Chrysalis Part 2-Chapter 20
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.
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Chapter 20--Party by Chris
Chris arrived early at Slim and Zoe's place, an acre of gentility among high rise apartments, fast food joints, and big box stores. Chris rang the doorbell and was greeted by a bellow from the back of the house, "Door's unlock, just walk your ass through to the kitchen." It was Zoe. Chris found Zoe, Slim, Ollie and Louis busy in the kitchen. Whatever magic Louis was conjuring, the smells were enchanting. No foul potions would be served this day. Chris's phone buzzed, he looked at it and shook his head. "Louis, add another person. Cedrick, Ariel's husband is in town for a few days and will be joining her." Louis just shrugged not stopping what he was doing.
Ollie was counting on his fingers "I count eighteen people, I was planning on using the dining room, but that many will not fit."
"We can use the sunroom," Zoe suggests, "We can add the two tables, which can each seat 12. I have a tablecloth that will work, but it will need pressing."
"Plan." Ollie said pulling me and Slim to the sunroom. "Actually, this may be perfect: weather is mild, sun is bright, and the garden is gorgeous. Chris, Slim, you pull the tables together and then Chris, if you could cut forsythia, pussy willows, and tulips from the yard." Ollie looked at Slim, "If Slim is fine with it." Slim gave a thumbs up as he pulled a table to the center of the sunroom, "I'll pull more spring table settings from our van and vases for the flowers. I also have a tablecloth in the van which will work, so we will not need to press Zoe's." Ollie was off to the kitchen, barking instructions to Louis, who only nodded--the most placid chef Chris had ever seen. Fifteen minutes later, Ollie returned with a cart loaded with service ware. Soon a pale-yellow tablecloth edged with scrolls of flowers was on the table with matching napkins. Pale blue plates with smaller eggshell salad plates were added. Stemware, cutlery and finally low vases with the flowers Chris had cut from the garden. "Nice, but..." Ollie stepped back from the table. "Needs." He rushed out of the room to return with a dozen tea candles in cobalt blue cups. "Perfect. now for seating." He pulled from the cart a small box with place card holders and vellum cards with names. "I just need to add the three new people. Could you spell their names?" He quickly, in a flowing calligraphy, added cards for Derick, Rami, and Cedrick. "You will sit at the head of the table Chris since you are the host. Louis and I will sit near the kitchen door in case we are needed. How do you want to arrange the rest since you know compatibility?"
Chris places seating cards, rearranging several times, still uncertain. "Good enough," Chris said to Ollie with a shrug and roll of the eyes. "Who knew that a month ago I would host an elegant luncheon for twenty-one friends." Chris laughed and walked into Ollie for a hug. "I need to make sure my new place has space to seat twenty-four."
"Your place wouldn't hold ten." Ollie laughed.
"My new place, I'm buying a place on Prospect Park. I'm just waiting to close." Chris beamed with pride.
"Wow man, that's great." Ollie pulled me into a close hug and kiss, on the lips. "Of course, the kitchen will need Louis's approval."
"Of course, I want Louis to see it and recommend any changes, but it has a professional kitchen: six burner stove, double oven, and plenty of counter and storage space. I was told that the former owner was a chef before he retired. He is now in a memory support facility. I think I was told his name is Gabriel Dupré."
Ollied pulled Chris's hand into the kitchen. "Louis," Ollie's voice conveyed excitement. "Chris here, just bought a condo." Louis mumbled a nice will stirring a pot. "It was owned by Gabriel Dupré."
Louis stopped stirring and turned toward me mouth agape. "Gabriel Dupré, chef?" His voice was hushed with awe. "The Gabriel Dupré." Chris gave a tentative yes. "He is a legend among chefs, right up there with Jacque Pepin, Paul Bocuse, and Julia Child, although less known." The only one Chris knew about was Julia--from TV; Chris's mother loved watching her.
"I know that the kitchen is top notch. I want your opinion in case I need to remodel or add equipment."
"Just tell us when." Chris got the feeling that when was any time because he was so excited. "I met him once when he was a guest instructor for my French cooking class. I'm embarrassed to say that I asked for his autograph on one of his cookbooks." Louis smiled sheepishly, "He is my idol."
"No flowers, candles or shrines are allowed in my house," Chris laughed, giving Louis a gentle punch on the shoulder. Louis laughed agreement but said he might just do obeisance before the stove. Chris said that that would be fine. Louis returned to the stove.
"I just want to discuss the menu." Ollie pulled Chris to the kitchen table and handed Chris a card, half the size of a sheet of paper. It had a vellum finish with a violet flower border. In a calligraphy that matched the place cards was an elaborate menu.
"This is far more than I was expecting." Chris said as he read through the list.
"You did put us in charge; we decided that this is what you needed for your debut as an up-and-coming host. You have fairly important people coming, and it is good marketing for us to demonstrate our abilities." Chris nodded knowing that he wanted Ariel to consider them for her opening the end of next month. The menu read:
Hor dourves in parlor
Spring salad with chilled strawberry soup
Lobster mousse with beet puree
Beef tips with port reduction
Duchesse potatoes or mushroom risotto
Deserts in the sitting room
Chris was impressed, but then Chris knew how talented Louis was. Chris also knew that while the menu was fairly standard the final dishes would be uniquely Louis's. At 1:30 wait staff arrived wearing crisp deep blue uniforms with white piping. Ollie explained that this is what he and Louis were entertaining as their company colors. At 1:45 Stella, Stan and Benjie arrived. They went immediately to the kitchen and offered to help Louis. Chris objected, but Louis graciously accepted their help with finishing touches and creating garnishes for the plates. At 2:00, Chris was pacing by the front door.
At 2:15 Zack, Juan, and Tom arrived, having shared a cab. Tom took one look at Chris buzzing around like a one-winged fly and pulled him into the kitchen. He saw Zoe stacking plates in a plate warmer. "Do you need a stiff one to relax Chris?" Tom asked.
Zoe gave Tom an evil grin. "Might find something stiff in your pants if you want to relax."
"That would work, but I need something faster working. My stiff one is always slow to achieve results. How about a bourbon or brandy?"
"No hard spirits." Louis broke in concerned about liquor killing the flavor of the foods, "it will ruin the taste buds, dry sherry."
"Don't want spent taste buds" Zoe laughed amused at Louis's passion for his food. "Sherry it is." Tom poured Chris a sherry. Chris drank it slowly, his dad occasionally served Mogen David sherry. This was not Mogen David; this was rich with fig and apricot flavors. Chris was definitely going to start buying sherry.
Back in the parlor with Zack, Juan and Tom, calmer, Chris greeted the guests as they arrived. The wait staff, seamlessly circulated with trays of delectables and glasses of Lillet. Chris stayed with his sherry. His nerves evaporated as more people arrived, introductions made, conversation flowing; everyone seemed pleased to be included in Chris's event. Chris stopped, looking at the groups of threes and fours, humbled by the sudden realization that everyone was here because they wanted to spend time with him. They were not here under obligation, social duress, or guilt. They all came because he asked, and they wanted to share time with him.
Ollie smiled at Chris as he passed to direct the wait staff, explain the nibblets that Louis concocted, and socially lubricate the gathering. As Chris watched, Chris understood his role as host. He had helped his mother many times, so Chris circulated and most of all enjoyed the company. Chris made sure everyone was introduced and spent time with each other. He made sure that Ariel met Zoe and Slim. Cedrick could chat with the Donaldsons, and Juan and Zack could talk to Cordelia Duncan, who Chris suspected was Zack's estranged mother. Chris smiled as Zack and Cordelia pulled away to the sitting room, walking together, hands tentatively touching. Tom snuck up behind me and with an arm around Chris's waist pulled Chris close to him. "You are looking very smug." Chris just moved his head to take in all the amiable groups. "Yeah, everyone is engaged and mixing well." He kissed me on top of Chris's head. "Chris, you do not realize how much people love you and how instinctively you pull the best out of people." Tom saw Cordelia and Zack return to the room, arm in arm, faces flushed and eyes puffy from tears. "What is with Zack and Cordelia?" Tom's question was more concern that this would mar Chris's soiree than curiosity. Chris whispered in his ear that Cordelia was Zack's mother. Tom stood looking at the pair as they headed to Juan then surmising the whole back story. "You are one deviously wonderful person, Chris Wentworth." Chris almost started to cry when Cordelia pulled Zack and Juan into one large motherly hug. The whole drama unnoticed by anyone else, which made Chris happier for such reunions needed privacy, even in a crowd.
Louis took a break from the kitchen to join Ollie. Ollie pulled Louis from group to group, flush with pride in his man. Louis kept turning redder and redder as he received compliments. He dawdled a little longer with Cedrick and Ariel before ending his meet and greet with me. "Chris, thank you for having us cater this event." Louis, now suddenly shy, shuffled before Chris. Chris pulled him into a hug and a kiss on the lips. Louis blushed even more and look furtively at Ollie, who just laughed at his lover's embarrassment. Louis looked at Chris after the kiss and then he pulled him into another kiss, with tongue; now was Chris's turn to blush. Louis looked at Ollie with a challenging smile that said "I love you, but I am my own person, and you will not embarrass me."
Louis took his leave to return to the kitchen and put the finishing touches on the meal. "I love that man so much." Ollie's face was alight as he watched Louis leave.
"Sure, it is not just his ass," Tom said with a laugh.
"Yeah the ass is luscious," Ollie still glowed, "but it is only a small part of a much greater package. I will propose as soon as I am done with school." Ollie kept glancing toward the kitchen.
"Why wait until then?' Chris asked.
"Well, I want." he hesitated, "we want....No particular good reason." Ollie reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a small ring box. "I've been carrying this around for weeks now, hesitating because we agree nothing serious until I finish school and we set up our business." He showed Tom and Chris a simple man's ring with a deep-set diamond. "It is my pop's. When I told him I wanted to marry Louis, he cried and pulled this out of his dresser. The ring was his father's and my pop wanted me to have it."
"It is perfect." Chris grabbed Ollie and hugged him. "Louis is a special man, and you are special too. You deserve each other." Chris took a finger and wiped a small tear from Ollie's eye. Tom pulled Chris closer. Chris looked into his eyes; they changed color from liquid blue to lavender. With a push on Chris's butt he said, "We needed to circulate." Like a couple, he headed one direction and Chris the other.
Derrek pulled Chris aside to say he brought paperwork for him to sign since the sellers accepted counter offer 10K higher, which he did not think Chris would object to, and the co-op board wants to meet him Thursday. Apparently they want the place occupied soon.
Cordelia crushed me with a hug as she stood with Zack and Juan. She could not say anything, but the hug told it all. Zach and Juan manhandled me into a hug, again words were not needed. Ariel and Cedrick each said that the three would talk later. The Donaldson's were effusive, and Chet said the two would talk later in the week about Derick's party. Tom and Chris met up by the parlor door and chatted about the conversations and the excitement in the air. Ollie appeared at Chris's side and said lunch was ready. With Chris's best stentorian voice, he announced lunch in the sunroom. Ollie led with Zoe herding.
The sunroom, while was always lovely, was now elegant with the pale-yellow tablecloth decked with forsythia, pussy willows. and fragrant hyacinth. A tulip lay aslant on each plate. The crystal flickered from the dozen tea lights in blue cups. The forest green plates already had the salad in place on pale-yellow plates that matched the color of the tablecloth, the chilled strawberry soup nestled aside the salad in crystal bowls. Ariel surreptitiously took out her phone and snapped several pictures. She smiled at me with a nod.
The wait staff efficiently helped everyone to be seated and handed the individual menus to each explaining the choices. Cedrick and David asked for some of everything. Once the orders were taken and the sparkling wine poured Chris rose, knowing from his parents' dinner parties his duties as host. "I want to thank each of you to coming to my gathering. Each of you are special to me, and I've wanted to do something to show it for some time. I also want to express my great thanks to Slim and Zoe for allowing me to use their lovely home. I could not think of a grander setting." Chris turned and swept his hand toward the garden, in full spring garb, dominated by the chestnut tree just starting to leaf out, "I also want to thank Louis for planning and preparing this meal. I know we are in for a culinary treat." Louis bowed his head partly in acknowledgement, but more to hide his blush. Chris was pleased that he planned a meal when he could be the guests rather than in the kitchen cooking. "And also to his partner, in both sense of the word, Ollie, who coordinated everything. And his teaching me to be a gracious host." Chris picked up his champagne glass. "I remember a poem by the ancient Greek poet Callimachus
We have supped together on sumptuous foods,
We have tasted delectable wines,
But all these by tomorrow will pass;
What will remain is the memory of friends."
Chris raised his glass in a toast, as did everyone with "yes" with "hear, hear" and they sat. The meal passed with vivacity; the conversation bubbled, tastings were exchanged as people shared: conviviality reigned. Tom reached under the table and grabbed Chris's knee; Chris was euphoric. Ollie rose. "I wish to thank our host, Chris, and say that dessert and beverages will be served in thirty minutes in the sitting room. Please take this time to refresh yourself or wander the garden. Although the temperature is cool, the sun is warm."
Cordelia, Zack and Juan adjourned to a sofa and chair on the patio. Ariel, Mary, Slim and Zoe toured the garden. Cynthia, Dorn, Rami and Chet also wandered the garden obviously looking at it as a shoot site, and the three men to flirt with each other. Meanwhile Cedrick and David drifted to the sitting room. Benjie, Stella, and Stan joined Ollie and Louis in the kitchen to discuss the meal. Derrek pulled me into the parlor to sign the paperwork; Tom joined Chris and Derrek. As soon as the paperwork was signed Derrek joined Cedrick and David. That left Tom and Chris alone. He kissed Chris; it was not a chaste kiss; then they went to the garden to find Ariel and group. She was asking Slim many questions about his art, where he has exhibited, and if he had more than was on display. Zoe just held Slim's hand.
Before the thirty minutes were up, people began to gather in the sitting room, which was across from the parlor, anticipating dessert. Chet said to Rami that he was not a big dessert fan, but after the brunch, he was salivating in anticipation. Louis did not disappoint. Louis presented three desserts: pecan pie with ice cream, chocolate mousse with raspberries, and carrot cake. None were traditional: the pie was layers of foam, light and intense with flavor, The ice cream was enveloped in pastry crust. The mousse was like any mousse in texture but the flavor was intense dark chocolate, the raspberries were little beads that popped like caviar. The carrot cake was small cake on the outside with a carrot and walnut cream inside served with a crystalized carrot spoon. Since the deserts were small, Chris had one of each. As the desserts lingers on the palate, ports, ice wine, and espresso were offered. Chris selected a port to expand his wine experiences while Tom settled for an espresso.
Derrek stood and gathered everyone's attention. "I just want to propose a toast to Chris, who is about to buy his first home." Everyone cheered and raised a glass.
Ollie stood, "I also have an announcement." He smiled nervously as he knelt in front of Louis. He pulled out the ring box and opened it. Louis shifted nervous. "Will you marry me?" Ollie said so quietly that Chris hardly heard him. "I know that we discussed waiting, but a few months later will not increase my wanting you as mine." Louis broke down in tears saying yes. The happy couple was mobbed with congratulation. Cedrick offered his hotel's ballroom for the reception--no charge.
After that climax to Chris's party, people started to bid farewell. Chet said we would talk about Derick's event and what Chris needed to do. Cynthia and Dore couldn't wait to shot some fashion shots in the garden. Stella, Stan, and Benjie needed to get back to the deli and would see me in the morning. Cedrick had a plane to catch to Rome. Cordelia, Zack and Juan, thanked Chris profusely for arranging this reconciliation. Cordelia said she had something to talk to me about and would be in contact. The Donaldson's grabbed Chet who was still chatting up Rami, much to Derrek's discomfort. Derrek and Rami left together with their relationship going to more than casual. Louis and Ollie, with the wait staff's help, had the van repacked and were out the door to tell family about the proposal. His Aunt Edith had taped the whole event, however.
Slim, Zoe, Tom, Ariel and Chris moved to the sunroom to watch the lingering lights of the day cast tall shadows on the lawn. "You did well, kid," Ariel's smile proved the truth of the words. "Everyone came away with more than just an amazing meal and a fun time." She turned to Slim. "I would like to look at more of your work to display at my gallery opening in May." She gave a broader smile, "and in October, I would like both of you in Rome for a one person show. I think your work will be very much appreciated in Europe."
Zoe gasp, but Slim slide back in his chair thoughtful. "Not sure about flying to Rome. Not fond of flying and not sure I want to be that famous. I like living here in anonymity." Ariel did not push the issue just saying that October is a long way off and Slim's position may change. She winked at Zoe, rose to return to the hotel telling Chris that they would talk later in the week.
It was time, Tom and Chris left too. Chris thanked Slim and Zoe for everything and promised to have his next event at his own place. Though, Chris commented, that his place did not have such a fine garden.
Tom was quiet most of the ride home. "Chris," Tom softly said as we neared Chris's place. "I do not want us to be friends anymore." Chris turned toward him at a loss for words. "I want us to be a couple, I want you to be my boyfriend, real boyfriend, not just a piece of eye candy on your arm as you continue to conquer the world. I know my behavior over Toby was cruel; you did not deserve it. But you are the most amazing man I know. When I am with you, I am overwhelmed by your beauty, both physical and spiritual." Chris started to say something but Tom put a hand on Chris's lips. "Let me finish. When I am with you I feel complete. I am a vase and you are the flowers meant to fill it. Please let me share your life; however, it may go." He still had his hands on Chris's lips. "Take a few days to consider before you answer. You are nineteen and have not experienced as much of the world as I have." Chris knew his answer, but he respected Tom's wishes, nodded and exited the cab. Chris immediately texted Ariel.