Once Upon a Time
Author: Elsa Rose 

“Mom I really want this job.” Gus looked at his mother and tried to give her the ‘puppy dog’ look that his uncle Michael had perfected.

“Gus, you don’t need to work. Your allowance should be more than sufficient to keep you in CD’s and soda pop.” Lindsay ignored Gus’ sad face and continued to make supper.

“Mom, I’m fourteen. I need my own money. I need my independence.”

“Perhaps your father will give you more money for your allowance.” Lindsay ventured.

“If I wanted more money from Dad, I’d ask.” Gus turned around in disgust. “I’m not asking if I can work at the Dairy Queen or anything. This is an important and responsible job. It’s kind of like Candy striping, but more one on one. And it counts for credits in our socials class.”

“Gus you haven’t had any experience around sick people. You wouldn’t have any idea what to do.”

“Mom, they train us you know. I’m the youngest one ever accepted into the program. If I want to be a Doctor some day, I think this is a good way to find out if I have any kind of talent for it.”

“I must say, you and your father have a way with words.” Lindsay shook her head. “I don’t know Gus, I think it’s a lot to ask of a fourteen year old. Have you talked to your father about it?”

“Yes and he said that I should do what ever makes me happy, but that if I take this on, I have to stick with it. I can’t just leave in the middle.”

“That sounds like your father.” Melanie said as she walked into the kitchen. “Gus, we’ve talked about this and your mom and I think you’re too young.”

“I thought you guys wanted me to be responsible.” 

“We do. But you’re only fourteen.” Melanie began.

“I’m going to be fifteen in three months.” It was an old argument. “You both don’t understand. I’m not just some fourteen year old kid. It’s driving me nuts being the tallest kind in my class and the smartest. The other kids never leave me alone about it. You’d think I was some kind of fucking freak.” He turned away from his mothers hating that his eyes stung with tears. “I think I’m the same as my dad. I think I’ll never find anyone who’ll love me for me. Just like he’s never found anyone. I bet he feels just like me. I bet he’s never had anyone to love or anyone who loved him.” Gus ran out of the kitchen and up to his room.

“That went well.” Lindsay said sitting down at the table. “Where’s Jenny?”

“She’s next door at Sara’s.” Melanie replied putting her hand over Lindsay’s.

Gus lay on his bed staring up at the ceiling. He hated his life sometimes. He looked over at a picture of his dad that he had on his desk and once again wondered why his father lived alone. Taking a chance, Gus picked up his phone and dialed his father’s number. “Hey dad.” Gus’ voice was low. He cleared his throat and spoke louder. “Dad, I really need to talk to you.”

“Sure Gus.” Brian checked his day planner. “Do you want to come over or do you want me to pick you up?”

“I’d rather talk to you now, on the phone.” Somehow Brian didn’t seem so scary when they talked on the phone. “I need to know something. It’s important to me.”

“What do you want to know?” Brian asked curious.

“Will you tell me the truth; I mean not just what you think I want to hear because you think I’m some kind of kid.”

“You are a kid Sonnyboy.” Brian paused. “But I’ll be as truthful as I can. This sounds serious.”

“Dad, when you were my age, did the other kids make fun of you because you were different from them?” Gus asked.

“Different how?” Brian wondered if Gus was discovering his sexuality.

“You know, taller and smarter. Uncle Mikey says I’m like you when you were fourteen.”

“When I was fourteen, I didn’t really give a fuck what the other kids thought. I was bigger than most of them and I was pretty good on the soccer field.” Brian huffed a laugh. “I was kind of a bad ass.” 

Gus giggled, not sure if he could imagine his father as a punk kid. “The moms would kill me if I was a bad ass.”

“No one gave a shit about me when I was fourteen Sonnyboy, so it didn’t really matter.” Brian sat back in his chair remembering when he was fourteen. It was hell, but he survived.

“Not even you mom and dad?” Gus asked.

“Especially not my mom and dad.” Brian’s voice was bitter.

“Dad is that why you’ve never loved anybody, or let anybody love you?”

Brian was silent for a moment and then he said quietly. “But I do love someone and he used to love me. Maybe he still does. I haven’t seen him for almost fourteen years.”

“You still love him and you haven’t seen him for that long?” Gus’ sounded awed.

“The thing is Gus; love is a funny kind of thing. It isn’t all hearts and flowers and fancy cards. It’s a feeling deep inside of you. It’s what makes you live and breathe and see sunsets and sunrises. That’s how I feel about him. How I always have felt. It isn’t something that just disappears because he’s not around.”

“Where did he go?” Gus asked. “I mean, maybe if you talked to him.”

“I can’t, I have no idea what happened to him.” Brian’s voice was sad. “He was hurt, hurt badly and in a coma in the hospital. I used to go and sit with him all night every night. I needed to watch over him, to keep him safe. Something I wasn’t able to do before. One night I went to the hospital and he was gone. His room was empty and no one knew where he had disappeared to.”

“Did you ask his mother?” Gus knew that his own mothers always knew where he was.

“I asked his mother, his father, every damn nurse and doctor in the hospital. They weren’t talking. They blamed me you see. I blamed myself for that matter. I guess because of that I didn’t fight as hard as I should have to find him. I thought they were right.” Brian hated to say these words that had haunted him for years out loud, but he had promised Gus he’d tell the truth.

“That sucks dad.” Gus was quiet for a moment. “Why did they think you were responsible?”

“I went to his prom and danced with him. We were awesome. He was so handsome and young and full of life and love. He was everything I’d ever wanted in a man. I knew that night that we were meant to be together.” Brian smiled at the memory of Justin in his arms. “Unfortunately, by my showing up, some homophobic prick he went to school with, took offense and decided to bash his head in. He would have died, if I hadn’t called his name. Gus, I have to tell you it was the worst night of my life. No make that the second worst night. Finding him gone had to have been right up there neck and neck.”

“He must have been kind of young dad.” Gus was rapidly doing the math.

“He’s twelve years younger than I am. I guess that’s a lot.” Brian admitted reluctantly. Actually talking to Gus about Justin was nice. Gus didn’t have any preconceived ideas about them and he could actually say what he was feeling.”

“Twelve years is a lot in dog years.” Gus giggled.

“Good thing we aren’t dogs.” Brian smiled at his son’s attempt at humor. “Now is that the end of the twenty questions?”

“Dad, it’s a long time since then. You could find him now.” Gus said softly. He could hear the pain in his father’s voice.

“I’ve tried Gus, believe me I’ve tried. His parents were killed in a car accident three years ago. I thought maybe then I’d see him at the funeral. But he wasn’t there. Neither was his best friend or his sister. I don’t understand why, but they were buried in the cemetery just outside of town. Not in the one I would have thought, the one by the Anglican Church. Besides myself and Debbie, there was no one there.”

“Grandma Debbie went to the funeral?” 

“Grandma Debbie loved him too. And she was a friend of his mother’s once before his mother turned into a bitter old hag.” Brian choked a laugh. “Sorry, that was uncalled for. I don’t blame her, well not much anyway.”

Gus giggled nervously. “Dad, how come I can’t find someone to love me.”

“I love you, your moms love you, hell the whole damn weird ass family loves you.” 

“It’s not the same dad. I mean like you love….” He paused. “You didn’t say his name dad.”

“Justin, his name is Justin.” Brian smiled when he said it out loud. “But Gus, this conversation is between you and I. I don’t want to hear either of your mothers repeating any of this.”

“I won’t tell.”

“And Gus, you’re a good looking kid, but you’re only fourteen. It feels old to you, but it really isn’t. The day will come when you fall in love and someone will fall in love with you. Hell, it didn’t happen to me until I was damn near thirty. Kinney must be late bloomers.” His laugh was bitter.

“Or real slow learners.” Gus’ voice matched Brian’s tone. “I don’t know dad, it kind of sucks. Everyone in my class has a special friend, but I don’t. No one turns my crank.”

Brian laughed out loud at this. “Good, it’ll keep your mind on your studies.”

“Daaad, I already get straight ‘A’s’” Gus thought for a moment. “Dad, remember when I asked about taking that after school job?”

“I remember.”

“The moms are having a cow about it. I really want to do it.”

“Will it be well supervised?” Brian asked. “I mean you have no experience looking after sick people Gus.”

“They aren’t really sick people dad. They’re more people who have some kind of disability or have segregated themselves from the community for some reason. This program is to bring young people into their lives and maybe get them to learn to live more vibrantly.”

“Well, if I was a recluse, I’d be pissed if some do gooder doctor stuck me with a punk kid.” 

“Daaad, I’m not a punk kid and neither are the others who want this job.”

“I know Gus, but that’s what these people are going to think. You’re going to get a lot of rejection. I told you that if you take it on you have to stick with it.”

“Dad, I’m not some silly little faggot. I have principles and I honor my commitments.”

“So you’re gay?” Brian was surprised.

“Dad, it was a descriptive term. Not necessarily accurate as to my sexuality. I hang around a lot of gay guys dad, between you and Uncle Mikey, and Auntie Em and Uncle Teddy.”

Brian laughed. “Point taken Sonnyboy. I’ll talk to your mothers. Maybe we can come to some kind of agreement about this job.”

“Thanks dad. It really means a lot to me. I need the self esteem this job will bring.”

“Are you reading me the job description or did you actually come up with that argument yourself?” 

“Dad, I love you and thanks.” Gus said with a laugh and hung up the phone. 

Brian shook his head. Gus hadn’t answered his question. It could have been either answer. The boy was far too bright for his own good.

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


“Miss Taylor, I appreciate that you want your brother to be part of the program. But it won’t work if he doesn’t cooperate.” The director of the hospital looked at the young woman kindness reflecting in his eyes.

“But isn’t the whole idea of the program, to get people who are locked inside figuratively, to come out into the real world again by introducing them to young people who have no preconceived ideas?”

“Yes, that’s part of the program.” He admitted. “But your brother is a well known mystery writer. I fail to see how he even qualifies for this program.”

“My brother is a virtual recluse. He has barely set foot outside of his apartment in almost fourteen years. And when he did, he needed to be heavily medicated. I blame my parents for allowing it to happen, but now that they’re gone. I’m determined to return him to the real world.”

“Miss Taylor, you’re barely in your twenties, you can’t possibly know that your brother has segregated himself from the world for all of that time.”

“Fourteen years ago I was seven years old. I saw my brother leave our house because of my father. The next time I saw him he was being brought back to the house and locked up in an apartment my parents had built in the attic. He was blind and crippled. He no longer laughed, he no longer smiled. He just sat there. It was like he’d died on the inside, and was just waiting for the outside to follow. I used to sneak up to his rooms when my mother was making dinner and Justin and I would talk about stuff. I know what he went through. I know the pain he felt. I may have only been seven years old, but believe me, I knew.”

“Are you saying that JC Taylor is blind and crippled as well as agoraphobic?” the man shook his head in wonder. JC Taylor was his favorite mystery writer.

“He’s blind, his right hand is weaker than the left, but he’s no longer crippled, though it pains him on occasion. At least my parents had the sense to have a physical therapist work with him. He has a computer that he uses for research and writing that’s built especially for the blind. But he won’t go out. He says he doesn’t know where he is. He says as far as he’s concerned he’s still at his Prom and that’s the way he likes it however dumb it sounds. He’s sad and he’s lonely and his heart is still broken. It’s like he’s been in limbo for the past fourteen years. He needs to snap out of it. He won’t go out. This way, the world will come in to him whether he likes it or not.”

“How do you think that he’ll receive the idea that you’ve brought in a young person to act as his companion?”

“Not well.” She laughed. “But I don’t care. I need someone who is just as stubborn as he is. I need someone who is brighter than average, because Justin is no dummy, he needs the challenge of a good mind. I also need someone who will give us two afternoons a week and maybe one day on the weekends. Not every weekend, but at least twice a month.”

“You’ve thought about this I see.” He laughed.

“Yes I have. I want my brother back.” Molly looked determined.

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

“Mr. Kinney, have you read the contract thoroughly?” The director asked Gus.

Gus preened inside at being called ‘Mr’ “Yes sir, my mom checked it out. She’s a lawyer.”

“Then I don’t have to tell you that this is a six month commitment. You are the youngest in the program, but I’ve had good recommendations from your teachers and your guidance counselor.” 

“I understand about the six months sir.” Gus was eager to hear about his assignment.

“Your client is an author, JC Taylor. He was injured a number of years ago. In fact he was blinded. He has remained in seclusion at his home since then. He’s thirty two years old, and Gus, I have to warn you, he isn’t going to like having you around.”

“Then why am I going there?” Gus had to ask.

“His sister wants him to come back to the real world and get out of his world of books. I understand that his parents kept him, well not actually hidden, but didn’t encourage him to go out once his accident happened. They are no longer alive and Molly Taylor feels it’s time for her brother to learn to live again.”

“What am I supposed to do there?”

“Mr. Taylor uses his sister Molly to do research that he can’t do using his computer. That’s what she is going to tell him that you are there for two afternoons a week, while she attends a class at Carnegie Mellon. While of course you can do research if it’s required. I suppose your main duty is to talk to him and teach him about the outside world again.”

“So sort of like a companion?” Gus wasn’t sure if this was what he’d signed up for. “I thought I was going to….” He didn’t know how to continue.

“Gus, this program, whether it’s Mr. Taylor, or another client, is basically a program that links up a young person who is full of fun and life with an older person who for some reason or another, can’t cope with life. I thought you understood that.”

Gus looked thoughtful for a moment and realized that until now, the program was merely words on a piece of paper. Now it was reality. It was time to grow up. “I’ll take this assignment.”

“Wonderful, I think you’ll do this Mr. Taylor a world of good Mr. Kinney. You have a lot to offer and this position will of course look good when it comes time to apply to medical schools.”

“I appreciate the opportunity Mr. Roberts. I know that there were older kids who applied.”

“Yes, but even with the ten positions we had to fill Mr. Kinney, age was only a small part of the job requirements.” Mr. Roberts stood up and offered his hand to Gus who took it. They shook hands and Gus was directed to the personnel office where he had to fill out the necessary paper work for his first after school job.

He was walking on air all the way home. Gus was excited about his first assignment. He’d vaguely heard of JC Taylor, but had never been one to read mystery stories. The first thing Gus did when he got home was to look up JC Taylor on the internet. He found a listing of the books he’d written and printed it out, determined to check them out one at a time until he’d read them all. What a good way to get inside this guy’s head he thought to himself.

“Hey Mom, I’m going to the library” Gus called to Lindsay who was in the kitchen with his younger sister.

“Don’t be late.” And then Lindsay asked. “Did you get the job?”

“Yeah, I got it.” Gus was almost out the door. He couldn’t talk about his client. That was part of the deal. You had to keep the client’s privacy, though the hospital knew who you were working with and could track you down when you were at work. It was one of the reasons why his mother’s hadn’t wanted him to take the job. They liked to know where he was all the time. Gus shut the door before anymore questions would follow.

Gus was lucky and made all the bus connections so he arrived at the library in less than half an hour. It didn’t take long to track down the first mystery by JC Taylor ‘Nothing Matters When We’re Dancing’ he checked it out along with ‘Dancing Boys’ he planned on reading them both before he headed to the Taylor home for his first three hour shift on Monday.

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

“Justin, I want to talk to you.” Molly knocked on her brother’s door. He had refused to move into the rest of the house when their parents were killed, preferring to remain in his old apartments.

“Fuck off Molly, I’m busy.” Justin continued to type. He wanted to finish the chapter he was working on.

“Just the usual ray of sunshine I see.” Molly said walking into the room. She headed for the large windows that overlooked the back yard and pulled the drapes open flooding the room with light. “Guess what, I arranged for you to have an assistant on Mondays and Wednesdays and sometimes on the weekends.”

“Shut the damn drapes, the sun’s too hot.” Justin didn’t bother to look in his sister’s direction. She opened the drapes every time she came into his rooms. 

“Did you hear me? I signed you up for a program that sends a young kid here to assist you.”

“I heard you. I’m not going to do it.” Justin continued to type. “Now get out of my room.”

“Justin, he’ll be here this afternoon after school. He goes to our old school, Saint James Academy”

“I don’t need some snot nosed homophobic kid interfering in my life.” Justin turned around to face where he figured his sister was standing. “Why don’t you just leave me alone Molly?”

“I doing this for your own good.” Molly kissed him on the top of his head, coming up in a different direction than where he was looking. “You know Justin, I thought when you lost one of your senses the other’s improved. You never know where I am.”

“I always know where you are.” Justin lied. “And that improved senses thing has to be a crock of shit.”

“Justy, you need to get out of these rooms. You’re so pale you look like Dracula’s cousin.” 

“I wouldn’t know.” Justin turned back to his computer and began to type. “Molly we’ve had this discussion before. I have no interest in what goes on outside of this house. I don’t even really give a shit about what goes on IN the damn house. I write my books, collect my money and then write more.”

“You’re a good looking man Justin. Why don’t we go out dancing some night?”

“You don’t give up do you Molly, between you and Daphne, you’re driving me nuts. I don’t like crowds. You know that. I don’t like anyone looking at me. You know that. I don’t want to meet anyone I used to know. You know that. SO GET THE FUCK OFF OF MY BACK.” He shouted and slammed his keyboard onto the floor breaking it into a dozen pieces. His right hand began to shake and he put it up to his forehead, his fingers tracing the jagged scar that ran across his temple and disappeared into his hair that had turned snow white. He pushed himself away from his computer and all but ran into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him. He was a freak. She knew it. Why was she always on his case. His parents had hidden him away and Brian, Brian had taken one look at him and never seen him again. His mother had told him all about it.

“Justin Craig Taylor, you’re an asshole.” Molly shouted through his door. “Well I don’t have to worry about you not being here do I. Monday at four, your assistant will be here and you’ll fucking deal with it.”

“Leave me alone Molly.” Justin’s voice was quiet, but Molly could hear him. 

“I’m sorry Justy, but if I left you alone anymore, then I wouldn’t love you and be your sister. I have to give you your life back.”

“Molly, I have a life. A good life. I’m safe here. I don’t have anyone after me with fucking baseball bats and I don’t have to worry about fucking up any one’s life.”

“Except your own.” Molly opened his door and walked inside. Her heart broke every time she looked into Justin’s blue eyes and realized that he couldn’t see her. His optic nerve had been damaged, though the doctors had all said that it should have repaired itself with time. But it hadn’t and Justin lived in a world of darkness. She sat on the edge of his bed and looked around the room that hadn’t changed for the last fourteen years. Tears filled her eyes when she noticed the picture in Justin’s hand. It had been taken so many years before of her brother and Brian at the GLC. Justin couldn’t see that the images had almost disappeared. His fingers had traced Brian’s face so often over the last fourteen years. It was a talisman of sorts for Justin. One that he used often when he was upset. “You know Justin, you could call him.” She didn’t have to say who.

“If Brian had wanted to talk to me he would have. I’m sure he’s doing just fine all these years without me.”

“Maybe he couldn’t find you.”

“I was in the hospital and then I was here. I’m not hard to locate.” Justin shut his eyes to hold in the pain that he was sure would be reflected for his sister to see.

“Justy, I don’t think mom and dad told anyone you were here. I can’t be sure, but I really think that’s what happened.”

“I know you’ve told me this before Molly. But it makes no sense. I mean keeping your freak kid hidden in the attic, is not exactly the kind of thing the average country club couple do.”

“They weren’t average. Mom was overly protective and dad, well dad was just an idiot.” Molly had been fooled by them too. It was only when she began to go through her parents papers after they died that she realized what they’d done to Justin. She’d been working to change things ever since.

“Molly, don’t please. I don’t want to hear it. I can’t believe that mom would betray me.”

“But you’d believe it of Brian.”

“Brian, Brian wouldn’t have meant to. He just is the kind of guy that likes perfect men. He wouldn’t have wanted me. I’m scarred, I’m blind, I have a gimp hand.”

“And you’re a limp dicked little faggot.” Molly teased. She kissed her brother’s cheek. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself. You are as handsome as ever and I wouldn’t lie about that. Your hand is just fine. It would be better if you exercised it more.” She giggled with Justin gestured toward his cock with his right hand. “Not that way idiot.” 

“I believe you.” Justin smiled. It wasn’t the smile of fourteen years ago, but it was more than he usually did. “Now tell this assistant that I don’t need anyone.”

“Justin, you’re doing it for him more than you. He’s only fourteen, well almost fifteen and he could use the credit. He wants to be a doctor someday. He’s tall and rather handsome but is constantly harassed at school.”

“Why, is he gay?” Justin was showing some interest.

“I don’t know. I never asked.” Molly knew that she’d won with Justin’s question. “He has the highest grade point average in the school and he’s good looking. He can’t stand sports but prefers computers.”

“Oh, so because he’s kind of the ‘perfect’ kid, the other kids can’t stand him.”

“That’s about it.” Molly sighed. “I remember the hell I went through at that school.”

“I remember my own years.” Justin’s voice was bitter. He kept his eyes closed. “Molly, I’ll try with this kid, but I’m not making any promises. You know that I can’t be around strangers. I can’t see them and I panic.”

“You need to work on that. This kid will help. I mean really, what can it hurt. It’s not like you have to hug him or even touch him. He comes highly recommended and you’ll be helping him. And it’s only three hours each time he comes over.”

“Molly, I said I’d try. I’m not making any promises. But what a fourteen almost fifteen year old kid can find interesting about hanging around a thirty two year old man, is beyond me.”

“He doesn’t have to be interested in you or your work, though I suppose it would help.” Molly giggled. “He’s supposed to help some crotchety old author with his research all the while trying to make him join the real world.”

“Geeze Molly, could you be any more irritating?” Justin sighed. He got up off of his bed, carefully placing the worn photo in the night stand drawer. Not being able to see sometimes made him feel that he was hidden from view himself. He forgot that anyone around him could see just fine and knew what he was doing.

“Justy, all I’m asking is that you try. Besides, the worst thing that could happen is that you’ll actually maybe go out or something.”

“I have everything I need right here.” Justin headed toward his bathroom. “Now bugger off Molly. I’m going to have a shower and then I want to work on the next chapter.” 

“Come on downstairs, I’ll cook dinner for the both of us.” Molly invited.

“I don’t think so Molly. I can heat up some soup. Maybe another day I’ll go down there.”

“You always say that Justin.” She walked to the door. “I’ll bring your dinner upstairs. It’ll be better than soup. We can eat together.”

“Thanks Molly and I will go downstairs, I really will, it’s just that right now I’m kind of busy.”

“I thought once mom and dad were gone, you spend more time down there.” Molly’s voice was sad.

“I still think I’ll hear dad bitching about what I’m doing. Or mom trying to baby me.” He grimaced. “I know it’s stupid.”

“Yeah, Justy, it’s stupid. I think you need to get out of this damn house. I think that you need to get laid and I think you need to move on with your life. You’re thirty two not ninety two.” 

“Thank you for sharing Mollusk.” Justin slammed the bathroom door. He went to the tub and began filling it. He needed to soak away some of his tension. He’d play nice with the kid for at least one of his visits and then tell him to go find some other welfare case to look after.

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

Gus ignored the comments and cat calls from the group of jocks that stood at the end of the sidewalk. He stood straight and tall secure in the fact that he looked great in his Saint James uniform. His complexion was flawless unlike most of the guys who lounged against the oak tree smoking. Just before he swung onto the city bus, he flipped them the bird. His dad had promised him a ride to his client’s house and Gus was meeting him at his office.

“Hey Gus” Ted smiled at the young boy when he came through the door. “Your dad is running late. I’m supposed to give you some money for a cab there and back.”

“That kind of defeats the purpose of earning money Uncle Teddy. It’ll cost more to take a cab there and back home then I’ll make.” Gus shook his head. “I’ll take the bus. I won’t be too late.”

“No, don’t take the bus. I’ll drive you.” Ted put his arm around Gus. “How will you get home?”

“I can take the bus home.” Gus smiled. “Thanks Uncle Teddy, this job means a lot to me.”

“You know your father would be glad to increase your allowance. You don’t have to work after school.” Ted said as they headed down to the car park.

“I know, but I want to do this.” Gus looked at him. “Besides, if I save enough money for a car, the moms can’t say no.”

Ted laughed, “Sure they can say no. I bet your father does too.”

“Not if I have my own money.” Gus grinned at Ted. “I’m going to buy the car and then ask.”

“Not a good plan Gus, but I won’t say a word.” Ted smiled. The fireworks when Gus turned sixteen and got his driver’s license were going to be interesting.

“Nice house.” Ted observed. He could see a large house set back from the road. It was surrounded by a high fence. “It looks empty.” 

“No, my client lives here with his sister.” Gus got out of the car. “Thanks for the ride Uncle Teddy. Tell dad I’ll call him about the weekend.”

“See you later Gus.” Ted waved and drove away.

Gus looked up at the large house. He checked the address he’d written down on a piece of paper confirming that it was the right one before heading down the walkway toward the front door.

The front door opened just as he was about to ring the bell. “Hi, you must be Gus.” Molly said. She grinned widely at the tall young man standing on her front porch. “Are you sure you’re only fourteen, you look a lot older.” 

“I’m almost fifteen.” Gus managed to choke out. Molly Taylor took his breath away. She was beautiful. Her hair fell to just below her shoulders and it was a mass of red gold curls. He wondered how old she was.

“Cool, well, I’m twenty one. My name is Molly. I’ll introduce you to my brother. He’s upstairs in his apartment.”

Six years, she was six years older than him, was all that Gus could think of as he followed Molly inside the house and began to walk up the stairs.

“I’ve told Justy about you. Truthfully he’s not too happy about it, but I don’t care. He needs to broaden his horizons.” She huffed a laugh. “If you can get him to talk to you and better yet even get him to go downstairs on a regular basis, that would be great.”

“Does Mr. Taylor really stay upstairs all the time?” Gus asked. “I mean isn’t that completely boring? I read his first two books, they were great.”

“Yes he has a terrific imagination. “ Molly smiled. “And yes I think staying upstairs all the time is beyond boring, but until a few years ago, there wasn’t anything I could do about it. And then I had to wait until I was twenty one to get my own inheritance so that Justy couldn’t argue with me over money.”

“You must love your brother a lot.” Gus smiled at her. “I have a little sister and she’s mostly a pain in the ass, but I guess I love her.”

“I did my best to be a pain in Justy’s ass when I was growing up.” Molly snickered. “I still am.” 

Gus grinned at Molly and she was struck by the wonderful glints of gold in his green eyes. He was going to be drop dead handsome when he became older.

“Here’s the lion’s den.” Molly knocked and then opened the door. “Justy, Gus is here.” She announced. “Don’t be afraid to turn on the lights. He won’t notice one way or the other.” Molly said before leaving the room.

“I’m blind, not deaf.” Justin answered from the shadows. “What’s your name?”

“Gus” 

“Why are you here?”

“I’m in a program to help people who are shut away from the world become part of it again.” Gus liked the look of the man hidden in the darkness.

“Why didn’t you turn on the light?”

“I don’t need the light on at the moment and I thought maybe you’d be more comfortable with it off.” He looked carefully at Justin. “How did you know that I didn’t turn on the light?”

“Because I’m blind, but not totally. I can’t see anything other than light or darkness. That’s it. So if the light was on, I’d know.” Neither Molly nor his parents had ever asked him that question. As far as he knew Molly wasn’t aware he could tell light and dark. “What if I don’t want to become part of the world?”

“That would really suck. I mean it’s a good world.” Gus walked over and looked out the window. “Today is one of those fall days that are almost magical.”

“I wouldn’t know.” 

“That’s because you don’t go out.” 

“There’s nothing for me outside of these walls.” Justin walked over to his computer. “I understand you are supposed to help me with any research that I need to do.”

“Yeah, I like your books. Well, I’ve only read two of them, but I liked them. When I go to the library tomorrow, I’ll get a couple more.”

“There are copies in the bookcase over there. You can take any that you want.” Justin gestured to the far wall. “I didn’t write them for kids though.”

“I’m not a kid.” Gus protested. “I’m almost fifteen. He seemed to always be defending his age.”

“I was almost fifteen once a thousand years ago.” Justin shut his eyes, an unconscious gesture.

“You aren’t very old. I thought you’d be like real old, like my dad is.” Gus laughed. “Not that I’d tell him he was old. He gets freaky when you tell him he’s old.”

“What’s your name again?”

“Gus, why?” Gus looked at him puzzled.

“I knew a Gus once.” Justin cocked his head to one side. It would be too much of a coincidence if this was the same Gus.

“Well, there isn’t too many of us. It’s kind of a different name. I mean there are three Todd’s in my class and two Michael’s, but I think I’m the only Gus in the whole school.” He shrugged not realizing that Justin couldn’t see it. “It could have been worse. My mom wanted to call me Abraham, but my Dad intervened.”

And that’s when Justin was sure it was Brian’s son who he was talking too. He started to tremble. It was too much, too much having Brian’s son so close to him.

“Are you okay Mr. Taylor?” Gus got up and walked over to the older man. Justin was now visibly trembling. Gus put his hand on Justin’s shoulder and Justin pulled away as if he was scalded.

“Don’t touch me, no one can touch me.” Justin gasped. He backed up slowly, not sure if he was getting away from the boy or not. Panic was setting in. When Justin felt the doorway of his bedroom behind his back, he turned and bolted inside, slamming the door behind him.

Gus was stunned. He wasn’t sure what he done to cause such a reaction. He sat there in silence for almost fifteen minutes before moving to the bedroom door and knocking softly. “Mr. Taylor,” he called. “Can I come in?”

There was no answer, so Gus opened the door and peeked inside. Justin sat on the bed, his knees pulled up close, clutching a pillow to his chest and a picture in his hand. He didn’t acknowledge Gus who walked into the room.

Gus recognized the fear in Justin’s eyes. It was the same look that Jenny would get when she had a nightmare. Not sure if he was doing the right thing, Gus sat on the bed and began to talk, just as if Justin, who was fourteen years older than he was, was the younger. “Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there lived a boy called Gus and his two mom’s….. Gus rambled on spinning one of Jenny’s favorite stories of how she came to be. Like his father, Gus had the ability to captivate with words, as he talked, weaving the story of Jenny’s conception and then birth and everything that had happened that year, he could see Justin, slowly relaxing until he could tell by the set of Justin’s head, that he was listening intently.

Three hours passed quickly. Gus told his story and Justin listened, offering comments and questions every now and then. Until he found himself laughing along with Gus at an especially funny moment involving Gus’ Uncle Mikey when Melanie was pregnant. Gus didn’t realize it, but because Justin knew the people he was fascinated with finding out this tiny glimpse of their lives. He hadn’t realized just how badly he missed them all. His books reflected bits and pieces of the gang from Liberty Avenue, but this was different. This was more real than he could have imagined.

Gus noticed the time. “I’m sorry Mr. Taylor, I have to go now. Is it okay if I come back on Wednesday?”

Justin, who had enjoyed himself more than he had in years, quickly agreed. “I’d like that Gus. But Gus, I have to ask one thing from you if you don’t mind.”

“What’s that?” Gus was walking side by side Justin toward the door. 

“I value my privacy. I would prefer if you didn’t mention my name to your family.” 

“That’s okay; we aren’t allowed to talk about our clients. It’s part of an agreement we sign.”

“I don’t know if I would be happy if my son was going to a stranger’s home and I didn’t know who it was.” 

“It’s not exactly like that. Your sister had to apply for me and you guys were checked out. The hospital has all the details like if you’re an axe murderer or something.” Gus giggled. “I could out run you.” 

Rather than take offense, Justin laughed softly. Gus had Brian’s sense of humor. It was almost like having Brian to talk to. “You could try and out run me. I’d turn out the lights and that would be it. I’m hell on wheels in the dark.” He paused. “Gus, I ‘m glad you came over this evening. I’ll look forward to you coming back on Wednesday. Of course you realize, I’ll want another story. You have a real gift for story telling.”

“That’s because my dad’s Irish. It’s a gift he says. I’ve got lots of stories. Jenny was kind of a scaredy cat kid and I had to baby-sit her a lot. She would only settle down when I told her a story. It’s amazing what you learn when you’re a quiet kid. I have all the family dirt in my head.” He giggled. “My family is weird, but they are great for story telling.”

“Maybe you can write a book about them someday.” Justin suggested. He opened the door to his apartment. 

“They’d kill me.” Gus laughed, “Especially dad, he’s like super secretive about his private life. I mean I just found out something about him the other day that I never knew and I bet that no one else knows either.” Gus impulsively gave Justin a quick hug. “I’ve got to go Mr. Taylor.” 

The hug had taken Justin by surprise. No one other than Molly had touched him for years. The quick hug told him how tall Gus was and that he was built like his father, though probably tall and gangly at the moment because of his age. He could hear Gus clattering down the stairs and then the door opening and closing before silence reigned in the house once again.

tbc