Listen to Your Heart

Part 9

*****************************

“I wish you didn’t have to go,” Justin spoke aloud as he handed Molly a shirt to pack in her suitcase.

<Me too,> Molly signed back, <but Dad is having a cow about having his weeks with me this summer. He’s mad because I’ve already missed a few of his weekends because I‘m here.>

<“I know, but what will we do without you guys?”>

<Justin, what did you do before?>

Justin looked down at his feet trying to think just what he and Brian had done before Molly and Hannah had come. Well, sex, of course, but not a heck of a lot communicating. Funny how that had never been a large part of their relationship in the first place and now when they both were finally willing to try harder the fates had stepped in to make everything difficult again.

Molly read her brother’s feelings and moved to him lifting his chin up gently with one finger; <it will be better Jus. You both have come so far with the signing. Hannah is really surprised at how fast you both are learning.>

<“I know Moll, but it’s still slow going and I can see how frustrated Brian gets.”>

Molly hugged him feeling more like the older sibling, <you guys will be fine,> she reiterated, <anyway I just know the doctor is going to give you the go ahead to come home when you see him tomorrow. Things will be better when you get home.>

Justin shrugged; great, a whole new group of people he couldn’t communicate with. He kept that thought to himself as he watched Molly continue to pack.

<You guys are going to continue with the sign language lessons right? With that private tutor?>

Justin nodded; <“Molly you’ll still want to hang out with me when I come home won’t you? I mean you and Hannah both? You won‘t be too busy for me?”> He wasn’t sure how or why but his little sister had all of a sudden become a necessity in his life, almost like a security blanket. Maybe because she and her friend had shown him a way to be a part of the world again.

<Oh Jus,> Molly flew into his arms hugging him tightly before she pushed him away a little to use her hands; <you know I will. Always.>

Justin wiped his eyes with his fists, “damn allergies,” he spoke.

<I know,> Molly signed, dabbing at her own eyes; <Mom should really look into finding us some stronger medication.>

Both siblings laughed as Molly zipped her suitcase and they stood and headed out to the front room where Hannah and Brian were waiting to go to the airport.

***********************************

<“Thank you for having me,”> Hannah reached out and hugged Justin then Brian as they all stood at the entrance of airport security.

<“We should be thanking you,”> Justin corrected, <“you’ve been a life saver Hannah,”>

<“It was my pleasure,”> she replied.

<“Well consider yourself part of the family now,”> Brian spoke, <“I hope you will come see us with Molly when we get back to the Pitts.”>

<“Of course I will,”> Hannah moved in to hug Justin again then pulled away with her back to the others to sign him a private message, <keep practicing OK?> She smiled when Justin nodded, <you’re doing great Justin. I’m really proud of you. You know I’ve always wanted a big brother.>

Justin returned her smile; <well to be honest I never really wanted another little sister, but since it’s you I think I’m OK with it.>

<Thanks.> Hannah moved away so Molly could move in.

<“Bye Mollusk,”> Justin grinned slyly.

<“I can’t believe you got her to teach you to sign ‘mollusk’ you shit,”> They both laughed. <“Bye Jussy, take good care of yourself and your guy.”>

<“I will,”> he pulled her in for one last hug and kiss on the cheek before she turned to Brian.

Brian took Molly‘s hand, <“bye Kiddo and thanks for everything,”> He signed so Hannah and Justin could also ‘hear’ what he was saying.

<“I should be thanking you for the trip and the clothes you’ve been way too generous with us.”>

Brian spun her around; <“well I couldn’t let you girls go back to the Pitts with those rags you were wearing when you got here.”> Brian had taken them all to Rodeo Drive on eday on a shopping spree, buying designer outfits for all of them. It had been his favorite day of their entire visit.

Molly laughed, <“such a label queen.”>

<“You’re not the first to accuse me of that,”> Brian replied with a twinkle in his eye.

Before he could say anything else Molly flung herself in his arms, “you take care of him OK?” She spoke into his ear not including Justin and Hannah in their conversation on purpose.

“I will,” Brian answered.

“You’re the best brother-in-law ever.” She felt Brian stiffen and she laughed a bit, “don’t get all defensive I’m just teasing.”

Brian stepped back and gently tucked a stray strand of blond hair behind Molly’s ear; “somehow when you say it I don’t want to get defensive. It’s nice to have a sister I can actually tolerate.”

Molly smiled and hugged Brian tightly one last time, “thanks big brother. I love you.”

Brian didn’t even think about it when he started to reply; “I lo...”

Molly pulled back and placed a finger over his lips; “don’t you dare say it.”

“Why? I just...”

She stared him down, “you know why.”

“It’s different Moll.”

“Not really Brian,” she stated simply. They stared at one another for a moment grateful that Justin and Hannah were engaged in their own conversation. Finally Molly broke the silence; “besides you know what a big drama queen he is. If he found out you said it to me first we’d never hear the end of it.”

Brian gently kissed her on the cheek; “you’re right. Have a safe trip. Mollusk.”

Molly smacked his arm, “shut up jerk.”

With one last exchange of hugs and kisses Justin and Brian watched as the girls made their way through security and down to their gate.

***********************************

The drive home was silent, Brian unable to sign and navigate L.A. traffic at the same time. Already he missed Molly’s chatter and how she could interpret for all of them in the car. He would miss a lot of things about having the girls with them. Funny how Brian Kinney would miss the company of two fifteen year old girls.

He glanced over at Justin and sighed, he had been staring out the passenger window since they left the airport. Brian fervently hoped that with Molly and Hannah’s departure they didn’t take all of Justin’s progress with them.

Finally Justin turned to his lover and smiled; “you know I’m going to throw you down on that chair in the front room and have my way with you as soon as we walk in the door right? I mean Christ! Bedroom only sex for eight weeks, how do people do it?”

Brian barked out a laugh while reaching over to give Justin’s crotch a squeeze in complete agreement. Maybe the kid was going to be OK after all.

***********************************

The next day both men sat in Dr. Richmond’s office. The ear specialist had completed Justin’s bi-weekly exam and had asked them to wait while he analyzed his findings.

<“Why do you think he wants to talk with us?”> Justin asked and signed nervously.

<“I don’t know. Maybe he has some good news?”>

<“Or bad,”> Justin responded.

<“Don’t be such a fucking pessimist.”>

Their conversation was interrupted by the return of the doctor; “thank you for waiting gentlemen.” The doctor spoke slowly so Brian could interpret for Justin as best as he could, “I have some news.”

Brian took a deep breath, <“what is it Doc?”>

“Well, I’m afraid there is no change with Justin’s hearing loss. As I’ve said before it is just too hard to predict what the long-range outcome will be. The inner ear is very delicate, but I have seen cases where it did repair itself after severe trauma. Unfortunately there is just no way to know.”

Brian finished his stilted signing and Justin slumped slightly.

“But, I do feel that Justin has healed enough to make the trip back home to Pittsburgh. I will refer you to one of my colleagues there of course. He is an excellent doctor and I know he will take very good care of you.”

As Justin watched Brian’s hands a smile of recognition lit up his face until Brian was sure he and the doctor would need sunglasses. <“Really?”> He asked, <“I can go home?”>

The doctor smiled warmly, “yes really. Perhaps being back amongst your family and friends will help those ears completely heal;” the older man winked at them. “Just one thing though. I still don’t want you to fly. I think that kind of pressure would still be too much for your ears.”

Brian nodded in understanding as he told Justin the news. He couldn’t help but laugh at Justin’s response; “I’ll fucking walk if I have to,” in his excitement he didn’t even bother with the sign language as he spoke, “I just want to go home.”

<Then let’s do it Sunshine.> Brian signed as he pulled his lover into a hug.

Return to Listen to Your Heart