COMA CONVERSATIONS

Chapter 7

Day 8


“Michael, what the fuck is going on? Why did you summon us here?”

“Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. What’s up Michael? I was working in my studio.”

“Look, you two, I know you’re busy but I really don’t…”

“It wasn’t Michael, it was me.”

Wow, Deb, you do work fast when you’re determined.

“Deb, this might come as a surprise to you but I have a business to run and clients who I must convince to throw millions my way. I don’t have time for this shit.”

“Brian, I’m sure Debbie must have some extremely important reason to call us all here today.”

“I’m not sure why you called them, Ma. But I will tell you guys that Ma thinks she’s seen more signs that Ben is slowly coming out of the coma.”

“That’s great, Michael.”

That’s what you think. Let’s first wait and see what happens.

“Deb, what makes you think he’s coming out of it? How the fuck would you know?”

“Brian, back off a little.”

“Well, when the fuck did she become an expert on people in comas?”

“This has been rough on both of us but remember Deb experienced someone who she loved in a comatose state long before we even used that word in our vocabulary.”

“Will you two pipe down? I don’t want to disturb Ben.”

That’s right, Michael. Do you want me? I need to hear it. I need to know from you, from Brian.

“Okay Deb, so spill.”

“Look, you, that’s what I’d like to say to you.”

“Stop waving your finger at me. If you’re not careful, you’ll slice right through my Adam’s apple.”

“Brian, I love the snappy chats between the two of us but I’d much rather know why the fuck you and Michael have been seen around town having a series of private lunches and dinners.”

“Brian, what’s Debbie talking about?”

“Nothing, Justin, she doesn’t know what the fuck she’s talking about. Mind your own business, Deb.”

“My son is my business. Well, Michael, if he won’t say anything how about you?”

“Brian, please, what’s this all about? I need to know.”

I’d like to know also, Justin. I understand your concern.

“Ma, why are you doing this? You’re ruining everything.”

“I don’t think so, Michael. Trust me.”

“Brian. Spill. Now.”

“Fine, Deb. Justin, you’ve been working so hard. I’m so fucking proud of all the galleries that have been showing your work. I’ve enjoyed every opening, knowing that no matter what, you’ll always come home to me.”

“Of course I’ll always come home to you. To you and Gus. So why meet Michael secretly…and while I’m away, and without telling me?”

“Because both of us feel like we haven’t done as much for our husbands as they’ve done for us, so we decided to put our fucking heads together and create the joint birthday party to put all other parties to shame.”

“But you hate birthdays.”

“That’s true, but I love you and let’s face it, Mikey and I are the worst at bringing off a good birthday celebration.”

“Justin, Brian and I figured if we both worked on it, then maybe we could do it right. We almost got it right this time and then Ben, well…”

“He decided to break a fucking promise and started altering his meds without consulting a doctor.”

“Ma, why go over all this. It’ll never happen anyway. Not with Ben still lying here.”

“A lot can happen in two weeks, sweetheart. Go on, boys. Tell Sunshine the rest.”

“There’s more?”

“To commemorate the day you both age another year, we wanted to show you how much you were appreciated so I decided to close Babylon on a weekend night and give you a fucking themed party. With Emmett’s help we came up with something that included art, Tibet and, well, love.”

“Oh my god! Brian that sounds incredible.”

“The decorations alone cost a fucking fortune. But you’re more than worth it, Sunshine.”

“You’re fucking amazing!”

“I know.”

“Hey, not everyone in the world wants to get a front row seat to you two fucking.”

“Shut up, Michael. I think they’re beautiful together…and I wouldn’t ever mind sitting front and center, watching two people in love.”

“Who the fuck would have ever thought, Ma? Brian Kinney fell in love. Maybe we should alert the media.”

“Shut up, Mikey.”

“You’re just in love with me because I keep you as young as I am.”

“That certainly helps, Sunshine.”

“So Mikey, do we forego the party of the century and just hope we have two people to celebrate with?”

“Brian! He’s got to get better. I love him so much. He once gave up Tibet for me; I want so much to give a little piece of it back to him.”

“You know, honey, if I were a betting woman, I’d bet that if you can show Ben the extent of your love it’ll help.”

“Ma, I don’t know what to do.”

Fuck, he sounds like he’s pleading. I do hear you.

“Michael, you know I don’t always confess my feelings willingly…”

“Ain’t that the fucking truth!”

“Thanks for the endorsement, Deb, but the truth is that I would imagine you love your professor almost as much as I love Justin. Just show him or talk to him directly. No bullshit.”

“I’ll try, thanks, Brian. Ben, please Ben. I love you so much. Let’s live our dream of Tibet in our own small way.”

Michael, I understand. I do want to come back. I really fucked up this time. It makes the steroids shit look like I was popping Life Savers.

“Ben, don’t fuck with us. You open those god-damned eyes and look at my Michael. Don’t be an ass or you might as well just die.”

“Ma!”

“Remember, Ben, we had a fucking agreement. Don’t bail on me now when everything is riding on it.”

“Debbie, I’m sure he’s weak. Do you think it’s wise to practically yell at him?”

“Trust me, Justin honey, a little tough love never hurt anyone.”

“Tough love, that sounds brutal. How about a little tough love tonight, Sunshine?”

“Brian. sometimes you can be so PC…but now isn’t one of those times.”

Soft touch. Feel of love in the room. Brian loves Justin, Michael loves…

“Ben, you did it. He squeezed my hand. Come on Ben, please open your eyes.”

“Michael.”

“Oh my god! Ben, you’re talking.”

“Throat sore.”

“Ben,” it’s Justin. “You’ve been out of it for eight days. We’ll give you time.”

“He doesn’t need any more fucking time. He’s had enough already. Let’s go, Professor. I have to get to work and then save enough time to show Justin his daily dose of appreciation.”

“Brian!”

“You boys let Brian say his piece. He makes sense. Let’s go, Ben. Enough of this fucking bullshit. You’ve napped long enough. Now get up and face the music.”

“Brian.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Go fuck your husband and leave me alone.”

“Now that’s the Ben we all know and get irritated by. Come on, Sunshine. Our work here is done. Let’s take the Professor’s advice and go fuck.” Brian leaned in to whisper in my ear, “Although, Professor, don’t tell anyone this, but I’ve heard that when it’s with someone you really love, they call it making love. And if you ever pull this shit on Michael again I may have to kill you myself.”

“Got it, now fuck off.”

“My pleasure. Here, Mikey, give your husband an ice chip.”

“Asshole!” Michael hugs Brian. “Thank you – both -- for helping get my life back. I’m nothing without him.”

“That’s still debatable, Michael. Just never say that JT can’t help save the day.”

Good, they left. Deb sits down next to me, holding my hand.

“Thank you, Deb.”

“No problem, honey. I only have one son-in-law and plan to keep him around for a long, long time.” Kiss. “I’ll see you later, baby. And Michael, don’t tire him out, but let him know how you feel.”

“Thanks, Ma.”

“Ben, I’m so glad you’re back.”

Michael’s hugs are so warm. Thank goodness he’s not as strong as his mother…wait, he’s…

“Don’t cry.”

“You fucking scared me to death. Why? Why did you do it?”

“Not important anymore. I see clearly now. Love you, forever…like you love me.”

“I do, I really do.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“Leaving, but I won’t again until I don’t have a choice.”

“I love you, Ben…as much as Brian loves Justin, and that’s more than anything I can imagine.”

“I know. Me too, Michael, me too.”


[The End]

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