Chrysalis Part 2-Chapter 31
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 challenges, 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 31--Open House
"Sir," Beach's voice softly filled the room. "Time to rise."
"What time is it?" Chris grumbled as he pulled blankets further over his head.
"8:30 AM, Sir," Beach's tone was not sympathetic to the fact that Chris and Tom had not fallen asleep until after 2. The frolic in the sheets was worth the loss of sleep. "That is the time you requested, Sir." God forbid that Beach not follow Chris's directions. "The caterers will be here at 10:30 to start setting up. Chaz will be here in 30 minutes."
Chris groaned and pulled off the bedding, intentionally slugging Tom in the ribs--he was soundly sleeping. "Time to get up." Chris shook Tom. "Chaz is on his way over." Chris reluctantly pulled himself out of bed, the soft, warm, Tom filled bed, and went to ready himself for another busy day. Chris stared at himself in the bathroom mirror--he had breasts, small, but definitely perky breast. He wanted off the fertility hormones, but it would be worth it in the long run. If Jessica were right he would have twins. Chris tweaked a nipple. "Be gone foul beast." Chris laughed and showered.
Just months ago, a busy day was scrounging for food; last night was a surfeit of food. "Beach, how much did I spend last night on the dinner, to the nearest hundred. And donate the same amount to a food pantry." Beach told him and asked if he wanted it donated the usual way. "Yes, Beach, please do it as an anonymous gift."
Tom entered the living room to find Chris consoling Chaz over Boyd. They had been dating for only a few weeks, and Chaz was besotted, bewitched, and bewildered. Tom sat on the other side of Chaz, but was ignored. Chaz's full attention was on Chris, who was assuring him that everything would work out.
"I know, I know," Chaz moaned looking at Tom, "I've played aloof and cavalier with relationships, but Boyd is so perfect. We click; we complement; we complete." Chaz smiled at Tom begging for understanding. "It is way too fast but I know Boyd is the one for me." Chaz paused and looked at Tom and Chris, who were softly smiling at him. "Yeah smirk, but it is so right. Hell, Boyd and I have even talked about marriage and kids." Chaz trembled, aspen leaves. "Now he is fucking it all up being a knight in shining armor to marry the bitch, whom he does not love, just to protect a child that is not his, regardless of what he says."
Chris took both Chaz's hands and forced Chaz to look at him. "I know that it looks bad right now, but trust me, it will work out fine." Chris glanced over to Tom, who was rubbing Chaz's shoulders. "You and Boyd will be together." Chris gave Chaz a devilish grin. "And you may be parents sooner than you expect."
"Sir," Beach said with his lugubrious baritone. "The caters are here. I have let them in the front door and they should be at your door shortly."
"Time to put on that party face and help with this shindig." Chris pulled Chaz to standing, and they walked over to the door to let the caters in. The next two hours were a whirlwind of activity, that Chris smartly stayed out of. Chaz was in full party planning mode and did not need Chris interfering. The dining room table was filled with chafing dishes, crudité platters, bread baskets, and a dessert tower. The dining room chairs were tucked in the storage room. A bar for beer and wine was erected on the kitchen island. The fresh flowers on the piano were the size of a cocker spaniel. Chris instructed Beach to play easy jazz. At noon Chris and Tom changed clothes knowing that a few people would arrive before the 1:00 PM start time.
Zoe and Slim arrived while Tom and Chris were changing. "Sorry we are early," Slim said to Chaz as he let them in. "I have a house warming present for Chris that I want to install before the rest of the crowd comes."
"What do you need to install?" Chris said as he walked into the living area.
"I have frames for your Turners. They need a proper stage." Zoe handed Chris a large gift bag with balloons on it. Chris pulled out two exquisitely carved gilt frames. "I had Seniore Abrazzio carve them. They are authentic to what Turner himself might choose. He was very particular about his frames. These match a frame at the National Gallery in Ottawa." Chris carefully fingered the frames. They were beautifully carved without the extravagance of many period frames. "Let's get your babies into their cribs." Slim walked into Chris's bedroom, pulled out a level and hooks. "You need to have insurance and better security for these babies." Slim moved the chest of drawers about a foot, walked around the room, nodding. "Yup, right here. Good indirect light, but visible from the bed." He found the spot, screwed a metal plate into the wall, ran the picture wire through the plate and then attached this to the painting. "More difficult to pull off the wall. I also attached an RFID tag to the back of the paintings."
Slim finished hanging one and started on the other when Beach broke in. "Sir, Officer Donaldson and Mr. Vallia." Got it yelled Chaz. Soon Hector and Chet appeared in the bedroom, both in leather, tight revealing leather.
"Got me some saddle soap if you want a nice shine." Chris laughed as he hugged both. "You getting settled in, Hector? Move going good?"
"Most everything is set. My last day is June 19. I fly here to the Big Apple the next day."
"Found a place to stay?" Tom asked.
Chet coughed, "He is moving in with me." Neither Tom or Chris were surprised.
Beach announced Ollie and Louis. Then Zack and Juan with Juan's brothers Pedro, Hymie, and Jorge. Beach made announcements in rapid fire: Stan, Stella and Benjie. After hugs, kisses and a few pinched asses, Chris gave a tour of the condo, which impressed everyone. Chris was feeling high as his friends gathered around in the living area to gossip, laugh, and appreciate life. Stella pulled Chris aside to say how proud she was of him. Chris felt the love of a mother for her son and relished it, but it did not easy the hurt that it was not his own mother saying it. He said thanks and kissed her cheek.
Millie appeared and bear hugged Chris, and did the same for Ollie and Louis. "You boys did a five-star dinner last night." Millie said to everybody. "Chris feted the co-op last night. It was the most elegant and amazing meal I have ever had, and I've dined with De Gaulle, President Kennedy, and the Rockefellers. Never have I had better haute cuisine." Louis blushed. "Louis, you make Gabriel, who owned this place before Chris and was a world respected chef." Millie said to clarify. "You make Gabriel's food, which is phenomenal, look like Frank Sinatra is to Frank Sinatra, Jr." Louis blushed. "I did a text blast to all my friends about last night, so expect business."
"We've done the same," said Zoe. Louis did not know what to say.
Chris tensed because Chaz tensed. Boyd walked in with a slightly older man, obviously his brother, with a barely noticeable woman, Lizette, and another older man, which Chris presumes was Lizette's brother by the way he bossed Lizette around. Chris made his way to the door to greet them and make them comfortable. He gave Boyd a bro hug and said to the three strangers, "I'm Chris, welcome. Food is on the table and beer; wine and non-alcoholic beverages are on the kitchen counter. The three with Boyd introduced themselves. Chris was right about his supposition on the two other men with Boyd.
"Holy fuck," Malcolm said, Lizette's brother, "Who you have to fuck to get this place?" Lizette slugged Malcolm on the shoulder, none too gentle. "Hey that hurt. If you weren't prego, I'd slug you back. But jezz Chris, you got to be either fucking some rich dude or dealing drugs to afford a spread like this."
"My job pays very well, and I received compensation for taking down a child molester."
Malcolm looked at Chris and snorted, "Right dude you and what army."
Chet was walking by after getting Hector and himself a beer. "Damn right dude." Chet in his leathers was not only hot but also scary. "Seen him take down a person over 6' 5" and 300 pounds at a biker bar." Malcolm was less willing to dispute Chet. "Want to see the pictures." Chet moved close to Malcolm, well within Malcolm's discomfort zone. Malcolm tried to move away, but Chet put a not so gentle arm around Malcom's shoulder. "Look." Chet gave his phone to Malcolm. Malcolm looked from picture to Chris to picture to Chris unable to utter more than fuck. Chet took the phone back. "It is not size, man. It is attitude. And Chris has more attitude than men twice his size." Chris tried hard to not grin, but a little came through.
Lizette slugged her brother in the shoulder again. "What was that for?" Malcolm asked.
"For being a fucking ignorant pig." Lizette scowled and grabbed Boyd's hand. Boyd winced.
Chaz screwed his courage and approached Boyd with a pass at a kiss. Boyd stepped back, causing Chaz to kiss air. He looked at Boyd, hurt to the core, and then at Lizette before stomping off to the balcony. Lizette watched Chaz leave and looked at Boyd, who smiled weakly back at her.
"That your boyfriend?" Adam, Boyd's older brother, asked. Boyd did not answer. "You are a fucking idiot. He is one fine man." Adam walked away to join Chaz on the balcony. The awkward tension only broke when Stan, Stella, and Benji interrupted to say goodbye; they had a restaurant to run. Chris left Lizette, Malcolm, and Boyd to attend to new arrivals--coworkers from Silent Models.
Chris busied himself playing host: greeting, chatting, and schmoozing. While playing host, his eyes never left Lizette for long. Once she was alone, Chris moved in to sit beside her. "How are you doing Lizette?" Chris placed a comforting hand on hers. He could feel her unease in the surroundings.
"Okay," she looked at Chris both hostel and uncertain, "I'm not giving up Boyd. My baby needs a father--a good father. A father who will give him what my family cannot." Her hand waved around the room.
"Yes, your child does deserve that." Chris gave her a smile that was kind. "But what do you deserve?"
She laughed, a stone into a dry well. "Nothing."
"Granted that a child," Chris slightly gestured toward her belly, "But your happiness is important too. Will Boyd make you happy?"
"I will be satisfied."
"You deserve happiness. Just because of one moment of weakness, you do not deserve a life of misery. Do you think Boyd will make you happy?"
Lizette took a shallow breath like startled dove. "My happiness does not matter."
"That is a noble sentiment now, but what about in 10 years or 20 years? And what about Boyd's happiness." Chris let his gaze to Boyd and Chaz standing intimately close to each other. "What about Boyd's happiness? He is doing this as a sense of duty, even though he believes the child is not his. How can a child be happy if the parents are not happy?" Lizette shifted uncomfortably, head down, not answering. "Talk to Boyd. You might find it very beneficial." Lizette grasped Chris's hand with both of hers and rose to join Boyd and Chaz. Chris watched as she made Chaz stay as she talked to Boyd.
"Unmatch making?" Adam said as he sat by Chris.
"Trying." Chris said with a grin.
"They are talking. That is good." Chris smiled as Chaz kissed Boyd in front of Lizette, who seemed to smile too. "Lizette is a good person and will do right. She will make a great companion for the right person."
"Just not my brother." Adam said firmly. Chris squinted an eye at Adam as Adam carefully watched Lizette. "I think I'll join then." Adam briskly said as he stood. Chris waved him off. Maybe he was matchmaking.
"Where's my amazing brother," boomed a voice over all conversations--Jazzabel. Chris was pulled into one giant bear hug. "Mighty nice pad you have Chris." Jazzabel was dressed as more sedate Ralph Brown in jeans and a flowered shirt. "When you coming back to my place for an evening? I am inundated with queries."
"You really want me back?" Chris whispered out, unable to breath from the hold Ralph had on him.
Ralph released Chris, but held him by both shoulders at arm's length. "I would give you second billing and a permanent slot if I thought you would take it."
Chris extricated himself from the hold, then shook to make sure all parts were hale. "It surprises me that you want me back." Chris looked up with gleaming eyes. "Didn't think you could take the competition."
Ralph laughed loud and long, a crowd had gathered to watch the reunion and laughed too. "You ain't got the balls to best me." He winked at Chris.
"Not yet," Chris laughed back, "but soon and then watch out." Chris grinned at Ralph's wife, Tanya, a petite dark-skinned no-nonsense woman wearing a crimson, gold and black dashiki slit well up to the thigh. Behind her, trying not to be embarrassed was their son, Lemar.
"Lemar knows who is the best between us." Chris snarked.
"Hey man, don't get me in the middle." Lemar raised both hands in protest. "Just show me the booze, and I'll stay quiet." Ralph and Chris laughed as Lemar edged away.
"I see who's got the brains in the family." Chris laughed as he grabbed Ralph's elbow.
"Got that fucking right," Ralph retorted. "Nice set of ivories." Ralph motioned to the piano. "Want to jam a little. Can't stay long got a show tonight." Ralph sat on the piano bench. "Got room on stage for a sidekick." Ralph played riffs on the piano, pure Jazzabel.
"Sidekick," Chris mocked huffed, "I'd upstage you." Chris leaned against the piano like a twenties torch singer. He was going to have fun. "What you got for me, big boy?"
Jazzabel, no longer Ralph, in full theater vamped an intro and started playing "What a Difference a Day Makes". Chris immediately, in a nice tenor sang
What a difference a day made
Twenty-four little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Where there used to be rain.
With only a modulation of keys, Jazzabel started a new melody.
Hush now, don't explain
Just say you'll remain
Unless you're mad, don't explain.
Chris crooned. Jazzabel grinned at Chris. Chris made room for himself on the bench with Jazzabel. Chris started to play, but Jazzabel was on the song before Chris finished the intro. Jazzabel's velvet bass voice flowed:
I'm feelin' mighty lonesome
Haven't slept a wink
I walk the floor and watch the door
And in between I drink
Black coffee
Chris paused to think and then started playing.
Skylark, have you anything to say to me,
Won't you tell me where my love can be?
Is there a meadow in the mist
Where someone's waiting to be kissed?
Chris looked at Jazzabel because the person singing was not either of them. Matías sauntered forward, like out of an Astaire movie, and leaned against the piano, wine glass in his hand. Matías finished the song to full round of applause. Jazzabel looked at Chris, nodded, and both started to play "It Don't Mean a Thing if It Ain't Got that Swing." Matías dove right in and jived the song. That boy had some moves. He pulled Malcolm, Lizette's older brother out to dance. At first Malcolm looked terrified but looked at Lizette who was encouraging him. Malcolm and Matías jitterbugged with back rolls, splits, and jumps. Although Malcolm blushed at the adulation, Chris suspected that it was a long time since anyone appreciated him.
"One more and then I need to dash. How `bout something the three of us can harmonize to." Jazzabel nodded to Matías and Chris.
Ooh
You give me fever
Fever ooh
Ooh
You give me fever
Fever in the morning
Fever when it's late at night
You give me fever
(Fever)
The three voices harmonized, soloed, counterpointed, and camped the song thrice. "Chris, Matías, please join me tonight. I have a few VIPs that will be wowed." Ralph looked around the room and spotted Malcolm. "You too man. Your moves need to be seen." Malcolm looked at Lizette, and he agreed. As Ralph left, he told Tom that a table for twelve would be reserved.
The afternoon wore on. Louis and Ollie stopped by. Chris thanked them for the amazing dinner last night. They were both in a great mood because they had several catering requests as a result of the dinner. Chris kissed both and went to greet Derrek and Rami, who showed off the engagement ring.
Cordelia came with Zack, followed closely by Juan and his brothers Pedro, Hymie, and Jorge. Chris gave Cordelia a tour while Tom corralled Zack and the Rodriguez brothers. Over his shoulder Chris caught Liam in a close conversation with Irene Costos from Tuxed In, perhaps a romance in the bud. Tour completed, Cordelia grabbed Chris and gave him a big kiss on the left cheek. "Chris, you are an amazing young man." Chris blink back a blush. "Look around. Do you see all the people here because of you?" Chris surveyed the room. People were mixing, chatting and having a good time. Chris wistfully thought of how proud his mother would be of his entertaining skills; she taught him well. "Chris, my sweet, sweet boy, you bring out the best in people. It is a rare talent. Because of you, I have my company back and my son. Just know how much many people love you for who you are." Chris did not know how to respond but was saved by Mary Donaldson rushing in for a kiss.
"Chris, this is a fantastic turnout." She looked around the room, her eyes finally resting on the large gothic installation by Slim. "The place is amazing." She pulled Chris's arm to examine the art work. Millie stepped in as the third host and introduced herself. "Got to love that Boy," Millie said with a melancholy smile as she watched Chris with Mary Duncan. "I'm Millie, and I live downstairs. That young man has brought more life into this building than anything." She continued to watch Chris. "How does such innocence and compassion come from him when his life has been hell?" She stopped and looked at David Donaldson and Cordelia Duncan. "Canopies are scrumptious." She took an elbow of each and led them over to the food. "I love the little puffs." Chris and Mary joined them at the food table. Chris had avoided alcohol and food from fear, but now he helped himself to a full plate. Chet and Hector joined the group at the food table, Mary gave Chet a motherly kiss and then did the same for Hector. Chris smiled into his crostini with pate.
Chet handed his parents a glass of prosecco. Hector handed one to Chris. "This is a faaabulouuus open house, Chris," Hector mocked Absolutely Fabulous. A couple of people chucked. "Your sister sends her love, and is expecting an invitation to spend a month with you." Chris choked on a dilled carrot. "But she knows that you travel and will accept a week."
"I am not even sure I will be here a full week from now until after Christmas. But she knows I will be in Chicago in a couple of weeks for the Slacker's promo."
"Dude," Hector looked into Chris's eyes, "that's not New York."
"Not away from rent," Chet added. Chris understood that and the fact that he was constantly sending pictures of what he was doing. He did have a glamorous life from the outside. But he worked hard long hours in bad weather and uncomfortable poses. Chris excused himself to circulate; it was one of the prime things his mother taught him.
Chris found Adam, Malcolm and Juan's brothers all in the media room playing NASCAR. Several bottles of beer lay by the sofa as well as several empty plates. Chris left them to their fun. He saw Harold and Louisa on the balcony talking to Cynthia and Dorn from Dreamweavers-East. Louise pointed at her shirt that said "Grandma". Chris gave her two thumbs up. He wandered in and out of conversations, frequent kisses on the cheek or forehead from Tom as he passed by doing his hosting duties. "There's my favorite brother-in-law." Chris turned to see Ariel barreling toward him. She grabbed him forcing him into a back dip and a kiss. "Always wanted to do that," she grinned mischievously.
"What are you doing here?" Chris gulped at his faux pas. "I mean I am very happy about it, very surprised because I thought you were in London."
"Yes, but Cheddy and I could not miss this event. Besides Cheddy needed to talk to David about the Shanghai project."
Chris accepted Ariel's explanation with a nod. "What about my being your brother-in-law. I'm not married." Chris looked a Tom, who was talking to Cedrick.
"Just because Tom hasn't asked you yet does not mean he won't. He is just too pig headed. And Cheddy and Tom are more like brothers than cousins, so you are my brother-in-law. If Tom can't get his act together, there is always Cousin Arthur."
"What about cousin Arthur?" Tom said as he swiveled his attention to Ariel.
"Ariel was just telling me about what a catch Cousin Arthur would be as a future husband."
"Cousin Arthur is fat and six toed."
"Substance would be nice over boney elbows and sharp ribs. He sounds like a perfect pillow to rest my weary head."
"Yeah, what about the six toes?" Tom shot back.
"More to suck on. You know how you like me to suck your toes, with Cousin Arthur more would be better." Chris lightly chuckled as he licked his lips. Turning to Ariel, Chris asked, "Do you have a picture?" Ariel flipped through her phone and showed Chris a picture. "Be still my heart as such masculine perfection." Chris looked at the pic, then Tom, then the pic making obvious comparisons. "Thank you dear sister-in-law," Chris handed the phone back. "I am sure from the temperament of his face that Cousin Arthur's disposition is as sweet as honey with none of the sting of a wasp. The sting of the wasp may have its uses as Botox. But please forward his picture and other vital information to me. A boy always needs a backup plan."
Tom swooped in and aggressively kissed Chris. "He has fish lips."
"Do you make it a habit of kissing your male cousins?" Tom just kissed Chris again to the amusement of the onlookers. "Definitely not fish lips," Chris sighed.
"Need to get me some hot lips," Hymie said. Juan, Pedro and Jorge all looked at Hymie in surprise. Hymie was spun around and Malcolm planted a tender kiss on Hymie. Lizette gasped.
"What the fuck, never seen two dudes kiss. Doesn't mean I'm gay, but my friend made a request for hot lips, I got hottest lips here." Malcolm stomped off to the bar to grab another beer. Hymie stood like a raspberry popsicle ready to melt.
By five most everyone had left. Most with other plans, but a few to rest before going to Jazzabel's. Cedrick bowed out because he was having a business supper with the Donaldsons, but Ariel was excited about the evening. Hymie had insisted he wanted to go; he had just turned 21 a few months back and had not experienced a drag show. Chris promised Hymie's brothers that he would be well looked after and would spend the night with Chris.
Malcolm was going home with Lizette, but he would meet the group at the club. Lizette begged to go but both Boyd and Malcolm said no since she was pregnant. She sulked like a two-year-old until she was promised a shopping trip Sunday at Williamsburg. Both Boyd and Adam agreed to join them.
Once logistics were set to meet at Chris's at 9:30 or at the club at 10:00, everybody dispersed. "Beach-have Rosie clean up the loose glasses and plates and then vacuum." Chris said as he sank into the sofa and Tom's arms. "I think the open house went well." He sighed from exhaustion, snuggling closer into Tom.
"It was a splendid affair. You did an amazing job on this--first class all the way." Tom kissed Chris on top of the head. "You think the Lizette, Boyd and Chaz triangle is resolved?"
"Time will tell, but they are talking to each other. I feel it will all be fine. Want to bet Chaz and Boyd will be married before November?" Tom wisely demurred on the bet.
"Come," Tom had Chris sit up, then both stood. Tom grabbed Chris's hand. "You need a nap. Chris did not object.
Song lyrics:
"What a difference a day makes"-popular song originally written in Spanish by María Grever, a Mexican songwriter, "Cuando vuelva a tu lado" ("When I Return to Your Side"), recorded by Orquesta Pedro (1934). The English lyrics were written by Stanley Adam. (1934)
"Don't Explain"- Written with Arthur Herzog Jr. (1945)
"Black Coffee"- Written by: Francis Joseph Burke, Paul Francis Webster Lyrics (1949)
"Skylark" is an American popular song with lyrics by Johnny Mercer and music by Hoagy Carmichael (1941)
"Fever"-written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell, who used the pseudonym John Davenport. It was originally recorded by American R&B singer Little Willie John for his debut album, Fever (1956)