Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 12:52:23 EDT
From: SSch191950@aol.com
Subject: The Knife That Twists Within/Part 5

The Knife That Twists Within

Part 5

Marcus kicked off his shoes and stretched out on the hospital bed next to
Nicholas. He crossed his arms behind his head and stared at the ceiling.

   "How was your party?" he heard Nicholas' low voice. Surprised, he peered
over to the lad laying in a similar position.

   "Not as half as exciting as yours I assume. I've heard you had a little
ecstasy flight?"

   "Yes.  But I don't care much about it. Only thing was I could stand the
music better."

Marcus grinned thinly. "You met Kay again? I didn't know he worked there,
too."

   "Yes, it was a surprise. By the way, the pants were his gift."

   "I guessed as much. Will you be seeing him again?"

Nicholas propped himself on his elbows and looked over to the next bed.

   "Why do you think that? Only if you drag me into the shop again."

   "I had a feeling you enjoyed it."

   "Yes, but not only because of Kay!"

   "Ah!" Marcus grinned.


   "I hate hospitals", Nicholas said after a while.

   "Who doesn't?"

   "Couldn't you come over to me?"

   "In your bed? Do you think that would be a good idea? Try to sleep. You
must be tired."

   "I'm not tired at all. I can't sleep here, it smells like disinfectant,
everything smells bad here."

   "Except me, I guess", grinned Marcus.

   "Except you."

Marcus sighed. "You still have no idea what the reason could be for this
man to attack you?"

   "No, I haven't. I don't want to think about it anymore. My head hurts."

   "That's another reason you should try to sleep."

Nicholas didn't answer. Marcus rose and slipped out of his bed. He bent over
Nicholas and kissed his lips. "Better?" He asked. Nicholas shook his head.
His hand slipped into the waistband of Marcus' suede trousers and pulled out
his white shirt. His fingers glided over his bare skin and pulled him nearer
until Marcus lay half over his bed. With a sigh he gave in and streched out
beside Nicholas' body. The bed was too small, but Nicholas cuddled close into
his arms and laid his head on his chest. Barely audible he began to purr like
a kitten and was soon asleep.



The noises of the hospital woke Marcus seemingly in the middle of the night.
He tried to see the time on his watch but it was too dark to see, but it
must be a little while before the usual breakfast time which was, as Marcus
knew, about 6:30 am. He freed his arm from Nicholas' head and rubbed it to
shake off the numbness, sneaked out of the bed and crept into his own. No
need to confuse the nurse.

It was no minute too soon. The door swung open and dazzling light flodded
into the room. "Good Morning" said the nurse cheerfully. Nicholas' eyelashes
fluttered open. He looked around and finally into the brown eyes of the
white-dressed woman.

   "How have we slept?" she asked.

Marcus replied, "I don't know how you have slept, but I slept terrible. This
bed is really uncomfortable."

The nurse gave Marcus a look but didn't respond. She stuffed a thermometer
into Nicholas' mouth. "And how have you slept? Does you head still ache?"

Nicholas shook his head.

   "We have to do a few tests after the breakfast, then you'll be able to
go home, I expect."

She removed the thermometer, looked at it and was apparently satisfied.
After a short glance at Marcus she left the room. He bent over to the next
bed.

   "How did you really sleep, darling?"

   "Fine."

   "Hungry?"

   "No."

   "I'm not keen on this breakfast, either."

Marcus leaned back and sighed heavy. "What a beginning of the new year!"

Nicholas chuckled. "Yeah, what a beginning! Surely it can only get better."




As both men entered Marcus' house they found Sebastian sleeping on the couch
in the living room. A little surprised, Marcus shook his shoulder.

   "Hey baby, what you doing here? Waiting for us?"

Sebastian opened his eyes wide and jumped up. He looked at both of them.

   "Calm down, everythink is ok now," said Marcus.

   "Really?"

Nicholas was more than amazed to find him here. His sandy hair was dishevelled
and the white shirt completely creased. Nicholas found it lovely and he lost
some of the shyness he always felt when Sebastian was around. Sebastian rubbed
his eyes and gazed at Nicholas. "You are really ok?"

   "Yes."

   "It's really sweet of you that you waited for us", Marcus said. "You must
be really hungry, aren't you? Coffee? Toast?"

Sebastian jawned. "Let me have a quick shower, then I will make you something
to eat."

Marcus whispered into the young man's ear, "What about you joining me under
the shower?"

Nicholas grinned.



Sebastian had plundered the pantry and covered the table in the dining room
with freshly baked rolls, eggs and bacon, rollmop and gherkins, with steaming
black pudding, tomatoes, cheese, juice, milk and hot coffee.

   "If I would live with you, I would become fat like a pig", Marcus said,
chewing with full mouth.

Sebastian grinned and winked at Nicholas. He was wearing one of Marcus' old
pullovers and jeans, was unshaven and looked suddenly very young. He had lost
all those intimidating attitudes, Nicholas had always been a little bit
scared of.

   "I too can cook the whole day until you are fat as a pig", Nicholas grinned
back at Sebastian. "Tell me the recipe of the black pudding, please."

   "Ah! A pair of housewives chatting over the garden wall!"

Sebastian threw his napkin at Marcus grinning face. "Let him tease, Nicki.
If he's starving he'll come creeping on his hands and knees and will beg for
some food. Believe me."

   "I wouldn't bet my ass on that. There's always his housekeeper."

   "Housekeeper? Ah yes, the redoubtable Anna! She's an old lady, perhaps
she'll like you more than she likes me."

   "She doesn't like you? Why?"

   "It's a long story." Sebastian's face was reserved.

   "You'll see, honey," Marcus said. "She comes on Sundays at 10 am."

   "That early? We won't be able to sleep in anymore!"

   "Alas! That'll seem likely to develop into a real problem, my dear."
Sebastian looked into his friends' eyes. "You'll have to have a talk
with her." Then he bent over to Nicholas again. "Are you get over it?"

Nicholas nodded. "Yes, somewhat."

   "Do you want to report it to the police?"

Marcus shrugged his shoulders. "Would you?"

   "Don't know if it'll be any use, but what if there are any further injuries
to Nick."

   "But everything's ok with my head."

   "Yes, honey, all is ok.' Marcus threw a warning gaze to Sebstian to shut
his mouth.

   "As you like it." Sebastian rolled out the gherkin off his rollmop and
picked it up. He changed the subject. "Sunday at Paul's exhibition - will
you join us?"

   "But of course, I've never been to an exhibition. Who's Paul actually?"

   "An inventor of curious things. He has his workshop in an old stable out in
the suburbs. He had extended it to one big living room and workshop at the same
time. He welds odd things together, painted them and also carves very
interesting masks out of tree stumps."

   "I like masks," Nicholas said, "and he can make a living doing this?"

   "Actually not very easily. Therefore he's having this exhibition."

Sebastian took a last gulp from his coffee and said, "Well, I don't know about
you folks, but I'm still dog tired. I'll disappear off home."

He grinned impish, "Or would you like to come back to my place, Nicki?"

   "Would you mind if I went with him?" Nicholas asked his lover.

   "Do you really want an answer to that question? I hope this is a joke!"

Sebastian stood up. "Can I ring for a taxi?"

As he finally left he turned around and said, "Sunday, 7 am. There's still a
lot to do." He looked at Nicholas for a moment and whispered, "It wasn't a
joke."

Sebastian closed the door.


Nicholas didn't know what to answer so he remained silent. Then he searched
for Marcus' eyes but he avoided his gaze. Finally he asked, "So early? 7 am?"

   "We have to build it up, put all the exhibits in the right places. You
don't have to come with us if you don't want to. You can stay here or come
later. It's in the hall next to the workshop. Come, let us put all this stuff
in the dishwasher."

   "I want to go with you." He stepped to Marcus side and touched his upperarm.
"Something wrong?"

   "No, my heart. Everything is ok."

   "You are not cross with Sebstian?"

   "Sure I am. He has a damn big mouth."

   "Maybe he's in love with me", Nicholas grinned.

   "Yeah, everybody's in love with you!", Marcus snorted, "you are
irresistible!" He grabbed for Nicholas' buttocks, but he escaped and chuckled.
"You really think so? And you, are you in love with me?"

Marcus stared at the rised eyebrowes, waited for an answer and tried to catch
him, but Nicholas was quicker. He ran around the table and out of the room
into the kitchen. Marcus followed him and cornered him between door and pantry.
He searched for his lips and whispered, "But of course I am, honey. Don't you
feel it?"

   "Show me," Nicholas' whispered huskily. He pressed his body to Marcus' and
felt the other man began undress him. "Do you want to take the butter with us
again?" he murmured.



Nicholas was worn out and his ass hurt a bit, but it was a more pleasant
little pain. He lay on his stomach and leafed through a book about the
architecture of the Victorian age. He felt Marcus heavy body across his back
and heard him snoring softly. Actually he wasn't too much interested in the
book, but he needed something to disract his mind. Too much had happened in
the last few days. Too many new faces, too many impressions. And the last one,
the attack at the "Moonbreaker" still stuck in his memory. But he had decided,
to take it as it was: a simple attempt at robbery, perhaps of a very nervous,
and not practised beginner who wanted to be sure that Nicholas wouldn't be
able to offer any resistance.

But more important were Sebastian's last words and the gaze in his eyes.
He didn't know what to think about it. Was it one of his usual jokes or was
there something serious behind? He hadn't got an answer from Marcus when he
had asked him, so he had to figure it out by himself.

He closed the book, laid his head on his forearms and enjoyed the warmth of
Marcus' body. The last thought he remembered before he fell asleep was
that he must take a photo of Simon's painting to give it to Kay.




Paul's Exhibition had been a completely success. The workshop was full of
people and Nicholas had met some of Marcus' and Sebastian's acqaintances.
Marcus had sensed Nicholas didn't really like these people, but he felt
comfortable with Paul. Afterwards they sat together in the exhibition room,
drank wine and ate pizza, Johannes, the old restorer, had ordered.

Paul, a man of 55 years with round, thin glasses and a bald head, was happy
because he had sold nearly all of his exhibits to rich clients where they
would now decorate the front gardens or houses. Nicholas was fascinated by a
woodden mask which had similarity to those Venetian masks with feathers and
glass stones and silver perls. It was shaped to represent the face of a young
man, with a narrow nose and arrogant, thin lips. The eye slits were framed
with a coal pen and tiny silver glitter. From a distance it was almost
impossible for anyone to see that this was a mask carved from of a piece of
wood. The chisel and the knife had fashioned it so delicately and Nicholas had
fallen in love into this piece of work right from the first time he had seen
it. As they came home, very tired, they found the fridge freshly filled with
delicious things and Anna had cooked a goulash soup which both men pounced
upon.

   "You see, such a housekeeper is a wonderful thing, don't you think?"

   "Yeah, sometimes. Will she be coming tomorrow at 10?"

   "No. Day after tomorrow. I don't need her every day. Come, eat faster, I
want to feel your body next to mine."


As Marcus let fall a squeaking Nicholas onto the blankets of the bed he felt
something hard under them. As Nicholas pulled the blankets up he found Paul's
mask and emitted a little cry. "The mask! You bought it?"

   "Sure, I saw your eyes. And I had to do something to compete with Kay's
gift!"

   "Pah, Kay! This here is hundred times more wonderful!"

He marvelled over the soft surface by gliding his fingertips over the wooden
cheeks and cleft chin. Marcus lay beside him and watched. "Where will you hang
it up?"

   "Right there, under your painting. So I can... Shit!"

   "What shit?"

   "We forgot to take down the painting of you and your housekeeper will have
seen all of you!"

Marcus was taken aback for a moment, but then he laughed. "Ah, baby, don't
worry about it. She knows me since I was a baby, so it's no problem, I guess.
Let it hang."

He took the mask from Nicholas' hands and passed his palm over his bare skin.

   "Are you happy now?" he whispered. There was no need for Nicholas to answer,
his eyes told all. "I have made inquiries. You can start the Academy in two
weeks, if you want."

   "I can? There are free places? Or have you used your influence?'

   "No, honey. Truly. Although," he paused, "this Frank is still there. I'm
not sure but I believe I saw him in the office. Almot white hair, right?"

Nicholas nodded. Well this wasn't exactly good news but then, he didn't care
a fuck about Frank now. If he ever met him, he would laugh into his shitty
face.

   "Alright then?"

   "Yes."

He leaned over Marcus and began to kiss his lips, probing his tongue into
Marcus' mouth until both panted for air. Marcus felt Nicholas' hardness on
his own belly and began to stroke it.

   "Marcus?" Nicholas head was buried into Marcus' hair, and very close to
his ear. "Have you ever... I mean were you, did you..."

Marcus laughed and pulled his head to him. "What have I ever?"

Nicholas swallowed. "Were you ever the bottom?"

Marcus eyes lit up. "Ah! You want to be the top! What a surprise! I thought
you would never ask." He planted a soft kiss on his nose.

   "It's long time ago, only with Sebastian. Simon never wanted to be a top."

He gazed into the blue eyes. "And now? Do you want..."

Nicholas shook quickly his head. "Not yet. Not today. Later, ok?"

   "Anytime you want."

His wet finger found and penetrated gently Nicholas' hot hole; the young man
moaned and wiggled his ass. Again and again he thought about how different
now his life was and wondered what this would eventually lead to? To a steady
relationship or was he only a part-time lover till the next young pretty man?

He felt himself laid on his back and Marcus' soft lips between his legs, under
his balls, wetting the sensitive trail that leads to his hole until his tongue
entered and made his skilful dance in- and outside. Nicholas shivered and made
funny noises which caused Marcus to giggle. He removed his tongue and replaced
it with a finger while he nibbled on Nicholas' very hard shaft.

   "But did you enjoy it?" Marcus heard Nicholas' soft voice. He let slip his
penis from his mouth and it flapped loudly on his belly. "What did I enjoy?
Being a bottom?"

He licked again over the slit and with it the oozing fluid.

   "But of course I've enjoyed it. Sebastian is a wonderful lover. I told you
already."

Shit, he thought to himself, you shouldn't have said that! Maybe Nick want to
find out himself some day. He removed his fingers, sat in positition and
pushed a little. His cock glided without any obstacle into and Marcus
stretched out on Nicholas' relaxed body. His eyes were half closed and there
was a smile on his lips. He remained motionless for a while, until Nicholas
opend his eyes again.

   "I never had thought..." his voice was hardly audible. Marcus remained
silent. He began to move, cautiously, gently. "that it could be so
wonderful...."

Marcus smiled and continued his movements. "But you don't know how exciting
it is to lay on top of you, sweetheart."

Nicholas purred again like a cat. "You must show me..."

This were the last intelligible word Marcus could understand because the
blood was rushing through his ears and delated all other noises except the
hissing and panting of his lover's voice. He couldn't remember if loving a
man had ever been so pleasant than with Nicholas, but he couldn't find the
reason for it. Nicholas' face changed briefly into Sebastians flushed face
laying under him or the look of Simon's back arching against him, sweating,
swelling and climaxing...

Nicholas lowered his legs until they lay around Marcus' waist and stopped his
subsiding cock slipping out of his hole. Marcus fell on top of him and he
knew that they would glue together soon but he didn't mind.

Nicholas' eyes were firmly closed as he felt asleep. "I love you", was all
Marcus heard before he entered dreamland himself.


                           ~~~


The black and white marble tiles shone as if they had been freshly polished as
Nicholas was on his way to see Kay. He pulled off his gloves with his teeth,
stuffed them into the pockets of his heavy brown leather jacket and went
upstairs. As he peered through the shop window he saw Kay serving a smartly
dressed man, showing him some interesting coloured ties which perhaps stood
some chance of matching his chosen aquamarine shirt.

Kay smiled at him as he entered the shop and motioned him to look around by
himself. Nicholas strolled through the displayed stands of shoes, had a look
at the wallets made of soft pig leather. He could certainly use a new one
himself when he thought about his own old, shabby one. But one look at the
price tag and he let the wallet drop. Marcus had given him one of his credit
cards but he hesitated to use this on such an expensive item.

In the corner was a stand with key pendants for cars which he found pretty
when he heard Kay said goodbye to the customer. He crossed the shop and
stopped beside him.

   "Hey sweetie, I'm very pleased to see you again. I guess you're OK now.
Got over the shock?"

   "Yes, thank you. The doc said there weren't any injuries, just had to stay
overnight in the hospital but in the morning I went home." He pulled out a
folder from the inside of his jacket and lent it to Kay. "Here's the photo of
Simon. I took this from a painting, but I think it's a good likeness of the
real Simon."

Kay opened the cover and stared at the picture.

   "Nice lad, indeed", Nicholas thought that there was almost a look of
affection on Kay's face as he looked at the photo. "The real Simon," he
muttered under his breath.

   "Huh?"

Kay looked up. "I guess this will do. I'll stick it up over the bar in the
"Moonbreaker", so everybody will see it. Is that ok?"

Nicholas nodded. "I only hope we will have success. I must find him."

Kay gave him an intensive stare. "Why are you so anxious to know where he is?
Does he owe you money? Or what?"

   "Nonsense. It isn't money. He might be in difficulties though, and we want
to see if he needs help, that's all." He looked around.

   "Doesn't look as if you're very busy. The shop doing ok?"

   "Well," Kay uncover the gap in his teeth while he was grinning. "You know,
people come and go, have a brief look and run away again when they see the
prices. We're about to start the winter clearence sale to made some reductions,
so that maybe the tills will fill."

   "Hm, what's with these wallets? Will they be on offer too?"

Kay shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know yet. Come next week and you'll see,
or perhaps you'll visit the "Moonbreaker" again. With your friends, probably?
Or with Marcus?"

   "Ha, Marcus!" Nicholas laughed. "You think I could get Marcus into this
club? His ears would fall off! That's definitively not his sort of place!"

Kay laughed with him and then asked, "Are you wearing my little present today?
Or only for special lovers?" He tilted his head and gave him a very inviting
look.

   "Only for very special lovers," Nicholas whispered grinning.

  "Oh well, that's too bad, sweetie," Kay sighed playfully. "Maybe another
time, or isn't there any chance?"

Nicholas gave him a mysterious glance. "You never know .... sweetie."

He turned and left the shop.



Back home he heard the buzzing sound of a vacuum cleaner from upstairs and
sighed. Anna was there and very busy cleaning the house. He hadn't met her
so far, so he pulled himself together and walked upstairs.

He stopped at the doorway of the bedroom and watched the elderly woman bending
over her hoover, in her effort to leave no spot behind. Only when she turned
around did she notice the young man standing a little irresolutely at the door.
She switched off the machine and looked somewhat confused. Then her face lit
up. "You must be Nicholas, am I right?"

Nicholas nodded and watched her grey-blonde hair which she had knotted into a
bun at the back of her neck. She wore an apron which covered most of her stout
figure, but her face was smooth and almost without any wrinkles. Big glasses
hid her face but behind them lurked very vigilant eyes of an undefined colour.
Her small lips were a tiny slit in her face but she seemed to smile. She came
to him with outstretched hand and said, "I'm Mrs. Weyler, Anna Weyler. Marcus
has already told me about you and that you are living here now."

Her eyes switched briefly Nicholas' painting of Marcus on the wall. "I see
you are an artist too, my boy." She grinned at him and this made her suddenly
look much younger. Nicholas had to grin with her and he felt cheerful all of
a sudden. He liked the woman.

   "Come, I have finished here, lets go to the kitchen and  see if we have
something for you to eat." Nicholas felt himself grabbed by the upperarm and
dragged downstairs.

   "What a nasty weather we're having?" Anna Weyler aid conversationally as she
rummaged in the pantry, searching for some special thing. Then she opened
another cupboard. "Oh yes, here it is." She held a tin under Nicholas' nose.

   "Have you ever tried tinned tomatoes? I haven't. Such new fashioned stuff.
Comes from Italy. Who bought this? You?"

Nicholas didn't know what was happening to him. His head was spinning because
of the speed Anna Weyler shot up her questions and answers.

   "Yes, I bought it. I like them and Marcus too ... I guess."

   "Well, I always thought he liked my plain cooking. You know, heavy sauces
and lots of meat. He needs feeding, he always was a thin boy."

Nicholas tried to restrain a snort of amusement "A thin boy?" he said. "Was
he?"

Anna nodded vehemently. "But of course. I always had to pamper him with
desserts und jelly and puddings. He has a sweet tooth, I'm sure you know this?"

   "Actually, I didn't."

   "Doesn't matter. Now you know." She stared into his face and then looked
him up and down. "Take off your jacket, boy, it's warm in here. And from what
I can see, you're also on the thin side. I'll have to pamper you too." She
smiled her thin-lipped smile and opened the fridge.

   "Look here. Meat-rolls in sweet cream. I planned to have some potatoes and
green beans, what do you think of that?"

   "Well,"

   "It's ok." She nodded.  "Now take off your coat as I said. I'll look
after everything."

She waved Nicholas away and out of the kitchen. In the hall he stood for a
moment and tried to sort his thoughts. Meat-rolls! He wasn't especially fond
of meat and he  certainly wasn't on the thin side! Nor Marcus!

   "When will Marcus be home? Do you know? Where is he actually?" he heard
Anna shouting from the kitchen.

   "No," he shouted back. "I mean I don't know when he will come back. He's
at the exhibition room. But I can phone him."

   "Yes, please. Then I will know when to put the potatoes on."

Nicholas sighed and went up into the bedroom. It smelled clean and a fresh
wind blew the curtains from the opened windows. It was too clean for Nicholas'
taste. He stepped into the wardrobe and hung his jacket to the others. Then he
grabbed the telephone and dialled Marcus.


			

   "You can help me later, darling."

Nicholas looked at Marcus obediently chewing his green beans. Anna had left
them alone finally and Nicholas was thankful. He liked the woman but she was
a little bit of a pain.

   "Friday's my exhibition. Till then Paul's things have to be removed and
taken back to his house. He'll come tomorrow with a trailer. Well, there
aren't many things left, thankfully."

   "So he made a lot of money?"

   "Yes," Marcus nodded. "And me too."

   "You too? How?"

   "Ten percent goes to me, you know."

   "Indeed?"

   "Well, ten percent is a friendship rate! I have to pay the rent for the
exhibition rooms after all."

   "Poor boy!" Nicholas grinned. "Sure I'll help you later. Will you show me
the paintings you have selected?"

   "Of course I will." He looked at Nicholas. "So you've made friends with
Anna? Do you like her?"

   "Well, yes. But I have to get used to her cooking. She said you and me are
on the thin side!"

Marcus laughed. "She said that? Oh my dear! What shall I do? Dismiss her so
that you can be the cook? How does her apron and duster suit you?"

Nicholas frowned. "No, it's ok. For now, that is."

Marcus reached out to grab Nicholas chin. "It will be all right, darling.
Soon you'll be attending school again and be out of the house. Do you want a
sweet? She makes a fantastic vanilla pudding."

   "Ah! Pudding! I'm fond of sweets too!"

   "Are you? That's new to me."

Nicholas grinned mischievous. "Ever had pudding on your cock?"

   "Huh?"

   "Pudding there." He laid his palm on Marcus groin. Marcus dropped his
cutlery onto the plate. "No. But you can show me later."




As Nicholas had supposed, all the paintings were either of the so-called naive
art style or very modern, the sort that made him ask himself if the painting
was hung upside down in his view. He wasn't able to recognize the wind blowing
over a harvest field of grain or two lovers in an abstract embrace. To him it
was rubbish and only the bright and garish colours were interesting.

He looked at another little painting standing on an easel which looked as if
it had been painted by a child, as he supposed, although he was sure it wasn't.
But the old country house with the apple tree lurking behind it and the huge
flowers blooming on the meadow were in the complete wrong perspective and he
asked himself why the Italian painters of the Renaissance had made so much
effort to find out how to portray true perspective while the modern painters
cared nothing about it at all. He didn't like looking at it and left a void
in his head.

It wasn't that he dismissed the talent of this painter, he could certainly
paint wonderfully, but Nicholas didn't understand the reason why he painted
as he did. Even less did he understand why somebody should spend so much
money for such a painting.

The third one covered a quarter of the white wall and showed a scribble-
scrawl of scarlet lines and sap-green spots, mixed with Delft-blue splashes
which gave the impression that the painter had shaken his paintbrush onto
the canvas. It seemed an expensive wast of the colours.

Nicholas asked himself how his own more traditional paintings would fit into
this collections. He went to the other side of the hall and removed the
wrapping paper from his framed glazed paintings. But some of them were
uncovered and would be set upon easels too. The landscapes for instance.

Over the last few days he had drawn some portraits and one of them was of
Kay with his gap-toothed grin. He had made it in several implementations
like drawing, in oil paint and in water colour and every one conveyed a
different impression.

Nicholas had feared in the first place that Marcus would be suspicious and
maybe a little bit jelous if he finds out whom he was painting, but
surprisingly Marcus said nothing. Had had given him only an odd look and
said, 'good job'. Nicholas didn't quite like this, but then, would he had
liked it more to have a jelousy little quarrel with his lover? He was a
painter after all and every artist must be allowed to paint things that
interest him.

Kay had promised to come to the opening tomorrow evening and Nicholas was
anxious to find out what he would think.


Johannes entered the hall with some heavy bronze figures of naked old men
and women. They were unpolished and looked as if they would come straight out
of the casting oven. Katja, a young woman with straight dark hair which she
wore bound to a ponytail, followed him with the repaired bust of Trajan.

   "Anybody in need for some coffee?" a deep voice sounded from the door.
Nicholas spun around to found Sebastian entering the room, loaded with bags
and a coffee percolator. Everybody seemed to approve of the idea and Sebastian
was soon busy filling the machine with water and pulled out the coffee bags.

   "Hi angel, how are you?" he winked to Nicholas. "Big day tomorrow, eh?
Your first exhibition."

   "It isn't MY exhibition. Look around."

   "Yes, you are one amongst others. But yours are the best, I can see this.
Do you want some coffee too?"

Nicholas nodded. "But not made like that."

   "So? I haven't put in any poison."

Nicholas laughed. "No, of course not. Have you ever tried Turkish coffee?"

   "No, what's that?"

   "Look." He filled his mug with two spoonfuls of coffee and poured on the
already boiling water from the heating plate.

   "That's Turkish."

   "Ah, you are keen on coffee grouts between your teeth, right?"

   "Right."

   "Let me have a taste."

   "Don't burn your tongue, and first blow on the coffee."

Sebastian did what he was told and the grouts settled. "Hm, not bad, Nicki.
Only thing missing is some milk. Have you any other good ideas?"

   "For instance?"

Sebastian shook his head and changed the subject.

   "Are you going with Marcus to New York?"

   "New York?" Nicholas looked confused.

   "Didn't he tell you? Carlisle has a very interesting offer. A screen made
by Henry Holiday, the design by Edward Burne-Jones, about 1870."

Nicholas whistled through his teeth. "Burne-Jones! How did he get to hear
about this?"

   "Professional secret."

Nicholas nodded. "I remember of course; he mentioned New York. But I don't
fancy flying, you know."

   "Why? Get air sick?"

   "Terrible. For several years I flew with my uncle to visit the family in
Bavaria. I was puking all the time."

   "Poor thing. Hm, Marcus will be not amused to hear this."

Suddenly a spark seemed to light up his eyes. "So you will stay here alone?
Well, it will be only for a few days I guess. And I'm off to Rome next week
anyway. Only wanted to stay for the exhibition."

Nicholas had an odd feeling. He tried to size the older man from out of the
corner of his eye and ask abruptly, "Where do you live?"

   "Where am I living?" Sebastian seemed to be a bit taken aback. "I've got a
flat in the suburbs. Why do you ask?"

   "Alone?"

Sebastian gazed into the young lad's innocent eyes. "Alone", he said.

   "I only want to say that now I have two invitations from you. One for Rome
and one to visit your flat."

   "Ah!" Sebastian was certainly amused. "And for which order are you going to
decide?"

   "Neither of course. I only wanted to see if you would cheat on your best
friend."

   "Nicki, don't be a fool. Do you believe every word I say?"

   "Actually, yes!"

   "Well, that's your problem." He put down his empty mug and in the same
smooth move he grabbed hold of Nicholas' chin and said, "I can assure you
there are lots of pretty boys waiting for me in Rome. What do I need with
another one?"

   "Braggart."

Sebastian burst out in laughter. "Right. Incorrigible, like my best friend
always says." Abruptly he stopped laughing and lowered his voice. "I like
you, honey. But that doesn't mean I want to share my bed with you."

In a complete different voice he continued, "Has Marcus heard from Alex
again?"

Nicholas remained silent. Only as Sebastian poked him in the rips he
answered, "Yes, he called last week, but Marcus was cross."

Nicholas tried to hide his flushed face. He was not able to made head or
tail of this man. He had bet his ass that Sebastian wanted to try to drag
him into his bed. And now? Was he only playing a game? And why did the
rejection hurt?

   "You know the story?" Sebastian's voice broke through his thoughts. "Bad
thing. He was one of our best buyer, good nose for antiques. It's a mystery
to me how this mistake could happen to him. Come", he said cheerfully, "show
me your paintings, Nicki. No, let me guess which ones they are." They crossed
the room and Sebastian's eyes glanced over the display.

   "You know the landscapes already but I've painted some others," said
Nicholas. "Look." He stopped in front of one of Kay's portraits.

   "Who's this? Bleached hair? Don't like this." He threw a swift glance at
the young man. "I mean the hair of course. If he lookes anything like your
painting... hm." He tilted his head. "It's well done, Nicki. Who is it?"

   "Kay, a sales clerk from Cerruti's shop."

   "A sales clerk?' Sebastian raised one of his dark eyebrows, which gave him
a more sinister look. "Cerruti? Newly opened? Where?"

   "Lafayette."

   "Ah, I'm not kept informed anymore, I'm afraid." He stepped closer to the
painting as if he were myopic. "Good shop?"

Nicholas shrugged his shoulders.  Sebastian turned round in search for an
answer.

   "What's the matter with you? Why are you so monosyllabic all at once? Have
I said something wrong?"

Nicholas didn't answer and tried to avoid his gaze.

   "Where's Marcus actually?" Sebastian asked.

   "Don't know. Somewhere."

Sebastian cautiously touched the surface of the painting and inspected his
fingertips. "Not really dry yet. Painted yesterday?"

   "Mm."

Sebastian shook his head and grabbed Nicholas by the shoulders. "You need a
glass of wine or something. Relax, honey. Nobody's going to do you any harm."
He smiled at him encouragingly. "I do like you. You are very sexy when you're
blushing," he whispered. "Nobody seemes to do it anymore in these wild days,
but I definitively like it. Come, be happy again, will you? Tomorrow you will
be the star of the exhibition, and all the other," he stretched out his arm
to embrace the whole room, "will be green with envy." Nicholas smiled a half
smile and sighed.

   "Have you met Anna already?", Sebastian asked.

   "The housekeeper, yes. She stuffs us with meat and tarts and puddings."

   "Ah! Good old Anna's plain cooking! Still the same." He laughed. "And apart
from that?"

   "Well, it's all right I guess. Doesn't she mind that Marcus is gay?"

Sebastian looked suddenly serious. "She used to mind, Nicki. Very much."

He searched the room for a more private place. Katja and Johannes were busy
putting up the bronze sculptures and searching for the right angle. But in
the corner near the door were a couple of empty stools. He dragged Nicholas
over with him.

   "As long as I can remember Anna was at the Weidenbruch house. A very
conservative household, you understand, Nicki. I learnt this when I visited
it the first time while on summer holidays and Marcus and I came home from
Switzerland. We were fifteen and very much in love with each other. One
morning she found us together in Marcus' bed although I was suppose to be
sleeping in another room. In an embrace, you know what I mean."

Sebastian spoke fast as if he feared he might be interrupted by Nicholas.

   "All hell broke loose. His parents threw me out of the house and forbade
me to ever enter it again."

   "She told his parents?"

   "Of course. Headline news. They wanted to split us; Marcus whould never
return to the boarding-school which I attended -  the causer of all his
failures and aberrations." His laugh was harsh and unhappy.

  "But Marcus is an obstinate person, everything his parents told him bounced
off, and we met again in Geneva." He paused for a moment. "I don't know what
Anna caused to change her mind, maybe she considered Marcus as the son she
never had. Anyway, she was determined to live in his house when his parents
decided to spend their life at the Canary Islands."

He looked at Nicholas.

   "I only want to warn you, she can be a jelous woman. Everybody who seems
to threaten the well-being of her beloved Marcus will feel her disapproval,
me encluded. She hated me right from the beginning but she hid it well. But
then there was Simon. You have no idea who Simon was ... a spoiled young lad,
playful, full of life and somtimes a little irritating. Actually," he grinned,
"he suited me better than Marcus, but I wasn't his type of man I guess. Simon
and Anna fought every day their war of nerves, maybe it was this that drove
Marcus away, to spend so much time abroad. Simon could really be a pain in
the ass, but he was ..." he searched for the right word.... "hot. You know
what I mean? Nobody could resist him. He was a candle that burned at both
ends. And now he has burnt his fingers." His head droped. "More than that."

Nicholas cautiously touched Sebastian's shoulder. "You loved him?"

Sebastian flinched and looked from aside. "Loved?" He snorted. "What's that?"

Nicholas pulled back his fingers quickly.

   "Be careful, Nicki. Don't let Anna come between you and Marcus. You will
attent school again I have heard?" He nodded. "That's good. Marcus isn't
that strong, staunch and unshakeable as he seems to be. It's only a facade."

Nicholas looked bewildered. "No, I think you're wrong. He is strong and,
and .... he loves me."

Sebastian gave him a sad, little smile. "Of course he does, honey", he said
with a low almost harsh voice.

Nicholas cleared his throat. "But what came between you and Marcus? You said
you were so in love..."

   "Time, honey. People change... We couldn't live together and couldn't live
without the other. It was ... terrible sometimes. I guess I wasn't born to
be faithful to only one man."

Suddenly he looked up and his face had lost all its seriousness. His eyes
began to sparkle again. "Why are we talking about anyway? Look, there's
Marcus at last." He sounded as if he was almost relieved. "He wasn't upset
about your spending so much time thinking of your young bleached-blond
friend?"

He pushed some sandy strands of hair out of his eyes. "Funny, if I'd done it
he would have really flipped!" He lifted his hands in a pitiful manner. "But
I can't draw for toffee!"


                                 ~~~
				
Razor sharp, pink lips opened to a soundless cry of indignation and the
stocky figure lifted her cooking-spoon from which dripped a creamy white
liquid onto the tiled kitchen floor.

Nicholas tried to escape but his feet seemed to be glued so all  he could
do was to keep his hands protectingly in front of his face and to submit to
the sweet torture.

He lifted his head and the white cream dropped into is open mouth. Now the
small lips were contorted to a wicked grin and a satisfied grunt came from
deep of her throat.  "You like this, do you, my little boy?" The voice
dripped scorn. "Say you like this or I will tell your parents what you are
doing in Marcus' bed when you are alone with him...."

Her face changed into a menacing visage.... blurred and merged with white
hair and piercing eyes. From his throat came an amused chuckling "You like
this, don't you?" as he rammed his tool deep and without mercy into his
anus...

Nicholas began to yell. His arms reached out for something he could cling
to .... A pair of strong arms embraced him and pulled him to a chest which
was warm and smooth and pulsating with life ... like a heartbeat...

   "Stop it baby", he heard a soothing, deep voice close to his ear, "Stop
it, it's all right...."

Nicholas tried to open his eyes, but wasn't able to lift his eyelids.

   "It's all right, darling. It was only a dream..." Nicholas opened his
eyes wide and the voice was still there. A pair of hands stroked his damp
hair and he felt being rocked in loving arms.

   "What were you dreaming abut? You were shouting and crying."

Nicholas gently broke free and stared confused into Marcus concerned eyes.
He remembered a fat woman with a red apron, swinging a wooden spoon... and
suddenly he had to laugh. He rubbed his eyes and cuddled himself into Marcus'
arms. "I dreamt of Anna with a big spoon. She threatened me if I wouldn't eat
from her delicious cream..." He giggled.

   "What?" Marcus had to laugh too. "I didn't knew that she had made such a
deep impression to you! Come on, sleep now. Tomorrow will be a long, hard
day."

Nicholas' chuckling stopped abruptly; there was something else ... almost
white hair ... Frank! Nicholas twitched uncomfortably. Pah! Who was this
Frank? Get out of my mind, he muttered.

It wasn't long time before he was asleep again.

Marcus sighed. He would have to speak some serious words with Anna, he
thought, these dreams are not normal.


                              ~~~

   "Mum!" Nicholas beamed as he saw his mother enter the exhibition hall.
She looked uncertainly around as if she feared the ceiling would fall
on her head the next moment.

He went to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Where's dad?"

   "At home. He doesn't wanted to miss the football game on TV."

   "Oh." Nicholas was dissapointed. But then, had he really expected that his
father would come to an Art Exibition? He doubted that he had ever really
looked at a good painting nor in fact at any other thing which was not
football or ice hockey. Well, after all, his mother was here and he was
anxious to hear what she would say.

   "Come, take off your coat. Matthias is already here, and in an hour we
open." He took the coat and hung it with the others. His mother looked
around and briefly touched the marble hair of emperor Trajan. But instantly
she pulled back her fingers as if she remembered that it was forbidden to
touch exhibits.

Nicholas laughed. "You can touch it, mum! It's ok to touch the things you
like, unless your fingers are sticky with marmalade, or something."

His mother laughed quietly. "Were are your paintings, darling? Show me
please."

He led his mother to the little watercolours he had painted and looked for
Matthias to find him in a talk with Katja, the young graduate from the Art
academy. "Where's Tina?" Nicholas asked.

   "At home, not feeling too well, caught a cold apparently."

   "Oh, sorry about that. My mother's arrived. I didn't think that she
would come."

Matthias smiled. "Great. And your father?"

Nicholas shook his head. "Doesn't matter." He stepped away a bit and dragged
his friend with him. "Did Marcus know that she wanted to come?" Matthias asked.

   "Yes. And he also knows that she is unaware that he and me..."

   "I understand. Will Marcus play the game?"

   "I certainly hope so." He looked suddenly very concerned and grimaced.
"When I think it over, it was a stupid idea to invite her. She's bound to
find out, there are too many people who know that we both are a pair."

Matthias sighed. "Man! It's your life. How old are you? Do you think your
mother will hate you if she finds out?"

Nicholas didn't answer.

   "Come on, she will be pleased to see me again", Matthias said grinning
and went over to met Nick's mother.



The hall was slowly filling with people some of whom Nicholas knew and some
he had never met nor seen before. He was busy explaining to an over-dressed
woman in grass green, tight pants and high heels, the content of oil paints
when a flash light went off over the other side of the room.

A collectiv "Aahh!" escaped the throats and the Senator for Art and Culture
entered, accompany with several journalists who took photos.

Marcus went over to the almost spherical, little man with a half bald head,
and greeted him. He gave him a glass of sparkling wine and welcomed him.

Nicholas was thunderstruck. He hadn't any clue that the exhibition would
be covered by the press. His eyes searched for Marcus' and he showed his
teeth in a broad grin.

   "Mum," Nicholas said, "I guess I have to go to the loo. Be back in a
minute." His mother, also overawed by the events, smiled weakly and tried
to vanished into the darkest corner of the room. She felt most uncomfortably
in these surroundings and wished she had stayed at home in front of the TV,
sew some bottoms on her husbands' working trousers.

Nicholas bumped straight into Sebastian as he went around the corner.
"Stay here!" Sebastian said. "I know what you are planning! The Senator will
be gone in a few minutes. There's no need to be afraid." He put his arm
around him. "Come with me. I want to meet your mother."

Nicholas protested but he cut off his words. "Could you shake off this
terrible green lady? She keeps asking me for the price of one of your
paintings."

   "Really?" Nicholas was amazed. "And what did you say?"

   "That the price is under the painting. But she had forgotten her glasses,
so I said the price would be 1500 Marks, and she took out her cheque book and
wrote one immediately."

Nicholas stood petrified. "1500 Marks? Are you crazy?"

Sebastian laughed loudly. "Hey, calm down. If one is able to pay so much
money for a painting she must have enough and to spare! It makes no
difference to her if she spends it on a new mink coat or on of your
paintings, Nicki. Maybe she's mad about bleached young men!"

He took the sleeve of Nicholas' jacket and pulled him along. "Now where's
your mother?"

Senator Fischer stood patiently with the glass in his hand beside the bronze
sculpture of an old woman and listened to Marcus' explanations.

   "Ah!" Marcus exclaimed. "Here's the star of our exhibition!" He pointed
to Nicholas and beckoned him to join them. Nicholas resisted, but Sebastian
had his grip firmly on his upper arm. Senator Fischer showed a polite smile
and asked for his name. Nicholas didn't know what was happening to him as he
felt passed around, posing blushing in front of his paintings with the
journalist taking photos of him alone and together with Marcus. In a rush
all was over and the Senator with the photographer were gone.

   "God!" escaped from Nicholas' throat as he turned to look for his
mother, who stood, well hidden behind an easel and watched the scene.

   "Now, where's your mother?" he heard Sebastian's voice. "We were
interrupted."

He went straight to the woman and stretched out his hand. "I'm Sebastian
von Scheffel. It is a real pleasure for me to finally meet the mother of
our Nicholas. How are you enjoying the evening?"

He waited for an answer but his mother stood in silence and looked very
confused. Sebastian saw her blond hair, just the same colour as her son
had and asked himself if she had the same smile that would change her
harassed, but still attractive face to the beauty she once certainly was.

He smiled. "You are not used to such a commotion, aren't you?" His touch
was featherlight on her shoulder. "Shall I find you a quiet place to sit
down and bring you something to eat? It must be very exhausting for you."

Nicholas' mother nodded her thanks. He led her to a comfortable upholstered
bench in a niche. "From here you have a fine view of the hall. I'll be back
soon."

He crossed the room to find Marcus and whispered in his ear. "You should
care for Nicki's mother. She doesn't feel well. I'll bring her something
to eat."

   "Heavens! Yes. I completely forgot. Let me bring her something to eat.
Go and look after the customers."



Nicholas looked at his watch. It was a quarter to ten and he felt tired.
Tired and impatient for the evening to end soon.

   "Great ball, sweetie, I'm impressed", he heard a voice beside his
shoulder and looked into Kay's dark eyes. He was dressed in a thigh-length,
white jacket with black patches upon it which gave the impression that he
was wearing the skin of a cow.

   "What do you look like, man! Is this all the fashion?" Nicholas
laughed.

   "But of course it is! You should come more often to Cerruti's."

He looked Nicholas up and down. "Wow! You're not looking bad yourself. I
watched your performance with Senator Fischer from outside. I guess your
picture will be in all the newspapers tomorrow, eh?"

   "Don't remind me! What a drag."

   "Rubbish! Soon you'll be a local hero. Anything sold already?"

   "Mm. One of my paintings of you."

   "Huh?"

Nicholas didn't answer but dragged him to the easels. A perplexed Kay stared
into his own face. "But that's impossible! How could you do this without a
model!"

   "It isn't bad, is it?"

   "You can say that again, sweetie. But there's another one!" he exclaimed.

   "And yet another one!" Matthias had arrived and winked at his friend.
"Hi, I'm Matthias."

Kay turned and began to smile. His eyes were sparkling. "Kay."

   "I know", Matthias grinned broadly, "your name is under the painting.
What do you think of it?"

   "Well, I'm flabbergasted."

   "I bet you are!"



Marcus sat beside Vera Zellner, Nicholas' mother, and gave her a plate with
some slices of toast, poultry salad and cold roast beef. "Would you like to
have a drink? Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Marcus Weidenbruch and the host of the
exhibition. I suppose your son has mentioned me."


Vera nodded, took the plate with a word of thanks, and put it down on her
knees. She wore a dark skirt of a inferior quality and an old fashion
pattern, Marcus noticed. Quietly he spoke, "I know you are not feeling all
that comfortable but I'm most pleased that you were able to come. Your son
has a wonderful talent, I hope you are aware of this."

   "Well," she cleared her throat. "I don't know very much about these
things, you know... but I guess.' She stopped and said "I believe you when
you say so. You are the expert." She tried a smile which gave Marcus an
almost physical blow in the stomach. It was Nicholas' smile. Who was
responsible that this woman's life had been wasted in one of poverty, he
thought. If she would had only found the right man she would today be the
queen of the night...

Marcus remembered the talk he had with her son the evening before. He had
promised not to reveal the relationship he and Nick had but Marcus couldn't
really  quite understand the reason. The father, of course. Nicholas was
afraid of his father, but the relationship was certainly something which had
to be discussed and if Mr Zellner was such a stupid idiot not to accept that
other people had their own lives to lead then Nick had certainly lost nothing
at his father's house. But here was his mother and she would grieve if father
and son should ever break up...

   "Nicholas told you that he's going back to College again?"

   "No! He hasn't. You mean the Art academy course he broke off?"

Marcus nodded.

   "But why?" she continued, "I mean, we don't even know the reason why he
broke off so suddenly." She looked into Marcus eyes and relaxed slowly. "Do
you think I could have something to drink?" she ask timidly.

   "Of course. Wait a moment."

A stout woman approaches Vera. "You must be surely be the mother of our
Nicholas, am I right?"

Vera looked up from her slice of toast which she was just about to bite
into. Anna Weyler lifted her wide swinging skirt and sat beside her. "May
I" she ask unnecessarily.

   "I'm Marcus' housekeeper and his oldest female friend if I dare to say so."
She smiled her thin-lipped smile again and eyed the other woman curiously.

   "Now I know where Nicholas gets his good looks from." Vera tried to
swallow the bite but began to cough. Anna clapped her on her back. "You are
certainly proud of your son, aren't you? He's such a friendly lad and so very
talented - as Marcus always says. You know, I don't know anything about Art,
although I always worked in an artistic house. I saw the nude painting
Nicholas made of Marcus, and I can tell it is done very nicely."

She smiled. "But you know this all of course."

Vera looked confused.

   "Are you enjoying the evening?", Anna continued, "I find it so exciting,
you know all these people.... did you see the senator? Of course you did.
Nick will be headline news in tomorrow's paper!" She clapped her hands
together like a little girl in front of the Christmas tree, bent over and
whispered familiar, "You don't have to worry that I won't look after him
enough, Mrs ... what's your name?"

   "Vera Zellner", said Nicholas' mother in a toneless voice.

   "Yes, I'm sorry. But I have a feeling he's not very fond of my cooking,
although I'm always try my best. You certainly know that he and Marcus are
living together?" She lifted her head and looked critically at Vera, taking
in her unfashionable dress.

   "Well, actually I didn't." Vera didn't like this woman and had enough of
her babbling. What a mixture of awfully people! she thought, except this
Marcus and the other tall man with the sandy hair. She couldn't remember his
name, something noble... She gave a quick glance in Anna's direction and
drew herself up. So her son was now living with Marcus Weidenbruch... but why
he hadn't mentioned it? There was surely nothing wrong in living at his
teacher's house...

   "You know, Mrs Zellner, the lad who lived before in Marcus' house was a
bit ... difficult to handle, rebellious and arrogant, and I'm glad Nick is
so loveable, and Marcus seems to be very much in love with him."

Vera swallowed the salad the wrong way. She choked but at last managed to
say, "What do you mean?" She got an odd look from the sharp eyes behind the
big glasses.

   "Didn't you know?" The expression on her face changed. "Oh, Mrs ... how
very embarrassing... I didn't know... well, I have to go now, I guess, it's
getting late, and I... good bye now, it was a pleasure meeting you."

Anna Weyler rose and rushed away. A wicked grin appeared on her face.

   "Certainly you knew..." Vera muttered barely audible.


   "Leaving us so soon, Anna?" Marcus asked as she passed his way.

   "Till tomorrow, my dear. The exibition is a big success, I guess."

Marcus nodded good bye and took the glass of wine to Nicholas' mother. He
found her looking distinctly upset.

   "Are you all right? I know it's getting hot in here, maybe I should have
brought you some cool water instead?"

Vera shook her head and gave him a puzzled look. "I must go now. I'm sorry,
Mr. Weidenbruch, but I'm not feeling too well. Where is my son?"

Marcus sat the glass down. "Of course, I'm sorry. I will call you a taxi."



   "Do you want me to sit for you as a nude model, eh?" Kay gazed deep
into Nicholas' eyes.

   "You'd would really do this, wouldn't you?" Nicholas laughed and sized
the young man up and down. "Why not? I'll think it over." His voice became
more serious. "Had anybody reacted to Simon's picture?"

Kay shake his head. "No. I would had called you instantly if they had.
Nobody knows him. Yet", he added. "Have a little patience." He tilted his
head.

   "Do you know which one had bought my painting?"

   "Yes, the woman with the green, tight trousers over there."

Kay watched the older woman with the red cheeks and heard her laugh,
distastefully shrill.

   "Hm. I guess I'll be hanging in her bedroom, eh? If she was be a man
I'd say she would jerk off in front of me, but..."

Nicholas laughed. "Why do you think, women doesn't 'jerk off'?"

   "Nicholas," he heard a soft voice and turned. "I'm going now", his mother
said. "Mr Weidenbruch had ordered me a taxi." She kissed him on the cheek.

   "I'm sorry, mum. We couldn't speak together much. But you see..." He
looked around.

   "It is all right, son. Will you come and visit to us sometime?"

   "But of course I will, next week, ok?"

Marcus appeared on her side. "The taxi is waiting."

Nicholas' mother gave her son a long glance. "I want to talk to you, Nick.
I guess, it would be better if we met somewhere else rather than at home,
do you mind?"

   "No. But..."

His mother was already gone.



   "The similarity is amazing!" Sebastian said, staring alternately at the
painting and into Kay's face.

   "Well," Kay awkwardly ran his fingers through his short, blond hair.

   "Nicholas said you are a sales clerk at Cerruti's? I'd be interested
in comparing both shops, here and in Rome." He stretched out his hand. "I'm
Sebastian."

Matthias took a deep breath. This was Sebastian; Nick had described him as
an outstanding man, in every aspect. He watched how Kay shook his hand firmly
and he could feel there was a tension between both men. Kay was obviously a
bit embarrassed, pinching his nose between thump and middle finger.
There was something going on, Matthias could sense it, and not just because
he suddenly felt himself superfluous.

Sebastian was struck by Kay's appearance... With his long black and white
jacket and the leather jeans he sensed a somewhat flamboyant personality which
matched his own. He wondered how old this lad was actually? Sebastian knew Kay
was making small talk but he didn't hear a single word. Kay pinched his nose
again and grinned, a somewhat familiar gesture...

   "How old are you?" Sebastian asked bluntly, "Have you ever sat as nude
model?"

Kay shook his head. "I've offered to sit for Nick and he said he'd think it
over."

With his head he nodded to Nicholas who was occupied in conversation wrapped
with Matthias.

   "Are you a painter too?" he asked.

   "No. Unfortunately I haven't a clue how to paint."

Kay tilted his head. "Would you like to come and visit the shop? Tomorrow?"

Sebastian felt attracted by him. Very much.

   "I'll see, perhaps tomorrow or the day after."


                                 ~~~

It was ten minutes after midnight when Marcus and Sebastian locked the door
and sighed deeply in unison.

Sebastian stepped to the little bar and poured himself a glass of Whisky.
"Nicki, honey, want something to drink, too?"

Nicholas was sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. His head
was spinning.

   "Huh? Yes, please."

   "Whisky?"

   "No. Don't you have a beer?"

   "Sure."

   "Ok," said Marcus, "let's bring all the sold paintings into the workshop
first before we go home. Ok?"

Sebastian sighed. "Do we have to? I'm worn out."

   "You are worn out? From what? Making small talk?"

Sebastian gave him a playful slap in the stomach. "How many we have sold?"

   "Mostly all of Nicks's. Except one."

   "Which one?" asked Nicholas.

   "The landscape of the lake shore. I like it too much and I want to keep
it", Marcus said.

   "It means YOU have bought it, right? You owe me 1500 Marks!"

   "Huh?"

Sebastian grinned but said nothing. Marcus waved him off. "We can discuss
this later. Let's go."

They took the sold paintings to Marcus' workshop next door and left everything
as is was. The catering firm would come tomorrow and clear up.


   "Shit! We forgot your landscape", Marcus said as they drove home in his
car.

   "Doesn't matter. We'll get it tomorrow." Nicholas snuggled close to Marcus'
shoulder and closed is eyes. Marcus put his arm around him and watched the
deserted streets. As they arrived home, Nicholas was sound asleep, so Marcus
lifted him cautiously, carried him inside and closed the door with his foot.


Marcus had the feeling he has slept only a few minutes, when he was woken
by the shrill sound of the phone. Sleepily he groped for it.

   "Yeah?"

Suddenly he sat upright in the bed. "What did you say?"

Nicholas stirred and murmured, "What is it?"

Marcus slammed down the receiver and shouted, "The Exhibition Hall's"
burning!"

He jumped out of the bed, forgot his underpants, pulled on his trousers
and searched for a pullover. Nicholas rubbed his eyes. "What did you say?
It's burning? Where?"

   "Stay here, baby. I have to go."

   "No! Where is it burning?"

Marcus sighed. "The Exhibition! If you want to come with me, then hurry
up!" He slipped into his shoes and ran downstairs.




Marcus smelled the smoke as he and Nicholas jumped out of the car. The front
door of the room was undamaged and open. Marcus entered and saw a shadowy
figure sitting on the floor. He stepped nearer.

   "Sebastian! What are you doing here?"

He turned as he heard noises from the little room behind the big hall. A
police officer appeared in the door. "Good evening, I suppose you are Mr
Weidenbruch? I called you."

Marcus nodded. "What happened?" The officer motioned around. The white walls
were grey and burnt and on the floor were gathered light grey flakes of wet
ashes. The paintings on the easels were smoky and destroyed; the marble bust
of Trajan lay shattered on the floor, and somebody had tried to smash the
bronze sculptures. Marcus' gaze turned to a painting in the corner. It was
Nicholas' landscape, crumbed now to nothing. Marcus turned to Nicholas
standing behind him and searched for his hand.

   "I forget the jacket with my keys in it, so I had to return", Sebastian
said quietly. His face was dirty with black strands and his torn, scorched
jacket was laid across his knees.

   "As I entered I saw the flames coming apparently from the little room.
I tried, but what could I do with only one bucket and I couldn't find the
fire extinguisher!"

   "I suppose the fire started in that room." The officer pointed behind
him. "Our specialists will be here in a few minutes."

   "Ok." Marcus said depressed and watched Nicholas standing at the easel
and gently touching his destroyed painting. There was hardly anything he
was able to recognize and a sad little moan escaped his throat. It was
destroyed now like the chalk paintings he used to paint on the pavement...


To be continued