Chapt 9

	Both men were silent in the car on the way to Claire’s house, each anticipating what the evening would hold.  Brian hadn’t seen her since the funeral and doubted the reception would be any warmer.  Justin, on the other hand, was afraid he’d be guilted into another Sunday morning at church with his mother or worse.  Over the years Claire had always come up with some inexplicable reason why he was the only one who could make Joan Kinney truly happy.  More often than not Justin had given in to save himself the lecture but not tonight.  Brian didn’t seem like the type that would fall for intimidation, especially from the sister he could never stomach.  They would stand united and the thought alone brought a smile to his face.

	“What’s got you so chipper?  Did you forget where we’re going?”

	Justin chuckled, not expecting to be caught.

	“Nope, just happy that I’m not going alone.  You have no idea what type of crap our nephews put me through every time I see them.  They make the word ‘uncle’ a dirty word.”

	“Well I don’t plan on being Uncle Brian to anyone but Gus.  They’ve done fine up until this point without me in their lives so why change a good thing?” Brian questioned.

	The statement shocked Justin.  He had no idea Brian was really serious about being a part of his and Gus’ lives.  He figured Brian would take care of all family obligations in one swoop and then move on.  

	“If you plan on being Uncle Brian to Gus then you better start buying presents now.  His father can’t afford to properly spoil him right now and would love assistance in that endeavor.”

	“I have no problem with that.  Although don’t expect to see me at any little league games or PTA meetings.”

	Justin was having difficulty picturing Brian on the sidelines waving a foam hand and a pom pom.  Then again the thought of Brian being around next week was already a unique prospect.  As the car pulled into Claire’s driveway, Justin swore under his breath at the black Volkswagen in front of him.

	“What is it?” Brian asked.

	“It seems you’re not the only surprise guest for dinner this evening.  Fucking bitch wanted to catch me off guard,” Justin complained.

	“What do you mean?”

	“The car in front of ours.  It’s mom’s.”

	“Shit!”

	“Exactly.”

	They slowly approached the door, both wishing they could just get back in the car and leave.  Brian was about to suggest they do exactly that when the door opened.

	“Justin, you’re late!  I was about to…shit Brian, what are you doing here?” Claire asked in shock.

	“Justin told me where he was going and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to have dinner with you and your beautiful children,” Brian responded.

	“Whatever, just get in the house.  Mom’s been complaining about being hungry for the last hour.”

	“Yes, Your Majesty,” Brian quipped.

	The boys followed Claire inside, Justin going first.  As he entered the kitchen, Joan called his name and then nodded in Brian’s direction.

	“Hello Mother,” Brian greeted and took a seat on a bar seat at the kitchen island.  Justin sat down beside him, avoiding Joan’s probing stare.

	A silence fell across the room, until two boys ran in and managed to barely avoid knocking over a dining room chair.

	“What have I told you boys about running in house.  Now show some manners and same hello to your uncles,” Claire chastised.

	“Hi Uncle Justin,” the boys said solemnly, avoiding all eye contact with everyone in the room.

	“Aren’t you going to say hello to your Uncle Brian too?”

	“Awwww Mom, we don’t even know him.  Before Grandpa’s death we didn’t even know he existed.  At least Uncle Justin gives us presents,” John griped.

	“See how popular I am?” Justin chuckled to Brian.  Over the years Justin had come to appreciate the things money could buy, even though he didn’t have much himself.  A well-placed gift here and there was the best way to avoid prolonged contact with his hell raising nephews.   When they were still toddlers he had tried to form some sort of a relationship with both of them.  He figured they deserved a better childhood than every other Kinney.  Unfortunately he wasn’t able to be around enough to influence their behavior and Claire’s sterling example had been a more dominating presence.  So they became spoiled brats and Justin avoided them like the plague.

	“John, don’t make me say it twice,” Claire warned.

	John and Peter gave a quick hello and immediately headed out the backdoor to play in the yard.  Brian and Joan went to sit in the dining room while Justin helped Claire serve the food.  It wasn’t long before all four of them were seated and eating the dried up meat and soggy vegetables Claire was known for preparing.  Joan made sure to mention it repeatedly over the course of the meal.  Over coffee, conversation finally picked up and not in the way either man had hoped.

	“So Brian, when are you leaving town?”

	“Trying to get rid of me already, Mother?”

	“You’ve done your duty.  I don’t expect you to stay in town and hold our hands.”

	“What if I wanted to stay in town,” Brian interjected.

	Everyone at the table, including Justin, gasped in surprise.

	“You might be staying?” Justin asked.

	“Might be?  It’s almost a done deal.  I put a bid down on an agency and expect it to be accepted within the week.”

	“Why didn’t you tell me?” Justin asked in shock.

	Brian realized his mistake immediately but hadn’t planned on making the announcement until it was definite and he had a little more time with Justin.  His mother always managed to get to him and he had jumped to goad her without thinking about the consequences.

	“Sorry Sunshine, I wanted to wait until the bid was accepted and the paperwork signed.  I planned on telling you when we were one on one in private.”

	“Why are you staying at all Brian?  You could just go back to your fancy life in New York.  I’m sure you have some hot shot apartment where you can conduct your disgusting lifestyle,” Joan interjected.

	“Mom, that’s not fair…” Justin tried to say.

	“Not fair?  You have no idea what kind of man Brian is.  All I’ve ever wanted to do is to protect you from his influence.  Your father sent him away for a reason.”

	“My father died when I was two years old so let’s not make Jack’s place in my life more significant than it was.”

	“Justin, that’s uncalled for,” Claire lectured.

	“You’re just pissed that he’s no longer a little puppy that you can order around.  You have used Justin as your emotional punch bag for the last time.  I’m back in town for good and I won’t let either you continue to berate him.  He’s a man now, which means he doesn’t have to come over here just because you want him to.  And neither do I.  Take care of disciplining your own children and we’ll look out for each other,” Brian roared.

	“You stay away from Justin.  He’s not like you,” Joan warned.

	“Like hell he isn’t,” Brian snapped.

	“Brian!” Justin cried out in shock.

	“Shit, Justin I…”Brian began to explain but Justin was already hurrying out the door.  Justin had avoided his family as much as possible during his life, figuring none of them had the right to know the “real” him.  He had never intended on outing himself and was not appreciative of Brian’s choice to do it for him.  Brian remained behind to say a few more words to his mother and Claire.  His eyes shot daggers at both of them.

	“Tonight, I draw the line.  I would have never left Justin behind if I knew what he would be dealing with on a regular basis.  He’s a good man but you both should be aware of that already.  He’s all the family I need so I won’t be coming here again.  I leave it up to Justin to decide what he wants.”

	“Is he..?” Joan asked.

	“Not my question to answer,” Brian replied and walked out the door, leaving behind two women in shock.

	Justin was pacing outside by the car when Brian appeared.  He refused to look Brian in the eye and jumped into the passenger seat of the rental car.  Brian slowly walked around to the driver’s seat and took his time getting in.  Once they were both inside, Brian put his keys in the ignition and just sat there.  Justin looked over in agitation.

	“Come on, let’s go,” he said forcefully.

	“No,” Brian responded.

	“Why the fuck not?”

	“Because you still have to tell me what’s got your undies in a bunch.  Why doesn’t mother dearest know you’re a fag?”

	“Because it’s none of her fucking business Brian.  As I recall, the only reason you came out of the closet was Jack’s little accidental discovery.  From the moment you walked out of that house I’ve been on my own.  I participate in these arranged family gatherings so there aren’t any unwelcome surprises when I’m at home.  They know nothing about my life and that’s the way I wanted to keep it.  Now they’re going to be looking in on me and trying to find out more about my life.  How long do you think it will be before they find out about Gus?  Goddamn it Brian, that’s the last thing I want.  Gus is a Taylor, not a Kinney.”

	Brian had no clue how to respond.  Everything Justin said was true and he hadn’t even considered it when he opened his big mouth.  He let his pride speak for him and now Justin’s whole life would be up for scrutiny.

	“Justin, I’m sorry..”

	“Just save it Bri and take me home.”

	“But..”

	“Not now, just take me home and we’ll talk tomorrow.  I think I’ve had enough talking for tonight.”

	Brian nodded and prepared himself for one more drive filled with silence.  This was becoming a habit with them and it wasn’t one he particularly enjoyed.  When he pulled up to Justin’s apartment building, the blonde wasted no time exiting the vehicle.  Before Brian could say a word, Justin was gone with a backwards wave.  Brian remained on the street, contemplating what he should do next.  Justin obviously needed some time to cool down but was that all he needed?  There was only one person who could answer that.  Brian turned the ignition and sped off down the street.
	He pulled his car over and approached the brick apartment building with trepidation.  He wasn’t sure if he was doing the right thing but he had to try something.  He hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door.  Shuffling from foot to foot, he wondered again if he should just go back to New York and forget about Justin.  The door opened and the man stared at Brian in shock.

	“What are you doing here?”

	“I need your help,” Brian explained.

	“Brian, I…”

	“I know.  I may not be your best friend anymore but you’re still mine.  Will you help me Mikey?”

	Michael hesitated for a couple seconds and then motioned Brian inside.

	“Come on in.  What the hell did you do now?”