CHAPTER THREE - VIRGIL - LUCY'S ARTIST
Well the meals are over and the kitchen's tidy so that's me done for the day. What a shame it is my last day as a young woman. I'll be seventy-five tomorrow and in my rocking chair.
I bet that's what Jeff presents me with at this stupid party.
He'd better not, that's all I'll say!
It will be Jeff Tracy who'll need International Rescue if he does!
It's warm tonight and a bit too early to go to bed yet. Jeff's still working at his desk so I think I'll sit in here for a while and have a glass of port.
Grant and I used to love having a port after dinner. We would sit out on the porch of the farmhouse and look at moon together. Those days were a long time ago, long before Jeff walked up there. I was young and pretty and Grant was tall and handsome. He would hold my hand and often I wouldn't look up at the moon. I would just look at him. We were so very much in love in those days. Now Grant has gone but everything else is still the same I suppose. I'm still young and pretty and I still love Grant even though it is now only with my heart. Well maybe I'm not pretty anymore either. It depends on who's looking at me I suppose but I'm definitely still young until tomorrow.
I love sitting on this couch listening to him play the piano like that. His fingers move across the keys with so much love and emotion that I can almost feel the piece of music he is playing.
I haven't heard the melody he's playing now. It must be a new one that he's written.
He's such a handsome young man. His chestnut hair shines in the light; his brown eyes are large, dreamy and bottomless and as he looks over and smiles at me, I remember how pretty his mother used to be and how much like her he is in every fabric of his being.
The music has stopped now and his hands are resting lightly on the keys. He's talking to me in his soft, gentle voice, and his words make me sit up and prick up my ears. What did he just say?
"Finally coming in to party with me Grandma" he asks me before realising what he has said. He swallows and looks over at his Father who is sitting at his desk behind me. By the way he then looks down I gather his Father has just given him the well-known "Jeff Tracy glare of disapproval."
I recognise the familiar dropping of this young man's head.
He hates being admonished by the Father he loves so deeply.
Party?
Ah I see. Virgil you are trying to give me the clues aren't you?
I know what you're like.
You always try to help me out and I know that your Father won't hear of it.
I'd better try to help you out with your father glaring at you like that.
"No I'm simply enjoying your music sweetie." I say and mean it. "Is that a new piece"
He smiles at me again, his eyes crinkling at the corners and as he does I also see Lucy smile, her eyes crinkling too. I look behind me at Jeff who is looking straight at his son. I have no doubt Jeff is seeing Lucy smiling at him too by the sigh he gives before he returns to his work. I recognise that sigh. He does that whenever he looks at Virgil and remembers Lucy. Virgil recognises it too and tries to avert his face from his Father's. He knows what his Father is thinking.
He looks at me and runs his hand through his hair as he always does when some one talks to him about his music.
"Yes Grandma, it's one I've written for a special occasion. It's not quite right yet though."
I'm glad he was speaking at that point, as he does not hear his Father sigh again. I, on the other hand, do. Lucy used to run her hands through her hair too and just like that.
"Well it will be beautiful when it's done. What's the occasion"I ask.
He reddens and looks back over at his Father. I have to help him out again.
"No. Don't tell me. I'll wait until it's polished and when I hear it,. I'll know the occasion."
He understands that I understand perfectly.
He's written this to play for me on my birthday. I hope there are words to the melody and I suddenly look forward to hearing them at the "party".
What party?
Our charade continues for his Father. Virgil knows I know. His eyes tell me.
"It might take me a while Grandma. You know music is a work of art."
Virgil Tracy, it goes without saying you are your Mother's son; musically gifted, sensible and intuitive. You and I have a special secret don't we? It's bigger than the party secret.
I know you are Lucy's artist. I've seen you.
THE LONG AWAITED SECOND SON
Virgil Ivan Tracy came into the world nearly three years after his brother Scott, a very much longed for and wanted little boy, particularly for his Father Jeff.
As you know, Jeff had a point to prove to his own Father who only wanted him to bring one baby into the world. Jeff had "informed" Grant that he would be bringing three children into his little family in Houston and after that discussion had pestered Lucy every month to think about doing something about the second one.
Now little Lucy had a stubborn side to her that I haven't told you about but I'm telling you about it now. If that young lady didn't want to do something, she didn't.
Jeff and Lucy Tracy may have fallen desperately in love and married quickly but neither of them really knew each other's faults. He was the jealous type which she found out quickly if her eyes moved to anyone but him, whilst he was now finding out she was determined and stubborn when she felt strongly enough about something.
The last thing she wanted was another baby. She was enjoying life with her first little boy and still learning the ropes of motherhood properly. She also wanted to keep working part-time to take her mind off the fact that Jeff's moon mission was getting closer.
Deep down inside I think she was terrified something was going to happen to Jeff and she didn't want to find herself left with two babies to bring up on her own. It may have been common sense on her part but it came across to Jeff as stubbornness.
He couldn't believe she felt a second baby was out of the question. Her view was that they had years to have the other two babies she had promised him.
Jeff had been decidedly miffed about it but every month he hoped and prayed that Lucy would not have to take the usual three or four days off their love-life because she hadn't fallen pregnant again.
In the end it got the better of him and they had a row over it. They were at the farm at the time and those walls were thin, as you already know.
They were in bed next door. Grant was asleep as usual. I was awake and listening as usual. Jeff must have been up to his old tricks as usual. She must have given her usual response to his request for another baby.
"Lucy I'm starting to think you don't want to have my children"he accused her, despite knowing deep down she did but with no other way to express his growing frustration with her.
"You just want another baby right now to prove a point to your Father Jeff." she shot back, her tone indicating an uncustomary flash of temper. "My babies are not going to be used like pieces in a chess game between you and your Father. I'll have this second baby with you when I'm ready and I'm not ready yet."
That was that.
Having said that, when Lucy finally did decide to have the baby, it was because something in her had said it was time. Jeff still hadn't gone to the moon but she suddenly felt the need to create another life with him. She fell pregnant straight away and Jeff, despite his elation at the news, grumbled that she jolly well should have. He'd practiced long enough at it with her.
They both hoped it would be a daughter.
No such luck. The Tracy family had not bred a daughter for five generations and I didn't think that even this little girl from England brought enough Evans genes in her to counteract that trend. I couldn't and I came from a family of six daughters; not that Grant gave me much opportunity to try to have a girl.
Still a girl wasn't everything she told me as I visited my new little grandson in the same hospital where his brother had been born. The last baby would be a girl and after the labour she'd just been through, that third baby was going to be a long, long way off.
Jeff was off with Scott when we arrived, so I was able to have an immediate nurse of little Virgil.
Grant and I were still trying to comprehend his name and where the heck she'd got it. Virgil hardly sounded like a name a self-respecting parent would give to their baby and especially a Tracy baby. I sat there hoping Grant would keep his lip buttoned. Fortunately, Grant knew better than to cross Lucille and I was able to enjoy yet another precious moment in my life. Meeting little Virgil.
I was surprised at how very different he was to Scott. He was much smaller, with a different shaped face, brown eyes and tufts of chestnut hair on the top of his little head. I looked at his long delicate fingers. They were like Lucy's. He was an Evans through and through.
Jeff thought his new little son was even more special because he looked like Lucy. He could never deny Lucy anything and it was the same whenever Virgil smiled at him or held out his arms to be picked up. Jeff couldn't resist him. I think Jeff would have spoiled him to death if Scott's tantrums over his arrival hadn't got in his way.
Virgil was an easy-going baby, more than likely because they had already done the hard yards with Scott. He was very attached to Lucy, more than Scott had been and nothing made our little Virgil happier than for his mother or his Grandma to cuddle him, give him a warm bottle and sing him a lullaby at the end of the day.
Lucy could sing beautifully I discovered. No matter how much he was fussing, if she sang to him, he stopped to listen and the most beautiful smile would break out on those distinctive Evans features. She had to sing to him often because Scott wouldn't let Jeff do anything to stop him crying some days. Soon he started singing in his baby babble and could amuse himself for quite a while with the noises he made.
"You know Mrs Tracy" she said in her pretty little accent as we walked together near the farmhouse several days after Grant had passed away. "I think Virgil is going to be very talented but in a different way to Scott."
I nodded.
Well one thing was for sure. Her two sons were certainly different. One was a Tracy to the core; the other was an Evans with the Tracy heart beating underneath. The Tracy son had the fire in his eyes; the Evans son had deep and dreamy eyes that showed an artistic soul. However they had one thing in common. Their Father was Jeff Tracy and he loved them both.
As we walked that day talking about Grant and Jeff, I listened to Virgil babbling away in his little musical tone whilst watching Jeff's eldest son run in front of his mother pretending he could fly.
Grant may have been gone but the Tracy name lived on in these two little boys.
TALENTS SURFACE
Virgil became a middle son after his Daddy returned from the moon. At eighteen months old he had blossomed into a sturdy little toddler, still much smaller than Scott had been but with a beautiful easy-going nature. Unlike his brother, he made very little fuss when the baby came home. As long as Lucy gave him a cuddle when he wanted it he was happy.
Virgil had developed a new passion at that ripe young age; sitting on his mommy's lap and pressing the keys of her piano. He would press one key and look up at her waiting for her approval. Lucy of course gave it and once that had happened, it became more than a passion for him. It became a ritual, and like Scott, if he wasn't allowed to do what he wanted...
Never let it be said Virgil is an Evans. He has his Father's temper under that sensitive exterior and that quickly became apparent with the piano.
It was quite hilarious actually watching the two eldest boys with their favourite parents once John had been put down after his feed in the evenings. It was like a Mexican standoff to put it bluntly as one brother dared the other to step into their territory.
Scott would sit on Jeff's lap in front of the television set.
Virgil would sit on Lucy's lap and always in front of the piano.
Scott circled a toy plane around his Father's head in imaginary flight while Jeff tried to read his Engineering book. Jeff tried so hard not to look annoyed.
Virgil would crash the keys of the piano with his fists while Lucy was trying to play. She tried so hard not to look annoyed too.
Scott would eye Virgil. Lucy would eye Scott. Jeff would eye Virgil. Jeff would eye Lucy. The piano stopped. The television was turned off. The book was put down. The toy plane was put out of reach.
Two little boys were sent to bed by the opposite parents. Jeff tucked Virgil in telling him how rude he was to mommy. Scott lingered after his hug from Lucy as she scolded him for being rude to Daddy. Two little boys nodded in understanding... and then did it all again the next evening!
I was so glad Jeff had decided to have more than one child.
Those were happy days back then.
Virgil's last talent came apparent when he was four years old. Lucy warned me when she collected me at the airport that Virgil had developed a terrible habit of staring at people. It had become quite embarrassing and she was trying to get him out of it.
Sure enough within ten minutes of being in the house for this visit there he was.
A beautiful child with beautiful eyes and a beautiful smile...and a stare that made me right nervous I might say.
"Virgie" Lucy said exasperated. "Please stop staring at Grandma."
He did as she said and in turn fixed his gaze on her.
"Virgil" she said sternly.
She turned to me.
"See"
I thought he was cute and the stare seemed to show the window into that little boy's soul somehow. I told Lucy it would right itself. After all he wasn't hurting anybody was he?
Suddenly he said in his sweet little voice.
"Mommy. You are really pretty."
Lucy rolled her eyes as she ran her hands through her chestnut curls. She didn't know what to make of him at the moment and worried Scott must have hit him on the head with something when she wasn't looking.
"Well thank you Virgil. I'm glad you think that but you just can't keep staring at people like you are. It's rude darling."
"I only want to 'member them mommy."
Virgil could never say the word "remember". It drove me to distraction.
She shooed him away and went out with me into the garden to find Jeff. The garden was the only place Jeff got any peace to read his books these days.
We sat talking for nearly an hour under the trees before Virgil came out with a piece of paper in his hands. He showed it to his Father.
"Daddy. I drew a picture for you. Do you know who it is"
Jeff closed his book as he always did when one of his sons wanted his attention. His children's art always made him nervous. He never got the subject right and hating being wrong.
He didn't need to turn the paper this way and that to try to interpret this drawing. It was obvious who it was. He looked over at the two of us with a surprised look on his face. He looked at Virgil.
"It's mommy."
When Virgil did not reply he looked at him anxiously and asked"Isn't it"
He didn't want to hurt Virgil's feelings.
"Of course it is Daddy. I 'membered what she looked like after watching her in the kitchen."
Jeff turned the paper around for us to see. My hand flew to my mouth and I said,
"Oh my."
For four years old this little boy had talent and lots of it.
Lucy looked at him.
"Virgie. Did Scott help you with this"
He looked hurt. How could she think he didn't do it?
"No mommy. Scotty's riding his bike. I did it myself. Don't you like it"
She knelt down on the grass and gathered him into her arms.
"No Virgie I love it. It's just that you are very good darling. You can paint my picture any time."
Those words had more impact on Virgil Ivan Tracy than any other words she ever spoke to him.
It helped him to deal with her death.
A BEWILDERED LITTLE BOY
As you know, Virgil was a totally different little boy to his brother Scott. However he admired Scott and now that Scott was eight and he was five, their personalities seemed to complement each other. Virgil loved Scott's daredevil antics and often joined in with him. Scott, on the other hand admired Virgil's musical talent and would sit quietly listening to him trying to play the piano under Lucy's instruction.
Scott asked his Father how Virgil had learnt to paint so well to which Jeff replied.
"Well it wasn't from the Tracy side of the family let me tell you."
To this day I wish Scott had been given the same talent. It might have given him an outlet for his feelings as it gives Virgil.
Scott held his feelings deep inside of him. Virgil didn't. Virgil had been born with only a little of the Tracy iron control in him and sometimes I think that was a blessing.
I hate have to tell you how these little boys reacted and coped when their mother died but that time is important for you to know about. In some of my Grandsons it shaped their character. I'm lucky I've only got Virgil and John to tell you about now. The other two were too young to grieve at all.
This little boy grieved dreadfully. He hadn't just lost his mother. He had lost his favourite parent and the teacher of everything that gave him joy. Mommy had painted with him, sang songs with him and taught him the piano. He had nothing left.
He cried at the hospital when he kissed her for the last time. He cried in his bed alone when I took him home. He cried constantly until the funeral was done and we brought his youngest brother home from the hospital.
Then silence.
It worried me immensely that Virgil was the only Tracy child that Jeff did not hold close to his chest and comfort after Lucy died. He held Scott, John and little Gordon for hours but he deliberately avoided Virgil. I knew he was hurting about Lucy and it was tough but he was hurting my grandson more. The pain in those little brown eyes as he watched his Father hold his brothers was almost too much for me to bear.
About a week after the funeral I got out of bed to attend to Gordon and I found Virgil sitting in his pyjamas in front of the piano in the dark, his little hands folded in his lap and tears streaming down his face. He wasn't making a sound.
He turned to look at me with his lips trembling.
I came to sit next to him.
"What's this playing the piano at all hours of the night then" I began light-heartedly pretending to be cross.
He looked at me, this beautiful exquisite five-year old who had loved his mother more than his life.
"I wasn't playing Grandma. Daddy told me not to play anymore 'member"
Tears pricked my eyes. Yes I did remember. Jeff had admonished him severely that evening for trying to play a little tune Lucy had taught him the day she went into hospital to have Alan. Jeff had recognised it and put a stop to his piano playing immediately just as he had put a stop to everything that reminded him of Lucy. I had thought at the time; Jeff, he's lost his mommy and he's all cried out. Let him get his grief out somehow. I went to say that but held my tongue.
I put my arms around him and let him cry but it wasn't my arms he wanted. He wanted his daddy's.
"Grandma." he said after his tears subsided. "Why doesn't Daddy love me anymore"
Those words tore at my very heartstrings. I tried to reassure him.
"Sweetie. Daddy does love you. Don't cry now. "
He shook his little head and I knew why he felt like he did. I would think my Daddy didn't love me either the way Jeff was carrying on.
I tucked Virgil up next to me in bed and held him close until he fell asleep. As I lay there with this little boy I knew one thing. Jeff couldn't be allowed to keep doing this to his son, intentionally or not.
I fixed that up quick smart. Remember my name is Josie and no-one gets in my way when one of my grandsons is upset.
I tore into Jeff like a hurricane and I didn't care how much pain he was feeling; his little Virgil was feeling more.
"Mom I can't look at him. I just can't." Jeff admitted with shame. "How can I deal with this when she's looking right back at me through him? It's like God is mocking me or something. I know it's wrong to avoid him but I can't help myself."
"You listen here to me Jeff Tracy. God gave you Virgil because he was going to take Lucy away from you. He made him like her so that you could still damned well look at her. Don't you do this to my Grandson! He thinks you don't love him anymore."
"That's ridiculous mom, of course I do."
"Is it Jeff? You've taken away everything he loves. You took his mother to a hospital that she didn't come back from. You've taken away his music and you've removed the very thing he wants and needs most of all right now."
"And what's that" he said half-angry at my direct words which I knew he didn't want to hear.
"Your arms Jeff. Please see to it." I snapped and left the room.
Well I know he saw to Virgil and he made an effort to treat the little boy the same as his brothers but the piano playing was still not allowed.
Virgil turned to the only other outlets he had to heal his broken little heart.
He started to write music and songs. I would hear him humming a tune and he would come to me and ask me to write the words down. He couldn't write very well yet and it was hard when he couldn't write the words down before he forgot them. I felt like I worked for him sometimes as he handed me the notepaper to take his "dictation". The songs were always about Lucy, how much he loved her, how much he missed her and asking her to come back to him. Virgil and I share some beautiful secrets from those times.
Then he started to sketch. He wasn't happy with what he drew and threw out page after page in frustration.
He finally came to me and asked for a picture of his mother.
"Grandma please." he begged me. "I need it. I can't 'member her properly."
The only picture of Lucy Jeff now kept in the house was in his bedroom and I knew he would miss it if it suddenly disappeared..
"You'll have to ask Daddy for it." I said. "It belongs to him."
He shook his head.
"No Grandma. Daddy won't let me paint if he finds out I want to paint mommy. Please Grandma it's only for a little bit so I can 'member."
I looked at this artistic child of Lucy Tracy whose only passion it seemed was to remember his mother in some way he could perpetuate.
"All right sweetie. I'll get it for you but only if you can say "remember" for Grandma".
"R...e...member." he said slowly. How desperately he must have wanted that picture.
As the months drew on and Jeff's pain eased a little, Virgil was allowed to start playing his piano again but whenever he started to play the melodies he had written for Lucy, Jeff would ask him to stop.
"Play something else." he would snap. "Try something happy for change."
The years of Virgil Tracy's childhood after his mother died were hard but he seemed to cope much better than his brothers because of the outlet of his artistic abilities.
He went on to draw the most magnificent pictures of his Mother and when he was given a set of proper paints for his tenth birthday he started on the beautiful canvasses he still keeps hidden away from his Father.
Well Virgil I know you were trying to tell me about the party but tomorrow night I am still going to ask you to show your Father the canvas you painted last year for what would have been your parent's thirtieth wedding anniversary.
It is too magnificent not to adorn the walls of this beautiful home.
THE ARTISTIC TEENAGER
Despite all of Virgil's talents, he grew as his brother did before him into early manhood, a normal, well-adjusted young man who loved the arts and of course... girls.
Virgil differed from Scott in his attitude to young ladies. Don't get me wrong, he had the same eye but he wanted more from the girls he knew than Scott did. Hence I didn't have any trouble remembering who his little girlfriends were. All of the girls he brought home had a soul to them, which I could see from the moment I met them. They were either artistic or they sang or they danced.
But he was at that age I caught his brother. The dangerous age where thoughts turned into actions.
I suppose I should be grateful that I at least met the young ladies that most of my Grandsons lost their innocence to and Virgil was no exception.
Now Virgil and I have an understanding about him losing his innocence. He knows I know about him and it's been a bargaining tool with him ever since. I get a lot of cupboards tidied out because I caught him that night.
I'll tell you the tale because you deserve to know that his sensible head can sometimes be taken over by a not so sensible heart.
The young lady Virgil selected for this momentous occasion was a pretty little girl called Susan. She took dance class after school and had struck up a friendship with him when he offered to play for the dance class. She was as tall as he was with a beautiful toned body, red lips and deep blue eyes. She started coming over and the Tracy lounge room turned into her ballet studio as Virgil played...and played...and played.
"Grandma if I have to hear Swan Lake one more time on that piano I swear I'm going to kill myself or someone." complained Scott and John and Gordon and Alan and ...me!
But we couldn't be rude. Virgil loved it and on entering the lounge during her practice I could see why. There she was in her tiny gym shorts and a mighty small gym top for what it contained. She was writhing and bending her body this way and that to the music and he was happily taking it all in! And I mean all!
He had the biggest grin on his face that I'd ever seen as her chest heaved at him. I shook my head in disgust.
As this little relationship grew, she invited Virgil to a campfire that was being held one Saturday night by her dancing school to end a summer dance workshop. His Father said he could go along with her. After all at sixteen how much trouble can you get in at a campfire?
As things turned out, Jeff was caught up attending to a business matter and I was given the job of going along to collect him. I thought I'd go along early because I'd never been to that part of Boston before and if I got myself lost I needed time to find myself again.
I pulled up in the car park amongst the many vehicles and turned off the lights. As I sat in the darkness listening to the radio I saw a young couple, too far away for me to recognise; getting into the back seat of a car across the car park.
I shook my head. There were no morals anymore. What a disgrace. Youngsters like that in backs of cars when they should just be enjoying themselves with some good clean fun like my grandson was. What sort of families were they from and what were their parents doing? I had a mind to go over and tell them off.
I stewed on it for a while and then got out of the car. I decided I would go and tell them off whoever they were. I don't restrict my interference to just my family when the mood takes me.
Well my name is Josie and I felt like one of those do-gooders who put fig leaves on naked statues in parks as I stormed across that car park. About three feet from the car I stopped as common sense took over me. Maybe it was none of my business. I stood absolutely still wondering which way to turn. Did I pretend I was walking past or wait until they were done and then walk past or should I run back to the car?
Neither of them saw me so I stood still. They were far too pre-occupied for that. I couldn't see the face of the young man who was in the car but I've never seen a anyone get a pair of trousers off that quick. I stood there speechless. I looked everywhere but there as they writhed and moaned and carried on until one of them spoke. I recognised the voice. It was my Grandson!
Thank goodness there was a car door between Virgil Tracy and myself at that moment. I went forward and tapped on the window but it was too late. That young man was no innocent now. His brown eyes dilated with shock when he saw me, still in all his glory in the middle of that little Susan.
"Virgil Tracy you get yourself decent and out of that car." I said furiously and stormed off to the car. I sat there fuming. This was no farmhouse. This boy was only sixteen and playing with fire. I didn't care how artistic he was and how much he liked painting the female form, he didn't have to go and sow his wild oats inside of one.
By the time he plucked up the courage to get out of the car and walk across the car park, I had calmed down a little but not enough to save him. I launched myself at him faster and more furiously than his Daddy's rocket had left Cape Kennedy for the moon. He got the verbal caning of his life from me all the way across Boston. I threatened him with everything including the one he feared the most.
"Grandma." he begged. "Please don't tell Dad. It was only the first time I've done it and I promise you I won't do it again."
I scoffed at him. I know I said he was an Evans but he had a Tracy core. He was still his Father's son and the Grandson of Grant Tracy and I know what that man was like. Once a Tracy man got a taste for that particular thing there would be no stopping him.
"You are only sixteen Virgil. What if that little girl ends up pregnant now? What are you going to do"
"No Grandma. She won't. She said she was protected."
I eyed him. How history is possible of repeating itself amazes me.
"I'm going to tell you something young man. That's what your Daddy said twice too and you have two little brothers to prove the theory wrong."
He really panicked then and young Susan gave him a bigger fright with a late cycle. That fright lasted several days. I think that turned him off all together, particularly with the revelation about his father.
COLLEGE AND DISAPPOINTMENT
Virgil finished High School and had great difficulty selecting his path in life. He knew what he wanted to do and naturally that was to follow his talents. His Father had other plans. He acknowledged Virgil was very gifted and happy in pursuing his gifts but he didn't believe he should make a career out of them.
Jeff had always been very cautious pushing his sons away from where their destiny led them, however in Virgil's case he felt he had to. He told his second son that he had no problem with him continuing to play the piano, sing, write music and paint but he had to have the means to make a living for himself.
Jeff made me laugh. He was far too dramatic when talking to sensible, dutiful Virgil. Jeff gave him the starving artist story and worse still, asked this poor eighteen year old what he would do if he lost both his hands or went blind or deaf. Not much painting, piano playing or song writing would go on if that happened Jeff rambled on.
Jeff! Did you ever stop to think how he'd handle himself being an Astronaut or any other career you thought was suitable if he was blind, deaf and had no hands? Come on!
Virgil agreed to do what his Father wanted and was accepted into the Denver College of Technology. He seemed to settle into College life well and excelled in his course in addition to continuing to enjoy his passions...all of them.
Remember I'm Josie and I know everything. He had another passion in his life now; his on and off relationship with a young singer who worked in the bar where he played the piano on Friday evenings. She arrived on the scene in his final college year.
How do I know you're asking me? Especially with him in Denver and me now in New York?
Well, I met her when young Virgil invited his Father, his two youngest brothers and myself to Denver to watch his debut in the theatrical world. He was featuring in a large production at the College. He had painted most of the sets, written the music and had been given a starring role. He wanted his Father to see him.
Jeff had panicked immediately. After four years of College was Virgil going to quit his course? Jeff expected to be attending a graduation in a few months. Virgil assured his father he wasn't about to throw his College course in and go into theatre. The look of relief on Jeff's face was immense.
Despite growling at having to go so far for one evening, I think Jeff was looking forward to seeing the son who looked so much like his Lucy. Jeff missed Virgil in those days even though he probably would never admit it to anyone.
The night came and the four of us arrived at the theatre. Gordon and Alan were looking forward to seeing their brother again. They missed Scott, Virgil and John a great deal.
As we sat in the front row seats Virgil had arranged for us we overheard people talking about our Virgil. How gifted he was. How talented and skilful. What a wonderful person he was. I didn't know about Jeff but I was certainly a proud Grandmother that evening.
The performance started with a song. The words were beautiful and the music was haunting. I looked nervous. I recognised the song. He'd written it for his mother when he was six years old. I looked sideways under my eyelids at Jeff. His jaw was set firmly as it always was when he wasn't too pleased about something. Gordon and Alan were oblivious to the whole thing.
"That was really good hey Grandma." Gordon said as the applause echoed from the audience. I nodded and smiled tightly. There was no way I was going to say anything with Jeff looking like thunder.
The next part was the appearance of Virgil resplendent in a brilliant costume designed from the Middle Ages. If only he'd told us in advance about the part he had. We would have been prepared for it then.
The colour drained out of my face as he took the stage.
He was playing the part of a woman. If that wasn't bad enough for his Father, Virgil was wearing a long curly wig over his short hair to play the role. I was sure it wasn't intentional because I know Virgil would never do such a thing to his Father.
What that wig did was make him the absolute image of the young Lucille Tracy that his Father had met as a young Astronaut at the reception in London. Age, hair length, face, eyes, smile. Oh my God. I never really realised just how identical he was to his mother until that dreadful moment.
I didn't know what to do.
No one else was reacting.
No one else understood except his Father and I.
His youngest sons were laughing so hard at their brother wearing a dress that I thought they were going to split their sides. They shouldn't have been laughing. If those two ever wanted to know what their dead Mother looked like, there she was right in front of their eyes.
I tried to silence them while Jeff's whole face fell as he looked at the girl he fell in love with and had lost. He had complained once that God mocked him when he looked at Virgil's face; well he wasn't going to sit here and have Virgil mock him too.
Mouthing a dreadful oath, Jeff stood up in front of everyone in the auditorium and stormed off. I didn't know whether to stay or not. I looked at Virgil and his devastated expression as he watched his Father leave. Alan and Gordon looked at me confused.
I decided the three of us had to stay for Virgil's sake.
After the performance I had a quiet word to Gordon and Alan and tried to explain why their Father had left like he did. They immediately apologised for laughing. I gave them the key to my hotel room and asked for them to go back there and wait for me.
I knew Jeff well enough to know that he would have opened the closest bottle of scotch by now to kill the pain. I also suspected he'd be drunk by now up in the room he was sharing with the two boys and I didn't want the two boys to see him like that. Scott, Virgil and John saw him years before during those tough times and I still think that's why they turn to the drink sometimes when they are troubled after a failed rescue. I didn't need five Grandsons like that.
I waited quietly in the foyer for him to appear. Finally he did. He was dressed simply in jeans and a striped shirt. His face, so recently made-up to look like a woman's was bare and manly. His face was very pale and distressed.
"Grandma." he said coming forward to kiss me. "Thanks for waiting."
He looked about and asked where his two brothers were.
I said gently.
"Virgil, I sent them back to my room. The three of us really enjoyed your performance though."
He sighed.
"Grandma. I need to talk to you."
I nodded.
"Yes I thought you might sweetie."
He walked me down the road to the bar where all the College students congregated. It was Friday night and the bar was busy.
He motioned me to a small corner that seemed to be reserved for him. As it turned out it was. The pianist they all loved had his own area. Virgil went to the bar and came back with a Scotch for me and a beer for himself.
"Grandma." he began, taking my hand. "What did I do to upset my Father"
He looked so lost and so distraught that I didn't know what to do other than to tell him the truth.
"Sweetie. You played one of your songs about your Mother."
He nodded.
"Yes Grandma. I know. It suited the performance. I never used mother's name in it. I know how Dad feels about my songs. "
"Yes but your Father has asked you not to play them."
"I wrote it ages ago. I thought he'd have forgotten it by now."
"Your Father has never forgotten anything to do with your mother. "
I bit my lip. Should I tell him? I had to.
"Virgil that's not really it. Sweetie the problem was ... you. Dressed in that outfit. "
Virgil's face became sheet white. I thought he was going to pass out on me.
"Grandma was he upset because I was playing a girl? I'm not gay if that's what he thinks."
I looked at this exquisite man. Of course you aren't gay I thought. I remember seeing you in the back seat of that car!
"No darling. It's the fact that with that wig on and looking like you do ... well even I thought you were your mother when I saw you. How must your Daddy have been feeling when you walked out like that? You are the same age as she was when he met her."
Virgil's hand flew to his mouth and I saw his eyes fill with tears.
"Grandma I would never do that to Dad. I didn't think about that."
He was silent for a long while as the tears fell from his eyes. Finally he said quietly.
" I know I look like my mother. I wish I didn't sometimes. I just wanted the play to be good and for Dad to appreciate that I love the arts and be proud of me. Just once. "
I patted his arm. Poor sweet young man. I knew his Father had been an Astronaut. There was no way in God's own heaven he would ever appreciate what the arts meant to someone like Virgil. His mother would but she was gone and had been gone for a long time.
"Sweetie. You leave your Father to me. I want you to know that I am proud of you."
He sighed and held my hand.
"Thanks Grandma. Tonight has at least made me realise one thing."
I looked at him.
"What's that then"
His face said it all.
"If I want my Father to be proud of me I have to do something he thinks is worthwhile."
The face that was so like Lucy Tracy now betrayed her. She never did anything she didn't want to do. Here he was, looking so much like her and about to cave in.
"I have learn to pilot planes like my brother Grandma. At least Dad will think I'm a Tracy son then."
I bit my lip. You are a Tracy son, I thought, even though everything within you is an Evans. Don't change for your Father Virgil, I secretly prayed. Your mother won't forgive you. That wasn't what she was about.
A young girl approached the table. She was almost as exquisite as he was.
"Hey Virg. How'd the play go"
Virgil shrugged, still feeling dreadful about the performance. He saw me looking at the young lady.
"I'm sorry Grandma" he said. "This is my friend Katelyn. She and I jam together here at the club. Katelyn this is my Grandma Josie."
She was pretty and I knew right away they were together. I smiled in acknowledgement.
I deliberately said,
"I am very proud of my grandson."
To which she deliberately said,
"You should be. He is very talented and should be doing what he would like to do."
My she sounded like Lucy. A young woman who believed in the passion and drive of the man she loved. Who believed he should be able to achieve what he wanted no matter what.
I had loved that in Lucy despite what Grant had felt. I loved what Katelyn said despite what Jeff felt.
Jeff Tracy would never have given up Lucille Evans no matter what his Father had said.
Jeff went on to be everything he should have been because of her.
Virgil Tracy should never have given up Katelyn, that's what I say.
Virgil backed down to please his Father.
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE
Katelyn and Virgil drifted apart as Virgil followed the dutiful son role after college and learned to pilot large aircraft. He wasn't happy and pined after Katelyn but despite his unhappiness he still continued to write songs, play his piano and paint.
He painted Katelyn. He still painted his mother. He still felt great pain whenever he looked at the canvasses of his mother and saw himself.
He wished he had been born to look like his Father as Scott had been. Scott was so loved by his Father.
Virgil felt scorned in a way because he did not.
However, when he got the call from his Father to ask him to come on board in International Rescue, this wonderful young man swallowed all the hurt he had been feeling and accepted without reservation.
He craved his Father's love and approval so desperately he was prepared to give up the love of a woman who was his ideal life partner to obtain it.
I only hoped that it has been worthwhile for this talented young man.
Nevertheless, Virgil Tracy now exists as the anchorman of International Rescue. He is brave and strong and resilient.
He also has a broken heart but unlike Scott's heart, his heart is broken from the loss of more than just a woman.
He gave up everything, including who he was for his Father.
Virgil Ivan Tracy, I listen to you play your piano and I watch you paint your pictures but I know you wish you had more in your life. I love you and everything that you really are with all my heart and soul.
Lucy Evans will never be gone while you grace this world.
And by the way darling I want you to know that I know you still can't say the word "remember".
You hide it very well by using the word "recall" but I do know.
Author's Note - What a special young man. I hope you liked his story.
NEXT CHAPTER - JOHN - THE STARMAN