Happiness....A Different Kind of Maylor Love Story

Steppin Out...

Someone had published the phone number to the studio and the telephone would not stop ringing.  Requests were made for interviews and television appearances.  Some just wanted additional comments in response to the new Scoop magazine article.  After two hours of trying to manage the phone Roger gave up and let them all go to his answering machine.  He knew it would fill up quickly but the people that mattered had their private phone number in their living quarters and could reach them there.  He was seated on the kitchen counter watching his boyfriend prepare dinner.  Brian had browned some cut up beef and set it aside as he prepared the rest of his ingredients for Beef Stroganoff.  Roger savored the scent of the mushrooms and onions that had cooked in butter and couldn't wait to taste the dish. 

"I thought about something I'd like to do with some of my money..."  Brian remarked as he stirred in some white wine.  

"What's that?"  Roger asked.  

"I was thinking of turning one of the spare rooms into a darkroom..."  he commented.  "When I lived at home my Dad had a darkroom and he taught me how to develop and print my own pictures..."  he told Roger.  "The equipment is still at my parent's house and it's just collecting dust so I wanted to get it and set it up here...and I only need to buy some chemicals and an updated enlarger.."  Roger thought it was a great idea and smiled.

"I think you should do it..."  Roger replied.  "We can see about getting the stuff right away..."  he suggested.  Brian smiled at his being on board.  

"Okay...I'll call my Mother..."  he told him.  He turned back to his skillet and Roger slid off the counter and walked up behind Brian.  Wrapping his arms around his waist.  Brian loved every bit of Roger's affection and leaned back into him.  

"Speaking of your Mother..."  Roger remarked.  "When do I get to meet her?"  he asked.  Brian had already talked to his mother about them meeting so it seemed like the moment was here.

"Well...we can invite her over for a meal and show her the place and she can meet you then..."   Brian suggested.  Roger sighed contentedly against Brian's back.  

"Sounds good..."  Roger replied.  He stood there holding his boyfriend for a moment and enjoyed the comfort of his warmth and scent.

"I need to check the noodles..."  Brian announced.  Roger let go of him and walked over to pick up his glass of wine.  He drank the last few sips and knew there was a bit before dinner was ready.  

"I'm going to go check some messages downstairs...I'll be back in about 15 minutes..."  he announced.  Brian nodded as Roger left to head down to his office.  He was soon there with a notepad and pen and listening to the varied requests for interviews and appearances.  He jotted down the particulars and sighed at how many of these he was going to decline.  It's a shame their interest wasn't about his music.  He got the next message and his ears perked up.  It was a band manager inquiring about a studio booking.  Roger smiled as he began a separate list of studio inquiries and felt heartened that so far no message was about canceling already scheduled studio time and more people were keen to use his space.  They didn't seem to care about his coming out.

One week Later

Roger was thrilled beyond measure.  The manager of a group had called and requested Roger not only provide studio time but inquired about him producing some tracks for his band.  They liked his work with The Cross and wanted his input.  So he had been ensconced in the studio for two days with a group from Birmingham called Magnum.  They had one song in particular they needed help with.  Roger had done some work on their arrangement and given some guidance to their lead singer Bob Catley.  They were laying down his lead vocal today.  Roger manned the mixing desk as the singer stood in the booth working on his fifth take.