Thanks Lois for the beta...you're the greatest! Chapter 22 – We Gather Together Early Evening…(Day 14) By 4pm Carl, Drew, and Ben were already engrossed in the game, when Calvin Culpepper joined them. Ted and Blake were the next to arrive and settled into the dining room, chatting with Emmett while he was making the salad for dinner. Debbie was in the kitchen, completely in-charge of all that she surveyed. Michael and Hunter arrived, and they both greeted Ben. Michael reiterated what a great job Hunter had done in handling the store in his absence. Ben and Debbie were quick to hug Hunter. When he was finally released and able to breathe again, Hunter staked out the best vantage point to watch the events about to unfold. Jennifer and Molly were the next to arrive. Greetings were exchanged all around. Jennifer confidently reassured everyone that Brian and Justin would be here, as she joined Debbie in the kitchen. Molly realized that she would have both Brian and Justin in her sights, and she couldn’t resist a sinister smile. She too scanned the room for a strategic viewing position, and she settled in next to Hunter. Hunter and Molly were old hands at watching the family dynamics unfold, so they were well schooled in the drill. Both knew that nothing interesting was going to happen until Brian and Justin made an entrance. Hunter and Molly tried to exchange what little information they each had, but they knew the best was yet to come. They were even a bit impatient for the show to begin. Hunter did brief Molly that Gus was in town, which excited her no end. During an intermission, all the game watchers: Carl, Drew, Ben and Calvin rounded up the additional chairs and added the extra extension to enlarge the table to handle everyone expected to be present. This task complete, the game was once again the major focus, and they scurried back to the sports action. A few moments later Brian and Justin and Gus arrived. Jennifer was closest to the door so she was greeted first with hugs and kisses on the cheek. Brian once again started with the ‘Mother Taylor’ routine, but this time Jennifer made was no protest. Molly slowly moved over to greet Justin and say hello. It had been a year since she had seen her brother, and she had missed him, but she would never let him know that. Molly then greeted Brian, turning her face up to him and waited for her kiss. Brian sighed in mock protest but was really happy to oblige. Hunter laughed at Molly’s antics, but wondered to himself if that was all it took to be kissed by Brian. Hunter realized that he had obviously been using the wrong tactics to get Brian’s favor all these years. Molly and Jennifer showered lots of hugs, kisses, and tickles hugs on Gus, while Brian and Justin made their way to the kitchen to greet Debbie. Her first hug was for Justin. Even though she had just seen him yesterday, her reactions were based on the fact that she had missed him for so long. Her second hug was for Brian, for doing the right thing in bringing Justin home. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ While Molly and Jennifer were smothering Gus with attention, Michael came over to talk to Justin. Brian paid close attention to the conversation between Michael and Justin. He was ready to intervene at the first sign of trouble. Brian was in full protective mode. “I’m really sorry about everything Justin,” Michael said. “Look Michael, I just want you to be ok. If the painting is still a problem, you can sell it and make a lot of money. Then you can buy something that you really like. I didn’t give you the picture to make you unhappy,” Justin stated again sadly. At this point Ben came over to join the conversation. “It’s not the painting, Justin. Michael is just trying to figure out some things about his life right now. In time he’ll be ok. I tried to convince him to let me put the painting in my office at Carnegie Mellon, after all the painting illustrates so clearly all the imagery I try to teach in my classes. That’s when I learned a painful lesson,” Ben said laughing, “Michael and I may be married, but there are some things that Michael just won’t share.” Ben and Justin laughed at the remark. Michael attempted to scowl, which caused everyone to laugh even more. Michael decided it was time to change the subject. “You know Ben and I were talking in Toronto. We were talking about dreams and the stuff you mentioned in your letter. I’ve been starting to dream some new dreams, you know. I’ve been thinking about a couple of things. We need to do a PG rated version of the comic, along with the all out full version we’re doing now. That way younger kids can have Rage and Zephyr and JT available to them much sooner, when they really need heroes. I’ve also been thinking about opening another comic book store. But Justin, you have to promise me if I ever open another comic book store, that you’ll paint the superheroes on the wall.” “Wow! You’ve been doing a lot of thinking.” Justin said, completely surprised by Michael’s news. “I’m just starting to think about it. Now that you’re back I have someone to talk about it with, if that’s all right?” Michael said sheepishly. “I know you’ll understand my vision.” “Sure Michael those are great ideas,” Justin said, trying to be supportive. At this point, Gus decided he had been away from Justin long enough. He came over and crawled into Justin’s lap, making himself quite comfortable. Brian decided to intervene, “You know Gus you could actually spend some time with your dear old dad. You know I’m here too.” Gus thought about things for a while. Then he reached up and kissed Justin good-bye, before running over to Brian’s waiting arms with giggles. Molly and Hunter looked at each other and laughed. “Brian, how’s the project going?” Jennifer asked with a smile. “You know the one you supposedly brought Justin home to work on?” “Fortunately we got quite a bit of work done before everyone stopped by to interrupt us yesterday. Isn’t that right, Sunshine?” Brian asked mockingly. “It’s really going well, but I think I’m going to stick around until the project is finished,” Justin added. “When will that be, Bri?” Ted asked, knowing he is about to enjoy Brian squirm. “It’s hard to tell Theodore, but if you don’t want to wait around, I’m sure I can arrange a pink slip,” Brian suggested with mock sternness. “You don’t have to be so touchy, it was just a question.” Ted remarked. Brian smiled. “Well I don’t care how long it is. I’m just glad that you’re here, Sweetie,” Emmett said walking over toward Justin with outstretched arms, ready to give Justin a hug. “Emmett, move away from Justin, please. I keep telling you that keeping your arms around Justin is not going to keep him here. But, as usual, you don’t pay attention to me. Drew, can’t you do something with him?” “Brian you know Em. Asking me to handle Em is like asking you to handle Justin. They both have these strong wills and do exactly what they want to do,” Drew quickly pointed out, “We just have to move out of their way and let them run.” “Gee Drew. Thank you so much for telling me that. How did you figure this out so quickly?” Brian asked with a smirk. “I pay attention, Brian.” Drew quipped with a smile. Blake was laughing so hard that he had to turn into Ted’s chest to contain it. Molly and Hunter once again looked at each other and laughed. “So Em, do you and Calvin have a lot of events coming up?” Justin casually asked. “No, things have been relatively quiet. Things will start to get busy in a few weeks. But for the moment we’re between events.” Emmett explained. “So Calvin, how do you like Pittsburgh?” Justin asked. “Emmett and Drew have greeted me with that good old southern comfort, so I feel right at home. It was really lucky that I ran in to Emmett. It’s not so lonely here having a friend from back home,” Calvin explained, gently touching Emmett’s shoulder. “With Blake leaving for a seminar and Drew traveling periodically, it’s a good thing that you’re back, Justin. Otherwise things here in Pittsburgh would be pretty quiet.” Ted commented with a grin. “I have plans for Justin, so get all those silly ideas out of you head, Theodore,” Brian tried to add some clarity to the conversation. “You and Em will have to find some other way to amuse yourself and not try to suck Justin into you hair brain schemes.” “Brian,” they both said in unison. “No. No. Justin and I are working on a project,” Brian tried to explain again. “I bet you are,” they said in unison. “So Justin, I’ve been meaning to ask you something” Michael began, “How come my painting was shipped from Santa Barbara? What were you doing there?” “I think I need a cigarette,” Brian stated, as he walked to the door. “I don’t think I want to hear this.” Brian left the room, but he lingered by the door so that he could hear everything that was being said. He didn’t want to miss any of Justin’s information, just in case there was some new piece of information. “Brian doesn’t want to hear about Santa Barbara anymore,” Justin said with a laugh. Justin went on to recount about the Santa Barbara show and his decision not to sell the painting. He talked about the additional commissions he had painted and the ones left to be painted. Justin told about the media frenzy for the show, because an artist wanted to display his art to be seen but not sold. He talked about the Brett Keller and Connor James commissions. Justin also explain that part of the reason he had achieved what he had, was because of his willingness to exhibit his art in small galleries outside of New York City. Brian walked back in just as Justin was finishing his story. “So next week I have to go to Ohio. There is a new gallery there, and I have been invited to show my work as part of an emerging artist exhibit. My agent wants me to meet with the gallery owners. I haven’t had to wait tables for a while because I’ve been designing websites and logos for companies on a freelance basis. So now Taylor Design and Graphics AND Justin Taylor Artist are both fully functional websites as well,” Justin concluded. “You know Michael, don’t be surprised if a lot of collectors call you and offer you a lot of money for your painting. Both Brent Keller and Connor James were very upset that your painting was not for sale during the show. And now that my website is up, the painting is catalogued with you as the owner.” “Well they can call all they want. My painting is not for sale at any price Justin,” Michael said with a pout. “In fact Hunter hung the painting in my office for me while I was in Toronto.” Everybody laughed. Molly and Hunter looked knowingly at each other. Justin talked about some of his more recent gallery shows and some of the paintings. Brian beamed with pride at Justin’s accomplishments. Debbie called everyone to dinner. Gus located himself between Brian and Justin. Everyone enjoyed dinner, but Molly and Hunter kept a watchful eye on everything that was happening. Brian refused dessert because of the carbs. Gus refused dessert because he was supposedly full. Justin, of course asked for dessert, which Gus and Brian proceeded to nibble on, while Justin was busy talking with everyone. Justin never gets to eat his dessert, when both Brian and Gus are around. It’s an old story. Molly and Hunter observed Justin dessert-loss and laughed. They both did offer to share their dessert with Justin because of his loss. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ After dinner everyone was relaxing. Jennifer and Justin were alone in the living room. “So do you want to go look at studio space tomorrow?” Jennifer asked. “No Mom that may not be necessary after all.” “Don’t tell me you’re going back to New York all ready. I thought you were going to stay to finish the project,” Jennifer reminded him. “I’m staying, but I want to paint at the house in West Virginia,” Justin explained “But Honey, the house has been vacant for almost a year,” she pointed out. “I know. The house has a caretaker. I‘ll just have to check things out. I really want to paint there. I want Brian and I to stay there for a while. It’s only 30 minutes from town. But I need to rent the things we need. Now if I lived with an ordinary man this would be a simple task. But my partner is Brian Kinney, the label queen. So ordinary rental furniture won’t work, if you know what I mean? I also don’t have a lot of time. Brian and I are really busy, plus Gus is here.” “I know exactly where you can rent the stuff to satisfy the label queen,” Jennifer interrupted. “You know those expensive houses that I sell; we rent furniture for staging the homes before sale. We do it all the time on short notice. So if we can figure out everything you need tomorrow, it can probably be delivered on Tuesday.” “And I’ll be there to help and I’ll bring Calvin. You know there is nothing I like better than spending Brian’s money.” Emmett said, interrupting the conversation. “Look I’m sorry I eavesdropped, but you know I just want to help.” “I know Em, I just don’t want to drag the whole family in this. Brian will kill me. He only agreed to this if we could keep it quiet. Plus between his project and my work, I’m going to be really busy.” Justin explained, “If we can’t pull this off, I’ll have to go back and work from New York.” “Don’t worry Sweetie, we won’t say anything to anyone,” Emmett promised. “Mom, you’ve got to promise not to say anything to Deb for a while,” Justin stressed. “All right Honey. I won’t say anything. I understand your problem,” Jennifer confirmed. Emmett and Jennifer talked for a few moments and decided that they would work together to get everything done by the deadline Justin was aiming for. Justin breathed a sigh of relief. Justin looked over and noticed that Gus was getting sleepy, so he moved over to Brian and Gus. Justin gently kissed Brian’s cheek and told him it was time to go. Brian, Justin, and Gus said their good byes.