Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2001 16:13:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: Sky Pro <skypro21@yahoo.com>
Subject: B-Boys, Chapter 6

Chapter Six:
Back to Work

It was awesome! Brock put together five new songs, each aimed at our new
"focus" and they were electric! One of them, titled "Alone", seemed to go
over really well with the night's crowd. I thought the applause to be
louder than normal, but maybe it was just because of the heightened passion
with which Brock sang rather than the message in the lyrics. It seemed he
was telling a very special story, his story, through that song. I was sure
this one would hit the radio as soon as we recorded. Unless they managed to
figure out it's real meaning first.

The response to another, "Blind Darkness", was a little different. The song
was rather dark and somber, much different in tone than our fans were
accustomed to. It dealt with fear and the homosexual lifestyle rather
directly. I'd warned the guys it might not be well received and was
especially nervous because I was the lead vocalist, since I had a deeper
range than Brock.

They didn't even clap. I could hear muted whispers, some referring directly
to me, as we took a quick break before the next set. We went out back, to
cool off and allow Blake to smoke. All of us were clearly nervous about
going back in there. Retaking our places, we were greeted only by an
ominous silence. Brock's voice shook and I missed a note as we began the
next tune. As always, our collective confidence returned as we played
on. Revisiting some old crowd-pleasing favorites, we quickly regained their
attention and all went perfectly. At the conclusion of our last song, we
received a standing ovation from the entire place. Brock's mother was
crying, which was somewhat disturbing until I noticed the smile that beamed
beneath her tears. Somewhere in the crowd were those record label scouts,
we'd been told, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't pick out a
single one of them from the audience. This could be interesting, to hear
what their reactions were, especially to the new material.

All things considered, it had been another successful show, I thought.
People left with smiles and many CD's were sold. We were charged up from
our good work and I couldn't wait to see what the rumor mill might say
about us now. By 1 A.M. the shop had closed down and we were completely
packed up, tired and ready to go home. Brock and Blake left together,
hand-in-hand and grinning from ear-to-ear. Brady finished his cigarette and
fished out his car keys.

"You gonna crash with me tonight, buddy?" He smiled wickedly at me,
slapping my butt lightly with a drumstick.

"Well," I missed, "I suppose I could... If you think you can handle me, big
guy!" We both laughed at that and walked, arms around each other, into the
warm spring air.

As we reached the parking lot, I heard an alarm beep and saw lights
flash. Brady walked up to the car and opened the door for me, a look of
pure amusement on his face.

"Well, aren't you going to get in? Or are you just gonna stand there
looking stupid all night?" I couldn't believe my eyes! There before me was
a brand-new white Lincoln Town Car! A vehicle worth at least $50,000, which
Brady had obviously borrowed from his father's dealership. Something had to
be up. Brady never took a demo except for extra-special occasions. I hopped
in quickly; wondering what the occasion was, hoping that I hadn't forgotten
his birthday or something.  Before pulling out of the lot, he gave me a
quick kiss.

"You seem surprised, dude." He said as we pulled up to his apartment and
parked the Lincoln.

"I am," I replied, confused, "did I miss something, Brady?"

"Not yet. We'll see when we get inside."

He unlocked the door and walked into the apartment. As I followed, it
occurred to me that all the lights were off. The living room was covered in
darkness as he shut the door and locked it loudly behind us.

In a flash, the room was bathed in light. A banner hung from the ceiling,
declaring "Happy Anniversary!" in bright, festive colors. The room was
filled with balloons and other decorations.  As I turned to him, in great
shock and embarrassment, Brady handed me a single white rose.

"Happy one month anniversary, babe!" He excitedly announced to me, that
devilish grin registering again on his face.

I didn't know what to say! Everything was so beautiful and I was incredibly
embarrassed at having forgotten this special day. So, I did what anybody
else would do in my situation. I cried. I broke down and sobbed like a
sissy little girl, head in my hands.

"Bill," He said softly, hand touching my shoulder, "is something the
matter? Did I do something wrong?" His voice trembled as he spoke those
last words.

"No! It's just all so... Wonderful! I can't believe anyone would go to all
this trouble just for me." And I couldn't! I was so overwhelmed. I loved
Brady so much, more than ever before. He's amazing!

"You're worth more than that to me..." We embraced tenderly. He lifted my
face and I stared helpless into those beautiful hazel eyes.

"I love you, Bill. More than anything. More than life itself."

"I love you, too! And I always haven and always will. Thank you so much for
this, Brady." Our eyes locked again and lips met. The emotions we hungrily
shared with one another ran far deeper than words could really relate.
Without even breaking our hold on one another, we moved quickly to the
bedroom, discarding clothes haphazardly as we went. By the time we fell
onto his bed, flesh mingled with bare flesh, nothing between us but the
head radiating from our youthful bodies like a wildfire. That night, we
completed our physical play, discovering all of each other. We became one
being, with a love and total bond so strong that nothing, I was sure, could
ever tear us apart. As we lay together, exhausted, still wrapped in each
other's arms, I realized that my one and only wish was to stay just like
that, alone with Brady, forever. Then I drifted off to sleep.