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A Stepbrother's Desire - Josh and Tyson 76
So this particular week was tough. I remember I had midterms that week and a couple of hard exams and a report to turn in. I was on top of it but it was a lot of work. I had talked to Ty about the Justin Burke experience over the phone which wasn't easy but he didn't have much to say about it. I was spending a lot of time talking to Ford Fisher about the upcoming game with the Mountaineers. He had been so stressed out about the game. I comforted him, mentored him, and let him run his ideas by me. I was going to that game because I had only been to one other and I hadn't been there for him like I said I would. Besides, I needed to see Ty, family, and friends. I was feeling a little homesick. Also, I was taking Perry Kaufman to the game, as I had mentioned earlier. I was really excited for people to meet my roommate and he seemed pretty excited as well.
We packed up our stuff late that Friday afternoon and headed out to the car. It was a cool afternoon and the sun was shining. It felt like it was going to be a great night.
"This is going to be a perfect night for football!" I exclaimed, as we dropped our overnight bags, including Perry's violin, into the backseat. I had argued with him about bringing it but he didn't leave home without it. He said he never knew when inspiration might set on.
"Whatever you say," said Perry, climbing into the passenger seat. "What constitutes a perfect night?" asked Perry.
"It's a combination of things," I said, easing out into the road from the freshman parking area. "There is cool, brisk air, there's a charge, almost electric, and the mood feels good. I don't know, it's hard to explain."
"I can probably relate the same thing to a concert hall, except we prefer it not be in `brisk air'!" I had to laugh.
The traffic along the interstate was moving at a snail's pace and I hadn't figured we would make it home in time for dinner and now I knew we wouldn't. The fact is, with everyone's busy schedules, there probably wasn't a dinner to be had at home.
When we pulled into the school parking lot, the line of cars was as far as you could see, looking for parking places, dropping people off, picking people up. I knew secret places so I headed around to the back and got a space in the players lot. They were already in place so the spaces weren't reserved. Perry moved his violin into the truck and we slipped on our jackets and headed to the entrance gate. I guess I was a "paying" patron now. As we stood in line, I was able to grab some greetings from fellow students and their parents. As I looked ahead I watched as Ty, Tristan, and my parents came into view. Ty spotted us and waved. I waved back and my highschool boyfriend and stepbrother, whom I hadn't seen in some long weeks looked so good. I pointed them to Perry.
"I already recognized them, Josh. You look just like your mother and I've seen a dozen pics of Ty," he chuckled. Just then, Bryce Chatley, my old friend whom I hadn't seen since we darted off to college, came up behind my parents. My hairs stood on my arms. I was SOOOO happy to see him. He started jumping up and down and acting like a monkey. He looked so funny and goofy and I started doing the same. Needless to say, the people in the line started chuckling, not understanding what I was doing. I was jumping and waving my arms. My mom's eyebrows did their "shock" thing and climbed up her forehead. Bill, my step dad, kept a stoic, but concerned expression which always cracked me up. Ty and Tristan, who had seen Bryce doing his dance, started laughing. Perry looked at me as if I had lost my mind. Then, once he spotted my friend doing the same thing, figured things out. He looked to my family and used his finger to make a circular motion. They turned and were surprised by Bryce. My mother punched him in the ribs which cracked up a number of people on their side of the fence. Perry and I finally got through that line and I ran to them. I fell into my mom's arms, Bill placed a hand on my shoulder and Ty slinked into my arm. It was so good to see them. I remember it like it was yesterday. I looked at Tristan who didn't know what to do and I pulled him in.
Introductions went round so Perry could meet everyone and we headed into the bleachers to get our seats. Before the game started, we were able to amass Bryce, Tristan, Jack, Ginny, Julia, and a few others. We occupied a section to say the least. As we laughed and talked and compared notes, Perry looked over to me and whispered, "I get it. It's a perfect night." I really had to love him. He understood so much and if he didn't immediately understand, he would eventually figure it out. Julia sat by him on his other side and she was determined to chat up the "college boy." Ty was on my other side and Bryce was beside him. And the players made their entrance, and the boys on that other team looked like excavators. It was going to be tough but those of in the bleachers made a lot of noise and everyone was charged.
"If I had just one more chance!" barked Bryce.
"What? What would you do? What would you do?" asked Ty. I cracked up so hard.
"Well, I would run those fuckers down!" Bryce said in an animated voice.
"I'm sure you would give it a valiant effort," quipped Tristan.
The game kicked off and the excitement was intense. We watched as the teams moved back and forth. We watched as our home team advanced and got pushed back. We watched as our players were crumbled to the ground. We watched as our home team made a touchdown and we screamed and roared. We watched as the behemoths made a touchdown and the home stands were quiet as the visiting team stands roared.
Half time came. We gathered and compared thoughts.
"Man, I have so many memories of this night last year, Josh," said Bryce.
"I know man, I'm feeling it too," I replied.
"It's not going for Ford like it did for you," said Ty.
"I see that too," I said. "But don't give up on him, yet. A lot can happen in two quarters."
"Sure can," said Jack. "Injury most likely."
"Jack!" barked Tristan.
"Just kiddin' babe. Sorry!" he said.
"Um, Josh, um, I need to talk to you about something," whispered Perry in my ear. I saw Ty give him a squinted eye look. I looked back to Perry.
"This girl sitting next to me, Julia," and I peered around him to see she had put her hand between his and the side of his leg. I chuckled lightly.
"Hey B..." and Perry said, "Shhh! Don't you say anything to him. He'll kill me!" whispered Perry.
"Aw, she just has a crush on a college boy. Julia, well, she ain't shy. But it's just because of the game and night air. You'll never see her again," I whispered.
Ty comes into the living. "Did you tell him that," asks Ty. "That was a lie!" Ty barks.
"I thought you were going to one of your stores! Would you get out of here!" I snap.
"I can't wait to reread this version of your's to see how many more lies you tell!" Ty said, walking back to the living room.
I really need to finish this in the office but I don't want to go in just yet. I have to finish this part of the story.
Perry said, "Josh, she is way too pretty to be in eighth grade and I'm way too old to be flirting with an eighth grader!"
"I can't disagree but just relax. She is a pretty girl, isn't she?"
"You're not helping, but honestly, she's like the prettiest girl I have ever seen."
So we went to the stands to break the monotony and got hot dogs and sodas. Dang how I had forgotten what hot dogs with the mustard, chili, and cole slaw tasted like. Perry bit into his and you would think he had just tasted a filet mignon!
"Oh my God!" he barked along with some other jibberish. Tristan and Ty laughed because in truth, it sounded like a sneeze.
"It's part of the game!" said Jack.
Back in the third quarter, the Mountaineers had scored again. Tensions were rising. I could barely keep my eyes off Ford. He was working, and I mean working really hard. He definitely had command of the team which made me proud but his plays were repeatedly interrupted. There came a point, where things were stalled on the field. We were quiet, waiting to see what was coming from the coach and from Ford. Even the marching band was quiet which was unusual. But the cheer leaders were doing light cheers and shaking pom=poms, and without warning, Perry jumped from his seat. I almost spilled my coca-cola in my lap.
"Run it to the left! To the left! Hey!" Perry shouted.
"What the hell are you doing?" I asked. "Sit down!"
"What was that all about?": asked Bryce.
"Well, it appears to me," explained Perry, "the quarterback has an obvious goal...put that ball over their heads and into that place in the center so number 14 can take it back toward the finish line!"
"The field goal," barked Tristan.
"Whatever. In any case, he's not getting it over their heads in such a short distance. He has no choice but to run either to the left or to the right. Everybody on the field knows he has to do this but no one knows which way he's going to run it. I say the odds are more in his favor if he runs to the left!" concluded Perry.
"What the fuck," said Bryce in a surprised tone. "He's absolutely right!"
"I agree," I said. "Hey Perry, you don't even know anything about football. How did you make such an astute assessment?" I ask.
"I'm not stupid, Josh. I have been paying attention. I've figured this out. It's rather like a chessboard with live players!"
"I'm fucking impressed," I said.
"And I'm having the best time. This is so incredible!"
My phone vibrates and I have a text from Bryce.
<Have you fucked him yet?> Bryce asks.
I respond.
<He turned me down!> and Bryce screams with laughter. Everyone looks to him to see what's so funny. Ty, again, is looking at us suspiciously.
"I"m glad Mr. Perry is having such a grand night," says Ty.
Text from Bryce. <You felt like the bug hitting the windshield!>
" I reply.
says Bryce. I'm not responding to this.
The time out ended and Ford actually did as Perry predicted, or suggested, rather. The ball ran to the left. The runner was tackled, but I think it was in the exact place Ford wanted it because that left me thinking it was the perfect time and the perfect place for the "big dick" play that won us the game last year.
"Josh!" snapped Bryce.
"I know, I know!" I said. Ford lobbed the ball and it was perfect. It arched high and straight and it was coming down. Number 22 was in place and his head was high and his eyes looked up. Unfortunately, he didn't see the diesel truck that was about to plow into him and the play was over.
"God dammit!" I yelled. Ty and Tistan shook their heads as the crowd shouted and roared.
Fourth quarter didn't go well and the Mountaineers scored again and the game ended with little fanfare. My chest heaved a bit. I looked at Perry who sat with wide eyes and his mouth just open a little. I watched him exhale a show breath. I looked onto the field. The players were exchanging handshakes but Ford stood conspicuously still, watching everyone, his helmet in his hand.
"Josh," said Ty. "Ford!"
"I see him," I barked over the crowd. I had to go, to go to him, to keep him upright. I pushed people out of the way as I descended the bleachers. I reached the bottom rail and jumped it, landing on my bad foot and skidding face down into the track grit.
"Aw, shit, that hurt," I said to myself as I stood up. I ran out onto the field and just stopped a few feet from Ford.
"Ford!" I barked. "Hey Ford," and he turned and looked at me. I recognized the exhaustion on his face. I knew those beads of sweat and the wet hair. He inched slowly to me.
"I did everything," he whispered. "We talked about it and I did..." and his lip quivered and he began to cry. I pulled him to me as I felt the rest of my group fill in behind me.
"Oh you did do everything. You did it just right," I whispered. "You were fucking amazing, Ford Fisher. My hand grabbed gobs of wet hair as he heaved into my shoulder.
"Mister Fisher!" came a booming voice from a really large black guy. I recognized Jeremy Stanton as soon as I saw him. Senior quarterback for the Mountaineers, who, as a junior quarterback, got a taste of what Josh Warner used to dish out. Hmmm.
He repeated himself and I turned Ford to face him.
"I know those tears, young QB!" said Jeremy. "They only come when you give 100% of your soul. Only then!" he screamed and waved his finger in the air. "And you did that tonight. I'm mighty floored by your execution! Man, you ran those players!. Had me on my toes most of the game!"
"You still beat me, though," Ford said quietly.
"Naw man, I won a game. I didn't beat no one. Not tonight. You are in no place to be beaten. I might be a tractor but you're a precision crafted lawn mower and you got your team in and out of places that stunned the best of us. And even the "big dick" play. That was a close call!" and he boomed with laughter. We all did.
"How did you know about that?" asked Ford.
"No thanks to that one standing behind you," and he walked forward and extended his hand.
"Mister Warner!" he oozed. I reached back and shook his hand.
"You been mentoring him?" he asked, pointing to Ford.
"I did a bit."
"He got those plays from you. We watched that game last year over and over until one the dumbnuts on the team walked up to the white board and drew a pic of a big dick! We all slapped ourselves for not seeing it sooner. But we were ready for it. You weren't going to hand us our asses again. Our speed, mobility, fluidity, it was all because of you," said Jeremy.
"Thanks a lot!" barked Ford toward me. The group behind me laughed.
"And Josh," said Jeremy, "we were mighty sorry for what happened to you last year. If any one of us quarterbacks had been on the scene, there might've been a death. We were all very sorry to see you out."
"Thank you, Jeremy. I appreciate your sentiments."
"Looks like you moved on, prospering in college and what not."
"Yeah, moving on is the only thing to do. But, I got to relive a minute of it tonight. Your team played well." Jeremy nodded and pointed a large finger at Ford.
"I got to go, but I want to give you one little thing," said Jeremy. "I'm a senior and I'll be leaving. Half the team are seniors and they'll be leaving. I'm not giving the next generation one hint about you. They gonna have to figure it out for themselves!" and he boomed with laughter as he walked away. Ford fell back against me but the coach came running forward. He greeted me quickly then dragged Ford away.
"Good heavens!" snapped Perry. "Did all that just happen? It was like something out of a movie!" and we all laughed as we headed back to the bleachers.
"We have a lot of exciting things that happen around here," Julia replied, giving Perry her ever so perfect smile. I moped behind and let Ty fall in beside me.
"Hey babe," I said quietly.
"Hey Josh," he said back and I had a bad feeling from the lack of affection in his tone.
"What did you think?" asked my mom as Perry, Ty and I approached.
"I missed a lot of that in high school. I'm rather regretful now because that was one of the BEST nights!" Perry said, causing Mom and dad to smile.
"Nothing like a Friday night football game, son," said Bill as we left the stadium. I couldn't resist turning and looking back over the space one more time. So many memories, and yet so few.
I said bye to Ginny and Bryce and Ty farewelled Jack and Tristan and we all returned home. Back at our house, the family took a stab at getting to know Perry. He was really wound up about the game while mom and dad pressed him about his background and growing up in Maryland, and his focus on the violin.
"How did you end up at the University? Why not a prominent music school?" asked Dad.
"I considered that but my instructor advised that I attend a regular school first and get the general classes out of the way. Plus, the school has a good music department and the violin professor is very accomplished," explained Perry. "I will transfer out in two years but once I do, it will be exclusively performance and composition. So..."
"I see," said mom. "The English, math, and science credits will travel with you so you can focus!"
"Exactly," said Perry. "And I'm glad I'm doing it this way because with the University comes some experience I didn't have in private school. Like tonight," he said quietly. "I never had this much fun in high school. It's brilliant!"
"We're so glad you came and that we got to meet you. Josh has said nothing but wonderful things and we're very happy he has a good roommate. And friend," said mom.
"Josh is not, shall we say, easy on the average population! It takes a special personality to get along with him," barked Bill, causing everyone to laugh. Everyone, that is, but me.
We went upstairs to turn in. Perry, Ty and myself landed in my room. Perry thought it looked bare and I reminded him that my stuff was at school.
"Perry," said mom, coming into the room, "do you want to stay in the guest room? It should be very comfortable."
"It's ok, Mom," I replied. "He can stay with me. It's senseless to mess up a bed just for one night. He'll be ok here, right?" I asked, looking at Perry.
"Oh sure, I'm used to your snoring by now!" and again, laughter. Except for Ty, who quietly left and walked to his room. I was going to have a talk with him. He had been distant and mostly rude the whole night. I wasn't sure what was on his mind.
"I think that's fine!" mom said. "Please let us know if you need anything," she offered and left and closed the door behind her.
"So professional," Perry said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Your parents are so polished and professional. I mean, I'm not surprised. They are exactly how you described them. It's just different at my house where things are cluttered and people are loud."
"I'm sure they're all cool."
"Cool yes, but focused on their work and not a lot of organization. I'm the oddball there."
"I'm sure you are and I'm really happy you enjoyed tonight. If you hadn't, it might've been NOT such a great night."
"No, it was brilliant. And that whole exchange with F...Ford? Is that his name? I mean the feelings were so strong. He cried on you!" Perry observed.
"Yeah, just like Jeremy said, that's not so unusual. A game like that isn't just a "fun time"." The work that went into that was extraordinary and it leaves you..."
"Exposed?" interrupted Perry.
"Yep."
"We have that in music too, Josh. Some performances can touch your soul. I have been there."
"Understood," I said. We crawled in the bed and without a lot of discussion I heard and felt him fall asleep. It was almost 12:30 am and I couldn't wait to get into Ty's room. I slipped out of bed quietly. There wasn't a sound in the house. Ty's room was dark except for the iPad he was studying as he lay in the bed. I crept over to the bed.
"Hey Ty," I said.
"What's up?" he asked, flipping up the covers for me to crawl in. Snuggling beside him was simply the best feeling in the world. I had missed that so much. And his smell. Oh my God, had I missed that too. He set the iPad down. I wrapped my arm over his chest and kissed his cheek.
"Ty, I can totally sense you're upset about something and I feel like it has to do with what I told you about that whole Justin Burke thing. I'm sorry I had to tell you on the phone but I wasn't sure when we were gonna get some alone time. And, I'm sorry about the whole Justin thing altogether. It was just a..." and I stopped to find the words.
"It was a hookup, Josh. Plain and simple and I'm sorry you had to go through that for your first attempt in college. But I'm not upset about that," and I looked at him curiously. "In fact, I anticipated you having a hook up and I was more prepared for some awesome guy to catch your eye, leading to some tug-of-war scenario. But, like I said, Justin didn't bother me, not near as much as THAT ONE," he said pointing toward my bedroom, "laid up in your bed does!" he whispered loudly.
"That one? You mean Perry?"
"Of course!" he said.
"Why does Perry upset you? I think he handled tonight great."
"Oh he did. In fact, I'm pretty sure he did everything just right to please our friends and our parents. Everybody's very sure right now that Josh has a new boyfriend and he's something just short of amazing!"
"Ty! That's ridiculous. Why would you say something like that?"
"Oh get off it, Josh. He's perfect. He's slender and attractive, that bushy hair suits him to a tee. He's an accomplished violinist and he is obviously going places. In short, just your type."
"Ty, let me stop you right there. I'm not doing anything with Perry. He's my roommate for God's sake."
"Close quarters, I'm sure. And how about that perky little ass! Both Tristand and Jack noticed his beautiful physique and oh my God I would tap that gladly."
"Ty, this is insane. You might need a visit back to your doctor if this is what you've been filling your head up with."
"Fuck you," Ty said.
"Perry is a super guy and I thought you'd be happy I had a straight roommate, who would be a good friend to me, and help me get off on the right foot. This is just fucking disturbing. And again, he's made his "straightness" clear to me. In fact, he doesn't show much interest in sex at all," I offered.
"We thought Bryce was straight but you got your dick in him."
"That's different. Bryce had hinted to me a long time ago that he was up to play. That is not the case with Perry.
"And did you see the look on Mom's face when you said Perry would sleep with you? She was all but ecstatic. Josh and his new boyfriend. Exactly what she had hoped for, isn't it?" and he rolled away from me. I tried to turn him back to me and he fought me.
"Ty listen, I have been waiting so patiently to...see... you," I stuttered as I tried to wrestle him back in my direction.
"Josh stop," he said. "I want to lay on my side!" he snapped.
"Goddamnit," I said, climbing on top of him. He was breathing heavily, truly fighting me. I grabbed for his wrists and one hand propelled toward me and hit my face and damn if that made me mad.
"Ty," I hissed. "Stop, just stop!" and I got him onto his back and held him down by his wrists. "You are going to wake the whole damn house, if you haven't done so already!"
He pressed against me and lifted his legs. I thought it was sexy and I got aroused very quickly until he used the posture to try and buck me off. He couldn't make it happen. I was holding him too tightly. I knew he felt my hardon as he bucked against me. I hoped it would calm him down. His face was red and his hair was strewn about his head.
"Are you about to force yourself on me? Satisfy your pent up..." and I let go of his wrists and sat up.
"How dare you!" I said. "I have never forced myself on anyone and I'm not starting with you! Bitch," I spat out. I got up and I felt my lungs deflate. My energy and a good piece of my satisfaction with life deflated. It was quiet and I walked slowly back toward the bathroom door.
"Stop Josh," Ty said in a whisper.
"No," I said, and I continued what seemed like a long trek to the bathroom. I heard his feet stamper across the floor and he threw his arms around my waist.
"Please stop, Josh. I'm sorry for what I said," and I stopped in my tracks. I didn't look back at him. "I'm really sorry," he said. "I went too far, I know. I shouldn't have said that to you." My anxiety started to calm down. Anger was leaving my insides.
"I'm sorry for that doctor remark. That was uncalled for," I admitted. I turned to him and he was beginning to cry.
"You don't need to cry," I said, pulling him to me. "Shhh," I said as I grabbed his hair in my fingers.
"I've been so lonely, Josh. Everything I do is alone. Doesn't matter who's with me or what I'm doing. I'm so alone now. I miss you so much," he said in sloppy voice. I gripped him tighter and then led him back to his bed. I straightened the covers over him and climbed in beside him.
"Ty, let's start this over. First you need to know and hear me on this. Perry is not my boyfriend and he doesn't want to be and I don't need things messed up like that. He has been a terrific friend and I don't have many." Ty looked at me oddly, not saying anything.
"I don't know where I fit in these days, Ty. I'm not a jock anymore. I don't banter with jocks. I don't care who wins the damn game anymore. I don't care how many yards or passes anyone throws. I really don't. And I'm not artistic like Perry. Like you told me this summer, I have to be smart now. I have to focus on school and making contacts. There are no cliques at that school that will have any interest in me. Yeah, I see guys checking me out, like a piece of meat. There are a couple of little guys that follow me around after class to see if I'll give them an "in."
"You mean a hookup," said Ty.
"Yeah, and nothing but. And if that's all they wanted, maybe I would put a good fuck on one of them but they're either going to make a fool out of me in some way or fall in love with me, causing all sorts of new problems. Stalking me, banging on my door, I can only imagine the shit I would go through, and the distraction."
"I can see that. I didn't know you felt like this, babe," Ty said softly. "You're still a jock to me," he said with a sheepish smile.
"That's because you knew me when I was a jock. I mean, I went from jock to joke in a day..."
"No you did not," he said, leaning upwards on his elbow. "And all that work you did with Ford. That was totally jock, in fact, I'd say it was leadership. Josh, that's the path you're heading toward. And I see it now. You have always been so influential. You need to focus on that and now worry about the cliques and party animals and all that. Just have fun where you think it's best. I trust you, I really do."
"Thanks Ty. That's really helpful."
"And don't worry about me. You at least have a campus full of strangers. I know everybody here. I can't sneak around with anyone without everybody finding out. And yeah, the one time I do, he'll fall in love with me and all hell will break loose. I don't have time for that crap. My schedule is terrible," and he laughed a bit.
"You're a leader, too, you know. And yeah, as soon as they think you're single, they will all come sniffing around you. I did," and we laughed again.
"Do you miss me, Josh?" Ty asked.
"Oh my God, I miss you head to toe, top to bottom, all the way around. Everyday is like a fucking project to see how I can get it all done and not fall apart." I shook my head in disbelief.
"And Perry doesn't give you crap about me?"
"No, in fact, he's like your high school army at college. He's all in for making sure I can keep things together with you. He thinks you're perfect for me and that I should be patient and make this work."
"Really? He said that?" Ty asked in a chipper tone.
"Don't you get all girly-wirly on me after that tirade you threw earlier," I warned.
"Haha, that was a hot mess! I was a mess," Ty added. "And Jesus Christ, Josh, I was out of my mind. I was so jealous of him and I'm not now. Do you forgive me?"
"Of course, but a little taste of "Ty lips and tongue" would surely go a long way. And the taste of his wet lips did take us far. I didn't need to pound him that night. I didn't even have to thrust hard. It was just our bodies touching, being inside him, and an exchange of body fluids, that was, well, industrial to say the least. We somewhat made up for lost time and enjoyed the few minutes he had together.
The hour or so of sleep that followed went quickly. I lifted the covers and he pulled his arm around me.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up."
"I wish you didn't have to go," Ty whispered.
"I do, but I'll see you soon. I promise," I hissed into his ear.
"Bitter is the path without you," he whispered.
"Let me guess. Keith Burch's literature class!" Ty chuckled. I pulled his face to mine and kissed him long. "Next time we meet, it won't be like last night. Agreed?"
"Yes, I'm..."
"Stop," I said. "It's over and done. I love you, babe. I promise."
"I love you too," he replied.
I slipped out and went back to my old bed. Perry was asleep on his side facing my side. I slipped in quietly.
"Everything ok?" he whispered.
"Yeah," and back to sleep I went.
When I awoke, I didn't know what time it was. What I did not know was that the piano sounded like it was coming up through my bedroom floor. And Perry's violin was screeching some kind of music that, at this hour, and to my ears, sounded like noise. It dawned on me that he and Ty were playing together and they would wake the whole house. I slipped on a t-shirt and ran down the stairs and bounded into the living room. Mom and dad were sitting on the couch in robes, while Perry played some dramatic piece and Ty accompanied him on the piano.
"Shh!" mom hissed, putting her finger to her mouth. She patted the sofa seat beside her and I moved quietly across the room and I sat on the third sofa cushion. As I listened, I noted two things. First, this was a really dramatic piece for Perry. I had only heard bits of it when he practiced the hard part in the room. Most of his practice was done in the music wing where they had private rooms to keep from pestering the dormitories. The second thing was Ty was playing like a champ. This was really classical stuff and he was playing some fast notes. They sounded really good, for, according to my phone, 8:30 in the morning.
The piece ended on a dramatic note with Perry making a slow motion with his bow to elongate the last note and Ty finished with some chords and it all ended with a "bang!" except there was no bang. Mom and dad applauded. I did too, but just lightly. I wasn't sure if you were supposed to applaud a living room performance.
"Perry, I would say that was quite a performance. You are indeed very talented," said Bill.
"I agree," said Mom. "You both were incredible."
"And you were sight reading that, Ty?" I asked. "You didn't know that piece did you?"
"Yeah it was my first time," he said.
"And let me say this," said Perry. "That was a hard piece and I wasn't sure we could get through it but you sight read very well, Ty. I am very impressed."
"Thanks Perry for saying that. I messed up a couple of spots but it was fun!"
"Fun is a unique description," Perry laughed. "You did great." Perry walked over to the piano and sat down beside Ty. We all watched not knowing what was coming.
"Listen, Ty, as a music major, you have to play for juries at the end of the semester."
"Juries?" asked Ty.
"Yeah, it's really the faculty but much like an exam, you have to demonstrate your completed work which means performing and the faculty grades you on that."
"Oh wow," Ty said. I didn't know that myself.
"The people who play instruments all vie for the pianists to play for them and the pianists charge a lot of money to do it and they are in big demand and get booked up quickly. I think it would be incredible if you would learn the pieces and come to the University and accompany me."
"Oh goodness," said mom. "That would be quite an adventure. Will it be a time soaker, Perry?" asked mom.
"No ma'am, I don't think so. I have the music now. I can email it to him and he can practice it lightly over the next two months. If he can sight read that one so well, he could learn the others without too much work. What do you think, Ty? Oh, I would pay you. Perhaps it would save me a little bit compared to the others?" and he gave Ty a quirky smile.
"I would be honored. You are really good and we would look good together," he said with a little swagger. I grinned. This was a hell of a lot better situation than we had last night.
"Great," said Perry. Once the schedule is published, I'll let you know when you have to be there. The schedules are unyielding so you would have to nail it down."
"No problem and thanks for asking. I have been in need of a distraction from the diversity program and this will be great. And I get to come to the campus and see how you "freshman" get it done." Ty smiled and shook his head with satisfaction.
I was pretty sure someone was going to have to cook breakfast but Bill suggested we all get dressed and go out and have a nice breakfast before Perry and I returned to campus. I welcomed having a real, chef-prepared, breakfast with eggs and pancakes and bacon.
After breakfast at a cool diner, and good bye's and what not, Perry and I made the drive back down the interstate.
"How was it when you came out? Did they lose their minds when they found out it was you and Ty?" asked Perry. "And forgive me if I'm treading on sensitive turf. They just seem so... well, open."
"They have been to some degree, and mom reminded me very directly on our drive to school, that she and dad have had to tiptoe on eggshells because all the professionals warned them that if they try to break us up, it could lead to disaster. If we made it unhealthy or if it interfered with the home, they should take action but as long as Ty and I were discreet and respectful, it would be for the best."
"I see," said Perry.
"No, it wasn't easy. They took small jabs at us and Ty and I referred to them as the evil empire." Perry laughed. "But, Perry, and I'll tell you this story as long as you never repeat it to anyone." He turned and looked at me with surprise.
"Oh shit, here comes the dirt!"
"It's that, alright. When mom came to the realization, she confronted me. I admitted that I was in love with Ty. She told me I had to tell Bill and I had like three days to get it done, I lost my mind with anxiety. I told him and he gave me some crap about it and I panicked and jumped into my car and ran off into the night...and I had no money...and then there was this sleazy motel that wouldn't take me...and I slept in the car...and this crazy antique mall, well Ty loved that...and then I was in the country...and it snowed, and I crashed my car.."
That was first, how I introduced Perry to my family, second, watched as Ty and Perry bridged their own special friendship which would last from then til now, and third, how Perry came to know the drama that had been Josh and Ty - A Stepbrother's Desire.
Two very difficult chapters coming up. But the happy ending is on it's way. Stay tuned.