress formally on occasion, I'm sure." Kevin said
"Yeah. But we don't have to do it tonight, Dad" Nicky said with a big smile on his face... "YOU DO!"
"Okay. Okay. Smarty pants. Everyone is going in a tuxedo this evening. We'll deliver you rug rats to Marcie's house, and then Jake and Craig will ride with us to the Marriott for dinner and speeches." Kevin said.
"Is Dillon coming here with Craig and Jake," Jilder asked.
"Yep. And they should all be here any minute," Kevin answered.
"Did you boys feed the dogs? I didn't hear any commotion in the kitchen." Kevin asked.
"Yeah. We did it early and then put them out back. We'll bring them inside and put them in their kennels when Jake and Craig get here." Jilder answered.
The door from the garage opened and in walked Dillon dragging his blanky and a nippled bottle filled with Stevia-sweetened lemonade hanging from his mouth. Craig and Jake were right behind him.
"DILLON!" Jilder screamed running to swoop the poor kid up off of the floor.
"My, my, aren't we handsome in our tuxedos," Kevin addressed Craig and Jake as they filed into the bedroom.
"I can't remember the last time I wore a tuxedo... maybe at my sister's wedding?" Craig said.
Jake walked up very close behind Craig and began to hump him, making the elegant picture of all the guys in their fine formal wear into the perfect opening to a porno flick.
"SHAME on you, young man!" Craig protested half-heartedly to Jake...
"Besides!...Watch out! the kid's might see you."
"Well, did you consider that the kids are going to be gone all night tonight? And that leaves lots of time for us grown-ups to savor the erotic possibilities..." Jake said.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Hugo said with a calculating smile as he walked over to Kevin, grabbed his chin and kissed him on the mouth.
Nicky came into the bedroom banging the door frame and the furniture with a huge, red suitcase with goodness knows WHAT packed inside. "Dad. Me and Jilder put our clothes and pajamas in this suitcase I found upstairs. We'll take our laptop computers too, and I put some bananas in the suitcase too for us and Dillon."
"Okay, Nicky. That'll be good. Are you two ready to go over to Marcie's place now? I think we'd better get going." Hugo said.
"Yes, sir," Nicky said.
Jilder came into the bedroom carrying Dillon who was really beginning to put on the bulk for a two-year old. Jilder was straining a bit, but he would never relinquish his position as caretaker for Dillon just because Dillon was getting a little big to carry.
"We're ready," Jilder said.
Dillon had found one of the dog's toys and was beating Jilder on the shoulder with the rubber bone.
Everyone filed out to the SUV and all of the boys' things were packed carefully behind the second seat. "Dillon's travel seat had to be strapped in the back, and everyone piled in. It was a tight squeeze, but the boys just loved it. Dillon was squealing and laughing and lunging back and forth between Nicky and Jilder.
"Cool it! Boys" Jake yelled. "We gotta cooperate so that we don't make Uncle Kevin have an accident driving."
That announcement resulted in a very, very minor adjustment downward in the excitement level as Kevin backed out of the driveway and sped off to Marcie's.
"Good Evening, Sir. Do you expect to attend the Banquet in the main ballroom?" the parking valet asked as the men emerged from their Lexus SUV.
"Yes. We'll be staying rather late," Kevin replied handing the keys to the valet.
"Thank You, Sir. The ballroom is to your left as you enter the hotel. Have a pleasant evening." the valet said smiling and giving a little click of his heels, military style.
"Leave it to those Marine Biologists to do things right," Craig said as he lead the party of four through the crowded atrium and toward the ballroom. Everyone was straining to look up at the vast space above them as they walked through the atrium. The special lighting lent an eerie feeling to the undersea motif. All five of the squid of different fantasy colors moved and sparkled in the sea, while the divers rose and sank next to the submarine whose lights twinkled mysteriously in the deep. Seaweed fluttered and floated gently around the submarine and a new effect lent yet another sense of realism to the fantasy: Hugo had trained a green spotlight into a large tray of moving water: the shadows and highlights from which were projected onto the whole scene giving the final touch to his grand fantasy.
"Hugo, you are a genius with this artistic fantasy stuff. How in the hell do you do it?" Jake asked as everyone walked through the atrium.
"I don't really know, Jake. I don't think about it. The ideas just come to me, and I try em out. The ones that "work", I use; the ones that don't, I never show to Craig." Hugo said...
"Okay, Mr. Modesty. You know that you're one of a kind when it comes to these artistic matters. I also don't know how you do it, but I'm just glad you want to work with me!" Craig said.
"Craig, you know that if it weren't for you, I'd never have gotten an opportunity to show what I could do. You really made it work for me. I love you, Craig," Hugo said giving Craig a squeeze on his elbow as the four arrived at the doors to the ballroom.
A small twenty-piece chamber orchestra played Mozart as guests were arriving and greeting one another. The four gentlemen finally found their seats.
Some twenty, large, round tables, each seating eight persons, were covered in pale green table linen and adorned with large place cards and table floral decorations that extended the undersea motif, all designed by Craig and Hugo.
"Good evening, Craig, Hugo," a rather distinguished white haired, tuxedoed gentleman addressed them as they were heading to their table.
"Good evening, Doctor Hibbard," Craig answered. "Kevin, Jake, May I introduce you to Dr. Hibbard, Convention Coordinator for the Marine Biology Symposium. Dr. Hibbard allowed us to provide him with the special decorations and effects for the Atrium and related spaces.
"Oh, my, son, YOU are a genius and a gift to our modest symposium efforts. Because of you and your Art Director, Mr. Ramirez here, instead of a rather humdrum, unremarkable convention, we have a space and an experience that everyone will remember. You realize that we already have press and television coverage on the evening news... I'm sure that everyone in attendance will remember that remarkable undersea scene you created for us in the Atrium," Dr. Hibbard said.
"Thank you, Sir. You are very kind," Hugo replied betraying the full extent of his modesty when he dropped his eyes and bowed his head in shyness and genuine humility.
"We look forward to the presentations and other affairs, Dr. Hibbard. As a Professor of Mathematics at San Diego University, we don't always find ourselves in such distinguished international company as this. We look forward to discovering what you Marine Biologists are thinking," Kevin commented.
"Oh, my boy, I hope you find that this is time well-spent... Sometimes it seems exhaustively ordinary to me," Dr. Hibbard replied to Kevin's complimentary remark with a big smile.
"Oh, I doubt that, Sir," Kevin responded with respect.
"Well, I'll leave you gentlemen to your appetizers," Dr. Hibbard said as he backed up slightly with his arms open to include all four of the young men in his good will greeting.
Craig leaned closer to the other guys and spoke in a subdued tone. "Now you guys won't believe it, but Dr. Hibbard holds a Nobel Prize in ocean current theory."
"Really?" Jake said.
"Well, I wonder if he did as good a job on his ocean current research as he did on his symposium artwork project," Kevin retorted.
"Okay. Kevin. That's really nice, but I'm not in a league with Noble Prize winners," Craig said.
"Who was talking about you, Craig?" Kevin replied in a smart aleck tone with a huge smile: "I was referring to my husband here..."
Hugo just about crawled under the table, unaccustomed to recognition as he was.
"Don't let Kevin get to you, Hugo... Just look at it as practice for when you are interviewed at those medical conventions with Dr. Kavanaugh. You'll really be the man of the hour in those places..." Jake said trying to salvage Hugo's spunkiness.
"That's what I try to tell myself," Hugo said. "But I just never think of myself as unusual... I'm just Hugo, the deaf guy...." Hugo said.
"Good GRIEF! Hugo. You aren't deaf anymore. You're a new man!" Kevin said reaching over to pat Hugo on the shoulder.
"Yeah. But inside I remember being deaf... It's weird." Hugo answered.
"Most of the stuff those guys have been talking about, I really didn't understand or care about, but when they began to explain the new significance of fish and krill derived Omega-3 long-chain fatty acids to the good coronary and brain health of human beings, I began to listen more seriously," Hugo shared with everyone at the table.
"Yes. I wasn't aware of the particular benefits of omega-3 found with astaxanthin in krill," Jake replied.
"What are Krill?" Kevin asked.
"They're small crustacean creatures found in abundance in the Antarctic seas. The astaxanthin is a bright red substance that gives color to krill and lobsters and that preserves the fatty acids by its strong anti-oxidant action. As a result, krill oil omega-3 is highly desirable and consequently economically very profitable to harvest. But, as you can imagine, going to the Arctic Ocean to fish has its challenges." Jake answered.
"How come you're such an expert on Krill, Mr. Marine Biologist?" Kevin chided Jake.
"Well, in the health care industry, really, Omega-3 oil from animal sources has been confirmed to provide dramatic benefits to the human cardiovascular system and, for that matter, to the entire neurological system as well, most importantly to the brain.... We're talking about helping to avoid Parkinson's disease and keep memory functioning longer." Jake said.
"But can we get omega-3 only from krill?" Kevin asked.
"No. Not at all. Most commonly omega-3 that you can buy at the local vitamin store comes from sardine, anchovies, and other small fish. The small fish do not carry the mercury and PCB contaminant load that larger fish like tuna and swordfish do. Even so, the oil from sardine and anchovies is molecularly distilled to remove any traces of mercury or PCBs; so supplementing from those sources is perfectly acceptable... But, of course, you don't get the purity and antioxident astaxanthin that derive from the krill source." Jake said.
"I thought that omega-3 is also found in flaxseed," one of the other guests at Jake and Kevin's table contributed.
"That's correct," Jake responded. "But the Mayo Clinic did research recently that identified omega-3 derived from flaxseed oil to be implicated in prostate cancer.... And, in general, the benefits from omega-3 oil seem to be highly associated only with the animal and not the vegetable source."
"Well, that's something I didn't realize. I guess I ought to Google the flaxseed oil omega-3. I like my prostate too much to overlook this little detail," the guest said.
"Don't we all," Kevin said.
"I bought a supply of krill oil omega-3 with astaxanthin for Kevin and I," Hugo shared. "I try to take 3-4 grams a day... There is supposed to be a 6-to-1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 oils in one's diet. Other sources say the best ratio is 1-to-1," Hugo went on...
"Not only are you an artist, I'm sure you're one of the most health-conscious artists around," Kevin said. "And thanks Babe for looking out for my prostate, heart, and brain... and I thought I loved you only cause you were good in bed..." Kevin said matter-of-fact.
At which Hugo DID turn bright red, as if he'd just taken a big dose of astaxanthin...as he said in a stage whisper: "Kev!!!"
For a man as big and sexy as Hugo, he was one easily embarrassed, gentle soul, from which nature Kevin got no end of amusement.
The other guests at the table broke out laughing at Hugo's modest embarrassment over Kevin's bold admission of his sexual interest in Hugo.
"Good Man, Sir," the other guest addressed Hugo. "If only I'd be as fortunate to receive similar bedroom bravos from MY partner."
Hugo was mortified, but everyone hoped he understood the extent of the positive regard with which he was held by his partner and his good friends there with him.
"Uh..." Hugo stammered, "Uh... yeah... maybe... uh... thanks, Kev... I love you even though you're embarrassing the hell out of me..." he managed to get out with a little smile.
After the main speaker, everyone ambled around the hotel, enjoying the lovely scenery in the atrium and dropping by the restrooms.
Dr. Hibbard cornered Craig and began, "Craig, my boy. I've been speaking with guests from Los Angeles, who brought some film industry executives along to what they expected would be a dull and soggy evening. Now the film executives want to meet the producers of the fine fantasy art we acquired to provide ambience for the symposium. Would you and Hugo be available for a short introduction? I don't think they would monopolize your evening. I just think they would like to arrange a further meeting to discuss the possibililities of your joining some of their movie production enterprises-- probably on a freelance basis."
Craig felt his heart start to beat loud and fast enough that certainly Dr. Hibbard MUST be able to hear it. "MOVIE EXECUTIVES!" Craig thought... "Whoo-Eee!"
"Why, yes Sir. I'm sure Hugo would enjoy meeting your friends. Let me find him, and then we'll join you at your table before the after-dinner music begins," Craig answered.
"Very, good, my boy. We'll be looking for you." And with that, Dr. Hibbard turned and disappeared into the crowded hotel lobby.
Craig scurried around the atrium frantically looking for Hugo. The thought that someone might be interested in yet another-- or better yet-- several other art enterprises tantalized Craig's entrepreneurial nature and financial boldness.
"There you are, Hugo!" Craig called up ahead to Hugo who was standing next to Kevin and Jake in the crowd. "Listen man, you've gotta hear what Dr. Hibbard just unloaded on me...."
Kevin, Jake, and Hugo stopped talking and gave Craig their attention. Craig explained Dr. Hibbard's message, betraying his own excitement.
Hugo listened patiently but didn't appear to achieve the level of excitement over the prospects that Craig did. "So I guess we can talk to these Hollywood people and find out what they have in mind. For sure we'll need something to do when we get back from Europe. And, like you said before, those boys of ours DO have a habit of being the origin of endless expense..."
Craig said, "Come on, then, Hugo. Let's go find Dr. Hibbard..." and turning to Jake and Kevin, Craig said, "Hope you guys don't mind if we take time to do a little business. Who knows, it might turn out to be some useful networking..." and without waiting for a response, Craig grabbed Hugo by the arm and dragged him along as he plowed through the crowd into the ballroom.
"Oh my, boys. We were just speaking about you." Dr. Hibbard said.
"Here, Marvin ... I'd like you to meet Craig Zimmer and Hugo Ramirez, creators of the fantasy theme for tonight's banquet. Mr. Zimmer is floral director and enterprise executive. Mr. Ramirez concentrates on art design concepts, colors, and scenery creation. Together they do whatever else has to be done, and they do marvelous work, as you noticed."
Dr. Hibbard turned to Hugo and Craig: "Boys, this is Mr. Marvin Silver, producer and director affiliated with Fox Studios, Hollywood."
Extending his arm Mr. Silver said, "Your creative originality is truly extraordinary, Mr. Ramirez. And the execution of everything, right down to the last detail, is a credit to your organizational and artistic genius, Mr. Zimmer. I was wondering whether the two of you might be interested in sitting in on some of our planning sessions for a television series that we will be producing for introduction after the end of the year, probably next fall?" And Mr. Silver paused looking back and forth between Craig and Hugo to gage their reception to his plans.
"That does sound very interesting, Mr. Silver." Craig said.
"I'm glad that you are open to the possibilities."
Craig went on: "We would be most interested in hearing about the details of your artistic needs, with the idea that perhaps we'd be able to assist you in your projects, but we would probably do best if we were given a written synopsis of your series and the moods you hoped to achieve. Then, we could study the concept, sketch out a menu of artistic possibilities, and share it with you when we meet again."
"That sounds like a very sound and do-able beginning. I like your orderly, logical thinking and reasonable approach," Mr. Silver replied.
"Would you prefer meeting in Hollywood? Or would San Diego be convenient?" Craig asked.
"Say I FedEx the story line and some background material and give you two weeks; then we can get together on the Fox lot in L.A. I would want you both to look over the stages and the physical possibilities," Mr. Silver said.
"Also, our crafts and construction capabilities would be at your disposal. I know that you artsy types are not going to be civil engineers; and we have to make the fantasy durable, maybe even earthquake-proof," Mr. Silver laughed.
"There is just one obstacle, I'm afraid," Craig said.
Mr. Silver went a little pale and waited for the "But..."
Craig explained: "Mr. Ramirez and his entire family are committed to a one month business and educational trip to Europe commencing in just six weeks. Although he could begin the conceptual work while he travels and communicate via email, he would not be available for consults or visits to the studio until he returns to the United States in perhaps two months or so."
"Oh..." Mr. Silver said looking visibly relieved.
"I thought you were going to say that you were committed to other projects that would prevent your joining our team." And he adjusted his tuxedo coat trying to dispel his own anxiety even further. These entertainment executives operate in their own unique realm of anxiety and pressures.
Hugo had been listening to the conversation nodding his head in agreement now and then, but allowing Craig to do the talking, which Craig could always do admirably.
But at this point Hugo felt compelled to speak up, in as much as he was the one who had to deliver, so to speak.
"I'd very much like to visit your stages to see the spaces I'd be working with and gage the support that your in-house construction would be capable of providing," Hugo added.
"I think I'd be much more effective if I had that information in my head. Somehow the images and fantasy concepts pop into consciousness without my thinking about them... They just happen. But they come in consistent with whatever I know about the material, whether it's a story like the Alice in Wonderland book or a visual setting like the atrium here in this motel... I have to know about the meaning and the physical possibilities, and then I let it happen..." Hugo explained.
"No problem, my boy." Mr. Silver said, jumping at the chance to connect personally with "The Goose that Lays the Golden Eggs." "We understand artistic freedom...." Mr. Silver said with a big smile trying to put Hugo at ease.
"And please call me, Marvin," Mr. Silver said. "Or even Marv if you feel comfortable with that."
"Sure, Marvin," Hugo said with his handsome, disarming smile that glowed comfort and understanding. Marvin had had his share of artistic prima donnas, who were hell to deal with. Finding such a human and naturally kind artistic creator was a surprising and valuable experience in itself for Marvin.
"Good. Well, I'll get that FedEx out to you this week." Mr. Silver said.
"May I give you our business card," Craig asked as he fished around in the back pocket of his tuxedo for his wallet. (The damn pants on this tuxedo were a bit scant, Craig thought, but they showed off his "attributes" very effectively; so Craig had chosen to wear them anyhow. Now he had to really work to get his wallet out...)
Finally Craig came up with the card. Everyone was looking at him like he was acting a bit strange. "Sorry, this tux is a little tight," he said somewhat defensively.
"Don't worry, my boy. If I had your body, I'd be more than happy to put it in the best packaging possible, no matter how uncomfortable the clothes might be..."
"Well, a bathing suit would have been more comfortable and more revealing, but I thought that might be carrying the undersea theme a bit too far," Craig said eliciting a laugh from Marvin who found it easy to laugh at everything. Marvin laughed at everything, because laughing relieved anxiety, and anxiety was something Marvin coped with non-stop.
"And maybe the two of you could work in a trip down to the studio in Hollywood before Hugo leaves for Europe. Then he would be able to include that experience in his artistic considerations," Mr. Silver said.
"I'm sure we could work that in," Craig said.
Hugo added in his honest, disarming manner, "Yes. I'll do better if I have the major demands of the project in my mind. But let me say, Marvin. I don't do magic. I just let my mind go free and allow what is in there to come out, maybe in sketches, maybe in ideas and images. That's the way the art happens for me. And I'll be more than happy to do my best for you, Marv."
When he finished speaking, Hugo realized that his eyes were locked on to Marvin's, who relaxed in the peace that he saw there.
"My boy, I'm sure you needn't feel inadequate, no matter what develops or what doesn't develop. We work in the world doing the best that we can, bringing happiness and love to as many people as we can. I assure you that I feel privileged to have you join me in my life work," and Marvin reached for Hugo's hand for a parting handshake still not having broken eye contact. Just for those few seconds, there was a meeting of the souls for Marvin and Hugo...
There was a steady stream of vehicles past the valet station in front of the Marriott. When their silver Lexus SUV arrived, the men opened all three doors as the valet opened the driver's door for Kevin and received a neatly folded twenty-dollar tip for his efforts.
"Oh, THANK YOU, Sir!" the valet said to Kevin when he realized what a bonanza he'd just received.
"Thank you." Kevin said. "Ours was a very productive meeting tonight. I wanted to share it... Good night."
And the four men sped away into the night, with white, green, and red lights reflecting in bright, blinding flashes from the shiny surfaces of their silver vehicle.
"Alright, boys, this is a dry run for our leaving on the trip. I want to see all of your things packed in the new suitcases we bought for you, laid open in your rooms with YOU standing beside them; so we can tell whether we've forgotten anything." Kevin directed the boys at breakfast that Saturday morning.
"Yes, sir," they replied in unison, and with that they ran upstairs to pack all of the things that their dads had bought for them.
"What about you, Babe?" Kevin asked Hugo. "You have what you think you're going to need for the meetings?"
"I think so. I have two suits and coats, the tux, a few sweaters and shirts... socks, shoes, underwear, my sketch book (but I want to put that in my carry-on bag)... humm? Have I forgotten anything?" Hugo answered
"Sounds okay to me. I've got about the same thing. But haven't you got to bring a supply of growth hormones for your new hearing cells?" Kevin reminded Hugo.
"Oh, my God. How could I forget that? I'll add some to both the shipped baggage and to the carry-on bags too." Hugo said.
"What about the paperwork?" Hugo asked.
"Nicky's passport finally arrived; so as far as I can tell, we have everything: tickets in duplicate; passports for all of us; your medication; clothes for everybody...Do you think we ought to let the boys take their laptops, Hugo?"
"I think they might enjoy them. They can take them in their carry-on luggage. It'll slow down our going through security, for sure, but what-the-hey... The boys will love sending email back to Craig and Jake and Dillon, and whatever else they do with them... Not to mention that you and I can send emails using them... Yeah. I think we should allow them to bring their laptops," Hugo answered.
The boys yelled down from upstairs, "We're finished! You can come up and inspect our stuff!"
"Okay, you guys. We'll be there in a second." Kevin yelled back. "Come on, Hugo. Let's go up and see what the boys have put together."
They had both filled their suitcases carefully with the usual clothes, shoes, toothbrushes and toothpaste and the like, a few magazines about video games, and BANANAS!
"Uh... Nick, I think maybe the bananas ought to stay here... I mean. Those suitcases might be stored in very hot places and the bananas will end up turning to mush... We can probably get some fresh bananas when we get there..." Kevin said trying to be as nice about it as he could.
"That's okay dad. I wasn't sure whether the bananas could go with us or not. I'll take em out..." And with that Nicky took out the 8 browning bananas and placed them carefully on the floor. "Is it okay now, dad?" Nicky asked.
"Yep! Buddy. Looks good to me. We'll keep your passports and other papers; but we'll all travel together. I think we're finally ready." Hugo said turning to Kevin and nodding.
"Gees! sometimes I thought we'd never make it," Kevin replied putting his arm behind Hugo's back and snuggling up to his side. "Even these kids are ready! How did we do it, Babe?" And with that Hugo did what he rarely did: turned and gave Kevin a little peck on the cheek right in front of the boys.
"Awwwwwwwww! Yucky... Always playing smooch, smooch," Jilder cried, never missing a chance to chide his dads about their devotion to one another.
"You bet your sweet butt I love this guy! And NO LESS do I love you and that scalawag brother of yours too! So there!" Hugo replied with a big smile on his face. Then he reached over and put a huge, wet, noisy smooch on Jilder's cheek and then one on Nicky's...."
"Yucky! Yucky!" Jilder screamed wiping his cheek in mock panic in case thereby he had become infected with some grotesque fungus...
Both Kevin and Hugo stood there laughing at Jilder's silly display of self-consciousness lest anyone discover that he enjoyed, even craved, just such visible displays of his dads' love.
And all four of the guys headed down to the kitchen. "It's nearly time for supper, and we've got to wash the dogs tonight. I don't want Craig and Jake to have to deal with a bunch of smelly mutts," Kevin said.
"OK. Dad." Each of the boys said as they thundered down the stairs on their way to the kitchen."
Hugo turned to Kevin and said, "Have I ever told you how glad I am to have those two in our family. I love em both no end..."
"You love them MORE than me?" Kevin asked.
"I haven't noticed any limit to the love that I feel, and YOU are never out of my thoughts... No. There's no shortage of love for you, Kev. My life began when I met you... And it just gets better and better the longer I am with you. I love Kevin Kramer."
Kevin smiled from ear to ear, not really doubting that Hugo loved him, but just hearing it again fired the flame in his spirit, and his being soared as the two of them walked together downstairs to be with the boys.
"I never doubted that for a minute...." Kevin replied, each of them smiling into the others eyes.