by Shawn Bailey
“Does Mr. Washington like it?” Jonas asked.
“He’s never been there,” Adam admitted.
“But you do plan to bring him there?”
“Eventually,” Adam said. “Why?”
“Because a couple of kids underfoot can put a damper on a relationship,” Jonas explained.
Adam cleared his throat. “I don’t know why it should. My business and my personal life are separate. If you guys would like a home in that area, then say it. If Nico doesn’t understand this is business, then he’s not the right guy for me.”
“It would make sense to be close to our manager and producer, but won’t the neighbors complain about the noise when we rehearse?” Jonas asked. “Unless the room is soundproofed then we need to find another place to practice.”
“What do you need an assistant for?” Frankie asked Adam. He sipped his coffee.
“To look after you guys when I’m not around. You’re also going to need a publicist. You are literally unknown in the music world. A publicist will get your name out there.”
It all seemed surreal to Frankie. “Where are we going to live until then?”
“I think I can find you a furnished apartment until the house is finished. I’d like to keep you guys here, but you need room to move around in. So enough about work. The Quarter has a seafood festival going on today with live bands. Do you want to go?”
“Yes,” Jonas answered. “That would be fun.”
“Are you sure you can leave the hotel?” Frankie asked. “We don’t want to disrupt your life.”
Adam chuckled. “You disrupted my life the moment I saw you playing in the park. But in a good way. Change is good. I’m looking forward to being your manager and to watching you guys take the world by storm. And in eighteen years Kalen will join the act or take it over. Either way, I’ll be here for you.” He headed toward the door. “I’m going to my office to call the realtor and let him know what you want. The festival starts at noon, but it may be a little later when we can go.”
“Is Mr. Washington going with us?” Frankie asked.
Adam sighed. “I don’t know. He went to church this morning and he might have other plans. So it’s just going to be us, guys. We’ll have fun.” He waved and left.
Frankie got up and put the dirty dishes on the cart and then pushed it outside the door so it could be picked up. “We need to wash clothes so don’t get comfortable,” he told Jonas. “And Kalen needs Pull-Ups.”
Kalen looked up at the mention on his name.
“I wonder if Kalen has any musical talent,” Jonas asked as he gathered his dirty clothing.
“We could use a drummer,” Frankie said. “But I don’t care if he’s musical or not. He’s still kind of cute so we have to keep him.”
* * * *
Nico Washington did join them for the outing. Frankie had been quite surprised to see him waiting outside, dressed for the cooler weather with a lightweight jacket over his slacks and shirt. The designer shoes he wore the other night were gone and replaced by a pair of comfortable sneakers. Nico got really excited when he saw Kalen.
“Do you have him dressed warmly enough?” he asked, stooping down and tucking Kalen’s blanket around him in the stroller.
Frankie got a whiff of the man’s cologne. It smelled slightly flowery with a musk undertone. And Nico had perfect hair…short and stylish and went right along with his manicured nails.
Nico rose, and he and Adam walked ahead of them. Frankie supposed they looked like a happy family on an outing.
“Stay close,” Adam said as they entered the crowd of tourists and native New Orleanians going in the same direction of them.
The music sounded lively once they reached the Quarter. Frankie heard a little bit Calypso and some Cajun music coming from different directions. There were merchants everywhere in their booths selling everything from crawfish to alligator. Adam bought them bowls of hot jambalaya and étouffée, but poor Kalen had to settle for baby food since they didn’t know if he had an allergy to seafood or not.
Nico shuffled over to another booth. “Ooh, oysters.”
“Want some?” Adam offered with a wicked little smile.
Frankie turned up his nose at the grown adults trying to flirt.
Nico nodded. “It’s supposed to be good for the libido.”
Adam chuckled like Frankie and Jonas were too young to understand what that meant.
“Do you guys eat oysters?” Adam asked them.
“Not me,” Jonas said. “I prefer fried shrimp, but Frankie loves them fried or raw.”
Frankie scowled at his brother. He appreciated what Jonas was trying to do, but Adam only had eyes for Nico today.
Adam looked at Frankie. “Raw? Really?”
“Yes, with hot sauce and lemon juice. It really gets my libido going.”
Adam stared at him. “You’re almost eighteen. I don’t think you need any help in that area.”
“I like mine fried, on French bread and dressed,” Frankie explained.
Adam ordered oysters for them and a shrimp po’boy for Jonas.
Frankie scowled again. Apparently Adam had plans on testing out his libido on Nico later.
They found a small table and sat down and ate while they listened to the music.
One of the bands on stage had a fiddler. Frankie listened. He’d practiced some Zydeco songs, but he still preferred the classics. And Bluegrass just wasn’t his thing.
After eating, Nico danced in the streets and did the second line when one of the brass bands entertained the crowd. “My brothers and I used to follow funeral procession and second lines through the streets of Treme when we were young. The tourists loved it.”
A bunch of scantily clad women passed by them as their little group started walking again. A couple of them flirted with Jonas, calling him cute and wanting to buy him drinks.
Jonas turned them down nicely and the women just waved and danced or staggered off.
“The redhead one was cute,” Adam teased Jonas.
“She’s not my type,” Jonas said.
“What’s your type?” Nico asked.
“Brunettes.”
Nico put his attention on him. “What about you, Frankie?”
“Raven haired with nice bodies.” He would have added green eyed, but he didn’t want to appear too obvious.
They passed a couple of jugglers entertaining the kids near the French Market across from the Saint Louis Cathedral.
“There’s Myron,” Jonas said, walking off and leaving Frankie with the adults and Kalen.
“Who’s Myron?” Adam asked.
“A guy Jonas went to school with. They’re good friends.”
Adam and Nico stopped walking and waited until Jonas returned.
“Myron said hey,” he said to Frankie.
“Sure he did,” Frankie said sarcastically.
Jonas chuckled. “You know he’s just being funny.”
“Yeah, he’s hilarious.”
“Um, it doesn’t sound like you like Myron,” Adam said.
“He’s cute,” Nico said.
“He’s about as cute as a tarantula,” Frankie replied. He rolled the stroller ahead of them, and Adam caught up to him.
“Why don’t you like Myron?” Adam asked Frankie.
“Because he always calls me pretty boy.”
“That’s not so bad.”
Frankie rolled his eyes at Adam. “You don’t understand. He doesn’t call me that to be nice.”
“Oh, Myron’s into guys?”
Frankie nodded. “Yeah.”
“Okay. Now I understand your reaction. So I guess we can’t invite him to your birthday party next week.”
Frankie slowed down. “You’re giving me a party?”
“Yeah, you only turn eighteen once.”
“I don’t have any friends,” Frankie confessed.
“Sure you do. You have Tory, Nico, Kalen, Jonas, and Sean. “What’s your favorite kind of cake?”
“White with pineapple filling,” Frankie answered.
“Really? I guessed you to be a chocolate kind of guy,” Adam said.
“A lot of people think they know me, but they don’t,” Frankie said.
Adam got them back to the hotel before dark and then went off to spend the evening with Nico.
Jonas went out with Sean again, leaving Frankie to look after Kalen. Jonas snuck back into their room around two in the morning and rudely turned on the shower, waking him. Moments later he entered the room again, groaning as he sat down on the bed.
Frankie smirked. Sean got lucky and Jonas was still a bottom.
Chapter Five
“Happy birthday to you,” Adam and the others sang to Frankie after they returned from dinner. Adam had gone to the bakery earlier that morning to pick up Frankie’s cake and ice cream to make sure it got there on time. He’d had some of his people decorate the hotel lounge with crepe-paper streamers and birthday banners, and invited some of the employees to join them in the celebration. It was hard to tell if Frankie enjoyed his party or not, since he’d very seldom seen him smile lately.
“Would you mind playing something for us?” Adam asked the birthday boy.
“But I don’t have my violin with me.”
Frankie looked extremely handsome, dressed all in black. Adam had seen the suit at the tailor’s shop and he just couldn’t resist. He handed Frankie a big box.
Frankie opened it and gasped. “It’s a new violin!”
“Jonas told me you’ve always wanted one.” It had cost him a pretty penny, but he felt Frankie deserved something nice for once in his life.
Frankie hugged him. “Thanks, I love it.”
Adam bit his bottom lip, trying to fend off a sudden erection generated by the heat of Frankie’s body. “Can you play something by Bach?”
Frankie nodded once he released him. He walked away from the crowd and climbed up on the stage. He began to play “Das Wohltemperierte Clavier”—“The Well-Tempered Clavier”—one of Johann Sebastian Bach’s most monumental works. Frankie made the strings sing and vibrate throughout the room.
Adam couldn’t describe the feelings racing through his body. The pleasure of hearing someone so young make such alluring sounds with wood and wire always fascinated him since he’d never been able to create more than a screeching sound with his violin as a child. Frankie not only knew how to play with his hands, but he also knew how to do it from the heart. He had a talent too good to waste. It should be shared with the world.
“Exactly how many lessons has he taken?” Adam asked Jonas who stood near him.
“He’s been training since he was two after hearing our father play. He taught Frankie as much as he could and then enrolled him with a personal teacher when Frankie turned five. He played in school and won many competitions around the country, but all his awards got destroyed in the fire. He nearly lost his life, too, trying to save his violin and my guitar.”
“Bravo,” Nico shouted after the song ended. The others in the room clapped and shouted, too.
“Go join your brother on stage. I want to hear ‘All My Life’ again.”
Jonas joined Frankie on stage, told him something, and then sat down at the piano. Adam had gifted him with a new suit, too, dark brown to bring out his pale skin.
“Let me guess, he plays the piano, too,” Tory said, surprised.
“Apparently,” Adam said. “I learn something new every day.” Jonas didn’t have his guitar, but he did surprise them playing the piano even better than Frankie. What were the chances of having two musically gifted kids in the same family? Since Frankie had to accompany him on the violin, only Jonas sang. He had a truly soulful voice for someone so young.
Sean came over and stood to the left of Adam, smiling proudly.
“He’s really good,” Adam said to Sean.
“Yeah,” Sean agreed. “I guess both of us got lucky.”
“What do you mean?”
Sean just smiled. “You’ll find out.”
Both Jonas and Kalen got a chance to eat some birthday cake later. Adam had ordered a sugar-free one so Jonas wouldn’t feel left out. Frankie fed cake to Kalen, gently wiping his chin to remove the crumbs.
“I wonder if they can dance,” Tory said, taking the contract out his briefcase and giving it to Adam to sign as they slipped away from the celebration for a moment.
Adam’s lawyer had gone over the advance copy of the contract earlier and assured him it was legit and didn’t tie the Kerrys and him into a lifetime commitment. “I don’t know. I’ll ask.”
“I hope so,” Tory said. “Classical is nice, but we’ll have to slowly incorporate other types of music into their repertoire if they plan to have a following from people their age.”
“Agreed. I can just picture Jonas rocking out on his guitar.”
Jonas and Frankie joined them in Adam’s office a short while later to sign their part of the contract.
Nico and Tory left early. Nico had clients coming to his shop in the morning, and Tory had to get back to his family. He carried with him the newly signed contract after Adam made some copies.
Later after all the guests left, Jonas and Sean had gone away to put Kalen to bed, leaving him alone with Frankie to talk man-to-man.
“I know I’m not your father, but I think I’ve earned the place to give you your manly talk.” They sat next to each other a table sipping sparkling grape juice.
“Is this like a sex talk?” Frankie asked.
“Kind of,” Adam said. “With eighteen comes a lot of responsibilities. You need to register for the selective service and to vote. The police will now see you as an adult, so please stay out of Dumpsters and trouble.”
Frankie smirked adoringly at him.
“Girls will now see you in a different light. Please always use a condom when you have sex. This is not just to protect you, but the female as well. You’re going to be a big star so nookie is going to be there for the taking.”
A rosy blush exploded on Frankie’s cheeks, making him look young, vulnerable, and very desirable.
Adam cleared the last thought from his mind. “You only get one life, so don’t ruin it for five minutes of pleasure.”
Frankie frowned. “Five minutes? I hope my first time will be longer than that.”
Adam looked at him oddly. “You’re still a virgin?”
Frankie nodded. “I promised I would save myself for someone who made my pulse race, who loved me for me, not because I’m rich or handsome.”
“Very well spoken,” Adam said, suddenly realizing how blue Frankie’s eyes seem against the black collar of his shirt. “And stay away from drugs. A lot of careers and lives are ruined from drug use. If you must use your money for something, donate it to charity or buy real estate.”
“Yes, sir,” Frankie said.
“Don’t call me ‘sir.’ I’m not that much older than you.”
“But you are older and more experienced. Thanks for the advice.”
Adam rose. “Come on. It’s getting late and it’s time for bed.”
Frankie suddenly grabbed his hand and led him out of the lounge. They entered the elevator, not speaking, just continuing to hold hands on the way up.
“I hope you’ve enjoyed your birthday,” Adam said as they walked to Frankie’s door.
“Yes, thank you very much. I think I got just about everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“Just about? Is there something I’ve forgotten?”
Frankie nodded. “But it’s a secret. You need to come closer so I can whisper it to you.”
Adam leaned down, and Frankie kissed him gently on the cheek. “Thank you for everything.” He dashed into his room, leaving Adam very confused.
* * * *
The next day everything was back to normal, except the realtor called saying he thought he’d found the perfect house for the Kerrys. It was in the same community as Adam, and it was owned by a popular New Orleans musician. The house
had five bedrooms and five and a half baths, and included a soundproofed garage out back he’d renovated into a rehearsal and recording studio. There also was a daycare just two blocks away.
After breakfast, Adam loaded the Kerrys into the car and George drove them to see the house.
“This is where I live,” Adam said, getting George to slow down.
“Wow,” Jonas said, flipping his hair out of his eyes. “That’s a lot of house.”
“Oh, there are many bigger houses than this one,” Adam said as their ride continued. “That’s my folk’s place.”
“Did you really grow up there?” Frankie asked.
“Yes, along with my brothers. I’m the baby, like Kalen.”
“Do your brothers live nearby?” Jonas asked.
“Yes. Mom didn’t want us to move too far away.”
Jonas, Frankie, and George laughed.
George continued to drive a few blocks, and then he stopped and parked.
“We’re here,” Adam said.
Everyone got out of the car, including George.
“Wow,” Jonas said. “It’s a beautiful home. Frankie is going to have fun cutting all that grass.”
“Why do I have to cut the grass?” Frankie asked.
“Because I’m allergic to every known grass and weed in the world,” Jonas said.
“You can hire someone to take care of the lawn,” Adam said, ending the argument. “If you like the outside, you’re going to love the inside.” He opened the door and entered.
“Oh my,” Jonas said, looking around the foyer.
“All the bedrooms are on the right,” Adam explained. “The kitchen, family room, and dining room are on the left side of the house.” All the new appliances brought a smile to Frankie’s face. “You can make a lot of waffles in here.”
The backyard didn’t have a pool, but it did have a nice-sized yard and a barbeque area for entertaining.
Adam showed them the rehearsal and sound room out back, separate from the house.
Once outside again, Kalen wanted to get down.
Frankie got Kalen off his hip, and the child ran in the grass and sat down on it. “Kalen likes the place.”
