Chapter 26

Later, during dinner I asked, “So mom ... how was your week with Brian. Has he popped the question yet?”

That seemed to startle her, she glared first at Ally, and then said, “H-how -- did you know that, Michael?”

“Mom, I immediately saw the look on his face and I could tell he was a serious contender. Has he already asked you to marry him? I have always wanted a daddy in the music business.”

Before she could make a serious response, she chuckled. “Michael, he asked me after our first date. I have been putting him off because of the rest of you. He wants us ... at least me, to move to Connecticut, full-time.”

“What about us, we still have friends, really good close friends here in Vincennes. I have long-term commitments here, mother,” I asserted, perhaps too forcefully.

“He said he would wait, but I don’t want him to. I love him, I always have,” she said, as tears popped from both her eyes.

“What about you, Mom? Is it that serious between you and Jeff?” Jennifer asked.

“It could be, but I have been deferring his questioning,” she answered.

“Michael,” Katie said. “You don’t want your mother’s happiness to suffer over this, do you?”

“It sounds like you are taking her side in this, Miss Stapleton,” I remarked.

“Ouch, that hurt Michael! Maybe she could go out on a trial basis, for a month or so. What else do you all have planned for the winter holidays?”

“After LES MISÉRABLES, there is nothing on the school front until the first of the year, with auditions for SOUND OF MUSIC the first week of school,” I answered.

“Then, you all go for the month of December. I will keep the home fires burning,” Katie said.

“No, Katie comes with us, or I won’t go!” Jennifer said quite assertively.

“There’s no practical reason...”

“I won’t go,” she said getting up and walking from the dinner table. She turned and said, “I consider her my big sister, and I am not going anywhere without my big sister.”

She slammed the door behind her.

“Well,” I said. “That all went great — don’t you think?”

“Michael, I am so sorry,” Katie said.

“Mom, Ally ... I won’t go either unless she goes with us,” I said much quieter than my girlfriend had. I went back to eat my chicken and macaroni dinner stuffing my face full of chicken.

I felt Katie’s hand on my leg but kept on eating. I was really hungry and I thought I said enough already. After I cleared my plate, I took Jenn’s with me to our bedroom door saying, “Sweetie pie, do you want any more to eat?”

All I heard was sobbing. I took her plate to the kitchen sink, and then I came back and opened the door. I saw her makeup running. She put out her arms for me to embrace her. We just held one another for the longest time. After about forty minutes, a knock came to the door, Mom walked in.

“I think it would be a great idea if we all left Indiana for at least a few weeks. It would give all of us girls a chance to go buy some new clothes before we go.”

That perked up my girl, and Mom knew it would. Jenn got up and ran to her giving her a great big hug. Things are back to normal again in the kingdom!

I decided to go workout for a while, and then I swam a few laps helping my arms feel better. As I got out, I saw the legs of my second favorite lover who took me and helped me out. What a bikini!

“I can’t believe that Jennifer and you care so much for me Michael. I know I shouldn’t say this, but I do love you. More than I ever loved anyone, including Paul. I also know that all we can be is illicit lovers, but I can deal with that if you and your fantastic girlfriend will let me continue to intrude in your lives.”

Not sure if I was strong enough, I still picked her up and threw her in the pool. I jumped in as well. It was October in Indiana, but the heated pool did feel pretty good after a while. So did her breasts against my chest as everyone came out to see what made the noise.

“Are you two crazy?” Jennifer said to us. “It’s 42° out here.”

“Feels just fine to me,” I said grinning from ear to ear.

“Are you naked, Michael?” mom asked.

“Not yet, he isn’t,” Katie said. I felt a pull on my swim suit, “Now he is!”

“Get out of the pool. Neither of you can afford to get sick. Jump in the spa while I get you some towels,” my mother said letting loose a few snorts.

I got out, and then helped her out as well. She had stripped her top off, so she was shivering a bit. Alice had retrieved the top to hand it to her. “Thanks” and “Your welcome” was exchanged as the very warm waters did its job.

Mom and Jenn had come back with towels, as they caught us kissing again. My hands were on her butt cheeks pulling her tight up against me.

“Michael, come on out,” Jennifer said.

“In a minute, OK?”
“Only a minute?” Katie said snarkliy.
“OK ... five minutes?”

Throwing the towels over the back of a chair, Jennifer yelled, “Come inside soon.”

As they all left, I said, “Oh, I will.”

We had a nice pair of orgasms together. I pulled my suit on, she put her top back on and I dropped some chemicals in the spa to kill my little buddies.

Dinner was about to be served. We went to our separate rooms and changed to eat.

Another recipe from my youth was served this evening. Simply called ‘Noodles and Chicken,’ but it was rather labor intensive. Back in the day, it was chicken breast meat on the bone that was stripped off and broiled. I used to help, and it was my first blushing moment hearing the word ‘breast,’ which my mother explained with much too much detail. She still enjoys making me blush.

Many people make a form of this, but they call it ‘Chicken and Noodles,’ but this recipe demands the name change because her/our noodles are five times as large.

The noodles are made from flour and large eggs turned into a batter. (The exact proportions are a carefully guard secret). About the size of softball, you roll it out adding more flour with a rolling pin. I always got this part because I was stronger. I later found out it was most of the hard work.

After rolling and turning over a few times and rolling again rather thin, (but not too thin) it was cut lengthwise into one-inch wide slices (At least 8 inches long), and the batch was rolled up, to save on counter space until all the batches were cut and rolled up.

It was unrolled and put in the stock en masse, once the chicken had been mostly cooked. The chicken was removed first, cut into large bite sized chunks. The noodles were cooking in the stock, when the chicken chunks were dropped all back into the stock with the eight-inch-long noodles. You cooked them all together until Mom said they were done, then drained it all this using a bowl sized strainer. Finally, it was put into as many Tupperware containers until ready to be served.

Like I said, it was labor intensive, but the best damn noodles and chicken meal ever made. No restaurant made it as well! I was always thanked by her with a kiss on the cheek and a firm grip handshake from my dad. I typically ate so much of it; I would go to bed with a stomachache and a big smile because it tasted so good. When I got tall enough, I helped make the noodles, taking my dad’s place in the kitchen.

Sitting down to the same food fragrance I knew as a child was bone chilling. The recipe could be up and downsized as needed simply by the egg count used to make the noodles. I was practically ready to have another orgasm in my pants due to the fabulous memories. It was not typically necessary to have a side dish to this meal, but Ally made a salad for the ladies.

Being the gentleman that I am I served them all first. Those not familiar with this recipe all exclaimed how wonderful it smelled. Lastly, I gave myself a triple helping and went to town on it like a hungry bear in the woods.

Every one of them would tell me to ‘slow down,’ but all it needed was plenty of salt and a big glass of water or milk to wash it down. I was still finished before the ladies and dished myself out some more.

I got a glare from mom and Jennifer, but I said, “I need my calories to keep you all satisfied, don’t I?”

That evoked chuckles and Katie even said, “Eat all you want, I will do my part, Loverboy.”

She and Jennifer did a high-five after that. With a mouthful of chicken, I smiled at them and kept on chowing down. Oh, I just remembered that those bouillon chicken cubes were part of the recipe. One for every two eggs used is my recollection!

I had six helpings all told. I took my empty plate to the sink and sat back down watching everyone else eat. I had never noticed how women eat before. Typical male, I suppose. Mom took small bites, Alice’s were a little bigger and Jennifer’s were the biggest. I turned to watch Katie’s and her mouth was quite full.

She stopped -- noticing I was watching and began chewing putting a smile on her face until she was through.

“What are you doing, Michael?”

“Just watching everyone eat ... it’s fascinating,” I said.

Ruminating that I was being a pest, I lumbered over to the piano and started playing dinner music for the ladies. I saw them look up and smile at me.

“From beautiful inner-city Vincennes, Indiana, only 420 feet above sea level, is the lucid sounds of yours truly, Michael Robert Thomas Junior...”

I began with a glissando to high F7, then played the mournful ‘Feed the Birds,” from MARY POPPINS.

Michael Early each day to
the steps of Saint Paul’s
The little old bird woman comes.
In her own special way
to the people she calls,
“Come, buy my bags full of crumbs
Come feed the little birds,
show them you care
And you will be glad if you do.
Their young ones are hungry,
their nests are so bare;
All it takes is tuppence from you.”
Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag

“Feed the birds,”
that’s what she cries,
while overhead her
birds fill the skies
All around the cathedral
the saints and apostles
look down as
she sells her wares

Although you can’t see it,
you know they are smiling
each time someone
shows that he cares
Though her words
are simple and few,
Listen, listen,
she’s calling to you

“Feed the birds,
tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence,
tuppence a bag.”
(I had some measures to play without singing)
Though her words are simple and few,
Listen, listen, she’s calling to you
“Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence,
tuppence a bag.”

During their fabulous applause, I said, “That was written by Richard and Robert Sherman, specifically for MARY POPPINS ... for my next number I would love Miss Jennifer Guthrie to join me in a song written by Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley.”

“It was featured in the movie, BEACHES.”

My girl wiped her mouth, swallowed and had a quick drink. She threw down her napkin and came over with a giggle.

I began the song, and she started singing...

JENN It must have
been cold there
in my shadow,
To never have
sunlight on your face?
You were content
to let me shine,
that’s your way.
You always walked
a step behind

Michael So I was the one
with all the glory,
While you were the one
with all the strength.
A beautiful face without
a name for so long.
A beautiful smile
to hide the pain

(She sang high harmony, of Course)
BOTH Did you ever know
that you are my hero?
And everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
For you are the
wind beneath my wings

(In my head, I heard a 200-piece orchestra behind her)

JENN It might have
appeared to go unnoticed,
But I have got it all
here in my heart.
I want you to know
I know the truth,
of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you...

Once finished, our audience cried and applauded, as Jenn leaned over giving them a bow and me a kiss.

I called my mother up to sing the breakout song from CATS, and she held the note as I finished the music. I stood up leading this applause myself. She curtseyed to the other women, and then gave me a hug. “Thank you, Michael. You are a showman, aren’t you?”

“Everything I do and know is because of you,” I answered.

We went back to the table and cleared things up and put away the leftovers. This meal is good for ten to fourteen days after it is first cooked. I sure hope she has written down the recipe somewhere.

I got hugs and kisses from everyone and I got my girl and went into our room.

I did have a bit of a stomachache when I woke up, but that was OK by me.

At breakfast, I told mom I had invited Cece and Paul over for dinner sometime this week. She was surprised, but said to get a commitment for any night at all, just give her an appropriate heads up.

Katie thought I was up to something, so on the way to school together, I explained the meeting I wanted to have with the powers that be at both schools ASAP. I gave her the details and she said, “I didn’t think you would be so nefarious Michael ... I am in.”

I gave my girl a kiss and planned the meeting, discussing the idea with Paul and Cece. We high-fived each other with Cece saying the same thing Katie had earlier. I had the odds in my favor as I plopped in Principal McGowan’s visitor’s chair while he was still on the phone with someone.

He finished the conversation, hung up and said, “You look like you are holding in a big idea. Am I going to like this?”

“Sir, you are going to LOVE THIS,” I said giving him the heads up I had given everyone else at Jackson.

He smiled, then picked up his phone and dialed, “Hello Richard. Michael Thomas has called a meeting of the minds to discuss the school year that starts next August. When can you leave long enough for a meeting over here?”

“Good, bring Clarice if you could. I will have you both back there in thirty minutes. Great. See you in fifteen minutes. Is that what you wanted, Michael?”

“Absolutely sir, we need Clara as well. Is there a place we can have this?”

“Yes, the Board Room. It’s only used when our board meets, but this is clearly a good reason. Can you get Jennifer, Paul and Cece there in fifteen minutes?”

“Yessir, this will work, I guarantee it,” I said.

“Good, because I feel a little odd doing this.”

“It’s for a good cause sir, just keep saying that to yourself,” I said.

“Go!” he said.

With Jennifer (Stapleton), Cece, Paul and I there ... Clara, Richard, Clarice and Harold walked in.

“Please everyone ... sit down,” I said. “I have been thinking past THE SOUND OF MUSIC next May, way past.”

I let that sink in for a moment.

I began to walk back and forth for a moment. “I have a possible idea past that, starting next August. I would like you all to give it serious consideration. I haven’t steered anyone wrong to date, have I?”

I waited for them all to nod or give verbal assent to that, then, “We seem to have made people aware of our two schools in a Musical Arts. We have had concerts, choirs and orchestra and every seat has been filled, at least, that is my understanding.”

“Yes, Michael,” Richard said. “Every seat was sold. Not all persons showed up, but no one has ever requested their money back.”

“Excellent, so now I believe we should separate and work on the separate identities of the two schools involved.”

No one made a movement to speak, so I went on to say, “SOUND OF MUSIC will be my last production here at Jackson Heights. It will be at the new auditorium.”

Clarice asked, “Does that mean we could both have productions at the same time, Michael?”

“I don’t see why not?” Paul said.

“We would want the students of one school able to come and see and support the other show,” Jennifer said.

“Of course,” Richard said. “That would be a simple matter of scheduling, correct Harold?”

“Yes, I suppose so. So, Michael ... how would you schedule the two schools?” Harold asked.

“Wouldn’t that be under my purview gentleman?” Ms. Stapleton added.

“Certainly,” Richard said.

“You have an idea already?” I asked Katie.

“Yes, I do. Next year, Jackson Heights could put on their shows the last weekend of the month involved, while Lincoln High could put their shows on mid-month. The following year that could be flip-flopped, if necessary.”