Misty Moonlight 10

Brian and Michael’s eyes followed Lindsay and Melanie as the two of them walked out the diner’s door. Neither of them said a word, they were both in shock after having listened to Lindsay’s tirade.

“Brian, you know I love you like a son.” Debbie began as she pushed into the booth beside Michael and looked at Brian. “But Gus has a right to know his mother.”

“Well where the fuck was she when he was barely an hour old and she signed the papers giving me full custody? Apparently she didn’t feel he needed to get to know her then.” Brian’s voice was bitter and Debbie could see the fear reflected in his eyes.

“Brian, she doesn’t want to take Gus away from you. She only wants to get to know him. Every mother should get to know her their children. It’s her right as a mother.”

“She gave up her fucking rights more than eight years ago.” Brian stood up and threw some money on the table. “Happy fucking birthday to me.” His voice was bitter. He turned his back and walked out of the diner.

“Michael, you should go after him and talk.” Debbie began.

“Why Ma, what would I say?” Michael glared at his mother. “I know he’s right. I don’t think she has any right to see Gus, not now and not ever.”

“She’s his mother.” Debbie looked at her son. “She has rights.”

“She gave up those rights a long time ago.” Michael stirred his cold cup of coffee and looked into the depths of the cup as if he’d see some truths hidden there.

Brian had left his jeep parked in front of the diner. He walked without seeing as he thought about Lindsay and the fact that she’d suddenly surfaced. He’d been expecting this to happen every day since he’d arrived in Pittsburgh. Brian had tried to prepare himself for this confrontation, but he knew now that he’d failed miserably. Exhausted both emotionally and physically, he turned back toward home.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Brian didn’t say a word about Lindsay’s appearance to anyone, but beginning the next day he began to drive Gus to school and he always made sure he was available when it was time to pick the boy up. Two weeks passed by without comment from anyone until one day. “Daddy, why are you driving me all the time?” Gus asked.

“Emmett is busy with his new business.” Brian answered somewhat truthfully, though Emmett always had time for Gus.

“Auntie Em says he could do it.” Gus said and he looked at his father closely. “Tell me the truth Daddy.”

Brian sighed. He knew that he would have to tell Gus eventually, it was only a matter of time before Lindsay would once again appear. Instead of driving to the loft he turned and headed toward the river. Finding a secluded spot he parked the jeep and stared fixedly at the slow moving water until finally he sighed and began. “Gus, you remember what I’ve told you about your mother?”

“Yes, she wasn’t able to handle having a kid so she let you have me all to yourself.”

“Well, I saw her the other day.”

“You did? Is she alright? What does she look like? Does she look like me? Does she want to see me?” Gus’ voice was excited.

“She looks the same as ever” Brian admitted, “But you look more like me than like Linds.”

“Does she want to see me?” Gus asked, quietly afraid of what Brian’s answer might be.

“Yes she does.” Brian admitted.

“Cool beans” Gus said using his favorite words from when he was younger.

“Gus I don’t want you to be disappointed. Lindsay could be here today and gone tomorrow, that’s why I didn’t say anything.”

“Daddy, I know what she’s like. I talked about it with Grandpa Marc and Auntie Em. But I’d really like to see her. The other kids have mothers even if some of them don’t live with them. They still have them. I want to know mine too.”

“When we get home, you can phone her. Maybe invite her over to see your room.” Brian suggested.

“Could she stay for dinner?”

“Not this time Gus, maybe another time.” Brian sighed and started the car up again. Then he carefully drove home knowing that his life was once again changing.

Brian was quiet on the drive home. He let Gus chat about his anticipated meeting with his mother. He didn’t want to say anything lest the child realize how terrified he was of losing him. Already Brian could feel the walls he’d worked so hard to tear down begin to build again the closer they got to the loft. Protective walls to keep his heart from shattering into a million pieces when it was broken.

Gus ran into the building ahead of Brian and up the stairs, shouting for his Grandpa Marc to tell him the news. Brian followed along more slowly wanting to delay the inevitable as long as he could.

“Brian, how are you feeling about this?” Marc asked him as he handed his young friend a coffee. 

Brian sat down wearily at the kitchen table. “I’ve mixed emotions Marc. You know I’ve always dreaded this happening.”

“But Gus is older now. He’s almost nine and he won’t let her railroad him into anything.”

“We think of him as older Marc, but he’s really just a kid emotionally and he wants to meet his mother.”

“Daddy do you have my mother’s telephone number?” Gus asked when he came into the kitchen.

“Yes I do.” Brian took out his wallet. He’d been carrying the number around since Lindsay had left it with Cynthia at his office the week before.

“Gus why don’t you use my phone?” Marc proposed. 

“Okay Grandpa Marc. I’m sooooo excited.” Gus carefully dialed the number. “Can I speak with Lindsay Peterson?” he asked.

Brian thought he sounded so confident and grown up.

“Hello, this is Augustus Marcus Kinney, are you my mother?” he paused. “No, everyone calls me Gus.” He listened for a moment and then asked. “Why didn’t you want me when I was a baby?”

Brian’s head went up when Gus pointedly had asked the question. What ever Lindsay said must have satisfied Gus, at least temporarily. “Daddy said you could come over to our house and see me if you want to. I could show you my room.” He paused and listened. “No I don’t think so. I’m not going to your house until I know you. I don’t know you. If you want to visit me at my house that’s okay.” He was quiet. “Look Miss Peterson, I’m eight and half years old. You can’t make me go to your house. You aren’t my mother. You haven’t earned that right. Any female can have a kid. Mother’s are different.” He turned and handed the phone to Brian. “Daddy can you talk to her.” His voice quivered and he went to stand in the protection of his Grandpa Marcus’ arms.

“Linds, what did you say to Gus?” Brian all but barked into the phone.

“I just told him that he was coming to my place. I’m not going to his. He’s a child; he doesn’t have any say over what I want.”

“I guess you have a lot to learn Linds about being a mother. Gus has every right to make his first visit with you as comfortable as he can for himself. If that means you come to our place then that’s how it’s going to be.”

“We’ll see about that. I’ll have my lawyer contact you.” Lindsay hung up the phone.

Brian turned to Gus and Marc. “Well that went well.” He said with a grin to relieve the tension.

“Daddy, I’m sorry I called her.” Gus’ voice was small.

“Don’t ever be sorry Gus; you should know your mother. And maybe Lindsay just needs to learn how to be a mother.” Brian kissed the top of Gus’ head. “Give her some time, she’ll learn.” He mentally thought he’d like to drop kick her into the middle of next week but he continued to smile at his son. “Hey, isn’t this a Justin night?” Brian asked with a smile. “If you like, you can visit with him first.”

“Cool, can Fluffy come too?” Gus asked. “Justin really likes Fluffy.”

“Sure, the fluff meister can visit too.” Brian kissed Gus. “Now go on upstairs and see if Emmett has made some dinner. I think he promised he would tonight.”

Gus gave both Brian and Marc a kiss and then headed up to his loft to find Emmett. When the door closed behind him Marc asked. “So you and Gus still see this Justin?”

“Yes, we still see the figment of our wild Irish imaginations.” Brian said with a smile. “There are days when knowing that I’ll talk to the kid is all that keeps me sane.” Brian looked out into the great room, though his eyes were unseeing. “He’s only 15, yet Marc, he knows me inside and out. He knows the right things to say to make me feel good and better yet, he knows when to not say a word.”

“He sounds ideal.” Marc said. “Curtis was like that.”

“Still, he is only fifteen and he is only a figment of my imagination.” Brian quipped. It was a standing joke because no one other than Gus and Fluffy could see Justin. Brian was anxious to get upstairs, deal with dinner and see and talk to Justin as soon as he could. He really needed the grounding the boy gave him after this incident with Lindsay and Gus.

Brian left Marcus and headed up to his apartment. Gus and Emmett were chattering away in the kitchen. Fluffy was on top of the fridge watching the preparations for dinner. Brian headed to the bedroom and changed into his favorite jeans and a black wife beater. He was glad to be rid of his suit and especially his shoes and socks. He loved the cool feel of the hardwood floor under his feet.

Emmett served their dinner and then insisted that he had to leave. Brian and Gus began to eat under the watchful eye of the cat who had remained on top of the refrigerator. When the knock was heard at the door, Brian assumed it was Emmett returning for something he’d forgotten and he yelled “Come on in.” The heavy loft door slid open and Lindsay walked in with her friend Melanie.

“I told the young man downstairs that you were expecting us.” Lindsay said by way of explanation. She walked over to the table where Gus and Brian were sitting. “Hi, I’m your mother.” She said to Gus.

Gus looked at her and then at his father. “Hello Miss Peterson.” He said. “It isn’t polite to just come into someone’s house without telling them.”

“Brian told us to come in.”

“He wouldn’t have if he’d known it was you.” Gus answered.

“Certainly he would have.” Lindsay was indignant. “I’m your mother after all.”

“No, daddy would never let someone in my house that I didn’t want to see.” He looked at his father. “May I be excused Daddy? I have lots of home work.”

“Gus don’t you want to stay and talk to me?” Lindsay asked.

“No.” 

“Yes Gus, you can go to your room.” Brian answered. He stood up and began to clear the table. “Lindsay, you should know better than to just come over after your little tantrum on the telephone.”

“He’s my child; I have the right to see him. I’m his mother.”

“Yes you are. And Gus wanted to see you. In fact he’s wanted to see you for a number of years. You do remember that he’s eight, almost nine don’t you?”

“Of course I remember.”

“I’m not sure what you said to piss him off. But I think you’ll have to work a little harder at being the devoted mother. Right now he’s not too convinced.”

“Gus is a child. You tell a child what to do and they do it.” Lindsay said and she looked to her friend for agreement.

“Actually Linds, Gus appears to be an intelligent young man who certainly knows what he wants. I think you would get better results if you just tried to get to know him.” Melanie said and she reached over and took Lindsay’s hand in hers. 

“She’s right Lindsay. Gus has grown up living with adults. He’s been the only child and had plenty of adult’s around ever since he was born. He can’t be treated as some kind of preschooler.” Brian spoke of his son proudly.

Lindsay looked at Melanie and Brian. “What grade is he in now?” she asked finally.

“Actually, the school he attends doesn’t have grades. It’s based on the individual. Some of the children are working at a University level in some subjects.” Brian spoke softly. He wanted Lindsay to know how proud he was of Gus, but he didn’t want her to over react to his unorthodox schooling.

“What kind of a life is that for a little boy?” Lindsay demanded. 

“It’s my kind of life and I like it. I have lots of friends and we do stuff together and better yet(,) we understand one another.” Gus said from the doorway of his room. “You don’t even know me. You don’t know what kind of a kid I am. You aren’t the boss of me.” He turned and walked back into his room. Fluffy jumped down from the fridge startling everyone with the unexpected thud. He swished his tail and followed Gus.

“You have a cat?” Melanie asked.

“Apparently” Brian smirked. “Actually Gus has a cat.”

“I guess it’s nice for a child to have a pet.” Melanie said. “I always wanted a cat when I was a kid. My mother would never let me have one. She said they were dirty.”

“Well Fluffy has a tendency to leave his weight in fur around the loft, but that’s what dust mops and vacuums were invented for.” 

“You’ve done well for yourself.” Lindsay said as she looked around. “Do you own the loft?”

“Yes.” 

“That’s nice.” She stood up. “I guess we should be going. Can I say goodbye to Gus before I leave?”

“Go ahead.” Brian watched her walk slowly to Gus’ room and knock on the partially closed door.

“Gus, I’m going now. I’d like to come in and say goodbye.” She said.

“Come in.” Gus was sitting at his desk staring at the computer screen through the thick brush of Fluffy’s tail that hung down over the monitor.

“It’s kind of hard to see.” She said with a smile.

“Fluffy’s mad. He always turns his back on me when he’s mad.” Gus explained. “I was supposed to give him his kitty treats but I forgot to buy them on Saturday.” He pointed to the empty tin of kitty treats.

“He’s very handsome.” Lindsay said.

“Yes, he’s quite beautiful.” Gus agreed. “And he has the deepest purr in the whole world. It’s like singing.”

“Does he sleep with you?”

“Sometimes, but he really likes to sleep with daddy.”

“Why is that do you think?” she asked.

“Because daddy doesn’t like Fluffy sleeping with him, cats are like that.” Gus grinned.

Lindsay giggled. She sounded a lot like Gus did when he giggled. The two smiled at each other and in the flash of the smile, you could see something of his mother in Gus’ face though he did look remarkably like Brian.

“I’m sorry I was such a bad mother.” Lindsay said to her son. “I’d like to make up for it now if you’ll let me.”

“I’m not leaving my daddy.” Gus said.

“I’m not asking you to. I just want to get to know you better.”

“Why did you wait until now? I mean I’m almost nine.” Gus’ voice quivered, betraying his feelings despite the hardness of his demeanor.

“I was young when I found I was going to have you, and selfish and spoiled.” Lindsay admitted. “I did what I thought was best for me and that was to make your dad look after you. I was wrong.”

“It was good for me.” Gus looked at her. “Daddy is the best dad in the whole world. We do lots of stuff together and he really talks to me, you know not like some kid, but like it matters what I say.”

“Does he have a boyfriend?” Lindsay asked.

“Kind of,” Gus admitted. “But he won’t talk about him with you. They can’t be together right now.”

“Oh.” Lindsay wasn’t sure what Gus meant, but she dropped the subject. “Melanie is my girlfriend.” 

“That’s nice, she seems okay.” 

“Will you let me and Melanie take you out on Saturday?”

“Where, I’m too old to play in the park?”

“Where would you like to go?”

“Maybe the computer store at the big mall on the other side of the city, I’m looking for some software that I want to see in action before I buy it. They usually have everything they sell working on one of their computers.”

“A game you mean?” she asked.

“No, I don’t really play computer games. This has to do with some historical research I’m doing and has lots of probability tables built in.”

She laughed softly, “You are pretty smart for your age. Your father told me that.”

“That’s what they tell me.” Gus smiled at Fluffy who jumped down and walked across his keyboard. All had been forgiven and he wanted someone to scratch behind his ears.

Brian was almost asleep after seeing Lindsay and Melanie out and then talking to Gus. He had a glass of wine and let the emotions of the day drag him down into sleep. Just as he was drifting off, the last words of Antiqua began to run through his mind.

Six times six by fourteen – Life is often like a dream – Though passing through – Love touches you – Oft more times than are seen.

He sat up suddenly. It was a Justin night and he almost missed him. Not taking the time to put on his clothing, he grabbed a shirt and ran up the stairs to the roof. For some reason that’s where he’d been seeing Justin these days. He wondered if it had to do with the city lights or perhaps the fact that if the legend was true, someone was somehow making it harder for them to see each other. Because if they missed, then it was back to the beginning again.

“Hey” Justin said and his eyes widened. “You don’t have any pants on.” His smile of pleasure lit up the roof top.

“Don’t get any ideas Sonny Boy. I was just in a hurry.” Brian buttoned up his long dress shirt and his covered his groin area provocatively.

“I don’t mind, you didn’t have to button up your shirt.” Justin licked his red lips. “It’s not as if I haven’t seen a dick before.”

“Not mine you haven’t”

“Well I have now and let me tell you I’m impressed.” Justin grinned again. “Did you know that on my birthday I’m legal and I can get fucked?”

“Justin we’ve had this discussion, you’re too young.”

“How old were you?”

Brian didn’t answer the question. He had been younger than Justin when he’d first had sex, but he wasn’t about to tell Justin that.

“Well, I bet you were even younger than me.” Justin huffed a laugh and threw himself back on his bed. “I can’t be expected to wait until we’re together. That might never happen. My dick will fall off from lack of use.”

“Not likely to happen.” Brian laughed. “And no I don’t expect you to remain celibate. God knows if we’ll ever really be together or just have this lame ass kind of relationship that most people would lock us up for if they knew about it.”

“I went down to Liberty Ave with Daphne again.” Justin said. “I think I’m going to put some of my art in the next fundraiser at the Gay and Lesbian Center.”

“Look what happened the last time. I don’t think you should do it.”

“Aww, but I’m older and wiser, master.” Justin bowed. “I know how to disguise the handsome features of the wise one.”

“You are so full of shit.” Brian said with a laugh. Despite the time of year it was chilly up on the roof dressed only in his shirt and he shivered. “How is Daphne doing, you never said if she ended up with that swimmer.”

“She did, but he can’t compare to me so she dumped him.” Justin sighed. “I told her that we will like absolutely never be more than really good friends.” He looked at Brian. “How come women never listen?”

“It’s part of the woman thing.” Brian said. “Of course I’ve found blond twinks don’t listen either.”

“Some of us do.” Justin’s eyes sparkled. “Did you find another Justin Taylor yet?”

“I’m not looking.”

“You should. Maybe he’s an artist. Maybe he’s a lot like me.”

“One of you is enough.” Brian laughed. “Look, I’m going to cut this short. I’m cold. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay, later Brian.” Justin said. He pulled back his bed covers and crawled beneath them, his hand already on his hard dick. He loved his Brian fantasies. They were great to go to sleep to.

Brian had seen where Justin’s hand had traveled and he smiled to himself as he headed back to the loft. Fifteen was a great age.

Life settled into a different routine. Most weekends Lindsay would stop by and visit with Gus and once and awhile take him somewhere. He liked the time he spent with her but he was still wary and Brian really couldn’t blame him. Mother and son, along with her girlfriend Melanie, spent a great deal of time at the pool on the first floor and up at Marc’s apartment learning about the little family Brian had helped to create for Gus.

On the nights Brian could spend with Justin he couldn’t get over how much the young blond had matured. Now he could see that maybe there was a chance they might actually have some kind of a relationship, though the age difference still bothered Brian. Having a young son, Brian didn’t trick often and he never brought anyone home to the loft. He kept his activities to the back room at Babylon where he could forget about his responsibilities for a few hours. He noticed once that the men he was attracted to all were the complete opposite of Justin and he wondered why. That question would be one for the shrinks. Fall approached and Justin’s sixteen birthday loomed ahead. Brian knew that Justin planned on heading to Liberty Avenue that night and nothing he said could convince the boy otherwise.

He did look up the Justin Taylor in his reality. He was a student at Saint James Academy like his own Justin. But that was all he could discover without appearing to be some kind of pervert. But just in case this Justin had the same idea in his head about Liberty Ave, Brian resolved to be there on birthday night. He wasn’t going to have any of the two Justin’s hurt on that night if he could do anything about it.

On birthday night for Justin, there was no full moon so Brian had to trust that all his lectures to his Justin had been listened to and heeded. He nervously headed to Liberty Avenue to make sure the other Justin was okay should he decide to head there.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Brian’s Pittsburgh:

“Hey Brian.” Brian turned at the sound of his friend’s voice. 

“Hey Mikey” he said. He’d been walking down Liberty Avenue keeping his eyes peeled for a Justin look alike.

“I didn’t know you were coming down here tonight. Do you want to join me for a drink at Woody’s?”

“No, I’m just out for a walk. I’ve been cooped up all week.” Brian continued to walk, only now with Michael at his side.

“One drink Brian.” Michael said. “Then you can continue to walk. Are you on some kind of health kick or something?”

Just then Brian spotted the other Justin leaning against a lamp post, the yellow light like a halo around him. The boy looked nervous and very, very young. Brian walked over to him. “I’ll give you a ride home” he said.

The boy looked at him. “I just got here.” 

“You’re too young to be down here. Wait until you’re at least eighteen.”

“How do you know how old I am?”

“I’m betting this is your sixteenth birthday and for some reason you decided you wanted to get laid.”

“It’s not such a bad idea.” The boy’s voice was defensive.

“Actually it is.” Just then one of the guys from Meat Hook wandered over. He grabbed the boy’s arm and began to pull him away. 

“I saw him first.” The guy growled to Brian.

Brian, backed by his friend stared the other guy down. “He’s going with us.” The glint of rage was unmistakable in Brian’s eyes. Michael wasn’t sure what was happening but he stood there too, his fists clenched hoping there wouldn’t be trouble but not backing down.

“Okay, okay, you two can have him. But he’s mine the next time.”

The other Justin’s blue eyes were wide and frightened. “Thanks guys.” He said. “Maybe I will take you up on that drive home.”

“Sure, Mikey, do you want to go for a drive with us?” Brian asked. 

“Why not, say kid aren’t you a little young to be down here?”

“I’m sixteen.”

Brian and Michael looked at each other and rolled their eyes. “Brian, Ma’s working at the diner tonight. Why don’t we take him there for a burger? She’ll set him straight.”

“Good thinking Mikey, if anyone can do it she can.” Brian grinned at Justin. “Well kid, we’ll treat you to a burger and you get to meet Mikey’s mom. I’m sure she’ll have a few things to say to you about being down here at your age.”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Justin’s World:

“Justin are you sure about this?” Daphne asked. Her brown eyes were filled with worry.

“I’m sixteen today and legal. I want to get laid. I just want to do it once so that I can say that I did. It’s not like I’ll be hanging out on Liberty Avenue a lot.” Justin knew Brian wasn’t very happy about him going there. But he really wanted to do this. Brian had his chance when he was even younger. He was nervous. All the things that could go wrong were running through his mind and it didn’t help that Brian had told him some pretty scary things that went on down there. But maybe in his reality it was different. Maybe Brian’s reality was a lot harsher.

“Justin, will you promise me that if you change your mind or need me that you’ll call. I’ll come and get you.”

“I promise.” Justin said though he knew he wouldn’t. He’d never admit that he could be wrong about this whole thing.

The drive to Liberty Avenue was completed in silence, both teens lost in their thoughts. Daphne couldn’t help but be frightened for Justin and somewhat envious, for she loved him dearly but not in the way he loved her.

Justin got out of the car and began to walk. The street came alive at night. It was filled with bright lights and men and women that obviously belonged. He was approached a few times but each time he shook his head no. Until, when he was leaning up against a lamp post tired, but wanting to take everything in. “Justin, Justin Taylor is that you?”

Justin turned to the sound of the voice. “Shit” he said to himself. “Hi Michael, what are you doing here?”

“I was just going to ask you that question.” Michael was astounded that the kid he used to baby sit was hanging out on Liberty. He turned to his friends. “Emmett and Ted, this is Justin, a kid I used to baby sit.”

“Apparently honey, this boy done gone and growed up.” Emmett drawled. “And don’t you look like a sweet thing” he beamed at Justin and gave him a quick hug.

“Hey kid,” said Ted. “You’re kind of young to be down here aren’t you?”

“I’m legal.” Justin said.”

“Just barely” Michael looked at his friends. “We can’t leave him here.”

“Well, what are we going to do with him?” Ted asked. “Call his mommy and daddy?”

“They think I’m with a friend.” Justin piped up.

“Look Justin, I know you think you want to laid or something, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for your first time to be now and down here.” Michael began.

“I know about using condoms.” Justin said as he fished in his pocket. “I even have one.”

Emmett giggled. “Honey, there’s just a tad bit more to it than that. Why don’t we all go to the diner. We’ll have something to eat and Michael, Ted and I will explain to you what happens and why you don’t want to do it here and now.” He looked at Michael and Ted, ho both shrugged their agreement.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Brian was finally able to drop his reality Justin off at his home in the suburbs with the promise that he would wait until he was eighteen before heading to Liberty for sex. He told him that he was more than welcome at the diner and he could certainly meet people his own age and make friends with other young gay boys down there. He reminded him that Michael would be watching out for him as well.

The whole time that he was with this Justin, the other Justin wouldn’t get out of his mind. Brian was worried sick that he might have gotten himself into a mess and he had to wait almost three weeks before he could find out. It wasn’t going to be an easy three weeks.

Gus was becoming more and more involved with Lindsay and Melanie’s lives and Brian could see that he was slowly drifting away. It was hard for the boy to be torn between two lives, three really, because he was always concerned for Justin as well. 

The Christmas season was rough, because Brian found himself alone at the loft more and more often. Gus took advantage of the time off of school to spend it with his mother and they were constantly doing something, from skiing to snowboarding to intense afternoons at the museums. His ninth birthday was anticlimactic. Brian was surprised to find that Gus planned on spending it with him and not Lindsay. He almost told the boy to go ahead and see his mother when he realized that he was being a child himself.

The birthday coincided with the last night of the full moon and Gus and Fluffy and Brian all headed for the roof as soon as they could get away from Marc after dinner.

“Happy Birthday Gus.” Justin said as they walked onto the snow covered roof. Fluffy ran over and jumped up on Justin’s bed, bringing with him snow pills on his broad furry feet that began to melt on the warm bed covers. The cat butted his head against Justin’s hand, demanding to be patted.

“Thanks Justin. I missed you.” Gus was referring to the fact that he hadn’t spoken to Justin for more than two months.

“How’s it going with your mother?” Justin intuitively asked.

“Okay I guess, but she tries too hard. I wish she’d just let me be a regular kid and watch TV and stuff. We always have to be doing something.”

Brian smiled to himself at that. He had wondered when Gus would get tired of always being on the go. “Hey Justin, have you been behaving yourself?” It was Brian’s way of asking if he’d been back to Liberty Avenue.

“Always Brian.” Justin smirked. “I have a part time job at the diner.”

“I guess I don’t have to ask what diner?” 

“You could ask.” Justin said with a laugh, “but I think you know.”

“How did that happen?” Brian asked. “Don’t tell me that your Michael has a mother who works there.”

“Actually my Michael has an uncle who owns it and yes, his mother works there. So does Michael. I told you I met them last month on my birthday. Well, I was there the other day and one of the bus boys didn’t show up so I started to help, and Michael said I could have the job. Which is really cool because I want to save up and get my own car.”

“A car is handy.” Brian admitted. “How do you like working at the diner?”

“It’s great. I meet all kinds of interesting guys there.” He looked at Brian from under his long lashes, “But none of them are as hot as you.”

“Well at least your reality Brian is married with kids. You’re safe from him.”

“I wonder why he keeps hanging out on Liberty Avenue then.” Justin said with a smirk.
“Cause I’ve seen there quite a few times.”

“Slumming?” Brian questioned

Neither one was paying any attention to either Fluffy or Gus during this conversation until suddenly Gus reached over and kissed Justin’s cheek. He was sitting on the bed beside him. Justin gave him a hug. “Gus, how in hell did you get over here?”

“I just walked.” Gus said. “Hi daddy” he waved at Brian.

“Gus, please come back. I don’t want you to end up stuck on that side.”

“He’s right Gus, you can’t take any chances.” Justin said and gave the boy another hug.

“You smell nice Justin.” Gus said, but he hopped off the bed and calmly walked back to Brian. “That was sooooo cool.” He beamed. “I’m going to go to my room now and write this in my journal. See you next month. This was an awesome birthday.” 

Fluffy watched this with interest and then followed Gus through the door.

“Goodnight Gus” both Brian and Justin called out.

“That was so strange having Gus beside me.” Justin began. “It was almost like having you there.”

“Justin, I wish it had been me.” Brian said and then shook his head. This was silly, Justin was only sixteen and he was almost twenty eight.

“Brian, when will we be together?” Justin said with a sigh. “Sometimes I think it’ll never happen and sometimes I just know that it will.”

“The trouble is Justin, you have your life and I have mine. I couldn’t leave Gus here and you couldn’t leave your life behind. It would mean one or the other of us leaving all that we’ve known.”

“I know and it drives me crazy sometimes wondering why we’re stuck in this crazy ass life. My brain tells me that Antiqua’s story is a lot of bull shit. But my heart tells me something different.” Justin looked at Brian with enough pain and longing in his eyes that belayed his age.

“I know Justin, I know.”

After talking to Justin long into the night on the night of Gus’ birthday, Brian was unsettled. He was beginning to feel things for the boy. Feelings that he’d never felt before for anyone and the older Justin became, the stronger the feelings were. 

He was almost surprised the morning of his twenty eighth birthday, when he woke up to a bright and sunny bedroom, only to sit up and find Antiqua’s familiar handwriting on a page of parchment by his bed.

Six times six by fifteen, The touch of love is seen, Passion filled eyes of blue, Smoldering looks that touch you. Returned with love from eyes of green.

Brian almost laughed out loud when he read the words. He had been thinking almost the same thing. Justin’s eyes and his spoke volumes to each other now when they were together, though they never spoke the words. Somehow they didn’t need to. Even his friends were beginning to notice his absence at Babylon and Woodys. Neither place held the attraction that it had before, when he knew that somewhere out there was a blue eyed blond waiting for him.

 

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