Truth Be Told

Part Four       

Brian returned to the waiting room, "Justin is going to stay with Molly. He wanted me to thank all of you for coming and he said he'd call when he knows more."

"Where does he think we are going to go?" asked Emmett.

"We are not going anywhere. We have to be here for him," stated Vic.

"We are his family now. As well as Jen and Molly's. I don't know about the rest of you but I'm not going anywhere," said Deb.

"Yeah."

"That's right," replied Lindsay.

"Let's settle in for the night. Coffee anyone? Food?" offered Ben.

Brian smiled, "that's what I told him you would say."

Craig slouched down disappointed by their commitment to his family.

Ethan went to the pay phone.  Daphne moved from the windows to a chair.  Brian sat between Ted and Ben. Talk about polar opposites he thought to himself, the eternal optimist and the eternal pessimist.

Ethan hung up and took a seat next to Daphne. He started to talk quietly. Brian noticed that the more he talked the angrier Daphne got. Maybe Ethan can't tell because he can't see her whole face, he thought to himself. After a few more whispers  were exchanged Daphne stood straight up.

"What makes you think I want to talk to you? I know you're uncomfortable being with all these people who love Justin and want what's best for him. But don't come and try to buddy up to me now. Leave it to Justin to find someone more self-centered than Brian Kinney."

"What?" Ethan began.

"But really you're worse. Not only are you self-centered but you're selfish. Don't try your fucking poetry and romantic songs on me. Save them for Justin because I see right through you. When Justin first left Brian, I thought it was good. He wasn't happy anymore and they had almost gotten into a competition to see who could hurt the other the most.  Brian was winning big time but I suspect Justin's last move evened things up quite a bit," Daphne looked to Brian who looked away.

"You seemed perfect at first, you guys are the same age and have a lot of things in common. You treat him well and he isn't always walking on eggshells. But I've started to notice things, I'm sure Justin hasn't even realized yet."

"I don't know what you are talking about," Ethan tried to defend himself.

"Yes you do. In the days after the Rage party you slowly started to isolate him from all of these people who love him. I sort of understood, some time needed to pass. I know no one wants to take sides. And I also know that Justin felt strange because they were all Brian's friends and family first. He needed time and space to move on a bit. Then when you started to push me aside, I was mad. But not at you, not at first."

"I thought Justin was doing it again. You see, when he found Liberty Avenue he all but walked away from the rest of us. It hurt my feelings at the time until I realized that he had finally found a place where he felt comfortable. So, I bit my tongue and waited it out because I knew how bad school was for him and he needed me to be there for him. Anyway, when he started to focus on you, it didn't surprise me. And just like the last time, he started spending more time with me again."

"But then he stopped returning my calls and mysteriously didn't get messages. After awhile I realized you were manipulating things. You made it seem like we were growing apart or just missing each other. I started to see that you don't want me around. But why? Because I know and you know and even deep down Justin knows that he doesn't love you. He loves Brian. Maybe you can both ignore it when you are trying really hard.  But I remind you of the truth, don't I?"

Everyone sat in silence scared to move. Daphne was on a roll and they didn't want to interrupt or stop her in any way.

"Then I realized you were doing the same thing to all of these wonderful people too. They haven't stopped caring and they are not mad at him like he believed.  You let him think they had all given up on him. See, at least Brian realized that even if he couldn't be what Justin needed. He made sure there were plenty of other people there for him. Including you. Because if you think Justin would have gone to you without a big push from Brian you're crazy."

Brian shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"Well, if you believe all of this is true and you are his best friend then why didn't you tell him?" challenged Ethan.

I had every intention of talking to him about it but it's funny how you always call him away when we are together. So, I decided to wait until next week. While your sorry ass was out of town for your tour," Daphne fumed. "And I certainly know this isn't the right time or place for this, but you asked."

Ethan got up to go to Justin.

"Ethan, I know what you did tonight. He might have been able to forgive you and find excuses for everything else. Lord knows he's had enough practice," she glared at Brian.

"But if Jennifer dies," Daphne said as tears started to well in her eyes. "There will be nothing you can do or say to make up for it."

"I,  uh…  well… I didn't know this would happen," Ethan answered.

"It doesn't matter. Jennifer called me looking for Justin. She was upset about something and you told her he was with me, a flat lie. Earlier, Justin mentioned he hadn't left your place since lunch. So where was he when she called?"

"In the shower," Ethan admitted.

"Well, that might have been the last chance they had to talk to each other and you took it away because you're selfish and scared of losing him."

"WHAT?" Justin yelled from the doorway. "Ethan, is that true?"

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