Lean On Me

Chapter One
 

Author's Note: Thanks go to Thyme for betaing this fic for me. And, to Sabina for the picture on my main page and the picture for this story.

 

* * *
 

Sixteen year old Justin Taylor let out a sigh when he walked into the kitchen and saw a note sitting on the counter.

"What's the matter, Jus?" his twelve year old sister Jessica asked.

Justin looked at his two younger sisters, Jessica and Robyn, and his younger brother Brandon. "Nothing, Jess. Why don't you guys go into the living room and get started on your homework?" They knew that it wasn't a request, so they just nodded and left the kitchen.

Walking to the counter, Justin picked up the piece of white paper. Before he even started reading it, Justin knew what it would say. The same thing all the notes, since he had been twelve, said.

Justin,
Dave and I are going away for a couple of days. Take care of the kids.
~Mom

Angrily, Justin crumpled up the note and threw it in the trashcan. Closing his eyes, he got his anger under control. He looked at his watch and saw that it was four in the afternoon. It was time to get his six month old baby brother Timothy from the babysitter. Since the babysitter only lived in the apartment building across the street, Justin decided that it would be safe to leave his other three siblings alone for a few minutes. Walking into the living room, Justin spoke, "I'm going across the street to get Timmy. Stay inside. Watch Brandon and Robyn, Jess."

Jessica nodded. She took her role as big sister seriously. "Okay."

A couple of minutes later, Justin was standing in front of apartment 3C and knocking. He could hear crying and kids yelling through the closed door. The door was swung open by the babysitter, Cassandra. She was holding a baby and Justin could see a couple of toddlers running around behind her.

Without saying a word, Cassandra walked away. A few minutes later, she returned carrying Timothy. She handed him to Justin. "Don't bring him back."

"What? Why?" Justin demanded in surprise.

Cassandra glared at him. "Your mother owes me money. Two months worth. I've got enough kids to take care of without havin' someone's who won't pay me."

"I didn't know. Tim needs a babysitter. Look, how would much I have to pay you for you to babysit him?"

"Three hundred dollars," Cassandra answered. With that said, she shut the door in Justin's face. Justin looked at Timothy who was looking back at him. Timothy needed a babysitter for when Justin was in school. He knew that Cassandra wasn't the best but she was close by and affordable ... sometimes. He'd have to see how much money he had saved at home.

Giving Timothy a smile, Justin tickled him under his little chin. "Ready for your supper, Little Man?" Timothy just giggled.

 

* * *

TWO DAYS LATER--SATURDAY
LIBERTY AVENUE

"Stay close, Brandon," Justin said when he saw Brandon start to walk a little ahead of him. Brandon just laughed and waited for them to catch up. Justin was pushing Timothy in a stroller as he, Brandon, Robyn and Jessica were walking down Liberty Avenue. Pittsburgh's own little gay mecca. The younger kids loved the colors that lined the streets and windows.

"I'm hungry, Jus," said Robyn.

Justin could see a sign across the street that said Liberty Diner. The five siblings had only been to Liberty Avenue twice and they had never set foot inside the diner. Justin mentally shrugged. 'Might as well try it out,' he thought.

"There's a diner across the street. Let's go there." Justin didn't have much money left. He had had exactly three hundred dollars saved. And, as usual, Jennifer and Dave hadn't left them with any food or money. Justin was going to get the money to pay Cassandra the same way he always did.

Shaking unwanted memories from his mind, he put a smile on his face. He was going to make this a good outing for his brothers and sisters. Justin held the diner door open as Brandon, Robyn and Jessica walked inside. Then, he pushed the stroller and followed them. Seeing an empty table at the back, they walked to it and claimed it as their own.

A couple of minutes after they were seated, a red-headed waitress wearing a red vest covered in buttons walked over to them. "My lucky day. A table full of cuties," she teased with a smile. Justin gave her a small smile while Robyn, Brandon and Jessica sported huge smiles. Timothy just giggled, even though he didn't know what had been said.

"I'm Debbie Novotny. Deb, to everyone around here. You all look new."

Justin nodded. "We've been to Liberty Avenue a couple of times. But this is our first time eating here. I'm Justin." Pointing to each one, he introduced his siblings. "These are my sisters Robyn and Jessica. And my brothers Brandon and Timothy."

Debbie smiled. "Well, it's sweet of you to babysit them. And it's cool that your parents let you bring them here."

Justin nodded, not correcting Debbie's assumption. And his younger brothers and sisters understood that they had to keep their mouths shut about their mother and Dave.

"Do ya know what you want?" Debbie asked, pen poised over a small notebook.

"Four cheeseburger platters. And do you have apple oatmeal?"

"Sure do."

"Good. A bowl of apple oatmeal and a banana." Looking at Robyn, Brandon and Jessica, he spoke. "What do you guys want to drink?"

"Chocolate milk," said Robyn.

"Apple juice," answered Brandon.

"White milk," replied Jessica.

"And I'll have a coke. Oh, and can you put some white milk in this bottle and warm it up for me?"

Debbie smiled. "Sure. I'll put your orders in with the cook and I'll be back in a few with your drinks."

"Thanks," said Justin.

After she left, seven year old Robyn spoke. "She's nice."

Justin nodded and gave his sister a smile. "Seems like it. So, what do you guys think of the diner?"

"I like all of the flags," said Brandon. Robyn and Jessica nodded in agreement.

ACROSS THE DINER---ANOTHER TABLE

"Wonder who that cutie with the kids is," mused Emmett Honeycutt. The others at the table followed Emmett's line of sight and had to admit that the blonde was good-looking. Ben and Michael's adopted son Hunter stared at the blonde. When the blonde caught him looking and they locked eyes, it clicked who the young man was. In Justin's blue eyes, Hunter could see slight panic and pleading. Hunter knew that Justin was pleading with him to not out him.

"Do you know him?" Ted asked when he noticed Hunter's intense stare.

Hunter shook his head. "Nope. Just admirin' the looks."

Brian Kinney smirked. "The littlest hustler found someone other than me to look at?"

"Ha. Ha," Hunter replied in a dry tone.

 

Return to Lean On Me