The Professor and Sean

The Professor and Sean - Book Two - Part 20

by Scotty

Disclaimer:

This is a fictional story dealing with love and consensual sexual activities between males. If you are not of legal age, reside in an area where viewing such material is illegal, or are offended by homosexuality and/or homosexual themes, leave this site now.

Several songs are quoted in this story. The copyrights to these are held by the artists and/or their publishers and not by the author. They are quoted as a tribute to the artist and the piece.

All persons in this story are fictional and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

The author retains all rights to this story. No reproductions or links to other sites are allowed without the permission of the author.

All other disclaimers apply.

We all find treasure in the strangest places; it is the wonder of being alive.

Scotty

A special `thank you' goes to my editor and proof reader, Wayne. His contribution is significant and greatly appreciated.

As Sean would say, "He's "Awesome!"

NOTE: If you would like to know when I am posting the next part of the story, send me an email requesting that I notify you when I post to Nifty.

The Professor and Sean -Book Two - Part 20

Before the Concert -----------------------------------

Some Background

Boston is a great city! It's the sports-mad capital of New England; home of the Red Sox, the Bruins, the world famous Celtics, and the New England Patriots. It is also a mecca of culture and higher education.

You can find great art, opera, ballet, symphonic music, pop music, and a cornucopia of performances at a number of venues. Boston, and its immediate environs, is the center of institutions of higher education: Harvard, Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts, Berklee School of Music, Bentley, Boston College, The Boston Conservatory, Boston University, Brandeis University, Radcliffe, Simmons, Tufts, and an additional twenty or thirty colleges in the area. Boston is the melting pot of college students, making it an international center for higher education.

Boston and its surrounding towns have forty-seven museums, including some of the most renowned museums in the United States.

Also in Boston there are theaters for musicals and plays, ballet, opera, etc. Boston has a history of being a tryout city for shows destined for the Great White Way in New York City. It additionally hosts many traveling companies.

Historically, Boston is the gemstone of our early national past. It served as the center of rebellion during the Revolutionary War. It is the home of Paul Revere and John Hancock. Here was held the famous Boston Tea Party. It is home to Bunker and Breed's Hills. The Boston Massacre occured here and the first shot fired that was heard `round the world'.

Within this center of culture, education and history sits Symphony Hall. Symphony Hall, one of the world's most highly regarded concert halls, was inaugurated on October 15, 1900. It is one of the three highest rated concert halls in the world and number one in the United States. It's unique shoebox shape and high ceilings allow for a good volume level above the second balcony, thereby making the acoustics outstanding for all of the 2600 patrons that can be seated.

In this historic and outstanding music hall Sean will perform. Because Boston is the city that it is, and because the historic Symphony Hall is a jewel, Sean might understandably become nervous, but he would also be in awe of it all. Therefore, it is easy to account for his excitement and nervousness.

(Sean narrates)

Suddenly, Ry and I were packing to travel to Boston for the concert. It was Wednesday afternoon and we needed to be there for the rehearsal on Friday for practice. The performance was scheduled on Saturday night.

Ry thought I would be wearing a newly purchased dark suit that he and I had bought together for the concert. However Rog had informed me that Dr. Coen had asked that I wear a tuxedo. Since we wanted to surprise Ry, we didn't tell him this. Rog did assist me in the selection and fitting of the tux. He and Greg would bring it to Boston and would get it to my dressing room where I would change. I had asked Ry and all the others not to visit me before the concert, but to come to my dressing room after the performance. I had made sure that they would all have backstage tickets.

I was studying the music for the performance while Ryan was at an English Department Meeting. It was an important meeting for him since Cathy wanted him present when she announced that he would represent State at the national meeting of College Professors of English. It had worked out fine since he would be at the conference when I would be taking finals. I would stay with Rog and Greg, principally because Ry would worry about my being alone at the townhouse.

I suddenly realized that I wasn't paying attention to what I should have been doing. Instead, I had begun to think about my life and how it had changed after I met and fell in love with Ryan. I wondered if I had been too lucky since then, forgetting about the beating and my serious injuries, which seemed like ancient history. What my mind was interested in was the amount of happiness Ry had brought into my life.

Those months of bliss, of loving deeply, of knowing that you had found the person who would make your life complete, made my heart beat a little faster. Realizing that Ryan was the man I would love until the day I died, brought tears to my eyes. I thanked God for His goodness in bringing Ry to me. I tried to get back to the music, but I couldn't concentrate.

I soon was thinking about the boys. What if someone would be in the audience at the concert who would make me an offer of a scholarship to a fine school of music. What would I do? How could I leave Ry and perhaps the boys? Could I pursue a career as a professional pianist? Is that what I wanted for my life?

No, I wanted Ry. I wanted the boys. I wanted a family. I wanted to be with the man I loved. Nothing would take the place of that.

My reverie was broken when I heard Ry at the door. I thought to myself, `Enough music for today.' A sudden wave of love swept over me and I ran to the door grabbing Ry, nearly knocking him over as I pulled him to me and kissed him wildly with unbridled passion.

"I love you," I told him.

He didn't say anything for a moment, but his intense kiss, and his probing tongue spoke of his love. I melted into him, knowing now, even more than before, that I could never leave him for a career. I loved music, but I loved Ryan more. He broke our kiss, and holding my head in his hands, he looked directly into my eyes and told me,

"Sean Kelly, I love you above all else in my life. Remember that and I will nerver forget how much you love me."

I did not speak about my decision about a career in music. That could wait until later. At the moment, my happiness was intense and full bodied because I was here at this juncture in my life with the person who was most important to me in the world. I knew in the deepest recesses of my soul that I would die for him, because without him, life would be worse than death.

(Ryan narrates)

Neither Sean nor I slept well Wednesday night. Each of us, I am sure, had thoughts that kept us awake. For Sean it must have been concerns about the concert and his ability to do justice to the music. I also assumed he was thinking about the boys and our chances for adoption. This matter was central to much of Sean's thinking and concern.

I worried about what he would do if we were not able to adopt the boys. In his mind he already had us together as a happy family. He had told me that he understood that we might not be able to go through with the adoption, but I wondered silently and with great apprehension that he really had not dealt with it. I hadn't really done so either. I worried that we could not convince the committee that we were excellent candidates for adopted parenthood. In the back of my mind, I wondered if, because we were a gay couple, our worthiness would be diminished.

I reached out and stroked Sean's naked back. I loved everything about him. He had not spoken to me about a possible career in music, perhaps in performance. I knew that if he chose that path, then all things in our lives would change. I was silently concerned if we would be able to survive such a significant change. I knew that we would never get the boys if Sean would be away for long periods of time to meet performance demands. However, I knew that in his own good time, he would share his thoughts with me.

Immediately after I touched him, he moved toward me and we were in each other's arms. I kissed him gently.

"Are you awake, Hon?" he asked.

"Yes, Baby, I haven't been able to sleep much. I guess I have too many things on my mind. I know you haven't been sleeping either. I can always tell by the way you breathe."

He rested his head on my shoulder as he gently played with my nipples. He sighed a couple of times, and then said,

"Hon, I love music and I know that I will probably get some wonderful offers if I play well Saturday. But I want you to know this: you are what I want in my life, you and the boys. Your love is the most important thing to me. No matter what the offers might be, I will stay with you, my love, until death parts us. That is my promise."

Then he kissed me with such tenderness and sincerity that I knew he spoke the truth. I hugged him and felt myself sobbing quietly. I struggled for control and when I had it, I whispered to him,

"My Sean. I love you so much, and what you have just told me has brought me such happiness that my emotions were overwhelmed. I weep not from sadness, but from the joy of knowing your love and your commitment to me."

"Hold me, Ry, I need your strength for many reasons. I love you."

In the silence that followed, we both slept.

(Ryan continues)

Thursday morning brought lovemaking. After the pleasure of our coupling, we showered, dressed and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. To my relief, Sean seemed as relaxed and happy as I had seen him for a couple of weeks.

We planned to leave State at ten o'clock for our drive to Boston. In conversations with Rog and Greg, we knew that they planned to leave later as Greg couldn't get away from work until Friday afternoon. Dad and Mom would arrive in Boston on Friday at about two in the afternoon. Dad had made all the arrangements to get them to the hotel, so I didn't have anything to worry about. The limo would be picking up Aunt Emily and Father O'Rourke for their trip to Boston on Friday also. We all had plans for dinner at a restaurant that Rog and Greg knew and loved in the North End. Dan and Craig would be arriving in the late afternoon, but would be joining us for dinner.

Rog had told us that a large group of students and the entire music department would be at the concert. Cathy and Janet would also be there for the concert. President Williams and his wife would officially represent State at the concert. And surprisingly, Charles Beckman, the chairman of the Board of Trustees and his wife also planned to attend. As a surprise, I had arranged for Grace Foster to attend the concert. It would be a wonderful evening and it would mean so much to Sean to have so many of his family and friends with us.

Sean ate one of his huge breakfasts, consuming everything in sight. I loved it when his appetite was ravenous because it meant all was right in his life. I kept touching him and telling him I loved him. He would give me that smile and my heart and soul would melt in total love of him. He wouldn't let me alone when I tried to do the dishes, grabbing me from behind, rubbing my crotch, kissing my neck, getting me hard and horny. I loved every minute of it.

We took a long, sensuous shower, holding, kissing, and running our hands over each other's bodies. Finally, as the water began to cool, we left the shower, dried off, dressed, got our things together, loaded the car, and after setting the alarm and locking the door, were ready to leave. I decided to drive, especially since Sean had little experience driving in an urban area such as Boston. He didn't mind, telling me that it would give him time to review the music in his mind.

Our drive into Boston would take approximately an hour and a half. If we made good time, we would have lunch at the hotel; otherwise we would have lunch somewhere along the way. We were quiet for the beginning of the trip with Sean occasionally placing his hand on my thigh. I would glance at him and he would smile at me. I would make kissing sounds, which provoked laughter from both of us.

"You continue to do that," Sean laughed, " and I will get all hot and bothered and you'll have to find a roadside area so that we can make love."

I was laughing now, too. I reached over and squeezed Sean's hand, which was on my thigh.

"Look, Baby, you're the one with your hand on my thigh. If anyone get gets hot and bothered, it will be me. If necessary, I am sure I can find a spot to stop and do it," I told him.

We were both laughing loudly now, enjoying the moment together and the love that flowed between us. This was as it had been that first night together when we knew without doubt that we loved each other. I found a turnoff, and as soon as the car had stopped and the engine was turned off, he was in my arms and we were kissing gently and with emotion. After some time, we separated and he spoke,

"This will take care of my needs for a little while, Hon. I am relaxed, happy and so much in love with you. Tonight we will make love and it will be like it was the first time. I know it will be, because I felt that our kissing and making out just now was like the night I met you."

I choked back my emotion and hugged him tightly to my chest, until I was able to tell him,

"Oh, Baby, that's just what I thought. We are so lucky, so fortunate. God certainly loves us, doesn't he? He has taken good care of us."

"I want thank Him, Ry. Take my hand, please," he said.

I took his hand and waited. He smiled at me, and then prayed,

"Dear God, Ry and I want to thank You and Your Son, Jesus, for taking such good care of us. We hope that you will help us to bring some happiness into the lives of Jacob, Ethan, and Zachary. We realize that You have much to do keeping this world of ours in some kind of order, but dear God, please help us with getting our sons and providing them with a family. We ask this through Your Son, Jesus. Amen."

"That was beautiful, Baby. I know that God heard."

He kissed my cheek and said with strength and surety,

"It's off to Boston and to my debut as a concert pianist. I'm ready, Ry. I'm ready."

(Dan narrates)

When I made the final arrangements for Aunt Emily and Father O'Rourke to go to Boston, Craig had the presence of mind to remind me that they would both need assistance. I called the nursing home and arranged for someone to accompany Aunt Emily, letting them know that they would have to bring clothes appropriate for a dinner out and a concert. I had also called the retirement home where Father O'Rourke lived and made arrangements with them. They would send a young seminarian, Brian Kenison, to assist the elderly priest.

Craig also informed me that he had received a call from Mrs. Crosby, the lady from the adoption center, indicating that they would like to meet with Ryan and Sean on the Wednesday of next week. I told him to call back and agree. I had no doubt that the guys would concur.

I knew both of them wanted information as soon as possible, but I wasn't sure that I should tell them until after Sean played. Craig was of a different opinion, and we had our first serious disagreement. In fact, at one point, he refused to come to Boston with me to go to the concert. I was really angry with him, but I held my anger in check. Finally, at dinner, we sat across from each other, neither of us speaking. I couldn't take it any longer, so I said,

"Look, Craig, I can't continue like this. You know I love you, but if this continues, then, although you will still be in the firm, our relationship can't continue. I just don't know what to do. I'm sorry that you don't agree with my decision, but you need to remember that I am a partner in the firm, and as of this moment, you are not. I hate this. My God, Craig, I love you so much that I know my life will be hell without you, but I don't know how else to handle this. You have to help me."

Craig looked aghast! His breathing was coming in short, painful gasps. His face was contorted, and I feared he was ready to explode. But instead, tears began to roll down his face. In a choked and emotion-filled voice he whispered,

"Dan, I didn't know this would upset you so much. I can see that I am an asshole, threatening you by not going to Boston. That was wrong. Of course, I love you. I do love you, Dan. Please believe that. I lost my temper when you just dismissed my idea. I know now it was not a good suggestion now. To hide from admitting that to you, I decided not to go to Boston. But, Sweetheart, I couldn't do that. I want to be with you, wherever that is. Forgive me, Dan, please."

I grasped his hand across the table, knocking the salt shaker over. I couldn't speak for a moment. His eyes pierced into my soul and I knew that everything he said was true. I swallowed with a gulp, and told him,

"Let's put this behind us, Craig. I want to be with you forever, too. Let's go home and seal our agreement with some gentle lovemaking."

And that we did.

(Sean narrates)

The hotel was glorious! I had never seen such luxury. We were warmly welcomed and, after we registered, we were escorted to our room. It turned out to be a beautiful suite. I looked questioningly at Ry, but he just smiled. The bellhop brought everything in the rooms as we both just stood and waited.. I was impressed and in wonder. Ry was just plain happy. Finally, as the bellhop got ready to leave, Ry handed him a generous tip. He smiled, assuring both of us if we needed anything, room service or whatever, to just call the desk. With a modified flourish, he was out the door.

I didn't wait until the door was fully closed before I demanded of Ry,

"What is this all about, Hon? I mean we don't need a suite. Who did this?"

With a smile, he asked me,

"Look carefully, Baby, see anything that might explain why I reserved this suite for us?"

For the first time I really looked around, and in the living room of the suite, I discovered the Steinway. I was so surprised that I couldn't speak. Ry walked up to me and, standing behind me, put his arms around me and kissed my neck. I trembled at his touch as he whispered in my ear,

"I thought that my husband and lover deserved to have a piano so that if he chose, he could tickle the ivories. I want you to be relaxed, happy, and affectionate."

I turned and kissed him with total love and devotion. He held me tightly, and I whispered back to him,

"That's a wonderful, thank you." We headed to the bedroom.

That evening, instead of going out, we had a room service dinner. We sat on the sofa in our white hotel bathrobes watching the wide screen television. Later I moved to the piano and began running through parts of the concerto that I wanted to reinforce. Ry got up and came and sat next to me on the piano bench. Even though Ry knew better, he began to kiss my neck.

"Stop it, Ry! You know that gets me hot," I demanded.

But he didn't stop. He continued to kiss my neck, and finally in desperation, I stopped playing, and pushed him to the floor, our robes opening, exposing our naked bodies and our erections. We were wild!

He finally, begged me,

"Baby, let's go to the bedroom. I need you to make love to me, Sean. Please."

I stood and took him by the hand. We moved to the bedroom and made passionate love. Eventually we fell asleep as, we were completely satistfied.

Tomorrow, Friday, would be a busy day.

(Ryan narrates)

Friday morning came soon ehough. After a quick shower, we headed to the main dining room for breakfast. We both knew that today was going to be hectic, so we luxuriated over a delightful breakfast. We tried to plan out our day, keeping in mind that the most important function of the day was the rehearsal scheduled for four in the afternoon. Sean seemed calm and relaxed, and as usual, hungry. He ate an enormous breakfast, and I wondered as I watched and enjoyed him, if he would care about lunch at Quincy Market.

"There's a lovely museum here in Boston called the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Would you like to see that, and maybe we can also get to the Yard at Harvard? I would also like to take a walk with you along the Charles River. What would you like to do, Baby?" I asked.

"I'd like to see Harvard, and the museum sounds okay. I would enjoy the walk by the Charles River, too. But one thing I really would love to do is go to the New England Aquarium. Of course, I might enjoy a walk on the Common. There's so much to see here, I really don't know where to start," he told me.

"You're right baby! We need to come here and spend a week. Let's plan to do that before the summer's over. I guess we should play it by ear, so long as we are at Symphony Hall by three-thirty. You need to meet Dr. Coen and some of the other notables before the rehearsal."

"Let's get started, Hon. We have so much we want to do," he said.

Our day was fun-filled and, amazingly, we got in most of the things we wanted to do. In fact, we got to see Old Ironsides. I think we were both happy to get back to the hotel at about two in the afternoon. We flopped onto the sofa and, holding each other, we took a short nap until the phone rang. It was Mom telling us they were in the hotel and would see us later that evening at dinner. She would see that everyone else got to Davide's; all we had to do was get there by 7 PM. Sean said `Hi' to Mom and Dad, and then snuggled up to me for a few more minutes.

I knew we shouldn't fall asleep again because we might miss the rehearsal. I expected to meet Rog and Greg there. I knew that Rog would want to be there to offer support to Sean. He knew the music and could be of some help, especially if his help didn't interfere with Dr. Coen's conducting. It would be fun to watch.

I kissed my lover on the forehead and spoke softly to him. He moved in my arms, trying to snuggle even closer to me.

"Sean, we can't fall asleep again. If we missed the rehearsal, I would never forgive myself. Want to take a shower, or what?"

He rolled away from me a little and looked at me through half-opened eyes. A smile crept slowly across his face as his hands moved to my face and stroked it. I wanted him so desperately at that moment that I almost couldn't contain myself, but I knew that now was not the time for lovemaking. He yawned, stretched a little, and said,

"I think I'll run through a couple of passages. Come sit with me at the piano. I like it when you do that. Wish you would sit next to me tomorrow night. But I guess that's out of the question. Come on."

I followed him to the piano and sat next to him, trying as best I could to give him plenty of room to operate. He smiled at me as he began to play. He repeated the passage another time, and then stopped. I knew this was the moment I needed, so I told him,

"Sean, you don't need me sitting next to you when you perform at the concert. You are capable of doing what you have to do. You play with feeling and understanding. You will be outstanding. I love sitting near you here, but when you perform, I want it to be yours entirely. I will be sitting in the audience, holding my breath at times; smiling broadly, and applauding like a crazy man. You have all that is needed to succeed at He this performance."

He smied and said, "I know what you are saying, and I hope that it is all true. But you can't fault me for wanting you near me. I always want you near me, Hon. Always!"

Before I could answer, the phone rang again. It was Dad this time letting us know that Aunt Emily and Father O'Rourke had arrived. Emily was in Room 7008, and the good Father was in 7020. Dad and Mom were in Room 9005. I told him we might call them, however that time probably wouldn't allow us to go and visit them. He understood, and cautioned us not to be late for the rehearsal.

Within the next ten minutes, we received a call from Rog and Greg. Rog called on his cell phone in the car. He told us they were running a little late, but wanted to check into the hotel and then dash over to the hall. They would meet us there. Sean seemed happy to know Rog would be at the rehearsal.

After I called the concierge and ordered our car and driver, we went to the bathroom and freshened up. Sean chose to wear a pair of dress chinos and a lovely, light blue cashmere sweater. He chose wear loafers. f I kept on my gray dress slacks and green sweater. I also wore loafers.

The short drive to Symphony Hall took only a few minutes. We followed directions and were soon inside the hall. A young man asked who we were and after we told him, he smiled knowingly.

"Please follow me," he said.

He took us somewhere in the hall and we ended up outside a dressing room of some sort. He knocked softly on the door, and then announced,

"Dr. Coen, Sean Kelly and Dr. Taylor are here."

A muffled retort came,

"Send them in."

The young man, whose name was Travis, opened the door and led us into the room. As soon as we were in the room, Travis turned and left. Sitting at the desk was a short, fairly rotund man in his fifties. For a brief moment, he ignored us. When he finished whatever he was writing, he got to his feet and walked over to us.

"You, young man, must be Sean Kelly. What a pleasure to meet someone so talented. I am pleased to meet you."

"It's an honor, Dr. Coen, for me to meet you. Your reputation goes before you and your talent is outstanding. This is my life partner, Dr. Ryan Taylor," said Sean with ease and comfort.

"Ah, yes, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Fillimore has told me all about you two. Pleased to meet you, Dr. Taylor."

"I am happy to meet you, too, Dr. Coen. Dr. Fillimore holds you in the highest regard."

"Ah, yes. Well, my young friend, do you feel ready for our little exercise this afternoon? The orchestra has been here since one o'clock practicing the pieces we will play tomorrow night. It's the first real rehearsal I have had with the entire orchestra, so we spent some time getting everyone on the same page, so to speak. They have come together with amazing skill.

I should tell you that Travis plays percussion and comes from my school. I will introduce you, Sean, to Lan Wang Chou, a student from Harvard, who is first violinist. You will enjoy him, Sean. He is remarkably intelligent and has a terrific sense of humor. You may sit in the audience, Dr. Taylor. I expect Dr. Fillimore to be here, too. He may stay backstage, or on stage, but anyone accompanying him will have to sit in the audience with you and some others from the various schools.

"By the way, I am honored that your college President is attending the concert tomorrow night. That is a first for us. So, Sean, let's get going. It will be, I suspect, a fairly short rehearsal, once through your piece, and if it is good, that's it. Oh, yes, and your encore; we'll work on that, too.

Dr. Coen pushed a button near the door of the room, and within moments Travis was there.

"Travis, take Dr. Taylor out to sit in the audience. I'll get Sean to the stage. Let's get this show on the road," he said with a smile that I know put Sean's worry to rest for the moment.

(Sean narrates)

When I first met Dr. Coen, he didn't make me feel too welcomed. Ignoring us, he sat at the desk working on something, which he chose to finish before he spoke to us. When he finally did acknowledge us, he made us feel welcome. My nervousness subsided immediately. I wondered how Ry felt about not being allowed on the stage during the rehearsal. If he did object, he said nothing and behaved like the gentleman he is.

Once I was on the stage and saw the size of the hall, I was overwhelmed. Walking down the diagonal aisle between the violins was a little offsetting, especially when the musicians began to tap on their music stands as a sign of welcome. I immediately liked Lan Wang Chou. He was shorter than I, with black hair and a tawny complexion. His first remarks to me were filled with good humor and fun. He shook my hand and then returned to his chair.

Dr. Coen walked to the platform and stepped up. He was about to address the orchestra. I stood nearby, wondering what I should do. I glanced at the audience, and although I could see some people, I really couldn't find Ry, even though I knew he was there. Travis gave me a smile from his place at the back of the orchestra where he was stationed on a higher platform. I noted after a cursory look at the orchestra, that there seemed to be more women than men. I found that interesting and also disconcerting. My thoughts were interrupted by Dr. Coen's voice,

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce you all to Sean Kelly, our guest performer for this year's concert."

I nodded slightly, acknowledging the applause that was coming for the orchestra and the small rehearsal audience. I noticed the piano, a beautiful Steinway grand, behind Dr. Coen with the keyboard toward the violin section. I felt comfortable there.

Dr. Coen continued, "Mr. Kelly is an accomplished pianist, and I know that he will do justice to the requirements of Copin's Piano Concerto."

Looking to his left, off stage behind the violins, he nodded his head, and smiled broadly, he said,

"I see that a great friend of mine is here. Dr. Fillimore, please come out and meet the orchestra. Dr. Fillimore is the Department Chair of Music at State. His specialty is piano, and it is through his diligent work that Sean is ready for the concert."

As Rog walked out onto the stage, the orchestra and audience applauded again. He bowed slightly and smiled directly at me. I was surprised when he said,

"Dr. Coen, I appreciate your kind words about me. I would like to say, however, that Sean is just a remarkable pianist, one whose talent is inborn and whose skill as a pianist is outstanding. All of you will soon discover how good he is. I will keep quiet, Dr. Coen. If you need me, call . Otherwise, I will wait backstage." Rog walked over to me and quietly said,

"Sean, just do what you know you can do. If you do, all will be fine! By the way, I have made arrangements to have Ry out of the hall when you rehearse your encore. Greg will take care of that." Turning on his heels, he left me near the piano.

"Are you ready, Sean?"

"Yes, sir." I replied as I sat at the piano, adjusted the bench, and waited.

Raising his arms, after tapping his stand for attention, we began the rehearsal.

(Ryan narrates)

At the end of the Chopin piece, while the orchestra went over a couple of tricky parts, Greg said he wanted some fresh air. He asked me to go outside with him. I had no reason to refuse, and so we were soon outside enjoying the air, watching the traffic and the lights, which were slowly coming on all over the city.

Greg was talkative, and asked about the cabin and the boys. I told him all that I knew about both. He seemed truly concerned about the adoption. Finally, he said,

"Rog and I have been talking about your dilemma. You know the difficulty about space at the townhouse and how the agency will react to that. Anyway, as I see it, you have a few options. One, you can somehow redesign your space at the townhouse. Two, you can leave your job and Sean his college years and move to the new cabin which will have plenty of space. Three, you could purchase a place at State with plenty of room.

"In fact, there is a beautiful Victorian house, not far from us, that is up for sale. It's huge; seven bedrooms, five full baths, two half baths, a great kitchen, lovely living room and dining room with paneling and great details. I know the place well, Ry, because I brought it back from years of misuse. It has all new electrical wiring and heating. In fact, the present owners also had the house completely air conditioned a couple of years ago. The grounds are first class, mainly because the owners are both gardeners.

"It has a large family room, all new windows, updated insulation, and new paint. It's a beauty, Ry, a beauty! I guess it would be expensive, and I know you have the cabin to worry about, but I thought I should tell you about it. Rog wasn't too excited about my telling you, but I knew you wouldn't say anything to Sean until after this concert thing.

"Hey, it has a great pantry, enclosed porches, a three-car garage, and a great backyard with loads of space for growing boys. Well, there, I told you."

"Greg, thanks for the information. I'll talk to Sean about it. My first reaction is to redo the townhouse, but as the boys grow, it wouldn't be ample. Neither of us desires to leave State to live at the cabin. That's a summer and vacation escape for us and for friends like you and Rog. I suspect that the agency won't be too excited about the townhouse. Maybe if we could show them the house and let them know that we would purchase it if we got the boys. No, that won't work; they'll never buy into that. Maybe Dan can be of some help when he gets here. Let's not mention this to Sean."

At about that moment, Rog appeared on the steps outside the hall. He motioned us to come back. We hurried into the hall. When we got inside, the orchestra was wrapping up, putting instruments away, etc. I saw Sean chatting with Lan Wang Chou and Travis. He shook their hands and then looked out into the hall, able now to see us as the lights were on. He hurried down to join the three of us.

"Everything went well, Baby, don't you think?" I said.

"Yes, I'm pleased with everything. We have to get moving, everyone. It's after six and we have to meet everyone for dinner at seven," he told us.

"Our car and driver should be waiting for us. I told him to be here at six. Let's check to see if he's here," I said.

Our car was waiting and we were driven to the hotel where we quickly refreshed ouselves and met the car again at about six thirty. Our driver knew how to get around Boston and how to get to the North End and Davide's without difficulty.

Once there, we had a wonderful dinner, excellent service, and gourmet food. It was like a family reunion, with all the folks we love and trust there. At nine thirty I spoke to Dad and told him that Sean needed to get a good night's sleep. He agreed, and without ceremony, the party ended and we all made our way out of the restaurant and back to the hotel. Dad wouldn't let Sean or me pay for dinner. He reminded us that tonight was for Sean. We quietly accepted his generosity.

Back at the hotel, Sean and I quickly showered, and slipped into the king-size bed, which had sheets that were like silk. He crawled into my arms and rested his head on my chest. I started to tell him how much I enjoyed his rehearsal performance again. I think I had already complimented him ten or twelve times. I kissed the top of his head and realized he was asleep.

It had been a big day for him. Emotionally, he was on edge for a good part of the afternoon. I was tired, too. I switched off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness. Before sleep overtook me, I thought of what tomorrow held for us. I felt my love for Sean overtake me, and my eyes watered as I gently stroked his curly blond hair.

The concert, the concert, the concert....

(To be continued)

If you wish to comment on the story, you may email me at niki200sc@yahoo.com.