Never Young

"It's not my first time at the Symphony," Brian explained to Justin, "I actually like classical music and I have been going for several years now. So that's one thing about me that you can't take credit for."

"I thought you just liked jazz," Justin answered, "You're always listening to jazz on WDUQ and I don't think I ever heard you listening to classical on WQED. I'm glad you're so well-rounded though. And I do appreciate you going with me, knowing that an old boy-friend of mine will be up there on stage."

Brian stifled a smile but it was too late. Justin was quick. "Oh, shit, Brian," Justin asked, "How many of the Symphony players have you had? I can't believe I didn't figure that out before."

"Probably fewer than ten," Brian estimated, "It's hard to remember. I'm not sure how many of them are still with the Symphony. I know one has moved on to Los Angeles. He played the viola. Never had Ethan though, so he's still all yours."

"He's not mine at all, Honey," Justin replied, "He's Malcolm's, so you couldn't have him even if you wanted." Then Justin laughed and continued, "And get that look off your face. Ethan's taken and so are you, so just forget what you're thinking."

"I don't think I'll ever enjoy the Symphony as much as I used to," Brian allowed,

"Try listening to the music," Justin suggested.

They were busy getting themselves ready to head for Heinz Hall so the conversation temporarily broke off until Justin restarted it while Brian was tying the twink's tie for him.

"You will get to meet Malcolm finally," Justin reminded Brian. "Ethan got us three really good seats. Two Beethovens tonight and a short modern piece whose composer will be there."

"Beethoven I know and like," Brian responded, "The modern composer I don't know and won't like. Nobody will but the music critics. Malcolm, I'll reserve judgment about, but if he prefers Ethan to you, I do have questions about his judgment."

"Well just don't pick on him," Justin cautioned.

"You know I won't," Brian said, "Even if I want to, I won't. I'd have to face you when we get back here and it wouldn't be worth it."

"Cut it out, Brian" Justin warned him, "We better get going."

Brian and Justin arrived at Heinz Hall in plenty of time to take their seats and peruse the program. The third seat was unfilled.

"I wonder where Malcolm is?" Justin said..

"Maybe he really does know classical music, and won't show up till after the modern piece." Brian suggested,

" Probably half the audience won't show up till after the modern piece."

The concert seemed to be a sell-out but the seat reserved for Malcolm remained empty, not only through the modern work, but also through the Emperor Concerto and the Eroica Symphony.

When the program was over, Brian and Justin made their way backstage as had been arranged with Ethan. "Hi, Chet," Brian said to a French horn and "What's up, Norm" to a cello.

"How many of these guys do you know?" Justin asked him.

"Probably fewer than ten," Brian smirked.

They found Ethan but Brian stayed back to let Justin and Ethan talk privately. Brian was surveying the scurrying players and Justin was watching Brian. So Brian did not get to hear what Ethan said, but he was sure that he would before the night was over. And he was right.

When they got back to the loft, they changed into more comfortable clothes, and when Brian reentered the living area, he saw that the fireplace was already lit and Justin was in position waiting for him. Brian joined Justin on the floor and waited for Justin to start the discussion, and eventually he did.

"Wasn't that piano player great, Bri?" he asked Brian.

"Yeah, he was," Brian answered.

"Did you ever play a musical instrument, Honey?" Justin asked.

"I had five piano lessons when I was in third grade," Brian told him. "I didn't quit, though. The teacher threw me out. She said I had no ear, and I told her I had two ears. I didn't get as far on the piano as Chopsticks."

"She should not have given up on you," Justin said, "Too many people gave up on you and they were all wrong."

"Not you," Brian smiled, "If you had been my piano teacher, I might have been the one playing the Emperor tonight.'

"Yes, indeed," Justin agreed laughingly, "And I would have also taught you the cowbells and the police siren so you could have played the modern piece too."

"And how come you don't play anything, Sunshine?" Brian wanted to know.

"Actually I can play the piano a little bit. I know both parts of Chopsticks." Justin responded, "I had to give it up because I didn't have enough time for music and art both, and I liked art better. Think we should get a piano?"

"I'd rather hear violin music on the stereo," Brian concluded somewhat definitively, "And are you ever going to tell me what happened to Malcolm? I presume Ethan knew where Malcolm was."

"It turns out," Justin began, "That a day or so after Ethan and Malcolm met, they decided to have a picnic lunch on the grass in front of the music building. Well, some dramat named Roderick was also on the lawn. He's our Hamlet this year and he was practicing the 'To be or not to be' soliloquy near where Ethan and Malcolm were eating. Seems that Malcolm has always loved Hamlet, and was quite taken by Roderick's performance, and Roderick too. Malcolm and Roderick made a date for dinner and that's the last Ethan ever saw of Malcolm."

"Good old Malcolm seems to have Hamlet's problem of not being able to make up his mind," Brian concluded, "I think Ethan's well rid of him, and you are too, Sweetheart, although it seems that if you just wait, Malcolm will disappear. How is Ethan taking the loss?"

"He said he felt very bad for a couple of hours," Justin continued, " But then you'll never guess what happened. Tom called Ethan. Tom said he had made a mistake, that he really missed Ethan, and that he does want to come to Pittsburgh to be with Ethan. Ethan is on cloud nine. It was Tom he really wanted all along, you know that."

"Young guys don't know what they want," Brian groused, "I used to be young and I know." Then he went on, "But you are the exception, Baby, you are really the exception. I told you that before and I meant it, but I need to add how glad I am that you are the exception. I'm so glad I'm not young any more."

Justin snuggled up closer to Brian and whispered into his ear, "I'm glad I was never really young."

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