Companions All
by: Will B
(Copyright 2007 by the Author)
Advisor: E Walk

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

I am indebted to Jess Mercer for graciously appearing as a substitute organist in this story, for his technical advice on organs, but most of all, for his words of friendship and encouragement (Will B).

In Chapter 2 Pete and Joe interviewed prospective foster parents, and found that the Heckmans would be ideal. Matt, Gary and Alicia Cross find two children, Timmy and Tammy, who need to be placed in foster care, and they end up with Dave and Mary Heckman

Chapter 3

The evening and night of Wednesday, May 9.

The chapter opens on choir rehearsal night at Trinity Presbyterian Church, a Victorian Gothic church,  which had beautiful stained glass windows in pointed arch windows, and a circular window over the altar. The pastor was Reverend John Calvin Glendy, a descendant of one of the first Presbyterian ministers in Baltimore. Reverend Glendy knew his Bible, but if there was a particular scripture he was most familiar with it was 1^st Corinthians, Chapter 13 (sometimes known as the “Love” chapter. He not only knew chapter, but he and his wife, Susanna Wesley Glendy, lived their lives by it.

Reverend Glendy was talking to the choir (which as we know, included the Companions), “Ladies and Gentlemen, as you know our regular organist, Henry Purcell Buxtehude, is taking a well earned vacation this month, but he has found us a substitute organist—and a very good one at that. Please welcome Professor Jess Mercer.”

“Good evening, choir, I am happy to be able to be your organist-choir director this month. Pastor Glendy and his good wife have made me feel most welcome, and I hope we can produce some beautiful music for the Glory of God.”

Mercer went on, “For Sunday’s service I would like us to practice “Lift High the Cross,” and for an anthem I have chosen “Sanctus” by Gounod. I would also like us to practice Hubert Parry’s “I was Glad When They Said Unto Me.” We will do that some Sunday in a week or two.

Professor Mercer was a man in his mid 70s with a friendly smile. He walked with a slight limp as if his arthritis was bothering him. After greeting the choir he walked over to the organ, looked at the drawknobs and suddenly said, "You have an Unda Maris on this instrument."

Someone in the choir asked what that is. He explained that Unda Maris stops (2 ranks of pipes) was a very soft celeste that drives 'purists' out of their minds, but most people in a church love!”

He began to play on it. Another choir member said, "I don’t think I've ever heard the organ sound like that before."

Mercer said, "I know of your organist by reputation, which is excellent, but he's a classicist and wouldn't like a romantic sound like this. I do, however, so you can expect to hear things quite differently from what you're used to."

After the first session of rehearsal the choir gathered around to listen to Jess Mercer practice the postlude. Al said to Steve “For the love of me, I can’t see why Buxtehude is so hot to get rid of this organ. I like what I'm hearing."

Jack said,  “The music was great, but do you always play so loud?"

Professor Mercer grinned and said, “Skinners were bold instruments. Old man Skinner thought an organ should be a symphony orchestra in one instrument. I'm sorry if you object, but I plan to blow a lot of dust out of this old boy while I'm here. I want everyone to hear what a superb organ you have. Whenever it needs work, you should have it restored, for it's an historic treasure. To replace it with a new organ of any kind would be a sacrilege." To Mercer’s surprise, he got a round of applause from a many of the choir members.

After choir rehearsal the companions went to their homes to prepare for their weekend at the cabin.

Matt and Gary undressed, got into bed, and held each other in their arms before kissing each other. “Good night, Matt, I love you.” “I love you too, Gary.”

Pete and Joe also did their nightly routines and got into bed, and Pete spooned Joe and whispered into his ear, “ I love you Joe.” “Ditto, Pete. Good night.”

Al and Steve checked to make sure that their bags were packed for the trip, took their nightly shower together, dried off, looked at each other with love in their eyes, and Al said, “Shall we?” Steve said replied “Of course, hon!” They pleasured each other before drifting off to sleep.

Jack said to Peggy, “I’ll miss you this weekend.” Peggy smiled at her husband, and said, “Jack if we’re thinking of increasing our family tree, I think this week might be a good time . . . “ Jack replied with a smile, “Say no more my proud beauty. You may have your way with me as much as you choose.”

Joan said to Tom, “Please take it easy this weekend, dear. Don’t try to swim across the lake and don’t stay up late drinking beer and smoking cigars.” “I know, I know, remember what the doctor said, “ Tom said.

At the Heckmans, Dave and Mary were getting Timmy and Tammy ready for bed.

“Mommy,” Tammy said, “You know how silly boys are?”

“Yes, dear, I know.”

“Well, Timmy wants to have silly train posters on the wall in our bedroom and he doesn’t like me having my doll house, and I really would like to have it in my room.”

“Tammy, what do you suggest,” Mary asked.

Tammy smiled her charming smile, and said, “Well you did say we could each have our own bedroom, and that might be a good idea after all. Could I have my own room, Mommy?”

“If that’s what you would like, I think that’s a good idea.”

“Oh, and Mommy, I think Timmy is not always so brave, so could you keep both our bedroom doors open and a light on in the hall. That way if Timmy wakes up and doesn’t know where he is, or is scared, I can go in and tell not to be fraidy-cat, and I’m right there.”

“Tammy, that’s a marvelous idea. I’m glad you thought of it. We’ll go get your room fixed up right now,” Mary said.

Meanwhile Timmy was talking to Dave.

“Er . .  . Dad,  . . .. can I er . .  talk to you sort of man to man?”

Oh, Lord, Dave thought to himself, are we going to have “The Talk” now? I thought it would be a little while. . . . Then he said aloud, “Of course, Timmy, you can ask me anything you want, and I’ll give you the best answer I can. What is it?”

“Well, Dad, you know how silly girls are?”

“Yes, son, I know they can be at times.” (Oh thank you, Lord,  I don’t think is going to be about the Birds and Bees yet).

“Dad, I want my own room!” Timmy blurted out. “You’re not mad are you? I know we said we didn’t want to be separated but I don’t want a doll’s house in my bedroom, and I want to put up some of those neat train posters up.”

“Timmy, that’s a great idea. We’ll go and get your room organized right now.”

“Oh, and Dad, one more thing. Tammy is just a little girl and she might wake up in the night scared because she’s forgotten where she is. Could you . . . would you mind if we kept out bedroom doors open, and maybe a light on in the hall, so if she does wake up, I can go in and tell her not to be a scaredy-cat, because we are in our new home, and she is safe.”

“Good idea, my man. Sounds like a plan.” (Dave was thinking this hadn’t been so bad).

After they had the rooms arranged and Dave had made sure that Timmy had everything he needed, Dave asked, “Uh, uh, Dad, one more question . . . Uh, where do babies come from? “

“That’s something we’ll discuss tomorrow, Timmy. Time to get ready for bed.”

“Well I just asked because a friend at school said he was from Chicago, and I was wondering where Tammy and I came from.”

Thursday, May 10, 1973: At the Cabin.

The eight Companions arrived at the cabin about 5:00 that evening. The cabin has been improved since we visited some ten years ago. Electric wires carried from the town meant that Al and Steve could have electricity, a hot water heater, an electric stove, and watch television or play records. An artesian well provided water, and a septic tank took care of sanitation. A neighbor looked after the cabin from time to time. There were three bedrooms, each with two single cots that could be and were moved together. The living room had two couches that could open up into hideaway beds. There was a dining area with a table and eight chairs. A small kitchen ha d stove and refrigerator.

Matt and Gary would sleep in the living room and Tom and Jack would have one bedroom, and Pete and Joe would have another, while Al and Steve had the master bedroom. There were two full bathrooms each with its shower.

Other cabins had been built around the lakeshore—not too close, but close enough that skinny-dipping was out unless it was after dark.

The guys had brought food for the weekend, and the first item of business was to fix dinner. Steaks were grilled (Matt and Gary). Potatoes were baked in the oven (Al), and a salad was tossed in the kitchen (Steve). Pete and Joe had stopped in the town for ice cream, and Tom and Jack, as guests, were told to sit down and put their feet up. They agreed, provided they would be allowed to do the cleaning up.

Over dinner they decided they would relax that evening, devote tomorrow morning to the business of planning their next few concerts, and devote the afternoon to swimming, fishing, lazing around in the sun, whatever took their fancy. Saturday afternoon they would pack up, eat dinner on the road on their way home, and be back in time to sing in the choir on Sunday.

As they were finishing the meal, Matt, Gary, Pete and Joe told of their activities in interviewing prospective foster parents, and of rescuing Timmy and Tammy, and placing the two children with the Heckmans.

Tom suddenly reached across the table, and put his hand on Gary’s hand. “Gary, I am so proud of the work that you and the others are doing, helping children.  Any dad would be proud of a son like you!”

Gary was surprised but pleased. He looked at his father and said, “I think you and Mom deserve some of the credit.  You taught me what is important in life! I love you, Dad.”

After an evening of conversation, it was time for everyone to get ready for bed, and they separated to go to their rooms.

Tom and Jack undressed, down to their boxer shorts. Tom noticed that, at 36, Jack had a well-muscled body, but most importantly, a friendly face and a warm smile. Jack noticed that Tom, in his 50s, had kept in shape pretty well. His chest was covered with hair that was a salt-and-pepper black and gray.

“Tom, can I ask you something, kind of personal?” Jack asked.

“Sure, Jack, ask away—but I may retaliate and ask you something in return.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, how do you feel about Gary and Matt…. I mean….”

“How do I feel about Gary being gay, and having Matt as his lover?”

“Yeah, that’s what I wanted to ask.”

“Jack, every man hopes his son will grow up into a fine man, and maybe give him grandchildren. Joan and I realized a long time ago that Gary was unlikely to give us grandchildren. We also realized that he did not choose to be gay, it was just the way he was.  But! In every other respect, he has become everything we could hope for. As for Matt, Joan and I know that those two are good to each other and good for each other. Now, can I ask you, how you feel about your dad and Steve?”

“When my Dad first told us that he and Steve were ‘partners,’ I was shocked at first and angry, too.

Then when that preacher knocked Dad out and I thought he might die, I realized that he was my Dad, and I loved him no matter what. Then I remembered that when Mother was alive she and Dad were very much in love all through their marriage.” (Here Jack thought about the times when he was growing up, he had heard sounds from his parents’ bedroom that made him realize they were sharing their love). Jack went on, “After Mom died, Dad was very lonely, and then he and Steve ‘found each other,’ and Uncle Steve became Dad Steve.  Peggy and I made dad and Steve godfathers to our twins. So, I am very happy for them, and Peggy and I love them both.”

Al and Steve were in their bedroom, as usual sleeping in the nude.  Al kissed Steve and said, “Good night, love.” Steve kissed Al back and said “’Night, Sweetheart. Thanks for being you.”

Pete and Joe were in bed, and Pete was spooning Joe’s back and running his free hand up and down Joe’s chest and abdomen. His hand began to move a little farther down Joe’s body.

“What a hunk you still are, after 20 years,” Pete said.

Hunk, yourself. You still turn me on,” Joe replied.

It was a little while before they got to sleep.

It was a warm night, so Matt and Gary, wearing only shorts, took a blanket outside to lie on the grass for a while.

After lying side by side for a while and talking about this and that, they turned to each other for a full body contact hug. Hugging led to kissing, and kissing led to . . .  a simultaneous sharing of sweet sensuous syrups.

The next morning, Friday, the guys got up and fixed a hearty breakfast, worthy of Paul Bunyan’s lumberjacks. Al scrambled eggs, Steve fried bacon and sausage, Pete made pancakes, Joe brewed coffee, Matt and Gary set the table. Jack was helping by fixing some bananas and oranges, when he notice tom was just sitting quietly. All Tom was having was a glass of milk, some toast and jelly, and some fruit.

“Hey, pal. you all right?”  Jack asked.

“Sure. Just trying to keep my boyish figure—for Joan’s sake,” Tom replied with a smile.

After cleaning up every lick of food, the companions got down to business. They planned the music for several guest appearances, and talked about some special music for several upcoming church services.

Then they considered the invitation to sing at the Levindale Retirement Home. Several “golden oldies were suggested, and then Pete and Joe suggested some songs from “Oklahoma” and “Call Me Madam,” popular musicals from the previous decade.

Then Matt had a great idea. “Maybe we could persuade Jake and Sarah to sing or speak the words of some of the songs.  

“Do they sing?” asked Al.

“I’ve heard Sarah singing sometimes as she works in the kitchen,” Matt said.

“And I’ve heard Jake humming at work,” put in Tom.

“Let’s ask them.  All they can do is say no—but I’ll bet they’ll do it. They’re really good sports,” Gary said.

“For closing, let’s do “God Bless America,” Steve said.

“Boy, I wish we could get Kate Smith to do the lead, and we just provide backup,” said Al. “She can really put that song across.”

The meeting broke up with everyone feeling they had accomplished a lot. After a light lunch, the guys had some recreation time. Al and Steve walked clockwise around the lake, remembering how they had found each other at this very cabin (See the story “Looking Ahead”).

Pete and Joe walked counter-clockwise around the lake, not holding hands, but their hands and arms occasionally touching as they talked about their twenty years as friends and lovers (See the story “Brothers All”).

Gary and Matt took the rowboat out into the lake, and thought they would try to catch some fish for dinner. They had good luck. They caught ten good-sized fish.

(Humble writer apologizes to most worthy readers for not knowing what kind of fish would be caught in a fresh water lake in May).

Jack sat on the pier and also fished, while Tom just sat in a deck chair and relaxed (and fell asleep too, if you must know). At one point Tom said to Jack, “You know, Jack, I think this get-away trip has been one of the happiest times of my life.”

After a meal of fried fish and fried potatoes and cole slaw (even Tom had a good-sized helping), The eight friends sat around, watched television and played games. Matt, Gary, and Al played Scrabble. Al won. Pete, Joe, Jack, Steve, and Tom played Monopoly. Tom won.

After the eleven o’clock news, they all went to bed and slept the sleep of the just.

Saturday morning they got up, and had a breakfast of cereal, fruit, tea and coffee. Lumberjack breakfasts are fine once in a while but NOT two days in a row (unless one is actually a lumberjack).

There was more conversation, kidding, rehashing the games of the night before . . . “Well, you could have…” “Yes, but . . .” It was all goodnatured fun.

At eleven o’clock they got packed, and decided to get a light lunch some place on the way home. Al and Steve and Tom and Jack were going in one car, while Matt, Gary, Pete, and Joe were in the other car. Just before they all got ready to leave, Gary did something he didn’t do very often. He went over to his father, hugged him, and said “Love you, Dad.”

“I love you too, son,” Tom said.

They eight people all got home safely about 4:00. Matt and Gary put the suggestion to Jake and Sarah, that they should join the Companions for the show at the Levindale Home and those two lovely people immediately agreed.

About 8:30 the phone rang. Matt answered, and said “Hello, Joan, yes Gary’s right here. I’ll put him on. He handed the phone to Gary and went back to the living room to join Jake and Sarah.

The next thing they heard was Gary sobbing. “Nooooooo! Not Dad! Nooooooooo! There must be some mistake! NOOOOOO! NOOOOO!”

To be continued.

Feedback always welcome:     

Advisors Comments: Just think we had a music lesson, a Father/ Son talk, learning how to tell people that you love them, and then Will throws in a little cliff hanging as well. It will be interesting to see what Will has up his sleeve in the next Chapter. I guess I will just have to be patient. Happy Reading. E

Author's Note:

My thanks to Ed and Jess for their help with this most difficult of chapters. My father died suddenly in 1963 at age 55, and I never had a chance to say goodbye. Readers: always tell your loved ones that you love them, while you still have the chance.

I love you Dad.

Posted: 10/12/07