A Real Arguement

Debbie's Monday night Italian feasts were a tradition with the gang. They didn't happen every Monday any more but they were frequent enough. Justin and Brian tried to get there as often as they could. They liked to see all their friends together and they liked to see the happier, somewhat more mellow Debbie. "Carl Horvath is good for Debbie. Now that she has a life of her own, she leaves me alone," Brian remarked to Justin as they headed over there one Monday night.

"I don't think that's why at all," Justin laughed, "Now that you have a real life of your own, now that you've got me, that is, she doesn't need to watch you so closely. She knows I can do that."

"And you do, just like she did," Brian came back, "But let's not argue on the way over. Let's argue on the way back so there will be less time between the argument and the making up." "That sounds like a great plan to me," Justin agreed. It was a plan. They didn't know that it was also a prediction.

There were going to be two special things about that evening. One was that Debbie had concocted a new Italian dish: "Pasta a la Debbie with Carl Sauce." Debbie was a superb cook and Brian and especially Justin were looking forward to that. "Don't eat too much," Brian had cautioned Justin. "How much is too much?" Justin asked snidely. "About half as much as you'll eat before you quit," Brian figured. "You're a nag," Justin complained. "If it takes one to know one," Brian quoted, "You certainly ought to know one." That was when they pulled up in front of Debbie's.

The second special event of the night was a celebration. Melanie had been promoted to senior partner in her law firm. That gave her more prestige, but of more practical importance, it also about doubled her income. Lindsey and Melanie had experienced money problems off and on during their lives together but those should now be a thing of the past. Everyone was very happy for Mel. They knew she was competent at her work and they had wondered why the promotion had not come sooner. They wondered if it was because she was female, or because she was Jewish, or because she was lesbian. But anyhow, it had finally happened and the celebration made the evening special for all of them.

Brian and Justin were the last to arrive. Justin waved to the gang and then planted a kiss on Melanie's cheek. "Congratulations, Mel. You deserve it," He told her, "I'm so happy for you."

Then Brian, mimicking Justin, also kissed Melanie on the cheek. "Congratulations, Counselor," he teased her, "Now you can be a better father to my son." "Well if you mean better than you are, that should be very easy," she joked back. Their relationship had warmed up considerably so they could now joke with each other.

The meal was delicious and everybody had a good time. About halfway through the meal, about the time Justin was replenishing his plate for the third time while avoiding Brian's stare, Michael observed: "This Debbie pasta and the Carl sauce really go well together. Seems like a perfect match to me." That was the high point of the evening for Deb. She beamed and Carl smiled too. Michael had not always approved of the relationship and they knew he was telling them that they had his approval. That pleased them very much.

Over the dessert, Justin opened Pandora's Box innocently enough when he asked Lindsey and Melanie how they planned to celebrate Mel's promotion. "I think you should take off to Europe for a couple of weeks. Brian and I would be glad to take care of Gus while you're gone," he offered. Actually Brian would have liked to have taken care of Justin just then. Brian had not been consulted. But Brian didn't have to worry about a possible acceptance of Justin's offer.

"No, we don't think we'll be doing that," Mel answered. Brian relaxed, but not for long as Lindsey added, "We're thinking of having another baby."

That announcement brought about a spirited discussion. There were pros and cons mentioned. It would be nice for Gus to have a little brother or sister to grow up with. On the other hand, Mel would be busier as a partner and Lindsey was doing more with her art since she had installed the attic studio. The sense of the discussion seemed to be that Mel and Linz should think a little more about the idea. It was a pretty complete discussion of the matter, but it ignored one very important point. Nobody wanted to ask and the girls did not say whom they wanted for the biological father of the new addition.

Brian and Justin continued the discussion on their way back home. "I hope they don't ask me," Brian said, "I love Gus but I don't think I want to do that again."

Justin thought for a while. Then he said to Brian, "Maybe they'll ask me. I'll do it. Maybe I should call them and volunteer. That would be great. Your biological son would be a half-brother to my biological kid."

"No," Brian objected, "That would not be great. You are not to volunteer and if they are crazy enough ask you, I want you to say 'No.'" "That should be my decision," Justin scowled. "I want you to say 'No,'" Brian repeated. That was the last word spoken in the car. They had hoped for an argument on the way home and they had gotten their wish. Neither was happy about it.

When they got back to the loft, Brian stalked directly to the bedroom. Justin slouched onto the couch, then got up and lit his fireplace, sat on the floor under the blanket and stared aimlessly into the electric flames. He sat there for a good while thinking until he felt someone sitting down next to him. An arm went around his shoulder, and Justin looked over.

"Are we having an argument?" he asked Brian. "Seems like that," Brian replied. "Is this a real argument?" Justin went on. "Maybe," was Brian's response. "I like arguments," Justin said, "But not real arguments. Real arguments give me an empty feeling in my stomach. I'll do what you tell me, Brian. I'll say 'No' to Mel and Lindsey if they ask me."

"If real arguments give you an empty feeling in your stomach after what you've just eaten, we're dealing with a very serious situation here. I don't like arguments like this either. Actually I came out here to apologize to you. I have no business ordering you around, Baby, I love you so much that I want to protect you even if it's from yourself, but there are some decisions you have to make on your own. This is one of them. It would be a mistake for you to say 'Yes' if they ask you, but all I have a right to ask is that you listen to what I have to say before you decide. I'm sorry I was so bossy before. I'm still learning too. I will support you decision whatever it is, even if I don't agree with you."

"I think I know what your arguments are, Brian," Justin replied, snuggling up to him. I've been thinking. I wasn't thinking before. You were in a position to take care of Gus if he needed you. I'm not there yet. I'll say 'No" and it will be my decision." "Can we forget this ever happened?" Justin pleaded.

"I don't think we should. Didn't we both learn something that will help us get through the next 50 or 60 years?" Brian said. "Yes we did," Justin agreed, "It's amazing, Brian, you're always right. So are we all made up now?"

"Isn't there some more making up we still need to do?" Brian inquired. "You are a wonder, Brian. You are always right," Justin laughed, "There is more making up to do. Let's get right to it."

They forgot to turn off the fireplace so it burned all night. They did not notice. They would not have noticed if the loft had burned down.

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