Dedicated to the One I Love Part 2 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" “We’re Craig and Jennifer Taylor, our son was brought in tonight.” Craig and Jennifer stood in front of the reception desk at the Emergency Department. “Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, you can go through those doors. Your son is being examined now, the doctor will be with you shortly.” The woman pointed to a set of double doors off to the side. “You’ll see your son’s friends in waiting room number five.” She added helpfully. Craig and Jennifer walked through the doors in a daze. There son had been injured going to a Prom for gawd sake. Waiting room number five was almost full of people. Craig checked the number on the door to assure himself that he had the right room. Everyone looked up when they walked in. Suddenly a large woman in a bright red wig and flamboyant clothing rushed over. “You must be Justin’s parents. I’m Debbie Novotny, Justin works with me at the diner and these are his friends. I’m not sure if you know them, so I’ll introduce you.” She held Jennifer’s arm and began to circle the room with her. Craig followed behind not sure what was happening. What did she mean Justin worked at the diner, Justin’s never held a job in his life. He kept quiet waiting to see what was happening. Debbie stopped in front of two young women and a sleeping baby. “This is Melanie Marcus and Lindsay Peterson and their son Gus.” “It’s nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Taylor.” Lindsay said in her quiet voice. “Justin has been like a younger brother to us both. He’s been such a help with Gus, right from the night he was born. He has a real affinity with small children.” “That’s right Mr. and Mrs. Taylor” Melanie said. “Justin has been a lifesaver on more than one occasion, he seems to know when Gus is fussing for a real reason or just being his father’s son.” She laughed. “And he has one hell of a lot of talent as an artist. I bet you were proud of the reviews he received in Shout magazine after the art exhibit at the GLC.” Jennifer and Craig were more confused than ever. These people seemed to be talking about someone else, not their son, but they nodded their appreciation and smiled like only years of training and breeding can do. Debbie continued around the room. “Ted Schmidt, Jennifer and Craig Taylor.” “Good to meet you” Ted began. “Your kid is a great kid. You must be proud of him. He actually has almost enough money in his money market account for his first semester at PIFA in the fall, those tips he gets really add up. He said he didn’t want you two to have to pay his whole way. You have to commend that in a young person.” “This is my son Michael and his friend Emmett.” Michael was sitting there with his arm around a tearful Emmett. Michael clutched a blood stained white silk scarf and it was only then that the two adults realized that it was their son’s blood on the scarf. “The kid didn’t deserve this kind of shit.” Michael began. “I mean for fucks sake, it was bad enough he had the shit kicked out of him for the entire school year and nothing was done about it. But just because he danced with his friend at his Prom, for this he deserves to be hit in the head with a baseball bat. I mean, Emmett and Justin are friends; they weren’t screwing on the dance floor. Homophobic pricks, the whole damn school he goes to is full of nothing but homophobic pricks.” Craig Taylor’s face was bright red. “Justin went to the Prom with his friend Daphne.” He looked around for her. “Daphne’s in the bathroom. She’ll be back in a minute.” Debbie volunteered. “Of course he went with Daphne. There was no fucking way Justin would have been able to bring Emmett as his date. Jesus Christ on a stick, look what happened when he danced one dance with him. That son of a bitch bashed his head in.” Debbie stood there, her hand on her hips looking outraged. “My son is no faggot.” Craig said. His jaw hurt, it was clenched so tight. He could barely say the words. “Honey, your son is as queer as a three dollar bill. You should be damn proud of him that he has the balls to stand up to the world and show his true colors.” Debbie’s voice was matter of fact. Craig looked at Jennifer. She smiled at him sadly. “I’ve known for a long time Craig. But Justin didn’t feel he could share that part of himself with us, so I’ve never said anything.” Daphne had walked into the room and Craig turned to her. “Daphne, tell these people they’re wrong. You and Justin, you’re a couple; you’ve been going steady for years.” “Justin and I have been best friends since grade school Mr. Taylor. He’s always liked boys, we’re friends, we’ll always be friends, nothing more.” She sighed. “Justin and I went to the Prom together as friends. He really wanted to take Emmett but we both figured it wouldn’t be a good thing, so Emmett came for only one dance.” “MY SON IS NOT A FUCKING GOD DAMNED FAGGOT!” Craig roared. He looked around at the people sitting in the room. Their faces reflected a combination of disgust and sadness when they looked at him. “YOU DID THIS, YOU” he pointed to Emmett, who cringed closer to Michael. “YOU TURNED HIM INTO SOME PANSY ASSED ABOMINATION.” “Craig, please, keep your voice down.” Jennifer said, her hand on his arm. He whirled around and glared at her. “It’s your fault. You encouraged him to draw those stupid pictures; you refused to let him join the foot ball team when I TOLD you it would make him a man.” He glared at the rest of them. “If this is what you’ve made him, then you can keep him. He obviously doesn’t give a damn about his family and what’s right and wrong.” He began to storm out of the room. “Craig, where are you going?” Jennifer demanded. “Our son needs us.” “I – don’t – have – a – son.” Craig Taylor spit out carefully. “I’m going home to my daughter. She shouldn’t have to be with a neighbor. I’ll bring the car around to the entrance, be there.” “I’m staying here Craig. You tell Molly I’ll be home when I can.” She looked at him defiantly. “Justin is my son too Craig. He’ll always be my son. NOTHING will change that.” He shot her a look of pure hatred and stormed out of the room. Everyone sat there as silent witnesses to what had happened. None of them sure what they should do. Finally Debbie put her arm around Jennifer. “You come and sit down honey. It’ll be alright, I’m sure your husband will come around, he needs some time.” Jennifer sat down and Debbie sat beside her. “Let me tell you all about PFLAG” she began. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Brian paced around his office; he’d been feeling uneasy all night. When he finally realized that he wouldn’t sleep, despite listening to Dedication Daniel whose velvet voice had only ended up giving him a raging hard on, he drove over to his office and began to sort through a few things for the latest client. He was pleased that the latest quarterly reports actually had shown an increase in revenue over that of the Pittsburgh office, he grinned to himself every time he thought of it. He checked his watch. It was still early but Lindsay and Melanie should be awake. Gus would see to that. He lounged on his office sofa staring out the windows at the buildings that surrounded his downtown office. “Hey, Melanie” he began, “How’s my kid?” “He’s doing great Brian. He plays with that jungle gym thingy you sent. You trying to turn our kid into a jock?” she teased. “He needs all the help he can get living with the two of you.” Brian answered. Their banter had become more teasing and less hurtful since he’d moved to LA, he often wondered why. “I thought I might talk to Linds if that’s ok.” “She’s sleeping; we had a rough night last night.” Melanie sighed. “It’s not going to get better anytime soon. I was just drawing up a schedule for all of us.” “A schedule? What’s up?” “Oh, sorry Brian, I’m a little foggy right now.” Melanie apologized. “It’s our little surrogate brother, Justin Taylor. I know we’ve mentioned him.” She laughed remembering the phone episode a few weeks ago. “What’s up with the little shit – some one take away his phone privileges?” “He was bashed last night.” “WHAT?” “Yeah, he took his friend Daphne to the Prom, but it seems that he and Emmett and the other guys had some kind of plan that Emmett would show up near the end and dance some ridiculously romantic dance with him before fading into the night.” “He’s Emmett’s boyfriend?” “No, no, he’s just a friend, the same way he’s friends with Ted and Michael.” She sighed “It was a ‘fuck you’ prank for his school year; he’s been kicked and punched around the whole year, ever since he came out. It’s been one thing after another. I tell you Brian this kid is a fighter, anyone else would have given in a long time ago. But not Justin, he’d come here or to Michael and Emmett, get himself together and back he’d go. Just another Road Runner cartoon, that’s what he’d tell us.” Brian heard Melanie choked back a sob. It shocked him; Melanie wasn’t one to become emotional. “Mel, what happened?” His mouth was dry, he was almost sure he knew. He began to shake as he listened, memories of the past flooding over him. “Brian,” she started to cry “one of the boys, who have been harassing him during the semester, took a fucking baseball bat to him and hit him in the head.” She was out and out crying now. “He’s in a coma, and last night, at the hospital, his father, who by the way he adored, said he didn’t have a faggot son and left, walked out of the hospital.” Brian heard her crying and trying to pull herself together. “I’m making up a schedule so we can all take turns sitting with him. He looks so small and helpless in the hospital bed, so alone. His mother has another child; she can’t stay there twenty four hours a day, so we all agreed to take shifts. It’s the least we can do; he’s been so good to all of us.” Brian and Melanie talked for a few more minutes, though for the life of him Brian couldn’t remember what they said. All he could remember was his last year of University when the never ending harassment about his sexuality had come to a head and his homophobic soccer player team mates beat the crap out of him, breaking his leg in three places, effectively ending any idea he had of finishing the season. He remembered the trauma and fear as he lay in the hospital bed, away from his family and friends. In fact he’d refused to have the authorities contact his parents or any one else. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" “Brian, you have a visitor.” The young nurse looked at him with sympathy in her eyes. The handsome soccer player was one of their favorites on the busy ward. He rarely asked for anything, but when he did, his smile was to die for and he always thanked them. She’d heard a rumor that he was gay. It was a shame for all womanhood if he was. Brian turned his head to see the Dean walk into the ward along with his secretary. “It must be something official” he thought. The guy needs a witness. “Brian, I understand your leg has put you out of commission for the rest of the season.” The Dean began. He was never one to waste time on pleasantries. “So they say.” “I overlooked the injuries you incurred over the past three years, but I’m afraid the severity of this one has jeopardized the scholarship the University has granted you. Your tuition will be covered for the balance of this term, but for the next two you will have to cover it yourself.” He looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry, but that’s what the board feels. The money could be used to pay someone who isn’t prone to fighting, someone who is more shall we say, responsible.” Brian looked at him for a few moments, saying nothing. “I expect not only will my tuition be covered from this point on until I graduate, but that ALL my expenses will be covered as I am not able to work for the next few months.” The Dean began to splutter. “You relay this information to the Board and while you’re at it tell them that I have eye witness proof that I have been subjected to homophobic harassment from the day I first arrived. This” he indicated his leg, “was just the culmination of an already shitty three years as part of your University. My eye witness along with my lawyer will sue you and the University for far more than what it will cost you now, not to mention the publicity that will ensue. As an advertising major, I do know all about publicity.” He looked the Dean in the eye and then turned his head and shut his eyes, dismissing the outraged man. One phone call from Vic Grassi posing as a New York lawyer was all it took for the University to give in to his demands. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In the three months he was confined to bed, with nothing to do but study and listen to the radio he’d become something of a radio program aficionado. He was unable to sleep through the night and had begun to listen to Dream Weaver a program for those who wanted to dedicate a song to someone they cared for, or loved or lost. Lots of time the people who called in were pretty pathetic, but there was the occasional person who’s ‘story’ and then dedication was kind of sweet and nice. Even though he’d deny ever thinking that should he be asked. He used to make up ‘friends’ and call in dedications to himself lying in the hospital. It was nice to think someone cared enough to think of him and dedicate a song. Brian laughed now at how pathetic he was then. Stuck in the hospital, only his school books and a radio that one of the nurses had lent him. He couldn’t afford anything else and he hadn’t told anyone other than Vic what had happened. It was almost as if he was ashamed to be in the position of needing help. Like it was his fault that these assholes had felt threatened enough to beat him up. Even after all these years he still had some guilt feelings. He picked up the telephone and called Liberty Air. He was heading to Pittsburgh. He needed to see his son and maybe he would stop in and see the kid everyone was so enamored with. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Lindsay, her face flushed from housework, answered the ringing doorbell. “Brian.” She exclaimed. “What are you doing here?” “Can I come in?” he asked. “I had a meeting here with Marty, so thought I’d stay a day or so, see my kid. In fact,” he added as an afterthought. “I can take over the night shift with your little super twink. I don’t sleep much anyway and I can use the time to read..” “But Brian, you don’t even know him.” Lindsay said. “I’ve talked to him on the phone.” Brian said and grinned. “And I’ve heard more than I want to know about him from you and Mel, not to mention the three musketeers. Don’t worry about it Linds. It’ll do me good.” He picked up Gus from his child seat on the floor. “Hey Gus, should daddy be nice and go sit with your favorite baby sitter?” Gus grinned at him, pleased to see his father. “That would be wonderful Brian. Melanie was going to do the night shift for tonight and the next two nights. It will be nice having her home.” “I won’t promise three nights, I have to see how much Marty expects from me this trip. But I’ll do tonight and the next one.” He looked at her. “How long is he expected to be in a coma?” “We don’t know. There was some swelling and a bit of damage. They’re afraid it’s going to affect some of his motor skills. I think this is just the way his body is allowing him to heal. When he’s ready he’ll wake up.” “You could be right.” Brian held his son carefully, looking at him with his eyes filled with love. “Justin’s father, has he come around yet?” “No, and Jennifer says he’s been a complete asshole. He had all of Justin’s things packed and he put them out for the trash. Molly, who’s only eight years old, had the presence of mind to drag the boxes to their garage as soon as he went to bed. Ted and Michael picked them up and put them in our garage for now.” She looked at Brian. “I can’t imagine you doing something like that to your son. What kind of father treats his kid that way?” “The asshole kind. Looks like your Justin has something in common with me. We both lost out in the dear old dad department. “But that won’t happen to Sonny Boy, will it?” he asked the baby. “Cause you can depend on your dad no matter what.” He kissed him on the forehead and ran his finger down the small nose, making him smile and coo a baby laugh. “You look beat Linds. I’ll take Gus for a walk while you have a nap.” Brian offered. “Brian, you want to take him for a walk?” Lindsay was surprised. “You might have to change his diaper or even feed him if you’re gone to long.” “How hard can it be eh Sonny Boy? Mommy can give me a crash course on the diaper thing and we’ve already had a feeding lesson the night you were born. I bet you’re a lot better at it now.” He looked at Lindsay. “I’m not in town long Lindsay, I’d really like to spend some time with my son. If I have a problem, I’ll call. I’ll walk him to the diner. He can lunch with the boys.” “He’s still too little for the stroller Brian. We usually take him in this sling.” Lindsay held out a strange looking piece of heavy material. “Babies this small feel more comfortable held close.” Brian eyed it up; he wondered just what he’d got himself into. “Why don’t we pack him good in the stroller and I’ll take the sling just in case.” He bargained. “That could work I suppose.” Lindsay agreed. Soon she was standing in her doorway watching her son and his father disappear down the street. Brian handsome as ever in black jeans and leather jacket, chatting away to Gus, who sat facing him in his large stroller, Gus appeared to be listening carefully to everything his father was telling him. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" “Brian,” Debbie exclaimed as she hurried over to him. Brian looked up and smiled at her, he was backing in the diner door, pulling the stroller in with him. “Hey Deb, I brought someone to see you.” Gus looked up at her, his eyes round with wonder at the adventure he was having. “Gus, you brought Gus” she squealed and Gus’ lip went out and began to quiver, his eyes filled with tears and he looked up at Brian, betrayed. Brian scooped him out of his stroller and held him close. “Don’t worry Gus, she won’t bite. Come and see Uncle Mikey and Auntie Em and good old Ted. The three had been watching the antics from their booth. Brian pushed the stroller over to them and carried his son. “Hey guys, the Kinney men have come to join you for lunch.” “Geeze Brian, you never said you were coming back.” Michael began. “Don’t get all excited Mikey, I’m only here for a couple of days. Debbie held our her arms for Gus and Brian handed him over reluctantly. This time she was less exuberant and Gus didn’t seem to mind. “So tell me boys, who’s wonderful idea was it to all show up at Justin’s Prom. And Emmett, I wasn’t expecting to hear that you were actually dancing with him.” “Brian it was beautiful. The room was full of balloons and the kids were all dressed up. It was just like I imagined it would be. They played this romantic song, Justin had bribed the DJ and we waltzed, it was magic.” He sighed and then looked sad. “And then it was Hazelhurst times ten and that asshole had to hurt my beautiful golden boy.” When he looked up from where he’d been staring his eyes were full of tears. “I’m never going to forgive myself.” Brian looked at Michael. “I understand that because of you, Justin is only in a coma and not dead.” Michael looked down at his hands. “We should have made him stay inside. He didn’t have to come to the car.” “Has your friend ever listened to you boys? He sounds pretty head strong to me.” “He listens” Michael said. “Emmett is always telling him things about being queer, who to go with and who to stay away from.” “He listened to me. I told him he needed to get a job and start saving for PIFA if that’s what he wanted to do. That way when his father freaked about Dartmouth, he’d have some front money to get started.” Ted looked proud of himself. “The kid is doing not bad. He brings in some good tip money here and he hardly ever drops things on people anymore.” “His father wants him to go to Dartmouth?” Brian asked. “I guess it’s a family thing.” Michael began. “The kid got 1500 on his SAT’s and was accepted everywhere he applied. Dartmouth was even offering him some kind of scholarship. But he wants to draw pictures. I mean how queer can you get. So he decided he’d go to some kind of art school here in the Pitts.” “Michael, I’ll have you know that PIFA is not ‘some kind of art school’, you have to have a lot of talent and ability to go there. Very few are even considered let alone accepted. Justin was accepted right away, that’s the kind of talent we’re talking here.” Emmett looked at his friend indignantly. “Well it won’t do him much good. I heard Jennifer telling Mom that he probably will lose his ability to draw if he ever gets out of the coma.” Michael looked around at them all. “I mean it was just a fucking dance. This is so unfair. If he’d wanted to dance we could have taken him to Babylon.” “It was his Prom Michael, it’s different and I think he was doing it because I didn’t go to my Prom. He was doing it for me.” Emmett dissolved in tears once again. Soon Gus joined him. Debbie handed him back to Brian. “Can you do something Brian, he won’t stop.” “Hey Sonny Boy, what’s the problem?” Gus looked at his father, his eyes filled with tears, but he stopped crying. Brian felt him. “You have sprung a leak kid, let’s get you tidied up and maybe have a bite of lunch. Mommy packed you a nice yummy bottle full of breast milk.” He looked at the others and grinned as they all made faces. “Hey Deb, Gus has a bathroom emergency, where can I change him?” “Brian, I don’t know, this isn’t exactly the kind of thing that comes up here all that often.” “Deb, better think fast, we need some privacy here, don’t we Gus. Of course, Gus being his father’s son, really won’t mind exposing his ass on the table.” He started to lay him down. “Back here Brian, use the staff room.” Deb said in a hurry. Ted and Michael were looking kind of ill and Emmett started to smile. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" “Hey Mel, sorry I’m late.” Brian smiled at the young lawyer who was sitting by Justin’s bed, a heavy law book on her lap. He looked down. “You’ve been reading him stuff out of this?” he asked. “They said reading stimulates the brain, he can hear things possibly, but we can’t tell. So I needed to read up on this case, so why not read it aloud.” “Sounds reasonable, but I think boring him to death is kind of mean.” Brian teased. “You go home and play house with Lindsay and Gus. Tomorrow night I’ll be on time. It was hard breaking away from the boys tonight. I finally had to fake a headache like a girl.” Melanie smiled at him. “You’ll never change Brian, tough guy on the outside, but marshmallow crème on the inside. I’m glad I found out before I let my feelings color our relationship.” Brian actually flushed “Don’t spread it around Mel.” She watched him open up a large duffel bag he carried and take out an expensive looking radio and a set of head phones. “What are you doing Brian?” “It’s for the kid. I cleared it with his doctor and his mother, so don’t worry. He needs to hear things besides hospital sounds and law cases. He can listen to the radio, to different talk shows, and music. The head phones are so he doesn’t disturb anyone else.” She looked at him dubiously, “Are you sure?” “Yes, it isn’t supposed to be on every minute, but for times when the hospital is quiet, like this, it won’t hurt. Besides Dedication Daniel’s show is on from two to four am, it’s kind of interesting. He might like it.” “Shit I haven’t heard that one since University. I used to listen to it when I studied late.” “Me too.” Brian admitted. He held the door open for her and she left the room, leaving him alone to look carefully at the young man in the bed. It was the first time he’d really ‘looked’ at him. He almost felt guilty, being here, watching him, a stranger spending time when Justin was most vulnerable and unable to protect himself with the façade that everyone wears in their everyday life. Unlike the hospital coma patient scenes of television, reality more than sucked. There weren’t many parts of the blonde that weren’t attached to something that beeped, or wheezed or dripped or sucked. It was like something from some kind of nightmare. To add insult to injury, his head had been partially shaved and a thick gauze bandage covered part of it, with dribbles of yellow ochre from the disinfectant they had used, escaping from the white bandage. Brian left the room and found a nurse. “Can I have a cloth; I’d like to clean off some of the yellow shit he has on his face. I’ll be gentle with him.” Brian smiled at her. He knew from past experience that getting the nurses on your side was worth more than anyone could fathom. “Sure, I’m sorry, but we just haven’t had time.” “Hey, you have enough to do. This is just a thing with me, you know, I like everything clean and neat and tidy.” He laughed softly and used all of his Kinney charm. “I sure hope you don’t mind.” “I appreciate anything you can do.” She found Brian a cloth and a towel. “Do you think he needs to be shaved?” she asked. Brian laughed again, “Not for about ten more years would be my guess. There are some advantages to being blonde.” He rubbed his hand over his face, already thick with reddish stubble. The nurse blushed when her hand brushed against Brian’s. “I’ll check in on you later.” She said as Brian walked away. Brian filled a small basin with warm water and put it on the stand by Justin’s bed. He gently wiped away the yellow on his face, and then gave him a sponge bath, drying him carefully. There had been no change while he did this, it was like bathing a large doll, but he chatted softly all the while. Telling Justin what he was doing and why. He talked about Gus and how pleased he’d been to receive his birthday present. He told him that he had the picture in his office because that’s where he spent most of his time and he liked to be reminded of the night Gus was born. When he was finished, he found the radio station that carried the syndicated call in show. He adjusted the sound so that it was just loud enough for Justin to hear it. He placed the headphones on the pillow, not actually on Justin’s ears, but rather close by. Making sure that everything was straightened away, it was only then that he sat in the easy chair that had been placed in the corner of the room. He took out some files and began to work; glancing up every now and then to make sure that Justin was still as he had left him. Morning dawned and Brian put away his files. He stood and stretched then moved over to the blonde. He looked so pale and fragile; Brian couldn’t imagine that he was the same one who had stood up to him on the telephone. He noticed then that Justin’s right hand was twisted into a lopsided fist. He picked it up and tried to straighten it, the muscles seemed to be clenched tight. He was massaging the hand and wrist when a doctor walked in. “Good, I’m glad to see someone has taken my advice and is working the muscles in that hand.” He nodded his approval to Brian. “You know, doing that one little thing, could make all the difference in the world to this boy when he wakes up. He’ll thank you for it someday.” He checked Justin over, looked at the monitors and made a few scrawls on a file in a clipboard he carried. “Doctor, his hand, can you tell me about it?” Brian asked. “It’s like I told his mother, the motor skills on that side of his body have been affected by the blow to the head. We could see it right away in his hand, it began to curl. I’m having a special splint made up that will keep it pretty straight, but a course of massage therapy, even while he’s in this coma, well it only makes sense. I understand this boy is an artist. It would be sad if he lost the ability to draw.” “So he’ll be alright?” “If he fights hard enough and wants it badly enough, I don’t see why not. But it will be a tough fight; he’ll need all of his family and friends to stand behind him. And I expect there will be Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, there usually is. He’ll need to see someone about that.” The doctor checked his watch. “Keep up the exercises though, it can’t hurt, and he will benefit from them. We don’t know how long he’ll be in this state, could be hours or days.” He smiled and left the room. Brian looked at Justin. “Well Sonny Boy, my guess is that you’re a fighter. But we’ll see what we can do for a cheering squad.” He pulled up a chair beside the bed and continued to massage Justin’s hand and wrist while he waited for Jennifer Taylor to arrive. “Oh,” the startled voice of Jennifer Taylor reached his ears. Brian carefully placed Justin’s hand back on the bed, pleased to see that it wasn’t as curled as before. He stood up and smiled at her. “Hi, you must be Justin’s mother. I’m Brian Kinney, Gus’ daddy. I had the night shift. I’m in town for a few days and thought I’d give Melanie a few nights off.” “Yes, Brian, you called about the radio.” Jennifer said. “It’s over there.” He pointed. “I was just massaging his hand. The doctor said it might be helpful.” “He did mention that, I just never.--- her voice trailed off. “You have enough to worry about right now. Why don’t you have a seat. I’ll go get you a coffee before I leave.” Brian smiled reassuringly and disappeared out the door. It wasn’t long before he was back with a small tray and a carafe of coffee, a mug, sugar and real cream. It did pay to be nice to the nursing staff he thought. “Thank you Brian. This is so unexpected. I never knew Justin had so many people who cared about him.” She looked sad, thinking of her own husband and how he couldn’t be bothered to even ask after his son. “I’ll be back tonight” Brian said. “If you need me, I have a room at the Plaza.” “Oh, I thought you would stay with one of your friends.” “No, I like my peace and quiet, if you’ve met them all you’ll know why I’m going to stay at the Plaza.” He laughed quietly as he left the room. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" When Brian left, he went over to the Ryder Agency. With the time difference he was able to work with Cynthia via the internet and the phone until noon, when exhaustion took over and he headed to the hotel to crash until almost ten in the evening. He was sorry he’d missed Gus, tomorrow he’d head for the muncher’s when he left the hospital. Grabbing a late supper of take out from the Thai Restaurant near the hospital, he had barely enough time to get there by midnight. He didn’t want to be late. He was taking over from Debbie. He took the time to pick up the nursing staff some lattes from Starbucks. He wanted to be assured of an accurate report on the kid. This was one way of getting it. “Hey Deb, he said quietly. She had been sitting in the chair knitting something bright pink. “Hi Brian,” she looked at Justin. “Look at him, he’s so fragile looking. You can almost see through his skin it’s so pale.” She shook her head. “Such a shame.” Brian took her by the arm and steered her out the door. “Deb, he doesn’t need to hear that kind of shit. You have to stay positive when you’re in there.” “Brian, the kid is unconscious.” Deb didn’t like to be chastised. “Debbie, he can hear things. We don’t know what or how much, but he needs to always think positively. He needs to fight to come into this fucked up world.” Debbie smiled at Brian. “So, he got to you already did he? Imagine that and he wasn’t even awake.” She reached up and kissed Brian’s cheek ending it with her characteristic pat on the side of his face. “I should have warned you about blondes’ honey. They’ll get you every time.” Laughing she walked to the elevators, leaving Brian watching her and shaking his head. She was partly right. Justin Taylor did have something about him that even unconscious, made Brian aware of him and not as his son’s baby sitter. He turned and moved into the room. A few minutes later one of the nurses came in with a basin and a towel and cloth, “We thought you might like to do the honors again tonight Mr. Kinney.” Brian took everything from her. “What, you want latte’s and you want me to work.” He shook his head, smiling to indicate he was teasing her. “I suppose I can hose him down, at least he doesn’t put up much of a fuss.” “No, he’s a little too quiet. I bet he’s a real heartbreaker once he wakes up.” She smiled at Justin, checking his blood pressure and temperature. “I can get you some soap” she said. “No need, tonight I came supplied.” Brian pulled out a toiletries case of fine black leather. He opened it up to show her the French milled soap among other things. “He’s a lucky boy, to have someone like you care about him.” The nurse smiled up at Brian and then left the room quietly. “Hear you had a so-so day Sunny Boy.” Brian began as he prepared the basin for Justin’s sponge bath. “That wasn’t so nice, your little ‘time out’ with the old ticker. You have to try a little harder tomorrow, no more of these code blue calls. It’s too hard on everyone’s nerves. Now let’s give you a bath. This is more than not kinky, who would have guessed. I suppose I like my dates to at least be conscious. Imagine, Brian Kinney dating someone twice, two nights in a row and spending the night no less. He washed him all over, turning him and holding him gently as he washed his back, carefully drying it then adding a delicate powder that smelt faintly of lavender. “I know this isn’t a manly man smell we have happening here, but I read somewhere that lavender is relaxing. Not that you need to relax much more, but I think after today, a little lavender can’t hurt. This time when he was finished bathing Justin, he adjusted the head phones and making sure that the volume was just right, he pulled up a chair beside the bed and began to massage his hand and wrist. “One hour of this Sonny Boy and I’ll leave you to listen to the radio. We’ll do another hour in the morning.” """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Brian stopped in at Melanie and Lindsay’s place after leaving Justin in his mother’s care at the hospital. “Good morning ladies and you too Sonny Boy.” Brian kissed the soft cheek of his son. “I thought I’d stop in for a quick visit before I head to the office.” “Brian, it’s so nice to see you. Melanie and I were just talking about how good you are to take the night shift with Justin. Is he ok? I know yesterday Ted had quite the scare.” “He’s the same as always.” He poured himself a cup of coffee. “I have to stay a few more days; I’ll keep up the night shift. With the time difference and everything, I get a lot done and I’m sure Cynthia appreciates me working ‘her’ hours and not mine.” “Ha, he got to you didn’t he.” Melanie declared. She gave Lindsay a quick kiss and headed out the door. “Keep your hands off him Brian, he’s too young for you.” She smiled to take the sting out of her words, something that wouldn’t have happened before Gus was born. “Your mommy has a sick mind Gus. We should give her a ‘time out’” Brian laughed at the look on Gus’ face as he listened to his father. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Brian stayed for almost two weeks before he received the phone call from the duty nurse on Justin’s floor. “Mr. Kinney, you wanted me call you. Justin is coming out of the coma. He should be completely out later today. Will you be here at your usual time?” “Sorry Marie, but I’m leaving for LA on the next flight. I’m glad you called.” Brian checked his watch. He should have enough time to get to the airport and buy a ticket. Justin would be fine now with his family and friends around him. “If he’s out of it then he’ll be starting physio right away?” he asked. “Yes, his days will be pretty full. Do you still want me to tell him to listen to the Dedication Daniel?” “If you would Marie, I’d appreciate it. I know it’s a late show, so if he’s sleeping don’t disturb him, but I remember my stay in a hospital, I did my best sleeping in the evenings.” “If he’s awake, I’ll see that he listens.” She hesitated. “Mr. Kinney, we’re all going to miss you. Are you sure you don’t want any mention to Justin of what you’ve been doing. His hand is so improved already.” “You’ll miss my Starbucks lattes” Brian laughed. “Thanks for everything Marie.” Brian hung up and then began a series of phone calls to arrange for his trip back to LA. He called Cynthia to make sure his apartment would be aired out and ready for him, and Lindsay to say goodbye to Gus. She said she’d tell the rest of the gang. Brian didn’t mention he knew about Justin coming out of the coma. He’d rather they all thought he didn’t care about the blonde. He gathered his hastily packed suitcase and headed for the elevator. The problem was, he was beginning to care far too much. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Justin adjusted the head phones. The radio and headphones would be great. He stared out into the semi dark room, his head ached, but it was an ache he was beginning to get used to. He couldn’t remember much about what had happened but maybe with time. He was so weak, it was ridiculous. His hand brushed against his pillow and the scent of lavender drifted up. It was a familiar scent, but then again not. The music he was listening too was soothing, a romantic love ballad. How gay was he, listening to this, but he didn’t bother to reach over to switch stations. The theme song began another chorus. Each night before you go to bed my baby Whisper a little prayer for me my baby And tell all the stars above This is dedicated to the one I love. You are listening to WKLA the easy listening station for all of you out there. Where we play the tunes that say the words that are sometimes impossible for some of us to utter when looking deep into your eyes. I’m Dedication Daniel, your host for the next two hours, we’ll laugh a little and cry a little as those of you out there send in your dedications. Justin smiled as the smooth and silky voice invaded his space. It was a voice made for romance and he wondered if old DD was gay. The familiar patter went on, he wasn’t sure why it sounded comforting and familiar, but somehow it did. He felt himself relax against his pillows for the first time since everyone had left, unconsciously he began to massage his right hand, working out the kinks. When he heard his name, it didn’t actually register at first. ‘Now usually boys and girls, you call in your dedications and we’re glad you do. I’m sure you get tired of listening to me. But this is for someone who is a personal friend of mine. He’s a long time listener and I’m sure if you heard his voice, you’d recognize him; he’s called in before over the years. But this time, I think he has another agenda, and he’s not telling us, oh no could the man have finally fallen, or is that the romantic in me and all of you listening. So Justin, wherever you are and whoever you’re with, this is for you baby from your Mystery Man who says he keeps you in his thoughts all day long. A little number sung by Joe Nichols on his album Man With a Memory, he calls this one The Impossible – not all that romantic Mystery Man, but I suppose you have to start somewhere. So Justin, this is for you Justin listened to the words, but the ones that stuck solidly in his mind were from the chorus. Unsinkable ships sink Unbreakable walls break Sometimes the things you think could never happen Happens just like that Unbendable steel bends If the fury of the wind is unstoppable I’ve learned to never underestimate The impossible So don’t tell me that it’s over Don’t give up on you and me ‘Cos there’s no such thing as hopeless If you believe. Well, folks, you heard the words, the Mystery Man is telling his Justin, that nothing is impossible. You know folks I believe him. You hang in there Justin, and remember the song. Justin pulled the head phones off. Was he ‘Justin’ that this Mystery Man dedicated the song to? His hand went up to his head where he touched the bulky pad of bandage. He looked at his right hand, starting to twist again. Would he ever be able to draw again? Would he be able to attend PIFA or would they demand he leave because he couldn’t hold a pencil? A tear ran down his cheek. The words from the chorus of the song sounded tinny from the head phones around his neck. Old DD must be replaying it, Justin thought and he shut his eyes falling into a troubled sleep with the black velvet of the disc jockey’s voice washing over him.