When Irish Eyes are Smiling – chapter six Author: Elsa Rose Bryant “Is he ready?” Jamie asked an exhausted looking Justin. “I don’t know, he’s in his room. Every time I open the door he throws something at me. For someone who can’t see, he has a damn good aim.” Justin was sitting on the floor outside of Brian’s door, two of the kittens on his lap. “Even the cats are afraid to go in.” Jamie laughed as he opened the door. “Brian, don’t throw anything.” He warned when he stepped through the door. “I hear you’ve been giving Justin a hard time.” “Make him go home. I don’t need anybody here. I can manage just fine on my own.” “I can see that.” Jamie looked around at the usually immaculate room that looked like a minor explosion had taken place. Clothes and books were everywhere. “My fucking back hurts.” Brian groaned as he tried to move from his spot leaning against the bed. His bandages were clearly showing blood. “For someone who is relatively intelligent, you’re an idiot.” Jamie touched Brian’s shoulder. “I need to look at your wound before we go anywhere. You’ve broken a stitch, you’re bleeding.” “Fuck.” Brian leaned forward. “I need something for the pain.” “And you thought you were going to get it by being an asshole to Justin? Interesting concept in communication.” Jamie was busy attending to Brian. A few minutes of silence ensued as he worked, ignoring Brian’s twitches. “There, done once again. Now get dressed.” “I can’t, I don’t know what to wear.” “I’d put on jeans and a tee shirt if I were you.” Jamie tidied up the mess he’d made. “Of course you might have other ideas.” “I can’t see.” “Exactly, which is why we’re going to look into your head.” “I’m not going.” “Yes you are, one way or another.” “I can’t go out, it’s too dangerous.” “Explain.” “I can’t.” but Brian stood up from the bed and pulled on a pair of sweat pants. Jamie leaned down and picked up a tee shirt. “Put this on.” He pushed it into Brian’s hand. Brian struggled but managed to get the shirt on. Jamie knew better than to offer his assistance. “Has the kid gone home yet?” Brian asked. “No, but your place looks clean enough to eat off the floor.” Jamie giggled and Brian was reminded of the boy he’d met years ago. “Jamie, you’re a good man.” His hand found Jamie’s shoulder. “I know you mean well and you’re worried about me. But I’ve researched this kind of head injury enough for my books, it’ll either reverse itself or it won’t. The only thing that you or your doctor friend will be able to do for me is to tell me to rest. I’m resting.” “Brian, I appreciate your candor, but like it or not., I have to know what damage was done when you were attacked. My friend is doing this favor for me, so shut the fuck up and deal with it.” “I don’t want Justin there.” Brian’s voice was filled with a vulnerability that he found embarrassing. He didn’t want Justin to see him this way. He’d never wanted Justin to know that he had feet of clay. That he had been put in this position by circumstance had his mind reeling with a combination of humiliation and fear. Justin heard insincerity and something else in the older man’s words. It wasn’t anything he could define, but he knew that despite what Brian was saying, he didn’t really mean to be unkind. Shrugging to himself, Justin stood up. He might as well finish his cleaning. If he was going to spend any time at all helping Brian, he’d need to do it after the place was cleaned to his standards. He couldn’t wait to get into the man’s bedroom and bathroom. Deciding that the best thing would be to stay out of the man’s line of fire, Justin headed to another room to clean. Jamie could get Brian dressed and out the door. He didn’t need to be there. A few minutes later, as Jamie and Brian were leaving, Justin caught Jamie’s eye and made a motion for him to call when they knew something. He smiled when a slight nod of the other man’s head showed his agreement. Justin had finished the master bathroom. The dryer dinged telling him that the sheets and other bedding he’d washed were done. He’d make up Brian’s bed with fresh bedding and then finish the dusting. His cell phone rang and he grabbed it before it could ring again. “Hey, how is he?” Justin almost shouted. “Justin, what did you say?” it was his mother. “Molly came home with some kind of far fetched story about how you insisted she spend the night. But I told her once was enough. She has school and so do you. I don’t understand what the attraction is when she has a perfectly fine room at home.” “Uh, mom, I can’t talk now, I’m expecting a call.” Justin knew he shouldn’t have said anything as soon as the words were out of his mouth. “Justin, who in the world would be calling you this late at night other than your mother. Have you been seeing someone? You know you’re much too young for any kind of a relationship. You have University to think of. So many young people get caught up with their emotions and throw away their lives.” “Mom” Justin interrupted her familiar rant. “I’m not going to fall for some guy and get knocked up, trust me on that one. I do have friends however, and I’m expecting a call from one of them.” “Don’t take that tone with me.” “Mom, seriously, I have to go. I’ll call you tomorrow and lay off Molly, she’s thirteen, she likes to hang out with her older brother. You should be happy we get along.” He talked for another couple of minutes before hanging up. The phone had barely been snapped shut when it rang again. “What?” he almost shouted. “Justin? It’s Jamie; Brian has a small fracture in his skull. There’s some bleeding that caused pressure on his optic nerves. He should have surgery, but you know he won’t. With time everything will heal, but there’s always a chance it won’t without the necessary surgery. I’m not sure what I should do.” Jamie sounded desolate. Brian had been a good friend and mentor to him and he hated to leave him this way. “Where is he now?” Justin asked, he could feel his stomach quivering at the news. “He’s in the examining room getting dressed. I only have a minute before he’s ready to go home.” “Bring him home. I’ll see what I can do to persuade him to have the surgery.” “Fuck, he collapsed. I have a feeling he’s going to be having the surgery whether he wants it or not.” Jamie hung up. Not hesitating, Justin raced out of Brian’s place, stopping at his own only long enough to grab his wallet. He had to get to the hospital. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Justin and Jamie had been in the waiting room with Jamie’s friend Vincent for five hours before the surgeon came out to see them. “You people are here for Mr. Kinney?” Doctor Black asked. “Yes, he has no one except us.” Jamie supplied to the unasked question. “He has no family.” “Mr. Kinney is a very lucky man. Had he collapsed at home, this conversation wouldn’t be taking place.” The next few minutes were filled with technicalities of what had been found inside the Irish man’s skull. The doctor finally left leaving them all reeling with the possibilities of what might have happened. “What do we do now?” Justin asked. “I’m going home to sleep. I’m in enough trouble with this. I want to be rested before being called up on the carpet.” Vincent scruffed his hand through his already standing on end red hair. “I have to go too Justin. I have an early surgery myself.” Jamie leaned in and gave his new friend a quick hug. “You should probably go home too.” “I’ll stick around until he gets put in his room.” Justin sighed. “I’m too tired to attend classes today. I might as well see that Brian is doing okay.” Justin stopped at a vending machine for a couple of cans of Mountain Dew before finding his way to Brian’s room. His winning smile and soft-spoken manners persuaded the nurses on duty that he should be there. As Brian lay sleeping, Justin couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the man, even in the mess he’d managed to get himself into. His head had been shaven and a thick pad of dressing was secured by tape. Even still, he had an otherworldly beauty about him. Other than an IV drip, he wasn’t hooked to any monitor that Justin could see, though one stood by quietly humming to itself. Looking around the room, Justin found a chair and pulled it up beside Brian’s bed. He had the need to be close should the man wake up. Not sure if he was doing the right thing, Justin took Brian’s free hand in both of his, warming up the cold appendage. Unable to resist, he stood for a second and let his lips brush Brian’s dry cold lips. He smiled to himself as he sat back down. For some reason, even though Brian was older, richer, and not to mention a mystery, Justin felt an essential need to protect him from the harsh realities of the world. Brian had been awake for almost an hour, his eyes shut, as he tried to figure out where he was and what was going on. He smelled that he was in a hospital, note to self, he thought, kill Jamie. He could hear quiet breathing close to him, as if someone was sleeping. That someone appeared to be holding his hand. It wasn’t Jamie. He knew the cologne Jamie wore, he’d given it to him himself. What he did know was that his head hurt more than words could describe. Moving it wasn’t an option, nor was moving any part of him in case it caused his head to move. Cautious eye opening told him nothing. He still was unable to see. So much for the hospital part. He might as well have stayed home, or at least that’s what he thought. His back didn’t so much pain as it did ache with a throbbing ache each time he breathed. He figured the knife had hit one of his ribs and he was right. One thing he knew for sure, was that he couldn’t stay in the hospital. It was too dangerous. He had to get back to the protection of his tower. “Justin, Justin.” He whispered. He suspected that his watcher was the young blond. “What?” Justin woke up startled, shaking his head. “Brian, you’re awake.” “No point in being redundant. Help me find something to put on and get me out of here. I have to get home.” “You just had surgery, I don’t think they’re going to let you go.” “Did I murder someone, rob a bank, steal the Mona Lisa?” Brian asked as he felt for the IV and quickly pulled it from his hand, not caring if he made a mess. Justin gasped and put a cloth over the entry point. “Hold that.” He muttered, fixing the IV tube so that it didn’t drip all over the floor. “What the fuck are you doing?” he hissed. “Getting out of here. I’m serious Justin, I’m not safe. I have to get home. I hope you didn’t give out any information about me.” “Just regular stuff, but I kind of didn’t tell the truth. Justin had lied about Brian’s address and phone number. The hospital clerk was coming in the morning to clarify things. “Good.” Brian stood up, unsteady on his feet. “Take me to the bathroom. I’ll piss and wait while you find me some clothes.” “Your stuff is in the locker.” Justin let Brian hold onto his arm while he led him to a bathroom. “The toilet is about a foot and half inside the door, don’t fall in.” he cautioned with a giggle, wondering if he was going to go to hell for breaking Brian out of the hospital so soon after his surgery. Brian stepped inside, found the toilet and took a long and well needed piss. Justin handed him his pants first. “You need to let me lean on you, my balance is shot to hell.” Brian managed to pull on the sweats. His breathing was labored with a mixture of pain and anxiety. “Hand me my tee shirt.” “It’s kind of dirty, you bled on it when you fell.” “That sucks, but I need a shirt.” He pulled the dirty shirt over his head as carefully as he could, the pain he was feeling almost taking him to his knees. “Now what?” Justin asked. “I can’t find your shoes.” “I don’t need them. Just get me out of here without being seen.” “I left my invisibility coat at home.” “Don’t be an ass, you’re young, you must have snuck out of somewhere once or twice. Just get me out of this place and home.” “Fine, but if I’m arrested or something, I hope you bail me out of jail.” Justin sighed with as much drama as he could muster. And then he spotted a wheel chair just outside the door. “I’m going to get a wheel chair, it’ll be easier than steering your fat ass into a wall or something.” Brian bit back a grin while he listened to Justin getting the chair. “Sit down. I’ll find a blanket, look feeble or something while we get out of here.” They were in luck, the elevator opened dispensing a couple of orderlies and Justin wheeled Brian from the room and in through the open doors. The transaction was smooth and went unnoticed by everyone. Justin pushed the button for the lobby almost holding his breath as the machine moved slowly, lower and lower finally disgorging them into the busy lobby just off of the emergency ward. He walked with confidence to the entrance acting like what he was doing was the most normal thing in the world. Brian felt a woosh of cold air. “Is it dark?” he asked. “Kind of, it’s almost dawn.” Justin was pushing the chair, not sure what in hell he was supposed to do. “Get me home.” “Should I call a cab?” Justin asked, reaching for his cell phone. “No, don’t do that. Just follow my directions.” With that Brian began to instruct Justin in following an intricate shortcut of alleys and backyards that led them both through the city dawn with little fanfare. Five blocks from the Rosewood Building, Brian got out of the chair. “Hide the chair behind the dumpster.” “How do you know there’s a dumpster?” Justin had to ask doing, as he was told. He didn’t expect Brian to answer and he didn’t. He couldn’t believe they’d traveled as far as they had without once touching a sidewalk. The next five blocks involved moving through buildings, climbing stairs, going through passages that had obviously become a highway of sorts for those people Justin could barely see in the shadows that followed their movements. Finally Brian stopped. “This next part is dangerous. I don’t want you to do it. You can go down these stairs, home is the next building. I’m sure you have your key.” “If it’s dangerous, how do you expect to do it? Perhaps it’s escaped your notice but you don’t see all that well.” Justin was eyeing up what had to be the most fragile looking ladder he’d ever seen attached to the side of this building. It appeared to lead within two feet of the Rosewood Building, with nothing but air separating them. He wouldn’t want to jump with his good eyesight, and sure as fuck not blind. “I’ve had practice.” “With a knife wound and with brain surgery. Not fucking likely.” Justin stood in front of Brian. “Not a chance in hell am I going to let you do this.” Brian thought for a moment. Was he willing to trust this kid with a secret that might hurt him if it was discovered by the wrong people. He had no choice. “Okay, follow me.” And that’s how Justin found himself following a blind man through a labyrinth of corridors, up and down stairways, through doors until he was deep in the bowels of the building next door to his home. He was surprised that they hadn’t tripped some kind of alarm, the building was a popular one. “I’ve disabled the alarms and cameras on this route.” Brian answered his unasked question. They were outside, two steps and they were inside again, only this time they were deep in the walls of the Rosewood Building. Justin clutched Brian’s hand, terrified to move in the ultimate darkness. And then there was light. They’d walked through the darkness into the underground parking. It was the hidden door behind the pillar. “That was fucking awesome.” Justin breathed, his voice shaking. Brian’s strength appeared to leave him and he leaned heavily on the smaller man. “It’s the elevator for me.” He breathed. “And if you can find something stronger than an aspirin, for fuck sake give me a handful.” Justin helped him to the elevator, wincing when he saw the bloody foot prints Brian was making, knowing he was going to have to go back and make sure they didn’t lead whoever it was that Brian feared right to them. He’d forgotten Brian didn’t have any shoes on. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Retracing his walk with Brian while carrying a half filled bucket of water and some drying cloths, had taken every ounce of artistic memory and stamina he hadn’t realized he’d had. Brian’s feet had started to bleed soon after the wheelchair had been abandoned. He checked and the chair had disappeared, no doubt some homeless person now had a ride. Cleaning glass and debris out of the bottoms of Brian’s feet hadn’t been easy either, but it had to be done. He’d left the man sleeping, his feet bandaged to match his head. Perhaps there was some kind of poetry in that, but he wasn’t sure. If he had the strength later, he’d sketch him, there was a manner of peace on the older man’s face. Once he was sure of Brian and knew that they wouldn’t be traced back to the Rosewood Building, Justin let out a sigh and threw himself down spread-eagle on the floor. He had some serious thinking to do and he did it best absorbing the vibrations of the building through the floor. He thought of it as a way of grounding himself and focusing and he’d been doing this kind of thing as long as he could remember. One by one the cats wandered into the room to sit, like plump fur pillows, eyes trained on Justin. They understood the need to feel the floor under one’s body. Justin loved watching them watch him; he liked to see the smiles on their faces as they sat, content to watch over him. He came to the conclusion that whatever Brian was up to, and he had to be up to something to fear being followed and to know such devious ways of eluding pursuers. Whatever it was couldn’t be bad, because there was an air of goodness around the older man that both Justin and the cats could sense. “That’s it guys, I’m going to make sure your Prince is safe in his tower. But I might need your cooperation.” He stood up in one smooth move, young muscles and an active lifestyle made him as sinuous as his furry friends. A quick check told him Brian was still sleeping, in fact he didn’t look like he’d moved since being tucked into the clean sheets. The phone on Brian’s bedside flashed, showing Justin that messages had been left. He was glad he’d had the presence of mind to shut off the ringers on all of the phones. He supposed he’d have to listen to them eventually, but for now, the light could stay flashing. His cell began to vibrate in his pocket, to make sure Brian didn’t wake up, Justin headed for the second floor to take the call. “Hey Jamie.” He answered, seeing the other man’s number. “Justin, are you okay?” Jamie asked, his voice breathless. “Are you watching the news?” “Yes, I’m fine and no, I’m not watching the news. Why, what’s up?” “There was an explosion at the hospital, I think it was in Brian’s room, Vincent, Vincent was killed.” Jamie’s voice broke. “There was another man, but he was burned pretty bad, he died too. It was Brian.” Now there was a definite sob. “Brian is sleeping in his bed.” Justin said. “I don’t know who the other guy was, but he isn’t Brian.” “Justin, I’m not sure how much you know about Brian, but he isn’t everything he might appear to be.” “No shit.” “Don’t let anyone in to see him, no one, I’m not even going to come over. I think I’m being watched. He needs time to recover,” if he recovers went unsaid, but the thought was in Jamie’s mind. “I already figured out that he’s no innocent writer of romance novels, or for that matter a fucking prince like Molly seems to think he is. I’m not sure just what he is. But if you’re anything to go by, I guess he’s a good man. I’ll make sure he’s safe, don’t worry.” Jamie discussed with Justin what he was to expect since Brian released himself from the hospital and managed to get home. He also agreed to make sure Justin had all that he needed to take care of his patient. Justin knew he was getting into something he hadn’t bargained for when he moved into the building he’d fantasized about for so many years. He also knew that there was a connection on an inner level with Brian that he’d never before felt for anyone. He had some studying to do before his classes tomorrow. But first he had to make sure the building was secure. He was also going to need a vehicle. He couldn’t waste time using public transportation and taxis weren’t always convenient. Taking his laptop into Brian’s bedroom, Justin set up a makeshift work area. First he researched cars to decide what he was going to buy. He needed to allow for the transporting of art projects and miscellaneous pieces of furniture he might work on, not to mention transporting Brian if he needed to go to a doctor or some other appointment. When Brian was awake, he’d get the key to open up the parking garage, he wasn’t about to leave his new vehicle in the alley or street. Brian could suck it up about sharing the garage. For now though, Justin spent time on finishing the essay he needed to do. He still couldn’t figure out why an art school had him spending so much time on written stuff. A quiet buzz caught his attention. Someone was at the downstairs entrance wanting in. For once he was grateful for Brian’s paranoia as he checked the monitor that showed the street door. Whoever it was, stood with a cap on shielding his face. “Yes.” Justin asked. “I have a delivery for Kinney.” The man mumbled. “I’m sorry, but there is no Kinney in this apartment.” “This is his building, isn’t it?” “I don’t know, I’ve lived here for six years and I’ve never met the owner.” Justin lied. “Well, I need to deliver this to him, do you know where he lives?” “How should I know where he lives?” Justin asked. “Go look him up in the phone book or something. My brother and I are the only ones who live here.” “Kinney doesn’t have a brother.” “And your point is?” Justin asked. But he was talking to no one; the man had left the front of the building. He shook his head. It was beginning. Brian had been right, he was being looked for. Justin had to wonder why. Now he had a problem. The reality of his situation had been made clear. The hospital explosion couldn’t have been an accident and now this person at the door. Brian was in danger and he wasn’t sure why. He couldn’t leave the man alone while he attended class and he couldn’t skip either. That would bring the wrath of his mother down on him. He wondered who would be the most dangerous. There was only one thing he could do. If nothing else, his mother was a pit bull when it came to defending her children. He needed to convince her to take Brian on as one of hers. To do that, he was going to have to confide in the woman and to break his promise to Molly. There was going to be hell to pay, but it was a gamble he needed to take if Brian was to be protected while he went to school. Jennifer Taylor listened to Justin’s story, glad that he couldn’t see her. She had been shocked and appalled, hurt and upset by what he’d revealed to her. Her children, Molly especially, had a life she hadn’t suspected or been part of. Perhaps she had been too controlling, it was a wake up call. The only part of the story that made her feel for Brian Kinney, was that she knew he was a good man. He was her favorite author. The books he wrote filled her with joy and peace at the beauty of the love stories he’d weave. Anyone who wrote like that, was a good person, no matter what was happening to him now. “I’ll be right over.” Jennifer said, her voice quiet but telling Justin there was no point in arguing. “I’ll bring Molly, she can spend the night and go to school from there.” “Mom it’s okay for tonight.” Justin began, almost relieved to have his mother take over. He was feeling overwhelmed. “No, we’ll be there shortly. And Justin, don’t tell your other friends, I’m not so sure they can keep a secret.” “I wasn’t planning on it.” Justin knew that Debbie as kind hearted as she was, had a big mouth and the whole of Liberty Avenue would know about his recent escape before he stopped talking. Jennifer realized that Justin’s fears were real when she began to open the downstairs door after having the lock released by her son. “Excuse me.” She said to the man who attempted to slip inside. “This is a private residence for my sons. You haven’t been invited. Molly, run upstairs to your brother’s apartment. It’s getting late.” She instructed as she glared unrelenting at the man in front of her. “I’m looking for Brian Kinney.” The man mumbled. “This is his building.” “This is the building that my son and his brother live in and believe me, neither one of their names are Brian Kinney. No one else lives here, renovations are being considered but at the moment it is a private residence, so kindly leave or I will call the police.” She spoke with years of breeding, the ability of ordering people around bred right into her being. “I’m sorry, I’ve been misinformed.” The man said as he backed off, keeping his head low, hoping she hadn’t seen too much of his face. A precaution he always took, in the profession he was in. “Mom, are you alright?” Justin asked, running down the stairs. He glared at the man who now stood behind the thick glass doors. The man nodded to himself. Kinney was tall, dark and thin, nothing like the boy who had greeted his mother. Someone had their facts wrong. He could have been recognized for what he was, an assassin, had he continued to peruse Kinney in this building. The man slipped away into the darkness. He’d look elsewhere for the Irish author. Jennifer took over as soon as she entered Brian’s apartment. “Molly, you may look in on Brian, but do no disturb him, he’ll need all the rest he can get. When you’re done, I want you to get ready for bed. Justin will drive you to school. He can use my car tomorrow.” She turned to her son. “Justin I believe you have a project to finish, you might as well go down to your place and finish it. I’d prefer if Molly had someone with her down there.” “She’s not sleeping in my room.” Justin began. “I’m sleeping on the sofa, so shut up. I don’t want to go into your stupid room.” Molly stuck out her tongue before tiptoeing in to see Brian. “Justin, we need to talk, but not now. I have too much to think about.” Jennifer gave him a quick kiss on his forehead. “I’m glad you trusted me with this. We’ll protect him and keep him safe. You’re a good man Justin Taylor, I’m proud of you.” Justin bit back tears. “I want to say goodnight to Brian first.” He mumbled, slipping past his mother. “He looks so sad.” Molly whispered when her brother came in. “He always looks sad, but this is kind of worse.” “He’ll be okay.” Justin gave her a quick hug. He bent down and straightened the covers before brushing his lips over Brian’s forehead in a quick kiss. “Stay safe.” He whispered to the man who lay sleeping. And Brian slept with dreams of being held safe and warm in the arms of someone who loved him. It wasn’t a dream he’d ever had before, this dream of laughing blue eyes and lips of strawberry, sweet and demanding to be devoured. He’d never had a dream of being loved and cared for. He felt safe for the first time in his life, even if it was only in his dream. Jennifer was almost glad when Justin and Molly left. She had a lot to think about and she did her best thinking with the children somewhere else. A noise from Brian’s room sent her rushing to the man’s side. “You’re home and you’re safe.” She murmured, brushing his hair from his forehead. “The best thing for you right now is to rest.” “Who are you?” he asked, though his voice was weak. He could sense the kindness in her voice, but he had no idea who the woman was. “I’m your mother, apparently you are my son’s brother. Or at least that’s what he’s telling anyone who enquires about you. I must have been rather precocious as a teen to have a son as old as you.” She giggled and Brian heard a hint of Justin in the giggle and he relaxed. “Well, mom, I could use something for the pain. But I’m not sure what hurts the most, my back, my head, or my feet.” He sighed. “Are Justin and Molly still here?” “No, I sent them both to Justin’s place for the night. They have school tomorrow. I’m afraid you are stuck with the cats and me. I’m curious, why so many cats?” “Life has had a few strange twists and turns, the cats are part of it.” He patted his hand on the bed. Three felines jumped up and snuggled close, all of them purring in unison. Brian sank the fingers of one hand in the fur of the ones closest to him. Jennifer wiped his face with a warm damp cloth. “I’ll give you a shot for pain. Someone called Jamie made sure you had this medicine, but I don’t approve. He feels you should have at least twenty four hours relatively pain free.” “I don’t know about pain free, but anything would be nice now.” Brian was strong, his jaw was clenched with the pain he was feeling. Jennifer could see it in his face, though he was doing his best to hide his pain. She expertly prepared the needle. “Can you roll on your side please? I’m going to stick this in the muscles of your ass.” She giggled again. “I’m sorry, but damn, Justin would love to be the one to do this.” “Now Mom, that isn’t very motherly of you.” He smiled though, despite the pinch of the needle. “I could use a visit to the bathroom before I fall asleep.” “I’m sorry Brian, but you really need to stay off your feet. You’ve cut them up rather badly, even a few hours off would help them heal. I’m going to give you a urinal and some privacy.” Brian flushed with embarrassment, not sure what to say. “I can walk.” He mumbled. He knew it would be painful, but the alternative was unacceptable. “Brian, don’t bother to argue. As your mother, I would have changed your diapers. Piss in a urinal is hardly going to make me like you any less.” With that said, she handed him what he needed. “I’m leaving to make you a nice glass of warm milk.” Kindness from a woman, let alone a woman who was a mother, wasn’t something Brian was used to. He’d run into it only once before when he’d met Michael Novotny, but Debbie’s kindness focused on Michael and didn’t expand to anyone else unless her son was alright. Justin’s mother on the other hand, had embraced him as her son, without question, though he didn’t understand why. He pissed, fumbling in his darkness and pain, only to have soft hands take away the urinal and hand him a wet cloth to wash with, whispery perfume filled his senses and he drifted off to a drug induced sleep, feeling kind hands tucking him in, smoothing back his hair and soft lips kissing him goodnight on his forehead. The words “sleep well my son.” Barely heard by his ears, but felt in his heart.