BY: JAMANDEB
CHAPTER ONE: THE FAMILY OF GENERAL VON NEZ
Robert ran at the sound of the bell. His father, an Austrian officer, was calling for him to come. He arrived in the front room, stood up straight, and looked ahead. His towering father approched him. "This is my son, Robert," he told the strange woman there, "Otherwise, there is no one else other than the servants." "Very well," said the little old lady, "You shall have no trouble with him then." She pushed forward a curly-haired boy. He was dirty, his clothes were torn, and he held a small carpet bag. "This will be your home now," the lady told him. The boy didn't look up. She nodded to the general, turned, and left.
The maid tried to take the bag from the boy, but he refused to let it go. The general had left and Robert took a good look at the newcomer. "Wall fine den," said the maid, "Rob kin shaw ya to yer room." To Rob she said, "It's der one next ter yours." She flounced off and Rob turned to the boy. "I dunno what's going on," he said, "But I guess you're living with us now. Come on." He started up the stairs and the strange boy followed. Rob opened the door to the room next to his. "Here you go," he said. The boy finally looked up. He had a funny face with large wet eyes. "What's your name?" Rob asked. The boy looked at him and handed him a note that he had been clutching along with the bag. It read:
The boy's name is Georgio Dolentzio. He is from Italy and knows no English. His parents were killed from an epidemic. We thank you for taking him in.
Robert looked up to find Georgio gone. His bag was on the
bed but the boy wasn't there. Rob found him in his own room.
He was looking at a picture by his bed. "That's my mother," Rob said.
Georgio spun around. "My mother," Rob said, "You know...Mother."
It was obvious that he didn't know what "mother" meant. Robert found
another picture. "See," he said pointing to the woman, "Mother."
He pointed to the man, "Father." He pointed to the baby in the womans arms,
"Child...Me." He pointed to himself and then to the child in the
picture. Georgio pointed to the baby, "Child." "Right!"
He pointed to the woman, "Mother?"
"Very good."
He pointed to the man, "Father?"
"I think you got it."
He picked up the original picture, "Mother?" "Yes," sighed
Robert. He walked out the door to the balcony which overlooked the
hall. He was pointing at the general talking on the phone, "Father?"
"Yep," Rob said. Georgio looked around, "Mother?" He looked at Rob,
"Mother?" Rob took his arm and took him to the back stairs.
He took him down a path behind the house. It led to a cemetary.
They stopped at a small wooden cross. Engraved in it was:
BEATRICE VON NEZ
1900-1936
"Mother," said Rob. Georgio nodded. "Both of his parents
are gone," thought Rob, "He knows what it's like." They walked back
to the house.
Gradually, Georgio learned English. He had tutors teaching him, but he learned faster from Rob. He also learned the basics of life in Austria. They had to run and stand up straight whenever the general rang his bell. They only did this whenever he had company and they were to be introduced. On one incidence, Georgio was introduced to Rob's uncle, Admiral Von Nez, his aunt, and his cousin Jollanna. He overheard his father and uncle discussing German politics, something about "Nazis".
Jollanna didn't speak to Rob. He hardly ever saw her and she was never very interesting anyway. She was a tomboy of sorts, always wanting to hunt, fight, and join the army. Of course, girls weren't allowed in and she was rather moody most of the time.
About a month or so later, the bell rang again. Rob and Georgio ran downstairs. Georgio stood on Rob's left as he was instructed. There was a strange man there this time. With him were two children, a boy and a girl. "This is my son Robert," said the general, "and an orphan from Italy." "You seem to be very kind," said the man, "I hope you don't mind two more." "Not at all," said General Von Nez, "Where are they from?" "The girl," said the man, "Is from Ireland, and the boy, from England. They were here on a trip with some other children when the adults they were with were killed in a train accident. None of the children were hurt, thank goodness, but we cannot reach their parents or send them back without a great risk."
When the man left, so did the general. The maid came in once again, "Wayll now, kin I take yer bags?" The boy and girl had been scoweling at each other the whole time. The girl gave her suitcase to the maid saying, "You may take me to my room." "Me too," said the boy handing the maid his sack. They followed her upstairs to their rooms. "Here you go," she said to the girl as they stopped at one. The girl went in and shut the door. The maid passed the next room before saying to the boy, "And here's yours." "What about that one?" he asked pointing to the other room. "That's master Robert's room. You'll be stayin' in here with Georgie." She flounced away.
The confused boy turned around to see Georgio and Robert coming up the stairs. "Hello," said Robert, "Welcome to the family." "Your the soldier guy's kid right?" asked the short boy. "Well yeah," said Rob, "And this is George." Georgio grinned, pointed at the boy and said, "Brother." "Sort of," said Rob, "He'll just be staying here awhile." "Me Georgio," said Georgio shaking the boy's hand, "You who?" "Jones," said the boy, "Thomas Jones." "Who's the girl?" asked Rob. "Oh her," said Thomas freeing his hand, "Her name's Nicolah. I call her Niki. She hates that." "I don't get it," Rob said, "You don't like her?" "She don't like me either," said Thomas, "So we're even. Besides, she calls me Tommy boy. I hate that too."
It was an interesting time. Nicolah and Tom argued all the time even though they both got along with Rob and George. Nicole, as she preferred to be called, spent most of her time with the maid. The boys grew to be friends and George started to expand his vocabulary. Robert's mother had been English so he and Tom bonded quickly. Things stayed that way, until the next time the bell rang.
They lined up, Robert, George, Nichole, and Tom, according to height. There was no strange adult with a child this time, just a boy. He sat on the floor and the maid was next to him. He spoke a strange language. His clothes were torn and stained with blood. His arm was wounded. The doctor came in and examined him. "He should be fine," he told the general, "Don't know where he's from or how he got here, just that he's wounded, freezing, and half starved. Just keep him warm, try to feed him, and let him heal." He left and the general turned to Rob, "Think he can stay in your room son?" Rob nodded, went over to the boy, and held out his hand.
The boy looked up, took it, and was helped to his feet. The boys all helped the stranger to Rob's room and layed him on his bed. Nicole came in with some broth which he ate greedily. They all watched in amazement. The children, the general, the maid, and the chef all stood around the bed. The boy looked up and said something in the strange language. "Polish?" said the chef who was from Sweden and knew quite a few languages, "This is an escaped Polish boy!" Everyone looked at him. There were rumors of war around but no one really knew any facts. The chef leaned over the boy and spoke in Polish. The boy's face lit up and he smiled. They started talking and talked for awhile.
When the boy was asleep the chef told everyone what they had said. "He's Polish alright. From Krakow," he said, "When rumors of war started spreading around, his folks told him to skip out of the country. Seems he was attacked by some Nazis on the way out. He found this big house and came here for help." "Well," said the general, "He came to the right place."
The boy's name was Halsten Thorkelson. He stayed in Rob's room and another bed was moved in. He learned English slowly. He would hang around in the kitchen most of the time and talk to the cook. One day he ran upstairs and grabbed Rob's shirtsleeve. "What is it?" Rob asked as he was tugged to the railing. The general was speaking with another officer in a strange uniform. George and Tom were looking too. "Nazi," said Halsten shivering. The man was in a German uniform and was with a woman and a small blond girl. "Don't worry," said Rob, "My father won't let anything happen to you." The man, woman, and girl soon left. "See," said Rob, "They weren't looking for you."
Halsten wasn't so sure. He always watched his back. The real problem was with Tom. "Did you see that blond girl?" he said, "Wow was she cute." "She's German," Rob told him, "Not only that but an officer's daughter. Forget it man." "Maybe your right," Tom replied, "Oh well, she was pretty." "So are a lot of girls," Rob said casually looking at Nicole. She didn't notice but the other guys did.
Things were getting rough. Not only were there now four boys and a girl living in the general's house, but they were growing up. They would all go to the church for comfort. One time at church, George wandered off, not knowing what the preacher was saying. He found himself in the nuns' gardens. There he saw a girl and a novice nun. Both were quite beautiful. The novice nun had long auburn hair, small hazel eyes, and a mature face. The younger girl had long curly black hair, large rich childlike eyes, and an even more childlike face. He watched the young girl and was hypnotized by her.
He didn't move until he was bapped on the head. "Wake up!" said Rob, "What are you doing over here? We were looking for you everywhere!" "Girl," George said dreamily, "Pretty girl..." He then started to babble in Italien. The general walked up, "What's with him?" "We don't know," said Tom, "He said something about a girl and then went...off...babbling?" The looked at George who was plucking flower petals. "He's in love?" asked Rob. "He's in love," said Tom. "Well now," said the general. Halsten smiled. The girl and the novice walked up to them. "Can I help you sir?" asked the nun. "Only if you have a cure for spring fever," said the general pointing to George who was now face to face with the girl. He spoke in Italien and she spoke back in French. Neither understood the other and it was a rather confusing conversation. Interpreted it would have gone like this:
George: You have the most beautiful eyes.
Girl: Did you stick your finger in a light socket?
George: I think I met you before in a dream.
Girl: If you were a red-head I'd think your hair was on fire.
George: I think I'm in love.
Girl: You are a weird, fuzzy boy.
Nonetheless, something did happen. The nun had just resigned
and was looking for work. The general hired her for a governess,
even though he had other intentions. The girl had to come with her
since she was her niece. She had to learn English also. Her
name was Colette and her aunt's name was Yvonne.
CHAPTER TWO: ESCAPE
It was at a party one night when life changed in the house. Yvonne danced with the handsome general. Rob casually danced with Nicole. George danced with Colette and they had another biligual converation. But not all was well outside the house. Halsten and Tom were on opposite sides of the building, but in similar circumstances.
In the back garden, near the cemetary, was a gazebo. Tom wandered back there with a headache. He hid behind a tree when he saw that there was someone already there. He watched as the small figure danced around. A shawl that covered her head was flown off by a breeze and he saw her long blond hair. The shawl landed at Tom's feet and he picked it up and felt the soft wool. The girl looked around for it. He walked up to the gazebo. She jumped when she saw him. It was the same girl he had seen before. "You dropped this," he said holding out the shawl. "Thank you," she said taking it. "You're the same girl," he said, "You were with that German official who was talking to the general." She looked puzzled.
Meanwhile, in front of the house, Halsten was taking a walk to clear his mind. He still didn't understand most of the English being spoken and he felt left out. He turned a corner and found himself face to face with his worst fear. Before him was a strange person in a Nazi uniform. Even though he was terrified of Nazi's, he didn't feel afraid of this one. They stood there for a while. Halsten gazed into the sharp, glittering eyes and they gave him a cold stare. "They are not a man's eyes," Halsten thought (in Polish), "This is a girl." The girl said nothing. She glared at him with the cold eyes but he was not afraid of her.
"It was a while ago," Tom explained to the girl, "You were with a lady too. I was watching from the balcony." "Oh," she said, "You're one of General Von Nez's children? You saw my father talking to him?" "Yes," said Tom, "I was..um..well..I guess I'm staying with the general for a while. I can't go home till things are safer." They talked in the gazebo for a while. Tom learned that the lovely girl was engaged to another German soldier. He felt disappointed since he had grown to admire her. They never learned each other's names for the girl's father found them and took her away. Tom was alone again and waited a while before he went back to the party.
Halsten and the girl Nazi never spoke a word. Another German soldier came out of the house and Halsten had to hide. He watched as the girl gave him an envelope. The soldier went back in to the party and the girl turned and looked back at Halsten. Her gray eyes were softer now and he returned her gaze. She turned and left and Halsten returned to the party.
Inside the party, things were running smoothly. Tom returned and Nicole grabbed his arm. "Get over here you little twit!" she hissed, "The general has an announcement!" Halsten returned at the same time and was pulled in by George. The general and Yvonne were at the head of the party, each with a glass of champagne. "I have an announcement!" boomed General Von Nez, "I would like you all to know, that Miss Yvonne has just agreed to be my wife!"
Colette squealed with delight. George cheered and Halsten wondered, "Huh...What'd he say?" Tom grinned and looked at Nicole who wasn't cheering. "Robert?" she asked, "Are you alright?" Rob, who had been standing next to them, collapsed onto the floor.
The general ran over to him. Rob awoke in his father's arms and threw his arms around his neck. "Well," said the general, "I guess you're alright with it then." The boy was speechless. He then hugged his father's fiancee'. The rest of the party was spent with celebration and planning for the wedding.
The wedding was to be quite glamorous. Yvonne's gown had a 20 foot train and had to be held up by one of the girls. Colette was to be the maid of honor. But there were a few occurences to damage the happy times.
Rob wandered around the grand chapel and looked in one of the rooms. Jollanna was there, by herself, in a dress. He hadn't seen her in a dress since they were kids. "You look lovely," he said to her. She glared at him. "Come on," he said, "Won't you at least talk to me?" "Why should I?" she snapped, "You don't like me, I don't like you." "Because," he answered, "I can't be happy if I don't know why you're not." "Who says I'm not?" she growled. "Well," Rob said, "There's your face, that voice, that look...need I go on?" Jollanna sighed, "Ok ok you made your point. What do you want from me?" "I want to know why," he said, "Why are you with them?" "The Nazis right?" she said, "You can't even say it!" "Answer me," Rob demanded, "Why did you join with the...Nazis?" "They understand me," Jollanna said, "They let me do what I want. I'm one of them." "They don't care that you're a girl," Rob finished. Jollanna nodded.
First to come down the aisle was a young blond girl, the same on Tom had talked to at the party. Tom watched her toss the flower petals. He looked at the rings on the pillow he was holding. At first he felt that he was too old to be the ring bearer but the flower girl was the same age, so he didn't mind so much. Next came Colette, in a beautiful pink gown. George started to murmur in Italian again, but quit when Rob kicked him in the ankles. Then came Nicole, in an identical dress, and behind her, the bride.
Yvonne was an example of pure beauty. Holding her train was an unwilling Jollanna. The rest of the wedding worked like clockwork. First to go out were the bride and groom followed by the train (Halsten was helping Jollanna now), then the best man and maid of honor (Rob and Colette), then the groomsman and bridesmaid (George and Nicole), and finally the ring bearer and flower girl.
It was an interesting reception. Yvonne threw the bouquet and it landed on Jollanna's head. Surprized, she picked it up and found herself being congradulated. She watched the general aim the garder. It was caught by Halsten. The four boys sang for the first dance. It was a song that Tom made up called, "I'll be true to you." Later on, the people who caught the bouquet and garder were expected to dance. Halsten looked into Jollanna's eyes. He had seen them before but couldn't remember where. She already knew who he was. Neither said a word.
Next was the wedding party's dance. Rob with Colette, George with Nicole, Halsten with Jollanna still, and Tom with the blond girl. He was carefully watched by the Nazi soldier standing by the buffet table. He was sore that his fiancee' didn't catch the bouquet and was now dancing with another man. He got her back by the next song.
After the wedding, tensions were rising. Germany had just declared war and was taking over Austria. The general was being pressured to join in with the Nazi's. For several months he put it off while planning an escape. The bell rang and all of the children, though not really children anymore, came and lined up. Robert, George, Halsten, Nicole, Colette and Tom gathered around as the general explained. "Tomorrow night we leave for Switzerland," he wispered, "Then on to France where we'll catch a ship to America."
It was the perfect plan, but it was not without risks. As the family started to drive off for the border they were being chased by the German officers. They went into hiding in an old cemetary. The general decided that the best thing to do was for them to split up and meet on the other side of the border. He, his wife and the girls went one way, Rob and Georgio in another, and Halsten and Tom in yet another. The general and the girls made it safely over as did Rob and George. "Where's Tom?" asked mother Yvonne. "And Halsten?" asked Nicole. They decided to wait for them.
"You crazy!" said Halsten. "I don't care," said Tom, "That
girl doesn't want to marry that Nazi and I'm going back for her.
You wait here." Tom ran off through the trees as Halsten thought
to himself (in Polish), "He's in love. Only that could make a man
do that." He froze. He could tell there was someone behind
him. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the Nazi uniform.
"Turn around," said the cold voice, "Slowly." He obeyed and was glad
he did. "Those eyes," he thought, "It's the same girl, the girl from
the party...AND the wedding?" He didn't understand it but he knew
it was true. Jollanna recognized him but didn't lower her rifle.
He tried to think of what to say. If he didn't say anything, she
would report him. After a while, he hammered out in his broken English,
"Come...with...me." Her eyes softened and she lowered the rifle a
bit. "Run...with...me...not...the...Nazis," Halsten stammered.
Jollanna lowered it more. He remembered a phrase that the general
often said to his new wife. He took a deep breath and said, "I...love...you."
Jollanna turned and ran back to the Nazis.
Tom had to sneek around the Nazis to find the girl. He found that her fiancee' was talking to her promising that they would be married the next day. When he left she was alone. "Pssst," hissed Tom. She turned and saw no one. "Pssst," he wispered, "Over here." She saw him and said in a harsh wisper, "What are you doing here? You'll be caught! Get out of here!" "Not without you," Tom demanded getting up, "I'm not gonna let you marry that guy. You told me yourself that you didn't like him. I'm taking you with me." She had no room to object so he grabbed her wrist and they went off to find Halsten.
Tom and the girl nearly tripped over him. "What are you doing down there?" Tom asked, "Come on. Hurry." They ran through the trees and up the hillside. They paused to rest when they reached the top. "Are we in Switzerland yet?" asked the girl. "I don't know," said Tom, "But we have to find the general and the others." A noise came from behind them and they all spun around. It was a Nazi soldier. The girl clung to Tom in fear but the soldier held up two unarmed hands. Halsten smiled. It was Jollanna. She smiled and said, "You're never going to get to the border sitting here. Come on!"
They found the general and were greeted warmly. "We thought
you were caught!" cried Yvonne as she hugged Halsten. "Almost," he
grinned as he pointed to Jollanna, "She come with us...Not Nazis."
Jollanna blushed as Rob hugged her. "I knew you wouldn't be a
traitor," he said, "You're a good kid." "Hey," she said looking at
Halsten, "I did it for him."
They were introduced to the small blond German girl, Allison. She had grown quite fond of Tom and agreed to travel with the family to America. Once they got to France, the general and his wife adopted the five of them, since Rob, Colette, and Jollanna were already related. They booked passage to America the same day.
The day they were to leave, Yvonne had an announcement. "For some time now I've known this, but was afraid to tell anyone," she said, "But I'm going to have a child." Everyone cheered, the general kissed her, and George asked, "A baby? How did that happen?" Rob hit him in the head saying, "How do you think it happened dum dum?!" Eventually, George got it.
The night before they were to leave, Halsten and Jollanna sat
on the peir. Jollanna looked at the waves in the sea. Halsten
looked at her. "Joli," he said (for she preferred Joli), "Why you
come with us?" She smiled at him and said, "You don't know what you
said do you?" "When?" he asked.
"When you were trying to convince me to go with you."
"I said `Come with me...."
"After that..."
"Run with me...Not Nazis?"
"Go on..."
"I...love...you?"
"Do you know what that means?" Joli asked him. Halsten
shook his head, "General say it to his wife a lot...Are only married people
allowed to say it?" "Close," Joli said, "Try again." Halsten
thought a bit. "Going to be married?" he asked. "Before that,"
she grinned. Halsten's face lit up and he said something in Polish.
Joli nodded and he blushed. "Love?" he asked. Joli nodded.
"I meant it," he said boldly.
"Huh..?"
"I meant to say it."
"What?"
"I love you...I do love you."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes...I...want...to.."
"To what?"
"Marry."
"Marry?"
"Marry me Joli...I love you...I want you for my wife."
Rob looked out the hotel window, and noticed the couple. "What in the world?" he asked himself, "They look like they're kissing!" "Who does?" asked Nicole who was behind him. "Halsten!" said Rob, "That guy is kissing my cousin!" Soon, the six children were clustered around the window. The general walked in and said, "What's all the commotion? What's with the window?" They parted and let the general see. "I don't get it," he said, "There's nothing out there." The six looked again and indeed, Halsten and Joli were gone.
"What is it dear?" asked Yvonne who was just walking in. "Oh," laughed the general, "The children saw something out the window, that's all." The six looked at each other and then at Halsten and Joli who had just come in. Halsten tugged the general's sleeve and motioned to the other room. When they left, so did the others leaving Joli alone with her aunt. "What is it dear?" Yvonne asked. Joli held out her hand. "A ring?" asked Yvonne, "Why Jollanna!..Did Halsten ask you to marry him?" Joli nodded and looked at the ring. It had belonged to Halsten's mother and she had given it to him for good luck. It wasn't really an engagement ring, just a gold band and an emerald surrounded by tiny diamonds. When the general and Halsten returned, they both seemed pleased. "I take it she told you?" the general asked Yvonne. "Oh won't it be lovely?" she asked, "They can be married on the boat."
The boat trip was not without risks. They had to watch out for German submarines. Rob was often leaning over the side seasick. By the time they were out of the war zone, Yvonne was ready to have the child. It was a little girl and they named her Tippy. After she was born, they had Halsten and Jodi's wedding. At the reception, a young, curly-haired girl approached George. He recognized her immediately. "Coco?" he said, "Coco!" He hugged her saying, "My dear, sweet little sister! I thought I'd never see you again!" "Oh Georgio!" she cried, "I missed you so! I want you to meet someone." She pulled him over to a young man who was hugging and kissing the groom. Jollanna shrugged. "Nicholas," said Coco. The young man looked at her. "This is my brother Georgio," she smiled. "How `bout that?" Nicholas grinned, "This is MY brother, Halsten." As it turned out, the younger siblings were going to be married as soon as they reached America. George kept a keen eye on Nicholas, but Halsten just gave him a "Way to go man!"
Nicole strolled over to the side of the ship where Robert was leaning over the railing.
"Feeling any better?" she asked.
"What was all the commotion about?"
"Seems Halsten has a brother on the ship. and George has a sister
on the ship. And they're getting married."
"How can Halsten marry George if he just got married to Joli?"
"Not them!" Nicole laughed bapping Rob on the head, "Coco and Nicholas!"
Rob looked at her and then out to sea. The ship was approaching New York harbor and they gazed at the Statue of Liberty. "They said they wanted to be married as soon as they reached America," Nicole sighed. "It's so romantic."
"Nicole?" Rob asked.
"Mmmmmm?"
"How do you want to start out your new life...in America I mean?"
"Oh...I don't know...You?"
"Funny you should ask."
"Why?"
"Cuz...well...I want to start out my life here...with you."
"Me?"
He turned to her and gently gripped her arms. "You," he said, "Would you?...Please?...I can't think of being in this new world without you." Nicole smiled, "Why Robert!...You never mentioned this...before." "Well," Rob blushed, "I...was...well...you know." Before he could think of what to say, Nicole leaned up and kissed the end of his nose. "I'll take that as a `yes'."
One would have hated to be working the desk in New York that morning. First came Nicholas and Coco, squealing about getting married. Then George who was trying to talk to Coco. Then the General and Yvonne with a screaming baby girl. Next came Halsten and Joli, buzzing about being newlyweds. After that, Rob and Nichole came talking about THEIR engagement. Finally, Collette, Allison and Tom walked through complaing of too much talking going on.
Once through, they ate breakfast while they were waiting. They finally were given the proper documents and made American citizens. They found rooms in a New York hotel and Halsten and Joli immediately went to bed. “I don’t get it,” said George. “It’s only noon.” Rob had to hit him on the head again. Later that evening, Coco and Nicholas were married in the lobby along with Rob and Nichole. It wasn’t a grand affair, just a simple making of vows before the minister of the church next door. They all got a good nights sleep that night…well, all who were still single.
The growing family traveled across America until they finally settled
in Hawaii. General Von Nez had enlisted in the Navy there in order
to fight for the right side. On a peaceful evening, George woke up
to the sound of planes, he ran to wake up the others and they all headed
for the bomb shelter. The ground shook as they huddled together in
the basement of the apartment building. The couples huddled together
and prayed for the best. “George?” Collette asked as she gripped
his arm, “What is happening?” “I don’t know,” George said.
“Maybe it’s the end.” “Are we going to…”
“Don’t think like that.”
“But…What if we do?”
“Then, that’s it.”
“I don’t want to die.”
“Nobody does, but it won’t happen. Not now. I’ll protect
you.”
“You will?”
He turned to the trembling girl and thought, “Oh well, everybody else
is doing it.” With that he kissed her.
The next morning, the building was still standing, but war was on.
On the other side of the island, Pearl Harbor had been attacked by the
Japanese. The entire family got involved in the war effort.
It lasted long enough for Rob and Nichole to have a child. Then,
after an eternity, the Japanese surrendered. To celebrate,
George and Collette were married. Not long after the wedding, the
General found a note from Thomas and Allison.
Dear General and Family,
We are happy for all of you. However, not to be cruel,
but we are tired of being in everybody else’s weddings. So we are
going to a place called Las Vegas Nevada to elope. We hope you understand.
Love
Thomas and Allison
And so, the family was complete as one. General Von Nez lived to see all fourteen grandchildren and thirty great-grandchildren and to this day, he forgets which are really blood related…and to this day, he doesn’t care.