Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:10:41 -0700
From: Darrin Thomas <Djthomas4@charter.net>
Subject: Dylian Chapter 24

Dylian

Chapter 24


	Arriving home I took an invigorating shower, then I called Amy to
arrange practice time for my son, so he would be ready to make his
recording.  Also, I wanted to find out if she knew anything about
Mr. Whalley, the music teacher my eldest mentioned.

	"Hello, Smith residence, Courtney speaking, may I help you?"

	"Hi Sweetie, this is Drew Thomas, is your mom home?"

	"Oh, I can't believe you called!  Are you hiring Mother to visit
all the schools?"

	"Yes!  She will be awesome; however I didn't know I am so popular."

	"You are!  My best friend is an orphan.  Her case worker insured
Cindy was okay, and her foster parents cared for her.  She mentioned you
were responsible for the jailing of her criminal incompetent boss. Because
of your efforts she is safe!"

	"Thank you Darling, however a nine year old boy alerted
authorities, not me!  What your parent will do is repeat what he did.  You
should be proud of her!"

	"I am, as I always have been. Let me get her."

	I smiled when I heard this polite soft spoken girl, forgetting to
cover the mouth piece, scream;

           "MOM, PHONE CALL!"

	"Hello?"

	"Hi Amy, Drew here.  I am sorry to bother you at home, but I
thought I would pull rank as your future employer by asking for a few
favors!"

	We laughed.

	"That depends on your request, or should I say, what does Dylian
need?"

	"My son is making an audition tape tomorrow after school.  So, I
want him to practice during the day."

	"You bought him a cello?"

	"Yes, a master craftsman, Mr. Dietrich, fitted my boy with two, one
is a rare professional grade instrument and the other is a student model.
Since his daughter is your colleague, I thought she mentioned it."

	"No!  But, I am delighted he has his pride back.  I intend to give
him all the time he needs.  The children will love to hear him play."

	"Thank you! The second favor is harder."

	"What is it?"

	"Have you heard of a Mr. Whalley?"

	"Yes!  He is the orchestra teacher. Courtney is in his Chamber
Strings group, she adores him.  Why?"

	"Fantastic! I didn't know she was in the ensemble.  I heard it is
number one in the state!  They are the favor I need.  May I speak to your
daughter?"

	"Why not!  Normally, I wouldn't let a grown man talk to my
teenager, but I don't think I have to worry!"

	"Yes Sir, Mom said you wanted to speak to me?"

	"Indeed!  I want your mother to convince your conductor to visit my
son in the hospital tomorrow during lunchtime, and I hope you will join
him?"

	"Yeah, but whom is he?"

	"Simon Thomas, formally Price.  He received a brutal beating, after
being enslaved."

	"Oh My God!  My friend is alive!  MOM!  Why didn't you tell me!
Will he be alright!?  Is there anything I can do?"

	I heard chatting between the two.

	"Honey, I didn't realize the teen you said who died is the same one
I met in the hospital,"

	"I am sorry I yelled, but he was a,... IS, a good friend of mine.
We were told he died of some brain thingie.  It's awesome, may I talk to
him tonight?"

	"Sweetie, I need to be honest with you, but I am afraid you might
not take things very well.  The poor boy has been viciously beaten!"

	"It's better than him dying!  I thought I lost one of my best
friends!"

	"He was beaten so severely he lost the use of his voice and
eyesight, has skull fractures and multiple breaks in one of his arms and
legs.  Some of the damage is irreversible. We must wait until all his
surgeries are completed to assess the extent of his recovery. "

	Upon finishing, I could hear her crying.

	"I can't imagine what he is going through.  I want to help him!"

	"Visit!  How much do you know about the project your mother is
directing?"

         "It encourages endangered kids to report their predicament."

	"Yes!... Our aim is to videotape what my nine-year old, Dylian,
did, then have your mom present it at other schools.  One part will show
pictures of abused children with recorded musical accompaniment.  Simon
suggested his cellist brother, after which the project is named, and your
group, to accompany him!"

            "It sounds plausible, but such a young kid?  Playing together
for a few years, we feel like a unit.  Besides, we won't perform at a less
proficient level."

	"Fine!  Lunch with my eldest, tomorrow, listen to him and bring
Mr. Whalley!"

	"You bet!...  I can't believe he is alive!  I don't know how,
however l will get my teacher to take me."

	"Please put your mom back on the phone!"

	"Drew, how may I help?"

	"Ask Courtney's music director to accompany her tomorrow at noon."

	"Yes!"

	"Remind him who I am, adding I will sponsor their trip to New
Orleans, if he brings your daughter."

	"Oh, that is a low blow my friend!  I shall call with the details."

	"Thanks, Amy!  Talk to you later then.... One last thing, please
say nothing to Dylian."

	After hanging up, I retired and slept soundly, assured everything
proceeded on target.

	Awakening refreshed, I prepared Gadda, loaded it and departed.

          Work was my first stop.  I spoke for thirty minutes with Calvin,
concerning the development of his new division.

	The following meeting took place with Miles.  We discussed the
transfer of my new helicopters and the hiring of aviators.

	Next, I called Sherry and Allen into my office.  They acted very
nervous, so teasing them I pretended to be looking through some files on my
desk.

         "Alright, I am only going ask you one time.  My pal, what are your
intentions?"

	"With all due respect, Boss, it is none of you business!"

	"Young Lady, do you feel the same?"

	"I, ahh... Yes, Sir!  However, I wouldn't want to break any rules
concerning fraternization."

	"I agree.  Fortunately, there are no prohibitions."

	The man lovingly reached over to grasp her hand.  I had never seen
him display such emotion.

	"I think you make a great couple, and you Young Man, will be a
positive influence on Gagy.  What I won't tolerate are problems at
work. You are vital components to the efficient running of our
organization, and I refuse to permit anything untoward to come between you,
since you are family.  Now, I need to talk with my ITT director."

	"No problem Sir, and thank you for your understanding."

	After my personal assistant departed, I continued,

	"My friend, you must tell her about your abuse and other personal
issues.  She is the perfect excuse to seek professional aid.  If you don't
believe me ask your brother."

	"I will Drew.  I tried to speaking to her last night, but I
couldn't.  Tom wants us over for dinner soon, which provides me with a
great opportunity.  Also, I get to meet Gage tonight."

	Next, I completed company business.  Before long I left for lunch
with the meal Sherry ordered.

	Arriving, I saw Andy and Tyler playing a game while Even and his
fellow chatted.  I told them,

          "I have a surprise for you!"

           Soon, there was a knock on the door, followed by a teenage girl
poking her head in.

	"Simon?"

	"Young Lady, please come in."

	Going to shake her hand, I saw a man timidly standing behind Ami's
daughter.

	"Mr. Whalley, thank you for coming!"

	"My pleasure!"

	{Hi, My Friend!  It's great to see you, well you understand what I
mean!  Thanks for visiting!}

	"Oh, Sweetie,...  I wish I had known!  I would have been here much
sooner!"

	The young lady broke down, gently hugging my youngster until he
strongly embraced her.  When they separated, my son started typing,

	{My buddy, I want you to meet Even.  Hun, this is my dear pal,
Courtney Smith.  She is one of the few people I hung with at my old school.
She didn't look down on me, because I was a foster kid.  Are you okay with
me being gay?}

	"I knew it long ago!"

	{Hi Mr. Whalley.  Thanks for coming, we will be eating shortly.
Dad and I will explain why we asked you to come.  In the meantime, please
listen to this recording I made of my little brother, Dylian, performing
for me the other night.}

	My eldest played the CD.  Both Amy and her teacher were astounded.

           Then, we filled in all the relevant details leading to his
invitation.

	"Are you telling me he is a self taught nine-year-old!"

	{YES!  Later today he plans to make a demo tape for a master
instructor, Albert Dietrich.  Do you think the Chamber Strings would play
with him?}

	"Certainly, however we have a rule which states anybody wanting to
join, must challenge the first chair of their instrument's section.
Afterwards the whole group votes."

	{Mr. Whalley, my dad has a private jet which can accommodate the
entire orchestra with their instruments.  He proposes to pay all expenses
for this year's trip, if you give my sibling a chance to audition.  Will
you agree?}

	"Indeed!"

          During our lunch hour the young lady talked to the boys while her
instructor chatted with me.  After the meal, the visitors left, as I
prepared for my prodigy's recording.


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Thank you for the feedback. I hadn't planned on it going this far.  But you
all keep encouraging me to continue writing this story! And, that is what I
am going to do, as long as there is a demand for it.  I also want to thank
my Editor!  You are a friend and a great editor!  Thanks for your support!


Please remember that kids are our future.  It's time to protect them.

No Child Should Have To Sleep On The Street Tonight!

Hugs

Darrin