Starlight Rhapsody - Chapter 10
This story begins in 1946 in Boston, Massachusetts. The author was born in 1953 and never experienced life during the time in which the story takes place.
The concept for Starlight Rhapsody was conceived as I awoke one morning. I rushed to my PC to save the idea in a text file, and wound up staying at the PC for the entire day as the first four chapters literally wrote themselves. This novel is a complete work of fiction and the characters bear no resemblance to any real persons, living or dead. The main character's Christian name was chosen because it was the name of an online friend, but the use of his name is the only characteristic they have in common. I sincerely hope you will enjoy Starlight Rhapsody. It is a story filled with love, affection, friendships, relationships, competition and jubilation, however it was written as a same-sex love story without being pornographic. I guess I was motivated to write this story because there's so little literature available that teens can read that could make a positive impression on those attempting to discover their own identities, if they suspect their attraction is to their own sex. I cannot imagine that I could have written a different story with the same commitment and dedication I have given to this one. Those wishing to communicate with me about Starlight Rhapsody can do so at junkmail01801@gmail.com. If you like this story, be sure to make a donation to http://www.nifty.org so that authors like me continue to have a place to post our work so that you may enjoy them!
"Starlight Rhapsody" - Chapter 10
The next morning, Mike was the first one out of bed, showered, dressed and downstairs with Krystal for breakfast. He told her about his date with Kate and how they planned to see each other again that day. Krystal smiled at her son, but was less interested in the details of their romance than she was in Kate's character.
"Mom, she's nothing like her brother thought she was," Mike explained. "My impression is that the girl tried out different pairs of shoes and didn't find a pair that fit quite right, so she kept moving on until she found one. It looks like the pair of shoes that fit comfortably might be me. She insisted that I meet both of her parents who seemed to approve of me, and that might have been another reason none of the other shoes appeared to fit."
"From what you're saying, the McLaughlin's are very nice people, their daughter is a nice girl, and you seem to be quite smitten with her," Krystal observed. "I'm happy for you."
"Here's something else though," Mike continued, "John McLaughlin has nothing but high regard for Alex for having the guts to open his mouth and turn the McLaughlin family around. He even asked if I was like Alex!"
"Alex is quite a young man," Krystal said. "Just don't take offense if, although you are the older brother, you find yourself living in Alex's shadow. He has a way of leaving his mark on people.
"Mom, I'm worried," Mike said. "Alex's friends are all older than he is, and I'm sure that at some point they'll spill the beans to him about sex. I've been trying to keep him sheltered from the topic until he physically matures, but it doesn't look like I'll be successful at it. What should I do?"
"Just let nature take its course," Krystal replied. "There isn't anything you can do about it, anyway."
"Should I tell him about the facts of life before they do?" Mike asked.
"If you want to. It might be better if he heard it from you," Krystal offered. "I'm not going to tell you what to do, because this should be between you and him, but if you'd rather he heard it from you first, then go ahead and tell him."
"Do you think it might be wise that I tell him in front of Kyle, or include Alex's other friends in the conversation?" Mike inquired.
"Since Kyle and your brother seem more closely bonded than the other three boys are, perhaps with Kyle present, he can corroborate what you say," Krystal offered. "That might be your best choice."
"Thanks Mom," the young man said.
"I wish you the best of luck with Kate," Krystal said with a smile as Mike headed up the grand staircase."
"Thanks!" he yelled.
Mike entered his room, removed his casuals, tossed his undershorts on his chair and went to check on any signs of life in Alex's room. Kyle was awake, but motionless in his brother's arms. When Kyle was aware of Mile's presence, he slipped out of Alex's hold and then ran into Alex's bathroom to relieve himself. He ran to Mike and hugged the young man. Mike took his hand and led him into his own room.
"Today, you and I are going to tell Alex about the facts of life," Mike said.
"What are we going to tell him?" Kyle asked.
"Everything," Mike replied, "that's accurate, without embellishment."
"Why do you want me there?" Kyle inquired, not getting where Mike was going."
"I basically just want you to stand here while I point to your body parts," Mike said.
"Well, there's nothing to see that Alex hasn't seen already," the boy answered.
"That's why I asked you," Mike said, "and the two of you have a closer bond than Alex has with Richie, Donnie and Danny, so I figured you wouldn't mind.
"Hey, if it helps my best friend to learn about sex," Kyle offered, "I'm in."
Alex got out of bed and walked into Mike's room rubbing his eyes.
"What are you guys talking about?" Alex asked, heading into Mike's bathroom to relieve himself, after which he came back out and sat in a chair waiting for their answer.
"Are you awake enough to learn something?" Mike asked.
"I think so," Alex stated.
"Do you know all those questions you have that I haven't wanted to answer until you were more developed?" Mike asked.
"Yeah," Alex answered.
"Well, I think the time has come for you to learn about sex, because if Kyle and I don't work together to give you accurate information, you might end up believing the inaccurate information you will hear around school," Mike said.
"Sex?" the boy asked. "What's that?"
Mike began by giving Alex a simple anatomy lesson about the physical differences between males and females, something that Alex remembered from seeing his natural mother change his sister's diapers. Then, Kyle stood by as Mike pointed at the hair that had grown in his armpits, the light coats of hair that were forming on his arms and legs, his chest, the peach fuzz on his face, and finally his pubic hair, and explained that these were part of a teen boy's maturing process. Next, he pointed to Kyle's genitals and told Alex that eventually his would enlarge in the same fashion. Then he excused Kyle and made him sit down. Finally, Mike described the physical process of impregnating a woman for the purpose of producing a child. Mike's description was rather graphic, causing Kyle to become aroused, forcing the boy to lean over to conceal the swelling that occurred in his organ. Mike took note, and asked his brother if he had any questions or if he didn't understand anything he had said.
"So that's the reason a guy's body goes through all those changes," Alex asked, "mostly so he and his wife can make babies?"
"Well, it's the main reason, Mike said," but below your waist, you will have parts that need to be kept warm, so they become covered in hair to protect them from the cold."
"I see you have no problem with having enough hair," Alex observed, "but Kyle doesn't."
"Kyle hasn't finishing developing yet," Mike said, causing Kyle to blush, "but he doesn't have much further to go."
"The making of babies is called sex, huh?" Alex inquired. "I thought it was whether a person was male or female."
"That's when the word sex is used as a synonym for gender," Mike explained. "The act of creating a baby is referred to as having sex."
"Oh," Alex said. "I don't understand why you didn't explain all this to me before. I understood it all, and it wasn't all that complicated."
"Well," Mike said, "I decided that I needed to tell you about it now, because in two weeks, you will be 13, your body will begin maturing faster, and you will discover things about yourself that I couldn't have you discussing with your friends and having them give you wrong information. Since your best friend here didn't object when I asked him to just stand there and let me point to his body parts, I took advantage of the opportunity.
"Thanks, Mike," Alex said, "but I don't really think it was that big a deal.
Alex grabbed Kyle's hand and dragged him back into his own room.
"What did you make of that?" Alex asked his friend. "Did you already know all of that?"
"Most of it," Kyle said.
"Who told you?" Alex wanted to know. "Your dad?"
"No, I heard it around school," Kyle said, "exactly the way Mike didn't want you to hear it."
"How accurate was what you heard?" Alex inquired.
"Pretty close, but not exact. A few things were different from what Mike told you," Kyle answered.
"Now, here's what I really want to know," Alex said, very seriously. "What did Mike leave out?"
"Well," Kyle began, "I know he left out one part, but it must have been for a reason, and besides, it wouldn't do you any good if he had told you about it because you're still undeveloped.
Alex felt his friend was hiding something from him, but figured that if it wouldn't do him any good to know about it now, he'd wait and Mike would eventually tell him.
"Let's get showered and dressed and then go down for breakfast," Alex suggested.
The boys each took a shower, dressed, and then went down for breakfast. It was a simple one, with juice, toast, scrambled eggs and glasses of milk. As they were finishing, the doorbell rang, with the twins waiting outside. Donnie told his friends that Richie had to go visit an aunt with his mother, so he couldn't come over. The four boys went up to Alex's room, undressed and began to talk. Alex had a question for the twins.
"Do you guys know why your parents are never home?" he asked.
"Not really," Danny said, but Donnie gave him an elbow in the ribs saying, "Look if we can't trust Alex, who can we trust?" Danny nodded and was about to say something, but his brother took over the conversation.
"We think they meet after work, head to a bar, and get drunk," Donnie said. "Besides, there's always a ton of beer and wine boxes in our trash."
"So you think your folks are drunks?" Kyle asked. "Where are the empty bottles that go with the boxes?"
"Maybe they are, but we never gave any thought to where the bottles might be," Danny said.
"This could be serious," the youngest boy said. "I don't think I can do anything about that."
Kyle got up from Alex's bed, walked over to the brothers who were standing by the adjacent door to Mike's room, and gave each of them a hug saying, "It's all due to Alex, but we love you guys and you're safe with us."
Mike overheard the conversation as he finished dressing for his date with Kate and walked into the room, saying "Hi guys!" and got a return greeting from the twins.
"I couldn't help but overhear what you two just said to my brother and Kyle," Mike said, but you are definitely safe with the O'Reilly's. Neither Alex nor I are equipped to deal with the type of issue you just described with your parents, but maybe our Mom can do something. Do you mind if I tell her what I just overheard?"
The brothers looked at each other, and Danny said, "Not if it can give our parents back to us."
"I can't promise, but I'll tell my Mom and see if she has any ideas," Mike assured them.
"OK," Donnie said.
Mike gave each of the twins a hug, told the boys about his date with Kate, and then left the room.
"You guys care about everyone," Donnie observed, "and Kyle, when did you become so caring?"
"When I met Alex," the boy said, truthfully. "Each day, Alex amazes me more. He found a way to put expressions of love back in my house, Richie confronted his mother about the lack of it in his house, things changed for the better, and it's all because of him," Kyle said, pointing at Alex.
"Look, my mom's giving me this big dinner party for my birthday that I told you about," Alex began. "I have an idea that might just shock a lot of people into listening to what I have to say. It's going to take me some practice to memorize a speech I have planned, but in the end it might produce the desired effect. I can't tell you about it, but if you and your folks come to dinner, even you will be somewhat shocked. I can't even tell Mike and Mom what I have planned, but it will certainly get everyone's attention.
The boys tried hounding Alex to let them know of his plan, but to no avail. Alex suggested they all get dressed and go for a walk, which sounded fine with the other three boys. They had no idea where they were going, but they didn't care, as the weather was pleasant. When they got back late in the afternoon, they went to the game room, played some poker, and then the twins had to leave, even though they wanted to stay. Kyle thought he should go home as well, having not been there much at all lately. Alex asked Kyle if he wanted him to go home with him and stay at his house for the night, but the boy said he really should spend some time with his folks, which meant Alex would be home by himself on a Saturday night.
"It's OK, Kyle." Alex assured him. "I'll just use the time to do my homework, and if you want, we can just hang out tomorrow.
Kyle gave Alex a bear hug saying, "Thanks buddy. I knew you'd understand, although if it wasn't for you, I'd have wanted to stay here."
Alex smiled at his friend, walked him to the door, and closed it behind him. The dinner bell rang, the boy went to the dining room and wolfed down a couple of hot dogs and a serving of homemade Boston baked beans before going to his room and doing his homework. When he had finished, he climbed into bed and fell asleep for the night.
The two weeks leading up to Alex's birthday dinner party were mostly uneventful. The boys hung out a lot, Kyle and Alex spent nights as each other's houses, Richie, the twins and Kyle spent another weekend together at Alex's house, and then the day of the dinner party arrived. As the invited guests entered the O'Reilly home, Krystal greeted them, and they were led to the great room, where a septet had been hired to play lively music for dancing. Just before dinner was served, Krystal announced the guest of honor, her son, Alex O'Reilly.
The boy walked along the upstairs balcony leading to the grand staircase and proceeded to shock every guest in the house, as well as Mike and his mother. There stood a thirteen year-old Alex, as naked as a jay bird!
"Good evening, guests and friends. My name is Alex O'Reilly. I am now thirteen years-old, and I stand before you as physically exposed as I was the day I was born. I do so because I have nothing to hide. I was born thirteen years ago to my natural parents, James and Ann Marie Ryan, both of whom were killed as the result of an automobile accident almost two years ago along with my younger sister. After the accident in which both of my legs were broken, I spent most of the time between then and now living in St. Patrick's orphanage. While I was living there, Krystal O'Reilly agreed to give me music lessons that helped to raise my spirits. I was assigned a caregiver named Michael Flanagan, who assisted me with my mobility and became a trusted friend. When it appeared that I would be transferred to a boys' home, Krystal O'Reilly intervened, making me her ward and hiring Mike Flanagan to be my governor. Very shortly, the three of us became emotionally attached and fond of one another, so Mike and I gave our consent for Krystal to legally adopt us and make us her sons. Mike was already an adult, so his adoption was unnecessary, but it was important to us that we become brothers, so the three of us became a family. There are no rules in our house, because they are unnecessary. We respect each other's privacy with Mike and me staying in our wing of the house and our Mom staying in hers. We never withhold gestures of love, affection, admiration or concern. There are no topics of discussion that are verboten here. None of us judge each other or our friends and colleagues for what they say, think or feel. Mike, Mom and I talk about everything, especially our feelings. I say to my guests here and now that I keep myself as emotionally and psychologically exposed as I am physically in front of you. If there is anything you wish to know about me, just ask and you will receive nothing but the truth. My greatest asset is that I am not afraid to show my feelings for people, bestow gestures of affection on family and friends, and offer kindness to those who need it. I do not ask for anyone's approval of what I am doing here fully exposed in every way in your presence, because I don't need it. What I do ask is that you open your hearts to display love and affection to family, friends and those in need of your emotional support. Do not be afraid to hug your family members or your friends when you see they need it. Take time out of your busy lives to care for people who need your help. If everyone became as open about love and affection for one another as we are in the O'Reilly family, our world would be a better place. Thank you all for listening, and I hope you enjoy the festivities."
As Alex retreated to his room, his ears were treated to a round of applause from his guests, although many of their parents remained shocked. Many of them surrounded Krystal, who disavowed any prior knowledge of her son's stunt. Alex dressed for dinner, returned to the balcony and was treated to another cheer from his friends. His eyes sought out the twins, who were over in a corner, hugging their parents, a sight which brought a smile to his face. Upon his descent into the crowd, he was approached by John McLaughlin.
"Alex, when you were at my house for dinner, I told you that you had guts," Kyle's father said, giving the boy a hug, "but knowing that you're thirteen, I'll change my tune. What you just did took colossal balls! I am proud that you are my son's friend. Happy birthday!" Sally McLaughlin just stood by, smiling, but Alex couldn't resist giving her a hug.
"Best friend," Alex corrected John, before excusing himself to take his seat at the head of the dinner table.
When the guests were all seated, Alex offered a blessing, and everyone began to eat dinner. Krystal and Mike flanked Alex on either side at the head of the table, with Kate seated directly across from Mike with the McLaughlin's next to her and Kyle next to Mike.
"How long have you been planning what you just did?" Krystal asked her son with a smile.
"The weekend after you came up with the idea to throw this party," Alex replied. "Look at the twins and their parents."
Krystal and Mike looked down the length of the table and saw the twins and their parent talking and laughing with each other.
"Mom, I still would like you to have a talk with their parents," Alex said. "The twins think their folks are drunks, and they believe they have evidence to support their suspicions. If anyone can find a way to the truth, you can."
"I will arrange to get them out of the crowd into my office for a chat," Krystal assured her son. "We'll see what that will do."
One of Alex's schoolmates yelled down the table, "Hey Alex! Are you going to repeat that performance in the same costume at school?"
Alex grinned and shook his head. "Those theatricals were for one-night only!"
When dinner was over, all of Alex's schoolmates who accepted their invitations crowded around him to talk to him and to find out why he presented himself as he did. When he saw that Kyle was trying to get closer to him, he reached through the batch of boys and pulled his friend to his side. Alex felt like a celebrity being hounded by the paparazzi! Many of the boys that Alex only saw at school but with whom he never spoke came up to him, shook his hand, and expressed their regret for not having befriended him sooner. Alex smiled, and told them merely to be friendlier at school and he'd get to know them as time went on. Krystal would push her way toward her son with guests she wanted Alex to meet whom the boy might find useful in his future. She called as many guests as she could to the music room, asking him to play something on the piano for his guests. Since there was only once piece he could play from memory, he played Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in C# Minor" to a pleasing applause. A gentleman standing next to Krystal who was previously introduced to Alex as the director of the New England Conservatory of Music was heard to say, "He definitely shows promise. If he continues his studies, he'll probably be conservatory material. Send him to me when he's of age."
As promised, Krystal sought out the Lynch twins' parents and invited them into her office for a chat. She explained that part of her purpose for hosting the party for Alex was to get to know the parents of his schoolmates and in particular, those of his friends. Bryan Lynch identified himself and his wife Rose, and Krystal mentioned that their sons had said they were a very busy couple but had no idea what kept them so busy. Rose looked at her husband who just nodded and told Krystal that they were real estate developers who were currently building homes on several different tracts of land in North Medford that had been previously mountainous forest. Rose was involved with showing the model homes while her husband was overseeing the construction. Once the homes were completed, they had planned to move out of their present home and into the one that they were having custom built for themselves and their boys in North Medford. Krystal breathed a sigh of relief before suggesting that perhaps they should each take one of the boys with them to work for a day so they'd understand what their folks do. She continued by suggesting that if their company was to be successful and that their sons might eventually become active in it, it might be a good idea to let them see what it is to be a real estate developer and a realtor. The couple looked at one another, nodded, then turned to Krystal and smiled. Finally Bryan spoke.
"It's something we had intended to do when they were ready," Bryan began, "but we just don't know when that might be."
"I recommend doing it now," Krystal replied. "Alex already knows he wishes to be a concert pianist and is preparing to make it his profession. To wait might be a mistake, as one or both of your sons may develop a business interest outside of your family company, and if that happens, you'll have lost them to another profession."
Bryan and Rose looked at one another again, then turned back to Krystal with Rose saying, "That's something that has concerned me for quite a while. I mean, what if our sons don't want to participate in our business after we've built it into what it is? I would be a shame to have to sell it to someone who would cut corners and build cheaper houses using our reputation. We just thought that for now, our boys should be boys.
Krystal smiled and replied, "I'm not suggesting that you put them to work. Just let them see what you do. Rose, you take Donnie with you one day and let Danny go with Bryan, and then on another day, make a switch. If they're really interested in your business, they'll hound you to take them with you!"
"You might have something there, Mrs. O'Reilly," Bryan told her. "I guess we have nothing to lose to at least let the boys spend a couple of days with us to see what they make of our company."
"You won't regret it," Krystal said, "and besides, it will enable both of you to tighten the bonds you have with them. There at a stage in their lives when they need it. Now, go enjoy the festivities, and if you ever need your boys to spend a night or a weekend with Alex, just pick up the phone and call. Our door is always open to friends. Oh, one more thing. The boys also mentioned that they don't see you on weekends much. Now that you've told me what you do, I can only assume that weekends are good times to show the model homes to prospective buyers. Am I correct?
"You're very intuitive, Krystal," Rose replied.
"Then let me suggest that your boys spend more time here, where there'll be at least one adult around and they can interact with Alex, Kyle and Ritchie," Krystal offered. Adolescence isn't easy on boys, as my older son Mike will attest. He's helping Alex through it, and having Mike around to talk to may be easier than finding things out in school that are inaccurate. Mike doesn't mind mentoring Alex's friends, and I'm sure it will help you out."
"Thank you very much, Krystal," Bryan responded. Anytime you want to open your door to our boys, it is fine with us. Just have one of them leave us a note if they're spending the night."
"Absolutely," Krystal agreed, "but if Mike or I haven't signed the note, you know it's bogus."
"You're a wise woman, Mrs. O'Reilly," Rose told her.
"Now, go on. Get out of my office and enjoy the party," Krystal commanded with a smile.
After the Lynch's left, Krystal reached behind her on the shelf, grabbed a bottle of cognac and poured herself just enough to cover the bottom a glass. She sipped the cognac, carried the empty glass out of her office and as a waiter passed with a tray of dirty glasses, she added hers to it, reminding herself why she didn't drink liquor.
By the time the guests were ready to leave, the now 13 year-old was exhausted. Sally and John agreed that Kyle could spend the night, although Kate went down to the music room with Mike to play some records, with him agreeing to escort her home later. When everyone was gone, Alex and Kyle undressed and flopped on Alex's bed.
"Whatever prompted you to do that?" Kyle inquired with a grin.
"The twins," Alex replied. "I had to do something that would get everyone's attention and to make their parents think about how their lives affect the lives of others. By exposing myself, both physically and emotionally, what I did may well have served its purpose, as I saw Danny and Donnie laughing and talking with their parents over dinner."
"I thought you were going to catch hell from Krystal," Kyle said.
"Mom never judges me for what I do," Alex stated. "I've never done anything that outrageous before, but she knows why I did it. You dad even came up to me and said that I had colossal balls doing what I did."
"My dad said that to you?" Kyle exclaimed.
"Yeah," Alex grinned. "He gave me a hug for it, too!"
Kyle turned on another light, went down on all fours, and as a playful gesture, held two fingers in front of Alex's testicles.
"Yours are still smaller than mine, and my dad never said anything like that to me," Kyle joked.
Alex laughed, but the festivities of the evening had worn the boy out. He crawled into bed, called his friend up to the bed with him, held Kyle in his arms as they both fell asleep.
The twins and Richie knocked on Alex's door the following morning after Krystal let them in. They saw Kyle still in Alex's arms, but just looked at each other and shrugged.
"Hey guys!" Richie called. "Wake up!"
"Come on," Danny said. "It's Sunday."
"Go away," Kyle whined as he moved to take more advantage of Alex's body heat. "It's December 8th and it's cold outside."
"Either you get undressed and come in here with us, or sit in the chairs until we're ready to get up," Alex commanded. This was not one of the days he wanted to host his friends, especially after the party the previous night. Finally, Alex had to get up, as his physiological needs were forcing him out of bed. He used the bathroom, then sat in a chair.
"Hey Alex," Danny had to know, "Whatever made you stand up there naked and give that speech?"
"If you want to know the truth," Alex replied, "you and Donnie did!"
"We did?" the twins echoed.
"Yeah, I figured it was a way of getting people's attention, especially your Mom's and Dad's," Alex answered. "After I did that and we were having dinner, I looked over at you guys and your folks, and you were laughing, talking and having a great time. It was a good thing to see."
"It's funny, because after you finished your speech and went to dress for dinner, our dad gave us both hugs and told us he loved us, and our mom put her arms around the two of us as we walked to the dining table," Donnie said.
"Yeah," Danny interjected. "It was kind of nice. I hope they keep it up."
"To get them to keep it up, you guys should keep it up in front of them," Alex suggested.
"My mom and I hug each other all the time, now." Richie said.
"My whole family is on an affection kick since Alex spent a night at my house," Kyle stated, although we haven't gone so far as to appear naked in front of one another.
"I guess it is part of why I'm never unexposed in here, and probably why none of you are self-conscious about it. Being undressed in front of each other enables us to trust each other and to feel we shouldn't have anything to hide from each other. I don't know if Mike has figured that out yet, but I have to believe he has."
Mike walked in to his brother's room in the same state of undress as everyone else and said, "Little brother, you know I have nothing to hide either," before turning around and going back to lie on his bed.
"There you have it." Alex said. "Mom isn't involved in this, but she's aware of it. She trusts us, and that's the extent of her involvement with what goes on up here."
"You are really something, Alex," Danny said. "You see things that even most adults don't see. You seem to think of everything. It doesn't mean you know everything, but you have a great mind, and I think I speak for everyone in the room when I say you have a kind heart."
The other boys began agreeing at the same time, causing Alex to quiet them down. He looked at the clock, smiled at everyone knowing Elena will have served breakfast and taken her day off, and that Krystal was in a meeting with one of her charity committees. Alex grabbed Kyle's hand with his right and Richie's with his left after opening his door, and led the boys along the balcony and downstairs as undressed as he was.
"Hungry?" he asked his friends.
The boys raided the buffet that was laid out, mostly with leftovers from the previous night's dinner. When the boys had their fill, Alex led them back upstairs where they sat while he and Kyle showered, and then they all dressed to go out in the cold December weather. They enjoyed their afternoon, and as the sun set, each of them headed to their own homes.
"Do you feel like staying at my house tonight?" Kyle asked his friend.
"How about tomorrow?" Alex asked. "I need to spend some time with Mom to show her my thanks for the party last night.
"OK," the older boy said. "By the way, I'll be fifteen next month."
"Great! Alex said. We'll have to celebrate it in style! See you tomorrow!"
"I'll be at your house at the usual time," Kyle said. "Have a good night."
"You too!" Alex replied, before walking up the hill to his house.
Upon entering, he found Krystal in the dining room with a cup of tea.
"How is everything?" she asked her son. "Did you have a good time last night?"
"Yes, and thank you," the boy replied. "I had a very good time and so did my friends."
"Did you hear anything negative about your theatrical performance?" Krystal inquired.
"No, in fact, the guys wanted to know where I got the idea for it!" Alex admitted.
"A few parents told me they were shocked at first, but after hearing your message, they said they understood your point," Krystal said. "Do you know that was the first time I have seen you undressed?
"Were you shocked?" Alex asked.
"Honey, nothing you will ever do will shock me," she told the boy. "Your heart leads you through your life, and when a boy speaks and takes actions from his heart, who am I to judge?"
"You are my mother, by choice, not because I'm what you were given at the time of my birth," Alex began. "Part of who I am comes from my natural parents, part of me comes from Mike, and part of me comes from you. If you hadn't wanted to spare me from a life in a boys' home, there's no telling who I would be today. I am grateful to you for seeing the potential in me to want me as your son."
A tear formed in Krystal's eye as she hugged her son and kissed his cheek. When she regained her composure, she told the boy, "Alex, there are two sides to that coin. You have made me proud that you have allowed me, by your own choice, to become a mother to you. You have a heart of gold, and I pray that no one ever tarnishes it. You are a very special and gifted boy, and you make me so happy that you're here every single day."
Alex clasped her hands around her neck, saying "I love you, Mom."
"And I love you too, Alex." Krystal responded. "I have something else you should know."
"What's that?" Alex asked.
"Well, do you remember the original purpose behind the planning of your party?" Krystal answered with a question."
"I do," Alex said.
"Well, it turns out that the Lynch twins' parents are not alcoholics or worse," Krystal explained. "They run businesses. Their father is a real estate developer. His company builds new houses, and they are developing several new neighborhoods in North Medford. Their mother is a realtor, another name for a real estate agent, and she sells the new homes that her husband's company builds. They both show the model homes on weekends, because those are usually everyone else's days off from work. They're doing all of this so they can move out of their present home and into a brand new one that they're custom building in North Medford, which will get the family out of the hustle and bustle of the City of Boston. This new home for them and their sons are their dream. They also hope that their sons will eventually want to become involved in their business, as I have suggested that they each take one son at a time to work with them instead of leaving them both home. I did recommend that they also send the boys over here, or that if they wish to spend the night over here, one of them will have to go home and leave their parents a note, signed by either Mike or myself."
"Gee, I feel rotten about assuming there was something wrong with them!" Alex exclaimed. "That'll teach me not to jump to conclusions."
"We have learned something from this experience. On a different note, ironically a musical one, your performance last night impressed the director at the New England Conservatory of Music. He suggested to me that when you are of age, that I should send you to him to study at the conservatory. It will be several years in the future, but it's something to consider."
"Mom, even if I forget about it," Alex said, "I know you won't! I have to go do my homework, or it won't be finished in time for class tomorrow."
"Do what you must," his mother said. "If I don't see you before bed, I'll see you at breakfast."
"Fine," Alex said. "Have a good night."
The boy went up to his room, undressed and sat at his desk doing homework.
The next morning began just like any other school day, Kyle met Alex at his house, they met Richie first and then the twins, and arrived at school at the usual time, but none of them were prepared for the onslaught of fans who awaited Alex. Those students whose parents declined the invitation to Alex's party had heard about Alex's speech, but more specifically about his lack of costume during its delivery and just had to get to know the boy who had all of a sudden become the talk of the school! Upon entering, Alex was diverted to the headmaster's office where thirty minutes later, Krystal and Mike arrived for a meeting. The three of them sat in the man's office while he spouted off about "inappropriate behavior" that was unbecoming of a student at The Boston Academy, but after listening to about five minutes of the man's rant, Krystal had decided she'd heard just about enough. She stood up, leaned over the man's desk and anything but calmly delivered her own perspective.
"Do you know who I am?" Krystal asked, without waiting for a response. "I am the largest charity fundraiser in the city of Boston. This institution is a non-profit organization that for years has been very high on my list of educational facilities that I support and for which I raise money in support of its programs, such as music, athletics, and scholarships. Alexathan O'Reilly is my son, whose personal expression and creativity has my full support. While I was unaware of the speech he had planned or the lack of costume he used to deliver it, my son has my backing with both its content and method of delivery. After giving his speech, he explained why he did it with my complete understanding, and if another opportunity presented itself to repeat his performance for a different audience, I would encourage him to do so, because its delivery on Saturday evening yielded the effect of his intentions. Two brothers who are friends of Alex's have been living with a mother and father they almost never saw. The party I threw for Alex's birthday was little more than an occasion to get the brothers to attend with their parents. It gave Alex an opportunity to attempt to repair some emotional damage the parents were unaware their sons were experiencing. I admit, my son's method was a bit unconventional, but it achieved the desired result which was demonstrated only moments after Alex's speech was delivered. Now, you tell me, Mr. Know-it-all, what was more important, the medium or the message? Before you give me your answer, you'd best think about what's more important to The Boston Academy, the moralistic malarkey you want to ram down my son's throat or the good that he tries to accomplish in his friends' lives through his influence?"
By now, the man was virtually cowering behind his desk and had literally changed from a man to a mouse. He was speechless, and realized Krystal had him exactly where she wanted him.
"You know, it's pretty bad when you have to admit that a 13 year-old has more balls than a grown man in a position where he's responsible for the education of so many impressionable boys!" Krystal exclaimed. "Today, you will call an assembly where my son will address the entire student body. He will not apologize for his speech or his costume. He will explain to your students that by delivering the speech he gave on Saturday night and using the theatrical manner in which he gave it that he was not seeking fame, notoriety or popularity, but that he merely used an opportunity I gave him to express his views on life. Am I clear? Are you getting my message?"
The man nodded, and Krystal stormed out of the headmaster's office with steam coming out of her ears, taking Mike with her. Alex just sat in his seat on the other side of the man's desk in awe, having never seen his mother angry before. The headmaster looked at Alex and told him to prepare for an assembly during the final period and that for now, he should just return to his classes.
Alex recounted his experience in the headmaster's office to his four close friends during lunch.
"I can't believe my mom told him that I had more balls than he did!" Alex exclaimed. "My mom never uses such language!
"I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall to hear that conversation," Kyle laughed.
"That's just it," Alex began. "There was no conversation! My mom just delivered a monologue! He couldn't get a word in edgewise!"
"Your mom must have really been smoked about this," Richie said. "She never chews you or Mike out for anything."
"Alex," Danny said, "Donnie and I can't thank you enough for what you did Saturday night. We talked with our folks, who admitted they have some problems, and they're related to the business they run. They want to work those problems out so that we're a family again."
"It's what friends do for friends," Alex replied. "You don't have to thank me, but I'm sure the time will come sometime in the future when I will need one or both of you. All I ask is that you be there for me like I was for you."
"Deal," Danny replied.
"You got it!" Donnie chimed in.
As arranged, the assembly was called, and without mentioning the method in which Alex delivered his message, he did stress its content and what he didn't want arising from the aftermath of the event. The headmaster merely waited in the wings, swallowing his own bile. Alex was cheered by the other boys as he walked out of the hall, which wasn't what he wanted. He met up with his friends after dismissal, and they all went home to their respective houses.
Krystal was having tea in her office, working on some letters when Alex arrived home. Seeing her office door open, he knocked and went in. He looked at Krystal, she looked at him, and both of them burst out laughing over the scene that played out in the headmaster's office. Alex ran around her desk and gave her a hug.
"I did what I had to do, my dear," Krystal told her son, "and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Your brother had all he could do to keep a straight face in there."
"It was an experience for me too," Alex admitted. "It's the first time I've ever seen you angry, and it's the first time I've ever heard you use profanity."
"I did not use profanity," Krystal said. "You're referring to my use of the word `balls,' I take it? That word has multiple meanings, and how it is interpreted depends on where the person's mind is with regard to its context. Being a teenager, I can understand how your mind would think I was referring to male genitalia, however if someone had called me out on it, I would make the comparison between a bag of tennis balls he had behind his desk and the volleyballs we have stored in the basement for use out back. That's what gave me the idea to use the word in the first place!"
Alex got caught up in a fit of laughter, then said, "I never even thought of it that way."
"A person's command of language is a powerful thing," Krystal said. You already do rather well with it, considering the speech you gave the other night, and the one you gave at the assembly this afternoon."
"You heard it?" Alex asked.
"Yes, I quietly entered the auditorium when no one was looking, heard what you said, and quickly slipped back out again as soon as you were finished," she said.
"Mom, I'm so lucky to have you as my mother," Alex said, hugging her again.
"Correction, Alex. We are lucky to have each other," Krystal said with a smile. "Do you have much homework?"
"Not as much as I would have had if you hadn't forced the headmaster to cancel my last class and call an assembly," Alex replied. "I'm going upstairs to get it out of the way, and I'll see you at dinner."
"Fine, sweetie," she said. "I have to finish some letters, anyway."
Alex headed upstairs to his room, removed his school clothes and hung them up. Mike wasn't in his room, so Alex figured he must be out with Kate, but he came in about 20 minutes later, got undressed and walked into his brother's room. Alex turned to look at Mike and they both burst out laughing.
"Do you believe Mom at school today?" Alex asked. "I've never seen her angry since we've been here, and she was so cool the way she let him have it, without ever losing her temper!"
"I don't know if I would have been that calm if I had to go down there and face the jerk alone," Mike admitted.
"When I got home, I told her that I've never heard her use profanity," Alex said, "but she said that the idea to use the word `balls' was when she saw a bag of tennis balls behind his desk and the idea came to her to compare his tennis balls with the volleyballs we have in the basement. She said the word has several meanings that that the interpretation is in the mind of whoever hears it in context."
"She's absolutely right, but to be honest, I think she only meant him to take it the same way you and I did," Mike answered. "Still, Mom gave one hell of a performance!"
"Well, it's over and done now, and I just want life to go back to normal," Alex said. "I really didn't enjoy all the attention that was heaped on me at school today. I didn't want to become a celebrity for doing something I felt was necessary to help my friends."
"Humility can be a good thing, little brother," Mike said. "You are one terrific kid, and you always make me proud that I'm your brother."
"It works both ways, Mike. You're always honest with me, although I suspect you left out some details when you told me about the facts of life."
"Whatever details I left out," his brother explained, "Mother Nature will reveal to you in her own time." "You will come and ask me about things that happen as you mature, and we can talk about them when they do, but for right now, you know everything you need to know."
"Thanks Mike," Alex replied.
Alex went back to his homework and as usual, Mike opened a book and began to read. Things went pretty much routinely each day until the holidays approached. The O'Reilly's celebrated them without much fanfare, just having small gatherings at home. Of course, Krystal was very busy with fundraising during that time of year, but right after New Year's, everything settled back down. Kyle turned fifteen during the third week of January, and Mike turned 21 four days before Memorial Day.
(to be continued)