Chapter 15 Gus got off the phone with Jenny, shaking his head in disbelief. She had gone back to college before they could get together and so she was giving him a piece of her mind, long distance. And she certainly had plenty to say. She told him that she thought he was having a mid-life crisis and should get some counseling. She followed that up with a minute-by-minute account of Lindsay’s melt-down the night she had been informed of Gus’ new love interest. Jenny told him he was being selfish and inconsiderate and that basically, he was an asshole for putting his family through this torment. After he told her to 'fuck off' and mind her own business, he disconnected and stared at the phone for the longest time, coming to the sad realization that this would be the first of many conversations he would be subjected to, now that he had ‘come out’. He had still not heard from either one of his mothers, a relief in many ways. He wasn’t in the mood to listen to their bitching and negativity; Jenny’s motor mouth was bad enough! They would probably want to hire a priest and have him exorcised of all gayness. Which was really a joke, because he was about as gay as Arnold Schwarzenegger. But how could he explain that to his mothers and sisters? They would never understand that he really was bisexual, if that’s what they were going to call this. He just happened to like one brand of cock; the made-in-Ireland variety, the very specific brand that belonged to Aedan Hughes. How could he explain to Austin or any of his other friends that he still loved sports and everything a straight guy cared about? That his head still turned when a pretty girl walked by, although lately, it hadn’t happened much, but he could still appreciate the female form and everything else relating to women. That he had no desire to be with other men, that no one raised his blood pressure and other body parts the way Aedan did. He knew that there was no way they would understand because he barely understood what was happening himself. All he knew for sure was that his relationship with Aedan was the most important thing in his life right now; he needed him the way he needed food and water and he would be damned if anyone tried to tell him otherwise. He would just have to deal with the repercussions as they came. His cell phone rang and he saw Aedan’s name on caller ID. “Hey,” he said, trying to keep the smile off his face. “Angel," the husky voice said on the other line. “What?” “Last night was amazing.” The soft voice instantly transported Gus to Aedan's bedroom and he remembered the unbelievable pleasure he had received at the hands of his beautiful lover last night. "I’ve been thinking about it all day.” “I want to see you,” Aedan said. “Let’s have lunch,” Gus replied. “I want you for lunch,” Aedan answered. “Oh God,” Gus groaned into the phone. “At this rate, we’ll never get anything accomplished.” "I've already accomplished everything I need to for now. My project is done. Finished, completed, over! I've been thinking of the possibility of kidnapping you and getting the hell out of here. Do you think you'd be able to get away? I would love to show you Puerto Vallarta for a few days. I know a beautiful spot where there's a hammock swaying in between two coconut trees with our names written on the pillows. You think you could stand some sun and wind and Mango Margaritas served in giant crystal glasses by hunky Latinos? " “That sounds incredible but I’m not sure I can get away, I’d have to ask my boss.” “You mean your Dad.” “When I’m here, he’s my boss. I need to let him know before I can decide anything. Why don’t you pick me up for lunch and then you can meet him before we go.” “That’s fine. I guess now is as good a time as any. Half-an-hour okay?” “Perfect,” Gus said. “Like you.” “Aww, you’re making me blush.” “And you’re making me hard,” Gus retorted. “But what else is new.” Aedan busted out laughing. “I love you, Angel,” he said, gently, almost like a caress. “I’ll see you in a little bit,” Gus said, hanging up. He groaned and put both his hands on his face and leaned back against the headrest. The man had him completely under his spell, like some sorcerer, straight out of a Harry Potter book. Gus had still not said the three words, admitting he loved him. He had not said anything since the first time they had made love and he admitted in the heat of the moment, that he might be in love too. Aedan had known better than to press. He knew that Gus had said what he did, after their first real love-making session, a common reaction to an intense moment and one that he would never count on or hold against him. But Gus knew what he was feeling. He was in love with Aedan but somehow still reluctant to say the words. He wasn’t sure why, so he remained silent. He stood up and walked over to the door that separated his office from Brian’s. He knocked gently and pushed the door open after hearing the words, “Come in.” Brian looked up as Gus passed through the door, noting the subtle changes in his appearance. He was wearing one of the outfits they’d brought back from Europe, designer clothes that would have sat in boxes, neglected, a few months ago. Being bisexual certainly agreed with him, Brian thought to himself wryly, if he didn’t watch it he’d turn into a card-carrying queer, borrowing clothes from him and fogging up the mirrors. He looked damn good and if this was the influence of the good doctor then he could certainly live with it. “Sonny boy! What’s going on?” “Not much. I’ve asked Aedan to lunch so he’ll be by in a minute. I thought you might want to meet him. Are you going to be around for a while?” “Yes; I have no other plans.” “Good. I’ll bring him in here before we leave. Oh, by the way, he’s asked me to go away with him for a few days. Would you mind?” “Whatever you want. I’m sure Kinnetik will manage for a few days without you,” Brian said, standing up and fumbling in his coat pocket for a cigarette. “God damn it! I thought I still had one in here.” “Dad, how long has it been now?” “Almost two months. Too long.” “You know you feel better, you’re just too stubborn to admit it.” “Shhh,” Brian said with a grin. “Don’t tell ‘D’ or he’ll give me one of his awful, ‘I told you so’ speeches, but, yeah, I do feel a lot better. It’s a great feeling waking up in the morning without hacking up half a lung.” “Gross. I’m surprised you haven’t done this sooner.” “Gus, you should know by now that I only do things when I’m good and ready. Not when I should.” Gus smiled at his father and shook his head. “I know, Dad. You have your very own rule book.” “That’s right. And speaking of rules, have you heard from the mothers?” “No, thank God, however, I just got an earful from Jenny.” “Oh really? And what did she have to say?” “That I must be on drugs or something. That I’m a bastard for putting Mom through this,” Gus said quietly. “Pretty much what I expected.” “I just thought Jenny would be more understanding.” “Why?” “Because, she’s my sister, for Christ’s sake!” “You don’t remember your Aunt Claire, do you?” “No, she left town when I was just a kid. Why?” “Because of your comment about Jenny. Claire is my sister and the biggest homophobe in the world. She hates me and everything I stand for.” “I guess I expected more from Jenny. I mean, the girl’s a fucking genius, you’d think she’d know about these things and be more understanding.” “What did I tell you, years ago?” “What?” Gus asked, puzzled. “There’s only two kinds of straight people. “The ones that hate you to your face and the ones that hate you behind your back,” Brian recited, as Gus joined in, mimicking him, word for word. “I know Dad. I guess this is the first time that sentence actually means anything to me.” “Well, I guess you’re going to have to start learning to deal with it Gus, because this will come up more and more often. I guarantee it.” They were interrupted by Ted who walked in with a handful of folders. “Oh, sorry to interrupt. I didn’t realize you were having a meeting.” “No, we’re not. Just getting caught up,” Brian said. “Anything I need to know?” Ted asked. “You already do. Gus is learning all about the wonderful world of homophobes,” Brian said sarcastically. Ted looked at Gus, surprise written all over his face. “Who’s been saying stuff?” “Jenny, and I expect my mothers share her opinion.” “They’re just in shock, Gus. They’ll come around.” “We’ll see,” Gus replied, shrugging his shoulders. Just then, Brian’s secretary buzzed, wanting to know if Gus was in the room with him. “Yeah, he’s here. Why?” “There’s a Doctor Hughes here to see him.” “Send him in.” Aedan walked into the room and stopped when he saw there were two other people with Gus. He was wearing a gray suit with a navy shirt underneath and a tie in the same smoky blue color as his eyes. His blond hair was tousled and a little longer than usual, testament to the fact that he’d had very little time in the last few weeks for a hair cut or anything else for that matter. His smiled as soon as he laid eyes on Gus, his dimple drawing Gus in like a beacon. Fuck, he’s hot, Brian thought to himself. No wonder the kid’s going crazy. “Dad, this is Aedan Hughes.” Brian walked up to him and shook his hand, noting the way the blue eyes widened with surprise. “Well, now I know where Gus gets his looks,” Aedan said, still holding Brian’s hand, trying to determine whether they’d ever met before. "He's the original, Aed, I'm just a copy," Gus said with a smile. "My son is very modest which is part of his charm. They broke the mold when they made Gus. I think he is perfect, just the way he is." "My sentiments, exactly," Aedan said, turning to face Gus. No way I fucked this one…He’s a definite keeper. Brian’s brain was going a mile a minute, searching through his memories, wanting to make sure he’d never hooked up with Aedan. Finally he determined that he had not, which was a huge relief for him. The last thing he needed was to relive that nightmare he'd gone through with Michael and Ben, only this time it would have been ten times worse. He watched as Gus stood beside his new love and took note of the way Aedan looked at him. There was definitely a love connection, easy to watch as Aedan unconsciously took Gus by the hand, bringing him closer, despite having Brian and Ted in the room. Gus' pink face told Brian exactly how he felt about this man who really was a sight to behold. They made a great looking couple. "Come on Angel, are you ready to go?" "Yeah, let's get out of here. See you later Dad, Uncle Ted." "Bye Gus, Aedan," Brian said with a smile on his face. As soon as the door closed he turned to Ted and said 'Angel'?" "It's no more ridiculous than 'Sunshine'," Ted said, daring Brian to contradict him. "I think it’s romantic as hell," Brian said. "Why, Brian Kinney! You're turning into a total sap in your old age." "The fuck I am. And don't use the word ‘sap’ in my presence. It just makes me think of Saperstein and gives me the shudders." "I know, the man was a jerk. But at least his fuck-up enabled you to buy Babylon." "That's true, but I hate him, regardless," Brian said, remembering the days when Justin had resorted to being a go-go dancer and Gary Saperstein's abuse of power. "So, what's your opinion on Gus and Aedan?" Brian asked his long-time friend. "I think they make a great couple and if the world would just leave them alone, they might be really happy." "I agree, however, the world is not as kind as we'd like it to be, in spite of the great strides we've made in the world of homos. There are still people out there that hate us and I'm worried about Gus, Ted. He has no clue what he's facing. You should have heard how upset he was by his conversation with Jenny. He doesn't realize things are only going to get worse. Wait till his best friend finds out that he's developed a taste for cock, not to mention all his former team mates. There will be some serious tongue-wagging and I hope he can handle it." "Gus is stubborn as hell, Brian, and very confident. I'm sure he can handle whatever problems come his way. Not to mention the good doctor is much older and familiar with everything they're going to be dealing with. Hopefully, he'll be able to give him all the support he needs. By the way, did you or didn't you?" "Didn't, thank God." "No shit!" "Yeah, that’s a relief. Gus has enough to deal with, without imagining me with his lover." "I'm amazed that you haven't had him. He's very good looking and definitely your type." "Well, he must not have been around during my dark days." "When you were fucking everything in sight?" "When I was fucking every blue-eyed, blond in sight." "I remember. When you think back on those days, can you believe where we're at now? I mean, really Brian, the odds of us being in monogamous, happy relationships were about as slim as my growing another head of hair." "And that's saying a lot!" "Shut up Brian." "Go back to work, Theodore." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Justin was in his studio, fussing with a painting that he had started while on their trip. He was working off the preliminary sketch that he’d done in Russia, now larger and on the canvas he’d intended it to be. It was a painting of Sorina, in the large, empty ballet studio in St. Petersburg. She was all in black, toe shoes, tights and leotard. The only color on her was the startling blue of her eyes and the red sash he'd placed around her waist. She was en pointe, with one hand outstretched and the other bent and close to her breast; a classic ballet pose, one he'd seen her do very often. Everything was hazy and dark, like a mist, swirling around her. To the left of the painting, almost falling off the edge was a female form, walking out a door. Only her back was visible, but you could tell it was Sasha from the tilt of her head and the rich, dark curls that fell loosely on her shoulders. She was dressed in white, a gauzy, filmy, flowing thing that fell all the way to the floor. In her left hand was a string of pearls, long and luminescent, with a locket hanging on the end closest to the floor. It was a heart, in silver filigree. Justin stepped back to observe the interplay between the contrasting images of dark and light and was satisfied with the results. He decided to quit for today, pleased with his progress since coming back from their vacation. He was also using today's time in the studio to sort out some thoughts that were intruding on his consciousness. He was thinking about Gus and what he was certain to face in the next few months. The conversation that he and Brian had endured with Melanie and Lindsay was certainly an eye-opener for him. He felt like he'd been put in a time machine and he was sitting in his living room with his father and mother, listening to Craig ranting about his disgusting lifestyle. He was heartbroken for Gus' sake, shocked that the lesbians would turn their backs and not accept the possibility that their son was bisexual. It had always been sort of a private joke for him and Brian that Gus was straight. Brian had been so sure that his son would grow up gay and he would be able to teach him everything he knew about dealing with their world. But, the joke had been on them as Gus grew into a young man who was definitely interested in the opposite sex, showing no signs whatsoever of being attracted to men. Everyone's mindset had changed at that point, including the lesbians, who had more or less resigned themselves to the possibility of having a gay son. And with that change had come a complacence; a letting down of their guard almost. For once they would be in a position where they would be the same as everyone else. Their two kids were heteros and none of the issues that had plagued all four of them in varying stages throughout their lives would affect their two children. They would not have to fight for any of their rights, they would not become the butt of jokes in school or be subjected to mean spirited gossip and peer pressure. Their lives would be free of that stress and it had been a welcome relief to be able to put down the boxing gloves and throw away the flax jackets. No one would dare insult Gus, who was nothing but perfect, as far as Mel and Linds were concerned. However, everything had changed with this new development. Gus would now be the topic of conversation on everyone's lips for months to come. Mel and Linds would now have to re-adjust their mindset and get back to being defenders of gay rights and bisexual men in general. That is, if and when they accepted that this was in fact a reality and Gus truly was bisexual. And if they had been in the bedroom with him and Brian when they sat there and listened to Gus talking about Aedan, they would have seen in a minute that he was clearly besotted with the man. It was refreshing to watch him talk about his relationship. Justin had not seen him this happy in many years. His thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone and he picked it up as soon as he saw that it was Daphne. "Hey Justin," Daphne said cheerily. "How's it going?" "Well, the lesbians are wigging out over Gus." "And you and Brian?" "No, we're cool with it. Gus spoke to us at length that night you guys were over at the house and it was really a good talk. I think he's a lot more comfortable now that he's told us." "Good. Now if we can just work on Mel and Linds, he'll have the luxury of deciding what he wants out of life without the added pressure of worrying what his parents are going to think." "I don't see that happening anytime soon. You should have heard them, Daphne. It was pathetic." "Well, someone better talk to them or they're going to lose their son. Do you want me to do it?" "No, you'd better not get involved yet. Let's give them a few more days to settle down." "Okay," she said. "Justin?" "Yeah?" "What is this business with Sorina and New York?" "Oh, I was hoping she'd let me tell you before she opened her mouth." "Come on, Justin. You should know better." "I know. Well, here's the thing," he said, as he proceeded to tell Daphne everything that he and Brian had learned while they were in Russia. "And that's really all you know for now?" she said. "Yeah. Brian said he'd look into schools and then he was going to talk to you and Alex. I think Sorina kind of jumped the gun here." "Well, I don't like this idea at all. Nothing about it makes sense. Why does she have to train in New York. That's ridiculous, Justin, she’s only eleven years old; far too young to be away from us." "I hear you Daphe. I didn't say I was for the plan, I'm just telling you what transpired at the dance studio in Russia." "Well, little Missy is going to be in for a rude awakening when she finds out she's not going anywhere." "Don't you want to at least find out if Brian has any more information, before you decide anything?" "Well, Alex and I will certainly listen, but I doubt that we'll change our minds," she said firmly. "Don’t Brian and I get to have any say in this?" "Not really," Daphne replied, much to Justin's surprise. He stood there holding the phone and felt the first bit of fear nagging in his heart and remembered the gypsy in Florence and her cackling. “That’s not very fair, is it?” “Justin, I realize that you and Brian only want the best for Sorina and Sasha but if we gave in to every demand those two have made on us we would have gone crazy years ago,” Daphne stated unemotionally. “Sometimes, we do have to say, no. If my mother let me do everything I wanted when I was that age I would have probably run off and joined a circus somewhere. Sorina is too young to know what she wants or needs, so we need to decide for her.” “Daphe, she really is talented and if this is going to be a life-long career, she needs to be taught by the best,” Justin said. “First of all, ballet is not what Alex and I had in mind as her life-long career,” Daphne stated. “That’s all well and good,” Justin interjected, “However, you are not Sorina. She has every right to decide what she wants as a career, don’t you think?” “If it’s something reasonable.” “Like being a doctor or a lawyer? Well, that’s bullshit and you know it. She’s an artist, Daphne. Dancing is in her blood as much as painting is in mine. Why don’t you see that?” “Justin, you know damn well that the odds of her making it to the big-time in the world of ballet are slim. Without the benefit of schooling, she’ll have nothing to fall back on. I don’t mind her continuing to dance, but she will finish school here and go to a college of her choice. She must be educated.” “Now who’d being close-minded? You sound like the lesbians, Daphne. This is all about you and not about your daughter.” “I resent that, Justin. I’m nothing like them.” “Well, I beg to disagree. You’ve already made up your mind about all this, and I suppose Alex shares your opinion. What ever happened to hearing both sides of the story before making any decisions?” “We will, I just doubt that you and Brian can come up with anything that will change our minds. Why are you pushing for this? I would think that having her so far away would bother you?” “It does bother me; I don’t like it anymore than you do. I just think that if it’s in her best interest, career-wise, then we should at least explore different options. One of us could go with her, you know?” “Oh really? Which one of us is just going to drop everything and move to New York? Obviously, Alex and I can’t. We have our careers in this city. Brian has Kinnetik so that really only leaves you, since you can paint anywhere. Are you planning on leaving Brian?” “Don’t be ridiculous,” Justin spat out, angered at her assumptions. “Well then? What is the solution? And by the way, Sasha insists that if Sorina goes, she’s going too. So now we have double trouble. I really don’t see how any of this will work out, Justin.” “I think that we need to mull this over. Sit down after Brian’s done his investigating and discuss this with an open mind. Not just decide something arbitrarily, without any thought. Will you at least agree to that?” “Fine,” she replied, the tension still obvious in her voice. “Thank you.” Justin ended the connection and put the phone back in his pocket. He withdrew it again and hit Brian’s number. “Hey,” he said quietly, as soon as Brian answered. “Hey, yourself. What’s up?” “Just got off the phone with Daphne.” “You sound upset.” “I am, a little bit. She’s being rather close-minded about this whole New York thing.” “I thought we were going to speak to her and Alex together.” “Sorina told them.” “Oh, well, I suppose she’s opposed to the idea,” Brian said. “Of course, but what worries me is that she’s not being very flexible. She pretty much told me that she and Alex will not let Sorina move.” What’d she say?” Justin gave Brian the shortened version and waited for his response. “Well, let’s give this some time, give me a chance to see what I find out. Then, we’ll talk to them together. Oh, by the way, I met Aedan.” “Really? When and where?” “Here. He came to pick Gus up for lunch. He’s hot as fuck.” “That’s what everyone keeps telling me. When do I get to meet him?” “Why don’t we have them over for dinner sometime this weekend?” “Good. You set it up; just let me know the date.” “Okay…Sunshine?” “What?” “Stop worrying about the girls. It’ll all work out.” “You think so?” “I’ll certainly do my best to make it work out.” “I know you will. I love you Brian.” “Love you too. Later.” “Later.” TBC