Buzz Bets Badly, But Begets Bliss (an Avondale Story)

Copyright © 2014, 2020 by Etienne

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Wherever possible, the syntax and spelling in this book follows guidelines set forth in The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th Edition, and in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary.

Cover Art © 2014, 2020 by Gerald Lopez

Acknowledgments

A word of thanks to my fans, whose encouraging e-mails and requests for more stories keep me going.

To my extremely patient editor Jim Kennedy, what can I say, but thanks.

To my partner of twenty years, who is my best and most honest critic.

And last, but far from least, my thanks to my wonderful team of beta-readers who read—and critiqued—the manuscript, my heartfelt thanks. There are too many of you to acknowledge, but I would like to especially thank super-fans Brandi, Johanna, Joyce, and Rich.

Dedication

This book is gratefully dedicated to the many concert organists who continue to foster the love of pipe organ music with their performances.

Author’s Notes

Many people have written to inquire if the places described in the Avondale stories are real, and I'm happy to say that most of them are. Avondale is a very real neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida, situated between Roosevelt Boulevard (US-17) and the St. Johns River. It is bounded on the northeast by McDuff Avenue which separates it from the neighborhood known as Riverside, and on the southwest by Fishweir Creek.

After the great fire of 1901 leveled much of downtown Jacksonville, destroying over two thousand buildings and leaving nearly ten thousand people homeless, the Springfield neighborhood immediately north of downtown was developed. Then the city began to move west and south along the St. Johns River, and first Riverside then Avondale were born. Said to be the first planned community in Florida, Avondale was developed in the nineteen twenties.

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd has been a presence in the neighborhood since the late nineteenth century.

The restaurants frequented by our guys are very real, and pretty much as described in the stories:

The Derby House, sometimes referred to as Gorgi’s Derby House was a popular restaurant for several decades, until it closed circa 2011, give or take a year or so. It was the kind of neighborhood hangout where people seated themselves. After its closure, the building was remodeled, enlarged a bit, and a new restaurant emerged, known as The Derby on Park.

Biscottis, which opened in the fall of 1993, is a very popular restaurant located in the Avondale shopping area.

The Pizza Italian in Five Points, was opened by a Greek immigrant in the spring of 1976, and he dished out good pizza, wonderful lasagna, and the best meatball subs in town for just over forty-one years. Sadly, the restaurant closed in 2017, due to the owner’s age and health problems.

Richard's Sandwich Shop in Five Points, for some thirty years offered the best Camel Riders* in town. Sadly, the owner sold the property and retired in 2016.

The Goal Post Sandwich Shop is located across the street from the complex that houses The Loop, and has been a fixture in the neighborhood for a very long time.

The Cool Moose Café has been serving breakfast and lunch to neighborhood residents for some twenty years.

The Loop Pizza Grill, home of the best grilled chicken sandwich in town and locally referred to simply as The Loop, began in Jacksonville in the late eighties, and has grown to several locations around town. The Avondale location, situated on Fishweir Creek, was popular for its deck, where one could sit and watch sea birds foraging in the tidal estuary while eating. Unfortunately, the entire complex was razed by developers in 2017, and replaced by apartments. The Loop moved to another location nearby, but that location, sadly, lacks a deck on the water.

*THE TERM Camel Rider might sound like a pejorative to some in today's politically correct society, but in Jacksonville—which has one of the largest Middle Eastern communities on the East Coast—it's the name of a sandwich offered at the numerous sandwich shops around town operated by people whose ancestors fled the economic decline and religious persecution of the Ottoman Empire. Predominately Christian, they came from Syria, Lebanon, and other parts of the Middle East and settled in Jacksonville during the early twentieth century and shortly before.

All of the sandwich shops offer sandwiches in a pocket of pita bread, and these sandwiches are called riders. The Camel Rider is a pita pocket stuffed with lettuce, slices of tomato, cheese, and cold cuts, with a bit of mustard and a dash of olive oil. The camel rider is a very simple, but amazingly satisfying sandwich.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Appendix

About the Author

Contact the Author

Other Books by Etienne

Buzz Bets Badly

but

Begets Bliss

(An Avondale Story)

Etienne

Chapter 1

Jacksonville, FL

UNF Student Union

Wednesday

ADAM YANCEY WAS sitting at a table in the University of North Florida Student Union, absentmindedly taking an occasional sip from a bottle of water while his attention was totally focused on the music coming through his headphones. The headphones were plugged into a portable cassette recorder, and he was listening to a recording of his last practice session, while following the various scores and making notes on them as he went along. His senior recital was barely a week away, and he wanted his playing to be perfect. He was concentrating completely, and was totally oblivious to his surroundings, including the fact that he was the subject of an intense conversation taking place just two tables away.

BUZZ PATTERSON WAS sitting at a nearby table with his friends and fellow track and field athletes, Ted Jones, Butch Hardaway, and Al Findley. Butch’s girlfriend, Carol Peacock, had just joined them when Ted looked up from his sandwich, and said, See that guy over there?

What guy? Butch said.

Two tables over; the skinny kid with the curly black hair, Ted said. He’s listening to something and following the music from a score.

The group looked in the direction Ted had indicated.

Is that an actual cassette recorder his headphones are plugged into? Buzz said.

Looks like it, Al said.

Isn’t that kind of old-fashioned? Buzz said.

Not if he’s an audio purist, Al said.

What the heck does that mean? Buzz said.

Audio purists strongly believe that analog recording produces a superior quality of sound, when compared to digital recording; so much so, that they prefer the old LP records to CDs—

Al was about to launch into a technical explanation of the subject, but stopped talking when he noticed four pairs of eyes looking at him in amazement.

What? he said.

Dude, Butch said, where’s all that stuff coming from?

I was in an amateur radio club all through middle school and high school, and I’ve read a lot about this stuff, Al said. I still keep up with the latest technology.

That’s interesting, but let’s get back to my original question, Ted said.

I’ve forgotten the question, Butch said.

I’ll repeat it, Ted said. Do you know anything about that guy over there?" Ted pointed in the direction of the table in question.

What about him? Buzz said.

I’ve seen him around, Butch said, but I don’t know much about him, why?

Have you noticed his fingers? Ted said.

What about his fingers? Butch said.

He has the longest fingers I’ve ever seen.

So? Butch said.

Ever hear the old saying, ‘long fingers, long something else’?

Yeah, maybe, Butch said. What of it?

Well, you and Al, being straight, like big boobs, whereas Buzz and I like other things to be bigger, or at least, longer than average.

I can’t believe you guys are having this conversation in front of me, Carol said somewhat indignantly.

Why not? Ted said. We’re all adults.

The guy’s a bit of a loner, Butch said. I’ve heard he lives with his dad, and that his mom ran off and left them when he was a baby. But that might just be gossip.

Come to think of it, I’ve seen him working out at the school gym, once in a while, Al said. He’s always by himself, but I don’t think he uses the locker-room there. At least, I’ve never seen him use it.

It’s not a gym, Carol said, somewhat smugly, The official name is the UNF Wellness Complex.

That’s a lot of PC crap, Ted said. It has exercise equipment, a basketball court, an indoor track, and a locker-room. Ergo, it’s a gym.

"Ergo?" Butch said.

I had two years of Latin in high school, Ted said, and grinned. It comes in handy sometimes.

You forgot to mention there’s also a thirty-foot climbing wall, Al said. But we were talking about the guy with the curly hair, and what he might have where it’s important.

I bet I can find out what he’s got, Buzz said.

We’ll take you up on that bet, Ted said. How about a hundred bucks apiece?

Whoa! Buzz said. Let me get this straight—if I can find out what’s in his pants, you’re each going to give me a hundred bucks?

Right, Ted said. And if you don’t, you give each of us a hundred—agreed?

Agreed, the other guys said.

You guys are disgusting, Carol said, and I’ve got to get to my next class. She left the table in a huff.

What’s the matter with her? Al said.

I think it might be PMS, Butch said.

"Well, if anyone would know, it would be you. You guys are doing it, aren’t you?"

Yeah, Butch said, and grinned. Getting laid regularly is the best.

What’s the deadline on this bet? Buzz said. How long do I have?

How about till Labor Day? Ted said. That gives you all summer.

Wait a minute, Buzz said. How can I prove I’ve seen him naked?

When he admits that the two of you have had sex—and we have to be there when he does it.

That’s gonna be difficult.

Yeah, but if anybody can do it, you can, buddy.

Buzz thought that one over for a minute— Okay, guys, you’re on.

Buzz left his seat at their table, walked toward the focus of their conversation, and took a seat at his table.

ADAM WAS SO ENGROSSED in his music that he was totally unaware of another presence at his table. But when a piece finished, and he momentarily paused the playback to make a couple of notes on the score, he looked up and was startled to see a good-looking blond hunk sitting across the table from him. The guy had the most striking green eyes he’d ever seen, and they were staring intently in his direction.

Hi, I’m Brian Patterson, the blond said, but everybody calls me Buzz. He extended a hand.

I’m Adam Yancey, and everybody calls me Adam, Adam said, taking the proffered hand.

What songs are you listening to so intently? Buzz said.

Songs! Do you actually think I’m listening to songs! Adam said with a certain amount of indignation. Then he laughed hilariously.

Sure. Aren’t you? I mean… what’s so funny?

"For the record, I don’t listen to songs—ever. I listen to music. As for what I’m listening to right now; I’m a music major; and I’m listening to and critiquing a recording of my last practice session. My senior recital is a week away, and I want it to be perfect."

"You’re a senior! Buzz said. You don’t look old enough to be a senior."

"Actually, I’m not… old enough, that is. But the fact remains, I’m eighteen, and I am a senior."

How in the world did you manage that?

Private school, a ton of AP courses, a lot of tutoring, and I skipped a grade here and there.

I’m impressed. Geez, and I thought I was doing good to be a junior at twenty. What instrument do you play?

I’m an organ major.

Wow! I’d love to hear you play sometime.

Adam looked at his watch. If you really mean that, and you have the time, the organ in the concert hall will be free in five minutes—I’m signed up for a two hour session.

What are we waiting for, then, Buzz said. Lead on.

What’s this guy up to? Adam thought. He’s obviously some kind of jock; although he’s not the usual muscle-bound type—he has more of a swimmer’s body. Athletes aren’t usually my type at all—and why the sudden attention? It doesn’t make sense. Oh well, he’s certainly good-looking, and those eyes are something else! I guess I’ll play along and see what his game is.

Adam removed his headphones and closed the music score, both of which he stowed, along with the cassette recorder, in a somewhat bulky briefcase. He stood and led the way to the music building and into the adjacent concert hall through a side door. The lights in the hall were already on, so he walked directly to the organ console.

Wow, Buzz said, as he glanced around, and took a good look at the concert hall. I had no idea all of this was here.

Don’t you ever get to this part of the campus?

I had a music appreciation course in the building next door last term, but we never left the classroom.

We have a great pipe organ, Adam said. It’s a Casavant Organ, built by a company in Canada. A wealthy family from Boston liked Dr. Foster so much they donated the organ to the school.

Who’s Dr. Foster?

He’s the organ professor, and he’s a full professor, not just an associate. He’s also organist and choirmaster at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Riverside, and my teacher slash faculty advisor.

Never heard of him.

His partner Dr. Webster was among the finalists in the Metropolitan Opera auditions a couple of years ago, and he’s become a fairly well-known opera singer since then. He also teaches here part-time.

Never heard of him either; however, I don’t know anything about opera.

Yeah, Adam said, thinking, Why does that not surprise me?

Adam unlocked the cover and carefully folded it back out of sight, revealing the manuals and stop knobs.

Why do you need four keyboards? Buzz said.

They’re not called keyboards, they’re called manuals, and they allow the organist to create different sounds with each hand. There are even some pieces where you use three manuals at the same time.

How is that possible?

Adam demonstrated by placing his left hand on the bottom manual and his right hand on the third manual. Then he used the thumb of his right hand to press the keys on the middle manual. It would make more sense if I was playing an actual piece, but I don’t have time for that right now. Suffice it to say that if the manual my thumb is playing is set for a couple of strong solo stops, a nice bit of contrast can be achieved.

I get it, I think, Buzz said. He looked around the hall. Why are some of those pipes in the rear pointing straight out into the room.

"Those are the horizontal trumpets. Their official name is trompettes en chamade, and they’re pointing out into the room because that position enhances their really bright sound."

Adam selected a stop, then played a short fanfare, using the horizontal trumpets. See what I mean?

Wow! I sure do. That gave me goose bumps.

It’s supposed to do just that. What I’m going to do now is play a complete run-through of my recital. The recital should take about an hour, but there’ll be a few stops and starts, if my playing doesn’t measure up to my expectations. Do you know how to read music?

Sure. I took piano when I was a kid, and I still play it a little bit. I also played trumpet in the band all through high school.

Good. That means you’re qualified to turn pages for me—if you want to.

Sure. What do I have to do?

Just stand there beside the organ console. Follow the music as I play, and when I get close to the end of a page, I’ll nod—that’s your cue to turn the page.

I can do that.

Great.

Adam shuffled through the stack of music he’d removed from his briefcase and assembled it in the correct order on top of the organ console. Then he placed one score on the music rack and opened it to the appropriate page.

Ready? he said.

Sure.

Adam pushed a few buttons on the console and began to play.

Chapter 2

Jacksonville, FL

UNF Concert Hall

AS HE STOOD BESIDE the console following the myriad notes on the page, Buzz kept getting distracted by the sight of Adam’s hands and feet, which at times seemed to fly over the keyboards and pedals. In fact, he was so mesmerized by them that he missed Adam’s initial signal to turn the page—until a curt jerk of Adam’s head got his attention. After that, he managed to focus on the task at hand; and he was able to follow the music and turn the pages when prompted to do so. When the last piece was finished, and the last note had stopped echoing through the empty hall, Buzz stood momentarily stunned by what he’d heard and seen. So much so that he forgot to do what he’d planned—take a close look at Adam’s crotch to see what, if anything, was revealed as he sat on the bench.

Well, Adam said. What did you think of my recital?

I… I don’t know what to say. I’ve never heard anything like it. Your playing was amazing.

Thanks.

I really mean that, Adam. I’ve never heard anyone play an organ like you just did. I didn’t even know organs could sound like that.

Don’t you go to church?

Sometimes I go with my mother and grandmother to a Methodist church out in the country near where my grandparents live, but the little organ in that church doesn’t even come close to sounding like this one.

In that case, you should come to church at Good Shepherd some Sunday, and you’ll hear what church music is supposed to sound like.

Maybe I will.

Adam looked at his watch. Meanwhile, I’ve got just enough time to run home and grab a bite to eat before I go to choir practice.

Choir practice?

I hold the post of organ scholar at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. The week after the term ends, Dr. Foster—I told you he’s the organist there—will be going on a concert tour of Europe for a couple of months, and I have to play for all of the services while he’s gone. That also means I have to rehearse with the choir ahead of time.

I’m impressed. Do you get paid for that?

During the year, I get a stipend from the church, and free lessons from Dr. Foster. When I take his place for the summer, I’ll get a nice fee for each service.

That doesn’t sound like much.

Do you know what the hourly cost of organ lessons are from a man with his reputation?

I haven’t a clue.

Adam told him, and Buzz’s response was, Holy shit! That much? I had no idea.

He’s the best, and that’s the going rate for the best.

What time is choir practice?

Seven.

That’s hours from now, so why eat so early?

After I eat, I’ll have a couple of hours to practice on the organ at the church.

Do you really have to go home to eat?

No, why?

I was thinking that we could go somewhere and grab a bite.

That’s okay, as long as we do it in Riverside or Avondale, so I’ll be near the church. Ever been to the Pizza Italian in Five Points?

Sure. I love their meatball subs.

Let’s go, then.

Adam turned off the organ, carefully folded the cover over the keyboard, and locked it. Then he slid off the bench and removed his organ shoes.

You’re not going barefoot, are you? Buzz said.

Hardly that, I try not to use my organ shoes for street wear—my regular shoes are in my backpack.

But you were wearing them at the student union just now.

That’s only because I went straight over there from here, and I knew I’d be coming back an hour later.

AS THEY ENJOYED their meatball subs at the Pizza Italian, the two young men talked about many things, and Adam found his new acquaintance to be fairly interesting—despite his lack of musical knowledge. He learned, among other things, that Buzz was a track star who’d landed an athletic scholarship, and had won several medals in competitions. He was also on the swim team, and had a couple of medals to show for that as well. Adam couldn’t help wondering what had prompted this young athlete to come on to him, which was obviously what was happening. Eventually, he decided to take the bull by the horns.

Can I ask you a question, Buzz?

Sure.

What prompted this sudden interest in me? It’s not like we knew each other already or anything like that.

What can I say? I saw you sitting at that table by yourself and I thought you were cute, so I decided to introduce myself.

Just like that?

Just like that. Haven’t you ever seen something you wanted, and gone after it?

Something you wanted?

Sorry, that was a slip of the tongue, but you know what I mean, don’t you?

In theory, yes. However, in practice, I don’t have time to indulge myself impulsively. I’m totally focused on graduating, then earning a Master’s, after that a Doctorate, and finally getting a career going.

You know what they say about all work and no play, Buzz said.

Yeah, but at this point in my life… I’m working. Eventually, I’ll take time to play, but only after my goals are met. Back up just a minute. The significance of ‘something you wanted’ just hit me. You’re assuming I’m gay, aren’t you?

Yeah. I’ve been totally out since my freshman year in high school, and there’s something about you that tells me you are too. Gay, that is. Aren’t you?

I guess so.

"You guess so!" Buzz said.

I’ve never actually done anything—with anyone—but I’m pretty sure about what I’d like to do—when the time comes.

Whoa! I didn’t know there were any eighteen-year-old virgins left in the world.

You’d be surprised. Adam looked at his watch. This is cutting into my practice time, so I’ve got to run.

Want me to turn pages again?

You are persistent, aren’t you? But if you really want to do that, I won’t turn the offer down.

WHILE BUZZ FOLLOWED Adam’s car down Park Street to the Church of the Good Shepherd, his brain was going a mile a minute. He wasn’t accustomed to being turned down, and the fact that Adam seemed to be doing just that gave him pause. This isn’t going to be as easy as I thought it would, he thought. I wonder if he’s just playing hard to get. On the other hand, I thought I saw a spark of interest in those gorgeous blue eyes. Oh well, I’ve got all summer.

Adam pulled into a parking lot behind the church, exited his car, and waited for Buzz to park and catch up with him.

Right this way, Adam said, and he walked toward the building.

Adam unlocked an exterior door and led Buzz down a corridor. Eventually, they entered the sanctuary through a door situated between the organ console and the altar rail. Buzz looked around the sanctuary, which was dimly lit by the last rays of the late afternoon sun shining through the stained glass windows.

It’s nice in here, he said.

Yes, isn’t it?

Adam sat sideways on the organ bench long enough to change shoes, then swivelled around and placed his music on the console.

Ready to do it again? he said.

Sure. I’ll try to keep up with you better this time.

Just don’t let your mind wander, and you’ll be okay.

Can I ask you a question first?

Sure.

What are all those buttons under the keyboards? I noticed the same buttons on the organ at school, and you kept pushing them once in a while in the middle of your playing.

Those buttons are called pistons, or presets. When your hands are moving rapidly over the keys, and you need to select different stops to change the nature of the organ’s sound, you push one of them, and the stops are changed for you. Watch the stop knobs move in and out as I push the pistons. I can set the presets up ahead of time, so they’ll give me the registration I want when I push them.

Adam demonstrated, and Buzz found it fascinating.

Some of the pistons are replicated just above the pedals, Adam said. Those are called toe studs. If your hands are too busy, sometimes it’s possible to change the stops with a quick jab of your foot.

Cool.

Yes, it is, isn’t it? Back in the days before electricity, it wasn’t unheard of for an organist to have someone standing next to him, and changing the stops for him. They still do that in Europe with tracker organs that don’t have pistons. I know that didn’t make any sense to you, but I can refer you to a YouTube video that demonstrates what I’m talking about.

Chapter 3

Jacksonville, FL

Wednesday

ADAM BEGAN TO play, which forced Buzz to concentrate on the music score in front of them. Adam stopped momentarily a few times to make a note or two on the score, obviously dissatisfied with something he’d done, but it all sounded good to Buzz. Nearly ninety minutes later, when Adam finally stopped playing and the music died, they were startled by the sound of applause. The lights in the choir area suddenly came on, and Buzz looked around and saw several men and women sitting in the choir pews. He’d been so caught up in following the score that he hadn’t noticed people arriving. Then a fairly tall and very trim man walked up to the console.

That was very nearly flawless, Adam, the man said. If you play that well at your recital next week, you won’t have any problem getting an ‘A’. I see you’ve engaged the services of a page turner.

Thanks for that, Dr. Foster, Adam said. Buzz, this is my teacher, Dr. Foster. Dr. Foster, Buzz Patterson.

The two men shook hands, and Dr. Foster said, I decided to have our rehearsal down here tonight. We’re going to do a quick run-through of Sunday’s service music, then I’m going to let you take over, so we can rehearse the anthems you’ll be responsible for this summer.

I guess that’s my cue to go, Buzz said.

There’s no reason for that, Buzz, Dr. Foster said. Do you sing?

Not since high school.

There’s a spare music folder around here somewhere, if you’d like to join us. I’m going to stick my neck out and guess that you’re a tenor.

Yes, Sir, I am.

Then why don’t you have a seat in the back row of choir pews over there, and we’ll begin?

Sure, why not? Buzz said.

Someone handed Buzz a music folder, and he made his way to the indicated spot. He was surprised when Adam followed him and took a seat beside him. I’m also a tenor, Adam said, by way of explanation.

Buzz’s reply was cut off by Dr. Foster, who was now seated at the console.

Okay, kids. Let’s do a bit of warming up, shall we?

After a few minutes of warm-ups, Dr. Foster said, Very good. Shall we have a go at Sunday’s anthem?

They went through the anthem a few times, until Dr. Foster was satisfied.

Okay, kids. That’s enough for Sunday. Adam, you’re up. I want you to take them through all ten of the anthems we’ve been working on for June, July, and part of August.

Buzz watched, as Adam settled himself at the console, and began to play and direct; and he did his best to follow the music. He noticed that Adam’s style of directing from the console was a bit different from Dr. Foster’s, but no less effective… and he was impressed. The rehearsal ended, and Dr. Foster pronounced himself satisfied with what he’d heard.

"If you kids sing those anthems this summer like you sang them this evening, I can go to Europe with a