Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 14:25:45 -0800 (PST)
From: Scotty <niki200sc@yahoo.com>
Subject: The Professor and Sean, BOOK 2 - Part 20

The Professor and Sean - Book Two - Part 20

by Scotty

Disclaimer:

This is a fictional story dealing with love and consensual sexual
activities between males.  If you are not of legal age, reside in an area
where viewing such material is illegal, or are offended by homosexuality
and/or homosexual themes, leave this site now.

Several songs are quoted in this story. The copyrights to these are held
by the artists and/or their publishers and not by the author. They are
quoted as a tribute to the artist and the piece.

All persons in this story are fictional and any resemblance to  persons
living or dead is purely coincidental.

The author retains all rights to this story.  No reproductions or links
to other sites are allowed without the permission of the author.

All other disclaimers apply.

   We all find treasure in the strangest places; it is
the wonder of being alive.
                        Scotty

A special `thank you' goes to my editor and proof reader, Wayne.  His
contribution is significant and greatly appreciated.

As Sean would say, "He's "Awesome!"

NOTE: If you would like to know when I am posting the next part of the
story, send me an email requesting that I notify you when I post to
Nifty.

The Professor and Sean -Book Two - Part 20

Before the Concert
-----------------------------------

Some Background

Boston is a great city!  It's the sports-mad capital of New England;
home of the Red Sox, the Bruins, the world famous Celtics, and the New
England Patriots.  It is also a mecca of culture and higher education.

You can find great art, opera, ballet, symphonic music, pop music, and a
cornucopia of performances at a number of venues.  Boston, and its
immediate environs, is the center of institutions of higher education:
Harvard, Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts, Berklee
School of Music, Bentley, Boston College, The Boston Conservatory, Boston
University, Brandeis University, Radcliffe, Simmons, Tufts, and an
additional twenty or thirty colleges in the area.  Boston is the melting
pot of college students, making it an international center for higher
education.

Boston and its surrounding towns have forty-seven museums, including some
of the most renowned museums in the United States.

Also in Boston there are theaters for musicals and plays, ballet, opera,
etc.  Boston has a history of being a tryout city for shows destined for
the Great White Way in New York City.  It additionally hosts many
traveling companies.

Historically, Boston is the gemstone of our early national past.  It
served as the center of rebellion during the Revolutionary War.  It is
the home of Paul Revere and John Hancock.  Here was held the famous
Boston Tea Party.  It is home to Bunker and Breed's Hills.  The Boston
Massacre occured here and the first shot fired that was heard `round the
world'.

Within this center of culture, education and history sits Symphony Hall.
Symphony Hall, one of the world's most highly regarded concert halls, was
inaugurated on October 15, 1900.  It is one of the three highest rated
concert halls in the world and number one in the United States.  It's
unique shoebox shape and high ceilings allow for a good volume level
above the second balcony, thereby making the acoustics outstanding for
all of the 2600 patrons that can be seated.

In this historic and outstanding music hall Sean will perform.  Because
Boston is the city that it is, and because the historic Symphony Hall is
a jewel,  Sean might understandably become nervous, but he would also be
in awe of it all.  Therefore, it is easy to account for his excitement
and nervousness.

-----------------------

(Sean narrates)

Suddenly, Ry and I were packing to travel to Boston for the concert.  It
was Wednesday afternoon and we needed to be there for the rehearsal on
Friday for practice.  The  performance was scheduled on Saturday night.

Ry thought I would be wearing a newly purchased dark suit that he and I
had bought together for the concert.  However Rog had informed me that
Dr. Coen had asked that I wear a tuxedo.  Since we wanted to surprise Ry,
we didn't tell him this.  Rog did assist me in the selection and fitting
of the tux.  He and Greg would bring it to Boston and would get it to my
dressing room where I would change.  I had asked Ry and all the others
not to visit me before the concert, but to come to my dressing room after
the performance.  I had made sure that they would all have backstage
tickets.

I was studying the music for the performance while Ryan was at an English
Department Meeting.  It was an important  meeting for him since Cathy
wanted him present when she announced that he would represent State at
the national meeting of College Professors of English.  It had worked out
fine since he would be at the conference when I would be taking finals.
I would stay with Rog and Greg, principally because Ry would worry about
my being alone at the townhouse.

I suddenly realized that I wasn't paying attention to what I should have
been doing. Instead, I had begun to think about my life and how it had
changed after I met and fell in love with Ryan.  I wondered if I had been
too lucky since then, forgetting about the beating and my serious
injuries, which seemed like ancient history.  What my mind was interested
in was the amount of happiness Ry had brought into my life.

Those months of bliss, of loving deeply, of knowing that you had found
the person who would make your life complete,  made my heart beat a
little faster.  Realizing that Ryan was the man I would love until the
day I died, brought tears to my eyes.  I thanked God for His goodness in
bringing Ry to me.  I tried to get back to the music, but I couldn't
concentrate.

I soon was thinking about the boys. What if someone would be in the
audience at the concert who would make me an offer of a scholarship to a
fine school of music.  What would I do?  How could I leave Ry and perhaps
the boys?  Could I pursue a career as a professional pianist?  Is that
what I wanted for my life?

No, I wanted Ry.  I wanted the boys.  I wanted a family.  I wanted to be
with the man I loved.  Nothing would take the place of that.

My reverie was broken when I heard Ry at the door.  I thought to myself,
`Enough music for today.'  A sudden wave of love swept over me and I
ran to the door grabbing Ry, nearly knocking him over as I pulled him to
me and kissed him wildly with unbridled passion.

"I love you," I told him.

He didn't say anything for a moment, but his intense kiss, and his
probing tongue spoke of his love.  I melted into him, knowing now, even
more than before, that I could never leave him for a career.  I loved
music, but I loved Ryan more.  He broke our kiss, and holding my head in
his hands, he looked directly into my eyes and told me,

"Sean Kelly, I love you above all else in my life.  Remember that and I
will nerver forget how much you love me."

I did not speak about my decision about a career in music.  That could
wait until later.  At the moment, my happiness was intense and full
bodied because I was here at this juncture in my life with the person who
was most important to me in the world.  I knew in the deepest recesses of
my soul that I would die for him, because without him, life would be
worse than death.

--------------------

(Ryan narrates)

Neither Sean nor I slept well Wednesday night.  Each of us, I am sure,
had  thoughts that kept us awake.  For Sean it must have been concerns
about the concert and his ability to do justice to the music.  I also
assumed he was thinking about the boys and our chances for adoption.
This matter was central to much of Sean's thinking and concern.

I worried about what he would do if we were not able to adopt the boys.
In his mind he already had us together as a happy family.  He had told me
that he understood that we might not be able to go through with the
adoption, but I wondered silently and with great apprehension that he
really had not dealt with it.  I hadn't really done so either.  I
worried that we could not convince the committee that we were excellent
candidates for adopted parenthood.  In the back of my mind, I wondered
if, because we were a gay couple, our worthiness would be diminished.

I reached out and stroked Sean's naked back.  I loved everything about
him.  He had not spoken to me about a possible career in music, perhaps
in performance.  I knew that if he chose that path, then all things in
our lives would change.  I was silently concerned if we would be able to
survive such a significant change.  I knew that we would never get the
boys if Sean would be away for long periods of time to meet performance
demands.  However, I knew that in his own good time, he would share his
thoughts with me.

Immediately after I touched him, he moved toward me and we were in each
other's arms.  I kissed him gently.

"Are you awake, Hon?" he asked.

"Yes, Baby, I haven't been able to sleep much.  I guess I have too many
things on my mind.  I know you haven't been sleeping either.  I can
always tell by the way you breathe."

He rested his head on my shoulder as he gently played with my nipples.
He sighed a couple of times, and then said,

"Hon, I love music and I know that I will probably get some wonderful
offers if I play well Saturday.  But I want you to know this: you are
what I want in my life, you and the boys.  Your love is the most
important thing to me.  No matter what the offers might be, I will stay
with you, my love, until death parts us.  That is my promise."

Then he kissed me with such tenderness and sincerity that I knew he spoke
the truth.  I hugged him and felt myself sobbing quietly.  I struggled
for control and when I had it, I whispered to him,

"My Sean.  I love you so much, and what you have just told me has
brought me such happiness that my emotions were overwhelmed.  I weep not
from sadness, but from the joy of knowing your love and your commitment
to me."

"Hold me, Ry, I need your strength for many reasons.  I love you."

In the silence that followed, we both slept.

-------------------

(Ryan continues)

Thursday morning brought lovemaking.  After the pleasure of our coupling,
we showered, dressed and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.  To
my relief, Sean seemed as relaxed and happy as I had seen him for a
couple of weeks.

We planned to leave State at ten o'clock for our drive to Boston.  In
conversations with Rog and Greg, we knew that they planned to leave later
as Greg couldn't get away from work until Friday afternoon.  Dad and Mom
would arrive in Boston on Friday at about two in the afternoon.  Dad had
made all the arrangements to get them to the hotel, so I didn't have
anything to worry about.  The limo would be picking up Aunt Emily and
Father O'Rourke for their trip to Boston on Friday also.  We all had
plans for dinner at a restaurant  that Rog and Greg knew and loved in the
North End.  Dan and Craig would be arriving in the late afternoon, but
would be joining us for dinner.

Rog had told us that a large group of students and the entire music
department would be at the concert.  Cathy and Janet would also be there
for the concert.   President Williams and his wife would officially
represent State at the concert.  And surprisingly, Charles Beckman, the
chairman of the Board of Trustees and his wife also planned to attend.
As a surprise, I had arranged for Grace Foster to attend the concert.  It
would be a wonderful evening and it would mean so much to Sean to have so
many of his family and friends with us.

Sean ate one of his huge breakfasts, consuming everything in sight.  I
loved it when his appetite was ravenous because it meant all was right in
his life.  I kept touching him and telling him I loved him.  He would
give me that smile and my heart and soul would melt in total love of
him.  He wouldn't let me alone when I tried to do the dishes, grabbing
me from behind, rubbing my crotch, kissing my neck, getting me hard and
horny.  I loved every minute of it.

We took a long, sensuous shower, holding, kissing, and running our hands
over each other's bodies.  Finally, as the water began to cool, we left
the shower, dried off, dressed, got our things together, loaded the car,
and after setting the alarm and locking the door, were ready to leave.  I
decided to drive, especially since Sean had little experience driving in
an urban area such as Boston.  He didn't mind, telling me that it would
give him time to review the music in his mind.

Our drive into Boston would take approximately an hour and a half.   If
we  made good time, we would have lunch at the hotel; otherwise we would
have lunch somewhere along the way.  We were quiet for the beginning of
the trip with Sean occasionally placing his hand on my thigh.  I would
glance at him and he would smile at me.  I would make kissing sounds,
which provoked laughter from both of us.

"You continue to do that," Sean laughed, " and I will get all hot and
bothered and you'll have to find a roadside area so that we can make
love."

I was laughing now, too.  I reached over and squeezed Sean's hand, which
was on my thigh.

"Look, Baby, you're the one with your hand on my thigh.  If anyone  get
gets hot and bothered, it will be me.  If necessary, I am sure I can find
a spot to stop and do it," I told him.

We were both laughing loudly now, enjoying the moment together and the
love that flowed between us.  This was as it had been that first night
together when we knew without doubt that we loved each other.  I found a
turnoff, and as soon as the car had stopped and the engine was turned
off, he was in my arms and we were kissing gently and with emotion.
After some time, we separated and he spoke,

"This will take care of my needs for a  little while, Hon.  I am
relaxed, happy and so much in love with you.  Tonight we will make love
and it will be like it was the first time.  I know it will be, because I
felt that our kissing and making out just now was like the night I met
you."

I choked back my emotion and hugged him tightly to my chest, until I was
able to tell him,

"Oh, Baby, that's just what I thought.  We are so lucky, so fortunate.
God certainly loves us, doesn't he?  He has taken good care of us."

"I want thank Him, Ry.  Take my hand, please," he said.

I took his hand and waited.  He smiled at me, and then prayed,

"Dear God, Ry and I want to thank You and Your Son, Jesus, for taking
such good care of us.  We hope that you will help us to bring some
happiness into the lives of Jacob, Ethan, and Zachary.  We realize that
You have much to do keeping this world of ours in some kind of order, but
dear God, please help us with getting our sons and providing them with a
family.  We ask this through Your Son, Jesus.  Amen."

"That was beautiful, Baby.  I know that God heard."

He kissed my cheek and said with strength and surety,

"It's off to Boston and to my debut as a concert pianist.  I'm ready,
Ry.  I'm ready."

--------------------

(Dan narrates)

When I made the final arrangements for Aunt Emily and Father O'Rourke to
go to Boston, Craig had the presence of mind to remind me that they would
both need assistance.  I called the nursing home and arranged for someone
to accompany Aunt Emily, letting them know that they would have to bring
clothes appropriate for a dinner out and a concert.  I had also called
the retirement home where Father O'Rourke lived and made arrangements
with them.  They would send a young seminarian, Brian Kenison, to assist
the elderly priest.

Craig also informed me that he had received a call from Mrs. Crosby, the
lady from the adoption center, indicating that they would like to meet
with Ryan and Sean on the Wednesday of next week.  I told him to call
back and agree.  I had no doubt that the guys would concur.

I knew both of them wanted information as soon as possible, but I wasn't
sure that I should tell them until after Sean played.  Craig was of a
different opinion, and we had our first serious disagreement.  In fact,
at one point, he refused to come to Boston with me to go to the concert.
I was really angry with him, but I held my anger in check.  Finally, at
dinner, we sat across from each other, neither of us speaking.  I
couldn't take it any longer, so I said,

"Look, Craig, I can't continue like this.  You know I love you, but if
this continues, then, although you will still be in the firm, our
relationship can't continue.  I just don't know what to do.  I'm sorry
that you don't agree with my decision, but you need to remember that I
am a partner in the firm, and as of this moment, you are not.  I hate
this.  My God, Craig, I love you so much that I know my life will be hell
without you, but I don't know how else to handle this.  You have to help
me."

Craig looked aghast!  His breathing was coming in short, painful gasps.
His face was contorted, and I feared he was ready to explode.  But
instead, tears began to roll down his face.  In a choked and
emotion-filled voice he whispered,

"Dan, I didn't know this would upset you so much.  I can see that I am
an asshole, threatening you by not going to Boston.  That was wrong.  Of
course, I love you.  I do love you, Dan.  Please believe that.  I lost my
temper when you just dismissed my idea.  I know now it was not a good
suggestion now.  To hide from admitting that to you, I decided not to go
to Boston.  But, Sweetheart, I couldn't do that.  I want to be with you,
wherever that is.  Forgive me, Dan, please."

I grasped his hand across the table, knocking the salt shaker over.  I
couldn't speak for a moment.  His eyes pierced into my soul and I knew
that everything he said was true.  I swallowed with a gulp, and told him,

"Let's put this behind us, Craig.  I want to be with you forever, too.
Let's go home and seal our agreement with some gentle lovemaking."

And that we did.

-------------------------------

(Sean narrates)

The hotel was glorious!  I had never seen such luxury.  We were warmly
welcomed and, after we registered, we were escorted to our room. It
turned out to be a beautiful suite.  I looked questioningly at Ry, but he
just smiled.  The bellhop brought everything in the rooms as we both just
stood and waited..  I was impressed and in wonder.  Ry was just plain
happy.  Finally, as the bellhop got ready to leave, Ry handed him a
generous tip.  He smiled, assuring both of us if we needed anything, room
service or whatever, to just call the desk.  With a modified flourish, he
was out the door.

I didn't wait until the door was fully closed before I demanded of Ry,

"What is this all about, Hon?  I mean we don't need a suite.  Who did
this?"

With a smile, he asked me,

"Look carefully, Baby, see anything that might explain why I reserved
this suite for us?"

For the first time I really looked around, and in the living room of the
suite, I discovered the Steinway.  I was so surprised that I couldn't
speak.   Ry walked up to me and, standing behind me, put his arms around
me and kissed my neck.  I trembled at his touch as he whispered in my
ear,

"I thought that my husband and lover deserved to have a piano so that if
he chose, he could tickle the ivories.  I want you to be relaxed, happy,
and affectionate."

I turned and kissed him with total love and devotion.  He held me
tightly, and I whispered back to him,

"That's a wonderful, thank you."  We headed to the bedroom.

----------------

That evening, instead of going out, we had a room service dinner.  We sat
on the sofa in our white hotel bathrobes watching the wide screen
television.  Later I moved to the piano and began running through parts
of the concerto that I wanted to  reinforce.  Ry got up and came and sat
next to me on the piano bench.  Even though Ry knew better, he began to
kiss my neck.

"Stop it, Ry!  You know that gets me hot," I demanded.

But he didn't stop.  He continued to kiss my neck, and finally in
desperation, I stopped playing, and pushed him to the floor, our robes
opening, exposing our naked bodies and our erections.  We were wild!

He finally, begged me,

"Baby, let's go to the bedroom.  I need you to make love to me, Sean.
Please."

I stood and took him by the hand.  We moved to the bedroom and made
passionate love.  Eventually we fell asleep as, we were completely
satistfied.

Tomorrow, Friday, would be a busy day.

-----------------------

(Ryan narrates)

Friday morning came soon ehough.  After a quick shower, we headed to the
main dining room for breakfast.  We both knew that today was going to be
hectic, so we luxuriated over a delightful breakfast.  We tried to plan
out our day, keeping in mind that the most important function of the day
was the rehearsal scheduled for four in the afternoon.  Sean seemed calm
and relaxed, and as usual, hungry.  He ate an enormous breakfast, and I
wondered as I watched and enjoyed him, if he would care about lunch at
Quincy Market.

  "There's a lovely museum here in Boston called the Isabella Stewart
Gardner Museum.  Would you like to see that, and maybe we can also get to
the Yard at Harvard?  I would also like to take a walk with you along the
Charles River.  What would you like to do, Baby?" I asked.

"I'd like to see Harvard, and the museum sounds okay.  I would enjoy
the walk by the Charles River, too.  But one thing I really would love to
do is go to the New England Aquarium.  Of course, I might enjoy a walk on
the Common.  There's so much to see here, I really don't know where to
start," he told me.

"You're right baby!  We need to come here and spend a week.  Let's
plan to do that before the summer's over.  I guess we should play it by
ear, so long as we are at Symphony Hall by three-thirty.  You need to
meet Dr. Coen and some of the other notables before the rehearsal."

"Let's get started, Hon.  We have so much we want to do," he said.

Our day was fun-filled and, amazingly, we got in most of the things we
wanted to do.  In fact, we got to see Old Ironsides.  I think we were
both happy to get back to the hotel at about two in the afternoon.  We
flopped onto the sofa and, holding each other, we took a short nap until
the phone rang.  It was Mom telling us they were in the hotel and would
see us later that evening at dinner.  She would see that everyone else
got to Davide's; all we had to do was get there by 7 PM.  Sean said
`Hi' to Mom and Dad, and then snuggled up to me for a few more
minutes.

I knew we shouldn't fall asleep again because we might miss the
rehearsal.  I expected to meet Rog and Greg there.  I knew that Rog would
want to be there to offer support to Sean.  He knew the music and could
be of some help, especially if his help didn't interfere with Dr.
Coen's conducting.  It would be fun to watch.

I kissed my lover on the forehead and spoke softly to him.  He moved in
my arms, trying to snuggle even closer to me.

"Sean, we can't fall asleep again.  If we missed the rehearsal, I would
never forgive myself.  Want to take a shower, or what?"

He rolled away from me a little and looked at me through half-opened
eyes.  A smile crept slowly across his face as his hands moved to my face
and stroked it.  I wanted him so desperately at that moment that I almost
couldn't contain myself, but I knew that now was not the time for
lovemaking.  He yawned, stretched a little, and said,

"I think I'll run through a couple of passages.  Come sit with me at
the piano.  I like it when you do that.  Wish you would sit next to me
tomorrow night.  But I guess that's out of the question.  Come on."

I followed him to the piano and sat next to him, trying as best I could
to give him plenty of room to operate.  He smiled at me as he began to
play.  He repeated the passage another time, and then stopped.  I knew
this was the moment I needed, so I told him,

"Sean, you don't need me sitting next to you when you perform at the
concert.  You are capable of doing what you have to do.  You play with
feeling and understanding.  You will be outstanding.  I love sitting near
you here, but when you perform, I want it to be yours entirely.  I will
be sitting in the audience, holding my breath at times; smiling broadly,
and applauding like a crazy man.  You have all that is needed to succeed
at He this performance."

He smied and said,  "I know what you are saying, and I hope that it is
all true.  But you can't fault me for wanting you near me.  I always
want you near me, Hon.  Always!"

Before I could answer, the phone rang again.  It was Dad this time
letting us know that Aunt Emily and Father O'Rourke had arrived.  Emily
was in Room 7008, and the good Father was in 7020.  Dad and Mom were in
Room 9005.  I told him we might call them, however that time probably
wouldn't allow us to go and visit them.  He understood, and cautioned us
not to be late for the rehearsal.

Within the next ten minutes, we received a call from Rog and Greg.  Rog
called on his cell phone in the car.  He told us they were running a
little late, but wanted to check into the hotel and then dash over to the
hall.  They would meet us there.  Sean seemed happy to know Rog would be
at the rehearsal.

After I called the concierge and ordered our car and driver, we went to
the bathroom and freshened up.  Sean chose to wear a pair of dress chinos
and a lovely, light blue cashmere sweater.  He chose wear loafers. f  I
kept on my gray dress slacks and green sweater.  I also wore loafers.

--------------------------

The short drive to Symphony Hall took only a few minutes.  We followed
directions and were soon inside the hall.  A young man asked who we were
and after we told him, he smiled knowingly.

"Please follow me," he said.

He took us somewhere in the hall and we ended up outside a dressing room
of some sort.  He knocked softly on the door, and then announced,

"Dr. Coen, Sean Kelly and Dr. Taylor are here."

A muffled retort came,

"Send them in."

The young man, whose name was Travis, opened the door and led us into the
room.  As soon as we were in the room, Travis turned and left.  Sitting
at the desk was a short, fairly rotund man in his fifties.  For a brief
moment, he ignored us.  When he finished whatever he was writing, he got
to his feet and walked over to us.

"You, young man, must be Sean Kelly.  What a pleasure to meet someone so
talented.  I am pleased to meet you."

"It's an honor, Dr. Coen, for me to meet you.  Your reputation goes
before you and your talent is outstanding.  This is my life partner, Dr.
Ryan Taylor," said Sean with ease and comfort.

"Ah, yes, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Fillimore has told me all about you two.
Pleased to meet you, Dr. Taylor."

"I am happy to meet you, too, Dr. Coen.  Dr. Fillimore holds you in the
highest regard."

"Ah, yes.  Well, my young friend, do you feel ready for our little
exercise this afternoon?  The orchestra has been here since one o'clock
practicing the pieces we will play tomorrow night.  It's the first real
rehearsal I have had with the entire orchestra, so we spent some time
getting everyone on the same page, so to speak.  They have come together
with amazing skill.

I should tell you that Travis plays percussion and comes from my school.
I will introduce you, Sean, to Lan Wang Chou, a student from Harvard, who
is first violinist.  You will enjoy him, Sean.  He is remarkably
intelligent and has a terrific sense of humor.  You may sit in the
audience, Dr. Taylor.  I expect Dr. Fillimore to be here, too.  He may
stay backstage, or on stage, but anyone accompanying him will have to sit
in the audience with you and some others from the various schools.

"By the way, I am honored that your college President is attending the
concert tomorrow night.  That is a first for us.  So, Sean, let's get
going.  It will be, I suspect, a fairly short rehearsal, once through
your piece, and if it is good, that's it.  Oh, yes, and your encore;
we'll work on that, too.

Dr. Coen pushed a button near the door of the room, and within moments
Travis was there.

"Travis, take Dr. Taylor out to sit in the audience.  I'll get Sean to
the stage.  Let's get this show on the road," he said with a smile that
I know put Sean's worry to rest for the moment.

------------------------

(Sean narrates)

When I first met Dr. Coen, he didn't make me feel too welcomed.
Ignoring us, he sat at the desk working on something, which he chose to
finish before he spoke to us.  When he finally did acknowledge us, he
made us feel welcome.  My nervousness subsided immediately.  I wondered
how Ry felt about not being allowed on the stage during the rehearsal.
If he did object, he said nothing and behaved like the gentleman he is.

Once I was on the stage and saw the size of the hall, I was overwhelmed.
Walking down the diagonal aisle between the violins was a little
offsetting, especially when the musicians began to tap on their music
stands as a sign of welcome.  I immediately liked Lan Wang Chou.  He was
shorter than I, with black hair and a tawny complexion.  His first
remarks to me were filled with good humor and fun.  He shook my hand and
then returned to his chair.

Dr. Coen walked to the platform and stepped up.  He was about to address
the orchestra.  I stood nearby, wondering what I should do.  I glanced at
the audience, and although I could see some people, I really couldn't
find Ry, even though I knew he was there.  Travis gave me a smile from
his place at the back of the orchestra where he was stationed on a higher
platform.  I noted after a cursory look at the orchestra, that there
seemed to be more women than men.  I found that interesting and also
disconcerting.  My thoughts were interrupted by Dr. Coen's voice,

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce you all to Sean
Kelly, our guest performer for this year's concert."

I nodded slightly, acknowledging the applause that was coming for the
orchestra and the small rehearsal audience.  I noticed the piano, a
beautiful Steinway grand, behind Dr. Coen with the keyboard toward the
violin section.  I felt comfortable there.

Dr. Coen continued, "Mr. Kelly is an accomplished pianist, and I know
that he will do justice to the requirements of Copin's Piano Concerto."

Looking to his left, off stage behind the violins, he nodded his head,
and smiled broadly, he said,

"I see that a great friend of mine is here.  Dr. Fillimore, please come
out and meet the orchestra.  Dr. Fillimore is the Department Chair of
Music at State.  His specialty is piano, and it is through his diligent
work that Sean is ready for the concert."

As Rog walked out onto the stage, the orchestra and audience applauded
again.  He bowed slightly and smiled directly at me.  I was surprised
when he said,

"Dr. Coen, I appreciate your kind words about me.  I would like to say,
however, that Sean is just a remarkable pianist, one whose talent is
inborn and whose skill as a pianist is outstanding.  All of you will soon
discover how good he is.  I will keep quiet, Dr. Coen.  If you need me,
call .  Otherwise, I will wait backstage."  Rog walked over to me and
quietly said,

"Sean, just do what you know you can do.  If you do, all will be fine!
By the way, I have made arrangements to have Ry out of the hall when you
rehearse your encore.  Greg will take care of that."  Turning on his
heels, he left me near the piano.

"Are you ready, Sean?"

"Yes, sir." I replied as I sat at the piano, adjusted the bench, and
waited.

Raising his arms, after tapping his stand for attention, we began the
rehearsal.

----------------------------

(Ryan narrates)

At the end of the Chopin piece, while the orchestra went over a couple of
tricky parts, Greg said he wanted some fresh air.  He asked me to go
outside with him.  I had no reason to refuse, and so we were soon outside
enjoying the air, watching the traffic and the lights, which were slowly
coming on all over the city.

Greg was talkative, and asked about the cabin and the boys.  I told him
all that I knew about both.  He seemed truly concerned about the
adoption.  Finally, he said,

"Rog and I have been talking about your dilemma.  You know the
difficulty about space at the townhouse and how the agency will react to
that.  Anyway, as I see it, you have a few options.  One, you can somehow
redesign your space at the townhouse.  Two, you can leave your job and
Sean his college years and move to the new cabin which will have plenty
of space.  Three, you could purchase a place at State with plenty of
room.

"In fact, there is a beautiful Victorian house, not far from us, that is
up for sale.  It's huge; seven bedrooms, five full baths, two half
baths, a great kitchen, lovely living room and dining room with paneling
and great details.  I know the place well, Ry, because I brought it back
from years of misuse.  It has all new electrical wiring and heating.  In
fact, the present owners also had the house completely air conditioned a
couple of years ago.  The grounds are first class, mainly because the
owners are both gardeners.

"It has a large family room, all new windows, updated insulation, and
new paint.  It's a beauty, Ry, a beauty!  I guess it would be expensive,
and I know you have the cabin to worry about, but I thought I should tell
you about it.  Rog wasn't too excited about my telling you, but I knew
you wouldn't say anything to Sean until after this concert thing.

"Hey, it has a great pantry, enclosed porches, a three-car garage, and a
great backyard with loads of space for growing boys.  Well, there, I told
you."

"Greg, thanks for the information.  I'll talk to Sean about it.  My
first reaction is to redo the townhouse, but as the boys grow, it
wouldn't be ample.  Neither of us desires to leave State to live at the
cabin.  That's a summer and vacation escape for us and for friends like
you and Rog.  I suspect that the agency won't be too excited about the
townhouse.  Maybe if we could show them the house and let them know that
we would purchase it if we got the boys.  No, that won't work; they'll
never buy into that.  Maybe Dan can be of some help when he gets here.
Let's not mention this to Sean."

At about that moment, Rog appeared on the steps outside the hall.  He
motioned us to come back.  We hurried into the hall.  When we got
inside,  the orchestra was wrapping up, putting instruments away, etc.  I
saw Sean chatting with Lan Wang Chou and Travis.  He shook their hands
and then looked out into the hall, able now to see us as the lights were
on.  He hurried down to join the three of us.

"Everything went well, Baby, don't you think?" I said.

"Yes, I'm pleased with everything.  We have to get moving, everyone.
It's after six and we have to meet everyone for dinner at seven," he
told us.

"Our car and driver should be waiting for us.  I told him to be here at
six.  Let's check to see if he's here," I said.

Our car was waiting and we were driven to the hotel where we quickly
refreshed ouselves and met the car again at about six thirty.  Our driver
knew how to get around Boston and how to get to the North End and
Davide's without difficulty.

Once there, we had a wonderful dinner, excellent service, and gourmet
food.  It was like a family reunion, with all the folks we love and trust
there.  At nine thirty I spoke to Dad and told him that Sean needed to
get a good night's sleep.  He agreed, and without ceremony, the party
ended and we all made our way out of the restaurant and back to the
hotel.  Dad wouldn't let Sean or me pay for dinner.  He reminded us that
tonight was for Sean.  We quietly accepted his generosity.

Back at the hotel, Sean and I quickly showered, and slipped into the
king-size bed, which had sheets that were like silk.  He crawled into my
arms and rested his head on my chest.  I started to tell him how much I
enjoyed his rehearsal performance again.  I think I had already
complimented him ten or twelve times.  I kissed the top of his head and
realized he was asleep.

It had been a big day for him.  Emotionally, he was on edge for a good
part of the afternoon.  I was tired, too.  I switched off the bedside
lamp, plunging the room into darkness.  Before sleep overtook me, I
thought of what tomorrow held for us.  I felt my love for Sean overtake
me, and my eyes watered as I gently stroked his curly blond hair.

The concert, the concert, the concert....

(To be continued)

If you wish to comment on the story, you may email me at
niki200sc@yahoo.com.