ICE STORM
Part 2
“I’m glad you parked in
the garage or it would take us a long time to scrape the ice off the windshield.
It’s almost an inch thick out there.”
“Let’s put the hard top
on, then maybe we can put some stuff on the roof under a tarp,” said
Brian.
“Okay, do we have a tarp?”
Justin asked.
“In the storage compartment
ON the hard top.”
“Oh,
right.”
“There is some rope in there
somewhere. Find it.”
“Do you need help with the
top?”
“NO. Just find the fucking
rope,” snapped Brian.
“Found it,” replied Justin,
enthusiastically refusing to let Brian ruin his good
mood.
“Let’s put the tarp over
those two storage containers and I’ll tie it
down.”
“I’ll go see if I need
to shovel our way out of here,” said Justin.
“The jeep can plough through
quite a bit so unless it’s really bad don’t worry about
it.”
Justin returned, “nothing to
shovel but the roads look like lakes that have frozen
over.”
“We’ll have to go slow
and avoid taking any streets with hills or overpasses. Do you have everything
because I swear to fuck, Justin, I’m not coming back for something.
Do you have a sketch book, charcoal and your
meds.”
“I’m good, let’s
go. It’s cold.”
After a slow ride to his son’s
house Brian went in without knocking.
“God, it’s cold out
there,” said Justin following him in.
“It’s not much warmer
in here. Gus. Sonnyboy.”
“Brian, thank you for coming
to get us, it’s getting colder in here by the
minute.”
“Where’s Lindsay and
Gus?”
“He needed to be
changed.”
“I thought you were toilet
training him,” said Justin.
“We are, but it’s too
cold.”
“Where’s your stuff? Justin
and I will take it out first.”
“Just that bag by the
door.”
“That’s it?” Brian
asked, shocked at how little they were taking.
“You said, pack
light.”
“Where’s the play pen
we can put it under the back seat.”
“Are you
sure?”
“Yes, and for God’s sake
bring a few more toys. All we need is for Gus to get in a fussy
mood.”
“Dada!”
“Hey, Sonnyboy,” said
Brian, watching his son make his way down the steep staircase in a bulky
snowsuit, ready to catch him if he fell.
“Jus.”
“Gus.”
“Jus.”
“Gus.”
“Will you two stop? Don’t
get him all wound up before we get in the jeep,” Brian warned Gus.
Justin stuck out his tongue to his
lover and the baby laughed.
“Brian, thank you so
much…” Lindsay started to say.
“Save it. Let’s get going.
It’s getting worse out there.”
“Before either one of you get
upset about it. I want to explain why we didn’t put the car seat in
the car,” said Brian.
“We know. Justin explained
on the phone. As long as you drive slow, it shouldn’t be a problem.
I still don’t see how we are all going to fit,” answered
Lindsay.
“Do you think Gus would sit
on Ben’s lap?” Justin asked.
“He likes Ben. I don’t
see why not,” answered Mel.
“Good. Ben can sit in the front
with Gus. I’ll sit in the luggage compartment with Michael. You gals
and Ted and Emmett will have to squeeze into the
backseat.”
“Let’s go. I’m sure
we’ll argue about it all the way to Deb’s,” said Brian, lifting
Gus into his arms. “Watch your step. You could skate out
here.”
Brian finally pulls up in front
of Ben’s apartment.
“Stay here where it’s
warm. I’ll go in.”
Justin gets out of the passenger
side.
“Can’t you ever do what
I ask? Just once every couple of months would be nice. Get back in the fucking
jeep, Justin.”
“Will you stop being a drama
queen? I’m just getting in the back.”
Lindsay and Mel laughed at Brian’s
reaction as Justin climbed in the back. “He’s so moody today,”
he chuckled.
Brian and Ben got into the front
seat while Michael arranged their things on the roof. Then he climbed in
the back.
“How are Ted and Emmett going
to fit in here?” asked Michael, who was pressed up against the
door.
“You and I are getting in the
back,” answered Justin, pointing over his
shoulder.
“What about Gus?” asked
Ben.
“At the next stop, he’s
going up with you,” said Lindsay, “if you don’t
mind.”
“Of course not, but will he
mind? He doesn’t really know me that
well.”
“He should be okay. Brian is
up there,” said Justin.
Gus and Justin sang silly songs
all the way to Ted’s. They were driving Michael and Brian crazy but
the others joined in.
Brian jumped out and started for
Ted’s condo. Justin climbed out and Michael
followed.
“Don’t have a fit, we’re
just getting in the very back,” smiled Justin.
“Fuck you,” mumbled
Brian.
“Probably not tonight,”
joked Justin.
“Definitely NOT tonight,”
corrected Michael.
A few minutes later, Emmett came
out wearing leopard print high heeled boots. He started to slip on the ice
and grabbed Brian for support.
“I told you not to wear those
fucking things,” growled Brian shoving Emmett’s hand
back.
Emmett slid back into Ted and then
they both floundered back and forth, they ended up hitting into Brian as
he walked away. All three landed in a heap on the snow covered
lawn.
“FUCK!” yelled
Brian.
Justin jumped out the back. “Are
you guys okay?”
“Fantastic,” snapped Brian
getting to his feet again.
“I’m okay,” answered
Emmett.
“Me too,” said
Ted.
“Get in the jeep.
NOW!”
Everyone crammed themselves into
the jeep and Brian started for Debbie’s
“Jus
ing.”
“Later Gus,” said
Justin.
“NO ing,
ing.”
Ben looked puzzled, “what does
he want?”
“He wants Justin to sing with
him,” explained Lindsay.
Gus continued to babble and fuss.
Ben did his best to keep him occupied.
“Jesus, Justin, just sing with
him,” snapped Brian.
There was no answer and more
importantly, no singing coming from the back of the
jeep.
“Justin?” Brian yelled.
Nothing.
“Justin?” Michael asked
softly, as he watched the teen with concern.
“Brian, what does he look like
when he is about to have a panic attack?” Michael
asked.
“What?
WHY? FUCK! I’ll pull
over.”
“No, it’s not a panic
attack, just keep going. I’ll be okay,” Justin said
quietly.
“What’s wrong? Talk to
me.”
“Just a little claustrophobic,
don’t stop. The sooner we get to Deb’s the better. I’m okay,
really.”
“Alright, but if you need me
to stop. I will. Just holler.”
Justin sat and slowly took a few
short breaths. He worked to remain calm. No one could see him except for
Michael who watched and tried to give Justin as much room as possible, which
wasn’t much.
“He’s claustrophobic?”
Ben asked Brian quietly.
“He has been since the bashing.
He was agoraphobic for a while too. He just needs a little more room and
air. We just have to get to Deb’s before it causes him to have an asthma
attack.”
“Justin, do you like the
beach?” Ben asked, trying to focus his attention on something
else.
“Yeah,” came the muffled
reply.
“Me too, there is nothing like
standing on a deserted beach and watching as the waves calmly roll in. The
breeze is so crisp, clear, and fresh. I always make a point of taking a few
deep breaths as I try to focus on the
horizon.”
Michael noticed that Justin closed
his eyes and seemed to calm as he pictured the scene Ben was describing.
Brian smiled a silent thank you to Ben. Soon, they pulled up in front of
Debbie’s house. As soon as he put the parking brake on, Brian jumped
out and hurried to free Justin. He helped the teen out of the back and let
him get his bearings.
“Okay?” Brian
asked.
“I’m fine
now.”
Lindsay and Melanie were already
on their way into the house with Gus. Brian handed Ben the play pen and asked
him to take it in. He was trying to get Ben out of the cold as soon as possible.
“Don’t worry about the
rest of this stuff. We’ve got it covered,” added Justin, taking
Brian’s lead.
Justin took his backpack and the
garbage bags that held everyone’s pillows and blankets. Brian never
let him carry anything too heavy because of his
hand.
Debbie greeted everyone at the door.
She had expected the crowd and had made hot chocolate and hot apple cider
to warm them up.
Everyone settled in and soon they
were looking for a way to pass the time.
“Why don’t we play a
game?” Emmett said, enthusiastically.