Brian Un-henged

Chapter 1

“Mmmm,” Brian sighed contentedly from his chaise in the sun porch. 

It was mid June 2018.  School was almost over for the Summer.  Bree, Patrick and several of their classmates and friends were planning to go to day camp for a few weeks.  The newlyweds, Jennifer and Seth, Emmett and Drew, were still in ‘honeymoon mode.’  Brian rolled his eyes at that thought.  Gus was about to graduate high school and turn eighteen in a few short months.  He still had no clue about college except that he wanted to take some time to work.  With his experience at Kinnetik as an intern, Cynthia offered Gus a paying job for the summer.  He'd be a glorified go-fer but it would put money in Gus’ pocket and he could still work weekends at Danny’s Bookstore.  And little Taylor was flourishing!

In the late morning, Brian was taking the opportunity to read his favorite author’s latest mystery novel while the cottage was quiet.

“Aahh,” Brian exclaimed as he sipped his iced tea.  “What the...?”

Over his tumbler Brian spied Beau running through the gardens toward the lane.  A few minutes later Beau was back in the garden excitedly running and leaping over some of the smaller shrubbery.  Brian shook his head and was about to return to his book when he caught a glimpse of bright blond hair bopping through the flowers.  In Justin’s arms were several pieces of what looked like scrap metal.  Justin was heading for the shed.  As Brian picked up his book, Justin was heading back toward the lane with Beau following along.

Several trips later, Brian heard Beau bound through his doggy door then skid to a halt by his water bowl.  Beau took a good long drink then walked over to Brian’s chaise.

“What’s the blond boy ass up to, Beau?” Brian asked the huge shepherd mix dog.  Beau just looked up at Brian with big bright eyes and wagging tail.  Brian reached down to give Beau’s ears a good scratch.  “You keep an eye on him for me, okay, boy?”

Beau appeared to comprehend the enormity of the task Brian had charged him with.  He took off back toward the Anderson-Morrison end of the cottage and out his doggy door.

*****

“Whatcha doing, Sunshine?” Brian asked as he quietly crept into the shed.  Justin was standing in the middle of a pile of long pieces of metal.

“Shit, Bri, you scared me!” Justin said as he jumped then stumbled backward.

“Whoa!” Brian said as he caught Justin before he landed on his ass.  “Justin, what the fuck is going on here?” Brian demanded to know.

“Um...”

“Out with it, Sunshine.  Why does our nice orderly shed look like a scrap yard?”

“I’m ready to start my project.”

“Your project.”

“Yes, you know...”  Justin waved his arm from somewhere near his knees and then moved his arm upwards.

“You mean growing your metal garden,” Brian said with a touch of sarcasm.

“Uh huh,” Justin confirmed with a smile.

Brian looked around at all the equipment that Justin had accumulated, which also included some safety equipment as well.  Justin stood smiling sweetly, batting his long blond lashes at his spouse and lover.

“Come here.”  Brian stood with his arms held open, and Justin moved into them.  “You be careful, Sunshine.  Van Gogh, you’re not.  No sacrificing body parts for the sake of your love of art,” Brian said as he hugged the smaller man tightly.  “I love all of you,” Brian whispered as he pushed Justin back to look into his eyes.  “I will not be amused if you’re missing a pinky or something else.  Do I make myself clear?”

Justin looked up into the hazel eyes he loved so much.  He smiled his most loving and sunniest smile at Brian.  “Yes, Brian,” Justin said sincerely.  Justin knew by the tone of Brian's voice that the jokes and snide remarks were just Brian-speak for 'I'm scared you'll really hurt yourself.'

“Good.”  Brian kissed Justin deeply.  They both felt the kiss right down to their toes.  Brian released Justin then turned to leave the shed.  “Have fun with your erector set, Sunshine.”  Brian heard Justin giggle as he walked out the door.

*****

“Hey, big bro, can you take a break for a minute?” Brian asked John.  John was just down the lane supervising the construction of Molly’s dream cottage.  The land had been leveled and the frame of the cottage was beginning to take shape.

“Yeah, I can.  What’s up?”

“How much training did Justin get with that blow torch?”

“Arc welding, not a blow torch,” John corrected his brother.

“Whatever.  The point is my little Sunshine is in the shed with a ton of sharp pointy things and things that can go ka-boom.  I need to know that he’s been properly instructed on how to work all that stuff.”

“Brian, your little Sunshine has learned from the best welder on the east coast.  He’ll be fine.” 

“You’re sure about that?” Brian asked as he searched his brother’s eyes.

“I made sure Justin has a complete checklist of do’s and don’ts.  He reviewed it with me numerous times.  He’s been trained so well that if he wanted to, he could pass a certification test.  Justin will be fine.”

“John...”

“Brian, I promise you.  Justin’s not a child, he’s a responsible adult.  He’ll use the equipment responsibly and appropriately.  And if he doesn’t, I’ll hold him down while you wallop his behind.”

“That’ll never work,” Brian said as he turned to go back to the cottage.  “He likes that too much,” Brian chuckled.

“TMI, little bro,” John said as he laughed then returned to Molly’s cottage.

*****

“Daddy, Dada!” Bree yelled as she came through the front door of the cottage from school.

“Out here, Squirt,” Brian called.

Bree and Patrick ran to the sun porch while Bobby dragged in their bags from school.

“Where’s Daddy?” Bree asked after she gave her father a hug.

“He’s out in the shed,” Brian explained.

“I get him,” Bree declared.  She was about to take off to the large shed at the corner of the backyard when Brian grabbed the waistband of her pink shorts and held on.

“Whoa, Squirt!” Brian said authoritatively.  “I need you to listen carefully to me.  You too, Patrick.  Okay?”

“Yes, Dada,” Bree said with a frown.

“Yes, Uncle Bri,” Patrick replied seriously.

Brian looked the children in the eye.  “Justin has started a new project in the shed,” he began.

Bree heaved a sigh.  “Is Daddy gonna be out there aaaaaaall the time?” she asked, dragging the word ‘all’ into at least eight syllables.

“No, Squirt, he’s not going to be out there all the time, but I don’t want either of you going into the shed for any reason.”

Bree stared at her father.  It wasn’t often that he told her she couldn’t do something, and even less often that he was so serious about it.  “Why not?” she asked with a frown.

“Justin is going to be making some metal sculptures.”

“Metal?” Bree asked.  That didn’t sound like what her Daddy usually did.  They painted together.  She wasn’t at all sure what he would be doing with metal.

“You know what metal is, right?”

“It’s what cars and appliances and lots of stuff is made out of,” Patrick contributed.

“And magnets,” Bree said suddenly.  They had been looking at magnets at school a few days earlier.

“Yes, magnets too,” Brian said wondering if he was actually getting anywhere with this convoluted explanation.  “But what Justin is doing has nothing to do with magnets or cars or appliances.”

“What is he doing?” Patrick asked.

“He’s got pieces of scrap metal with sharp edges and points.  He’s making them into things.”

“What kind of things, Dada?” Bree asked. 

“Very large flowers.”

Bree’s eyes got huge and the violet color darkened as she realized what she had just been told.  “Daddy’s doing gar-gar without me?” she demanded, hurt and angry.

Brian debated grabbing hold of her again.  She looked like she was about to bolt out of the sun porch and race to the shed to see just what her father was doing out there.  “No, Squirt,” Brian said calmly.  “He’s not doing gar-gar.  You do gar-gar with me.  Your father’s making flowers out of metal and it could be dangerous for you children to go near his supplies.”

“Dangerous?” Patrick asked.  “Why?”

“There are sharp pieces of metal.  You could cut yourself or fall on them and cause injury,” Brian said hoping that explanation would deter them from going near the place.

“I be careful,” Bree said with a pout.  She didn’t like this turn of events at all.

“I don’t want you to be careful, Bree,” Brian stated.  “I want you to stay away from the shed until he’s finished with what he’s doing.”

“I want to see,” Bree said continuing to pout.

Brian was about to tell her no, when it occurred to him that he should just take the children out there and show them why the shed was now a dangerous place to be.  “If I take you out there to see what Justin is doing, do you promise to hold my hand and not touch anything?”

“’Kay, Dada,” Bree said quickly.

“I promise,” Patrick said solemnly.

“Okay, but no nonsense,” Brian warned.

He got up from the chaise.  Bobby had been standing in the doorway from the house to the sun porch listening to Brian’s explanation.

“You were a big help,” Brian said to him.

Bobby merely shrugged and smiled.

Brian headed for the sun porch door.  Beau got up off his bed wagging his tail at the children. 

“Hi, Beau,” Bree said as she passed the dog.

Patrick leaned down and patted Beau’s head.  “Good dog,” he said to the massive beast.

“You can come too,” Brian said to Beau as he opened the door.

Everyone stepped out, Beau racing over to the shed where he stopped at the open door.  They could hear metal banging around inside.

“What’s he doing?” Patrick asked.

“I told you he’s making huge metal flowers,” Brian repeated.

“Will they smell like flowers?” Bree asked.

Brian chuckled as they walked across the yard.  “No, I don’t think there will be any smell.”

“Then what good are they?” Bree wanted to know.

“I haven’t the foggiest,” Brian laughed, “but don’t say that to your father.”

“Okay, Uncle Bri,” Patrick said amiably.  They were almost to the shed.  Beau had stopped outside the open door of the shed and was looking inside.  He seemed not to want to cross the threshold.

“See, children, even Beau knows he should stay out.”

“Beau’s silly,” Bree said definitively as she approached the open doors.

Brian held out his hand and Bree stuck hers into it.  Patrick did the same on the other side of Brian.

“Okay, rugrats, keep hold of my hands,” Brian warned.

“Daddy!” Bree called looking into the shed.  It was like a foreign world in there.  All their lawn furniture that wasn’t outside had been moved to one side of the small barn.  Sheets of shiny metal leaned against one side of the shed.  Justin had a large worktable on which he had a hunk of metal that he was hammering.  “What are you doing, Daddy?” Bree shouted as Justin continued to work, not hearing them above his own banging on the metal.

Beau barked and finally Justin turned to see them all standing there.

“Hey,” he said with a big smile, laying down his hammer and taking off the goggles he had been wearing.

“What are you doing, Daddy?” Bree repeated.  “I don’t see no flowers.”

“You told her?” Justin asked looking at Brian.

“She thinks you’re doing gar-gar without her,” Brian said tongue in cheek.

“What?” Justin chuckled.

“You heard me.”

“Did Dada tell you that you need to stay out of here while I’m working on this project?” Justin asked squatting down in front of the children so that he was at eye level with them.

“Yes,” Bree said, “but I don’t see why.”

“I’ll show you,” Justin said, standing back up.  He went to the table and brought back the large piece of metal he had been hammering.  “See how sharp the edge of this is?”

The children eyed the metal warily.

“Would it cut me if I touched it?” Patrick asked remembering what his uncle had said in the sun porch. 

“You can touch it carefully,” Justin advised.  Patrick placed his hand on the edge of the metal piece.  “But you wouldn’t want to fall against it or go past it and jam your leg against it.  It would cut you then.”

Patrick nodded and Justin looked at his daughter.  She had been strangely silent.  “Do you want to touch it?” Justin asked her.

“No!” Bree said forcefully.  “I don’t see no flowers.”

Justin shook his head.  “This is going to be a petal on a sunflower,” he explained gently.

“A petal?” Bree repeated.  “But petals are only this big.”  She held her hands close together, the fingers straight, so that her father could see the small space between then.

“This sunflower is going to be much, much bigger,” Justin said.

“How big, Uncle Justin?” Patrick asked.

“About as tall as the shed,” Justin responded.

“Wow!” Patrick said.

“It’s the wrong color,” Bree pouted.  “Sunflowers are yellow.”

“Yes they are,” Justin chuckled, “but all my flowers are going to be metallic.”

“Why?” Bree demanded.  “That’s silly.”

“Remember when you painted all the stones various shades of pink in one of your paintings?” Justin asked.  “Were they actually pink?” he asked pointedly.

“Well … not exactly,” Bree admitted.

“It’s called artistic license,” Justin said.

“What does that mean, Uncle Justin?” Patrick asked.

“It means I can make my flowers whatever color I want them to be.  Just like Bree made her stones pink.”

“But flowers are pretty the way they are,” Bree said with a frown.

“Why don’t you wait until I have one of my flowers ready, and then you can see whether you like them or not?”

“I always like your paintings,” Bree said.  She didn’t want to be too critical of what her father was doing, even though she thought this was a stupid idea.

“And maybe you’ll like my flowers too,” Justin said with a wink at Brian.  Brian had remained silent holding onto the children’s hands while Justin tried to explain what he was doing.  He shrugged as Justin added, “And then again, maybe you won’t like them.  That’s okay too.  You don’t have to like everything I do.”

“’Kay, Daddy,” Bree said with a sigh.  “I won’t go in here no more.  Beau prolly wouldn’t let me anyway.”

Brian chuckled.  “You got that right, Squirt.”

Beau gave a bark to show that he would be on guard duty if needed.

“Good boy, Beau,” Justin said with a nod.

“Dada, can Patrick and me have not healthy snacks?” Bree asked.

“Unhealthy?” Brian corrected with a chuckle.

“Yes,” Bree stated firmly.  “All these metal flowers and artistic license and guard duty made me very hungry for cookies.”  She managed to pronounce every word perfectly.  She had obviously been listening carefully.

“Okay,” Brian laughed.  “Tell Uncle Bobby you can have cookies.  Two each.”

The children gave a collective “Yay!” and ran for the house.  Beau barked and followed them.

“I don’t think our daughter is very impressed with what I’m doing,” Justin said with a scowl.

“I don’t think she understands what you’re doing, Sunshine,” Brian said pulling Justin into a hug and kissing his cheek.  He didn’t want to say that he wasn’t exactly sure what Justin was doing either.

“I want her to like the flowers, you know?” Justin said scrunching up his nose.

“I know,” Brian said gently.  “And she will once she sees the actual thing.”

“You think so?”

“Positive.  Now get back to work, and be careful in there.”

“Yes, master.”  Justin kissed Brian’s cheek and went back inside the shed.

After a minute Brian heard the hammering start up again.  He headed for the house, shaking his head at the idea of ten or fifteen foot high metal flowers.  Only Justin!  And Brian was sure they’d be absolutely magnificent when they were done.

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 2

“Hey Bri, what are you doing here?  I thought you planned on running your empire from the cottage this summer,” Michael asked his longtime friend, as Brian came through the comic book store door.  Brian had driven into Pittsburgh wearing his usual suave business attire.  He sauntered over to the counter to give Michael a kiss, grabbed the latest issue of Rage then planted himself in the overstuffed chair.

“Okay, I see we’re the grumpy silent type today,” Michael teased, as he briefly disappeared into the back room then returned with a cup of coffee just how Brian liked it.  Michael waited until Brian drank down a few sips and slowly became human again.

“Let’s try this again,” Michael began.  “What’s up, Brian?”

“My life is for shit, Mikey,” Brian griped.

“Not that I believe that for one second, but how did your idyllic life turn to shit in just a couple of weeks?  You seemed to be quite the happy king of all he could survey on Memorial Day.  What’s changed?”  Brian made a sour face that caused Michael to laugh out loud.  Brian relaxed a bit.

“My little Mary Sunshine has started on his latest project,” Brian said with a long-suffering sigh.

“And I suppose it’s cutting into your play time with the boy wonder?”

“Not hardly, but this is very different from his other artistic endeavors.”

“So Justin wants to try something new, big deal.  He did that with the fractal movie and the Rage cartoon and look how great they turned out.”

“I know, Mikey, but this is different and I blame it all on Debbie.”

“What does my mother have to do with this?”

“She had to show Justin all those pictures of ‘Truckhenge’.  Now he’s in our shed hammering sheet metal and welding it together.  He’s creating his own ‘henge’.”  At that point Michael burst out into laughter.  “Not funny, Michael.  The boy could seriously hurt himself if he’s not careful.  And you know the Squirt likes to imitate her Daddy’s art.  She’s pissed that she’s banned from the shed and that Justin has the nerve to work in a medium she doesn’t like.”

“Poor thing,” Michael snarked.

“Listen, Mr. Novotny-Bruckner, dad with a reasonable daughter, you try explaining to the princess why it’s so important to allow for artistic freedoms.  And why instead of very safe pencils and paint brushes, my Sunshine chooses to barricade himself inside an old shed and play with a blowtorch.”

“Arc welding.”

“Whatever,” Brian said doing a double take.  “Have you been talking to my brother?”  The best of friends began to laugh until their sides ached.  Michael gave Brian a hug.

“Brian, it’ll be okay.  Justin is the smartest person I know, besides you and Ben.  He’ll work with the equipment safely.  Don’t worry, Bri.”

“Easier said than done, Mikey,” Brian whispered as he held his friend close.  “I gotta go,” he said as he gently pushed back from Michael.

“Got a hot date?” Michael smirked.

“Yeah, with one of Emm’s popovers.”

“Drowning your sorrows in carbs; this is serious.”

“Better a popover than in some trick.  And I’m proud of you, Mikey, you’re actually developing a sense of humor.”

“Get out, and stop fondling the merchandise,” Michael groused good naturedly as he removed the comic from Brian’s hands to put back on the rack.  “You’ll see, Bri.  It’ll be fine,” Michael said as Brian left his shop.

“Excuse me, is this still the comic book store?” a handsome 30-ish gentleman asked Brian just outside the store.

“The one and only,” Brian quipped.

“Thank you,” the gentleman said as he opened the door.

*****

“Fuck!”  Justin yelled as he attempted to touch a piece of metal that was too hot to handle.

“Hey, Justin, what’s up?” John asked as he heard the expletive when he came into the shed.

“Yike!” Justin yelped.  “What’s with you Kinney men, always sneaking up on me and scaring the shit out of me?”

“Wasn’t my intent.  You seem to be making a lot of progress,” John commented cautiously as he looked around the shed.  There were several pieces of metal that resembled the petals of a flower.  “A sunflower?”  John ventured.

“Yes!” Justin replied enthusiastically.  “You can see it already?” Justin asked grinning from ear to ear.

“Well it was either that or a black-eyed susan and I know your fondness for sunflowers.  It was a logical assumption.”  John noticed Justin flexing the fingers of his right hand.  “How long have you been working out here today?”

“Not sure, but I was up before Brian.” 

“Hmm,” John mumbled as he looked at his watch.  It was after three; Brian was usually up by six.  Justin had been handling the equipment for a very long time and probably without taking a long enough break to rest his hand.  The kids would be coming home from school soon. John used it as an excuse.

“Justin, Rachel will be bringing the kids home soon.  I still have a few more hours of work at Molly’s cottage and Bobby’s running late.  Do you think you can give the kids their snacks then start dinner?”

John took a chance that Justin would agree.  He knew when Justin got caught up in his art, he rarely wanted to stop.  Justin flexed his hand a couple more times as he glanced at the metal on his workbench.

“Yeah, I could probably use a cookie or two.  I’ll clean up here then go into the cottage to organize dinner.”

“Thanks.  I can stand a break from Brian’s grilling.  Not that it isn’t delicious, but I’m in the mood for something different.”  John was hoping for this reaction from Justin.

“Emmett brought me some fresh salmon and a new recipe to try.  How about that?” Justin said with a smile.

“Perfect.  I’ll get out of your way so you can stow your equipment.  See you a little later.”

“Okay,” Justin replied as he began to put away his welding equipment.

As John walked down the lane toward the new cottage, he pulled out his cell phone.

“Hey Bri.  Nothing’s wrong.  He’s all in one piece.  Jeez, you’re one big mother hen.  Do you know that?  But listen, he’s been at it for hours and his hand is acting up.  Yeah, yeah, I know, but he’s one stubborn Sunshine.  He’s finished up for the day and going to start dinner in a while.  Yes, I did suggest the whale,” John said as he rolled his eyes at his phone.  “He’s going to try out one of Emmett’s recipes.  You coming home soon?  Good.  Just play it cool then do that thing you do to massage out the kinks in his hand.  I know; you’re always cool.  Gotta go now, Brian.  See you later.”

Shaking his head, John cut the connection then returned to work.

***** 

“Daddy, Dada, I’m home!” Bree called as she came through the front door of Edna’s Treasures.

“It’s just Daddy, sweetheart,” Justin said with a big smile.  He bent down to give his daughter a hug, and then he touched fists with Patrick who appeared behind Bree.  “Hi, buddy, did you have a good day at school?”

“Pretty good,” Patrick replied.

Bree studied her father.  “How come you’re not in that shed?” she demanded.

“I’m not in there all the time,” Justin replied, a little disconcerted by Bree’s question.

“It sure seems like it,” Bree said crossing her arms on her chest and pouting.  She was happy to see her father in the house, but she wanted him to know that she was not amused that he spent so much time out in the shed from which she had been banned.

“I … I’m sorry if you think I’m spending too much time working on my flowers,” Justin said, “but it’s my job.”

Bree frowned.  “Where’s Dada?”

“He went into Pittsburgh for the day.  Sit down and have some crackers and cheese,” Justin instructed the children.  “I’ll pour you some milk.”

Bree studied her father and then went over to the table and sat down across from Patrick.

“Good,” Patrick said popping a cracker and a small piece of cheese into his mouth.

“It’s okay,” Bree stated, biting into a cracker and cheese of her own.  She was still not prepared to be gracious where her father was concerned.

Justin shook his head and went to the fridge to get the milk.  He pulled out the full jug of milk and almost dropped it as his right hand started to spasm.  He quickly grabbed the jug with his other hand to support it.  He set the jug on the counter and got out two glasses.  When he tried to pour the milk into the first glass he found his hand shaking again.  He quickly used his other hand to support the milk jug.  He only spilled a bit of milk.  He looked over at the children who didn’t seem to have noticed.  The last thing he needed was for Brian to get wind of what was happening with his hand.

Justin carried one glass of milk over to the table and gave it to Patrick.  He made sure to carry the milk with his left hand, not taking any chances of spilling the milk or dropping the glass if he used his right.  He walked back to get the other glass of milk for Bree.  When he brought it to the table, he saw Bree looking at him with a strange look on her face.  He found it hard to look into her eyes.  He set the glass down in front of her and quickly went back to the counter to finish preparing the salmon he was making for dinner.

*****

“Hi, Dad,” Molly said as she answered her phone.

“How are you and my grandchild?” Craig asked in a very pleasant voice.

Molly smiled.  It was always nice to start a conversation with her father in a pleasant manner.  That seemed to be happening more now that Taylor was in their lives.  “I’m good and Taylor is positively blossoming.”

“Taylor’s not a bloody flower,” Craig protested.

Molly sighed.  So much for the pleasantries.  “What can I do for you, Dad?” she asked, deciding not to get into it once again with her father.  She was too happy and contented to let anything upset her.

“Is Owen back at work?”

“Yes, he’s been going in for quite a while now.”

“Are you managing all right on your own?”

“Yes, we’re fine.”

“Susan wanted me to tell you that she’d be happy to babysit or come over for a visit if you feel lonely or trapped in the condo.”

Molly knew her father was trying to be helpful, but a part of her resented that he somehow thought she was incapable of looking after herself and her child without someone else’s help.  Even if she had needed some help when Taylor wouldn’t sleep, that didn’t mean that she still needed it.

“Molly?”  Craig’s voice called her out of her reverie.

“Sorry, Dad, guess I zoned out for a minute.”

“Is something wrong?  You can tell me.”

Molly sighed.  “Nothing’s wrong.  Really!  Tell you what, I’m going out to Edna’s Treasures tomorrow to see the progress on our cottage.  Would you like to come with Taylor and me?  Susan’s welcome to come too.”

“Tomorrow’s a workday,” Craig stated.

“I know, but I thought you might take the morning off and come with me,” Molly said, extending the olive branch once again. 

“Well, maybe I could,” Craig replied.

“Get back to me when you decide.  I thought I’d leave here about nine when most of the traffic is off the roads.”

“Okay, I’ll let you know.”

“Bye, Dad.”  Molly cut the connection wondering if she had done the right thing by asking her father and his wife to accompany her out to the building site.  She was tired always having to take the initiative and then her father refusing to give an inch.  She debated if she should call Justin and tell him that their father might come with her tomorrow morning, but she decided against it.  Craig would probably decide he was too busy to accompany her anyway.

Taylor gave a little squawk from the nursery and she went to see what the love of her life was up too.  The blissful smile on her face when she looked at her baby was truly radiant.  She refused to worry about her father when she had more important things to think about.

*****

“Excellent dinner, Justin!” Bobby crowed.  The whole family had made short work of the baked salmon that Justin had prepared.  While John and Bobby were performing k-p duty.  Brian and Justin were helping the kids go over whatever homework they had.  School was ending soon so homework was rather minimal. 

By nine the kids had had their baths and were ready for bed.   Beau was patrolling the lane as Edna’s Treasures was bedding down for the night.

“John said you’re making very good progress on your henge flowers,” Brian said smoothly.  He had manipulated Justin into sharing a shower on the pretext that Brian was tired and wanted help washing his back.  Justin loved sharing showers with Brian and the thought of gliding a warm slippery sponge over Brian’s skin was more than enough incentive.

“I have most of the petals done for the first flower,” Justin confirmed as he glided the bath sponge over Brian’s chest.  Brian could see a slight tremble to Justin’s hand but didn’t mention it.  When Justin was finished, Brian took the sponge and began to wash Justin.

“Mmm, feels goods,” Justin murmured.  He was very tired, his hand was hurting and his back ached from hunching over his workbench the whole day.

Using Justin’s favorite shampoo, Brian began to wash Justin’s hair and massage his scalp.  Justin groaned with appreciation.  Brian could feel his sleepy Sunshine wavering as he stood.

“Come on, Sonny Boy, time for all good ad men and artists to hit the hay,” Brian murmured as he rinsed them both off, turned off the shower then dried them both with fluffy towels.  Wrapping Justin in his thick robe, Brian led the sleepy man to their bed.

“I thought I was taking care of you,” Justin mumbled as Brian helped him into a pair of sleep pants then tucked him into bed.

“You did take care of me.  You made a fantastic dinner and then washed my back.  I was just returning the favor.”

“The salmon was good, wasn’t it?  I should call Emmett to let him know his recipe was a hit.”

“Tomorrow, Jus, you can call him in the morning.”

“Okay,” Justin said with a huge yawn.  “Ugh,” Justin groused when a small spasm cramped his hand.

“Give it here, Sunshine,” Brian demanded softly.  Justin snuggled closer as Brian gently took Justin’s hand into his and began to massage the offending appendage.

“How did you know?” Justin asked after a while.  Brian was diligently working on the muscles of his hand.

“I have spies everywhere.”

“John,” Justin confirmed.

“Mm hmm, and I have eyes, Justin.  I can see you’re having trouble.”

“You’re not going to make me stop working on my project, are you?”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.  But, Justin, you should factor sufficient breaks into your schedule.  You’re in no rush; you don’t have a deadline.  You don’t have to shoot your whole load all at once,” Brian said then slipped his tongue into his cheek.

“You would find some way of turning this conversation into sex,” Justin chuckled.

“Yes, well, this is the hand you usually use to fondle my balls.  Now what would I do if you couldn’t fulfill your ‘spousely’ duties?”

“Take matters into your own hands?”

“I could but it’s so much fun when you do it for me.”

“Brian...”

“Justin, all I’m asking is that you pace yourself.  You don’t have to be up with the birds nor must you work the whole day without a break.  Think of how frustrated you’d be if you’re forced to stop because your hand is too tired to keep on working.”

“You know, sometimes your logic is annoying.”

“I try.”

“You’ve succeeded.  And you’re right; I’d be pretty pissed if I had to stop now.  I’m just getting the hang of working the metal.  I don’t want to stop.”

“Then take it slower and you won’t have to.”

“Okay.”

“For now, it’s time for your physical therapy,” Brian said suggestively.

“And what therapy is that?”  Justin had a good idea.

“This therapy,” Brian said as he took Justin’s now relaxed hand and wrapped it around his cock.  Brian guided Justin’s hand up and down his length.

Justin enthusiastically participated in his therapy for the next hour.

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 3

“Here we are,” Molly said as she pulled her car off to the side of the lane at Edna’s Treasures.

“I still don’t see why you want to live out here,” Craig griped.

Molly heaved a sigh.  They had actually had an enjoyable ride out to the site, chatting about memories from Molly’s childhood and things they’d have to remember to tell Taylor when he was older.  Susan had had a luncheon date with a friend and had decided not to accompany them.  Taylor had slept all the way there.

“Can we just have a look around without any snide comments?” Molly requested.

“Snide!” Craig started to protest.

“Dad, this is our new home, just let me enjoy it,” Molly stated firmly as she unbuckled Taylor.

“I’ll carry the baby,” Craig offered.

Molly handed her father the travel carrier with Taylor inside.  The baby was starting to wake up, but he looked around with seeming interest, showing no sign of crying.  “Thanks,” she said tersely.  “John,” she called as she saw John Anderson come out of the frame of her soon to be cottage.

“Hi, Molly,” John called back as he headed over to them.  “How are you?”

“It looks so … real,” Molly said staring at the frame of her dream cottage. 

“It is pretty real,” John laughed, as they all stood and stared at the growing structure.  “Nice to see you, Mr. Taylor,” he added when he looked over at Craig after a minute.  Craig gave a perfunctory nod.  “And how’s the little one?”  John reached in and chucked Taylor’s chin.

“He’s great.  We all are,” Molly said.  “Can I have a tour?”

“You certainly can,” John said.  “But I wouldn’t advise that we take Taylor inside.  This is a construction site.”

“I could stay out here with the baby,” Craig volunteered.

“Or Beau and I could watch Taylor,” Brian said having come down the lane after he had seen Molly’s car pulling in.  The big dog gave a woof.

“Thanks, Brian,” Molly laughed.  “I know Beau will look after my child very effectively."

Brian raised a brow, but then grinned and reached for the carrier that held Taylor.  Craig pulled it back.  Brian frowned and glared at Justin’s father.

“I don’t bite,” Brian growled.  Beau gave another woof.  “See, even Beau vouches for me.”

“I’ll stay with the baby,” Craig stated again.

“Dad, hand Taylor to Brian.  You haven’t seen my house and I want you to see it … now!” she declared.  The look on her face told Craig he better do as she commanded.

Craig reluctantly extended the carrier.  Taylor was gurgling and looking around.

“Good baby,” Brian said as he took the carrier and smiled down at Taylor.  “I’ll take him up to the house.”

“Is Justin there?” Craig asked.

“Yes, and he’s working.”

“We’ll be there in just a minute,” Craig said.

“Take your time,” Brian replied.

“We’ll be there when I’m finished looking around,” Molly stated.  “Come on, Dad.”

Craig followed his daughter and John Anderson towards the house.  He couldn’t keep himself from looking back at his grandchild and Brian Kinney.  He didn’t know why Molly would allow the child to be alone with that pervert.  He wanted to go back and get Taylor away from that man, but he knew Molly would never forgive him if he did.

“So, Taylor,” Brian said looking at the little face.  “Your grandfather thinks I’m going to molest you, but then he doesn’t know shit.”  Taylor looked up into the handsome face and gurgled contentedly.  “You know better, don’t you?”

“Woof,” Beau contributed.

“Thanks, Beau.  We’ll show Craig Taylor how to manage a baby.”  Brian started up the lane with Beau leading the way.

*****

About a half hour later Molly opened the door to Edna’s Treasures and called Brian’s name.  There was no answer.

“Where is he?” Craig said with a worried look on his face.

“Calm down, Dad,” Molly said evenly.  “Brian’s probably out in the garden or with Justin.”

“How can you be so sure?  He could be doing anything to Taylor.”

“What would he do to Taylor other than change his diaper?”

“You are so bloody naïve, Molly.  The man’s a pervert.”

“Brian is my brother-in-law, and he’s a fine man, so shut the fuck up!  If you can’t say anything nicer than that, go back to the car and wait for me there.”

“I will not!  I want my grandchild.”

Molly glared at her father.  She wanted to tell him what an ass he was being.  “Let’s go out back and find them,” she said instead.  She headed through the sun porch and out the door.  There was no sign of Brian anywhere.

“He’s not here,” Craig bellowed.  “What has he done with Taylor?”

Molly stopped and thought for a moment.  Then she heard the sound of metal being banged around in the shed.  “That sounds like Justin working.”

“Who the fuck cares if Justin is working!  Where’s Taylor?”

Molly didn’t deign to reply to her father’s asinine worries.  She headed for the shed.  At the entrance she called Justin’s name.

Justin took off his goggles and headset.  “Hey, Mol, Brian took Taylor down to the stream.”

“Thanks, Justin,” Molly called as Craig turned and started down the path with Molly trying to keep up.  “Dad, Dad!  Slow down.”

Craig stopped as they were almost to the clearing.  “We need to get Taylor,” he said, a bit out of breath with worry and exertion.

“Dad, look.”  Molly pointed out into the area by the stream.  “Listen.”

“And that’s a frog,” Brian was saying.  He was down on his knees holding Taylor in his arms.  He pointed to something in the grass.  “Frogs are not so bad.  They all think I’m afraid of frogs, and I let them believe that.  It’s good entertainment for everyone.  But you and I will know the truth.  I just pretend to be afraid.  But you won’t tell anyone that, will you?”

Molly smiled and looked at her father.  Craig Taylor looked puzzled, like he couldn’t believe what he had just heard.  Brian Kinney sounded like any normal father playing a little game for his child, pretending that frogs freaked him out.  And he was so gentle in the way he was talking to Taylor.  The baby seemed to be taking it all in.

“Brian,” Molly said letting Brian know they were there.

“Oh?” Brian said in surprise.  He quickly stood up.  “Taylor and I were just communing with nature.”

“I see,” Molly said, not letting on what they had heard.

“Can I have Taylor?” Craig asked extending his arms.

“Sure,” Brian said handing the baby to Craig.  “I’ll just grab his carrier.”  Brian walked over to the big rock where he had first set the baby down.  “Would you like to stay for lunch?  I want to get Justin away from that fucking sculpture.  He works at it too hard and too long.”

“I’m game to be a distraction,” Molly laughed.

“Good girl,” Brian said as he headed for the house, his arm linked through Molly’s.

Craig followed wondering who this strange man was with his daughter.

*****

“Hey, Sunshine!” Brian called out loudly into the shed.  Beau barked a few times to help draw Justin’s attention away from his welding.  Justin saw Beau jumping by the door and his spouse’s smiling face.  He stopped his welding and raised his protective mask.

“Think you can manage a little lunch?” Brian asked.  Justin looked at the metal in his gloved hand and at Brian’s face.  Molly stepped closer to the door and pleaded with her eyes.

“Sure, I can eat,” Justin smiled, as he safely stowed his equipment then locked up the shed.

“Good, because some of us are hungry,” Brian admitted as he grabbed Justin’s hand.  As they walked toward the cottage, Brian massaged Justin’s hand, successfully forestalling any kinks and cramps.

Everyone took turns washing up then brother and sister proceeded to make lunch.

“Can I help?” Craig offered in a very civil moment.  Molly and Justin were setting out various cold cuts and salad fixings onto the counter.

“I think we have it under control,” Justin said as Taylor let out a short wail.

“Whoops!  I know that sound,” Brian exclaimed with a chuckle.  “I’ll take Taylor into Bree’s room to get cleaned up.  Can you get a bottle ready?”  Craig stared as Molly nodded and Brian took Taylor with diaper bag into Briana’s room.

“How does he know Taylor needs to be changed?”  Craig had left most of the baby feeding and diaper changing to Jennifer when Justin and Molly were infants.  Both Molly and Justin gave Craig an incredulous look.  “What?” Craig asked his kids.  Molly just rolled her eyes, as she took out a pitcher of iced tea from the refrigerator.

“Dad, contrary to popular belief, it was Brian who changed Bree’s diapers and handled most of her feedings, especially in the middle of the night.”

“You’re kidding me?”

“No, I’m not.  His patience never wavered even when she was miserable while teething.”  Craig didn’t believe it but the look on Justin’s face told him not to argue.  Giggling baby noises brought Craig to Bree’s bedroom door.

Craig peered into Brian’s pristine room.  Brian had Taylor on Bree’s bed and was replacing Taylor’s soiled sleeper with a fresh one.  Before slipping the tiny feet into each leg of the sleeper, Brian blew a gentle raspberry to the bottom of the foot.  Taylor giggled with glee.

“You are an angel, aren’t you?” Brian murmured.  Taylor looked up into Brian’s eyes.  “Just like your mommy and your uncle.”  Craig crept back to the kitchen.

“Come and get it,” Justin called out so that everyone could help themselves to making their sandwiches and choosing their salads.

Brian, still carrying Taylor, rummaged around the diaper bag to take out the ‘spit towel’ that all parents carried with them.  He deftly placed it on his left shoulder as he checked the temperature of the bottle that was waiting for him on the kitchen table.  Brian sat at the table then offered the bottle to the baby.  Taylor latched onto the nipple to suck.

“Thank you, Sunshine,” Brian said politely as Justin put a turkey sandwich on whole wheat in front of him.  Brian could wait until Taylor was finished before eating his sandwich.  They all made pleasant small talk during lunch.

“Justin, tell me a little more about this project you’re working on now,” Craig asked his son.

“It’s really rather straightforward.  I saw those pictures Debbie took of “Trunkhenge” and the idea of working with metal began to appeal to me.  It’s a medium I’ve never tried.  I’ve done some small sculptures but nothing on a scale this large,” Justin happily explained.

“So he chooses to turn my shed into a scrap heap,” Brian groused good-naturedly as he placed the empty bottle on the table then lifted the baby to his towel covered shoulder waiting for a good burp.  He smiled to himself.  At one time small towels like the one on his shoulder were good to be used as his ‘cum towel.’  Now the former stud of Liberty was an expert at using the ‘spit towel.’

“Better in the shed than in your garden,” Justin scolded with a wink.

They all cheered when Taylor gave up a mighty burp.  Brian wiped off any baby spew from around Taylor’s tiny mouth then watched as the contented child’s eyes began to close.  Cradling the baby in one arm, Brian began to eat his lunch with his free hand.  Craig stopped himself from shaking his head in amazement.

“Molly, we should get going,” Craig said after a while.  “I’d like to make it through the city before rush hour.”  Molly nodded in agreement.  She and Craig began to pack up the baby’s belongings.

“I’ll say goodbye here,” Justin began as they walked through the garden.  “I can get in a few more hours of work.”

“Okay, son,” Craig said politely as he shook his son’s extended hand.

“I love you, Jester,” Molly said as she gave her brother a hug.

“Love you too, Mollusk.  Drive safely,” Justin said and he turned to walk to the shed.

“You be safe too, Sunshine,” Brian called out after him.  Justin turned, looking over his shoulder at his lover then smiled his most brilliant Sunshine smile.  Brian lovingly smiled back then walked Molly, Craig and Taylor down the lane to their car.

“Thank you, Brian,” Molly said as she gave her brother-in-law a kiss.  “We’ll be back soon to check on the progress.”

“Is that a promise or a threat?” Brian snarked.

“Whatever!” Molly laughed.  “Thanks for lunch,” she said as she got into the car after securing Taylor’s carrier.  She gave her father a little nudge.

“Yeah, thanks,” Craig conceded at he slipped into the car.  Brian chuckled as they drove away.

As they turned onto the highway, Molly sensed that her father was about to explode.

“What is it, Dad?”

“All that handholding, doesn’t it bother you?”

“What handholding?”

“When Justin came out of the shed.  Brian grabbed his hand so forcefully, I thought I saw pain in Justin’s eyes.”

“He probably was in some pain,” Molly said softly.

“What?” Craig said as his ire was rising.

“It’s not what you think, Dad.”

“Explain it to me then.”

“Dad, after Justin was hurt, he was damaged in so many ways.”

“I remember.”

“No, I don’t think you do.  You weren’t as involved with Justin’s life at that time.”

“Molly...”

“Dad, I’m not making a judgment call; it was what it was.  Some of Justin’s physical injuries took a very long time to heal.  Even now he still has problems.”

“What kind of problems?”

“When he does too much with that hand, it begins to cramp up and it hurts.”

Craig cringed.  Brian may have ‘stolen’ his son but Chris Hobbs tried to kill him and almost succeeded.  Even though Justin lived, Hobbs had nearly stolen the one thing that made Justin, Justin; his art.

“What you saw or thought you saw wasn’t Brian holding Justin’s hand, he was massaging it.  Brian has learned throughout the years they’ve been together to read the signs when Justin’s hand is hurting.  We’ve all learned to read them.  However, Brian is the only one to get through to my stubborn brother.  Justin would never admit his hand was bothering him.  Brian just does what he needs to do.”

Craig sat quietly trying to absorb what his daughter had confided to him.  When Justin shook his father’s hand goodbye, he had extended out his left hand.  Justin was right-handed.  He didn’t want to further hurt his hand by giving Craig the firm handshake Justin knew his father expected.  Justin’s left hand was very strong.  He had learned to compensate.

“What about that ‘Sunshine’ thing?  Isn’t it a little condescending for a grown man to be called Sunshine?”  Molly laughed at her father’s quandary.

“Perhaps, but we can’t blame Brian for that one either.  Debbie was the one who came up with that nickname and it stuck.  She and Brian are the only ones who really call him by it.  The guys may refer to Justin as their little sunshine but they never would say it to his face.”

“But where did the name come from?”

“Oh Dad, are you really that blind?”

“I don’t understand.”

“Daddy, his smile!” Molly said as though it was so very obvious.  And maybe it was but not to her stubborn, pig-headed father.  “Think, Dad.  Use your imagination.  You saw it just like I did, when Brian told Justin to be safe.  That’s Justin’s sunshine smile!”

Craig thought back to the smile Justin gave to Brian.  It reminded him of Jennifer’s smile when she was a young teenager and they began dating.  Molly had a bit of that smile too.  And Taylor, but all you could see now was a toothless grin.  He remembered that Justin only smiled that brilliantly when he was truly happy.

“Now do you understand?” Molly asked.

“I think so, honey,” Craig murmured as he settled back into his seat.  Cottages built in the middle of nowhere.  Gay men raising children.  Notorious ‘perverts’ experts on diaper changing and burping babies.  Sunny smiles and so much time wasted on stupid prejudices.

Craig reached over to pat his daughter’s hand.  “I love you, Sweetheart.”

“Love you too, Dad.”  And maybe her father finally got it.

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 4

“Dada, do I have to go to camp?” Bree asked as she crawled up into Brian’s lap.  It was the weekend and there was only one more week of school left.

“I thought you wanted to go to day camp,” Brian said as he wrapped his arm around his daughter.  He felt her relax against his body on the chaise.

“Un unh,” she replied.

“But last week we had it all worked out.”

Bree shook her head.  “Auntie Molly will be coming out here all the time to see her house, and I want to be here when she comes.”

“Who told you that?” Brian asked.

“Daddy was talking to her on the phone.”

“He was, was he?” Brian asked raising a brow and looking at the little girl.  He’d have to remember to tell Justin to be careful in the future what he said around Bree.  “Patrick’s going to day camp,” Brian reminded her, hoping that might make her rethink her choice not to go.

“I know,” Bree sighed, “but I want to play with Auntie Molly.”

“Auntie Molly won’t have time to play,” Brian stated.  “She will be coming out here to check on the house, and she’ll have Taylor to look after.”

Bree made a face.  “I want to play with Auntie Molly,” she repeated, making it seem like the repetition of that statement would make it so.

“Squirt, that’s not going to happen.  If you go to day camp, there will be lots of girls there for you to play with.”

“Ashley won’t be there,” Bree pouted.

“She won’t?”

“No, she said her mother didn’t have the money to send her to camp.  I don’t want to go without Ashley.”

“But you see her almost every weekend when we go riding.”

“I don’t care,” Bree pouted again.  “I don’t want to go to camp without Ashley.”

Brian heaved a sigh.  “Maybe you should sleep on this and we can talk about it more tomorrow.”  ‘That’ll give me some time to think up some more arguments about why you should go,’ Brian said to himself.

“Not going,” Bree repeated.

“Justin!” Brian called.

“He’s out in that stupid shed,” Bree told her father.

“How did he get out there?” Brian asked looking out the sun porch windows and seeing the door to the shed standing open.  He had thought Justin was resting in their bedroom.  That’s what Justin had told him he was going to do.

“Go play with Patrick for a while, Squirt,” Brian said, getting up off the chaise.

“Why?”

“Um … just do it,” Brian said as he headed for the door to the sun porch.  He pushed the door open and headed for the shed.  “What the fuck are you doing in here?” Brian demanded as he walked into Justin’s work area.

“I’m just looking at my flowers.  I had an idea I wanted to think about,” Justin said.

“You’re not hammering or welding?”

“No, I’m not hammering or welding,” Justin repeated.

“I … thought you were working.”

“I guess I am working, but with my brain.”

“That’s a good kind of working,” Brian said coming up behind Justin and wrapping his arms around Justin’s chest.

“Glad you think so,” Justin said.

“I don’t want you overdoing it.  You know your hand is acting up.”

“I’m fine,” Justin tried to protest.

Brian squeezed him a little harder.  “Take it easy with this stuff,” Brian said looking around the shed.  “You don’t have a deadline to meet.”

“I know, but when inspiration strikes…”

Brian drew in a breath, debating whether to argue with his husband about how much work he was doing.  Instead he decided to move on to the other part of the reason he had come looking for his husband.  “Bree says she’s not going to day camp.”

“What the fuck?” Justin asked turning to look into Brian’s eyes.  “Why not?”

“Let’s see.  She wants to play with Auntie Molly when she comes out here to see the house, she doesn’t care that Patrick’s going and she refuses to go if Ashley isn’t going.”

“Can we pay for Ashley to go to camp?” Justin asked.

“I’m not going to suggest that to Ashley’s mother.”

“Why not?  I thought you could sell anything.”

“Anything that’s not insulting to the person I’m trying to sell it to.  And Ashley’s mother would not be happy if we offered to pay for her daughter’s trip to camp.”

Justin sighed.  “Maybe we could order Bree to go.”

“Order her?  Fine,” Brian said flatly.  “You take her to the bus, and deal with the tantrum that will ensue.  I want no part of it.”

“Coward.”

“You got that right.”

“Well, what else can we do?” Justin asked with resignation.

“You could try talking to her.”

“Me?  But if you can’t convince her, what makes you think I can?”

“I’m grasping at straws,” Brian admitted.

“Maybe Patrick could tell her he’d be lonely and doesn’t want to go without her,” Justin suggested.

“Great!  Then we’ll have two kids at home all summer.”

“Well then I don’t know what to suggest,” Justin stated.

“I’ll go,” Bree said from the doorway of the shed.  She stood on the outside of the shed looking in.  She knew she was banned from the interior, and so made sure not to step across the threshold.

“How long have you been standing there?” Brian asked surprised to see their daughter observing them.

“Since you came out here,” Bree said smugly.  “If it’s that important to you, I’ll go to camp,” she repeated.

“You will?” Brian asked with a frown.

“I want to play with Auntie Molly, but I guess I have to share her with Taylor … and the house.”

“It’s a good thing we taught her to share,” Justin whispered to Brian.

Brian nodded in agreement.  He couldn’t believe that Bree had come to that conclusion all by herself, but he wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.  “I appreciate that you’re willing to go to camp, Bree.”

“It’s okay, Dada.”

“I’ll try to get Auntie Molly to come spend some time on the weekend with you.  Won’t we, Justin?” Brian suggested, grateful for Bree’s change of heart.

“Yes, yes we will,” Justin concurred quickly.

“Close your mouth,” Brian whispered.  Justin had been standing gawking in amazement at what was coming out of their daughter’s mouth.

“I still wish Ashley could come to camp too, but I guess there will be other girls there to play with,” Bree sighed.  “I suppose they’ll have to do.”

“I bet you’ll have fun once you’re there, sweetheart,” Justin said trying to make Bree’s sudden agreeable nature seem like a good thing.

“Maybe,” Bree said.  “I’m going to go put my pajamas on,” she added.  “I’d like a story when I’m ready.”

“Okay…sure…Squirt,” Brian said in continuing amazement.

Bree gave a little smile and then ran back to the house.

“Who the fuck was that?” Brian demanded.  “Surely it wasn’t our Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor.”

“I don’t know,” Justin said shaking his head.  “Has there been an invasion of pod people?”

“Worse than pod people,” Brian said.  “She’s growing up on us.”

“I thought you were going to prevent that.”

“I’ve staved it off as long as I could,” Brian admitted.

“Fuck!  I don’t like this one little bit.  I want my little girl back, temper tantrums and all.”

“I know.  So do I.  But we should be thankful that at least she’s decided to go to camp.”

“Thank goodness for small mercies,” Justin replied.

Brian took Justin’s hand and dragged him out of the shed.

“What’s your hurry?” Justin asked as Brian locked up the shed.

“We have to go read her a bedtime story, before she wants to have us read her War and Peace instead.”

“Shit!  And I was just learning to like Winnie the Pooh.”

“Me too,” Brian said with a chuckle as they headed for the house.

*****

“Mr. Kinney, what brings you here?  I believe Briana and Patrick’s camp fees are all paid up already,” Miss Feldman, the camp director exclaimed as she scrambled for her enrollment log.

“They are.  I’m here on another matter.”

“All right.  How can I help you?”

“First, answer a question for me.  Have you reached your maximum enrollment for the summer?”

“No, we have plenty of openings.  Unfortunately, we’ve had to raise tuition this season and it’s forced many of our previous campers to either cut down on how many weeks they’ll be with us or not return at all.”

“What’s changed?”

“Several things.  Our landlord raised the rent on us and we’ve had to make a number of repairs to the grounds.  It all cost money,” Miss Feldman said sadly.

“I’d like to help.”

“How?”

“A camp scholarship fund.  My partner and I will make a donation.  A sizable donation which you may use as you see fit for repairs or to increase the salaries of your counselors to attract a higher caliber of applicant.  But I’d also like some of the money to sponsor the children who can’t afford the tuition.  Maybe to make up the difference, or if a child is very needy, pay for it outright.”

“This is so fantastic!  We have a number of children that would qualify.  Their parents would love to thank you.”

“No.  This is to be anonymous and I do insist on that.  Bobby Morrison, Patrick’s dad is our family lawyer.  He’ll contact you with the details but I do have one condition.”

“Which is?” Miss Feldman asked suspiciously.

“Ashley St. John.  I understand her parents weren’t able to afford the tuition.”

“That’s correct.  Ashley was very disappointed.”

“Let them know about the scholarship, see if they’ll reconsider sending Ashley.  I’d be very appreciative.”

“I’ll contact them first after we formalize your donation.  But Mr. Kinney, if you don’t mind me asking, why?  Why go to all the trouble?”

“It’s no trouble; Justin and I can well afford it.  Let’s just say that a certain young lady was very upset and almost refused to go to camp when she learned her best friend wasn’t going to attend.”

“I understand.”

“One more thing, you said you pay rent on this?”  Brian waved his hand indicating the converted barn that had become the camp’s headquarters and main gym.

“Yes.  This was an old farm.  The farmer no longer works it and our rent gives him an income so he and his wife can remain in Florida.  Our hope was to eventually buy it outright and make this into a real camp.  We want a day camp and maybe a ‘sleep away camp’ for city kids.  But now I’m not so sure.”

“Don’t lose hope.  Let me consult with my family.  It may not happen for this season, but maybe we can help fulfill your dreams for next season.”

“I always have hope, Mr. Kinney.”  Brian got up to shake the camp director’s hand.  “Thank you, Mr. Kinney,” Miss Feldman said softly with tears in her eyes.  “I’ve never married and never had children.  Our camp isn’t big or fancy but it serves the needs for the children in our community.  I’ve been doing this for some time now.  I’ve watched the children grow and become fine young citizens.  I couldn’t be any prouder of them if they were mine.”

Brian nodded solemnly then left the camp.

“Hey, Big Red,” Brian said into his cell phone as he started up his Jeep.  “Can you squeeze me in today?  Yeah, the camp director took the deal but I want to expand on it.  Okay, I’ll be there within the hour.”

Brian closed his cell phone then drove off toward Harrisburg.

*****

“What the fuck was that?!” Brian yelled as what sounded like a small explosion vibrated his peaceful cottage.  He sprinted down the spiral staircase and out the sun porch door.  He ran towards the construction site with Beau fast on his heels.

“Easy, Brian,” John said as he greeted his brother.

“John, what the fuck is going on?  And is everyone all right?”

“We’re all fine.  We just did a little blasting to remove some stubborn old stumps.  We’re done.”

“Warn a guy next time, will ya?  I thought the cottage was going to come down.”

“No chance of that.  The landscaper was here and asked us to help remove the dead wood.”

“Landscaper, already?” Brian asked as he looked over his brother’s shoulder at the cottage.  “Are you that far along?” 

“Want a tour?” 

The brothers approached the cottage.  John took a spare protective helmet and sat it on top of Brian’s head.  “The main structure is done.  Most of the wiring is complete.”

“You guys work fast,” Brian said very impressed at his brother’s progress.

“Molly chose a very simple design.  A sitting room porch when you first walk in.  Kitchen and small dining area on this end.  Bedrooms and bathroom on the other end.  She didn’t specify it, but I left space for a small half bathroom just off the kitchen area.  I figure with a baby the extra bathroom might come in handy.”  Brian agreed.

“What about a fireplace?  She likes the ones at our house.”

“We discussed that and Owen admitted he’s not the fireplace type so we decided on a potbelly stove in the sitting room.  They don’t plan on being here through the winter.  The cottage will have a furnace but a small one.  On those cool nights they can supplement the heating with the stove.”

“Makes sense.  So they’re not going to help us shovel our way out during the next blizzard?”

“Ah, that would be a no,” John laughed. 

“Damn!  So when do you think it’ll be finished?”

“We’re really moving fast.  I’m thinking some time in August.  The grounds would take shape faster if you’d help.”

“Me?  What do I have to do with it?”

“Come on, Bri.  Your garden is magnificent.  You know that reporter friend of yours wanted to send the home and garden editor to look at it but I told him to ask you first.”

“Connolly never asked me about it.”

“Well, the wedding did turn into a baby shower.  My point is the landscaper has also seen what you’ve done and at Emmett’s.  He’d like to consult with you.”

“I guess I could talk to him.”

“How magnanimous of you,” John snarked as he led his brother back outside.

“John, later after the kids go to bed, I’d like to discuss a proposal with you and Bobby.”

“Of course.  Now, scram, and I promise no more ka-booms for the day.”

“Thanks.  Later, big bro!”

"Later, little bro.”

*****

“So you want to make it possible for the “Little Flowers Day Camp” to be self sufficient?”  John asked Brian later on that night. 

The kids had gone to bed and the four men were relaxing in the sun porch.  Brian and Justin were sharing the chaise making it convenient for Brian to massage Justin’s hand.

“Miss Feldman, the camp director accepted the donation and it will assist a lot of kids,” Brian explained.

“Including Ashley?” John asked.

“Yes,” Bobby answered for Brian.  “John, Brian came to me earlier today.  I think we can take on the camp as a family project.  They’ve been running with the bare minimums for years.  They’re the only camp for young kids for miles.  But they could use some backing and financial advice.”

“I agree,” Brian added, “and I nominate Albert Harmon!”

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 5

“Hey, where are you going?”

Justin froze in his tracks.  He had been trying to get through the sun porch to the bedroom without being seen.  No such luck.

“Have to go to the bathroom,” Justin called and started forward again.

“Hold it right there,” Brian said from the balcony outside his attic office.

“What?” Justin asked, but he stopped moving.

“What’s wrong?” Brian asked.

“What makes you think something’s wrong?”

“You’re standing down there with your back to me, refusing to look at me.  Something’s wrong.”

Justin felt his heart sink.  He kept his eyes on the floor and tried one more time.  “Brian, I have to pee.”

“Tell me,” was the command that came from above.

“There’s nothing to tell.”

“Bullshit!”

Justin heard Brian start down the metal stairs from his office.  The jig was up.

“Brian…” Justin said turning finally to face his husband.

“What the fuck!” Brian gasped as he stopped at the bottom of the stairs and got a good look at Justin.

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Justin began.

“The fuck it’s not!  What the fuck have you done?”

“I … I had a little accident.”

“No shit!  Come here and let me have a look at you.”

Justin reluctantly walked over to Brian.  He knew he was going to be royally reamed by his irate husband, as soon as Brian figured out what had happened.

“What happened?” Brian asked as he finished looking Justin up and down.  Justin’s face was rather red, his T-shirt was all black on the front looking like it had been singed and Justin smelled like burnt shit.

“I was welding a piece of my flower together and I set down the blowtorch … just for a second … and I guess it went out.  When I tried to relight it, it sort of blew up in my face.”

“Fuck!  Does it hurt?”

“Not really, but I singed my eyebrows and my hair.  It stinks to high heaven.”

“I wasn’t going to mention the stench,” Brian said stifling a chuckle now that he knew Justin wasn’t seriously injured.

“Shit!  Is it that bad?  Can you smell it all over me?”

“Yes,” Brian said simply.  “But are you sure you’re not burnt anywhere?”

“My face is a little hot but I think it’s all right.  I checked all over myself before I came in here.”

“Did you check the essentials?” Brian asked looking at Justin’s crotch.

“Asshole!” Justin said swiping Brian’s chest and laughing in spite of his predicament.

“Come on, stinky, let’s get you in the shower.”

“Brian, you’re not too mad at me, are you?” Justin asked. 

Brian’s arm was around his shoulders as he guided Justin towards their bedroom.  “No, I’m not mad, but it doesn’t make me feel any better about you working out in that shed with all that potentially dangerous crap.”  Brian gently lifted Justin’s T-shirt over his head and then examined his chest.  “I don’t think you got burned.”

“Good, I didn’t think so either, or I would have been in pain.”

“I’ll start the shower on lukewarm.  Come in when you get the rest of your clothes off.”

Justin watched Brian disappear into their bathroom before starting to take off his jeans.  He knew he was lucky that he hadn’t been more seriously hurt.  He’d have to be more careful in the future.  When he was naked, he walked into the bathroom wondering why Brian hadn’t come to get him.  He noticed that there was no sign of Brian in the room, but there was a distinctive silhouette visible through the steamy shower door.

“Hey,” Brian said as Justin opened the door and stepped inside.

“I thought I was the one who needed the shower,” Justin said softly.

“I thought you could use some company after your trauma.”

Justin looked at Brian’s face, expecting to see a smirk, but his husband appeared to be serious.  “I’m not hurt, Brian, really I’m fine,” Justin said trying to reassure Brian.

“You better not be hurt, but I’ll just check things out for myself if it’s all the same to you.”

“You will, huh?”

“Yep,” Brian said running his hand over Justin’s chest.  “You’re sure you’re not really burned anywhere?”

“I’m not, although my face feels a bit like a sunburn.”

“We’ll put some lotion on it when we’re done.”

“Could you wash my hair?” Justin asked.  “I don’t know what to do with it.  It’s kind of melted together.  I can’t even get my fingers through it.”

“Maybe we’ll have to get it buzzed like you did in your Pink Posse days.”

“Don’t remind me about that.”  Justin screwed up his face at the thought of the stupid things he had done when he had belonged to the Pink Posse.

“Your buzz cut was kind of hot,” Brian said as he worked up a lather on Justin’s scalp.

Justin giggled.  “You liked to rub your hands across it.”

“I’m a very tactile person,” Brian said smugly.  “And I also like to wrap my fingers in your longer locks, Goldie.”

“Ow,” Justin said when Brian’s fingers got caught in a matted section of his hair.

“I see what you mean about it being melted together.  Let’s take you to the barber after we finish our shower.”

“I’m finished,” Justin said.

“Oh no you’re not.” 

Justin found his lips locked to Brian’s in a passionate kiss that took his breath away.  “Brian,” he moaned.

“Sh, I need to take care of you.”

Brian dropped to his knees and took Justin’s burgeoning cock into his mouth.  He worked his magic with his tongue, lips and fingers until Justin cried out and shot his load into Brian’s mouth.  Brian immediately stood up and wrapped his arms around his husband to steady him.  He kissed Justin so they could each share his essence.

“I love you,” Brian said, “and we’re hiring someone to do the welding for you.  No more accidents.”

Brian opened the door of the shower and stepped out.  He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his hips.  He took another one off the rack and waited for Justin to shut off the shower and come out.

It took Justin a moment to realize what Brian had said.  In his post orgasmic haze, he wasn’t sure he had heard correctly.  He should have known that Brian wouldn’t let him off so easily after almost frying himself.

“Brian…”

“Don’t argue with me,” Brian said as he started drying Justin off. 

“But this is my project.  I want to do it.”

“No.”

“What the fuck do you mean, NO?”

“Just what it sounds like.”

“Brian, I’m not a baby.  I’m doing this myself.”

“You are a baby where welding is concerned.”

“Are you fucking shitting me?” Justin demanded, sounding a lot like Brian in his best drama queen mode.  “You can’t make that kind of decision for me.”

“I can and I am.”

“You are not.”

“Get dressed and we’ll go get you a haircut,” Brian said.

“Brian, I’m not going to be bossed around.”

“This is not negotiable.”

Justin sat down on the end of the bed.  “I’m not going anywhere,” he stated firmly.

Brian looked at the stubborn face before him.  He pulled on some clothes and headed for the door of the bedroom.  “Fine, do whatever you want, but don’t expect any further support for this nonsense from me.”

Justin heard the front door slam and Brian’s car started.  There was a roar of the engine as Brian peeled away from the cottage.

“Fuck!” Justin exclaimed.  He threw on some fresh clothing then went back out to the shed to properly stow away his equipment for the day.  As he locked up the shed, John was walking through the garden.

“Why did my brother just drive out of here like a bat out of hell?” John asked before he took a good look at Justin.  Before Justin could explain, John took a guess.

“Had a little accident, have we?” John said as he raised that Kinney eyebrow of his.  Justin nodded.  John had always given off paternal vibes at Justin, so this was no different.

“Are you hurt?”  Justin shook his head.  “A little singed around the edges?”  Justin nodded.  “And I imagine my brother suggested something that you didn’t agree with.”

Justin nodded again.  A bit of welded hair fell into his eyes.  John sighed loudly.

“What am I going to do?” Justin asked softly.

“First off, let’s give your hair a little trim to remove the evidence of your faux pas.  I’ll have one of my men recheck your equipment to make sure there’s nothing malfunctioning that could have caused your mishap.”  John guided Justin back into the Anderson-Morrison end of the house.

“What about Brian?” Justin asked as John planted him on a stool in the kitchen and began to take out a comb and small scissors.

“Leave him to calm down and then I’ll speak with him later.”

“You shouldn’t have to fight my battles for me.  I’m not a baby.”

“No, you’re not, but Brian’s going to want to hear cold hard facts about your training and the equipment.  After my guy checks out the welding equipment and reviews the instructions with you, I can approach Brian with those facts.  Now sit still while I fix your hair.”

“You cut hair too?” Justin asked with fascination.  His brother-in-law’s talents never ceased to amaze Justin.  John was busy snipping away bits of Justin’s hair.

“How do you think I managed to come home from work and not have my mother go ape shit on my ass?  Having minor accidents is normal in my business.  We don’t sweat the small things but make sure they don’t turn into big things.  Most of my men have taken first aid courses and we’re all adept at trimming hair.  Ever try getting dried plaster or cement out of hair?”

“Um, no.  But I have had to wait weeks before I outgrew some blue oil paint that got into my hair,” Justin admitted.

“Well, there you go.  Same with us.  It went a little easier on the spouses too, when the guys would go home and answer that age old question.”

“What age old question?”

“And how was your day, honey?” John replied.  Justin giggled without moving his head.  “There, all done and you don’t look scalped,” John said smugly as he held out a small mirror for Justin to look into.  “It’ll be a while for that eyebrow to grow back but yours get so blond in the summer that you can’t tell that you have any to begin with.  Brian will get over it soon enough.  Now, let’s go get my man to look over the arc welder.”

Justin hopped down off the stool feeling a whole lot better.  John was right, Brian needed facts, and that’s just what he was going to get.

*****

“Brian, what brings you here?” Claire asked as Brian burst through her screen door.  He looked just like John did when he was angry and frustrated over some relationship that went wrong.  But that was before John discovered Bobby.

“He is going to be the death of me!” Brian spat then cursed every which way till Sunday.

“Who?”

“That blond little boy of mine who thinks he’s an adult,” Brian raged on, then immediately regretted his words.  Justin was always more of an adult than he had ever been.

“Brian, I think it would help if you began at the beginning.”  Claire took out a batch of homemade cookies from her cupboard and put on a fresh pot of coffee.  She had a feeling this was going to take a while.

*****

“Can I let you in on a little secret?”  Claire ventured when Brian eventually talked it all out.  Brian nodded as he nibbled on a cookie.

“When John was learning his craft, I knew he wasn’t going to be a typical architect, sitting behind a drafting table and wearing a suit.  He always loved working with his hands, even as a boy.  A typical farm boy and jack of all trades.  He could ride like a cowboy, harvest corn like a farmer and repair the tractor like a mechanic.”

“He’s a smart man, my brother,” Brian said proudly.

“Yes, he is.  So I knew from the beginning that he’d not only want to design buildings and homes but take an active part in building them.  I lived with him coming home slightly bruised and battered, and singed at times as well.  He hardly ever went to a barber because he got good at trimming his own hair.  Gordon too!  One time John had slipped and fallen onto newly smoothed out cement.  He felt awful about ruining that section so he immediately helped to smooth it out again.  It was a warm summer day and he never noticed the cement on his arms drying.  He had to shave most of the hair off his arm and trim his hair.”

Brian cracked up.  John had more body hair than Brian.  He could totally imagine John having to shave.

“John never thought I noticed but I did.  We were always very close.  I noticed every bump and wherever a hair was out of place.”

“How did you stand it?”

“I almost didn’t, but he was an adult and I had to trust that he would make the right decisions.  I learned not to sweat the minor things.  He knows how to work safely and what steps to take when something big does happen.  Thank goodness nothing really big has ever happened and that’s because he works safe.  Now, if he had one of his men teach Justin how to weld, then chances are Justin will be fine.  And if I know my Jackie he probably saw you drive away in a snit and is with Justin right now.” 

Claire gazed at Brian pointedly.

“More coffee?” Claire asked having made her point.

“Yes, ma’am,” Brian replied contritely as Claire refreshed Brian’s mug and handed him another cookie.

*****

“Well?” John questioned his master welder, Jackson.  John was back at Molly’s cottage.  The construction crew was cleaning up for the night.

“Some metal shavings got stuck in the trigger assembly.  I think that may have been the trouble.  I gave it a good cleaning and instructed Justin on how to keep it that way.  It was a fluke.  We bang things around to knock off the dirt but he treats the stuff like it’s a baby.  I showed him what to do; he’ll be fine.”

“Thank the lord and whatever else is holy.  I do not want to hear my brother rant about this later.”

“You want me to explain it to Brian?”

“No, I’ll do it, but I may need you as back up.”

“No, problem, man.  I know how protective Brian is.  I wouldn’t want to mess with him when he’s in big daddy mode.”  John and Jackson had a good laugh then joined the rest of the men cleaning up.

*****

“Hey,” Brian said as he stepped through the sun porch door holding a single daisy behind his back.

“Hey,” Justin replied.

The family was just about ready to sit down for dinner.  Justin was open and honest about his accident and stressed that he didn’t want to foster a continuation of the argument he and Brian had earlier.  The family agreed not to mention the mishap.

“You hungry?” Justin asked pensively.

“I could eat,” Brian answered.  He had stopped just inside the porch door not knowing what kind of reception he was going to receive.  Justin walked closer but then stopped a couple of feet away.  The family held their breath.

“I’m sorry,” Brian and Justin said at once.  Brian held open his arms as Justin moved immediately into them.  They kissed sweetly then hungrily, forgetting about the audience at the table.

John loudly cleared his throat then waited for the desired response.  The lovers cooled their ardor.  Justin blushed as Brian ran his fingers through Justin’s hair that was now perfectly trimmed but remarkably didn’t look much shorter.  He held the daisy out in front of Justin.  Justin smiled, appreciating the gesture and realizing they would be all right.

Justin placed the flower in a bud vase then situated it in the middle of the table.  Dinner could now commence.

Later that night, Brian and Beau were strolling the lane towards Molly’s cottage.  The night air was cool and the moonlight lit their way.  But like so many things Brian had memorized, such as the curve of Justin’s hips, swell of his ass, the long veins in his cock, Brian didn’t need light to walk the lane.

He thought about what Claire had said about trust and knowing her son so thoroughly.  Brian could recite the location of every freckle on Bree’s perfect body.  The crunch of John’s work boots made Brian turn around.

“Jackson said there was a bit of dirt...” 

Brian cut his brother off before he could finish his explanation.  “Just tell me he’ll be all right.”

“He will be all right,” John repeated.

“That’s all I need to know.”

“Well, that went a lot easier than I expected.  Here, I came armed with facts to plead Justin’s case.”

“No need.”

“So, you’re all right with this then?”

“Not really, but I trust Justin so I will just have to be.”

“What changed your mind?” John asked in awe of his brother’s maturity regarding the whole incident.

“You know, your mother is one remarkable woman,” was all that Brian would say on the matter.  Brian kissed his brother’s cheek then continued his stroll down the lane.  Beau stayed by John’s side.

“There’s no one in the world like Brian Kinney,” John said out loud to no one in particular.

“Woof!” Beau agreed as he ran to join Brian.  John turned then walked back to Edna’s Treasures.

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 6

“Brian?” Justin began in between panting breaths.

“Mmm,” Brian mumbled around one of Justin’s balls that he currently had in his mouth.

“Oh yeah,” Justin murmured as a spit slick finger entered him.  His ball was still in Brian’s mouth.  “My sunflower is almost finissshhhed,” Justin hissed as he was finger fucked.  He spread his legs wider and arched up to allow for more access.

“That’s nice,” Brian whispered as he allowed Justin’s ball to slip out of his mouth before attacking its twin.

“I’m readyyy to plant it to...to...tomorrow,” Justin stammered as Brian rolled him over, shoved pillows under his hips then stuck his tongue into Justin’s pucker.  Brian continued to lave the tight bud as Justin attempted to tell Brian his plans for planting his first metal flower.  Brian had other things in mind to plant but he let Justin ramble on.

“I’m so excited,” Justin moaned.  Brian tugged on Justin’s hard dick.

“I can tell,” Brian murmured as he licked the length of Justin’s cock then ended at Justin’s hole.

“Brian!” Justin cried out.  His dick was dripping, so very hard, and he wanted to be fucked.  Justin pushed his ass back onto Brian’s face.

“Trying to tell me something, Sunshine?” Brian drawled in a sultry tone.

“Want more,” Justin begged. 

Brian took a few last licks at the tight bud then kissed the warm globes of Justin’s full ass.  He slicked up his dick then gave Justin what he wanted.

“Oh god!” Justin moaned as he was filled then pounded into the mattress.  “More, Brian, more!”

Brian held Justin tightly around his waist, drawing him back onto himself, impaling his dick deeply into Justin.  Brian used all his strength to keep them upright as Brian thrust and Justin pushed back.  Justin fisted his own cock as the lovers came within seconds of each other before collapsing in a heap of arms and legs.

Eventually they moved, straightening themselves out on their bed and covering their cooling bodies with a sheet.

“Justin,” Brian began as he drew Justin close to his heart.

“I know, Brian, and I promise to be more careful,” Justin whispered as he kissed Brian’s lips and then his chest, feeling the steady beat of his lover's heart.  “I love you, Brian.”

“I know,” Brian whispered as they fell asleep.

*****

“Wake up, Daddy, Dada,” Bree called as she shoved open the door of their bedroom. 

“Huh?” Brian said raising his head.

“I hafta go to school,” Bree stated.

“What time is it?” Justin asked turning over and stretching.

“Shit!  It’s after eight o’clock,” Brian said looking at the clock on the nightstand.

“How come you didn’t wake me up?” Bree asked accusingly.

“We must have slept through the fucking alarm,” Brian groaned.

“Well, if you would stop putting your dick in me every hour or so we would have had some decent sleep and woken up on time.”

“Hey, it was make-up sex.  I had to.”

Justin snorted a la Brian Kinney.  “You are so full of shit.”

“Daddy, got to go to school,” Bree informed them impatiently.

“We overslept, sweetheart,” Justin said throwing back the sheet and reaching for his underwear.

Bree giggled seeing her father’s bare butt.  “Where’s your jamas, Daddy?”

“They … um … must have fallen off while I was sleeping.”

Brian snorted.  “Go see if Patrick is ready for school while we get organized, Squirt.”

“’Kay, Dada,” Bree said as she headed out the door and over to Patrick’s side of the cottage.

“Maybe they’ll feed her,” Brian said rolling onto his back and covering his eyes with his forearm.

“Get up,” Justin ordered.  “I need your help today.”

“Is that an order?”

“Yes.”

“Bossy little bitch, aren’t you?”

“Listen, all the gratuitous sex privileges you take advantage of have a price.”

“And you’re collecting?”

“Yep, come on.”  Justin grabbed Brian’s wrist and pulled him up into a sitting position.  “We need a shower.”

“You’re going to risk showering with me?  I might try some of my gratuitous sex privileges on your ass in the shower.”

“I’m counting on it,” Justin giggled, as he ran into the bathroom and turned the shower on.  Brian was right behind him.

*****

“Are you gurgling, Taylor?” Molly asked as she glanced into the baby’s carrier.

Taylor blew a little bubble and seemed to smile at Molly.  Molly grinned.  She had the best baby in the world.  She pushed open the door of Emmett’s Place and stepped inside.

“Miss Molly!” Emmett exclaimed.  “My new and best neighbor!”

Molly laughed.  “Don’t let Brian and Justin hear that.  Or John and Bobby for that matter.”

“Oh, pshaw!  Come right on in, and sit in my booth.  I’ll join you and the little one.”

Molly took a seat in Emmett’s booth.  She got Taylor situated so that the baby would have a view of his mother and Emmett as they talked, and also a look out at the hustle and bustle of the café.

“Here we go,” Emmett said as he set a tray down in front of Molly and slid into the booth.  “I didn’t bring Taylor a coffee.  I assume you’ll take care of the baby’s beverage.”

Molly laughed.  “I can do that.”  She gave Taylor a bottle of juice.  The baby sucked happily.

“Taylor is the cutie of the century.”  Emmett took Taylor’s little hand and played with the tiny fingers.

“I would have to agree with you,” Molly said with a smile as she took an appreciative sip of Emmett’s coffee.  “Mm, this is heavenly.”

“Thank you very much.  Have a popover to go with it.”

Molly fished a warm popover out of the basket Emmett had on the tray.  She bit into it greedily.  “These are positively sinful.  I should take a half dozen with me out to Edna’s Treasures.  A certain brother-in-law of mine would be most ecstatic.”

Emmett chuckled.  “Brian Kinney doesn’t do ecstatic.  The most you will get is a ‘not bad’ in response.”

“Have you seen the way he looks at my brother?” Molly asked pointedly.  “He does ecstatic.”

“Oh my yes, but perhaps I should rephrase that.  Brian Kinney doesn’t do ecstatic vocally.”

“Have you been listening at their bedroom window?”

“Miss Molly, you are so naughty.”

“That’s me, Miss Potty Mind.”

“And I love it,” Emmett laughed sipping his own coffee.  “So, you’re heading out there today?”

“Yep, after I finish this lovely treat for myself.”  Molly polished off her popover and washed it down with another sip of coffee.

“How’s the cottage coming?”

“John is really moving things along.  I can’t believe how well it’s going.”

“That’s great.  John’s company is so reliable.”

“That’s because John is reliable,” Molly affirmed.  “And he makes sure everything is built to the highest quality.”

Emmett nodded.  “I can’t wait to see what they’ve got done.  I haven’t been out to our cottage this week.”

“You’ll be impressed.”

“I hope Justin hasn’t burned off his fingers or blown up the shed.”

“Why … why do you say that?” Molly asked with a worried look on her face.

“Well, you know he’s making those metal sculptures using a welding torch.  He’s cutting metal pieces with some sort of dangerous thingie.  It’s all too macho for me.”

“Justin, macho?” Molly giggled.

“So he’d have you believe.”

“Hm, I’ll have to check how he’s doing.”

“I’ll get your popovers for the troops out there.  Maybe you should take a couple of dozen for the workers at your cottage too.”

“Oh, that’s a great idea.  Please.”

“Come on, Taylor, let’s get you changed and then we can go check up on the house and your Uncle Justin.”

*****

“Hey Brian!”  Justin waved cheerfully from the top of a twenty foot step ladder. 

After they finally got the kids off to school, Justin began to haul the parts of his sunflower out into the adjoining field.  He hammered in the base pole then secured it with tethers like a tent.  Each stem section was slotted into the next.  Justin positioned his ladder when the stem became too tall for him to reach the end section.  And that’s how Brian found him, cheerfully up the ladder, sliding in stem and leaf sections all without the benefit of a safety net.

“Hey,” Brian waved back, careful to keep up the facade of the supportive spouse.  He resisted tearing apart their bedrooms and dragging out the mattresses to surround the ladder.

“This is killing you, isn’t it?” John asked as he sidled up to his brother.  It was mid morning and the work crew was taking a coffee break.  Several of the men had heard Justin banging the main piece into the ground and stood fascinated by the side of the road.

“You don’t know the half of it.”

“We heard most of it last night,” John quipped.

“Yes, well, I did overreact, again, and I had to make it up to the lad.”

“I’m surprised the ‘lad’ can walk.”

“He’s a lot tougher than you think.”

“Yes, he is,” John affirmed as the brothers watched Justin lean over a little too much to attach the great head of the sunflower to the stem.  Brian sucked in a huge breath when he saw the ladder teeter.

“You can open your eyes now,” John chuckled and placed a supportive hand on his brother’s shoulder.  “He’s all right.”

“Fuck!  I don’t know how much more I can take.  First, he’s the Human Torch and now he thinks he’s Spiderman.  John, if I don’t wind up with a stroke, it’ll be sheer luck.  My heart is pounding a mile a minute.”

“Stop exaggerating; this too shall pass.  But I’d lay off the coffee for a while.  His balancing act is stimulating enough.”  With that John patted Brian’s back, waved at his brother-in-law who teetered a little as he waved back, then turned to go back to work.  John laughed as he heard Brian muttering curses, all along with a smile plastered to his face.

“Brian, do you think you could help me?” Justin called out.  He was climbing down the ladder to pick up the first petal that would be attached to the head of the flower.  Brian immediately walked toward Justin.

“Sure, Sunshine, what can I do?”

“Um, it would go a lot quicker if you could hand me the pieces so I don’t have to climb up and down.”

“I kind of like it when you climb up and down,” Brian said with a suggestive leer.

“That’s only on your cock,” Justin replied as he waggled his eyebrows.  “I mean up and down the ladder.”

“I know what you mean, and I’d be honored to be your assistant.”

“Really?”

“Of course, Jus.  I know how important this is to you.  I’d really like to help.”

“Thank you,” Justin said as he gave Brian a kiss.  As Justin began to climb back up the ladder, he started to give Brian instructions.  “All the pieces are coded with numbers so I know what piece goes where.  I’ll call out a number and you can hand it up to me.  I’ll slide it into place then secure it with the clamps.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Brian said as he looked around him.  On the ground laid out in a very orderly fashion were all of Justin’s flower pieces.  He had never realized how truly organized Justin was when it came to his art. 

Like fitting a large puzzle together, Justin called out the number of the desired piece.  Brian retrieved it then handed it up to Justin.  Brian was shocked to find the pieces were rather heavy.

“Jeez, Sunshine, have you been taking weight lifting lessons from the Professor?  These pieces weigh a ton!”

“Yeah, I know.  But I’ve been dragging them around rather than lifting.”

“But doesn’t that ruin the paint?” Brian asked, truly curious about Justin’s artistic process.

“Nah, I only used a small amount of paint for just a hint of color.  I’m going for the distressed look and dragging the pieces around just adds to it,” Justin said cheerfully.

“Hmm,” Brian murmured as he handed another piece up to his husband.

A few hours later, Justin attached the last leaf section, clamped it down and then descended the ladder for the last time for the day.  Brian helped Justin fold the ladder then they hauled it over to one side so that they could get an unobstructed view of the flower.

“Wow,” Brian said.  “That thing is fucking huge,” he said in awe.

“Yeah, I didn’t think it was that big.”

“Well, you built it.”

“Yeah, but it looks smaller when it’s in pieces and scattered on the ground.”

“How does it feel to have your own ‘henge’?”

“Bri, one metal flower does not a henge make.”

“True, but I imagine you’re not done in that shed of yours.”

“Nope!  I have a few more flowers to make.”

“I thought so.  But tomorrow?” Brian asked hopefully.  It was late in the afternoon.  Rachel would be bringing the children home soon and Brian was sure that Justin’s hand was tired.

“Yeah, tomorrow,” Justin said with a nod and a sigh.  He was tired, thirsty and hungry.

“Let’s go back to the house.  We’ll clean up and I’ll begin dinner.  We missed lunch so we can eat now and then have something light later if need be.”

Justin packed up the tools he used for the day in a canvas bag then picked up the top part of the ladder. “I won’t argue with that,” he said. 

“That’ll be a first,” Brian snarked as he picked up the other end of the ladder.  With ladder in hand, they marched off towards the cottage.

*****

“Wow!  Justin’s really serious about this metal garden of his,” Molly exclaimed as she stood by the road.  She had come up shortly after lunch time.  Her treats were well received.  Since the interior walls of the cottage were almost done, she decided to take some measurements and pictures to help her get a sense of how to decorate.  John and his crew were taking breaks to babysit Taylor.

“Yes, he is,” John said as he handed Taylor back to Molly.  “You have all the measurements you need?”

“Yes, and I have an idea of how I’d like to decorate.  But can you recommend a good painter?  I intend to do most of it myself and maybe I can get Justin to do a mural in the main area, but I’d like a base coat of pale sage.”

“How about you get us samples of the color you’d like.  We’ll have it made up and we can paint the walls as the last thing we do.  That way you can do your accents and move in your furniture.”

“You’d do that?”

“All part of the service, ma’am,” John said with a handsome smile.

“There’s just something about you Kinney men,” Molly said with a sigh. 

With business concluded, client and contractor parted ways.

*****

“Oh man, what smells so good?” Bobby asked as he came through the cottage doors.  Rachel had just come home with the kids.  Justin was making a large salad while Brian was grilling to his heart's content.

“You’re home early,” Justin said as he looked up from his cutting board.

“Yeah, I had court and didn’t have to go back to the office.  So I decided why waste the rest of this beautiful day indoors, when I could come home and pig out!  Damn, that smells good.  I wasn’t hungry but I’m getting there,” the red-head stated enthusiastically.

“We worked through lunch, so Brian’s making dinner and of course there’s plenty.”

“Let me go change and I’ll help the big guy outside.  And Justin, good work on your henge,” Bobby said with a smile as he slipped down the hallway toward his end of the cottage to change.

Justin smiled proudly to himself as he tossed the salad into a large bowl.

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 7

“What are you doing?” Owen Jr. asked as he sat down beside his wife on the sofa.

“Just going through the pictures I took out at the cottage today.”

“Let’s see.”

The two sat for the next while as Molly clicked through all the pictures of their house.  They viewed them on the small screen at the back of Molly’s digital camera.  Owen was amazed at how far along the house was already.

“And John says he will have his crew put a base coat on the walls before they finish up and leave,” Molly explained as they looked at a picture of the interior of the house.  “I think I know how I’m going to decorate.  I’m so excited.”

Owen groaned.  “Shit!  More money,” he sighed.  “I forgot about the decorating part of this whole plan.”

“We can afford it, can’t we?” Molly asked with a frown.  “If not, it can wait.  We can gradually decorate, maybe start with the living room…”

Her words were muffled as Owen’s mouth found hers and kissed her in such a way that she felt her toes curl.

“What was that for?” Molly asked breathlessly when Owen finally let her come up for air.

“That was because I want you to decorate that house exactly how you envision it.”

“You do?”

Owen nodded.  “I do.”

“Did we just get married all over again?” Molly giggled.

“I’d marry you every day of the week if you wanted me too.”

“You are a lovely man, Owen Brenner.”

“And you’re the love of my life, Molly Brenner.”

“And you’re okay with me spending money on decorating the cottage?”

“It’s fine,” Owen reassured her.  “We can afford it.”

“Really and truly?  Because if it’s a problem, I’ll…”  These words met the same fate as her previous protestation about not spending money.

“Now, no more discussion about decorating,” Owen said smugly as Molly’s mouth hung open and her chest heaved.  “Do what you want and don’t worry about the cost.”

“That’s a statement that could really cost you,” Molly threatened in a teasing voice.

“Oh, I should have added … within reason.”

“That’s the man I know and love.”

Owen smiled genuinely at his beautiful wife.  “I love you so much … you and Taylor.”

Molly smiled in return.  “I love you right back,” she said, hauling her digital camera out from behind her, since somehow she had ended up sitting on it during Owen’s passionate kiss.  “Oh, look at this,” she said clicking onto the next picture in the viewer of the camera.

“What is it?” Owen asked, as he took the camera from her and looked at the image in the view screen.  “It looks like a faded sunflower.”

“It’s the beginning of Justin’s henge.  He put the sunflower together today.”

“Wow!  So how did it look?” Owen asked.

“Awesome!”

“How big is it?”

“Click through a couple more pictures and there’s one with Taylor in his carrier beside the stem of the sunflower.”

Owen did as directed.  “Omigod, Taylor looks like a pea,” he gasped.  “How tall is that thing?”

“It must be over fifteen feet high,” Molly said with a smile.

“Let’s go out there on the weekend.  I’d love to see it.”

“Hey, what about the house?  Don’t you want to see it too?” 

“Well, sure, yeah.  But this looks incredible.”  Owen stared at the picture.

“It is pretty incredible.”

“We should send a copy of this to Stacey.  She’ll get a kick out of it, since she knows Justin.”

“Okay, let’s download to the computer, and we can send it to her,” Molly suggested.

“Maybe we should send it to the Connolly’s too.  Richard would probably like to put something in the paper about it.”

“I doubt Justin wants it in the paper when he’s hardly started.”

“I bet a lot of people would like to see the progress as he adds other flowers.  It will be really something to see.”

“I guess it is on public display,” Molly said thoughtfully.  “It’s right out in the field for anyone to view.”

“Okay, then let’s send it to Stacey and a copy to Richard Connolly.”

“I took a little movie of it too.  I walked around it and got it from all sides and right from below it so you can see how tall it is.”

“Maybe we should put it on Youtube.  I bet people would love it.”

“Um … I don’t know,” Molly said, but she went to get her laptop.

*****

“One more day of school, Dada,” Bree said as she finished her dinner.

“That’s right, Squirt.”

“When does camp start?”

“Right after July the Fourth.”

“Oh.”

“You’re okay with going, aren’t you?’

“Yes,” Bree sighed, “but it would be so much better if Ashley was going too.”

Brian shook his head.  Sometimes his daughter sounded like a world weary twenty year old.  “Maybe Ashley will get a chance to go.  You never know.”

Bree frowned and looked at her father.  At that moment the phone rang.  Justin reached back and lifted the receiver of the wall phone off its base. 

“Hello,” Justin said.  “Yes, just a minute.  It’s Ashley, Bree.  She sounds really excited about something.”

Brian tried not to smirk as Bree hopped down off her chair and took the phone. 

“Hello,” Bree said formally.  She listened for a minute and then her voice changed dramatically.  “Oh!  Oh, Okay! … Are you sure? … Neat!  … That’s great, Ashley.  See you tomorrow at school.”  Bree handed the phone back to her father.

“What was that all about?” Justin asked, as he hung up the phone.

“Ashley’s going to camp,” Bree declared.  She stared at her Dada who refused to look at her.  He had a sudden interest in stirring his coffee.

“How did that happen?” Justin asked carefully.

“Somebody gave collar-chips for kids to go to camp.”

“Collar-chips?” Brian asked.  “Do you mean scholarships?”

Bree frowned.  “Maybe.  Do you know what those are, Dada?”

“Yes, Squirt, I know what they are.”

Bree looked like she wanted to say something more, but then she reconsidered.  “I’m going to go play with Beau till bedtime.”

“Okay, sweetheart,” Justin said.

Bree headed out through the sun porch.

“She knows, doesn’t she?” Justin asked as he started to clear the dinner dishes.

“I think so,” Brian grudgingly admitted.

“Why didn’t she ask us?”

“She looked like she wanted to,” Brian said.  “But maybe she thought it was better if she didn’t know where the collar-chip came from when she and Ashley go to camp.”

Justin shook his head.  “What’s she going to be like when she’s eighteen?”

“Hopefully she’ll be some poor schmuck’s responsibility and not ours,” Brian said tongue in cheek.

“I thought you weren’t going to let her date till she was thirty.”

“Forty, but I don’t think I’m going to have much say in what she does by the look of things.”

“You think so?  How soon is that going to happen?”

“Tomorrow,” Brian replied, and they both feared he was right.

*****

“Dada?”  Brian was tucking Briana into bed.  Justin was planning to read her a bedtime story when Brian was done.

“What is it, Squirt?”  Brian kissed the top of Bree’s head as she snuggled back onto her pillow.

“The camp scholarship, you did that, didn’t you?” Bree asked seriously, clearly enunciating every word.

“Your Daddy and I both made the decision to sponsor the camp.  Uncle John and Uncle Bobby are also involved.  We plan to help the camp renovate in time for next season,” Brian stated, speaking to Bree almost as an adult.  He was confident that if Bree required clarification, she would ask.

“Why?” Bree asked looking up into her father’s eyes with the big wide violet blue ones of her own.

“Several reasons, Squirt.  The camp had to raise their tuition this year.  They didn’t want to do it, but the cost of keeping a camp like that running is high.  And kids like Ashley deserve to have a place to go to in the summer for some fun.  Don’t you think?”

“Yes, I do.  But, Dada, what’s the real reason?”  Bree was so onto him.  Brian reached down to draw the petite child into his arms.  Bree went readily, wrapping her tiny arms around her Dada’s neck.

“For you, Squirt, for you,” Brian whispered.

“Thank you, Dada.  I love you.”  Bree had no doubt that her Dada loved her.

“Love you too, Squirt,” Brian said as he gave her a little squeeze.  “Time to go to sleep.  Your Daddy’s waiting to read you a story,” Brian said as he eased her back down onto the bed.  He tucked her in, smoothed out the bedclothes then gently swiped away the pale strawberry blond wisps of hair from Bree’s face before leaving her for the night.

“She’s waiting for you,” Brian said to Justin as they met in the hall.

“Bri, you okay?” Justin asked his lover as he noticed the unshed tears in Brian’s eyes.  Justin reached up to caress Brian’s cheek.

“Did you know we have an amazing daughter?”  Brian answered the question with a question.  He drew the smaller man close to kiss the blond head.

“I know,” Justin whispered.

“Go, she’s waiting for her Daddy to read her a story,” Brian said as he gently pushed Justin toward Bree’s bedroom door.

“I wonder what book she chose?” Justin chuckled.

“I have it on good authority it is not War and Peace.  However, Anna Karenina…” Brian laughed as he went to the kitchen.

*****

“What’s he planting now?” Gordon asked as he and John were standing by the road watching Justin work.

“The green thing is a frog,” John replied.

“Has Brian seen it yet?”  Brian’s ‘fondness’ for frogs was widely known.

“Not sure, but considering the thing is about five feet tall, he will eventually.”  Both John and Gordon laughed.

“Does Justin intend to plant this whole field?  No one will see it.”  Gordon was very curious about the point to all of it.

“Good point.  I’m not sure if Justin has thought it completely through.  He just wanted to work with new material.”

“Well, I have seen many metal sculptures and while his are a bit primitive they are skillfully crafted,” Gordon stated with the confidence of an art critic.  John gaped at his friend and business partner.  “What?  I’m a city boy now.  I know art when I see it.”

The friends cracked up with laughter.

“You have a point, though.  I don’t think even Sidney knows what he’s doing here,” John said when he caught his breath.

“Well, apparently someone does,” Gordon said as a strange sedan slowly pulled up and parked not too far from where they were standing.  An elderly couple got out of the car then proceeded to take pictures of Justin’s henge.

“Excuse me, young man,” the woman addressed John.

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Is this where Mr. Taylor is exhibiting?” the woman asked hopefully.

“Exhibiting?” John asked, not sure what she meant. 

Trying not to get frustrated, the woman went on.  “Yes, exhibiting.  We’ve read that Justin Taylor is creating his version of Stonehenge and of course, we wanted to see it.”

“Of course,” John said tentatively.  “Um, I...”  John had no idea what to say.

“Ma’am, what you’re seeing now is a work in progress.  Mr. Taylor has just begun working in this medium and is not quite ready to show it yet,” Gordon explained with an authoritative air.  The couple was visibly saddened.  “However,” Gordon stepped closer as if to confide in them.  “If you leave me your name and address, I will get you on Sidney Bloom’s, of the Bloom Gallery, exclusive list.  You’ll be one of the first to be notified when Mr. Taylor’s ready to exhibit.”

The couple was ecstatic.  The woman nudged her husband and he fished out an old business card.

“I’m semi-retired but I can be reached through my firm,” the man said as he handed the card over to Gordon.  Gordon safely pocketed the card then reassured the couple that as soon as the ‘henge’ was complete, they would receive an invitation to view it.  Mollified the couple drove away but not before snapping a few more pictures of the work in progress.

Just then Brian came stomping down the lane.

“Uh oh,” John began, finally finding his voice.  “Houston, we have a problem,” he quipped as they saw the rage burning in Brian’s eyes.

“Is that the lunch truck I hear?  Gotta go,” Gordon said as he quickly turned on his heels to sprint back to the construction site.

“Coward,” John mumbled after him as he stood to face the fire while Justin worked to plant his frog, blissfully unaware of the drama unfolding in the lane.

*****                                                             

“Emmett, what’s it like to be stalked,” Michael asked his friend.  Michael had come into the bistro for a snack.

“I don’t know and why are you asking me?”

“Well, didn’t Drew stalk you way back when?”

“No he didn’t, and that was a long time ago.  And what makes you think you’re being stalked?” Emmett asked as he removed a tray of fruit tarts from one of the ovens.

“Some guy keeps coming into the shop and buying comics.”

“Michael, honey, you own a comic book store.  If people didn’t come in to buy comics, then I’d start to worry, not when they do.” 

Michael crossed his arms over his chest and huffed.  “Well, he just gives me the creeps.  He’s not gay and he looks kinda familiar, but I just can’t place him.”

“What does he look like?”

“He’s good looking, I suppose, about six feet and young like Justin.”

“Sweetie, Justin’s not all that young.”

“I know but he still looks like he’s twenty.  This guy looks maybe twenty-five or thirty-ish.  I just don’t want any trouble.  Do you think he’s an inspector?”

“Inspector of what?  Newsprint?  Michael, you’re sounding crazy and I have buns to warm,” Emmett said with a straight face.

“TMI, Emm.”

“Michael, if the guy comes into the store again, just ask him who he is.”

“Yeah, okay, maybe I will.”

“Good, now leave me with my buns!”  Michael stole a peek at one of Pittsburgh’s most infamous and ‘fetching’ apron covered buns of all time before he went back to his shop.

*****

“Now Brian, you need to remain calm,” John began.

“No, I don’t.  Look at this!”

“I know, they just wanted to take...look at what?”  John stopped in mid sentence as his brother was waving a piece of paper in front of his face.  John grabbed the flailing arm to take a better look at the paper.  It was a picture of Justin’s sunflower that Brian had gotten off of a ‘Myspace’ site.

“How did you find this?” John asked.

“I went over to Gus’ Myspace.  He found it.”

“How did that happen?”

“I don’t know but I’m going to find out before our nice quiet lane becomes a tourist attraction.”

“Um, about that....” 

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 8

Brian walked into Woody’s.  It had been a long time since he had been there.  He looked around and didn’t see one familiar face.  He wasn’t sure whether that was a good thing or not.  He frowned and debated whether he should just walk out.  A man walked by and deliberately brushed against him.  He knew that trick very well, the action not the man, and he didn’t like either. 

“Brian, over here,” Michael called.

Brian looked up and saw Michael craning his neck out of the alcove where they had sometimes sat during the good old days, or the bad old days, or the best forgotten days, when Woody’s was a daily habit.

“Mikey,” Brian said sitting down beside his longtime friend.  “What the fuck are we meeting here for?”

“I just thought it would be interesting to have a drink and see what the gay scene of Pittsburgh is like these days.”

“You realize that we look like a couple of over the hill bar boys,” Brian sneered.

“Speak for yourself.”

“I was, and I’ve already been cruised since I came in,” Brian said proudly.

“Fuck!  How do you do it?”

“Talent,” Brian said smugly.

Michael shook his head, but Brian’s statement only added to his admiration for his friend.  Brian Kinney would never change, at least not in his eyes.  He was as young and beautiful as ever.  “Want a beer or something stronger?” Michael asked.

“A beer.  I have to drive home when we’re done.”

Michael got up and went to the bar to get their drinks.  Brian glanced around.  All the men looked so young.  He must really be getting old when every guy he saw looked like a twink.  Why the fuck had he agreed to meet Michael here.  They should have gone to the diner or fucking Starbucks.  He wouldn’t feel so old in those places.

“Here you go,” Michael said as he sat back down, handing Brian a beer, and taking a drink from his own bottle.

Brian gulped down some of his beer hoping that would put him in a better frame of mind, but it didn’t.  “What do you want, Mikey?” he asked bluntly hoping they could get this over with quickly and he could get the fuck out of the life he had left behind so many years ago.

“What’s your problem?  Can’t you have a nice drink with your best friend?”

“What are we doing here?” Brian repeated, irritation clear in his voice.

“I thought it would be a blast.”

“Yeah, I’m having a peachy time.”

“Brian, what’s wrong with you?  Why are you in a bad mood?”

“Let’s see, I hate being the oldest fucking guy in the place, especially when it’s a gay bar.”

“You’re not the oldest.  I’m a few months older than you, remember.”

“That makes me feel so much better.”

Michael shook his head.  He looked up and saw some guy across the room studying Brian.  “You have an admirer,” Michael said nodding in the direction of the man.

“I always have admirers, but that doesn’t mean I want to be here.”  Brian turned to look, as nonchalantly as he could.  “Fuck!  He’s almost as old as we are.”

“He is not,” Michael protested, “although he hasn’t taken very good care of himself.”

“I think that’s a toupee,” Brian said turning back around so he didn’t have to look directly at the guy. 

“You think so?” Michael asked perking up.  He always liked the way Brian pegged people.  “Why would anyone wear one of those?”

“Because he’s fucking bald.  I will never wear one of those things.  If my hair falls out, kill me immediately.”

Michael chuckled.  “Losing your hair would be enough to off yourself?”

“Of course it would.  How can you even ask?”

“That guy is smiling at you,” Michael said still studying the man across the room.

“Stop looking at him.  You’re encouraging him.”

“Am not,” Michael protested.  “Although, he does look slightly familiar.”

“If you hang out with guys wearing toupees, consider our friendship officially over,” Brian said taking a drink of his beer.  “Why did you call me to this mecca of gay Pittsburgh, Mikey.  Can we get to the point?”

“Um … I was talking to Emmett…”

“That’s your first mistake.  Whatever he told you, forget it immediately.”

“He told me I should confront the guy.”

“What guy?”

“The one who keeps coming into my shop and buying comics.”

“Isn’t that called a customer?”

Michael chuckled.  “You and Emmett aren’t so different after all.”

“Bite your tongue,” Brian said.  “What does this guy have to do with the price of beans?”

“He’s kind of creepy.”

“In what way?”

“I’d never seen him before until a couple of weeks ago.  He comes in and spends a lot of time looking through the comics, but every time I look up, he’s looking at me.  You know, kind of studying me.”

“Maybe he recognizes you as Zephyr and wants an autograph, but is too shy to ask,” Brian suggested sarcastically.

“You think?” Michael said with a little smile.  He obviously didn’t get the sarcasm.

“No, I don’t fucking think!  If he’s a man, he would just ask for an autograph.”

“See, that’s what I mean.  There’s no reason for him to be looking at me all the time.  It’s kind of creepy.”

“Like my admirer over there,” Brian said referring to the guy with the toupee.

“No, he’s nothing like that,” Michael said.  “He’s kind of good looking, maybe thirty, seems to have money.”

“Then let him spend it in your shop and pay no attention to him,” Brian advised.

“He’s been back a couple of times, doing the same thing, looking at me and buying comics.”

“That’s called a good customer, Mikey.  I don’t see the problem.”

“It’s more than that,” Michael replied.  “I just can’t put my finger on it.”

Brian finished off his beer.  “Ask him what he wants the next time he comes in,” Brian stated.

“I … I don’t know how to broach the subject.  What do I say?”

“Hey, why do you keep looking at me?” Brian asked.

“I’m not looking at you,” Michael said.

“No, twat, that’s what you say … to him … your imaginary stalker.”

“He’s not imaginary,” Michael protested.

“He may not be imaginary, but the stalking part is in your head.”

“It is not.  There’s something about him.”

“Yeah, like you think that loser over there is after me.  He’s grinning like a fucking hyena.”  Brian indicated the toupee man who continued to study them.  “Time for me to go.”

“Brian, wait.”  Michael placed his hand on Brian’s arm.

“What, Mikey?  I need to hit the road.”

“Thanks for meeting me today.”

“You know I’m always available where you’re concerned,” Brian said leaning down and giving Michael a brief kiss on the lips.

“Yeah, and then you tell me how stupid I am.”

“Well, if the shoe fits…”

Michael shook his head.  “I’ll walk out with you.”

“Thanks but I can find my way to the door.  I only had one beer,” Brian said facetiously.

“I know,” Michael chuckled.  “But old habits die hard.  It was always my job to get you safely in the Jeep and on your way.”

“And a fine job you did, Mikey,” Brian said as they headed for the exit.

“Brian Kinney,” a voice called.

Brian stopped and turned to see toupee guy grinning at him and waving.  “Shit!  Let’s get the fuck out of here.  That guy’s probably someone I fucked a thousand years ago, and he wants a repeat.”

Michael laughed as they ran out the door.  “Your ego is still as big as Pittsburgh.”

“What do you mean, Pittsburgh?  It’s as big as the whole fucking U.S. of A.,” Brian declared as he climbed into his present version of the black Jeep he drove for so long.  “See ya, Mikey,” he called as he headed down Liberty, all too ready to be going home.  Woody’s was from another time, another dimension, and he had so moved on.

*****

The week of July 4th had brought most of the family back to Edna’s Treasures including Father Tom.  Since Molly’s wedding was pre-empted by the birth of Taylor, and Gus had just graduated from high school with honors, the whole family wanted to get together for one big celebration.

In deference to their hosts, each member of the family brought a dish or two or three.  They all helped to set up tables and chairs in the garden.  Out in the next field, Justin’s garden had grown to three large flowers and the frog.

“Deb, did you really have to drive up here in that monster?” Brian asked as he looked out into the lane to see the tail end of Debbie and Carl’s Winnebago looming back at him.

“Listen, kiddo, I know how these parties can get.  You and the boys are always putting us up for the night.  Same with Rachel and George and Emm and Drew.  That monster sleeps eight and it has a sizable bathroom.  So get over it,” Debbie said sternly, as she gave Brian’s head a good cuff then kissed his cheek.

“Yes, Maw,” he sighed then rejoined the family.

*****

Molly, Owen Jr. and John strolled up the lane to the new cottage.  The sage walls were going to get another coat later on in the week and the landscaping was almost complete.  All Molly and Owen had to do was have the furniture delivered and then fine tune the interior.  They were in no rush, and due to the efficiency of the Anderson Construction crew, the cottage was finished almost a month ahead of schedule.  They would be able to enjoy part of the summer in their getaway home.

“It’s beautiful, John, so much more than I originally thought.  I love how the front doors and entryway look like your sun porch.  It’s a day room and it opens onto the front garden.  I’m so happy!”  Molly’s face lit up.  At that moment seeing Molly’s bright face, Owen fell in love with her all over again and was convinced that their getaway cottage was a wise investment, if only for the sole reason that it made his wife happy.  John left the happy couple to their private celebration.

“They like?” Brian asked as he met his brother in the lane.

“They like,” John replied wearing a grin.

“As if there was any doubt,” Brian quipped, wearing his own matching grin.  “My brother, the miracle worker,” Brian said as he slapped John on the back.  The twin-like brothers stood tall, the sun lighting up the auburn highlights in their hair with fire.

“Must run in the family,” John said proudly, as a small caravan of five cars slowly drove toward Edna’s Treasures. 

“Friends of yours?” the brothers said in unison as they stared at the newcomers and then each other.  “Shit!” they both exclaimed then hurried to follow the cars.

“May we take a closer look?”  A young woman hung her head out of her car window to ask Brian and John’s permission to look at Justin’s henge.

“This is private land; we’d appreciate it if you’d just look from here.”  Brian tried to be as polite as possible.

The brothers were pleasant and cordial to their unknown guests.  They figured if the tourists got a nice look at the henge, they’d leave peacefully.  And they were right.  The brothers smiled and waved at the cars as they each turned around then proceeded to drive out of the lane.

“Okay, this shit ends here!” Brian growled as he marched himself back into his own garden.

“Justin!” Brian roared as he spotted his spouse across the garden adding more munchies into a large bowl.

“Yes, Brian.”  Justin smiled brightly at his husband.

“Shit,” Brian muttered under his breath as John caught up with him.  “Damn that Taylor smile,” he cursed.

“Brian, if we have to, we can hire that security firm that stayed here after the fire.  But let the family have the day before you lay down the law,” John suggested.  John heard Brian sigh and knew his brother would contain himself until the family had gone home.

*****

“Hey, Pop, can Curtis and I go to the stream?  It’s getting really hot,” Gus, who now stood as tall as his father and his Uncle John, asked to his father’s matching hazel eyes.

“Sure.  The water should be warm enough to take a dip.  Why don’t you take JR?”

“Me too, Dada!  And Patrick wants to go too!” Bree said as she tugged Patrick over to the adults hearing someone mention the stream.

“I want to go where?” Patrick asked with a confused look on his face.

“To the streeeeaaamm,” Bree said, spreading out the word as far as she could and glaring at her cousin.  Patrick sighed.

“Yeah, Uncle Bri, can we go too?”  Patrick looked up and pleaded with his eyes.

“Yes, you may.  And you have my sympathies, Sonny Boy,” Brian said as he ruffled the fiery red hair.  Patrick wasn’t altogether sure what his uncle meant but he got the general idea.  Bree was the princess, after all and must be obeyed.  “We need some other adults to go down there with you,” Brian muttered to himself.

“I’ll go, Bri,” Dr. Nick said as he was passing by and overheard the drama.  Brian smiled with gratitude at Hunter’s handsome doctor partner.

“We’ll go too,” Hector chimed in.  “Curtis has never been in a stream before,” Hector explained.  “We’ll keep an eye on the little ones.”

“Thank you,” Brian said to all the volunteers.  “Bree, Patrick, go get the towels and blankets we use for the stream and then you all can go.”

“Yay!” Bree and Patrick cried out then scurried off.  Within minutes, a line of happy children and adults meandered through the garden toward the path to the stream.

“Brian?”

“Yeah, Lindz.”

“Does Justin have any idea about what he’s going to do with his sculptures?”

“You mean besides tormenting me and causing a crowd to gather in my lane.”

“What do you mean?”

“Lindsay,” Brian began sternly, “strange people have been driving into our lane to gawk at the henge.  I don’t appreciate that.”  Then Brian went into a mini rant about Justin’s hand and his mishap with the welder.  Naturally, Lindsay was just as concerned.  “Lindz, does Sidney know what Justin’s up to?”

“Not that I’m aware of.  Believe me if he did, he’d be up here.”

“We have to convince Justin that his henge needs to be planted somewhere else,” Brian said with frustration in his voice.

“May I make a suggestion?” Hunter said as he offered a beer to Brian.

“Well, if it isn’t the Master of Social Work,” Brian said with a smirk.  Brian gratefully accepted the cold brew and took several gulps.  Hot July sun notwithstanding, Brian’s dilemma was making him hot under the collar.  “Any logical suggestion will be welcomed at this point.”

“Why don’t you suggest to Justin that he replant his henge in the Village garden?  We have enough room and thanks to John and his security cameras and gates, the place is very secure.  Plus the tenants of the apartment house will all keep an eye on the flowers.  It’ll get the tourists away from here and into our Village.  It’ll bring more business to our community as well.”

“The Bloom Gallery can make an announcement,” Lindsay started to say.

“With a PR campaign from yours truly,” Brian added.

“Problem solved!” Hunter concluded with a big smile.  He playfully bumped Brian's hip.

“Problem solved!” Lindsay and Brian said together.  And suddenly the day got a whole lot better for the king.

“Hey, Emm, turn up the music, I feel like dancing!” Brian shouted across the garden as he grabbed his lover up from his chair and swung him around.  Justin laughed at Brian’s playfulness.

“Well, all right!” Emmett shouted back then scurried off to turn up the music which had been playing softly in the background.  With a couple of quick changes of the CD’s, the thumpa thumpa music was pounding and everyone, young, old and in between began to dance.

“What brought this on?” Justin asked above the music.  Brian was holding him close as they swayed slowly together, oblivious to the beat of the song.

“I just realized that I have the best family in the whole wide world and you, Justin Taylor, are responsible for it.”

“Not hardly.”

“Yeah, you are, at least a large portion of it.  So, shut up, take the compliment and let’s show these fuckers how to dance,” Brian said with a leer and waggle of his eyebrows.

“Yeah,” Justin answered with his brightest smile and waggle of his own eyebrows which were growing back.

And so began the Brian and Justin show!

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 9

“So have you spoken to your parents about it?  You don’t have much time,” Curtis asked Gus.  They had waded through a shallow part of the stream so they were across from the family to speak in private.  Jennifer and Seth had joined the family at the stream.  Even Molly had dipped little Taylor’s toes in the cool water.

“Not yet, which is really stupid since I start in two months.  I really want my MBA like my Pop, but they accepted me into PIFA!  It’s not easy to get in there.”

“Yeah, I know.  It’s really an honor to be accepted there.”

“I really want to learn the business so I can work for Kinnetik full time.  I really love that stuff.  I’ve watched my Dad when he was closing some big deals; it’s amazing.  I mean, I’ve always known he’s some sort of big shot but damn, he’s good.  He’s like a different person when he’s pitching a campaign.”

“You’re really proud of him, aren’t you?” Curtis asked.

“Yeah, I am and I want him to be proud of me too,” Gus answered.

“There’s something else, isn’t there,” Curtis said suspecting something by the tone of Gus’ voice.

“How’d ya know?”

“I can hear it in your voice.”

“I know you want to be a vet like Dr. Raph, but maybe you should consider being a Social Worker like Hunter.  I think you’d be good at it.  Yeah, there’s something else, but the Moms are not going to be happy,” Gus admitted.

“Why, what is it?”

“I want to officially change my name.”

“To what?  You already have a lot of them.”  The boys laughed.

“I know, Gus Peterson-Marcus at your service.  And you should talk, Curtis Samuels-Sanchez-Angles.  I want to add my Dad’s name in there too.  I don’t think my mother will have a problem with it.  She really loves my dad, but mama Mel is not going to be happy.”

“Is she ever happy?”

“Yeah, she got a lot better since they came back from Florida last year.  The Moms get a lot more mushy now,” Gus said then added an exaggerated shudder to emphasize the point. 

Curtis laughed at the drama.  “Now I know you’re gay,” Curtis laughed.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re a drama queen like the rest of them!”  Gus tried to be insulted but couldn’t.  The boys laughed until their sides ached.

“If you want to see a drama queen, let’s go find a frog and bring it back to my Pop.  Now there’s a real drama queen!”

The boys fell over backwards on the warm grass as they laughed by the side of the stream.

“I bet you can do some sort of dual program thing,” Curtis said after a while when he caught his breath.

“What do you mean?” Gus asked as he sat up.

“There are lots of programs where you can attend two colleges at the same time.  Does Penn have an art school?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Then maybe you can work something out with PIFA.  You said you wanted to concentrate on computer graphic art.”

“Yeah.”

“So, what’s the main thing you need for that?”

“Like, duh, a computer,” Gus snarked.

“So you don’t have to physically be at two colleges at the same time.  You study at Penn for your business degree, then remotely take the computer courses and submit your assignments to PIFA.”

“Shit!  You should be a guidance counselor; you’re a genius.”

“Thank you,” Curtis said smugly then his stomach growled loudly.  “I’m a hungry genius.  You think your Dad started cooking yet?”

“Even if he didn't, there’s plenty of food.  Everyone brought something.  And if you give my Pop the old puppy dog eyes, you’ll be stuffed with burgers and dogs in no time.”

“Then let’s go; this genius wants to be fed.”

“After you!”  Gus playfully slapped Curtis on the back as they got up off the grass and waded back to the other side of the stream.

*****

“Hey Pop, you have starving children here,” Gus yelled over the music at his father.  “And that’s so gross,” he said as he watched his dad grind himself into Justin.

“You’re just jealous that you don’t have your own hot twink,” Brian said.  Gus and Justin rolled their eyes.  Curtis blushed but couldn’t help giggling.  Curtis caught Justin’s eyes as he remembered what Gus had said about the puppy dog look.

“Bri, I think some hungry kids are giving us a hint,” Justin said as he winked at Curtis and Gus.  Brian turned them around so he could dance with his spouse and spy at the boys at the same time.  Both boys turned up the puppy dog look.

“Whoops, that is some serious eye action going on over there, Sunshine.  Okay, enough with acting like an over the hill club queen, time to grill the burgers,” Brian said as he pulled a big white chef’s hat out of his back pocket and plopped it on his head.  The boys and Justin cracked up with laughter.

“I get no respect,” Brian groused good-naturedly as he went to tend to his grilling.  His hat flopped around in the breeze as he walked away.  Justin and the boys laughed heartily.

*****

“Excuse me,” a voice said at the corner of Edna’s Treasures.

Brian turned from the grill and looked at the man and woman who were standing there.  “Can I help you?” Brian asked imperiously.

“Oh, um, I, um, I thought this was a concession stand.”

“A what?” Brian asked as he came out from behind the barbecue and advanced towards the hapless couple.

“We could smell the food and wondered if we could buy a burger or hotdog or something,” the woman managed to get out.  She looked up at the regal, tall and extremely handsome man that stood in front of her.

“This is a private residence and we’re having a Fourth of July celebration.  Please leave,” Brian stated.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.  It’s just that there’s a bunch of cars down the lane.  We were looking at those fabulous flowers and we’re all hungry and I got chosen to come and find out if you were selling food and…”

“Hey, Bri, sell the poor woman a burger,” Ted called.

“Yeah, you could use a little extra income,” Hunter felt compelled to throw in.

“You’ve got plenty of food, so make a few extra bucks,” Debbie said with a laugh.  “I’ll even waitress for you.  I kind of miss my old job.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Brian ordered his smartass guests.  “This is a private party, and I’m not selling food,” he told the woman. 

The man stood behind her and looked slightly terrified.  “Let’s go, Eunice,” he said pulling on the woman’s arm.

Eunice took a last look at the beautiful man in the short shorts and muttered, “I’m really sorry to have disturbed you.”  She and the man hustled around the end of the house.

“And tell the others to fuck off too,” Brian yelled.

“Pop,” Gus said coming up to his father.

“What?” Brian snapped.

“Pop, calm down.  They’re gone.”

“Shit, fuck and double crap!” Brian bellowed.  “Can’t we have any fucking privacy?”

“Brian, I’m going down the lane to send the cars away,” John said, coming up to his brother and hoping to ease the anger he saw reflected in Brian’s eyes.

“Why the fuck should you have to go down there?  Bloody fucking idiots wandering around our property making fucking nuisances of themselves!  Can’t have a fucking minute’s peace!”

“Pop…”

“Brian…”

“Dada!”

“What, Squirt?” Brian asked, finally allowing Bree’s voice to get through to him.  She sounded worried.

“Daddy’s going to cry,” Bree said looking like she was about to do the same.

Brian glanced over at Justin who looked thoroughly crushed by Brian’s tirade.  “I’m sorry, Squirt,” Brian said squatting down in front of his daughter.  “I got upset.”

“I know, Dada.  I’m okay.  Talk to Daddy.”  Bree kissed Brian’s cheek to convince him that she was all right.  She was much more worried about her Daddy than anything else.

“Okay,” Brian said heaving a sigh as he stood up.  He looked at Justin and knew he had really fucked up.  “Bobby, can you take over the grill?”

“Sure, Brian,” Bobby said heading towards the grill and the food that was still cooking on it.

“And I’m going down the lane,” John said again.  “You go take care of Justin.”

“I’ll look after Bree, Pop,” Gus volunteered.

“Thanks,” Brian muttered as he started in the direction of his husband.  When he stopped beside Justin, he found he didn’t really know what to say.

“Get me out of here, Brian,” Justin whispered.

Brian nodded and took Justin’s arm.  He steered them by the shortest route possible to head towards the stream.  If anyone looked in their direction Brian scowled and shook his head.  Everyone immediately backed off.

*****

“Do you think Justin will be all right?” Debbie asked as she watched the two men disappear down the path to the stream.

“I think Brian will fix things,” Carl tried to reassure her.

Debbie shook her head.  “He fucking better.  His words hurt Sunshine.”

*****

“I wonder if I should go after Brian,” Michael said to Ben.  “I know he didn’t mean to hurt Justin’s feelings.  I could tell Justin that.”

Ben sighed.  “Stay out of it, Michael.  It’s between the two of them.”

“You think I shouldn’t say anything?” Michael asked with a surprised look.

“I know you’re Brian’s best friend, but this is not your concern.”

“Okay,” Michael said slowly, but his eyes said he wanted to follow the path to the stream.

*****

“I should have kept my fucking mouth shut about Brian needing extra income,” Hunter told Nick.  He felt like he had contributed to the meltdown they had just witnessed.

“It’s not your fault Brian went ballistic.”

“But I knew it bugged the shit out of him that people were invading his lane.  I should have been more considerate,” Hunter said shaking his head.

“They’ll sort it out,” Nick said gently.  He hoped that’s what Brian and Justin were doing at that very moment.  He leaned over and kissed Hunter’s cheek.

*****

“Do you think Justin will be all right?” Lindsay asked Melanie.

“That fucking asshole always opens his mouth before he thinks about what he’s saying,” Melanie ranted.

“Mel, don’t!”

“Well, it’s the fucking truth.  He needs someone to slap him upside the head.”

“Mama, Uncle Brian didn’t mean to upset Uncle Justin,” JR said trying to placate her mother.

“What do you know about anything?” Melanie snapped back.

JR blanched and then decided she did know something.  “Uncle Brian is a nice man.  He’s just upset about all the strangers coming out here, and you shouldn’t be mean to him … or to anyone.”

Melanie opened her mouth to cut her impudent daughter down to size.

“Mel, don’t,” Lindsay said firmly.  “Just don’t!  JR’s right, and you’re not making matters any better.”

“I … I’m sorry, honey,” Melanie said to her daughter.  Her anger subsided when she realized she was in the wrong.  “I didn’t mean to add to the problem.”

“That’s okay, Mama.  You were just upset like Uncle Brian,” JR said knowingly.

“Out of the mouths of babes,” Lindsay said.

“Me and my big mouth,” Melanie muttered shaking her head.

*****

“There’s sure a lot of head shaking going on,” Emmett observed to Drew.

“And well there should be,” Drew responded.  “Sometimes these people don’t know when to shut the fuck up.”

“Nobody said anything that would be a problem if Brian hadn’t already been fuming inside,” Emmett replied.

“Brian … fuming?” Drew asked.

“This isn’t the first time that people have invaded Brian’s turf looking at Justin’s henge.  Brian was already worked up about it.”

“Maybe Justin should just take down the damn henge and be done with it,” Drew suggested.

“Don’t think that’s about to happen,” Emmett said.

“You never know.”

Emmett looked at his husband and wondered what was going on inside the handsome head.

*****

“Justin…” Brian began as they emerged into the clearing by the stream.

“No, Brian, it’s my fault.  I should never have started that stupid henge out there.”  He gestured in the direction of the lane.

“Come.  Sit on the rock with me,” Brian said gently.  He took Justin’s hand and led him over to the big rock.  They both sat down side by side.

“I really am sorry,” Justin repeated tears in his eyes.

“I know, but I don’t want you to be sorry.  I love your art.  You know that.  But, all this turmoil with strangers gets to me.”

“And I should have thought about that before I started this project,” Justin said sincerely.  “I just never thought about people coming all the way out here to see it … and it’s not even finished.”

“You’re famous, Justin, if you haven’t figured that out.  Anything you do, people take notice.”

“I’m not sure I want to be famous then,” Justin said making a face.

“Too late,” Brian said with a smile.

Justin leaned against Brian and felt his husband’s arm come around his back and pull him close.  “Are we okay, Brian?”

“Better than okay,” Brian said honestly.  “And I shouldn’t have blown my stack back there.”

“You had every right.  Who did that woman think she was, coming right into our backyard like that?”

“You remember Deb telling us about visiting Truckhenge?  The guy who made it had it right in the field next to his house.  He was happy to collect the proceeds from people visiting his creation.”  Brian shook his head.  “I guess we both should have realized what might happen.”

“What are we going to do?” Justin asked with a sigh.  “I don’t want to destroy my work, but I will if these people keep coming and bothering us.”

“We could open up the concession stand that woman was looking for,” Brian said tongue in cheek.

Justin chuckled.  “I can just see you flipping burgers and selling cotton candy to screaming kids.”

“Bite your tongue.”

“I’d rather bite something else,” Justin giggled.

“Me too,” Brian replied as his lips found Justin’s. 

After a lengthy bout of face sucking, Justin and Brian finally broke apart. 

“Do you think we could sneak into the house and fuck?” Justin whispered.

“We have about as much chance of that as Melanie has of winning Dyke of the Year.”

“Brian,” Justin cautioned.  “Mel might do that someday.  You never know.”

“Bite your tongue!”

“I thought that’s what we just did,” Justin laughed.

“Are you feeling better?” Brian asked, his face serious.

“Much,” Justin replied, “but I still don’t know what we’re going to do about the henge.”

“Hunter had a possible idea,” Brian said deciding it was time to broach the subject of moving the huge flowers.

“He did?”

“Yeah, he suggested that we should move them to the Village and put them in the garden there.  It would be a secure place for them and would make more people come to the Village.”

“Wow!  That was Hunter’s idea?”

“He does have a head on his shoulders in spite of his obsession with me,” Brian smirked.

Justin laughed again and smacked Brian’s hand where it wrapped around him.  “You and your ego!  But seriously that is a great idea.  I can already visualize the flowers there.  And what’s more perfect than putting them in a garden?”

“You really like the idea?” Brian asked.

“I really do.”

“Then let’s do it.”

“Right now?” Justin laughed.

“No, after our party and after we fuck the night away.”

“Now that’s my idea of a plan.”

Arm in arm they headed back to their friends and family.

When they emerged from the path everyone turned to see the state of their kings of Babylon.  The smiles on their faces told all assembled that everything was all right in their world.  A round of applause and many smiling faces greeted them.  Like real kings they nodded to their subjects as they made their way over to the barbecue.  Bree and Gus joined them, relieved that their fathers seemed to have returned to their usual demeanor.  Justin picked up his daughter and kissed her cheek, eliciting a big smile.  Brian threw his arm around his son and they smiled at each other.

“Everything okay, Pop?’

“Just great,” Brian said as he took the spatula from Bobby and resumed his place as barbecue chef extraordinaire.

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 10

As Brian resumed grilling, John came back into the backyard.

“All clear down there?” Brian asked his brother.

“Yeah, they were packing up to leave.  Some of them had to, um, you know,” John said with a shrug and a lopsided grin.  “So I offered them the use of our port-a-potties at the construction site.  And I pointed them in the direction of that small diner that’s near the general store.  I know they’re open today.”

“Fuck, I was a real bastard, wasn’t I?” Brian said with regret.  “Man, if one of them was a reporter, I just blew that whole image that the Connolly’s portrayed about us.”

“No, you didn’t.  I made nice-nice and they apologized profusely.  They had no idea this was private land.  I took down their names and addresses and told them I’d get them on Sidney’s mailing list.  They were overjoyed.”

“Thank the gods you have a level head on your shoulders.”

“That’s what older brothers are for.  What’s Justin going to do?”

“He’s decided to replant his henge in the Village garden.  Hunter made that suggestion.”

“And Justin went for it?”

“Yup.  So I guess we’ll have to put up with uninvited guests until he’s done with his henge.”

“I might have a solution to that.  But we’ll discuss it later.  I think we have hungry mouths to feed,” John said as he looked out at the family.  Several of them were holding empty plates and looking toward the grill.  Brian nodded.  Just before he was about to start serving, he clanged his large spatula against the grill.

“Can I have everyone’s attention, please!” Brian announced loudly to get everyone to listen to him.  All eyes turned to him.  “I just wanted to apologize for my outburst before.  It was really uncalled for and I’m sorry for upsetting everyone, especially you, Sunshine.”

Justin stopped what he was doing and immediately moved to his husband’s side.

“I love you,” Justin murmured as he gave his spouse a sweet kiss.  “Now let’s eat!” Justin said loudly to the crowd.  The family cheered then began to line up for their burgers and hotdogs.

“Will wonders never cease,” Melanie mumbled to herself.  She couldn’t believe that Brian apologized in front of the whole family and he did it with dignity.

“What did you say?” Lindsay asked her mate.

“Um, I said I hope there’s no grease,” Melanie said quickly as she moved up the line toward the grill.

“Hmm, of course,” Lindsay murmured knowingly as she moved up too.

The rest of the afternoon went pleasantly without any more unannounced guests dropping by to disrupt the day.

*****

When just about everyone had gone home, John asked that the families of Edna’s Treasures Lane meet in the sun porch.  It was very late so Molly, Owen and baby Taylor were invited to sleep over.

“Ooo, I feel like we’re having a home owner’s meeting,” Emmett gushed.  He was passing around more drinks and treats to the assembled family.

“Well, in a way, we are,” John said as he accepted a tall glass of iced tea from the tall queen.  “First, let me propose a toast.”  John raised his glass of tea.  The family all did the same.  “To the families of Edna’s Treasures, long may we prosper and grow.”

"To the families of Edna’s Treasures!” the family repeated before taking a sip of their drinks.

“So, what’s this all about?”  Drew asked, voicing the same question they all were thinking.

“The incident today got me thinking.  For the most part, our kids play in the yard but as the kids grow and invite friends over I imagine they’ll be taking over the lane as well.  And now we have little Taylor who’ll be spending time up here.  We’re not planning on having more children but what if Cindy or Michelle decide to marry, live here and have kids.  We have enough land to build many more homes and you have to admit, uninvited guests aside, this place is beautiful to raise children.”

The family all agreed.

“So what do you propose?” George asked.

“A gate,” John said.

“A gate?” Emmett asked.

“Yes, just inside the drive onto our lane.  The space will be long enough to hold a car or two as the driver keys in a code to open the gate.  A gate with a key pad, an intercom hooked to each house with maybe a security camera.  Let’s say, Michael comes up for a visit.  He can hit the intercom for our cottage and we can buzz the gate open.  The gate will deter unwanted visitors,” John explained.

“It sounds like a good idea, Babe,” Bobby said in support of his spouse.  “What do you think, Brian?”  All eyes again fell upon the unofficial head of the family.  Brian remained silent.

“Brian, I’m not saying we gate up each house or put a fence up around the meadow.  Just a gate at the end of the lane.  We know and the family is aware to drive slowly on our lane.  They all know to look out for the kids, but strangers won’t.  I’d feel better knowing the gate will prevent anyone from just randomly driving through here.”  Brian closed his eyes then pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Bri?” Justin began as he heard a sigh escape Brian’s throat.

“Do you all agree?” Brian asked his family.  He turned to scan each face.  One by one each member of Edna’s Treasures nodded in agreement.  “Do it, John.”

“You’re all right with this?” John asked Brian.

“I’m not sure, but it is the best solution.  And it’s not like I have to look at the gate all the time.  We do have that upgraded security system at Tremont.  I know you’ll do it tastefully.  I just wish we didn’t have to do it at all.  But you are right about the children.  Patrick has his father’s pitching arm and Bree still loves to play soccer.  The gods only know what little Taylor’s choice of sport will be.  Some day our nice quiet lane will be overrun with children!” Brian said dramatically.

The family laughed breaking the tension just as Brian had hoped.

“I’ll get on it after the holiday.  We have most of the materials here already and I’ll contact the security firm we work with.  By the time Molly’s cottage is done, the gate will be finished too,” John confirmed.

“What about the intercom system?” Rachel asked.

“We can run the lines near the phone lines so we can have units attached close to the main phone in each home.  That way they’ll blend in.  And they’re very easy to operate.  Press a button to say hello, press a button to open the gate.”

“Well, I’m for it!” Emmett said enthusiastically.

“So am I,” Drew agreed.

“Owen?” Molly asked.

“No sweat.  I felt secure before, but this is a plus, especially if Molly and Taylor are up here without me.”  Molly glared at Owen.  “Not that Molly can’t take care of herself,” Owen quickly added.  The family snickered but Molly was satisfied.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea.  And I know John will do a great job with it,” Molly stated.

“We have the Molly Taylor-Brenner seal of approval,” Brian quipped.  “I think this calls for something harder than iced tea.  “Wine anyone?” Brian asked as he got up from his seat seeing nods of consent.

“I’ll help,” Emmett volunteered as they both walked into Brian’s kitchen and over to the wine refrigerator.  “You feel better now?” Emmett asked Brian.  “I know those strangers got to you today.”

“Yeah, I’m better now.  But I feel like a fucking asshole losing it like that.”

“It’s understandable, Brian.  You barely tolerate us encroaching on your space, but total strangers, that’s a hanging offense.”

“Depends on what’s hanging.”

“Oh you!  Come on let’s bring the wine out.  A nice glass of wine is just what the doctor ordered.”

The two friends brought out several bottles of a crisp summer wine to serve to the families of Edna’s Treasures.

*****

The day after the July Fourth party dawned bright and clear and not too hot.  Gradually everyone at Edna’s Treasures started to stir.  Molly and Owen had slept on the big brass bed in the sun porch and Taylor’s little cry for breakfast woke them.  Bree came barreling out of her bedroom to get Gus up so he could play with her before she went to day camp.  Debbie and Carl came through the front door and started breakfast, soon to be joined by Emmett and Drew who came up to help out.  Bobby and John along with Patrick came from their end of Edna’s Treasures to help with breakfast as well.

Justin opened an eye and looked over at his husband.  Brian was on his back staring at the ceiling of their bedroom.

“You awake?” Justin asked.

“Yeah, have been for a while.  Our busy little bees are buzzing around out there getting breakfast ready.”

“I smell coffee,” Justin said with a yawn and stretch.

“Yeah.”

Justin glanced over at Brian.  “You okay?”

“Just thinking.”

“About what?”

“About how things change.”

“Oh, like how?”

“Bree’s growing up.  She’s going to day camp and then it’ll be overnight camp and then she’ll be gone for the whole summer.”

“Let’s give her a year or two before that happens,” Justin chuckled.

“And there’s the gate.  Are we barricading ourselves off from the world?”

“Maybe … a little bit.”

“So what’s next – palisades around the property, armed guards, tanks in the lane?”

“Jesus, Brian, what are you talking about?”

Brian heaved a sigh.  “I bought this property so we could have a peaceful, private existence out here in the middle of nowhere.”

“And I ruined that with my henge,” Justin muttered half to himself and half to Brian.  “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not blaming you, Justin,” Brian said looking into his husband’s eyes.  “It had started to change before your henge.  Look at all the houses we have out here now.  And I do hate that we need the gate, but John’s right.  It will be safer for the kids with it at the bottom of the lane … and maybe it will stop me from going off on perfect strangers.”

“You had every right.  Those people should never have been roaming around our property.”

“No, they shouldn’t, but I was in the wrong too.  I thought I’d got past that kind of reaction.”

“Not quite,” Justin giggled.  “It’s part of what makes you Brian Kinney.”

“What!  The asshole part,” Brian said rolling his eyes.

“I love every part of you; you know that.  But we all lose it sometimes.”

“I don’t think I do well with change.  Couldn’t we have things stop changing?”

“Sure, right after we make Bree stop growing up.”

Brian sighed even more heavily.  “Fuck!  Let’s just stay in our bedroom and let the world go by without us.”

“Okay,” Justin agreed, “but we’ll miss Bree heading off for her first time at day camp.”

“Fuck!  I guess I better get up.”

“Brian,” Justin said seriously, “change is a good thing.  Without it we stagnate.  But unfortunately change doesn’t always take the direction we want it too.  Sometimes, though, adversity is good for us.  It makes us reevaluate and go in new directions.  The gate … and everything that’s happening can be a good thing.”

“Thank you for the PSA.”

Justin chuckled.  “Remember the first time you said that to me?”

“Yeah.  You always spout all that good citizen, good karma crap.”

“Seems to me you buy into it,” Justin said with a gentle smile.

“I believe every fucking thing you say, Sunshine,” Brian said pulling Justin over for a kiss.

“That’s good to know.  And I say we go fuck in the shower and then help our little girl to get ready for her first day of camp.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Justin watched Brian get up and head into the bathroom.  He heard the shower start, before getting out of bed himself.  He loved Brian so much and he loved Bree and he loved their life … gate or no gate.  He went to join Brian in the shower.

*****

“Where the fuck is the damn thing?” Brian demanded gazing down the lane.

“It’ll be here soon … I’m sure.”

“If they say 8:45, they should be here at 8:45.”  Brian paced back and forth.

“It’s just an approximate time,” Justin replied placing his hand on Brian’s arm to stop the pacing.

“If I was running this fucking thing, they’d be here when they said they’d be here … or else.”

“I know, kiddo, but you can’t run everything,” Debbie said with a chuckle.

“He’d like to,” John threw in with a laugh of his own.  Brian scowled at both of them.

“They’re dealing with kids,” Carl added as if that explained everything.

“Yeah, there’s probably some poor waif they’re trying to pry off his mother’s leg as we speak,” Molly joked.

“Want me to hold onto your leg, Dada?” Bree asked looking up at her father with her violet eyes.

“I always want you to hold onto me, Squirt,” Brian said with a genuine smile.

“I’ll come back this afternoon … right?” Bree asked looking at her Daddy for validation.

“Absolutely,” Justin said as he leaned down to adjust Bree’s Dora the Explorer backpack.

“I’ll make sure they bring us back,” Patrick said confidently, as John adjusted the Spiderman backpack on his son.

“I think I see a bus coming,” Emmett called.

All the remaining guests and residents from the Fourth of July party had assembled in the lane with Bree and Patrick to see the two children off on their first day of day camp.  Along with the parents were Carl and Debbie who had decided to stay overnight in their Winnebago, Drew and Emmett, Rachel and George, and Owen, Molly and little Taylor.  It was quite a crowd waiting at the top of the lane.

Finally the orange school bus pulled to a stop in front of them.  A large banner was taped along the side of the bus, proclaiming it to be from Camp Little Flowers.  The door opened and a pretty girl who might have reached the advanced age of twenty stepped out.

“Morning,” she said cheerfully.  She glanced at her clipboard and said, “I’m looking for Briana Kinney-Taylor and Patrick Morrison-Anderson.  I bet that’s you two cutie-pies.”  She smiled at Bree and Patrick.

“I’m Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor,” Bree said formally.

“I’m Patrick,” Patrick chimed in.

“Are you both ready for a fun day at camp?” the girl asked.

“Yes,” the two youngsters replied.

The girl smiled.  “I’m Cassie,” the girl said, extending her hand to Brian who appeared to be the main figure at the front of the rather large group of people assembled there. 

Brian shook the extended hand.  “Brian Kinney,” he said.  “And this is Bree’s other father, Justin Taylor.”

Cassie had a moment’s hesitation like she hadn’t realized she’d be dealing with a same sex couple.  Then her smile beamed brightly and she shook Justin’s hand.  “Are Patrick’s parents here?” she asked.

Bobby and John stepped forward and introduced themselves, shaking hands with the personable young woman.

“I just want to assure you that your children are in good hands.  We have a great day planned for them.  That’s Greg on the bus.”  A dark haired young man waved from inside the bus.  He was tending the children already aboard.  “We’ll both be working with the kids at the camp.”

“Great,” Brian said.

“Are you ready, Briana and Patrick?” Cassie asked.

Bree held up her arms for a hug from each of her fathers.  Patrick got hugs from his dads too.  Others started to step forward for hugs, but Brian held up his hand.

“Say goodbye to everyone, Bree and Patrick.  If you start hugging we’ll be here till noon,” Brian advised.

Cassie smiled a thank you to Brian.  “The first day of camp is a little like the first day of school,” Cassie said to him.  “Parents are a little reluctant to let the kids go.  That’s why we’re a trifle behind schedule.”

“Our kids don’t seem to be having any problem with that,” Brian said as Bree and Patrick had already climbed aboard the bus, and Greg had got them situated in a seat together.

“We’ll take good care of them,” Cassie said as she clutched her clipboard to her chest.

“You better,” Brian replied.

Cassie realized that the look on Brian’s face meant that she better do just that.  “Have a good day … everyone,” she called as she got back on the bus.

The bus pulled away and all the people from Edna’s Treasures watched it till it disappeared at the end of the lane.

“She’ll be fine, kiddo,” Debbie said gently to Brian.  He nodded.

“Patrick will watch out for her,” Bobby told Justin.

“Yeah, they’re good kids.  They’ll have loads of fun,” Justin agreed, trying to convince himself of that as much as Brian.

“Let’s go have some coffee and muffins,” Emmett said turning to start back into Edna’s Treasures.

“Food is always the answer to everything, isn’t it?” Brian griped.

Debbie slipped her arm through Brian’s as they started walking.  “Of course it is,” she said with a laugh.

Brian Un-henged                              

Chapter 11

Bree sat next to the window as she, Patrick and the rest of the kids were being carefully driven to the camp.  Being the farthest from the camp, they were the last ones to be picked up.  But they would be the first ones dropped off home.  Both kids had looked around when they had boarded and were happy to see so many familiar faces.  The Little Flowers Camp was centrally located to many of the neighboring towns and schools, so it serviced most of them.  Bree was a little worried when she didn’t see her best friend in the whole world, besides Patrick, on the bus.

“I bet her mom is dropping her off,” Patrick said knowingly, reassuring his cousin.  Bree looked up into the eyes that matched her Dada’s, her big brother and her Uncle John’s.  She gave Patrick a pensive nod then turned her head to look out of the window. 

Neither child had much experience on a school bus.  They were always dropped off and picked up to and from school by their families.  The only time they were ever on a school bus was during a school trip and that only happened once or twice a year.  Bree was a little nervous.

As Bree continued to stare, Patrick reached out and slowly took a petite hand into his.  At almost nine, girls were still icky and sometimes stupid but this was Briana and she held a very special place in Patrick’s heart.  Bree turned her head, a small smile began to curl up the sides of her mouth and her violet blue eyes became very large.  As her smile grew, it lit up Patrick’s heart and he was beginning to understand what his Uncle Brian meant with his laments about that Taylor smile.  They held hands all the way to the camp.

*****

“Ashley!” Bree cried out as she saw her best friend climb out of her mom’s car.  Bree and Patrick were patiently waiting off to one side while they were being assigned to their individual groups.  Patrick had seen several of his friends already in his group but he decided to wait until Bree was assigned as well.

“Bree!” the little girl called out.  The two friends hugged, bouncing up and down as if they hadn’t seen each other in ages.

“I hope we’re in the same group,” Bree said and Ashley nodded as they watched a camp counselor approach them.

“Ashley St. John?” the young woman asked.  Ashley held up her hand.

“Briana Kinney-Taylor?” the counselor asked looking at Bree.  Bree nodded.  “This way, girls.  You both are assigned to Carol’s group.”

“Yay!” the girls happily exclaimed, jumping up and down again then joining their assigned group.  Patrick went to his group once he knew the girls were together and happy.

Each group was comprised of six to eight children, all about the same age, a counselor and a junior counselor or counselor in training (CIT).  The day began with introductions within each group and with the CIT’s collecting the lunches to be refrigerated.  The highlight was when each child received two camp shirts with matching shorts, a camp baseball cap and a camp tote bag.  Bree was a little disappointed that the t-shirt wasn’t purple or pink but she decided to rise above it.

“We’ll be taking many trips so it’s important that you wear your camp shirts.  The camp’s name and phone number is printed inside just in case you get separated from the group.

“Where will we be going, Miss Carol?” Bree raised her hand to ask.

“Very good question, Briana.  We’ve been very fortunate that a generous benefactor has made a donation to our camp, so we’ll be able to take several trips each week.  We’ll be going to Harrisburg tomorrow to visit one of the museums.  So make sure you get here on time and wear your camp outfits,” Carol informed them all.

The day proceeded rather quickly with the children learning the schedules and the rules of the camp.

*****

“Where the fuck is the damn thing?” Brian demanded gazing up the road.  He was pacing nervously on the lane just outside of the cottage.

“It’ll be here soon … I’m sure,” Justin said with a feeling of déjà vu.  “Brian, I don’t have to remind you that this is the first day.  They have to get used to the route.”

“Thank you, Justin Taylor, for yet again another PSA,” Brian snarked but then quickly kissed Justin’s temple taking away the sting of his words.

“I know you’re nervous, Bri, so am I, but just try to stay calm.  If Bree thinks you’re upset, she won’t want to go back tomorrow.”

“I know,” Brian sighed.  “I’m being an asshole again.  It’s bad enough that Gus is heading off to college but now Bree and Patrick are jet setting all over Pennsylvania!”

“Brian, I don’t think camp day trips qualify as jet setting.”

“You know what I mean.  If they do half of what’s on the camp’s itinerary, they’ll be seeing ten times the amount of things I experienced at their age.  I never went to camp, day or otherwise.  Did you go?”

“Yeah, Mom made me go although I was happier to stay home and draw.  She thought it would help me to socialize more if I went to camp.  I guess it worked, but every day when I got home I tried to draw the places we had gone to.”

“Always the artist, weren’t you, Sunshine?”

“I guess,” Justin said softly.  “Hey, there’s the bus.  Bri, what are we going to do when the gate is completed?”

“I’ll work it out.  We can always meet the bus at the gate with the kids.  That’s if they’re on time,” Brian grumbled.  “Or just buzz them in when they get here.”

“Dada!  Daddy!” Bree shouted as the bus doors opened after the bus came to a full stop by the curb.  Bree flew down the steps and into Justin’s arms.  Patrick came down and was greeted by Brian.

“See you in the morning!” the driver and bus counselor said with a smile and a wave.  The kids waved as the bus turned itself around then drove back out of the lane.

“Did you have a good time today?” Justin asked both children as they went into the cottage.  Brian and Justin were bombarded and regaled with the day’s events by both children, as their afternoon snacks were served.

*****

“Hey, Mol, Owen, come on in,” Justin said as he answered the front doorbell.

Molly, Owen and Taylor were coming to dinner after having checked out the latest additions to their cottage down the lane.

“Hi, big brother,” Molly said as she kissed Justin’s cheek.

“Auntie Molly!” Bree screeched as she came running in from the screen porch.  “I’m glad you’re here ‘cause I went to camp and I swam and I played horseshoes and we hiked and I spent the whole day with Ashley and it was great.”

Molly laughed as she squatted down and gave her niece a warm hug.  “Sounds like you had a very good day, peanut.”

Bree leaned back and looked into her aunt’s eyes.  “I’m not a peanut,” she declared rather indignantly.

“I didn’t mean that you were an actual peanut, Bree,” Molly chuckled.  “Peanut is just a term of affection, like your Dada calls your Daddy Sunshine and your Dada calls you Squirt.”

“Oh,” Bree said her face thoughtful.  “And like Gus calls me Short Stuff.”

“Exactly.”

“Okay,” Bree said agreeably.

“How’s my favorite sister-in-law?” Brian asked as he came in from the porch too.

“Just great,” Molly said.

Owen was standing holding Taylor in his car seat.  He cleared his throat.  “I’m here too, in case anyone’s interested.”

“Hello, Owen,” Brian said as he looked down at the sleeping baby in the carrier.

“I’m just fine,” Owen replied.  “Want to take Taylor out of his carrier?”

“Yeah, if that’s okay,” Brian said, starting to unbuckle the little one.  He lifted the sleeping baby out of his nest and cradled him in his arms.

Bree watched all this.  “Doesn’t Taylor do anything but sleep?”

“Not much,” Molly laughed.  “Eat, sleep, poop, that’s about it.”

“Gross,” Bree said but she moved over beside her father to have a closer look at the baby.  “Can I touch him?”

“Of course you can,” Owen replied.

“Come with me, Bree,” Brian said as he headed for the living room.  He sat down on the sofa and Bree climbed up beside him.  “See Taylor’s little fingers,” he said to his daughter.  “You could hold onto them.”

Bree took the little hand carefully in hers.  She felt Taylor’s fingers close around one of her fingers.  That made her smile.  “He’s pretty cute,” she said looking at her Dada.

“Yeah, he is,” Brian agreed.

“But why wasn’t he a girl?” Bree asked.  “I asked for a girl.”

Brian snorted.  “There are some things in this world that you don’t have control over, Squirt.”

Bree frowned.  She didn’t like the sound of that.  “Can you and Daddy get a baby sister for me?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Why not?” Bree demanded.

“It’s not that easy to get a baby.”

“You got me, didn’t you?”

“Yes, we did.  After a lot of soul searching and finding the right person to carry you and…”

“Was I heavy?” Bree asked.

“Huh?”

“You said you had to find someone to carry me.  Was I heavy?”

Brian chuckled.  “No, Squirt.  We had to find someone to carry you in their belly like Auntie Molly carried Taylor.”

Bree stared at her father.  “Who did that?”

“A very nice lady.”

“Couldn’t she carry a baby sister for me?”

“I don’t think so,” Brian said slowly not liking the direction this conversation was taking.  “Would you go ask Auntie Molly if Taylor needs to be fed?  I could do that before we all eat.”  Brian hoped this misdirection would put an end to the topic of a baby sister.

“’Kay, Dada,” Bree said as she slid off the sofa.  “But I really, really, really want a baby sister.”

Brian heaved a sigh as Bree ran out to the kitchen where Molly, Owen and Justin were talking.

*****

A little while later they were all sitting around the table in the sun porch.  Bobby, John and Patrick had joined them for dinner.  Justin had done the cooking.  They were enjoying a roast of pork with baked potatoes and salad while Taylor slept in the middle of the big brass bed, having been fed by Brian.  The baby was surrounded by pillows to ensure that he couldn’t roll off.

“How are your sculptures coming, Justin?” Owen asked.

“Um…”

Owen looked from Brian to Justin and back again trying to decide what was going on.  “Care to explain that ‘um’?” Owen asked.

“I’m still working on the henge, but I’ve cut back,” Justin said carefully.

“Till you start setting up at the Village?”

“Sort of.”

“Am I missing something?” Owen asked with a frown.

“Well, some of the equipment I’m using is kind of dangerous,” Justin said.

Brian’s eyebrows shot up.  “You know you can do whatever you need to do,” he said emphatically.

“I know,” Justin replied.

“But…?” Brian asked.

“But I don’t want to worry you.”

“I worry when you leave our bedroom.”  Justin chuckled.  “I want you to continue with your henge.  It will look beautiful in the Village.”

“Are you sure?” Justin asked looking into Brian’s eyes.  He had promised not to spend so many hours out in the shed working on the henge, but he had privately decided that he didn’t want Brian to worry about him.  He had done little on his henge in the last few days, since the incident of the intruders at the July Fourth party.

“I’m positive.  Just don’t cut off anything essential.”

“And we all know what he means by that,” Molly laughed.  Owen’s mouth dropped open at Molly’s comment.  His wife always amazed him.

“I don’t know what it means,” Bree said innocently.

“Later, peanut, much later,” Molly told her.             

*****

“Dada, but why can’t I have a baby sister?”  Bree asked again as Brian was tucking her into bed for the night.  Brian thought they had finally closed the door on that subject but apparently he was wrong.  He briefly thought about making some lame excuse but Brian knew their daughter was very smart and very perceptive.  Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor required logical reasoning.  Brian steeled himself before answering.

“Squirt, there are several reasons why your father and I have chosen not to have more children.”

“Tell me, Dada.”

“Well, we think you and Gus are more than enough for us.  And then there’s Patrick and JR and now Taylor.  That’s a lot of children in our family.  Auntie Molly and Uncle Owen will most likely have more.  Not right away but probably in a year or two.  Another reason is that having a baby is a 24/7 job.  What does Taylor do?”

“He only eats and poops and cries sometimes and burps and he likes to bounce in your lap.”

“But not much else right now, right?”

“Right.”

“And when we get tired of bouncing Taylor in our laps, what do we do?”

“Give him back to Auntie Molly or Uncle Owen.”

“That’s right.  If we had our own baby there would be no one to give her back to.  She’d be ours 24/7 to clean and feed and burp and bounce.”

“Oh.”

“And there’s something else I’d like you to think about.  Your Daddy is a famous artist and he needs to be able to paint and draw and make his metal flowers and anything else he wants to do.  He spends a lot of time making his art and then the rest of the time he spends with us.  If we had another baby, one of two things might happen.  Your Daddy would stop making his art to spend time with the baby or I would spend more time with the baby and less with you and your Daddy.  Now I’m sure we would all work out some sort of schedule, but frankly, Squirt, I don’t want to.  I love spending time with you, taking trips to New York and other places, and your Daddy needs to have the freedom to work on his art.”

“Artistic freedom?”

“Something like that.  And there’s one more very important reason.  Your Daddy is still very young and has plenty of energy but I’m a lot older.  I’m not sure I could handle a baby.”

“But Dada, you’re not old!  You have lots and lots of energy.”

“Thank you, Squirt.  But I have to be practical about these things.  One day when you and Gus are old enough and find the right people, you can have all the babies you want.”

“I can have a baby girl when I grow up and get married?”

“Yes you can.”

“Okay, Dada.” 

Brian gave his little princess a kiss then retrieved the book that Bree wanted her Daddy to read to her. 

“Dada, can I marry you?”

“No, Squirt.”

“Why?”

“Because one day a handsome prince with flaming red hair is going to marry you.”

“Okay, Dada.”  Brian walked out of his daughter’s room.

“Hey, is she ready for her story?” Justin asked as Brian came into the sun porch.

“Did you know we have an amazing daughter?”

“I had an inkling.”  Brian kissed Justin deeply with promises of much more later on in private.

“What story did she pick out,” Justin asked breathlessly when finally released from Brian’s searing kiss.

“The Cat In The Hat.  Be prepared to do the voices.”

“As if I could get away with not doing the voices.”

“Probably not.  And Sunshine, don’t you ever stop fulfilling your dreams or doing the projects that you want to do.  Not for me, not for anyone.  Promise me, Justin.”

“I promise,” Justin vowed then sealed it with another kiss.

“Go,” Brian said with a gentle push.  “The princess is waiting.”  Justin smiled brightly then hurried to do their princess’ bidding.

Brian walked out into the gardens for a bit of air.

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 12

Brian walked out into the night.  John, who was working up in his attic office, watched his brother for a moment, then went out to join him, bringing Brian a bottle of water.

“Hey,” John said as he handed Brian the water.  Brian took a good drink.

“Thanks,” Brian said appreciatively.  The summer night was hot and a bit humid.  John took back the bottle to take his own drink.  “Aren’t you afraid of sharing my germs?”

“We share DNA, that’s scary enough.  Besides, you’re one of the healthiest people I know.  I’m not afraid of your cooties,” John said with a smirk. 

Brian took the bottle for another sip.  “Well, you should be.  I just admitted to my six year old daughter that I’m selfish,” Brian grumbled.

“Selfish!?  Now that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard you say.  Why are you selfish?”

“Because, I don’t want to have more children.  I like things as they are.  It’s bad enough that I have to share Justin with his art.  I don’t think I’d have the patience to share Justin with another baby.  I like the freedom we have.  Bree and Patrick are older; they don’t need to be watched every minute of every day.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” John said.  “But I understand what you mean.  We can do so much more with them at this age than when they were younger.”

“Exactly.”

“But that’s not being selfish.  That’s being practical.”

“I’d like to think so.”

“But?”

“But, I’m also getting older, too old to be caring for an infant.  That big 5-0 is getting closer all the time.”

“Oh poor you!  You’re as young as you feel and I have it on good authority that you still can fuck like a sixteen year old.”  John made Brian laugh.

“And whose authority would that be?”

“A certain hot blond twink.”

“And what would you know about hot blond twinks?  You have a red headed spitfire heating up your bed.”

“Then I’m an authority on heat and you keep turning it up all the time.  Brian, the point of this inane conversation is that I agree.  Bobby and I are very satisfied with our lives as they are now.  But you, my dear brother, have a long way to go before you can call yourself old.”  John took the water bottle and finished the last gulp.  “Come on, old man.  We both have hot twinks waiting for us.  Let’s go heat up some beds.”

“I like the way you think, big bro.  And John, thank you.  You always help me to make sense of things.”

“That’s what big brothers are for.”

The Kinney brothers went back into their cottage, locked up for the night then went in search of their hot twinks to turn up the heat.

*****

“And why am I the last to know about this ‘henge’?” Sidney Bloom bellowed in his gallery. 

Lindsay was trying to explain how Justin’s latest project came about.

“I don’t give a flying fuck if he got the inspiration from the local landfill.  I demand to see this henge and I want to see it today!”

Lindsay scurried off to call Edna’s Treasures.

*****

“Hi, Sidney!” Justin shouted and waved from the top of his ladder out in the field.  He had just ‘planted’ his fifth flower.  Brian was standing at the bottom of the ladder keeping it steady.  Lindsay had driven Sidney up to Edna’s Treasures to see Justin’s henge.

“Justin, my boy!  What is all this?” Sidney asked as he stomped across the field toward the ladder.

“I told you, you should have told him,” Brian whispered out of the side of his mouth as Justin scurried down the ladder to greet his irate agent and mentor.

“Shut up, Brian,” Justin whispered back.  “Sidney, what a lovely surprise!” Justin said cheerfully, while Brian snorted.

“And why is that, Justin?  Why have I had to learn about this wonderful new medium you’ve discovered from an email that one of my nephews sent me?”

“Um, I was going to tell you but I, uh...”

“Sidney,” Brian began, as he took the older man’s elbow.  “Allow me to give you the tour and fill you in on the campaign to launch Justin’s ‘henge’.”  Brian winked at Justin then guided Sidney around the meadow so he could get the full effect.

*****

“So the plan is to replant the sculptures in the Village garden,” Sidney confirmed.  “And Kinnetik is working on the publicity.”  Brian led Sidney through the field and into the sun porch.  Justin and Lindsay made themselves scarce as the adman made his pitch to Sidney.

“That’s right,” Brian said.  “Hunter Montgomery proposed the site.  Not only is the Village garden an esthetically appropriate choice, technically it’s not public land so we don't need any permits from the city.  The Village and the apartment house are owned by the Village co-op.  We already have their written permission.”  Brian produced a copy of the agreement that Hunter, on the behalf of the Jason Kemp Clinic and Village Association had signed.

“The Village garden is also a very secure location and we have the apartment renters, home owners and store owners all volunteering to keep an eye on the flowers.  We also have a list of fans who are jumping at the chance to catch a glimpse of Justin Taylor’s latest work.”  Brian produced the list of names, addresses and phone numbers of the tourists that visited the lane over the past several weeks.

“Hmm,” Sidney mumbled as he looked over each document. 

“A glass of iced tea?” Justin asked with his best flirty smile.

“Cookie?” Lindsay offered, smiling just as brightly.

Sidney tried to maintain his gruff demeanor; however, he was beginning to cave under the pressure.

“I surrender!” Sidney exclaimed, holding both hands up.  “But Justin, next time, warn your friendly neighborhood art agent.  I must be kept in the loop, my boy.”

“I will,” Justin stated as he poured a large glass of iced tea.  Lindsay placed a small plate of cookies on the table in front of Sidney.  Brian gave the man his own copies of all the documents.

All was right in the world....for now.

***** 

“Bree, are you listening?” Cassie asked.

“Yes,” Bree replied absently.

“Are you going to make something with your modeling clay?”

“It’s not clay,” Bree replied knowledgeably.  She kneaded the ball of material that she had been given so that it would soften up.

Cassie raised her eyebrows at the comment.  Briana wasn’t like any of the other kids at the day camp.  She always seemed to know so much more than anybody else.  “You’re right,” Cassie agreed carefully.  “Clay can be rather messy, so we chose to use this artificial modeling medium.”

“It shouldn’t be white,” Bree said picking up the ball of white artificial clay that she had been given to work with.

“We’re going to paint the sculptures when they dry,” Cassie said trying to encourage the little girl.  “You can paint it any color you like.”

Bree looked around the big table.  Everyone was working away making stars and flowers and cars.  Bree frowned.  She needed to think about what she wanted to create.  No stars or flowers for her.

“What are you going to make?” Ashley asked Bree, as Cassie moved down the table to help another child.

“I don’t know yet.”

“I’m making a flower for my mommy.”

“That’s nice.”

“Why don’t you make a flower for your daddies?”

Bree shook her head.  “No, I want to make something else.”

“What?”

“I don’t know.”

Ashley shrugged and went back to fashioning her flower.

“That looks like a stupid lump of snow,” a tall girl said to Bree from her position across the table.

Bree looked up and saw Winona, a girl who was in third grade at her school.  She sighed and continued to knead her modeling clay.  She knew there was no point in replying.  Winona would just make fun of her.

“Can’t you even talk?” Winona asked loudly.

“I can talk when there’s someone good to talk to,” Bree stated and then looked away from the girl.

“You’re an asshole,” Winona said with a sneer.

“And you’re stupid,” Patrick offered as he slid into place beside Bree and across from the obnoxious girl.  “Go away.”

“I don’t have to,” Winona told him.

“You better or I’ll report that you said ‘asshole’.”

Winona glared at Patrick and then picked up her modeling clay and moved to the other end of the table.  Bree smiled at Patrick who returned to his own clay starting to form it into something that Bree didn’t recognize.

“Thanks,” she whispered to him.

“That Winona is in my class at school.  She’s the asshole,” Patrick stated in a whisper of his own.  “You okay?”

“I don’t care what she says.  I don’t like her, and she doesn’t bother me.”

“I know, but I don’t want her to get away with anything here.  She’ll only do worse stuff if nobody calls her on it.”

Bree smiled at her cousin and best friend.  “You’re the best,” she said.

“Thanks,” Patrick grinned as he got back to his own design.

Bree picked up her clay and started to work on what she wanted to make.

*****

“Hi, Dada,” Bree called as she jumped down from the last step of the camp bus.

“Hey, Squirt, you seem to be in a good mood,” Brian chuckled.  He watched the bus pull away and then bent down to get a big hug from Bree.

“I love you, Dada.”

“I love you too.  Hey Patrick, how was your day at camp?” Brian asked as he stood up and ruffled the red hair affectionately.

“Pretty good,” Patrick said with a smile.

Brian smiled at his nephew.  “Justin’s making you a snack so let’s go inside.”  The children raced to the front door of Edna’s Treasures as Brian followed along behind enjoying the enthusiasm of youth.

“Hey, guys,” Justin called as the kids burst into the house.

“Daddy!” Bree yelled as she ran around the counter of the kitchen and into a warm hug from her father.

“Hey, sweetheart.  Did you have a good day at camp?” Justin asked.

“Pretty good after Patrick told that stupid Winona to fuck off,” Bree declared.

“What?” Justin asked with a frown.  He didn’t like his daughter to swear, and the thought of her swearing in front of a group of children made him cringe.  He could already hear the pending call from the camp counselors inside his head.

“Patrick didn’t really say that, but he made her go away,” Bree amended with a grin.

Justin let out a breath and looked up at Brian who had just entered the kitchen.  “You can tell us all about it while you have your cookies and milk,” Justin said as he set the glasses of cold milk and a plate with four cookies on the kitchen table.

Bree slid her backpack off her shoulders and set it on the floor by her chair.  She grabbed a cookie and took a big bite followed by a long drink of milk.

“So what’s the story about stupid Winona?” Brian asked as he sipped the iced tea Justin had set out for the adults.

“She’s this dumb girl in Patrick’s class at school.  She thinks she’s so smart,” Bree answered wiping the milk moustache from her mouth.  “She told me my sculpture looked like a stupid lump of snow, and I hadn’t even started it yet.  And then she called me an asshole.”

“She what?” Brian demanded, feeling his anger rise.  How dare anyone call his daughter an asshole?  That appellation was reserved for him, and even then he didn’t like it being used.

“It’s okay, Dada.  I’m not afraid of her, but she tries to scare the little kids,” Bree told her father.

“And you’re not one of the little kids?” Brian asked raising an eyebrow.

“No, I’m a big girl,” Bree told him.  “I’m not afraid of her, but Patrick said he was going to report her for saying ‘asshole’ if she didn’t leave me alone.”

“Good man,” Brian said sharing a high five with Patrick who grinned widely, very pleased with himself and the praise he was receiving for what he had done.

“I always look out for Bree,” Patrick said solemnly.

“And we count on you for that,” Justin said with a squeeze to Patrick’s shoulder.

“I like helping Bree,” Patrick declared.

“So, Winona backed off?” Brian asked.

“Yep,” Bree said, “but I can kick her ass if I have to, and Patrick and Ashley will help me.”

“Well, let’s not have any ass kicking unless it’s absolutely necessary,” Brian admonished.

“’Kay, Dada,” Bree agreed as she finished her cookie.

“What did you make with your clay?” Justin asked deciding that it was time to change the subject to something other than Winona and ass kicking.

“It’s not real clay, Daddy,” Bree said knowingly as she slid off her chair to retrieve her backpack.  “I told them it wasn’t real clay, but they said real clay was too messy, so we got this stuff.”  Bree hauled her piece of modeling material out of her backpack and held it out towards Justin.

“Oh,” he said.  “It’s that synthetic modeling material.  I’ve used it a couple of times.”

“Have you?” Bree asked.  “I like real clay better.”

“Me too, sweetheart,” Justin chuckled as he held up Bree’s sculpture.  It seemed to be a head with the top of it painted red.

“Did you make something too?” Brian asked Patrick, hoping no one would ask him to identify what his daughter’s sculpture was.  He wasn’t very good at that kind of thing.

“Yep,” Patrick said as he pulled a somewhat similar looking object out of his backpack.  However, the top of his was painted yellow and it had funny little things coming out each side.

“Are those eyes?” Brian asked as he looked at the blue orbs painted on the object that Patrick handed him.

“Yes,” Patrick nodded, pleased that his Uncle Brian seemed to know what he had made.

“You made me!” Bree declared with a bright smile.

Patrick grinned at her and nodded his head.  “I couldn’t think of anything else I wanted to make,” Patrick said feeling the color rise in his face.

“I love my ponytails,” Bree giggled as she touched the spiky parts sticking out each side of the head Patrick had created.  “I like it.”

Patrick looked at Bree affectionately.  “I want to give it to you.”

“Thank you,” Bree said leaning over and kissing Patrick’s cheek.

Brian and Justin watched Patrick’s face turn very red as his eyes sought the floor unable to look at Bree.

“And I just bet that you made a sculpture of Patrick,” Justin said studying his daughter’s piece of modeling material.

Bree nodded.  “They don’t have very good paints at camp though.  I tried to make Patrick’s hair, but I couldn’t get the color right.”

“It still looks like our lad,” Brian said gently.

“Daddy, can you help me get the hair right, and then I can give it to Patrick?” Bree asked.

“Of course, we’ll do that right after dinner.”

“Good.  I love my sculpture, Patrick,” she said to her cousin.

“Thanks,” Patrick replied, still slightly embarrassed by what he had done.

“Let’s go to the Wendy house,” Bree suggested.

“Okay,” Patrick agreed.

The two children ran out through the sun porch.  Brian and Justin heard Beau bark his greeting.  They knew the kids would be safe with Beau to protect them.

“They’re quite the pair, aren’t they?” Brian said as he set Patrick’s sculpture down beside Bree’s.

“We’re so lucky.  They’re great kids,” Justin replied.

“We must have done something right raising them.”

“We did everything right.  They’re such kind and happy kids,” Justin said feeling tears of gratitude well up.

“Yeah, most of the time,” Brian replied, earning him a swat from Justin.  They chuckled and stood up to put the empty glasses and plates in the dishwasher and start getting ready for dinner.

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 13

The buzzer startled Brian as he was packing up his briefcase.  He and Justin were going to spend the day in Pittsburgh.

“Who is it?” Brian directed his question toward the new intercom that sat on his desk up in his attic office.

“It’s Tommy and Jeremy from the gallery, Mr. Kinney.  We’re here to pack up the sculptures then take them to the Village garden.”

“Okay, drive in slow.  I’ll get you as close to the sculptures as possible.”

“Very good, sir.” 

Brian buzzed the gate open.

John and his crew had produced yet another miracle by completing the lane’s gate.  John had decided to fashion the gate using wrought iron and stone pillars.  The gate was elegant as well as functional.  It made Brian feel secure for the families on his lane, but not like they were all in a prison.

Brian snapped his briefcase shut then left the cottage to meet the truck down the lane.

“Bri, I doubt if we’ll be home in time to meet the kids’ bus,” Justin commented as he was supervising Sidney’s men carefully wrapping the pieces of each flower then crating them.

“Not to worry, Auntie Rachel to the rescue.  Besides we all had that nice long talk with the kids about this.  The princess is prepared to do without us tonight if necessary.  I’ve packed us an overnight bag just in case.  We don’t have much at the loft.”

“I’m surprised Bree was that reasonable.  Careful with that!” Justin instructed Tommy who was winding bubble-wrap around the main part of the frog.

“Our daughter is nothing if not reasonable,” Brian snarked.

“And in what reality do you live, Brian?”

“In the reality of, the sooner this henge is replanted in its new and rightful home, the quicker I get back my Sunshine, with parts intact.  And Bree gets her Daddy back to paint with her at the easels.  That reality.”

“Oh.  Hey, take it easy!  Brian, I have to work here,” Justin pleaded.

“Go on, be one with the movers, Sunshine.  John is doing his final inspection of Molly’s cottage.  I’ll go annoy him.”

“You do that, Bri.”  Justin dismissed his spouse as he turned his attention to metal flower petals.  “Don’t lose any clamps!” 

“Hey, big bro.”

“Hey.  What are you dressed up for?” 

Brian was wearing his nicer jeans, designer shirt and a suit jacket.  “I’m taking the artist to the Pitts.  He wants to follow the truck transporting his sculptures.  I’m also meeting with Sidney.  I need to look the part when I finalize the campaign with him.”

“Ah.  Mr. Bloom requires that Brian Kinney touch.”

“Something like that.  I just think he likes bossing me around.  Is Molly’s dream cottage ready?”

“All set.  The phone company was here and they’re wired up into the gate system.  I was just testing things.  All they need is furniture.”

“If Molly is like every other woman with a new house, I’m sure a moving van with their furniture will be arriving any time now.”

“I’m sure you’re right.  So is Justin excited to see the sculptures go?”

“He’s supervising the packing as we speak but I think he’s a little sorry to see them go.  Just like he is with all his work.”

“He’ll get over it.”

“Yeah, he always does.”

“Will you be back tonight?”

“I hope so, if not I’ll call.  Later, John,” Brian said as he left the new cottage.

“Later.”

*****

“Hello, Brian!” Sidney Bloom cheerfully greeted the creator of Kinnetik and spouse of his number one client.  “Is Justin at the Village?”

“Yes, I dropped him off there,” Brian replied as he shook Sidney’s hand.  “I’ll drive you over after we conclude our business, if you’d like.”

“Lindsay and I plan to go over later this afternoon.  Now let’s go over this campaign.”

As Brian and Sidney discussed the PR surrounding the sculptures, Lindsay’s latest ‘pet project’ walked through the door of the gallery.

“Jamie, what are you doing here?” Lindsay asked the attractive artist.

“Oh, I just came in to visit my painting.  I never thought I’d ever see something of mine hanging in a gallery anywhere.  No less in the same gallery that features Justin Taylor,” Jamie gushed.

“You know he started out very modestly.  He’s just very devoted and is willing to take chances.”

“I know, I’m not that ambitious but maybe I’ll be inspired to be, if I have the right support.”  Jamie batted her eyelashes.

“Justin is very lucky to have such a supportive partner,” Lindsay commented wistfully.  She sometimes wished that Mel would be half as supportive of her art as Brian was of Justin’s.

“Doesn’t hurt that Justin Taylor has a millionaire for a life partner,” Jamie said in a slightly bitter tone.

“It’s never been about the money.”  Lindsay felt compelled to quickly defend Justin.  “Justin always repaid his debts.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter now.  His work is sought after everywhere.  I just want to be famous here.”

“Why aim small?”

“Because I like teaching.  My home and family are here.  I don’t want to have to leave.  You have to make some sacrifices to become an artist on his scale.”

“True,” Lindsay confirmed.  She remembered how miserable Brian was without Justin, even for the short time he was away honing his craft and making important contacts.  “Well, let’s go look at your work,” Lindsay said as she took the younger woman’s elbow to lead her to the ‘new artist’ section of the gallery.

“I think we’re done here,” Sidney declared with a very satisfied grin on his face.  “I agree, a small local campaign with ads in selective newspapers and special invitations mailed out to our regular patrons is quite appropriate.”

“Don’t forget about the list I gave you.  I do not want to see those people in my lane looking for hamburgers, fries and a Coke.”

“I promise you; your list will get first priority.”  The two men shook hands on the bargain.  “Brian, his imagination and vision is growing by leaps and bounds.  I get requests for his Fractal Movie daily.  I keep tabs on Rage and while he’s not directly involved, his interest in that venue has never wavered.  I even have a copy of the Diversity DVD.  My nephews have seen it in school.  You do understand the implications of his growing popularity?”

“He’s conquered America, next stop Europe.  My little Caesar,” Brian said softly fully understanding the implications.

“Yes, my lad, I’m afraid so,” Sidney said solemnly.

“All hail, Caesar.”  Sidney patted Brian on the back then showed him to the door of the office.  “Who’s that, woman?  She is female?” Brian asked Sidney as he spied Jamie with Lindsay.

“Yes, she is, female that is,” Sidney said with a chuckle.  “It is getting harder and harder to tell these days.  That young woman is one of Lindsay’s protégées.  She’s an instructor at PIFA and as you can imagine, an artist.  We have a piece of hers featured in the ‘new artist’ section.”

“Seems like she wants a piece of Lindsay.  Does Mel know about her?”

“I believe she and Ms. Marcus are acquainted.”

“I bet the fur was flying when that happened.”

“Hmm, well, I have to clear up a few things here before we go to the Village and I’m sure you’re anxious to get there as well.”

“Is that your polite way of getting rid of me, Mr. Bloom?”

“Yes, Mr. Kinney.”  The two men laughed as Brian turned to make a beeline to Lindsay.

“Hey, Lindz,” Brian drawled giving the mother of his son the full Brian Kinney ‘come on’ look.  Lindsay was only slightly immune to its full effect.  She rolled her eyes at him but gave him a kiss, on the lips.  Jamie was not amused.  “And who’s this?”  Brian turned a steely gaze toward Jamie.

“Brian Kinney, Jamie Cunningham,” Lindsay formally introduced them.  “Jamie is an instructor at PIFA.  I was privileged to see some of her work.”

“I bet you were,” Brian snarked.  Lindsay gave him a sharp poke in the ribs.  “Oofh,” Brian groaned.

“We’re featuring one of Jamie’s larger works.”

“Show me, I’m always willing to support the arts.” 

Jamie narrowed her eyes a bit as Lindsay smiled then took Brian’s hand.  Jamie followed the couple to her painting.

“This is interesting,” Brian muttered.  “What’s the medium?” he asked, truly interested.  Over the years, Brian had been exposed to many forms of art.  And while by no means an expert, he did recognize quality.  “It has depth and dimension.”  Jamie was shocked that Brian was that perceptive.

“Yes, it does.  Jamie works with paper.”

“Paper?  This is all made out of paper?  Very labor intensive.”

“A labor of love,” Jamie stated.

“I can see that,” Brian added.  He stood gazing at the ‘painting’ for some time then internally shook himself out of his reverie.  He quickly glanced at the non-existent watch on his wrist. 

“Well, I must be going.  Places to see, ads to get running and twinks to be doing.  Very nice meeting you, Ms. Cunningham.  I’m sure with Lindsay’s guidance you’ll make a name for yourself,” Brian drawled, making every effort to keep the sarcasm out of his tone.  “Lindz, I’m headed to the office and then over to the Village.  See you there?”

“Maybe later, if I can get Sidney off the phone and out of his office.”

“Then I’ll talk to you later.”

“Later, Brian,” Lindsay said sweetly then planted her own flirty kiss on the man.  Brian smiled then left the gallery.

“That’s Justin Taylor’s life partner?” Jamie asked with disgust.

“Yes, he is.”

“Is he always so, so...”

“Yes, always.”

“How can you put up with it?”

“I’ve known Brian for most of my life.  I love him.  Now, I have to get back to work.  Bring me a picture of your next piece and we’ll see if we can feature that one as well.”  Lindsay quickly redirected the conversation back to more neutral ground.  She didn’t quite know what to make of Jamie’s reaction to Brian.

“Okay, sure.  Thank you,” Jamie said as she extended her hand out to shake Lindsay’s.  Lindsay shook hands but had the distinct impression that Jamie wanted more than a handshake.  Lindsay said goodbye then hurried back to the safety of Sidney’s office.

*****

“Hey, Pop!”  Gus boldly bopped into his dad’s office at Kinnetik.  Gus was about to turn eighteen, and he had been interning at Kinnetik for three summers now.  Once he graduated from high school, Gus had hopes of working full time at Kinnetik for at least a year before deciding on college.  His parents had other ideas, of course.

“Hey, Sonny Boy!  To what do I owe the pleasure?” Brian asked.  Brian’s suit jacket was off, his sleeves rolled up and he was elbows deep in a new campaign, loving every minute of it.

“I need to ask you something.”

“That sounds ominous.  What do you NEED to ask?  And how much is this going to cost me?”

“Oh Dad,” Gus exclaimed as he rolled his eyes.  “It’s not going to cost you anything, well, I don’t think it’ll cost you, money, I mean.”

“Gus, can you be a little more specific?  I think I’m catching a clue, here,” Brian snarked.  He indicated that Gus should take a seat.

“Dad, I’m going to be eighteen soon, that means I can do whatever I want.”

“No, it doesn’t.  It means you can register to vote and you have to register for selective service.  It doesn’t mean you can run amok.  Your mothers won’t stand for it.  And neither will I,” Brian said sternly, his eyes piercing Gus down to the core.

“Okay, Pop, I mean, Dad, I get it.”

“Gus, is there a point to all of this?  You may have the day off but I don’t.”

“Sorry, Dad.  I wanted to ask you if I could change my name.”

“Change your name?”  Brian’s brows knit together with a perplexed expression then his eyes widened in horror.  “You’re not planning a sex change are you?  I don’t want to start calling you Augusta.”

“NO!  Not my first name and FUCK!  A sex change, Pop?  Jeez.”

“Well, how the hell am I supposed to know what you’re talking about?  And with this family, I’m surprised we don’t already have a tranny.”

“Dad, can you be serious for a minute?”  Brian composed himself to look ‘serious.’  “What I mean is, I want to change my last name to Kinney.  I love my Mom, but I want to be a Kinney.”

“Gus...”

“Dad, I know you gave up your rights to me but that was a long time ago and only on paper.  You’ve been a real dad to me since I was five.  I want your name.”

“Gus, your mothers will have a fit and then they’ll kill me.”

“Before or after they kill me,” Gus snarked.  “Pop, I love you; I want your name.  Can you talk to Mom for me?” Gus pleaded as he turned his own hazel puppy dog eyes on his dad.

Brian sighed, scrubbed at his eyes then nodded his head.

*****

“Hey, Boy Wonder!” Michael shouted up at Justin who was currently up the ladder reattaching the head of a flower.

“Hey, Michael!  Want to hand me that petal?”  Justin pointed to a series of petals that were laid out in numeric order.

“Sure,” Michael said as he handed up the correct petal.

“Thanks, it’s easier if I have someone to help me,” Justin replied as the ladder teetered a bit.

“Whoa!  Be careful.  Brian will have a fit if you get hurt up there or down here for that matter.”

“Tell me about it.  He’s been a huge pain in the ass about it lately.”

“He can’t help it.”

“I know.  Next one, please.”  Michael handed up the next petal.  “Who’s minding the store?” 

“I hired your twins for the summer.  They’re really hard working and they’re a whiz on the computer.  They’re upgrading my system.  But I still can’t tell them apart and they talk weird.”

“They don’t talk weird, it’s just twin-speak.  Sort of a code just between the two of them, but they’re great kids.  I’m glad you gave them a job.”

“Me too and it gets me out of the shop for a while.”

“Why, I thought you loved it there?”

“I do but that guy keeps coming back.”

“What guy?  And don’t you want repeat customers?  Hand me that leaf section, thanks.”

“How many comics does one guy need?  Anyway, he looks familiar, like I should know him but I just can’t place him.  He just gives me the creeps, that’s all.”

“Well, the next time he comes in, just ask him.”

“You sound like Brian.”

“I guess I can’t help that.  There, this one’s finished.  Two more to go and then the frog.”  Justin laughed at that.

“You sure like teasing Brian about the frogs.”

“Yeah, I do but he knows I mean nothing by it.  And he’s really not scared of frogs.  But he loves the reaction Bree gives when he plays along.”

“He’s a good Dada, isn’t he?”

“Yeah, he is.  You are too, Michael.”

“But not like Brian.”

“Michael, no one is like Brian.  Thank the gods!”

“Thank the gods,” Michael said at the same time and they laughed heartily.  “You need a break?  We can get something to eat at the diner; that is, if you can leave your stuff here.”

“Yeah, I am thirsty.  The park is temporarily closed for the day.  I have the key to the gate.  And Tyrone is on the job.”  Justin waved up at one of the apartment windows.  They both watched as a long arm stuck itself out a window and waved back.

“One of Hunter’s kids?” Michael asked.

“Yes, before he came to Hunter, he was badly beaten by a john.  He’s physically better but sometimes he’d just rather stay inside.  Hunter arranged for him to rent that apartment.  Tyrone is another computer genius so he can do a lot of his work from home, and he earns an additional living by being the garden’s birds-eye security.”

“Wow,” was all that Michael could say. 

“Yeah, I know.  Come on, I’ll buy you lunch.”

“Great!”  The two friends locked up the garden then strolled to the Village Diner.

***** 

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my best friend and my partner looking very cozy,” Brian snarked with a raised eyebrow.  Justin and Michael did appear to be sharing secrets during their conversation in a booth at the diner.  Brian had a brief flashback of the two of them sleeping on his bed in the loft. 

Justin slid over to make room for his lover.  Brian sat with a huff.  Justin then planted a very romantic kiss on Brian’s lips.  “I love and want only you,” Justin whispered into Brian’s ear to reassure him then kissed Brian again.

“Get a room!” Michael groused sounding a whole lot like his mother.  Brian and Justin turned their heads towards Michael then the three men giggled like children.

“Brian, Michael was telling me about his stalker,” Justin said.

“Oh Mikey, get over it already,” Brian said as a waiter took their orders.  “I thought we were done with this conversation.”

“We’re not done, Brian.  That guy is giving me the creeps,” Michael whined.

“The next time he comes into the store call one of us.  Or maybe ask Carl.  What good is having a retired cop for a step-father if you can’t call him when someone creeps you out,” Brian said logically.

“Yeah, maybe I will,” Michael said with a smile.

“Good, now that’s settled.  Look who’s sitting at the counter.  No, don’t all stare at...you guys have no finesse,” Brian grumbled.

“Who is he?” Justin asked in a hushed tone.

“Hey, that’s toupee guy,” Michael contributed.  “Bri, doesn’t he look like that guy you made the bet with a hundred years ago?” 

“That guy was pretty hot,” Justin said nonchalantly, just to tease Brian.

“You will get yours, Sunshine,” Brian threatened.

“I hope so,” Justin said with a waggle of his eyebrows.  “We should stop by the loft, you know, check things out, make sure the plumbing still works.  You are the landlord.  You should be aware of the state of your properties and holdings,” Justin counseled, oh so innocently.

“I am well aware of what’s mine, Justin.”  Brian looked down his nose and into the blue eyes that were sparkling and teasing him.  Their orders came, temporarily suspending conversation.  They ate in companionable silence, enjoying the day and the company.

*****

“Done!” Justin shouted from the ladder.  The frog was the last piece to be planted and anchored into the ground.  After their brief respite at the diner, Justin, Michael and Brian walked back to the garden.  Most of the Village dwellers had stopped by to peer through the tall iron fencing that surrounded the garden to watch the artist at work and to offer words of encouragement.  Gordon’s wife had stopped by, as did Joan and Danny.  Sidney and Lindsay showed up just as the frog was completed.

Justin’s impromptu audience gave him a round of applause.

“Thank you, thank you,” Justin smiled brightly and took a bow.  “So what do you think?” he asked Sidney who was touring around each ‘flower.’

“Magnificent, just magnificent.  We’ll have the ceremony in a few weeks,” Sidney exclaimed with all the flourish he could muster.

“A small ceremony and casual, maybe promote it as a picnic in the park,” Justin suggested.

“All taken care of, my boy.  Kinnetik will handle everything.”

“I mean it, Sidney.  This was just an experiment.  The first two flowers aren’t perfect,” Justin stated his own brand of self criticism.

“Justin, not even nature makes perfect flowers.  All artistic endeavors are experiments.  You had a vision and you worked hard to see it through to fruition.  I think your experiment was a success.”

“Thank you, Sidney.  I had a lot of fun working the metal.”

“Do you see yourself doing more?” 

Brian overheard Sidney’s question.  He scowled at the thought of Justin and the arc welder.

“I’d like to do something else,” Justin began.  The furrows in Brian’s brow became more pronounced.  “But not now, maybe in the future, way in the future.”  Brian’s handsome face was furrow free once again.  “For now, I think I want a shower and maybe a romantic evening with my partner.”  Brian nodded, getting a sunshine smile as his reward. 

“Let’s go to the loft and check out my plumbing, Sunshine,” Brian said with his patented tongue in cheek smirk.  Justin giggled, waved up at Tyrone who remained on duty then left the garden with Brian.

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 14

“The bus is on the way up the lane, Bree,” Brian said as he came down from his office.

“I’m ready, Dada,” Bree stated as she hoisted her backpack onto her shoulders.

“You’re not worried about this Winona, are you?”  Brian had been a little concerned about the encounter between his daughter and this older girl.  He didn’t want Bree trying to defend herself against someone older and bigger.

Bree frowned.  “No, Dada,” she said seriously.  “Winona thinks she’s smart, but she’s dumb.”

Brian chuckled.  “If you say so, Squirt.”

“I say so,” Bree declared.

Brian squatted down in front of his daughter.  “I know you’re smart, Squirt, and I know that you can take care of yourself, but bullies can be nasty.”

Bree wrinkled her brow again and stared at her father.  “What do you mean, Dada?” she asked seriously.  She knew her father was trying to tell her something important.

“I mean that if this Winona threatens you or does something mean, I want you to tell the counselors.  I don’t want you taking matters into your own hands.”

“I’ll protect her, Uncle Bri,” Patrick said as he came in from his end of the cottages.

“I don’t want you getting into a fight either, Little Red,” Brian stated.  “If Winona causes trouble, report her to the counselors.  Do you understand me … both of you?”

“Yes, Dada.”

“Okay, Uncle Bri.”

“Good, now let’s get outside.  The bus should be pulling up momentarily.”

*****

“Did you talk to them?” Justin asked as he came up behind Brian who was watching the bus disappear down the lane.

“Yeah.”

“Did you get through to them?”

Brian shrugged.  “I don’t know.  We’ve convinced our daughter that she can do anything she sets her mind to, including kicking the ass of a girl at least two years older than she is.”

Justin sighed.  “She just might be able to do it too,” he said with a strange note in his voice.

“You’re not advocating that she get into a fight, are you?”

“No,” Justin said emphatically, “but I do understand the value of standing up for what you believe in.”

Brian turned and looked into the blue eyes.  “And look where that got you,” he said gently placing his hands on Justin’s shoulders.

“Eventually it got me right here with you,” Justin whispered as he wrapped his arms around Brian.

“Was it worth all the pain and anguish?”

“One hundred percent!”

“I … I don’t want Bree being in a situation where she could get hurt.”

“You can’t protect her from everything,” Justin admonished, “especially as she gets older.”

“I sure as fuck can try,” Brian declared.

“She’ll resent you if you interfere too much.”

Brian heaved a huge sigh.  “Then what am I supposed to do?” Brian asked in bewilderment.

“Exactly what you did today.  Talk to her … and then let her make her own decisions.”

“But what if…?”

“I can’t answer that, and neither can you.  What is meant to happen will happen.”

“When did you become such a fatalist?”

“I’ve always believed in fate.  I knew I was fated to be with you … right from that first night,” Justin said solemnly.

“You’re crazy you know.”

“Yep, and I’m the happiest lunatic in the asylum.”

Brian let out a roar of laughter.  “We do have the best asylum on the whole fucking planet.”

“You got that right, mister,” Justin grinned.  “So, let’s go into our asylum.  I could use another cup of coffee.”

“Me too,” Brian agreed as he slung his arm over Justin’s shoulder.

*****

“You’re a spoiled little brat.”

“Am not!”

“Are so.”

“You’re just dumb.”

“I hate you!”

“I…”  Bree was about to say she hated Winona right back, but she hesitated.  “I don’t hate you,” she said softly, “but I don’t like you very much.”

Winona stared at the little blonde girl who seemed to have everything in the world.  “I’m going to punch your face in,” Winona declared.  Bree was everything she wasn’t – cute and petite and rich and smart and … just everything.  She did hate Briana Kinney-Taylor.

“I wouldn’t try that,” Bree said raising her hands in a defensive posture.  She was shaking inside, but she wasn’t going to show Winona that.

“Why shouldn’t I?”

“’Cause I’ll kick your ass and then I’ll report you to the counselors.”

Winona snorted.  “You can’t kick my ass, you little squirt.”

“Only my Dada calls me Squirt,” Bree stated defiantly.

“Dada!  What are you, a baby?”

“I love my Dada, and if you’re trying to make me mad, you are.”

“I don’t care whether you’re mad or not.  You’re just stupid.”

“Can’t you think of any better insults than that?” Bree asked.

“What … what do you mean?” Winona asked in confusion.  She had expected Bree to cry … long ago.  This wasn’t the reaction she was looking for at all.  When she had seen Bree go to the restrooms, she had followed thinking she could get Bree alone and scare her.  They were alone, but Bree didn’t seem to be scared.  In fact, Bree was scaring her.

“I mean that my Dada has the best insults.”

“Oh yeah, like what?” Winona asked.

“Back off, fucker!  Yo, bitches, get the fuck out of my way!  Make sure it turns out right, Theodore, or I’ll have you murdered!”

“Your Dada says stuff like that?” Winona asked in wonder.

“Yep, and he means it too.  I’m not apposed to say it out loud, but you asked me.”

“Yeah, I guess I did.”

“So, don’t mess with me.”

“Would your Dada really have somebody murdered?”

Bree thought about that.  She didn’t think her Dada would really kill someone, but he sounded serious when he said it.  “I don’t know,” she said honestly.

Winona thought about that too.  She sure didn’t want to be murdered by Bree’s Dada.  She knew he was a pretty important man.  “Maybe we could be friends?” she said hesitantly, deciding to adjust her plans according to what was happening.

“Huh?”  This took Bree totally by surprise.

“If I don’t pick on you no more, could we be friends?”

“Um, yeah, I guess so,” Bree replied.  This was an unexpected turn of events, but it seemed like a much better thing than a fight with the girl who was several inches taller than she was.

“Good,” Winona said decisively.  “Let’s go back.”  She grabbed Bree’s hand and headed for the door. 

Bree followed along wondering what had just happened.

“Who’s Theodore?” Winona whispered as they came out of the restrooms.

*****

“So, how’s the new house?” Justin asked.

“Haven’t you been down to have a look?” Molly asked, as she got Taylor situated in his carrier.  She had placed him on the kitchen table where she and Justin were having some iced tea.  He was dozing peacefully since Molly had carried him up to Edna’s Treasures.

Justin played with Taylor’s little toes.  This was one cute baby if he did say so himself.  “I’ve been kind of busy.”

“I hear you got your ‘henge’ all assembled in the Village.”

Justin nodded.  “We’re going to have a formal presentation for it soon.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, Sidney insisted.  He wants the publicity.  So I guess I have to be there.”

“Then why don’t you make it a fun time,” Molly said cheerfully.

“And how might I do that?  You know I hate these publicity things.”

“Let’s have a picnic.  I’ll bring Owen and Taylor and you can bring Bree and Gus.”

“What about Brian?”

“Where you go, big brother, the mighty Kinney follows.”

Justin laughed heartily.  “I’ll have to remember that line and use it on Brian sometime.”

“He’ll tell you you’re full of shit.”

“I know he will, but he’ll also know it’s true.”

“Getting a little cocky, are we?” Molly asked with a grin as she took a sip of her tea.

“He’s been great about me making the flowers,” Justin admitted.  “I know he was worried that I’d hurt myself.”

“You got a good man there, Justin.”

“I know, and I intend to keep him.”

“What do you think about Owen and me having a housewarming party at the end of the summer, you know, for the new cottage?” Molly asked changing the subject.

“Do you think you’ll be in the house by then?”

“John says we can start moving in real soon, like maybe a week or two.”

“Wow, he really got the cottage done fast,” Justin noted.

“You would have known how far along he was if you ever came down to see,” Molly accused, but there was no animosity in her voice.

“I was kind of busy.”

“I know, Jester, but you need to take time for other things, not just your art.”

Justin rubbed his hand over his eyes.  He knew she was right.  “I know I should, but sometimes I just get wrapped up in what I’m doing.”

“To the exclusion of everything else.”

“Well, yeah,” Justin said slowly.  “But I have to take inspiration when it strikes,” he said in defense of himself.

“I know, but maybe you can combine the two things, like the picnic when they open the ‘henge’ at the Village.”

“When did you grow up and get to be smarter than me?” Justin asked as he squeezed Molly’s hand.

“I’ll never be smarter than you,” Molly said, “but I do know what’s important.  Taylor taught me that.”

“Smart little fucker, isn’t he?” Brian stated as he came through the front door and into the kitchen.  He had just caught the end of the conversation.

“He’s going to give Bree a run for her money,” Molly said with a grin.

“Don’t tell Bree that,” Brian laughed as he sat down at the table and gave Taylor’s foot a tickle.

“Want an iced tea?” Justin asked.

“If you’ve got one.”

Justin got up and went to pour his husband a frosty glass.

“Thanks,” Brian whispered to Molly.

“For what?”

“Helping him see what’s important.”

“Brian, I didn’t…”

“She wasn’t doing your dirty work for you, Brian,” Justin said as he handed Brian a glass of iced tea.  He sat down at the table.  “She was just telling me what she thought.”

“My services cost a lot more than your stingy husband is likely to pay,” Molly joked.

Brian’s eyebrow’s arched up into his still well preserved hairline.  “Stingy?” he asked.

“Just kidding,” Molly laughed.

Justin shook his head.  “I don’t know which of you is nuttier.  I can’t believe a thing that comes out of either of your mouths.”

“I love you, Sunshine,” Brian said with a grin.

“Well, maybe one thing,” Justin laughed.

“And I love you too, Jester.”

“Okay, maybe two things.”

“Where were you?” Molly asked Brian.

“I went into town to get a few things for my gardens,” Brian said smugly.

“Your gardens are beautiful as always.  Um… Would you consider helping me with the gardens down at the cottage?” Molly asked as she thought about how beautiful the cottage would look with Brian’s magical touch with the gardens.

“I might be persuaded,” Brian said crossing his arms on his chest and leaning back in his chair.

“How much is it going to cost me?” Molly asked with a shake of her head.

“Since you seem to think I’m so stingy, I doubt you could afford my exorbitant prices.”

“Brian…” Justin said with a warning in his voice. 

“A night of babysitting the munchkin,” Brian proclaimed, as he leaned over and tickled Taylor under the chin.  The baby was just waking up from his nap.

“Excuse me!  You’re going to create my gardens and all you want in return is a night with my son?”  Molly couldn’t believe her ears.

“I kind of enjoyed having him around here for a few days,” Brian stated.  “I wouldn’t mind feeding him and playing with him and reading him a story.”

“What about Bree?” Molly asked, amazed at what Brian was proposing.

“She can help me.  It’s good for her to have someone else to look after.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” Justin said.  “We can make a night of it, and you and Owen can have a date.”

“A date?  What’s that?” Molly asked skeptically.  It had been so long since they’d gone out anywhere by themselves that she doubted they could manage a few hours on their own.  They probably wouldn’t know what to say to each other or what to do.

“If we agree to this, you and Owen can find out about the fine art of dating all over again,” Brian replied.

“Deal!” Molly said holding out her hand to Brian to shake.  She thought she better take the offer while she had the chance.  She wasn’t likely to do better than what Brian was proposing.

“Deal,” Brian agreed shaking her hand.

*****

“So how was camp today?” Brian asked as he collected Bree and Patrick from the bus.

“Bye, Bree,” a girl shouted out the window of the bus as it pulled away.

Bree smiled and waved.  “It was okay, Dada.”

“Who was that?” Brian asked indicating the girl on the bus.

“That’s stupid Winona,” Patrick informed him.

“She’s not stupid,” Bree contradicted her cousin.

“Since when?” Brian asked with a frown.  “Did something happen with Winona today?”

“I said I’d be her friend,” Bree replied.

“You did?” Patrick asked.  “How come?”

“Yeah, how come?” Brian asked without realizing that he sounded just like Patrick.

“We talked about it and decided it would be better to be friends than to fight,” Bree explained patiently.  She was rather proud of herself.

“You decided…?”

“Yes, Dada.”

“And how did you come to that decision, if I may ask?” Brian wanted to know.

“I’ll tell you for cookies and milk,” Bree said with a grin.

“Care to give me a hint?” Brian asked as he opened the door for the children.

“I used some of your best threats to convince her,” Bree stated as she ran to the kitchen to get her cookies.

Brian groaned and followed.  He didn’t think he was going to like this explanation.

Brian Un-henged

Chapter 15

What is it that they say?  The best laid plans of mice and men (and artists) often go awry. 

It was closer to August when the Bloom Gallery was able to announce “A Picnic In The Park with Justin Taylor.”  As the plans were being made and confirmed by Sidney, Brian, Justin and Emmett, the first of Justin’s flowers decided to shed a petal or two.  Fortunately, said shedding didn’t occur with anyone standing under it.  It wouldn’t do for a two to three pound piece of metal falling from a height of approximately fifteen feet to hit someone on the head.  So a few repairs and adjustments had to be made.  And again fortune did shine down upon our Sunshine.  Gordon was in the neighborhood having lunch with his wife.  He heard about the premature shedding problem and offered his assistance to the freaked out artist.  When repairs were completed, Gordon offered to inspect the other flowers and of course, the frog.  Justin graciously accepted the offer.  When the ‘garden’ was fully inspected and declared safe by the master builder, Justin finally agreed to the picnic.

The afternoon of the picnic was a busy one.  The invited guests included the family, of course, and those art lovers who managed to ‘invade’ Brian’s space at Edna’s Treasures.  The Times and the Connollys were given the exclusive.  The day was pleasantly warm, hot dogs and hamburgers were plenty and the speeches were kept to the bare minimum.

“Hey Blondie, how’s it hanging?” Hunter asked making Justin roll his eyes.  The two boys who had once been rivals of sorts had grown to be fast friends.

“A little to the left,” Justin snarked.  They both laughed out loud.  “So what do you think?  This was your idea.”

“I think I have great ideas,” Hunter said smugly.  “Seriously, I like it.  It’ll bring more people into the Village...”

“And keep them away from our lane,” Justin quickly added.  “Hunter, this really was a great idea.  Brian is so much happier now and so is everyone else, including me.  I’ve gotten used to only us knowing about our lane.  You know about the gate?”

“Yeah, we all do and no one can blame you for it.  Anyway, have you heard about Mikey’s stalker?  What’s up with that?”  Hunter and Justin strolled off to a quiet corner to eat their burgers and dish about the latest gossip.

*****

“Pop, the moms are here, go and ask them,” Gus pleaded with Brian.

“You really know how to ruin my good mood, Sonny Boy,” Brian snarked.  Ignoring his father’s sarcasm, Gus pushed Brian toward where Lindsay and Sidney were standing.  They were just finishing up an interview with the Connollys.

“Sidney, may I borrow Lindsay for a minute?” Brian asked politely.

“Of course, my boy,” Sidney said as he sauntered off to consult with Emmett.

“We have a wonderful turnout.  Justin must be very pleased,” Lindsay commented.

“Yeah, pleased,” Brian murmured as he took Lindsay’s elbow then led her to a shaded arbor where they could talk.

“What is it, Brian?”  Lindsay knew something was up.  They sat on a bench under the arbor.

“Our son is trying to have me killed.”

“Oh I doubt that,” Lindsay replied matter-of-factly.  She was quite used to Brian’s drama queen moments.  “Why don’t you tell me exactly what he wants?”  Lindsay was using her ‘I’m a mother so don’t mess with me’ voice.

“You know our son is turning eighteen soon?” 

Lindsay nodded with a sigh.  Her ankles were slightly swollen from the humidity and she was feeling her age at the moment.  “Is he still trying to get you to buy him a car?”

“No … worse.”

“A motorcycle?” Lindsay asked in horror, her eyes growing wide.

“No, no, much worse.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake, Brian, what does he want?”

“To change his name.”

“What?”

“Not really change it completely, just add to it.”

“Add what?  Brian, you’re not making any sense.”  Brian took a deep breath, grabbing both of Lindsay’s hands.  He stared deep into her eyes. 

“Gus wants to take my name.”

“He wants to change his name to Brian?”  Now it was Brian’s eyes that grew wide.

“Lindsay, I love you, you do know that, don’t you?”  Lindsay smiled and nodded.  “But sometimes you’re just too blond for your own good.  Now read my lips, Gus wants to change his name to Gus Peterson-Marcus-KINNEY!”

“Ooohhh.  Mel is going to kill you.”

“See!” Brian said as he dropped Lindsay’s hands then sprang up from the bench to pace the ground.  Lindsay watched her first love pace the garden for a few moments then intervened.

“Brian, we’ve suspected something’s been up for a while now.  He’s been trying to make a lot of tough decisions and trying to do it on his own.  He finally came to us the other night.”

“So you knew about this?”

“No, not exactly.  But he was asking Mel about which computer sites she used to do research and he’s been borrowing the car to go to the library to use their computer.”

“The boy has a perfectly good computer at home, why does he have to go to the library?”

“Many reasons, the main one was so he could drive more often.  He knows he can go to the library anytime...”

“And he can do his research without risking you finding out.  Smart boy, our Gus.”

“Yes, he takes after you.”

“Sorry about the blonde crack.  Lindz, I am very proud that he wants my name but I’m the last one he should model himself after, and I do not want to get any further up your husband’s shit list.”

“Oh Brian, you’ve been the best father and best businessman.  No one remembers the other Brian anymore.”  Brian rolled his eyes at Lindsay.  “Well, hardly anyone, and the family doesn’t count in this.”

“Melanie does.  You two have been getting along better, haven’t you?”  Lindsay nodded.  “Then why risk ruining that?”

“Because, this is something that may help to define Gus as a man.  He’s not dropping our names, just adding yours.  You know he wants to learn the business; he loves working at Kinnetik.  Brian, I received a call from the entry board at PIFA.  Our son made them a proposal.”  Brian arched his famous eyebrow.  “He’s been accepted in a dual study program between Penn’s business program and PIFA’s graphic arts program.”

“Well, fuck me!  Why didn’t he tell me?”

“Probably for the same reason he didn’t mention the name thing to us.  He’s working out all the angles.”

“And probably thought if you two were ecstatic about him getting into Penn and PIFA, you’d overlook the name thing.”

“Probably.”

“Sneaky bugger.”

“Well, he is your son.”

“So, you’ll talk to the dragon lady about the name thing?”  Brian turned on the puppy dog eyes look. 

Lindsay laughed as she nodded her head.  “Yes, I’ll talk to her.  We better get back before we’re missed.”  Brian gave Lindsay a hug and a kiss.  “Did you hear about Mikey’s stalker?” Lindsay asked.

“Is he still going on about that?”  They walked back to the main garden, hand in hand not knowing they had their own stalker watching them.

*****

“What if he’s here?” Michael grumbled as he and Ben pulled into a parking spot in the Village garage.

“What about it?  Michael, you said this guy hardly talks to you and just buys comics.  What’s the big deal?  Besides, the whole family is here not to mention the press.  No one’s going to do anything.  The family is probably wondering why you’re not in the park.  Now let’s go,” Ben said reasonably.

*****

“Hi Teddy, Allen,” Emmett greeted his friends cheerfully.  “You all have enough to eat?” the party planner asked.

“Mmm!”  Ted and Allen with full mouths held up their overladen plates.

“That’s what I like to see.  We have a full turnout today.  Even her ladyship, Sarah Kingsley is here, holding court with the press.”  Emmett indicated Sarah standing next to one of Justin’s flowers.  Justin was smiling sweetly as Sarah Kingsley talked on and on to Richard Connolly.  Morgan Connolly was snapping away.  “And Michael finally showed up.”

“Where has he been?” Allen asked innocently.

“He claims he has some sort of stalker, so he’s been incognito lately.  Personally I think it’s all in his head,” Emmett whispered then turned to face Michael and Ben with a huge smile on his face.  “Mikey, Ben, so happy you could make it.  Let me get you some refreshments,” Emmett gushed.  He gave both men a kiss then went off to get more food and beverages.

“Hey look, there’s toupee guy,” Michael said with a chuckle when Emmett returned with a tray full.

“Who’s toupee guy?” Ted asked.

“Brian and I were having a drink at Woody’s a while back and this guy was coming onto Brian.”

“Michael, guys are always coming onto Brian.  He can’t help that,” Emmett said.

“I know but doesn’t that guy sort of look like the one who made that bet with Brian?”  They all craned their heads to get a good look at ‘toupee guy.’

“I don’t know, Michael,” Ted began.  “From what I remember, the man who made that wager was supposed to be hotter than hot.  I know we’ve all aged but that man doesn’t look very hot to me.”

“I agree, Teddy,” Emmett contributed.  “If he is wearing a toupee, it’s certainly not a good one.  Maybe it’s a comb-over,” Emmett whispered then tsked.  “No self respecting gay man would ever allow himself to have a comb over.  It’s so Donald Trump.”  Emmett shook his head.

“I think he’s after Brian,” Michael said in between bites of his hamburger.

“What makes you say that, Babe?” Ben asked as he sipped his lemonade.

“We all saw him at the Village diner the day Justin was planting his flowers,” Michael explained.

“Michael, he could be there for business reasons.  What makes you think he wants Brian?” Ted asked.

“Maybe he thinks he has unfinished business.  I don’t know.  But did you hear about my stalker?” Michael asked as he gulped down some soda.  The guys just groaned.

*****

“Jamie, what are you doing here?” Lindsay asked her new artist.

“I’ve come to see Justin Taylor’s latest work, like everyone else.  PIFA got a special invitation,” the artist and teacher explained.

“Oh yes, that’s right.  So what do you think?”

“I think it’s lovely.  I know some artists like working with metal, but it’s not easy.”

“No it’s not.  Um, the gallery will be having a small opening for new artists just after Labor Day.  If you have some new pieces you’d like to show me, come by the gallery.  Maybe we can get you into that show.”

“That would be fantastic!”  Jamie showed her enthusiasm by planting a sizzling kiss onto Lindsay’s lips.

“Would you look at that,” Debbie said as she leaned into Carl.  “Mel is going to have a fit.”

“I don’t think I want to know,” Carl said as he grabbed his wife to bring her over to visit with Jennifer and Seth.

“Mel, I think you have bigger fish to fry than me,” Brian said as he pointed over toward Lindsay.  Brian was trying rather unsuccessfully to broach the issue of Gus’ name addition with Melanie. They both caught a glimpse of the kiss.  Brian smirked as Melanie turned red in the face.  He chuckled as Mel stormed off to claim her wife.

*****

“I wouldn’t get in between Lindsay and Melanie, if I were you,” Brian offered his advice to Jamie who was taking one last look at Justin’s garden before she left the park.

“And what would you know about Miss Peterson?” Jamie asked with a sneer.  She still wasn’t quite sure about the relationship between this man and Lindsay.

“A lot more than you, and it’s Lindsay Peterson-Marcus.  She’s married and has been for a very long time.”  Brian could see that Mel’s rival was about to explode when Gus sauntered up.

“Hey, Pop!  Oh excuse me, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“It’s okay, Sonny Boy.”

“The moms want to talk to you.”  Brian nodded.

“Excuse me,” was all that Brian said to acknowledge the young artist as he sauntered off with Gus over to where Lindsay and Melanie were standing.  It was obvious to Jamie and to anyone that the boy was Brian’s son but that was all that Jamie was able to make out.  Jamie walked over to the refreshment table to get a soda, deferring her departure in hopes of learning more.

“Here you go!” Emmett said cheerfully as he handed a can of soda to Jamie.

“Thank you.  Um, can you tell me who that gentleman is speaking with Miss Peterson?”

“Oh, that’s Brian Kinney, one of Pittsburgh’s leading citizens.  The young man with them is his son.  Such a good boy and very talented.  He’ll be taking some courses at PIFA this fall.”

“Really!” Jamie exclaimed.  That meant she might have more opportunities to be alone with Lindsay.

“Oh yes, we’re all so proud.”

“And the other woman?” Jamie prodded.  She knew who Melanie was but wanted more information.  Apparently this cheerful man was a fount of information.

“That’s Melanie Marcus, a lawyer and Lindsay’s husband for…oh dear, what century is this?  Oh and there’s JR; she’s their daughter.  Mel’s pride and joy, as Gus is Lindsay’s.”

“Brian Kinney is the father of Lindsay’s son?”

“And Michael Novotny is JR’s dad,” Emmett said innocently as Michael joined the family grouping.  “We’re just one big happy family!” Emmett gushed then turned to hand a hotdog to another picnicker.

“Hmm,” Jamie grumbled.

*****

“Hey.”

“Hey, Bri.  What’s up?”

“Not me at the moment,” Brian said softly as he received a loving kiss from Justin.  “The family all here?”

“Yep.  All present and accounted for.  Even my Dad came.”

“I’m happy for you, Sunshine.”

“So, why don’t you sound happy?”

“I think we’re finally getting old.”  That made Justin laugh.

“Why do you say that?” Justin asked Brian.  Then he turned to Briana.  “No, running, Bree,” he said as she was trying to run a course around and in between the metal sculptures.  Justin was multi-tasking as most parents do.

“It’s amazing how we do that.”

“Do what?”

“One minute we’re Justin Taylor, famous artist with his supportive partner, the stunningly handsome and savvy businessman, Brian Kinney.”  Justin cracked up with laughter.  Brian was still ever so modest.  “The next minute we’re Brian and Justin, fathers to an almost eighteen year old college student and to a six year old going on thirty little princess.”

“Did Lindsay and Mel agree to the name thing?” Justin asked, ignoring Brian’s lament.  He knew it meant nothing.

“Yeah, I think Sonny Boy may get his name.”  Justin wrapped his arms around Brian’s trim waist.

“You’re a brave man, risking Mel’s wrath,” Justin said.  Brian snorted but wrapped his arms around his spouse then kissed the top of the blond head.

“Come on, Sunshine, your public awaits,” Brian murmured, reluctantly disengaging from his lover’s arms.  “You have more people to meet and greet.”  The lovers kissed then transformed back into famous artist and stunningly handsome supportive spouse.

*****

“Excuse me, Mr. Novotny?” the alleged stalker approached Michael as Michael was disposing of his trash. 

“What?” Michael said as he jumped, slightly startled by the handsome young man.  “Who are you?  And why are you stalking me?”

“Stalking?  I’m not...but I can see why you would think that.  I guess you don’t recognize me.  But it was a long time ago.”

“I know you?”

“We only met a few times.  You were trying to be nice but I don’t think I gave you a chance.”

“But who are you?”  Michael was searching his memory but coming up blank.  The man had familiar facial features but Michael couldn’t put his finger on it.

“I’m Hank, Hank Cameron, David Cameron’s son.”  Hank held out his hand to a shocked Michael Novotny.

*****

“Brian Kinney,” a once handsome face purred.

“I don’t do repeats,” Brian fired back automatically.

“That’s good because we never did it that night, although you won the bet legitimately.  You have the right to collect your winnings.”

Brian snorted at the absurdity of it all.  “Mikey was right, you are Brandon.”

“Mikey?”

“A friend.”

“Did I do him?  Was he on the list?”

“No.”

“No matter.”

“Why are you here?” Brian asked coldly.

“My firm is considering opening a branch here.”  Brandon handed Brian his card.  Brian gave a cursory glance then pocketed the card.  “Since I knew the area well, I volunteered to scope out the prospects.  Thought I’d take the time to look up old friends and rivals.”

“And now that you have, don’t let me stop you from leaving.”

“Why would I leave?  The prospects are looking better and better.”  Brandon leered at Brian.  Brian was about to favor the interloper with some choice words when a strawberry blonde princess ran crashing into Brian’s legs.

“Dada, Daddy needs you!” Bree shouted up to her father.  Brian swooped down to pick up his daughter, shielding her petite body with his own.

“Okay, Squirt.”  Without further ado, Brian walked away holding Bree close, leaving the interloper standing alone.

“Who was that man, Dada?”

“Nobody, Squirt.  Now, let’s see what your Daddy needs.”

“Okay, Dada!”

Brian and Bree were quickly at Justin’s side and safe within his embrace, standing under Justin's metal garden.

Blasts From the Past

Chapter 1

“Dada, you and Daddy are going to be at camp this afternoon?” Bree asked as Brian adjusted her Dora the Explorer backpack on her shoulders.

“We’ll be there, Squirt,” Brian said with a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

“Good.”

“My dads are going to be there too, aren’t they?” Patrick asked.

“You can take that to the bank, Little Red,” Brian assured him.

Patrick smiled at his uncle, as the bus pulled up in front of them. 

“Hope to see you later today,” Cassie, the counselor, called from the bus.

“I’ll be there,” Brian said with a wave as the bus drove away.  He watched the bus disappear down the lane feeling kind of strange about what had just happened.  He turned to walk back into the cottage.  He shook his head and smiled wanly to himself.  He made his way out into the sun porch where Justin was working on the painting of Brian’s angels that he had promised to do.

“What are you looking so quizzical about?” Justin asked when he looked up from his concentration on the canvas in front of him.

“I … I just fucking waved goodbye to a school bus as it drove down the lane,” Brian stammered.

“Yeah?  So?” Justin asked with a frown.

“I’m standing in my quiet lane wearing my fucking designer jeans and waving at a fucking school bus.  How the mighty have fallen.”  Brian shook his head again.

Justin snorted derisively.  “I hate to burst your self-pity bubble, but you weren’t waving at a school bus.  You were waving at our daughter whom you love more than life itself, so buck up.  Your reputation is safe with me.”

“But a whole busload of kids saw me,” Brian griped with a silly lopsided grin.

“I’m sure they’re reporting your out of character behavior to the tabloids as we speak.”

“Can’t I get a teensy-weensy bit of sympathy?” Brian whined.

“What the fuck is the matter with you today?” Justin demanded dropping his brush in the cleanser can and moving over to Brian.  He wrapped his arms around his husband’s waist.

“I just feel like my life has changed so totally.  I’m not sure who I am anymore.”

Justin sighed and then kissed Brian’s lips lightly.

“See,” Brian said, “in the old days your tongue would have been down my throat and your hand would have been down my jeans.”

Justin leaned back to look into Brian’s eyes.  “Is this a cheap ploy to get some gratuitous sex?” he asked with a smirk.

Brian had to laugh at that comment.  “Is it working?  And our sex is never gratuitous.”

“You got that right, bucko!”

“Bucko?  What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”  Brian couldn’t hide the gleam of humor in his eyes at the caustic comment.

“It doesn’t mean anything, Brian.  I’m trying to cheer you up.”

“You’re not doing a very good job.”

“Shit!  I thought when you laughed I was making progress.”

Brian raised an eyebrow.  “I … I never envisioned that I would have a family and a daughter and a son going off to university and…” Brian stopped, looking very serious again.

“Hey, where am I in all that?” Justin demanded when Brian didn’t finish his list of supposed atrocities that had beset his life.

“Top of the list.”

“Okay then,” Justin said sarcastically.  He wasn’t going to let Brian get him down.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me today,” Brian continued.  “I just feel out of sorts.”

“You’re not getting out of going to Parents’ Day at Bree’s camp.  She’ll kill both of us if we don’t show up.”

“I want to go for her, but…”

“But what?  Oh wait, it’s the other hundred screaming kids that have you worried.”  Brian nodded.  “I’ll protect you, big guy,” Justin promised.

“You better.”

“I will,” Justin restated.  His lips found Brian’s and his tongue found his husband’s tonsils.  His left hand popped the buttons on the designer jeans and snaked its way down to the hidden treasures inside.

Brian groaned mightily.  “Now that’s more like the kind of cheering up I had in mind.”

Justin laughed.  “I knew this was all a ploy.”

“We have hours before we have to be at the fucking camp.  Let’s go back to bed,” he whispered in Justin’s ear. 

“I was going to work on your painting.”

“I’d rather work on your body.”

Now it was Justin’s turn to groan as Brian dragged him to their bedroom.  The painting would still be there later, but their bodies needed the attention right then.

*****

“Are you sure we have to do this?” Brian asked as he pulled the SUV to a stop amidst the myriad of other cars already assembled for the Camp Little Flowers Parents’ Day.

“I thought I had fucked all that negativity out of you,” Justin said smugly.

“You certainly tried.”

Justin grinned.  “We haven’t had a marathon like that in a while.”

Brian snorted.  “You call three hours a marathon?”

“Yes I do.”

Brian turned off the engine.  “I remember when we could go all night and never blink an eye.”

“Maybe we should see if Ted has any Viagra if that’s what you want to do,” Justin laughed.

Brian glared at him but didn’t take the bait.  He slid out of the car and walked around to Justin’s side.  “Where the fuck are we supposed to go?”  Brian looked around at the tables and booths and games that started at the edge of the parking area and extended as far as the eye could see.  It looked like a perfect representation of Hell to him.

“Come on, ya big grump,” Justin said grabbing Brian’s arm and pulling him towards the assembled masses.

“Daddy!  Dada!” a little voice screeched. 

Before they could reach the edge of the parking area a little blonde bombshell crashed into them wrapping an arm around each of their legs.

“I thought you’d never get here,” Bree scolded.  “Everybody else’s daddies and mommies are already here.”

“Sorry, Squirt, your Daddy kept me busy,” Brian said with a smirk.

Justin stifled his retort not wanting to upset his daughter.  “We’re here now, Sweetheart.  What should we do first?”  He glared at Brian who merely smiled smugly.

“Hotdogs!” Bree said definitively.

“Hotdogs,” Brian groaned.

“Great!” Justin said cheerfully.  “I’m hungry.  Your Dada didn’t let me have lunch.”

“I waited to have hotdogs with you,” Bree said pulling on each of their arms.  She led them over to the food area where John, Bobby and Patrick were already munching on hotdogs.

“’Bout time you got here,” John said as he bit off some of his dog.

“Good dog?” Brian asked ignoring the implied criticism.

“Best tube steak I’ve had in years,” Bobby laughed.  “Right, Patrick?”

“Yep,” Patrick agreed as he continued to eat his own dog.

Bree was at the table ordering hotdogs for each of them.  She handed one to her Daddy and another one to her Dada before taking her own.  Justin doused his with mustard and ketchup and added ketchup to Bree’s. 

“What do you want on yours, Brian?” he asked.

Brian snorted.  “A steak.”

“Be serious.”

“You don’t know how I take my hotdogs after all these years?” Brian asked in a mocking voice.

"It's been so rarely that I've ever seen you eat a hotdog," Justin said seriously.

"You can count the number of times on the fingers of one hand," Brian replied with a superior sneer. "Do you know what's in those things?"

“Good, Dada,” Bree said her face smeared with ketchup.

“Oh fuck, throw on some mustard,” Brian told Justin.  “There’s a time and place for everything.”

Justin handed the mustard clad hotdog to his husband. Brian took a big bite and chewed without too much grimacing. They all knew Brian would do anything to please his little princess.

“Good, Dada?” Bree asked.

“Fabulous.”

That elicited a big ketchup smile from the little girl.  Justin also smiled fondly at his husband, and Brian knew he had done the right thing by eating the fucking hotdog.

“Here, wash it down with this,” John said handing Brian a paper cup filled with red liquid.

“What is it?”

“Red Koolaid.”

“Yummy!” Brian snarked, but he took a drink hoping it would help the hotdog disappear.

“Time for games,” one of the counselors yelled.

The kids started jumping up and down as Brian watched in horror.  What the fuck would they expect him to do – dunk for apples or throw balloons full of water?  He shivered at the thought.

“I told them we’d play soccer, Dada,” Bree said, as Justin wiped the ketchup off her face.

“Soccer?” Brian asked perking up at that comment.  Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.  “Good girl,” he said to Bree as she took his hand to lead him over to the soccer area.

*****

Teams Briana and Brian Kinney-Taylor and Patrick and Bobby Morrison-Anderson were both victorious in their respective sports, each returning to Edna’s Treasures with trophies.  Glorious songs of triumph were sung throughout the night.  The spoils of war were proudly displayed on fireplace mantels.

“Daddy, did you see my field goal?”

“I saw, Baby Girl,” Justin crowed proudly as he chopped vegetables to stir fry.

“Did you see mine, Sunshine?” Brian said with a wink and a smirk.

“I saw.  And I also saw your long ass legs flying over six year olds.  Not fair, Bri.”

“Hey, there were other moms and dads on the teams.  I can’t help it if they can’t play soccer for shit.”

“Yeah, Dada had a soccer collar-chip!  He can’t help it if he’s the best soccer player ever.”

“Yeah,” Brian said smugly as he hugged his number one fan.

“If this mutual admiration society would curtail the accolades for a while, maybe we can set the table for dinner,” Justin announced sternly.

“Yes, dear,” Brian replied contritely as he took a stack of plates out to the sun porch.

“Yes, Daddy,” Briana said meekly as she sucked her lips into her mouth.  She carried the cutlery and napkins.

Justin chuckled as he added the chicken to the pan.

*****

“Admit it, little bro, you had fun today,” John commented as they passed around a bowl of fresh cut up melons for dessert.  “You looked good out there.”

“John, it was a game with kids and a bunch of parents that were lucky if they knew which goal was which.”

“Maybe, but I could imagine what you must have been like on the field at Penn.  You’ve still maintained your competitive spirit.  It shows in your business and your game.  And you’re in great shape.  I don’t want to hear you complain about growing old.  You may have aged Brian, but you’re far from old.”

Brian had no words, so he gave his brother a crooked smile.

“Dada, Unca Bobby has lots of trophies at Grandpa Doctor Dan’s house.  Do you have trophies?” Bree asked innocently. 

Slightly shocked at the question, Brian had no answer for his daughter.  How could he tell her that he never brought any of them home because his parents wouldn’t have cared?

“Bree, I don’t know if your Dada has any of his trophies hiding someplace, but I saw many of them,” Bobby answered for Brian.

“You did?!  Where?” Bree asked as her eyes grew large with wonder.

“I went to the same university that your Dada did.  His trophies are there.”

“Can we go and see them some day?” Bree pleaded to her fathers.  Brian, unable to refuse any reasonable request from his daughter, nodded slightly.

“Brian, Gus will be going to Penn for orientation soon.  We can all go.  Make it a family vacation,” Justin said reasonably.  John and Bobby agreed.

“I haven’t been back since I graduated.  I’d love to show Patrick the campus; maybe he’ll want to go there someday,” Bobby added, ruffling his son's bright red hair.

“Gus is a great kid; we’ll all lend him our support, Brian,” John contributed.

“A Kinney invasion, Penn will never be the same,” Brian snarked as he popped a small cube of melon into his mouth.  “I foresee a road trip in our future,” Brian declared as dessert continued.

*****

“Daddy, can I paint for a while before I go to bed?” Bree asked.  Justin knew she was very tired from the busy day they all had; however, Bree always had enough energy to paint.

“Okay, Baby Girl.  I’ll set you up at your easel.  I have a painting for your father that I’m working on.”

“Thank you, Daddy,” Bree said cheerfully.  She looked over at her daddy’s canvas and recognized herself in her daddy’s arms as he sat in her rocking chair in her bedroom.  “Pretty, Daddy.”

“Thank you, Sweetheart.”

The artists painted until the sun set over the meadow.

*****

“John, you’re fidgeting.  Is there a storm coming?” Bobby asked his husband as they lay together in their bed.

“Maybe, I’m not sure.  It feels like something is out there, waiting to cause us trouble,” John said pensively.  Bobby had never discounted his spouse’s sixth sense about the weather or other things and he wasn’t about to start now.

“Do you mean that literally?  Because Beau is quiet.  If he heard anything outside, he’d sound the alarm.”

“No, nothing like that.  It’s just something or someone wanting to upset our lives.  Bobby, we just have to keep our eyes open.”

“Whatever you need me to do, John, you know I’ll do it.”

“I know, love.  You’re my heart and soul.”  John wrapped his longer body around his love.  “Make love to me, Bobby,” John entreated.  “I want you.”

“I love you, John,” Bobby whispered as he made gentle love to his man.

*****

“What is it, Bri?  You’ve been acting strangely all day,” Justin said as he snuggled close to his mate.  The cottage was quiet, the kids fast asleep, exhausted from the events of the day.

“It’s nothing really, Sunshine,” Brian murmured softly as he kissed Justin’s temple and wrapped his arms around him.  “Just have some things on my mind.”

“Like what?” Justin asked.  He turned in Brian’s arms so he could see his lover’s face.

“You know Mikey’s stalker?”

“What about him?”

“It turns out he’s Dr. Dave’s son.  He just showed up out of nowhere.  Mikey isn’t sure if it’s a good thing or not.  And then...”  Brian hesitated to tell Justin about Brandon.

“Go on,” Justin encouraged his lover with a small kiss.

“I met toupee guy at the picnic,” Brian said with a sullen tone.

“Who is he?”

“Brandon.”

“Brandon?  The fuck bet, Brandon?”

“Yes.”

“What does he want?”

“Me.”

Blasts From the Past

Chapter 2

“Daddy, did you have fun at camp yesterday?” Bree asked as she and Patrick waited for the bus to come up the lane.

“Yes, sweetheart, it was very enjoyable,” Justin replied.

“But you didn’t win a trophy,” Bree said.

“I don’t need to win a trophy to have fun.”

“Really?” Bree asked her eyes wide with surprise.

“Winning isn’t everything,” Justin said firmly.  “I had lots of fun running the three legged race with you.”

“Even if we fell down?”

“Because we fell down.  Remember how much we laughed.”

“Yeah,” Bree said with a giggle.

“You guys were pretty funny,” Patrick laughed.

“You and Unca John fell down too,” Bree pointed out.

“Yeah,” Patrick agreed with a big smile.  “That was fun.”

“See, Bree, you don’t have to win to have a good time.”

“’Kay, Dada,” Bree said as the bus pulled up.  “But a trophy’s nice too.”

Justin shook his head as the children climbed on the bus.  He waved to them before the bus pulled away.  There were only a couple more weeks of camp left as the summer was starting to draw to an end.  He hoped Bree had heard his message about winning and participating, but he suspected that she had inherited Brian’s attitude about the importance of being the victor.

*****

“Sit with me, Bree,” Winona said.

Bree shook her head.  “I always sit with Patrick,” she replied firmly.

“Okay,” Winona pouted.  “Where was your Dada today?  I didn’t see him at the bus with you.”

“He went into Pittsburgh,” Bree said.

“He’s pretty cool.”

“Yeah,” Bree said with a smile.  “And so’s my Daddy.”

“He fell down in the three legged race,” Winona said with an almost nine year old’s sneer.

“Yeah, but it was fun,” Bree told her.  “I like racing with my Daddy.”

“I bet your Dada could have won the race with you,” Winona instructed.  “You should have made him race with you.  He has really long legs.”

Bree frowned.  “Yeah, my Dada does have long legs.  They’re good for soccer, but I like my Daddy’s legs for three legged races.”

Patrick smiled at Bree and squeezed her hand as she sat beside him.  “Uncle Justin would like to hear you say that,” he whispered.

“It’s the truth,” Bree affirmed with a challenging look at her cousin.

“I know, and that’s why he’d like to hear you say it.”

Bree thought about that for a minute.  Maybe she’d tell her father that when she got home from camp.

*****

“Michael.”

Michael had his key in the lock on the door of his comic shop.  He stopped turning it and froze wondering if he was going to be robbed.  Then he realized whoever had spoken had used his name.  That didn’t sound much like a robber.  He turned around to see who it was.

“Hank!” he said in surprise.  “I didn’t expect to see you again.”

“When I told you who I was you were kind of spooked so I beat a hasty retreat,” Hank explained.

Michael studied the young man who stood in front of him.  He estimated that Hank, David’s son, should be about thirty now.  He was a little taller than Michael, slim and fairly good looking.  His hair seemed to have darkened with time.

“I thought you were stalking me,” Michael laughed nervously.  “I don’t know why you didn’t tell me who you were right off the bat.  It would have been easier.”

“I … um … I guess I didn’t tell you who I was because I wasn’t sure what your reaction might be.  You and my father didn’t part on the best of terms.”

“You know about that?” Michael asked.

“A little bit about it.  I was in the house with you two quite a bit of the time you were in Portland.”

“Yeah.  That didn’t last long.”

“You weren’t happy there,” Hank said gently.

“No, no I wasn’t.  Look, come on in and I’ll make a pot of coffee.  I was going to do some unpacking of inventory before I opened the shop, but I guess that can wait for another day.”

“You don’t mind?”

“No, come on.”  Michael unlocked the door and they headed inside.  He locked the door behind them.  Hank looked around the shop while Michael started a pot of coffee and checked his messages.  “How do you like your coffee?” Michael called out from the office a few minutes later.

“Black.”

Michael came out of the office carrying two mugs.  He indicated they should sit on the sofa that customers could use to browse through the comics.  “So, what can I do for you?” he asked Hank, taking a sip of his coffee.

“Do you remember that time I first came to visit my father in Pittsburgh.  He got called away to help somebody on the Pittsburgh Penguins, or some other sports team?”

“Yeah, and we ended up in a comic book shop instead of doing everything he had on his list.”

“He was kind of pissed at us,” Hank said shaking his head.  “But I really enjoyed that day.”

“So did I,” Michael said honestly.  When Hank didn’t answer, Michael decided to add something else.  “I thought we kind of … bonded that day.”

“Yeah, I thought so too.”

“Before that I was sort of scared of you,” Michael admitted with a little nervous laugh.

“Scared of me?” Hank asked in surprise.  “I was a kid.”

“Yeah, and you read the stock market pages and I read the cereal box,” Michael chuckled, making it into a joke, even if it was the truth.

Hank laughed.  “I was what … twelve or thirteen then.  What did I know?”

“It seemed like you knew an awful lot … like your father,” Michael admitted.  “David was very smart.  I guess he still is,” Michael added softly.

“Yeah.”

“Hank, is something wrong?”

Hank shook his head.  “There … there’s some things I need to talk to you about … if you can spare some time.”

“Go ahead, talk.”

“Um, it looks like you have a customer,” Hank said as someone tapped on the glass of the store door.

“They can wait.”

“So can what I need to say to you,” Hank said quickly.  “Maybe we could have dinner later in the week?” he asked as he gulped down the rest of his coffee.”

“Sure,” Michael replied, standing up.  “Let me know what day is good for you.”

“I will,” Hank said before heading for the door.  He turned the lock and quickly exited the shop, letting the impatient customer in.  Michael watched Hank disappear down the street.  Something seemed to be really troubling the young man.  He wondered if something was wrong with David.

*****

“I’m late,” Melanie said as she rushed into the office.

“We noticed,” the receptionist replied.  “Here’s your messages.”

“Thanks.”  Melanie hurried into her office.

She dropped down into her chair and closed her eyes for a minute.  She and Lindsay had been sparring ever since they got up that morning.  The bone of contention was the kiss between Lindsay and that Jamie woman. Lindsay kept saying it was nothing, but Melanie didn’t see it that way.  She didn’t like that kiss one little bit.

With a deep sigh Melanie started to look through the pile of messages.  One caught her eye immediately.  She picked up the phone intending to return the unexpected call.  Before she could dial, the intercom buzzed.  The receptionist told her that her fist client of the day was there.  She requested that he be sent in.  The call would have to wait.

*****

“Hey, Emm,” Drew said into his cell phone.  “I have to go to New York for a couple of days to meet with a sponsor.  Would you like to come with me?”

“Ooh, the Big Apple.  When and for how long?”

“I leave on Tuesday and come back Friday next week.”

“That is very doable,” Emmett said with a big grin that Drew could see right through his phone.  “I would love a few naughty days in New York with my hunky husband.”

“What makes you think they’ll be naughty?” Drew laughed.

“How long have I known you?”

“A while.”

“Then no explanation should be needed.”

“Sounds like a touchdown to me,” Drew chuckled.

“Ooh, you read my mind.”

“I’ll make the arrangements,” Drew said before he hung up.

*****

“Mr. Kinney, there’s someone here to see you,” the new receptionist at Kinnetik said into the intercom.

“I have no appointments,” Brian replied.  “No one knows I’m here.”

“This person doesn’t have an appointment, but she says she knows you.”

Brian sighed.  He didn’t really want to see anybody, especially someone claiming to know him, and a female to boot.  All the females he knew would either barge right in or broadcast their name and relationship to him for all to hear.

“She’s kind of insistent,” the receptionist whispered.

“I’ll be right out,” Brian said reluctantly.  This better be good, or he was going to have fun tossing his unwanted visitor out on her ass.  He stood up and walked to the door of Cynthia’s office.  He had been using it for the day.

When he stepped out into the lobby, he frowned and did a double take.

“Yes, it’s me, O great anti-Christ,” the woman laughed as she narrowed the space between them with strong sure strides.

“Leda!  What the fuck are you doing here?”

“At least you still remember me,” Leda laughed.  She held out her hand and Brian shook it.  She smiled coyly.  “And you have aged … magnificently.”

“Aged?  Speak for yourself.  I’m the same age I was when you were in Pittsburgh the last time.”

“I could almost believe that.”

“Almost?”

“Okay, so you look as good as ever.”

“You’re not doing so bad yourself.”  That elicited a big grin from Melanie’s old girlfriend.  “Come on in,” Brian said.  He watched Leda appraisingly as she strode into his office.  She was as tall and thin and sure of herself as she had always been.  She had aged very well just like he knew he had.

“Have a seat,” Brian said indicating the sofa.  “Can I get you a drink?”

“Perrier.”

“Coming right up,” Brian said as he fished a frosted bottle out of the bar fridge at the side of the office.  He opened it and poured most of the sparkling water into a wine glass.  He handed it to Leda.  “So what the fuck are you doing in Pittsburgh?  I always thought when people had the chance to escape, they never came back.”

“You never left?” she asked sipping her water.

“I tried a few times, but something always kept me here.”

“Justin.”  It wasn’t a question; it was a statement.

“Yeah.”

“How is he?”

“Great, and a big, fat, fucking success in the art world.”

“I know,” Leda said with a smile.  “I’ve seen articles about his work.  Very impressive.  You two still together?”

Brian nodded.  “Can’t seem to get rid of him.”

Leda laughed.  “If the way you looked at him was any indication, I don’t think you’d ever want to get rid of him.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Brian said tongue in cheek.  That was as close as he cared to come to admitting to Leda that he couldn’t live one day without his Sunshine.

“I put my best moves on you, you know” Leda grinned.

“Those were your best?”

“Asshole!” Leda laughed.

“Ah, I see my reputation has spread far and wide.”

“Like anyone believes you’re the cruel and crass hardass that you want people to believe you are!”

“Sh, it helps in business to have people be afraid of me.”

“Which brings me to why I’m here today.”

“And why might that be, other than your desire to possess my magnificent bod?”

Leda laughed.  “I think you’re exactly what I need.”

“My bod belongs to Justin.”

“What about your advertising skills?  Are they for hire?”

“Advertising?  Certainly.  Is that why you’re here?  You want to advertise something?”

“Exactly.”

“And pray tell, what might that be?”

“Have you ever heard of Lethal Motorcycles?”

“Yeah.  I thought whoever came up with that name took an awful risk, but it was pure genius appealing to some of the more daredevil type of motorcycle riders.”

“I’m Lethal Motorcycles,” Leda said simply.

“What?  You?”

Leda nodded.  “I came up with the name from my own name.  Leda Thalberg became Lethal Motorcycles.  I’m worth a few mill these days, so they tell me.”

“Well I’ll be fucked,” Brian said shaking his head.  He had read about Lethal Motorcycles’ meteoric rise since the bikes had first started being manufactured about ten years earlier.

“I offered to take care of that,” Leda said with a suggestive leer.

Brian ignored the comment and the leer.  “So, what are you doing here in Pittsburgh?”

“I came to see you.”

“Can we stop this dance now and get to the point.”

“I’m coming out with a new model that will revolutionize the motorcycle industry, if it’s handled properly.  It’s so unique that I think customers might be scared off.  I need to handle the launch of this bike very carefully.  It will either be a colossal success or the biggest disaster in the motorcycle industry.”

“And you want me to ensure that it’s a colossal success,” Brian said looking at this woman who had obviously become very successful since her days of sleeping on Lindsay and Mel’s sofa.

“That’s why I’m here.  I don’t want this to turn into another Edsel,” Leda replied.

“Bite your tongue!” Brian replied.  He didn’t like references to failures.  “Let’s move to the conference table and you can tell me all about the features of this new and revolutionary machine.”

“That’s exactly what I was hoping you’d say,” she said with a smile, as she joined Brian at the table.  She pulled out a file folder from her oversize bag and laid it on the table.  “Everything’s in there.”

“I’ll need that later, but right now tell me what’s so special about this motorcycle.  Use the words that best describe it, in your own way.”

“Okay,” Leda said sitting down at the table.  It took her almost twenty minutes to sing the praises of this new bike.  At the end of her description Brian was ready to start on his new campaign for Lethal Motorcycles.

Blasts From the Past

Chapter 3

“But I confirmed our flight and the seat assignments earlier today!  How can this happen?” Drew growled at the attendant at the airline desk. 

Emmett and Drew were booked on the shuttle from Pittsburgh to New York City.  It wasn’t a long flight but Drew thought he had confirmed two seats side by side.

“I’m sorry, sir, but there appears to have been some sort of mix up,” the attendant tried to explain.  Drew wasn’t hearing any of it.  He was huffing and puffing and looking every bit of the big football star he once was...an angry, big, football star. 

“Then make the mix up disappear and find two seats together,” Drew growled once more.

“I do apologize, sir and I am authorized to compensate you both for the inconvenience; however, this flight is completely booked.  I have no more seats to juggle.”  The young woman was doing her best to remain calm so as to not aggravate the situation any further.  She could see the steam rising from Drew’s ears.

“This is unacceptable,” Drew said as he slapped his ticket on the counter.

“Sir!  I will have to ask you to...”

“Excuse us, honey,” Emmett said sweetly and calmly to the woman as he firmly took hold of Drew’s elbow and led him away from the ticket podium.  He pushed Drew up against a pillar then spoke low, clearly and in a tone that would brook no argument.

“Drew, sweetheart, our flight to New York is what, maybe an hour long?  By the time we take off and level off, it will be time to descend.  I do believe that we can stand to be separated for that amount of time.  I may not like it but I am quite able to manage on my own for that long.”

“But Emm, that’s not the point.”

“And I understand that; however, we have only two choices.  We either take the seats as they are now or we take our chances on a later flight.  I know your meetings aren’t until tomorrow, but we don’t want to lose our hotel reservations, now do we?”

“No, Emmett.”

“Then I suggest that we take the tickets and get on the fucking plane.”

“Yes, Emmett.”

“Good.  Now, while I’m dealing with our luggage, you call the hotel and reconfirm.  Also make sure they’ll hold the room just in case we’re delayed.”

“Okay, Emmett.”

“There’s the Drewsie I know and love.”  Emmett gave Drew a discreet peck then went back to the ticket counter.  Drew dutifully took out his cell phone to call the hotel.

*****

By the time they checked their luggage and made their way to the gate, Emmett and Drew only had a few minutes wait before boarding.  During that time, Drew was pleasant and cordial to the fans that recognized the retired quarterback.  He signed autographs, shook hands and posed for pictures as Emmett looked on and smiled approvingly.  Drew was seated in the back of the plane so when his row was called, he nodded his temporary goodbyes to his spouse then boarded the plane quietly.

“Welcome to Delta shuttle flight 101 to New York’s LaGuardia airport.  My name is Dijon,” the familiar air steward greeted Drew.  “If you have need of anything, please don’t hesitate to ask me.”  Dijon flirted shamelessly.  Drew remembered Dijon when, as part of the Ironmen, the team would fly out of Pittsburgh to their away games.  More often than not, Dijon was the steward on their flights.  Dijon had a certain reputation that at one time, Drew might have had the desire to take advantage of.  But now the thought of being with anyone except for Emmett, was abhorrent.  Drew was fiercely loyal and totally in love with his queen.  Drew proceeded to his seat towards the back of the plane and prepared for take off.

“Welcome to Delta shuttle flight 101 to New York’s LaGuardia airport.  My name is Dijon, like the mustard,” Dijon repeated to Emmett as he smiled at the premiere party planner.  “I can be very spicy,” he murmured as Emmett walked past toward his seat.  Emmett recalled just how potentially spicy Dijon could be.  This was going to be a very long flight.

Halfway through the flight, Drew got up to use the lavatory.  Since the flight was a short one, no refreshments were served.  However, Dijon was stationed at the back of the plane if he was needed.

“Can I get you anything?” Dijon asked as Drew opened the lavatory door to return to his seat.  Dijon gently placed his hand on Drew’s massive chest.  Drew was startled but was quick to recover.  He firmly gripped the hand that was trying to fondle his chest.  He removed the unwanted hand from his person.

“No thank you,” Drew said confidently.  “There are only two men on my team; I have no need for replacements.”  Drew returned to his seat leaving the steward and his offer behind.

*****

“We’ll be landing soon; please fasten your seat belts,” Dijon said as he loomed over Emmett’s seat.  Dijon reached down for the seat belt, grazing Emmett’s crotch in the process.  “Pardon me,” Dijon said with a syrupy leer.

“Don’t let it happen again,” Emmett retorted seriously.  Emmett no longer feared nor was attracted to the handsome and compelling ‘Dijon, like the mustard.’  Emmett twirled the simple gold band on his ring finger.  Its symbolism was foremost in his mind.  He knew no matter how near or far Drew was physically, he was always in Emmett’s heart.  There would be no usurper.  However, that didn’t stop Dijon from trying.

“If I can be of any assistance while you’re visiting the Big Apple, please don’t hesitate to ask.  I can be very accommodating,” Dijon insisted.

“I imagine you can be, but I already have a personal assistant who fulfills the job very thoroughly and completely.  I’m not looking for any replacements.”  With that, Emmett closed his eyes, effectively ending any further conversation.

“Hmm,” Dijon muttered as he continued on to the next traveler.  ‘No replacements’ appeared to be a recurring theme for the day.

Due to some inclement weather, the plane circled the airport for the next hour but eventually landed and its weary inhabitants deplaned to go their separate ways.

“Thank you for flying Delta shuttle flight 101, the flight crew and cabin crew hope you have a pleasant visit here in New York and for those passengers who live here, welcome home,” Dijon said with practiced rote.

As the last of the passengers departed, Dijon followed, curious to see if his two gentlemen of interest were going to be met by a loved one.  Making it to the luggage carousel first, Emmett stood by watching the bags come out the main chute.  He was soon joined by his husband.  Drew smiled lovingly at Emmett as he affectionately bumped shoulders by way of a greeting.  Emmett smiled broadly.

“Hmm,” Dijon murmured sadly as he turned to return to the plane to prep it for the next flight.  His departure did not go unnoticed.

“A friend of yours?” Drew asked Emmett.

“Of sorts … in another lifetime.  You?”

“Same, same.  As I recall, he was always trying to be very helpful to the team when we flew his flights.”

“Were you ever the recipient of his help?” Emmett asked out of curiosity and not out of jealousy.  Emm realized that both he and Drew had a past.  Taking a page out of Brian’s book, there were no apologies or regrets.  The past was what it was.  It was the here and now that mattered to Emmett; the rest could stay where it belonged.

“No, I was too busy living up to my macho straight image back then.  But I did know a few that the mustard man had enticed over to the dark side,” Drew chuckled as he recalled the times.

“Dijon could be very convincing when he wanted to be.  And very persistent.  Not many men could say no to his offers.  But that was a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away when I obsessed about the perkiness of my ass and about which scarf matched my socks.  I’ve grown up and have my priorities clearly defined.”

“And I’m glad to hear it.  But, Emm…”  The quarterback grabbed both their bags to shoulder them as Emmett guided them out to the taxi line.  "Your ass is still very perky and your scarves always match your socks,” the big man said, and in return he got the joyous toothy grin he loved.

“Oh Drewsie, you always say the sweetest things,” Emmett purred as they stepped up to the taxi.  Emmett opened the door to allow Drew laden with bags, to get into the cab.

“Marriott Marquis,” Drew directed the driver.  The lovers sat back for the drive into the city, twining their fingers and whispering plans.

*****

“Lindsay, we meet again,” Jamie said cheerfully as she strolled into the gallery.  She had a large portfolio of pictures of her work to show Lindsay.

“Jamie, before I look at your work, I want to make something very clear,” Lindsay said sternly and in a very mother-like tone.  “I’m married.  Melanie and I have been together for over twenty years.  We have two children.  I love Mel and as pretty you are...”

“You think I’m pretty?” Jamie asked, focusing on only one portion of Lindsay’s diatribe.

“Yes, you’re very attractive but my point is that my only interest in you is that of a mentor.  And possibly being your friend.  There can never be anything more between us.  I apologize if I gave you the wrong impression.  Now, let’s have a look at what you brought me.”

Jamie appeared mollified for the present.  She and Lindsay took the portfolio into the office where they could discuss it in private.  About an hour later they emerged.  Lindsay had selected several pieces to be entered in the Bloom Gallery’s Emerging Artists show that was now held annually.  As Lindsay was showing the young artist out, Brian was coming through the glass doors.

“We meet again,” Brian snarked as he looked down his aquiline nose at the young artist.

“Be good, Brian,” Lindsay admonished the man with a gentle smack to his arm.

“I’m always good, Lindz,” Brian said as he gave Lindsay a gentle kiss.  “You know that,” he added as he winked at his college lover and the mother of his son.

“Is there a reason why you’re here tormenting me?” Lindsay asked with a put upon sigh.

“Yes, I need to discuss our son, that is, if you can tear yourself away from your protégée.”

“Jamie was just leaving.  Jamie, have your pieces ready by the end of the month.  I realize they’re rather large...”

“You always were a size queen,” Brian murmured knowing the women could hear his comment. 

Ignoring him, Lindsay continued, “So I’ll come to your studio to make my final selection.” 

Jamie’s eyes lit up at the thought of her and Lindsay alone together in her studio. 

Brian rolled his eyes.  “Just asking for trouble, aren’t you,” he mumbled as Lindsay showed the young woman to the door.

“Brian,” Lindsay growled in her best displeased mother voice as she returned to his side.

“Lindsay, that woman wants to get her hands on your twat and wherever else she can get hold of.  I don’t understand why you’re encouraging her.  You and Mel are finally in a good place.  Why the fuck are you taking the chance of ruining it?”

“I’m not taking any chances.  She’s a young artist with potential.  I just want to make sure she gets a chance.”

“A chance for what?  To get you alone and seduce you with the biggest strap-on she can find.  Lindsay, I love you, I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I won’t, Brian, I promise.  She means nothing to me,” Lindsay whispered softly.  Brian drew her protectively into his arms.

“Lindz, Melanie may not be my most favorite person in the world but she does love you and she tries, I know she tries.  Don’t fuck up your marriage for a bit of perky young tits and ass.”  Brian hugged Lindsay close, kissing her soft blond hair.

“What’s this about Gus?” Lindsay asked after a while.

“Let’s go into your office to discuss it.”

The parents of Gus Peterson-Marcus went into Lindsay’s office to discuss his future.

*****

“Ms. Marcus, you have a call on line two.”

“Who is it?  You know I’m busy.”

“She said she knows you and insisted on being put through.”

“Fuck,” Melanie said with a sigh.  “Okay, connect us, but this better be good.”

Melanie heard a click on the line and then said, “Hello?’

“Mel, is that you?” a familiar voice came across the wire.

“Leedz, is that you?”

“Yep, how the fuck are you?”

“Good, but to what do I owe the honor of this call.  I haven’t talked to you in years,” Melanie said, remembering that day that Leda rode away on her motorcycle after she and Lindsay had told Leda they weren’t interested in a three-way relationship with the woman.

“I’m a voice from the past … not a welcome one either, I bet.”

Melanie could hear the uncertainty in Leda’s voice, yet the woman had chosen to call … twice.  Melanie had meant to return Leda’s previous call, but had gotten sidetracked.  “No, not at all.  I’m glad to hear from you,” Melanie said quickly.  She wasn’t quite sure how true that statement was, but it sounded like the right thing to say.

“I left messages for you but you didn’t respond.  I wasn’t sure you would take this call,” Leda said with a hint of accusation in her voice.

“I’ve been really busy, and well, we did part under somewhat strained circumstances,” Melanie said cautiously.  She hoped Leda wasn’t interested in opening up that old kettle of fish.

“Yeah, but that’s all water under the bridge now.  We’ve both moved on.  Or are you still with Lindsay?”

“Of course I’m still with Lindsay,” Melanie reacted.

“Of course.”

Melanie could hear the laughter in Leda’s voice.  “Why are you calling out of the blue?”

“I’m in Pittsburgh … on business.”

“Business?  What kind of business are you in?”

“I thought maybe we could have dinner and I could fill you in.  We could catch up.”

“I … um … why don’t you come to the house and have dinner with Lindz and me?  You can see the kids,” Melanie suggested.  She thought that might be a safer plan than meeting Leda somewhere alone.

“Do you think Lindsay would go for that?”

“Sure,” Melanie lied.  “She’d love to see you.”

Leda laughed out loud.  “You’re as full of shit as you ever were.”

“Thanks a bunch,” Melanie said sarcastically.

“Look, I’m in town.  I thought it would be nice to see you again.  If it’s a problem, just say so.”

“No, it’s not a problem.  Come to dinner tonight.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure,” Melanie replied.

“You still in the same house?’

“Yep, the one you renovated.  Need to stay in the attic?”

“No, I have a hotel.  I’ll see you about seven?”

“Great,” Melanie said before she cut the connection.  Now all she had to do was convince Lindsay that this was a good idea.

*****

Brian headed out to his car.  He had promised to have dinner with Lindsay at her house.  It meant some time with Gus, and JR too, so that was a good thing.  He stopped beside his Corvette and pulled out his cell phone.  He hit one on speed dial and waited.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself.  Did Bree and Patrick get home okay?”

“Yep.  The bus is reliable, Brian,” Justin informed his husband.

Brian snorted.  “I’d rather drive Bree myself.”

“I know, but it’s part of life, learning to ride a bus.”

“If you say so.”

“Are you at Lindsay’s?”

“Not yet.  I’m about to head over there.”

“Bree’s helping me with dinner.”

Brian smiled.  “Put her on for a minute.”

“Hi, Dada,” his favorite little voice said.

“Hi, Squirt.  You’re helping Daddy?”

“Yep, but he likes it better when you help.”

“He does?” Brian chuckled. 

“Yep, he told me.”

“Well, it’s just one night.  I’ll be home later.”

“Don’t forget to tuck me in, Dada,” Bree reminded him.

“I won’t forget.  Tell Daddy I’ll be home in a while.”

“I will, Dada.  Bye.”

Brian pocketed his phone and looked up.  There in front of him was toupee man.  “What the fuck do you want?” Brian demanded.

“I told you the last time I saw you.”

“Yes, I know and I’m not interested.”

“But … I’m back in Pittsburgh for a while, and I thought maybe we could get together.”

“You thought wrong.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a prior engagement.”  Brian opened the door of his car.

“I see you’re still driving the Corvette,” Brandon said.

“It’s an old friend.”

“So am I.”

“I hate to burst your reality bubble, but we were never friends,” Brian stated.

“Friendly rivals.”

“Rivals, but not friendly.”

“You treated me like shit,” Brandon declared.

“That’s ancient history that I don’t care to rehash,” Brian said as he slid into the Corvette.

“Look, can’t we have a drink and talk?  That’s all I want.”

“I’m late,” Brian replied as he started the engine.  Before Brandon could proposition him any further, he stepped on the gas and peeled out of the parking lot at Kinnetik. 

Brandon jumped back as the car whizzed past him.  “Fuck,” was his only reaction.

Blasts from the Past

Chapter 4

“I’m sorry you’re not happy about me inviting Leda to dinner, but I couldn’t be rude,” Melanie said, as they set the table in preparation for dinner.

“Since when?” Lindsay retorted, folding the napkins.

“She’s an old friend.  And where do you get off inviting Brian without telling me?’

“We had a meeting about Gus.”

“Gus?  What about?”

“I’ll tell you later,” Lindsay replied.

Melanie frowned.  “Is there enough food or do I need to make something else?”  Dinner was almost ready.

“It’s fine.  We have plenty,” Lindsay said with a sigh, checking on what was in the oven.  “Let’s try to be gracious with both of our guests.”

“I will if you will,” Melanie responded.

“Great!” Lindsay snarked.

The doorbell rang at that moment.  “I’ll get it,” Melanie said as she headed out of the kitchen.

“If it’s Brian, be nice,” Lindsay called to Melanie.  “And if it’s Leda, lock the door,” she muttered to herself.

“Leedz, come in,” Melanie said as she opened the front door.

Leda pulled her old flame into a warm hug.  Melanie couldn’t help but respond in kind.  After a minute they pushed back looking each other up and down appraisingly.

“Leda, how nice to see you again,” Lindsay said as she came up behind the pair.  “You’re looking … good.”

“Thanks, you’re not so bad yourself.”  Leda leaned over and kissed Lindsay’s cheek.

“It sure was a surprise when Melanie said you were in town.”

“Business,” Leda replied.

“You were going to tell me all about that,” Melanie said.

“After I see Gus.  He must be what…?  Twelve?” Leda asked.

“Try almost eighteen,” Lindsay laughed.  “Gus, JR, come down here,” she called up the stairs.

The two children came slowly down the steps to meet the woman who had arrived.  They shook Leda’s hand and made nice with the stranger.

“You don’t remember me, do you?” Leda asked Gus.  Gus shook his head.  “You were just a little baby the last time I saw you.”  Gus smiled not knowing what to say.  “And you’re growing into quite the young lady,” she told JR, eliciting a smile from the girl.  “You look a lot like your mother.” 

JR grinned.  She knew her mother was beautiful.

The doorbell rang again and Gus said he would get it knowing it was his father.  The others were ushered into the living room.

“Pop,” Gus said as he gave his father a hug.  “Did you talk to her?”

“I’ll tell you later, Sonny Boy.”

“Okay, um, there’s someone else here,” Gus said uncertainly.

“Oh?” Brian replied as he stepped from the entry hall into the living room.  “We meet again,” he said tongue in cheek.  “What’s it been, a few hours since I saw you?”

Melanie and Lindsay looked from Brian to Leda and back again.  They couldn’t figure out what was going on with the two.

“Brian is the business I was talking about,” Leda said being deliberately obtuse about the situation.

“What kind of business?” Lindsay asked with ice in her voice.  She knew there had been some kind of attraction, and sparring, between these two when they had first met.

“I’ve hired Brian to do the new ad campaign for the revolutionary motorcycle that my company will be launching soon.”

Mouths dropped, no one said anything, nobody seemed to breathe, as they tried to digest what Leda had just said.

“Are we eating … or what?” Brian asked after a minute.  “I have places to go, things to do.”

“Um, yeah, sure,” Lindsay said as she headed for the kitchen.  “If I can digest anything I eat after that bombshell,” she muttered as she started pulling things out of the stove and the refrigerator.

The dinner went by much more smoothly than anyone could have predicted.  Leda explained about her motorcycle business and her new project.  Brian tossed in some bon mots about how his incredible advertising skills would make sure Leda’s new motorcycle was a big fat fucking success.  The children talked about their schooling and plans for next year.  Melanie and Lindsay filled Leda in on what they were doing with their jobs.

“We’re all successful and beautiful,” Brian declared as he drank his coffee.  “Now that we’ve established that, I have to go.  I have a little princess at home who’s waiting for me to tuck her in.”

“I didn’t know Justin still needed tucking in,” Leda said with a grin, “although, he is so much younger than you.”

Brian glared at her, as Gus spit out his milk, some coming out his nose. 

“Sorry,” Gus laughed as he wiped his face.

“Seriously, I’d love to meet your daughter and see Justin again,” Leda proclaimed.

“Hm,” Brian replied as he stood up.  He wasn’t making any promises.

“I guess I should be going too,” Leda said.

They made their way to the front door. 

“Thanks for dinner,” Brian said hugging Gus and JR.  “Talk to you soon, Sonny Boy.”

Leda hugged Melanie and gave her a big smooch.  Lindsay did not look pleased.  Melanie merely smiled.

“I can drop you at your hotel,” Brian offered.

“Thanks,” Leda said with a smile.  They walked out together.  “I think we blew them away with our news,” Leda laughed.

“I always blow them away,” Brian said tongue in cheek as they got into his Corvette.

*****

Leda smiled when Brian pulled up to the Plaza; it was the finest hotel in town.  Brian correctly assumed that Leda was staying there.

“Would you like to come up for a drink?” Leda asked suggestively.

“As tempting as that sounds, I have two very special blonds waiting for me at home,” Brian countered.

“Brian Kinney, gay Pittsburgh’s premiere stud, a husband and father.  You’ve shaken my belief system to the core.”

“How so?” Brian asked as he turned in his seat to face Leda.

“There are certain constants in my life.”

“Which are?”

“My motorcycles are the best in their class.  Mel stubbornly hangs on to the notion that she belongs in that so-called monogamous relationship, and Brian Kinney would always be a slut until his dick fell off.”  Brian burst out laughing, much to Leda’s surprise.  She had expected a verbal assault.

“Well, two out of three ain’t bad.  Leda, believe it or not, somewhere along the way I found that I actually enjoy my monogamous life with Justin.  And that finding a way for him to father a child only enhanced our lives.  Look, I’m not preaching.  I’d be the first to say that if I was still the Brian Kinney you knew, I would have never considered having the life I have now.  At risk of sounding like a cliché, I grew up.  Justin was a big part of that happening.”

“Wow.  You just blew me away.  But I still don’t believe that you’re not led around by your dick.  You’re still one hot fucker.  I’m sure there are a lot of men...”

“And women.”

“And women, who would sell their soul for a night with Brian Kinney.”

“Maybe, but then if I did that it would be at risk to my soul.”

“I still don’t believe it.”

“Then why don’t you come to dinner Friday night.  We’ll make it a working weekend.”

“You’re inviting me to your home?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Aren’t you afraid I may crawl into your bed?”

“Nah, you may find your path barred by a very big dog or the princess.  So you better be on your best behavior.”

“She’s that special?”

“Just like her Daddy.”

“Good night, Brian,” Leda said as she got out of the 'Vette.

“Night.”  Brian watched Leda as she entered the hotel.  He drove around the block then pulled over to take out his cell.

“Hey.”

“Hey, yourself.  Is the Squirt still awake?”

“Yes, and she’s waiting for you.”

“There shouldn’t be too much traffic on the road now.”

“Good, it’s not too late; I’ll let her wait up.  But no speeding, safety first.”

“A day without your PSA’s is like a day without my Sunshine.”

“Oh that’s bad, Brian,” Justin said as he giggled. 

“Yeah, I know,” Brian agreed, also laughing.   “Later.”

“Later.”

*****

Michael walked into the restaurant.  It was late to be eating, but he had promised to be there.  He had hoped to convince Ben to come with him, but Ben had declined saying that it was Michael’s business and he needed to take care of it himself.

Glancing around the restaurant, he saw Hank sitting in a booth near the back.  Lots of privacy, Michael thought.  He drew in a breath and headed towards Hank, before the hostess had returned from seating other customers.

“Hello,” Michael said as he slid into the booth across from Hank.

“Hi, I’m glad you decided to come.  I was beginning to think you’d changed your mind.”  He looked at his watch to make Michael aware that he was late.

Michael almost grinned.  Hank had undoubtedly learned that from his father.  If you could put people on the defensive, you had the power.  He wasn’t going to play that game … anymore.

“Would you care for a drink, sir?” their waitress asked as she approached the table.

“Um…”  Michael looked at the glass of wine Hank had almost finished.  “I’ll have a beer, whatever’s on draft,” Michael said, deciding he wasn’t going to have wine like Hank had.  He never had taken to wine, even though he had pretended he enjoyed it and understood all that David had tried to teach him about it.  Beer was still his drink, and that’s what he would have.

“I’ll have another glass of wine,” Hank said, “then we’ll order.”

The waitress disappeared to get their drinks.

“Hank…”

“I know, Michael.  You think I’m nuts coming back here and trying to connect with you again.”

“I just don’t understand what you want.”

“I’ll tell you about that, but first I need to tell you something else.”

“Oh, what’s that?” Michael asked as his beer was set down in front of him.  “I’ll have the sirloin, medium rare,” he said deciding it might be easier to talk, or not talk, if they had food in front of them.

Hank placed his order for a steak too and took a sip of his wine.  “I want to tell you that I’ve always remembered that day we spent together when I came to visit my father in Pittsburgh.  It was one of the best days of my life.”

Michael frowned.  Hank had hinted at that before.  “That was a long time ago.”

“Yeah, and the fact that I remember it so fondly should tell you something.”

“I guess…” Michael replied uncertainly.

“I’m a chiropractor like Dad,” Hank supplied.  “I’m thinking of opening a practice here.”

“In Pittsburgh?”

Hank nodded.  “My father wanted me to join his practice in Portland, and I did for a while.  But…”

“But you were under his thumb,” Michael offered.

“Yeah, see, I knew you’d understand,” Hank said with a smile.

“Your father is a bit of a control freak,” Michael admitted with a little chuckle.

“Why did you and he break up?”

Michael thought for a minute.  There were a lot of answers to that question.  “When I moved to Portland with David, I left everything I knew and everyone I cared about behind.”

“Except for Dad.”

“Yeah, but he didn’t really want me to work once we got there.  He would have been happy for me to be a stay-at-home wife.”

“But that wasn’t for you.”

“I felt pretty useless.  I didn’t really fit in with David’s friends, and I had none of my own.  If I complained, I got an ultimatum about how I should do something about what was bothering me.  I finally did something.  I moved back here.”

“Do you ever regret that decision?”

“No, no I don’t.”

“Have you got a partner?”

“Yes, Ben, he’s a wonderful man,” Michael said with a big smile.

“I can see that you love him.  Did you ever feel like that with my father?”

Michael frowned deeply.  He had tried to tell himself that he loved David, and he had thought he did.  “No,” Michael said slowly, “I never felt for your father what I feel for Ben.”

Hank nodded knowingly as he dug into his steak.  They ate in silence for awhile.

“Hank, why Pittsburgh?” Michael asked after a bit.

“I don’t know.  You’re here.  It’s away from my father.”

“But it’s where he used to be,” Michael said gently.  “Wouldn’t you be better going somewhere completely new?”

Hank shrugged as he pushed his partly eaten dinner away.  “I don’t know what I’m going to do.  I’ve taken two months holiday so I can make some decisions.”

“What does your father think about that?”

“He’s not happy, but I told him I’m not coming back to his practice,” Hank said firmly.

“He would have loved hearing that.”

“Oh yeah!”

“What does your mother think?”

“She’s on her fourth husband.  She barely remembers I’m alive.  Lucky if I get a birthday card.”

Michael shook his head.  “That’s too bad.  Are you … involved with anyone?”

Hank grinned, but it held no humor.  “No, and I don’t even know what sex I would choose, that is, if I had a choice.”

Michael looked up in surprise.  He pushed his plate aside too.  “You’re a nice looking guy, Hank.  It shouldn’t be that hard.”

“I … how did you know you were gay?”

“I … just knew.”

“Well, I don’t,” Hank said shaking his head.

“You could be bi,” Michael suggested.  “Or maybe you haven’t met the right guy or gal.”

“Yeah, I’m sure my future is out there just waiting to find me,” Hank said sarcastically.

“It probably is,” Michael said trying to be reassuring.

“My father knows he’s gay.  Why don’t I?” Hank asked, the worry evident in his voice.

“Your father pretended to be straight for years.  He told me that,” Michael informed the young man.

“Yeah, that was when he was with my mother.  I don’t want to do that to some poor woman.”

“But they produced you, and that’s a good thing,” Michael said reaching across the table and squeezing Hank’s wrist.

“Thanks, thank you for saying that, Michael,” Hank said obviously choked up.

“Don’t make any hasty decisions about taking a practice here in Pittsburgh … or about your sexuality,” Michael advised.

The waitress brought the bill at that moment.  Hank cleared his throat and grabbed the paper.  “This is on me.”

“Really, you don’t have to,” Michael protested, reaching for the check.  He remembered all those times he had tried to pay for things and David wouldn’t let him.

Hank pulled the check out of Michael’s reach.  “It’s my treat.  I’m paying.  And I do appreciate everything you’ve told me tonight.”

“I … I didn’t do anything,” Michael protested. 

“You talked to me like a man, and you didn’t try to tell me what to do.  I appreciate that.”

Michael nodded.  “Okay,” he said feeling quite proud of himself for having elicited that comment from his young companion.

“Michael, I’ve been alerted to a practice that’s for sale in Philadelphia.  I’m going there tomorrow to have a look.”

“I think a place other than Pittsburgh might be better for you,” Michael counseled.

“Who knows?  Maybe it will be everything I ever wanted.”

The waitress brought back Hank’s credit card and he signed for their dinners.

“Thanks for dinner,” Michael said as they made their way out of the restaurant.

“Would … would it be okay if I stayed in touch with you?” Hank asked.

“Sure.  I want to hear about what you decide to do.”

“At least you’re interested,” Hank replied sarcastically.

“Hank…”

“Sorry, but it’s the truth.  I’ll stop by your store when I get back from Philadelphia,” Hank said.

“Okay, you’re one of my best customers.” 

Hank laughed and Michael watched him walk away down the street.  He suddenly felt very good about himself and what he had said to Hank.

*****

“Dada, is camp really almost over?”  Bree asked her father as he was tucking her into her bed.  It was almost mid August and although camp still had a couple more weeks to go, the parents of Edna’s Treasures decided to spend the last two weeks together as a family.  Gus was scheduled for another orientation.  This time Brian, et al, wanted to accompany him.

“Yes, Squirt, it’s almost over.  Gus is going away to school soon, and your Daddy and I want to see the college with Gus.  We’re all going to go.  Uncle John has never seen Penn State, so he and Uncle Bobby...”

“And Patrick?”

“And Patrick, are coming too.”

“Yee Haw!” Bree cried out, sounding so much like her blond father.  Brian grinned from ear to ear.

“So you see, Squirt, if you and Patrick stayed in camp, we wouldn’t all be able to go.”  Brian hoped the logic of the situation would be evident to his very perceptive and logical daughter.

“Oh, okay, Dada.”  Brian kissed his very logical daughter good night.  “Dada, can Daddy read me a story?”

“Sure, Squirt.  I’ll send him in.  Night, Bree.”

“Night, Dada.”

“She’s waiting for her story,” Brian remarked as he went into the kitchen for a beer.  Justin was at the refrigerator getting himself a glass of juice.

“Do you know which one she wants tonight?”

“Not a clue.  But listen, when you’re done, come up to the office.  I want to update you on a new campaign I’m working on.”

“You don’t normally discuss your campaigns with me.  What’s up?”

“Later.  The princess wants her Daddy first.” 

Curious, but knowing he’d learn about it soon enough, Justin acknowledged the summons to the inner sanctum with a nod, finished his juice then went to do the princess’ bidding.

“I sure hope you know what you’re doing, Kinney,” Brian’s conscience mumbled a warning as Brian took his beer up to the attic office.

Blasts From the Past

Chapter 5

“Brian, you have a Mr. Brandon Tierney on line one,” Brian’s secretary said over the intercom.

“Oh fuckin’ great,” Brian mumbled back.

“Excuse me?” the professional woman retorted.

“Put him through,” Brian whined, very uncharacteristically.  He was doing a lot of things out of character lately and he wasn’t very happy about it. 

Brian’s phone buzzed, signaling that the notorious Brandon was waiting on the other end.  Brian briefly considered ignoring the damn thing, but he had never run from his fears and he wasn’t going to start now.

“What?” Brian said unceremoniously into the receiver.

“Well, good morning to you too,” Brandon snarked.

“What do you want, Mr. Tierney?” Brian sneered.  Tierney, Brian never knew Brandon’s last name.  It reminded him of tyranny, how appropriate.

“Just wondering if you’ve had time to reconsider my invitation.”

“What invitation was that?”

“To join me for a drink.  Talk about old times.”

“You mean for a quick fuck.”

“Doesn’t have to be so quick.”

At that moment Ted walked into the office holding a stack of papers all requiring Brian’s signature, and the folder on Lethal Motorcycles.

“Look, I told you we have nothing to talk about.  There are no ‘old times’.  So unless you have some legitimate business to speak to me about, this conversation is over.”  With that Brian hung up the phone with a bang.

“What was that all about, Bri?” Teddy asked with concern for his friend and boss.

“None of your fucking business, Schmidt!” Brian roared back then immediately regretted his tone.  Ted was always there for him; he deserved so much more than that.  “Ted, ignore me,” Brian began then waved his friend and associate toward the sofa.

“Brian, I’m here as your friend right now,” Ted said seriously.  “Whatever you need.”

“I know, and I didn’t mean to bark at you,” Brian said with a sigh.  Ted arranged the papers that required Brian’s attention neatly on the coffee table.  Signing them gave Brian time to compose himself.  “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” Ted replied in that way of his, eyes wide with anticipation of offering his pearls of wisdom.

“Contrary to popular belief, you have had sex.”

“Allen and I have a very healthy sex life, thank you very much.”

“That’s not what I mean, and EIW!  I don’t want to know that you and the drummer boy still get it on.  You two are ancient!” Brian teased and shuddered for effect. 

Ted just rolled his eyes.  He was the oldest of their group besides John but then Ted had always been the oldest throughout their years together.  “Brian, why the foray into my supposed sex life?”

“You’ve had tricks.”

“Some that I’m not proud of and a very long time ago.  Allen and I...”  Brian held up his hand to stop any further explanation.  It was very obvious that once Ted Schmidt and Allen Long had found each other, they were exclusive.

“Have your tricks ever come back to haunt you?” Brian asked softly.  This wasn’t like at Molly’s reception when Brian was introduced to one of his former tricks, Dr. Raph.  Raphael and Hector were a monogamous couple and no threat to Brian.  In fact, Raph, Hector, and now Curtis, had become members of Brian’s extended family.

“Some,” Ted said with a quiver in his voice.  “I’m still ashamed of what I did.  Sometimes I don’t know how Emm ever forgave me.”  Brian put a hand of support on the accountant’s arm.  “One night I was so tweaked out that I...”  Ted couldn’t finish the sentence.  How could he tell his best friend that he practically fucked their other best friend to death while he was flying high?

Brian patted his arm.  “What do you do when you run into someone you’d rather not see?”

“Most times I don’t know who they are.  I was living in a drugged out haze for that time in my life.”  Brian nodded.  It hurt to have had to force Emmett to abandon Ted at that time.  But if Emmett didn’t, Ted would have dragged Emmett down with him.

“You did right, you know.  Making Emmett walk away.  It was bad enough that I was spiraling downward.  I didn’t need to take Emm with me,” Ted said almost reading Brian’s thoughts.  “As for former tricks that shall remain nameless since I had no fucking clue who I was fucking, I don’t think any of them are around.  The ones that are, are too brain dead to remember me.  Why all this talk about former mistakes?”

“Because one of mine is back.”

“Brian, you can’t swing a dead cat in Pittsburgh without hitting one of your former tricks.  They all knew the rules. What’s so different about this one?”

“Because he doesn’t want to play by the rules.  He wants to have a drink,” Brian said as he rolled his eyes and held up his fingers to make the quote sign.  “He wants to talk over old times.  We never had any old times and technically he never was a trick.”

“Why?”

“Because I never fucked him.”

“Who is this paragon?  And how did he ever elude you?”

“Brandon, and he didn’t elude me.  I won the bet and his skinny ass was in my bed.”

“And you didn’t fuck him?” Ted said with awe.

“No.  He was all laid out like a Thanksgiving feast and all I could think of was how disgusting he was; how disgusted I was with the situation.  I kicked his ass out.”

“Good for you, Bri.”

“Yeah, well, a lot of good that grand gesture did me.  Now after close to twenty years, the fucker is back in town and still offering his skinny toupeed ass to me.”

“He wears an ass toupee?”

“No...what?” Brian growled then took a good look at Ted who was trying to contain his laughter.  The two friends bellowed out laughs until they both had tears in their eyes.

“Bri, does Justin know that Brandon is in town?”

“Yes, I told him.  I’m not that stupid, Schmidt.”

“Thank the gods for that.  What does he think?”

“He thinks I should just ignore him.”

“Uh huh,” Ted said with skepticism.  “And what does he really think?”

“He probably thinks that I think I should just fuck his nasty ass then send him packing.”

“But you’re not going to.”

“No.  Since we made our commitment, I’ve never had any desire for anyone else but Justin.”

“You have no idea how proud I am of you,” Ted said with a smirk.  He then wrapped his arms around his friend.

“What the fuck are you talking about?  And cut that out!” Brian groused as he attempted to bat away Teddy’s octopus arms. 

Ted just chuckled.  “Brian, you’ve always lived by the philosophy that actions speak louder than words.  Some of your actions are grander than most and many of them so subtle that only a very few know of their existence.  Time and time again you live up to your promises.”

“Schmidt, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Sure, Bri, whatever you say.”  Ted ignored the attempt at humility.  “Brian, you’ve asked for my opinion about this Brandon fellow and this is it.  Let him go fuck himself.  Now that we know he’s here in Pittsburgh, we can do a little research on him.  So if and when he does try something, you’ll be as prepared as possible.  On the other hand, maybe he’ll take the hint that you’re not interested and eventually get the fuck out of Dodge.  In the meantime, just be yourself, Bri.  I’ll take care of the rest.”

“I had no idea you could be this devious, Schmidt.”

“Learned from the master, Brian.”  Ted got up to take the signed papers back to his office, leaving the Lethal file for Brian.

“And what do you mean I should just be myself?”

“You’re Brian fucking Kinney.  Nobody fucks with you unless you want them to!”  Ted smiled an evil smile then left the room.

Brian arched a brow then took the folder back to his desk to work on it.

*****

“So this is your last week of camp?” Winona asked.  Somehow by the end of the summer, Winona found that she really liked Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor and her cousin Patrick and their friend, Ashley.  She didn’t set out to like them; she really wanted to hate them, especially Bree.  But Bree never backed down, never showed fear.  And if Winona was really honest with herself, she’d have to admit that she herself was a little intimidated by Bree.  Winona had never met anyone so tiny yet so tall.  Not to mention how smart Bree was.  Bree could run circles around half the people there including the camp counselors.

“Yup,” Bree answered as she was drawing a picture.  The camp had a limited amount of crayons, so every week Bree and her Daddy would go to the store to buy the big box of crayons and every week conveniently leave the box so that other kids could share.  By the end of the summer, the camp had a supply of crayons of every hue imaginable.

“Why?”

“Cause my brother is going away to college and we’re going with him to see it.”

“You have a brother old enough for college?” Winona asked with awe.

“Yeah, Gus drives and everything.  He made a movie with my Daddy.”

“A movie?  Wow!  Is it on cable?”

“Not that kind of movie,” Bree said in an exasperated tone. 

“What other kinds of movies are there?”  Winona didn’t know much about movies other than what she had seen on cable.

“They made an art video.  My brother did a lot of the filming,” Bree explained nonchalantly.

“Wow,” Winona repeated.

Bree put down her crayon and with a practiced eye, reminiscent of her Daddy, took a critical look at her drawing.  When she added a bit more blue to the sky, Bree was satisfied.  Bree carefully signed her name like her Daddy taught her and dated the picture.  Then she slid the picture over to Winona.

“For you,” Bree said.

“For me?  Why?”

“Cause you’re my friend,” was all that Bree said.  Their counselor called an end to the art portion of the day and reminded the kids it was time for lunch.

*****

“Hi Lindsay, I’m so glad you came.  I just finished another project!” Jamie said with enthusiasm as she opened her studio door to find the stately blond standing there.  “Please come in.”  Jamie stepped back to allow Lindsay to enter.

“Very nice,” Lindsay said as she walked around the studio. 

It was a small space but well lit with natural light.  Lindsay was almost envious of the young artist.  Jamie beamed with delight as she gave Lindsay the 50-cent tour.  Lindsay selected several large pieces of Jamie’s work and arranged for pick up.  She was about to leave when Jamie blocked her way.

“Are you sure you have to leave so soon?  Let me take you to lunch,” Jamie offered hopefully.

“No, thank you.  I have another appointment.”  They were standing very close.  Lindsay couldn’t help staring as Jamie’s pretty mouth formed a perfect pout, sexy enough to kiss and nibble on.  It took all of Lindsay’s resolve to resist doing just that.  Lindsay whispered her goodbyes then left for her next appointment.

*****

“Kinney.”  Brian was at Kinnetik finishing up the preliminary mock ups for Lethal bikes.

“It’s Leda.”

“Have you decided to brave the wilds of rural Pennsylvania?”

“Yeah.  What should I pack?”

“Your toothbrush and a smile,” Brian said.  Leda snorted.  “Jeans, shorts, strap-ons.  Thongs are optional.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Shall I pick you up from your hotel?”

“In a manner of speaking.”

“I love a woman of mystery.  Meet me out front in about an hour.  Does that give you enough time?”

“Plenty.  I’m used to traveling light.”

“See you then,” Brian said as he hung up the phone.  He then hit number one on the speed dial.

“Hey.”

“Hey, yourself, Sunshine,” Brian drawled.

“What’s up?” Justin teased.

“Me and in a few hours we can be up together.”

“Mmm.  I like the sound of that.”

“Thought you might.”

“Is there a reason for this call other than to warn me?”

“Yeah.  I’m bringing Leda.”

“You trust her in our home?”

“I trust us.  And it is our home.  She’s a guest.  I expect her to behave accordingly.  Besides, it’s been twenty years.”

“Not by the way you look.”

“Justin, you still look nineteen.”

“Maybe, but you’re still fucking hot.”

“That goes without saying.”

“Asshole.”

“Yeah, but I’m your asshole.  Only yours.”

“I know, Bri.  I love you, you know.”

“I know.”  The lovers softly sighed, wishing they were together at the moment.

“You want me to start dinner?”

“Could ya?”

“Sure.  I’ll find out what the other side is doing tonight.”

“I can grill tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.”

“Sounds fucking domestic to me.”

“That bother you?”

“Not in the least.  Later, Sunshine.”

“Later.”

While Justin went to consult with the other members of Edna’s Treasures regarding the night’s menu, he discussed with John and Bobby, Leda’s reputation.  Suitably warned, the occupant’s of Edna’s Treasures prepared for her arrival.

As Brian was getting ready to leave Kinnetik, boards under his arm and briefcase in hand, Ted scurried into his office with a folder.

“I’m in a hurry, Schmidt,” Brian growled.

“Let me walk with you,” Ted answered as he took the boards from Brian then handed him the folder.  Brian arched a brow.

“Some initial results of the research we discussed earlier this week,” Teddy responded to the brow.  Ted trailed along as Brian left the building and walked to the Corvette.

“Not very impressive, is it?” Brian said about the lackluster career the attempted usurper to the title of Stud of Liberty had thus far established.  Brandon worked for an IT company that could never quite compete with the big boys.  He was sent to Pittsburgh to participate in a feasibility study to see if a branch in Pittsburgh would be profitable.  Brandon was specifically chosen to accompany the team since he knew the area.

“Not really.  I did a little networking with their CFO.  Apparently, Mr. Tierney had joined the company a little over ten years ago.  He was very personable, very attractive and seemed to talk the talk.  His star was rising and they were under the impression that whatever he touched turned to gold.”

“Fool’s gold?” Brian asked.

“Yes.  He was living beyond his means and indulging in several forms of unhealthy pain management.”

“I recall indulging myself.”

“But you knew when to quit.  Unlike some of us.”

“Ted...”

“Brian, fourteen years clean, sober and proud of it.  Mr. Tierney did clean up but paid the price.”

“Lost his girlish figure?”

“So to speak.”

“Hence the toupee and if I'm not mistaken, an abdominal binder.”

“Something like that.”

“So is he really sniffing around me so that he can relive past glories or is he looking for a client?”

“A little of both, I imagine.”

Brian unlocked his car, put the boards in the back.  Resting his briefcase on the seat, he opened his case to put the folder inside.

“Good work, Theodore.  I’m impressed.”

“I aim to please.  Have a good weekend.”  Ted smirked.  He knew of Brian’s plans to have Leda stay up at the cottage.

“Oh yeah.  Just peachy,” Brian snarked then drove off with a roar of his engine.

*****

“Change your mind?” Brian asked as he pulled up in front of the Plaza.  Leda was there on a very large “Lethal” looking bike.

“No.  But I decided not to overstay my welcome.  I’ll head back to the city Saturday night.”

“You’re welcome to stay the entire weekend,” Brian assured her.

“Thank you.  Let’s play it by ear.”

“Suit yourself.  We’re about ninety minutes outside of the city.  It’s pretty straightforward driving until the last turn off.”

“Not a problem.  I can keep up,” Leda smiled.

“I just bet you can,” Brian remarked.  He waited until Leda put on her helmet and powered up her bike.  With a mighty roar from both vehicles, the bike followed the Corvette out of the city.  

Blasts From the Past

Chapter 6

“Drew, do we have to go home tonight?” Emmett asked with a sigh.  He had so enjoyed their days away in New York City.

“’Fraid so, babe,” Drew said giving Emmett a little hug.  They didn’t want to be too conspicuous on the streets of New York.  But Emmett was pretty conspicuous wherever he was.

“I don’t want to go back,” Emmett whined.

“Well, we have our tickets booked for ten tonight,” Drew replied.  “I guess we could change them.”

Emmett’s smile radiated along the street.  “You’d do that for me?”

“Of course I would.”

“I guess I should go back,” Emmett admitted.  As tempting as Drew’s offer sounded, he knew he really needed to be back in Pittsburgh the following day.

“You do have that wedding tomorrow, and they do need your personal expertise.  At least that’s what you’ve been telling me.”

“I know,” Emmett sighed again.  “They’re a very picky couple, and I don’t want to leave everything on Sean’s shoulders.  He’s done a great job making sure everything is ready for tomorrow.”

“Then we’ll catch our flight later,” Drew said decisively.

“I hope Dijon isn’t the steward on this flight,” Emmett mused as he remembered their flight coming up to New York.

“Not likely that will happen, and yeah, he was … weird.”

“Weird doesn’t begin to cover it.”

“Let’s go have our last dinner in New York and enjoy ourselves.  No more talk about Dijon or going home.  Let’s enjoy fabulous New York City for as long as we’re here,” Drew said gently.  “And … I promise a very special something when we get back to the loft.”

“You do?” Emmett asked perking up.

Drew nodded.  “Very, very special.”

“Ooh, I hope it involves a touchdown,” Emmett whispered in his husband’s ear.

“Count on it, Babe.”

*****

“Bye, Bree,” Winona said as the camp bus drew up in front of Edna’s Treasures.

Bree and Patrick stood up and slid on their backpacks.

“Bye, Winona, I’ll miss you,” Bree said with a smile.

“I’ll miss you too,” Winona said sadly.  “Can you call me when you get back from your trip?”

Bree frowned.  “I guess so,” she said uncertainly.

“Or I could call you,” Winona said, “if your Dada wouldn’t get mad at me.”  She still remembered how Bree had said her Dada was going to have someone murdered.  She didn’t want to get in Mr. Kinney’s bad books.

“I guess so,” Bree repeated.  “Bye, everybody!”  She gave a wave to all the children on the bus as she and Patrick climbed down the steps.  She made sure to jump from the last one.  “Daddy!” she yelled when she saw her father standing outside Edna’s Treasures waiting for her.

“Hi, sweetheart,” Justin said leaning down to give her a hug.  “Everyone’s waving to you and Patrick.”

The children looked up and saw arms and heads sticking out the windows of the bus.  They were calling their goodbyes to Bree and Patrick.  The children of Edna’s Treasures smiled broadly and waved back, yelling out their own goodbyes.

“Looks like you two made lots of friends at camp,” Justin said with a smile.

“Yeah,” both children replied.  They watched the bus start forward and disappear down the lane.

“Will you miss your friends?” Justin asked.

Both children nodded.

“But not too much,” Patrick said.  “We’ll see them all at school.”

“Yeah,” Bree agreed.

“Let’s get you two some snacks,” Justin said heading for the front door of the house.

“Yay!” both children said racing into the kitchen and taking their places at the kitchen table.  Backpacks lay in a heap by their chairs where they had dropped them very unceremoniously.

Justin looked at them and had to chuckle while he shook his head.  The children were so happy and so eager.  He hoped that attitude would never end, but he knew it would.  That was the way of life.

He set out the snacks and glasses of milk and sat down with the children.

“We’re having company this weekend,” Justin said.

Bree frowned.  Gus wasn’t company.  “Is it JR?” she asked.

“Nope.”

“Somebody else in the family?” Patrick asked.  Justin shook his head.

“Taylor?” Bree asked hopefully.  The baby hadn’t turned out to be so bad after all.

“No, this is someone your Dada and I knew a long time ago,” Justin explained.  “She’s coming for the weekend.”

“Have we met her before?” Patrick asked.

“No, she hasn’t been in Pittsburgh for a very long time.”

“Will I like her?” Bree asked with a frown.

“I don’t know, sweetheart,” Justin replied. 

“When will she get here?” Patrick wanted to know.

“Brian is driving up with her right now.  They’ll be here soon.”

“Do I have to like her?” Bree asked.

Justin chuckled.  “No, Bree.  I can’t make you like her.  But you will be nice to her.  She’s the guest of this family.”

“’Kay, Daddy,” Bree stated.  “I be nice.”

“Good girl.”

The children dug into their snacks quickly forgetting about the pending visitor.  They probably wouldn’t have much to do with her anyway, or so they thought.

*****

“Dada!”  A shriek was heard from the vicinity of the Wendy house.  Then a streak of strawberry blond lightning was seen running toward the lane.  The blond streak was closely followed by a red-headed streak and then one slightly taller blond streak and one very large wolf-like dog.  Hearing the loud rumbling of engines, and noticing the running streaks from his living room window, the other red-headed member of Edna’s Treasures decided to find out what all the excitement was about.  He left the cottage with a slam of the front door.

Up in his attic office, the current and only sane one left in the Edna’s Treasures asylum, John, was putting the finishing touches on a design he was working on for a building in Harrisburg.  Naturally, the shrieking, rumbling and slamming caught his attention.  With that Kinney dignity, John sauntered rather than streaked toward the lane to join the rest of his family.

“Wow!” Patrick and Bobby exclaimed as they ogled Leda’s monster bike.  Brian had his arms filled with his daughter who was happily bestowing a myriad of kisses to his face.  Justin managed to squeeze in a few of his own kisses then suggested that Bree let go of her father so that he could get his things out of the ‘Vette and they could all go inside.

“Little lady and gentlemen,” Brian began formally.  “Allow me to introduce Ms. Leda Thalberg, owner and creator of “Lethal Motorcycles” and Kinnetik’s newest client.”

Leda took a mock bow then stood her ground as each member of the family came up to say hello.

“Bobby Morrison-Anderson,” Bobby said as he introduced himself.  Leda smiled as she firmly took his hand.  “My son, Patrick,” Bobby continued.  Patrick shook Leda’s hand, his eyes full of awe.  He had never seen a woman on a motorcycle this big and powerful before.  Patrick was impressed.  Bree narrowed her eyes with a twinge of jealousy.

“Hey Leda,” Justin said cheerfully as he shook her hand then exchanged chaste kisses.  “You’re looking good.”

“And you still look seventeen!  What the fuck is with you guys?  You have a painting hiding in the attic somewhere?” 

Justin giggled as Brian smirked.  Bree was getting hot under the collar, so to speak.  Only she and her Daddy were supposed to know about paintings.

“John Anderson,” John said simply as he took Leda’s hand.  “Very impressive bike, ma’am,” John drawled with that country gentleman way of his.

Leda was momentarily floored by John; his resemblance to Brian was uncanny.  The graying at the temples gave John a rugged, distinguished look, and just as Brian was stunning in his business attire, John was equally as stunning dressed in his jeans and work boots.

“Hello, and where has Brian been hiding you?”  Leda flirted shamelessly, John blushed.

“Retract those claws, Leda.  My brother is a one man, man and no women allowed,” Brian snarked as he gave Bobby a little shove toward John.

“Bobby is my life partner,” John went on to politely explain.  “Patrick is our son,” John said proudly as he snaked his arms around both his red-heads.

“Just my luck to bunk in a house filled with gorgeous men and they’re all fucking gay,” Leda groused good-naturedly.  The men chuckled.

Just then a petite in stature but not in chutzpah, strawberry blond, pushed passed the men in her life and into Leda’s personal space.  Leda took a step back.

“My name is Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor.  This is my Daddy and this is my Dada!”  Bree said loudly as she grabbed her fathers’ hands.  “My Daddy said you’re going to be our guest,” Bree said, stressing the word guest.  “So I’ll be nice,” she said with a note of warning in her voice.

“So I guess I’ll be nice too,” Leda said softly as she squatted down to be eye to eye with Bree.  Beau, who was observing quietly, sat next to Bree, his big bright eyes watched the whole exchange.  Bree’s tiny hand automatically patted his head.  Bree wasn’t totally convinced but nodded her head then extended her hand to Leda.  Leda took it and gave it a shake.  Somewhat satisfied, Bree stepped back toward her Dada.  As Leda stood up, Brian immediately scooped Bree up to give her a kiss of reassurance then gently placed her down.

“Shall we all go inside?” Justin suggested.  With nods all around, John Bobby and Patrick led the way as Brian and Justin unloaded the Corvette.  Leda shouldered her duffle bag as she followed behind Bree.

“I think Leda has the Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor seal of approval," Justin whispered to Brian as he carried the boards.

“I’m not so sure,” Brian replied with briefcase in hand.

“Woof!” Beau added in agreement.

*****

“What a delicious meal!” Leda exclaimed as she patted her full belly.  “I didn’t realize that cooking was among your artistic talents, Justin,” Leda complimented the chef of their evening meal.

“Justin has many talents,” Brian snarked proudly and with love as he loaded up his arms with dirty dishes to carry back into his kitchen. 

They were having their dinner in the sun porch.  The late August garden was in full bloom and the waning sun still had enough light to proudly show off the flowers.  Leda stood up to walk around the porch, looking out at the garden and admiring the ingenious way Justin’s paintings were hoisted out of the way.  The kids had asked to be excused to play outside before dessert was served.  Beau accompanied them as ever their protector.  Brian and Justin went about making coffee while Bobby went to his side of the cottage to bring out a couple of pies and ice cream.

“Aren’t you afraid to be alone with me?” Leda asked John.

“Should I be?”

“Some people may think so.”

“Like who?”

“Who what?”

“Who are those people?”

“Lindsay, for one, and possibly Melanie.”

“And Justin?”

“He was a child when I first met him, very pretty.”

“Still is.”

“But not my type.”

“Which is?”

“In a man?  Tall, dark, handsome.”

“Like Brian.”

“And yourself.”

“And in a woman?”

“Petite, I like them petite and with brains, although I have been swayed by a tall leggy blond with talented hands.  So you see I can be lethal to one’s so called monogamous relationship.”

“You don’t believe in monogamy then.”

“For some, maybe.  For others, I don’t believe it.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m proof that given the right temptation, anyone can be persuaded to take a dip in someone else’s well.  Hell, I’ve been to that well many times.”

“And that pleases you?”

“You know you’re a lot like your brother; you don’t mince words.”

“Thank you,” John said with a smile.

“To answer your question, I guess I keep waiting to find that special someone that would make me want monogamy.  But I haven’t found her yet.  Came close once but it didn’t last.  And the couples I’ve met over the years couldn’t truly be called monogamous.”

“Why, did they succumb to your charms?”

“Something like that.”

“Then you may find your visit to our cottage quite an eye opener.”

“I came here to work not to fuck,” Leda announced.

“Glad to hear it,” Brian said as he came in holding a large tray with coffee and cups.  “Coffee first then I’ll show you the preliminary mock ups.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Leda replied as she accepted a cup of coffee from Brian.  Justin came in with the milk and sugar.

“Who’s for pie a la mode?” Bobby asked as he brought in a tray with Claire’s homemade pies and a tub of ice cream.  Brian grabbed Justin’s wrist to look at the time.  It was after seven.

“Live dangerously, Bri,” Justin teased his spouse with a wink.  “We can work it off later,” Justin promised.

“Well, in that case, I’ll share a piece with the Squirt,” Brian said as the kids with an uncanny sense of timing for desserts came bursting through the sun porch door.

Bree settled on her Dada’s lap as Patrick sat in between his fathers.  Leda accepted a small piece of pie from Bobby with a dollop of ice cream.  She quietly enjoyed her pie as she casually observed her host and his family’s behavior.

“Dada, when do we bring Gus to college?” Bree asked as she fed a spoonful of pie to her Dada.  Leda sat back very amused.

“Wednesday, Squirt.  We’ll pick up Gus in the Pitts and then go up together,” Brian answered as he took the spoon from his daughter to scoop up more pie and ice cream to feed it to her.  Bree giggled as Brian kissed her little nose.  Justin couldn’t help but smile at the most important people in his life.

“I still can’t believe Gus is old enough to go to college,” Leda said.

“Yes, and he’s decided to follow in his father’s shoes, and also his mother’s,” Justin boasted, smiling proudly.  “He’s going for a business degree.”

“And one in computer graphics,” Brian added jiggling his knees and making Bree laugh as she was bounced around.

“Bri, she’s just had pie and ice cream,” Justin admonished his silly spouse and equally silly daughter as they played at the table.  Brian obediently stopped bouncing his legs.  Father and daughter immediately sucked in their lips, looking up very contritely at Justin with wide eyes.  Justin just shook his head.

“Dad, Uncle Brian, can Bree and I go back outside?” Patrick asked politely.  It was too early for bed and it was Friday.  There was no reason for the kids to go to bed early.

“I have no objection,” John said as he looked at his brother.  Brian made a raspberry on one of Bree’s cheeks then gently pushed her off his lap.

“Go play, Squirt.  Take a couple of flashlights with you … and Beau,” Brian commanded.

“Okay, Dada!”  Bree smiled with her Daddy’s smile as she ran to get the flashlights.  She and Patrick were outside in no time with Beau right beside them.

“Your children are beautiful,” Leda said with a regretful sigh.  Her biological clock had long stopped ticking.  “Patrick is yours?” Leda asked Bobby.

“There’s a bit of a tale to that,” Bobby said softly.  John moved closer to encircle his lover’s shoulders with his arm.  John placed a kiss on Bobby’s temple.

“Let’s get more comfortable,” Brian suggested as he freshened everyone’s coffee then settled into a chaise next to Justin.  John and Bobby shared another chaise as Leda settled into one of her own.

The rest of the evening was spent quietly as the men of Edna’s Treasures told the stories of Patrick Rowan and Briana Victoria.

Blasts from the Past

Chapter 7

Brian, Justin and Leda were sitting in the sun porch sipping very old scotch and watching the stars.  Brian and Justin still shared a chaise while Leda sat in one of her own across from them.  Bree and Patrick had been put to bed long ago.  John and Bobby had gone to their side of the cottage … long ago right after the children went to bed.  The remaining three were all slightly drunk, having finished most of the bottle of scotch between the three of them.

Leda liked observing the two men together.  It was a revelation, something she never had expected to see – Brian Kinney tamed, domesticated, in love, happy.  She felt … envy, and that bothered her on some level.  It reminded her of all the things she didn’t have, and she liked to think she had it all.

Many years earlier she had found someone that she thought might be her soulmate, her chance at love and family.  It had lasted a couple of years and then it had all gone to shit.  That was when Leda had decided to throw herself into her business and become the biggest success imaginable.  She had done just that, and with Brian’s help, was about to become an even bigger success.  But she had lost out on some things along the way, and the perfect example of those things was sitting in front of her.

Leda had thought she and Brian Kinney were kindred spirits when she first met him.  She would have enjoyed fucking him if she could have wangled it, but that had never been an option even back then, she realized.  Brian and Justin had been in love, even though they both would have denied it during that brief period she had spent in Pittsburgh.  They certainly couldn’t deny it any longer.

A little jab of jealousy swept through her and brought out her slightly mean side.  It was worth a try she decided.  She cleared her throat and finished the scotch in her glass.

“Have you two ever thought about a threesome?” she asked staring across the space between them.  Her voice and steady gaze told them she was serious.

“Had many of them,” Brian stated ignoring the implication of what she was saying.

“I remember a few foursomes too,” Justin laughed.  Brian kissed his cheek eliciting a soft smile as they remembered their ancient history.

“I meant now,” Leda interrupted, making sure her intent was clear this time.

“Huh?” Justin asked with a frown.

“I think she’s serious,” Brian said.  “Got a strap-on calling your name, Miss Leda?”

“Yeah,” Leda said simply.  They could both hear the determination in her voice.

“I think you mistake us for men from your past,” Brian told her.  “Those men don’t exist anymore.”

“Sure they do,” Leda persisted.  “I know they’re there, just under the surface.”

Brian shook his head.  “You’ve got it wrong.”

Leda was about to tell them that she could make them remember the past and enjoy every minute of it, when a little voice called from the doorway.

“Daddy, Dada,” said a sleepy little girl.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Justin asked getting up.

“Don’t feel good,” Bree said pouting.

Justin squatted in front of her and felt her forehead.  “You don’t have a fever.  Does your tummy hurt?”

Bree shook her head.  “Un unh,” she pouted.

“Did you wake up and get scared?”

“Maaaybe,” she whispered.

“Go sit on Dada’s lap and I’ll make you some warm cocoa.”

“’Kay, Daddy,” Bree replied, a slight smile playing around her mouth.

‘She’s got them wrapped around her little finger,’ Leda thought as she watched Bree’s manipulations.  Bree crawled up on the chaise with Brian and tucked herself under his protective arm.  They smiled at each other.  ‘And Brian and Justin love every minute of it,’ she concluded.  She shook her head as she watched them.  They were so perfectly happy.

“Feel better?” Brian asked his daughter.

“Yes, Dada,” Bree sighed.

“Did you think you might be missing something?” Brian asked with a little smirk.

‘Maybe Bree had them wrapped around her little finger only as much as they wanted to be,’ Leda surmised to herself.  “I hope you will feel all better when your Daddy brings your cocoa,” she told the little girl.

“Where are you sleeping?” Bree asked ignoring Leda’s wishes for her speedy recovery.  She thought they all should be in bed.  She wanted to play with her daddies in the morning.

“I chose the sun porch,” Leda said with a little chuckle.  This kid was good.  “It seemed much nicer than a bunk bed in Gus’ room.”

Bree looked up at her father.  That seemed like a good arrangement.  “The brass bed is really cool,” Bree stated with all the wisdom of her six years.

“I thought so too,” Leda agreed.

“Here’s your cocoa,” Justin said handing Bree a cup.  “Drink it carefully.  It’s warm.”

“’Kay, Daddy,” Bree replied as she took a sip.

“Do you want another story when you’re finished?” Brian asked.

“Yeah,” Bree said quickly, licking the chocolate milk from her top lip.

“I thought you might,” Brian said with a smile.

“You read me, Dada.  Daddy did the other one.”  She meant when Justin had put her to bed.

“Okay, Squirt.”

Bree polished off the rest of her cocoa while Justin sat on the other chaise watching them.  Leda observed them all.

“Ready, Squirt?” Brian asked pushing up off the chaise.

“Yes, Dada.”  Bree took Brian’s hand and they headed for the doorway to the cottage.

“Night, sweetheart,” Justin called after them.

Bree stopped and gave her father one of those brilliant smiles that Leda had seen once or twice since her arrival.

“Night, Bree,” Leda added.

Bree shifted her gaze to this new woman who had come into their lives.  The smile faded and then a smaller version reappeared.  “Night,” Bree said gently and then she turned to accompany her father to her bedroom.

“She’s something else,” Leda laughed when they had disappeared out of earshot.

“You got that right,” Justin chuckled.  “Every day is a new experience with our Briana.”

“And you love it.”

“Yeah,” Justin said with a soft breath.  “I never knew how much having a child could affect you, until we had Bree.”

Leda winced.  That was exactly what she had missed out on, that and what Brian and Justin felt for each other.  “I’m sorry about the threesome crack earlier.  It was out of line,” she apologized.

“That’s okay.  There was a time…”  Justin chose not to finish that statement.

“I should hit the hay,” Leda said quickly.

“I’ll move the screen.  The bed’s all made up for you,” Justin said rising and moving to the end of the porch where the brass bed was screened off.  “The bathroom is inside, down the hall near Bree’s bedroom.  That’s the main disadvantage of sleeping out here.”

“I don’t think the walk will kill me,” Leda laughed.

“If you want to use it, go ahead.  I’ll turn back the covers.”

“No mint on my pillow?” Leda joked.

“I might be able to find one,” Justin laughed.

Leda shook her head and picked up her toiletry case, heading into the house.  She walked down the hall and could hear Brian’s voice, reading.  She paused at Bree’s doorway, listening.  It was part way open and she felt compelled to look inside.  Brian was propped up on the bed reading a book.  Bree lay beside him closer to the wall.  Her eyes were closed and she might already be asleep.  Brian finished a page or a chapter and quietly closed the book.  He leaned over and kissed his daughter before sliding off the bed.  He gently tugged the sheet up over Bree and smiled down on her.  Leda didn’t think she had ever seen such love on anyone’s face.  She hurried into the bathroom.

When she came back through the house, Justin was finishing cleaning up the kitchen from making the cocoa.  “Brian’s turned in already, and I’m going to join him, so I’ll say goodnight.”

“Thanks, Justin.  Tell Brian goodnight too.”

Justin nodded and Leda made her way out to the big bed in the porch.  She laughed quietly to herself when she saw a foil covered mint on the pillow.

As Leda settled into the unbelievably luxurious bed, she looked out into the garden.  There was no moon and the stars were hidden by clouds.  As she began to fall asleep she could see flashes of lightning in the distance.

*****

“Welcome to Delta flight 203 to Pittsburgh International Airport.  My name is Dijon and I’ll be your steward tonight.  Pittsburgh is still reporting intermittent thunderstorms so we have a slight departure delay.  Please remain seated and we will take off as soon as we’re cleared by the tower.  We regret any inconvenience but we will be in the air as soon as possible.  Thank you for flying Delta.”

“Well, at least we’re sitting next to each other this time,” Emmett said quietly to Drew.  “I think I can handle anything as long as you’re with me.”

“Me too, Babe.  And maybe if the mustard man sees us together, he won’t make a pass,” Drew added.

“We live in hope,” Emmett replied as he settled back into the seat.  “I just hope the delay isn’t too long.  Thank goodness it’s a late wedding.  I can get in a few hours of sleep.”

“I’m sure Sean can handle it.  Why don’t you close your eyes and try to get some sleep now,” Drew suggested.

“Okay, honey, and thank you for a fabulous time in the Big Apple,” Emmett said with a chaste kiss to Drew’s cheek.

“My pleasure, Babe.  And I promise, we’ll take more trips to New York.”  Drew’s answer was a satisfied sigh from his spouse as Emmett cuddled as close as the airline seat would let him.

“Blanket?  Pillow?” Dijon asked as he sashayed down the aisle of the plane.

“Blanket, please,” Drew replied.

“Of course.  Oh, Mr. Boyd, it’s always a pleasure to service you,” Dijon flirted with his captive audience.  He handed the blanket to Drew.

“Thanks.”

“Anytime, and please call me if there’s anything else I can assist you with.”

“Mmm,” Drew grumbled as he unfolded the blanket to drape over Emmett.  Dijon went on to the next passenger.

After a while, the captain made an announcement. 

“May I please have your attention.  We’ve been given clearance to take off.  Pittsburgh is still experiencing some scattered thunderstorms; however, they are expected to move out by the time we arrive in Pittsburgh’s air space.  Please fasten your seat belts.  Flight crew, prepare for departure.”

The flight back to Pittsburgh was a bumpy one; however, they made it in one piece and only a couple of hours behind schedule.

“Thank you for flying Delta.  We hope you will enjoy your visit to Pittsburgh and for those of you who live here, welcome home.  My name is Dijon and it was my pleasure to serve you,” Dijon said in a practiced manner to his departing guests.  As Drew and Emmett deplaned, Dijon stepped closer to slip a card in Drew’s hand.  “I am available for private parties,” Dijon said addressing Drew.  But before Drew could say a word, Emmett got into the mustard man’s face.

“I’m sure you are, honey.  But my Drewsie already has his own exclusive private party planner.  He doesn’t need anyone else.”  Drew planted a loud kiss onto Emmett’s lips to emphasize the point.  The lovers deplaned, hand in hand leaving a disappointed mustard man in their wake.

“No takers tonight?” the co-pilot asked as he opened the cockpit door.  The last of the passengers had left and since this was Dijon’s last flight for the day, he was going home as well.

“No,” Dijon said dejectedly.

“I keep telling you, you’re looking for love in all the wrong places.”

“What would you know about it, Marty?  You haven’t had a date in months,” Dijon spat out.

“That’s because the man I’m waiting for hasn’t asked me yet.”  Marty batted his eyes at Dijon.  Marty was just as tall as Dijon and filled out his co-pilot uniform very nicely.  He hadn’t been a blip on Dijon’s radar for the simple fact that they did work together and Dijon didn’t think a pilot would consider a relationship with an air steward.  Dijon was quickly rethinking that situation.

“Are you suggesting...”

“I have a three day layover and a hotel room with a Jacuzzi.  I’d hate to waste it on just myself,” Marty suggested.

“Me?”  Dijon was flabbergasted.

“You’re the only one standing here at the moment.  At the very least share a cab with me while you think it over.”  They grabbed their bags then walked down the ramp.  

“Marty, why?”

“Honestly, I was a little intimidated by your out and proud lifestyle.  Then I thought you must be a bit of a slut.  You seem to make your offer a lot.  Then I realized that not many ever took you up on your offers.”

“So this is a pity fuck.”

“Not at all.  I’m hoping that given time this may turn into a very long relationship.  I’m tired of being alone, aren’t you?”

“Yes.  I’m jealous of Drew Boyd and Emmett Honeycutt.  They have it all.”

“Yes, they do.  But I do know they work on it.  It’s never easy living your life in the public eye like Drew Boyd has.  And I have it on good authority that they had a commitment ceremony not too long ago.”

“Really?  No wonder they look so in love.”

“You can have that look if you give it a chance,” Marty said with hope.

“Mmm, I’ve always had a thing for men in uniform,” Dijon purred as they got into a cab.

“With or without the hat?”

“With, definitely with,” Dijon said glancing up at the co-pilot’s hat.

“You can fly me anytime, Dijon.”

“It would be my pleasure to service you,” Dijon said with a smile as the taxi drove off in the direction of Marty’s hotel.

*****

“What is it, Babe?  You’ve been very quiet since we left the airport.”

It was about one in the morning when Drew and Emmett made it to their Tremont Avenue apartment.

“Sorry, honey, just thinking.”

“That thing with Dijon get to you?”

“Yes, but not how you might think.”

“Explain it to me, Babe.”  The lovers locked up the apartment, quickly unpacked and then headed to the bathroom to share a quick shower before retiring for the night.

“In many ways I could have been Dijon,” Emmett explained as they snuggled down in their bed.  “Always looking for my Mister Right.  I was quite the little slut in my day.  Never saw a cock I didn’t like.”

“We all had to sow our wild oats.  You told me that.”

“True.”

“And then I grew up and you were there waiting for me.”

“And I’ve been the happiest little bottom in Pittsburgh.”

“Been a pretty happy top on occasion too, Babe.” 

Emmett giggled.  “Touchdown!” Emmett said to prove the point.  He was quiet for a minute then went on with his explanation.  “I guess my point is that I was very close to being like Dijon and if it wasn’t for you, Brian and maybe a lot of luck, who knows where I’d be.  I just hope Dijon finds someone to make him as happy as I am.”

“Babe, you never cease to amaze me, do you know that?  I don’t think I could wish the man well who was intent on taking you away from me and yet here you are doing just that.  You’re one in a million, Emmett Honeycutt.  And I’m so grateful you’re mine.”

The lovers kissed, silently counting their blessings and wishing all the lonely hearts could find their mates as they had found theirs.

“I love you, Drew Boyd.”

“I love you, Emmett Honeycutt.”

*****

“Amazing,” Brian drawled as Justin crawled back up to the head of the bed.  Justin’s talented mouth had just thoroughly sucked off Brian.

“Yeah,” Justin said smugly, accepting a kiss from his very satisfied spouse.

“A bit full of yourself, aren’t you, Sunshine.”

“Well,” Justin said with a shrug, very secure in the knowledge that no one could ever usurp him in Brian’s heart or in his bed.  Brian could surmise what that not so innocent smirk on his lover’s face was all about.

Brian pounced.

An hour later, an exhausted, sated Sunshine, was gently snoring in Brian’s ear.  The air in their room was filled with the heady scent of their sex.  Brian could taste Justin’s cock and ass on his lips.

“Youth, built for speed not endurance,” Brian whispered to himself as he chuckled softly.  Justin had passed out just after he came buckets in Brian’s mouth, his round ass still slightly stuck up in the air from being rimmed. 

Brian rearranged Justin so that he could sleep more comfortably then covered him with the sheets.  Brian patted the soft mounds of Justin’s sheet covered ass, snuggled close then drifted off to sleep.

Blasts from the Past

Chapter 8

Leda stretched then followed her nose out to the kitchen where she found Brian helping himself to his second cup of coffee.

“Coffee?” he asked.

“Please,” Leda replied then watched as he poured a large mug of the hot brew.  Brian pointed to the fridge and sugar, indicating that Leda should help herself, which she did.  After a few sips of the caffeine in a cup, she was able to formulate complete sentences.

“Are we the only ones up?”

“No.  John is up chopping wood and rearranging the cords of woods for the winter.  Patrick’s with him.”

“It’s still summer,” Leda stated the obvious.

“Yes, but winter settles here fast and tends to last long.  He likes to be prepared.”

“I bet he was a boy scout.”

“You’d win that bet.”

“And Patrick?  Why is he up with the birds?”

“He takes after his daddy.”

“All that red hair.  I can’t believe Patrick’s not Bobby’s son.”

“He is Bobby’s son.”

“You know what I mean.  He’s not his biological son.”

“He’s the closest thing to it.”

“Bobby’s sister must be some very special lady.”

“She is.  The best and a good friend to all of us, especially Bree.”

“Oh really.  How?”

“Sometimes, Miss Briana needs a woman’s touch.  Rachel and her girls have been positive female role models for her.”

“Think Bree will be a lesbian?”  Leda asked boldly.  Brian nearly spewed coffee across the counter.  “What?  Don’t tell me that thought hasn’t crossed your mind.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Gus turned out gay.”

“Gus is gay; however, Bree is destined to be het.”

“You know this for sure.”

“Yeah, I do.  But enough of my kids’ sexual orientations.  I left the boards out here last night.  Why don’t you take them into the sun porch?  There should be a few easels you can use in the corner by the small sink.  You can see them better in the light.  I have breakfast to make.”

“Please don’t tell me that you can cook.”

“I can cook,” Brian deadpanned.

“Un-fucking-believable.”

“Hey, do you think it’s easy having breakfast delivered out here?  It was borne out of necessity.”  Brian deftly took out pans and platters.  Then started taking out the fixings for omelets.

“Okay, now I’ve seen everything,” Leda teased.

“Nah, wait till you see me grilling!” Brian said proudly.  Leda took the boards then fled to the safety of the porch.

“Good morning,” John announced as he came through the porch door.  Patrick remained outside.

“Where’s your son?” Leda asked.

“Admiring your bike.  I have to say, it’s quite a beauty.”

“Thank you.  You ride?”

“I did, in my wayward youth,” John said with a chuckle.

“I’m sorry I can’t imagine you being very wayward,” Leda laughed along with him.

“I had my moments.  But that was a very long time ago.  I do, however, recognize your unique design.  A hybrid, isn’t it?”

“Yes.  Not many people would notice that.”

“I’m a builder.  However, my curiosity regarding the way things are put together isn’t limited to bricks, mortar and wood.  I’ve always tinkered with machines.”

“Makes you a handy guy to have around.”

“So my brother-in-law would have you believe,” Bobby said as he came into the porch carrying a basket of Emmett’s muffins.  They had a supply in the freezer just waiting to be defrosted.  John smiled lovingly at his rumpled, complete with bed head, beautiful spouse.

Leda shook her head.  The Kinney men had it bad for their partners.

“Where is the old man?” Bobby said as he placed the basket on the table then gave his mate a kiss.

“Making breakfast,” John answered nonchalantly.

“He must have coffee out there,” Bobby mumbled then made a beeline for the Kinney-Taylor half of the cottage.  John laughed.

“Can’t you people learn to make your own coffee?” they heard Brian curse and grumble.  “Damned red-heads think they own the place,” Brian groused.

“Shut up, Kinney, before I sic Justin on you, now pour me the fucking coffee,” Bobby quickly countered.

John ignored the mock fight as he offered a muffin to their guest.

“So you’ve hired Kinnetik to advertise your motorcycles.”

“Yes, at least I’m hoping they’ll sell,” Leda answered as she broke one of the huge muffins in half.  “My company has been profitable so far but I’ve sunk a lot of my personal fortune into this design.  So far they’ve exceeded my expectations but that doesn’t mean squat if I can’t find a market for them.”

“I’m sure Brian will work his miracles.”

“You have faith in him.”

“Yes, I do.  He has never let any one of us down.”

A loud, “Dada,” was heard then a slamming of a door.  “Dada, I found you!” Bree cried out with a giggle.

“I didn’t know I was lost, Squirt.  Can you bring out the silverware then wake up your Daddy.  Breakfast is almost ready.”

“‘Kay, Dada!” the little voice was heard to say as Brian and Bobby brought in breakfast and the plates to serve it on.  Patrick came in as a very sleepy Sunshine with a strawberry blond pixie riding his back, joined them at the table.

“Morning, Sunshine,” Brian said cheerfully as he slid of mug of Justin’s favorite tea in front of him.

“You’re all way too cheerful this morning,” Justin quipped. 

“You’ll feel better after breakfast,” Brian reassured him.  “Breakfast is served, dig in everyone,” Brian declared then he gave his husband his good morning kiss.

*****

“So what do you think?” Brian asked.  The breakfast dishes had been cleared.  The children were out by the stream with Bobby and Justin.  Leda was studying the boards and making phone calls.  John had just come back from a test drive.

“It’s a smooth ride,” John said with admiration.

“Think your average biker bear will buy one?”

“I don’t know.  But if I was still riding, I’d buy one like this.”

“Why?”

“Because from an energy point of view, it’s a responsible machine.  It’s also esthetically pleasing.”  

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, it doesn’t look gay,” John said closing his eyes, waiting for his brother to punch his lights out.  When said punch didn’t occur, John opened his eyes.

“That’s what I thought.”

“What?”

“John, the second I saw the bike in person I thought, shit, a Hell’s Angel would love to wrap his thighs around it.  Wouldn’t mind wrapping my thighs around one too.”

“The bike?” John said getting off and offering the keys to Brian.

“No, the biker.”  Before John could protest, Brian recanted.  “Just kidding, but you see my point.  Leda wants to push this bike to the dykes.”

“Oh you’ve got to be shitting me.”

“No.  I’m not saying it’s a bad idea.  I’ve been to enough Pride parades to know those dykes love all that power between their legs.  I swear they have penis envy.”

“Brian, you’re going to get yourself in trouble.”

“I know so don’t rat me out.  Just hear me out for a minute.”  John nodded then sat back on the bike as Brian paced the lane in front of him.  “Leda wants to hawk this sex on two wheels to the LGBT community and I agree.  There’s a lot of disposable cash in our community, and a lot of foolhardy people that want to spend that cash on a motorcycle.”

“Brian, with proper training, a bike can be ridden safely.”

“Yeah, yeah, says the man who drives a Navigator.  My point is that I have no objection to running a campaign to attract the gay consumer.  I just think I ought to go after the het one first.  But how do I convince the dyke from hell.”

“I thought Melanie was the dyke from hell,” John said.

“Where do you think Mel learned it from?” 

Just then Leda walked out the front door to join them.  “So what do you think?” she asked John.

“Very impressive machine.  It’s got that big rumble men go for, yet easier on your wallet and it’s good on the environment.  As I told Brian, if I was still riding, I’d buy one.”

“That’s what I was hoping to hear.”  Leda turned to address Brian.  “I like the boards and the slogan but they’re not what I expected.”

“I know.”

“I saw biker bimbos with fake tits that could be used as flotation devices.  That’s not what I asked for.”

“Leda, think it through.  I fully intend to market to the gay community and when I do the ads will be as provocative as you expect they’ll be.  But for the first leg of the campaign I recommend we hit the traditional motorcyclist.  And that means a big macho straight dude with his biker bimbo hanging on for dear life.”

“That’s not what I want, Kinney, and if you won’t give it to me then I’ll have to look for a company that will.  I have a lot riding on this.”

“I know that Leda.  Look, let me prove it to you.”

“How?”

“I have Kinnetik setting up demonstration shows at various malls.  We’ll take surveys then tabulate the results.  If I’m wrong then we’ll do it your way, but if I’m right, you won’t be able to keep up with the orders.  Daytona’s bike week next year will feature Lethal Bikes.  And at next year’s Pride parade, the dykes will all be riding this,” Brian said as he pointed to the big black machine.

“I’ll have to think about it,” Leda said as she turned with a huff to go back into the house.

“I’m right, I know I’m right,” Brian mumbled to himself.  He turned then sprinted down the lane.

John looked toward his brother then at the front door of the cottage.  He shook his head then headed for the serenity of the stream.

*****

Leda marched into the kitchen.  She wanted a nice stiff drink, but they had polished off the bottle of scotch last night, and she didn’t want to go rummaging through Brian’s cabinets to try to find more.  She knew the customers for her motorcycles.  This latest bike was going to be marketed to dykes; that’s what she had decided right from the outset.  Who was fucking Brian Kinney to tell her otherwise?  No macho straight assholes were going to want to ride a bike that was a hybrid.  It was too sissy for that type of mentality.  She knew she was right.

She grabbed a mug out of the kitchen cupboard and poured herself a coffee. That would have to do. 

“Fucking asshole!” she muttered.

“Only my Dada says words like that around here,” a voice told her.

Leda nearly jumped out of her skin.  She whirled around and saw Bree sitting at the kitchen table with a grey bunny clutched to her chest.  “How long have you been there?” Leda asked.

“I live here,” Bree said with a frown.

Leda laughed in spite of herself.  “I know you do.  I just didn’t see you when I came in.”

“I know.  You were mad.  Are you still mad?”

“Yes, at your Dada,” Leda admitted.

Bree frowned and stared at the woman.  Nobody should be mad at her Dada.  “My Dada is the bestest,” Bree declared.

“That’s what I thought too, but now…”

“Did my Dada do something wrong?” Bree asked warily.

“I don’t like what he’s doing with my advertising campaign,” Leda replied, wondering why on earth she was discussing this with a six year old.

“My Dada knows everything about advertising,” Bree stated, making sure all her words were clear and correctly pronounced.

“Or so he’d have you believe,” Leda said sarcastically.

“He knows everything,” Bree repeated firmly.

Leda decided she should not be arguing with the little girl.  She was still a guest in their house, even if she was pissed at Brian.  Maybe she should just get on her bike and ride away.  She drew in a deep breath.  This was one of the things she had tried to train herself about over the years.  She had a tendency to jump to conclusions, and then fly off the handle if things didn’t go the way she wanted, and that usually got her in trouble.  She willed herself to calm down.

“Nice bunny,” she said to Bree after a minute, hoping the change of direction would work with the little girl.

“I love my bunny,” Bree replied hugging the soft stuffed animal against her chest.

“Do you think Bunny would give me a hug?  I think I could use one.”

Bree extended the bunny towards the strange woman who stood in their kitchen.  “Bunny hugs anybody who wants a hug.”

Leda smiled as she walked over and took the bunny.  She squeezed it against her chest, and suddenly felt a little better.  “Your bunny is magic,” Leda chuckled.

“I know,” Bree said smugly.

“And what are you two ladies doing in the kitchen?” Justin asked as he came out of his bedroom.

“She’s mad at my Dada,” Bree said pointing at Leda.

“She is, huh?” Justin asked.  He wondered what had happened.  “Bree, why don’t you go outside and play while I talk to Leda.”

“Okay,” Bree said holding out her hand for her bunny.  Leda gave it back to her.  “I’m going to the Wendy house, Daddy.”  She started towards the sun porch.  Then like an afterthought she turned around and said to Leda, “I’ll show it to you later … if you want.”

Leda raised an eyebrow.  That was unexpected.  So had been sharing Bree’s bunny.  “I’d like that,” she said before Bree disappeared.

Justin poured himself a mug of coffee and topped up Leda’s.  “Let’s sit in the sun porch and you can tell me what happened.”

Leda followed him out to the porch.  They got situated on side by side chaises.

“So, what did Brian do?”

Leda heaved a sigh.  “I shouldn’t let myself get so worked up.  I upset Bree.”

“Tell me what happened,” Justin said calmly.  Bree didn’t seem upset to him, or she wouldn’t have offered to take Leda to the Wendy house.  That was reserved for people Bree approved of.  Leda must have done something right.

“When I started production of this new motorcycle, I decided it was going to be for dykes … like me,” Leda explained, surprised at how calm her voice sounded now.  “Brian wants to market it to straight men first.”

“And the problem with that…?”

“It … it’s not what I wanted to do,” Leda said knowing how pathetic that sounded.

Justin laughed, not loudly, but enough to let Leda know that she did sound ridiculous.  “If there’s one thing I know, it’s that Brian is very rarely wrong in anything he does in advertising.  He must have a reason for wanting to take that direction.”

“He thinks men will like the bike.”

“Then doesn’t that double or triple your potential market?  That sounds like a good thing.”

“If he’s right,” Leda replied icily.  “If he’s wrong, men won’t buy the bike and women will follow suit.  I think we should go at it the other way around.”

“Dykes first?”

“Yeah.”

“And if you do, how many men will want to buy the ‘Dyke Bike’?”  Justin made air quotes.

Leda sighed mightily.  “None,” she admitted.

“Then I think Brian’s got it right,” Justin told her.

“And if he doesn’t…?”

“Isn’t he going to test the market first?” Justin asked knowledgeably.

Leda nodded grudgingly.  “John liked it, and Brian wants to hold some demonstration shows at various malls.”

“Then what are you worrying about?”

“I don’t like to be contradicted,” Leda stated.

“Even if you’re wrong?” Justin asked pointedly.

“Even if.”

“Come with me,” Justin said standing up and setting his coffee mug aside.

“Where are we going?” Leda asked as she also stood.

“To one of the best things about Edna’s Treasures.  It’s a place of harmony and tranquility.  It will restore your good humor.”

“Guaranteed?”

“Guaranteed,” Justin said as he led Leda outside and down the path to the stream.

Blasts from the Past

Chapter 9

Justin led Leda through the garden then down the path toward the stream.

“Who’s your gardener?”

“Do you plan to do a bit of gardening?”

“Me?  I don’t know a petunia from a rose but I’m thinking of settling in Pittsburgh and I don’t want an apartment.  I want something with a bit of land around it.”

“To answer your question, Brian is the gardener.”  Justin took a few more steps before he realized that Leda had stopped following him.  He turned to see Leda looking back at Edna’s Treasures beautifully blooming gardens.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me!”

“No, I’m not.  For a long time we couldn’t decide what we wanted out there.  When we finally decided on a garden, Brian decided to take up the challenge.  And as with everything he puts his mind to...”

“He turns it into gold.  Or in this case, one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen.”

“Yep.”  They finally continued along the path toward the stream, approaching the clearing and the big rock.   “And this is another reason why you should put your faith in Brian Kinney.”

“Please don’t tell me he built this stream,” Leda said in an exasperated tone.

“No,” Justin laughed.  “But the stream and more specifically this boulder did influence him to buy this land and have the cottage renovated.  I come here when I want to think.”

“It is peaceful out here.”  Leda looked around.  The hot August sun was streaming through the canopy of trees.  The stream babbled over the rocks, reflecting the sun, shining like diamonds. 

“Have a seat.”  Justin pointed toward the rock.  Leda climbed up.  “Leda, I’m not going to suggest to you that you shouldn’t follow your instincts.  Those instincts have made you successful.  But whatever else you may think about Brian, he is the best at what he does.  Trust him.”

“It’s not that easy.  So far, I’ve only trusted myself.”

“Then maybe it’s time for a change.” 

Leda nodded.  Lately she was contemplating a lot of changes. 

“Take your time; just follow the path back up to the house.  You can’t get lost.”

“Even if I want to?”

“Then we’ll just send Beau out to get you,” Justin said with a smile.  “Brian’s going to barbecue later.  You haven’t lived until you’ve had one of his steaks.”  Justin grinned as Leda just shook her head incredulously.

“Fucking incredible,” Justin heard her mutter as his strolled up the path toward the house.

*****

“Where is she?” Brian asked as Justin came into their bedroom.  Brian was sprawled across their bed, clad only in a small towel that was barely draped across his groin.  He was damp from a shower.

“She who?” Justin asked as he carefully crawled onto the bed.  His hand wanted to check out the treasures that lay under the towel but he needed to make sure Brian was okay first.

“The she-devil from dyke hell,” Brian snarked.

Justin began to giggle at his husband’s dramatics.  “At the stream, contemplating your ideas.”  Justin’s fingers began a slow march up Brian’s long muscular thigh.

“If I’m lucky, a squirrel will throw a pinecone at her head.  Or maybe she’ll get slimed by a frog.” 

Justin snickered louder; his fingers had reached the edge of the towel.  “She’ll come around,” Justin murmured as he began to peel back the towel.

“Looking for something, Sunshine?” Brian asked as he arched a brow.

“Yeah.”

“Can I help?”  Brian contracted a muscle; his cock twitched under the towel.

“Unh unh, I think I have it in hand,” Justin said as he wrapped his fingers around Brian’s cock.

“The door locked?” Brian whispered before they got too carried away.

“Mm hmm,” Justin mumbled around Brian’s shaft.

Brian remained still as he enjoyed the luscious sensations Justin’s talented mouth was giving him.  After a while he tapped on Justin’s shoulder, urging the younger man to turn himself around so that his groin was closer.  Brian found the treasures that were hidden in Justin’s jeans.  He latched onto Justin’s dick and began to mimic his lover’s movements.

They came within seconds of each other.

“What if Leda insists on marketing to the dykes first?” Brian asked when his brain cleared.

“If your research proves you right...”

“When it proves me right.”

“When it proves you right and she still wants you to market to the gay community first, then when it fails to produce the numbers she’s looking for, it will be her doing not yours.”

“I don’t like failure.”

“It won’t be your failure.”

“No, it’ll be Kinnetik’s,” Brian said as he got up off the bed.  He found some clean clothes and got dressed.  “And I am Kinnetik,” Brian growled as he left their room slamming the door behind him.

*****

“Hi,” a little voice was heard as Leda rounded the path toward the cottage.

“Hi there,” Leda replied as she realized it was Bree.  Bree was sitting on the swinging loveseat that was just outside the Wendy house.  “May I sit with you?” Leda asked.  Bree made room for her.  “This is beautiful,” Leda said referring to the Wendy house.

“Thank you.  My daddies and my uncles built it for me and Patrick.  My Daddy painted the wall.”

Leda peered into the doorway.  She could see most of the mural Justin had painted.

“It’s wonderful.”

“Are you still mad at my Dada?” Bree asked frankly.

“Are you sure you’re only six?  You’re way too smart.”

“That’s because my daddies are smart.  I’m a com-bo-nation of nurture and nature,” Bree said nonchalantly.

“Who told you that?”

“I hear things.”

“I bet you do.”

“So, are you still mad at Dada?”

“No, not really.  I just hate being wrong.”

“Me too.”

“When have you been wrong?”

“When I ate all my M&M’s and got a tummy ache.  And when I didn’t want to go to camp because my best friend couldn’t go but my daddies fixed it and when I try to go to the stream when I shouldn’t.”

“What happens then?”

“Beau stops me.”  Beau, who was sleeping inside the Wendy house, yawned loudly when he heard his name.  “Beau always knows when I’m going to go to the stream without a grownup.”

“He’s smart.”

“Yes, he is and so is my Dada.”

“You love your Dada very much, don’t you?”

“Of course I do.  He’s my bestest Dada.”

“What about your Daddy?”

“He’s my bestest Daddy!”

“Oh,” Leda said as if she saw the logic of Bree’s statement.

“You better now?”

“Yes, I think so.  And I think I better go talk to your Dada before he kicks my ass to the curb.”

“Okay.”

“Are you coming in?” Leda asked as she got up from the swing.

“Not yet.  Me and Beau are going to have a tea party,” Bree stated, sounding very much like a little girl again.

“Okay.  Then I guess I’ll see you later.”

“Later!” Bree said then went inside the Wendy house.

“Maybe it’s the fertilizer they use out here,” Leda mumbled to herself as she walked back to the house.  She was greeted by Brian who was slamming the hood on one of the grills.  “Is your grill into S&M?”

“No, but I must be a masochist to ever want to take you on as a client,” Brian said as he slammed the lid down again.  “Leda, I know what I’m doing.”

“I know.”

“I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”

“I realize that.”

“Are you agreeing with me?”

“Yes, no, I don’t know.  Brian, what you propose makes sense but I’ve had this concept in my head for years.  It’s hard to let go of it.”

“I know the feeling.”

“So convince me.”

“I won’t do that.  I’ll let the research convince you.  But Leda, after I present you with the facts and you still choose to do it your way, you’ll do it without Kinnetik.”

“Fair enough.  Now, I’ve heard you grill a mean steak,” Leda said with a smile.

“Just stand back and let the master work!” Brian said as he fired up the grill.

*****   

“So, do you like Leda now?” Patrick asked as he and Bree sat inside the Wendy house waiting for Brian to finish his grilling so they could have dinner.

“She’s okay.”

“I thought you were mad at her because she didn’t think Uncle Brian was doing a good job with her advertising.”

“I was mad, but maaaybe I’m changing my mind.”

“Why?”

Bree wrinkled her brow as she thought about the answer to that question.  “She hugged my bunny,” she said.

Patrick stared at Bree.  “What does that mean?” he asked in bewilderment.

“People who aren’t nice never want to hug my bunny,” Bree explained.  “But she did.”

“Oh!” Patrick replied.  He wasn’t exactly sure why that made Leda all right, but he had hugged Bunny many times, and Bree’s bunny always made him feel better.  Maybe Bree knew something he didn’t.  He’d have to take her word for it.  “I really like her motorcycle.  Dad said he might take me for a ride on it tomorrow if Leda lets us.”

“A ride?” Bree asked in surprise.  “Do you want to ride on it?”

“Sure!”

“I think it makes too much noise.”

“It’s cool,” Patrick corrected.

Bree thought about that for a minute.  “I like horses better,” she said.

“Horses are cool too, but motorcycles are the best.”

“I don’t think so,” Bree contradicted with a frown.

“What if Dad gave you a ride too?  Would you like them more?”

“Maaaybe,” Bree replied.  She wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to ride on the motorcycle, but she didn’t want Patrick to think she was afraid.  Maybe her daddies wouldn’t let her ride on the motorcycle then she wouldn’t have to pretend to want to.

“Bree, Patrick,” a voice called.  “Dinner’s ready.”

“We better go,” Bree said rushing out of the Wendy house.  Patrick and Beau followed her.

*****

“This has to be one of the best steaks I’ve ever had,” Leda pronounced.

“Of course it is,” Justin said with a smile.  “Brian’s steaks on the barbecue are the best.”

“I have to agree, little bro’,” John concurred.  “You outdid yourself tonight.”

Brian looked at Leda.  “Only one of the best?” was all he said.

Everyone looked at Brian and then burst out laughing. 

Bree who sat beside her Dada patted his hand.  “You make the bestest barbecue, Dada”

“Thanks, Squirt.  I’m glad someone around here appreciates all my hard work.”

“We all love your steaks,” Bobby piped up.  “You know that.”

“It really is delicious,” Leda added hoping she hadn’t offended.  The steak really was incredible.

“You know we love anything you grill,” Justin said kissing Brian’s temple.

“Enough!  I get the point,” Brian chuckled.  “I’m the world’s best barbecuer.  Goes without saying.”  He smirked lovingly at all of them.

“And so modest too,” John felt compelled to add.

Brian merely shrugged and looked at Leda.

“Do you barbecue a lot?” Leda asked as she cut off another bite of the tender steak.

“Brian pretends he doesn’t cook, so that gets him out of the kitchen,” Bobby said with a wink at Justin.  “As a result he’s in charge of all the barbecuing.”

“Breakfasts and steaks are my specialty,” Brian said proudly.

“You like to do everything well, don’t you?” Leda asked remembering what she had been told during the day.

“He likes to do it perfectly,” Justin contributed, earning him a gentle elbow to the ribs from his spouse.

“Don’t tell her all my secrets.”

“That would take months,” Justin laughed, “and she’s only here for the weekend.”

“If she decides to stay,” Brian said looking at Leda and raising an eyebrow to ask her if she intended to last the weekend.

“I think I might be able to put up with you lot till Monday morning,” Leda said with a grin.  “Seriously, you have made me feel so welcome.  You have a lovely home and the property is wonderful.”

“You’ve been to the stream, haven’t you?” Brian surmised.

“Yes, how did you know?”

“Everyone who goes down there finds some kind of peace and tranquility,” John said quietly.  “It’s a very spiritual place.”

“That’s where I was bapatized,” Bree offered proudly.

“Baptized, Squirt,” Brian corrected.

“Baptized,” Bree repeated.

“How did you manage that?” Leda asked.  “Doesn’t it have to be in a church?”

“We have a friend who’s a priest,” Justin explained.  “He came here and did Bree’s baptism in the stream.”

“No wonder she’s such a special little girl,” Leda said.

Bree just beamed.  Her patented Taylor smile was radiant.

*****

Leda decided to stay the rest of the weekend and go into Pittsburgh Monday morning with Brian.  She did her best to set aside her misgivings about Brian’s advertising campaign for her new motorcycle.  She would wait until after the test audiences had given their opinions.  She still wasn’t sure she was willing to back down on what she wanted to do regardless of what the results were.  But that remained to be seen.

The family had a quiet evening with Leda, most of the time spent in the sun porch talking and laughing.  Leda had to admit it had been a long time since she had had such a quiet Saturday night, or one she had enjoyed so much.  All of the men of Edna’s Treasures had sharp wits, great senses of humor and compassionate hearts.  She never would have dreamed that she would think that of Brian Kinney.

She slept like a log in the brass bed and awoke refreshed and eager to start the day.  Brian cooked up one of his amazing breakfasts.  She spent some time at the stream all by herself.  She had to admit it was a beautiful spot, good for the soul.

Bree invited her to tea in the Wendy house under Beau’s close supervision.  John took Patrick for a ride on the motorcycle.  Patrick loved every minute of it.  His enthusiasm convinced Bree to sit in front of her uncle and go for a ride down the lane.  He promised not to go too fast, and Bree loved it once they got going.

Later in the afternoon Molly and Owen arrived to do some minor things around their cottage.  They were almost ready for their housewarming party.  When they were done they came up to Edna’s Treasures.  Leda was introduced to them all, and Owen raved about the motorcycle parked outside the house.

He was holding Taylor and getting really engrossed in his conversation with Leda about the bike.  Molly tried to get the baby carrier out of his hand, since she knew by the definitive smell that Taylor needed changing.

Brian also got a whiff of Taylor’s diaper and quickly said, “Justin has iced tea ready for you in the sun porch.  I’ll change the little man.”  He took the carrier from Owen and headed for Bree’s bedroom.  Leda’s eyebrows shot up.  Brian Kinney changing stinky diapers, would wonders never cease?  Bree went with her Dada while everyone else headed for the sun porch.

“Dada, do you like Leda?” Bree asked.

“Most of the time,” Brian replied as he removed Taylor’s pungent diaper.  He got a wet wipe to clean his little bottom.

Bree held onto Taylor’s fingers as Brian cleaned him up.  “Not all the time?” Bree asked with a quizzical look.

“It’s hard to like people all the time.”

“But I like you all the time,” Bree stated.

“No, Bree, you love me all the time, just like I love you all the time.  But sometimes I may not like what you do or say.”

“Like when I’m a bad girl?”

“You’re not a bad girl very often,” Brian said with a smile as he dusted Taylor’s little bum with baby powder.

“But sometimes…” Bree giggled.

“Yes, sometimes.”

“Is it okay not to like everyone all the time?”

“I think it’s inevitable, so I guess it’s all right,” Brian said wondering how he got into these conversations with Bree.

Bree smiled.  “I love you all the time, Dada.”

“I love you all the time too, Squirt,” Brian said blowing a raspberry on Taylor’s tummy before picking him up.  “I love Taylor too.  There’s lots of love to go around at Edna’s Treasures.”

“Yeah,” Bree agreed as she followed her father and Taylor out to the sun porch.

Blasts from the Past

Chapter 10

“Schmidt!” Brian bellowed as he strode into Kinnetik bright and early Monday morning, Leda hot on his heels.

“Yes, Boss,” Ted answered obediently.

“It’s a go for the Lethal Bike test run.  I want a bike to make the rounds of every mall within one hundred miles of the Pitts.  And contact Drew; find out who handles the promos for the Ironmen.  I want to see if we can get an endorsement.  And ask Drew if he’d allow us to put a bike in front of his store sometime in the future.”

“Bri, do you want me to contact any biker bear clubs?”  Ted had leaned in to ask Brian sotto voce.

“No, not yet, we get the results of the test market first.  If they’re what I think they’ll be, we target the straight biker for the first leg of the campaign, then the LGBT community.”

“Okay, Bri, I’m on it,” Ted said ready to do his master’s bidding.

“And Schmidt, discretion is key for this one.  We proceed carefully.”

“I am the soul of discretion,” Ted whispered conspiratorially.  Brian arched his brow saying nothing.  He simply gestured the man away with a flick of his hand.

“Brian, may I leave the bike in your alley for a while.  I’m meeting Mel and Lindsay at the gallery.”

“Planning a threesome?” Brian snarked.

“In your dreams.  I finally convinced them to allow me to take them to dinner.  But I get the impression they don’t trust me.”

“It’s probably Lindsay who doesn’t trust you and Mel doesn’t trust Lindz.”

“Ooo, sounds like there’s a good story in there.”

“And I’ll tell it as I walk you over there.  If they’re both going to be there, you can be my witness when Mel tries to kill me.”

“Sure, I’m game.”

“Schmidt!” Brian bellowed again. 

“Yes, Boss,” Ted answered from across the main office.

“Discretion,” Brian warned.  Teddy made a lock and key motion over his lips then placed his hand over his heart.  Satisfied, Brian led Leda out of Kinnetik.

“Mr. Brian Kinney,” Brandon said as he nearly knocked Brian over on the street just outside of the old bathhouse.

“What do you want, Tierney?”

“Just a moment of your time,” Brandon stated as he looked Leda up and down, deciding he hated her already.

“Make an appointment,” Brian said curtly.

“I would if your secretary would take my calls.  Apparently no one knows your schedule.”

“That’s because I don’t have one.  Comes with owning the joint.”

“Five minutes, Brian.  Just give me five minutes of your time.  If you don’t like my proposal then we call it quits.”

“Five minutes, later today at three, and not here.  Meet me at the diner.  I’ll give you your five minutes and not a second more.”

“Deal,” Brandon said then walked away with a smile.  He was sure that he had Brian just where he wanted him.

“Who was that sleazeball?” Leda asked.

“Just a nobody from my past wanting to be a somebody in my present,” Brian said as he took Leda’s elbow to lead her down Liberty toward the gallery.

*****

“Ms. Marcus, isn’t this so fantastic?” Jamie exclaimed as she watched one of the gallery assistants hang her latest creation.  Jamie also had an eye on how Lindsay’s tailored suit fit the tall blond.

“Yeah, fantastic,” Mel murmured.  “What am I doing here?” she whispered to herself.

“Waiting for me, I hope,” Leda said.  She had come into the gallery with Brian but then headed straight for Mel.  Brian made a detour toward Justin’s part of the gallery.  He never tired of seeing his lover’s work.

Mel gave her former lover a warm kiss.  The kiss did not go unnoticed by Lindsay or Jamie.

“A-hem,” Lindsay cleared her throat loudly.  Mel and Leda separated.  “How was your weekend, Leda?” Lindsay asked.

“An eye opener,” Leda responded.  “How was yours?”

“Quiet,” Lindsay retorted.  She and Mel were beginning to fall into their old habits.  The dates they had promised to take together were falling by the wayside.

“Well, then maybe I can liven things up around here.  I’d like to take you both out to dinner sometime this week.”

“I don’t know.  I’m a little busy preparing for our September show.  We’re featuring new artists, especially our local talent.”  Lindsay smiled at Jamie.

“Do I rate an introduction to your local talent?” Leda asked flirtatiously.  Lindsay took a big breath then made the introductions.

“Leda Thalberg, Jamie Cunningham.  Jamie is an instructor at PIFA and will be one of our featured artists in our Emerging Artists show next month.  Jamie, this is an old friend, Leda.  Leda is visiting Pittsburgh on business.” 

Jamie smiled brightly at the attractive woman.  “What type of business are you in?” Jamie asked innocently.

“My own, I’m Lethal Motorcycles.  And I might just have to take up the arts, given the right incentive," Leda murmured.

“Lethal Bikes!  I have one of your smaller models.  I ride whenever I can,” Jamie said enthusiastically.  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”  Jamie extended her hand to shake Leda’s. 

The older woman clasped Jamie’s hand firmly and held it a little longer than necessary.  “Why don’t you show me your stuff,” Leda purred like one of her bikes. 

Jamie nodded as she showed Leda to her little part of the gallery.  Lindsay and Melanie stood dumbstruck as the two women strolled away.

“Now, there’s a picture.  The two of you, silent and with your mouths hanging open,” Brian snarked as he joined Lindsay and Mel.

“Asshole!” they said in unison.

“Now that I have your attention, let’s go discuss our son,” Brian said as he snaked his arms around the mothers of his son and led them to Lindsay’s office.

*****

“Daddy, is Leda gone forever?” Bree asked.  They were packing their suitcases to get ready for their trip to Penn State.

“Forever?  I don’t know, sweetheart.”

“I kind of got used to her being around,” Bree said as she placed her favorite pink shorts outfit in the suitcase.

“You like her.”

“Sort of.”

“Do you miss having other girls around here?”

“Sometimes,” Bree admitted.  “Michelle and Cindy aren’t here very often and Auntie Molly is busy with Taylor and Taylor was supposed to be a girl.”

Justin chuckled.  “But it’s all right that Taylor’s a boy now that he’s here.”

“I guess so,” Bree sighed.  “He is pretty cute.”

“Come sit here beside me,” Justin said deciding that a little talk with his brilliant daughter might be in order.

“Is something wrong, Daddy?” Bree asked as she down beside her father on the edge of her bed.

“Nothing’s wrong if you’re all right.”

“I’m okay.”

“I want you to be better than okay, sweetheart.  I want you to be happy.  You know you can talk to Dada or me about anything?”

“Yeah.”

“But as you grow up, there’s going to be girl stuff that you may want to talk to a girl about.”

“Like what?” Bree asked with a frown.  She wasn’t sure what her Daddy was getting at.

“You’re going to have changes to your body,” Justin said trying to keep his voice level.

“Like what?”

“Well, Auntie Molly has breasts, and as you grow up, you’re going to get breasts too.”

“Gross!”

Justin laughed in spite of his best intentions.  “Believe me, sweetheart, you’ll be looking for those breasts to pop out in a few years.”

“I will?  Why?”

“Um … you may find that you get interested in boys.”

“Boys?  Like Patrick?”

“Yeah, like Patrick, or other boys.”

“But what does that have to do with breasts?” Bree asked innocently.

“Boys like breasts?”

“Do you like breasts, Daddy?”

“Not particularly, but then your Dada and I are gay.  We’ve explained that to you.”

“Yeah.  If you don’t like breasts then I don’t want them,” Bree declared.

“I don’t think you’re going to have a choice, baby girl.”

Bree frowned and then sighed.  “Okay, if I have to.”

Justin chuckled.  He pulled Bree into a hug.  “It’s still a few years away, but the point I wanted to make is that when these things start happening to you, you can still talk to Dada and me.”

“Even about … breasts?”

“Even about breasts,” Justin said gently cradling Bree against his chest.  “But you can also talk to Auntie Rachel or Auntie Molly or Lindsay and Melanie or JR.  There are lots of girls around for you to talk to, just so you know.”

“Okay, Daddy, I’ll remember.”

“Good girl!  Now let’s decide on the rest of what you’re going to pack for Penn State.”

*****

“Comic store,” Michael said answering the phone.

“Hey, Michael, it’s Hank.”

“Hi, Hank, how was the trip to Philadelphia?”

“I’m still here.”

“Oh?  Is that a good or bad thing?”

“I think it’s good,” Hank laughed.

“Okay.  So what can I do for you?”

“I’m going to be back in Pittsburgh in a few days.”

“Yeah?”

“Could we get together, maybe for dinner?  There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Really?  Sure, yeah, I guess we could.”

“Great.”

“Um … shouldn’t you be talking to David about whatever these things are?” Michael asked not wanting to step on anyone’s toes, especially his former lover’s.

“You know what I told you about Dad.  I want to talk this over with you,” Hank stated.

“Okay, if you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.”

“I’ll call you when I get back to Pittsburgh.  Maybe we can have dinner some time after that.”

“That sounds fine,” Michael replied.  “Hank, you know I’ll help in any way I can, but you have to make your own decisions.”

“That’s exactly what I’m doing.”

“Then I’ll see you when you get back,” Michael said before he cut the connection.  He looked around the comic shop, wondering how he had ever become confidant to his ex-lover’s son.  He had never expected such a thing.  Nobody much consulted him or asked his opinion.  They always went to Brian or Ted for advice.  Michael felt kind of proud that Hank had chosen him.

*****

Emmett was pouring coffee and getting a popover ready for his husband at Emmett’s Place.  The weekend had gone by in a blur.  The wedding that he had returned for had gone off without a hitch, and everyone seemed extremely pleased with the results.

Because of the demands of the wedding, Emmett had been exhausted, and he and Drew had spent most of the day in bed on Sunday.  Now it was back to a normal work week, and no more vacation in New York City.

“Here you go, Sweetie,” Emmett said handing Drew the coffee and popover. 

The door of Emmett’s Place opened and closed and the two men turned to see who had come in.  They both blanched.

“Hey,” Dijon grinned at Emmett and then Drew.  He was towing his small piece of luggage as was his companion.  They were both in uniform.

“Wh…What are you doing here?” Emmett blurted out.

“Thought we might grab a bite to eat before we head to the airport,” Dijon replied with a smile.

“How…How did you find me?” Emmett asked clearing his throat.

“We were on Liberty and I saw your sign.  I figured there couldn’t be too many Emmett’s around,” Dijon explained, “so we popped in to see if you were here.”

“I guess you found me,” Emmett said with a toss of his head.  “But why are you here?”

“This is Marty by the way.”  Everyone nodded in acknowledgement.  “I’m here for food, and I’d also like to thank you,” Dijon said.

“Thank me … for what?” Emmett asked incredulously.

“Could we get something to eat and a coffee,” Marty said.  “We have to be at the airport in a little over an hour.”

“Sure,” Emmett said looking this new man up and down.  He wondered what had happened over the weekend.  “Sit in my booth and I’ll bring some food over.”

Drew ushered the two men to Emmett’s booth, where he sat down and had a sip of his coffee.  “Emmett makes the absolute best popovers you’ll ever taste,” Drew said taking a bite of his.  He thought he should at least try to make conversation with the two men.

“Thank you, sweetie,” Emmett said as he placed a tray full of mugs of coffee and a basket of muffins and popovers in front of them.  “Drew’s my best salesman,” Emmett added.  They smiled at each other.

“Thanks for servicing me.”  Dijon couldn’t resist saying his infamous line as he took a bite of a popover.  “These are … unbelievably good.”

“Told ya,” Drew laughed.

“I served you.  I didn’t service you,” Emmett said indignantly, annoyed at Dijon’s choice of words.

“You’re both very lucky,” Dijon said seriously stirring his coffee.  “I want to apologize for coming onto you both in the plane.”

“You do?” Emmett asked as he drank some of his own coffee.

“I … I haven’t ever found anyone that I wanted to settle down with.  I’ve spent all these years looking for love in all the wrong places.”  Dijon looked fondly at Marty while he said that. 

Marty smiled gently back at him.  “Until this weekend,” he said.

“Until this weekend,” Dijon agreed.

“You mean, you two…?” Emmett asked, gesturing between the two men.

Dijon nodded.  “After I saw you guys together I was jealous, and bummed that neither of you took me up on my offer.”

“Really?” Drew asked.

“Yes, really.  I’ve been feeling out of sorts lately, and Marty made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.  I finally decided to take him up on it.  It may be one of the best decisions that I ever made.”

Drew and Emmett could see the affection between the two men as Marty squeezed Dijon’s hand.

“We’re going to give this together thing a shot,” Marty said.

“Well, that’s great news,” Emmett said.  “I hope it works out for you both.”

“Me too,” Dijon said softly.  “I think it’s time.  And thanks to you two for inspiring it.”

“I always wanted to be someone’s inspiration,” Emmett chuckled.

“Then consider that wish fulfilled,” Dijon replied.

“We should get going,” Marty said finishing his coffee.

“Yeah,” Dijon agreed, “but I’ll definitely be back for more of those popovers.”

“They’ll be ready and waiting,” Emmett said as the two men left the shop.  “Do you fucking believe that?”

“I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.”

“I wonder how Dijon will feel if it doesn’t work out with Marty.”

“He’ll be out there servicing people on all his flights,” Drew commented.

“Yeah, then let’s hope this relationship does work out for him.”

“Definitely,” Drew agreed as he kissed Emmett and headed out.

Blasts from the Past

Chapter 11

“So be ready by four.  I’ll be over after a brief meeting,” Brian said into his cell phone as he walked into the Liberty diner.

“No sweat, Pop!  I’ve been ready for days,” Gus replied.  He was excited to be going to Penn with his dad.

“Down boy, we’ll get there when we get there.  I just have to wrap up a few things at the office.”

“Okay, Pop.  See you soon.”

“Later, Sonny Boy.”  Brian cut the connection as he slid himself into a booth.  He looked around the diner, a place that once felt like his second home.  The wait staff, except for Lacy, were all strangers to him.  The faces of the patrons, what few there were at this odd hour, were all young and there was no one he knew.  Brian sighed loudly.  The Liberty Diner was now just a part of his past, albeit a very important part.

“Hey, Brian,” Lacy cheerfully greeted her friend and landlord.  She had a cup of coffee all ready for him.

“Hi, Lacy, long time no see,” he said then gratefully took a sip of the hot brew.  He arched a suspicious brow as he gazed into the cup.

“I know, it’s not Starbucks but I got the boss to agree to a better quality coffee.  We have to charge a quarter more but I think it’s worth it.”

“It’s good.  And did you actually get them to buy new coffee urns?”

“Yeah, amazing isn’t it.  Debbie was after them for years to invest in some new equipment.  I think the management got scared of the competition and decided to spruce up the place.”

“What competition?”

“Emmett’s place and the Village diner.  Some of the business dropped off for a while but it’s got better lately.”

“So you’re okay?”  Brian was worried that Lacy would be out of a job.  She had blossomed since taking over the running of the diner from Debbie.

“I’m fine.  Actually, I’m better than fine.”

“And Katerina?”

“Doing real well.  She’s thinking of going for her masters.”

“Good for her.  I’m proud of you both, and Lacy...you do know you both can come to me if either one of you needs anything,” Brian said seriously.

“We know, Brian, and I may take you up on that soon but not now,” Lacy said as she gave the man a hug.  “Can I get you anything else?” she asked as she released him.

“No thanks, I won’t be long.  Just here for a meeting.”

“With Justin?”

“No, just someone I knew a very long time ago when you were a wee lass.” 

Lacy chuckled.  “Okay, let me just freshen up your cup.  You call me if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Lacy,” Brian said with a warm smile for the young woman.  He was very proud of how she had turned her life around.  His smile quickly faded as Brandon walked into the diner.

“Mr. Brian Kinney,” Brandon said loudly then plastered on a fake smile.  Brian noted that Brandon had really not aged well.  Drugs, alcohol and poor diet had taken its toll on a man that was not much older than Justin.

Brian freely admitted to being vain to himself and anybody else who’d ask.  He planned on fighting the signs of age with tooth and nail.  And so far with a good diet, limiting alcohol, exercise and good genes, Brian was winning the battle.  Remaining cancer free and wanting to see his children grow up were very good incentives to keep up the fight.  That and having a youthful lover.  But it was apparent that Brandon had no such incentives in his life or if he did, he found them a little too late.

“Five minutes, Tierney, start talking,” Brian growled. 

Brandon sat, not bothering to order anything.  He just began talking.  “I’m here with a fact finding team to determine if it’s feasible to open a branch of our company in Pittsburgh.  We’re a small IT company.  We’ve tried competing with the larger more nationally known companies but honestly, we really can’t compete.  But I convinced higher management to go the other way.  A small intimate company, with a limited amount of clients.  Each client gets more of a personal touch.”

“So what do you want from me, and you have three minutes left.”

“If I can bring Kinnetik on board, it would be a real feather in my cap and a boon to the company.  You’re a very important man here.  If Kinnetik is signed up then other companies may take a chance on us.  And then there are your other branches, of course.”

“Of course.  So why all this shit about unfinished business?  I don’t deal with innuendo.”

“You’re still one fucking hot stud.  I regret not finishing what we started.”

“I don’t do tricks and I don’t do regret.  And you have one minute left.”

“Look, let my team come to Kinnetik to analyze your needs.  We can discuss your options.”

“Cynthia Morgan and Ted Schmidt are in charge of the day to day running of Kinnetik.  Make an appointment with them,” Brian said as he got up from the table.  “I’m going out of town for a few days.  And your time is up.”

“Brian, please, for old times sake.  Let me just get my foot in the door.  If after our presentation you and your staff don’t like what we have to offer then we’re out of here.  No questions asked, no pressure.”

“Then you’re out of my life?”

“Yes.”

“And what if we like your proposal?”

“I’ll be in charge of the account but you won’t have to see me.  It’ll be all business and above board.”

“It better be or I’ll find a way to ruin you if you try to insinuate yourself into my life,” Brian warned.  “Give me your card; I’ll tell Schmidt to expect your call.” 

Brandon rose immediately and handed Brian his business card.  “That’s my cell phone number and we’re staying at the Plaza.  Please let Mr. Schmidt know I’ll call him in the morning to arrange an appointment.” 

Brian nodded and was about to leave but something made him turn back.  “What happened to you?  You were...not bad looking back then.”  Brian didn’t think Brandon would give him an honest answer.

“I, uh, had a partner for a short time a few years back.  I thought I found ‘the one’,” Brandon said, making quote marks in the air. 

When Brandon stopped talking, Brian pushed.  “So what happened?”

“Tricks and drugs happened and he found the pin number to my bank card.  He nearly wiped me out.  I lost it, big time; sank real low.  Drugs, booze, too many carbs and not enough exercise; stress of almost losing my job.  What I did lose was my hair and my looks.  By the time I forced myself out of the gutter it was too late.”

Brian had no words for Brandon.  He knew Brandon had to want to remain clean and sober.

“I was lucky; my company has an EPA program.  I got help and stayed clean.  With the help of a personal trainer, I’m slowly getting back into shape but it isn’t easy.”  Brian nodded in agreement.  “I’m not looking for a handout, Brian.  I work for a legitimate business, just give me a chance to prove it to you.” 

Brian arched his brow then walked out of the diner.  “Schmidt!” Brian bellowed as he walked through the main office of Kinnetik.

“Yes, Boss!” Teddy replied.

“Here,” Brian said as he handed Brandon’s business card over to his CFO.  “He’s going to call to make an appointment.  I’d like you and Cynthia to hear him out then get back to me.”

“You got it, Boss!”

“And Ted....”

“Yes, Brian?”

“I’m...I’m very proud of you,” Brian said softly as he squeezed Ted’s shoulder.  Ted stood with his mouth hanging open as Brian went into his office to retrieve his briefcase.  “Close your mouth, Theodore, before you catch flies,” Brian quipped as he left Kinnetik to get Gus then go home.

*****

“Hey.”

“Hey, Sunshine.”

“You sound like you’re in a good mood,” Justin said.

“I am.”

“And what may have caused this happy circumstance?”

“I met with Brandon Tierney today.”

“Oh?” Justin asked warily.  He wasn’t sure what Brandon wanted with Brian, but he didn’t think it could be anything good.  He had hardly expected Brian to be all cheerful after the meeting took place.

“Yeah, he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

“He what…?  Offer?  What do you mean?”

“I suddenly decided I like a man in a toupee, so we’re running away to Ibiza tomorrow.  I’m on my way home to pack.”

Justin felt his blood run cold for a split second, until he realized that there was no way Brian meant what he was saying.  Brian was putting him on.  “When you get here, you’ll find your Armani’s and Prada’s shredded and strewn across the front lawn.”

“Sunshine!  I thought you’d be glad to see the back of me.”

“Keep this up and I just might be,” Justin said but he had to laugh.  “How did it go with Brandon … really?”

“Fine, he works for an IT company and they want a shot at getting Kinnetik for a client.”

“You mean he wasn’t after you?” Justin asked in surprise.  He was under no illusion about how many men, and women, found Brian attractive.  The man had aged spectacularly.

“I didn’t say that,” Brian chuckled.  “He’d still like a shot, but it ain’t gonna happen.”

“Because you love me so much,” Justin said.  He hoped Brian could hear the big smile on his face.

“Daddy, Daddy!  Me, me,” a little voice wailed.

“Is that the Squirt?” Brian laughed.

“Yes, she wants to talk to you.  She’s standing beside me smacking my hand and yanking at my arm.”

“Put her on.”

“Not till you answer what I just said.”

“Tell her to stop smacking your hand,” Brian said with an evil grin into the phone.

“Not that, asshole!”

“Yes, I turned down the toupeed, out of shape, not aging well, Brandon Tierney because I love only you, Sunshine.  Are you happy now?”

“Ecstatic!” Justin laughed.  “Here’s your daughter.”  He handed the phone to Bree.

“I’m ready for our trip, Dada.  When are you coming home?” Bree asked.

“Soon, Squirt.”

“I’m ready to go.”

Brian chuckled.  “I bet you are.  I’m on my way to pick up Gus.”

“Good!”

“I’ll see you very soon.”

“Bye, Dada.”

Brian closed his cell phone and shook his head.  He had great kids.

It wasn’t long before he pulled up in front of the Muncher Mansion.  He turned off the ‘Vette and climbed out.  As he started up the front walk the door of the house slammed open.

“You and that fucking Jamie are always sequestered together at the goddam gallery,” Melanie shrieked.  “You can’t even get home in time to make sure Gus has everything packed for his trip.”  She stomped past Brian without so much as a sideways glance.

Brian stepped off the walk to let her go by.  He was about to say something when he saw a furious and red-faced Lindsay appear in the doorway.

“I guess if I need you, you’ll be at Leda’s hotel,” she snapped.

“You won’t need me.  You never need me!” Melanie retorted turning and glaring at her spouse.

“But that’s where you’ll be, isn’t it?” Lindsay shot back.

“I’ll be wherever I fucking feel like being.  And you’ll be at the gallery with Jamie.”  Melanie wheeled around and stormed off down the street.

“Mel!” Lindsay called but all she could see was Melanie’s back as she continued steadfastly down the road.

“I see it’s just another average day in Muncherville,” Brian snarked as he went up onto the porch.

“Shut up, Brian!”

“Is my son ready?”

“Aren’t you going to ask what happened?” Lindsay wanted to know as they went inside.  She could use a little sympathy from her old friend.

“Do I have to?”

“Some…sometimes you are so cruel,” Lindsay said heading for the tissue box to wipe her eyes.

“Lindz, I…”

“Don’t bother.  Take your son.  I’ll be fine.”

“Gus,” Brian said, seeing his son come down the stairs.  “Load your bag in the ‘Vette and give your mother and me a few minutes.  He tossed the car keys to his son.

Gus looked from his father to his mother and back again.  He saw the tears in his mother’s eyes and knew something was wrong.  He had heard her and Mama Mel yelling earlier, but they often yelled.  That wasn’t anything so unusual.  But he could see that clearly this was not usual.  “Sure, Pop, I’ll wait outside.”

Brian nodded and Gus went back upstairs to get his things.

“Come into the kitchen, Lindsay,” Brian said gently.  He took Lindsay’s elbow and guided her through the dining room and into the kitchen.  She sat down at the table.  “Tea?” he asked.  When she nodded, he started the kettle.  “So what is it this time?”

“I … I was supposed to help Gus get ready to go with you this afternoon, but I … I got held up at the gallery.  When I got home, Mel had done all the sorting and packing and she was pissed at me.  We kind of got into a shouting match,” Lindsay said dabbing at her eyes again.

“I take it that it was Jamie that tied you up at the gallery,” Brian smirked.

“Well…”

Brian raised his hand.  “I don’t want details.”

“I wasn’t planning to give you any.”

“And then you had to bring Leda into the mix,” Brian observed.

“I think Mel was with Leda this weekend.  Supposedly Melanie was at the office practically all weekend, or so she said.”  Lindsay’s face made it clear that she didn’t believe a word of that scenario.

“For your information I happen to know that Leda was not in Pittsburgh this weekend.”

“And how would you know that?  And why the fuck are you defending Melanie?”

“Because Leda was at Edna’s Treasures … with me … all weekend, and I never defend Melanie.”

“What … what the fuck are you saying?” Lindsay demanded.

“You heard me.”

“But … you … why?”

“I’m working on Leda’s account at Kinnetik.  We were working.”

“Yeah, right.  Like I’m going to believe that,” Lindsay scoffed.

“Then don’t believe it.  I have to get going.”  Brian stood up from his seat at the table just as the kettle started to whistle.  “You’ll have to make your own tea,” he said as he disappeared out the kitchen door.

“Hey, Uncle Brian,” JR said when she met him at the bottom of the stairs.

“How’s my girl?” Brian said with a grin.

“Okay … if Mommy and Mama are finished fighting.”

Brian shook his head.  The Munchers seemed doomed to never have a calm and happy home.  “Mama Mel’s gone out, so I think it’s safe for a while.”

“Good,” JR said.

“Your other mother’s in the kitchen.  Maybe you can cheer her up.”

JR sighed.  “I’ll try.”

“Good luck, kiddo,” Brian said going out the front door.  Gus was half sitting on the hood of the Corvette.

“Hey kid, you wanna remove your ass from my car.”

“Oh, sorry, Pop,” Gus said hurriedly as he stood up.  “I was just leaning.”

“Don’t sweat it.  The ‘Vette will be yours one day.”

“Tomorrow?” Gus joked.

Brian gave his son a playful smack on the cheek.  “Get in.”

They both climbed into the classic sports car and Brian started the engine. 

“Is Mom okay?” Gus asked.

“As good as can be expected.”

Gus heaved a noisy sigh.  “I wish they could work things out once and for all.”

“Or call it quits,” Brian threw in.

“You think that’s going to happen?” Gus asked with a worried look on his face.

“I don’t know, Sonny Boy.  My crystal ball is on the fritz.  But I would guess they’ll patch things up after a while.  That’s been their history all these years.”

“I’m glad we’re going to Penn.  Then I don’t have to listen to them.”

“But your sister does.”

“Yeah, maybe I should get her a sweatshirt or a cap with Penn State on it.”

Brian frowned.  He wondered just how rocky things really were between Gus’ two mothers.  He hoped this was more of the same old, same old that he had seen a million times before.  He stepped down on the gas and headed for the peace of Edna’s Treasures.

Blasts from the Past

Chapter 12

The ride to Edna’s Treasures was a quiet one, surprisingly.  Given that Gus had just witnessed a particularly nasty fight between his mothers, and soon his life was heading for some significant changes, plus being a product of four major drama queens, Brian was sure Gus should have been a raving maniac.  Instead, Gus laid back against the seat and closed his eyes.  They were just about home when Brian pulled into the dusty parking lot of the general store not too far away from the conjoined cottages.  Gus made no move as Brian got out.  He soon returned with two ice cream cones and a small cooler of home made ice cream.

Gus raised that famous Kinney brow.

“It’s before seven,” Brian quipped as he took a swipe at his own cone with his tongue.  The Kinney men ate their ice cream in relative silence.

“Why do they fight like that, Dad?” Gus asked his father softly.  He wiped his mouth with the napkin Brian had given him.

“I have no fucking clue.  I do know they both love you more than life itself and wouldn’t do anything deliberate to hurt you.”

“I know that, Dad.  But I just wish they wouldn’t do it so loudly.”

“I guess they can get loud sometimes.  I thought things were better since Florida.”

“They were but then Mom started spending a lot of time at the gallery.”

“That never bothered Mel before.”

“That’s because Mama Mel was spending most of her time at the office.  Since Florida, she’s been making a point to come home at a more reasonable time.”

“Your mother is preparing for a major show.”

“The Emerging Artists Show.  I don’t think it’s the show specifically.”

“Just one emerging artist in particular?”

“You know about that?”

“Hard not to know since they were shouting about it across the front lawn.”

“And then there’s Leda.”

“There’s always been Leda,” Brian added, starting up the car engine and proceeding to the cottage.

*****

“Gus!”  Briana shrieked as she heard the Corvette pull up in front of the cottage.  She ran out the front door of the cottage and straight into her older brother’s arms.  She peppered Gus’ face with kisses.

“Hey, what about me, Squirt?”

“Oh Dada, you’re not going away for forever but Gus is!”

“Four years is not forever, short stuff, and I’ll be back on weekends and holidays and for the summer,” Gus explained to Bree.

“Oh,” Bree said with her eyes wide as she carefully considered her brother’s words.  She kissed his cheek sweetly then held out her arms for her Dada.  Brian took his pint sized smiling child out of his son’s arms to hug her close.  Bree then peppered her father’s face with kisses.  The three of them then cracked up with laughter.

“Gus, go grab the bags and my briefcase,” Brian instructed as he carried his precocious child into the house.

“Hey, Bri,” Justin said as he took a chicken out of the oven.

“Smells good,” Brian commented as he leaned down to give Justin a kiss.  “I brought dessert,” he said as he sat Bree on the counter.  Gus dumped his bags by the front door then quickly put the ice cream in the freezer before it became soup.

“Homemade ice cream from the general store?” Justin asked as he spied the special cooler Gus was shoving into the freezer.

“Yes, well I thought it was a special occasion,” Brian said coyly.

“Special occasion?”

“It’s not every day our son goes off to college.”

“Uh huh.  What happened?” Justin asked as he was setting the chicken out to rest before serving dinner.

“Um, Gus, take the Squirt over to the other side and tell them dinner is just about ready.  You guys can set the table,” Brian said before explaining to Justin.

“Sure thing, Pop.  Come with me, short stuff,” Gus said to Bree as he backed up to her to give her a piggyback ride over to the Anderson-Morrison end of Edna’s Treasures.

Brian explained the fiasco he had witnessed at the girls’ house and Gus’ reaction.

“So you bought ice cream?”

“Must be Debbie and Emmett’s influence on me.”

“I’m sure that explains it.  Will you be having some of it?”

“No, Gus and I already indulged.”

“Cones?”  Brian merely shrugged his shoulders contritely.  “I’m proud of you,” Justin said laughingly as he hugged his indulgent husband.  “Come on; let’s start putting dinner on the table so we can finalize our plans.”

“Yes, dear,” Brian said in his falsetto voice.  He followed Justin out to the sun porch with a stack of dishes.

*****

“That was great, Justin,” Gus said then accompanied his compliment with a loud burp.  Bree and Patrick giggled.

“Very attractive,” Brian snarked.

“I’ve heard a few loud ones from you over the years,” Justin said spilling the beans.

“You should talk, O gassy one.”  Then Brian let a loud belch rip, sending the whole family into laughs.

The belching contest concluded when the superb homemade confection was served.

“So do we drive to Penn tomorrow or wait a day?” John asked.  He was looking forward to the family vacation.

“What about our hotel reservations?” Bobby, ever the practical one, asked.

“I’ve already switched them.  I had a feeling this would happen so we’re all set.  And it’s open house on campus this week so there will be plenty of activities going on,” Brian informed the family.

“I remember open house.  My parents loved meeting my instructors and touring the campus,” Bobby said remembering that time fondly.  His parents were very proud of him.  All of a sudden, Bobby frowned.  He remembered Brian had no such support from his family during that time of his life.

“It’s okay, Red,” Brian said, reading Bobby’s mind.  “Debbie, Michael and Vic came with me.  Between her wailing about how proud she was of me, and Michael’s whining about how I was leaving him, I was very happy to see them leave.”

“What about Vic?” Justin asked.  He knew how much Brian loved and respected ‘Uncle’ Vic.

“He shoved several boxes of condoms in my hands and a large tube of lube and told me to behave myself.  And if I couldn’t behave, I was to be careful.  Then he kissed me and stuffed several hundred dollars in my pocket.  Apparently, he and Debbie had a special college fund set up for me and Michael.  When they realized Michael wasn’t the college type, they gave most of the money to me.  With Mikey’s blessings, of course.  They knew I was going to need it for books and shit until I was able to find a part time job on campus.  I never forgot it.”

Justin got up from his chair to give Brian a strong hug worthy of Debbie.  Brian rarely revealed his past and his story explained so very much about his relationship with the Novotny family.  “I love you,” Justin whispered as he kissed his spouse.  Brian just held onto Justin a little tighter.

“Well, I’m looking forward to seeing where you two earned your degrees,” John said proudly about his spouse and brother.

“And I want to see Dada’s trophies!” Bree added.

“In that case, early bedtime, Squirt.  We have a busy day tomorrow,” Brian commanded.

The family cleared the table and began to set the cottage to rights in preparation for going away.  As the cottage settled for the night, the kids in bed, John and Brian took one last look around the garden, stowing away any cushions or furniture that could fly away if a storm hit.

"Do you think Beau will be all right alone?  He didn't fare too well during Molly's wedding," Brian asked with concern about the large guard dog.  Beau would have plenty of food and water.  And his doggy door ensured ample freedom for the shepherd mix to patrol his lane.

"I've already prepared for that," John explained.  "Justin and I raided the hampers for some old socks to 'freshen' up his rope.  And Rachel knows what to do if Beau really gets lonely.  But he's not a puppy like he was then.  I'm sure he'll be fine.  Justin said Molly was going to come up for the weekend so she'll keep Beau company too."

Satisfied that the big dog would survive, and with the state of the garden furniture, Brian and John went back into the cottage for the night.

*****

“Daddy, Dada,” Bree said standing in the doorway of their bedroom.  “Is it time to go yet?”

“Bree, what are you doing up?” Justin asked looking at the clock on the nightstand.  It read 5:13 a.m.

“I woked up.”

“Well, it’s early, go back to sleep,” Justin ordered.

“Can’t,” Bree pouted.

“Squirt, go play in your room or find Beau,” Brian advised.  “We need a couple more hours of sleep.”

Bree looked at her fathers who refused to open their eyes and look at her.  She gave a little shrug and backed out of the bedroom closing the door behind her.

“Do you think she’ll go back to sleep?” Justin muttered.

“Probably not, but we might squeeze another few minutes of sack time before she comes back,” Brian sighed keeping his eyes firmly shut from the morning light that had invaded their bedroom.

“Do you think I should go make sure she’s all right?”

“I think you should shut up and go back to sleep.”

“’Kay,” Justin replied rolling over against Brian’s back.  He was asleep before he could think any more about what Bree might be doing.