Chrysalis Part 2: Chapter 2--Easter Egged
This story is about a young man's quest to fix a major birth defect--he was born without a penis. On his quest he meets his soul mate and many other soon to be friends.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and events are the product of the author's imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any real person is coincidental.
The story depicts procedures and practices common for gender reassignment; however, this story does not claim to be a medical treatise, and information is primarily for the purpose of the story and not medical advice. This story is written for adults with adult themes. If you are underage or live in a location where references to gay relationships or transgender people is forbidden, please log out of the story or move.
This work is copyrighted by Boethiuscell@gmail.com © 2023
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Chapter 2--Easter Egged
Chris was waiting outside the deli when a cab pulled up with Toby and Tom. Chris slid in next to Toby, who was in the middle protecting his property. "Hot," Toby said, "you look very hot."
"Thanks, Toby. Hi Tom." Chris looked around Toby to see Tom huddled against the far door. He did not speak.
Toby smiled at Chris with a grin. "He's grumpy. Didn't get much sleep last night." Toby winked at Chris.
"Tom must be getting old if he cannot party till dawn anymore." Chris replied, "You need to take it easier on the old man." Toby chortled. Tom turned to stare out the window.
"Benjie is cute." Toby commented, "and young."
"Sixteen, seventeen, a junior in high school." Chris answered enjoying the subtle pumping of information. "He's straight." Chris added.
"For how long?" Toby eyed the obvious bulge in Chris's black jeans.
Chris followed Toby's eye realizing Toby would jump anything with a dick. "I'm not out to convert. He seems very secure in his heterosexuality."
"You went to the Met?" Toby asked to fill in the void.
"Yeah, it was fun. I went to the Chicago Art Museum last week. Now the Met this week, I'm becoming cultured." Chris laughed and so did Toby. "I did not realize how many hot men cruise the museum."
"The bathroom in the Greek section is always a scene." Toby added with a knowing nod.
"Benjie told me." Chris leaned into Toby. "A guy in the Greek wing flirted with me. And then when we had lunch, Benjie said three guys followed us in just to get my attention."
"You're hot, why does this surprise you. I mean you must have been cruised intently in Chicago."
"I guess I need to be more aware. Maybe, when I am more settled, I'll go back to the Met and see what happens."
"It dangerous picking up strangers." Tom blurted.
"I picked you up. Are you dangerous?" Chris's inflection was flat. Tom mumbled something. He clearly was in a foul mood, but Chris could care less.
"You picked up Tom?" Toby was full of curiosity.
"Outside Macy's." Chris smiled at Toby, who was more interested than jealous. "When I have you and Tom over for supper, I'll give you the details."
Tom grumbled, "No you won't."
"I'm all ears to hear this `bout Tom." Toby grabbed Chris's hand like a sister in a sorority.
"Who is going to be at the party?" Chris asked, "I will be the stranger, the newbie."
"You'll be fine," Toby reassured Chris. "Zoe and Slim are the hosts. They're married but cool. They usually invite Jazzabel, a large black drag queen; she's a hoot. Then Donny and his partner, Max, May-December thing. Brett and Juan, not a couple, not sure if family or not, at least have not responded to my advances. Toni and Andy. Andy is transgender, nice guy, but quiet.
"Very diverse group, sounds like fun." Chris looked around Toby to Tom, who was huddled like a scolded cocker spaniel.
"Lots of food, some recreational drugs, although Zoe disapproves. Story is that her father is a druggie." Toby continued with tidbits about the party guests until Chris zoned him out.
The taxi stopped in front of a large three-story Victorian with a turret and wrap-around porch. Tulips and crocuses were just started to blossom creating a riot of color next to the still nude bushes. Tom paid the cabbie and led Toby and Chris inside a wrought-iron fence, up a brick pathway to a solid oak door with etched glass inset. Tom just opened the door and walked in. "Hi everyone," Tom yelled. "Hey, Tom" returned in stereo from the parlor and the den.
A thin woman wearing jeans and a sweater with bunnies on it pulled Tom down to her little over five-foot height into a firm no excuse hug and peck on the cheek. "Tom, so good you could come. It's been ages since we've seen you." Refusing to release Tom, she spied Toby, "and you too Toby." She released Tom, who bounced erect like a spring. "And who is this luscious man?" She darted over to Chris and embraced him is a tight hug and a quick pat on the ass.
"This is Chris. Chris this is Zoe." Tom said as introduction, but he was not sure she heard because he spoke softly and hesitantly, like he wanted Chris to be ignored.
Zoe had stepped back an arm's length and inspected Chris. "Chris dear sure enough hope that you're not a virgin because you'll have the gay men here climbing all over you like frogs in spring." She laughed as Chris blushed. "You're gay, yes?"
"Pleasure to meet you, Zoe." Chris said recovering some of his equilibrium, "Yes, I'm gay and might not mind kissing a few frogs. I need more practice." Chris looked at Tom; Toby snickered.
Zoe grabbed Chris's arm, "I like you. Let me introduce you to the gang." She pulled Chris along like a reluctant puppy, leaving Tom and Toby standing in the hall.
Tom looked at Toby. "Her new acquisition." Toby nodded with a smile and walked into the room opposite where Zoe went. Tom stood undecided as to which room. He followed Toby.
Chris expected the room Zoe took him to be full of Victorian antiques to match the outside. But the room was eclectic with two floral sofas flanking a large fireplace. Mid-century modern lamps on end tables. Wingback chairs in a windowed alcove. Large primary-colored cushions spread across the floor supporting people like potted flowers.
"Attention everyone," Zoe yelled with a voice loud enough to be heard in a tornado. Chris wondered where all that volume came from. All attention turned to her. "This is Chris, he came with Tom." She stopped and whispered in Chris's ear. "You attached of single?" Chris said single. "He's gay and single, guys."
"Woo Hoo," came from an older man sitting near the fireplace.
"So thoughtful Zoe to bring fresh meat." said another voice, but the location Chris could not identify.
"Hi everyone," Chris yelled, "I'm taking orders. I've got my ruler." Everyone laughed.
"You need a yardstick," came a voice.
"If I need a yardstick, I'm running very fast." Chris laughed, "I don't want any dick sticking out my nose." That caused an uproar of laughter.
"I've got an inhaler if you need it." Another voice and more laughter. Tom heard the laughing from across the hall and tensed.
Zoe went around the room introducing people. She stopped first at the wingback chairs where two women, Chris quickly amend one woman and a drag queen. "This is Toni and Jazzabel."
"Nice to meet you Toni," Chris held out his hand. Toni's return hand was soft, delicate and tentative. Toni was almost boyish in appearance, tall side, thin, almost no breast, dressed in flannel shirt and jeans, and hair in three shades of green. She wore a rainbow bracelet.
Chris turned toward Jazzabel who extended her hand, fingers down. Chris gently lifted the hand and kissed it, "Enchante', mademoiselle."
"Gosh, baby doll, ain't you the sweetest thing to pop up since doughnuts out of a fryer." She fanned her face with the other hand. "Dearie me, vapors." She squirmed in the chair. "I think you got my boy parts moving."
"I apologize if I have caused discomfort," Chris grinned.
"Baby doll, I'll forgive if you help readjust them." Jazzabel gave a loud laugh and reclaimed her hand. Chris gave her a sly smile. She was as straight as a flag pole, and likely just as long. She smiled back with a knowing wink.
"You need to meet the rest of the people," Zoe said pulling Chris away. "Don't mind Jazzabel, she has herself a sugar momma and is all tease." Chris smiled because he liked Jazzabel.
"Max, this is Chris. He came with Tom and Toby." Max's eyes rolled slightly.
"Hi Chris, a pleasure to meet you."
"Where's Donny?" Zoe asked and then looked at Chris, "He's Max's partner."
"I suspect out hunting." Max shrugged. Chris looked confused. "We have an open relationship. I can't expect a kid 30 years younger than me to enjoy only wrinkles and liver spots." Max laughed. "We do love each other but he needs more sex than this body can do. I remember when I was thirty and fucked any willing ass or reverse. I don't want to deny him the experiences to remember when he gets my age." Max winked at Chris, "I have many happy remembrances."
"I would never have taken you for 60."
"Ish" added Max.
"Sixtyish. Late forties or early fifties tops."
Max fluttered his eyelashes, "Young man, you are a bald-face liar. And you can continue to lie."
Chris looked at the fireplace as Max and Zoe talked about people Chris had not met. His eyes went up to the painting over the fireplace. It was a large, unframed multimedia creation. When Chris first looked at it he saw a sun over trees, but as he looked closer, the trees were people, their arms intertwining branches. The sun was a silver disc, a hubcap. It had repeat and overlapping ankhs and a dent on the bottom portion that was almost a smile.
"Do you like the art piece?" Zoe asked.
"Yes, very much." Chris tilted his head to study the piece more.
"Slim, my husband, did it, but don't tell him you like it otherwise prepare for three hours discussing art." She laughed. "Max, I see your hand edging up Chris's leg. We want him to come back so don't scare him."
Max laughed, "If you see Donny, tell him I need a few words."
Zoe directed Chris to the two adjoining sofa, one either side of a coffee table, each sofa held a young man, each staring intently at the coffee table. "Andy, Juan, I want you to meet Chris. He came with Tom and Toby."
"Zoe, we need you in the kitchen." Floated into the room.
"Excuse me Chris, `fraid you are on your own for a while." Zoe headed intently toward what Chris assumed was the kitchen.
Chris sat on the sofa next to Andy. A spider was crawling across the coffee table. As it approached an edge, the person on that side would blow on the spider to make it move toward the other side. "Wonder," Chris asked, "if the spider thinks God is directing him?"
"Nay, just two bored people delaying it being squashed." Andy replied. He gave Chris a quick glance.
Juan stood, and the spider bolted across the table to the floor. Juan causally stepped on it. "I'm thirsty, want anything?"
"Glass of white wine," Andy stated
"Ginger ale or Sprite." Chris added to the order.
"Got it,' replied Juan, "Chris, it is your responsibility to keep Andy entertained. He is high maintenance. Spider air hockey amuses him."
Andy threw a wadded piece of paper towel at him. "Ass." Andy turned to Chris. "How do you know Tom and Toby?"
"I met Tom last week in Chicago. Landed a job with the same agency as Tom's. Flew into New York, Friday. Met Toby at Tom's apartment. Moved out Saturday to my own apartment. Here today."
"Jezz, Chris," Andy rolled his eyes, "I'm exhausted. All that in one week?"
"It is a bit much. I have not totally settled yet."
"I take it that you stayed Friday night with Tom and Toby."
"Yeah."
"Moving out Saturday tells me everything." Andy rotated on the sofa more to face Chris. "I like Toby well enough, but he is a first-class slut. Condom trucks follow him because he's so randy." Chris snickered. "Has he made his move on you, offered a threesome?"
"No, don't think he will." Chris had a silent chuckle. "He's too intent marking Tom as his territory. I suspect Tom has a yellow pee stain down his thigh from Toby's raised leg."
Andy laughed. It was very feminine, as, Chris realized, were his features. He had white blond hair in a punk cut, a perfect tan (sprayed Chris assumed), and large, soft brown eyes. His lips were soft and expressive, with maybe a little pink lip-gloss. Put a dress on him, and he could pass.
"Have you started your hormone treatment?" Andy causally asked.
"How?" Chris stammered unsure of an answer.
Andy laughed and patted Chris's knee. "Been there; done that."
"Oh," Chris looked at Andy more carefully, "I should have guessed. How far along?"
"Completed, I opted not to do the hormones because they are nasty to your personality, and I didn't want hair. You?"
"The reduction, hormone and surgery at the end of the year. I want to freeze my eggs in case at some later date I meet the perfect man we can have children."
"You are so domestic. Sure, this is what you want?"
"I gag every time I think of my female bits. Have since I was three and able to say something. I want nothing that reminds me of she."
"How did your parents handle it?"
"Not well, to put it mildly."
"That's shit."
"Here are your beverages, gentlemen." Juan had just returned and handed the drinks to Andy and Chris. "I hope while I was gone, you discussed me."
Andy took a sip of his wine and eyed Juan hair to groin, "My dear Juan, while your looks are captivating, you were not the object of our discussion."
Juan laughed, a slow rumble that found an exit. "Thank God, I was hoping that you were not that shallow. Everyone here seems to talk about bodies, endowments, and bedroom prowess."
Chris gave a quick wink at Andy, "What makes you think that we were not talking about that." Chris gave Juan a serious look. "It just was not about you."
Juan's face fell, Andy broke into laughter. "Juan dear, Chris is pulling your leg. We were chatting about experiences we have in common."
Juan laughed disappointed, "Not about me."
"Juan, you are a handsome man, and should never worry about what people say." Chris spoke up. "Your friends will say the truth, the others will lie until they are behind you and say what makes them feel good. Ignore the second group because you will never live up to their expectations."
Andy stood up, "I gotta piss bad. You want a join me Chris?"
"I though only girls went to the bathroom together." Juan said.
Chris and Andy looked at each other and burst out in laughter.
Juan's eyes widened and he blushed. "You going to compare penises. Play together."
Chris and Andy laughed even louder. "You mind if Juan joins us I?"
"Not at all. It might be educational."
"I'm not a virgin you know." Juan whined.
"You coming," Andy said as he pulled Chris through the crowd. Juan followed through the kitchen, with tables packed with food and too many cooks yelling genially to each other. The bathroom was off the kitchen. It was a full bath with marble floors and dark wood cabinets.
Andy, Chris and Juan entered, and Andy locked the door. "It is easier to talk in here," Andy confided to Juan. Andy unzipped and pulled out his penis, and urinated into the toilet. "The docs gave me a real nice one, does everything it should." Andy finished and turned toward Chris, who was looking at it carefully. "Want to touch it?" Andy dropped his jeans to the floor--he was commando.
Chris tentatively felt the shaft and the scrotum. "It feels real."
"It is real, I paid a bundle for it." Andy squeezed the front of his scrotum several times producing a firm erection. "Best part it stays firm until I say. I can get a woman to climax several times." Juan's eyes were as large as sauces. "No, I'm not gay. Want to touch it Juan?" Juan hesitated. "It won't bite." Juan shook his head no. "Now Chris, I showed you mine; you show me yours."
"I need to pee too." Chris smiled at Juan and dropped his jeans and boxers. He carefully removed the straps and the prosthetic and handed it to Juan. Juan paled, about to faint.
"Jesus, Juan, you think you never touched a penis before," Andy said and grabbed the prosthetic before Juan could pass out. "This is a very nice one Chris. You don't need to remove it to pee you know."
"It leaks."
"Fixodent around the edges will do it." Chris nodded. "And you don't need all these straps. Most of the time Spanks or good pouch underwear will do." Andy continued examining the device. "Does it stiffen?"
"Yeah." Chris stood and flushed. "It you rub the head and shaft in a particular sequence, you get a firm erection. To deflate, just pull a couple of times on the balls."
"How does it work?"
"Battery and fluid reserve in the scrotum." Chris laughed, "it is even self-lubricating when erect. I have never used it to its full capacity." Chris looked a Juan trying to comprehend what he saw. "You did agree to come," Chris chided.
Juan did not know what to say, "You're both girls."
"No Juan," Andy sternly said. "We are both men, which by accident were given female bodies. I fixed my body and Chris is fixing his."
Juan regained some of his composure, "I am sorry, I did not mean to offend either of you because I see you as men. I mean, I've read about it but never." Juan just stopped.
Chris laughed, "It is fine Juan. It was cruel of us to expose you to this."
"Please, I am glad you did." Juan rose and took Chris's hand. "I feel honored that you trust me to show me what is very intimate." Juan kissed Chris's hand. "Thank you."
"Hey, you going to spend all day in there," came a voice from the other side of the door.
"Almost done," Andy yelled back while helping Chris finish dressing. Once everyone was presentable, Andy opened the door. The three marched out with forced dignity.
"I hope you cleaned any spunk off the toilet seat," the young man who waited for the bathroom muttered.
"No," Juan smiled and patted the man's ass, "I saved it all for you. As a reminder of what it looks like." Chris and Andy laughed, pulling Juan away.
Their original spot on the sofa was taken by two women stridently discussing the best Indian restaurant, but the other sofa was free. Juan managed to sit between Chris and Andy so in any conversation he was literally in the middle of it. He thought of himself as the spider from the game earlier, and enjoyed the role.
"Did I freak you out when I handed you my dick?" Chris asked Juan. The comment caused a quick glance from the two women, who then returned to their topic.
"Naw," Juan casually said looking back and forth to Chris and Andy. "Yeah, it's not every day, really, not any day, that I get handed a dick not attached to a man. I mean, it felt very real and was a bit of a turn on, but I still prefer them attached."
Andy laughed, "My girlfriend, before surgery, was always grossed out when I left my thing on the bathroom sink."
"Oow, gross." Juan's lips puckered in disgust.
"That is a first-class tool, you have. Where'd you get it?"
"It was a gift from Tom's cousin, Cedrick Greenwood."
"Cedrick, as in hotels?" Andy asked.
"Tom was stay at their Chicago hotel when I met them. Cedrick and his wife Ariel are great people. We got to be good friends. Ariel and I stay in touch."
"She has an art gallery on the island," added Juan.
"I should take Benjie there some Saturday." Chris added, "He is the nephew of my landlords, nice kid." The women across from them were still into the restaurant conversation, but Chris was sure they had a partial ear on his conversation. "Next time we go the Manhattan, would you like to join us?"
"Sure," Juan eagerly replied.
"Could I bring my girlfriend?" asked Andy.
"The more the merrier." Chris cheerfully said.
"How did you meet Tom?" Juan asked.
"I picked him up outside of Macy's in Chicago."
"Excuse us, but I could not help over hearing that you picked up Tom Greenwood."
"Yes," said Chris cautiously.
"You actually picked him up and he...you picked him up. By the way I'm Stacy and this is Pam, we've worked with Tom for three years." Stacy looked at Pam for confirmation. "He was always the initiator. If any man, no matter how lovely, approached him, for some reason, they were consigned to a level of hell."
"When I am around him, I am always glad that I am a girl. He is very predatory." Added Pam. "How long have you known Tom."
"About a week." Chris looked around. He suddenly had an audience as several more people gathered. Tom was very much a curiosity. "I picked him up outside Macy's, we went to supper. I stayed with him in his hotel until we came to New York." Chris was interrupted by a burst of noise from the other room. "Seems they are having fun too." Chris smiled.
"You're not off the hook that easy." Stacy demanded, "Give us all the story. How did you end up here working with Tom?"
Chris gave a condensed version about meeting Stu, being hired, coming to New York with Tom to learn the business before the Milan show.
"No experience and Milan, Stu..." The rest of Stacy's comment was cut short.
"Holy shit," Max said loudly. All eyes turned to him and then followed his eyes to Tom, leaning causally like John Wayne, against the door jam. He had on the T-shirt with Chris's picture. He must have hidden it under his jacket when they rode to the house. Tom smiled at Chris, waiting for Chris to squirm in embarrassment.
Chris casually rose and sauntered over to Tom. With his index finger, he slowly played with a butterfly perched on a limb just above Tom's left nipple. Chris pretended that the butterfly was perched on his finger he raised the finger and gently blew the imaginary butterfly away.
Flustered Tom said, "I see you did not wear the one of me."
Chris smiled at the now rapt audience. If Tom wanted to play to an audience, he would be sorry. Chris would not be the butt of any joke. "Our agency gave us both T-shirts. Tom has me, and I have Tom. My T-shirt is equally a work of art." Chris gave Tom a kind smile. "But I knew your ego could not stand the competition of another you."
"Burn." Someone yelled, probably Max.
Chris bent his head to look at Toby's hand around Tom's waste; all eyes followed. "If I wore the shirt, people might have the mistaken notion that we are a couple, which we are not." Tom suddenly became aware of Toby's hand and blushed, sliding it away.
Chris gently ran his hand along the T-shirt from clavicle to navel. "It is a work of art and needs to be seen. Art is but of counterfeit of the real. It makes it better. While the image is mostly me, it is me as art, an ideal." Chris petted the bunny that was the fig leaf. Gently he pealed it off and handed it to Tom. "Did David's model need to blush when he saw Michelangelo's 17-foot sculpture of him?" Chris gave Tom a kiss on the cheek while patting Tom's stomach. "Thank you for share this art." Chris stepped away. "Now go play with your bunny." He patted Toby's hand. The room erupted into applause. Chris did his best courtly bow. Tom silently faded away.
Returning to the sofa, "Do you think I was too hard on him?" Chris asked.
"Hell no," Stacy answered. "If you ask me, you were too kind."
"He should have at least asked permission." Add Pam.
"He did tell me when we were given the shirts that he would wear it today, so I was not surprised."
"He did it to embarrass you," Stacy was incensed and furious at Tom.
"But he didn't." Chris smiled.
Several people stopped, came over to Chris to introduce themselves, saying how beautify the T-shirt was, and how they loved his comments.
Zoe appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. "Food is ready. It's buffet so find your own place to eat." Everyone rose, except Chris and Juan.
"I like hanging with you, Chris," Juan said. "I want to continue the start of our friendship, if it is ok with you?" Juan gave Chris a shy smile.
"I'd like that very much, Juan, I think you're pretty cool too." Chris gave Juan a sideways squeeze. "Let's eat."
Food was in abundance in the kitchen. The large table was decked with turkey, ham, and lamb. Chris saw potatoes fixed three ways, salads and relishes. It was a feast his mother would be proud of. Juan handed Chris a plate and cutlery. They found a table on the enclosed sunroom; it was a bit nippy but doable. Soon, they were joined by Andy. Toby wandered over to the table. Toby had his hands down the back of a man's jeans. "Mind if we join you?" Toby said.
Once seated the man with Toby said, "I don't think we have been formally introduced, although I suspect I've seen more of you than your mother." He smiled and extended a hand. "I'm Danny, Max's other half."
"Where's Tom?" Andy asked. Chris did not dare ask.
"Sulking." Toby laughed. "That was pretty cool how you turned the tables on him. He is not used to that, so now he is pouting."
"I didn't mean to distress him," Chris said, "but I also was not going to be the butt of his joke. Hank, a friend of mine, told me that if you embrace the joke and make it yours, you take all the sting out and the perpetrator is the fool."
Juan laughed, "In high school I was bullied, until I put a sign on me that said, `I'm gay. If you touch me so are you.' It ended most of the harassment, except for those dared to. I usually grabbed them and kissed them. Everyone had a good laugh. I got some good sex out of it too." Everyone laughed.
"You have a T-shirt like yours with Tom on it?"
"Yeah, in my apartment."
"Does he have a bunny too," continued Toby.
Chris laughed, "No he has a basket with eggs in it. It is a beautify shirt. A work of art."
"Tom is pissed at you for moving out." Toby carefully looked at Chris.
"Just tell him I did not feel welcome. I mean, Jesus, I had barely walked in the door, and you dragged him off to the bedroom and raised a ruckus all night."
"Do you blame me for the situation?" Chris was unable to determine whether the question was serious.
"I don't blame you. Tom could have said no, but I don't blame Tom either. The boner you sprouted was begging. Tom was ready to oblige." Donny's head moved toward Chris when he mentioned Toby's erection, his left-hand slide below the table. Toby jumped slightly and smiled.
The rest of the meal was casual conversations about work or school, sex in general, world politics, art, and movies. Each person grabbed the dirty dishes and headed into the kitchen, except Juan took Chris's dishes and Donny gathered up Toby's dirty dishes.
Chris and Toby sat staring at each other. "You know Tom is mine," Toby blurted out, somewhat embarrassed by the sudden sound. "You need to lay your hand off him." This was accompanied by a glare.
"I did not think that Tom belonged to anyone. You need to discuss this with Tom. As for me, Tom is a co-worker and mentor. I intend nothing romantic."
"I get the impression that he and you were intimate in Chicago." Toby's statement was edge with jealousy, anger and threat.
"Yes," Chris maintained a smooth face, "but that was Chicago and ended when we landed in New York. Tom is in New York now and free to do as he pleases. I do not object to him taking anyone to bed. I have no claim on him."
"Good, just so we understand."
"I do not see your claim on him either. You're still bedding anyone with a pretty face and a round ass. So, I can assume that Tom is free to do likewise. If it happens to be me, I will not force you to listen."
Toby's response was cut short when Donny plopped a kiss on Toby's cheek. "Let's get some dessert." Toby rose and shot Chris one parting glance that would freeze Lake Michigan.
Chris was suddenly alone in a sea of laughter, conversation, and comradery. He felt more confident, surer of himself. He had a direction, a home and friends. Andy was frank and informative. Juan, Chris was not sure about. He was sure that Juan was flirting with him, but he seemed so timid and tentative. Was he afraid of rejection or hurt? Maybe both. He needed to see where things might go with Juan, since Tom was intent on Toby--for now, and Toby was; Chris was not sure what Toby's objectives were. Chris closed his eyes to the vibrations of the room. He was content.
"Hey I, sorry to disturb you in your mediations." A man in his mid-thirties, definitely overweight, wearing a paint-splattered t-shirt with several rips. Loose comfortable jeans and bare feet. "Hi, I'm Slim, Zoe's better half." He gave a laugh like sparkling water. He leaned into Chris, "But don't tell her that."
"Hi, Slim, it's a pleasure to meet you. I love the art work over the fireplace."
"So, Zoe said. I like appreciative critics." Slim sat and moved definitely into Chris's body space totally oblivious to the intrusion. "What did you like about it?"
Chris paused, not wanting to rush. "I liked the use of the mixed media. The hubcap for the sun was brilliant. It reflected light and the world outside the painting. I thought is a metaphor of transience in modern society." Slim nodded approval. "At first I thought it was a landscape with trees, but as I looked closer the trees were people interconnected by branches arms. And then the sun had a dent, like an enigmatic smile. The painting made me happy to be alive."
"You don't know how many hubcaps I damaged to get that effect." Slim put a hand on Chris's shoulder, comfortable in touch him. It was his way of connecting. "The tree people are made out of cat 5 cable that I painted, part of the connection."
"I missed that, thanks for telling me." Chris smiled broadly and touched Slim's knee, just part of the kindred spirit bond.
"Would you like to see more of my work?" As they passed through the kitchen Zoe yelled, "Chris run fast before Slim digs his claws into you any deeper." Chris laughed and Slim flipped her off. Zoe laughed back.
Slim led Chris into the backyard where there were a dozen or more sculptures. Chris paused at a squat figure that looked like a gargoyle. Slim laughed, "That's from my beastie phase. I was in a dark place before I met Zoe." Slim dragged Chris to a white marble sculpture, about as tall as him. It was four arcs swooping in cardinal points from an unfinished block. "That's Zoe," Slim said proudly.
Chris looked at the piece carefully, moving to appraise different angles. "Yes, it is Zoe. Free spirit with a solid core. It is beautiful." Chris looked around the statue at the tulips and other spring flowers. "The setting is perfect."
"Yeah, Zoe insisted on here. Later it will be her herb garden."
At the back of the large yard was a fountain. Chris ran to examine the trapezoidal boulder of stone, letting Slim catch up. The boulder was about four feet tall expanding to over five feet and roughly carved like the last works of Michelangelo. Carved into the boulder was man reclining; the man was highly polished. The water flowed from the top of the boulder, down the grooves to flow under the recumbent figure into a large finished basin. The figure of a man reminded Chris of Rodin, but this figure was more delicate, the head thrown in song echoed by the falling water. What appeared to be a lyre in the fold of his hips as the legs bent up over supporting rock. "Is this one piece of stone?" Chris ran his fingers over the coarse face of the rock.
"Yup, a piece of diorite I found in Canada. Had it shipped here and carved it." Slim laughed. "Zoe refused to come near me while I was working this fucker because I cursed so much."
Chris studied the art work from various angles, including laying in the ground. He touched the strands of hair falling back from the tilted head facing the sky. He studied the setting. The sculpture was nestled into a cove of laurel trees fronted by hyacinths starting to blossom. The smell was ethereal. "This is a masterpiece deserving a place in any museum. But it is perfect right here."
"This is the Ecstasy of Orpheus." Slim said, as he put his hand on Chris's shoulder. "Besides liking the piece, which I appreciate, what does it do for you?"
"I don't know what to say. It moves me. The utter passion in that moment."
Slim tugged at Chris's elbow, a child with a new friend. He pulled Chris to the side and pointed behind the lyre. Chris could not help laughing. Orpheus had a huge boner. This was my masterwork to finish my MFA. It was an homage to Bernini's Ecstasy of Teresa of Avila. Once I read Teresa's poems, I realized the very erotic nature of mysticism. I had to include the erection."
"It is a true masterwork. I don't doubt you could sell it for a bundle."
"The school wanted to buy it for their exhibit of outstanding student work, but Zoe refused. I am glad she did."
Chris looked around the huge backyard and the apartments and businesses that enviously eyed the lot. "Your house and yard are beautiful. An oasis in the city. I'm surprised all this has not been developed."
Slim glared at the tacky buildings outside his yard. "The place has been in the family since before the Revolutionary War. It was a large farm, which over the centuries was sold off until only this is left. The original house burnt and was rebuilt in 1878, about. It is safe for now because it is on the registry of historical landmarks. Parts of the foundation date to 1740. President Grant stayed here, as did several New York Governors and Walt Whitman and his boyfriend."
Chris walked over to a large tree in the center of the yard and ran a hand along the bark. He could almost feel the tree singing to him.
"That's Ol' Ben," Slim said joining Chris. "The last chestnut tree of a large grove lost to the blight. He's over 200 hundred years old and a national treasure, literally. Thousands of attempts have been made to clone him or germinate his nuts."
Chris leaned into the tree and whispered, "Hang in there a few more centuries." A gently breeze fluttered the leaves and Chris shivered.
"Better get you inside and warm."
Zoe met them at the door with cups of hot cider. "You'll freeze his balls off." She scolded Slim and Chris.
Chris found the statement humorous, "Rest assured that my balls are impervious to frost bite."
She stopped in mid-motion to stare at Chris ready for a comeback but stopped. "The nipples are real," she said as she tweaked one. Chris screamed and stepped away.
"That was not nice."
"Chris, I may be kind, but I am seldom nice," she smiled and pulled him into a hug, which Slim joined.
"Come, I have some more artwork I would like to show you." Slim dragged Chris away. Chris gave her a here-we-go-again wave and disappeared from the kitchen.
The tour of the house was like a museum. Each room was filled with paintings, sculpture, mobiles, and fabric work. "Do you sell in a gallery?" Chris asked.
"Yeah, a small one in the Bronx and occasionally at art festivals, but Zoe and I don't like to travel. And I don't particularly like to make small talk with snobby people who think they know art."
"I didn't think our conversation was strained," commented Chris.
"You know art and appreciate what I do. You are the first person that actually understood the piece above the fireplace."
They finally ended up in the parlor, the room across from where Chris first entered. Several people were sitting and chatting. Tom was on the sofa with Toby attached like a booger that wouldn't shake off. Toby's free hand was down the front of Donny's jeans. Max stood behind the sofa enjoying the show. Chris gave everyone a friendly smile. Tom tried to look at Chris, but Toby pulled Tom into a kiss. Slim showed a few pieces on the wall and finally a candelabra on a baby grand piano. It was a series of interconnected spears that ended in eyeballs that held the candle. Wax had dripped over the eyes making them look like they were crying. Chris figured this was from his Beastie period.
"I like the candelabra," Chris commented because in a warped way he did. "and the piano is prime."
"Do you play?" asked Slim.
"Yes, my mother insisted, but it has been a few years."
"Sit and try it."
Chris slide onto the bench and looked at the keys. Memories flooded back. Mrs. Maldrid, his piano teacher, loving but demanding. Christmas and other holiday where he played for the family and guests. Chris touched the keys and a Chopin nocturne poured out. He played his soul into the piece.
"That was beautiful," said Juan, who had appeared beside the piano without Chris knowing. "But could you play something less depressing." Chris nodded and launched into Alexander's Ragtime Band. Soon the room was crowded, people making requests, if he knew it he played it. His mother was big on show tunes, so he had a large repertoire, which he then played, everyone sang along." A glass of wine found its way to the piano, which Chris graciously drank--several. After about an hour and a half, Chris begged a rest.
"One more piece," Juan begged, "Something you really like," then he added, "but not depressing." Chris thought for a few second. It had been a while since he played it and was not sure he would remember. He looked around at the crowd, mostly drunk or stoned; Chris had noticed several joints circulating like pigeons in a coop. Hesitant, he started Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata. As he played he became more confident; he loved pounding the keys like a thunderstorm. By the time he was done, he was sweating. He sat at the piano, a lost friend. When everyone started to applaud and yell "Bravo."
Chris slid from the bench and did a formal bow, just as Mrs. Maldrid taught him. She would be proud of him now. Chris grabbed his glass of wine as Juan pulled him from the room and the mob of admirers. He passed Tom on the sofa with Toby straddling his lap facing Donny behind the sofa with the top of his jeans unbuttoned. Max's hands were inside Donny's shirt. Tom's face was a mixture of admiration and frustration, which Chris felt that Toby and Donny would relieve.
Andy, Zoe, Slim accompanied Juan and Chris into the other living room. "That was wonderful," Zoe beamed at Chris. "I need to invite you to more parties."
Jazzabel, Pam and Stacy were chatting on the sofa. "We would have joined you in the room, if there had been any space. But from here it was terrific." Pam said.
"I was almost in tears after the first piece." Jazzabel pulled a handkerchief from her bosom and dabbed her eyes. "Except I didn't want to ruin my make-up."
Chris laughed, "Ruined make-up is worse than a fallen soufflé."
Andy glanced up at the mantle clock, which just chimed nine. "I need to call it a night if I am going to make it to work tomorrow."
"I should go too, but I came with Tom, and he seems occupied now."
"I can take you, I live in the Gravesend area, which is on the southern end."
"I'm in Red Hook," Chris said.
"On the way," Andy replied.
"Can I ride along. I live in Red Hook too." Juan quickly added.
"I just need to tell Tom." Chris finished.
Chris found Tom still on the sofa with Toby nibbling his ear and Donny's hand down Toby's jeans, obviously fingering his ass. "Tom, I'm going to call it a night. I will see you in the morning for whatever Stu has planned."
Tom, looked annoyed at Chris. "I'm not ready to leave yet."
"That's fine, stay and have fun," Chris smiled at Toby. "Andy has a car and is driving Juan and me home. I'll meet you at the deli at nine." Tom did not find words, but the pissed look on his face was loud enough. "Good night Toby and nice meeting your Donny. And have fun." Chris turned and exited the room. He heard Tom say "Chris?" but Chris chose to ignore it.
At the door they said good night to Zoe and Slim. Slim handed Chris a wrapped package, which by the shape was a painting. "Consider this a housewarming gift from us."
Zoe pulled Chris into a strong hug that was remarkable because of her slender build. "We enjoyed having you and want you to visit soon. You do not need a formal invitation. We are boring old people," Slim gently slapped her shoulder. Zoe gave Slim a soft smile, "and are usually home," She continued as the boys headed down the sidewalk.