Home is Where Your Heart Is -1 Plot bunny by: Judy Author: Elsa Rose Justin walked around the small room that would be his home until he finished high school and maybe even longer. He picked up this and that and studied each item like he was in some kind of museum, and that’s exactly what he was in. It was the museum of Michael Novotny. Not too inspiring as far as Justin was concerned. He grinned to himself when he noticed the picture of a young Brian pinned to the bulletin board. This was cool. It was kind of neat being in a room that Brian had been in when he was growing up. Maybe he’d get to know the young Brian better. Maybe he’d even start to understand him, which would be cool. Hopefully, he’d be able to understand him better than ‘Mikey’ did because he actually loved the man in the way he deserved to be loved; unconditionally and without blinders on. “Don’t touch my stuff.” Justin turned around and glared at Michael. “I know it’s your old room, but it’s my room now. I’ll touch what I want.” He threw himself on the bed placing his hands behind his head. “Look you little shit. Get your shoes off the bed.” Michael swatted Justin’s feet off the bed. “Hey there Justin, are you all settled in?” Vic asked, as he stepped into the room. “Michael, your mother wants you downstairs.” Michael paused, his arm still raised and slowly he lowered it. He glared at Justin before sidling past Vic and heading for the kitchen. “Justin, I want you to make yourself at home here,” Vic began. He looked around the room. “It could use a few changes. I never did like that wallpaper,” he laughed. “When Deb and Michael put it up, Brian lay on that bed and teased them through the entire process,” Vic chuckled. “Debbie bitched, Michael whined and eventually, Brian had to take over. He had that damn paper up in about two hours and he was only fourteen.” Justin looked around at the wallpaper with a new appreciation. “So Brian actually put it up?” he asked. “Darn near every bit. Debbie had wallpaper all over the floor and Michael wasn’t much help. She was getting a bit testy; you know how she is. The air was blue with cursing. Brian waited until she went downstairs to get herself some coffee and he just began to put it up. You’d have thought he was an expert or something. It was a wonder to watch.” “How come you didn’t help?” Justin asked. “I mean ….” his voice trailed off. “Hell, I never could wallpaper,” he laughed. “I was laughing right along with Brian. You have to admit that’s some damn ugly paper.” “Oh.” Justin looked around. “You helped him didn’t you?” “I might have helped a bit, but I’d never admit it,” Vic laughed. “Just like you’ll never get Brian to admit he put up the paper.” He looked at Justin. “So do you want to replace it with more paper, or would you rather paint it?” “I prefer paint, but I’ll just leave it for now. I don’t want to get Michael anymore upset.” Justin smiled at Vic. They both knew that he didn’t want to take down what Brian had put up. “Vic, how come Brian won’t let me stay at his place anymore? Is it because he hates me? I mean my father beat him up and stuff, but it wasn’t my fault.” “Brian doesn’t hate you. That’s just the problem.” Vic took the picture of a young Brian off of the bulletin board. “I remember when this was taken. Brian had spent the weekend here, it was Sunday afternoon and I was firing up the barbeque.” “Why did he spend the whole weekend?” Justin asked. He took the picture from Vic and stared at it. It was then he noticed that Brian had a bruise on one cheek and a cut over his eye. “His old man had taken out his frustration on Brian. He was taking a couple of days away from him to recover.” “That really sucks.” Justin saw the hurt in Brian’s eyes and resolved to make sure he never caused him anything similar. “I’m going to unpack my stuff. Brian brought it over for me. He said my mom told him he could pick it up.” “I’m glad you have your things. Brian brought over his old computer for you. At least you’ll be part of the modern world. I think he’s arranging Internet access.” “All the comforts of home.” Justin’s voice was slightly sarcastic, but he was glad to have the computer, even if it was an older model. “I wonder if he reformatted the hard drive?” “Whatever that means, Kiddo,” Debbie remarked. “I brought you some tissues and some clean towels.” “Thanks Deb.” Justin kissed her on the cheek. “The phone company will be here tomorrow to install your own line. You can use it for the Internet. I believe Brian has arranged for you to have high speed whatever that is.” “Why did he do that?” Justin asked, secretly pleased, but not sure he should accept Brian’s offer. He wasn’t a kid and he didn’t need a father, he needed someone to love him, the way Brian could love him. “Brian does things like that, Honey. It’s just the way he is.” She kissed Justin and then patted him on his cheek. “You get your things put away and then get your bubble butt downstairs. I want to review the house rules and the chores you’ll be expected to do.” “Chores?” Justin asked, not sure what she was talking about. “Chores, Sunshine, they’re something you do to keep from getting your ass booted out of here,” she grinned and left Justin to think about what she’d said. Justin wasn’t sure what to think of Deb’s answer. He stared at the closed door for a moment before opening up the box that he’d found on the bed. His mother must have packed it. She was very neat and tidy. He hated that she’d gone through his stuff and he wondered just what she must have found. He’d had an active fantasy life as far as the local football team was concerned and his art doodles showed it in graphic color. He didn’t want to think about it. This was for real. His parents didn’t want him anymore. His father hated him and his mother, well he wasn’t sure about her, but she sure wasn’t very happy with him right now. Justin wondered if his grandparents would hear the real story about why he wasn’t living at home. “JUSTIN, GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE,” Debbie shouted and she sounded like she was serious. “I’m on my way.” Justin figured he’d unpack later, now he needed to find out what Deb wanted. He took the stairs on a run, skidding at the bottom, his sneakers squealing on the linoleum. “Take your fucking shoes off in the house,” Debbie called out. “I’m not scraping rubber off my floors on my day off.” “But Deb, the floors will get my white socks dirty,” Justin began. “Are you telling me that my floors are dirty?” She came out of the kitchen with her hands on her hips. “No, but my mom says that socks and bare feet make your floors dirtier more than the clean soles of slippers or shoes does because of sweat.” “Well, Sunshine, in my house you take your shoes off and if your socks get dirty, you learn to wash them.” She patted his cheek again, only this time not quite so tenderly. Justin slipped off his shoes, trying not to cringe at the grit under his feet. His mother’s place was always spotless. “What was it you wanted me to do?” he asked following Debbie into the kitchen. “Take out the trash.” She nodded at the full bag in the can by the sink. “And don’t forget the bag in the bathroom. You can drag the cans out to the ally tonight too. Tomorrow is trash day and don’t forget to bang on the lid, the damn racoons will tear it all apart if you don’t. You sure don’t want to be picking up yesterday’s eggshells before school.” “But I just took off my shoes.” Justin looked at his feet helplessly and then over at his runners. “You’re a big boy; you can put them on again.” Debbie smiled. “Vic is outside having a cigarette, tell him I want him inside; we need to have a family meeting.” Justin did as he was told. Somehow mouthing off to his mother had been a lot easier than doing the same thing to Debbie. There was more at stake. At home, the worst that would happen is that he’d be grounded – here he could be kicked out and end up sleeping behind a dumpster. He couldn’t even go to Brian, he’d already warned him not to fuck up. “Vic, Deb wants you inside,” Justin called from the back porch. He was standing in his sock covered feet. He figured Vic couldn’t be far; the yard wasn’t that big. “Vic?” Justin tried again when the older man didn’t answer back. He ventured down a couple of the steps, the ground was a mess and he didn’t want to go back and get his shoes. “Justin, what are you doing out here?” Vic came around the house. “You don’t have your shoes on; Deb is going to be pissed.” “Debbie said you’re to come in for a family meeting.” Justin stared down at his offending feet. “Vic, is Debbie always like this at home? I mean at the diner she doesn’t seem quite soooo.” He didn’t know how to finish, ‘mean’ seemed[…] well mean. “Sis is a bit hard to take at times,” Vic agreed. “I wouldn’t worry about it. She’s just not sure what to do with you. In one way, she’d like to treat you like a son. In another way you’re like a guest in her home. I think because she knows the kind of home you grew up in, she’s afraid that you’re going to think her place doesn’t measure up. She’s bought and paid for this house all by herself you know. It isn’t easy being a single mother and raising a son let alone managing to buy a house. Oh, Michael and I help out, but we can’t begin to do it all. She deserves more. She feels guilty taking the money for your room and board that your mother gave her, yet she needs it. I suspect you eat like most kids your age.” “I don’t care what the house looks like,” Justin said. “I mean[…] if it wasn’t for Debbie, I’d be on the street.” “Oh, Brian wouldn’t allow that to happen, Kiddo, but I admit it wouldn’t be easy.” Vic put his hand on Justin’s shoulder and steered him back up the few stairs to the back porch. “I’d suggest we go in now before she comes looking for us,” he laughed. “Believe me neither one of us would want that.” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Daphne,” Justin whispered into the telephone. He was huddled on the top of the basement stairs in the dark, the door closed to give him some privacy. “Justin?” his friend answered. “Why are you whispering?” “It’s late and I wanted to talk to you.” Justin scrunched low on the step. “What about?” she asked. “I was sleeping you know.” “Sorry.” But he didn’t sound sorry. “Daphne, what am I going to do?” “Don’t you like it there? I mean give it a chance; it’s your first night.” Daphne rolled over, pulling her quilt higher. “I like it okay, but I miss my mom and Molly. What if dad is mean to my mom because of me? What if he hits her or Molly?” “He’s never done it before, why would he start now?” Daphne said reasonably. “I guess.” Justin was quiet for a few minutes. “Daphne, I’m going to change some of my classes to something more practical. I mean the stuff I’m taking is okay if you’re going to college, but I probably won’t be able to go, at least not next year. I’ll need a year or so to save up my tuition. The classes I have won’t help me for shit getting a job.” “You are such a jerk,” Daphne said to her friend. “You are sooooo going to PIFA.” “I haven’t even applied yet,” Justin confessed. “I admit, I have everything ready, but there isn’t any point now. There’s no way dad is going to pay for PIFA; fuck he probably won’t even pay for Dartmouth. Besides, I’m not going away. I love Brian, I’m not leaving Pittsburgh.” “What are you six?” Daphne laughed. “For fuck sake, grow up. You have a major crush on Mr. Hottie Kinney, but love, you’re seventeen for fuck sake. What do you know about love?” “You’re supposed to be my friend,” Justin’s voice quivered. “I hate you.” “No you don’t, you love me and I love you. I’m just saying that you need to think a bit more rationally. I know it’s tough, but you’re in the best place right now. You don’t have to deal with your father, you can still go to Saint James and every now and then you get to fuck Brian.” “I soooo wish that was true,” Justin laughed. “Brian gets to fuck me not the other way around.” “TMI,” Daphne snorted. “Daphne, I miss you too.” “You see me every day.” “I know, but it’s not the same thing,” Justin sighed. “Brian didn’t come over and he didn’t call.” “Justin did you or did you not just arrive at Debbie’s today?” she sighed. “Give it a chance, the man and you notice I said man and not a boyfriend in grade twelve, does have a job and a life. One he had before he first fucked you. You’ve turned his life upside down. He’s probably freaking now that you’re living in his best friend’s house.” “It’s his childhood friend’s former home,” Justin clarified. Daphne was right Brian wasn’t very happy about him living here, yet he was the one that had talked Debbie into letting him stay. They didn’t think he knew, but he wasn’t stupid and he could hear better than average, even if the conversation was whispered. “Say goodnight Justin,” Daphne laughed. “See you tomorrow.” “Goodnight Justin,” Justin replied before hanging up. He sat in the dark listening to the sounds of the house. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn’t hear the basement door opening. “It’s a lot more comfortable to sleep in bed,” Vic’s voice was low. “Oh, hi Vic,” Justin stood up. “I was trying to be quiet, I hope I didn’t wake you up, but I couldn’t sleep, I thought I’d call Daphne.” He would have called Brian, but he didn’t have the nerve. “I wasn’t sleeping.” Vic walked over to the cupboard and pulled out a few containers of medication. “I have to take my meds.” “All of that?” Justin asked in awe. “More than this, but these are the ones I take now.” Vic counted out what he was supposed to take into a small glass bowl.” “That sucks.” Justin headed to the fridge. “What do you want to drink?” “Just water for these pills,” Vic said. “I can drink the stuff from the tap.” “No way, you shouldn’t do that. Have this.” Justin twisted off the cap from a bottle of water he’d put in the fridge earlier. “It’s purified.” “My body won’t know what hit it,” Vic smiled. He sat at the kitchen table, the bowl of pills and bottle of water in front of him. “I heard you talking Justin, I didn’t mean to listen, but the basement stairs are right under my room. Sound carries in this old house. I want you to feel at home here. I know it’s a big change from what you’re used to, but we won’t bite, not unless you want us too.” Justin smiled. “I know Vic…” he hesitated. “Can I call you Uncle Vic like Michael does?” his face suddenly looked shy and younger than he would have wanted to appear. “It’s the age thing isn’t it?” Vic teased. “I’d be honoured if you want to call me Uncle Vic.” He sighed dramatically, “I guess that let’s me out as your boyfriend.” Justin’s face reflected everything from happiness to horror over Vic’s words. Vic laughed, “Calm down Justin, you need to learn when we’re joking around here.” He reached over and patted Justin’s hand. “You’ll learn, Italian household’s aren’t much different than what you’re used to, only we love louder, speak louder, argue louder, and cry louder than most.” “Uh,,. okay,” Justin said with a small smile. “I guess I’d better go to bed.” “Yes, tomorrow is a school day. Oh and Justin, while you were hiding in the basement stairway, Brian dropped off something for you. I put it on your bed.” “Brian was here?” Justin’s eyes lit up. “Only for a second.” Vic laughed, “Calm down, he all but threw the package at me. I’m surprised he didn’t just drive up on the lawn and toss it at the front door.” “What is it?” Justin asked. “How would I know? It’s your gift.” Vic nodded toward the stairs. “Go to bed, you’ll find it.” Justin ran up the stairs to his room as quietly as he could, but not before giving Vic a quick kiss on his cheek accompanied by a whispered, “ Thanks Uncle Vic.” He stood inside his room for a few seconds staring at the parcel on his bed. It was wrapped in plain brown paper and he couldn’t imagine what it was. He didn’t know Brian as well as he’d like to yet, but he did know the man had a strange sense of humor. Finally, unable to resist, Justin all but dived onto his bed and began to rip the paper off. It was a cell phone. He opened it up and found that it was fully charged. He was checking it out when he noticed that numbers had already been programmed in 1 Favorite stud – cell 2 Favorite stud – loft 3 Favorite stud – work 4 Cute fag hag 5 Mommy 6 Home 7 Diner Justin giggled as he scrolled through the numbers. At first he was puzzled by the number listed as home and then he realized it was Deb’s. Daphne would laugh at the cute part, but be slightly pissed at the fag hag part … she hated to be called that. He was smiling and lying back on the bed staring at the soft blue light of the cell phone’s screen when suddenly it vibrated. “Favorite stud – loft” showed. “Brian,” Justin whispered into the phone when he answered. “Thanks for the phone but I don’t think I can afford to pay the bill each month.” “Then don’t, it isn’t for you, it’s for me. I needed a way to keep in touch. I figured you’d balk at wearing a bell around your neck, so I thought a cell phone would work better.” Justin could hear the amusement in the older man’s voice and he giggled. “I love your sense of humor.” “I don’t have a sense of humor,” Brian drawled. “So Sunshine, how’s the first night in Mikey’s old room?” “The wallpaper sucks, but it was kind of cool finding out you were the one who put it up.” Justin sighed, one hand had strayed down the front of his sweat pants and he began to caress his hard cock. “Yeah, well it was better than listening to them moan and whine,” Brian laughed. “I suppose you’re going to change it.” “I think I’ll have to. I’d go insane if I had to look at this shit for very long.” “Well we can’t have that.” Brian’s hand was also caressing his own hard cock as he lay studying the ceiling in his bedroom. “Do you think Deb will mind if I paint the walls?” Justin asked. “You’ll have to ask her, but I’m sure she’ll be cool with it. I can take you to Home Depot on Saturday if you’d like to pick up some paint.” “You could?” Justin was breathless, both from his approaching orgasm and from the fact that Brian had offered to take him for paint. “Sure, why not. I’ll pick you up at eight; we’ll go to the diner for breakfast and then get the paint. I might even spare an hour or two to help take the paper off. Make sure you clear it with Deb first though.” “Oooooooooh,” Justin groaned as he shot his load into his sweats. “I’ll clear it with Deb,” he gasped. “Justin?” Brian laughed, “Did you just shoot your load?” “Maybe,” Justin replied. “I bet you’re stroking your cock and you’re thinking of me putting my mouth around the head and licking it like an ice cream cone. Yum… I love the smell of you, I love the smell of your balls especially when you’ve just come home from the gym.” ”Fuuuuuuuckkkk, Justin,” Brian gasped. “You’re a little perv.” “Takes one to know one,” Justin giggled and disconnected. He lay back on his bed not caring that he was wet and sticky. He grinned up at the ceiling and imagined Brian in the same state. “Now that you’ve had your phone sex for the night, will you please keep quiet, some of us have to get up for the early shift,” Debbie called out much to Justin’s embarrassment. Apparently, the walls were thinner than he thought. He quickly cleaned up using a teeshirt, flipped off his light and crawled back into bed. He couldn’t stop smiling though; his first night had been awesome. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “What are you doing?” Daphne asked. Justin had disappeared into the study hall rather than go to the cafeteria. It had taken her almost all of her lunch hour to track him down. “I needed a computer, I’m researching something.” Justin grabbed the chocolate bar out of Daphne’s hand and took a bite. “Thanks, I’m starving.” “You could ask,” she said with a giggle before pulling a chair over and sitting beside him. “Wow, HIV.” “Yeah, Uncle Vic has it and I wanted to find out more about it. He has to take a lot of medications and stuff, but I was kind of hoping that I could find out something I could do for him.” “Like what?” “I don’t know, but there’s a lot of stuff here about eating the right foods and getting exercise.” “You can’t do that for him.” “I can help him cook right and I can get him to go for walks with me.” Justin looked at her. “It can’t hurt.” “I guess not.” She read through some of what he was reading. “Is he okay?” “He’s doing as good as he can be. It’s just that the medications all have different side effects, and they can sap a guy of any strength. I think the most important thing is for him to be focused and positive.” “That’s kind of a hard thing, when you’ve got something that’s going to kill you.” “Yeah, it really sucks. “ Justin looked glum. “But, I’m going to help, maybe we can find something at that Chinese Herbalist downtown.” “I’ll drive you after school, I’ve got mom’s car today.” “Cool.” He checked the clock on the wall. “I’ve got time to grab a sandwich. Want to come with me?” She laughed, but stood up. “You’d better clear off your research or you’ll be in more trouble than you already are with the homo-jocks.” “No shit.” Justin carefully erased all traces of his research before grabbing his backpack and leaving the study hall. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Hey Sis,” Vic said from his place at the sink, he was finishing up the dishes from the dinner he made earlier. “I saved some dessert for you.” “I hope it’s hot, dark and sweet, ‘cause Honey, I could use it after the shift I had,” Debbie said as she stretched out full length on the sofa. “Well, it’s a piece of chocolate coffee-toffee pie with Kahlua drizzled on it.” Vic handed Debbie a plate. “Justin found me the recipe and I thought I’d try it out. He said chocolate has been proven to benefit the immune system,” Vic laughed. “I think he’s trying to make me better. He brought home this gawd awful tea from that Chinese Herbalist near Liberty and made me the biggest damn jug of it. By the way that’s it in the fridge, trust me it isn’t sweet, hot and black. Justin said that I’m supposed to drink four ounces of it three times a day. It’s apparently filled with antioxidants.” Debbie grinned at him. “That Sunshine is a piece of work. He came into the diner today at seven and made me sit down for half an hour while he waited on my tables. He didn’t do half bad. I think maybe I’ll get him a job there.” She chuckled, “He said I work too hard. Oh and he asked if he could paint Michael’s room this weekend. He said Brian was going to help him.” “Now that I’d like to see,” Vic laughed. “I hope Justin doesn’t pin his hopes on Brian, he’s only going to have his heart broken.” “Sunshine is too smart for that,” Debbie said and then thought for a minute. “But then again, his eyes have stars in them when he even thinks about Brian, and even the damn suns, when he talks to him.” She ate some of her dessert. “This is damn good.” “Not bad.” Vic grinned. “Of course, Justin had two pieces and even Brian had one piece.” “Brian, what was he doing here?” Debbie continued to eat. “He brought over some paint samples. Can you believe our very own label queen managed to find Ralph Lauren paint?” Vic chuckled. “Of course, it’s going to be a bitch taking off that wall paper.” Debbie laughed, “Fuck, I remember when we put it up. In fact, I do believe it was Brian who did most of the work. He was such a perfectionist I thought I’d scream before he finished, but damn he did a good job.” “Well, you know us fags; we’re good at interior decorating,” Vic laughed. “I hope Michael doesn’t react badly to Justin painting his room.” “It’s Justin’s room now. Michael hasn’t lived in it for years. For that matter the whole fucking house is my house. If I want a room painted, then it’s going to be painted, Michael really has nothing to say about it.” “Hold that thought Sis,” Vic laughed. He stood up from his chair and took her empty plate. “Hey, I’m not finished with that. There’s still some chocolate crumbs left.” She licked her finger and wiped it across the crumbs. “There, now I’m done.” She looked around. “Maybe if it turns out okay, I might even have some painting done down here.” “What and lose this lovely wallpaper that had to have been put up before Michael was born?” Vic laughed. “Well, it wouldn’t bother me any to get rid of it.” “I didn’t say we’d get rid of the wallpaper, but the woodwork could use some sprucing up.” Debbie shut her eyes. “I think I’ll just stay here, I’m too tired to move.” “I’m going to wash up these dishes and go to bed. Don’t fall asleep; you need to be in your own bed to get your proper rest. Justin said he found you here twice this week.” “Go to bed and hand me that remote. I’m going to watch something and relax for a few minutes.” “Night, Sis.” Vic handed Debbie the remote when he bent down to kiss her forehead. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Be quiet,” Justin whispered. “Deb is sleeping on the sofa.” “I love Deb, let’s say hi.” Daphne swayed in place peering into the dark. She was standing at the bottom of the stairs leading to Justin’s room. “Will you shut up?” Justin sighed. “I can’t believe you drank that fucking bottle of wine.” It was apparent from the sounds that Debbie could hear, Justin was trying to get Daphne to walk up the stairs. “I can’t go home, don’t take me home,” Daphne slurred. Deb figured they were half way up from the way the sound echoed. “I’m not taking you home; you can stay here and sleep it off. Brian’s coming early in the morning to take me paint shopping, he can drive you home.” Justin was trying to be patient with his friend. “I loooooovvvvvve Brian, he has a nice dick.” Daphne grinned at Justin. “I want Brian’s dick.” “You’re fucking drunk and you’re NEVER getting Brian’s dick.” Justin’s whisper got louder as he became more exasperated. “When did you see Brian’s dick?” “I saw that picture you did of it. I saw LOTS of pictures you drew of his dick, I saw his ass, his tits, his cute little belly button, the inside of his wrist, the small of his back. Actually, I don’t think there’s an inch of Brian I haven’t seen. I especially like his feet, but his dick has to be the best.” “You have no business looking through my sketchbooks.” The door to Justin’s room shut;Debbie stood up and stretched. The sofa was just as interesting now as it had been when Michael and Brian were growing up. It was amazing the things she found out while snoozing on it. Justin had managed to get Daphne to the bathroom to pee, her face washed and undressed before putting her under his covers. He wished he had a bigger bed, she hogged all the blankets and she moved too much. Brian was nicer to sleep with, he liked to snuggle, not that he’d ever admit it. He was about to drift off when his door opened. Deb walked in with a bucket and placed it on Daphne’s side. “Second hand wine is a bitch to clean out of the carpet, Sunshine,” she whispered. Before leaving, she walked over and kissed his forehead. “Good night, Baby.” She tiptoed out of the room closing his door softly. Justin lay in the dark listening to the night sounds of Vic snoring, Debbie getting into bed, and Daphne’s wheeze, his hand touched the spot where Deb had kissed him and he fell asleep that way. Feeling loved and wanted by his surrogate mom. It was a good feeling. Tbc.