Epilogue
Easter morning dawned bright and sunny.
Will and Hannibal had hosted a dinner party the evening before and Margot and Alana had arrived with the broken remains of Hannibal’s former office ladder as a gift. The husbands had woken early and had headed straight to the barn.
The piano suggested that they were making a cross in honor of Easter.
The theremin said that it was more likely that Will had made an X shaped St. Andrew’s cross and that Hannibal was already naked and bound to it.
There was a group sigh of pleasure. This was a lovely idea.
The piano wondered aloud what Will was doing to Hannibal in such a position.
The metronome echoed the question.
Punishing him, the theremin asserted.
I asked for what. At his core, Hannibal Lecter was a docile submissive and had earned no punishments.
The blade of grass, the theremin responded.
There had been an unfortunate moment the previous evening when Beverly Katz, aka my mortal enemy, had spotted a minute blade of grass on the piano from clear across the room.
The piano liked the grass suggestion very much. Will was proud of the beautiful home that Hannibal kept for him and surely was not pleased when a quarter inch blade of grass ruined the image of perfection.
I asked how Hannibal was being punished.
With a willow switch, insisted the theremin.
We all agreed that this would be a proper punishment.
I could imagine a shirtless Will confidently wielding the switch against Hannibal’s quivering body and Hannibal going naked for the next several days so that we could admire the marks upon his toned back……
Fortunately, the windows were open as I suddenly needed some cool air.
The two men finally emerged from the barn not long after. To our collective disappointment, they were both fully dressed, and Hannibal was not walking even slightly funny.
The dogs were joyously mobbing them. It was as if their god Will had arisen after being dead for three days, and, in lieu of a cave, had climbed triumphant from a whitewashed barn.
Hannibal was carrying something which I recognized as a birdhouse as they drew closer. The sheep was following him closely. It is a ridiculous, undignified creature and I admit that I like it very much.
Will was carrying a step ladder and hung the birdhouse from one of the branches of the budding oak tree outside my window.
The lovers admired their accomplishment, which frankly seemed a little mundane for two men with genius IQs. But it was attractive and immediately drew a drab female cardinal. I wonder if there is a special seed that would attract only the brilliant red males instead.
I did very much enjoy seeing the remains of the self righteous ladder hanging from the tree and knowing that it would soon be coated in feathers and bird poop.
……………..
The dinner party was large by Wolf Trap standards. In addition to Alana and Margot, the guests had included Jimmy Price and his husband Vivian; the newlywed couple Brian Zeller and Miriam Lass; and Jack Crawford and his new lady friend who coincidentally was also named Vivian.
In honor of the season, Hannibal had opted to serve rabbit. He hated having to forego his favorite protein but the decision was rewarded as everyone reacted with shock and delight when five spit roasted rabbits, easily identifiable by their still intact ears and feet and plated in hopping or nibbling positions, were served.
Hannibal had seated the newlyweds across from Jack and new Vivian. It was unseasonably warm and Miriam was wearing a sun dress. The newcomer was trying hard to not stare at Miriam’s prosthetic arm. She asked how they had all met, which had resulted in the most delightfully awkward conversation.
The best part was when new Vivian had asked Lassie about her wedding dress and had nearly spit out her wine upon learning that it had also been sleeveless. This woman had clearly never seen an artificial limb before. Or maybe she was just uncomfortable because Miriam is the only known survivor of the Chesapeake Ripper.
I could see how that might make a new acquaintance afraid of misspeaking. Especially since conversations with Will or Margot would lead to their equally well publicized misfortunes.
Hannibal’s joy at their discomfort spread across the room. Likewise, I could sense Will’s amusement at his husband’s successful manipulation. It really is wonderful to live with people who adore each other.
After that Hannibal and Vivian Price, a medieval literature professor, had started a fascinating conversation about King Arthur and the origin of the name Vivian.
The discussion had taken place against a steady background chant of “Orgy! Orgy! Orgy!”
I had already told the theremin that it was not that kind of party but I suppose that it did not hurt to try. I have already seen Alana having sex and would like to complete the set by seeing Margot in flagrante delicto.
The only negative part of the evening was the late arrival of Beverly Katz for dessert. I have already shared the grass incident. In honor of this most holy of holidays, I will save my opinions about this rude little woman for another time.
………….
After the gentlemen had enjoyed an Easter supper of a specially hunted ham, Hannibal joined me in debuting our newest composition for his husband.
Will initially sat on the bench, too, but soon stood up and gently slid his hands under Hannibal’s shirt.
His touch was a light as a feather.
“Don’t stop playing,” he said in response to Hannibal’s brief hesitation.
He continued to slide his hands over Hannibal’s chest and then down to his pants.
I whimpered, a sound echoed by the Ripper.
“Don’t speed up. Play perfectly and I will reward you when you finish.”
I was actually the one responsible for increasing the tempo. I quickly adjusted.
Somehow we completed our performance despite the gently questing hands.
“Good boy,” Will said with a gentle kiss to his husband’s lips. He then slid to the floor and worshipped him right there in front of the uncovered window.
Neither of us lasted long. I climaxed first followed shortly by Hannibal.
The two men then went upstairs to make sweet love for the remainder of the night.
The shared intimacy had left me deeply relaxed as did the light breeze coming through the window and the natural sounds of the country.
And I looked out the window at the orange and pink sunset and the blooming hydrangeas and the smell of freshly mowed grass and all was right in Wolf Trap.