* Doug *
As it turns out, there are eleven of us crammed into Todd and Aaron's living room for the read-through on Thursday evening. Larry, Daniel, Shawn, and Tom are all squeezed together on the sofa. Nicki and Joseph perch on chairs borrowed from the dining room table, across the coffee table from Todd's massive armchair throne. Aaron, Ben, Tiffany, and I cluster around the piano and read through forty minutes of music, most of it based on scenes from
Likeness of a Sigh
and
A Grave Man.
I watch Larry closely every chance I get. He's already heard much of Thomas's material—the arias that Aaron and I recorded a couple months back. But he sits up straight and pays careful attention when Tiffany sings the new music for Evelyn. So, I notice, does Nicki, apparently taking mental notes for her own performance in the role.
We perform in no particular order, not trying to conform to the plays' chronology, but highlighting the new selections for Larry's sake while including the earlier material for everyone else's benefit. Tiffany and Ben are sight-reading their way through some tricky music with apparent ease. Not all singers have that ability; I may never be able to repay Aaron for finding this pair.
Thomas's final aria is the centerpiece of the presentation, and to my ear it's the one false note in the entire evening. No one else seems to notice anything amiss, but I can't help frowning. It's well-structured, displays the voice well, has the right energy and mood for a grief-frenzied lover, but to my critical ear it falls just a little flat. I wrote the damn thing. What did I do wrong?
No time to fret about it now. Tiffany is already waiting for the introduction to her next aria. I file my misgivings away to fret about later.
We end with something new, a duet for the two men from the opening love scene in
Likeness of a Sigh
. I'm particularly proud of this one. Aaron and Ben give it their all, the supple tenor and robust baritone voices intertwining as sensuously as the characters' bodies would on stage. Wonder how a director will pull that off? I've seen too many awkward stagings of the opening scene of
Der Rosenkavalier
to be confident that a duet as sexy as this will come off in performance. Maybe Daniel will have some suggestions.
The room is still for a few moments after we finish. I finally risk another peek at Larry. At first, he seems impassive. Shit.
Then I catch a glimpse of the single tear running down his cheek.
I experience the most peculiar sensation at the sight—triumph at knowing my music has achieved the desired effect, mixed with horrified chagrin at having caused Larry pain. It's all I can do not to spring to his side, wipe the tear away, and plant a kiss on that cheek to soothe it. What's happening to me?
I drag my attention back to the here and now as our little audience starts to applaud enthusiastically. Relieved and confused, I slump down against the piano and nod my thanks to the singers. We pulled it off.
Aaron fixed hors d'oeuvres for everyone, but after the recital is over, it's clear we're all spoiling for something more substantial. With a sly wink in my direction, Todd bellows out over the cheerful hubbub, "All right, who's up for ribs?"
—————
* Larry *
I wonder if anyone else notices the look of death Aaron shoots his partner. At first I fail to make the connection, then I remember that Doug had described his hosts as vegans. Apparently that's not exactly a unified front. The baritone gives in with admirable good grace, though, and consents to join us in a caravan toward the nearest barbeque house.
It more than measures up to Todd's promises: a sweet, smoky, spicy feast. All around the crowded table I see happy, animated faces and sticky fingers. Doug appears to be in carnivore heaven. Aaron contents himself with a salad, then, when everyone is sated, with his own sly glance at the drowsy Todd, loudly suggests we all go out dancing.
Daniel, seated next to me, glances at his phone and hastily excuses himself. Having caught a glimpse of the screen, I think I know why. The display showed one of the racy photos I took of Jeff in his
Queen Mab
costume. Catching Doug's look of disappointment at his departure, I quietly explain, "It's time for the evening check-in call to his lover. Daniel and Jeff take the long-distance thing very seriously."
Everyone else gamely piles into our various vehicles and caravans off to a bar somewhere in town. I wind up in the back of Todd's Land Rover, sandwiched between the two chattering girls and staring somewhat wistfully at the back of Doug's head—thanks to his long legs, he was given the front passenger seat. Tiffany and Nicole are getting along famously. Their company is pleasant enough, but I had been hoping for a quiet word or two with him.
The bar caters to a mixed crowd, both straight and gay couples mingling freely on the dance floor. The younger members of our group whoop and pair off. Joseph, blushing furiously, accepts Tiffany's invitation to dance. Ben gallantly lends his arm to Nicole. Shawn and Tom, to the surprise of everyone but myself, stroll hand-in-hand onto the floor to join the throng.
Which leaves four of us looking at each other. Todd takes the lead. "So, have you two ever done any boot-scootin'?" he asks me and Doug. We both shake our heads. Todd and Aaron exchange mischievous glances. "All right, cub," Todd declares, "let's show these boys the ropes!"
Before I know it, Todd has pulled me onto the floor. Aaron has Doug in hand right behind us. There is no question that the big, burly pianist with the gentle touch will lead, and he shows considerable patience in walking me through the steps. I think Aaron has the more difficult job of it, teaching Doug to lead from the following position. He seems to be doing a bang-up job of it, though, in the glimpses I catch when I'm not staring at my feet and trying to keep Todd's instructions in my head.
Once I've stopped clenching my jaw and counting through my teeth, I start to relax and actually begin to enjoy the sensation of being whirled around the dance floor. Todd navigates us skillfully between the other couples.
"So, what's up with you and Dougie?" he inquires amiably.
I miss a step. Todd compensates smoothly, steadying me with sure hands.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you there," he apologizes. "I shouldn't pry, but I couldn't help noticing the two of you can hardly keep your eyes off each other."
I feel my face flush and curse my fair skin. Fortunately, the lights are dim enough I don't think Todd notices.
"Not as subtle as we thought we were, eh?" I reply, attempting a joking tone.
"Not if you've known Doug as long as I have. He's never been shy about letting people know when he's interested, and he's definitely interested in you, Mr. Ryan." He studies my face for a few steps. "And I'd say the feeling's mutual. Am I right?"
"There's... certainly a spark between us, I have to admit. But it's early days yet," I hedge. "It could just be a little flirtation that'll burn itself out in time. I'm sure he'd prefer someone closer to his own age."
Todd frowns. "Don't sell yourself short," he tells me seriously. "Doug's a good guy. One of the best I know, actually. Aaron and I, we've been hoping for a long time he'd find someone worthy of him. My gut tells me you might just be that guy." He winks down at his substantial midsection. "And my gut's rarely wrong."
I mumble something conciliatory and non-committal, and concentrate on my dancing. Todd tactfully lets the subject drop.
After a few more songs, Todd and Aaron reconvene to consult. "What do you think, baby, are they ready?" Aaron asks.
"Ready to leave the nest!" Todd cheerily exclaims, and pushes me into Doug's arms. Just like that, our bearish hosts disappear into the crowd, their eyes already fixed solely on one another.
Doug looks at me and shrugs. "Well, care to dance, Larry?"
They're playing a waltz now, something lilting and wistful. That at least should be easy enough. Despite Todd's careful coaching, I still haven't quite caught the knack of the shuffle. I shrug in return, blushing like a Southern belle, and reply, "Lay on, Macduff."
