The Headache
Part 2
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Debbie's kitchen
Distractedly Debbie is facing the sink washing up the few dishes from the sandwiches she fixed for herself and Vic when they returned from the hospital. "Vic did you take your meds?"
Vic still sitting at the kitchen table, and looking at the TV Guide "Yeah, I took my meds."
"Vic did you take your meds?"
Turns and answers again "Debbie, I said yes I TOOK my meds." Then he notices the slight shaking of Debbie's shoulders. Rising from the table and putting his arms around his quietly sobbing sister, "Deb… DEB, he's okay… he'll be home tomorrow eating us out of house and home again."
Turning into her brother's comforting embrace, "He almost died… ALONE… I know… I know… we all die alone, but it's Sunshine Vic he's just so young…"
Vic says nothing he just continues to hold his quietly sobbing sister.
Wiping her eyes and sniffling Debbie says as if she hadn't just been crying and talking about Justin's near death experience, "Vic remind me to bring home some lemon bars…he loves those."
"Okay. I'm heading to bed." Looking back over his should Vic shakes his head and thinks. I'd expect this if it were Michael or one of the other boys, but Justin. How'd he become so important so quickly? Hmm.
Why is he different?
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The home of David and Michael
David unable to sleep looks at Michael as he sleeps and thinks about the events of the day. A full patient load and a trip to the emergency room to visit a kid I don't really know and Michael doesn't even like.
Although … I've never paid it much attention before but he kind of reminds me of Hank and like Justin, Hank has some drug allergies, too-penicillin and sulfur drugs. I've got to remember to tell Michael that just in case.
Well I know one thing, it may not be "PC" or compassionate, but I want this kid to stick around a long time. When he's around Brian is totally focused on him-no Mikey this or Mikey that. When Justin is around he barely even looks at Michael and I LIKE that.
I wouldn't have thought it possible that that self-absorbed asshole could look at anyone like that other than Michael or maybe himself.
I wonder… Why is he different?
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Woody's near closing time
Emmett and Ted downing their fourth and third Chocolate Martini's respectively. Each is lost in thought.
Jeez at least now I know why the kid always sounds like Doogie Howser... takes two ibuprofens and stops breathing. I'd read medical journals, too.
Seventeen… How do you deal with almost dying at 17? When we went in to see him he was actually smiling and telling jokes and imitating the school nurse. I couldn't have handled it at 17. Hell if the truth be known I couldn't handle it now. Then again … I'd probably be in full drama queen mode and would be doing the deathbed scene from Camille.
"You know Teddy I have this shirt from that shipment the other day that would look perfect on Justin. I think I'll buy it for him as a welcome home present."
"I'll split the cost with you 50/50"
"You spending money on Justin, hmm… That's a first."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just tell me how much I owe you."
Ted never parts with money this easily. What is it about Justin? Why is he different?
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Lindsey's and Melanie's bedroom the sound of Gus crying.
"Mel, it's only about 6" high and it's dressed like an artist… I know it's here somewhere. Calm down honey… mommy will find it." Gus cries harder.
Coming up off of all fours and handing Lindsey the small tan bear "Found it… I don't remember buying that… or getting it at the shower… Where did it come from?"
Lindsey places the bear in Gus's waiting hands and sighs as her son's cries stop almost immediately. "Justin gave it to him a couple of weeks ago and it's become his favorite toy."
"Justin?!"
"Yes, Justin. He stops by after school at least once a week to give me a break and usually has some kind of gift or something for Gus. Gus adores him."
"I still think Justin needs to be with someone his own age, but I must admit he makes Brian a better person and if he weren't around God knows what kind of guys Brian would be exposing Gus to."
"Mel, I don't think that Brian would bring any trick around Gus. With the exception of Michael and Justin I don't think Brian has ever had any guy over including Ted and Emmett when Gus was there. I don't know, but Justin is special. I just wonder… Why is he different?"
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The couch in the family room of the Taylor home
I can't blame Jen for kicking me out of the bedroom again. I'm surprised she hasn't kicked me out of the house.
A part of me honestly feels like I lost my son the day he walked out the door with that pervert-Brian, but today… I really almost lost him and my pigheadedness wouldn't even let me hear them tell me that he was sick. My God he STOPPED breathing.
Rising and going upstairs to Justin's room
Jen doesn't know it, but I've driven over to that woman's house-Debbie. I can't believe that Justin would prefer to live there instead of at home, just so that he could be with him-Brian Kinney.
Slowly sitting on Justin's bed and quietly sobbing into his hands, Craig silently prays, God keep my son safe… help me to understand… Why is he different?
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Meanwhile in the master bedroom of the Taylor home
Justin is okay. I have to keep telling myself this. I almost lost my son today and he would have died without my having seen him for almost 2 weeks. I have got to get my family back together.
Lord thank you for keeping him safe and please continue to watch over him while he is so far away from me. Please God answer my prayer and help Craig to accept Justin… I know most fathers would have a problem with their son being gay, but Craig isn't even trying to understand and God, please help me to understand… Why is he different?
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9:00 a.m. the following morning Brian's office
"Cynthia could I see you a moment?"
Brian's back is turned to the door as Cynthia walks in and says, "So how was the Liberty rep?"
Without turning around Brian begins to speak in a voice that is all too recognizable to Cynthia and as a result the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. "Cynthia if you ever fail to pass on an emergency message to me again you're fired… That'll be all for now."
Cynthia stands in front of Brian's desk in shock and says, "I beg your pardon."
"I said that will be all for now."
"Brian you know what I'm talking about… Did you just threaten to fire me for not interrupting one of your 'private' meetings? Your standing orders are not to interrupt you unless it's an emergency call from Michael."
Brian takes a calming breath and answers, "Fair enough. Add Justin to your list of things you can interrupt my 'private' meetings for… Close the door behind you, please."
Cynthia leaves as she walks down the hall she tries to remember exactly what Justin looks like from her brief encounter with him at Brian's loft. Blond, blue eyed, handsome… but all of Brian's conquests are handsome… Justin on par with Michael…Curiouser and Curiouser … Why is he different?
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Brian's office
I can't believe I did that. What is wrong with me? Cynthia is the best assistant in the company and I just threatened to fire her because she was following my orders. Who am I kidding? It was because it was Justin.
Damn I almost lost him yesterday… all because of some stupid school nurse. Thank God for Daphne. I've got to do something nice for her maybe flowers or candy. Something.
Why is he different?
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Later that afternoon the parking lot of the hospital
"You're the last person I expected to pick me up. Why?"
"Why? What."
"Why are you picking me up?"
"Because I was asked to do it … and because I saw the look in Brian's eyes when the doctor told us that you had stopped breathing. It was brief and if I hadn't been watching him I probably would have missed it, but he was terrified…"
" I don't know why, but you really are more than a trick to him."
"I knew that the first night we were together."
"Look, Boy Wonder…"
"My name is Justin."
"I know your name… Look Boy… Justin, Brian cares about you and you make Brian…"
"Happy."
"Maybe, but that's not what I was going to say. You make Brian a better person."
"What do you mean? Brian is Brian and he's perfect the way he is. I don't want to change him. Well maybe one thing about him, but I'm hoping that will happen with time."
"As I was saying you make Brian a better person a person capable of falling in love and making a commitment to someone. Whether it's you or someone else. It is in my best interest that that happens."
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The car stops in front of Debbie's.
"You okay going in by yourself or do you need help?"
Justin starting to exit the car turns back and says, "I'm fine. Thanks for the ride… and David whether Brian and I end up together or not he and Michael are always going to love each other. If you plan to stick around you need to get used to that idea."
Pulling away from the curb David is deep in thought. Boy Wonder…I actually called him Boy Wonder… Michael is definitely starting to rub off on me… Every time I meet up with Justin all I can think is that there is something about him… Why is he different?
I think I've finally figured it out… he doesn't have any hidden agendas. He simply IS. Hmm.