Home Run Chapter 3 Justin: ~~~~~ Justin stared at Debbie in disbelief. He could hardly speak and then only in a whisper. "What do you mean, he's not coming back?" The words had hit him like a sledgehammer. "Well, after he was doing so well on his own, I guess he decided it was time to try somewhere else; start up again". Debbie could see the tears behind Justin's eyes and wanted to give him a hug, but she could feel he was pulling away from her. "When was this?" he asked quietly. "When he moved to New York? Just about two weeks ago". “What about Gus and Lindz?” “Hell, they haven’t gone anywhere. Brian was hardly what you might call a full-time Dad now, was he? But I think Gus will miss him. Don’t think Mel minded Brian moving away mind”, Debbie said with a chuckle. Mel and Brian had never got on, with Mel often accusing Lindsay of putting Brian before her. “And he just left, just like that?” “Well, honey, I don’t think it was a spur of the moment decision. I think he was planning it for a while”. “Sweetie, I don’t suppose he thought for one moment, that you might come back here, if that’s what you’re thinking…..” Justin got up off the stool. He had to get away to think about what he was going to do. Debbie was still trying to talk to him as he walked towards the door, but he wasn't hearing her. He opened the door and then suddenly, turned back. "Debs, you said he started up his own business. Out of interest, what did he call it?” "Kinnetik. Clever huh?" she answered. Justin managed a weak smile and wave before he left. "Sunshine, you come back and see me soon. You hear?" but he was gone. Kinnetik; Justin was surprised that Brian had remembered. Justin left the diner with no idea where he was heading. Everything was just a blur. Two weeks. He'd missed him by two fucking weeks. But New York? Okay, so it's only like seven hours driving time away or an hour and a half flying, but it might just as well have been the other side of the world altogether as far as Justin was concerned. It wasn’t the distance, it was the very fact that Brian had been able to move away from Pittsburgh, the place he’d lived all his life; leaving behind friends, a young son, and any memory he might have of his time with Justin. Brian obviously made the decision that his life would never again include him. Brian had moved on. Now he must do the same. Brian once thought of moving to New York before and had told Justin that if he did, he would expect him to forget all about him. Maybe it was time to put those words into practice. He decided he should contact his Mom. She'd be furious to find out he was back home and hadn't been to see her. Justin called her cell phone. "Hi Mom, it's me. How are you?" "Good". How's Molly?" "Me? I'm… Mom, I'm back in Pittsburgh. Ethan and me, we split up". "Right now?……. I'm on Liberty". "Sure. I'll see you there" and he hung up. His Mom sounded genuinely upset for him and wanted to see him as soon as possible. They made arrangements to meet at a nearby coffee house and Justin made his way there. Ten minutes after he arrived and was seated, Jennifer Taylor came rushing through the door. She gave him a big hug. "Sweetheart, why didn't you tell me you were coming back? I'm so sorry to hear you two broke up. Where are you staying?" she asked, as the waiter came to take their order. "I'm at Daphne's. I'm okay Mom, really. It was a bit of a shock that's all. I … I found him with someone else, after everything he said to me; promised me. So I knew I just had to come back". "Well, I'm so pleased to see you, it's been too long. What are you going to do now?" "Well, I was thinking about finishing off my education, getting my qualifications. Leaving with Ethan, I never got around to doing that, so that’s what I’m gonna do". "That's great news, darling. I'll love having you around…….." "Mom, I'm not staying in Pittsburgh. I'm not sure where I'm going yet, but I'm not staying here". His Mother looked disappointed, but she knew how determined Justin could be. He obviously had something in mind and nothing she said would get him to change it. Later that day, back at Daphne’s, Justin made the phone call he’d been dreading: “Ethan, it’s me. …… No, I’ve not changed my mind. …… Ethan, listen to me. I’m not coming back. ……I’m in Pittsburgh. …… No, it’s no good you coming here. I just rang to ask if you’d pack my stuff and get it shipped over. I’ll pay you back. Ethan, please…… just do this one thing for me. ……. No, I’m sorry too. ……. I’m at Daphne’s. I’ll give you the address. …….. You…you take care of yourself”. Justin gave Ethan the address and put down the phone. He suddenly felt very lonely and started to cry. Coming in from work, Daphne found him curled up on the sofa, sobbing his heart out. “He’s gone, Daphne. Brian’s moved to New York. I’ll never see him again. I’ve lost everything. Ethan and Brian!” “Hey, come on baby,” and he let her hold him, until the tears subsided and he stopped shaking. Some time later, Justin came out of the bedroom, where he’d gone to lie down for a while. He’d decided to start researching schools and colleges around the country straight away and, using Daphne’s computer, eventually found the Art Institute of California San Diego. It had just the course he was looking for: Media Arts, which included animation and advertising and sent off for an application form. He would have to wait for his things to get back from Paris to show them examples of his work. He didn’t have the time or the equipment to produce anything new right now. He knew he would have to get some work whilst he was there to fund him through and, as there were various film studios in the vicinity, he hoped one might take him on as an intern. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Justin had spent the day packing up his belongings. Eventually, his stuff had arrived from Paris, without even so much as a note from Ethan. His Mom had insisted on buying him a reliable car. It was going to be a very long journey, but as well as his clothes, CD’s and Walkman, he wanted to take with him his computer and disks, on which he’d saved all the work he’d previously produced. He’d been accepted at the Art Institute and had also lined up an interview with Fox Studios at San Diego. He’d sent them examples of his work and they were very interested in seeing him. He kissed his Mom, Molly and Daphne goodbye and drove off. He had no idea if or when he would ever return to Pittsburgh. All he knew was that he needed to move as far away as possible so that he could start to make a new life for himself: One that didn’t include Brian. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Justin graduated from the Institute with honors. His time as an intern was invaluable to him, if lowly paid. In order to survive, he worked three nights a week at a local bar and lived in shared accommodation. However, on graduation, there were no openings at the studios and he was forced to look elsewhere. Trawling the trade mags, he found a possibility. Calitronix, based in Los Angeles, had an opening in their animation department. He called them. They were willing to see him. So he drove the 120 miles or so north for the interview. They were a young company and, having seen Justin’s work, were eager for him to come on board. Now all he had to do was find somewhere to live. Sitting in a diner, Justin checked out the ads in the local papers and marked a few possibilities. He wasn’t sure if he could make the rents on his own and knew he would probably have to share. He called a couple of places and agreed times to view. Tim Warner, a technician with a computer company, was an attractive man in his early 30’s and Justin immediately felt at ease in his company. Located in Venice, the accommodation consisted of two fairly large bedrooms, bathroom, living area and kitchen, but he was obviously very wary of any prospective housemate. During their conversation, Justin picked up on the underlying theme and realised Tim was probably gay. Once realising Justin would be the ideal person with whom to share, they sorted out the rent and house-rules and Justin moved in. To be continued.