Something To Talk About

Part 1

 

Justin took one last turn in the mirror. He ran his hands down the back of his jeans, hoping they weren’t too tight. No matter how hard he tried Justin couldn’t hide Brian’s boy’s most beautiful asset. Damn, Justin tossed the cashmere sweater aside, and selected a longer, bulkier chenille. Oh God, it’s red, the faggot’s color of choice. Justin removed the chenille, and settled for a navy ramie knit. “This will have to do.” he said.

 

It had been a bitch of a morning. Craig Taylor had already visited two construction sites, one project was running over budget, and Pat, his secretary was having morning sickness. Craig  put his pencil down and looked at his watch. It was almost noon. “I could use a drink.” he thought.

 

“Hi dad.”

 

“Justin.” The father hadn’t seen his son since Justin’s release from the hospital, when he and Jennifer had left him with Brian. That was over four months ago. Justin’s coming out, Craig’s altercation with Brian, and his pending divorce from Jennifer had put a huge strain on their father-son relationship. Craig had resolved that the rift may never be mended.

 

“Pat wasn’t at her desk. Is it ok if I come in?” Justin asked.

 

“Of course it’s ok.” The father came from behind his desk and hugged his son. “What are you doing on this side of town?”

 

“Tomorrow’s your birthday. I came to bring you your gift.”

 

Craig smiled. “Another tie?”

 

“Not this time.” Justin smiled. He reached in his pocket and handed his father a small black box.

 

Craig looked at the box in his hand, then back at his son. “Thank you Justin.” he said. “You always remember my birthday.”

 

“Open it.” Justin watched his father with anticipation.

 

Craig opened the box, and gave his smile of approval. “Cuff links, very nice.” He hugged his son again.

 

“They’re Armani, I got them from Brian’s tailor.” Justin said without thinking. Craig’s facial expression immediately changed. Justin had seen that face before. It was the same strained expression his father had that afternoon in the kitchen, when he first found out that Justin was gay, and involved with a older man. That same face had surfaced on the morning Craig left Justin with Brian, after picking him up from the hospital. Justin quickly changed the subject. “Do you have time for lunch?”

 

“Are you treating?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

 Craig put his arm around Justin’s shoulder. “In that case, I’ll have steak.” he said.

 

The two men took a short walk to Delaney’s, a well established family owned steakhouse, known for its executive lunches. As usual, Mrs. Delaney was at the door to greet the lunch crowd. “Craig, how are you?” she asked.

 

“I’m good Claire. How are you? You remember Justin don’t you?” he asked.

 

“Is that Justin?” the surprised woman asked. She came from behind her podium and gave him a hug. “It’s been a long time. Look at you, you’re all grown up, and just as handsome as your father.” 

 

Justin blushed.

 

“He’s a heartbreaker for sure Craig.” Mrs. Delaney continued. “Do you have a girlfriend sweetheart?”

 

“No maam.”

 

“You know my Amy is about your age.”

 

“We don’t have reservations Claire. Can you fit us in?” Craig interrupted.

 

“You know I can.” She signaled for the hostess. “Amy works here on weekends, you should stop by Justin.”

 

The teen flashed his million dollar smile. “I’ll try.” Justin lied politely.

 

They followed the hostess to their booth. “Kyle will be with you shortly.” She smiled, discretely flirting with Justin, who politely smiled back. The strained expression returned to Craig’s face. Both men attempted to cover the awkwardness of the moment by concentrating on their menus.

 

 “I’ll have the prime rib.” Justin finally decided.

 

“That sounds good. I think I’ll have that too.” Craig agreed, putting his menu aside. “How’s your mom? Molly spent last weekend with me. She’s getting so big.”

 

“Mom’s fine. She’s got a really nice place. I think she misses you though.”

 

“Don’t start Justin.”

 

“I’m not starting anything.” Justin said innocently. “You asked and I told you.”

 

Craig studied his son’s face. “Do you  really think she misses me?” he asked.

 

 Justin smiled and nodded his head yes.

 

“Maybe I’ll give her a call.” Craig smiled. “So how are you Justin, are you excited about school?”

 

“Yeah, I can’t wait. Lindsey and Mel gave me this cool case with every art supply you can imagine in it. I’m dying to use it.”

 

“Who’s Lindsey and Mel?”

 

“They’re Brian’s friends.”

 

“A guy named Lindsey?”

 

“No, Lindsey is a woman dad.”

 

“What’s Mel?”

 

Justin hesitated. “Mel’s a woman too. They’re a lesbian couple dad.” Justin confessed.

 

“Jesus Christ.” Craig shook his head. “Can we get some service over here!”

 

An effeminate waiter sauntered over to their booth. “I’m sorry for your wait sir. My name is Kyle. I’ll be serving you today. Are you ready to order, or can I get you something from the bar first?”

 

Craig looked at the waiter. “He’ll have Southern Comfort on the rocks, I’ll have Mountain Dew. Justin said.

 

“Make that a double.” Craig managed to get out. Kyle turned to go back to the bar, but not before flashing Justin a quick wink. “Christ, is the whole damn world queer?” Craig snorted.

 

“No dad, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.” Justin said.

 

“I’m sorry Justin.”

 

“There’s nothing to be sorry about dad.”

 

“Yes there is. It’s my fault that you are, the way that you are. I should have spent more time with you. I was always so busy working. They say that homosexual men are missing something from their fathers.” Craig was having a hard time getting his words out.

 

“Not in this case.” Justin assured him. “You were always there for me dad, taking me to the office with you on weekends, letting me ride on some of the equipment at the construction sites. You never missed a father-son outing at the country club. You always made time for me when I needed you. You’re a good father. My being gay is no one’s fault dad. I’m not a mistake.”

 

Kyle returned with their drinks, and took their orders. Craig watched as the waiter swaggered away. “I just can’t picture you being with someone like that.”  he whispered.

 

“I can’t either.” Justin said. “He’s not my type.”

 

Craig winced. “You know what I’m talking about. I mean I can’t picture you with any man.”

 

“That’s ok, I can’t picture you with mom.” Justin said. “No parent can picture their kid having sex, just like no kid can picture their parents having sex. That’s pretty common for everyone, strait or gay.”

 

Craig took a swallow of his drink. “Why Brian? He’s old enough to be your father.”

 

“He’s not that old dad.”

 

“He’s too old for you, and he’s a goddamn pervert. You should have heard him on the phone, talking about dildos, and stretching someone’s hole,” Craig could barely get the last few words out.

 

Justin resisted the urge to laugh. “Brian was just kidding around.” he lied. The teen didn’t dare let on that Brian had fucked half the guys in Pittsburgh, and Justin’s was one of the many holes that Mr. Kinney had stretched.

 

“Kidding my ass. Any man who would have sex with a seventeen year old child will do anything. I don’t want my child with a monster like that.” Craig was getting angry.

 

Kyle returned with their orders, and Justin was grateful for the interruption. They allowed that conversation to rest while they ate lunch, choosing instead to talk about much lighter topics such as Molly’s newfound interest in boys, Craig’s business, Justin’s school, and romantic places that Craig could take Jennifer, in hopes of winning her back. Kyle returned. “Will you be having desert?” he asked. Both men declined, and the waiter handed Justin the bill.

 

Craig watched as Justin pulled out a platinum Visa card from his wallet, and handed it to the waiter. The father waited until Kyle was out of hearing range. “When did you get a credit card?” he asked.

 

“It’s Brian’s” Justin said.

 

“What are you doing with his credit card?”

 

“He lets me use it.”

 

“Oh, so he’s paying you now, like some little whore with a sugardaddy?”

 

“No. It’s not like that. You don’t understand....”

 

“I don’t want to understand Justin.” Craig interrupted. “I don’t want to understand that my son looks, and dresses like a little bitch, or that he’s taking money like a whore. I don’t want to understand that my son is fucking a pervert, and apparently liking it, or that he hangs out with women named Mel. I don’t want to understand your disgusting lifestyle, or why you choose to live it.” Craig pulled out his wallet and tossed a hundred dollar bill onto the table. He tossed the cuff links next to the hundred. “Here, give these back to your sugardaddy, god knows what you did to pay for these.”

 

“Dad.”

 

“Don’t call me dad Justin.” Craig left the restaurant alone.

 

It was almost six o’clock. Brian was already in his robe, and killing time at the computer when Justin returned to the loft. “That was a long lunch.” Brian said. “How did everything go?”

 

“Ok.” Justin said. He walked past Brian and headed to the bedroom. Brian followed him.

 

“No hello kiss?” Brian asked.

 

“I’m sorry.” Justin walked over to Brian and wrapped his arms around his waist. They kissed. Brian pulled away and began to playfully frisk Justin. “What are you doing?” Justin asked.

 

“I’m checking you for explosives.” Brian joked.

 

Justin forced a smile. “Stop it Brian.”

 

Brian sat down on the edge of the bed and watched as Justin began to remove his clothes. “Did your dad like the cuff links?” he asked.

 

“Yeah, he loved them.”

 

“So when are we invited for dinner?”

 

“Soon.” Justin lied.

 

Brian pulled his baby over to him. “I can help you with that.” he purred. Justin stood between Brian’s legs and watched as his lover went about the business of undressing him. Brian unzipped Justin’s pants, and slid them past his hips. He looked up at the teen and smiled, then did the same with the boy’s shorts. Justin watched in silence, while stroking his lover’s hair. The older man reached down and helped Justin step out of his clothes. Something was wrong. Justin was always hard long before Brian could get him undressed. Come to think of it, Justin was never this quiet when he first came over, and Brian never had to ask for his kiss. “What’s wrong baby?” Brian inquired.

 

Justin leaned down and kissed him. “Nothing, I’m just tired.” he said. “Don’t stop.”

 

“Bullshit, you’re never tired. Something happened at lunch, didn’t it?”

 

Justin hesitated. “Lunch didn’t go so well Brian.” he confessed.

 

“I thought you said....”

 

“I lied.” the boy interrupted. “He hates me.

 

“Your father does not hate you.”

 

“He hates me, he hates you, and he hated the cuff-links.”

 

“Did he say that Justin? I know he can’t stand me, but he doesn’t hate you, and nobody hates Armani.” Brian tried to sound humorous.

 

Justin turned away. “He said I looked like a little bitch, and that I was your whore. I’d call that hate.”

 

“Well, you do favor your mom.” Brian smiled.

 

Justin wasn’t amused.

 

Brian stood up and enveloped his arms across Justin’s chest. He kissed his baby on the back of his neck. “You’re a beautiful boy Justin, inside and out.” he said. “I wonder sometimes what I did to deserve you, and what you did to deserve the kind of father that you have. I wish I could help you baby, but can’t come up with an answer for either question.”

 

“I just wanted to give him his present. I just wanted to be with him for a little while.” Justin’s voice trailed into a soft whimper. “He’s my dad Brian. I love him.”

 

“I know you do.” Brian whispered. “Give him more time. He’ll come around.”

 

As Justin cried softly in his lover’s arms, Brian made a mental note to go and see Craig Taylor first thing tomorrow morning.

 

Brian strutted the length of the Mckinze, Braxton, and Taylor secretarial pool, turning heads, and stopping typing as he went. The dashing stranger layered in merlot Armani stopped briefly to ask for directions, then continued on his mission. He located Craig Taylor’s office, and entered unannounced. “You should hire better help.” Brian said. “Your secretary is away from her desk. Anyone could just walk in.”

 

Craig Taylor looked up from his work to find the last person he wanted to see. “How did you get in here Kinney? Get out before I call security.”

 

Brian took a seat. “I’m here to talk about Justin.”

 

“What goes on between me and my son is none of your business.”

 

“Justin is my business.”

 

“Why, because you’re fucking him?”

 

“That’s one of the perks of the job.” Brian said sarcastically. “I’ve already heard Justin’s version of the story, now I want to hear yours. What did you said to him that caused him to be so upset.”

 

“Not that it’s any of your business, but since you made the trip all the way over here. I told him the truth, that he looks and dresses like a little bitch, and that he was nothing but a little whore for you, his sugardaddy. What’s he doing with your credit card? Are you paying for it now Kinney?”

 

“I don’t pay for sex, but I have to admit, Justin is worth paying for.”

 

Craig’s face flashed red. “Look Kinney, just get the fuck out of my office. I don’t want to know anything about your sick lifestyle, and I don’t want anything to do with Justin as long as he’s in it.”

 

“That would be fine with me, unfortunately Justin loves you, and I’m not going to allow you to hurt him.”

 

“Allow me?”

 

“That’s what I said, allow you!” Brian repeated with authority. “You’re going to get your pompous, homophobic ass on the phone, and apologize to Justin for what you called him, and in the future, if you can’t speak to him with a civil tongue, you’re going to keep your fucking mouth shut.” Brian stood to leave. “You’re pathetic. You don’t deserve a son like Justin.”

 

“Who does Justin deserve, you, an old sissy who can’t get anybody his own age, so he has to pay to fuck seventeen year old boys!” Craig’s voice trailed outside of the door, and a hush to fell over the office.

 

“Maybe you should try seventeen year old boys. You obviously can’t satisfy Jennifer.” Brian opened the door and was about to leave.

 

“KINNEY!” Craig yelled out.

 

Brian turned around to a stiff right jab that sent him flying through the doorway, and landing on his back outside of Craig’s office. The women nearby let out a synchronized gasp, as Brian wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. “Not bad Craig.” Brian smiled. “Now, let’s give them something to talk about.”

 

And with that, war was officially been declared at McKinzie, Braxton, and Taylor.

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