Chapter 31

We were making grilled cheese sandwiches, an easy dinner. Ally and Jenn were touching foreheads. I remember doing that with mom when I was very little. It was wonderful to see them being so close.

After the final batch came from the oven, “DINNER” was called.

Food is even tastier when you fix it yourself. Mom said that often to me. I didn’t understand it when I was little, but now I do.

Jenn and I fed one another, to the looks from the other ladies. That’s always fun.

After dinner, it was too early to head for bed, so I suggested we watched a movie from our collection. I had an oldie musical in mind. Finding ON THE TOWN was the perfect movie. I wanted something with singing and dancing, and Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly and Ann Miller did the trick.

I heard popcorn popping and was told to wait a few moments. Jennifer and her mother got on either side of me. Mom and Katie brought the huge popcorn container and handed it to me. I took a handful and handed it around, then began the movie.

Every time a different musical number started we all got excited. I watched how they moved, Jan and Ally listened to the singing, Katie was moving to the music and Jenn was holding me asking who some of the people were. She only recognized Gene Kelly.

After it was over, I felt better. I gave everyone a kiss goodnight and took my girl to bed. We kissed for a while, and went to sleep.

I woke up to sounds in the bathroom. Who walked out was a completely naked Fantine. What a turn-on!

“We don’t have time, big fella. We have a LES MISÉRABLES rehearsal in an hour. I may have left you some hot water, if you are lucky.”

I got up, gave her a big sloppy kiss and went in for my shower.

Up next was a very light breakfast, and then we all went in two cars. Stu was just opening the auditorium. He waved to us as he propped the door open.

We walked in with Katie behind us. I got a kiss from Jenn who left to change into her opening outfits. The Newman’s arrived with young Mr. Nichols in tow. He and Rose had a nice kiss, and then they separated.

He came over to me. “I think I found just the right girl, Michael.”

“I believe so, have you got your eyes out for your replacement?” I said.

“Maybe ... is it OK for a girl to be a conductor?” he asked.

“Certainly ... although, she might have to struggle against the male dominance in our particular profession. If she were to succeed, there are some egregious men who will say she got her job because she was pretty. Who is it?”

“Sarah Wallace, a third grader,” he answered.

“If Rose can understand that you need to help Sarah become the best she can, then that’s all you can do.”

“Today, I want you to run the orchestra, please? I need to get up on stage and do some blocking adjustments to people. Can you do that for me, Jeremy?”

“No problem,” he said. He got out his conductor’s baton and walked over to the music stand I had put my score on. I saw him doing some practicing as I saw Peter and Izzy walk in together.

“Hello Michael,” she said to me with a big smile. He sent her off to change and came over to me.

“Michael, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“S-Sure thing Peter. What is it?”

“I remember how I spoke to you the day we heard Billy died. I was terribly angry, and I took it out on you. What you did for our family and us cannot be put in proper perspective. Little Izzy can’t stop talking about you. I hope she isn’t being too much of a pest. She looks up at you and when she talks about you she almost glows like a little angel. I think of you almost like a younger brother. I apologize for everything I have said, and I hope the best for you.”

“Thanks Peter, that was very nice of you to say. Get dressed. I expect great things from you when you are through with high school in six months.” I patted him on the shoulder and he left.

Oh Boy!

As was becoming usual, we had some teachers and students who would be our audience.

I announced the plans for the day. “Everyone, these are understudy’s performing today, but they deserve the same praise as those we all heard last Saturday. The usual leads are in the chorus helping the overall sound of the show.”

“Jeremy Nichols will be conducting today.”

That got him some nice applause.

“I will be up on stage, quietly, but carefully moving people about to make them sound better. Maestro, whenever you are ready.”

He got their attention and started the music. The crowd started down the aisles in sync. I got out of the way as they came up on stage.

At his opening moment, Javert, being played by James Allen took control of the stage just like Geoff had. Jeff Newman, playing Valjean today, was in voice and quite sure of himself.

I did need to turn them to the audience more. They took it in stride. Everything was going quite well. That was occurring more than anything. We all are accustomed to looking at who we are talking to, but in the theatre you can lose much volume and countenance by turning anywhere except out to the people watching. Think of a clock, facing the audience is six o’clock, facing people directly on stage is either three or nine o’clock. If you want to infer you were are talking/singing to, then four-thirty or seven-thirty is the best you can do!

Blanche, playing Fantine today, was better than I remembered. She didn’t have the upper range of Jenn, but she did a very fine job of “I Dreamed a Dream.”

Rose Newman and Geena Prefontayne had a marvelous chemistry as Little Cossette and Eponine. The rehearsal moved along quickly, with only a few people needing my assistance.

For Nelson and Sarah, playing the Thenardiers was getting as marvelous as Joan and Joan’s interpretation the previous Saturday.

“One Day More” with all the understudies was a little befuddling. I patiently put my hands on their shoulders and corrected their stances. I heard a number of almost silent ‘Thank you’s’ from a few.

It ended, vocally speaking, quite well. After the applause was done, I put them through the number again, the second time it looked (and sounded) much better.

Before I could get the words from my mouth, “BREAK – fifteen minutes” came from Jeremy.

I went off stage with the rest of them, first speaking to some second-act people, and then I wandered to the house giving out some high-fives and a few kisses.

“Can we come out and watch the second act?” Isabel and Jen Hughes asked me together. They each took one of my hands as I headed out to the audience.

I sat them down as Katie handed me water from the row in front of us. She quietly said, “Naughty boy.”

I saw Jeremy put on the headset, and said to everyone, “Come on people, we don’t have all day here.”

I gave him a thumbs up. I sat between my two young ladies as the second act began.

I felt Izzy’s hand in mine. I looked at her and her eyes twinkled. Everyone was becoming more aware of their positioning. I almost got up a few times, but they self-corrected. This was an interesting experience for me. Watching something I had worked so hard for.

As “Little People” began, Miss Hughes said, “Isn’t Fabian wonderful as Gavroche?”

“Yes, he is. Is he your boyfriend?”

“Maybe.”

The rest of rehearsal, despite being understudies, went quite well. Jeremy kept a firm hand on the tempos and all the performers were now much more aware of their positioning. They have actually been listening to me.

James was superb matching Geoff’s standard of suicide from the upper tier. Both of the young ladies hid their heads but applauded when he got up and went backward into the light with a scream.

The “Epilogue” with the different players was very good. When it was done, I got up to lead the applause as they went through their bows, remembering to motion to the orchestra and their final bow was great. I was like a proud papa, that’s how I felt just then.

The girls left to change into their street clothes.

Jeremy turned and said, “This will be our last rehearsal with an audience until you all come back and pay for the right to see the Michael R. Thomas production of LES MISÉRABLES, have a nice day.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. I shook hands with this formidable eleven-year-old. Rose came running out and gave him a nice kiss. Her sister Nancy walked out taking my arm, “Aren’t they a darling couple, Michael?”

“I believe that is true. His protégé Sarah Wallace might have something to say about that.”

“She’s only eight years old. I don’t think Jeremy will be quite as adventurous as you have become.”

Fortunately, Jenn came out right then and wrapped her lips and a leg around me. She kissed me all over the face, and said, “Wasn’t everybody so good?”

“Blanche has gotten so much better, but no one is as good as you are, baby.”

Peter and Isabel made a point of saying ‘goodbye’ to us. People started coming out en masse, so Jenn dropped off my hip and took my hand.

Rose came out and the rest of the Newman’s entered together. Lily said, “Wasn’t Jeff really good today?”

“Yes, he was,” I turned to shake his hand. “And so was Rose.” She had already glommed onto Jeremy.

“None of it would have been any good without Michael making us better than we thought we could be,” Nancy said.

They all left, as the place emptied out. I saw the lights turned off and Stu came around and said, “That was impressive ... your understudies really know their stuff.”

“I am quite proud of everyone at this point Mr. Holland. I just wish I could clone you for Jackson Heights.”

He just laughed, as we were the last to leave.

On the trip home, Katie asked, “When are you going to start teaching the Lincoln High kids the entire WICKED score?”

“I was thinking this coming week. They have the LES MISÉRABLES music down pretty well. Thank you Katie.”

“You seemed pretty cozy with Isabel and Jen Hughes during the second act Michael,” she said.

“What does that mean?” Jenn asked.

“They wanted to watch the second act, so we came out and watched it together. Jen Hughes was crushing on Fabian, the Gavroche understudy.”

“And who was Isabel crushing on, Michael?” Fantine asked.

I looked in the rearview mirror and saw Katie smiling right at me.

“She held my hand through most of it. Fortunately, there wasn’t much I needed to do in the second act. Miss Stapleton, are you trying to break up Jennifer and I for some reason? You really do seem to relish talking about Isabel in front of my girlfriend.”

Jenn pulled over, “I was wondering the same thing.”

After a moment of quiet Katherine said, “I am sorry you guys. I have been something of a bitch lately. The way you all love one another is amazing. Even with Isabel around. I have never known such all-encompassing love before. Can you forgive me?”

The car began going again and Jenn observed, “I think Katie needs a good old-fashioned fuck Michael. Don’t you think so?”

“Yeah, maybe so. After lunch, if you would like.”

A minute later, we were parked behind Ally’s car and walked in. Katie walked up to mom and hugged her. She also did the same with Ally.

“What brought that on?” Janice asked.

“I just realized that I don’t say it often enough how I feel to you all. It was so surprising the way you all took me in so easily. I love you all very much.”

“We all feel the same way towards you Jen. You are part of this family now,” Ally said to her still enclosed in each other’s arms. That was so erotic to see them up tight against each other.

“How does tuna sandwiches sound to everybody?” mom asked.

“Great, it’s been a while. I have loved everything you have ever made for me Janice,” I said giving her a hug.

My emotional mother pulled me to her giving me a remarkable kiss. I got hard which she felt. She broke and said, “How about ... after lunch we all get together on my bed. All five of us, I mean.”

“Do we have to wait for lunch first?” my girl asked.

“Hell No,” Ally responded giving Katie her an erotic kiss of her own.

I took my mother to her room, and the games began.

Jenn and Katie got into a kiss as did Jan and Ally. I just watched, as I got very hard very fast. I stripped enjoying the girls.

Every single combination occurred over the next two hours. They all sucked me off and swallowed, and then I saw them all embark on 69s with one another. Katie had taught my girl tribbing aka scissoring. I was impatiently refilling as they made smacking noises with one another.

I watched Jenn eating out her own mother, so I got up and gave her my re-energized dick to lick as well. I moved from her mouth to her mother’s pussy. I went all the way inside pulled out and Jenn licked me off. I did that a few times until I exploded all over her face and Ally’s pussy.

I moved to Janice, who was on top of Katie slurping at her gushing pussy. I did the same as before with Katie getting something to suck and mom a dick inside her again. I didn’t likely have much in the way of cum left, but I did my best to cum deep inside my mother.

I was as tired as I could remember after all of that. I found a place between the ladies to lie back for a minute. Practically instantly I felt lips on my dick. My eyes opened to see Jenn sucking on me. “Jenn, I am done.”

She took that as a challenge and was really going to work on me. I was just about to do something, not knowing if there was any cum in my balls at that moment.

She pulled off me with her mouth and slipped my wet dick inside her. “Auuuuuggghhhhh Jesus Jenn.”

That woke everyone up, at least a little. They all watched Jenn taking a ride. Knowing she had an audience, she had lots of fun being loud and proud. After about ten minutes I couldn’t believe I had something to give her. I pulled her down on me with my hands on her ass as I took over and gushed ... spewing some of my Michael Milk up in her.

“Oh, dear god. What did we just do?” my mother said.

“I think it was long overdue,” Ally said.

“I have ... never ... been ... so satiated in my entire life,” Katie said breathing very hard.

“I don’t care at all,” Jennifer said finally coming down from her euphoria.

“I feel so used,” I said.

“You were Michael, over and over again,” my girl said.

“What do you call what we did, it’s not a threesome or even a foursome?”

“I would call it an orgy,” Ally said laughing.

“Everybody clean up, then we will have something to eat,” Jan said.

Jenn took me by the hand and we went to our shower. As exciting as it was to wash next to a nude woman, I was all business.

I came out dressed and with Ally’s camera.

“You should have had that in your mother’s room,” Ally said.

“I want to add Katie to our mockup MRTJ website. If Jenn gets any hits for singing, Katie could get some for modeling, or performing. I am sure our two dozen most active performers would jump at the chance for inclusion,” I said.

Mom and Ally were busy making tuna sandwiches, humming “Wonderful” together.

As they were made I put the sandwiches on the table. They were all snapped up. Of the next batch I took one and wolfed it down. I got a kiss from Ally and took those remaining to the table giving Katie and Jenn a kiss on the back of the neck.

“Don’t get me started again Michael. It wouldn’t take much right now,” Katie said.

I sat down eating another one in like three bites. “How many more should we make honey?” Ally asked.

“Ten more, I will eat whatever’s left over,” I said with a big smile on my face.

We all were enjoying the lunch together. Some things had just been done that had never happened before, but nobody seemed too broken up about it. I saw Jan and Ally holding hands. Jenn and Katie seemed even closer. Wonderful!

The rest of the day and Sunday were quite lackadaisical. We all listened to music, watched movies, took the occasional spa and had a few meals together.

My phone rang.

“Hello this is Michael.”

“Hello Michael, this is Isabel ... Isabel Chapman.”

“Hey there. What can I do for you?”

“Could I come over and learn some more WICKED music?”

“By yourself?”

“Why not?”

“I don’t think I am allowed to be alone with a student, especially a pretty girl like yourself.”

“If I could find a few more, would that be OK?”

“I think so.”

“OK, we will be over in an hour, see you then, Michael.”

Wait ... what just happened?

I told everyone that some kids were coming over in an hour and they all put on more clothes and cleaned up their rooms.

I answered the knock on the door to see Peter Chapman, followed by Isabel, Terri Lewinski, Rose Newman, Sally Brown, Jamie Kennedy and Carrie Young. I asked Peter to stay. They were all nine, ten and eleven years old.

“I can stay and listen, but I am not singing today,” he said.

“All right then, which of my piano players wants to help me today?” I asked to Katie and Mom.

“I guess it’s my turn, Honey,” Janice said causing all the young ladies to titter and giggle.

I handed out copies of the lyrics to ‘Dear Old Shiz,’ where the Ozians sing with Galinda. Jenn stepped up and asked if she could help.

“Girls, is it all right if my girlfriend helps us?”

“Okay,” they said mostly together.

“Everybody take a look at the lyrics. The melody is very easy to learn. Jennifer will sing it for you once.”

After she did, we started groups...

ALL O, hallowed halls and vine draped walls
the proudliest site there is.
When grey and seer our hair hath turned,
we shall still revere the lessons learned
in our days at dear old Shiz (dear old Shiz)
our days at dear old...

GALINDA Oooooooooold

ALL shizzzzzzzzzzz (dear old shizzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)

They all applauded her, then I gave some specific instructions including having two of the girls do the repeats.

Katie began again. This time they got it together; even Peter clapped his approval.

Sally Brown raised her hand.

“Yes dear.”

“I never heard of the word ‘Proudliest’ it doesn’t sound like a real word?” she asked.

“It’s not. They do that all through this script making up words that sound real until you hear them more than once. Just do your best to read whatever the words on the page say.”

“What next?” Isabel said.

“How about “One Short Day?” We need a Galinda and an Elphaba. Miss Stapleton, could you help us out.”

“Certainly,” she said standing next to Jennifer.

“Here are the lyrics for you ladies, wherever it says Ozians. That is what they call the people who live in OZ.”

“Mother, are you ready? Play it once please for everyone to hear.”

I saw their faces lighting up. Peter got up. I guess he was going to join us after all.

“Any questions ladies. Good. I hope you were paying attention. Peter, please be the Ozian official at the end. Janice please ... start at measure 41...”

“Wow, have we got a wonderful chorus of pretty young ladies? I need people of all sizes for the Ozians. Does anyone want to learn anything else?”

Isabel’s hand rose up.

“Yes, dear,” I said.

“I would like to try singing the beginning of ‘The Wizard and I,’ the part Madame Morrible sings.”

“Very good Miss Chapman. Do you need to hear it played for you?”

“No Michael, I do not. I think I know it already,” she said.

“Ladies, move back to give her some room please?”

They did. This is it! This was why she wanted to come over ... to sing this song and show off.

I put up my hands to direct both the piano and Izzy...

MORRIBLE

Oh, Miss Elphaba...
Many Years I Have Waited
For A Gift Like Yours To Appear
Why I Predict The Wizard

Could Make You His
Magic, Grand Vizier!

My Dear, My Dear,
I will Write At Once To The Wizard
Tell Him Of You In Advance

With A Talent Like Yours,

Dear, There Is
A Defin-Ish Chance
If You Work As You Should
You will Be Making Good

She stopped and said, “Thank you Michael,” as the other girls and her brother all applauded for her.

“Anybody else?”

“MICHAEL,” Katie asked, “Could Isabel and Jennifer sing ‘For Good’ together? I would love to hear how well she harmonizes.”

“Would you like to do that, Isabel?” I asked.

“Oh, would I. Thank you Katie.” I handed her the lyrics, “I would think you already know this melody, is that right?”

Isabel looked a little panicked.

I put my hands on her shoulders and said, “Pretend that it’s just Galinda and Elphaba. Nobody else is in the room. Can you do that?”

She nodded to me breaking into that smile of hers.

Jenn looked at her and began...

JENN

I have Heard It Said
That People Come Into