Justin smiled in relief when he and Daphne stepped off of the bus. It had been a long bus ride, and Justin was more than happy for it to be through. Justin saw Daphane wave to a African-American woman and man, and assumed that they were probably her parents.
Do you need a ride? I'm sure that my parents won't mind.
Justin smiled and signed back, Sure. Thanks.
Daphne grabbed her suitcase and they walked over to the couple. He lip-read as she spoke to them. "Hey Mom, Dad. This is Justin Taylor." Turning to Justin she signed, These are my parents. Erica and Paul Chanders.
Justin smiled at them. Nice to meet you, Mister and Misses Chanders.
You too, Justin. Said a smiling Erica.
"I told Justin that we could drop him off at his cousin's," Daphne said to her parents.
"No problem," said Paul.
After giving the Chanders Emmett's address, that he had memorized, they headed in that direction. Getting Justin's attention, Daphne signed, This is close to Liberty Avenue.
Liberty Avenue?
Pittsburgh's gay scene. You'll have to go there.
Justin smiled as Mister Chanders pulled the car over in front of an apartment building. Now that I know where you live, I'll come and visit you. Okay?
Justin nodded. Alright. Justin got out of the car and walked to Misses Chanders rolled down window. He signed, Thanks again!
You're welcome, she signed back.
Justin turned around to face the building as the Chanders drove away. He walked through the font door, up a set of stairs and started looking for Emmett's apartment number. After a couple of minutes of looking, he found it. Now, he just hoped that Emmett would be home. Knocking on the door, he was relieved when it was pulled open a minute later.
Emmett broke into a big smile when he saw Justin standing there, and grabbed him in a bear hug. But, his smile turned to a frown when he got a good look at Justin's face. Emmett decided to speak and sign at the same time, which Justin appreciated. It helped him keep his lip-reading skills in tact. "What happened to you, baby?"
Justin signed back one word. Craig. Justin had long since stopped considering Craig as his father.
Emmett shook his head and Justin could see anger in his eyes. Emmett had never liked Craig. As Emmett used to always say, he was happy that he and Craig were only related by marriage.
"Come on in."
Justin walked into the apartment and noticed right away that it looked homey. He instantly liked it. "I was getting ready to head down to the diner. Want to go?"
Justin bit his bottom lip. I don't have a lot of money. Just thirty dollars. I had to spend a little on food on the way here.
"Don't worry, sweetie. My treat.
Thanks, Emmett. I am going to have to find a job, though.
"Not right now, though. I can introduce to some of my friends. It will be fun."
Justin nodded. He thought about asking Emmett for a pair of sunglasses, to cover up his black eye, but decided against it. Sunglasses made it harder for him to lip-read. He smiled and nodded. Let's go.
"Great, sweetie!"