Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2000 12:00:27 -0500
From: fsw99 <fsw99@pop.mindspring.com>
Subject: Chapter 49 of One Big Happy Family

Legal Notice: The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual
acts. The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality.

Don't read this story if: **You're not 18 or over,

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**Or if you don't want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex.

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			    Chapter Forty Nine

"Isaiah, I am glad I found you," the Principal said.

"Hi, Mr. Anderson. Yeah, we try to never miss a game. BD might beat us all
up if we did," Isaiah said, kidding. "He might could do it, too."

"BD is a very large man. I wouldn't want to have to take him on,
either. Look, I have a business proposition for all of you. The booster
club found out how many people came to you concert.  They are always trying
to find ways to make money. You know they paid for the new softball field
for the girls, right?" Mr. Anderson asked.

"Yeah, I know that. You have to now spend as much money on girls sports as
boys, even though almost all your revenue coming in from sports comes from
people watching the boys sports.  Really, to me, it kind of sucks!!" Isaiah
answered.

Mr. Anderson just smiled at all of us. "Let's see how I can answer that
statement and be politically correct. That is now a law, and it is a new
challenge for a Principal to live up to. Now, you didn't hear me say it,
but I think it sucks, too."

Everyone laughed hard at that, even Paul. This might be the first Principal
he liked in his life.

"Anyway, here is the deal. People from our school have talked to other
people at other schools.  Word is spreading fast. Everyone wants to come
and see you. We can have a concert tomorrow in our gym, if you want. Same
deal, 50-50 split. I have cell phone numbers for the other Principals from
the schools around us. They will announce the concert at half time. We
might could completely fill the gym, including all the bleachers. Could
make a lot of money for both of us. The other Principals will do this if
you will agree to come and play at their schools, too. Several have gyms
that can hold lots more than ours does. What do you say?" Mr. Anderson
asked.

Isaiah looked at all of us, and we all returned his stare with our own. All
of our eyes were wide.  "I say, let's rock and roll. When do we go on, and
when can we start to set up?"

"You will start at 7:00. I can let you in as early as 5:30. Is that all
right?"

"Perfect. That is a deal, as far as we are concerned. I hope we both make
lots of money. Let me know any time when you want us to play again. We can
play at any time you want us too," Isaiah said, looking at the others, who
were shaking their heads vigorously YES!!!!

"That is great news. Let me go call the other Principals and tell them
before half time. See you at 5:30," he said, as he grinned at all of us and
hurried off. We were all in shock. Someone is "after" us to play in front
of people. We thought we might have to beg people just to let us play. Now,
we might have people begging us to play!!!! The thought was mind
boggling!!!!!!!

			***************************

When everyone got back from the football game, it was late, so Phill, Tim
and Tom went to their house to sleep, and everyone else went inside Stan's
house. Robbie was waiting up for them, and was disappointed that Phill
wasn't with them. He had done a lot of thinking sitting by himself, and he
really needed to talk to Phill before he could tell anyone else, even Stan.

They did tell him about the new job for the next night, and the possibility
of lots more jobs in the future. He was excited about that, but wanted to
share his excitement with Phill. He knew he had gotten himself into this
mess, though, and he had to get himself out of it. So, he didn't share his
thoughts with the rest of them, and they didn't press him, either. Maybe in
the morning.

Everyone divided up the bedrooms and went to bed. At least the construction
down stairs was scheduled to start on Monday.

		       ****************************

No one wanted to get up early the next morning, but they knew they had to
be at the studio at 10:00 to meet their potential new agent. This was going
to be a cereal morning for everyone. Stan got up early as usual, made
coffee and two pieces of toast and was happy just reading his paper in
silence. Damn Braves lost again. Would the Mets catch them? (Hehehe - We
clinched the division last night!!!! Now, you know how far ahead I write. -
hehehe)

Everyone got up in groups, like always, except Robbie, who had slept with
Stan. He had stayed in bed longer than anybody, trying to think of a way to
apologize to Phill. Stan had to eventually make him get up and get dressed
so they wouldn't be late.

They arrived at the studio with only a few minutes to spare. They had
barely opened the doors when their prospective new manager drove up in his
Mercedes convertible. He got out and said, "Hi, I am Mike
Johnson. Everybody call me Mike, OK?" He went around and shook everyone's
hand, including Tim and Tom, as we introduced ourselves. We all liked him
from the start.

"I was very impressed with your music. I am really interested in hearing
you play anything you have written on your own. You think you could do that
for me?" he asked.

"I think that can be arranged," Jimmy said, winking at Brian. This was a
moment that both of them had been waiting for, for a long time. They knew
the band was ready, and they couldn't wait.

"Well, let's go see what you can do," Mike said, as we all entered the
studio.

The band played eight original songs that they had been working on. Mike
stood in front of them most of the time. Sometimes, he walked around,
thinking. His expression never changed. He never made a comment between
songs. Everyone in the band was getting more and more nervous, since they
had no idea what he was thinking. Did he think they were good? Did he think
they sucked? Were they somewhere in between? Would he even want to sign
them?

They didn't play their best, but almost. The nerves sure didn't help
matters. When they finished the last song, Jimmy walked over to him and
said, "I hope we sounded OK. We really were pretty nervous, and we can do
better than that, I promise."

Mike looked up at him and said, "You did just fine. Who wrote the songs you
just played?"

"Brian and I did," Jimmy answered.

"All of them. No one else helped you?"

"No, just us."

Mike just started laughing and walked away. "Jimmy couldn't take it as his
heart sank. "What?  You don't think we are any good?"

Mike just turned around and said, "You're Jimmy Shepherd, right? Kenny
Wayne's brother?"

"Yeah. Why?" Jimmy asked, leery of the rejection he knew was coming. If
Mike told him they sucked, and also threw up his brother's fame in his face
at the same time, he didn't know if he could take it.

"And he or your father didn't help the two of you write any of the songs?
Not any little part?"  Mike asked.

"No, I just told you, just me and Brian. The guys in the band changed some
of their parts as we rehearsed. All bands do that. Why? What's the matter?"
Jimmy asked.

"Sorry for holding you in suspense. What if I told you I think it is time
for you to record your first CD? Maybe use one or two covers songs from the
cassette that I have and the rest all the new songs. We would have to get
permission from Boston and Styx, of course, but that is a formality," Mike
answered.

Everyone's mouth flew open. No one's bigger that Jimmy and Brian's,
though. "And we can include `Coming To Get You`?" Jimmy asked when he had
recovered.

"Oh, definitely. I think that could be a big hit. It's about Kenny, isn't
it?" Mike asked.

"Yeah, how did you know?" Jimmy asked softly.

Mike just laughed. "I had a big brother, too. Used to beat me up all of the
time. When I finally got to be his size and strength, I beat the crap out
of him. Only once, but it stopped all the abuse he had always given me. We
actually get along really good now. He is a record producer, by the way. I
might even talk to him about producing your CD. `Coming To Get You`. I
really like that title. Let's take a break and talk a little, OK? I think
it is time maybe for your band to go after Kenny's band. That is what you
really want, isn't it?" Mike asked, laughing again.

Jimmy laughed too, and said, "Yeah, more than anything. I'm glad you
understand."

"Well, that is one thing I think you will learn about me as we get to know
each other better. I do understand kids. I have managed several young bands
and we all get along great. I'll make sure and introduce all of you to the
Hansons at their party in two weeks," Mike answered.

"What?" we all said at once, as it finally dawned on us that he was going
to sign us.

"Keith, Mark, and Alex are going to throw a big party for the release of
their new CD. How would you guys like to play for the party?" Mike asked.

"That would be awesome," Jimmy said quickly. "So, you are really going to
sign us?"

"Oh, yeah. No one is going to steal you away from me now," Mike said,
grinning.

"All right!" Jimmy yelled.

"Great!" Isaiah said. "We already have a concert tonight at our high
school, and we have the possibility of several more at other high schools
around here."

Mike just laughed again. "I don't think that may be necessary."

Isaiah had a hurt look on his face. He thought he was bringing good
news. "Why?"

"You can do that until we finish recording the CD. After that, you have to
tour to back up the new release. You guys have some things to learn about
the music business," Mike laughed.

"All right!" Paul yelled.

Everyone was immediately excited, except me. Shit! What had I got myself
into? I had a house. 2 cars. A writing career. Already responsible for 3
boys, plus Robbie half of the time. My head was spinning. We all knew that
this was a possibility, but now we were talking reality. "How long are you
talking about until they would start to tour?" I asked softly. I needed
some Advil. My head was hurting.

"It depends. Maybe a month. Maybe longer. I am going to try for a month. I
will try and contact my brother today, and start working on tour dates on
Monday. I already have a contract out in my car. All the boy's parents will
also have to sign it, so you can take it with you," Mike said.

Oh, God! The parents!!! What are they going to say about all of this? I
needed 4 Advil!!!

"Well, let me get the contract out of my car, and then I have to be
going. Make sure and don't play any of the new music until we get it
recorded, OK? If someone hears the song and records their version before we
do, it will belong to them. Lots of thieves in this business. That is one
thing you won't have to worry about with me. I will have an accountant
track every cent we spend. If you don't, that is the easiest way to get a
bad reputation in this town. Any questions?"  Mike asked.

"Not from me," I groaned, as my head ache got a little worse.

"Look, I have an appointment tonight, but I think I can postpone it until
later. I would like to hear you play. Can one of you give me directions as
I get the contact out of my car?" Mike asked.

"I can," Isaiah said, as he followed Mike out the door.

I was ready to find a Pharmacy. Wonder how many Advil you can take at one
time before you run the risk of overdosing?

			***************************

When we got home, after stopping at a Pharmacy for Advil and Wendy's for
lunch, I said, "Guys, we all need to talk. Let's go into the den. Some of
you bring the chairs from the kitchen table, so we all can sit down." At
least my head ache was starting to go away.

When everyone was seated, I said, "Is everyone sure that this is what you
want to do? You will all have to leave school. You will leave all your
friends behind. Life on the road isn't going to be all fun and games. We
will have long bus trips from city to city. You will be in some places just
a few hours, then have to perform, then go to bed, and then get up early
the next morning and have to do it all over again. It's a very big
decision. You had better be entirely sure this is what you want. You might
should think it over."

"There is nothing for me to think over. I have wanted this chance for
years," Jimmy said.

"Me too. Jimmy and I decided what we wanted a long time ago," Brian said.

"Me too, Dad," Paul said. "If Jimmy is going, so am I."

"Me too," Ed said. "As long as Isaiah is going."

"Well, I do have to convince my Mother. But I want to go," Isaiah answered.

"My parents will let me go, I think," Phill said. "I don't know about Tim
and Tom."

"If they let you go, they have to let us go, too. It wouldn't be fair," Tom
yelled.

"Yeah," Tim yelled just as loud.

"Guys, calm down. What about you, Robbie?" I asked.

"Yeah, I want to go, too," Robbie said, looking at me and then glancing
over at Phill, who was staring at him.

"Nate, how about you? We consider you part of the band, too," Jimmy asked.

"I would love to be able to go," he answered.

"OK, if everyone is sure, we have to have a plan. I think we need to get
everyone's parents in one room and explain everything to them. No one can
let their emotions get in the way of being logical. We have to calmly
explain what we have been offered," I said.

"When?" Robbie asked.

"How about tomorrow night? Is your Mother off that day, Robbie?" I asked.

"Yeah, she works tonight but is off tomorrow."

"Great. Why don't you call her before she leaves for work and ask her if
she can come for a bar-b-q tomorrow night? Isaiah, Brian, and Nate, you do
the same with your parents. Phill, Tim, and Tom, you can go ask your
parents face to face. You can tell them it is about the band, but try not
to tell them the whole story until we get them all together. I will work on
the best way to tell them as a group. I will start out talking, and then
you each can answer any of your parent's questions. If we try and be
united, I think they will all take it better. What do you guys think?" I
asked.

"I agree," Robbie said.

"I think we all agree," Isaiah answered, and looked around the
room. Everyone was shaking his head yes.

"OK, let's get started. There are two lines in my office. One can use the
phone in here, one in the office. Let's see if we can contact as many as
possible before we have to leave for the concert at school, OK?" I asked.

"OK," Robbie said, getting up and going into the office to call his
Mom. Phill looked at him walk away, and then got up and said, "Come on,
guys, let's go home and talk to the rents, OK?"  Tim and Tom followed him
out the door, saw Isaiah and Brian walked towards my office. Ed, Paul, and
Jimmy helped put the kitchen chairs back where they belonged, and then came
back into the den to help me think of how to tell everyone that we wanted
them to agree to let their sons quit school and travel around the country
playing rock and roll. We all knew we had really better have our story down
pat to even have a chance to convince them.

		       *****************************

Everyone was able to contact their parents, and everyone agreed to meet at
my house the next night. It was amazing that we got everyone to agree so
quickly! (Course, it helps if all I have to do is type it out!!! hehehe)

We met Mr. Anderson at 5:30, and he was there waiting on us. He let us in
the gym, where the janitors were already pulling out all the
bleachers. Mr. Anderson said they expected a huge crowd.  We sure hoped so.

We got busy setting up everything. Robbie hadn't had a chance to talk to
Phill yet, but they caught each other's eyes several times and Robbie made
sure to smile at Phill. The first time, Phill's eyes got big when he saw
it, but from then on, he always smiled back. Both knew the ice was
melting. Both looked glad.

The band was about to go on. They only had a few more minutes to go, and
Phill walked over to Robbie. "I have a surprise for you."

"You do? What?" Robbie asked.

"It is a surprise. You'll know about it soon," Phill answered, and walked
away.

Comments can be sent to me at fsw99@mindspring.com.