HOME RUN 

Chapter 12:


Brian:
~~~~~

Using the opportunity to pay a quick visit into work, Brian took Gus along to see the Kinnetik offices in New York and his son looked around in awe at what had been an old movie house, still complete with marble pillars.

“Wow, Dad. This place is great”, he said, swinging around in his Father’s chair. “Glad you like it Sonny-boy”, said Brian, dealing with a little correspondence before he closed the offices and let the staff go for the Christmas holidays.

True to his word, there had indeed been a bonus for everyone, both here and in Pittsburgh. It had been a good year and Brian had appreciated how everyone had done more than he’d asked of them, especially since he’d taken on the responsibility of raising his son.

Having freed himself of commitments from now until after the holidays, he allowed Gus to plan their days, trying to fit in all the marvellous things that appealed to a ten-year-old boy.

They went Christmas shopping at Macy’s, who as usual, put on a beautiful display of lights, but Gus had looked on horrified when Brian made a suggestion, declaring he was much too old for Santaland!

That evening, they went to look at the lights at Saks on 5th Avenue and at Lord &Taylor, sharing a bag of roasted chestnuts they’d purchased from an outside stall.

The next few days were filled with going to the museums and exhibitions Gus had wanted to visit and they went out to look at the Statue of Liberty, arriving back home at Brian’s apartment each evening exhausted but extremely happy.

This was proving to be a wonderful time for both of them. They enjoyed each other’s company. Gus was smart and had an artistic eye, just like his Mom and to Gus, his Dad didn’t treat him like a kid, or talk down to him, but asked for his opinion on everything they saw and did.

Gus had noticed something about his Dad. Out shopping or in a museum, Brian would often attract the attention of Mom’s out with their kids; probably assuming he was a “weekend Dad”.

Brian didn’t notice this attention of course, it meant nothing to him, but Gus caught it and noticed as well that Brian often drew admiring glances from other men and saw his Dad smile occasionally, acknowledging the looks that came his way.

That afternoon, they had bought a tree and decorations and after dinner, had spent the evening putting it up in the apartment. 

When eventually Brian got his son off to bed, he remained in the living room. A while later, needing the bathroom, Gus noticed the light still on and peeked around the door. His Dad was sitting on the sofa, an untouched glass of Beam on the side table. He seemed totally lost in thought and hadn’t noticed the door opening.

“Dad, are you okay?” asked Gus, moving towards his Father. Brian seemed to cough a little before he answered him. “Hey, Sonny-boy, what are doing out of bed? It’s getting late”, and he ushered his son back to bed and decided to turn in himself.

Though tired from everything they’d done that day, Brian found it hard to sleep.

He was beginning to realise just how much he’d missed out on during his son’s growing up; like the sight of a small boy looking on in fascination at the sparkling lights on a Christmas tree, and reaching up to place the angel on the top.

Christmas time was when people came together, families and friends, and lovers. But Brian had dreaded Christmas when he was growing up; when his Dad’s work was closed for the holidays, forcing the family to spend time together. 

It usually ended with his parents fighting and getting drunk and Brian hiding in his bedroom, trying to keep out of his Father’s way. And then, after Jack had sought him out to use him as a punch bag on which to vent his anger and frustrations, Brian would limp over to Michael’s and Debbie would clean him up and give him a meal. Michael would then show him his presents, which he would allow Brian to share with him. The Novotny’s didn’t have a lot of money, but there had been a lot of love to go round.

Christmas was also a reminder that another year was drawing to a close and for Brian, this had been one of the most traumatic of his life. 

Losing the close friend that he’d had in Lindsay and now bringing up his son, single-handed, for the first time he started to wonder what it might have been like to have had some support; for someone to be there to talk things through with; to ask if you were doing the right thing or even offer a shoulder when you thought you’d got it wrong and didn’t know if you could cope.

He’d always said the only person you had was yourself; he’d said it so many times he’d started to believe it. He loved his son, but realised he craved adult company also. Not just as a lover, but perhaps someone to share the everyday situations that life threw at you; someone to laugh with, to cry with, to share the experiences he was now enjoying with Gus and maybe even argue with about whose turn it was to collect the dry-cleaning.

In his bedroom, Gus was also wide-awake and feeling thirsty. Quietly going into the kitchen for a drink, instead of returning to his room he went and sat on the sofa. His Dad worried him and, absentmindedly; Gus fiddled with the radio, turning the volume down quickly when the sound came on.

“Across the nation, it’s 10.05pm. Pacific Standard, 11.05 Mountain, 12.05am. Central and 1.05am. here in New York. Welcome back to True Love on Radio Pride FM with Dr. Leo Franklin”. 

“Now, I believe it’s Raymond on line 5. Raymond, you’re through to Dr. Franklin, how can I help you?”

“I … I split up with my boyfriend and he’s now not even taking my calls ……”

It immediately grabbed Gus’ attention. A phone-in on a gay radio show: maybe he could find out how to help his Dad get a boyfriend.

For the next half-hour, he listened as guys phoned in, seeking help with their relationships and to the advice given.

“…. Radio Pride FM on 212-555-1969 …”

Gus picked up the phone and dialled.


To be continued.