Lois and Carolyn, thanks for the beta...you’re the greatest! I would also like to thank everyone who previewed the chapters for me.
Chapter 30 – An Interesting Twist Saturday Afternoon…(Day 62) “Michael…” Justin called out as he entered Red Cape Comics. Jenny Rebecca recognized his voice, and little feet immediately headed in his direction. He lowered himself quickly to capture the running little person and swung her around in the air. Michael quickly appeared, in pursuit of his running daughter…only to find his giggling daughter up in the air. “My goodness Jenny, you have really grown since the last time that I saw you,” Justin teased, as he finally lowered her to back to the floor. Then he finally had a chance to greet Michael. “Hey, Boy Wonder?” Michael said in greeting. “What are you doing in here? Brian said that you weren’t to be disturbed…something about you trying to get some paintings done,” he complained. “Yeah, Brian and Gus left for the office bright and early this morning,” Justin said with a smile. “So I’ve had a pretty busy day. But I wanted to give you the finished sketches that you asked for. Here they are,” he said, handing over a stack of drawings. “They should be everything that we’d discussed. I just didn’t see any reason to take this back to New York and then have to email them to you…especially since I was coming into town anyway.” “Thanks. These look great, as always,” Michael confirmed, continuing to flip through the stack. He seemed to be distracted by the drawings. Justin watched Michael for a while in silence while he continued to examine the drawings. “Well, I should leave now. I’m on my way to Kinnetik,” he finally said. “Before you leave,” Michael began, taking a deep breath and letting out a deep sigh. “I really need to ask you something.” Justin couldn’t help wondering what was on Michael’s mind, so he merely shrugged. “Sure…I guess…” he said, taking a seat on one of the stools by the counter. “I’m sure that you’ve heard what happened between me and Ben.” Michael began. “I’m sure you know that we aren’t together. Ben and Hunter are living in an apartment, and I’m in the house alone.” “Yeah, I knew there were problems. I just figured that they were temporary,” Justin quietly answered. “I sure hope so,” Michael practically whispered. Then a tone of determination entered his voice. “I just have to figure out what I need to do to get Ben back. I realize that I really fucked up things up between me and Ben. Now I have to figure out how to fix things.” “I see…” Justin said quietly. “What does this have to do with me?” “Brian always says that you’re pretty smart. I’ve got to admit that you have to be…after all, you did manage to end up with Brian. So, I was just wondering if you had any ideas about how I can get Ben back,” Michael asked as a final act of desperation. “You’re asking me to tell you how to get Ben back?” Justin asked, completely surprised by question. “You’ve got to be kidding!” “Look, I know that you and I haven’t been particularly close. In fact, I’m pretty sure that you can think of like a thousand reasons why you shouldn’t even give me the time of day.” Michael paused to give Justin a moment to nod in response to his last statement. However, Michael was desperate and somehow figured that Justin was his last hope, so he continued, “But I was hoping that you would put aside our differences and help me out here. I really don’t know what to do.” Justin stopped and looked at Michael. The sadness that Michael felt was clearly visible for anyone to see. Justin thought it over for a moment and considered that in spite of everything that Michael had done…this was still Brian’s best friend, so he took a deep breath and made his decision. “Look Michael, I’m not sure that I know what to tell you. I know that you and Ben love each other. Believe me, that’s a big start. I think the key that you have to remember is how you won Ben over in the first place. You might want to consider putting those same things in play to get him back. I’m not sure exactly what happened between you two…but I think you just have to remember why you got together in the first place. You have to go back to the beginning to get him back.” “That just seems like a daunting task.” “Anything worth having always is.” “I see your point.” “I’m always glad to help,” Justin teased with a smile. “I have to go.” “I know….thanks for the advice….” “I’m not sure how much help I was.” “You, at least, still think that there’s some hope for us. Thank you for that.” “Over the last six years, Brian and I have had to fight our way back to each other. I learned that even when it seemed like everything was lost…there was always hope,” Justin admitted. “That’s because you held on. And, just look at you now….legal partners!?” “Yep…” “So you’re telling me that I should still hold on to the hope that Ben and I can work things out.” “That’s what I’m telling you. It’s not over until it’s over. I’m not saying that it will be easy…anything worth having rarely is. But you managed to win Ben the first time, against his resistance. I don’t see any reason that this time should be any different.” Michael let out sigh. “Thank you.” Justin simply smiled at Michael; then said his goodbyes to both Michael and Jenny. Then he turned and left the store. As Justin left Red Cape Comics, he had to pause on the sidewalk outside for a moment because he couldn’t believe what had just transpired between him and Michael. *** Meanwhile, back at Kinnetik, there was a deep discussion happening between father and son about something on the computer. Their moment was later interrupted by a gentle knock on Brian’s door. Both Brian and Gus were pleased but surprised by the visitor who entered. “Justin!” Gus screamed, running over to wrap his arms around him. “Hey Gus!” Justin began. “So tell me how your day has been?” Gus was all smiles as he was about to settle down and tell Justin all about his day. “Okay, Sunshine, what are you doing in town in the middle of the day?” Brian finally asked after all the niceties were over. Justin simply leaned over and kissed Brian gently. Gus couldn’t stop laughing as he watched his father become quickly silenced. Gus quickly covered his eyes with both hands, while he continued to giggle as Brian and Justin continued kissing. Once the kissing had ended, Gus was all smiles as he resumed telling Justin about his day so far. All during the telling, Justin and Brian kept looking at each other and smiling. “Well Gus, I can see that you’ve had quite a day,” Justin teased. “I just came by to see if either of you would be interested in going riding. I talked to Chuck, and he said that our horses are waiting for us,” Justin innocently mentioned with a smile. “But I can see that you’re both really busy.” “And, you’re supposed to be painting,” Brian reminded him. “How can you possibly have time for a ride?” he asked while carefully noting the expression on Gus’s face. Brian knew, at that moment, that his workday was over. Once again, Justin simply smiled, “It was just a suggestion. You know how things like riding and dancing at Babylon are good for the endorphins, so that I can paint longer and better,” he continued to tease. “Oh well…maybe another time…” “A suggestion, huh?” Brian tried to sound gruff, as Gus began crawling into his lap. “I know that you really do need to paint,” he commented. Then Brian turned his attention to Gus. “What do you think, Gus?” he asked, looking down into hazel eyes that matched his own. “Do you think we should help Justin to paint better? Do you think that we can manage to stop working and go riding with him?” The answer was obvious by Gus’ smile. “Well, Sunshine! It looks like this is your lucky day. Gus and I have decided to make the supreme sacrifice to help you paint,” he teased, standing up and starting to gather his things. “Of course, you realize that I’ll have to take work home,” he added for good measure. Gus reached out and gave Brian a hug. “I’ll stay up tonight and help you,” he added with a smile. “That’s an offer too good to pass up,” Brian said with a smile. “Okay, let’s get out of here.” Brian announced to Cynthia that he was leaving for the day. Cynthia simply smiled as she watched everyone start to leave. As Brian, Justin, and Gus were getting ready to leave the office, they ran into Vincent breathlessly, heading their way with a stack of boards. “Oh, Vincent,” Brian said with a smile. “I see that you have those new boards already.” “Well, Gus was so upset with my last attempt that I wanted to try to fix them…so that I could get his reaction. I didn’t realize that you were leaving,” Vincent added. “Don’t worry about that. I think that it’s very wise of you to seek expert advice,” Brian admitted with a secret smile. Then he turned and said, “Vincent, I’m not sure if you’ve met my partner,” he added, pointing in Justin’s direction. “This is…” “This is MY Justin,” Gus said quickly before Brian could complete the introduction. He left no doubt in Vincent’s mind as to who this blond person was. “So, I heard,” Vincent said with a laugh as he greeted Justin. “Hi,” Justin said with a smile. Brian thought that some explanation was in order. “It seems that earlier today, Vincent produced several boards that Gus was unhappy with,” he said with a smirk. “Gus quickly pointed out to me that you, of course, would do a better job and would produce boards that would make Mr. Kinney happy,” Vincent revealed with a smile. Justin had to laugh, “Vincent, you have to remember that Gus is a little biased. After all, he’s been keeping me company while I paint ever since he was in baby.” “So I’ve been told,” Vincent relayed with a laugh. “I just wanted Gus to check and see if he’s now okay with these boards.” Vincent handed the boards over to Gus, and Gus, Brian and Justin examined them together. “I see that you implemented my suggestions,” Brian pointed out. “What do you think Gus?” Gus finally nodded his approval. Vincent was relieved. “Well, that’s a relief! I was really worried,” he added breathlessly. “It’s not everyday that you’re told by a six year old critic that your work sucks!” he relayed. “Of course, it’s not every day that my simple graphics get compared to fine art of Justin Taylor either. I must say that this day has really been quite an experience.” “I can imagine,” Justin said with a smile. “Just don’t take it too personally.” “Let’s just say that Gus has raised the bar. I’m going to have to work really hard to succeed around here,” Vincent teased. “It’s been good to meet you, Justin.” “It was nice to meet you, Vincent,” Justin added, “But we really need to get going.” “Sure,” Vincent added. “And, Mr. Kinney, I’ll be in tomorrow to finish up those last things you requested. That way, everything will be ready on schedule for the meeting on Monday afternoon.” “Thanks,” Brian said quickly. “Keep up the good work.” “We’re going to visit the horses,” Gus quickly explained to Vincent. Brian rolled his eyes at the comment. “We’re going to see if we can get in a short ride before it gets too late,” he explained. “I hope you have a good time, Gus. And I look forward to seeing you soon. I really learned a lot today. And I promise to do a better job next time,” Vincent said, as he shook Gus’ hand. Then Brian, Justin, and Gus left Kinnetik together. Gus couldn’t resist a smile, as he waved a final goodbye to Vincent.