Between Friends
“You don’t know shit, Michael.”
“I know this. I know that I’ve been friends with Brian a lot longer than you have and there’s a lot you haven’t got a fucking clue about.”
“So you keep fucking telling me.”
“Yeah, well maybe you might want to lis…”
“I’m goddamn sick of listening to everyone telling me that I don’t know shit about Brian. You tell me, Deb, Linds and Mel, Ted, Em. Everyone is always telling dumb little Sunshine that he just doesn’t understand dick. Well fuck all of you.”
“Justin, calm down and tell me what today’s crisis is.”
“Fucking Brian.”
“Who was he fucking this time?”
Justin tossed Michael a filthy look.
“OK, sorry. What did he do?”
“He treats me like a little kid. He doesn’t consider me an equal.”
Michael tried not to laugh out loud. “Brian doesn’t consider anyone an equal. Are you just cluing into this?”
“I live with him, I sleep with him, I fuck him and he treats me like some little piece on the side.”
“You are so fucking wrong. Brian loves you, you asshole.”
“Like he can love anyone.”
“You think he ever let anyone else move in with him?”
“And what difference does it make? All it means is that he has a piece of ass whenever he wants it.”
“He has that anyway, anytime he wants it. You know that as well as anyone. Do you really think that you’d be there if he didn’t want you to be?”
“If he loved me he wouldn’t fuck tricks right in front of me in our bed.
“It’s his loft and his bed. And if you loved him, you’d
accept him for who he is.”
* +
* +
* + *
“He’s no good for you and he never has been.”
“Ma, that’s not true and you know it. He’s always been there for me, since we were fourteen. You know that’s true.”
“Yeah, I know that and I also know that every Goddamned time that you’ve been in trouble it’s because he’s pulled some of his bullshit.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Who the fuck cares about fair? He’s trouble and he always has been.”
“You know what his family did to him.”
“And that as years ago. It’s time he fucking moved on and got the fuck over it.”
“Yeah, right.”
“The way he’s been jerking that little kid around—I could cut his balls off myself with a Goddamned dull knife. That fucker.”
“Yeah, well your little Sunshine isn’t exactly the paragon you’ve painted him. He’s a manipulative shit as far as I can see. And all he does is take—Brian’s money, his time, his home—he’s a fucking greedy spoiled brat and I wish that Brian would dump the twat.”
“The Hell you know about it. Brian so much as told me that he loves that kid.”
“Like Brian would ever admit that to anyone, let alone you.”
“Oh, and you know him just so fucking well that you know what he’d do? Well, you don’t. You don’t know him as well as you think that you do.”
“Bullshit.”
“Did you know that he spent every night at the fucking hospital when Sunshine was bashed? You didn’t, did you?”
“You’re full of shit. He never went to see him at all.”
“You’re the one who’s full of shit, Mr. Knows Everything. He was there every Goddamned night. The nurse told Jennifer and she told me.”
“…Are you shitting me?”
“No, I’m not.”
“That fucker.”
“You got that right.”
* +
* +
* +
*
“Lindsay, are you hearing one Goddamned word that I’m saying here?”
“Oh, just stop. I know you hate him and I know that you’ll never admit that he has a single redeeming character trait.”
“Yeah, well if the shoe fits.”
“You’re just jealous because we have a longer history together than you and I do. And we loved each other had each other…just because we were lovers, you can’t accept him.”
“Fucking excuse me?”
“And you still can’t get past the fact that he offered to save us the invitero fees and just sleep with me, cause God knows that you couldn’t handle the idea of that ever happening.”
“What I couldn’t handle was the fact that you were so looking forward to another roll in the hay with that prick.”
“Fuck you. And you’re still angry that he’s Gus’ father.”
“…What I don’t understand is why you put up with his shit.
You have this fucking hetero fantasy going where you two are the perfect
family with the fucking picket fence having Goddamned Sunday dinner with
Mom and Dad…And, babe? It ain’t never
gonna happen.”
* +
* +
* + *
“Mother, if you would just call him, I’m sure that he would help.”
“Really, Claire. There is no reason on earth to involve your brother in this. It’s my problem and I will deal with it, just as I deal with everything else.”
“Oh, by drinking?”
“That’s enough.”
“I doubt it. If you don’t call him then I will.”
“Don’t you dare. Besides, he’d just laugh at you anyway. You know how he is.”
“He’ll help if he knows what’s going on. If I tell him that you could lose the house…”
“If he knew that he’d call the Salvation Army himself to have them take things away. He’s horrible and he always has been. He’ll never change. If I told him he’d probably say good riddance. Or are you suggesting that I move into that horrible den he’s set up for himself?”
“Mother, he gave Daddy money, he’d help you if he knew what was going on.”
“I still think that the best solution is to simply sell and move in with you.”
“Mother…I’m going to call him.”
* + * + * + *
“Cyn? Have you any idea where Brian has gotten himself to now? There’s a call for him and they say that it’s an emergency. He’s not answering his phone.”
“Who’s it from?”
“His sister.”
“Transfer her to me.”
“Is she as nuts as she sounds?”
“Yup….Claire, what can I do for you?”
“You can tell that bastard that if he doesn’t want our mother moving into his Goddamned loft, he can cough up the payment on the second mortgage that’s past due.”
“I’ll give him the message, but I think his finances are pretty heavily committed right now.”
“Then suggest to the selfish prick that he could dump his little boyfriend and save himself a bundle. Oh, and be sure to tell him that I’ll be in touch with him.”
“I know that he’ll look forward to that.”
“Like Hell he will.”
* + * + * + *
“You know, honey, Brian caught shit from Deb again because of your princess act over there last night.”
“…Sorry. I’ll talk to her.”
“Don’t bother. She already thinks he’s a turd, we might as well let her enjoy it.”
“Emmett, I was upset. You know that…”
“Yeah, I know that when you see him with some other guy you get your panties in a knot. Jesus, when are you going to understand that it doesn’t mean anything?”
“It means something to me.”
“What? That you’re not enough for him or some wasp hetero bullshit like that?”
“…Well, yes.”
“Oh, please. Give me a fucking break.”
“Emmett, it hurts when he screws tricks.”
“Then don’t watch—OK. I’m sorry. Look, sweetie, he’s not going to stop. Not completely. This is Brian that we’re talking about here.”
“Then why do I keep…”
“Sweetie, what you’re missing is that he has changed for you. You think you know what he was like when you met him? Honey, you’ve no idea! He would have a different guy every night, sometimes two or three. I mean every night. That went on for years. Now he has a trick, what, maybe half a dozen times a month? Sweetie, that’s huge.”
“Yeah, but he’s still tricking.”
“I know and I know how much you hate it. But honey, he knows it, too. That’s why he’s cutting back and making an effort. Doesn’t he come home to you every night?”
“Yeah.”
“Well—for Brian, that’s a lot. Honey, he loves you.”
“I know. I just wish that he could just want me.”
“He does just want you. The others?
They’re just—an old habit he’s cutting down on.
Like smoking.”
* + * + * + *
“Cynthia is it? This is Joan Kinney, Brian’s mother. Is he available?”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Kinney, he’s attending a meeting away from the office. Could I take a message for him?”
“Would you tell him that I need to speak to him today, please? Before three, if possible. It’s important.”
“May I ask what this is in reference to?”
“It’s regarding the mortgage payment on his childhood home. I believe that my daughter has already left a message with you. Did he get it?”
“He’s been so busy today that I’m afraid that he hasn’t had a minute to even look at his phone messages. I’ll be sure to point it out to him when he gets back here, though.”
“When do you expect him?”
“I really couldn’t say, Mrs. Kinney. There’s no way of knowing how long the meeting will go or what the traffic will be like when he’s trying to get back here.”
“…I see. Please be sure to give him my message.”
* + * + * + *
“Cynthia? Laurie here. Brian called, he’s closed the Pirates account and it looks like the Steelers are going to come aboard, too. I said I’d tell you that he wouldn’t be back in the office today. He’s taking our new clients out to celebrate.”
“Alright, thank you, Laurie. I’ll handle things on this end. Should I tell legal working to expect contracts?”
“Yes, please do. Brian said that he’d be in early tomorrow morning to clear his desk from today, probably around eight. He’ll have them with him then.”
“OK, thanks, Laurie. Did he happen to mention if he had his cel on or not?”
“He said it was but don’t bother him unless it’s a major emergency.”
“OK, thanks. You want to join me at Gino’s after for dinner?”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll pick you up at your desk at six.”
“Great.”
* + * + * + *
“Cyn? Justin. Is he there?”
“I’m sorry, he’s out with clients, can I take a message?”
“Will he be long? I was wondering when he was going to make it home tonight. I sort of wanted to make something special for dinner.”
“Oh, aren’t you a sweetheart? He said that he’d have his cel on, if you keep it short, you could just ask him.”
“Are you sure that he won’t mind my interrupting?”
“Anyone else? Yes. You? No.”
“Thanks, Cyn. Um…who’s he with?”
“The owners of the Pirates and the Steelers.”
“Holy shit, I can’t call break into that.”
“Sure you can, they’re all finished, and they’re just having drinks to celebrate closing the deal.”
“I don’t know.”
“Call him or I will.”
“OK…and thanks, Cyn. You’re the best.”
* + * + * + *
“This is Brian’s mother again. Did you give him my message?”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Kinney. He hasn’t returned to the office yet and he hasn’t checked in. I’m afraid that he’s still tied up in that meeting. I have your message right here in front of me, though as soon as he does.”
“Is there no way to contact him? This is of some importance.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Kinney. I’m under strict orders that he’s not to be disturbed. I know that he’ll call you as soon as he can. The meeting is terribly important and they can’t be interrupted right now.”
“Did my daughter tell you that if contact isn’t made with the bank by the end of the business day, they’ll be calling in the loan?”
“She did, yes, Mrs. Kinney and I know that Brian will attend to it as soon as he can.”
“There is no way to get a hold of him?”
“I’m terribly sorry Mrs. Kinney. Would you like me to take another
message?”
* + * + * + *
“Are you Ms Monroe?”
“Yes, I am.”
“These are for you. Sign here, please.”
“Cyn? Who sent you three dozen yellow roses?”
“I’m not sure—here’s the card.”
‘You can blow off the Misses Kinney any day. I owe you
one. B’
* + * + * + *
“Ma? Brian called me, he said that your phone was busy. He’s sorry, but he and Justin will make it another time.”
“That shit. What’s happened now?”
“He just said that he and Justin wanted to stay in tonight.”
“…Brian said that?”
“Those were his exact words.”
“Holy shit! Sunshine did it!”
“What did that little shit do, Ma?”
“He caught Kinney. And it’s about fucking time someone did.”