Authors Comments: It couldn't happen any sooner...here is the letter that Justin sent to Brian with his painting. The image of the painting is at the end of chapter 8, if you need it. Lois, thank you for the beta...you are the greatest!
Chapter 10– The Legend…The Letter Early Afternoon…(Day 17) “Oh, Mr. Kinney. I’m surprised to see you in the middle of the day. There has been a team of people here all morning. They just finished installing things at the windows all over the house. Everyone just left not too long ago,” Thomas said as Brian parked in front of the West Virginia house and exited his car. “Well Thomas, we seem to be slowly moving in at last,” Brian announced with a smile. “It’s great. It’s just good that the house is no longer going to be empty. Is Mr. Taylor here with you?” “No he’s in Cincinnati on business, he’ll be back tonight.” Brian continued walking toward the entrance to the house. “You know there seems to be a bit of a chill in the air.” Brian said, with a note of joy in his voice. “I think I’ll light a fire.” “Would you like Teres to fix you a snack?” Thomas offered. “No, but I might fix one. Hopefully I’ll be able to find the kitchen.” They both laughed at the last comment. “The refrigerator is stocked. Of course, if there is something special you need, we’ll be more than glad to get it for you. It’s going to be so good to have you here at the house,” Thomas said again. “Thanks, I’ll let you know if I need anything.” Brian made his way into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. There they were…his favorite green apples. Brian smiled. Justin had thought of everything. He opened the drawer and found the knife. He then checked the upper cabinets and located the plates. Brian began to slice the apple. After a further search through the refrigerator, Brian located the sliced turkey. He added a few slices to his plate. A further search in the refrigerator, and Brian found the already cut up veggies, which were also added to the plate. Placing his plate on a tray, Brian was on his way to the living room to relax. The slight chill in the room reminded Brian to turn on the fireplace. He returned to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of Beam. Then he walked to his new office and retrieved Justin’s letter from his desk drawer. Armed with he letter and his glass of Beam, Brian reentered the living room. Wanting to have a full view the painting while he read the letter, he repositioned his painting to lean against the opposite chair, and then made himself comfortable in the other oversized chair, with the ottoman supporting his long legs. Now Brian truly felt ready to find out what else Justin had to tell him.
Brian,
Legends have told us that the Ancients would craft a Talisman, a sacred object forged at the astrologically auspicious time when all the forces of the universe converged, to consecrate the energy of the spirit within the object. For the Talisman could only be created at this one moment in time and space. It was said that with the proper Talisman, time could be eluded. Some have said that with the proper talisman, time would have no meaning…one could travel at will…back in time to the past… or forward in time into the future. Still others have said that the talisman can be used only once…one time to change a moment of the past or one time to change an instant of future. How often have we wished to go back in time to change the outcome of a moment? How often have we asked “what if”? And how often have we desperately clung to some single moment hoping it would never end? We have had our moments, you and I…moments when all the forces of the universe converge. We have known both moments of extreme joy and moments of utter despair. And through it all…through all the ups and downs…we come here to this moment in time…here in the present…when We are still US…when we are still together. The shadow of the lovers’ embrace is the ultimate Talisman of Time, for the love that is shared is transcendent. We choose what we’ll do with the time that has been given to us. Can’t we simply choose to find some way to share a love without sacrificing a life? Can’t we find some compromise? Can’t we find some way to be together? ‘It’s only time’ isn’t good enough, Brian. This is the moment for which our Talisman of Time was forged. Now is the time!
Justin
“Oh great! Melanie and Michael get notes that are straightforward and say clearly what you meant for them to say. But do I get a clear and precise note…No I get one of your cryptic tomes. This isn’t going to work Justin. You can’t do this to me!” Brian protested. Brian stood up and crossed to the window taking his glass of beam with him. He leaned his head against the cool pane of glass and searched the afternoon sky for answers. There were no answers to be found. Brian walked back to the chair to read the letter again. This time his thoughts were shrouded in conversations of the past. Beginning of Flashback “I don’t want to be with someone, who sacrificed their life and called it love to be with me,” Brian had said that night as they lay in each other’s arms. “Neither do I,” Justin had quietly agreed. End of Flashback With those words they had made the decision not to get married. With those words Brian had convinced Justin to pursue his art career in New York. The wisdom of the decision for Justin to go had been confirmed many times over. Justin had gone to New York, and even if he had not taken the art world by storm as predicted, he was definitely getting attention as an artistic breath of fresh air. Justin was being recognized for his talent, and the world was getting to see his paintings. Brian knew the success part would come with time. The separation had been hard on them both. Justin had fought to prove that they were still partners even though they lived in two different cities, and Brian had learned to trust in the relationship with someone that he loved. It had been a year. And although many people still didn’t understand their relationship, Brian knew they were stronger than ever. But somewhere in the back of Brian’s mind was the lingering “what if”. True, Justin may have needed to go to New York. Now Brian questioned himself… what if he had worked harder and found a way to have moved Kinnetik to NY also. Then, they could have been together all along. What if there was no reason for this separation. After all, Justin wasn’t the fiddler. He really had not needed to suffer for his art. Justin’s art was simply a part of who he was. What if Ben had been right, and there was really no need for Justin to be alone… to do this starving artist routine? Brian thoughts were drowned out by other memories. Beginning of Flashback “I’ll be back…you’ll come there…we’ll see each other all the time,” Justin proclaimed. “You don’t know that…neither do I,” Brian responded with a shrug of his shoulder. “Whether we see each other next weekend or next month…or never again…it doesn’t matter…it’s only time,” Brian continued softly. End of Flashback Justin’s words had in fact been prophetic, for they did see each other all the time…well, not all the time, but every few weeks. Brian made the time to visit because Justin couldn’t. Brian’s Monday morning trip to the airport after each visit was always the hardest moment, when he had to leave Justin behind as he boarded the plane. What got him through the emotion of leaving was that it was not goodbye…but only “later”…until his next trip. ‘It doesn’t matter…it’s only time,’ was said as the ultimate declaration of Brian’s undying love. ‘Now Justin wants us to be together.’ Brian thought. ‘ He has an agent. Maybe he doesn’t have to live in New York anymore. Maybe now he can really paint here in Pittsburgh. It’s want he’s always said he wanted to do. Maybe all he has to do now, is be able to travel back and forth to New York. Maybe?’ ’Can’t we find a way to share a love without sacrificing a life?’ “What more do you want, Justin?” Brian asked aloud. “I thought we had worked that all out…about your going to New York.” Brian looked into the flames of the fire and knew the answer. Justin was ready to come home. Justin wasn’t defeated by New York or the art world. Justin wasn’t even running away from a challenge. Justin was clearly unafraid, but Justin had simply decided that he would deal with the art world on his own terms…the exhibit in Santa Barbara was proof of that. Justin’s decision to paint for three months in Pittsburgh was even further proof. But Brian also knew that making it ok for Justin to come back presented its own set of challenges. Lindsay had made that abundantly clear. If Justin was going to be a great artist, he needed to be in New York. Pittsburgh had too many distractions. His staff wanted Justin to stay here. Witness the fact that Justin had only spent one day at Kinnetik, and Murph and Cynthia were already insisting that Brian find some way to keep Justin on staff. But Brian didn’t need any coaxing. Working on the Eyeconics-Belluss Occhiali campaign with Justin was invigorating…an exchange of ideas between equals. Brian hadn’t had this much fun since the Stockwell campaign. Already he was spoiled. Brian caught himself. What was he thinking? He had to stop thinking this way. Justin was right, ‘the shadow of the lovers’ embrace IS the ultimate Talisman of Time.’ Brian walked over and gently ran his fingers across the shadow of the lovers in the painting. “I love you, Sunshine,” he said out loud. “Don’t worry. We’ll work this out.” Brian looked at his watch and realized that it was getting late. He returned his painting to its spot in the corner of the living room. He turned off the fireplace. He gathered his tray and the dishes and returned them to the kitchen. Brian had a lot to think about, but it was now time to return to Pittsburgh.