The Piano Man

 by: Hankster

© 2020 by the author

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

hankster@tickiestories.us

Printed law libraries are becoming as extinct as the dodo bird.  The massive volumes, which had previously occupied half the wall space in a well-equipped law office, are pretty much all gone.  The information once contained in those books, is now stored in the cloud, and can be accessed from any electronic device. 

The webmaster pays big bucks to hire experts to maintain the library, and keep it current.  Each day, every court decision from all over the country, is entered into the data base.  Not only is the reason for the decision listed and commented on, but the lawyer who entered the data, gives his own dissenting opinion, when he feels it is necessary.  The dissenting text is always well identified as being the editor’s opinion.  In return for all this knowledge, the law firms pay a monthly fee for access to the website.

*****

Sean O’Brien was a young New York lawyer.  Commerce in New York is centered around a tri-state area, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.  People from all three states commute daily to jobs in Manhattan.  Sean was wise enough to pass the bar in all three states, taking him one step above other lawyers in seeking a good position. 

Sean had another talent.  He was a computer geek.  When he saw the ad on Craig’s List seeking a lawyer with computer skills, to work for a legal website publishing firm, he applied for the job immediately.  The starting salary was beyond his wildest dreams.  Of course, he got the job.

His boss was Bill Casey, a well-preserved, good-looking man, in his mid-forties.  Bill was delighted with Sean.  He had every attribute necessary for the position, but beyond that he was, tall, fair, and handsome.  He was also an athlete.  He had lettered for his college baseball team.  And if that wasn’t enough, they were both of Irish descent.  Bill wished he had a daughter.  He would actively try to fix her up with this man.  But alas, he only had one stepson, and they didn’t get along very well.

By the end of his first year working for the website, Sean had proved to be Bill’s right hand man.  He received two raises during that year.  He and Bill had a wonderful relationship.  It was nearly a father-son relationship. 

They often had lunch together, until there was an incident.

It was a hot and humid Friday afternoon in late July, and Bill heard a co-worker ask Sean if he had plans for the weekend.

“I sure do,” Sean said with a big smile.  “I’m going to Fire Island with a bunch of friends.”

Bill had heard about Fire Island, but he couldn’t remember what he had heard about it.  He sauntered over to Sean and asked, “What’s the attraction on Fire Island?”

“Great parties, lots of fun, camaraderie, and the company of good friends.  We gays know how to have a good time.”  Sean laughed.  “You’re welcome to join us, Bill.”

Bill was stunned.  He had no idea that Sean was gay.  He walked away.

“Go, have a good time,” he said.  As shocked as he was, there was no malice in his statement, but anyone could detect his deep disappointment.  He had begun to feel very fatherly to Sean.  He often called him, son.

After that, there was a big change in their relationship.  Bill continued to compliment Sean on his work, and his work ethic, but he stayed very aloof.  He never went out to lunch with Sean any more.  Sean was aware of the change and he was deeply hurt.

He dared ask what was wrong between them, and Bill answered honestly.  “You’re gay.  I think that’s enough reason.  No other explanations are necessary.”

Sean had no choice.  He kept their relationship strictly business.  In spite of that, he continued to admire Bill, and sorely missed their friendship.  He asked Bill out to lunch a few times, but he always refused.

*****

Sean and his friends were denizens of Greenwich Village.  They had a favorite bar, and you were apt to find some or all of them there every Friday and Saturday evening.  The bar had a piano, and the piano player was there on Saturday nights, but not on Fridays.  The pianist was pushing seventy, and one evening he informed his friends and followers, that he was retiring and moving to Scottsdale, Arizona.  They all expressed regret, and insisted on buying him a goodbye drink.

When Sean entered the bar the following Saturday, he wondered if there would be a piano player.  There was.  It was apparent from the first note he played, that the piano man was a classically trained musician.  Not only did he play pop songs, and songs from the musical theater, but every once in a while, he threw in a classical piece.  His listeners felt like he was giving them a free concert.  The man favored Chopin.

The minute Sean saw him, his heart started beating overtime.  The piano player was no more than twenty or twenty-one years old.  He wasn’t muscular and athletic like Sean, but he was lean and hard.  He was about 6’1” tall, an inch taller than Sean.  He had black, curly hair, which was closely cropped.  His eyes were a shimmering blue, and his black eyelashes were so long, they were indecent.

Sean lingered around the piano all evening, until the player was getting ready to leave.

“Can I buy you a drink?” Sean asked.

“No, you can’t.  I get a free drink after my gig.  Would you like to join me?’

It was nowhere near Christmas, but Sean’s eyes lit up like a brightly lit Christmas tree.  They seated themselves at the bar, and Sean offered the young man his hand to shake. 

“I’m Sean O’Brien,” he said.

“I’m Dave Brody.  Nice to meet you,” Dave said, shaking Sean’s hand.  Neither seemed inclined to let go until they had to pick up the drinks they had ordered.

“What do you do in the middle of the week, when you’re not pounding the keys in this watering hole?”  Sean asked.

“I’m a student at Juilliard.  I just do this gig to make a few extra bucks.  I hope to be a concert pianist one day.”

“I have no doubt you will be,” Sean said.  “The way you play that piano is amazing.”

“Thanks,” Dave said.  He turned a little red.  “And what’s your line if I might ask?”

“I’m a lawyer,” Sean answered simply.  “What are you doing next Friday evening?”

“Well, I’m invited to my mother’s for dinner, but I don’t get along with my stepfather so if you’re asking me out on a date, I’d have no trouble cancelling on my mother.  In fact, I’d like to.  My stepfather barely tolerates me.”

“How come?  I think you’re a handsome, smart, easy going guy.  What’s his beef?”

“No beef.  I’m gay, and I guess he’s homophobic.”

“Well,” Sean laughed sardonically, “we have something in common.  I admire my boss.  I really like him.  He’s like a father to me, but he won’t get close to me because I’m gay.”

Dave put his hand on Sean’s.  “That’s his loss,” he said.

Sean smiled.  “I came by car.  After we have our drink, can I take you home?”

“Yes, you could, but I’d rather you took me to your home.  I live in a dorm.”

Sean didn’t answer, but he leaned into Dave and kissed him on his lips.

*****

When they entered Sean’s apartment, Dave was very impressed.  “You must be better at lawyering than I am at piano playing.  This place is amazing.”

“I make an exceptionally good living.  I intend on taking you out first-class next Friday.”

“That’s wonderful,” Dave said, “but how’d you like to help me aggravate my stepfather?  When I’m at the table in his home, he practically breaks out in a rash.  I can call my mother, and tell her that I’m seeing someone, and I’d like to bring him to dinner.  It’ll kill the old man to have two gay men at his dinner table, but my mother will be delighted.”

“Are we seeing each other?” Sean asked.

“I really, really hope so.”

“It’s a deal,” Sean said, “but then you have to do me a favor.  One afternoon, when it’s convenient for you, I’ll tell my boss that my boyfriend is picking me up for dinner.  When you come into the office, kiss me passionately.  He’ll have a fit.”

“That’ll be fun, kissing you, I mean.  How about I pick you up at your office Friday afternoon, and then we go to my mother’s for dinner?  We can kill two birds with one stone.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“We’ve delayed long enough,” Sean said.  “I want to make love with you.”

Dave smiled and the two men began to strip.  When they were naked, they stared at each other.  There were delightful smiles on both their faces.  Each man was five hefty inches of uncut cock.  As they continued to ogle each other, they both grew hard, near eight inches for Sean, and about seven and a half for Dave.  They just kept looking at each other and smiling.  Finally, Sean said, “Shower with me, please.”

They had intended on bathing one another, but the minute they entered the shower, they fell into each other’s arms, and began to kiss.  They held each other tighter and tighter, as their kisses got more and more passionate.  Their cocks were rubbing together, and they both came involuntarily.  They laughed about it, rinsed off, and climbed into bed.

They continued kissing and fondling until they both started to drift off.

“We’ll continue this in the morning,” Sean said.

In the morning, they took a real shower, and Dave shaved with Sean’s razor.  Sean made a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast and coffee, and they fell back into bed.  They didn’t stop making love until four in the afternoon.  By then they each had three orgasms, two in the ass, and one in the mouth.  Exhausted, they drifted off to sleep again until early evening.  Sean did not provide condoms, and neither gave it a second thought.

When they came down to earth, Sean said, “I love you Dave.  I know it’s crazy.  We haven’t even known each other for twenty-four hours, but I want to spend my life with you.  Do you feel anything for me?”

“Of course, I do, but maybe I shouldn’t.  You’re a bigger jerk than I thought.  Couldn’t you tell how much I love you when we were making love.  I’ve never felt such passion in my life.”

They began another kissing marathon.

“Since I can’t take you out to dinner Friday evening, let me take you out tonight,” Sean begged.

“I’d really love to, but I have a ton of work for my classes tomorrow.  I reluctantly beg for a rain check.”

“If it has to be, it has to be,” Sean moaned.  “When you take a break, call me.  I’ll get you off by phone sex.”

“You may be a jerk,” Dave said, “but you’re a lovable jerk.”

“I’ll be counting every second until Friday evening,” Sean smiled at Dave, and put his arms around him.

“You’re also a romantic jerk.  That’s for sure,” Dave laughed.

Sean drove Dave to his dorm.  As they parted, Dave said, “You’ve made me very happy, Sean.  Thank you.”

Sean stifled a sob, and drove away.

*****

All day Friday, Sean was on edge.  He could hardly work.  His agitation was obvious to Bill, who finally asked, “What’s with you, Sean?  You’re awfully jumpy.”

“I’m nervous, Boss,” Sean said.  “My boyfriend is picking me up here, and we’re going to his parents’ for dinner.  Meeting the parents is a big step.”

“Well, good luck,” Bill said without conviction.

Sean had asked Dave to come about a quarter to five to make sure that Bill didn’t leave the office before he got there.  He kept an eye on the door, and as soon as he spotted Dave entering the office, he ran to him.  The two men embraced and kissed passionately.

Bill stood as stiff as a ramrod in utter disgust and dismay.  As Sean took Dave around and introduced him to his co-workers, Bill didn’t move a muscle.  Sean had saved Bill for last.  When he and Dave reached him, Dave gave out a little screech, “Dad,” he said in amazement.

“Bill’s your dad?” Sean asked, more amazed than Dave.  “How could you not know I worked for him here?”

“I never asked, and he never told me,” Dave lamented.

“Bill,” Sean asked, “haven’t you ever sat down and had a conversation with Dave?  The poor guy is trying to reach out to you.  Why don’t you let him in?”

It wasn’t true that Dave ever wanted to reach out to his stepfather, but Sean was making it up as he went along.  It was like he was trying to sway a jury.

Bill remained immobile.  He was in shock.  Finally, Sean took him by the arm and led him into his private office.  He sat the comatose man down at his desk, and he and Dave sat down on two chairs facing the desk.

“We’ve got to talk,” Sean said.  “Please listen to me.  Don’t turn away.  My parents live in Albuquerque, and I always felt like you were my second father; my father in the east, so to speak.  I love you, Bill, and when you turned away from me, I was devastated.  But even at that, I’m still a stranger.  How can you be so cold to your wife’s son?  Don’t you love her enough to take her son into your heart?”

Bill couldn’t speak, but tears were developing in his eyes, so Sean continued.  He put an arm on Bill’s.  “See Bill, I touched you, and your arm didn’t burn up and fall off.  I’m just an ordinary human being, who happens to love men instead of women.  I can’t help it.  You better know, that I’m madly in love with Dave.  I’m going to be part of your family.  I beg you, please, love us.  That’s all we ask.  Just love us, and if you want, we’ll get out of your life.”

By now, Bill was crying uncontrollably.  When he got himself together, he said, “I know it’s crazy, but I do love both of you.  I don’t know why I acted like I did when I found out that you were both gay.  My real feeling was pity.  I thought that if anyone made fun of you, or laughed at you behind your back, it would kill me.  I didn’t know how to react to my feelings, so I pushed you both away.  It’s going to be hard for me, boys, so help me to learn to accept all this.”

A good place to begin might be with a family dinner tonight, Dad” Dave said.

“See, Dad,” Sean said, “sometimes a non-legal brain comes up with good ideas.”

They both called him, Dad, and somehow Bill knew that everything would be all right.

“Go home with Sean, Dave,” Bill said.  “That way, he won’t get lost.  I’ll meet you both there, and one more thing, Sean, will you have lunch with me on Monday?”

“You bet I will.”

Maggie Casey didn’t have a clue about all the drama that was going on this evening.  She was just thrilled that all her men were getting on so well.  She fawned all over Sean.  “He’s so handsome,” she informed Dave, as if he didn’t know.

“Sean works for me,” Bill said.  “Be careful how you talk about him.”

“How did you two meet?” Maggie asked.

“I’ll tell,” Dave spoke up quickly before Sean could say anything.  “I didn’t want to sponge off you guys, so I got a job playing piano in a gay bar on Saturday nights.  They don’t pay me, but the tips are great.  Gay guys generally don’t have families to support, and they tend to be very generous when it comes to tipping.  I do really well.  Sean came in one night, and he leaned on my piano all night long.  We had a drink together after my gig, and I went home with him.  I think it was a true case of love at first sight.”

“I have a great idea, Bill,” Sean said.  “Let me take you and Maggie out to dinner tomorrow evening.  We’ll eat in the restaurant, and afterward we can listen to Dave tickling the ivories.”

“I don’t know,” Bill said, “Maggie and I might be too uncomfortable.”

“You won’t be alone,” Sean said.  “There are always a number of parents there, having dinner with their gay sons.”

“Let’s do it, Bill,” Maggie said.  “It sounds like fun.”

*****

Maggie was fine from the get-go, but it took Bill about an hour to relax.  Sean’s friends kept coming over to say hello.  He introduced Maggie and Bill as his parents, and Bill clutched a handkerchief all night to wipe away the tears he tried so hard to hold back.  None of the men he met were less than polite.  They shook his hand, and said how nice it was to meet him.  They all acted like “normal” people.  Amazingly, nobody tried to rape him.  What a concept.

After dinner they went to the piano bar.  Dave was taking requests.  Every time Bill noticed a lag in the tip giving, he threw a dollar bill into Dave’s oversized punch bowl.  He needn’t have.  The tip bowl was filling up fast.  At one point, instead of playing a pop song, Dave played Chopin’s Polonaise.  The applause he received was deafening, and the crowd begged for more, so he played The Minute Waltz.  There was no denying his talent.  Maggie was beaming, and so was Bill.

At the end of the evening, Sean drove everyone home.  Maggie and Bill expected Dave to get out of the car with them, but he stayed seated.

“Hey, guys,” he said.  “I’m moving out of the dorms, and I’m moving in with Sean.  That’ll save you a lot of money Bill … er, Dad.”

Bill had nothing to say, but when Dave called him Dad, he grabbed for his ever-ready handkerchief.

I’ll see you in the office on Monday, Son,” Bill said to Sean.  “Don’t be late, and don’t forget our lunch date.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.  Good night, folks.”

Posted: 08/21/2020