A loud knocking on the loft door woke Brian up early the next morning. Although he was pretty sure he knew who it was, he opened the door anyway. “What the fuck is going on?” Debbie demanded as she stormed into the loft uninvited. “Come on in, Deb.” Brian said sarcastically. “You had Michael arrested.” Debbie stated. “How could you think that Michael is capable of such a thing? He would never hurt Gus! You know that.” “Keep you voice down, Deb.” Brian said. “Gus and Kevin are in Gus’s room for Christ’s sake.” The noise woke up Justin who appeared at the top of the steps leading to the bedroom. “Sunshine.” Debbie said stalking over to him. “You know that Michael didn’t do this. How could you let your asshole of a partner do this to my kid?” “What about what Michael did to our kid.” Justin said sternly. “You weren’t there. You didn’t see the look on Gus’ face. We did.” “This is fucking ridiculous.” Debbie huffed. “It’s true, Grandma.” They all looked up to see a sleep rumpled Gus standing at the door of his bedroom. “I don’t blame you, Sweetie.” Debbie said advancing quickly on Gus. “You’re just repeating what these two told you to say, I know that.” “No, I’m not.” Gus said almost to softly to hear. “Pop and Dad didn’t tell me to say anything.” Gus rubbed his eyes as the sting of tears began again. “I didn’t want to tell them at all.” Debbie just shook her head. “This is impossible! And, you know it isn’t true.” Debbie countered. “Now, please, Gus, tell Grandma the truth.” “It is the truth, Grandma.” Gus asserted. “Uncle Michael made . . . made me do things.” “You little shit!” Debbie said as she headed in Gus’ direction. “No.” Justin said intercepting her by standing between Deb and Gus. “I think you should leave.” “I’ve told you before, Sunshine, do not get my tits in a twist.” Debbie said pointing her finger in Justin’s face. “How about instead of attacking my son, you go talk to yours.” Justin said angrily. “Where’s Kevin?” Debbie asked. “He’s still asleep.” Gus said. “Well, wake him up.” Debbie said. “He’s coming with me.” “No, he isn’t.” Brian said causing Debbie to turn toward him. “Don’t you tell me what to do, Brian Kinney.” Debbie said. “Lindsay and Melanie know he’s here.” Brian said. “When they say he can go with you, I’ll let him go with you, but not before.” “Asshole.” Debbie said as she swept passed him toward the door. “This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.” She said as she slammed the door. “How the hell did she get up here?” Brian growled. “She knows the code, remember.” Justin said with a shrug. “Oh, yeah.” Brian said. “Well remind me to call the super and have my password changed.” Justin nodded. Brian crossed to where Gus stood stunned. “You okay, Sonny-Boy?” “That’s how it’s gonna be, isn’t it?” Gus said. “Grandma isn’t the only one who’s gonna feel that way?” Gus sniffed. “Kevin’s gonna hate me, too, isn’t he?” “Your Grandma doesn’t hate you, Gus.” Brian said lifting Gus’s chin. “She’s just mad at me.” Gus sniffed again as new tears slipped from his eyes. “And, Kevin’s your brother.” “But, Michael’s his Dad.” Gus countered. “I don’t think he’d going understand.” Brian didn’t have an answer for that. He just hugged Gus to him and prayed for strength. Enough for Gus and enough for him to face all that was about to happen. -- Melanie called around ten o’clock to discuss the talk they needed to have with Kevin and were all dreading. “Why don’t you all come over for lunch?” Melanie was saying. “We can eat and then all sit down and try and explain this.” “Okay.” Brian resigned. “But, if Kevin starts anything with Gus, Gus’ll be staying with me for awhile.” “Lindsay isn’t going to like that.” Melanie warned. “Well, Gus is my kid, too and if Kevin turns into an asshole, Gus comes with me. Period.” Brian stated flatly. -- Lindsay and Melanie both looked exhausted when Brian and Justin and the boys showed up for lunch. Judging by the tossing and turning he and Justin had done all night, Brian could imagine that Lindsay and Melanie had had a similar time. Gus and Kevin made short order of lunch having two sandwiches apiece with two large bowls of soup. Kevin was about to excuse he and Gus to his room for Playstation, but Lindsay shook her head. “Kevin, sweetie.” Lindsay said. “We need to discuss something. Come on in here and sit down. You, too, Gus.” “What?” Kevin said looking around the living room. “It’s about your Father.” Melanie began. “Kevin, I know you love your Dad and that’s great, but what we’re about to tell you might change that.” Kevin frowned. “Does this have to do with the reason Grandma was at Uncle Brian’s loft so early this morning?” Kevin asked. Lindsay and Melanie looked up surprised. “Debbie was at the loft this morning?” Lindsay asked. Brian nodded. “And, yes, that’s why your Grandmother was at the loft this morning.” Brian explained. “Kevin, you know that your Dad and I have known each other for a long time, right?” Kevin nodded. “Well, what you may not know is that your Dad was in love with me for a long time.” “What about UB?” Kevin asked. “No, your Dad loves Ben.” Brian tried to explain. “But, at one time, he was in love with me, too.” “Okay.” Kevin said with a shrug. “And?” “Nothing ever happened between us.” Brian assured. “We were always friends. Nothing more.” Kevin nodded with what seemed like real relief. “But, your Father still had feelings for me even after he got together with Ben.” Gus was starting to look uncomfortable. “Then there was Justin.” Brian said looking thoughtfully at his partner. “Once we ironed out all the problems between us and we got together and stayed together, your Father realized that I was no longer an option.” Kevin frowned again. “He then started to pay more and more attention to your brother.” Kevin turned to Gus who refused to look the younger boy in the eye. “What are you saying?” Kevin asked eying Gus suspiciously. “Honey,” Melanie interrupted, “your Dad started making inappropriate advances toward Gus.” “Meaning?” Kevin asked. “Michael’s been abusing Gus, Kevin.” Melanie finally managed. “Sexually.” “What?!” Kevin asked. “That is so much bullshit.” Kevin exclaimed. “And, you’re a God damned liar!” He yelled at Gus. Gus just stared at the ground. “You fucking liar!” Kevin yelled launching himself at Gus. “You’re a fucking, God damned liar.” He shouted at Gus as he pummeled him with his fists. “Stop, Kevin!” Melanie said as she tried to pull her son away from his brother. Brian and Justin stepped in pulling the two apart. Justin yanked Kevin up and away from Gus as Gus collapsed into sobs against Brian chest. “You fucking cunt liar!” Kevin shouted as Justin dragged him toward the kitchen. Once alone, Justin shoved Kevin into a chair. “Stay.” He growled before disappearing back into the living room for a moment to check on Gus. When he returned, Kevin sat brooding in the chair his eyes on the floor. “Kevin.” He looked up at Justin anger etching his young features. “He needs to tell the truth, Uncle Justin.” Kevin ordered. “If he doesn’t, they’re gonna take my Dad away from me.” Kevin ground out. “As if that matters to him, though. I mean he’s got two fucking fathers, so why should he care about me, right?” “Knock it off.” Justin said hotly. “You know damned well that Gus would never do or say anything just to take your Dad away from you. This happened, Kevin.” Justin explained. “Your Father all but confessed to it. And, in case you didn’t notice, this is fucking killing your brother.” Kevin looked up at Justin surprised. “He didn’t even want to tell anyone. He was afraid. Afraid of how we would react. Afraid of how you would react.” Kevin stared at Justin unbelieving. “He has been living with this for almost two years. It was killing him, but he kept it to himself because of us; because of you.” “But, why? Why would Dad do something like that?” Kevin asked pleadingly. “That’s just it, Sweetie.” Melanie said from the doorway. “We don’t know.” Kevin turned to face his mother. “We’ve known Michael for what seems like forever and it never even crossed our minds that he would . . . hurt anyone especially Gus like this. He was there the day Gus was born. He’s been a big part of Gus’ life. He’s his Uncle Michael.” “What’s gonna happen to Dad?” Kevin asked softly. “He’s been taken in for questioning with charges pending.” Melanie explained. “Once Gus makes his statement, the charges will be filed and your father will face a trial and possible jail time.” “Do you believe it, Mom?” Kevin asked. Melanie nodded fighting back tears. “Yes, God help me, I do.” Melanie said. “What’ll happen to Gus?” Kevin asked looking in the direction of the living room. “We’ll have to take him to the doctor to be examined.” Melanie said. “They’ll use a ‘rape kit’. You’ve heard of that on TV, right?” Kevin nodded. “They’ll, um, check Gus physically. And, oh dear God, they’ll have to check him for STDs.” “Because of UB’s HIV?” Kevin asked. “In part, but it’s standard procedure.” “I don’t wanna loose my Dad, Mom.” Kevin said in a cracked voice. “I know, Baby.” Melanie said pulling Kevin to her. “But, he hurt your brother. And, he has to be punished.” Kevin nodded against her shoulder. “I’m going to check on Gus.” Justin said as he left his throat tight with emotion. Melanie nodded. In the living room, Gus sat between his parents on the sofa. He was still crying, but his sobs had ebbed a great deal. “He hates me, right?” Gus asked when he saw Justin. “No.” Justin said. “He’s just angry and confused.” Then added. “Aren’t we all?” “Yeah.” Gus said. “Melanie was telling Kevin what’ll have to done as far as your concerned, Gus.” Justin said. Lindsay and Brian looked at each other then Justin. “You’ll have to be examined by a doctor.” Gus wrinkled his nose. “Yeah, it’ll suck, but you know Daphne. She won’t hurt you. She’s friends with the director of the rape center at her hospital, too. I think her name is Diane Wesley. She’ll be able to set you up with a counselor. Set us up with one, too.” “Does everyone have to know?” Gus asked horrified. “No.” Brian said. “Only the one who examines you and if we work with Daphne, she can’t tell anyone about it.” Brian explained. “She has to uphold the patient/doctor confidentiality.” Gus nodded. “Your friends don’t have to know. Your teachers don’t have to know. It’s up to you who knows.” “Good.” Gus said relieved. “Gus.” Gus turned to see Kevin standing in the dining room doorway. “Yeah.” “Sorry I hit you.” Gus shrugged. “You’re really not lying are you?” Gus shook his head. “I’m sorry about, well, about what Dad did to you. I know it isn’t my fault, but he’s my Dad and what he did was wrong and I’m sorry.” Gus nodded. “I kinda need to be alone, okay.” He added looking at Melanie and Lindsay before disappearing up the stairs. “I’m gonna go to my room, too.” Gus said. They all nodded as he too disappeared up the stairs. “This just keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it?” Melanie sighed. End chapter 4.