Exit Stage Left

By Chris James

Chapter Six

Alan Truman, the production manager for Camelot, swept through the backstage door like a diva on steroids. It was eight-thirty on a Monday morning and Dennis was tired from the all night painting session, he really wasn't ready for a load of crap this early.

He'd had a wonderful Saturday with Ted. He'd met Mrs. Cavanaugh and they had stayed just long enough for Dennis to see where the boy got his good looks. But she looked exasperated and waved off his greeting, telling Ted he'd better not forget the time and be late for work. Fortunately for them all Kathy was still asleep, so they made their escape.

Ted was bubbly, happy to be out of the house. Dennis didn't know if this was normal behavior but he could tell Ted was a little bit off the wall.

"I'll calm down once the meds kick in, but I feel great," Ted said. "I think you'll like my father, at least we'll get to play with his toys."

"Toys?" Dennis asked.

"Oh yeah, Dad is big on toys... you'll see."

Dennis discovered that what Ted meant was literal; Mr. Cavanaugh collected toys, games, cars, boats... all kinds of fun things. The parents splitting up didn't seem to affect the relationship Ted had with his father, even if he was living with his mother for the moment. There were just things Dennis couldn't politely ask, not yet.

The father's house was on a cul-de-sac over on the southeastern edge of Elk Grove, just about where the farm land began. A huge sprawling home with a four car garage and a large swimming pool in the back yard. Dennis was amazed; Ted had said nothing about his family being wealthy. But Ted had grown up here until the breakup.

Dennis pulled in the long circular drive and parked next to a BMW sedan, one of two vehicles which sat in the circle, the other was a huge pick up truck.

"Nice house," Dennis said, fishing for more information.

Ted nodded, and then seemed to realize he hadn't prepared Dennis for any of this.

"My father... well, my great-grandfather started his own business about eighty years ago. I always kid my dad that his fortune is built on shit," Ted laughed.

"Um... ?" Dennis replied.

"Fertilizer, the family business is farm supply all up and down the valley. It's not exactly the glamorous career I'd choose for myself, but don't think my dad is a California redneck, he has a PhD in chemistry."

Dennis grinned. "So you come from a good gene pool, I already knew that."

Ted led him around to the back of the house where a housekeeper was cleaning up breakfast dishes on the patio table. A man was slowly swimming laps in the pool as they sat down at the table.

"Hello, Mamasita... how are you today?" Ted asked the woman.

She smiled in return. "Very well, Mr. Ted... do you wish to have breakfast?"

"No thank you... um, Dennis, you want anything?"

"I could handle a coffee if there is any."

"One coffee for my friend, I'll have a juice if you please," Ted said.

"Right away, Mr. Ted," She replied.

Ted looked out at the pool. "Dad swims almost a mile every morning if he has the time, a hundred laps. I'd drown after ten."

"He has a nice stroke, did he swim professionally?" Dennis asked.

"College, UCLA swim team. Other than the toy collection this is his passion. We learned a long time ago never to disturb him until he's finished. It's like a family joke, Dad wouldn't stop swimming even if the valley were on fire, and then only if the firemen drained the pool. He'll be finished soon."

"How can you tell?" Dennis asked.

"He usually swims naked; the staff is used to that by now. But he knew you were coming so he's wearing a suit. He hates swimsuits so he won't swim that long today, he'll probably finish up later," Ted said.

Mamasita brought the coffee and Ted's juice, smiling the whole time. "You boys need anything just let me know," She said.

"Thanks, Mamasita," Ted replied before she left. Ted nodded in her direction. "She has three boys; her oldest is one of the hottest looking things in the valley. Unfortunately Eduardo is already eighteen and very straight, nothing but eye candy."

"Someone sounds frustrated," Dennis said.

Ted turned his head and smiled, blue eyes flashing. "Not for long, I hope."

Dennis shook his head. "You are too much."

A few minutes later Mr. Cavanaugh pulled himself out of the pool and Dennis couldn't help but look. If he had been into older guys this would be a body to desire, the man was ripped. But then Bobby had been much the same, athletic... hung. Dennis was just glad the man was wearing a suit; he didn't want to see how big it was.

Dennis rose to greet him, and Cavanaugh smiled. "Ted said you were coming over, it's nice to meet you. I'd stay here and hang out with you boys but I have to be in Stockton by noon, business calls."

Ted nodded. "That's fine, Dad, we have to be at work by six."

"Yeah, what do you do at Spring Grove, Dennis?"

"Assistant Crew Chief... babysitter," Dennis replied.

Cavanaugh laughed. "All those spoiled performers; it must be quite a chore."

"It can be, but I just started working there when Ted did."

Cavanaugh turned back to his son. "I'm just happy your mother let that happen, you need something to do this summer. So are you here to ride on the track?"

"If you'll let us, I promise we won't go wild," Ted said.

"I trust you, just stay off of the state road. That still gives you quite a loop to ride around." Cavanaugh looked at his watch. "I better go shower and get dressed, will you be here for dinner?"

"We have work, Dennis and I will go out for something later on," Ted said."

"Go over to the club if you want, the buffet starts at four. Nice to meet you, Dennis. I'm sure I'll see you again."

Ted got up and hugged his father. "Bye, Dad." And the man trotted off to the house.

"What did he agree to let us do?" Dennis asked.

"Go carts, you ever ridden one?"

"Nope, I don't want to break my neck," Dennis said.

"Aw, it's safe or he wouldn't let us ride. He built the track last year," Ted said.

"OK, I'll go, just no racing. You have the advantage."

Mr. Cavanaugh was just climbing into his truck when they walked around the house; he waved and then drove off. Ted walked them down the driveway and across the road to a white building. Now Dennis could see the track beyond the chain link fence.

"Wow, that's huge," Dennis said.

"It's a mile, covers twenty acres of what used to be pasture land," Ted said. They approached the building and Ted punched in a number on the keypad, there was a click and the door popped open. Dennis followed inside and stopped short.

"Oh My God," He said.

Inside the building there were six go carts and Ted pointed across the space. "Those two are collector's items, we can't touch them. Otherwise... pick one."

They blazed around the loop for almost two hours and Dennis realized Ted was the better driver. The boy was fearless when it came to cornering, fishtailing the cart to position himself for the straight-aways, and then gunning it for all the little engine was worth. They were both wearing helmets and Dennis was glad when he kept knocking his head against the roll cage on the turns. It was the most fun he'd had in years.

They walked back to the house as Ted relived their moments on the track with wild gestures and sound effects. Dennis could see the boy was all wound up. It was just two o'clock and they had time to kill, but both of them were hot and sweaty from the carts.

"I don't suppose you brought a swim suit?" Ted asked.

"Nope, just my black clothes for work," Dennis replied.

"Do you object to swimming nude?"

"Um... what about the maid?"

Ted smiled. "I could just tell her, she'll stay in the house."

Dennis nodded. "I could handle that."

They walked past the Volkswagen and Dennis got out his work clothes before they went into the house. From the size of the place he had expected everything to be opulent, but it wasn't. A large foyer, a sweeping staircase to the second floor and a pretty big living room. But no marble statues or gold wall fixtures, this was just a huge comfortable home.

He followed Ted upstairs to a typical boy's bedroom, except this one lacked much of the debris a boy might accumulate.

"I only visit here now, but this fall I'll be moving back in," Ted said. "I suppose we ought to shower off, how about we share?"

"I can handle that too," Dennis said.

He laid his clothes on a chair and watched Ted begin to undress. Dennis followed suit, knowing that all thoughts of having any conversation were well past, they were about to become naked together. Ted paused when he got down to his boxers and waited for Dennis to catch up, and then they were naked.

Dennis realized his first assessment of Ted as a skinny boy was all wrong, he was slender and fit. Their equipment was much the same except for the color of the hair surrounding it. Ted didn't give it a thought and walked through a door into his bathroom.

The shower stall was six feet square with those fancy water jets on the wall; Ted turned on the overhead nozzles and motioned for Dennis to step in. It was like standing in the rain, and then Dennis felt arms slide around his waist as Ted pressed up against his back.

"I've been thinking about this for days," Ted said. "I guess I'm pretty scared by what this all means."

Dennis turned around and slid his hands to Ted's neck. "It doesn't mean anything. This isn't something we need to push, I'm in no hurry... you shouldn't be either."

Ted smiled and shook his head. "But I am in a hurry. The feelings have been inside me a long time, Dennis... a very long time."

Dennis leaned in and they kissed a long time. Ted felt strong hands rubbing his back and his body responded, he couldn't help it. But he could tell Dennis was aroused and yet not planning to take the next step. Their lips parted, but their eyes remained locked.

"It will happen, Ted." Then Dennis looked down and smiled. "Oh hell yeah, it will really happen."

Ted giggled and then broke into laughter, Dennis joined him. It was enough to take the edge off their passion.

"I really love everything about you," Ted said, and the moment turned serious.

Dennis nodded. "We'll discover what that word means together... give it time."

Once clean they no longer felt the urge to swim and they dressed. Ted took Dennis towards the garage and stopped before opening the door. "One of these days I hope he gives me one of these cars, he has four others in a warehouse, but these are his favorites. I don't really care which one; this is just the cream of the crop." And with that he flipped a switch and opened the door.

The Lamborghini was immediately recognizable; this one was bright yellow with a spoiler on the rear deck and gull wing doors. The interior was black leather and the whole thing just exuded testosterone. The car in the second bay Dennis didn't recognize.

"That's a 475 Cobra, fastest street legal American car on the road. I almost came in my pants when he brought it home, that's my favorite," Ted said.

The car was a deep hand rubbed burgundy with a white interior. The racing stripes only accented the smooth rounded curves of the car. It looked like it could fly. Then Dennis looked into bay three.

In his own fantasies as a kid, Dennis had always dreamed of owning a Corvette... and here was the car of his dreams. It was black, so black that it seemed to absorb the light around them. But the exterior gleamed with what had to be a dozen coats of clear lacquer; the interior was bright red with white inlays.

"That's a 2009, a retro model. Dad says it's like a copy of the 1979 except this time they did it right. I don't know a damn thing about cars except for looks," Ted said.

Dennis smiled. "I drive an old Volkswagen; I don't have any taste in cars whatsoever."

"Will you feel guilty driving over to the club in your car?"

"Hell no, do they have valet parking?" Dennis asked.

"Yup."

"Cool, I love making those guys freak out."

The club was extensive. A golf course, tennis courts and a swimming pool the size of most lakes. Ted grinned as they drove up and a valet approached to take the car, the man didn't even crack a smile. Dennis looked theatrical dressed in black from head to toe, but the long sleeve shirt and tie was acceptable dress in the clubhouse. Ted was the complete opposite in white, but he chose to leave the green and gold vest in the car.

They walked across the lobby and already Dennis could smell the food being set up in the restaurant. Goodness, he was starving. They had skipped lunch, opting for time on the cart track instead. Then there had been that luxurious shower and the kisses.

"Good Afternoon, Master Ted," The head waiter said. "Here for the buffet?"

"Yes we are," Ted replied.

"Wonderful, where would you like to sit?"

"We'll take a window seat, if you don't mind."

"Please," The waiter said. It didn't matter, it was still early and there was only one other couple there.

Ted walked across the restaurant and chose a table by the broad glass windows that looked out on the pool area. Rows of lounge chairs, people lying in the sun or sitting under umbrellas. Bronzed bodies, some of them quite nice Dennis noted.

Ted smiled. "I love a good view."

Dennis almost laughed, but their waiter approached.

"Hello, Ted... how are you this afternoon?" The man asked.

"Good to go, Frank," Ted replied.

Frank was young and dapper. Dennis figured he'd look good sitting out there in the sun wearing a tight bathing suit.

"Your usual, Ted?" Frank asked.

"Please... make it two."

"Very good, I'll be right back," Frank said.

"What did you just order?" Dennis asked.

"Rum and Coke... it's always a treat," Ted said, and then his mouth curled up in a smile. "They don't put real rum in it, just a flavoring, tastes like the real thing."

"I'm starved," Dennis said.

"Carting does that to me too, burns off all that nervous energy," Ted said.

Frank brought their drinks and they got up to sample the buffet. It was interesting to see that Ted selected much the same food he did; Dennis should have expected Ted to eat smart.

"Diet and medication, that keeps me normal," Ted explained. "This is the only place you'll ever see me drink soda."

They sat down at the table and began to eat, but Dennis could see Ted watching him.

"What?" Dennis asked.

"This is like our first meal together, I like that."

"Hmm, me too. So you're the romantic type?"

Ted nodded, and started to blush. "Um, so far that romance has been a personal exploration."

"Nice to know the equipment works," Dennis grinned. "I will admit we could just jump right into this, but I never got the chance to savor my first time."

"Was Bobby a good lover?" Ted asked.

"Yes, but he made love like he dances, full tilt all the time. It blew me away; I was swept up in it from the start. But it was like wolfing down good food, I missed a lot of the taste. I enjoyed it. I learned from it, but I want it to be special for you."

Ted smiled. "That's sweet... you're sweet."

"I had barely five months with Bobby, it was hardly long enough to understand what love means, Ted. This time I want to do it right, I have to do it right because it's you."

Ted put his fork down and his eyes watered. Dennis could see the emotion behind those baby blues and knew it would be easy to love this boy. Their eyes remained fixed for a few moments and then Ted spoke from the heart.

"I... I spent a long time hating myself. I couldn't control the feelings inside and they scared me. I don't know any gay people, I had no one to talk to... and then I met you. There was just something about you that made me understand it was all right to feel this way. I want to love you, Dennis... I have to. Do you understand?"

Dennis slowly nodded. "We share something special; the feelings are just a beginning. This time I know it will last, this time I can love someone who won't run away."

Ted nodded. "I'm sorry he hurt you... I will never do that."

"He left for a reason, Ted. He'll be famous in a few years, a real star. But I think the real reason I just let him go was so that I could find someone like you, he had to get out of the way."

The tears were gone and in its place Dennis could see nothing but passion. God, the boy was magnificent.

"So you'll teach me... I want to know everything," Ted said.

Dennis nodded. "You already know the most important thing... you know where this is going."

"I've dreamed about you... us."

The words made them both smile. Love was the fulfillment of dreams, Dennis had them as well.

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then when we summon the will they soon become inevitable," Dennis said. "Superman said that."

"Superman?"

"Christopher Reeve, the actor who played Superman. I admired his strength of character; he never gave up all the way to the end. I don't give up either, Ted... what we both want is inevitable."

Ted picked up his fork and resumed eating. The emotions had subsided; he was now safe in the embrace of understanding. They would share love, it was inevitable.

Saturday night at The Grove, a packed house, and a wonderful performance. Betty actually sat down at the piano with Neil and played with two fingers while the boy gave an extemporaneous musical performance. To see that genius at work made Dennis smile. Like Bobby this boy would go far in his chosen field. He just hoped that Neil would take the time to smell the flowers along the way and feel love.

From his post at the backstage door he could see Ted standing over at the lobby doors. The feelings between them were building; it had been a grand day of exploration. They would soon end up consummating that love, and that would be a point of concern on Dennis' part. He could never do anything to hurt Ted.

Bobby had been gentle, but there had still been pain. It would be interesting to see how Ted would react. In his first few experiences that pain had quickly turned to pleasure and Dennis had spent the next five months on the receiving end. Where would Ted end up, and would it matter? Dennis knew he could deny the boy nothing; he would do whatever it took to please.

By the time the performance was over they barely had a chance for a quick kiss in private before Kathy took her little brother home. She had apologized, but Dennis knew it was forced. He didn't have time for her games, but with the schedule ahead she could easily be ignored.

Dennis had thought about taking Ted to breakfast, but then thought better of it. He would sleep in until noon, later if he could handle it. The show would end just before eleven and a long night of painting would begin. Kenny already had drop cloths, paint cans and various implements stacked up in the maintenance office. It promised to be a long night.

He went to bed around one in the morning and dreamed. He was lying in a field of flowers with Ted, surrounded by butterflies. Neil was there with his piano and Betty sang her song about the beautiful creatures. His mind gave vision to the lyrics about two people in love; it had never seemed so real.

The night gave way to dawn and yet he slept on until about nine o'clock, and then could sleep no more. He rolled over and called Ted.

"Hi... what are you doing?" Dennis asked.

"Just getting dressed, I thought you would sleep until noon."

"I might go back to sleep, but I had to call you. Thank you for a wonderful day, we'll have to do that again," Dennis said.

"Every day is going to be wonderful from now on," Ted replied.

"Yeah... I think you're right."

"I'm going driving with Mom, a little practice."

"I didn't ask, when's your birthday?" Dennis asked.

"August third, I'm a Leo, or didn't you notice," Ted said.

Dennis laughed. "You even look like a lion, except I don't think they have blue eyes."

"Maybe it's the soft furry nose that gave it away."

"I dreamt about you last night," Dennis said.

"Butterflies?" Ted asked.

Dennis was shocked. "How did you know?"

"I had the same dream," Ted said. "I think we're closer to that love thing than either of us realize."

Dennis was silent for a moment. "Dennis?" Ted said.

"I'm still freaking out over here. I love you, Ted... there I said it."

Dennis heard a sniffle. "Are you crying?"

"You just made me so happy, yeah, real tears. But I haven't taken my meds; I want to enjoy the feeling. I love you so much, Dennis... this is real."

"Yeah, it's real," Dennis said. "Can I take you to lunch?"

"Oh... yeah, if it's late. I have to drive with Mom, I promised. Wait, you have your all nighter... are you sure?"

"I need to hold you," Dennis said.

"Yeah, same here. OK, I'll bring my work clothes. Kathy can bring me home... what time?"

"I'll be there at two-thirty," Dennis said.

"Perfect," Ted said. "You're perfect."

"I don't know about all that... "

"You are in my dreams, I'll find out... no, I can't say it," Ted giggled.

Dennis laughed. "Take your meds so you don't drive off the road."

"OK... love you."

"I love you too," Dennis said. And he heard Ted sigh as the boy hung up.

Wow, he had finally said it. It was true, he was in love. Now he was afraid Ted would need something else... and why not? They weren't about to hop in bed and... no, that wasn't necessary, not yet anyway. But kisses wouldn't satisfy either of them for long and Ted would wait for Dennis to take the lead.

Dennis lay in bed for a while and realized he wasn't going back to sleep. It was wrong, he would suffer for it tomorrow, but he was just too excited. He would have lunch with Ted, but where? They couldn't be too far from the theatre, and yet all he could think about was being alone with the boy.

If it was just lunch then he could take Ted over to see Billie and get a sandwich, then they could drive over to the park beyond the lake and eat at a picnic table. The food would hold him for a while; Kenny had said they would have pizza after the show. He would be up all night as Ted slept. He couldn't stop thinking about the boy.

They had shared a dream, Dennis wondered at that. Of course they had both seen Betty perform that song for several days, it had made an impression. But now every time he heard that song Dennis would think of Ted. He had to get up and shower.

Time seemed to drag after he got dressed. He'd stuffed his backpack with work clothes and some towels. The painting would get messy and he would need to shower at the theatre come morning. He threw his pack in the car and took off, Ted would be waiting.

Mrs. Cavanaugh was in a better mood when he got to Ted's house.

"Mom's happy, I didn't hit anything," Ted laughed.

She rolled her eyes. "I only screamed once... no twice. Ted has to figure out how to stay in the center of a lane, he came pretty close to some parked cars."

Ted brought his own pack and they rolled out of the neighborhood.

"I know a sandwich shop," Dennis said.

"Will that be enough? This is really your dinner, isn't it?"

"We're having pizza later while the first coat of paint is drying," Dennis said.

Ted slid a hand over on Dennis' thigh. "I feel bad for you having to stay up all night."

Dennis smiled. "It's all part of the adventure... the magic."

Billie was glad to see them and made some super sandwiches. Dennis then drove them to the park and they sat in the shade under the trees by the lake. There was a baseball game on one of the fields, families engaged in the Sunday ritual of cooking out and Frisbees flying thru the air. Dennis couldn't wait any longer.

"Tell me about your dream," He said.

Ted chewed a little and then started to blush. "It was erotic, no doubt about that. Do you want the details?"

Dennis shook his head. "You don't have to tell me everything."

"But I want to. I guess... well, I don't really know what happens when two guys have sex, but it was inspirational, I made a mess."

"I had my first wet dream when I was eleven," Dennis said. "I thought I had wet the bed."

Ted smiled. "How did you discover the truth?"

"I Googled it... that was my first sexual discovery. I spent weeks reading stuff about sex, and I guess that's when I knew I was going to be gay."

"Oh... yeah, well I looked around on the net myself, but even then some of what I read was confusing. I saw some gay porn, it looked so fake," Ted said.

"Yeah, I did that too. Look, I may have a lot more experience but I am never going to push you into anything. This is about more than sex, I love you."

Ted grinned. "Isn't sex the ultimate expression of that feeling?"

"You don't believe that," Dennis said. "I just don't want you to be afraid of anything; we're not going to become animals overnight."

Ted nodded. "I don't know if I'd be any good at it. I mean, I don't know if you could actually get your cock inside of me, it looks so big."

Now Dennis felt himself blush, that wasn't what he had in mind at all. "Uh... yeah, well that's a long way down the road, if you even decide to go there. We're both about the same size, Ted... .I think we're considered about average."

"What's it taste like? I mean... what does cum taste like?" Ted asked.

"You never tasted your own?"

"Uh... no, it just seemed disgusting. Should I?"

Dennis shook his head. "Don't do it unless you want to. I think everyone tastes a little different."

"So you've tried it?" Then Ted groaned. "What am I thinking, of course you have."

"Just my own, I did other things with Bobby."

OK, now it was out and on the table. Ted could only draw one conclusion and he did.

"He did it... I mean he... you had anal sex?"

Dennis nodded. "Every time... I enjoy it."

"You mean you want me to..?"

Dennis reached across the table and took Ted's hand. "When the time is right, when you feel comfortable with it... yes, I would love it."

"Wow... I'd do anything for you," Ted said.

Dennis nodded. "I know you would, we'll get there."

They finished up lunch and took a walk around the shores of the lake. There were several couples lying on blankets in the grass. Lovers, men and women.

"I think it's so unfair, we couldn't do that in front of all these people," Ted said.

"Straight people are too judgmental. Even if they agree with gay rights they don't want to see anything, they don't want their kids exposed to it. I don't think anyone should object to what's natural."

"I'd love to kiss you right here and shock all of them," Ted said.

"It certainly would do that, let's go back to the car," Dennis said.

"It's only four, no one is at the theatre," Ted said. "We could drive over there and make out."

"Yeah we could," Dennis said as he started the engine. "And we will."

Lot 'G' was down near the trees, a quiet stretch of parking lot that was rarely used except when the theatre was filled. Dennis parked in the shade and shut off the engine, Ted was in his arms a split second later. The Volkswagen wasn't very roomy.

Somehow the kisses were different today; Ted was already passionate, worked up, tongue darting into Dennis' mouth. His right hand rubbed Dennis' chest and then slid down. They were both hard; all this sex talk had started something. Dennis knew it was going to be different today when Ted began to tug at the zipper of his pants.

"Hmm... what are you after?" Dennis asked.

"I need to feel you," Ted mumbled and resumed kissing.

The hand found a way through his boxers and Ted groaned as he grasped flesh. It was exciting, but here? Dennis kissed Ted's neck and heard the boy groan again, but it gave him time to look around. No one came down here, but the entrance was up the hill in plain sight, it had to be safe. Dennis reached for Ted's zipper.

They rubbed one another and Dennis knew Ted would make a mess in short order, that wouldn't be good for either of them.

"Let me get a towel out of my pack," Dennis said, and he reached back. His body arched upwards and Ted took advantage of the moment, lowering his head into Dennis' lap. The hot wet mouth made Dennis gasp and Ted took that as a sign of approval.

Bobby had performed oral on him dozens of times, but experience counts and Ted was all teeth. After a few scrapes Ted pulled off.

"I'm not very good at this."

"I don't know how well I'd do," Dennis said.

He could feel the cock in his hand beginning to soften, Ted was losing the passion. Dennis pushed the boy back against the door and lowered his head. He had experienced the feelings; he knew how it was done. Ted groaned as Dennis gave his very first oral delight. It lasted all of two minutes.

"Uh... Oh... Dennis, I'm going to... " And he did.

The first thing Dennis noticed was the smell that invaded his sinuses, familiar enough for him to enjoy it. Ted had cut loose in the back of his throat, most of the ejaculate going down fairly quickly. And then Dennis pulled back and allowed the orgasm to fill his mouth, that's when he got the taste.

It wasn't what he would consider wonderful, not the sweet treat he'd read about. But it was Ted's offering and Dennis swallowed, feeling the coating on his teeth and tongue. He sat back up and looked at Ted leading against the window, those blue eyes burning with desire.

The boy was speechless and as Dennis still had a hand around that cock he could feel it throbbing with Ted's heartbeat. Ted sighed and a slow smile spread to a toothy grin.

"Oh... wow, that was awesome," Ted sighed.

Dennis smiled. "All for you, sweetie."

"I have to do that... you'll have to show me how to do it," Ted said.

"I will, we'll do it together... just not here," Dennis said.

"I want you to sleep over... um, just not at my mother's house."

"With Kathy there, no way," Dennis said.

"Exactly... we could spend a night at my Dad's... or better yet, do you like fishing?" Ted asked.

"It's been a while, my dad isn't the outdoor type," Dennis said. "Why fishing?"

Ted grinned. "Dad has a boat in the marina down at Rio Vista right on the Sacramento River, we can go fishing there."

"Your father would never allow us to use his boat. Neither of us has a license for something like that."

"I know, but we don't have to move the boat. We can just fish off the pier or spend the day in the boat... alone... together," Ted said.

"Would he let us?"

"I can only ask. If we didn't have work we could spend the night, but I think our next dark night isn't until next month. I'll ask, it's only thirty miles away," Ted said.

"Sure, go ask. You are moving in this fall, right?" Dennis asked.

"Yes... can't wait," Ted said.

"So let's build up a lot of trust with your dad so I can take you to Tahoe right after Christmas," Dennis said, and then he explained.

The show that evening was priceless; everyone was in a festive mood. Neil and Betty engaged the packed house in a sing along and even the ushers got into it. Betty was in an expansive mood and introduced Dennis and Kenny, making them stand up from where they crouched in the aisle. Dennis could hear Mike and Pat laughing up in the control booth.

But as the audience filed out of the theatre Mike and Pat helped them push the piano out to the center and they stood looking at the turntable.

"The less paint the better," Mike cautioned. "We'll have to replace the deck covering later this summer; it already has too many coats of paint."

"We'll roll it out thin," Kenny promised. "So I guess we better go at it."

Dennis looked up at Ted standing at the bottom of an aisle and went over to talk. He wanted to hug the boy and kiss him good night, but that couldn't happen.

"I'll see you tomorrow, OK?" Dennis said.

"Butterfly dreams, Dennis... I'll have them all night long," Ted replied and then he walked back up the aisle and went home with Kathy.

Dennis smiled. He wouldn't dream tonight, he had the reality of what they had started this afternoon to remember, and then he turned back to the task at hand.

The primer coat was gray-brown latex. The damn designer had not even given them color swatches to start with; they had to figure it out themselves. Pat stood a while and watched them roll the paint out with broad even strokes and then he left. They managed to paint out the whole area around the piano which had been draped in a clean drop cloth, and then they had to let it dry for an hour.

Kenny went up backstage and carried down two box fans while Dennis went to the maintenance closet and cleaned out the rollers, when he came back there were several others standing around.

"Dennis... this is Matt and John, they're crew this week," Kenny said, and then he smiled. "They volunteered to help."

"Hi," Dennis said as he sat the clean equipment down on the apron. Matt was older, a college boy for sure. John looked like a high school senior. They were dressed in work clothes so they were here to help and not just watch.

They all walked backstage in time to see Neil carrying his performance suit out of the dressing room, Bob took the bag from the boy. The door to the star dressing room was open and Betty was in there saying goodbye to a couple of friends. Neil hesitated to go in and disturb her so he turned to Dennis and Kenny.

"Thanks, guys... you really made this easy," Neil said.

"Glad you enjoyed performing here," Kenny said.

"I did."

"Have a good time in San Francisco," Dennis said.

"Thank you... I will," Neil said.

Betty came out of the dressing room and saw them all waiting. She held out her hand to Dennis and he looked at it first, it was covered in paint.

"Sorry," Dennis said. "We're painting the stage."

Betty laughed. "Always another show, huh?" And then she leaned in and hugged him, giving Kenny the same. "Thank you both, we had a great time... see ya next year."

And they were gone. Kenny smiled and gave a sigh.

"And now we have a week of Camel-snot," He said. Matt and John laughed, Dennis did not. One thing he'd learned at Cabot, when the tech crew gave the show a derogatory name before it even opened there would be trouble.

The paint was showing signs of setting up when Gina arrived carrying six boxes of pizza.

"Wow, are we supposed to eat all of that?" Dennis asked.

Kenny shrugged as he took a piece. "It'll probably be breakfast as well."

Gina laughed. "I'm going home now; someone has to be awake tomorrow." She was their prop girl, and from what Kenny said she was well organized and experienced.

After they ate there was a potato party on the apron. Kenny cut a potato in half and Dennis measured its diameter. They had a half dozen popcorn buckets from the concession stand and sorted the potatoes by size. Kenny popped a can of dark brown paint and made up four trays, each with a large flat sponge in it.

"Hey, can I have one of these when we're done?" John asked. "I can use it to wash my car."

"Knock yourself out," Kenny said as he poured paint on each sponge.

"Uh, maybe not," John decided. "What a mess."

The idea was to blot the end of a potato on the sponge and then stamp a circle on the stage. Each of them would take four different sizes and begin in different sections starting in the middle. Kenny had chalked out an approximate shape of the set pieces that would cover half the turntable; it didn't look like such a big task now.

Blot, stamp... blot, stamp... after ten minutes it was so repetitive that Dennis' mind began to wander. He would make four stamps and then change to a different sized potato. Kenny kept reminding them not to set up any patterns; this was all supposed to be random. In an hour they had covered half the assigned area and Dennis' shoulders were stiff.

"Union break," Kenny called out.

"What union is that?" Matt asked.

"Mine, I need to use the bathroom," Kenny said.

"I need a drink," John said.

"Make mine rum and coke if you would," Dennis laughed.

"I wish," Matt said.

Dennis sat in the front row of seats. The drop cloths made it uncomfortable but his back appreciated the padding.

"Kenny told us you went to Cabot, I almost went there," Matt said.

"Where are you now?" Dennis asked.

"Cal Arts, I'm one of the animation geeks."

"That's cool, the film industry is evolving in that direction," Dennis said.

"Yes it is. I can't act worth shit, but I could draw... that's what got me in."

Dennis looked over at John who smiled back. "I'm in the final year at Fremont, going to study pre-med at UCLA."

"Wow, all these brains... and then me," Dennis laughed.

Matt grinned. "Don't despair, Cabot students usually get into the university of their choice. I checked that out before I chose Cal Arts."

"I'm a rising junior, not sure what I'm going to do," Dennis admitted.

Kenny came bouncing back down the aisle. "Ready for round two?"

By three in the morning they had the whole area stamped with circles, or almost circles. Now the real work began. Pat had given Kenny a bag full of makeup sponges, what they had to do was each take a color and begin texturing the circles. Four colors, four people, they were done at four.

The stones... and they almost looked like real stones, now needed definition. Matt yawned and Kenny sent the guy home, John soon followed. Volunteers never lasted all night, besides someone had to be awake at ten tomorrow morning when the set arrived.

"Just you and me," Kenny said. And they knelt down and began applying a gentle outline to each stone. Dennis copied the way Kenny did it, two maybe three strokes of a small brush was all it took. The sun was up by the time they were done, Kenny figured it would all be dry by nine o'clock.

They had talked about a clear coat but Mike didn't want to add the thickness. They would carry the set onstage and set it down gently. After the rehearsal the paint would be scuffed and they would dry mop the stage before every performance, it was all they could do.

There was still pizza left but Dennis couldn't face eating another piece, and then Gina showed up carrying breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Dennis could have kissed her, but that wasn't going to happen.

She looked down at the stage and nodded. "That looks good."

"Good works for me, it seems to match the sample card," Kenny said. "We'll see what happens when the lights come up."

The fans were running full blast and from what Dennis could see the paint was dry. Up close it looked real good, but from the top of the aisle it looked absurd, you couldn't tell one stone from another.

"You ever paint a floor like this at Cabot?" Gina asked.

"No... for Romeo and Juliet it was large stones you could see all the way from the last row in the theatre. This makes no sense, I hope the set looks better," Dennis said.

They were just finishing up breakfast when the truck arrived. The dock could handle a tractor trailer, but this was just a large twenty-four foot U-haul rental. The driver had backed it right up against the dock before he crawled out of the cab.

"Howdy," The man said. "Anyone from the show here yet?"

"Not yet, did you all arrive last night?" Kenny asked.

"I imagine they did, I just made the haul from Phoenix... can I use the bathroom?"

"Sure, right this way," Kenny said.

Dennis was itching to get a look at the set, but the roll up door on the truck was padlocked. They would find out what it looked like soon enough. Kenny brought the driver back and heated up one of the cups of coffee for the man. He took it out to the cab of his truck and said he had to do some paperwork.

At eight-thirty a rental car pulled up and parked in front of the truck. Kenny took one look and frowned.

"It figures, the first one to show up is that asshole Truman... just look out when the feathers start to fly."

"When does Tony get in?" Dennis asked.

"Oh he'll drag his feet this morning; he'll make us deal with Truman first to soften him up. Tony hates a confrontation right off the bat and there's always one over something," Kenny said.

"We painted the stage and have two new dressing rooms, he doesn't have any reason to complain," Dennis said.

"You don't know him; he'll find some small detail and blow it up... just watch."

Truman got out of the car with another man and they climbed the steps to the patio. Dennis and Kenny stood in the dock doorway until the two men were in the building. Dennis could see where Kenny got the comment about Truman being flamboyant; he was wearing a pink shirt with ruffles that made it look more like a blouse.

"Kenneth," Truman said. "Is everything ready?"

"It is. We have a piano on stage but the movers are due here any minute, you have the theatre at ten like it says in the contract."

"Good... this is Barry, he's in training, he'll be here with us all week," Truman said.

Kenny nodded at Barry who ignored the gesture. Dennis figured the only training this guy got was in Truman's bed, it was pretty obvious this was such bullshit.

"Let's go look at the house," Truman said and he marched off towards the doors.

Kenny gave Dennis one of those odd expressions and almost got a laugh in return. Truman was through the door before Kenny had the chance to follow, and two seconds later there was a scream.

"What the hell is this? Who told you to paint the stage like that?" Truman yelled.

Gina looked up from where she was setting up prop tables, and Kenny just stood waiting. Dennis wandered over to the top of the aisle and Truman ran down the aisle yelling.

"No... No... Oh hell no... this is all wrong. Have you seen the set? No of course you haven't, did you even look at the drawings?"

Kenny turned to Dennis. "Go call Tony will you, tell him the show is in jeopardy at the moment. That ought to bring him running."

Dennis turned back through the door and walked to the phone in the maintenance office, Tony's number was right there on the wall. He began dialing the number just as Gina came through the backstage door. Truman could be heard yelling.

"You've sabotaged my show, you guys always fuck up."

Gina looked over at Dennis who had paused while dialing and she smiled. "Welcome to Spring Grove Music Theatre, please fasten your seat belts, there will be turbulence ahead."