Day 3 - Sunday Dinner

The early morning sun streamed through the window. Although diffused by the trees around the house, it was bright enough to cause him to close his eyes as soon as he opened them and shift his position in the bed.

“It’s about time,” a voice said. “I thought you were an early riser.” Brian laughed when Justin slowly opened one eye to glare at him.

“I am, but something woke me up before the sun was even out. It was hard and kept poking me.”

“Hmmm. That can be a problem. How did you handle it?”

“Well, first I was annoyed,” Justin ran his hand over Brian’s smooth chest, paying special attention to the nipples.

“Pretended to be annoyed,” Brian said, taking a deep breath. He was enjoying the sensation of Justin’s cool fingers on his skin.

“Whatever. Then I figured I had to take it like a man. I just let that hard poky thing inside.”

“Mmm. I seem to remember that.”

“I am unforgettable, you know.” Justin moved his hand down Brian’s well muscled abdomen and raked his fingers through the dark hair at the base of his cock, then continued on to fondle the heavy balls. Then his hand was wrapped around the hard shaft, moving from base to head and back with just the right amount of pressure.

“Justin,” Brian hissed, pushing his pelvis into the other man’s hand.

“See, you do remember my name,” he said, just before taking the cock into his mouth.

There was no more conversation for quite a while.

Later, in the shower, it was Justin’s turn to feel the delights of Brian’s tongue and mouth as it engulfed his erection. Brian swallowed every drop when Justin came deep in his throat. He flashed to a similar scene just the evening before and sighed contentedly. The still warm water washed over them as they kissed and held each other. Too soon, the water cooled and the two men got out and dried off.

When they were dressed, Justin made a pot of coffee and set out the bagels and cream cheese they bought at the market.

“These are pretty good for Texas bagels,” Justin said, slathering cream cheese and jelly on the other half of his bagel.

“Al’s wife makes them. They moved here from New York, if you can imagine. They were tired of the big city life and wanted to be nearer to their grandkids. You already met one, Billy.”

“This place is full of surprises.”

“Yeah,” Brian said, looking at Justin. “Lots of surprises.” Brian’s thoughts went back two nights, wondering if that was really how long it had been since he met this beautiful man sitting across the table from him. It was a Friday, pretty much like all the other Friday’s in his life, then suddenly, everything changed with one phone call. Only two nights, but, in a good way, it seemed like a lifetime. Yes, life was full of surprises.

“Brian? Are you alright? You zoned out there for a minute.”

Brian smiled. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he said taking a deep breath. “I just can’t believe how much of that cream cheese you ate.”

Justin stared into Brian’s hazel eyes and, as if he read the other man’s mind, said that he couldn’t believe they’d only met two days ago. “I feel like I’ve known you a lot longer that that.”

“Yeah.”

Brian took hold of Justin’s hand just as his phone rang. He wanted to ignore it, but he was still on call. “Hello,” Brian said into the phone. He listened for a few minutes, said he’d be right there, then hung up. “I have to go,” he said, picking up his keys. “I shouldn’t be longer than an hour. Can’t take you with me, as much as I’d like to, so…” He trailed off, hoping Justin wouldn’t mind.

“That’s okay. I should call Daphne and update her, anyway.”

Brian walked over to Justin and kissed him quickly on the lips. “Just don’t say anything bad about me.”

“Don’t worry. There’s nothing bad I could think of to say about you, except maybe that you don’t have any food in your house.” Brian laughed as he quickly kissed Justin again.

As soon as Brian’s Jeep pulled away, Justin straightened up the kitchen, then phoned Daphne.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to be later than Tuesday,” she said indignantly into the phone. Justin reassured her that he would indeed be at her place Tuesday evening.

“So are you bored in Nowhereville, Jus?” Justin didn’t answer right away. “Justin?”

“Imetsomeone…”

“What was that?”

“I sorta met someone.”

“Sorta met? What’s that supposed to mean? Tell me everything.”

“Well, it started when my car broke down.” He talked straight for ten minutes about Brian and the desert, the café and Gus. “Daph, I saw the face of God and his name is Brian Kinney.”

“Justin,” the girl said when he stopped talking. “It sounds wonderful, but are you sure you know what you’re doing? I mean, you don’t have the best track record with men, Ethan and Cody, for example. Look what happened with them.”

“I know, Daph, but I was young and foolish then.”

"You’ve only known this Brian for two days. He’s almost thirty and he has a kid.”

“I know, but this is different. I can feel it.”

“Well, I’m happy for you, I guess, but if I have to pick you up when you get your heart broken…”

“Daph, it won’t happen. I know.” They talked a while longer then said good-bye.

Justin slouched on the sofa, thinking about what Daphne had said about his track record with men. He fell in love too easily and always ended up with a broken heart. But with Brian, it was different. He just knew it. Would Brian have taken him to his secret spot if he didn’t feel something for him? If he had taken him there just to seduce him, he could have done the same thing the first night right here in his own home. Justin sighed, not wanting to go through all the possible scenarios.

He was sitting in the same position when Brian got home. Brian sat down beside him and asked if everything was okay.

“I was talking to Daphne. She said some things to me.”

“What kind of things?”

Justin sat up and turned so that he could face Brian. “Why did you take me to your spot in the desert yesterday? Was it just to get into my pants?”

“Justin, what are you talking about? I took you there because I thought you’d like it as much as I do. That’s all. The fact that we did have sex…I thought you wanted it as much as I did. I didn’t force you.”

“No, you didn’t. I did want it. It’s just that, Daphne doesn’t have too high of an opinion about my choice of men. I’ll agree that I’ve made some poor choices, but you’re different. At least to me you’re different.” He sighed. “I’m being silly, aren’t I?”

“No, not silly, Justin. I’ll admit I did have ideas about you the first night and it was all I could do to restrain myself. I just wanted to make sure you wanted the same thing and I thought you did.”

“Oh, I did, believe me.” He laughed. “I did want it, even if it was just for this weekend.”

“It doesn’t have to be. I was serious when I asked you to come to the rodeo and not just for my son, for me, too.”

In one swift move, Justin straddled Brian’s lap and kissed him, hard. Brian returned the kiss, holding Justin tight in his arms. After a long moment, Brian pulled back. “As much as I’d love to continue this,” he said, kissing Justin’s nose, “we were supposed to be at Claire’s fifteen minutes ago. But we can continue this later.”

“Definitely,” Justin said, getting up from Brian’s lap. “Most definitely. And no more second thoughts.”

Although Justin was silent on the way to Claire’s house, he looked like he wanted to say something. Finally, Brian pulled into an empty parking lot and turned off the engine. He turned toward Justin and put a hand on his shoulder. “What is it? You said no more second thoughts.”

“Not second thoughts. Who all’s going to be at this dinner?”

“You don’t strike me as someone who’s shy in public, Sunshine.”

“I’m not. It’s just that I’d like to know what I’m getting into. I mean, are they okay with you bringing a…a…”

“Date?” Brian finished for him.

“Not just a date, a guy date.”

Brian laughed. “They’ll be fine with it. They’ll love you. My mom, well, it took her a while to come to terms with my being queer, but she’s okay with it now. And Claire, she was always more interested in being the big sister. You know, teasing and harassing me as we were growing up. In fact, she was the first to know I was gay and kept my secret until I was ready to tell the folks. She even stood up for me with them.” Justin relaxed a little. “You’ve already met Sam, Lindsay and Gus. Ted should be there. We went to school together, although he was a few years ahead of me. He’s the mayor of our little town, a little nerdy, but okay.” Brian thought for a minute. “My cousin Todd maybe. He’s in the army, but home on leave right now. Look, you’ll be fine. Everything will be fine. We should go before Sis sends out a patrol looking for us. Believe me, she’s done it before.”

As they drove the rest of the way to Claire’s house, Brian filled Justin in on a few more of the people he would probably meet that afternoon. Arriving at Claire’s, Brian had to park a few houses away, pulling in behind a large silver pick-up. He turned off the engine. “Well, are you ready to face the mob?”

“It can’t be as bad as you let on.”

“Just remember those words in two hours, Sunshine. Let’s go.”

Before they were even halfway up the walkway to the neat but modest ranch-style home, a young boy of about thirteen came running from the porch. He wore knee and elbow pads and had a helmet on his head. A skateboard dangled from his hand. “Hey, Unc,” Peter said as he flew past the two men without waiting for a response.

“Hey, Pete,” Brian said to his back. “Be careful.”

“You sound too much like Mom. Want a turn?”

“Maybe later, Kiddo.”

Justin looked surprised. “You skateboard?”

“Not on your life. Do you?”

Justin gave a sly smile. “The world is full of surprises, Brian. Full of surprises.”

The front door slammed and a smaller boy, dressed like his brother, hurried out, also carrying a skateboard. He almost ran into his uncle. “Peter, wait up.”

“Whoa, big guy, watch where you’re going.”

“Hi, Uncle Brian. Sorry. Who’s that?” he asked pointing to Justin.

“That’s Justin. He’s a friend of mine and it’s not polite to point. Justin, this is Sammy, my other nephew.” Justin barely got a “Hi” out before the boy took off after his brother. “Gee, I don’t understand why they’re so reserved today,” Brian dead-panned as he watched the two boys glide easily on the boards.

Brian took Justin’s hand in his. “Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

Just as the two men reached the steps, an attractive woman stepped out. “You boys be careful,” she yelled. “Dinner in one hour.” Choruses of “We will,” and “Okay,” rang back. “Well, little brother, it’s about time you got here.” Justin could tell right away that this was Brian’s sister. She was as tall as Justin but with the same slim frame and chestnut colored hair as her brother. She was wiping her hands on a kitchen towel.

Brian kissed his sister on the cheek. “Claire, this is Justin. He’s a friend of mine. Justin, my sister Claire.”

“Well, aren’t you cute?” She glanced sidelong at her brother. “And young.”

“He’s older than he looks, Claire. Don’t start.”

“Are you older than you look?”

“I, ah…”

“Justin,” Brian said, putting his arm around his shoulder. “She’s teasing you. Like I said, Sam’s been blabbing my business again.”

Claire laughed softly and held out her hand. “Welcome to my home, Justin. Sorry about that. It’s not you, it’s him,” she said, nodding towards her brother. “Come on in and meet everyone.”

Brian leaned down to whisper into Justin’s ear. “Just remember what we have to look forward to when this is all over. I seem to recall you were sitting on my lap.” He punctuated the statement with a little nuzzle to said ear, causing an immediate reaction in certain parts of Justin’s anatomy.

“Oh, thanks, now I get to meet your family and friends with a hard-on.” He tried to sound angry, but couldn’t help the smile forming on his lips. He adjusted himself a little and willed his hard-on to behave. “Let’s go.”

Evidently the word had gotten out that Brian was bringing “someone” to Sunday dinner. It was a packed house. The largest congregation of Kinney family gathered in one spot in a long, long time. Claire whispered to Sam that she hoped she had enough food to feed everyone. The two new arrivals walked through the doorway. Justin squeezed Brian’s hand a little harder and Brian squeezed back, letting him know he wasn’t alone.

All conversation stopped. “What?” Brian asked, as if he always brought a guest to Sunday dinner. Several of the people cleared their throats and others shuffled their feet. “If ya’ll behave yourselves, I’ll introduce you.” He looked around the room. “Everyone, this is Justin. Justin, this is everyone.”

“Hi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Before anyone could respond, Gus ran into the living room with a cracker in his hand and grabbed Brian around the legs. “Daddy!” he said, enthusiastically. “Hi, Jussin. Aunt Claire gave me a cracker, see.” He held his hand up, showing the half eaten cracker.

“Hi, little man. I see. That cracker sure looks mighty good,” Justin said, ruffling Gus’ hair just before his daddy picked him up.

“If you say please, she’ll give you one too.”

“I’ll remember that, Gus,” he said before turning his attention to Lindsay. “Hi, Lindsay. It’s nice to see you again.”

“You, too, Justin. Are you enjoying yourself in our little corner of the world?”

“Very much so. Brian’s shown me some beautiful sights.”

“I’ll bet he has,” Ted stage-whispered from the sofa. He was about to say something else when Brian caught his eye with a Kinney death glare. Ted knew when to be quiet.

“That, Justin, is Ted Schmidt, our mayor, for the time being, anyway.” Everyone laughed. Claire swatted her brother across his arm with the towel she held. “Ow, what was that for?”

“Behave yourself and come into the kitchen with me. I need some help.” Brian glanced at Justin. “Lindsay can properly introduce Justin to the gang. Come with me.”

“I think you better do like she says, Brian. I’ll be fine with Lindsay and Gus, won’t I, Gus?” Justin said, reaching out to take the little boy from his father. Gus went willingly.

Brian’s cousin walked out of the kitchen carrying a glass of iced tea as Brian and Claire were walking in. “Hey, Todd, how’s it going?”

“Fine,” the younger man answered, smiling. He joined the gang in the living room as Lindsay was introducing Justin to all the curious guests.

In the kitchen, Claire handed her brother a knife and pointed to assorted produce on the counter. “Start chopping those for the salad, little brother. They’re already washed.” Brian picked up a tomato and started cutting it into chunks, waiting to see how long before his sister started with the inquisition. He decided to delay things a little on his own. “Where’s Mom? I thought she’d be the first one here.”

“On, no. That won’t work,” Claire said, trying to suppress a smile. “You’re not picking the subject this time. Your friend, he is cute, but a little young, isn’t he?”

“Old enough.”

“What do you know about him? Sam says you towed his car Friday night.”

“Sam talks too much. By the way, he gave me another speeding ticket.”

“Don’t try changing the subject, brother dear. I hear he’s staying with you.” Brian put down the knife, turned to his sister and crossed his arms over his chest. Claire looked at him. “Well, I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I won’t.” He sighed. “Claire, don’t get all ‘big sister’ on me. I’m a grown man and I can take care of myself. I like him, but he’s leaving as soon as his car is repaired, which, if you must know, will probably be tomorrow. He has his own life. Trust me, okay?”

“I thought so,” Claire said, with the Kinney smirk. “You more than like him. I hope it all works out. I like him, too, even though I’ve known him for all of three minutes. Lindsay and Gus seem to like him. I hope you get what you want.”

Brian started chopping the vegetables again. Claire knew her brother well enough to know that the conversation was over. That didn’t stop her from smiling as she put the dinner rolls in the oven.

A short while later, Claire called everyone to the table and sent her husband out to get their sons. Brian made sure Justin was sitting next to him. Gus insisted on sitting next to his daddy, too. That was definitely nothing new, so Claire had the special chair all ready for him. It was a bar stool she found at a yard sale years ago when her own two sons were little and needed a boost at the table. “There you go, little man,” Brian said as he lifted his son onto the chair. Justin watched the play between Brian and his son and couldn’t help but smile at the tenderness and love he saw. If he didn’t watch out, he could really fall for this man. That is, if he already hadn’t.

“So, Justin, I hope there was nothing seriously wrong with your car,” Sam asked as he buttered a roll. “Not that Brian couldn’t fix whatever was wrong with it, you understand."

“Master cylinder. Brian ordered a part from New Jersey. He should have it fixed tomorrow.”

“That’s good.” Sam saw Brian and Claire staring at him. “I mean, it’s good that there wasn’t anything too bad wrong with the car. It sure is a beaut.” He looked at Claire and shrugged.

Small pockets of conversation continued around the table as food was being passed and plates and glasses were filled.

“Hey, Justin,” Peter said, stopping long enough from shoveling food into his mouth to speak. “My friend Billy showed me a picture you drew of him and Scratch. It was really good.”

“It was very good.” Brian interjected. “I saw it.”

“You’re an artist?” Lindsay asked. “What medium do you like to work in?”

Everyone moved their attention to Justin, hoping to learn more about him. After all, it wasn’t every day that Brian brought a date for Sunday dinner. Justin took a drink of his tea. He loved talking about art. “I use oils mostly. Some watercolors, depending on what I’m trying to portray, what I’m feeling at that particular time. I also do a little freelance graphics for a few firms back home in Pittsburgh. Helps pay the bills a little more regularly.”

“Linds majored in art in college. She even worked at a gallery in Dallas for a few years after graduation.”

“That was a long time ago, Bri.” Justin couldn’t help but hear the regret in her voice. “I’d love to see some of your work. Do you have shows and everything?”

“I have a few sketch books with me. I find stuff to draw everywhere. It’s like I can’t pass up a chance to put something interesting or unusual, or usual, for that matter, onto paper. I’d be happy to show you later.” Justin took another drink of his tea. “As for the shows, I’ve had a few back home. I can’t make a living with it yet. That’s why I have the other job. Do you paint, too?”

“I dabble, mostly. My talent lies more toward art history.” Justin nodded, wondering why she was waiting tables in a small west Texas town. Did it have to do with Brian and Gus? Maybe he’d find out, but his country club manners told him it wouldn’t be very polite to ask right now.

“You seem so young to be that accomplished,” Ted stated.

“Like I told my sister, he’s older than he looks, Theodore. You’re just jealous.”

“Uncle Brian, please, I’m eating.” Everyone laughed at Sammy’s remark. Justin, for one, was glad for the break in his own version of twenty questions. He rested his hand on Brian’s thigh and was glad when Brian put his own hand on top and gave it a squeeze.

“Enough interrogation, people. Let the poor man eat in peace.”

Halfway through dinner, the front door opened and an attractive gray-haired woman entered. “Hi, all. Sorry I’m late.”

“Hey, Mom," Brian and Claire said at the same time and the others also greeted Joan Kinney.

“And who’s this handsome young man?” Joan asked as she sat in a chair Peter held out for her.

“Mother,” Brian said in that tone he used to get a point across. “I know you already know who this is. I’m sure Claire couldn’t keep her mouth shut about my…friend. Justin, this is my mother, Joan. Mom, Justin Taylor.” Justin stood and shook her hand, saying how glad he was to meet her.

“My, so polite. I seem to detect a little accent, young man. You’re not from around here, are you?”

“No, ma’am, I’m from Pittsburgh.”

“So far from home. Doesn’t your family miss you?”

“I guess.”

“Well, I’m sure as soon as your car is fixed, you’ll be on the road again. This little desert town surely can’t compare with the big city. I lived in Dallas for a while. There’s so much to do, what with museums, plays and all kinds of stuff.” She gave a wistful sigh. “That’s where I met my husband. Brian and Claire’s father, you know.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Justin said unsure of what else to say.

“Mother, I don’t think Justin’s really interested in that.”

“Oh, no, of course not. I’m sorry. But big cities are meant for the young folks. Are your parents still in Pittsburgh?

“My parents are divorced, but, yes, they still live there. And my sister, Molly goes to Carnegie-Mellon.”

Soon, the conversation drifted to other topics, but Justin was stuck with the statement about his leaving when his car was repaired the next day. He wasn’t so sure he wanted to leave that soon.

After everyone had eaten their fill and the dishes were cleared from the table, the whole crowd gathered in the living room.

“That was a great meal, Claire. Thanks. I haven’t had too many home cooked meals over the last few weeks.”

“My pleasure, Justin. Glad you could join us.”

Gus took a coloring book and crayons from a cabinet and took them over to Justin. “Mr. Jussin, can you color with me?”

“I’d love to, Buddy.” Gus put the book and colors on the coffee table and Justin slid off the couch to sit beside Brian’s son. Justin chose a red crayon and began to color the cape of the cartoon super-hero in the picture.

“Wow, how did you know his cape was red? My daddy didn’t know that. I had to tell him.”

“I know a lot about super-heroes. My friend owns a comic book store back home. His favorite is Captain Astro. I like Superman, myself. Who’s your favorite?”

“Mighty Mouse,” Gus exclaimed, sticking out his chest and showing his biceps muscle. “He’s small like me, and real strong. Hey, you color real good, almost as good as my mommy.”

“You color good, too, Gus. I love the color pink you made the clouds. That shows imagination.

“Maginashun,” Gus repeated. “Hey, Daddy, Jussin says I have ‘maginashun’. What’s that?”

Brian laughed. “Imagination, Sonny Boy. It means you see things in a special way.”

“But I see with my eyes. Don’t you?” Gus squinted as he talked to his father. “Why is that special?”

“Thanks, Justin,” Brian said out of the side of his mouth. “Let’s see. It means that you see with your eyes, but also, you see with your heart. It’s like when you and Sammy pretend to be super heroes and get rid of all the bad men.” He watched his son wrinkle his forehead, thinking about what he said. “You’ll understand more when you’re older.”

“I’ll be older tomorrow. Will I understand then?”

“Maybe it’ll be a little longer than that. Just remember, Sonny Boy, imagination is a good thing.” Brian was anxious to end this conversation. “Look, Justin’s almost finished with his page. You’d better get to coloring, or he’ll finish before you.”

The rest of the evening flew by. Lindsay had the breakfast shift at the diner on Monday morning, so she was the first to say she had to leave. Gus had crawled up onto his daddy’s lap an hour before and fell asleep with his head tucked into the little valley between his daddy’s arm and chest.

“I really hate to leave, but it looks like Gus is ready for bed and I have to get up early.” Lindsay reached for her son, but Brian stopped her.

“I’ll get him,” he said, shooing her arms away. “Justin and I need to leave, too.” Gus stirred slightly as Brian repositioned him in his arms and Claire leaned over to kiss the top of his head.

“You did good, little brother,” she whispered to Brian.

Justin said good-bye to everyone and thanked Claire for dinner once more. He walked with Brian to Lindsay’s car and watched as Brian placed his son in the booster seat. Brian gave Gus a kiss on the nose. “Sweet dreams, Sonny Boy,” he said to the sleeping boy then closed the car door. Once mother and son were off, Brian hugged his sister and mother and he and Justin also headed for home.

“So, Sunshine, that’s my family.”

“And an interesting group they are. Tell me, have you and Ted ever…?”

“Don’t even say it ‘cause if you do, you get to walk back to my place.” Brian laughed despite himself.

“Just wondering. I loved watching you with Gus. You know you smile the whole time you’re around him. It’s adorable.”

“I don’t do ‘adorable’. Never have, never will.”

“Keep telling yourself that. What was your father like?”

“My father, well, he had the hardest time with my being gay. We didn’t talk for a long while, but he found out he had cancer. Let’s just say we came to an understanding before he died. I think Gus helped, even though he was just a baby. Jack loved to be around him.” Brian was silent for a few minutes. “What about your family?”

“I already told you about my grandfather. He was great. I’m still my mother’s only son, with all the stuff that goes with that. Basically, she just wants me to be happy. She even fixed me up once. It was pretty much a disaster, so we won’t even go there. My sister, Molly, is a typical little sister, but she thinks I’m 'cool' and asks me to help her pick out 'cool' clothes. As you can see, I’m a t-shirt and jeans kinda guy, but she seems to like what I put together for her. I guess it’s part of the gay gene.”

“Your artistic touch must come in handy for that. What about your father? Difficult?”

Justin let out his breath. “He wasn’t happy at all and tried to throw me out of the house when I was sixteen. Told me I was no longer his son, blah, blah, blah. Mom stood up for me. Said if he couldn’t accept who I was then he was the one who was leaving. They were divorced within a year. He refused to pay for college and I haven’t seen or talked to him in years.”

“Bastard! It’s his loss, though, you know.”

“Thanks.”

“It’s true,” Brian said as he pulled into his driveway.

As soon as they were in the house, Brian wrapped his arms around Justin and kissed him. “Mmmm. I’ve wanted to do that all evening. I almost followed you into Claire’s bathroom.”

“Brian! I’m really glad you showed some restraint. I would have been too embarrassed. But we can make up for it now, can’t we?”

“Oh, yeah.” Clothing couldn’t be removed fast enough, and once they were both naked, they crawled into bed.

This night was different to them. It was hard to believe they’d met only two nights before. It was as if they’d known each other for years.

Brian put his arm under Justin’s neck and stared at the perfect lips, pale skin and blond hair. “Justin,” was all he could say before he leaned down and kissed the other man. Even the sex that night was softer, more caring. More like “making love”. They both felt it, although neither one said anything before they fell asleep in the early morning hours.

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