The Road To Now – 4
“Mom, she’s still in her room and refuses to come out.” Justin was at the end of his rope. “She cries herself to sleep every night. I don’t understand it. Brian was only here for six weeks.”
“Justin, JB fell in love with Brian. She became connected to him immediately. You know they spent hours together during the day. She’d talk to him about all kinds of things.”
“She can talk to me anytime.”
“It isn’t the same Justin and you know it. You don’t tell me everything that goes on in your life. JB needed a confidant and she found one in Brian. I know for a fact she told him things she’s never told either of us. Your daughter is very perceptive about a lot of things.”
“Should I just wait her out? I mean it’s been three days.”
“What about you Justin, do you miss Brian?”
“You know I do mom, but with me in Providence and him in Pittsburgh, it just wouldn’t work. Even if he was willing to commit to our relationship.”
“Did you ask him?” Jennifer sighed. Why was her son such an idiot sometimes.
“We don’t talk about things like that.” Justin admitted.
“Idiot.” His mother slammed the phone down.
Justin sat and stared at the receiver in his hand, incredulous that his mother had hung up on him. He dialed her number and when she answered. “I can’t believe you hung up on me.” He managed to say, not sure if he was hurt or just angry.
“I can’t believe that you are such an idiot where Brian is concerned. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find someone in this world that you really and truly love and who loves you back? Do you know how the odds of this happening go down when it’s gay love?”
“Mom Brian and I are adults. If we get together, we will do it on our own.”
“Just think about this Justin, you’ve shown Brian what it’s like to be loved. How long do you think he’s going to last missing that feeling. He’s a young, good looking, and rather well off gay man. There’s a lot of men out there who value that in a partner and who have spent the last four years trying to find happiness with Brian. He’s not bothered before, but you’ve wakened the craving in him to have someone to love who loves him back. I don’t think he’ll wait another four years. And Justin, I wouldn’t blame him one damn bit.”
In JB’s room, she brushed the back of her hand angrily against her eyes. She wasn’t going give in. Brian was her friend. He was like a daddy. Gus said he was a good daddy. Gus said that his daddy really loved her daddy but that he was too stubborn to tell him. Well that was just stupid and she was going to fix it.
First JB tiptoed into Justin’s room and feeling bad, but knowing she was doing it for a good reason, JB opened the bottom drawer in the night stand and pulled out one hundred dollars. She wasn’t sure if it was enough money. But Gus said he thought it would be okay. They’d talked on the phone earlier and come up with this plan to get their daddies together.
She listened at the door to make sure her daddy was still talking to her Nanny before heading back to her room. She was going to go to sleep early, the bus that would eventually get her to Pittsburgh, left at nine fifteen in the morning.
“JB, it’s time for bed.” Justin called. “I’ll tuck you in a couple of minutes.”
“Yes daddy.” JB sniffed loudly for his benefit. She quickly put her nighty on and crawled into bed, pulling the duvet up to her neck.
“Ready?” Justin asked as he came through the door.
“Yes daddy.” She turned on her side away from him.
“Did you brush your teeth?”
JB nodded.
“And said your prayers?” JB nodded again, only this time she was telling a sort of lie. She hadn’t wanted to say her prayers in case her mommy or daddy Angels knew what she was going to do. JB was feeling bad about not talking to Angel Kat or Tommy Angel. She’d never missed a night before.
“JB, I know you’re sad because Brian and Gus have gone home. But it is for the best. Brian has a life of his own and Gus only visits him on the weekends. He lives with his mommies.”
“I know that daddy, but Gus is my very best friend in the whole world. We’re getting married.”
“Oh?” Justin’s eyebrows raised. “Aren’t you a little young to be getting married?”
“Not now. I’m only almost five.” She sat up exasperated. “When we’re all grown up. Gus and me decided aaaages ago.”
“Interesting.” Justin did his best to keep a straight face. “I hope you’re planning on going to University first.”
“Of course, but with my IQ, I’ll be finished with University and still be young enough to get married.” JB spoke with confidence.
“JB, I’m not married and I’m twenty five.”
“You’re actually almost twenty six and I can’t help it if you aren’t married. Brian would be a good husband for you. And besides, you and mommy were married when you were only twenty.”
“That was different.” Justin wondered if he was somehow having a Karmic moment because he’d fucked Brian when he was seventeen. His poor mother.
“Night daddy.” JB lay down and closed her eyes. She had a big day tomorrow and didn’t want to be too sleepy.
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Gus had already put his part of the plan in motion. He’d managed to buy his bus ticket before he was supposed to be visiting his Uncle Mikey. He was tall for his age and looked much older than nine. No one questioned that he was buying a student priced ticket. He hoped JB was able to pull off her part of the plan. She wasn’t even five, and she was smaller and younger looking than her age.
As soon as his mother peeked into his room to make sure he was asleep., Gus got up, put two teddy bears under the blankets and then grabbed his already packed back pack and crawled out his window onto the front porch. In seconds he was in the oak tree and climbing down to the sidewalk. He used his mother’s cell phone to call the cab company ordering a taxi to pick him up at the corner.
The taxi driver didn’t seem to care that his fare was so young. “Take me to the bus depot please.” Gus said, trying to look as old as he could.
At the bus station he bought a ticket for Provincetown. “Return please.” Gus smiled. “I’m going to visit my grandmother. Oh, and can I get another only going from Provincetown to Pittsburgh. My cousin is coming home with me. ”
“Sure.” The ticket was issued for the bus that was about to leave. “The second ticket, one way or return.”
“One way, her dad will pick her up.” Gus smiled the Kinney smile. It was all that was needed. He was soon in possession of a ticket for JB as well as a return ticket for himself.
Gus had no problem getting on the bus. “Hey, can I sit up front here. My mom says I’m supposed to stay near the driver.” Gus smiled at the uniformed man. “I’m going to visit my grandmother.”
“No problem kid. You can have the seat behind mine. I’ll make sure you have it to yourself. You might as well make yourself comfortable; it’s a long ride. Go to sleep if you can, I’ll make sure you don’t miss your stop.”
Gus settled himself down in the double seat. He used his backpack as a pillow and curled up on the seat. It wasn’t that comfortable, but it worked to keep anyone from talking to him or even noticing that he was a kid and not an adult. The bus was kept dark and even when it stopped, the lights that were turned on, filled the bus with shadows.
He didn’t sleep, dozed occasionally, but he couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking about how mad his father was going to be, not to mention his mothers. And Justin was going to go ballistic when he found out his precious JB was on the run.
While Gus slept fitfully on the bus to Provincetown, JB slept the sleep of the innocent. She was sure she was doing what was right, after all, it was for her father’s own good.
Justin painted for an hour, and then he began to pace the floor of his studio. Not speaking to Brian was driving him crazy. It was worse than when he’d left for New York. He should never have given in. He should have taken JB and gone to Italy or somewhere while Brian convalesced. But then he’d think of Brian’s lips, soft yet demanding and sweet. Of his hands that roamed freely over Justin’s body when ever they were close enough to touch. And he knew he could never have given up the six weeks. He’d have been crazy. Even with a cast up to his hip, Brian could make love like no one else. He knew where to touch, to kiss, to taste.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number that was engraved on his mind.
“Hey” Brian whispered into the phone when he answered.
“Am I interrupting something?” Justin asked.
“I’m taking a piss, Michael is here.” Brian continued to whisper.
“So you have to whisper?” Justin laughed, but his laugh was bitter. “I suppose you and Michael have finally done what he’s always wanted?”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Brian hissed. “He’s in the living room with Ben. Justin, I don’t need this shit. Why did you phone?”
“I wanted to talk to you?”
“You never have before? I mean for four, almost five fucking years, you never picked up the god damned phone. Now you decide you want to talk.”
“I thought…” Justin began.
“Justin, you made it very clear even to a pig headed Irishman, that you weren’t interested in anything more than six weeks of fucking. I believe your exact words were, we’ve both made new lives for ourselves . Jennifer’s manipulating didn’t work. We had fun, well as best we could considering my injury. You’re back to your life and I’m back to mine. Mine includes occasionally having Mikey and his hubby over.”
“Sorry I called.” Justin said, his voice bitter with disappointment. He didn’t wait for Brian to reply before he hung up the phone.
“Hey Brian, who was on the phone?” Michael asked when Brian walked out of the bathroom. Michael and Ben were both getting their coats on. “I put the left overs in the fridge and Ben did the dishes. You should be all set.”
Brian continued to stand at the top of the few stairs that led to the main part of the loft. “It was a wrong number.” He muttered, already sorry he’d been so harsh with Justin. “Lock up and turn off the lights when you go. I’m going to bed.”
“Your meds are beside the bed with a bottle of water.”
“Thanks Mom.” Brian snerked, turning away from his friend and moving to his side of the bed. After all these years, he still couldn’t sleep on Justin’s side, which was stupid and lesbionic, but the way it was.
He waited for the lights to go off and his door to shut, the lock clicking into place, before pulling off his clothes and getting into bed. He looked at the pain meds and for once decided not to take anything. He needed a clear head. This time Brian was the one to pick up the phone. It rang twice before Justin picked up. “What?”
“Is that any way to answer the phone?” Brian asked, his voice low.
“You made your feelings crystal clear.” Justin was about to hang up.
“Don’t hang up. I’m sorry.”
“What, the great Kinney said he was sorry. Sorry is bullshiit.”
“No it isn’t. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I snapped at you. But fuck Justin, you hurt me again. I swore I was never going to let you hurt me again and damned if you didn’t. I walked right into it feet first.”
“Foot first.” Justin giggled. “I’m sorry I hurt you. But I wasn’t really myself. All I knew was that you were going back to Pittsburgh to resume your old life.”
“You haven’t been in my life for five years. You know nothing about my life.”
“It’s not been five years, I thought we cleared that up.”
“You know what I mean Sunshine.” Brian sighed. “I’m not sure I can do this again.”
“Do what?”
“Live without you.”
“Pardon?”
“Justin, I’ve been working myself to the verge of collapse, just so I can sleep at night without picking up the phone and fucking begging you to come back.”
“You didn’t have my number.”
“Justin, think about it. I love you. You really think I wouldn’t have your fucking phone number. Of course I had your number. I didn’t toddle off to Mossbey House because your mother batted her eyes. I suspected that’s where you were and Ted confirmed it.”
“You knew all along?”
“I knew your phone number, not your location.”
“But you never called.”
“No. I never called.” Brian’s voice showed his regret.
“I’m not sure I can come to Pittsburgh. The air isn’t good for JB. Way too much pollution.”
“Shit.” Brian muttered. He reached for a cigarette before remembering he’d given them up before his accident.
“You just said you love me.” Justin almost whispered.
“You caught that did you?” Brian huffed. “Well it’s true, I have for a long time. It’s just hard for me to admit shit like that.”
“Ever the romantic is Brian Kinney.”
“Justin, I don’t want us to end. We’re adults, we should be able to work something out.”
“I don’t see what.” Justin sighed with drama and threw himself down on his sofa.
“I’ll come up there on the weekend. We’ll talk.”
“We’ll fuck, we never talk.”
“We’ll do both.” Brian smirked. “Let’s just say I’m versatile when I need to be.”
Justin had to laugh. “I’m glad you called back. But you were pretty mean.”
“I’m glad you called in the first place. I was an asshole.”
“That too.” Justin grinned. It was nice talking to Brian. They had always had a great camaraderie, it was only when things got serious that they couldn’t speak clearly.
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JB hoisted her back pack and waited just inside the main gate for the taxi to pick her up as she did every other day. The taxi would take her to the special school she attended for gifted children.
“Hey JB.” The cab driver, smiled as she climbed into his cab. “Nice hat you have on today.”
“My daddy bought it for me.” JB wiggled. “Mr. Jackie, I have to go to the bus depot this morning. We’re having a field trip, all the kids will be there.”
“I don’t know JB, your daddy didn’t give me a note.”
“I lost it.” She looked sad. “Miss Smith said we had to go inside and wait by the big clock for everyone to get there.” JB didn’t have to fake looking miserable. She hated to lie and especially hated to lie to Mr. Jackie. She was afraid of getting him in trouble. Her daddy was not going to be happy when he found her note.
“Okay, here we are. I’m going to wait here until you get inside.”
“Oh look, there’s Susie.” JB said waving just as the door was shutting on the terminal. “She’s inside now. I won’t be alone. Thank you for ride Mr. Jackie.”
“Do I pick you up here or at the school?”
“Oh, daddy is picking me up today.” She smiled sweetly and quickly got out of the cab and hurried inside.
“JB” Gus all but screamed, his nerves were frayed. “I thought you were never getting here. The bus leaves in fifteen minutes.” He gave her a quick hug. “I was so worried. Did you leave Justin a note? We don’t want him to worry. I left my moms’ one.”
“Of course I did. I heard my daddy talking on the phone to your daddy. He said I couldn’t go to Pittsburgh ‘cause it’s polluted. That’s weird.”
“No, it really is. Some days they even put out a notice on the radio to tell people with breathing problems to stay inside.”
“That’s okay, I don’t mind staying inside.” She smiled and took his hand. He smiled back at her and led her to the bus that was boarding.
“This bus stops in an hour for a breakfast break. I’m starving. Did you bring money, ‘cause I spent all mine.”
“I brought money and peanut butter sandwiches with honey.”
“Cool”
Gus handed two tickets to the driver, turning and waving at no one and yelling. “Bye mom. Wave at mommy JB.”
JB grinned and pretended to say goodbye as well. “We’re going to our grandma’s” she said to the driver who was now satisfied that the children were where they were supposed to be.
“Let’s sit in the back. I had to sit behind the driver all the way here.” Gus led JB toward the back of the bus. Soon the two kids were settled into a seat. JB at the window and Gus protecting her in the aisle seat. “It’s a real long trip and the bus stops at like a zillion times.”
“That’s okay, I bet your daddy comes and finds us before we get back to your house.”
“I bet it’s your daddy.” Gus grinned.
JB handed Gus a sandwich and a bottle of water. “Here’s some breakfast. I made them myself.”
The two kids ate breakfast and chatted while the bus slowly made its way to Pittsburgh.
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“Gus, get out of bed right now.” Lindsay shouted from the bottom of the stairs. When there was no answer from her son, she bounded up the stairs, taking them two at a time. She was late and he wasn’t helping things by dawdling. “Gus Peterson Marcus, get your ass out of bed right this minute.” She said knocking on his door. He always replied the the name is Kinney . When she was answered by silence, Lindsay opened the door. “Gus? GUS?”
Lindsay ran for the bed that was still neatly made. She clutched at the note that lay on the center of the bed, pinned there by his old teddy bear.
Moms, I have to go get JB, she really wants to see Dad and she’s too little to go on the bus by herself. I’ll be home for supper. Sorry about skipping school today, but I did my homework. Love Gus Kinney
Lindsay’s eyes widened as she read the letter. She tried to call Melanie, but her voice was stuck in her throat.
Melanie finally managed to grab the piece of paper Lindsay was waving around as she mumbled and screeched incoherently. “Oh for fuck sake, he’s just like his fucking father, always has to look after things himself. It never occurs to either of them to ask or even tell someone what the fuck they’re doing.” Melanie was dialing the phone as she continued to rant.
“Kinney.” Brian barked into the phone. He’d been at Kinnetik for two hours, but it was still too early for business calls.
“Look asshole, your kid snuck out and took a bus to get JB. I can only assume he’s been traveling all night. His bed hasn’t been slept in. FIX IT AND GET HIM HOME NOW.” She slammed down the phone.
Brian hadn’t been able to breathe while Melanie was screaming. He quickly dialed Lindsay, hoping that her bitch of a wife didn’t answer. “Linds, what the fuck is going on?”
“Brian.” Lindsay sobbed. “It’s Gus, he said he had to get JB, she wants to talk to you. She’s too young to ride the bus by herself, so Gus went to get her.”
“Are you crazy, letting my son go on a bus to Provincetown by himself. That’s like an 8 hour bus trip.”
“Brian you should know by now that I didn’t let Gus do this. He’s very stubborn and he is completely smitten with this little girl. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her.” She started to cry. “I’m so worried, he’s just a little boy no matter what he may think.”
“I need to call Justin. I’ll get back to you.” Brian had barely disconnected when his phone rang. “Hey Sunshine, let me guess, JB is on her way to the Pitts.”
“It isn’t funny Brian. She’s only four and she’s small for age. She took her meds with her, but still. I don’t like the idea that she’s on a fucking bus.”
“Gus is with her.”
“That’s what her note said.” Justin sighed. “I have the schedule from the bus company. There isn’t a chance in hell I can catch up to them, but I’m going to try.”
“Email me the schedule, I’ll meet the bus.” Brian was already pulling his jacket on when he realized he’d taken a cab over to Kinnetik because he couldn’t drive with his cast.
“Sorry, Rage is out of commission. “I’ll get them and meet you at the loft.”
“I’ll check with Linds, she might want Gus at home. He’s going to be grounded until he graduates from high school.”
“Brian, don’t be too hard on him.” Justin cautioned. “He’s only doing something I could see you doing. He can’t help it if he has your genes.”
“We’ll talk about it later.”
“I’m already out the door. I can’t believe I’m going to Pittsburgh. Daphne called ahead a prescription for an inhaler for JB to the pharmacy you use. I don’t know if she’ll need it or not, but I’d rather have it around when we get there. Can you get someone to pick it up for me please.”
“It’ll be at the loft.” Brian hesitated. “And Justin, don’t drive foolishly. I’d like all of you back here in one piece.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Justin laughed and shook his head as he disconnected the phone. Brian was such a control freak; it must be killing him to not have the same mobility as he usually did.
Checking the time and looking at the bus schedule, Justin decided to head for two stops from where they were now. He knew a short cut or two off the main route. It wouldn’t take him long to find the kids.
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“You come near us again mister and I’ll not only rip your balls off, but I’ll be screaming and so will JB for all we’re worth. My dad is a powerful man. You’ll wish you’d never touched me.” Gus growled at the man who had brushed against him for the third time on superfluous trips to the toilet at the rear of the bus. JB who was leaning against the window glared daggers at the now shaking man.
“Hey kid, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The man turned and headed back to his seat.
“He’s a creep.” JB pronounced. She looked out the window. “Hey, I think that’s my daddy’s car passing us.”
“Good, I’m damn sick of this bus.” Gus sighed. “JB, if you ever get another idea like this, make sure we’re old enough to at least take a plane or better yet, wait until I have my driver’s license.”
“Gus you’re silly.” JB giggled. She leaned into him, snuggling under his arm so he could hug her tightly. “I hope my daddy isn’t too mad at me.”
“You’re a girl, he’ll yell a lot, but he won’t do anything mean.” Gus pronounced. “I think I’ll probably be grounded.”
“I can get you daddy’s cell phone, you can phone me.”
“Geeze JB, no more taking stuff from your dad.” Gus sighed. “Are all girls grabby like you are?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know any girls except the girls in my school and they’re all kind of mean ‘cause of my scar. They said I’m ugly and no boy in the whole world is ever going to be my boyfriend.”
“Well I guess they’re wrong Bean, ‘cause I’m a boy and I’m your boyfriend.” He kissed her forehead like he’d seen his dad do to Justin. It was a nice feeling.
She snuggled closer. “I bet you’re the best boyfriend in the whole world.”
“You are four, kind of too young to have a boyfriend.” Gus admitted. “I think we should keep this to ourselves until you’re at least eight, that’s pretty old.”
“Can I tell my daddy and Brian?” she asked.
“If you have to. But not right now. We are going to have enough problems.” Gus grinned a tongue in cheek grin much like his father. “The bus is pulling into a stop and I can see your dad’s car. I hope this place has a restaurant. I’m starving to death.”
“You don’t look like it.” JB poked him in the belly. The doors on the bus hissed open and the bus driver swung himself out and down in order to let new passengers on.
“We’d better go JB.” Gus stood up and stretched before helping the little girl into the aisle along with her backpack.
“You kids, this isn’t your stop.” The bus driver began when their feet hit the outside pavement.
“My daddy is here.” JB said, spotting Justin who was striding toward them with a half smile on his face. She ran to him with her arms out.
Only to have him squat down give her a quick hug and then say. “If you’re big enough to have a boyfriend and run away to Pittsburgh, then I guess you’re not a little girl anymore. I can’t lift you. Hey Gus, thanks for watching over her.” Justin nodded to the bus driver, taking care not to look at JB’s crestfallen face.
“I think we should take a break here. It’s almost lunch time and I’m hungry.” Justin had one hand on the back of Gus’ neck and the other hand held his daughter’s fingers.
Gus and JB excused themselves to go to the bathroom and wash their hands. It was more an excuse to ask each other what to do. Justin was acting funny and neither of them liked it.
Justin waited until they disappeared into the bathroom section before calling Brian. “I’ve got them. We’re going to eat and then head to the Pitts.”
“What did you say to them?” Brian asked.
“Not a damn thing. Let them both stew.”
“You’re evil.” Brian laughed. “I bet Gus’ mothers will have plenty to say.”
“Sometimes silence is the best punishment, ask my mother.” Justin laughed. “Gotta go, they’re coming back.”
“Uh, Justin.” Gus began as he slid into the seat across from the blond and JB slid in beside him. “I know you’re mad at us. But JB was desperate and she thinks that you don’t listen to her because she’s kind of young and little. She thinks because she’s been sick a lot you treat her more…” searched for a word. “Tenderly than you would a kid who hasn’t been sick.”
“JB, suddenly you need Gus to talk for you?” Justin asked, with raised eyebrows.
“You’re kind of scary when you have black eyes. And you have black eyes when’re really, really upset. You have a smiley face, but black eyes.” She hurried the words, but her chin was out in stubborn bravado.
Justin thought for a moment. No one had ever said his eyes changed color when he was pissed. “We need to eat lunch. No one thinks good on an empty stomach.”
“I’m not going to eat anything.” JB glared. “You are ignoring me.”
“I’m not ignoring you.” Justin glared back. “I’m hungry. And you should be too.”
“I’m hungry.” Gus said. He looked at JB. “I’ll share with you.”
“Okay.” JB moved closer to her protector. “Can we have milk?”
Justin bit his lip. JB looked so much like her mother it was uncanny. And Gus was the spitting image of Brian as Rage the protector of all things young and helpless. He had a feeling the next twenty years were going to be dance he’d never forget.
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Once in Pittsburgh, Justin made sure Gus was dropped off first. He watched the boy trudge into his house knowing that he was going to be punished. As he opened the front door he turned and grinned at JB and then blew her a kiss. She giggled and blew one back before settling back down in her seat. “Fucked, we’re all fucked.” Justin mumbled under his breath.
Inside the house, Gus headed for the kitchen. He knew his mothers would be in there from the smell of gingerbread baking. His mother always baked when she was upset. “Hey.” He said.
“Gus, you know what you did was both wrong and right.” Melanie began. “It was wrong to allow JB to do something that was clearly not a good thing. And it was wrong of you to go to her without letting us know. It was right that you wanted to make sure she was going to be okay. That doesn’t negate the wrong things you did. Your mom and I want you to think about it and decide what kind of punishment you should endure.”
“Okay.” Gus sat at the table. “I’m sorry I made you guys worry. But I had it under control. I shouldn’t have skipped school and I kind of borrowed the money for the bus tickets from the tea pot.”
“Have your supper.” Lindsay placed his warmed up dinner in front of him. “Your mother and I will discuss this with you later.“ They had the entire day to go from worried, to angry, to upset and then relief that he was alright. But he still needed to be accountable for what he’d done. It was going to be a long evening for all three of them.
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Justin parked his car in a parking space that was all too familiar to him. Taking JB by the hand, he walked her to the door where, surprisingly enough, the keys he’d carried with him all these years worked and he let them into the building and then into the elevator.
“Hey.” He said after he unlocked the sliding door and stepped inside the loft. “You didn’t change the locks.”
“Then I would have had to give you a new key and I wasn’t talking to you at the time.” Brian grinned as he hopped over with one crutch. He kissed Justin’s lips with a proprietary kiss. “Hey JB, up to no good I hear.” He said ruffling her hair. “I made us something to eat. I figured you’d be hungry by now.”
“Since when do you cook?” Justin laughed, heading for the kitchen like he’d never left. “Wow, spaghetti and meat sauce.”
“And a nice salad.” Brian smirked. “It isn’t much, but then I do have a broken leg.”
“Yes you do.”
“Brian, I’m sorry Gus is in trouble.” JB said, wanting to clear things up. “I was just fine on my own, but he said that you would drown him in a sack if he let me take the bus by myself all the way here.”
“I’ll talk to Gus later.” Brian said. He sat down on a kitchen chair and pulled JB on his lap. “You have to understand something Button, your daddy and I are big boys. We have to make decisions on our own. I know you would like us all to live together as a family. I’d like that too. But your daddy isn’t ready for me yet.”
“We can tell him to hurry up.” JB said looking from her father to Brian. “I want two daddies and I want my Gus.”
“About Gus, you’re a bit too young for a boyfriend and he’s too young for a girlfriend.” Brian began. “But your daddy and I are very happy that the two of you like each other enough to look out for one another.”
“Are you too old for a boyfriend?” JB asked, her head to one side.
“Yes, I am.” Brian smiled. “But not too old for a partner.” His eyes held Justin’s.
“Daddy, did you hear Brian?”
“Yes.” Justin’s voice was hoarse.
“Of course, my partner would have to be willing to put up with me. And I am a work in progress, but I’m trying really hard to be a good partner. I don’t even mind living in Provincetown most of the time. I’d like to write a book and that seems like a good place to do it in.”
“Would Gus come and visit?” JB asked.
“Of course he would. Most every weekend and during school breaks, that is if my partner didn’t mind.”
“Daddy, do you think if you tried very, very hard, you could be a good partner to daddy Brian.” The extra part of Brian’s name didn’t go unnoticed by the two men.
“I’ll need to talk to Brian privately first before we make any hard and fast decisions.” Justin hedged.
“Daddy, daddy Brian isn’t going to wait forever you know. He is a lot older than you.”
“Sorry, that’s right; he is an old man, while I on the other hand am young and virile. Tell me again why this partnership is a good thing.” Justin was grinning.
“Cause you love him and he loves you.” JB answered, looking from one to another.
“Oh, right.” They both said together. Justin walked over and kissed first JB and then Brian. “It’s a deal then.”
February 14th, 2007