Lois and Carolyn, thanks for the beta...you’re the greatest!
Chapter 38 – A Few Random Talks, Part 1
A Little While Later, Wednesday Night…(Day 45)
In their bedroom in Cincinnati, Paul and Jason were talking. “Did you finally get Nicky back to bed?” Jason asked with a laugh.
“Yeah. Remind me to kill Brian the first chance I get,” Paul muttered with a laugh.
“Brian? What does Brian have to do with this?” Jason innocently asked.
“Ever since Brian cradled Nicky in his arms and asked our son if he would feel better if he was coming for a visit…Nicky has thought of nothing else. This is all Brian’s fault.”
“Don’t you think that’s just a bit harsh? Nicky’s been excited for weeks now…first about turning four…then about his party…and Gus’ visit…and Brian and Justin being here. The fact that we’re going to Pittsburgh is just one more thing for him to be excited about. We only have a few more days, and then we’ll be on a plane. Everything will eventually take care of itself. I think the prospect of murder might be a bit extreme,” Jason said, leaning in to give Paul a gentle kiss.
“When you put it that way…you’re probably right,” Paul groveled. “Have you talked to Justin?”
“He must still be in New York meeting with Spyder. I hope that Brian is keeping an eye on this Spyder-character,” Jason continued.
“You went to great lengths to tell him about your suspicions. I’m sure he heard you,” Paul added with a laugh.
“If he heard me, Brian will take care of things from there,” Jason insisted with a determined laugh.
Jason got up to be sure their bedroom door was locked. He walked back to the bed, gently pushed Paul into a reclining position, and casually lay down beside him.
“I understand why Nicky is all excited. I’m excited about seeing visiting Brian and Justin myself,” Jason added, as he propped himself up on one arm and looked at his partner.
“I’m really excited about the trip too…that’s why I’m going to kill Brian. He has all of us living with this anticipation all week,” Paul said, trying to sound serious.
Jason couldn’t resist. He just burst out laughing. Paul thought about what he just said, and then he burst out laughing too.
“Let’s get ready for bed while Il see if I can temporarily erase these murderous thoughts from your mind,” Jason suggested with a smile.
“That’s a very good idea,” Paul said, pulling Jason into a passionate kiss.
***
Melanie and Lindsay were relaxing in Toronto, and Lindsay was going through the mail. She kept stopping at one particular piece of mail. Melanie noticed.
“What do you have there?” Melanie asked Lindsay.
“It’s a description about an artist in residence program in Paris,” Lindsay explained.
“You seem awfully interested,” Melanie noted.
“I received it in the mail, and I’m just looking at it. The program looks interesting. I was just thinking…”
“We’re barely making ends meet now. We have two kids to take care of; I hope you’re not seriously thinking about pursuing this,” Melanie warned.
“It would only be for the summer. There are fellowships available. I don’t see why I couldn’t look into this. Look at all that Justin has been able to accomplish.”
“Sweetie, you’re not Justin. And once again let me remind you that we made a decision to have two kids. They need our attention. They have to come first.”
“I’m sure Brian would help out. He’s always willing to help. I’m sure that he would pay for someone to look after Gus while I was in class,” Lindsay asserted.
“What does that mean?” Melanie asked, not liking one bit the turn this conversation was taking.
“Gus is older now. I could probably take him with me. Paris would be a wonderful experience for him. I’m sure that Brian would pay for whatever help I needed,” Lindsay couldn’t resist pointing out.
“I can’t believe that you would ask him,” Melanie challenged.
“Gus is his kid too. He can’t continue only to do everything for Justin? He has a son. Who else should he spend his money on but his son?” Lindsay professed.
“Where did that come from?” Melanie asked again.
“I don’t know. It’s just what I’ve been feeling lately,” Lindsay acknowledged.
“Is it because we’re going back to Pittsburgh?”
“Every time we go back, I have to deal with the fact that Brian bought that house for Justin. A house we haven’t even been allowed to see, I might add…while we live here in this tiny place,” Lindsay repeated with her anger rising.
“Things will get better for us. You know that. We’ve talked about this. We’ve talked about why we’re not moving back to Pittsburgh. I thought that you agreed with me. Or, are you now ready to have Michael and Debbie deeply involved in how we raise Jenny Rebecca?”
“No, I know that you’re right. Here’s where we need to be to have any chance to really parent our kids. I understand that. I was just daydreaming,” Lindsay said with a sigh.
Melanie decided to explore Lindsay’s thinking. “So, in your daydreams, if you were to do the summer program…you would take Gus with you. How did you figure that I would take care of Jenny? You know that I do have to work.”
“Your cousin is here. She would help you with Jenny. Or I’m sure Ben and Michael would help out too if you asked them. Ben could take a sabbatical and be here for the summer. Then Michael and Ben would be here to help you with Jenny. This might work out well for everyone. It would give Michael some time with Jenny. Then after the summer, he would go back to Pittsburgh, and we could go back to raising our kids.” Lindsay explained.
“You can’t be serious,” Melanie suggested. “I’m not sure that after spending the summer here, that we would ever get Michael and Ben to go back to Pittsburgh. It’s clear that you’re daydreaming. So I guess that’s ok?”
“Why should we continue to struggle while everyone else has so much?”
“Lindsay, what is wrong? You sound like you want Brian to pay for the fact that he isn’t with you. I thought that we were past this point.”
“It’s just that Justin seems to have everything. He has Brian. He has the house. He has the career. And Gus won’t stop talking about him.”
Melanie couldn’t resist laughing. “Lindsay, Gus has been crazy about Justin since he was a tiny baby. That is never going to change. You ‘re going to have to do better than that.”
“Did you notice that when Brian and Justin dropped off Gus, he was ready to leave with them again? After Gus came here and spent a few minutes with you and me, he was ready to grab his little suitcase and go home with Brian and Justin. It was only Justin, convincing him that he had to go to school that made him agree to stay with us. Otherwise he would be with them now…wherever they are.”
“That and Justin reminding Gus that he and Brian would see him this weekend,” Melanie reminded Lindsay of the rest of Justin’s conversation.
“Just before he went to bed, Gus was upstairs counting the days until the weekend.”
“Gus is six years old. Time is a tricky concept for him at this age. But I guess I was right,” Melanie acknowledged, “Gus clearly loves us, but he needs more than just you and me to complete his world if he is to grow into a happy well adjusted person,” Melanie reminded her.
“I know that you’re right. Brian is a good father.”
“Yes he is. But no matter how good a father he is to Gus, Brian is never going to be that fantasy husband you’ve always wanted. Brian is always going to be with Justin. And even if you have all of Brian’s money, you are never going to have Brian.”
“I know that,” Lindsay admitted.
“That’s good to know because, I will not allow you to use Gus to manipulate Brian. He doesn’t deserve that.”
“When did you become Brian’s advocate?” Lindsay protested.
“When I watched the way he loves and takes care of Gus,” Melanie said with a sigh.
“I’m sorry,” Lindsay finally said. “I know you’re right. I know I’m being unreasonable. But, still if we could find a way for me to take that art course in Paris,” she said gently kissing Melanie.
“What about you job at the gallery?”
“I’d have to see about that.”
“Maybe the gallery might be willing to send you. Then you could consider the course without relying on help from Brian. At some point you have to stop looking to Brian as your personal piggy bank. Sometimes you have to consider the alternatives,” Melanie suggested.
“Maybe?”
***
Meanwhile back in New York City, Justin sent an email to Gregory.
Justin talked about setting up another room for Nicky and Gus so that they would have more space. Justin explained in the email that he didn’t want Nicky to have to sleep on the futon that was in Gus’ room. Justin also suggested that the need had finally presented itself for that dining room table that they had avoided dealing with.
Gregory just happened to be on his computer at the time, and he was able to email an immediate response.
Gregory suggested that they set up one of the empty guest rooms with twin beds and accessories so that Nicky and Gus would be comfortable. He also would take care of the dining table issue, using Justin’s original sketches as a guide. Gregory told Justin not to worry about anything that he and his team would take care of everything in the morning.
Justin could now breathe a sigh of relief…for he felt that things were now under control.
Justin replaced his painting back on the easel. He had moved the painting earlier so that Brian wouldn’t see his unfinished work. Now that Brian was safely tucked away at the loft, and Spyder had already said his goodbyes, Justin felt that he could now resume painting undisturbed.
As Justin painted, his mind would occasionally drift. He was really looking forward to the weekend and the visit from Paul and Jason and Nicky. He was also looking forward to seeing Lindsay and Melanie and Gus…as well as seeing all of the Liberty Avenue gang. But most of all, he was looking forward to being back at Bri-tin with Brian.
Justin was trying to remember how things had gotten so out of kilter.
A month ago…was it only a month…Justin had convinced Brian that they should move into Bri-tin for a three-month temporary stay while Justin created the paintings for his upcoming shows in Cincinnati and New York.
The temporary move had become a permanent one…for now both he and Brian thought of Bri-tin as home. Justin couldn’t help smiling at how well things worked out.
Events had taken over. Brian had signed the Belluss Occhiali and Eyeconics joint venture account creating Collezione Fiero. Justin had met Pietro Marani of Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and been asked to apply for this summer’s emerging artist exhibit in Milan.
Brian had finally understood the message of his painting, Talisman Of Time, and now they were making plans to finally live together. Opportunities were already opening up for Brian, and it looked like he was going to be spending more time in New York even before their planned move-in-together-date in three months. And if Brian was going to be spending more time in New York, then so was Justin.
Justin paused a moment to smile and let all these thoughts pass by.
He took a moment and refocused his attention back on his painting. Justin Taylor Artist happily went back to work.
***
At about the same time Brian got back to the loft and realized that he needed to make a few phone calls. He looked at the time and figured that Jennifer should still be up, so he called her at home instead of on her cell phone.
The phone at home was answered with a quick “Hello...” by a voice that didn’t belong to Jennifer.
“Molly…” Brian said hesitantly, recognizing the voice.
“Who wants to know?” she asked coldly. Molly wasn’t going to be warm and friendly until she knew exactly who was calling at this hour of the night.
“Molly, it’s Brian. What are you doing up so late?”
“How else do you expect me to find out things?” Her voice immediately softened, as soon as she identified the caller, and the easy banter started between them. “Nothing ever happens early…you know that.”
Brian laughed at her remarks. Then he quietly asked, “Can I speak to Mother Taylor?”
“Not yet,” Molly said with certain determination, “I think we need to talk first.”
When Brian heard the ‘I think we need to talk first’ images of Justin flashed through his mind. Brian suddenly wished he had simply sent an email and avoided this conversation. Instead, he simply sighed and asked, “What do we need to talk about?”
Molly began her questions, “First of all, where are you?”
“I’m in New York,” Brian volunteered, “And before you ask, I’ll be home tomorrow.”
Molly simply continued her questions. “That’s good. Is Justin with you?”
“He’s in his studio, but yes he is here in New York with me. He’ll also be home tomorrow. Is there anything else?”
“No, that should cover the basics,” Molly said obviously satisfied with his responses. Brian could finally smile, thinking the inquisition was over. He was mistaken. “So why do you want to talk to Mom?” Molly then asked.
“If you must know, I called to see if you and Mother Taylor are busy tomorrow evening?” he said and then waited for her reaction.
“I’m available, what did you have in mind?”
“I was thinking that you and Mother Taylor might come out to the house for dinner.”
“You’re inviting me to the mansion? Is this like a date?” Molly asked.
“You and Mother Taylor…its kind of a package deal,” Brian tried his best to explain this key point.
“And, I’m invited too?” Molly had to double check. Of course, she got invited to dinner at Debbie’s all the time, but dinner with Brian was something special, and she knew it.
“Isn’t that what I just said?” Brian said with sigh.
Their conversation was momentarily interrupted. “Molly, who are you talking to at this hour?” Brian could hear Jennifer ask in the background.
“Hold on…” Molly said.
Brian could hear Molly explaining things to Jennifer. He simply waited patiently for whoever was going to come back on the line.
“Brian?” Jennifer said, obviously deciding that this call was intended for her.
“Yes, hello Mother Taylor,” Brian said warmly.
“Did I just hear Molly correctly?” Jennifer asked, “Did you just make a date with my daughter?” she couldn’t resist teasing, “Isn’t she a little young for you, dear?” she continued.
“I invited her to dinner not to Babylon,” Brian teased back with a laugh, “I was sort of hoping that you would be there too, at least as a chaperone?”
“As it turns out, I think I have a free evening,” Jennifer continued to banter, “I understand that you set up this date for tomorrow?”
“Justin and I were hoping that you would come out to the house for dinner,” Brian finally confessed.
“Out to the house? The house? You mean the mansion? You’re inviting us out to the mansion?” Jennifer rambled in total surprise.
“I think that’s what I just said. Don’t act so surprised…you’ve been to our house before. Do you still remember how to get there?”
“Of course, I remember how to get there. What time?” Jennifer asked, now most eager.
“I was thinking about 7:30...how does that sound?” Brian asked.
“That should work. We’ll see you then, Brian.”
“Wonderful,” Brian said and was about to say goodbye when Jennifer came back on the line.
“Oh, wait a minute, Brian…Molly wants to talk to you again.”
Brian just sighed, wondering when does it ever end.
“Brian?” Molly said
“Yes, Molly?” Brian said patiently.
“So do we have a date?” she asked.
“Well, I was going to ask you the same question? Mother Taylor thinks she can make it, but I’m still waiting on an answer from you?”
“I wouldn’t miss it. Is Justin going to be there too?”
“Yes. I hope you weren’t suggesting that I leave him here in New York?” Brian teased.
“As long as you explain to him that WE have a date, I think everything should be ok,” Molly insisted.
“This may take some doing, but I think that can be arranged,” Brian agreed. “So are we on then?”
“I’ll be there,” Molly finally agreed.
“Thank you. I’m looking forward to it,” Brian said with a smile. “Goodnight.”
Brian closed his cell phone and wondered how a simple dinner invitation turned into a date with Molly, and Brian wondered how he was going to explain this particular date to Justin.
***
Brian picked up his phone again. He decided he had better make a few more calls.
“Emmett? It’s Brian,” he said on the next call.
“Brian? Why are you calling? Is Justin ok? Where are you?”
“Justin is fine. I’m talking to you, isn’t that enough?” Brian quipped.
“It isn’t necessary for you to get an attitude. What do you want at this hour?” Emmett asked sternly.
“I wanted to call you before you went to Babylon. I need a favor.”
“Anything within reason. You know that.”
“Jennifer and Molly are coming out to the house for dinner tomorrow night. Justin and I are stuck in New York. I was hoping that you could whip up something special to serve for dinner. I know it’s short notice and all...”
“Are they dining alone or are you and Justin planning on joining them?”
“Don’t be an asshole! Justin and I are flying back tomorrow afternoon, so we’ll be there too. We just won’t have time to prepare dinner. I hate the idea of serving take out pizza to Jennifer for dinner.”
“Good point. No problem, Brian. I’ll take care of it. What time is dinner?”
“7:30”
“You’re going to owe me big time for this,” Emmett reminded him.
“That goes without saying. Thanks, Em. I’ll let Thomas and Teres know that you’ll be out the house.”
“That does make things easier. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything.”
“Thanks, Em.”
“You’re welcome.
***
Brian was pretty pleased with himself. Things were going pretty well so far. He was now ready to make that final call.
“Hello,” Thomas answered with a cherry voice.
When Thomas answered the phone, Brian smiled to himself because he was once again convinced that Thomas never sleeps.
“Thomas, it’s Brian Kinney.”
“Yes, Brian.”
“I just wanted to let you know that Justin and I will be home tomorrow.”
“That’s good. The house has been rather quiet without you.”
“I just wanted to warn you that all sorts of people would probably be dropping by tomorrow before we get there. There will probably be additional furniture delivered too.”
“Not a problem, Brian, where do you want me to put it?”
“The furniture is for the upstairs bedroom. I wouldn’t worry about where everything goes. I’m sure Gregory…you remember my decorator…and his team will probably show up to arrange everything. He and Justin will work out the details.”
“Ok, Brian. If the furniture arrives but Gregory doesn’t, then we’ll just put everything in one of the empty bedrooms.”
“That will be good, and then Justin and Gregory can sort things out later if necessary.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Emmett…you remember Emmett?” Brian asked hesitantly, trying to figure out if anyone could ever not remember Emmett.
“Yes…Teres and I both remember Emmett,” Thomas said with a laugh.
“Emmett may come out to the house and take over the kitchen. We’re having guests for dinner tomorrow night.”
“Not a problem. Teres will give him a hand if he needs any help.”
“Thanks Thomas. And we have friends flying in from Cincinnati on Friday, so there will be extra houseguests over the weekend. This will be a play date for Gus.”
“Teres and I will make sure that everything is ready. It’ll be good the have you back.”
“It’ll be good to be home. We’ll see you then.”
Brian closed his phone again and placed it on the table. He settled into his chair again and elevated his bare feet again on the coffee table. As he reached for his file of notes on Barrister, Wilkins & Evans, he couldn’t help smiling. Life was good.
And later, when he heard Justin’s key turning in the loft door, Brian knew his world was about to be perfect.