TIME-TO-SEE-56
On a very high observation deck in front of the hotel, from which Kennedy Airport was visible in the distance, Hugo and Kevin and the boys stood in the bright morning sunlight waiting for the limousine that would gather all passengers who were going to Kennedy International Airport. These limousines could easily hold a dozen passengers each.
"I don't know where I got this new energy; I was so exhausted this morning at four, but I sure feel better now. Actually I'm hungry and ready for a good breakfast," Hugo said.
"I feel a lot better too," Kevin answered. "Just those few hours of sleep helped a lot... The boys don't seem any the worse for the grueling schedule we're putting them through either. I guess that's the compensation for being 12 years old!"
"Yeah! Well there really ought to be SOME consolation for being that age. They have so fucking much to learn... Personally, I'm glad to be a bit further along the person-hood learning curve," Hugo observed, being a tad bit profound for eight in the morning.
A black shiny limousine arrived in front of the motel, and Hugo & Company left the observation deck and shuffled down the iron stairs with their carry-on bags. The boys ran directly over to the limo while Kevin and Hugo followed more slowly but right on their heels.
Just as the boys, Hugo, and Kevin opened the limo doors, another equally long black limo pulled up just ahead of the limo they were boarding. A moment of delay ensued with no activity around the newly arrived limo, then the very back-most door on the curb side opened and a very small child got out, a little boy lugging a suitcase that was almost as big as he was.
Kevin watched waiting for the mother or father or maybe both to leave the limo, but nothing happened. The little boy clutching a white business envelop dragged his suitcase in the direction of the limo that the guys were preparing to enter, and moments later--with the wind blowing something fierce, enough nearly to blow the little boy into the street--the boy handed his envelop to the driver of Hugo's, Kevin's and the boy's limo.
The driver opened the envelop and read for a moment, and then he dropped his hands and stooped down quite low to look the little boy in the eyes. "So you're Mr. Shannon Murphy? Well, nice to meet you, Sir," and he held out his hand to shake Shannon's.
"Hi," the little boy said. "Nice to meet you too. I gotta go to the airport to fly on a plane to go see my daddy. My mom couldn't come with me."
"That won't be a problem here, Mr. Murphy. We have lots of room for you, and there will be a steward to meet you at Kennedy airport; so you just sit back and enjoy the sights. I'll make sure you find your steward when we get there; so don't worry about a thing." And he took the little boy's bag from him and sat it on the sidewalk for a moment while he guided the boy back to one of the waiting open doors of his vehicle.
Jilder, ever the assertive, outgoing one, walked over to the same open door as Shannon did and said, "Hi, you going to Ireland?" Then he paused waiting for the boy to answer, but didn't really give him time to. "We're going on a BIG airplane. If you are too, maybe you and us can fly on the same one?"
Shannon smiled and climbed onto the plush grey velour seats of the limo, slipped over to the far side and made room for Jilder. "Yeah. Maybe. 'cause I'll be going to Dublin on a plane too."
Nicky was right behind Jilder, and he went in by the same open door but this time sat on the forward facing seat, looking at Shannon and Jilder who sat on the one facing rear. "Hi, I'm Nicky. If you're goin on the same plane as us, maybe we can sit together. I brought some cards, and we can play."
Shannon replied, "I'd like to sit with you, but I don't know how to play cards."
Nicky destroyed that deficiency immediately, "Oh, that's OK; we sort a make up our card games anyhow; so you could learn it easy."
"That'd be good...." Shannon said. "Why are you going to Dublin?"
Nicky answered, "Our dad-- well, one of em-- has to go to a meeting of doctors and talk about his operation; so we get to go and see the sights in that country. We've never been to Europe before."
Shannon replied, interested in these two potential travel companions, "Where do you live?"
Jilder joined in, "We live in San Diego."
"San Diego?" Shannon queried. "Where's that?"
Nicky attempted to clarify, "It's a city in California near Hollywood, and California is a long way away from New York. It took us all night to get here from California-- and that was flyin."
"You've been flying all night already? Aren't you tired?" Shannon asked?
"Not right now. But really early this morning when we got here on the plane (It was still dark), I was pretty tired. We all were, and my dad's were REALLY tired."
Shannon looked over Nicky's seat at Hugo and Kevin who had just seated themselves in the comfortable swiveling chair-seats behind where the boys sat.
In a kind of whisper, Shannon leaned over closer to Nicky and asked, "Are those men your dads?"
"Yeah." Nicky answered.
Shannon looked a little puzzled, but after a moment he asked Jilder, "Which one is YOURs?"
"Well, they BOTH are."
Still trying to understand this entirely new situation that had presented itself to Shannon this bright, clear, and windy morning, he turned to Nicky and asked, "Are they BOTH your dads too?"
Nicky replied in the most matter-of-fact manner, "Yeah. Sure..."
"I don't have but ONE dad, and he doesn't live with me. That's why I'm going to Dublin: to see him."
"Hummm?" Nicky looked at Jilder thinking that this kid might not be all that happy to be living a long way from his father.
"You get to visit him very much?" Nicky asked.
"No." Shannon said letting his eyes fall, belying a hint of sadness surrounding that issue.
"Well, now you'll get to see him. That ought'a be cool," Nicky added trying to cheer Shannon by looking on the positive side of things.
"Yeah. I'm really glad to go see him. I'll be able to spend the WHOLE summer with him. Then I gotta come back to New York to live with my mother," Shannon explained.
The limo driver started the vehicle's engine and pulled away from the curb. There were almost no mechanical sounds in the passenger compartment where the boys and Hugo and Kevin sat. In no time at all the limo pulled out onto a huge interchange and sped along the highway where every so often large green signs indicating Kennedy Airport hung over the lanes of moving traffic.
In no time, the limo approached the curb of the international terminal and the boys scrambled to get out of the vehicle. Hugo and Kevin left the limo too and approached the driver who was helping Shannon to pick up his suitcase.
"What's the story on that boy? Does he have a guardian to travel with?" Kevin asked.
"No. Apparently not." the driver answered. "It's really not THAT unusual for a minor child to travel alone by air, but the airlines will have a steward to meet the child upon arrival at the air terminal and accompany him through security screening and the boarding process."
Kevin observed, "There doesn't seem to be any representative from the airlines here to meet the boy. May I ask what airline he will be flying? According to the boy's conversation with our sons, it seems that his destination is the same as ours; so it's highly likely that he will be traveling on the same aircraft as we will. We'd be more than happy to see that he receives proper care, if there is a need for our help..."
The driver answered, "I can't imagine that the boy's hand-off here to the airlines will be bungled, but it sure isn't looking good. The boy gave me this envelop which contains his airline tickets. So I may just ask your assistance to look after the boy while I go and inquire with the airline about the steward for the boy. Would that be acceptable to you?"
Kevin looked over the boy's airline tickets and recognized that indeed he would be traveling on the same flight as they and Nicky and Jilder would. "Of course! This boy is going on the same flight as we are. It would be no trouble at all," Kevin said.
Hugo, overhearing Kevin's conversation with the driver, said, "Why don't you just give me the boy's suitcase, and I'll carry it up to the security screeners for him."
"That is very, VERY generous of you-- both of you. I can't imagine any parents allowing their child to go to the airport and board an airplane without being there in person!" the driver said shaking his head. "Some people...." He muttered as he passed Shannon's suitcase to Hugo and turned to close the doors of the limo.
All three boys congregated around Hugo and Kevin together on the sidewalk. Everyone had a carry-on bag except Shannon, but since his suitcase was too large for him to carry easily, Hugo carried it for him.
"Come on guys," Hugo said to the three boys. "I've got all the tickets: for Shannon and for all of us; so we'll all just process through security and boarding together... Is that okay with you, Shannon?" Hugo asked.
"Oh, yeah. Thanks for lettin me come along," Shannon said. And with a big smile on his face, Shannon squeezed in the middle between Nicky and Jilder and went with them inside of the crowded building, winding around until everyone arrived at security screening.
By this time Kevin and Hugo were sufficiently experienced in the security routine that they requested their pat downs and special considerations without any uncertainty and waited along with Shannon while his larger carry-on bag was scrutinized from top to bottom. The security agents managed to churn up Shannon's bag leaving no order to the neatly packed contents. But, of course, there was no contraband in Shannon's bag; so they were all released together to get themselves to the boarding area.
"Is anybody in the mood for breakfast," Hugo asked his animated brood. He looked at Kevin and said, "Personally I'm starved. I think we'll have plenty of time to eat since clearing security was so fast this time."
Kevin nodded in agreement and turned to the three boys and said, "Okay, guys. We're going into that Marriott restaurant over there for breakfast. Stay together! I don't want to lose anybody."
"Uh, Dad!" Nicky said. "I gotta go pee."
Kevin looked at Hugo and said, "Do YOU go this time, or do you want me to? We can't let those kids out of sight for an instant..."
"If you'll do the duty this time, I promise to cover next. I'd like to check out the boarding area while you're away with the kids, then we can meet here in front of the restaurant and go in together. Sound okay to you?" Hugo asked.
"That sounds great, Babe! I'm holdin you to it: next time it's YOUR turn," Kevin said with a smile. He gave Hugo a little peck on the cheek and turned to the kids and said, "Over there boys. AND STAY TOGETHER!" All three boys started skipping their way over to the restroom sign with the little blue man and the word Gentlemen on it.
"I'll find the open stalls," Nicky announced.
And with Kevin in line right behind the three boys, they all entered the huge restroom.
"Gees, there's a lot of bathrooms in here!" Shannon said.
"You mean a lot of TOILETS," Jilder corrected.
"Those aren't toilets," Shannon defended himself.
"No. They aren't toilets like you go poop in, but they are special toilets for mens so they can pee quick." Nicky clarified.
"Yeah!" Shannon said feeling vindicated.
So Nicky boldly went running along in front of the 20 or so stalls looking under each one as he passed yelling back to his colleagues as he passed each one: "This one's empty. That one's not. This is empty; this is empty; this is empty... I think the rest is empty. We each get our own toilet stall."
Kevin said, "Okay, guys. One of you per toilet stall. Do your business and don't add any funny stuff! I'll be right here watching to see that everything's okay." And he took up his sentinel's post across from the long row of toilet stalls, folded his arms in front of him, and leaned against the wall making it clear he was not moving until all three of them had returned safely....
"And don't take all day!" he added.
After a few minutes and three 'whooshes' later, the three boys were reassembled with Kevin and ready to return to the restaurant to meet Hugo.
"We get to order for ourselves?" Jilder asked.
"I'll have to see what the menu has," Kevin answered. "I don't mind, but I'll make a suggestion if I think what you're ordering might be something you won't like... Is that okay?"
"Yeah! That's good," Jilder agreed. That boy was ever searching for greater autonomy, in whatever minor ways the world might present. He would do well to stick close to Craig and Hugo and watch them run their business in the future.
"I don't have any money to pay for breakfast," Shannon admitted, looking up at Kevin, sheepish and embarrassed to admit his dilemma.
"Oh, for goodness sake, Shannon, you are our travel guest. I couldn't let you pay for your own breakfast since you have been kind enough to join us. We love the company, and you can see that Nicky and Jilder both enjoy having a new friend to be with. No. Don't worry at all. Hugo and I are paying." Kevin told him.
Shannon smiled and looked back and forth from Nicky to Jilder.
"Come on, Shannon. We'll all get a big booth together," Nicky said.
Thus without incident (Well- so far...), the small band of enthusiastic travelers headed for the exit of the restroom, running out as fast as they arrived... Nicky, the frontrunner, made an abrupt, unannounced swerve to the left, and as he passed each of the 15 or 20 unoccupied urinals, he flushed each one as he ran by. By the time he reached the end of the line and headed for the door, the restroom was vibrating with a roar of water, sounding very much like Niagara Falls....
"NICKY! WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU DOING???" Kevin yelled... "STOP IT!!!!!...."
"OK, Dad..." Nicky yelled completely untroubled and care free; then he ducked out the restroom door leaving Shannon and the others hurrying behind avoiding the spray from all the splashing water....
Kevin, pulling up the rear, left the restroom glad no one saw what Nutball Nick had just done... ("NEXT TIME IS HUGO'S TURN..." Kevin was muttering to himself as they emerged from the restroom and headed toward Marriott's. )
Hidden behind a glossy picture menu larger than he was, Nicky started talking to Shannon: "Look, Shannon, you can get any of these pictures... Humm? I think I'm going to get some salmon. I like that at Coco's," Nicky volunteered.
"Coco's?" Shannon asked.
"Oh, yeah! You wouldn't know about Coco's. There are a lot of restaurants in a chain around San Diego called Coco's, and we go there a lot. I had my first salmon fish there. It's really good, and my dad says it's good for you too," Nicky answered
"I like fish, but I don't know what salmon is, and do you eat fish for breakfast?" Shannon said.
"Hummmm? I don't know. But I feel like I want a big meal, and the picture of that fish looks good to me; so I think I'll order salmon," Nicky replied.
Jilder was alternately looking at the pictures on the menu and listening to Shannon and Nicky discuss what they might order. "That's a good idea, Nicky. I'm hungry and ready for lunch too. I'm skippin breakfast and going straight to lunch. Is that OK, dad?" Jilder said turning to look right at Kevin.
"That sounds fine, Jilder. Also decide on something to drink.... (But NO beer!)..." Kevin answered.
"Ohhhhhh! Dad! You're funny," Jilder said.
Hugo turned to Kevin and said, "You're learning, Kev. Ya can't leave ANYTHING unchecked around these guys."
"Do you think they're always gonna need so much checking?" Kevin asked hoping the answer was no.
"Well, I think that if we are on the job while they're young, then later their decisions will naturally be sound. I'm hoping that; then we'll only have to check on the big things: like, who are your friends; do you take drugs or alcohol; and did you do your homework?" Hugo replied.
"Come to think of it, we do probably still have a lot more work to do, but these guys aren't rebellious-- at least not yet-- and they really are willing to cooperate. I'd say we're lucky that way." Kevin added.
"Yep! We are. But if raising kids is like everything else in life, there are bound to be some bumps-- somewhere along the way...." Hugo said.
"I'll tell you what goes a long way with me, Hugo," Kevin was thinking out loud.
"What's that, Babe?"
"I just really do LIKE these two kids... No, I mean it; I find them sooo loveable. Even when they're pissin me off, I can see beyond the moment to the wonderful kids they are, and I just feel very thankful, and then I notice that I have a little more patience than I had just a few seconds before..." Kevin said.
"Yeah, Kev. I know what you mean... I love the heck out of em too--- but somehow I don't want em to think I'm a push-over," Hugo added.
"Ohhhhhhh, no!" Kevin agreed with a big smile and roll of his eyes.
The boys all three ordered the salmon lunch plates with iced tea and apple cobbler for desert.
Hugo and Kevin got the Asian Chicken Salad with brown bread and iced tea.
When the order arrived, it required two waiters to shuffle the dishes and glasses across the large table in the booth that the boys had chosen. And the boys were delighted to have these grown-up looking meals delivered to them as the result of their own requests. I think it was clear that Nicky and Jilder were eager to be responsible for themselves... And that in itself was a happy realization for the dads. It seemed that the kid's growing up would happen automatically if the correct love and nurturing were present.
Shannon was emulating Nicky and Jilder. He wanted to be just as proficient in living life as he saw the older boys were. But he always glanced at either Kevin or Hugo to gauge their approval. And after a while, he relaxed in the idea that everything would be alright if he just followed along with Nicky and Jilder. So the three boys joked and talked together as they ate, and Hugo and Kevin enjoyed the new measure of independence that Shannon's arrival had bestowed upon Nicky and Jilder.
Having finished eating, the whole party headed toward the boarding gate, and each of the guys had his own carry-on bags. Of course, Hugo continued to carry Shannon's bag along with his black satchel of important documents.
"When we sit down in the boarding place, I'll show you my laptop computer," Nicky said to Shannon.
"You have your very own computer?" Shannon said.
"Yep! And Jilder does too. They're really neat. We can send e-mail messages to our friends, Craig and Jake, or go to game websites where we can play computer games." Nicky explained.
"Alright, you guys, let's keep together, and when we get to the boarding area, we'll find seats next to each other. We don't want to get separated. Okay, Shannon?" Kevin reiterated to Shannon, because he'd been bombarding Nick and Jilder with the same message for two days already. Still, all three needed to hear the same message repeated just to be on the safe side.
"Sure, Kevin," Shannon replied sounding for all the world like just another kid in the family, a state of affairs that both pleased and flattered Kevin and Hugo.
Nicky opened his laptop computer and went to the Google page. "Would you like to have an email account, Shannon? so's you can send letters and messages to your dad and mom and maybe some friends like us?"
"Yeah! That'd be super... What do I have to do?" Shannon asked.
"Nothing. I'll set you up with a username and password so you can use g-mail, and get mail in your mailbox." Nicky said.
"OK, Shannon, you gotta give me some information so's I can fill in the windows and set up your email account."
"OK... What do you need to know?" Shannon asked.
"We need to make you a username. Just think up a good name, somethin catchy that you can remember easy, and we'll call your new account by that name," Nicky answered.
"Uuuhhh... how about "Shannon Goes To Dublin"?" Shannon proposed.
"That's a little long. Can you shorten it to maybe 10 letters or somethin?" Nicky asked.
Then Nicky went on: "I know, how about 'shanNY2IR' Can you remember that? You gotta remember it exactly. It's 9 characters long."
"Yeah. I can remember that. I understand what it says. It's sort of a code, isn't it?" Shannon said.
"Great. Yeah. It IS a code. But now we REALLY need a secret code. But only YOU can know the secret code; so you are the only person who can read your mail." Nicky explained next.
Nicky went on telling Shannon what he had to do next: "Now look at all these keys. See the numbers and letters and little squiggles? Well, you can make up your secret code and type it in to the computer right now. I won't look. Don't make it too long to remember, Shannon. You really gotta remember this code forever, or you won't be able to get into your account and read your mail. It's like a key, but actually it's just a secret code that you type in."
"Hummmm?" Shannon thought for a minute and then he turned to Nicky and said, "Where do I type it in?"
"Right in that window where the little black line is blinking (that's called the cursor). I won't look. You type in your secret code, and then press this big key called ENTER. And that will set up your mail box."
"OK," Shannon said as he positioned himself in front of the keyboard and punched the keys he'd chosen using one finger at a time. Then he pushed the ENTER key, and his account was all ready.
"OK, Shannon. Now I'll send you a message to your account, and then you can go and read it. Now don't look while I make my email to you... DON'T PEEK!" Nicky instructed...
In moments Nicky was finished preparing his email, which he sent right away. Then he closed his account and returned the screen that Shannon could use to open is own new account.
Very carefully, Shannon typed in the username window: shanNY2IR. He asked Nick, "Now what, Nicky?"
"Okay. Now enter your secret code into the Password box and press the ENTER key," Nicky said.
"Okay. Push ENTER" Nicky instructed.
With that last move the screen cleared, and a new g-mail account appeared. There was ONE new message for Shannon.
"There's my message from you, Nicky. How can I read what you said?" Shannon asked.
"You just move the little arrow until it's on top of the name of the message you want to read, and then you push this left button on the laptop. See? When we say "click-on-the-message", that's what you're supposed to do." Nicky explained.
Next thing Shannon knew, two short lines of writing appeared on the computer screen:
"Hi, Shannon... I am very happy that you will ride on the same plane as me and Jilder. I think your a cool guy. love, Nicky"
Shannon's face lit up when he read the words. Those were the kindest words he had ever heard. His new friends liked him, and want him to fly on the plane with them... He was so happy...
It was his very own first email message in his very own email account. Now he could send messages to Nicky and Jilder and Kevin and Hugo and-- maybe-- his dad, if he knows how to send email too. This trip was going to be really good, Shannon realized.
Then Shannon turned and told Nicky, "Thanks for the message, Nicky. It was really nice"
Nicky said, "You can answer me in an email letter. You don't have to tell me. Here let me show you MY email address... (You won't need my special secret password.)" And with that, Nicky gave Shannon the email addresses for everybody in his family:
Shannon was smiling, just delighted to have a new world opened to him... Where had he been? Why didn't he already know about this email stuff?
"Alright everybody, listen up," Hugo was standing before the guys who were all seated by now. "We're going to go over to that tall desk where the lady is standing. She's going to check our tickets and let us go on the airplane before everybody else, because we have lots of kids... Now I have everybody's tickets: even yours, Shannon; so I'll be standing there with the lady showing her each ticket; then she'll tell you when you can go on the airplane..."
"OKAY. EVERYBODY STAND UP. Let's go..." and Hugo led the way over to the check-in desk for his little band.
As the boys and their dads processed through the boarding check-in, a stewardess told Hugo, "Sir, we are making some changes in your seating, if you are agreeable. We're moving your entire party to first class where you can put all of the boys at window seats and you two gentlemen can sit in swivel seating. This should make supervision much simpler and more effective than the current configuration of your reserved seats in coach."
"Sure. That sounds wonderful. Anything to simplify keeping up with these three monkeys," Hugo said with a smile.
"Everything will be the same as it was in your coach seating, except you'll have more privacy and easier oversight of the children. It's in our interest to know that the boys are adequately supervised, believe me..." the stewardess said with a knowing smile... No question she'd worked transatlantic flights with children before. She understood the effects of sequestering children in a small space for 14 hours at a time...
"That's just terrific," Kevin said to the stewardess. "We can't begin to thank you enough. I assure you that these boys won't be ANY PROBLEM for you or the airlines... WE'LL SEE TO THAT!"
The boys were watching all that transpired in complete silence and when they got the signal from Hugo, they followed another stewardess and filed on to the plane one-by-one, Jilder in the lead, Shannon next, and Nicky pulling up the rear.
In no time at all, everyone was settled in the First Class cabin, belted into their plush and ample seating. The boys were fingering adjacent television screens and stereo-outlets and telephones, overhead ventilation ports and lighting, swivel locks on their seating, levers that permitted seats to recline, magazine pouches, call button, you-name-it, the boys were giving it ALL a thorough hands-on inspection. And all the while glancing out the nearby windows to track what the men in orange overalls were doing to the plane... It would seem that NOTHING escaped their notice and evaluation.
It seemed like no time before the entire aircraft was filled with milling passengers and the pilots announced that they would be taxiing in moments.
"Everyone please be seated and buckle up your seatbelts." The stewardesses would be verifying that all cabins are ready for take-off.
"No patrons may be in the bar or salon areas during take-off or landing."
"Dad! What's the bar and salon area?" Nicky asked.
"This aircraft is so luxurious that it has its own cocktail lounge that sells and serves alcoholic beverages to the passengers... the ones who are adults, Jilder... THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE YOU GUYS!" Hugo added with a smile.
"DAD!" Jilder replied.
"Where did Jilder get that beer kick," Kevin asked Hugo. "Neither of us drink alcoholic beverages at all?"
"Oh! Kids see so much on television these days. I'm sure that they notice everything that adults do... Remember, they're trying to BECOME adults, while WE'RE trying to help them become ADULTS WITHOUT PROBLEMS." Hugo replied.
"Yeah! True..." Kevin smiled and settled back in his swivel chair that he had locked in place, facing forward, prepared for take-off.
The loud speakers clicked and became alive with a welcome from the pilots and an invitation to have a comfortable flight as the plane made it's way to the main runway and accelerated in a great crescendo of rushing air.
All six jet engines whined, screamed, and strained bringing this monstrosity of a machine to take-off velocity in a matter of seconds. And the aircraft pivoted back on its main landing gear, lifted its nose skyward, and became free of the impediments of the surface of the earth... Hugo and Kevin were at peace, and the boys were cheering, "Yeah! We're flying... we're flying... Yeah!"
The aircraft circled around gracefully and gave the boys another view of the Statue of Liberty. Nicky and Jilder lectured poor Shannon on the meaning of the statue, while Shannon listened without interrupting and acted as if he might be learning something.
No sooner had the view cleared and left a never-ending expanse of water in all directions than the boys sat back in their seats to confer on something else to do with their time.
The door to the captain's cabin opened and a young man dressed in an airline uniform stepped into the First Class cabin. He was carrying a paper in one hand and his hat under the arm of the other hand.
Walking up to Hugo and Kevin he said, "Gentlemen, you are the guardians of these boys, one of whom is Shannon Murphy; would I be correct?"
Kevin replied, "Well, approximately. We are the legal guardians--the dads, if you will-- of the two larger boys, Nicky and Jilder. They're our direct responsibility.
But we are also responsible for the third boy, Shannon Murphy, since we volunteered to supervise and see to his well-being, because he was unceremoniously abandoned at the New York airport by ill-planned travel arrangements for an unaccompanied minor that left him without assistance in travel processing, and without the companionship someone his age certainly requires. Can we be of further help to you or the boy, Captain?"
"Oh, I didn't understand what had happened to the boy. That's an enormous embarrassment to the airlines. The question now is how can I be of assistance to YOU and your party," the Captain replied.
"Well, we are very comfortable with the seating changes your staff set up for us, and I think the rest is pretty much up to us-- but if you have any stock entertainment for 10 to 12 year olds, we're open..." Kevin said with a smile.
"First, I need to deliver this message to the guardian of Shannon Murphy. That would be you by default, I believe. This message came in over the aircraft email account with a request to deliver it as soon as possible. Here... may I?" and the Captain handed the printed note to Kevin.
Hugo and Kevin read the note together: "Dear Shannon, an important business matter has come up, and I must fly out to Athens, Greece, immediately. I will not be able to meet you at the airport when you arrive, but I am sending my butler, Geoffrey, who will be carrying a printed sign with your name on it. Just look for the man carrying the sign bearing your name. He will be carrying a letter signed by me authorizing him to transport you from the airport out to our estate. I look forward to seeing you in a week. Love, Dad"
Hugo looked at Kevin and said, "Oh, my God! I don't have the heart to give this note to the boy immediately. He's been so happy to be going to visit with his dad that he hasn't seen in a year, and stay the whole summer with him... Now this... I feel so sorry for that kid," Hugo said very quietly, lest the boys overhear him.
"Yeah. Me too," Kevin said to Hugo.
Looking up at the Captain, "Well, there were no guarantees included when we assumed responsibility for Shannon. So we're going to deal with this disappointment being as helpful as we can be," Kevin said to the Captain.
"I certainly understand how you feel. I have a boy just about that age myself. He counts the hours before I return from my work trips too. I'm sure this youngster will be disappointed," the Captain said, shaking his head and looking down a bit.
Looking up, "But maybe I can add a little pleasantness to his life before you have to pass along this information to him," the Captain said. "That is, if you approve of my invitation to bring all three boys up on the flight deck for a nice long look at how the plane flies, and even a chance to sit in the co-pilot's seat and "fly" it for a minute or so.
"That would be wonderful, Captain. You certainly don't have to do this, but on behalf of the boys, we are most appreciative. It's an honor and a terrific invitation. Thank you very, very much," Kevin said.
At that point the Captain put on his hat and walked over a few feet in order to talk directly with the boys without having to speak loudly. "Gentlemen:" the Captain addressed the three boys, "Your dads have given their permission for me to take you to the flight deck where you can see how the plane flies for yourselves. We'll even be able to let each of you fly it, if you'd like. Would that be satisfactory?"
Then indicating where they would be heading, "Just line up behind me and follow me up the aisle to the flight deck," the Captain said. Then he turned and added, "Watch where you are walking. There are a few steps up just as you enter the Captain's cabin."
Well, there was not even a pause for the three boys to confer on an invitation to fly the plane! My God, they had just been given a chance of a lifetime... They all three stood up simultaneously ready to follow immediately, and each one had the most interesting expression of eagerness, curiosity, and excitement. They were suddenly "all business," as far as this latest undertaking was concerned.
Kevin and Hugo turned to one another. Kevin said, "Do we dare let them go up there without supervision?"
Hugo answered, "Well, this time I think we're safe, because that Captain has a kid this age too. He can't be manipulated or distracted by their standard behavior."
"Yeah. But it's the NON-STANDARD stuff that concerns me," Kevin said.
"No. Still... I'm not worried..." Hugo answered.
Kevin said, "Well, at least they won't run into any gun-tot'n terrorists in the Captain's Cabin..."
On his way past his dad's seats, Nicky and the line of boys paused, and Nicky had a fleeting moment to read the printed email that had just been delivered by the Captain. Very quickly though, the line of boys started moving again, and he filed off to certain bliss in the cockpit...