Date: Sat, 25 May 2002 23:03:52 -0400
From: Sequoyah <sequoyah@charter.net>
Subject: The Oberlin Five--Chapter Seventeen

		 ASP--The Oberlin Five--Chapter Seventeen

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				 Comments

This is another place where The Oberlin Five and The Concord Five once
again intertwine.

Be on the lookout for a complete story to be posted shortly, one which has
only the most vague connection to ASP.

A note is always appreciated sequoyah@charter.net. Also check out the Yahoo
group devoted to the story at SequoyahsPlace@yahoogroups.com.

Sequoyah

ASP--The Oberlin Five--Chapter Seventeen--Kent

When Matt and Luke got back from their drive, they told us about their
visit with the van Hooks. Matt was clearly more relaxed and definitely
excited. I had long ago noticed that Matt's emotions were obvious to anyone
who looked. He just couldn't hide his feelings. It was refreshing,
especially when he was excited. He was like a little boy on Christmas
morning. He was all excited about the moon-lit snow-covered landscape, but
more so over the visit they had with the van Hooks.

"I suggested we drop in and Luke objected, saying people here didn't just
drop in the way they do at home. But I convinced him they would just
dismiss us as southerners who didn't know better. We had a grand visit. If
we were going to be here, we'd definitely have to have them for
Thanksgiving dinner, but we will be in Concord."

"Are you hinting?" Paula asked.

"Not really," Matt answered. "I had forgotten you might be here with Kent."

"It's a good idea, Matt," I said. "I'll talk to Mom about it."

"We also need to keep an eye on the snowfall," Luke said. "Their walk
hadn't been cleared from the first snowfall and they hadn't been able to
get their mail. We need to be sure that doesn't happen again." Everyone
agreed with Luke that we needed to make clearing the van Hooks' walk a
priority.

Paula asked if we would like dessert and coffee. "When have we ever turned
down dessert?" Larry asked. I went with Paula to prepare a tray. As we were
serving everyone, the phone rang. Matt jumped on the first ring and picked
it up before there was a second. "Oberlin Five, Case one, Matt here," he
said as though it was one word. He didn't have to tell us the news. By the
time he had finished the conversation, which seemed awfully long, he was
practically levitating. "Thank you, Professor Moler," Matt said, and hung
up the phone.

"I'm a finalist!" Matt fairly shouted. He danced about the room, finally
grabbing Luke, pulling him to his feet and kissing him passionately. When
he had finally settled down--using the term loosely-- he told us that
Professor Moler said he was a solid choice as soon as his tape had been
played. "He said before my tape was finished--the committee didn't know who
was playing--there was an immediate decision to include me as a finalist,
in spite of the fact that only two other tapes had been played. And you
know what?"

"No, what, Matt?" I laughed.

"There were fifty entries. Professor Moler said some were eliminated as
soon as the committee heard 'Sheep'. I don't know whether this is a great
honor or not, if people who couldn't play 'Sheep' were contestants."


"We told you, Matt, you were a natural," Larry said. "But no-one selected
you to apply, really, did they? I mean, you were asked to apply, but I
suppose anyone could who wanted to."

"I hadn't thought about that. I guess I thought all who applied had been
selected. I mean Professor Moler said he had others who were good, but he
didn't ask them to apply."

"Do you ever think that someone could be a member of the society who is
tone deaf? I mean all you got to do is pay your dues, I suspect, and any
member of the society could urge someone to apply. There were bound to be
people who held too high an opinion of their abilities," Luke said.

"What's next? Why don't they just admit that you are going to play one of
the series?" Eugene asked.

"I wish it was that easy," Matt said. "The next step is a live audition and
a looking at to make sure we aren't social rejects. Unfortunately it's
going to put a lot of time pressure on me as well as the pressure which
goes with being in a competition. I fly to DC for the final step Friday
afternoon.* Professor Moler has already taken care of reservations. We
leave Cleveland at 5:00 and the interviews and auditions take place
Saturday and Sunday."

"Our first official meeting is at breakfast. We'll find out the order in
which we will play and be given a new short piece then. I also have to pick
a short piece as well. One long and three short pieces, one of which I will
not know about until breakfast the day I play, that's what I am up
against. Starting at nine we will, one at a time, be given fifteen minutes
practice time and then play the three pieces. The auditions will be held at
the Kennedy Center. We will not be allowed to listen to other contestants
until after we have played.

"Sunday the contestants will play again in some venue. Those of us who
don't object will play in local churches. I have been assigned to about as
difficult a situation as possible since I will play at Ascension and
St. Agnes, higher than which there is not. Fr. Tom mentioned it once when a
group of us from Concord was making a trip to DC. He laughed and said, 'The
rector thinks the Pope is a Protestant'. I will meet with the organist
Saturday afternoon, after I have played the audition. He--or she--will help
me with the organ at the church and then we will have dinner with the
committee and contestants. Sunday, I will play the service. There are
twelve people on the selection committee and two will accompany each
contestant--or if a contestant is eliminated, more than two may show
up. Also, committee members who can make another service before or after
their official one will also show up here and there."

"So you'll know whether or not you have been selected Sunday, right?"
Eugene asked.

"No, the two who get the series will be advised of their selection December
16th--the original date--and those who are not chosen will be advised by
letter--at least that's the original plan. But then, again, this committee
keeps changing things so I don't really know when I will know definitely
but, one way or another, I should know not later than December 19th or
20th, after my recital December 17th. And then--home!"

"And you are going to Washington. Isn't that kinda strange? I mean it's not
close to anything since it is on the east coast," Kent said.

"Professor Moler said originally the live auditions were to be in
St. Louis, but the chapter there couldn't get its act together and the DC
chapter got all the arrangements made and asked that it be held
there. Since nothing was happening in St. Louis, the switch was made."


ASP--The Oberlin Five--Chapter Seventeen--Matt

It was hard keeping my mind on my classes Friday. Finally I met Luke at
two--he cut PE again. I had packed the night before and put my luggage in
the truck so we drove straight to the airport. I checked in and Luke went
with me to the gate where Professor Moler was waiting for me. We didn't
have a lot of time to spare, but we weren't pushed either. I was so nervous
I didn't think I could have handled worrying about being late. When our
plane was announced, Luke gave me a hug, but no kiss. I knew he would kiss
me unless I told him not to. When we got to the airport I asked if he would
be upset if I didn't kiss him at the gate. He said he wouldn't be so long
as I made it up to him when I got back. I promised I would and he
laughed. We were still in the truck when he kissed me, then kissed me
again.

When we got on the plane, Professor Moler asked how confident I felt. "Not
very," I said.

"I don't want you becoming arrogant and egotistical," he said, "but I do
want you to feel confident. I have heard the audition tapes of the
finalists and they are all--well, almost all--good, as you would
expect. The other finalists are all older--some by only a few years--and
more experienced than you, so you don't want to be over-confident. At the
same time, you are the only one picked to be a finalist before all the
tapes had been heard. Matt, you are an excellent organist and are still
developing and improving. Additionally, you are a well-mannered,
considerate young man. Believe me, this weekend, those are the qualities
that will finally separate equally excellent organists. Just relax, be
yourself and play as well as you can and you'll have your summer
planned. Oh, by the way, if you are selected for one of the series, you
will earn performance credit as well as gaining experience, earning some
money and getting to travel and meet people who love the organ and Bach."

"Professor Moler, I hadn't thought about all of that. I guess I really
wanted one of the series to prove to myself that I am good. People keep
telling me I am, but I'm not convinced."

"You should be. I know that you know a good organist or a bad organist when
you hear one, so listen to yourself and you will hear an exceptional
organist. Also, you should be convinced this weekend that you are good,
even if you are not selected, because you will see you are in competition
with some very, very good organists. But enough of that. How are the
housemates working out? Still speaking?" Professor Moler laughed.

"As a matter of fact, we are," I laughed in return. "We've had a few things
come up, but we decided we'd have a weekly house meeting to keep the air
clear."

"Couples hanging together?"

"Yes, all three." I then told Professor Moler about Kent and Paula. "Don't
know where that is headed, but they are taking it one step at a
time. Professor Moler, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, Matt, what's on your mind?"

"I really don't know how to say this, but I keep wondering how Luke's
partnership with me will, well... I guess, affect my career. I mean it
doesn't really matter because our partnership takes precedence over career
and almost all else, but I do wonder."

"Matt, I'm surprised the thought has even occurred to you. Usually, I would
have thought you would have been so wrapped up in your relationship that
you never would have thought seriously about the world outside it. How will
your relationship affect your career? There's another parallel to that: how
will your career affect your relationship? I can't answer either fully. I
can speculate and that is all it is, speculation."

"Ok, I can accept that, but may I hear some of your speculation?"

"Well, let's start with our departure today. Luke came to the gate with
you. Now I have seen enough of you two to expect you to give a new meaning
to a kiss. But I didn't see that. What I saw was two young men hugging each
other. Had it not obviously been otherwise, you could have been two
brothers saying goodbye. Since you are very definitely not brothers--at
least blood brothers--then you were just two friends saying goodbye. I'll
admit the hug was more than it would have been for most friends, but it did
not call attention to itself. I know when I leave my wife, that goodbye
kiss is very important. I'm sure we never think of it consciously but,
unconsciously, I wonder if we don't think it may be our last. How long do
you think you and Luke can go to an airport for a concert or exhibition and
part with just a hug? What's going to happen when one or the other of you
decides 'to hell with it'? Whether it is you or Luke, how will the other
handle that?"

"Just as a side note, Luke and I ARE blood brothers. Our Lakota mentor made
us his blood relatives--actually, I guess, blood grandsons--so Luke and I
are blood relatives if not blood brothers. But I can see your point." I
smiled a bit and said, "This is not something one would say to his
professor, I suspect, but I have always been Matt, hot to trot, but then
lately Luke seems to have become very open with his displays of
affection. When I question it, he says he doesn't care who knows. I can see
where what you suggest could be a problem."

"No doubt you will be doing a lot of traveling as a concert organist even
if you have a regular position. How will your relationship stand up under
frequent separations? Have you been separated for any length of time?"

I knew where Professor Moler was headed before he asked the question and I
got a sick feeling in my gut. I didn't know how to respond to Professor
Moler's question. I did know he had hit a real sore spot--still. I didn't
realize I had been silent as long as I had when Professor Moler said,
"Sorry, Matt, I didn't mean to pry."

"Oh, I was just thinking..."

"Yes?"

I didn't answer right away. I couldn't decide how to answer. Finally I
looked at Professor Moler and said, "Professor Moler, it's not easy to talk
about, but Luke and I were separated for six weeks last summer." I
hesitated for a few minutes and then told Professor Moler about the
previous summer, omitting all the details. "So I think we can learn to deal
with separation--not to like it, but to live with it. I can't imagine
doubting each other will ever be a problem again."

"Matt, how your career will impact your relationship will always be a
larger problem than how your relationship will impact your career. Sure,
there will always--and I mean always--be those who see you as a gay man and
nothing else. You know already there are places you won't be accepted
regardless of how good you are at your art, but that's no problem because
there will always be more offers than you can accept. Since you are openly
gay, no-one will be surprised when you show up with Luke. Luke will face
fewer problems than you because his work is in private and only exhibitions
will require his presence. Both of you have to maintain open communication,
but that's as important for me and Mrs. Moler as it is for you and
Luke. And, Matt, what you have told me will stay with me."

"Thanks, Professor."

"Matt, I hope you will always consider me more than just one of your
professors, more than just a mentor. I hope I will be a friend, maybe an
older brother or uncle. I meant it when I said you are the best student I
have seen in my career, but you are more than that. Your manners and social
skills are excellent and will serve you well. You are an excellent
organist, who is still growing, and a nice young man I would welcome as a
friend."

Professor Moler looked at me like I had gone nuts when I suddenly burst out
laughing. When I finally got control of myself and told him that Millie
referred to gay men as nice young men he, too, had a laugh.

We chatted about the audition a bit, but not a great deal. He asked about
the Halloween party which apparently had been a topic of campus gossip
after the members of the combo had talked about it. He kept asking
questions about Wounded Hawk and Taequo. I finally told him about Michael's
healing and then told him the whole story of Luke's and my problem over the
summer, our experience in the sweat lodge and our vision quest.

When I finished he said, "Matt, you never fail to amaze me. All of this is
fascinating." He then made what I thought was a very abrupt change in the
flow of the conversation. "How are your classes going? How's composition."

"Very well, I think. Everyone in the house is having a struggle with our
math classes. Luke and I both took AP calculus, but the jump from it to the
math I am taking now is a big one. Still it is easier than composition. If
I hadn't done some before I came here and taken composition at Sewanee last
summer, I think I would have to back up. I love it, but it is not
easy. Well I guess that's not exactly right. It just takes a great deal of
time and effort, but I am doing well so far as my grades are concerned."

"How about what you are learning and your level of personal satisfaction?"

"I learn something new every class so I am pleased so far as that is
concerned. Personal satisfaction? I hadn't really thought about that but,
yes, I find tremendous personal satisfaction when I get something done to
my standards."

"And how would you rate your personal standards? And don't go modest with
me!"

"Professor, sometimes I think they are impossibly high. I know that I often
feel a piece is not up to my standards when members of the class and the
professor think it is very good."

"Matt, there is a razor-sharp line between high standards, even very high
standards, and unrealistic standards which lead to putting yourself down."

"Fortunately I have five housemates who call my hand when I start, as they
call it, nit-picking."

"Good. I asked you about composition because I think you might do well to
transform some of your story into a composition. Think about writing a
piece about the quest, or about the sweat lodge experience. You say some
chants are involved?"

"Yes, although I haven't learned some of them. Michael is much further
along in that part of our training."

"Training?"

"Yes, Luke, Michael and I are being trained as medicine men. Seems, somehow
or other, I am from a long line of Korean shamen and, apparently, there are
Lakota medicine men in Dad's lineage. Red Hawk and Mom both said I had been
able to give power to Luke and Michael, I guess because we are so close. I
must confess I don't understand all I know about the whole thing. I don't
talk about it often because people will think I'm nuts."

"Fascinating. As I said, Matt, you never fail to amaze me. So give some
thought to a composition based on some of your experience. Maybe even try
to get a short one done for your recital. That would really be a treat and
impress some people who need to be impressed, not that your playing won't
do that, but really bowl them over. I remember what you did for your high
school recital and it was impressive, so I'll expect something equally as
good."

Professor Moler then asked about what I was learning a Holtkamp. We got
into a long discussion about metal pipes. He was very interested in the
fact that Luke and I were talking metallurgy. In light of some of the
diasters organ builders have had with metal pipes, knowing metals and
alloys would would be a definite plus. "Seems like you two are partners in
many ways. I can see how your relationship is built on a very solid
foundation. That's not true with many gay relationships, especially those
involving young men--men the age of you and Luke."

We landed at National Airport and took the Metro to our hotel. When we
checked in, I was surprised that we had separate rooms. "My wife says I
snore like a freight train," Professor Moler laughed, "and you need to get
a good night's sleep. I left a wake-up call for 7:00. Breakfast is at 7:30
and the auditions start at 9:00. There is an audition every hour on the
hour. If you are among the first, you can get to hear the others. Lunch is
at noon and auditions start again at 1:00. If you are one of the afternoon
ones, you may as well enjoy some of the sights of Washington. Ever been
here before?

"Only a couple of times. Mom and Dad brought all four of us here when I was
a freshman and I came to a program at the National Cathedral with Fr. Tom
year before last. I always wanted to get back, but never did."

"Well, there is plenty to keep you busy for days but now, even though it's
early, I am turning in."

"So am I." When we reached our rooms, we said goodnight and went inside.

I got undressed and crawled in bed, hoping I'd drop off to sleep
immediately, but I didn't. The bed felt wrong because I was alone in it. I
started thinking about my discussion with Professor Moler about my
relationship with Luke. Then I started worrying about what the new music
would be. Finally I started thinking about how good life had been to me and
about all the wonderful people in my world. Half-asleep, I started speaking
to them, telling them how much I appreciated them. The next thing I knew,
the phone rang and a very pleasant voice said, "Good morning,
Mr. Greywolf. This is your wake-up call. You are to meet a Professor Moler
in the lobby in half an hour." I thanked the woman, got up, showered and
got dressed.

I had asked Professor Moler how I should dress. He had said any way I
pleased, but I got the definite impression that wasn't what he had wanted
to say. When I had brought it up at dinner a couple nights before, my
housemates told me what I had about decided on my own. I was not to be
casual because this was not a casual occasion. That having been decided, I
had chosen soft gray slacks, white button-down shirt, red and blue striped
tie and my navy blazer. I knew I looked sharp in that outfit and I felt
sharp when I put it on. Of course I carried my organist's shoes and wore a
pair of black slip-ons. When I was dressed, I had to decide what to do with
my hair. Paula had once said, when I was fussing with my hair, "Just like a
vain woman, can't do a thing with your hair," and laughed. Luke suggested I
leave it loose, but it could get in my way. All the house thought I
shouldn't braid it, so I just used navy bands to hold it. I took a last
look at myself in a full-length mirror and I thought I really looked
good. "Conceited ass," I smiled to myself, then said, "Luke loves you, so
you got to be something special!"

When I met Professor Moler in the lobby he said, "You look sharp,
Matt. It's picky, I suppose, but I would have told contestants to dress
well. Members of the committee decided not to offer suggestions about
dress, assuming any contestant would know how to dress. Can you play in a
blazer?"

"Prefer an organist's surplice or just a shirt, but a blazer is not a
problem."

"I doubt that anyone would care if you removed your coat. Feel free to do
whatever you feel best with."

"Thanks. I really hoped it would be like that, but I think I'll keep it
on. Dignity, you know."

Professor Moler laughed and then asked, "You sleep well?".

"Like a baby once I went to sleep. I'm just not used to sleeping in a bed
alone," I said then, darn it, I blushed.

"Know the feeling," Professor Moler said and laughed. "Hungry?"

"Always, I think," I replied.

"Well, breakfast is in ten minutes and we have a short walk, just across
the street, to the Hyatt." We crossed the street and down about a half
block to the Hyatt and a private dining room. There were perhaps a dozen
people present when we arrived and others came in directly behind us.

Professor Moler introduced me to several people, all members of the
selection committee. Three of them, as he, were with organists they were
mentoring. All were older than I, but mostly they were not very old--late
twenties to early thirties, I'd guess. The one closest to my age--I might
have thought he was my age or younger--was Oliver Singleton. When I was
introduced he said, "Nice not to be the baby organist. I usually am. I
guess at twenty-three I'm getting old, but I'll never admit it."

As I shook hands with him I thought to myself, "I guess that's why you are
dressed like a "kewl skater dude" because he was--baseball cap on
backwards, fatigues almost falling off his flat ass and enough things
pierced to make Douglas look like a preppy. Guessed what you were wearing
had nothing to do with the selection--which was as it should be.

The chairman of the committee, a Mr. Lawrence, announced breakfast was a
buffet and we should serve ourselves. Professor Moler laughed when he saw
my plate and commented that I must have been right when I said I was always
hungry. We found our place--we were seated with an older white-headed man
who dominated the conversation telling of his success as a concert
organist, an organ teacher from Vermont with his student, a thirtyish woman
who looked as if a good scrubbing and a decent outfit would help her
confidence and definitely would help her looks. There were two more
candidates with a teacher, Mr. Norway, from New York--a young man and
woman, both well-dressed. When we could get a word in edgewise, we
introduced ourselves. They were Lester Row and Alice Makin. The woman and
older man didn't bother to introduce themselves and paid no attention to us
introducing ourselves. Alice, Lester and I talked about what we did and how
we got connected with the series. Finally I guess we were impolite, but we
just ignored the older man as he went on and on.

Alice and Lester were working on MFAs in organ and I was very interested in
what that involved because I suspected I'd be doing the same thing. They
had high praise for Oberlin and both knew Professor Moler from summer music
programs. The young man, Lester, laughed when I said Professor Moler had
asked me to try for one of the series. "Alice," Lester said to the young
woman, "we may as well pack and go home." He gave Professor Moler a nudge
with his elbow and continued, "If old Moler here thinks Matt is good enough
to try out, we are skunked before we start," and laughed. Both were
absolutely fascinated with my internship with Holtkamp and asked tons of
questions.

I was ready to go back for seconds when I looked across the table at the
mousey woman. She was chewing with her mouth open and kept stuffing food in
so fast some fell out. I may not have the best table manners in the world,
but I really lost my appetite when I saw her. I wouldn't have had time for
more anyway because Mr. Lawrence tapped his glass for our attention.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," he said, "I'd like to begin by introducing members
of the selection committee," which he did. "The committee was not prepared
for the number of entries from students or proteges of committee
members. We have discussed this at great length and concluded that in the
selection process, those of us who teach or mentor a candidate will excuse
himself or herself from any discussion or voting on that candidate. From
fifty audition tapes, six finalists were selected. In alphabetical order,
they are..." Mr. Lawrence then introduced us. When that was finished, he
said, "I have asked a young lady from the hotel staff to pass among the
candidates with a box containing slips of paper with numbers on them. The
number you draw will be the order in which you will play today. While she
is moving among you, I have the stop list for the Kennedy Center organ and
sheet music for the additional selection you will be playing. I know you
are all anxious to learn what the surprise piece will be. It will come, I
trust, as no surprise that it is a little piece by Bach. From the Leipzig
Manuscript, BWV 667, 'Komm, Gott Schopfer, heiliger Geist'."

As soon as the announcement was made, it was pretty obvious who knew the
piece and those who, like myself, were searching their brain for a
hint. The old fellow, his name was Reginald Watkins, got a very smug look
on his face and said, "I almost always include the piece in my
concerts. Some of us are very lucky to get something we know so well."

I wondered to myself if he might not be as I had been with "Sheep", playing
with years of built-in mistakes. Maybe not, maybe that was just a bad habit
I had to break.

When the lady came with the box of numbers, I drew mine and was hesitant to
open it. I didn't know whether I wanted to be in the afternoon and enjoy
Washington before I played or be early and get to hear everyone else as
they played. "Well, Matt," I said to myself, "it doesn't matter since it
has already been determined. I unfolded my slip of paper and saw a large 2
on it. Mr. Lawrence tapped his glass and said, "When I call out your
number, will you please stand and state your name so we can get a list."
The first name he called was Lester. Alice had the last one.

When Lester sat back down, I said, "I had hoped to hear you play".

"Listen to Alice, take away two or three points and you'll hear me. We have
had the same teachers since we switched to organ from piano when we were in
high school, so we really do sound a great deal alike. I just regret having
to listen to the same pieces over and over and over."

"Lester, I have been thinking about that," Professor Moler said. "I'm
dreading the same thing--hearing the same pieces over and over--myself. In
theory all of you are good organists, but there are bound to be those
having an off day. But even with good ones, I am going to become very tired
of the same pieces. What I am thinking is that, since you will be finished
very early, you and Matt should enjoy the city. I think that would mean
more than hearing the same Bach bashed over and over."

"You are sure that's ok, that no-one expects me to be in the audition hall
all day?"

"I'm sure."

"Lester, you will have finished before I do and, Alice, you won't play
until afternoon. How would you like for the three of us to take on the
town?"

"I, for one, am definitely for it," Lester said.

"I really am," Alice said, "since the other choice is to spend the day in
the hotel room."

"As soon as Matt finishes, you three are free to explore. If you want to
come back to lunch, it will be here or you can grab something and stay
until time for Alice to get back. Don't you think that is a good plan,
Mr. Norway?"

"I only wish I could go with you," he laughed. "I am already aching at the
thought of listening to "Sheep May Safely Graze" again. I love the piece,
or I guess I should say it was one of my favorites. I think I can go a long
time without hearing it after listening to it fifty times in one day and
now having to listen to it again six times."

"Actually, you only have to hear it four more times today since you don't
have to hear Lester's and Alice's."

"True, but that's more than enough. And, of course, I will hear hear them
even though I can't vote."

Professor Moler and I were waiting for the bus to take us to the Kennedy
Center when I finally got a chance to ask him a question I had been dying
to ask. "I don't want to nasty or catty, but I have a question."

"And I bet I can guess what it is. Shoot."

"Well, I mean I really don't want to be picky, but is Mr. Watkins as good
as he says he is and, if he is, why is he trying for this series? I would
think his concerts would pay more."

"Matt, I'm not surprised that you have a question about his playing. He is
very second-rate in my book and I argued against making him a finalist, but
there are some sentimental people on the committee who have known him for
years and wanted to give him a chance. His concerts, if he played
regularly, would pay well but he seldom gets a concert because he is all
show. That works some places where people don't know the instrument or the
music, but want to see a show. He can do that. He plays after you. Why
don't you stick around? I think you will wonder what the committee was
thinking of when they included him."

When we got to the Kennedy Center, we were all shown a large room where we
were to be when our time came. "Someone will come and get you,"
Mr. Lawrence said. "Just be here when your time comes. After you have
played, you may remain in the hall to listen to the others if you
wish. Mr. Lester Row, you are first. If you will come with me you can get
your practice time in and then play for the record."

Alice and I wished Lester luck and he left. I found a quiet corner and
studied the sheet music for "Komm, Gott Schopfer, heiliger Geist". I also
studied the stop list. Of course all I could do was get a general idea of
how the organ would sound because each organ has a unique sound and the
same stop on two different organs may sound very little like each other. I
had listened to several recordings of the Kennedy Center organ and had some
sense of its color, but that was nothing like hearing the real thing.

I made several notes on the new piece. I had marked up the two pieces I had
played for the tape, some at Professor Larkin's suggestion and some at
Professor Moler's. I was so absorbed in what I was doing that I hadn't
realized an hour had passed until someone came for me.

I decided what I needed to do during my fifteen minutes at the organ was to
work at selecting stops. If I couldn't play the two familiar pieces, I
didn't deserve to get one of the series. After I was satisfied with my
registration for the two pieces I knew, I played through the new piece. I
found registration for it was easy and so I concentrated on playing it. I
had a few minutes left when I thought I had done all I could to get ready
except play through the new piece. I didn't have time to back up and start
over several times, so I just played the piece through and then made
notations on the music.

"Mr. Greywolf, if you would like a short break before you start, you may
take it. The three pieces will not take all the time remaining,"
Mr. Lawrence said.

"I am ready to play when the committee is ready," I said.

"Then play. You may choose the order."

"Thank you. I will play 'Sheep May Safely Graze' followed by 'Passacaglia
and Fugue in C minor, 'Komm, Gott Schopfer, heiliger Geist' and ending with
my selection, 'Fantasia in G major'." I took a deep breath, offered a short
prayer of thanksgiving for Millie, Professors Larkin and Moler, and
started. I thought I would be nervous, but I had gotten into the music when
I was practicing and was ready to go with it.

When I finished, several people in the hall applauded. I stood, bowed and
walked toward the back of the hall. As I did, several people thanked me and
as I passed Professor Moler he said, "Excellent, Matt, excellent."

I went to the back of the hall where Lester was sitting. As I sat down
beside him, he leaned over and whispered, "Matt, I was half-kidding when I
said we should just pack and go home, but I was pretty much on target. Man,
you are awesome at that console, just awesome."

"Thanks and I wish I was as sure as you are. Holy shit, will you look at
that?" I asked, as I caught a glimpse of Reginald entering the hall. He had
done something with his hair so he had a fly-away white mane and he was
dressed, so help me, in tie and tails.

Lester saw him and said, "Well, I guess we have both extremes--kewl skater
boy and tie and tails".

Reginald made a great show of getting his tails fixed, exercising his hands
and placing his music. He pulled a few stops and launched into "Sheep". I
got my question answered quickly. He had well-practiced mistakes throughout
the piece. I didn't like his registration but that, after all, is finally a
personal call. He didn't improve when he started "Komm, Gott Schopfer", in
spite of the fact that he said he played it often. When he started
torturing the "Passacaglia", I leaned over to Lester and said, "I have to
go before I get sick".

He followed me out and, as soon as we were out of the hall, he said, "Can
you believe that? I think it is an insult to all of us to allow him to
touch the same instrument we played. He is worse than bad. What is really
sad is that if someone had told him he was bad, he might have worked at
becoming good. As it is, he has gone along in a dream world."

"Yea. As it is, he thinks he's good and the committee is reinforcing
that. Well, here comes Alice. Let's roll."

Alice and Lester had been in Washington several times and knew their way
around, so they were my pathfinders. I guess as anyone coming to DC does,
we spent our time in the Smithsonian. We debated going back to the hotel
for lunch and decided just to grab something from one of the street
vendors.

I was full of questions about the MFA program Alice and Lester were
in. They both said there were advantages and disadvantages in going
somewhere other than Oberlin for further education. "On balance, I think I
would stay at Oberlin if you work well with your teachers there. Of course
there is the question of living arrangements. Maybe in three more years you
will have had all of Oberlin life you can take," Lester said, and Alice
agreed.

"Actually, my living arrangements would be one reason I might choose to
stay. Except for living in the north and having to endure Ohio winters, my
living arrangements are just about perfect," I said.

All three of us had walked ourselves out when we needed to get back for
Alice's audition. As we waited for the Metro, Lester asked, "Just what are
these great living arrangements you have in Oberlin?".

"Actually, not in Oberlin. I live with five other students--one at Case
Western Reserve and two others who are taking some courses there as well as
Oberlin. Five of us own a house on the lake." I then told then how we had
lucked into the house and about my housemates.

"I'm surprised a mother would allow her daughter to live in the house with
five men," Alice said. "I'm long gone from home, but mom would pitch a fit
at such an arrangement."

Without thinking I said, "Paula's mom had no worry in the beginning since
we are two couples..." I stopped short and thought, "Matt, you and your big
mouth". Having gone that far, I saw no reason to hold back and told the two
about the Oberlin Five. "Of course, now that Kent's in the picture, I think
Sandra might have some concern for her daughter, but she knows Paula is a
responsible young woman and will make her own decisions anyway." Alice and
Lester were still plying me with questions, but none about me being gay and
having a lover. We got back to the Center shortly before Alice was to play.

As soon as Alice had played, she came back to the room where we were all
gathered. Mr. Lawrence came in and announced that Reginald Watkins had
withdrawn from the competition, as had Miss Monica Spiegel. Alice leaned
over to Lester and me and said, "She was that slob at breakfast this
morning. I wonder if she dropped out or was asked to drop out. Mr. Norway
told us social skills and organ skills were not equal, but social skills
definitely did count. But 'kewl skater dude' is still among us, I guess."

We did not get to talk long since we had appointments with the organists at
the places we would be playing Sunday. My name was called before Alice's or
Lester's and I said, "Wish me luck," and we gave each other high fives. I
walked over to Mr. Lawrence who was standing with a stunning woman. I guess
she was in her late forties or early fifties, with beautiful gray hair and
dark eyes which caught mine as I walked toward her.

"Matt, this is Ms. Hudson, organist at Ascension and St. Agnes. Ms. Hudson,
Matthew Sarang Hanun Pomul Greywolf."

Ms. Hudson laughed and said, "Matt, call me Sara. That is some name you
have. Are you sure that's all?"

"Actually it is all of my legal name, but not all my name. I also have a
Lakota name, Silver Wolf, but I'm just Matt most of the time."

"Matt, I have talked with Professor Moler and he tells me you have played
in your parish church and are playing in a church now. I doubt that the
Ohio church is even close to Ascension and St. Agnes liturgically and don't
know about your home parish."

"St. Anne's in Ohio is very low compared to St. Mary's in North Carolina,
but I am sure St. Mary's is much lower than Ascension and St. Agnes if what
I have been told is true."

"I suspect you have been given good information. Ascension and St. Agnes is
definitely a member of the smells and bells club. Well, if you are ready,
we will be off. I'd like for you to have all the time you want at the organ
at Ascension and St. Agnes."

"I'm ready."

Ten minutes later we were driving through the city and Ms. Hudson was
pointing out the sights. "We'll go by the church and give you some time
there now. We can come back after dinner if you like. Dinner with the
committee, candidates and organists from the various venues is at 7:30. We
should be finished by 8:30 or 9:00 and if you really need more time at the
organ, I will go by with you. We'll need to let the sexton know because
Ascension and St. Agnes is not in the best part of the city and is pretty
tightly locked when everyone leaves. Also, you can get some practice in
between Masses tomorrow if you need to. I want you to be as comfortable as
possible under the circumstances and I am sure you will be. Professor Moler
tells me you could play the service blindfolded. I haven't met him before
but know his reputation, and when he told me you were superb in today's
audition, I was thrilled that you would be playing at Ascension and
St. Agnes."

When we entered the church, I found it comforting. St. Mary's didn't use
incense often, but often enough until there was always a lingering smell of
it in the church, and I missed that comforting smell at St. Anne's. As soon
as I was seated at the organ, I felt at home in that strange church and at
a strange organ. Ms. Hudson showed me the service music and I had played it
all, most of it every Sunday at St. Mary's. We worked getting the tempo
right for the way the service moved at Ascension and St. Agnes, which
didn't take long. I'd just have to remember to take it a bit slower than I
would have played it at St. Mary's. The stops Ms. Hudson suggested were
perfect, so I didn't have to worry about that.

"Generally the choir has an offertory anthem, but in light of you being
here tomorrow, you will play an organ offertory. I suppose we could have
had you work with the choir in the morning, but it would be rushed and I
didn't think that would be good for the choir or you. Professor Moler said
you would be playing selections from the pieces you did for your audition
today."

"Yes, ma'am. I planned to use the fugue from "Passacaglia and Fugue" for
the prelude. I don't know about the length of the offertory."

"Under ten minutes or so, but there is a lot of ceremony connected with the
reception of the people's offering and preparing the table. Why don't you
use the piece you chose for today, the 'Fantasia'? Everyone would be
perfectly willing for you to take the time you need so long as it is
reasonable. Then use 'Komm, Gott Schopfer, heiliger Geist' and 'Sheep May
Safely Graze' for the postlude. Does that suit?"

"Sure."

"So why don't you work on getting the registration correct for those, while
I do a couple things I need to do, and then we'll go by your hotel so you
can freshen up before dinner. I'm meeting Professor Moler there. I think he
wants to make sure you are being treated right," she laughed. "Then after
dinner, as I said, if you think you need to come back, I'll bring you
back. Otherwise, you can just relax as I know today has been stressful."

Ms. Hudson left me with the organ and disappeared. I wasn't aware when she
returned. I played through the four pieces, working on registration, and
was surprised how quickly I was satisfied. I guess playing different organs
makes it easier and easier to get the stops you want on any particular
instrument. When I had decided on the registration for the pieces, I played
them through, one after another. When I finished, I relaxed a few minutes
and then played the pieces and the service music as it would came in the
service, pausing briefly between pieces. As the last notes of the postlude
died away, Ms. Hudson called from the nave. "Young man, I hope you know you
are good. That was magnificent. I can't believe you just sat down and
played as you did. Don't think there is any reason for you to come back
tonight."

"I will defer to your judgement. I would probably be here all night if I
listened to myself," I smiled.

"You need to learn to be more objective," Ms. Hudson said. "I know you
don't want to become overly confident, but there is a point beyond which
you are actually doing the music and yourself harm. You can be too
self-critical as well as too lax in your self-criticism."

"Both Professors Larkin and Moler tell me that and I guess, as I play more
for people I don't know, I will learn, but I am always afraid I will do a
poor job."

"From what I have just heard, Matt, I don't think you have it in you to do
poorly. But let's get ready for dinner."

When we reached the hotel I went up, showered and put on fresh briefs,
socks and shirt. I surely felt refreshed as I dialed the house. When Paula
answered, she asked, "How did it go? Wait! Let me get the others."

She was back in a few minutes with the whole crew and we talked about the
day. I told them about Reginald and Monica. "He was terrible, so I can
understand why he was eliminated--although we were told he dropped out, but
I don't believe it was his idea. Monica? I don't know. It could have been
her table manners. She ate like a pig." I then told them about Ms. Hudson
and the organ at Ascension and St. Agnes. When we finished, Luke turned off
the speaker and we talked. We had little to say, really, but we did have to
tell each other of our love.

When we finished it was quarter of seven and I went downstairs where I met
Professor Moler and Ms. Hudson.

Dinner was uneventful. Alice and Lester were at the table with us, along
with Mr. Norway and the organists from the two churches where Alice and
Lester would play. There were a lot of questions about how we had spent the
day, how we thought we had done at the audition and where and what we would
be playing Sunday. Mr. Norway and Professor Moler both assured the three of
us we had been among the very best. "I am going to be very surprised if one
of you doesn't get a series and not surprised if two of you don't get one,"
Mr. Norway said.

"I agree completely," Professor Moler said, nodding.

"If he did half as well in his audition as he did this afternoon at the
church, I would be very surprised if Matt didn't get one," Ms. Hudson
said. "You have trained him well, Professor," she added.

Professor Moler laughed and said, "I love to hear those words but I'll have
to be honest. Matt has not, yet, studied with me. He is a student of
Professor Larkin who is dragging him, kicking and screaming sometimes, into
the modern age. But even she cannot take a lot of credit, since Matt came
to us an excellent organist. And he blushes easily." Professor Moler
laughed and I, who was blushing, turned even redder.

When we finished dinner, Mr. Lawrence called for our attention and said,
"Since we only have four candidates remaining, each of you will be observed
by three committee members tomorrow. In fact, all twelve may show up at
your venue, Mr. Row, since you are playing at 8:30. Most will, I suspect
show up at Ascension and St. Agnes, Mr. Greywolf, because you are playing
for the 11:30 Mass. Miss Makin and Mr. Singleton, you are both playing at
10:30, so you can be sure you will have only six of the committee members
observing. I assume all four of you have had an opportunity to spend some
time at the organ you will be playing?" All four of us nodded our heads.

As soon Mr. Lawrence finished, Ms. Hudson said, "Matt, I have enjoyed the
short time I have had with you. I'll send my husband around to pick you and
Professor Moler up at 10:30 in the morning so you will have plenty of time
before the 11:30 Mass. I am assuming, of course, that you feel no need to
practice between Masses."

"I think I'll accept your advise and not."

"Good," she said, and took her leave of us.

"Matt, Alice, Lester, Mr. Norway and I would like to treat you three to a
movie if you like or you can just go to the hotel and relax," Professor
Moler said.

"I'm game for a movie," I said. "Otherwise, I'd probably just sit in the
room and worry."

"Same here," Lester said, and Alice nodded.

"You have a choice. We can either go for excitement and see 'Braveheart',
or real drama and see 'The English Patient'. The choice is up to you,"
Mr. Norway said.

"Frankly, I just as soon not get something too emotional tonight," Alice
said, "and from what I have heard, 'The English Patient' can get pretty
tense."

"I have also heard 'The English Patient' is very tense and I'm with Alice,"
Lester said.

I laughed, "Well, I have a problem with Mel Gibson's stance on gays, but
then I have to remind myself that I'm going for his art, not his political
stance, and hope others return the favor."

"Well put, Matt," Lester said. "So let's go defend Scotland!"

We all three enjoyed the movie and it made few demands on us as audience. I
just relaxed and enjoyed it.

I had a problem getting to sleep. I worried about the following day and
missed having Luke to hold me. That beautiful hunk of manhood played an
important part in all aspects of my life, and I needed to remember that. I
started thinking about the falls and making love to Luke there, and slipped
into sleep without knowing it.

I had left a wake-up call for 9:00 Sunday morning since I didn't have to
rush. Of course Professor Moler had to be up to hear Lester play at 8:30. I
took my time showering and getting dressed. I went down for breakfast at
9:30. When I finished, I went back to the room and brushed my teeth and
glanced through the morning paper. At 10:15, the phone rang. It was
Professor Moler. I told him I would be right down. When I got to the lobby,
he was there with Lester. "Mind if I tag along?" Lester asked.

"Certainly not. Glad to have you." Promptly at 10:30 we were paged, and met
Mr. Hudson.

After we had introduced ourselves to Mr. Hudson, we went out to his car and
started to Ascension and St. Agnes. Mr. Hudson told us he worked for the
Defense Department, but that his real love was photography. "I hope that by
the time our daughter, Rebecca, is out of college, I can retire and devote
my full time to nature photography."

We were traveling easily through the Sunday streets, when we turned a
corner and suddenly came to a halt. Apparently a water main had burst and
the street was blocked off. "I'll have to turn around and try another
route," Mr. Hudson said. Of course, with the street being blocked, the
traffic on the other route was fairly heavy. "We'll get you to Ascension in
plenty of time, Matt, but I had hoped you would have more time with the
choir than you will."

We finally arrived at the church and Mr. Hudson let us out and told me
where to go. "I'll have to park the car and it will take a few minutes
you'd probably like with the choir."

When I reached the choir room, I introduced myself and apologized for being
later than I planned. The choir director started to get up from the piano,
and I asked that he play through the hymn the choir had been working on so
I could get some idea of the tempo. When the choir had sung two verses, the
choir director got up and indicated I should take his place. I did, and
played through the hymns. I just had to remember to take it slower than I
would have at St. Mary's. The director was good and I would use his
direction to the choir as mine as well.

The service went extremely well, I thought, and the choir director was
highly complementary. Ms. Hudson rushed up as soon as I finished my
postlude and told me I had done an outstanding job. Several choir members
told me I had done well, so I was happy. I knew that, given more practice,
I could have done better but I was satisfied with the job I had done.

The Hudsons took the three of us back to the hotel, arriving at
1:15. Professor Moler had invited the Hudsons, Lester, Alice and Mr. Norway
to his room for a bit of a celebration. He had champagne on ice and the
Hudsons, Mr. Norway and Professor Moler toasted the three of us
organists. "You have made Moler and me very proud. Pity all three of you
can't get the series, because all of you would do a good job," Mr. Norway
said. "So here's to three winners." We enjoyed the champagne while we told
tales about our morning experience. We were really enjoying ourselves and
talking about the boo-boos we had made--which I'll admit, were few and not
serious. But it was a good way to come down from the tension of the
morning.

It was 2:00 when we went down for lunch. It was also an enjoyable
experience since, by the time we got to lunch, we had gotten to know each
other and the champagne had relaxed us all. We were almost finished lunch
when Professor Moler and Mr. Norway got a page.

When they went to answer the phone, I remembered Mr. Hudson saying he hoped
to be able to support himself with his photography. "Mr. Hudson, I am sorry
I didn't get to see some of your photographic work. Have you ever exhibited
any of it?"

"Just in a couple of arts and crafts shows. I have thought about putting
together an exhibition, but I really don't know where to start. I don't
have an agent. I guess I need to get one if I plan to do anything with my
work in the future."

"My partner is an artist and my uncle--well he's not really an uncle, but
we'd be here all day if I go into that--is an art dealer. He has a gallery
in Charleston which is operated by the co-owner and he has a small gallery
in my home town. I know he is good and is honest. If you get a portfolio
together, I'm sure he'd give you an honest evaluation and would be your
agent if he thought he could sell your photos. If you are interested, I
could give you his name and address."


"I'm definitely interested. Maybe it would get me moving toward doing
something with my work." I wrote Uncle Michael's name and address on the
back of one of my cards and gave it to Mr. Hudson.

As I handed Mr. Hudson the card, Mr. Norway and Professor Moler came back
to the table. "Well, Matt, as I told you ages ago, never get yourself on a
committee. Mr. Lawrence has called a committee meeting for 3:30. I'm not
sure what is going on now. We have to run. The closing meeting has been
shifted to 4:30. Ms. Hudson, Mr. Hudson, sorry we have to run."

"We need to go as well," Ms. Hudson said, "thanks for loaning us Matt
today. Matt, Lester, Alice, good luck. We'll look forward to hearing one of
you again this summer."

I said goodbye to the Hudsons, thanking them for making my time in
Washington pleasant. I also took my leave of Lester and Alice, went to my
room and packed. I was ready to leave as soon as the final meeting was
over. I kinda crashed as soon as I was ready to go. The high from my
morning was carried through lunch, but now I relaxed. Our plane left at
8:30 and we'd need to get to the airport not later than 7:30. I guessed we
wouldn't be too rushed, even with this change in schedule. I saw no reason
I couldn't take a short nap while the committee was meeting. I knew that I
might sleep right through the closing meeting unless someone called me, so
I set the bedside clock but didn't trust it, so I called the front desk and
asked to be called at 4:00.

The alarm went off and the front desk called at he same time. I sat
straight up in bed, completely confused about where I was and what was
going on. In a few seconds I oriented myself, got up, went to the bathroom
and then got dressed again and re-did my hair. When I had myself back
together, I went downstairs and across the street to the Hyatt where the
closing meeting was being held.

I found Professor Moler with Mr. Norway, and both had a kind of
cat-that-ate-the canary look. "Packed ready to go, Matt?" Professor Moler
asked.

"Yes. I have it all together waiting for this meeting to get over."

Alice and Lester had walked up while Professor Moler was speaking, and
Lester said, "This is kind of anti-climatic. We've jumped through the hoops
and now we wait for a few weeks to see how well we did."

He had just finished speaking when Mr. Lawrence called the meeting to
order. "Ladies and Gentlemen, as you know, we started with six
finalists. Two withdrew from the competition yesterday. I will be very
honest with you. The committee had a very difficult task before it but,
given we have four finalists for the two series, we met this afternoon and
asked why we should not go ahead and select the two who would play the two
series. No-one could come up with a reason for waiting until December
before announcing our decision. We have seen and heard all of the organists
in the competition and can expect nothing to be added in terms of
information we might use to make our decision."

"The decision of the committee was unanimous. Mr. Matthew Sarang Hanun
Pomul Greywolf was the committee's first pick and will have the first
choice of the two series. The organist for the second series is Miss Alice
Makin. In case either Miss Makin or Mr. Greywolf cannot play their series,
Mr. Lester Row will play it. And should he not be able to do so, Mr. Oliver
Singleton will take the series. Top notch organists all. Congratulations."

I wasn't sure I had heard correctly. I mean we weren't supposed to hear the
results until December. Maybe I was dreaming. I mean I had flopped on the
bed. Suddenly I realized Alice was pounding me on the arm and saying,
"Matt, Matt, we won." I realized it was real.

Mr. Lawrence adjourned the meeting and asked the four of us to see him
before we left the room. When we reached his table, he shook our hands and
congratulated us again, then said, "All four of you will receive a contract
from the Board of Directors sometime next week. Please have it checked
before you sign it. If you have any questions about the contract, contact
me at once and we will try to reach an agreement. If you have a preference
as to the month you play, we can make those assignments now. Mr. Greywolf,
do you have a choice?"

"I do. I would like the July series."

"Then it is yours. Miss Makin, do you have a problem with August?"

"Not at all."

"Then that's settled. I am very glad we could make the decision now and not
have to wait, and I am sure the Society will be honored by your work this
summer."

Lester, Alice, Oliver and I exchanged addresses and I went to the room and
got my things. I met Professor Moler in the lobby and we took the Metro to
National Airport where we checked our baggage. "Matt, we have two hours
before we need to be back to check in ourselves. How would you like to go
back into town, have dinner and look around a bit?"

"Professor, ok, but I'm not sure I will be able to eat for a week. This
afternoon has been something else! I hoped I would have a chance at the
concert series. I was pretty sure I was good enough to be considered, but
I'm still finding it hard to believe I was selected and, of course, I
didn't expect to find out one way or the other today."

"Matt, the deliberations of the committee are not supposed to be talked
about just anywhere, but we agreed that we would talk to the four of you if
you were interested and asked. I won't go into why the others were or were
not chosen. I don't think that would be proper. What I can tell you is that
the decision was almost instantaneous. There was no debate about you being
selected as first choice. Nor was there much discussion about Lester and
Alice beyond saying they were almost equally as good. I thought for a while
there would have to be a coin toss to decide between the two. Anyway, you
were the unanimous choice. You have a right to be proud, but no big-head,
ok?" Professor Moler laughed. "Now all you have to do is create your
program. I will be happy to help and so will Professor Larkin. One bit of
advise I would give you: select a number of pieces from which you can build
each concert. Otherwise, you will get very bored playing the same thing
over and over as though you were a recording."

We were downtown and found a nice restaurant and had a leisurely dinner. I
guessed we were both pretty tired of talking about the concert series,
organs and organists because our conversation at dinner was about the crew
and what they were doing. We talked about the trial and its outcome. I
mentioned the van Hooks, and Professor Moler asked me about them. He found
it interesting that we had elders as friends but then added, "I guess a
group that invites its parents to a party knows the value of friends of all
ages. I have noticed when I am with... what do you call yourselves?"

"Well it was the Oberlin Five and then Kent came along. He pointed out that
he was not at Oberlin, so we are still the Oberlin Five to our family but,
generally we refer to ourselves as the crew or the gang."

"Well when I am with the gang, and when other faculty members are with
them, you all seem to be at ease. I don't mean you seem cavalier, just at
ease and, at the same time, very respectful."

"I guess there's a couple things playing into that," I responded. "We have
had manners pounded into our heads from the day we were born. Even more
than that, I suspect, is the adults have been our friends and even
saviors. Luke and I have always looked upon the three sets of parents we
have as our friends and protectors. They have allowed us to be ourselves
and respect ourselves, so we can respect others. Larry and Paula are from
single-parent homes, but with loving mothers. Eugene, well, Eugene lived in
hell but was rescued by Millie, and you can't be around Millie without
learning to love, respect and stand in fear of her if you are wrong. With
Mom and Dad being teachers, we never feared teachers. They, too, were
friends until they proved otherwise. I used to think we were the norm, but
I have been proven wrong often enough to realize we are just lucky."

Professor Moler asked more questions about the Family, but then it had to
come to an end. Finally he said, "This is great, but we have a plane to
catch," as he asked for the check. When we got outside, I realized I had
been in such a cloud that I hadn't called home. "I forgot to call home, but
I think I'll wait and tell the crew the news firsthand."

The flight was certainly uneventful and we landed right on time. The whole
crew was waiting for us at the gate and we all exchanged hugs. Once again,
Luke did not kiss me and I didn't try to kiss him. Mrs. Moler wasn't shy
and really laid a kiss on the professor. As soon as we got our baggage,
Professor Moler said, "Oberlin Four plus one, I will leave it to your fifth
member to tell you about the weekend, but I did want to tell you I am very
proud of him. Matt is a perfect gentlemen and I was honored to be
associated with him as I am sure you are. Matt, when you get a minute, drop
by so we can talk about next semester. I looked over your courses before we
left and meant to tell you: you are a sophomore next semester. Well
goodnight all, I have a good-looking woman I want to spend time with."

"Matt, tell us all about it," Eugene said as we walked to his car.

"I don't want to keep you waiting, but I think I'd like to have a cup of
real coffee and sit around the kitchen table to tell you all about it, but
I will say I have a summer job. The committee made its decision and
announced it this afternoon and I have the July concert series." My
announcement was met with a lot of high fives and shouts.

When we got home, I called Mom and Dad and told them the news while Luke
made coffee. When I finished my call home, we all sat around the kitchen
table and I told them about my weekend. They were almost as excited as I
had been.

Later, when Luke and I were snuggling in bed, I said, "Yonghon Tongmu, I
can tell you one thing about the summer: the weeks we are not together,
I'll not sleep too well. I don't like sleeping alone."

"Neither do I, Sarang Hanun Pomul, neither do I. But now we can make real
plans since we know you will be playing concerts in July. We have the last
half of May and half of June before the exhibitions start, and July we'll
be together most of the time and then August you'll travel with me. It's
not going to be like last summer."

"Luke, it wouldn't be like last summer even if we were separated, right?"

"Right. Damn right, Matt."

I didn't realize how tired I was until I woke up and it was morning. I
didn't know when I slipped into dreamland.

At breakfast Monday morning, Paula told us she had talked to her mom and
they would be spending the Thanksgiving break in Ohio. "Mom was reluctant
at first, thinking that this had some deep meaning about my relationship
with Kent. I finally convinced her that Kent and I were good friends and I
thought she would enjoy being with his family Thanksgiving."

"Mom asked if this meant we were engaged or something," Kent laughed, "and
Paula told her it meant something, but neither or us were sure what. I
think she was ready to start planning a wedding."

"We'll miss you two in Concord," Eugene said. "There's bound to be a lot
going on, especially since the Indians are planning on showing up."

Tuesday night, Kent and Paula went to the airport to pick up Marc, Keith
and Sandra. They got back to the house about 8:00. While Paula was getting
her mom settled, Marc said he had planned to fly right back to
Concord. "I'd just squeak by the regulations about how long I could fly
without a rest, so if I can sleep with my man, I'll stay over and we'll
leave tomorrow."

"Some of us really need go to class in the morning and the guest room
belongs to you two tonight," Larry said. "I think everyone will be ready to
leave by 10:00."

"I'll see that we have a lunch packed so we can leave as soon as everyone
gets here," Eugene said. "Paula, Kent, can you drive us to the airport?"

"Sure, no problem," Kent answered as Paula nodded.

I'm sure none of us got anything out of our Wednesday classes, we were so
excited. My last class had hardly been dismissed before I was in the Jeep
and Luke and I were headed for the house. We had put our luggage in
Eugene's car before we left for class and when we got home, everyone was
ready to go. We left later than we would have liked but, as we took off,
Marc said we'd be in Concord about the time school was out.

Keith was excited about the Thanksgiving Eve game and told us all about
it. "Michael has been a real hero," he said. "Not only because he took his
punishment like a man..."

"His punishment? What punishment?" Luke asked.

"He didn't tell you? Well, he cold-cocked Phillip Curran." Keith then told
us the whole story and how Michael had taken a good beating at the hands of
three football players. "As a result, Independence has lost four players
and the coaches. Everyone thinks Jackson will mop up tomorrow night, but
I'm not placing money on them winning."

We had a good tail wind, so we made up some of the time we lost by getting
a late start. We landed in Concord just about the time school was getting
out and I called Michael. The whole gang came to meet us.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

*For those who might not be familiar with the terminology, the US capital
city is Washington, District of Columbia (DC) and the terms Washington and
DC are used interchangeably.

With the Oberlin Five in Concord, the events over Thanksgiving will be told
in The Concord Five until the four return to Ohio.

Notes to sequoyah@charter.net are appreciated.