Sick Day

Part 3

Justin woke up to the sound of voices. Sitting up in bed, he peered through the blinds of the bedroom and saw, to his great surprise, Brian and his mother playing Scrabble and talking about just day to day things. Laying a hand against his forehead, he felt a fever. Ok, he was hallucinating. This was just something the fever was creating because there was no way in the Nine Hells his mother would play any type of game with Brian. She hated him . . . didn't she? Shaking his head, Justin laid back down and curled back up under the blankets.

Meanwhile Brian was actually enjoying hearing all the stories about Justin when he was a baby. How he first pissed on his father when Craig changed him for the first time, how he ruined a report of Craig's when he was first drawing, and his favorite, how he missed the potty one night and Craig stepped in a puddle of piss in his bare feet. Brian never laughed so hard in his life.

Jennifer listened as Brian told her about how his father never wanted him and made sure he always knew it, how he would take the beatings for his mother and sister so they wouldn't suffer their father's wrath, how he tried to make his father proud only to have it all backfire in his face, and finally how he told his father he was gay and his father's horrible reaction. True, Jennifer handled Justin's telling her a bit more maturely, but it was still hard for her. She wished they had the type of groups they have now for families of gay's and lesbian's back then. Maybe then Brian's family would have understood better. Checking her watch, she put down her final word, beating Brian.

"I have to go, Brian. I have to go pick up Molly from dance class." She said as she stood up.

Brian helped her into her coat. "Wanna bring her over for dinner? I can't cook all that well but I know a great Italian place that delivers."

Jennifer almost cried. She heard the want in Brian's voice. He WANTED her to come back. "Sure, Brian. I'd like that." She gave him a quick hug and headed out before she started to cry in front of him. She felt she gave him more than his own mother ever had. She gave him a mother's love.

Locking up, Brian headed into the bedroom and looked down at his sleeping lover. He understood now why Justin loved his family so much. It could be a good thing. Kissing Justin's forehead, Brian went to his desk and sat down, staring at the phone. After a few minutes, he picked up the phone and dialed a number. He sat back and waited until he heard the other line pick up. He took a breath and spoke.

"Hey, mom. What are you doing tonight?" He asked.

"Why? Is something wrong?" Joan asked.

"No, I just wanted to know if you wanted to come over to have dinner with me, Justin, his mom, and sister." he then added "Maybe I can see if Claire and the kids wanna come too."

"Why the sudden change in attitude, Brian?" She asked.

"Because Jennifer showed me something I wish you had." He said softly.

"What's that?"

"Love." was all he said.

There was a long silence before she spoke. "I'd love to, Brian. Claire and the boys are out of town. What time should I come?"

"Around 7 sound good?" he asked.

"I'll see you then, Brian." then she added "Brian, I do love you."

A tear slipped down his cheek at the words he longed to hear from his mother. "I love you too, mom."

He hung up and sat back, silently crying for his lost childhood and his future with his new family.

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