One evening, as Billy and Tommy lounged watching a film, the doorbell rang. Tommy got up, turned to give Billy a kiss, then went to the door. A uniformed messenger waited in the elevator vestibule. He simply bowed and handed Tommy an envelope and retreated into a conveniently open elevator. Tommy merely blinked at this pantomime, then turned and carried the envelope to Billy. It was addressed to “Dearest Billy” in a florid hand.

“Who was that?”

“A messenger, with a letter addressed to you, ‘Dearest Billy.’”

“Do read it.”

“Very well, ‘master.’”

“Spare the S&M talk, just read the letter.”

“It’s an invitation.”

Dearest Billy,

Here we are, well into the Fall Season, and where is Billy? No one has seen him in a month. His name has not graced the obituaries – thank goodness. Neither is he on the list of those sailing on the QE2. To paraphrase a girl about her sheep, where, oh where could he be?

Rumors surface that he’s been seen around town in the company of a stunning suitor. Hmmm. Could this be love? Or has this fiend just eaten you up. Do end my conjectures by attending a soiree this Friday evening at ten at my place to either celebrate your new found love or to mourn your oh so untimely passing. The “crowd” is desolate in your absence. Do come and liven things up.

Yours, as always, in passion and despair,

Piggy

PS: You must bring “him” with you – it’s him we really want to see. To have you holed up for a month, he must be fantastic.

P.

“Piggy?”

“Reginald Thornton the Fourth – Piggy to his friends and his many conquests. Seems dearest Piggy cannot get enough and can be altogether indiscriminate in his choice of lovers when “in the mood.” But then, I’ve known him forever, shared a few beaus – damn him – and he throws fantastic parties, both at his home here in the city and on his daddy’s yacht. So, what do you think? Are you up to a ‘gay old time?’ Booze, boys, and carnal joys? I expect to be piqued with jealousy all evening as they ogle you, my lover. At least I can tell them ‘hands off’ before they make a play for you when I’m not around.”

“I don’t want to do anything that will upset you, Billy.”

“I suppose we have to ‘come out’ sometime. Hell, it will be fun. And I’ll really enjoy all those looks of envy at my lover. Yes, do let’s go.”

When Tommy returned to the apartment after classes on Friday afternoon, Billy was out. Tommy found a note taped to the bedroom door informing him that Billy had to do some ‘family business’ and would have to meet him at Piggy’s – address on reverse. The note also informed Tommy that clothes had been laid out on the bed for him to wear. With time to spare, Tommy took a long bath, remembering fondly the events that had followed his last bath. He shaved and moisturized and styled – following Billy’s careful instructions. On the bed was the tuxedo Phillipe had made for Tommy. Tommy became very self-conscious and concerned. Piggy’s party was going to be a formal affair? Tommy had rarely worn a tie. Billy’s friends certainly came from a different world than Tommy had ever experienced.

As Tommy stood looking at the carefully arranged clothes, the doorbell rang. He slipped on a robe and stepped to the door. Upon opening it he saw one of the staff from Phillipe’s, the men’s clothing salon Billy had taken him to on their first day together.

“Billy thought you might want some advice on getting dressed this evening. He asked me to drop by in case you had any questions.”

Tommy reverted to his “speechless” mode, but held the door open for the man to enter. The man seemed to be familiar with the apartment. He walked directly to the bedroom and began to hand clothes to Tommy, turning away from the blushing Tommy. It was only after getting on shorts, socks, and pants that Tommy saw the man watching in a mirror. Well, no secrets from one’s tailor, he surmised. The man assisted Tommy in putting on the stiff, pleated shirt. When Tommy was stumped by the lack of buttons, the man stepped up and deftly applied mother of peal studs. With a flourish, he presented a tie to Tommy.

“I, I don’t know how to put it on,” confessed Tommy.

“A simple thing, once instructed. Permit me.”

The man placed the tie around Tommy’s neck and with what seemed a single gesture produced a perfect bow. After assisting with the coat, the man stepped back to admire his work.

“You look perfect. I am pleased to see how well the clothes fit. Phillipe certainly has an eye. I will bid you good evening.” The man turned and went through the door out of the apartment.

Tommy heard a crinkle of paper as he moved. He discovered a note in the jacket pocket.

Tommy,

I’m sorry to not be with you at this moment. Your image in my mind is divine. A split of champagne awaits in the fridge. Have a glass for courage. I’ll be at Piggy’s when you arrive. And know that I love you.

Billy

Tommy’s eyes teared as he read the note. Even though Billy was just across town, he missed him. Tommy wanted Billy’s approval and support. He decided to follow Billy’s advice and helped himself to a glass of champagne – vintage, French, obscenely expensive and typical of Billy. He returned to the bedroom to get the white scarf, gloves and cape that completed his evening clothes. A cape? How would he ever fit in? Well, in for a dime, in for a dollar.

He put on the remaining items and took the elevator to the ground floor. The doorman raised his eyebrows approvingly as Tommy approached. A cab awaited and quickly took Tommy to the address Billy had provided. The cab drove into a curved drive in front of a large house, brilliantly lit. A man appeared, paid the cab driver and opened the door for Tommy. Tommy leaned his head back to try to take in the opulent residence. It occupied its own city block and seemed to be surrounded by a park, the grounds disappearing into distance.

Tommy climbed the entry stairs and as he approached the doors, they swung open to admit him. As he stepped across the threshold, he was met with an amazing sight. He entered a vast entry hall of gleaming marble. The room was crowded with men, tall and short, built, thin, and fat, young, old and trying to look not so old, all in black tie. Upon his entrance, the roar of conversation stopped. Heads turned toward him. He scanned the room, becoming more and more desperate until he, at last, spotted Billy on the landing of a grand staircase on the far side of the room. Billy raised the glass in his hand as if to toast Tommy. The moment of silence past and many men rushed to greet Tommy.

The crowd of men surrounding Tommy suddenly parted, giving way to a youngish man, a little plump, immaculately dressed. He smiled broadly at Tommy, winked, and drew him into a hug, kissing him on both cheeks. “You must be Tommy. Billy hasn’t shared a single detail and I simply must get to know you.” Smirks and snorts and ribald comments came for the surrounding crowd. The man swept Tommy toward a side door. Just as they neared the doorway, a hand caught Tommy by the arm.

“Piggy, you don’t think I’m going to let you get Tommy alone.” Billy’s voice.

“Darling,” Billy kissed Tommy fully, lastingly on the mouth. Billy steered Tommy back toward the center of the room, nodding to and acknowledging many of the men. Leaning his face toward Tommy’s, he whispered into his ear, “You entered the room like Cinderella at the ball. Quite an entrance. I’ve never seen anyone so handsome, no more than that, as beautiful as you as you came through the door. I can hardly blame Piggy for trying to sweep you away – bastard. There are some special friends I’d like you to meet. I think we’re seated with Piggy, so we’ll see our host at dinner. Now then, let’s run the social gauntlet.”

Billy introduced man after man. Each was courteous, some flirtatious. A tall man stepped into their path. His face was familiar, Tommy recognized the man, but he could not place him in this setting. “Tommy, I believe you and Charles have already met.” Not seeing recognition on Tommy’s face, Billy continued, “On the train?”

“Ohmygod,” Tommy blushed furiously.

The man, Charles, stepped up and embraced Tommy, kissing him on the cheek. “I know I should be thanking you for telling me about Tommy, Charles, but somehow that would be easier if you weren’t consuming him. Tommy, I’ve known Charles forever. He’s a fixture at the country club. I think he waits for each boy to hit eighteen and then seduces him in a cabana. Certainly was a first for me in lots of ways. Over the summer, when in his cups, he kept talking about this ‘Adonis of the train’ – handsome, hung and humble, unaware of his charms. Even if I had to get up at an ungodly hour to catch that train, I had to see this man of Charles’s. And there you were, my love.

“Charles is a very successful banker of some sort, family name and stuff. If you ever need to know about money, Charles is the man. Come to think of it, he’s a pretty good handicapper of boy flesh, too. Charles, thank you for bringing love into my life.”

Charles pretended to be sad, “The men on the train have wondered what became of their chief entertainment. Some have even resorted to being nice to each other. Would it be possible for you to return to the country and commute again? We’d even share you with Billy.” Observing Billy’s ‘I don’t think so’ look, Charles laughingly kissed both Billy and Tommy and melted back into the crowd.

Billy continued introducing Tommy to friends and acquaintances until they were called to dinner. A large dining room was set with several tables. Piggy was already standing at the center of a long table across the far end of the room. He gestured for Billy and Tommy to join him.

“Tommy, you sit here, right next to me, and you, Billy, over there at the end. Place cards were at each seat. The men filtered through the room, searching for their places, greeting friends as they went. At last, everyone was at his chair. “Friends and Lovers, I want to welcome Tommy to my home and to our little society. Raise your glasses, I give you Tommy!” All cheered. Tommy sought out Billy’s eyes which returned a look of pride and love.

Piggy fawned and flirted with Tommy throughout the many courses of the dinner. His attentions became more exaggerated the drunker he got. When, at last, the dessert was served Billy stood and indicated that Tommy should join him. Tommy thanked Piggy for the welcome and eagerly evaded a slobbery kiss.

“Piggy can be a dear, but also such an ass – but then that’s always been his best part.” Billy laughed, himself a little unsteady with drink. On their way to the door, many men stopped them extending invitations to dinners, weekends and shows. Tommy had never experienced such a lively social crowd. His head swam.