The Young and the Beautiful

Chapter 40

I got a glass of scotch for the both of us and sat him down for a talk, as his girlfriend was too embarrassed to talk. She just excused herself and wished to go. Charlie was too embarrassed and wasn't able to say anything. He cannot even look me in the eye. Charlie's face got too wrinkled when he sipped his first scotch.

"Really Charlie? Don't pretend that this is your first time drinking scotch." I said and gave him a weird look.

"Last week, I saw you passed out by the main door early in the morning. I didn't bother to help you. Though your mama was insisting, but I wanted to teach you a lesson. Something that a bad hangover can teach you. But I heard Bela and Alfonso dragging you inside and brought you to your room." I added. Charlie was embarrassed on what he heard. Then I tapped his shoulder to reassure him, then I asked him to drink only what he can and don't drink too much. I think his hangover that morning taught him that.

"Oh Papa, yes this is my first time to drink scotch! It's weird. We don't drink this one yet. All we drank was fancy vodka that EJ brought. He said that uncle Enrique refused to have scotch or an old man's drink in the house." He said. Of course, EJ got a bottle of vodka from his father without him knowing, very typical Enrique.

So I got a new glass and a can of coke to make his drink more drinkable for him. He said that it tasted good. Oh God, what kind of father am I? Why am I teaching him this?

"The girl who just left, is she the reason why you don't want to leave? She's pretty. You got my good taste in women, mi hijo. I remember when I was your age, I dated this girl in Madrid-" I told him. I just sound like my pápa. Charlie was confused, and embarrassed that his cheeks started to turn red, and he doesn't know what to say and explain to me what has happened. But when I started telling him a story, he started to laugh at it.

"Papa! I heard that story a million times! That's gross! Boundaries papa! Boundaries!" His reply made me laugh.

"You told me all about your womanizing years in Madrid when you're young! Parar ahora! Por favor!" He added. Then he started laughing.

"Yes and I won't stop doing so because I'm your father, and I have been in that phase too. But son, once you find a woman who's going to be your future make sure that you can see yourself with her for the rest of your life. Make sure that you have the same goals in life." I added.

"Thanks Papa. To be honest, I don't really see her in a long time thing." He replied. Then he had an awkward laugh. But when I laughed he let out a loud one.

"Just use protection, son. Don't knock up someone yet. You're still young. There's still a big world out there for you." I said.

"And a world of girls." He added. Then we both laughed again.

"Papa! I already know that. Uncle Enrique sat me, EJ and Marco down and talked to us when we were in high school." He replied. So Enrique, talked to my son about this, of course. Told his son who was dating my daughter during that time. What do I expect? I just laughed and told him that it's good that he knew it. I'm going to call that man and talk about this later.

I tapped my son's shoulder to make him feel that what happened is normal and I won't judge him like someone who has committed theft and who was from the last century. My son is twenty now, and a grown up, and a very wise one who makes decisions on his own.

While we're talking, we talked about them leaving anytime soon. He agreed to leave as he thought it was for the best.

"Charlie, please take care of your mother, Bela and Alfonso. You're the man of the house when I'm not around. Talk to Alfonso when he started asking you about "guy stuff". I think you know what I'm saying, hijo. You're not just his friend there, you're also his father when he needs one." I asked Charlie.

"Of course papa. But I grew up without someone to guide me except you and mama. I'm curious about Alfonso. He can take care of himself." He asked me.

"I'm so proud that you are brave, strong, and responsible. Alfonso wasn't, because he's young, and he grew up with you, and Bela by his side. So that's why he's a little relaxed." I replied. He just nodded along and understood what I told him.

Today is the day that Camila and the children will leave for Madrid. Camila was still anxious and told me that it reminded her of our situation during the war. I knew that this is the time for me to hand over some of my most important belongings to my children. It had to live on like how it is supposed to.

"Charlie, I want you to have my watches and my gold jewelry. Give a watch that Alfonso wants when he turns eighteen." I handed Charlie my watch boxes that contained four automatic Rolexes and Omegas.

"But this watch, is my favorite. I told myself that I will give this to my son one day. Your mother gave this to me when we got married in 1947. It has been my buddy since then, and saw the places that I've been to. If I won't make it, it deserves to continue seeing the world. Travel the world for me." I said as I showed him the engraving on the back of the watch that says "Pancho y Camila 1947".

Charlie tried to hold back his emotion and failed. He hugged me tight and buried his head on my shoulder like what he always did when he was a boy. He may be a grown up man now, but in my eyes he will always be a boy who always tried to imitate whatever I did, and the six-year old boy who smelled like my aftershave one day when he went out of our bathroom.

"Enough crying now Charlie. I need you to be strong. Our family needs to rely on you. You're the man of the family while I'm not there. Understand?"

I hugged my children and gave them all a kiss as if I won't be seeing them again. Camila hugged me goodbye and kissed me for the longest time in a while. She started crying too.

"You need to be strong Camila. Our children are all depending on you." I said. She was wearing the necklace and earrings that I gave her when we were in Paris.

"Whenever you miss me just look at the necklace you're wearing and I'll be there. I'll be with you four always. Eres mi vida, Camila. Te quiero por siempre." I added. Bela was too sad for words and wasn't able to talk to me while I bid her goodbye.

"Mi Corazon, I know that this would be hard for you. But you have always been a strong girl like your mother. Take care of each other, te amo mija." I said as I planted a kiss on her forehead. She was wearing the locket that her grandparents gave her when she was a girl.

"Papa, I don't know when will I see you again. I'm scared that you might die just like those other people who died like what Olivia said." She said. Of course she already knew about this. She always hangs out with her cousin Olivia and she was quite a vocal human rights activist.

"Of course you will see me again. I promise that to you." I said. Although I know that what I told Bela was partially unsure. Then I remember, my life was like this during the war. Nothing is certain again like before. Then when Alfonso heard the possibility of me being dead he broke down and cried and ran to me and gave me a tight hug. He said a day before that he will be brave because he's a big boy now which he seemed to forgot all of a sudden. He won't stop crying until Camila stepped up and calmed him down.

"Alfonso, mi principe. You're a young man now, and I entrust your mother and your sister to your protection when Charlie isn't around." I said. Then I grabbed something from my pocket since I knew this would happen. I handed him my WW2 army badge to make him feel brave and less sad that I won't be around.

"Mi pequeño soldado, Alfonso, this badge was mine when I served during the war. It made me brave and conquered my fears of uncertainty. Hold on to it and you will be able to conquer the highest mountain, the hardest mission, and the scariest of things." I said, as I saluted him like an army man during the war. He smiled and saluted back at me.

The kids and Camila rode the taxi I called and they left. Alfonso started crying out again for me and it was really heart breaking to hear a child his age cry as if he won't see me again. I can see the taxi getting smaller and smaller until it made a turn.