Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2002 12:50:52 -0500
From: Sequoyah <sequoyah@charter.net>
Subject: The Oberlin Five, Chapter Seven

		   ASP--The Oberlin Five--Chapter Seven

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				 Comments

This chapter is especially for Scott who 1) survives my attacks of "old
timer's disease" and who turned up the son of my partner's classmate--from
Oz--in NC. Small world indeed!


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


			ASP--The Oberlin Five--Matt

Monday, following the arrests in Waterside, dawned just another Monday and
another new week. Kent had called and made arrangements to get Eugene's car
repaired and Eugene drove it in before his first class. Luke, Paula and I
followed him and picked him and Larry up for school. Kent, of course, had
Luke's truck. It was obvious that until Eugene's car was ready, some
squeezing into the Jeep or truck would be taking place. At lunch, we met at
our usual table--it hadn't taken long for us to establish a regular
place. As soon as everyone was seated, Luke asked, "Matt, have you called
Fr. Manville?"

"Glad you reminded me, I forgot. I will as soon as I finish eating."

"Matt and I talked some more about space and decided we would definitely
get some furniture for the room. I think we'll get desks as well even
though Matt won't be using his when he has to work after I'm in bed. I saw
an unfinished furniture place nearby and would like to check it out after
class if that's ok," Luke told the group.

"Sounds fine. Think we might all get desks," Larry said.

"See you after class," I said and went off to phone Fr. Manville. He seemed
very pleased that I had decided to take the organist's position. He did
apologize about the pay since it was only $200 per month. I assured him
that was ok. He asked if I could come by before Tuesday noon to talk about
details. "Father, that will be pretty hard, but I'll try. I'll give you a
call."

When I met the others after class, I told them what Fr. Manville had
asked. "Well, we could take you by and wait if it won't take too long,"
Luke said.

"I'll call Father again," I replied. When I called, he said that he thought
we could get all we needed to do done in half an hour or so. The others saw
no reason they couldn't wait for me.

The meeting didn't take long. Father gave me the hymns for the following
Sunday and said he'd give me the freedom to make the selections from now
on. I was to get them to the office by Tuesday so the bulletin could be
done Wednesday.

 We still had plenty of time to check on desks at the unfinished furniture
place. We ordered five since Kent already had his. The store agreed to
deliver them since we ordered five. We even had time to run by an office
supply store and picked out desk chairs. They didn't want to deliver, but
when it was clear we wouldn't purchase them otherwise, the salesman said
he'd get them to us if he had to bring them himself.

The desks and chairs were all delivered after the stores closed at 8:00,
arriving about 9:00. We had great fun the next couple days finishing the
desks and they were in place and ready for use quickly. The five of us at
Oberlin were riding together since Eugene's car was still being restored
after the spray painting. Luke had the last class of the day and didn't get
out of class until 3:00 so we had to wait an hour on him. We got home about
by 3:30 and I looked at my assignments for Friday. I had some work to do
and spent an hour on it so I wouldn't have too much to do Thursday after I
got back from Holtkamp. I put my work away and went downstairs to help
prepare dinner. The dinner conversation was set on a path when Kent said,
"Thank God, we're over hump day. Don't think I'd make it if I had three
more days this week. I've a major test every day so far and have two more
to go."

"'Bout the same for me," Paula said. "I never thought college would be this
rough. I don't think the professors ever talk to each other or they might
spread out tests."

"I don't have all that many tests since Holtkamp doesn't give tests and my
studio class really has no written ones, but with Holtkamp and my classes,
I have plenty to do and now I have to rush off to a choir practice--without
a choir director I might add. At least at St. Mary's there was an older
choir director. Here there's just a snot-nosed organist. It can be a real
pain," I said.

"You need to take Mother Paula with you. That would get a choir
straightened out," Eugene laughed.

"Hey, that might not be such a bad idea," I said. "In fact, it's a good
idea if I can get Fr. Manville to round up some money. Interested Paula?"

"I might be, but how do you think St. Anne's would handle a Jewish choir
director?"

"I don't know. If they don't like it, maybe they need a new organist," I
said and meant it.

"Well, run along now. We'll see about my being choir director later," Paula
said in her Mother Paula voice.

"Luke, how much work do you have to do tonight?" I asked.

"Got to review for a test tomorrow. Why?

"Why don't you come with me? You can study at St. Anne's and we can have
some time together going and coming."

"Don't go there, Eugene!" Larry laughed.

"I wasn't about to go anywhere," Eugene said in a hurt kid's voice.

"Sure you weren't," Kent said. "Sure you weren't."

"Matt, think you have a good idea there. Let's hit the road as soon as I
get what I need." Luke ran upstairs, grabbed his book bag and raced back
downstairs. "I'm ready. See you guys later."

Luke and I talked about nothing in particular on the way to St. Anne's,
just things two guys in love talk about, but it sure was nice to be sitting
beside him and have his hand on my thigh.

Choir practice went ok, not extremely well, but ok. I am not much of a
choir director and often forgot I was directing as well as playing. I would
definitely speak to Fr. Manville about hiring Paula. After choir practice,
Luke joined me on the organ bench as I played through the prelude and
postlude. I had done some practicing at home, but needed to get the
registration right for St. Anne's organ. One way I was making one piece of
work serve two purposes was to use some of the pieces I was given for my
performance course as prelude and postlude, but I did have to run through
them at St. Anne's because the organ there did not have the variety of
stops my Rodgers does.

When I had finished the two pieces and set the registration, I said, "I'm
through for the night," and smiled at Luke.

"You've been a good boy and here's your reward," Luke said as he put his
hands behind my head and pulled my lips to his for a very special Luke
kiss. I had assumed everyone was gone, but before we broke our kiss,
someone cleared his throat. We both jumped and as I looked out into the
dimly lit church, saw Fr. Manville. When Luke saw him he whispered, "Holy
shit. Now I've done it."

"Yea, you sure did and I loved it. Other than that, it's nobody's damn
business," I said to Luke, then raised my voice and called to Fr. Manville,
"I guess there's something you need to know. Luke and I are married."

Fr. Manville walked down the aisle slowly and when he reached the chancel
where the organ was located said, "Well, I hope you are at least engaged if
you are going to carry on like that in church." He had a small smile on his
face, but I wasn't sure what it meant. "But what do you mean you are
married? I thought you both were men."

"Don't think there is any question about that," I said. "And of course
we're not legally married, but we had a commitment ceremony and our union
was blessed by Fr. Tom, our parish priest in Concord. And if having a gay
organist is going to be a problem, then I'll quit."

"Well, it might well be a problem if you end every postlude with the way
you ended that one, but otherwise, there better not be a problem. But I'm
interested in your marriage. Got a minute? If so, I'd like to hear about
it."

"We better not stay too long. Luke has a big test tomorrow and Thursday is
one of my long days so I need to get to bed before too late. Luke?"

"Sure, we can stay a short time."

"Good, come on to my office. I'll get something for us to drink. You two
just go on to the office and make yourselves comfortable."

When Fr. Manville came back with juice, we gave him a short history of our
relationship and why we had a commitment ceremony."

"And Fr. Tom blessed your union?"

"He had said he could not and then surprised us by doing it anyway. So, you
see," Luke said, "we are as married as we can be."

"Fr. Tom is a brave man," Fr. Manville said. "I'm not sure I have that kind
of guts, but I haven't had to make that decision--yet."

"Speaking of having guts, I'm not sure I have guts enough to keep the choir
under control. Same problem I had at St. Mary's. Older people sometimes
resent being told what to do by a teenager. St. Mary's had an older man who
was choir director. But the main problem is I am not a choir director and
often forget that I am supposed to be and just play. We have a house mate
who is an excellent choral director and I think she might be open to being
hired here. If you'd like to think about that, you need to know two
things. First, she is damn fantastic and second, she is Jewish."

"Would a Jew direct a choir in a Christian church?"  Fr. Manville asked.

"I think she would since it would give her practical experience."

"I don't know that I could round up the money this late in the year, but
I'll give it a try. Think she might give us a sample of her work next
week?"

"I'll ask."

On the way home, Luke and I talked about all the things we were taking on
and how little time we had already. We agreed we needed to keep that on our
agenda and not let it get away from us.

About half way home, Luke turned into a dirt road which, we had discovered
earlier, led to a high bluff, overlooking the lake. When we reached the end
of the road, the moon was bright on the lake. Everything looked very
peaceful as Luke stopped the truck, turned and drew me to himself. The CD
player was playing old love songs softly as his lips covered mine, his
tongue invaded my mouth and my being was flooded with the taste of Luke. I
swear, every time that happens, I am amazed at how wonderful it is.

We were, on this Wednesday night, just two teenagers in love, parked in
what became our lovers' lane, doing what teenagers do in lovers'
lanes--what that uptight high school health teacher of ours called heavy
petting. As we were really getting into it, THE song started. "More" came
through the speakers and it had a strange effect on us. Instead of getting
more passionate, our love making became slow and easy, gentle. Finally, we
were simply holding each other, looking into each others eyes, smiling,
giving each other butterfly kisses. We were two happy, happy men. Suddenly,
out of the blue, Luke said, "Matt, doesn't all the hatred against us, the
abuse we have suffered last weekend seem far, far away? Anyway, we have
each other and our love and it seems that is all that really matters." I
kissed Luke in answer.

The next couple weeks found each of us in a definite routine. I was really
learning a great deal at Holtkamp and school and enjoyed it. Recently I had
been learning about metals use in building pipes for organs. I must say, I
had always looked upon organ pipes as oversized penny whistles, but when I
was expected to learn about metals and metal pipe building, I changed my
mind quickly. Luke and I had several conversations about metals. He was
surprised that metallurgy was a part of organ building--but so was I.

The house settled into a routine as well. We did have weekly house meetings
and ironed out small problems before they became large ones. The excitement
of the arrest in Waterside was over shortly. All those arrested had been
allowed out on bond--some huge--and the trials were not to start until late
October or early November. Luke had started his medicine again and the
nightmares ended. Things were getting a bit dull, to tell the truth.

ASP--The Oberlin Five--Kent

Each Sunday I sat with my family in church and each Sunday Dad ignored
me. I had invited them to Sunday dinner at the house several times, but Mom
kept saying it wasn't time yet. I had been seeing Pastor Jensen on a weekly
basis and knew I was making progress in dealing with the hurt and pain I
had felt from being rejected by my father over the years. Last Sunday, the
last one in September, Dad was sitting next to the aisle when I came in, he
moved to make a place for me. At the Peace, he grasped my hand and said,
"Son, the Peace of the Lord be always with you." I couldn't answer for the
tears. I just grasped Dad around the neck and wept.

After the service, Dad and I walked out of the church, arm in arm. Pastor
Jensen had a huge smile on his face as he greeted us. "This is the most
beautiful sight I have seen in ages," he said, as he clasped both our hands
and continued shaking them.

"It wouldn't have happened without your help," Dad said.

"But it happened and that's what's important," I said.

"That's what's important," Mom and Pastor Jensen both said.

As we walked away from the church, I said, "Would like to invite you all to
dinner, but without some notice...."

"Maybe we can go out together," Dad said.

"Good idea, but I'm afraid I can't," I answered. "I'm on dinner today and
we have invited all our advisors for Sunday dinner. If I don't show up, I
may not be able to eat--ever again!  But next Sunday is the Lord's
Supper. I think it would be great if we ate at the Holy Table and then ate
together at our table. Can I plan on that?"

"You sure can," Derrick said. "I've seen how you and that bunch eat and
I'll starve to be ready for it!"

"Sounds good," Mom said, "but I think we need a little family celebration
before. How about supper one night this week?"

"Wednesday ok? I get back from Case earlier Wednesday than I do any other
day."

"Can you make supper by 8:00?" Mom asked.

"I'll get there by 6:00 so we can have some time to talk. See you
then. I've got to rush and finish dinner." I hugged all three of them,
jumped into Luke's truck and left, a very happy young man.

We had invited all our advisors for Sunday dinner, the five from Oberlin
and mine from Case Western Reserve. All the Oberlin advisors accepted, but
mine said he had to have Sunday dinner with his family and he made it a
point not to socialize with students. Frankly, I was just as happy as he
was not a very pleasant person to be around. If I had to have him all four
years, I think I might transfer schools, but freshmen advisors are just
assigned at random. Next year I would have someone from my department.

Since this was a very special dinner, Matt, Luke and I all worked on
it. Larry, Paula and Eugene had done special house cleaning. Actually, I
was surprised how well the house was kept. We all were very careful about
messing up the common areas. Of course, each bedroom told a different
story, but even those were kept in pretty good shape, especially so now
that we all did some studying in our rooms. The two couples have also
bought furniture to make their bedrooms a combination bed-sitting room and
spent time there.

When I got home, dinner was almost ready, all that had to be done were the
finishing touches, which took hardly any time at all. Paula found enough
fall flowers to place fresh flowers throughout the common areas. The lawns
and gardens were all in good shape. I was rather proud of how well
everything looked and I knew the dinner was outstanding.

ASP--The Oberlin Five--Paula

Professor Ruth Roth-Batten was the first to arrive. As she walked in the
door she said, "I can't believe my eyes! I thought you might have gotten
the front passable, but the house and grounds look as good as it ever
has. You have done yourselves proud."

"We are absolutely loving the place. And all the work we have put into it
has made it very much ours," I said. "Why don't I give you the grand tour
before the others arrive?"

"If I know men, they will not want their rooms seen and usually I think
that is a good idea!"

"Oh, they would be disappointed if you didn't see what they have done,
Professor. And they do manage to keep their rooms in pretty good shape."

"Paula, we're not at the college, Ruth, please."

"Sure, Ruth, but come on, we're we'll invade the bullpen upstairs."

Of course the guys had done a bit of extra cleaning I suspect, but the
truth of the matter was since the boys had made their rooms sitting rooms
as well as bedrooms, they had kept them nice--or so they told me. I am
seldom upstairs. Ruth was very impressed with how, as she said, very
livable the rooms were.

When we enter Matt and Luke's room, Professor Roth-BattenRuth immediately
noticed the painting of Matt Luke had hung opposite their bed. "That is
certainly a striking painting which I remember seeing in the exhibition. I
understand it was slashed about the time we were arriving at the airport in
Jackson so I'm surprised to see it here."

"It almost wasn't. Uncle Michael Sanders had it repaired, but Matt didn't
think it was appropriate to have it here, but Luke insisted. I'm glad he
did, but wish it could be hung downstairs because I think it is a great
painting. I haven't given up on getting it moved."

When we got downstairs, the other advisors had arrived. Eugene and Larry
were serving drinks in the library while Matt, Kent and Luke put the
finishing touches to dinner.

Table conversation started with what we had done to the place. All the
advisors had been here at one time or another for cookouts on the beach and
most had been in the house. They were amazed at all we had gotten
done. After dinner, Matt offered to take everyone on the grand tour of the
house and grounds. While they were going through the house, Ruth and I sat
in the library and talked. She asked about Kent and I told her his story
and the fact that it appeared his dad had come around. Then said, "I
certainly hope so. I really hate it when parents don't get along with
children and Kent is really a wonderful guy."

"Do I detect more than a casual interest there?" Ruth smiled.

"No, no more than for the other guys. Actually, not as much. I have known
the others for years, but Kent only a month. Of course, you get to know
someone very quickly living in the house with them. No, I'm interested in
Kent only as a friend," I said as everyone started outside. "Well, shall we
join the group for the grounds tour?"

The grounds really did look nice. Of course, fall was very much in the air
and leaves were turning and all the flowering plants had done their due and
were now preparing for winter, except for some Michaelmas daisies and fall
asters.

When we went to the garden and orchard area Ruth exclaimed, "I would never
have thought you would have this area looking so good. In fact, I'm
surprised you even attempted it."

"You know farm boys," Luke laughed, "we have to have dirt to dig in and
this is excellent dirt. The orchard is really Kent's handiwork. Oh, we
helped, but it was Kent who told us what to do and how to do it."

On the way back to the house we looked at Luke's studio and Eugene's
practice room. Again, everyone was impressed with the rooms and some of
Luke's work there.

When we got back to the house, we all sat in the living room and discussed
what we thought about college, what we liked and what we found difficult. I
was surprised when Eugene said he wondered what it would be like to live on
campus and be a part of the college community. The other guys agreed with
him. I hadn't thought about that, but when it was mentioned, it started me
thinking.

"I'm sure you would find it very different from living in this magnificent
place, Professor Moler said, "but I'm not sure it would add a great deal to
your life. Most of the things you might do if you lived on campus are
available to you."

"Exactly so," Professor Taylor said. "Eugene, I have intended to talk to
you for sometime and always forget, but there are two or three guys
interested in forming a small band to play club dates. If you were on
campus, it would be easier since you wouldn't have to travel as far, but
that's certainly open to you. I'll give you the name of the guy who's
trying to get a group together and maybe you can contact him if you're
interested. And Paula, I think they could use a vocalist.

"I really don't know. I've never tried singing with a group. Might be
interesting," I said.

"Actually, we talk about things which go on on campus and how we feel
isolated at times, but I guess we have to make some effort to become a part
of campus life. The big problem is we are all so busy there's hardly time
for anything beyond what we are doing," Matt said.

After the advisors had gone, we all sat around and talked about becoming
involved in more campus activities. "The band sounds good," Eugene
said. "Paula, you definitely have to get connected with that and you too
Luke."

"Me?? ME?? I paint, I don't sing."

"Oh, yes you do. I've heard you in the shower and all around the house and
even before we came here, I had heard you sing, " Eugene said. "Your voice
is untrained, but it's good and would fit a small combo perfectly. Don't
you think so, Paula?"

"I certainly do. Luke, you'd be perfect and you'd have all the women after
you."

"And at least one out of every ten men as well," Larry laughed.

"Kent, play anything?"

"Played drums with a garage band for a couple years. Still practice--or did
before I moved--some. If you need a drummer, I'll try."

"Two vocalists, trumpet and drums--I wonder what the group has already?
I'll call this guy tonight and see about getting together tomorrow."

ASP--The Oberlin Five--Eugene

After we had sat around and talked for awhile, we all pitched in and
cleaned up the kitchen and everyone went their own way: Luke to his studio,
Matt to practice. Kent said he was going to his place and to get his
drums. Larry was working on a video project telling the story of our place,
so he was filming again and Paula went to the library to write some
e-mail. I called Richard Taylor, the person wanting to start a small combo.

Richard sounded pretty excited. He had rounded up a bass player who could
play either a bass guitar or a double bass, a keyboard player and
guitarist. He also played guitar. "With you on trumpet we'd be ok if we had
a drummer."

"Think I might have one and a couple vocalists as well," I said and told
him about the three. "When would you like to get together and see what we
can come up with?"

"Don't know when I can schedule a space for us to work. I'll let you know
as soon as I can find one."

"Not very big for a group, but we have a practice studio here. You're
welcome to use it. But it is kinda small. It was supposed to be nine by
twelve, but Luke, one of my house mates, made a change and it's almost
twelve feet square. Small, but usable. And if we can convince Luke to be a
male vocalist, we can expand into his studio since he won't be working when
we are practicing."

"Then how about our getting together tomorrow? The guys here--and one of
the guys is a girl who plays bass--are all free after two in the
afternoon."

"I don't get free until three and I have to pick up my car which has been
being refinished. It would be four before I could get here."

"That's fine. We'll meet you at your place at four. How do we get there?"

The directions to the house are very straight forward and I had him read
them back to me after he had written them down.

When Kent got back, I told him about the arrangements and they were fine
with him. His last class Monday was at two so he'd be back in plenty of
time to get together at four. We took his drums to the practice studio and
got them set up. I left when he started practicing! Fortunately, Luke had
stopped working because even with the soundproofing, Kent's drums could be
heard.

ASP--The Oberlin Five--Luke

The week following the dinner with the advisors was a busy one. Monday the
group forming a band met at our place. It took them awhile before what they
were playing even sounded like music, but I guess it started coming
together. Paula tried singing a couple songs, but between the band not
being together and her forgetting words, it was not too successful. Eugene,
Paul and Kent were all trying to get me to sing, but I knew that I couldn't
when the band kept going all over the place. Finally Eugene said, "Luke,
will you try to sing "More?" You can close your eyes and pretend you are
singing to M.... your lover."

"Do you think you guys could come close to playing 'More'? I doubt that
most of you have even heard it, much less know it." I was right of
course. However, after Eugene had, using his special one finger method,
played it on the keyboard a couple, three times and Paula sung it, they
picked up enough in the next fifteen minutes to come close.

"Ok, Luke, we had made the effort, now let's hear you."

"I can close my eyes so I don't have to see all of you barf?"

"Close those baby blues and hit it," Paula said.

"No laughing now," I said and they started playing. I did close my eyes and
imagine I was singing to Matt and just forgot where I was and what I was
doing. At the first chorus, Paula blended her voice with mine--a miracle I
thought--and we finished the song.

"Luke, you are as good at singing as we are as a band," Richard said. "If
you improve as much as we have to, we may make a go of it."

"Thanks, but I think you are just being nice."

"Richard, be nice?" Sheila, the bass player, laughed. "It has never
happened in the whole nineteen years he has lived. You've got a great
natural voice, Luke."

"Thanks, I guess." After about half an hour more practice, the Oberlin
bunch left and Paula, Eugene, Kent and I talked for awhile about the
possibility of the bunch ever becoming a combo anyone would want to hear.

When we got back the house, Matt was practicing and Larry was sitting in
the family room as well, working on math. He had asked Matt to leave the
speakers on so he could hear him play.

"How'd it go," Larry asked when we walked in.

"Pretty good. Very good considering this was the first time we had tried,"
Eugene said.

"Yea, and we have two fine vocalists," Kent added.

"I'm not so sure about that. Not sure at all," I said.

"You'll see shortly," Paula added.

Matt had stopped playing when we walked in and when Paula spoke, he said,
"Paula, Fr. Manville called and said he had a woman who was willing to see
that you got paid IF you wanted the job of choir director and IF you proved
you could handle the job and IF you'd work for the same thing I am getting
paid--which is little, he added--only two hundred a month. I told him you
would come with me Wednesday night and try out. That was ok, wasn't it?"

"Sure, why not? It will be good experience."

So Wednesday night Paula went with Matt. That took that time together
away. If this band thing goes and I sing, that probably means I will be
gone Friday and Saturday nights, Matt is gone Wednesday nights and gets
home late and has to study Tuesday and Thursday nights which means we would
only have Sunday and Monday nights together. And I suspect there will have
to be a couple practice nights for the combo. We are going to have to do
some serious talking about this.

ASP--The Oberlin Five--Matt

Wednesday evening, Paula was introduced by Fr. Manville and rehearsal
started. Paula gave the choir a workout like they had never experienced and
at the end when we ran through all of the music for Sunday, it was obvious
that they were much improved. She thanked then for their efforts and told
them she had enjoyed working with them. Fr. Manville was very impressed and
told her she had the job if she wanted it. She accepted.

As we were driving home, Paula said, "Matt, I don't want to interfere, but
it seems to me you and Luke are getting so involved you don't have time for
each other. I hope you two have talked about that."

"We haven't since the band came up."

"And since I have taken the job at St. Anne's, that takes away another time
you might have."

"Yea, I thought about that. But it's good that you are getting the
experience and I am glad Luke is singing with the band."

"Matt, all we are doing is good. That's not the question. The question is
the time you do and do not have with Luke."

"Yea, you're right and we're going to have to look at that. Soon."

When we got home, Paula told the group she had taken the job at
St. Anne's. Eugene said he had thought she would and the band had set up
practice for Tuesday and Thursday nights. "That's good, I said, "because I
have to study those nights and Luke and I couldn't spend time together then
anyway. Paula had reminded me that we were getting so busy we weren't
spending time with our partners. Of course, when the band gets going and
had gigs, they will be Friday and Saturday nights, I'm sure."

"Larry and I have nights free except the nights I practice, so I'm not
really worried about us, but I do worry about you and Luke," Eugene said.

"We'll just have to work at it," Luke said. "And we will. If we are too
involved, we'll just have to say no to some things."

"That might be hard," Eugene said, "but I agree." Little did we know just
how busy we could be.

Tuesday and Thursday nights, I planned to study while Luke worked with the
band. On the first Tuesday night I really wanted to go hear them, but also
wanted to be with Luke when he finished.  About 10:30, Paula came to the
house to get Larry and me to hear the band. I must confess they sounded
much better than I thought they would. The real surprise was that Luke was
serving as MC as well as vocalist. After they had done a couple songs, Luke
took the mike and said, "Now, by special request for a special someone,"
and the band started playing "More". Luke did the first verse and Paula
joined him on the chorus, then they finished the song together. They sang
to each other as if they were a loving couple, but as Luke started the last
chorus, he looked at me and winked and I blushed. I knew sooner or later
the members of the band would know about us, but I wanted it to be later.

As we all walked back to the house, Luke wrapped his arm around my waist,
pulled me to himself and kissed me. "Luke, there are strangers here."

"Not strangers to me and if they don't like me showing affection to the
love of my life, they can go to hell--or take a shorter trip and jump in
the lake," he said as he kissed me again. "Well, what do you think? Was it
terrible?"

"Actually, I think it is darn good considering the fact that this is your
second practice. And, Babe, you really can sing."

"Nah, it's just that you like to hear those words coming from these
beautiful lips."

"That certainly helps," I laughed.

For the first Tuesday in ages, Luke and I went to bed at the same time and
we made the best of it. What started as slow and easy with soft, tender
kisses soon became passionate, no holds barred love making. Luke was
definitely in charge as he took control of Chili Pepper. But Luke didn't
get left out as Little Luke also saw serious action. Our love making was as
star spinning as it had been the first time we had not observed a stopping
place. Aglow from our expressions of love and our lust satisfied, we
wrapped ourselves in each others arms and legs and after a tender kiss,
sailed into dreamland.

Wednesday sunrise saw all six of us running on the beach. Most days we
didn't run together because of our schedules, but Wednesdays we did. Paula
had not been a runner in high school, but really got into it and could keep
up with us most of the way. All four of the guys were keeping in shape for
their sports. Although some wouldn't start until next semester, we still
had workouts and so on. We had to meet a certain number of hours because we
were earning a PE grade.

At breakfast Eugene said he and Larry were going to campus to do some
research and asked Paula if she would like to go with them. "We'll take you
by choir practice and wait for you."

"That's not necessary," I said. "She can come back with me."

"I know it's not necessary," Eugene said, "but you and Luke have little
enough time together and this way you two can have some time alone going
and coming. Don't go there, Larry!"

"Thanks. It's not necessary, but I certainly do appreciate it," Luke said.

"You better enjoy this great fall weather," Kent said. "It won't be long
before there's nothing romantic about being out of the house. By the way, I
won't be here for supper. I'm having dinner with my family."

"Kent, I forgot tonight was the night. Do enjoy it. It is just great that
your dad has come around."

"Well, if we hadn't had our fight, I might never had worked through all the
bad feeling I had and he certainly wouldn't had done any work toward being
a dad to me. You are right, it's great."

"Paula, how'd you like to catch something to eat on campus? That way we
wouldn't have to come home until after choir practice and Eugene and I
could get a lot more done," Larry asked.

"I've got plenty to do on campus as well," Paula said. "Matt, I guess it's
just a romantic dinner for two tonight. Shame that your are going to be all
by yourselves," she laughed.

"Yea, shame," Luke said and gave me an a wicked leer. "But I guess I can
stand it."

The day seemed to absolutely drag. We had lunch with the crew. My afternoon
class seemed impossibly dull and dragged on and on and on. Finally I was
released and found Luke waiting for me in his truck.

Wednesday was a beautiful day, very warm for autumn, but by late afternoon,
there was definitely a fallish feel in the air as we headed home where we'd
be alone.