Piano Forte

CHAPTER 21

FATHERS AND SONS

 

 

 

 

When William awoke, he was on his back with Austin draped over him. For some reason, that felt just right. What didn’t feel right was having to wake Austin up so he could get out of bed to pee and shower. Then he considered the fact Austin never told him what his morning schedule was. For all he knew his roomie had to get up NOW. With that in mind, it felt right to wake him. He rolled Austin off him and shook him awake.

 

“What’s going on?” Austin said sleepily as he fought open his eyes.

 

“I think it’s time to get up. Since you never told me your schedule and I never saw you set your alarm, I’m making sure you don’t miss anything.”

 

Austin was suddenly wide awake. “Holy crap, what time is it?” He looked over at the clock on his desk. “Seven-thirty. Oh, good, I got nothing until nine.”

 

“Ditto for me. Let’s go shower.”

 

“Together?”

 

“Sheesh, it’s not like we haven’t done that before. And with that Brian dude gone, who gives a rusty fuck? Gary sure doesn’t care.”

 

“Aren’t we going to have some kids from the vocal camp in our suite?”

 

William nodded. “But that’s just for four days—Friday through Monday morning.”

 

“Don’t they come Thursday night?”

 

“Nope. I got it from Christian that they’re supposed to be checked in and moved in by noon, Friday, and out by noon Monday.”

 

“Christian is the man,” Austin grinned. “He knows what’s going on.” Austin rose from the bed and headed for the bathroom. “Come on, lazy bones, let’s shower.”

 

Even though they didn’t say so, both boys hoped that the shower would be more than just them washing each other, which turned out to be the case. William not only washed Austin’s ass, he washed it thoroughly, using a bar of soap and his hand to clean out his crack and to wash his pucker. William removed his hand and pushed his hard cock against his roommate’s crack. He reached around and started stroking Austen’s cock while humping his smooth ass.

 

The roommates were wondering how far this was going to go when they heard a door open and Gary’s voice call out, “Hey, are you pervs going to be in that shower forever? I gotta get showered, too.”

 

“Maybe if you didn’t sleep in, you’d be washed and dressed by now,” William responded. But he backed off Austin and turned off the water. The two opened the shower door and grabbed their towels off the rack.

 

Gary pointed to their hard-ons and laughed. “I knew you were perving on each other.”

 

Austin reached for Gary’s crotch and grabbed his suitemate’s erection. “It looks like it didn’t bother you none.”

 

“I’d drag you into the shower with me to take care of business, but I really am in a hurry to get to breakfast and my nine o’clock practice time.”

 

“I don’t have any time either,” Austin said.

 

“Don’t look at me,” William told Gary, “even though I am horny enough to do just about anything right now.” He gave Austin’s ass a friendly whack. “And it’s all your fault.”

 

“You’re the one who dragged me into the shower so you could hump me and play with my ass.”

 

“Guilty as charged.”

 

Gary stepped into the shower and closed the door. “I’ll see you guys later.”

 

“Okay,” William acknowledged. “Come on, Austin, let’s go eat.”

 

 

 

Austin’s morning was routine. The thought hit him that the camp seemed a lot like school. But at the same time, it seemed so much different. It was hard for him to explain, but either way, he was enjoying himself. He and Ned had a practice room reserved at eleven for a final rehearsal before their performance that evening.

 

Austin attached his “Caution: Nudists at Work” sign to the outside of the door. He and Ned had no intention of getting naked, but they did intend to change their clothes. They quickly stripped down to their underpants. Each boy had a backpack and had their recital garb packed in it. They were soon wearing the short-sleeved, button down shirts and long pants they would be wearing for their performance. They wanted this to be a dress rehearsal.

 

Just as they finished playing their pieces for the first time, Ms Zimmer knocked on the door. “Are you boys decent?” she called out.

 

“Yes, we are. You can come in.” Austin was upset with himself for forgetting to take the nudist sign down after he and Ned had dressed, especially since he knew Ms Zimmer would be dropping in on them.

 

The teacher opened the door and smiled when she saw the two well-dressed boys. “You two are going to look really sharp tonight, especially after you comb your hair.”

 

“Don’t worry, we’ll be all showered and combed, plus we’ll be wearing dress shoes,” Austin assured her.

 

“Plus, we’re going to play great,” Ned added.

 

“I am confident of that,” Ms Zimmer said. “Play what you have for me.”

 

Ms Zimmer could tell right away that Austin and Ned were in performance mode. They played through the two short pieces almost flawlessly. Austin’s touch on the piano complemented Ned’s flute playing to perfection.

 

When they finished, the teacher smiled and applauded. “You two are going to be right in the mix to be picked to play Saturday. That was not only an excellent job of playing, but Ned’s transcription of the folk melody was first-rate. I understand both of you have performed before an audience before.” Austin and Ned nodded. “Then the only advice I can give you is to enjoy yourselves. If you have fun performing and show that you’re having fun, your audience will love you. I’m looking forward to tonight.”

 

After Ms Z left, Austin and Ned agreed their performance for their teacher was the perfect way to end their practice. They quickly stripped down to their underwear. Ned noticed the bulge in Austin’s briefs right away.

 

“You have a boner,” Ned said, stating the obvious.

 

“I get boners a lot when I’m really into playing,” Austin said.

 

“Yeah, you told me that before, but actually seeing it happen is like, wow--I wish that happened to me, then I’d be like you—I’d know how much I’m into my music.”

 

“Everybody’s different,” Austin reminded Ned. “I can show you something that gives me a boner and will give you one, too.”

 

“What?”

 

Austin stepped up to his friend and rubbed his hand along Ned’s little package. The predictable result happened in an instant. Since he got no resistance from Ned, Austin placed his hand inside his friend’s briefs and rubbed his hairless hardon.

 

“Wow,” Ned gasped. “You were right. I can’t wait until the Quartet meets tonight.”

 

They were disturbed by a knock at the door. Austin quickly let go of Ned’s cock as he realized that this time he had forgotten to put the “naked” sign back up. Somebody seeing them in their underwear was one thing but being caught with his hand inside Ned’s underpants was something else entirely. He pulled his shorts out of his backpack and nodded to Ned, who did the same.

 

“Are you there?” came a female voice as the boys stepped into their shorts.

 

“Yeah, come in.”

 

Linda LaRue, one of the high school girls working as a camp counselor and general helper, came in. “Oh, sorry if I was disturbing something,” she said as she watched the boys pull their shorts up. She was surprised how seeing the two cute little boys in their underpants gave her a little sexual jolt.

 

“We were changing out of our clothes,” Austin told her. “We’re playing tonight and wanted to practice in what we’re wearing tonight. We’re putting our camp clothes back on.”

 

“Oh, okay,” Linda said doubtfully. “Mr. Shepard wants to see which ever one of you is, like, Ned.

 

“That’s me,” Ned said. “When?”

 

“As soon as your practice time is over.”

 

“That would be now, I guess.”

 

“Are you Austin?” she asked Austin.

“Yep, that’s me.”

 

“He wants to see you right after Ned.” Linda then left the boys to dress.

 

“Whew, that was close,” Austin muttered.

 

“Do you think she liked seeing us in our underpants?” Ned asked.

 

“I dunno, maybe. We got our shorts on pretty quick.” After pulling his t-shirt on, Austin asked the question neither boy wanted to ask. “Why do you think Shepard wants to see us?”

 

“You know why. It’s about sister bitch.”

 

“Why doesn’t he want so see us together? Does that mean we’re in big trouble?”

 

“No way sister bitch can get us in trouble. She knows I’ll rat her out to Mom.”

 

“How come you haven’t already done that?”

 

“Because mom won’t do anything. But if what                               she’s doing gets us in trouble, then it becomes war and that’s different.” Ned pulled on his tee. “I better get going.”

 

“Good luck, I’ll be right behind you.”

 

 

 

“May I help you?” Mrs. Norris, the school secretary asked warmly. She was now working for the camp, but her job was essentially the same.

 

“My name is Ned Walsh. Mr. Shepard wanted to see me.”

 

“Hello, Ned. He is in his office and is expecting you. You can go right in.”

 

Ned went around the counter and stopped at the open door to Mr. Shepard’s office. He could see the camp director looking over papers on his desk. He didn’t feel comfortable just walking into the office, so he rapped on the door.

 

Mr. Shepard looked up and smiled when he saw Ned. “Hello, Ned. Please, come in. I instructed Mrs. Norris to tell you that you were welcome to walk right in.”

 

“She did, sir,” Ned said shyly. “I didn’t want to surprise you.”

 

“That is very thoughtful of you. Please close the door behind you and have a seat right in that chair.” The camp director pointed to a chair next to his desk.

 

Ned sat in the chair and waited for Mr. Shepard to tell him what kind of trouble he was in.

 

“Relax, Ned. You are not in trouble. I just wanted to ask you a couple of questions.”

 

“Is it about my sister, sir?”

 

“In fact, it is,” Mr. Shepard chuckled. “She is quite the firecracker. I take it you must know she came to talk to me about you.”

 

“No, sir, I didn’t. I just know she said she was going to talk to you about my friend Austin and me.”

 

“That was, in fact, her subject. I won’t go into detail, but she insinuated that Austin may be bullying you. I’m just checking into the truth of her allegations.”

 

“Austin is my best friend at camp. He isn’t doing any bullying or anything bad. He’s just being my friend and helping me be happy at camp.”

 

“You’ve called him your friend twice. That tells me a great deal. I assume he isn’t forcing you to do anything you don’t want to do.”

 

“No sir, we’re doing things together that friends do. We’re going to be performing together tonight. And we signed up to be a team in the badminton tournament.”

 

“That all sounds wonderful. So, why would your sister come to me with her story?”

 

“My mother told my sister to watch over me and make sure nobody picked on me and stuff, since I’m kind of shy. Shannon likes to…um…likes to…I’m thinking of the word.”

 

“Push you around?”

 

“No. It’s got micro in it.”

 

“Micromanage?”

 

“Yes, that’s it. She thinks she has to be in charge of everything I do.”

 

“Well, I’ll work to make sure that she lets you live your own life here in camp. I could call your mother, as well, if you wish.”

 

“No, at least not yet. Maybe sister b—um—Shannon will stop if you tell her to. I don’t want to get her in trouble with Mom unless she keeps being a b--um, being pushy. And, please, I don’t want Austin to be in trouble. We’ve only known each other since camp started, but he’s already one of the best friends I ever had.”

 

Mr. Shepard fought down a grin. “I still want to talk to Austin. But don’t worry, he isn’t in any kind of trouble.  I just want to be the one to tell him that. And now that this is closed for now, what will you and your partner be playing tonight.”

 

Ned told him they would be playing two short works for flute and harp. “I wrote the transcription for one myself, but I got some help for the piano part.”

 

“I’m impressed. Shannon says she is also concerned because Austin is the only friend you have in camp.”

 

“That’s a lie! Titus, Gary, Austin, and me are all really good friends. We call ourselves the Master Quartet and we do all kinds of things together.”

 

“I know you play the flute and Austin and Gary Wright play the piano. I don’t recall what Titus plays.” Mr. Shepard knew who all of the campers were, but he couldn’t place Titus.

 

“The violin, Sir.”

 

“Now that would be an interesting Quartet as far as music goes. Two pianos, a flute, and a violin,” the camp director chuckled.

 

“We do great just being a quartet of friends.”

 

“With your talents in transcribing music, who knows what you could come up with.” Mr. Shephard stood up, signaling that the meeting was over. “I will be looking forward to your performance tonight.”

 

 

 

Austin breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Ned grinning as he left Mr. Shepard’s office. He was a nervous wreck from the moment Ned left the practice room for the office. He walked into the director’s office feeling much more relaxed.

 

“You wanted to see me?”

 

“I did. Have a seat, Austin.”

 

Austin sat and waited for Mr. Shepard to open the meeting. “I’m sure you know the topic of this meeting.”

 

“It’s about me and Ned being friends and about his sister trying to boss Ned around.”

 

“Ned says you two have become good friends and that you’re nothing like Shannon says you are.”

 

“She thinks I’m gonna bully him and try to make him do stuff.” Austin hoped he wouldn’t have to explain exactly what he meant by “stuff.”

 

“Ned confirms that, so I won’t drag this out. You’re a good kid, Austin. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about you from the teachers and camp counselors. I think Ned is fortunate to have you as a friend, and I will tell Shannon as much.

 

“I understand that the two of you have become friends with Gary Wright and Titus Hayden.” Mr. Shepard had done his duty and looked up Titus as soon as Ned left his office. He wasn’t going to embarrass himself a second time by not knowing a student. “I’m glad to see how all of you have worked hard to fit into the camp.”

 

Mr. Shepard stood up and Austin did the same. “I am looking forward to watching you and Ned perform tonight. Sorry this little issue had to get in the way of what should have been a great day, but I was obligated to find out what was going on as soon as I could.”

 

“I understand. Thanks for believing Ned and me.”

 

“You two made that easy,” Mr. Shepard grinned.

 

Austin’s heart felt so light it was like he had been lifted off the ground and was gliding back to the dorm. He and Ned had arranged to meet at lunch to discuss their meetings with Mr. Shepard. But first, Austin wanted to unpack his good shirt and pants and hang them up. He zipped up the stairs, pulling his keycard out of his pocket as he approached his room.

 

He was about to insert the card when he heard raised voices in the room. He was eager to see which girl William had gotten naked with this time when it occurred to him that the voices were all male voices. He inserted his keycard, wondering what he would find in the room.

 

 

 

William knew his father and grandfather were going to come to the camp to hear him perform. He was certain he would be eating dinner with them, which he would be able to tolerate because of his grandfather, who he adored. What he wasn’t ready for was the two of them arriving before lunch and wanting him to have lunch with them as well as dinner.

 

He couldn’t think of any way out of the dilemma. He was standing next to his bed listening to his father’s tirade. All he could do was work not to lose his temper as his father ran through a litany of his defects, something he had been quite fond of doing the past year.

 

“Why is it I had to call the school to find out you were performing tonight?” David Delacroix asked his son. “Is simple communication that much of a hardship on your overtaxed teenage mind? You knew your grandfather was coming for a visit. You could have at least shown him the courtesy even if you think it’s too much of an imposition to talk to your father.”

 

William stood silently, knowing if he opened his mouth, he would only make things worse. William could see that his grandfather looked as uncomfortable as he felt. He wished his grandfather would say something to shut his father up. His father knew how to push his buttons and did it all too often. His grandfather, however, had always been kind and understanding. William understood that being kind and understanding were said to be the chief attributes of a good grandparent.

 

“Dad, all I’m doing is helping my friend Cindy,” William said sullenly. He almost choked when he called Cindy his friend. “I didn’t know you’d be interested.” William knew he’d said too much as soon as he uttered his second sentence.

 

“You really don’t know much of anything. You knew I was interested in sending you to master classes where a boy of your talent belonged, but you knew better. So now you’re here in this little backwater music camp with a little boy who I’m sure needs help figuring out how to get through his beginners’ book and with the same teachers who taught you nothing during the school year. I admit it was your mother who wanted you close to home for school and I agreed, but I have no fucking clue why you aren’t in Massachusetts or New York or someplace civilized.”

 

William tuned his father out after the words “master classes”. The door to the room opening brought his father back into focus in time for William to hear “no fucking clue.”

 

When Austin stepped into the room, he could feel the tension.

 

David ignored the interruption. “Are you even listening to me, son?” he growled.

 

William’s grandfather, Eugene Delacroix, finally spoke up. “I believe we have a visitor, David.”

 

“He’s not a visitor, he’s my roommate,” William pointed out.

 

“That’s what I meant to say.”

Austin felt unwelcome in his own room and didn’t like it. “I’ll leave as soon as I hang up my clothes,” he said quietly. He set his backpack down on his bed and opened it.

 

David looked at Austin like he was vermin requiring elimination. “That might be a good idea,” he told Austin.

 

William decided he had heard enough. “Gramps, this is my roommate, Austin. Austin, this is my grandpa, Eugene Delacroix.” Eugene held out his hand and, not knowing what else to do, Austin took it.

 

“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Delacroix,” Austin said awkwardly. He was not sure if he was pleased nor not.

 

“You don’t have to go anywhere, Austin, seeing as you live here.” William pointed to his father. “That’s my dad, who I think owes you an apology.”

 

“William is right, David,” Gene said. He, too, had reached his limits with David, who had managed to grow up to be a spoiled prima donna despite his best efforts as a parent. He blamed David’s mother for that, but knew he was at fault as well. He disliked what David was doing to William.

 

“Since when do I owe an apology to a little boy?” David asked rudely.

 

“Maybe since the day you were born,” Gene told him.

 

Austin finished hanging up his clothes. He was more than ready to escape the toxic atmosphere in the room and meet Ned for lunch. “I’m going to lunch. Nice meeting you, Mr. Delacroix.” He looked directly at Gene, ignoring the presence of David.

 

“Wait,” William said. “We still have a decision to make this afternoon. I’ve got the media room reserved for three-thirty.”

 

“What kind of business do you have with him?” David sneered.

 

“None of your business since you can’t even treat him decently or apologize to him. But, if it matters, we’re going to look up something to play together.”

 

“I thought you were doing piano four hands tonight. William, this is a little boy who is going to do nothing to make you better, just like that girl you’re playing with tonight, who, since she is here, is probably as untalented as he is.” 

 

“This is something different. I’ve had enough bullshit, Dad. If he doesn’t mind, I’m going to join Austin for lunch.” He looked at Gene. “You’re welcome to join us, Grandpa.”

 

“Thank you for the invitation. I will stick with your dad to make sure he doesn’t start a riot somewhere,” Gene grinned.

 

“And your dad doesn’t get an invite?” William’s dad asked.

 

William ignored his dad and walked out of the room with Austin. “Come back here!” William gently closed the door and walked down the stairs with Austin.

 

“Sorry you had to be part of that, roomie,” William told him when they reached the foyer.

 

“Is he always like that?” Austin asked.

 

“Thankfully no, or I would have run away a long time ago. He’s mad because I decided to come here for music camp instead of one of his fancy ass camps. I don’t know why I decided to come here except probably to piss him off. And this camp isn’t that bad—there’s some good musicians here, I don’t care what he says. Gramps agrees with me, too.”

 

“So, you’re happy you came here?”

 

“I wasn’t when I found out who my roomie was. But that has changed. You’re a big reason that I’m happy to be here.”

 

“For real?”

 

“For real. And there’s Ned.” Austin saw Ned and Titus sitting on a bench in the courtyard. He waved and they got up and met him and William. The four of them headed for lunch. Titus and Ned’s boyish chatter helped Austin and William leave the unhappy scene in their room behind.

 

Lunch also helped William take his mind off his troubles. The chatter bounced from the upcoming performances of the four that night to the bedtime performances of the Master Quartet after the recitals were over. William found himself enjoying the younger boys as a group for the first time. He liked how they found a lighter side to life. They could even laugh about Ned’s nutty sister.  William thought their silliness was fun.

 

After lunch, they dispersed to their workshops, classes, practice sessions, or recreation sessions. William and Austin wouldn’t see each other until their half-hour session at the media room at three-thirty.

 

 

 

William arrived at the media room ten minutes early. He was surprised to see his Grandpa Gene waiting at the door.

 

“Grandpa, what are you doing here?” William asked.

 

“I’m here in case you need someone to help you stand up to your father,” Gene replied.

 

“What’s with him anyway? I mean, he can be a pushy asshole, but he’s even worse than usual, today.”

 

“His performance in St. Louis last weekend was panned, and you know how he is about bad reviews.”

 

“Yeah, he takes them personal, but he gets over it. I mean, what do people in St. Louis know about classical music anyway?”

 

“Well, they do have a first-class orchestra. Anyway, he was set on you going to the Master Class with Aubrey Hall at Tanglewood. Instead, you’re here. Your mother and I both supported you, saying you’d had a rough year with your two concerts and the other pressures on you. We suggested you needed to be a boy for a summer.”

 

“And then I ended up liking Austin after treating him like I knew Dad would, and I could tell that didn’t make him happy, either.”

 

Grandpa Gene nodded and then asked William if he knew of something else that might infuriate his dad even more if he found out about it. William replied that he couldn’t think of a thing.

 

“Not even a certain instrument you’re taking for one of your fun workshops?”

 

“Oh yeah, the guitar. How did he find out about that?”

 

“By looking at your recital schedule.”

 

“Shit.” William felt comfortable cursing in front of his grandfather. He had learned when it was okay to curse and when it wasn’t. “I bet he blew his stack.”

 

“He did. When he asked about your recital on Monday and found out it was a guitar recital, he was ready to pull you out of camp, but I was able to talk him out of that one.”

 

“Well, I have Schubert and Chopin after that, so he can come and get his jollies listening to the masters.”

 

“I can’t help but wondering what you and young Austin are planning to do together as soon as he shows.”

 

“We want to do a piano and guitar duet. We were going to use the media room to check out some duets on YouTube.”

 

“Piano and guitar, huh? I suspected as much. Do you mind if I watch—if I promise to mind my own business?”

 

“Gramps you can give your opinion anytime you want.”

 

Gene squeezed William’s shoulder at the same time Austin came around the corner. William’s smile told Austin that things must be okay between the two.

 

“Hey, William,” Austin called. “Hello, Mr. Delacroix.”

 

“That’s Gene to my friends.”

 

Austin nodded, but he didn’t think it was right for a beginning pianist like himself to call maybe the greatest pianist alive by his first name. “Where’s your dad?” he asked William.

 

“I guess he’s screaming about somebody putting a guitar in my hands,” William replied.

 

Austin looked panicked. “You mean he won’t let you play something with me?”

 

Gene placed his free hand on Austin’s shoulder. “Son, you and my grandson can feel free to make your plans. I promise I will be there to enjoy every note.”

 

Austin grinned. He liked Gene Delacroix as much as he disliked his son David. He began to think that William was a mix between the two of them; sometimes he could be super nice and sometimes he was an asshole.

 

“Hey, it’s three-thirty,” William said. “Let’s go in and find us some music. This is going to be way cooler than using a laptop or phone.”

 

William no sooner finished talking when the door opened and a high school boy greeted them. “You must be William and Austin,” he said. The boys nodded. “Cool. I’m Jordan Davis. I’m going to be a senior here and I’m in charge of the media room for camp. I saw you and some girls practicing a few days ago,” he told William, “but I kept out of your way since you weren’t using any of the computer stuff.”

 

“Yeah, she and I are playing tonight. Nice meeting you. Jordan. This is my grandfather, Eugene Delcroix,” William told Jordan.

 

Jordan was awestruck. “You mean, THE Eugene Delacroix?” Jordan asked.

 

“Well, I am the only Eugene Delacroix I know,” Gene chuckled. He held out his hand and he and Jordan shook. “I’m here to observe these two budding musicians pick out a piece of music that grabs them.”

 

“Well, come on in. Tell me where to go, and I’ll find it and put the video up on the big screen over there. So, take a seat and let’s get going.”

 

William, Austin, and Gene sat in the comfortable seats. William asked Jordan to search piano and guitar duets on YouTube. The first three hits didn’t grab them, but they stopped Jordan on the fourth hit.

 

They sat back to watch two teens play a transcription of Pachelbel’s Canon. The fact that two teens were playing interested them, but as they worked through the piece, William and Austin both noted that the piano carried almost all the melody while the guitarist just strummed along. The version was peppy, but too much piano.  They wanted something that was exciting and challenging for each of them to play.

 

The next piece they watched was a tango by Astor Piazzolla. It appealed to them in a way, but they thought its strange rhythms would be hard to master. The next was a rendition of Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” only the guitar part was on an electric guitar.

 

“I don’t know how to play an electric yet,” William said as they watched the pianist and guitarist playing a duet and then getting into it with each other.

 

“You could transcribe it for acoustic guitar,” Gene suggested. Austin was amazed by how interested William’s grandfather was in his grandson’s guitar playing.

 

Austin’s eyes caught the word Fandango on the menu on the screen. “Give that a try,” he requested. For some reason the name sounded familiar.

 

The work was the Introduction and Fandango by Luigi Boccherini. Jordan clicked on the icon and brought up a young woman on the piano and a young man playing guitar. He started the video.

 

As soon as the Introduction started, William and Austin looked at each other and shook their heads. It was slow and boring, not at all what they wanted to play.

 

But when William asked Jordan to stop the video, Gene overruled him. “Let it go all the way to the Fandango. I think you will recognize it and Austin may as well. I don’t know how the musicians in the video will handle it, but it will make you want to move just listening to it.”

 

William and Austin both recognized the Fandango. As soon as they heard it they knew it was what they wanted play. “I can play that,” Austin said confidently.

 

“Are you sure? There are some big finger gaps in there,” Gene pointed out.

 

“I may not be real big, but my hands and fingers are already growing fast.” Austin held up both his hands with his fingers spread. “I can play an octave, but I have to be ready to make it a big stretch. I work every day to keep my hands and fingers loose.” Gene was impressed by the boy’s makeup and confidence.

 

“What about you, William?” Gene asked. “You’re a guitar rookie and the finger work there does not look easy.”

 

“First, I’m not a rookie,” William replied. “I remember a certain grandpa that I love very much giving me a very nice guitar for my tenth birthday, which did not make a certain cranky dad very happy. But it made me happy. Cranky Dad told me if he ever caught me playing it he would smash it. But he couldn’t watch me 24/7 and I found some good guitar lesson videos on YouTube.

 

“Cole Davis, my guitar tutor here at camp, has been giving me a lot of lessons and pointers. As soon as we get the score for the Fandango, I’m going to see Cole for help.”

 

“And I’m going to see Dr. Boardman or Ms Z for help,” Austin added. “This is going to be mega-fun.”

 

“Did your father really threaten to smash the guitar?” Gene asked, sounding flustered.

 

“Yeah, but I’ll give him credit, he changed his mind the next day when I hit a record number of bad notes when I was practicing. I think he knew he’d really piss you off if he did, not to mention me, especially since he saw me scared and crying at the piano. So, he finally said he’d lock it up in a cabinet in the basement.”

 

“I’m surprised he didn’t lock it up right way,” Gene said.

“I think he knew I loved that guitar. He was going to give me a chance to play it as long he didn’t have to listen to me doing it.”

 

“Yeah, your dad can be unreasonable at times, but we know he loves you and sometimes opens up a soft spot for you. He just doesn’t want to show it.  He was driven as a kid. For him it was piano, piano, piano. I had to find ways to get him away from the damned thing so he would balance his life out.”

 

Austin listened to the byplay between William and his grandfather with great interest. He was learning a great deal about his roommate and what made him tick.

 

“How come you didn’t bring your guitar to camp?” Austin asked.

 

“Because it might have actually ended up in splinters,” William chuckled. “But Austin has a thought. Grandpa, do you think you could sneak that guitar to me. The one I have is okay, but my guitar, the one you gave me, is special. It’s mine and my fingers belong to it.”

 

“I think that can be arranged,” Gene grinned.

 

“And if you promise not to get mad and to keep it secret, I have a confession to make.” He looked at Austin. “And that means you, too. This is just for the three of us.” Gene and Austin swore themselves to secrecy.

 

“You see, while I really like playing the piano, it always seems like work. When you gave me that guitar, my fingers said it was fun, even before I could play it. I like playing the piano, but I love playing the guitar. Promise you won’t hate me for that.” Austin was surprised to see William wipe away tears.

 

The great pianist Eugene Devereaux came over to his grandson and sat next to him. He put his arm around the shoulder of the high-strung teenager. “I would never hate you, William. The world of music doesn’t end with the piano. I can often tell in your playing that you don’t put your heart into it, that you hit all the right notes and play all the right tempos, but your heart isn’t a part of your music.

 

“Put your heart into your music and I will love you for whatever you do, just like you will love yourself for doing it.”

 

“But Dad will—”

 

“I will handle your father. I’m going to be here in Seattle for most of the summer. I have a feeling he’s going to read you the riot act in the next few days, maybe even today. After he comes back to Earth, I will deal with him. This is not going to be easy, but we’ll work through it.

 

He turned to Austin and said, “I would love to help you with what you and William are doing, Austin, if you don’t mind.”

 

A warm shiver ran through Austin’s body. How could I mind getting tutored by the greatest pianist in the world? Austin thought to himself. “You can help me with anything you want.”

 

Gene called to Jordan, who had disappeared into the equipment room to stay out of the unfolding drama. “How much time do we have left in this room?”

 

“You have twenty minutes, and I promise anything I heard will stay secret with me, sir.”

 

“Thank you, Jordan, you’re a good lad.” Gene pointed to the piano in the back of the room. “If I’m going to help you, Austin, I’d like to know who it is I’m helping. I’m sure you have something in your head you can play for me, and I would love to hear it.”

 

Austin answered by getting out of his chair and walking to the piano, hoping nobody noticed how badly his knees were shaking. All the way to the piano, he wondered what he should play. He thought about one of the many study pieces Mr. Fleming gave him to play which he had memorized. As he sat on the piano bench and adjusted it for his height, he narrowed his choices to two pieces he was working on at camp: the third movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and the Granados Dance Oriental. He settled on the Granados. It wasn’t the fiery work he wanted to play to show off, but he knew it better, plus it showed off what many in camp had been telling him was his greatest strength, his touch on the keyboard.

 

He played a few chords and runs. “Just a quick warmup,” he announced. Gene and William both understood. While Jordan was into playing electronic instruments, he understood as well.

 

After a couple of minutes, Austin stopped, looked out at his three-person audience, and announced what he was playing. As soon as Austin started in, Gene was enthralled. He recognized the work. He knew it was a hard piece to play and extremely difficult to play well. But as Austin’s fingers danced on the keyboard, Gene closed his eyes and listened. He knew right then that he was in the presence of an extraordinary talent; a talent that needed to be nurtured and loved. He knew he was ready to help the boy develop that talent in any way he could. The boy’s touch, his tone, his tempo, his demeanor at the keyboard, everything about him, showed his love for what he was doing. Gene said a silent thank you to the boy’s teacher, opened his eyes, and watched every movement, every expression of the prodigy at the keyboard.

 

When Austin finished, Gene and Jordan applauded. “Bravo, Austin, well-played. You have a wonderful touch and tremendous talent,” Gene told him. He had planned to give the boy a hug, but William beat him to it. William sat on the bench next to the younger boy, put his arm around him, and embarrassed the hell out of him by planting a kiss on his right cheek.

 

“That was beyond totally awesome,” William stated quietly. “I am proud to be having you as my partner.” He looked at his grandfather. “I was ready to hate him, Gramps. I thought he was going to be a little shit who didn’t know the black keys from the white keys. When I realized he was better than I was, I wanted to hate him more. But now—now he is, I don’t know, I just, I’m just happy he’s in my life.” William wanted so badly to say he loved him, but he couldn’t get it to come out, and yet, he was certain that was how he felt.

 

Next: Performance Time