Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 12:35:13 -0800 (PST) From: E Walk Subject: The Doctor Gets a Visitor Chapter 11 The Doctor Gets a Visitor Chapter 11 -- The Crucifixion "Okay Dad, let's get dressed to go to the crucifixion." Jeff said gloomily. I put my arms around Jeff and quietly said, "Jeff, everything is going to be fine. You heard what Greg said." "I know but I'm scared. It seems like everything is moving in fast motion, and I've lost control." Jeff looked unhappy, so I pulled him tighter and turned his face to mine. He started to respond especially when I rubbed his buttocks. He pulled away and sighed, "Unfortunately,we have to stop, or we will be late for the meeting. I would much rather just stay here and play, but maybe we can play tonight after we get back from shopping, I hope." He grabbed my genital area and held it gently and said, "Yep, this area needs some definite exercise." We finished dressing and started for the college in my car. All of a sudden I realized that I had no idea where Greg's office was. "Jeff, do you know where Greg's office is located?" "I think the stationary I received from him said it was in the Tillison Performing Arts Center." We both started to laugh. "I wonder why it has that name, Dad." I knew where the Arts Center was located because I had been there to watch several performances. We walked into the building and looked at the menu board. It indicated that Dr. Thompson's office was located in room 120. We walked into the office and approached the receptionist. She turned to us, "Hi Jack, and this must be Jeff." Dr. Thompson asked me to escort you to the theater when you arrived." "Thanks Cheryl." I answered. Jeff leaned over to me and whispered, "Dad, why are we going to the theater?" "I have no idea." We arrived at the theater and Cheryl announced, "The Wilsons are here, sir." Greg came and shook our hands, "I have some people I would like you to meet. He walked us to the front of the auditorium and started, "Ladies and gentlemen, most of you probably know Doctor Jack Wilson." I waved. Greg continued, "This is his son, Jeff. He is the new student I wanted you to meet." "Let me introduce the rest of the people here. This is the college President, Dr. Ronald Campbell. Next is the Dean of Students, Dr. Amy Crawford." They both waved as they were introduced. Greg continued to introduce all of the people present. "Mr. Harold Anderson, the Bursar, Dr. Anne Campbell, who I think you both know, is the head of the instrumental music department, Mr. John Samuels, the director of our instrumental groups, and Dr. Zack Taylor is head of the Theater Arts Department." "Jeff, I am going to ask you to go up on stage and play the piano. I only heard you play a little the other day, but our children were enthralled. So would you play something that you think the listeners here might enjoy?" Greg asked. Jeff went to the piano and started to play Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. He followed it with an excerpt from the Warsaw Concerto and a piece by Scott Joplin. When he finished, everyone applauded. Jeff stood up and Greg said. "Some of us have already heard you sing. So would please sing Oh Holy Night and a couple songs that are secular?" Jeff sang O Holy Night; he followed with I Believe and ended with The Impossible Dream without music or accompaninent. Everyone just sat there with a stunned look and finally they started to applaud. "I also know that you are proficient on the guitar. Could you show us what you can do with a guitar?" Greg asked as he handed Jeff a guitar. Jeff shrugged his shoulders and started to play Granada and then he switched a western ballad. Again, everyone applauded. "Jeff, I don't supposed you play any other instruments do you?" asked Mr. Samuels. "Yes sir, I was first chair trumpet in the high school marching band and in the orchestra. I would play the harp in the orchestra if one was needed." "Jeff, if I get those two instruments, would you demonstrate what you can do with them?" Mr. Samuels asked. "I guess so, but I feel like I have already made a fool of myself." Anne Campbell went and hugged Jeff, "Jeff, you have done everything but make a fool of yourself." Jeff still looked downcast. Doctor Taylor asked, "Jeff, have you ever done any theater work?" "Yes sir, I played Romeo in the school production of Romeo and Juliet and sang the male lead in Oklahoma and West Side Story." "I don't suppose you could do some lines from Romeo and Juliet and perhaps sing a song from one of the shows for us while we are waiting?" Doctor Taylor asked. Jeff did a soliloquy from Romeo and Juliet, and then sang Maria from West Side Story. Everyone, including me, just sat there immobilized. Mr. Samuels came back with a harp and a trumpet. Jeff took the trumpet and played a ballad by Wynton Marsalis and The Trumpeter's Holiday. He moved to the harp and played a piece by Brahms and a traditional Celtic piece. When Jeff finished, everyone stood and applauded. Jeff looked dumbfounded. After everone was seated, President Campbell asked, "Jeff did you do anything besides music and drama activities during high school?" "President Campbell, I really spent more time in other areas than I did on music and drama. I taught swimming lessons at the YMCA all year, taught piano lessons to at least five or six students, played baseball for the high school team and made the all Minnesota state first team as the first baseman. I was also was on the varsity swim and diving teams and was very active in my church. My primary emphasis, however, was my studies because of my desire to maintain my perfect grades, so I could be graduated a semester early." "I am sure with those credentials, you must have had a number of scholarship offers?" asked Dr. Anne Campbell. "Yes ma'am, I had more than twenty scholarship offers including full scholarships from Harvard, Yale and Duke." She continued to push, "Then why did you decide to come to our little school?" Jeff took a deep breath, "Because I wanted to be with my father." He didn't say anything else. Greg asked, "Jeff, could you tell us what happened between you and Drew yesterday?" Jeff gave him a funny look, but told the story carefully leaving out any mention of Drew possibly having been raped. When Jeff finished, Greg stood and said, "The transformation must have been something, because my Grandmother Tillison called me at ten o'clock last night to tell me that she was amazed at the metamorphosis." Greg changed subjects, "Jeff are you gay?" Without batting an eye lid, Jeff answered, "Yes sir." "How would that influence your decisions if you were working with other college students?" President Campbell asked. "Sir, as I told Dr. Thompson on Christmas Day, I would never try to push my beliefs on anyone, nor would I discriminate. Being homosexual is not something a person chooses to be. The real problem is those people who try to convince others that being homosexual is wrong. I don't think that should be tolerated no matter what someone's religious beliefs might be. I also believe that people should not be forced to have sex of any kind against their wishes." Everyone was sitting very quietly. Anne recognized it time to change the subject and asked, "Jeff if you could do anything on our staff to help students, what would you like to do?" "If you are talking about music, I would like to make Music Appreciation courses come alive for the students, and then perhaps have a class or a seminar that would study the history and development of music through the ages. If I were in an administrative position, I would make sure there was young staff member who the students could go to and feel free to discuss their problems and concerns, no matter what they might be. That person shouldn't be expected to solve all the problems or answer all the questions, but rather be able to direct the student to someone who could help him or her. To put it simply, students need to not feel threatened and think that someone cares for them as an individual." Jeff answered. President Campbell stood and started to applaud, as did the rest of the staff. "Jeff, I have some definite plans for you, but we need to discuss it among ourselves before I can make a concrete proposal to you. Could you come back at say 4:00?" "Sir, the rest of the day is already overfilled. Could I come tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 since the morning is filled, and I am having a physical right after lunch?" Jeff asked. Everyone looked at the President, "Jeff, I'll make sure I am free." As we were starting to leave, Greg said, "I'm sorry; I guess lunch is out since I know you are meeting Grams shortly. Jeff, you were absolutely dynamite. I think you blew the shoes off these people." We were laughing when the President came over, "Jack you must be very proud of what your son has accomplished." "Ron, I learned as much about Jeff today as you did. I didn't know he even existed until four days ago and I have been living in a sawmill ever since he arrived. That buzz saw is sure is about to get me, I think. He even had me up at 6:00 this morning so we could exercise." I laughed. "You're kidding, right?" he asked. "Nope, we'll tell you about it someday, but we really need to go." Jeff was really smooth. He shook hands and thank everyone for being there today. When he got to Anne, "I think you owe me one big time ma'am." They laughed. "Jeff." she said. "I just hope our Bobby can be half the man you are." She turned to me, "Jack, if you decide to get rid of him, just send him our way." I laughed, "I'll let you know when that happens." As we started to walk out, the participant in the interview stood and applauded again. Greg walked out with us and said, "Jeff, I had no idea that this all was going to happen today. I think that these people are just amazed that you are only 18. You have a lot more poise than most of us who are here. What amazes me is that I don't think you have any idea what it means to try to impress people do you? You are so unassuming and sincere. I am glad that you are going to be my new son." Jeff looked at him, "Thanks Poppy." All three of us started to laugh. When we got to the car, Jeff asked "Can we go home? I need to change my clothes. I was so nervous that mine are soaked." "You got it son." When we got home he fixed us each a fruit salad with cottage cheese which we quickly ate. I cleaned the dishes and the kitchen while he showered and put on some clean clothes. He was back in a short time looking fresh again. We decide to take both cars since it was not really comfortable to have five adults in the Camry. As we were going to the cars, he grabbed me, "Dad, I don't know how much more I can take." "If we stick together, we can do it. I don't know what is going to happen, but I have a feeling that it is only going to be good." What will happen next?