That holiday weekend would be known as the Thanksgiving Fiasco over the next few years, and it was every bit of that. Snow had blanketed the Northeast, disrupting highways and airports. With three-quarters of the Bradford student population out of town the school remained closed until Tuesday.
Most of the Littleton area quickly recovered, while Red and Steve spent Sunday clearing the drive and walkways around the house. Red’s mother gave them each a kiss and pulled her car out of the garage on Monday morning. Red heard the garage door open and slid out of bed, leaving Steve asleep beneath the covers. He pulled on a pair of jeans and went out to tell his mom goodbye.
“Don’t you both have school today?” She asked.
“No, I think the airport’s still closed and they decided to wait until tomorrow.”
“All right dear, I’ll be back around six. Will Steve be staying over again tonight?”
“Maybe…we’ll make something for dinner, have a good day at work,” Red said.
“You boys be good,” She said. It was nine in the morning and Red almost whooped with joy…he had the day alone with Steve.
Neil and Jesse didn’t even try to leave the Philadelphia area until Monday morning, by then the roads were almost clear and they made good time up the New Jersey Turnpike. Nora had a morning flight into Boston and Neil figured they would get to the house only a few hours behind her.
George and Diana had seen them off, and their affection was shared equally with both boys. Jesse was very proud of the way they had accepted the boy he loved. By blessing that relationship they had assured his future with Neil. In only a few weeks they would drive up to Littleton for the Christmas concert and Jesse would make sure they spent time with Nora.
Finding someone like Neil all on his own had built Jesse’s self-confidence and he could now get on with his life. His mind had endured the pain of loss when Stephen left, he was over that now. And with new purpose his thoughts had returned to music and he was beginning to hear a theme echoing in his head. It was time to compose something good, something grand…and Neil would be his inspiration.
Pat and Mike had enjoyed a few nights of peace until Barry dropped his plow in the driveway and dug them out. Mike went off with his father to clean up the properties they had under contract and that included the Dennison house. Knowing that Neil was in Philly with Jesse and Nora off with her father, it came as a surprise to see a car out front stuck in a snow bank.
“Uh Oh, Pops…no one is supposed to be here, they’re all out of town,” Mike said.
“You think it’s that no good husband?” Barry asked. “Just look at that car, he ain’t going nowhere soon…what should we do?”
“Neil said they got an order to keep him away, so let’s just call the sheriff.”
Barry laughed. “Yeah, that might be fun to watch.”
He drove the plow up to the crossroads store and Mike jumped out. Paul Denton smiled when he stepped through the door.
“Hey Mikey, what’s up?” Paul asked.
“Need to use the phone…call the sheriff will ya?”
Paul dialed the number and handed Mike the phone. Mike explained what they had seen and finally hung up with a smile. “Thanks, Paul.”
“I thought the guy was in jail?” Paul said.
“Nope, guess he will be tonight. See ya, I want to go back and watch the fun,” Mike said.
“Don’t blame you,” Paul said as Mike ran out.
Nothing much happened in New Bridge so something like this was a big deal. Barry and Mike sat down on the road until the sheriff’s car arrived and then they dropped the blade and plowed an access up the drive to the house. The deputy got out just as two others roared up and blocked the drive. Barry had no choice but to stay put as the deputies circled the house.
“You think he’s in there?” Barry asked.
“Not like he could walk away, is it?” Mike laughed.
One deputy walked to the far side of the house while another circled towards the back, the third banged on the front door. “Sheriff, open up,” He yelled. The deputy waited a moment and then tried the door, it opened and he slid inside.
Mike and his father sat and watched until finally two of deputies came wading thru the snow from the back of the house. This time they had Clayton Dennison carried between them in handcuffs. They shoved him in the back of a patrol car and one of the deputies came over to the plow. Mike hopped down to talk.
“You called this in?” The deputy asked.
“Yeah, my friend Neil told me they have a court order to keep him away…what was he doing?”
“The inside of the house looks trashed; he was busting things up I suppose. We caught him in that pool house out back; he was slashing up the furniture with a knife. Damn fool, I almost shot him when he turned on me. You know where the owners are?”
“Neil’s mom went to see her father in Michigan. Neil went to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving, I imagine they ought to be home any time,” Mike said. “We just stopped by to plow the drive and saw that car down there.”
“You did the right thing…breaking and entering, vandalism and assault on a deputy. That ought to hold him behind bars for a while. I’ll make out a report and leave it on the front door, but the house won’t be secure, he kicked in the back door and broke the locks.”
“My Pops will fix that. He does all the handy work for Mrs. Dennison,” Mike said.
“Well, good looking out for them then…here’s my card, have her call me when she gets back,” The deputy said.
The sheriff’s cars pulled away taking Clayton to jail and the last deputy pulled back down on the road to look at the car in the snow bank. Barry finished plowing the driveway and left Mike to watch the house while he went to get his tools. The deputy finally walked back up the driveway shaking his head as he handed Mike a copy of his report.
“You can add vehicle theft to the list. That car was reported missing in California last week,” The deputy said. “Yeah, have her call me. I would sure love to know what this is all about.”
Mike wasn’t sure he wanted to enter the house, but it was too cold to sit outside. The living room was in total disarray, lamps smashed, furniture slashed. The man must have lost his mind to do all this. The dining room chairs had been broken, plates and china from the cupboards smashed. Mike looked up the stairs but wouldn’t venture up there, so he walked into the kitchen.
Clayton had broken every dish he could find, and the pantry had been turned upside down. It was almost like the man was looking for something. Mike looked out the back door and walked across the snow pack to the pool house and stuck his head inside. Neil had been proud of the work he’d accomplished out here, now it was all destroyed.
The television was smashed, the stereo in ruins and the bed was upended and slashed with a knife. What a shame, Neil was going to be very upset. Mike heard the plow return and ran around the side of the house to meet up with his dad. It took them two hours to reset the door locks and patch the frame, at least the house could be locked now.
Barry had driveways to plow but Mike wanted to stay so he went inside and called for Pat to come over and sit with him. The both of them stared in puzzlement at the way Clayton had attacked the house.
“You think this was just for revenge?” Pat asked.
“Maybe, but I think he was looking for something…maybe Neil will know. I don’t want to go prowling around, this isn’t my house,” Mike said.
They were sitting in the living room when a car pulled in the drive, Nora was the first one home. Mike opened the door and they went out to carry her bags in the house, it gave him time to explain.
Nora looked at the carnage and shook her head, and then she looked across the room at the piano. Sadly she walked over and lifted the cover over the keys and it was apparent Clayton had beaten on them with something heavy, the ivory was cracked and broken. That’s when Nora sat down and let the tears flow.
“The bastard…I’m sorry, Mike…Pat, thank you for coming over and helping,” Nora said.
“We’ll stay if you want,” Mike said.
“No, I have to call my father and that deputy, I’ll be fine. Neil is due before dark and we’ll take care of the mess.”
“You need anything Nora, please call,” Pat said.
“Mrs. Dennison…it was like he was looking for something…I mean the way he tore into things and all,” Mike said.
Nora smiled. “I know what he was after but I’ve already sent that information to the family lawyers, it’s not here. How very much like Clayton…he did all this for nothing.”
Pat and Mike left while Nora called her father. Neil and Jesse came home two hours later and she had to explain the whole incident to them. Only now Jesse sat at the keyboard and looked down at the mess with tears in his eyes while Neil ran out to the pool house.
Nora sat beside him and smiled. “This isn’t the first time this piano has been damaged. I tried to break it myself.”
“You…But why?” Jesse asked.
“I was angry at my mother and this was her favorite thing, just as Clayton did this because it belongs to me. We were both foolish, but it will get fixed, my father will take care of that,” Nora said.
“It…it looks terrible,” Jesse said. “Can it really be fixed?”
“Yes, they’ll be here to pick it up by the end of the week…I’m just sorry you had to see this,” Nora said.
“I’m sorry he did all this to you, I feel like it’s my fault he got mad,” Jesse said.
“No, Jesse…none of this is your fault, don’t ever think that. Neil and I love you very much and you can’t take the blame for my husband’s stupidity.”
Neil walked back in the house. “That fuck, you should see what he did to my room.”
“Sweetie…just let it go. All we had were things, things can be replaced…things are not important,” Nora said.
Neil sighed. “Yeah…I suppose.”
“Maybe I should go back to school tonight,” Jesse said.
“No…Jesse, please,” Neil said.
“Jesse, you don’t have to leave…we’re not staying here tonight, any of us,” Nora said.
“Mom?” Neil said
“I’ve booked us rooms at the Thayer in Littleton. A room for you and Jesse, and one for me. Come with us, Jesse…please?” Nora said. “I don’t think any of us will be happy staying here tonight. I wanted to come home…this isn’t our home yet.”
Jesse nodded. “Yes…I understand, thank you.” And they carried their bags back to the cars.
The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Bradford Academy were all planned out, three weeks of review and then exams. Everyone knew the drill and all other activities were scheduled around exams. It was usually a time when every student was encouraged to be on campus and participate in the weekend workshops.
The only other event that received any attention was the Christmas concert. Scheduled the afternoon of December twenty-second, it would mark the end of the semester and freedom for all two hundred- six students. There was no real attempt to set up a party or reception for after the concert, the kids wouldn’t stay a minute longer than they had to.
The local inns, lodges and motels all looked forward to the event. For one or two nights Littleton came alive, every room was booked and filled with parents, grandparents and siblings of the students…and on the day after the concert they would all be vacant.
Jesse studied and worked hard, made easier because Neil attended every workshop he could. They could study, attend lectures and eat lunch together…then Neil would help Jesse with his laundry and housekeeping chores. Thorne watched them at work, it wasn’t exactly against the rules, but it made him smile. Dedication forged its own reward in the lives of the students, he assumed that meant in the love he saw as well.
The gay students had come together once again. They held a table of great learning every Saturday, and the other students were in awe of their success. Neil and Jesse, Alan and Brian, Red and Steve, Barry, Jack, Tony and Frank…the indomitable ten, now that Red had changed sides.
Amidst all the academic work, the chorus practiced and Jesse played. Because if exams counted for so much, their moment of performance would mean more in the realm of personal glory than anything else. Families would come from across the country to take their boys home for the holidays, and this was their reward.
Jesse spent his limited spare time on the theatre stage in practice. In a program crammed with music Tom had given him a ten minute time slot all to himself. The challenge made Jesse nervous and proud all at the same time, conflicting emotions. And yet as he decided to calm his soul with Beethoven, Neil sat with him…patient…adoring.
And then somehow as he played, that deep seated theme came back to mind and Jesse found his fingers responding to the notes in his head. Neil watched the boy smile and noticed something was different…it didn’t sound like Beethoven anymore. And then he saw Jesse’s eyes, he was lost in a trance.
The piece of music soared and yet it kept coming back to this simple theme, four notes, three chords and that was all Neil understood. But even others who had been working around the theatre stopped to listen, sensing something new, something exciting. And then Neil felt Tom slide up beside him and put a hand on his shoulder, they both watched Jesse close his eyes and soar.
And the music went on, growing soft at times and then back to that soaring theme around which everything was wrapped. After a period of time Neil could sense it coming to an end as the piece climbed and climbed and then fell over…leaving four notes and three chords to end it.
Jesse seemed to deflate; his eyes still closed as Neil got up, walked around the piano and took the boy in his arms. And without thinking they kissed, the passion of the music flowing out of Jesse into Neil. Tom smiled at what he saw and realized something. Neil was the muse, the inspiration for Jesse’s greatness. And so to bring them back down to earth Tom applauded and so did the dozen or so boys standing around the theatre.
The kiss ended and both boys blushed. They had never been on such public display before.
“What was that?” Tom asked.
Jesse shrugged. “I…I don’t know. It’s been in my head for a week, I never played it before.”
“You never…you mean that was all extemporaneous…you just made that up?” Tom asked.
Jesse nodded, and then he looked into Neil’s eyes. “You made me do it.”
Tom laughed at the reaction on Neil’s face; the boy had no idea what he could inspire Jesse to accomplish. Oh, he’d seen boys in love before, it happened every year, but this was special. And it was probably time to do something about the talent he saw in Jesse. He would write the letter, but he wouldn’t tell the boy about it. It would all be so much better if it came as a surprise, Tom liked surprises.
The Monday of exam week came, the boys thought of it as three days of hell. A hush fell over the school, even the playing of stereos was banned on the dorms. It didn’t help that the week ahead was due to be sunny and above freezing, but Dr. Thorne began exam week with his usual speech at morning meeting.
“The time is upon us where each of you is asked to perform at his best. In the past four months you have opened your minds to new and exciting concepts, and we are all pleased to see how well you have performed. I would judge your academic prowess to be among the finest I have seen here at this school. And if I had my way there would be no examinations like you face these next few days.
“But we all know you don’t perform these tasks to please me, we follow the standards of other institutions so that your grades will mean something when you graduate. I would just as soon give you a pat on the back and a well done since each of you has maintained a high standard. It is my duty, and that of your faculty, to constantly be aware of your successes and failures.
“To date I have been told and seen the evidence of that progress for each and every one of you here today, and you deserve my highest regard for a job well done. I will hope that this recognition will bring you comfort and inspiration as you sit down this morning to be tested. In my mind, and in the minds of your faculty, you have already passed that most important of tests. You have shown us what you can accomplish, and for that you have the right to be proud.
“In today’s schedule first period exams will run from eight-thirty until eleven, second period exams from one to three-thirty. We have a special treat for lunch today which will run past the customary one hour period. Tom asks me to remind you that the chorus will not rehearse this evening, but will occupy the activity period tomorrow afternoon.”
Dr. Thorne nodded to his faculty which sat in the front rows surrounding him, and they all stood, turning to face the students. “For what we have accomplished together you deserve our respect and applause,” Thorne said. And with that he and the faculty began to applaud the students.
It didn’t take long before the students began to stand and applaud back, accompanied by whistles and a few cheers. It had been a tough semester, but they had all done it together. Exams began promptly at eight-thirty. And Neil smiled at the instructions Elias handed out:
“Please read this instruction sheet carefully, answer ten of the following questions to the best of your ability.”
And Neil read each question, trying to decide which ones would show off his best talents, and then he came to question twenty: “Please place your name and the date in the upper right hand corner of the first page. If done properly this will be counted as one question for this examination, only nine more to go!”
Neil looked up and saw Elias smiling as several of the students finished reading the instructions. Neil knew there would be some who just barged ahead. Didn’t they understand the meaning of semantics? He wanted to laugh, but knew that would give it all away, so he chose nine questions and began to write his answers.
Jesse was taking the trig exam down the hall and Neil was glad he wasn’t in the room. Now he answered question after question, drawing strength and comfort from what Jesse had done the other night. He wasn’t sure how someone might compose music, but he imagined it must be like writing a story or a poem. The sound Jesse had created still echoed in his head, four notes and three chords.
Neil felt a hand on his shoulder and Elias leaned down close, whispering in his ear. “Concentrate, you’re daydreaming.”
Neil nodded and focused back on the page. Question seven was right on the money: “What inspires thought?”
“Thought is derived from both internal and external sources,” Neil wrote. “We think in reaction to external stimulus: sight, sound, taste and smell. Thought is used to evaluate and react to those external events that require some response. Most internal thought derives from external stimuli, sometimes long after the original occurrence.
“For example: A person witnesses a house on fire. The sight of the fire, the sound of the roaring flames, the taste of burning ash and the smell of charred materials all serve to inspire the thought of fire. And much later, days and weeks later, we may see the consequences of that image. Fear and anxiety may be manifest, even nightmares. The reality is that we never know when something like a fire will affect us personally; the thoughts may stay with us forever.
“Thought is often something beyond conscious control and the mind can store a lifetime of thought. To many it is the source of creativity, to others a destructive force. Learning to control thought is all part of the human experience, and thus the mind is capable of forgetting. Even as new thoughts enter the mind others are rejected for so many reasons, some of which it might be better that we do not understand. Just a thought.”
Neil chuckled to himself. He could just imagine Elias sitting down to grade his exam and coming across this question. Neil loved to create a thought and turn it into a conundrum. So many times he had submitted papers with conjecture and blatant discrepancy as a theme just to listen to Elias’ feedback. The student was a test to the master. Just the way they both loved it.
And when Neil was finished with the exam he took the pages up to Elias’ desk and shook hands with the man, then he quietly left the classroom and headed down to the student lounge. Alan and Barry were there, along with six or seven others.
“You had English, right?” Barry asked.
“Yeah…all I can say is read everything before you start…everything,” Neil laughed.
“So was it tough, I have Elias this afternoon,” Alan said.
“Naw, but define tough?”
“Ah, a thinking test…sweet, my favorite kind,” Alan said.
“If you paid attention during the semantics part of the semester you’ll do just fine,” Neil said.
“You both know he changes the questions for the afternoon session, this discussion is useless,” Barry said.
“What exam did you just take?” Neil asked.
“Physics…glad you asked?” Barry laughed.
“Lord no, I’ll never take that class,” Neil groaned.
“I do numbers, you do words…it works out pretty much the same,” Barry said.
“If I pass trig this afternoon it will be because of you…I’m forever in your debt,” Neil said.
Barry laughed. “Seniors never seem to collect on those debts…I’ll be a virgin until college.”
“Still looking for that geek gay god are you?” Alan asked.
“Hey, don’t knock my fantasies, there has to be at least one at MIT.”
“Shit, you got accepted?” Neil asked.
“Done deal, all they want to see is this semester’s grades, I’m a shoo in,” Barry said.
“Damn boy, I am so fucking proud of you,” Neil said, and then he grabbed Barry and kissed him between the eyes.
“Yeah, Barry, that is some kinda awesome,” Alan said.
Barry grinned. “I got something you can kiss if you want.”
Alan laughed. “Sorry, Brian gets all of me.”
One by one the students came trickling into the lounge, and finally the face Neil wanted to see, and Jesse was smiling.
“How did it go, baby?” Neil asked.
“Good…great even,” Jesse said, sharing a kiss. “You’ll do fine this afternoon.”
“I hope so, you know trig is not my favorite subject,” Neil said. Then in whispered tones he told Jesse about Elias’ little game on the exam. They agreed the man was a real prankster.
The surprise lunch was pizza, and where they found a pizza parlor willing to make almost a hundred pizza pies no one knew. But the choice was right off the map for Bradford’s usual fare, and at this juncture most welcome. The lunchtime scene was almost festive and the boys all relaxed before slogging their way back to the classrooms for the afternoon session.
Jesse gave Neil a kiss, witnessed by at least a hundred other students, and then he took off. Some of the boys ribbed him about it, most just gave him a pat on the back. Being gay in a school full of boys had its advantages; it was the reason so many played around after lights out.
Neil was one of the few juniors in the trig exam, most were already into calculus by then. But Neil’s struggle with math would only face a new plateau next year. Calculus would be his final challenge to graduation and unfortunately Barry wouldn’t be there to tutor him.
The ‘Ice Queen’ had them all spread out across the room so no one could cheat. Not that Neil had ever considered cheating on an exam, but if he could this would be the obvious choice. There were fifty problems on the exam and three hours to solve them…his brain would be mush by the time it was all over.
Neil settled into the quiet and didn’t look up once for the whole period. But Barry had taught him well, there were only three equations that defeated him, and even those he was able to address partially.
“Time,” Ms. Simmons called.
Neil looked up and saw her smile. The test had been tough, not one boy in the room had finished early. Simmons was really enjoying her task, and he knew next semester would be tougher. She came around and collected the tests, stacking them on the corner of her desk before dismissing the group. Neil followed the pack but just as he got to the door Ms. Simmons called his name.
“Mr. Dennison?”
Neil turned and retraced his steps. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Barry says he’s been tutoring you for this class. I just wanted you to know that was a smart move on your part. I’m sure you did well on the test.” And again she smiled. “See you next semester, have a good holiday.”
“Thank you, Ms. Simmons…you have a good holiday, too,” Neil said.
He walked down the hall in a daze, what was that all about? But he knew…Barry was her star pupil. Jesse was waiting in the lounge with a piece of paper in hand, the coveted off campus pass. Neil was taking him out for dinner.
Neil drove them through town to the Thayer where he and his mother had been staying. The house had been occupied for the last three weeks by a work crew that his grandfather had assembled. Neil had no idea what they’d accomplished but it was now finished and they were going out to celebrate.
The boys had finally bridged the gap between their households. Nora had been talking to Diana the past couple of weeks. Knowing that Jesse’s aunt and uncle were coming to Littleton for the concert, Nora had invited them to stay at the house for the two nights of their visit.
They pulled into the drive in front of the hotel and Nora joined them in the Jeep.
“Hello, Jesse…how have you been?” Nora asked. It had been three weeks since she last saw him, the whole month had been so very busy for them all.
“Fine, Mom…tough exams,” Jesse said.
“How did it go, Neil?” She asked.
“English wasn’t bad, the trig exam was a bear but I think I did okay with that,” Neil responded.
“Good, I’m sure you both did just fine,” Nora said.
Neil drove them to the Italian restaurant on Main Street where they joined the early bunch for dinner. Jesse had to be back on campus by eight so they ordered and set about eating once the food arrived. Nora smiled as the boys finished up. It was always good to see them together like this. Neither of them had any idea what the house looked like and now it was time they found out.
Nora fended off all their questions on the drive to New Bridge but she could feel their excitement. Three weeks was not a lot of time to change everything, but Nora had visited every day and marveled at how quickly things had been accomplished. So they pulled in the driveway around six and the changes were immediately apparent.
“Wow…look at the lights,” Jesse said.
The long circular drive was now lined with lamps that seemed to welcome them home. Neil parked in front of the door and Nora led the way. The front hall was now tiled and they removed their wet boots to keep from tracking up the new carpet.
The fireplace had been opened up to its original glory and the mantle seemed to be ten feet long. Soft brown leather couches and chairs, brass lamps and glass tables filled the space. Jesse looked around and marveled, but something was missing.
Nora smiled. “It’s over here, sweetie,” She said, taking Jesse’s arm.
They stepped through a pair of French doors onto what had been the side porch of the house. Now fully enclosed, the porch had been turned into a music room. The ceiling had been raised, the walls lined with rich pecan wainscoting and elegant wallpaper, and now the Bosendorfer sat in the middle of the room under an elegant chandelier.
“Is it…?”
“Yes Jesse, it’s completely restored,” Nora said.
She and Neil watched Jesse approach the piano and run his fingers delicately across the lid, it was a loving touch, a caress. And then Jesse sat down at the keyboard.
“What shall I play?” Jesse asked.
“Show Mom what you wrote last week, that opus thing,” Neil suggested.
Jesse smiled. “I believe what Neil is trying to say is that I made something up last week and he likes it.”
“Then let’s hear it, what inspired the music?” Nora asked.
“The same thing that inspires the rest of my life…Neil.” And Jesse began his four notes and three chords…and then the rest tumbled out.
No matter how many times she heard Jesse play Nora knew that she was watching a great talent develop. As a girl her mother had great friends amidst the talented musicians of New York and the opera world. She had heard some of the great classical pianists perform, men like Van Cliburn and that amazing young Russian talent, Evgeny Kissin. Both had sat at this very keyboard and played in her mother’s living room, something she could not bring herself to tell Jesse…not yet.
Nora could still sense that Jesse was overwhelmed by the ability he had, it was still untrained to a great degree, and to his young mind that was intimidating. But tomorrow she would meet Diana and George, and then she would see if they agreed. The boy needed special treatment, a means to cultivate his musical talents…and Nora’s father knew the very best.
That Jesse would find her son an inspiration for his music was thrilling, and she could see it in the way this piece affected them both. The moment he started to play Jesse never took his eyes off Neil and that smile…well that smile was all about love. And then the piece ended as it had begun, softly…and yes, she could only think that the right word for the moment was sensually.
They toured the rest of the house, the rooms were brighter, the carpets softer. The kitchen had been redone as well, glass doors on all the cabinets, the gleam of new china on every shelf. Nora had been very busy as the remodeling crew worked its magic. This was a home once again.
“Aren’t you going out to look at your room?” Nora asked.
“You did that too?” Neil asked.
“Yes, we fixed it up a bit, unless you want to move back in upstairs. I just thought you liked your privacy.”
Neil grinned. “Well, there is that.”
Neil opened the kitchen door and paused. Stretching out before him was an enclosed hallway with windows on every side that led right up to the pool house.
“Wow…Mom,” Neil exclaimed.
“This ought to make winters easier to take,” Nora said.
They walked the length of the hall to the door and Neil opened it. The bed sat on a raised platform against the far wall and the walls themselves were now a light blue with dark blue trim. The once ratty looking couch and chair had been replaced with deep blue leather covered furniture, and a huge plasma television was attached to the wall.
Neil walked around the room touching things, amazed at how good it looked.
“Oh, check out the closet,” Nora suggested.
Neil opened the door and started laughing. “Jesse, look…a new water heater, a big one.”
“No more cold showers,” Jesse said.
“Thanks, Mom,” Neil said, and they both hugged her.
“I don’t know…you’ll be off to college soon, I might have to rent this out,” Nora said.
“Don’t you dare, I need someplace to sleep when I come home,” Neil said.
They walked back up the hall to the kitchen. “I’m going to give your aunt and uncle the master bedroom upstairs, they don’t need anything special do they?” Nora asked.
“No, they’re pretty simple folks,” Jesse said.
“I have to take you back to campus, it’s getting late,” Neil said. “Are you staying here tonight, Mom?”
“Yes, come back to the hotel after you drop him off and well get our stuff.”
“Thanks for the dinner, Mom,” Jesse said. “Love what you’ve done to the house.”
“This is your house too any time you need it. Now go get some rest and have a good day with your exams tomorrow,” Nora said. “Let’s go.”
The ride back was quiet, the drive to Littleton seemed shorter every time. Neil dropped his mother off at the hotel and headed for campus.
“Thank you, baby,” Neil said.
“For what?” Jesse asked.
“For the music…and just being you. I love you.”
“Love you too…wish we could stop and I’d show you what that means,” Jesse said.
“Not tonight, you need to sleep…two more and we’re home free,” Neil said.
“At least we have the trig behind us, science and history should be a lot easier.”
“I can’t wait to see the concert…but, I’ll miss you for a whole week,” Neil said.
“Longing makes the heart fonder and all that jazz, just think ahead to the New Year,” Jesse said.
“Yeah a big year, we turn eighteen and come fall we’ll be seniors,” Neil said.
They pulled onto the campus and Neil parked in front of Revere Hall. The campus looked deserted but every light in the dorm was burning.
“See you in the morning, babe,” Neil said.
“Breakfast?” Jesse said.
“Be here at seven with the coffee.”
The kiss was passionate, the feelings shared equally, and then it was good night.
“Sleep well,” Jesse said.
“You too, loves you,” Neil said.
“Loves you too.”
Although a student at Bradford had six classes each day, the physical education and art blocks did not have a final examination. English, math, science and history comprised the main subject load, the only subjects required for graduation.
That final day of exams went well and Jesse found Neil in the lounge.
“Jeez, this is your third year of doing this, how do you stay sane?” Neil laughed.
“Because we prepare well each time and it always ends with a holiday, that’s the incentive,” Jesse said. “Are you sticking around for the rehearsal?”
“Lord, I thought you guys would be ready by now, another rehearsal?”
“A brief one, a lot of parents are coming in this evening,” Jesse said.
“I’ll stay…no sense in having to drive back. We have dinner with your aunt and uncle tonight,” Neil said. “And then you’re all mine.”
Not even Tom could dampen the spirits of the boys at rehearsal, exams were over and the singing could only be described as lusty. After an hour of that he bid them a good afternoon and reminded everyone to be back at one o’clock the following day. Boys scattered, some to pack, others to await the arrival of their parents. Littleton would be jammed with people this evening.
Frank was wandering around in his boxers. “Jeez, I have nothing to wear…I didn’t do laundry all week.”
“You have two hours before your parents get here, Frank. Go run a small load and pack up the rest, your mom will wash them,” Jesse said.
“Yeah, good idea.” Frank grabbed a bunch of clothes and started out the door.
“Frank,” Jesse yelled.
“Huh?”
“You might want to put some pants on before you go downstairs,” Jesse laughed.
“Oops, thanks.”
Neil was still laughing after Frank left. “How does he manage when you’re not around?”
“He has his mommy I suppose.”
Jesse carefully packed his clothes and they carried the two bags out to the Jeep.
“Where’s your dress up stuff for tomorrow?” Neil asked.
“Second bag, all ready to go.”
They drove across town and left Littleton behind. Jesse could relax before his performance tomorrow. At least he would have Neil tonight and tomorrow night. The six days he would have in Philadelphia might get lonely but then he would fly to Lansing and meet the grandfather. That made him more nervous, he’d never been on a plane before.
George’s car was in the driveway when they arrived, and the boys rushed in the house to see them. Nora had just finished giving them the tour and they all sat down in the living room.
“The drive wasn’t as bad as I thought,” George said. “We made good time. So how did the exams go?”
“Good, but we’re both glad they’re over,” Neil said.
“I would guess we both did well, we have a great study group,” Jesse said.
They talked over dinner but by eight it was apparent that George and Diana were tired after the day long trip. Nora suggested they all turn in and the boys walked back to Neil’s room.
“Hmm, I finally have you alone,” Jesse said.
“It has been a while,” Neil said.
It had been too long, and Neil saw the desire on Jesse’s face. He grinned and they lay down to become reacquainted.
The theatre was filled with murmuring voices as the chorus marched up the center aisle between rows of parents, friends, and family. Sixty-eight boys walked up the steps onto the stage and took their places on the risers under the stage lights. And gradually the lights over the audience dimmed.
Jesse walked out from backstage and took his seat on the piano bench, and now the crowd was hushed. Tom walked out and there was applause in the audience, he gave them a wave and took his place in front of the chorus.
An hour ago Red stood backstage and joked that they could sing ‘Old McDonald had a Farm’ and the audience would give them a standing ovation. The chorus sang their way through the program of Christmas favorites, both modern and ancient. Jesse played his Beethoven and the chorus sang some classical pieces. The applause was thunderous and they all took bows, then Tom walked over and gave Jesse a hug.
Tom took an envelope from his breast pocket and slid it into a side pocket on Jesse’s jacket. “Don’t open that until Christmas, okay?” Tom said.
Jesse nodded, and they walked off stage arm in arm where they were immediately surrounded by happy, laughing boys. The semester was officially over and boys crawled out into the audience to find parents.
Neil rushed up and gave Jesse a hug. “That was great, best you ever played.”
Jesse laughed. “I’d be a damn fool to screw up the holiday.”
Nora sat them down for supper that evening, a knowing smile upon her face. She’d had four hours alone with Diana and George that afternoon and it only confirmed her greatest hopes. Between them they knew Jesse was destined for the concert stage, it was only a matter of taking the proper steps. And today they had united behind the boys. Now they had a year to make it all happen…and they would.
A final night of tenderness, and then a morning of sighs, knowing they would be apart but never separated. George went out to warm up the car while the boys carried the bags. Nora and Diana walked out arm in arm, sharing the joy of being new friends. And then it was time to go.
Neil stood with Jesse in his arms. “Have a great Christmas, babe.”
“You too, see you soon…loves you,” Jesse said.
“Loves you too,” Neil replied. And then they kissed, while Nora smiled at their public display of affection. She stood with Neil as the car rolled down the driveway and turned towards the highway. And gently she laid an arm across his shoulder, pulling him close.
“Come on, sweetie…let’s go visit your Grandpa,” Nora said.