A Day in the Life

Reflections

Before they left the hospital, the attending physician warned Jennifer and Justin not to get their hopes too high. Craig's condition was still very precarious. Nevertheless, on the way home, Justin was upbeat about the situation and that worried Brian. "I never thought this could happen," Justin told Brian.

Brian responded: "I'm glad you and your dad could come to an agreement but it would be better, babe, if you took this business one step at a time. Your dad's pretty sick and sometimes sick people say things and make promises they can't keep after they get well. And you know that he might not get well. You have to be prepared for anything."

"Yeah, I know," Justin admitted, "But I'm just so excited about our talk that I can't even think about the accident, and the bad stuff. This just has to work out." The rest of the way home, Brian worried and Justin hoped in silence.

There were a lot of calls on their answering machine when they got back to the loft. The accident had made the TV news and Craig's name had been given. Brian told Justin to rest and promised to return the calls from the gang but Justin called Daphne himself on his cell phone from the bedroom.

"Can you believe it, Daff?" He asked her, "I'm going to get back together with my dad. He is willing to accept me and Brian. He wants to meet Brian. I know they'll get along and I'll have my dad back."

"You really did miss him then?" Daphne wondered, "Even after all the rotten things he said to you and did to you and Brian."

"Well, I guess I didn't know I missed him. I was pretty mad at him. But I never forgot all the good times we had. You know he was just about the best dad in the world until he found out I was gay. Then he went ballistic and I thought we were through forever. I could never have been what he wanted me to be and I was pretty sure that he would never accept me as I am. So this all just came out of the blue and I can't believe it."

"But you're not sure he's going to get over the accident, are you?" Daphne said, "You said the doctors told you they can't be sure."

"He will," Justin was sure.

"Justin, I know you love Brian and I love him too," Daphne responded, "But you know he's not the easiest guy in the world to get along with. He'd do anything for you because he loves you too, but can you be sure that he and your dad will really hit it off?"

"They just have to, Daff. I'll have to make sure that they do," Justin insisted.

"Well I hope so," she said to him, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Not now," Justin told her, "Maybe later though. Just pray." As they hung up Daphne was thinking there was a lot to pray for. It had been a very tough day for Justin but he fell asleep happy.

Brian was in the living area, making calls. By the time Justin fell asleep, Brian was talking to Lindsey. He had told her what he knew of the accident and the details of their visit to the hospital, and was now sharing with her the concerns he had about Justin: "He's just so happy, Linz. He doesn't seem to have accepted that the accident is so serious and that Craig could easily die. The doctors aren't even sure about the nature of all his injuries. It's going to be really tough on him if that happens, especially because of the meeting with his father. He could deal with his father's death a lot easier if they hadn't had that meeting. His hopes are so high."

"Maybe everything will go well though with Mr. Taylor, Brian," Lindsey said, "And you won't have to deal with him dying. If you have to, I'm sure you'll be able to help Justin cope. He'll need you then and I know you'll help him handle it."

"Even if he recovers, I don't know how I'm going to handle a friendly relationship with Craig Taylor. There's a history there and I can't imagine us ending up buddy-buddy, can you?" Brian asked her.

"Well, if he has really accepted your relationship, I think you could get along all right. You both love Justin and it means so much to him, you'll have to try," she answered him.

"Oh I'll try all right," Brian promised, "You know I'd do anything for Justin."

"I know you would, and you'll handle whatever comes very well. Don't worry," Lindsey advised him in closing.

"That's easier said than done," Brian thought to himself.

Brian finished the calls and checked the refrigerator. There were plenty of things Justin liked there. Brian wanted to make sure Justin ate when he woke up.

Brian dozed for a while in the chair and woke with a start when he heard Justin getting up. When Justin came out of the bedroom, Brian asked him if he was hungry. Justin said he wasn't but Brian insisted: "You are going to eat. You know I'm not the bossy type but you are going to eat or hear me nagging about it the rest of the evening."

"I'll eat," Justin gave in. Brian got the food out and Justin kept his promise - in spades.

After they ate, Brian and Justin sat down on the couch next to each other. Brian put his arm around Justin and Justin rested his head on Brian's shoulder. "How are you doing, Sunshine?" Brian asked.

"I'm doing OK" Justin replied, "I've been thinking a lot. It has really been a day, hearing about the accident and then going to the hospital, seeing my dad again and talking to him."

"Justin," Brian began, but Justin interrupted him before he could continue.

"Brian," Justin said, "I couldn't have gone to the hospital. I wouldn't have if it hadn't been for you. I wouldn't have gone in to see my dad if it hadn't been for you. I wouldn't have got my dad back if it wasn't for you. Even you can't imagine how much that means to me to hear him say what he said. Even if he dies, I still have him back, thanks to you." Brian tried to respond but Justin wouldn't let him. "Brian, you don't have to worry about me. I told you I've been thinking. I really do know what's going on. I've thought it over. I know my dad might die. That would be very hard for me but I can get through it if you help me. If he gets better, things may not turn out as perfectly as I want them to. I know that too. But I think he'll try and I know you'll try, so if things don't get to be as good as I hope, that will be OK too. I know you'll always be there to help me and I want you to know how much I appreciate it. That's why I love you." Then Justin leaned up and kissed Brian, "And I always will," he continued.

Brian kissed Justin back. "Baby," he said, "That takes a load off my mind. You've got it right and I'm glad about that. I was worried that you were being too optimistic about your dad. You are not being too optimistic about me though. You couldn't be. I'll always be here for you whenever you need me, and maybe even sometimes when you don't. I may even be here for you sometimes when you wish I weren't. That's what love is all about, Sunshine. You've got me and you're stuck with me. That's love."

"Wow," Justin marveled, flashing his sunshine smile, "Who would have ever thought that Brian Kinney would become an expert on the subject of love?"

Brian smiled back at him. He pushed his tongue into his cheek and winked at Justin. "Not me," he said.

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