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Life's Illusions - Book Five - Chapter 5
Jace and Mel's younger children, the quintuplets, were all now in their mid teens.
In order of their births they were, Marty, Becky, Lily, Gary, Stevie.
They were a well mannered but mixed bunch as far as personalities went.
The front runners for strongest personality were definitely Marty and Becky, both had always thrown themselves wholeheartedly into any project where a strong voice and conviction was required, which is what Ary wanted.
Ary, Erin, and little Bobby had enjoyed dinner with his parents and grandparents.
His younger siblings had been out with friends for the evening but he knew they would return before he and Erin left for home.
Ary had spoken already with his Momma and Poppa about his idea, and they'd agreed with him in principle.
All five of the younger Thorns returned together at eight thirty, they never pushed it, nine o'clock was curfew on school nights, ten o'clock at weekends and holidays.
As everyone was chatting in the lounge of Ary's grandparents home, he asked Marty and Becky if he could have a word.
"You know I've finalised the details for Bobby and Sams Charity Trust, I only have one more thing to do then it can start it's work, but I need help from both of you".
Becky was the first to respond, which didn't surprise Ary.
"Anything bro, what is it you need?".
Ary smiled.
"If you remember I outlined how I want the board of this charity to operate, I want strong willed, outspoken board members, individuals who will not be beaten down by issues of colour, race, creed, sexuality or politics, won't be silenced by adversity, will refuse to be intimidated by pressure from the more powerful elements of society, in a nutshell, I need to find a couple of well mannered rebels, with a moral compass that's strong enough to ensure they will give aid where it's needed, whatever opposition they're facing".
His siblings were looking puzzled, but Marty asked.
"So what is it you need from us, help finding those individuals?".
Ary was almost laughing now.
"Actually, I have four names already, mine, Trevor's, David Southerland, he's head of Legal at Guardian's Chicago Office, and Pete Williams, he's Head of Finance at JBJ Corporate, it's just the other two I'm looking to appoint, they'll be the real driving force behind dictating the right causes to support, they'll be the ones who won't take no for an answer".
It was Becky who asked this time.
"So, do you have anyone in particular in mind?".
Ary's reply saw both of them silent, mouths hanging open in surprise.
"Yes, I have them in mind, in fact I have them sitting here in front of me right now, that's if you two think you have the ball's to take it on, what do you say, will you do it?".
Becky was first to get over the shock.
"You bet we will, it would be an honour, but it has to be without salary, we don't need a salary"
Ary was grinning.
"That's exactly what every other name has said, I'm so pleased, you two are the force I wanted, I can be confident you won't be pushed aside or bow to bureaucracy".
Both were almost bouncing around the room with pride.
Jace pulled Ary aside later as he, Erin and little Bobby were leaving.
"I don't think you know how you've made their day son, they've always taken on lots of projects but nothing of this importance, honouring Bobby means so much to them".
Ary was smiling as he answered his Poppa.
"I always knew they were the ones I wanted, they are so much like Bobby it's scary, if anyone has made anyone's day, it's them, they've made mine".
DJ had lived at Thorn House in Barrington Hills since the day of the first benefit concert.
Mel had been adamant, he would call Thorn House his home going forward, never again would he want for family, or suffer the hardship of being homeless.
Despite his protests, Jace and Mel had arranged an allowance for him, and set up driving lessons, pretty soon he would have his license.
They'd offered to fund his return to school, but DJ had respectfully declined their offer, preferring instead to take up the offer from TF Management, with Ollie as his manager, he had played support artist roles with three groups visiting Chicago, and signed on to do a support artist role on a ten night tour which finished with the last night in Chicago.
His tour dates almost coincided with Pil finishing his tour, DJs tour went on a couple of days longer, but nothing had been mentioned about Pil coming back to Chicago.
He and Pil Skyped most days unless one or the other were tied up, but until now they hadn't so far gone more than two days without chatting.
DJ was supporting a fairly well known Pop band and was half way through his first set on the last night in Chicago when the audience suddenly went wild.
Unbeknown to DJ, Pil had just walked out onto stage behind him.
He couldn't understand why the audience were suddenly going wild until two hands covered his eyes from behind and he heard Pil's voice.
"Surprise, surprise, pretty boy, guess who?".
Spinning around he was enveloped into a hug by Pil who grabbed the microphone and spoke to the cheering audience.
"Sorry folks, but this here is my man and I haven't had a hug in several weeks, give us two minutes for a cuddle and then we'll treat you to a duet".
The roar from the audience was deafening as Pil went back to cuddling a beaming DJ.
They'd actually done two songs together before introducing the main band and leaving the stage.
Once in the wings DJ's lips were quick to lock onto Pil's, and this time it had most of the backstage crew and fellow artists gasping as it became a lip lock with heavily duelling tongs.
When they finally broke apart DJ was flushed.
"You're so sneaky, you never mentioned you were coming, and I didn't want to sound needy so I couldn't ask, what a fantastic surprise".
Pil gave him another peck on the lips.
"Like I said, I was in desperate need of a hug from my man, so I'm hoping you're still my man".
DJ was absolutely beaming.
"You bet I'm your man, and don't you forget it Mr Platinum Selling Pil".
They were still hugging as Pil said.
"Good, because there's something I need to ask you, but not here, I'm taking you out to dinner after the show so go do your last spot, I'm hungry for food and I'm planning on having you for desert".
DJ ran out from stage left to a fantastic welcome just as the group were exiting stage right.
Pil walked round backstage to meet with his pals, the pop group DJ had been supporting.
"Guys, I can't thank you enough, his confidence has improved so much I hardly recognise the person out there right now, but you do know we're all going to regret it, because he's so going to eclipse every one of us, and it's coming soon".
The guys just laughed with him, with the lead singer saying.
"Nothing could make us prouder than knowing we helped create the amazing performer he is going to become, just listen to that audience reaction, they're already eating him up, I think you're so right, he's destined to be the sort of megastar never before seen".
Pil hugged them all then he asked.
"So, can I join you guys for the final set?".
Again the lead singer spoke up whilst the others just laughed uproariously.
"Yeh, why not mate, anything to help a struggling artist get back on his feet, especially someone who asked us to take a chance on DJ".
Pil just laughed with them, revelling in the friendly camaraderie, these were a mixture of boys and girls who'd struggled individually for years until Pil introduced them to each other, and encouraged them to join forces as a group, then took a chance with them as supporting artists on one of his biggest concert tours.
By the time the tour was over they were the talk of the music world and he'd convinced TF Management to promote and publish an album for them, the rest was history, now they were a household name with multiple successful albums under their belts, but they hadn't forgotten their roots, nor the one person they owed their very existence too.
So when Pil asked, admittedly via Ollie, DJ's manager, that they choose DJ as a support artist, it hadn't been a forgone conclusion, although they had complete faith in Pil, DJ still had to audition, and it had been a winning decision, from the first night when they'd brought DJ out to meet their audience, he'd been smashing it, to the point where they'd actually introduced an extra spot for him toward the end of the night, the one DJ was now completing.
But Pil's subterfuge, however well intentioned, was about to backfire.
Coming off stage as the announcer was thanking the audience for their behaviour and starting the build up for a final performance of the star attraction group, DJ had immediately reached for his cell to call Mel at Thorn House.
"Hi Mel, I just wanted to tell you that I won't need any supper left out, Pil's here and he's taking me out to dinner after we finish".
Mel's reply surprised DJ.
"Yes I know DJ, he told me a couple of days ago".
As DJ ended his call with Mel, he caught Pil's request to join the group on stage, but that wasn't all he heard, he heard the full answer as well, and knew for the first time that he hadn't been selected for his support role solely on his performance merit, he'd gained his position as a favour to Pil.
He'd grabbed his stuff from his dressing room and left the venue in a cab, he needed time to work out what he was feeling, had Pil lied to him?, manipulated what he thought he'd gained legitimately, he headed for a bar he knew the group and roadies used, to think.
He'd been to the bar several times with the roadies after performing so he wasn't questioned for ID.
His cell rang multiple times with calls from Pil, Ollie, Mel, but he just cancelled every call, he wasn't in a mood to talk
He was sat alone drinking a beer when the roadies came in.
A couple of them headed straight over to him.
"Hey man, what happened with you, Pil and the guys were searching frantically for you".
DJ's reply surprised them.
"Yeh, well I needed some time to think, it seems I didn't get my spot on the tour on my own merit, the guys were repaying a favour to Pil, it's just a bit of a bummer".
The guy who'd spoken previously was now grinning.
"What does it matter, you're good, every audience loved you, maybe it didn't happen exactly how you thought it had, but the outcome was what you wanted, you're out there now, they know your name, don't be so hard on yourself, in this business you take every bit of help you can get".
DJ carried on drinking beers, to the point he was completely smashed and passed out in a booth.
His head hurt when he opened his eyes, he felt sick, then he realised, this was his own bed, and he had absolutely no idea how the hell he'd gotten back home.
A knock on the door signalled his morning tea arriving which should have been a blessing, except it was being delivered by an angry faced Pil, who launched straight into a scolding for DJ.
"What the fuck was last night all about, I was worried sick about you, thinking you'd been hurt, so was everyone else?".
DJ's eyes were screwed up, the pain in his head made worse by Pil's loud voice.
"Jesus, what are you, my keeper?, not now Pil, stop shouting, my head hurts".
Pil just stared at him, and DJ realised, the silence was just as bad as the noise, then he bolted from the bed as the urge to vomit hit him.
When he came out of the bathroom Pil was gone.
He'd drunk several cups of tea, showered and dressed, feeling only slightly better as he made his way to the breakfast room.
Mel was the first one he encountered and he could tell she wasn't amused.
"I'm sorry about last night Mel, I needed to think but I overdid the beers, I don't even know how I got back here".
Mel's answer caused him to sigh.
"Pil spent all night searching for you, he was terrified you might be hurt somewhere, then he got a call from someone around three this morning to say you were passed out in a bar, he carried you in around four o'clock and put you to bed, I've never seen him as upset as he was when he left a short while ago".
DJ's ears suddenly pricked up.
"Wait, he's gone, where?".
Mel sighed as well.
"Home, to Sydney, he thinks he read the situation wrong, that your feelings were nothing more than gratitude, is he right?".
DJ let out almost a wail.
"Nooooooooo".
He'd pulled out his cell phone, hitting the speed dial for Pil's number.
Mel could see his expression change as the call was answered and walked away to give some privacy.
But the call hadn't been answered, it had gone straight to voicemail.
"Pil, I'm sorry, I want to explain but not like this, don't question my feelings for you, you're my man, I'm your man, don't leave please".
As he closed his cell he was enveloped from behind by two arms.
"Good job I didn't leave then, I got almost all of the way to the airport, then I turned around, I don't know what last night was all about, I was worried, frightened, but now's not the time to hold an inquest, you can tell me later if you want to, let's have some breakfast then you can go have another couple of hours in bed, you look like hell".
And he did, getting back into bed a little after nine and not waking until midday, he felt refreshed, and stupid, the more he thought about it, that roadie last night had been right, all Pil had done was get him the interview, the rest was down to him, he shouldn't have run off to a bar like that, it was a childish reaction.
As he was deciding what to do there was a gentle knock on the door, DJ called out for whoever it was too come in.
Pil's head appeared around the partially opened door.
"No shouting I promise, do you need any headache tablets, I'll see if I can rustle some up if you need them?".
DJ sat up in bed.
"Come in Pil, I'm good thanks, I'll get over the headache, I caused it so it's fitting I should suffer until it clears itself, I don't take tablets unless there's a definite need".
Pil sat next to DJ on the large bed, DJ could see he wanted to say something but was hesitating so he took the opportunity to speak first.
"It was just me being stupid Pil, I overheard your conversation with the guys about asking them to hire me, it threw me completely, I honestly thought I'd won the gig on my own merit, when I heard that I thought you'd lied to me so I didn't wait around, I went to the bar to think, but I got more depressed as the night went on, well you know the rest".
Pil was shaking his head.
"Maybe I should have told you I'd asked the guys for a favour, but honestly, it didn't occur to me, I only got you an intro, you secured your own place, it's true they're loyal to me, but that loyalty doesn't extend to carrying someone because I ask them to, you were the one who impressed them with your performance, all I did was open the door you did the rest".
DJ was looking decidedly dejected.
"I'm sorry Pil, I was stupid".
Pil pulled him into a hug.
"Yeh you were, but we've all been there, so it's no big deal, let's just forget it, but don't frighten the crap out of me like that again".
DJ remembered something Pil had said the previous day.
"Yesterday, before I went on for my last spot, you said there was something you wanted to ask me".
Pil rolled his eyes.
"Based on the conversation we've just had, and your reaction yesterday, I think we should forget about that".
But DJ was having non of it.
"Come on Pil, tell me what you wanted to talk about".
Pil nodded.
"Okay, but remember, it's only a suggestion, don't overthink it, okay?".
DJ nodded his agreement.
"In one month I start a six week tour of Australia, that takes us up to the week before Christmas, then at the end of January I start a four week tour of the US and Canada, I want you on both tours as lead support, please say you'll do it".
DJ didn't respond and Pil started to get nervous.
"See, I told you we should have just left it alone, forget it".
But DJ was studying.
"Okay"
Pil was thrown.
"What?"
DJ was almost laughing now.
"Okay, yes, I'll do it, both tours, I'm in, does that answer your question?".
Pil was ecstatic as he grabbed DJ into an even tighter hug.
"Oh my god, oh my god, you really mean it, oh shit, the fans aren't going to know what hit them, they'll be bouncing, and you have to come to the Christmas House for the holidays".
DJ was baffled again.
"The what house?"
"The Christmas House, Ary's great grandma Lenny Thorn built it in Lanzarotte, it's where most of the extended family get together each year, you'll love it".
DJ said without any emphasis, just as a statement of fact.
"This family totally confuses me, there seem to be so many who aren't actually family, I mean they have no biological connection at all but they're still considered to be family, like you, you call Ary and Trevor cousin, Mel aunt, and yet you're not related, don't get me wrong, I love it, it just confuses me".
Pil laughed.
"I know what you mean about the biological link, but in nearly every case there's something that links the ancestors together, and usually it traces directly back to PJ and Lenny Thorn, they passed away before I was adopted, but if you listen to my Poppa Piers talk about them, they were legends, they founded a dynasty which continues today".
DJ was fascinated.
"So what's the link with your family?".
Pil settled back to explain.
"Gosh, even I have to think about this, so, my Poppa Piers, and his brother Pierre were adopted from an orphanage by Aly and Bo Bowles Cruz, now Aly was the son of Leandro, or Leo, and Rosa Cruz, Leo was the founder of Guardian Security Services and originally he controlled personal security for the Thorn family, the whole wider family related or not, he and Rosa, who was housekeeper to the Thorn family, with their children, lived in a separate apartment within the penthouse apartment atop of Thorn Plaza in Torremolinas Spain, so right back there you have the first connections forming".
Pil paused to think.
"Of course the link became stronger when Lenny Thorn and Rosa Cruz both gave birth to boys only a few minutes apart, those two boys grew up as brothers, Woody Thorn and my gramps Aly Cruz, now Bowles-Cruz were inseparable for most of their lives".
Pil's pauses were frequent because it really was a complicated family tree.
"Another link is, or was, Poppas brother Pierre, he married Juan Caswel-Thorn, the adopted son of Pauly and Reece Caswel-Thorn, Pauly was PJ and Lenny's son, so is Billy Thorn who's roof you are technically living under, there now that's about as plain as mud isn't it?".
DJ giggled as he answered.
"I feel love in abundance, and coming from a family who threw me onto the streets without a second thought, it's a very welcome feeling, I didn't mean to pry, I just found it strange at first, but I suppose I should only need to look at how Mel took me in, she saw a need and didn't think twice about addressing it, why can't everyone be like that?".
In Torremolinas it was eight thirty in the morning, Gracie had just finished a night shift in Guardian's control centre and was walking back towards Thorn Plaza.
She'd been in Torremolinas nearly two months and the difference was plain to see.
For a week after she arrived, Gracie balked at everything she was asked to do, wearing earphones constantly as she listened to music on her phone, ignoring everyone and everything, until around the fourth night when Paulette got up from her seat at the dinner table, walked around to where Gracie was sitting and snatched the phone from her hands.
If the act of having her phone snatched shocked Gracie, it was nothing compared to what she felt watching Paulette open the balcony door before throwing the phone out over the edge, where it fell to the ground many floors below, landing in the swimming pool, she then turned back to Gracie.
"Now perhaps you can participate in that old fashioned practice of conversation, you'll need the practice because on Monday morning you start work at Guardian, it's time you actually earned yourself some money".
Gracie had started to argue with Paulette, saying she didn't need to work, which she still hadn't learnt was a foolish waste of effort.
"You misunderstand Gracie, it's not optional, I'll drag you into the building by your hair, and stand over you all day if I have to, you need to get it into your head, one way or another you will work for a living, because we're not keeping you".
That had been around seven weeks ago, though to Gracie it seemed like another lifetime.
She'd entered Guardian's Torremolinas headquarters on that Monday morning determined to hate whatever they asked her to do, but by lunchtime she was lapping it up.
She was allocated a shadow buddy, a senior control room manager who'd worked at Guardian for almost two years, his name was Ferdinand, everyone called him Ferdie, a twenty six year old beautiful male with a drop dead body, who Gracie quickly found out was single with no significant other in the frame.
He was patient, caring, understanding, and Gracie couldn't help but ask.
"How the hell does a guy like you, with a fantastic body, and a ten out of ten personality, not have a girlfriend?".
His matter of fact reply had her giggling.
"A girlfriend wouldn't really work, I'm gay".
Gracie didn't miss a beat, gay didn't faze her, her Poppas were gay, her brother Pil was gay, and she was pretty sure her brother Jez was gay, but she wasn't being put off.
"So why no boyfriend, you would be a catch for any fella?".
This time his reply was tinged with sadness.
"There was a boyfriend, we were together for nearly five years, but apparently I'm not such a catch because I wasn't enough for him he needed more, he had a nasty streak, I got used to him flying into a rage for no reason, I put up with that because I loved him, but I couldn't put up with the string of affairs he had on the side, after I finally ended it I vowed never again, I'd rather be single than suffer someone else's anger then heartbreak all over again".
Gracie's reply had him giggling next.
"What a crock of shit, one dickhead doesn't mean every guy's going to be the same, there's someone out there who is waiting to shower you with love, I'm going to be your official fag hag, I'll find you the perfect mate, of course it might be a while before I can get started, I'm grounded for the foreseeable future".
He was laughing as he replied.
"I've heard all about you, the black sheep who's in Paulette's boot camp, I'd rather you than me, how long do you reckon it will be before you earn parole?".
Vinny and Paulette were surprised to find her dressed and ready to leave early next morning.
By the end of the week she was a different person, animatedly describing her day each evening, before helping Paulette and Carry clear up after dinner.
On Saturday morning, Gracie's first day off, Paulette handed her a package.
"I got you a new cell phone, after all, I did go a little over the top throwing your last one off the balcony".
Gracie's reply surprised all of them.
"Thanks Paulette, but you didn't have to, I caused what happened to the last one, you were only doing what needed doing, I'll pay you back from my first salary, and I need to know how much I should contribute towards my keep when you have time".
Carry answered her.
"There is no charge for living here, all that's expected is that you take care of your own personal requirements, that includes budgeting for Christmas presents, because you won't have your allowance to rely on".
Gracie took it without being upset.
"Okay thanks, I've actually seen something I want to get for the Poppas before Christmas".
On the Saturday morning after receiving her first salary Gracie went out early.
Vinny was on edge all morning until she returned.
She asked for their opinion on what she'd bought.
It was a blown crystal tree ornament with an inscription on one side which read.
'To the most wonderful Poppas in the world, I'm sorry, Gracie'.
Paulette had tears in her eyes as she said.
"It's beautiful Gracie, we'll need to pack it carefully and send it couriered".
She'd written a letter to accompany the ornament.
'Dearest Poppas.
I know a simple ornament can't make up for all the heartache I've caused you, but I want you to hang it on the tree, as a reminder that you're the most special of all to me.
I love you, I'm sorry, I hope you can still find it in your hearts to love me.
Gracie'.
Milo and Piers were sitting in the lounge when the package was delivered.
Piers opened it and shocked Milo as tears began to roll down his cheeks.
"What's the matter, who's it from, why are you crying?".
When Piers replied that the package was from Gracie, Milo groaned.
"Oh, what's she done now?".
But Piers reply really surprised him.
"She sent us a beautiful crystal tree ornament and a really touching letter, here take a look".
Milo was hugging Piers as he read Gracie's letter.
"It seems Vinny and Paulette's boot camp may be working, fingers crossed it's not just a flash in the pan".
Paulette had also lifted Gracie's grounding, with a warning that any funny business would see it reinstated immediately.
Gracie asked if she could invite someone to dinner on Saturday night.
Ferdie turned up and Paulette recognised him immediately, giving him a warm hug.
"So you're the positive influence that has our Gracie acting like an actual nice person, you should badger Vinny for a rise, I reckon you've got super God status right now".
Ferdie laughed.
"She's great to work with, taken to it like a duck to water, and we have a really good laugh".
After dinner Gracie sat next to Vinny and her request surprised him.
Vinny, do you think I would be allowed to bring a guest to the Christmas house?".
Although surprised he answered her honestly.
"I couldn't really say Gracie, that's really up to your aunt Carry, as Matriarch she gets to decide, why don't you go ask her".
Gracie crossed the room to speak with Carry.
"Aunt Carry, do you think it would be possible for me to bring a guest to the Christmas house?".
Carry tried to read Gracie's expression before she answered.
"It's possible, but I'd like to know who and why".
Gracie indicated she wanted to speak in private so Carry led her into the smaller lounge.
"I want to bring Ferdie, he found out last Christmas Day that his boyfriend of five years had been cheating on him, he's been alone since and he has no family, I don't want to think of him alone over the holidays?".
Cary smiled.
"You need to be careful Gracie, your street cred as a bad ass is slipping, but I don't see any reason to say no to you, he may have to share a room, we're a pretty large party this year, let me know if it's definite and I'll work him in".
Carry could see Gracie was over the moon as she went back to the larger lounge, headed directly for Ferdie.
"Ferdie I have a question, would you like to come with us to Lanzarotte for the holidays?".
Ferdie was puzzled.
"Why would you want me on a family vacation, it's time for you guys to catch up".
Gracie was laughing as she replied.
"Okay, forget I gave you an option, I'll rephrase it, Ferdie, you are coming to Lanzarotte for the holidays, you could possibly have to share a room because there are apparently a lot going this year, but I'll try to fix it so you get a hunk to share with, call it my present to you as your official fag hag".
TBC Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.