Invitation

Usually there was nothing Justin liked better than sitting with Brian in front of the fireplace. This time was different though. They had been sitting there together for some time and Brian had not brought up the subject Justin was dreading. Finally, he was tired of waiting.

"Go ahead, Brian," he blurted out, "Say it."

"You're behind all of this, aren't you?" Brian challenged him.

"I knew you'd think that," Justin protested, "You don't really trust me at all."

"Oh I trust you to always do the right thing," Brian laughed, "Whether anybody else thinks it's the right thing or not."

"Brian, I was as surprised as you when it came," Justin insisted, "I had nothing at all to do with it and I had no idea it was coming."

"So you're telling me that all out of the blue, with no prodding from you, we get a written invitation to have dinner at Clare's," Brian wondered. "I have never had dinner at Clare's. I think I might even be afraid to have dinner at Clare's. And you're saying you had nothing to do with it?"

"You know I have been hoping that you and Clare could be more friendly," Justin responded, "But I had nothing to do with this invitation. Maybe Clare has just decided to see if you're interested."

"Why didn't she call on the phone then?" Brian wondered, "That's what people usually do. A written invitation?"

"She was probably scared to talk to you, Brian," Justin countered, "You're tough. You scare people, Brian. I love you and I'm even scared of you." Justin looked over at Brian and continued, "What are you laughing about, Honey?" he asked.

"I was just thinking about all the crazy things you've pulled on me even though you were scared of me," Brian told him, "And I was wondering what things you might have tried to pull if you hadn't been so scared of me."

"Well you'll never know," Justin laughed back at him, "Because I am scared of you."

"So if I just say I'm not going, Twink," Brian concluded, "I won't get any static from you about it. You'd be too scared to try to make me go, right?"

"Nobody could make you go if you don't want to go," Justin replied, "And I would never try to get you to do anything you don't want to do, but I think your nephews would really like it if you went. They really like you, Bri, and you like them. They would be so happy to have you and their mother be on better terms."

"And you want me to go, don't you?" Brian challenged him.

"I'd like it if you wanted to go, Brian. You know that," Justin responded, "But you also know I wouldn't want you to go if you really don't want to. I'll bet your mother would be pleased though. The note says she'll be there too."

"Probably she would like it, unless Clare and me have one of our big fights," Brian admitted, "But if we do go, I hope you don't volunteer us to paint the kitchen."

"Painting you mother's kitchen was a big success, Brian," Justin insisted, "And you can't tell me you weren't proud of how well we did. Turned out you're a natural painter, but then you can do anything, Honey. Still I promise not to volunteer and I'll let you answer if Clare asks for our services. Are you really thinking of going then?"

"You said Michael was coming by later to bring you some Rage stuff, didn't you?" Brian replied, "You wouldn't be mad if I asked him for his advice, would you? He knows my history with Clare better than you do."

Justin didn't say whether he minded or not but they sat there in silence for a while until the visitor arrived.

After Michael gave Justin the Rage folder, Brian returned to the subject of Clare.

"Hey Mikey," he said, "Come and sit with us down here on the floor - next to me though. I don't trust you next to the Twink here. He's irresistible."

"Gosh," Michael replied, "I know it's an honor to be asked to join you guys in front of the fireplace but if you're in one of your moods, maybe I'd just as soon leave. I used to have to deal with your moods but that's Boy Wonder's job now and he's welcome to it." But Mikey did sit down with them and Brian explained the situation.

"Gee whiz," Mike exclaimed, "I never thought I'd see the day that Clare invited you to her place. You and her pretty much hated each other when you were growing up. What's the occasion?"

"I think the Twink here has got her thinking that I might be OK," Brian told him.

"Well I knew he was persuasive," Mikey marveled, "But getting Clare to change her mind about you is really persuasive. Still you've changed too, Brian. Maybe she's changed and you guys can get along now. It would be good for the kids and your mother would like it."

"How have I changed?" Brian questioned.

"You've mellowed with age," Mikey responded, throwing a wink in Justin's direction. "I think it would be safe for you to go to Clares's if you have Justin with you. He'll keep you under control."

"He can't keep me under control," Brian informed Michael, "He's too scared of me to be of any help." Now it was Brian's turn to wink at Justin who was not exactly sure what was going on.

"Well," Mikey warned, "If she serves pizza, be sure to look under the cheese. Remember the time she put all those hot red peppers under the cheese on your pizza and you had a burned mouth for a week."

"Yeah," Brian remembered, "And the time my mother was making her double chocolate cake for my birthday and she put garlic and onion powder in the batter when mother wasn't looking."

"But that was after you put the green Easter egg dye in her shampoo," Michael reminded him. "It's time you forgot all those things though, Brian. I'm sure Clare just wants to mend fences with you now. You have been good to her kids and they have really improved since you and Justin have been helping with them."

The conversation went on for a little while after that, mostly Mikey and Brian recalling old times, but Michael finally got up and left.

After he was gone, the guys cuddled up again in front of the fireplace. "I guess we'll go, Baby. If Clare wants to try, and you want me to try, I'll try," Brian decided.

"Are you sure you want to?" Justin asked him. "I don't want you to do it just for me. I'll understand if you don't want to go."

"No, I want to do it, Baby," Brian replied, "But one of the reasons I want to do it is because you want me to do it." Brian thought Justin had a perplexed look on his face. "All that talk me and Mikey had didn't scare you, did it?" he asked the kid. "Everything will go all right. You'll probably get your wish and Clare and me will end up like old friends."

Justin didn't answer immediately. Brian squeezed him just a little bit tighter while they sat there staring at the dancing flames in the fireplace.

"Brian," Justin finally spoke up, "I think we'll have a good time at Clare's, but, you know, just for fun, I'm going to taste all your food before you eat it."

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