Chrysalis Part 2--Chapter 4
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 4--Toward Independence
Chris was already in the deli having pancakes and coffee when Tom slid into the booth without a word. That is how it is thought Chris.
"You fucking teenagers now." Tom snarled. "I saw that kid sneak upstairs last night."
"Tom Greenwood." Chris's face was red with anger, "If I did not consider you a friend, I would hit you so hard that your teeth would land in next month." Chris was shaking with fury. Tom pulled himself back into the seat to gain distance. "Are you so depraved that you need to stalk me and then accuse me of sex with a minor. You are the one with the sick mind. Leave, leave right now. I'm calling Helga and tell her that I cannot work with you."
Tom totally collapsed, "I'm sorry Chris, I really am so sorry. I just feel like I am losing you, and I don't know what to do." Tom buried his face in his hands and started crying.
"Tom, we had one week together. It was very intense in many ways. But that was not who I am and not who you are. We need our friendship to grow. I need, I really need my independence. I do not need a big brother or a mother. You need to back off. Stop stalking. Stop trying to protect me. God, Tom, you have no idea how dangerous living on the street is, and I survived." Chris handed Tom a napkin. Tom dipped it in Chris's ice water and whipped his eyes.
"My mind knows but, I see you with other men, and I get jealous." Chris started to say something, "I know it is irrational but."
"I do not object to you and Toby and anyone else you want to bed. You, obviously, feel you are not tied to me. Nor do I not feel tied to you that way."
"Did Toby say anything about staying away?"
"What Toby says is of little concern to me. If I ignore what you say, why should I pay any attention to what Toby says. I think, however, you need to discuss your relationship with Toby."
"Thanks, old man Chris for tolerating a fool." Tom gave a huge sigh as he composed himself. "I will try to understand and let you fly a little free, but Juan and Andy and that young man last night." Tom laughed. "It is a bit of a revolving door."
Chris laughed and reached for Tom's hands. "The young man is Benjie; he is Stan and Stella's nephew. He saw you leave and wanted to make sure I was all right. He is straight by the way." Tom smile. "mostly" Chris added with a grin.
"And for the record Andy is straight too."
"But Sunday night and the pictures?"
"Juan's older brother is gay and has been teasing him about being a virgin, so the pictures."
"Did it work?"
"According to Juan, he is now a stud." Chris smiled at Tom.
"And Juan?" Tom paused, "No, I have no right to ask."
"I like him; he is naïve but plucky."
"Plucky, really plucky," Tom had fully relaxed
Stella watching carefully the situation deescalate wandered over, "Whacha want Tom?"
"You have any humble pie." He grinned at her.
"None, still in the oven. I can give you a lemon to suck on if it will help."
"Nay just French toast and sausage. Of course, add coffee and juice."
"Gotcha." Stella turned to Chris. "Benjie says that painting you got is four aces. You got to show me the place, when it is ready."
"Picture?" Tom asked.
"Slim gave me this amazing picture as a housewarming."
"I would love to see it." Tom paused to give Chris an appraising look, "when you are ready to have me over."
"In a couple of weeks, my boss is a slave driver. I work from dawn till dusk for him and never have time to do my own shit."
Tom laughed loud enough that other patrons turned. "Toby and I are doing something, not sure what, Saturday. Want to join us; you can bring Juan."
"Thanks, but Juan and I are going computer shopping. He is finishing his computer degree this June at Columbia. Then we will head over to where Jazzabel performs to watch her show." Tom frowned. "They let 18 to 21 in but no alcohol. According to Jazzabel, they have some pretty fancy Shirley drinks."
"Toby and I may join you"
"That would be cool." Chris reached across the table and pulled Tom's hand toward him, inspecting the abraded knuckles. "What happened?"
"Stupidity," was Tom's only reply
The remainder of the breakfast was business: messages from Helga and Stu, places to go, people to meet, photoshoots. It was all becoming normal and comfortable.
Tom and Chris spent most of the morning at an ad agency doing photoshoots, individually, together, just jeans, some leather. It was more of a creative session to get ideas for a new Boss cologne for men. Then Chris was pulled out for a Charlie layout; the female model, Moue', was fun, professional, and a new number in Chris's contacts. She liked going out with gay men because she did not need to fend off the wolves. The promised lunch in the near future, pending schedules. She was a rising model and becoming increasingly in demand. The Charlie perfume was her first major spot. She hoped for more.
Chris rejoined Tom, who was curious. Apparently, Chris was a last-minute pull when the other model failed to show. One more tick on his holster.
After lunch at a Chinese restaurant Tom liked, Chris paid to make amends to Tom for breakfast, they entered a nondescript building with a small sign on the building directory said "Silent Models." Chris and Tom took the elevator to the third floor. The waiting room was tastefully decorated but small. Tom went to the small reception desk and introduced himself and asked for Cynthia. The receptionist buzzed a number and before Chris and Tom could have a seat, an elegant woman appeared.
"Tom Greenwood, it is so pleasant to see you again." She eyed him up and down. "You are looking more handsome, not that you were every ugly. You are maturing in the face; body is still trim. I got the message from Stu." She spotted Chris next to Tom and smiled dismissively. "Why don't you come back?"
Tom told Chris to wait. So, Chris sat in one of the comfortable chairs, glancing at the headshots lining the wall. Some he remembered from TV ads. Sitting a couple of chairs down was a young man, obviously, waiting for an audition because his legs kept bouncing. A table held recent issues of Vogue, Mademoiselle, and Elle. He picked up one, paged quickly through it and tossed back on the table.
"Are you here for the audition." The young man asked. He was obviously thin, judging by the skinny jeans, but his legs were well muscled. His face was oval and delicate, accented by light sandy hair and pale brown eyes.
"I am not sure why I am here," Chris shrugged with a smile, "my friend, Tom, had an appointment; I am the baggage."
The young man laughed, but it was soft and reserved, like he would break if the sound were louder. "I'm a dancer and auditioning for the music video. I was told they need a male ballet dancer." The young man moved to a seat next to Chris.
"That explains the solid muscles in your legs," Chris nodded toward the young man's legs.
"I'm a danseur in the corps de ballet at The New York Ballet. Love the work, but the pay sucks. I'm Zackery, by the way. Zack to friends" He extended his hand.
"Hi, I'm Chris, pleasure to meet you." As he shook Zack's hand.
"That man you came in with, is he your lover?"
"No, just a friend."
"He just seems, how do I say this and be polite."
"Protective? Possessive? Clingy?" Chris laughed out.
Zack again gave a small laugh like muted jiggle bells. "Yeah all that."
"I have only been in New York since Friday, so he sees bogymen everywhere ready to ravish and ruin me." Zack did his small laugh. "But I lived in Chicago my whole life; that's a big bad city too."
An awkward silence ensured, while Chris was sure he was being evaluated. "Do you like ballet?" Zack finally asked.
"I love it. I took about five-six years in grade school. My mother thought it important to develop poise and grace."
"Not many mothers encourage their sons to take ballet. They think it is queer. From my research few the male ballet dances are gay."
"And what prompted the research?"
"I'm gay and always cruising."
Chris put a hand on Zack arm, "I've found most men are game to play until they decide to knock your teeth out."
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"I've been here just four days. I don't work that fast. I like to know the guy."
"What are you attracted too?"
"Dick." The edges of Chris's mouth slightly turned up in a smile. "I mean looks are always nice, but I am attracted to sensitive, thoughtful, and considerate men."
"It's easy to find a hard man but it is hard to find a good man. I have been burned often enough by men who want me because of my ballet and flexibility" Zack blushed, "I mean limber. I can suck myself." Zack studied Chris to see if he was embarrassed, turned on, or stone.
"Never been able to do that." Chris smiled thinking if Zack only knew why.
"Not the same as someone else, but often better than the hand." Zack eased back in his chair. Skinny jeans on a skinny dude does not hide much, but Zack new that.
"Chris," Tom called from the door to the offices, "Could you join me." He gave Zack a quick dirty stare.
"Sorry Zack, my master calls." Chris rose. "I've enjoyed meeting you."
"Would you like tickets to the ballet sometime. I could give you a backstage tour."
"That would be awesome."
Zack and Chris quickly exchanged numbers while Tom grew impatient by the door.
"I take it you've made a new friend." The sarcasm in Tom's voice was obvious, but Chris chose to ignore it.
"Zack is a dancer with the New York City ballet. Since I took several years of ballet, we had a common interest."
"Discussed jete's at the barre?"
"Tom, quit being a prick."
Tom scowled but said nothing until they entered an elegantly decorated office with an East Asian motif. It was very calm and Zen.
"Chris Wentworth, this Cynthia Dubois." Chris held out his hand to the elegant woman he has seen earlier with Tom. She gave Chris a look over as if he were a dress she was considering buying: Size, shape and color.
"Pleasure Chris," she said extending a precisely manicured hand with off-red polish. "Have a seat gentlemen."
"Has Tom told you why you are here?" She gave Chris a pleasant professional smile.
"No ma'am,"
Cynthia gave Tom a look that said what game are you playing.
"I apologize that you are ignorant. I assumed that Tom told you the project we might be interested in using you for." Again, she gave Tom the you-are-an-ass hole look.
Tom jumped in to defend himself, "I thought this was very confidential, so I did not want to discuss it without your permission."
"I gave permission when I called yesterday and arranged this meeting." Sparks came with the word.
"I'm sorry that I misunderstood."
Ignoring Tom, Cynthia turned to Chris. "We have a client who is launching a new product line. It is a bit on the edgy side and they are looking for a couple of models to represent the products."
"Yes," Chris nodded.
"You are transgender, right?"
Chris shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Yes ma'am."
"Chris please stop calling me mam. Cynthia is fine." She gave Chris a reassuring smile. "I see that you are a little uncomfortable with an ad campaign wanting transgender. I assure you that it is the look and nothing embarrassing or demeaning will occur. I will be controlling the project, and I will not allow it." The last was said with force. "One reason I like working with Stu is that we both appreciate the talent we have and want to create a welcoming environment for them. If you every feel uncomfortable about a pose or a situation, you must immediately tell me. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Cynthia, and thank you for the reassurance."
"Now the project is about three weeks, five or six hours every day or evening depending upon what the creative team decide. It may mean weekends and some day trips. Is that doable?"
Chris looked at Tom, who said Stu was willing to lend Chris for the project if he wanted to do it.
"Then I can make the schedule, but you have not said anything about the project. It could be weaving baskets."
Cynthia gave a soft chuckle, "You are too expensive my dear to weave baskets. Now this is very confidential. You will find that industrial espionage is rampant in the fashion industry. If you let out anything, you will never work in this industry again. Do you hear me?"
"Absolutely, Cynthia." Chris looked at Tom, "Can I discuss this with Tom? Get advice."
"No, not Tom, Stu, Helga, or any passing ship." Cynthia looked at Tom. "Sorry about this Tom, but you've been in the business long enough to understand."
Tom was not happy, but he nodded.
"What do I tell people if they ask what I am doing or where I am going?"
"Just say you are hired by Silent Models. We have a strong reputation and most people will not ask further. If they do, just say you are not sure what the project is; you put lots of clothes on and then take them off. Play dumb."
"I'm sure Tom thinks I'm very good a playing dumb." Cynthia laughed at Chris's dig at Tom.
"Be here at 10:00 AM. I expect punctuality." Cynthia rose from behind the desk to escort Tom and Chris out. "The paper work will be sent to Stu this afternoon."
Chris turned to Cynthia confused. "I thought you would need some sort of runway or modeling test before you decided.
"I did do the test, Chris, as we talked. I've been doing this a long time and it is difficult to fake who you are in my office."
Zack was still sitting in the waiting room. "Did you get a job?"
Chris shrugged, "Yea, I guess so. I start Monday."
"Is it for a music video? Maybe we will work together. That would be real cool."
"I'm not sure exactly what I will be doing. Guess I'll find out Monday. Hope your interview goes well." Chris gave Zack a hug and left with Tom.
Cynthia was standing in the doorway smiling.
"That was way weird," Chris said to Tom.
"This business is way weird," Tom replied, "You are one very lucky guy," Tom added. "In town a few days, an apartment, boys flitting around like bees to honey, and a high-profile project."
Chris was feeling very good. "Can I take you...and Toby. To supper tonight?"
"I'm free. I'm not sure about Toby. I'll just check." A few second later Tom said both were free,
"You can choose since I don't know many places. Just not too expensive." Chris stopped walking and laughed. "I don't even know what I'm being paid."
"Never fear the Stu has negotiated a bundle."
The cab pulled up in front of Tom's apartment. "Do you want to come up?"
"No, I want to go home relax, take a shower, and re-screw my head on."
"Pick you up at 7:00" Tom asked.
"Sure," then Chris added, "please no place requiring a suit."
"Dress slacks, shirt and sweater OK?"
"That's good. We can call a cab from my place." Chris added.
"I get to see the sacred temple of Chris?" Tom chided.
"Yes, because you are coming as a friend and not a stalker."
Tom and Chris both laughed and wave good-bye.
In the shower at his place, Chris suddenly realized he was going to be the third wheel. Once he was out, he called Juan and asked if he would like to go to supper with him Tom and Toby. Chris made clear it was his treat, although Chris felt that Juan would come just to be with him, which made Chris feel warm.
At six, Juan knocked on Chris's door, bright and shiny and edible cute. Chris and Juan sat on the sofa together, a little closer than just casual. Chris liked the smell of Juan and his soft brown eyes always darting, inquisitive. They talked about Juan's school. The webpage he was designing for a cousin's auto repair business; not much money but experience. Chris mentioned doing one for the deli, which Juan thought interesting, definitely different than cars. Chris discussed getting a project but didn't know much about what he would do and meeting Zack and the ballet, which Juan liked. Juan admitted crying at the end of Giselle. As they talked they slid closer and closer together, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.
Chris let Tom and Toby in. Toby was hanging on Tom like a drunk on a light post. "This is the place you now run off to," Tom said as he looked critically at the apartment. "Much nicer than I expected, large too."
"Look." Pointed Toby. "He has a large bed." Toby gave Chris a broad grin with too much teeth, "Could have a fucking orgy in there. Tonight, Chrisy baby?" Toby ran his tongue around his lips.
"You have Tom and his place to play all you want. You don't need mine." Chris smiled, but it was forced.
"Yes, I have Tom and you don't" Toby grinned while leaning his head on Tom's shoulder.
Tom suddenly realized that Juan was sitting on the sofa. "I asked Juan to join us. A double date."
The only response from Tom was "Oh."
"You got any booze," Toby asked.
"Sorry, but I am under 21 and cannot buy."
"You want to buy; I can get you anything." Toby's eyes light up, "Yeah, I can get you anything." Toby found his way over to a chair and plopped in it. "Tom come give me a kiss, I'm missing lips and can't seem to find mine." He gave a chuckle like a mule.
"I have reservations at Max's for 7:30. It is close so we can walk or cab."
"Cab," yelled Toby.
Tom dialed, "Cab will be here in ten, which should get us there in plenty of time. Chris, why don't you show me this place."
Toby sat in the chair staring at his crotch saying over and over, "Miss kitty, miss kitty, please come out and play." And then laugh wildly.
In the bathroom, Chris turned to Tom, "Is Toby OK. We can cancel and do another night."
"No, he is fine. He took a couple of allergy pills and they have made him a little loopy. He will straighten out with some food."
"You sure. I don't mind."
"No, it is all cool."
A twenty minutes later, they piled out of the cab at Max's. They were shown to a booth by a very attractive young man, Then Chris noticed that all the wait staff were attractive young men in tight pants and white T-shirts that bulged with muscles. Further glancing around, he saw most of the patrons were men, couples and groups.
"This is a gay restaurant." Tom explained. "The ambiance is decadent and so is the food."
The waiter came with bread and asked for a drink order. He did not bother to check IDs. Toby just stared at the waiter's crotch, which the waiter ignored as a routine part of the job.
When it came time to order, Chris and Juan each had ribeye, Tom scallops, but Toby insisted on a hot dog. The waiter said of course sir and left. Chris wondered where he would find an Oscar Meyer.
The food was served promptly. When the waiter served Toby's hot dog, it looked more like salami, Toby said to the waiter, "I want to suck your sausage." Staring at the guy's pants zipper.
"I'm sorry sir, that is not on the menu. I do suggest that you try sucking the hot dog on your plate." Toby laughed, grabbed the hot, doing an exaggerated fellatio on the unoffending meat. The waiter smiled pleasantly at Toby and efficiently left.
The steaks were great, the scallops were great, and Toby became more and more agitated until he stood up and said, "I need to pee." Lurching off toward the restrooms.
"Do you need to go with him?" Chris asked Tom, concerned that Toby could fall and hurt himself or someone else.
"He'll be fine. Once the allergy medicine is diluted he will be good."
Toby returned from the bathroom looking much better.
"Amazing what a good piss will do." It was cheery and a little manic. He sat down and began to devour his hot dog and some of Tom's scallops. Without warning, Toby pulled Tom in to a large sloppy kiss, that almost shoved Tom from his chair. "I want to fuck you right now on this table." Toby said as he started to move aside dishes.
"Wouldn't it be better in my bed?" Tom asked trying to redirect Toby.
"We can play with your toys." Toby leaned into Chris. "He has some toys that will blow you to the ceiling. Maybe, he will lend you some." Toby suddenly turned serious, "But you can't play with his toy. That is mine. You can play with pretty boy over there." Toby gestured to Juan "Please Tom. I, I want you to fuck me now." The voice carried over several tables, which just returned perverted smiled.
"I'm going to take Toby outside for some fresh air." Tom said as an apology and left supporting Toby.
Chris and Juan stared at each other and giggled. "That was very interesting" Juan said, "You have strange friends."
"Please don't count Toby in that category. He belongs to Tom."
Chris paid the bill and met Tom and Toby outside. Toby was sitting on a bench crying about the elephant the fell down the well. Tom was valiantly consoling him.
The cab came and deposited them outside Tom's place, at Chris's insistence. Chris gave Tom a quick kiss on the cheek to say goodnight, but Toby rounded on him "Keep your fucking hands off him. Tom's mine. He is mine, you can't have him." Then he turned to Tom, "Tom mine , let's go fuck the stars away."
At Chris's apartment, Chris kicked off his shoes at the door, which Juan followed. Chris removed the sweater he wore and tossed in on a bench at the foot of the bed. Then he removed his socks and wiggled his toes. Juan, who was sitting on the back of the sofa watching asked. "Is that the start of a strip tease?"
Chris looked up a Juan lounging Gary Grant like against the sofa. "Only if you do too."
Juan leaned down and languidly removed each sock, twirling them like tassels.
Chris started unbuttoning his shirt, which Juan matched button for button. "Do you want to spend the night?" Chris asked.
Juan smiled "My brother is not expecting me home."