"Rise and shine, boys!" Mrs. Anderson yells at Andre and me very early the next morning.

"Ugh..." I groan

"The photographer will be here shortly! Get going!"

"Yes, Mom." says Andre, "Why did you book him so early on a Sunday? "

"Because it was the best time for the whole family. Of course Margaret will be at church so Prince can't come up with any excuses." She smiles.

I'm still a little uncomfortable being in this family photo because I'm not actually family. It's nice that they aren't leaving me out I guess, but I could've taken a picture of them for free and Mrs. Anderson wouldn't have had to hire that amateur photographer.

Andre and I get ready. The photographer arrives. He's white, pale as Hell, with dark hair and a pleasant demeanor. His name is Henry Smith and he's brought his daughter with him. "Bernadette, this is my daughter Penny. She's my assistant today." he says to Mrs. Anderson. Penny is a couple years younger than me, short, pudgy, her dark hair down to her ass and her pale skin is broken out. She seems very shy. More introductions are made and Mr. Smith seems to memorize everyone's name rather quickly. The whole group of us makes small talk before we get started. 

Penny says nothing. Mrs. Anderson turns to her, "What do you want to do after you're done with school?"

"Make a living with my photography." She replies softly.

"Do you have a favorite photographer?"

"Dad of course, but I also like Andy Warhol"

Listening to Penny and Mrs. Anderson speak, I find that she lives in another school district. If she went to my school, she'd be a laughing stock so I can't imagine it being different where she goes.

Mr. Smith notices a guitar pick I left on a table and grins, "Who's the musician?"

"Andre and I both play in a band".I say.

He talks about his son, Derek who is the lead singer and guitarist in a hard rock band called Sedgewick, named after some woman who hung out with Warhol. There was a photo Mr. Smith took of Derek in the newspaper last week. Derek looks like the sort of guy you don't want to mess with. He's not with a record label but earns enough money with his music to pay rent and live a simple life that satisfies him. Just talking about Derek's music pleases Mr. Smith. "Derek says he gets a lot of attention from women for being in a band. You fellas find that happening?" He teases.

"Of course, but Prince let himself get tied down. I'm keeping my options open,"smirks Andre.

"You don't have a choice." one of Andre's sisters mocks.

Mr. Smith and Penny go to their car to get the photography equipment. "Boys, go help them." sighs Mrs. Anderson. Andre, his brothers, and I go do as we're told.

Everything gets set up.  It'd be nice if my dad enjoyed me having the same interest as much as Mr. Smith is loving his daughter sharing a hobby with him. Here I stand in a photo I have no business in, watching some doting father who is making me really resent my dad. Great morning for me. "Prince, please get in the frame." Mr. Smith instructs politely. I don't feel like it but I comply.

Once the photoshoot is finally over, I go down to the basement and lay down on my bed with my back facing the door. Just want to be alone. Even Mr. Charles' relationship with Arthur is pretty good. He talks about Arthur's law studies with such pride, delighted to have Arthur following in his footsteps. Wonder if Derek realizes his dad is approving enough of him to boast about him?

Suddenly I feel someone bounce onto the mattress. "Andre!" I yell as I turn my head. It's Margaret who is laughing like crazy. She has come over for lunch.

"what are you sulking about?" Margaret asks.

"I'm not sulking"

"Okay then. How was the photo?"

"Fine, I guess. The photographer brought his daughter who loves helping him. He got a big charge out of it too."

"You sound a little bitter...does this have something to do with your dad?"

"It'd be nice if things were different."

Margaret puts her arm around me. "You just have to remind yourself of all the people in your corner.  Me, everyone in this house, my mom, Uncle Pete , Aunt June and Arthur. My cousin Beverly and her friend Betsey ask about you everytime I see them. Now let's go upstairs. I made the mashed potatoes you like."

She kisses me. I feel a little better. The fact that she brought her mashed potatoes helps too. They are a big hit here. Margaret is the sort of guest who wouldn't come over without bringing something.

"Good! You got him out his room!" says Mrs. Anderson.

"Thought they'd be longer." mutters Andre.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, young man!"

We sit down for lunch. Andre fills Margaret in on the photoshoot. "The photographer was cool but he and his daughter were SO pasty, like they've never had sun. They looked liked vampires with their dark hair."

"Maybe they walk around with umbrellas like the Victorian ladies did." one of Andre's brothers jokes. I start laughing because no one does that anymore.

"That's enough! Prince,Andre you complain about racism and here you are laughing about someone else's skin color. What is wrong with you?" Mrs. Anderson scolds, "Yes, they are pale but they are very nice people."

Now the irony hits me.

"Can you stay awhile after lunch? I've got some new music I'd like to play for you." I say to Margaret.

She calls home and Mrs. Charles tells her it's okay. I play for her. Eventually she picks up a notebook full of lyrics. "This one is great!" she squeals. With that she begins singing a song called "Wouldn't You Love to Love Me." I've never heard a woman I love sing my words to me before-what a turn on!

There's a tape recorder by my bed so I hit "record" and grab my guitar. Guess what I'm going to be jerking off to while Andre is in the shower tonight?