Chrysalis Part 2--Chapter 11
This story is about a young man's quest to fix a major birth defect--he was born without a penis. On his quest he meets his soul mate and many other soon to be friends.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and events are the product of the author's imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any real person is coincidental.
The story depicts procedures and practices common for gender reassignment; however, this story does not claim to be a medical treatise, and information is primarily for the purpose of the story and not medical advice. This story is written for adults with adult themes. If you are underage or live in a location where references to gay relationships or transgender people is forbidden, please log out of the story or move.
This work is copyrighted by Boethiuscell@gmail.com © 2023
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Chapter 11--Lunch with Zoe and Slim
"Holy shit, time warp," Benjie exclaimed as he looked at the robin blue three-story Queen Ann Victorian with its white trim and magenta shutters sitting surrounded by urban block apartments. Chris paid the cab and joined Benjie at the wrought iron gate. "Wow," Benjie said as he lightly swept his hand across the ironwork. "Original to the house?"
"Slim says that this is a replacement for the original that burnt in the 1870s. Original parts of the building are in the basement." Chris and Benjie walked up the sturdy steps and onto the expansive front porch.
Just as Chris was ready to ring the doorbell, Zoe opened the door and grabbed Chris into a big hug. "Oh, I, so glad you could make it. Slim and I have been talking about you all week." She paused. "Only in a good way. That was you that hit the pervert?" Chris nodded. "And we saw some of the video of you at Jazzabel's Place. You know she tapes every show, for quality improvement." She paused again. "You were amazing, gave her a rough time, looked beautiful, but of course you always are beautiful, Guess that's why you're a model. And that handsome Hispanic man you were with, Juan. You looked..."
"You going to keep the kid at the door all day?" Slims voice echoed from somewhere inside the house.
Zoe shook herself realizing that Chris and Benjie were still standing on the porch. "Please come in, hang your jackets on the coat rack. And we'll join Slim in the kitchen." She stopped and suddenly realized that Benjie was standing there trying to fade into the background. "Who is this luscious young man." Zoe smiled at Benjie.
"This is Benjie, my landlord's nephew." Benjie shyly stepped forward. "Hope you don't mind that I brought him. Hate riding in cabs alone."
"God no." Benjie extended his hand, but Zoe swept past the hand and into a massive hug that pinned Benjie's arms to his side. Benjie's face flushed from surprise to embarrassment then to panic as Zoe's gripe tightened.
"She may be slight," Chris laughed, "but she is strong--Stroung Like Buull." Chris said with a bad Russian accent. Benjie managed a weak laugh as he fought for breath.
Zoe released Benjie, who inhaled greedily and struggled for a firmer footing. "So where is Juan?"
"Family obligations." Chris gave a slight chuckle, "He wants to gloat to his older gay brother about last night. Siblings."
"Slim's the same way with his two younger brothers. Love each other, but dangerously competitive." Zoe grabbed Chris with one hand and Benjie with the other, leading them toward the kitchen. "Where is Tom?".
"Cleaning house." Zoe gave Chris a quizzical look. "He and Toby broke up, both literally and figuratively. According to Tom, it was not an amicable separation. A real mess. Now Tom is picking up the pieces."
"About time." Zoe huffed. "Toby is a manipulative ass-hole coke-head. But he has one charming smile. Makes you got to like him."
"Hey, Chris." The voice had Chris pivot. "Didn't expect to see you so soon." Ollie rushed over and gave Chris a big hug. Chris looked around. "Louis is in the pantry." Ollie gave a quick wave behind Chris's back. "Hi." Benjie waved back. "Last night was beyond anything Louis and I expected. Thanks for dragging us in with you. Hope we didn't bollox anything up."
"You improved things." Chris smiled to Ollie.
"Now who's making advances upon my boyfriend?" Louis laughed as he joined the hug.
"What you doing here?" Chris asked after doing a quick introduction to Benjie.
"We're catering. Actually, my aunt is catering; we're helping. My aunt let me do all the hor d'oeurves." Louis puffed with pride that Ollie reinforced with a kiss on the cheek.
"Love fest is over; get to work," said a stern female voice. Standing next to the four was a short woman, maybe five feet, slightly heavy, dark black hair with tips of blond. She was maybe in her late forties early fifties holding a large wooden spoon. She gave Louis a firm whack on the butt. Louis said ouch and rubbed his ass. "You both have prep work to do." Ollie and Louis returned to a long table laid out with vegetables, Louis was still rubbing his ass; Ollie took over chopping duty. "Aren't they cute," she said as she watched them walk away. "I'm Ester, Louis's aunt."
"Chris," Chris said extending his hand "and this is Benjie."
"Nice to meet both of you. Louis said what you did last night." Ester pushed herself between Benjie and Chris. "Really nice. They both work so hard and are so committed to their future together that they deserve an occasional nice surprise."
"That is what I thought too." Chris smiled at Ester. "The seemed so excited, and when the line looked like they would never get into the club, I had to act."
"Are you always that impulsive?" Ester asked.
"I'm good a reading people, so it pays to be impulsive sometimes."
"You're too young to read people. You need another thirty years like me, and even then it is not fool proof."
"Perhaps," Chris replied, "but I know that you love Louis and by extension Ollie. They are far more important to you than you let them realize. I know that you are a strong, determined woman, on her own, whose been knocked around but never gave up. You are a woman I am pleased to meet."
Ester took a couple of steps back as Chris spoke, "You read palms and tell the future too?" she asked lightly. "What you said is just too spooky. My grandma would have doused you with holy water to void the evil eye." Ester laughed. Ester looked at Louis and Ollie. "I love those boys more than my own." She gave a quick glance at Chris for his reaction, receiving none she continued. "I have eight children, whom I love deeply, but they only see momma. They are good to me. Take me on vacations with them. We visit when we can--they are all spread out--have family and kids. We do Skype. But I will always be momma." Ester turned to watch fondly as Louis and Ollie chopped and chattered. "When my husband died three years ago, everyone was naturally devastated. It was unexpected, heart attack." She explained. "I needed to be momma and comfort the kids. It was Louis and Ollie, whom Louis had just started dating, that were there for me. Helped me grieve, helped me find purpose after 36 years with that insufferable man I completely loved. They encouraged and helped me start the catering business, which Sal--my husband--had encouraged me for years to do." She turned back to Chris and Benjie "Don't know why I'm telling you this Chris, maybe you're just an old soul in a young body." She grabbed the edge of her apron and wiped an eye. "I need to get back to work before I need to use this on myself." She waved the wooden spoon around then turned and left Chris and Benjie standing alone.
"That was heavy man," Benjie whispered to Chris. "Why did she tell us all that?"
"She needed to," Chris shrugged. "I feel privileged that she shared." Chris watched Ester with Louis and Ollie, saw love and acceptance, and wanted that too. Wanted family.
"They're a trip to watch," Slim came up behind Chris and gently touched his elbow. "So glad that you could come." He walked around and looked Benjie up and down. "And who is this strapping young man?"
"This is Benjie, my landlord's nephew. He loves art, and I thought he might like to see yours." Chris explained as Benjie shook his hand.
"Love people who like to look at my art." He gave Benjie a sly smile. "You're not the art critic for the Times." Benjie shook his head no. "Good, he doesn't know art."
"Do you mind if I take pictures of some of the art?" Chris waved his phone. "I have a friend who owns a small gallery. She might be interested in displaying some of your work."
"Sure, I can always use more exposure." He looked seriously at Chris. "I am usually very particular about where I exhibit, but a friend of yours is worth at least extending a listen. You know."
"Perfectly understand. Each work is a part of you."
"I also need to apologize." Chris cocked his head. "The piece I gave you last week was one of triptych. I'll give you the other two today."
"Thought it felt unbalanced," Benjie blurted, which earn a stare from Slim. "Chris has been having a terrible time finding a place to hang it. I tried to help, but," Benjie decided he had said too much.
"Yes, I perfectly understand that," Slim said enthusiastically, "It needs the other two pieces to be complete." Slim grabbed both boys' hands, "Lunch will be in about an hour." Slim led them on the grand tour with Chris taking photos like a paparazzo and Benjie oohing and aahing. The ended up in the room with the piano where Zoe was in conversation with four other people.
"Hope you have not driven the boys into shell shock," Zoe laughed as Slim, Benjie and Chris entered the room. Benjie immediately extended his hands and started walking like a zombie, which garnered a laugh from everyone and a swat on the arm from Slim. "We are having mimosas and appetizers before lunch."
Ollie appeared and handed Slim and Chris their drink. He turned to Benjie and said, "This is one is for you."
Benjie took a drink. "This is just fizzy orange juice," He frowned and looked at Ollie. "Why aren't I getting the good stuff like everyone else?"
"It is just a minor problem; you are underage." Ollie said calmly.
"So is Chris."
Zoe walked over to Benjie and gave him a small peck on the cheek, which quickly deflated him. "Chris is over 18, out of high school, living on his own, has a full-time job, and a mean left hook."
"If I slug someone," Benjie said with humor, "I get booze."
"No honey," Zoe cooed, "you get arrested." Benjie laughed and raised his glass in salute. "Now for introductions." Zoe guided Chris and Benjie to the other people in the room.
She stopped first at what was obviously a couple because the woman had her arm through his. This is Tyrone Pierre and his wife Amber Scott-Pierre. Tyrone was a tall, thin, angular, dark skinned man with dreads and intense brown eyes that seemed to absorb every detail in the room. His wife was about a foot shorter, thin, too thin thought Chris, pale skin with straight blond hair. She had the same intensity and angularity as her husband, but the sharpness of her face and limbs seemed to be the result of moisture being sucked out of her. Both were dressed casual in jeans, expensive jeans, and loose-fitting tops. Tyrone held out his hand, which Chris found firm but sensitive. Amber's proffered hand surprised him. He thought it would be delicate and fragile, but it was more like a tiger or shark grasping prey. Chris looked briefly in surprise at Tyrone. He laughed and said, "Many people look at my wife and underestimate her. It's what makes her one of the best investigative journalist at the Times." This was said with obvious pride.
Amber blushed a little and looked adoringly at her husband and then back to Chris. "He just says nice thing in public so I don't wallop him at home." She gave Chris a big grin while pulling Tyrone closer.
Zoe herded Chris and Benjie to the two men in the room. Chris was not sure if they were a couple or not because they stood with maybe two feet between then. "This is Garner and Clark Sudbury."
"Brothers?" Chris asked, although he saw little resemblance between the two. Neither looked amused by that statement.
"We're married," came a terse reply from Clark as he moved closer to Garner.
"I am sorry," Chris gave his most apologetic smile, which slightly mollified Clark. "I hope that someday I will find a man I want to marry."
Garner smiled and extended his hand, "So what brings you into this cabal that Zoe has arranged?"
"Haven't seen you at one of these zoo events before" Clark added. Chris looked puzzled. "Zoe, more than Slim, collects people like some sort of menagerie. If you are interesting, talented, smart, or just down right weird, you get invited."
"Not sure I am any of those except maybe the last. I just met her and Slim last Sunday."
Benjie pipped in, "I'm just his tag-along because every other man he asked declined." Garner and Clark gave Benjie a sympathetic look. "I don't mind because Chris is magic." Clark gave Chris a more appraising look.
"We were invited but we needed to spend Easter with Garner's family. And I mean family. His ex-wife, kids, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, and any passing hobo."
"It was not that bad," Garner pulled Clark toward himself. Clark frowned, "Well maybe it was a bit overwhelming, but it could have been worse. Uncle Billy is still in jail."
"Billy's in fed jail for fraud. Very nice guy. So charming, he will have you gladly giving him the gold from your teeth." Clark turned to Garner, "I do really love your family, and they are way better than mine, Your kids are amazing. But I would like smaller doses." He turned back to Chris and Benjie "It like being thrown into a cage full of affection-starved monkeys." Garner put a hand on Clark's shoulder and nodded agreement.
Garner gave Chris a careful appraisal, "I've seen you somewhere before. I know we have not met," He smiled, "because I would have definitely remembered."
"I've been wondering the same thing too Garner." Both stared intently at Chris, which made Chris shift on his feet. "Been on the news?" Clark finally asked.
"Sure has, he is the guy..." Benjie started to say.
"Yes," said Garner. Benjie nodded. "at Jazzabel's."
"Of course," Clark added, "we watched the video on You-tube twice."
"It's on You-tube?"
"All Jazza's shows are on You-tube. She has her own channel." Garner said.
"It is going viral." Clark stated like it was common knowledge.
"I'll need to find it and see you latest escapade, Chris my man." Benjie interjected once again amazed at Chris and even more amazed that he was Chris's friend.
"Excuse me gentlemen," Louis interrupted holding a silver tray with hor d'oeurvers. Chris thought Louis looked adorable in his white chief coat with a red bandana around the neck and lopsided chief's hat.
"Hey Louis," Chris beamed at Louis, "did you make these?" Louis smiled. "Your own creations?" Louis nodded. "What are we looking at?"
Louis balanced the tray on one hand while pointing with the other. "The first is ahi tuna with a citrus reduction on a pita chip. Next is pate on a cucumber and beside that is roasted root vegetables, beets, carrots and celeriac, on rye toast points. The last two are deconstructions of a cheeseburger and pizza." Louis winked a Chris as he took one of each, as did the others.
"This is pizza?" asked Garner as he held a large shot glass filled with frothy layers of white, red and brown.
"I use molecular gastronomy techniques on the deconstructions." Louis explained.
Clark rolled his head back and moaned as he slid the contents on the small saucer into his mouth. "This is amazing. It has all the flavors of a cheeseburger, but it is more intense. It is like caviar, little beads of flavor that just pop in your mouth."
"These are all your recipes?" Garner asked as he took a second veggie bite.
"How do you like my man's food?" Ollie asked as he put a comfortable hand around Louis's waste.
"Your man has talent." Clark said as his hand was slapped away from a tidbit that Garner was reaching for. "Does he have his own restaurant or catering business?"
"Not yet. After I finish my MBA, we will go that direction," Ollie answered.
"I still need experience so I'm working at the Waldorf and doing post grad classes."
"Once you are in business, let us know. This is amazing food, especially the pizza." Garner handed Ollie a business card.
"Thank you gentlemen for your kind words," Louis said, "but we need to get back to the kitchen. Lunch will be in about 20 minutes."
Louis started to walk away with the tray until Garner grabbed it from his hand, "I'll take that." He smiled greedily. "my mama always taught me to not waste food."
"Did your mama teach you to not be a glutton?" Clark laughed as he grabbed for some tuna.
The conversation turned to usual light fluff: jobs, music, art, literature, pop culture, food. Chris easily kept up with the conversation, adding his informed observation, quoting writers, and listening intently. Benjie wondered how Chris was so firm in his knowledge and confident in casual conversation. While everyone was heading to the dining room, he asked. "The library was my safe place when I lived on the street. I would spend 10-16 hours a day there every day. One of the librarians insisted that I read and learn, which I already liked. She kept giving me things to read on every topic. That was my high school. Except for the homeless part, it was great. As far as conversation, I read people. I notice changes; if the change is positive, I continue; negative, I change topic." Chris took Benjie elbow, guiding him to the dining room. "But more important is to listen."
The meal went as planned with light conversation over amazing food. Tyrone talked about his latest project involving rap. It was then that Benjie realized that Tyrone Pierre was T. P. Doctor, a rap star that Benjie admired. Of course, the conversation veered toward Ty's earlier work. Zoe deftly moved the conversation when it became clear that Ty was more interested in future work than past. Amber mentioned some shenanigans at city hall that she was investigating, but the details were not given. Clark lamented the demolition of an old school he tried to save for historical reasons. Garner described the work he was doing on the apartment of Derick and Michelle Gordon.
Chris mentioned his invitation to a Gordon party. Both Clark and Garner said, "NO, don't go." Then they paused to add, "unless you're into heavy drugs and orgies--bondage and gangbangs."
Clark looked at Garner and shuddered. "We went once."
Garner continued, "I was invited because I'm doing their apartment, which is impressive with large windows overlooking the Hudson, and they have great taste in design. And the money to indulge it."
Clark gave Garner a little nudge, "He is really into his design. Get him started and he will talk for hours. Otherwise, he is very shy." Clark gave Garner a loving look.
"You're the same about buildings." Garner chided.
"Yeah, guess that is why we are successful."
"But back to Derrek's soiree. We went but knew that the party was odd when we were met at the door by the butler, who offered to take our hats, coats, shirt, pants, and clothing under the shirt and pants."
"We declined to relinquish the last two." Clark made clear.
"Most of the people were naked or close to it, wearing just leather bindings. Three people were making out on this 12,000-dollar water silk sofa. Lube tubes open and leaking on the beautiful upholstery."
Clark smile indulgently at Garner, "See his priorities, violation of upholstery is more important than potential violation of my ass."
Garner patted Clark's hand, "Honey, I am the only one allowed to violate your ass." He looked around the table as everyone waited for him to continue. "Lube was not the only thing leaking on the sofa."
"Derick met us, looking offended when he saw we were still partially dressed, but he took us to the bar."
"The bar has a commanding view over the water." Garner continues. "It was well stocked: booze, wine, beer, mixes, marijuana, cocaine, and several bowls of pills in candy colors. It could have been a de Heem still life.
"We both took beer in a bottle. It is easier to hide not drinking when people cannot easily detect how full the bottle is." Clark raised his wine glass a little in a salute to trust. "All the drugs was unnerving because we shy away from all that--too destructive. But then Derick moved in real close to Garner--chest to chest--and starts unbuttoning his shirt."
"Clark was pissed. I mean really pissed and tells Derick that he is standing next to me and we are married." Garner glanced at Clark still seeing the outrage float behind his eyes.
"No shit," said Amber. "The balls of that guy."
"It gets worse." Clark said to Amber and the rest. "The guy then says, I'm married too, but sex in marriage is so boring.' Then he slides a hand across my chest, while now playing with Garner's zipper, and looking me in the eye says, Babe, I'll get to you too. I have a playroom just for you.' He had the audacity to laugh and add `It's got good bones.'"
"I firmly pulled Derick's hand from inside Garner's pants and place it on his chest. Sorry, babe, but we do not play.' I was so furious I grabbed Clark's hand and said we are leaving, now.'"
"I was so ready to run from that bacchanalia that Garner did not need to urge. Derick caught my hand as we turned to run. These blue pills' he popped one in his mouth will keep you ready for hours, if that is your concern.' I was flabbergasted and speechless."
"I could not let that comment go about Clark." Garner was red from remembering the incident. "I pulled myself close to Derrek's face and said, from my experience, Clark could fuck you from here to Fifth Avenue without raising a sweet. We are leaving now and don't invite us to any more parties.' We got to the door when Derick yelled, We still got the design meeting on Friday.'"
"Did you go to the meeting?" Slim asked.
Garner smiled, "Of course, he is a paying customer with a very expensive budget. Nothing was said about the party. I'm not sure if it was professionalism or faulty memory." Garner and Clark laughed, returning the meal to a lighter tone.
"I've heard rumors about these parties for over a year," Amber added, "but I thought there were more from jealousy. Maybe the other rumors are true too about the drugs and money laundering."
Ty broke in, "When Amber scents a story she's a badger." Ty turned to Chris, "So what is your life like?"
"Not too much interesting." Chris lightly tossed off. "Moved to New York from Chicago a few weeks ago to start a modeling career. My first real job starts tomorrow at Silent Models."
Benjie looked at Chris baffled. "He is far too modest. Sure, he is a very pretty face but he is one amazing person," Benjie blurted. "I've known him only about a week. Things just seem to happen around him. It took him less than 12 hours to find an apartment, which he charmed from my aunt and uncle. He got some secret job at Silent Models. Stole the show at Jazzabel's Place. The week before, in Chicago, he became friends with I. Guzman, famous gay romance writer, and Ariel Greenwood, wife of the hotel magnet." Benjie paused while Chris tried to hide by sinking in his chair. "And to top it all off, he made national news when he slugged a perv trying to molest him."
Benjie looked around the table suddenly realizing that he was the center of attention. Amber looked between Chris and Benjie. "I would be so proud to have a friend like Benjie, who is so willing to defend me." Everyone raised a glass to Benjie, who was blushing.
Salads were brought out and convivial conversation returned. Chris chatted easily with Clark and Garner about design and just as easily with Ty about poetry and Amber about media.
"Where did you go to college?" Ty asked I.
Chris nearly chocked on an asparagus spear at the question. Recovered and said, "I only have a GED."
"No shit," Clark said in disbelief.
"Better GED than I got." Ty said to reassure Chris that he understood.
"Parents encourage all this learning or is it osmosis?" Amber asked.
"My parents stressed learning when I was younger, but most everything was the strong encouragement of a librarian. She pushed, literally, hundreds of books for me to read. I think she had a grand plan with me. A several year experiment to enry iggins me. It was my annus mirabilis, for three years." Chris smiled at the memory of book after book being shoved to him and then discussed and the tutors for French, Italian and Latin classics. "She founded the Chris Wentworth Book Club that met every Sunday with other patrons to discuss what I was reading. It was a candle in a very dark window." The arrival of fruit and cheese broke an awkward silence.
"Do you have plans on going to college?" Ty looked at Chris with deep respect and some concern. "I got a GED, but then, after some success, decided that I needed college for me. I now have an MFA. It some ways it ruined my rapping because I saw more than was just in my rap world. But it has added depth to what I write now."
"Ty's new play is opening in June. Rehearsals start in a couple of weeks." Amber said, obviously very proud of Ty. "It is a brilliant play, and this is not just wifely pride."
"She is my worst critic," Ty said, "which I greatly appreciate. We start rehearsals in a few weeks. Would love to have you stop in." This was said more to Chris than to Benjie, but Benjie didn't mind because his head started whirling in the conversation soon after salad.
"We'll do desert and coffee or a post-prandial drinks in the parlor," Zoe said as she stood and headed out of the dining room.
Ty cornered Chris as they were leaving the dining room. "You are transgender." Ty said as a statement of confirmation than questions or censure.
"Yes, female to male." Chris's reply contained caution.
"You make a very handsome man. Let me welcome you to the domain of masculine machismo."
"I have not reached that testosterone level yet. In a few months I will start injections."
"From what you did not say at lunch, I assume that your parents are not happy with the decision."
"That is putting it mildly."
"Kicked out and lived in the library because it was safe."
"Pretty much."
"Yeah, I did mostly the same." Chris looked at Ty for clarification. "I was never kicked , but my mother was into drugs, men and other things, so I was pretty much on my own since 10. The library was a safe haven."
"For me too. I was a skid for over three years."
"Do you hate your parents, hate the world?"
"Naw, I did at first, but I found myself going into dark places that I did not feel welcome. I mean the anger can eat you raw like a vulture on roadkill. For my mental health, I forgave my parents and the world, and with that myself."
"How did you survive without being sucked into drugs or enslaved by a pimp?"
"I met two men, Hank and Dion, who took me in: protected me." Chris hastily added, "No sex required."
"How did you end up here?"
"Met Tom Greenwood, then his agent. The liked what they saw and hired me."
"Benjie is right that you are a remarkable person. I really want you to come to one of the rehearsals for my play. I would appreciate your insight." They exchanged numbers.
"If you are done playing cozy with Chris," Amber yelled, "join us."
The parlor looked different from last Sunday, primarily because there were not twenty or thirty people packed in the room. With only six, the warm comfortable furniture elegantly supported the players in the room. As everyone milled about chatting before determining a seat by whom they liked to talk further; Ollie went around taking orders for expresso, cappuccino or cordials. He did recommend a port with the desert, which was Dutch apple pie ala Louis. Chris opted for port with an expresso. Benjie asked for the same, but a calm stare from Ollie left Benjie with just a cappuccino. Much of the conversation from lunch moved into the parlor, except Chris found himself sitting between Amber and Ty. Chris quickly realized why Amber was a successful reporter. While her questions were mostly innocuous, they probed and forced Chris to reveal more than he wanted, but, strangely, he trusted her to respect his confidentiality. He felt her genuine interest in him as a person and not just a story. Slowly, with casual humor, he exposed the last three years of his life, his plans for surgery, and possible life beyond it.
It felt good to explain to someone who was not judgmental, who almost grasp why he wanted the surgery. It helped Chris clarify what was important; that the change was not just physical but emotional, that the change was a start, that the change would not change his past or who he was. The change was an event in life, like birth, puberty, and death, and there was more after the event. Each day was an event, some more or less important. Each event had precursors and consequences. Each event a rock in a stream--a stream full of eddies and leaves and branches that catch and swirl around the rock.
Talking to Amber, Chris suddenly felt more focused and surer of himself. He was more willing to take all the risks necessary to claim the life he needed to survive. He was willing to let life flow around him, control what he could and let the rest move on.
Ollie interrupted the conversations with beverages. Louis presented to each guest an apple with a streusel topping and three wedges of pastry crust dusted with cinnamon.
"Strange looking apple pie," Benjie stated aloud. Everyone's head turned toward Louis.
"This is my version of apple pie." Louis stood apprehensive as he looked for everyone to taste.
"Better than apple pie, but definitely apple pie," Benjie firmly stated.
"This is delicious," Amber said as she lifted a spoonful of topping and filling from the hollowed out apple.
"The filling is like a mouse." Clark explained.
Louis nodded, "Yes, some of the same techniques are used.
"How did you get the hollowed apple to hold its shape."
"That was a tough one. I experimented on about five dozen apples until I succeeded."
Ollie joined in with a laugh. "We have a freezer full of applesauce it anyone wants some."
"This is one of the I-knew-him-when moments." Ty announced. "You are a fabulous, creative chief. In a few years, you will be the chief. You will be more famous than Bobby Flay." Louis blushed.
"Ty is right Louis," Garner said. He turned to Ollie. "It is your very important job to be an anchor. To keep him from drifting."
Ollie grabbed Louis's hand, "I absolutely plan on being that. We have plans together--a team."
"Enough praise for now," Ester beamed from the doorway. "He has dishes to wash."
As Louis grabbed the empty desert tray, he slipped Benjie a half-filled glass of port. "It is a must with this pie." Louis whispered. Chris just looked at Louis and smiled approval.
The rest of the afternoon passed with good fellowship. Although no one presumed to ask, Chris volunteered at the piano. Everyone gathered around to play sing that song. Chris would play a melody and anyone who knew the words would sing. Clark and Garner both had excellent voices and could harmonize. Apparently, they sang in an a capella group in college. Ty knew more show tunes than most gay men. Slim would make up words to songs--the new lyrics were usually dirty.
The afternoon slipped away in laughter, but Chris realized that it was time to leave. When he stated he must get home, the other looked at watches or phones and agreed. Slim made sure that Chris had the other two pieces of art; Clark and Garner invited Chris over in the near future. Of course, Chris had Ty's number and a date to see the rehearsal. Amber gave Chris a kiss on the cheek and encouraged his future. Ollie and Louis made an appointment for next Saturday for experimental recipes with Chris and Benjie as tasters. Final hugs, kisses and thanks were exchange with Zoe and Slim.
Once in the taxi, Chris asked Benjie if he had fun. "I need to hang with you more, man. This was a blast. And I met T. P. Doctor; that alone will bring me up several pegs in the HS pecking order."
"Yeah, it was all pretty cool." Chris leaned back into the seat of the cab reviewing Amber and his conversation. He saw his future after this event.