Date: Fri, 15 Oct 1999 22:09:29 -0400
From: Charlie <charlieje@mindspring.com>
Subject: Andy 6

			      VI The Concert

Andy thought that he had learned pretty well everything there was to know
about his new young friend. The music, the mechanical ability, the
maturity; the enthusiasm, dedication, affection; and then of course there
were the more personal things. He marveled that in one short week he had
come to know Charlie as well as anyone else.

He would learn on Sunday that he was very much mistaken.

Sunday morning found the usual activity at the Conner farm, starting a little
later than usual at 6 am. Sunday or not, there were still cows to be milked,
livestock to be fed, stables and animal pens to be cleaned. By 7:30 the
chores were done and the three Conner men: Dennis, Charlie and Andy,
headed for the house for breakfast.

"You're welcome to come with us to church, Andy," Karen said as they
ate, "Or you're equally welcome to stay here, whatever would make you
more comfortable."
"I'd like to come with you," he replied, "I want to hear Charlie sing."
"You'll be sorry," Charlie grinned.

After another shower, Charlie had Andy put a Pampers on him, then the
two boys got dressed. Andy didn't have any really good clothes, but
Charlie assured him there would be others there dressed no better. Charlie
wore a pair of light blue Dockers, loose fitting of course to accommodate
the diaper beneath, and a plain white shirt with a dark blue tie. Even so,
Andy thought (as usual) he looked stunning.

Andy had been to church before with various foster parents, but it was
certainly not a place where he felt comfortable. He didn't even know what
religion his parents had been, if indeed they knew themselves. When he
went into foster care, he was designated as Protestant because that was the
majority in the Southeast, and it was reasoned that he would have a better
chance of being adopted when the time came. But the time had never
come.

The experience at the small country church the Conner's attended was
unlike anything Andy had seen before, nor was he expecting anything like
it. Charlie had several good friends, all of whom seemed genuinely pleased
to see him and to meet Andy; he was also surprised to see that they all
seemed glad to be there. The people were all very friendly, all it seemed
inquiring who he was and expressing some sort of welcome. When Karen
began playing the organ and the choir, about 16 men and women, came in,
everyone sat down. Charlie and Andy, plus a few of Charlie's friends,
seated themselves in the front row where Charlie had easy access to the
piano.

Andy didn't notice a lot about the service. To him this was a foreign place;
a place where his friends the Conner's obviously were at home, but not
Andy. He did notice that when Karen played the organ, everyone sang
enthusiastically. He wasn't terribly inclined musically, but he could tell the
difference from his prior experiences, and he knew that this could become a
place he loved, given enough time.

"Here goes nuthin'." Charlie whispered as he got up and walked to the
platform. Karen left the organ and seated herself at the piano, then started
to play. When his cue came, Charlie began to sing. There was a wide smile
on his face, a sign to Andy that he was perfectly confident. Andy was really
beginning to envy that confidence! Andy was nervous for Charlie, but
Charlie himself seemed to be enjoying the experience as much as he
possibly could.

Most people have heard a young boy sing at one time or another. Their
voices are so high, so crystal clear, so pure! Add to that the control his
mother had taught him; the clear steady high's that mellowed into a soft
vibrato as he held them; the variations in loudness, vibrato intensity, clarity,
and you have Charlie's singing. He topped the high notes easily, then
descended to the depths of the lows so effortlessly Andy wondered if his
voice really was changing. Or was there perhaps a more mature male
somewhere helping him out? But no, it was all Charlie! If he never did
anything else in this church, he had impressed his new friend, had got his
attention. Andy also noticed a few of the ladies, some of the men including
Dennis, wiping their eyes as Charlie sang. It was truly a moving experience.

After his solo was finished, Charlie seated himself at the piano as his
mother left it. She positioned herself in front of the choir, all of whom rose
together on cue. At his mother's signal, he began to play. Andy had never
particularly noticed piano music before, but even his untrained ear told him
of the expression, the feeling, that came from the old piano. Charlie hardly
looked at the music, but kept his eyes glued on his mother who was
directing the choir, more or less ignoring her son. It occurred to Andy that
she knew his playing, knew that he would follow her lead, which he did
flawlessly. Again he asked himself, was there nothing this kid couldn't do?

When Charlie sang his solo, and played for the choir, the entire
congregation saw a very small boy, dressed in spotless blue pants and white
shirt. Andy saw much more; or was that much less? Andy saw beneath the
outer clothes, and in his mind Charlie was standing on the platform wearing
nothing with his oversize Pampers with the cartoon characters on them.
There was no question, he was fast becoming obsessed with Charlie's
diapers, and with Charlie himself.

There was no time to go home before heading to the concert, which was 50
miles in the other direction. So after the service Charlie motioned for Andy
to follow him to an empty room where he got a quick change. Then Charlie
put on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, saying that he'd have time to get
changed in the theater.
"Theater?" Andy questioned.
"Yeah," Charlie answered, "It's an old movie theater that's been converted
for music concerts. They have gospel concerts there once a month. I've
been there to concerts, but I've never sung there."

The family had a very enjoyable meal at a roadside restaurant along the
way. Charlie ate only a salad, trying to keep himself ready for the upcoming
concert. This was another new experience for Andy: eating heartily while
thoroughly enjoying the company, the chatter, the companionship.

As soon as they arrived at the theater, Karen took Charlie inside while
Dennis and Andy parked the car. She apologized to Andy with a grin,
explaining that she would have to do the honors with Charlie's diapers
because he didn't want Andy to see him until he appeared on stage. So
Andy took a seat with Dennis, where they chatted easily. Andy's fantasies
ran rampant as he imagined that he was sitting with his father, while his
mother and brother were backstage.

The lights dimmed, the stage lights came up, and the host group appeared
on the stage. They sang two numbers, then the leader stepped to a
microphone and welcomed the audience. He remarked with no small
amount of gratification that once more the theater was full, and that all
were in for a special treat.

"Having sung the opening two songs," the MC announced, "We're gonna
take the rest of the day off and turn it over to our guest group. I think y'all
are really going to enjoy them. I would call particular attention to their
tenor/lead singer, but I don't think I have to; he has a way of calling
attention to himself that won't quit. So I'll just tell you that his name is
Charlie Conner and he's eleven years old, then let his singing tell you the
rest."

Without further delay the group on the stage left and were replaced by
three men and a woman all dressed in cream colored suits: The men, typical
southern cream suits; the woman, Karen Conner, in a woman's version of
the same thing. They positioned themselves, one seated at the drums, one
standing on one side of the stage with a bass guitar, the third holding a lead
electric guitar, and Karen seated at a grand piano with two keyboards
mounted withing reach. As soon as they were in position they started to
play.

Four more figures emerged from backstage: three men Andy judged to be
in their thirties, and Charlie's very small frame. They were dressed in light
khaki pants, a dark blue blazer, white shirt, and black string tie. Andy was
stunned again. He'd not given much thought to the group Charlie told him
about, but he'd assumed the other three were kids his own age, or maybe a
little older. But these men were old enough to be Charlie's father! Could he
hold his own with them? He was just a little guy... how could he possibly
sing with them and be heard? But Andy need not have worried.

They started to sing, in perfect four-part harmony. Each voice could be
distinctly heard, yet the four blended perfectly into one. Charlie's part, the
tenor, was an octave higher than a grown man would have been, which
gave the quartet a unique and very pleasant sound. They sang the first
verse as a group.

The second verse was sung by the bass. His voice was as deep as Charlie's
was high. It was extremely pleasant to listen to, and his three companions
stood watching him as he sang the verse softly, joining him on the chorus.
Their timing was perfect! The third verse was Charlie's. Andy sat in awe as
he watched the transformation of the little farm kid in fancy clothes into a
class act performer. His chest swelled. He took a step forward and began
to sing. The words suggested more power, more volume than the previous
verse, and Charlie was up for it. As he sang, long and loud and clear, there
seemed to be an aura - a glow of sorts - surrounding his face. Andy glanced
at Dennis. He had the same glow! They were communicating! Well, that's
how it appeared to Andy anyway. By the end of that first song, there was
no doubt in Andy's mind that Charlie could hold his own with these three,
and probably more!

The group stood on the stage for an hour, took a half hour break, then
performed for just under another hour. Andy wanted to go backstage to
see Charlie, to tell him and the others how incredibly awesome he thought
they were, but Dennis said no. "If I know Charlie," he explained, "He's
back there totally exhausted. But he won't rest if we go back. He will come
out on that stage again ready for bear, and I want him to rest."

They sang songs as a quartet.  Each of the four sang solos; they paired off
and sang duets. They were in perfect sync, so much so that Andy felt
somewhat left out. He could see in Charlie's face that he was thoroughly at
home, totally enjoying himself as he sang and harmonized, giving the
audience pleasure from his efforts. All four, it seemed, and the band too for
that matter, were a unit in their individuality. They sang as one, each
contributing his different talents.

When the concert was over, the performers were asked to line up at the
base of the stage to greet any and all who wished to meet them. That was
fine, but Andy could restrain himself no more. Before anyone else had
risen, he was on his feet and sprinting down the aisle to embrace Charlie
warmly, the first time he had ever hugged another male, and in front of
everyone. "You were totally awesome!" he whispered., "I mean, totally,
incredibly awesome!"
"Thanks," Charlie answered as he hugged back, "It was a total blast!"

Charlie and his companions were swamped with well-wishers and
autograph seekers, so Andy went wandering outside. He was looking at the
marquis of the theater, just checking out what some of the coming
attractions were, when out of the corner of his eye he spotted a long white
limousine in a parking lot across the street. This was a very small town, and
that big limo stuck out like a sore thumb. As he turned to look at it, he saw
the uniformed driver open the back door, and none other than Charlie's
Mr. Meoli get in. Moments later the limo glided out of the parking lot and
down the street. Andy watched it until it was out of sight. What was he
doing here? What was his interest in Charlie? Was he a threat or an asset?

Given his background, Andy was suspicious of just about everyone,
especially powerful men with money. He knew that a lot of devious things
went on in the world, and in his mind more often than not there was a
powerful man behind most of them. He shuddered as he thought of all the
possible reasons that man might be interested in Charlie. There were all the
obvious things, and then there was that "castrati" thing. It was pretty clear
that the word had something to do with castration, but what did that have
to do with Charlie? And what exactly did that word mean? Charlie still
hadn't had a chance to look it up, and Andy resolved to do it for him as
soon as he could get some time alone with Charlie's computer.

After the performance was over, the Conner family made their way home.
Dennis offered another restaurant meal, but everyone was too tired and just
wanted to go home. Everyone, that is, but Charlie. Charlie was totally
wired! Gone were the competent musician, the accomplished singer, the
seasoned performer. The little boy was back, even younger and more
immature than ever, and so hyperactive it was tough just keeping his seat
belt on while they drove home. He chattered and talked endlessly all the
way, elaborating on this and that aspect of the show. He was literally
beside himself, unable to make his lips and tongue move fast enough to
express all his mind had to say. He was, Andy thought, absolutely wild!
And by the way, totally charming.

At home, Dennis and Karen were prepared to deal with Charlie's
hyperactivity until the wee hours of the morning. They knew their son and
how he could be, and he had never been quite as excited as he was tonight.
But to their surprise, as soon as he was in the house, before he'd even
eaten, Charlie asked for help getting into his night attire because he wanted
to go to bed.

"What's wrong?" Andy asked as he removed a very wet Pampers diaper.
"I'm just tired." Charlie answered. That answer might have flown, except
that Andy had barely brushed his genitals in the process of changing him,
and he had jumped and twisted his face in agony. "It's your nuts, isn't it?"
Andy said. "That's why you wanted to go to bed, isn't it?"
"They're kinda sore tonight. They'll be ok in the morning."
"Maybe, and maybe not. Charlie, I gotta tell your mom. This is gettin'
serious."
"Don't you dare! She worries enough already. And besides, I don't have
time to take a day and go to the doctor.
"Well we'll see about that. I'll talk to her about it as soon as I get you fixed
up and let her decide."
"Please, Andy." Charlie begged, "Please don't."
"I have to, Charlie. You're hurting real bad. There must be a reason."
"Please, Andy. I'll do anything."

Andy thought for a moment while he finished pinning the night diaper in
place. "Ok," he said, "I'll make you a deal. Every time I change you I'm
gonna touch you and see how sore you are. If it gets worse, you're goin' to
the doctor right away. And if it doesn't get worse, I'll keep it to myself
long as you promise to keep that appointment in October."
"It's a deal. Thanks, Andy."
"Promise?"
"I promise."

After Andy crawled in bed with Charlie and Charlie dropped off to sleep,
he thought about what he'd promised. Was it fair? Was he doing his young
friend a disservice by keeping the secret? Knowing Charlie as he did, Andy
knew he was no wimp. He knew Charlie wouldn't complain unless the pain
was pretty serious. But he also knew the pressure they were both under
trying to keep ahead of the workload. Charlie was right: neither of them
could afford to take a day off to see a doctor unless it was really serious.
He ran his hands up and down the silky smooth back of the sleeping boy,
over the diaper to the lithe legs, then whispered "I love you little brother,"
and he too drifted off to sleep.

                *       *       *

If you wish to comment on this story, please send your comments to me at
charlieje@mindspring.com