It’s All Relative

 Chapter 4

“Ma, what the fuck is going on?”

Ben put his arm around Michael, “I think we all need to calm down.”

Brian glared at his dining companion. “Thank you, Professor, for that eloquent piece of advice, but I’m with Michael on this one. What the fu... what’s going on and why were you sitting there without introducing yourself upfront?”

Debbie just stood beside the table, staring at Helen Martin, speechless. Justin afforded himself the brief thought that this really was a first, but the situation was too worrisome to allow amusement to filter through.

“First of all, Mr. Kinney, I frequently try to investigate my clients in their natural habitats before I introduce myself. I get a more honest viewpoint that way.”

Justin began to get irritated. “However, Ms. Martin, you must also know that adults act considerably differently when they’re with their children as opposed to when they’re with their friends in a location inhabited primarily by adults.”

“I’m well aware of that, Mr. Taylor.” There was an edge to Helen Martin’s words. “It’s just my initial viewing. My final recommendation is never based fully on my first observance. Let’s just say it sets the stage.”

Brian’s anger escalated by the minute, as did the volume of his voice. “Sets the stage for what? That when I eat with my longtime friends, in an atmosphere where everyone’s speech has an ‘R’ rating if no kids are around, I join in? In my opinion, that tells you sh..., nothing about me and my relationship with Jessica.” Justin touched Brian’s hand, hoping to calm him enough, so he wouldn’t say anything that would totally alienate the social worker.

“Mr. Kinney, this will not be the only time I visit with you when Jessica is not around. I plan to visit you at...” Helen quickly referred to her Blackberry... “Kinnetik to view that environment, as well as your other business, Babylon.”

Justin noted that Ms. Martin didn’t seem to have any trouble retrieving the name Babylon from memory, yet she needed to look up Kinnetik in her notes. He glanced in Ben’s direction on the opposite side of the booth. He nodded to Justin that he, too, noticed the same.

“So, are you going to pop up when I’m making a client presentation and expect me to be at your beck and call? That sounds more like interference in my life, rather than observation.”

Justin leaned into Brian and whispered in his ear. “Brian, don’t let her get to you. Something tells me there’s more to her than meets the eye.” Brian nodded and squeezed his husband’s hand.

Debbie finally found her voice again. “Don’t you think you should tell them who you are? Although, I must admit that I’m surprised you came back.”

“It is pretty strange, but I’m actually helping with this case because there’s apparently a shortage of social workers in Pittsburgh and its outlying suburban areas. It would seem that many, particularly in this area of town and just over the West Virginia border, are seeking third party adoptions. I was intrigued by the opportunity to see where I lived for the first eight years of my life, so I came back on temporary assignment from Philadelphia.”

Michael looked at his mother, trying not to repeat his confusion. This time he was rewarded with an answer. “Michael, do you remember, years ago, when Vic and I used to talk about our sister?”

Michael nodded. “The one who wouldn’t let her kids near me or Uncle Vic because we were gay. They moved far away not long after I met Brian.”

“That’s right, honey.” Debbie paused and looked from Helen to Michael. “Well, Michael, I’d like to introduce you to your cousin, Helen.”

“Holy shit.” Michael stared at the woman standing at the end of their booth. “You’ve changed a lot since I last saw you.”

“You, too.” Helen gazed at all the men at the table. “I see you really are gay.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Debbie put her hands on her hips.

The bell at the order window was ringing repeatedly. She turned her head towards the window. “I’m not deaf, I heard that fucking thing the first five hundred times you rang it. If you want the food out here so fast, get your ass in here and haul it to the table yourself.”

Helen looked directly at Debbie. “Do you really want to know what it means?”

Brian ran his hands through his hair and then balled his fists. “That’s what she asked, and I’d personally like to know, too. I think it would be appropriate for you to answer since she asked so nicely.” The sarcastic tone was rising as Brian spoke.

“It simply means that I sometimes wonder about how nature versus nurture comes into play in situations like this.”

Brian stood up, easily a foot taller than the petite social worker. “Situations like what?” He wasn’t threatening but there was a definite edge to his question.

“Situations in which a child is raised in a purely homosexual environment. I wonder if it ultimately affects his or her sexual preference.”

Justin shook his head and was about to speak when Ben interjected, “Ms. Martin, the appropriate term is sexual orientation, and I think you could find the answers you’re looking for in a number of recognized medical journals that I could recommend. Homosexuality is something a person is born with -- it’s not a preference -- it is...”

“Well, I’m not sure who you are Mr...”

“My name is Ben Novotny-Bruckner. We’re cousins by marriage and I’m a college professor at CMU.” Ben offered his hand and Helen shook it, although somewhat haltingly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you, but I do have to go back to my office and check in.”

Helen looked directly at Brian. “Mr. Kinney, I will not barge into any of your client meetings, but I will make an appointment to visit your workplaces.”

“I’ll be waiting with bated breath.”

Justin immediately got up and squeezed Brian’s arm. “Brian,” he warned in a hushed tone.

Helen looked up and down at Brian and Justin. “Don’t worry, you won’t have to wait long.” Helen picked up her briefcase, placed a few dollars on the counter and left the diner.

“Brian, what the fuck are we going to do?” Justin could feel the anxiety building and he began to panic.

“Deb, I had no idea your sister and her family were such goddamn homophobes.”

Justin put his arm around Brian’s waist and leaned on his shoulder. “I did, she told me about them when Chris Hobbs was harassing me at school, when I lived with her.” Justin looked at Debbie and saw the creases in her brow. “Debbie, are we in trouble?”

“Let’s just say that there’s a reason my sister and her family never kept in touch, and I didn’t make the effort either.”

“Shit!”

“Shit is right, Sunshine. That bitch is prewired to find me unsuitable to adopt Jessica.” Justin hugged Brian, who held him tight in return.

Michael was shocked and appalled but said nothing. It was Ben who added in his two cents, “Brian, Justin.”

“Yes, Professor?”

“Did you happen to notice that Babylon was easier for Ms. Martin to recall than Kinnetik?”

“Yeah, so?” Brian was getting impatient.

“So, if this woman has a preconceived notion and has made certain assumptions, sight-unseen, then...” Ben smiled.

“I see where you’re going, Ben. Then she can be removed from the case.” Justin actually was able to bring a half-smile to his face.

“You know, Professor, I like how you think, but first, it’s important for me to spend a little time with Mikey’s lovely cousin. She needs a bit of an education about how the dark side lives.”

Justin looked at Brian, concerned.

“Don’t worry, Sunshine. I would never endanger my chances of adopting our daughter. I just want to make sure that Ms. Martin gets the whole picture -- not the one she already thinks she has.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Brian smirked, “Have I ever let you down?”

Justin glared.

“Forget I asked. I promise not to fuck this up, but what is it you used to tell me and Michael when we were in high school, Deb? Some bullshit about educating the heteros or shooting them -- I plan to do the former -- maybe for the first time in my life.”

Justin brushed his hand over Brian’s cheek. “Just remember how important this is.”

“I know, Sunshine, I know.” Brian smiled at Justin, appearing totally calm, but the worry lines around his eyes and across his forehead revealed the truth.


[TBC]

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