Unparalleled Ethan
Unlike with the other four children, Ethan had absolutely no family left when Tony took custodianship of him at nine years old.
No one.
Not a single soul.
Ethan lost his dad as a preschooler when the man turned state's evidence against the Black Widow Cartel and afterward, the Cartel caught up with the young father.
Ethan's terrified mother fled with the small boy and travelled from state to state, but the Black Widow Cartel stayed just steps behind the two year after year. Eventually she resorted to personal drugs to soothe her terror and quickly found herself addicted.
For a long period of time she and Ethan were homeless.
The poor woman died of a heroin overdose which- according to Tony's superiors- the Black Widow Cartel might or might not have administered.
Consensus put the blame on the Cartel.
Life had done Ethan wrong, and his incredible loss, insecurity, and fear manifested into suspicion, hostility and incorrigible behavior from him.
Further, the child had transitioned through five foster homes by the time Tony added him to his brood and relocated him to Athens, Georgia.
A small scar over his eyebrow lent Ethan a bit of a rakish look, and he was tall, thin, and lithe. His medium blue eyes and dark brown hair complemented each other and observers predicted that by his teens he could model professionally.
Tony enrolled him in fourth grade, a critical grade in the local district where students first actually changed from one classroom to another. Ethan ended up with four main teachers and a worried Tony worked with him to understand each teacher's style and approach.
Tony fell back on his own experience and emphasized academics. He stressed that school ranked above all activities and good grades opened the door to more home privileges.
Eventually Ethan began to display initiative and to prioritize his schoolwork without Tony's reminders. That fall a class trip to the Carter Center in Atlanta turned Ethan into a local celebrity when he personally met and conversed with the Nobel awarded former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter.
Tony nearly burst with pride and for once in his life Ethan truly felt good about himself.
Ethan tended to defy Tony as much for the sake of defiance as because he really objected to something Tony had mandated or suggested. Nevertheless, Tony persevered though he found it hard to not lose his temper with Ethan. He felt it imperative that he refrain from reacting angrily to the child. Tony provided and enforced consistent rules and consequences and eventually- finally- Ethan began responding without arguing every single point or demanding exceptions to every rule.
The tragedy of Ethan's prior life manifested itself through occasional nightmares that left him shaken, but that also allowed Tony the opportunity to provide comfort and the underpinning of an emotional bond with the youngster.
Tony assigned Ethan the job of ensuring linens were laundered and the linen closet stocked. With six of them in the home clean towels and sheets mattered and Ethan saw to it that beds got stripped and changed and towels replaced and renewed.
Ethan also took it upon himself to maintain the family's activity calendar.
Thankfully, other than an intense dislike for milk, Ethan's eating habits did not cause Tony undue concern.
The family's introductory foray to church netted Ethan his first neighborhood friend, Daniel Monroe, and Tony encouraged the alliance, pleased that the child had someone of his own age with whom he could socialize.
Tony ascertained that Ethan had no idea how to swim and enrolled him in swimming lessons at once at the local YMCA. The power of learning to enjoy water and not fear its depths did wonders for Ethan's confidence and physical prowess while it alleviated Tony's private fear that Ethan could one day drown.
In reality, it took Tony just a few days to genuinely love Ethan.
When the time came to disband Tony's little family his heart just ached for his little waif. The other four children had living relatives ready and willing to step up and to assimilate them into their own families.
The same could not be said for Ethan.
The child had no one- absolutely no family to claim him or to care for him or to wonder what had become of him.
Tony engaged in several lengthy conversations with Social Services over Ethan's future, a future which did appear grim. Prospective foster parents tended to opt for babies or younger kids, not for middle schoolers. In addition, Ethan possessed a disturbing track record of not cooperating and causing discipline issues with his five previous foster placements.
The three agencies involved with appointing Tony to the Athens assignment pulled some strings at Tony's behest and requested Social Services transfer Ethan to the Washington, D.C. area. At least that way Tony could periodically check on the child. Further, until a foster placement appeared in Washington, Tony requested Social Services allow Ethan to remain in Mexico and to resume school there so as not to fall behind academically.
Granted.
And then in a splendid moment life began to look up for one little boy named Ethan, and his horizon turned sunshiny and full of hope and promise.
A couple came forward and expressed interest in not only fostering the little boy, but in adopting him as well. Still in Campeche when he learned the news, Tony hung up the phone and motioned to Ethan to join him for a walk into the village.
En route Tony shared the news and what he knew about the couple with the young child. "No children, and they tried for years before resolving to explore adoption. They began applying a few months ago, actually."
Ethan kicked at a rock with the toe of his shoe. "Probably they would like a baby or little kid like Vivi or Elijah."
"No," Tony contradicted. "They considered each age group, discussed their thoughts, and made the decision that an elementary or middle schooler would suit them best."
"Why?" Ethan reached up and grasped Tony's arm.
"Perhaps their lifestyle guided the rationale. I understand he owns a business and she works professionally. A baby or toddler would require full time care."
Tony pointed to a mangrove tree with a bench beside it a hundred meters ahead of them. They walked in silence and then settled down against the wooden slats.
Tony glanced at Ethan who perched ramrod straight, focused on something in the distance. He reached over and tilted the child's chin so that they made eye contact and concerned green eyes questioned fearful blue ones, "What else, Ethan? Hmmm?"
For nearly a minute the little boy stayed silent as he collected his thoughts.
Tony waited patiently.
Finally Ethan nervously steepled and unsteepled the fingers on his hands. "I just think- I mean," Ethan struggled to keep his emotions in check. "I wonder whether maybe they think they like me but once I get there…" He paused again and suddenly his entire face just crumbled and he burst into tears.
Tony slid the small body onto his lap and held him firmly as Ethan sobbed against his strong chest. Tony rubbed the soft dark hair and murmured soothing words. His heart broke for the little boy and he waited until Ethan gained a semblance of control. Finally the tears diminished and slowed to trickles as shuddery breaths took their place. Ethan shifted his position so that he leaned against Tony while Tony still cuddled him, but he faced the direction of the Campeche home.
"Ready?" Tony questioned. He titled Ethan's chin and his eyes searched Ethan's.
Ethan nodded his assent and Tony used a forefinger to wipe the last drops of tears from the child's cheeks.
"Well, I realize you have experience in foster care and I do not, but I believe I can offer some insights in this particular scenario. First and foremost, this couple chose you- you, Ethan, and not any other child available for placement. Second, they have attempted for years to have children which demonstrates to us both they badly want to parent, to rear and love a child all of their own."
Ethan played absentmindedly with the watch on Tony's arm, but he listened attentively and absorbed Tony's rationale.
"In addition, you now have me in the picture as you have had me in the picture for several months. I will remain in your corner fighting for you for the rest of your childhood and right into your adulthood." Tony caught his breath, surprised at the surge of emotion his declaration wrought within him. "Or until you tell me to quit meddling," he amended with a small chuckle. "I promise that I will check on you and keep tabs. If you communicate to me that something feels off…"
"My spidey sense," Ethan interrupted, having learned the reference and its meaning from Tony long ago in Athens.
"Your spidey sense, correct. Now if I ever hear or even suspect that you feel uncomfortable or unsafe or miserable I will intervene at once. I will never allow any adults to mistreat you- foster parents or adoptive parents or just adults in your life. Me entiendes? Do you understand me?"
Ethan nervously rubbed his palms together but met Tony's gaze. "Comprendo," Ethan whispered, nodding his head slightly. "I understand."
"I want you to greet and accept these people with an open mind, though, Ethan. They could be the ones. Your ones. Personally, I think that the three of you will not only take tentative steps in the family direction, but once you gain exposure to each other's wonderful attributes and annoying habits you will dynamite yourselves into an unbreakable family. Boom!" Tony illustrated by throwing his hands into the air to simulate an explosion. He leaned down and kissed the top of Ethan's dark hair. "No matter what, though, always know I will back you. Always."
Nearly a full minute passed before Ethan responded.
"Ok." With a hesitant smile at Tony Ethan slid off of his lap and signaled. "But right now I want to enjoy our walk and remember how we made a family in Athens. And after that- well then I want to think about giving this couple with no kids a chance."
And so it went.
Not only did the couple fall in love with Ethan but he fell in love with them.
When the three called Tony to announce Ethan's upcoming legal adoption ceremony and to invite Tony to attend, Ethan proffered a shy but sincere request. Would the Daddy now consider a new lifelong role as The Godfather to Ethan?
Oh yes, The Daddy would indeed!
Even though Athens had created the family Campeche had acted as the segue to permanent lives and homes for the children.
For Tony, Jethro, and Maria, the days they spent with the children left them feeling blessed.
On a different note, it still confounded Tony that Jethro and Maria totally reneged on their strict child rearing outlook once his own five visited in Campeche. For roughly two weeks while he finished in Athens Vivi, Elijah, Ava, Levi, and Ethan holidayed with Jethro and Maria in Mexico and apparently lived la vida loca.
Having endured a loving but disciplined childhood with consistent rules and no nonsense expectations, it shocked Tony to discover with his father and abuela the kids often negotiated their bedtimes, regularly enjoyed desserts, sweets, and television, and were gifted with more than one item when they journeyed into town. When Tony sputtered his disbelief and accusations of unfairness to the adults responsible for his upbringing, Jethro and Maria glanced at each other, admitted guilt, burst into laughter, and retorted they enjoyed every moment with los ninos.
Happy endings did exist.
As Tony concluded the update on the five children his birthday party guests glanced knowingly at each other. Tony's immersion into fatherhood had extracted an emotional toll from the young man as well as heightened his commitment to channel his talents and skills to protect the innocent.
"My bambino made me muy proud," Abuela confessed, tilting sideways to kiss Tony's cheek. "He worked so hard and helped los ninos, the children, so much. They will visit next week. Antonio arranged to have all the children back here for a week each July to stay with us. We will take care of them. Even now he has set up the guest rooms so that the boys will be together in one and the little girls in the other."
Lorenzo crossed over to pat Tony on top of the head. "My little shadow stepped to the plate," he conceded in a singsong voice before playfully punching his cousin on the shoulder. "Who knew he would amount to something after all?"
Tony rolled his eyes and tattled, "Tia, Lorenzo brutalized my body for no reason on my birthday, mi cumpleanos. Tell him to leave me alone, por favor."
"No more hitting," Tia directed.
"Perhaps he deserved a smack," Lorenzo contradicted. "For all the trouble he caused me as a child."
Jethro pinched the bridge of his nose and smirked in remembrance. "Tony always shadowed you, didn't he, Lorenzo?"
"From the second he met me," Lorenzo smiled fondly, recalling little legs pumping hard to keep pace with his long stride. "He inaugurated my one primo fan club."
"Do you remember, Antonio?" Veronica probed.
"I do, yes," Tony smiled at all of them. "Ahhh, Lorenzo, Lorenzo, Lorenzo." He regarded his assembled guests shrewdly and stretched his arms up above him. "So let me address the life and times of Senor Lorenzo here next, recounted from my star- of- the- show birthday boy perspective, of course." Tony leaned forward in his seat and pointed at Lorenzo. "This could take a minute."