When the Bough Breaks

Chapter 3

Abby and Tom loaded the car with suitcases and tried to calm Eric's nerves about flying. He was nervous about moving and leaving behind everyone he knew. Abby wasn't sure that it was going to be easy to start life over in a new city.

Eric was used to living in a country setting and now he was being moved against his will to a new city with lots of new dangers.

Pittsburgh was only a few hours away, but it seemed like an entire world from where they'd lived for the last few years. At nine years old, leaving your best friend behind was traumatic and Abby hoped it wouldn't leave any lasting scars with her son.

Tom's job was transferring him to a new agency and he was excited about the opportunity to work with one of the hottest and most successful ad agencies in the country. He'd praised the owner's abilities for years and Abby knew that he'd wanted this promotion almost as much as he'd wanted a son.

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Brian sat in his office going over Tom Garrett's files. The man was good, almost as good as himself, but Brian wasn't convinced that this was the best move for them.

Justin stood just outside of the door with Cynthia watching Brian as he perused the file in his hand.

"He's still struggling with it and it's affecting his work." Cynthia knew that she could be honest with Justin.

"I know; I'm really worried about him. He's not sleeping or eating well. He stays up all night pacing the loft. Half the time he won't even talk to me."

"He's unusually quiet around here too and some of the clients are getting worried. I've tried to talk to him, but he just shouts and slams the door. He needs help, Justin. More help than you or I can give him."

"I've tried for years to get him to talk to someone alone, but he'll only go with Lindsay. And she says that he doesn't speak much and when he does it's just a yes or no answer to the questions the doctor asks."

"Losing Gus has really messed him up and I don't know if he'll ever find his way back to the man he was before that."

"We just have to keep trying, Cyn." Justin left her standing next to her desk and opened Brian's door.

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Eric stood at the large window in his bedroom and stared down at the city that he hated. He wanted to go home to his old room and his old school. He was due to start at St. James Academy's elementary campus the next morning. His mother had tried to help him by explaining that the art teacher was supposedly one of the hottest new artists in the country at the moment.

Eric didn't care; he had sworn he'd never draw again in an attempt to get his parents to change their minds about moving. He'd since drawn hundreds of sketches. He just couldn't stop; it was as natural to him as breathing.

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Abby had arranged a meeting with Justin Taylor the day before Eric was to start school. She sat outside the office and took a deep breath. She'd brought along one of Eric's sketchbooks to share with Mr. Taylor.

Her son had talent and she wanted him to get the best training possible. She'd heard so much about Justin Taylor and how good he was. She'd done her research and knew that he was the most lauded up and coming artist in the world. She also knew that he was a fag, and she wanted to make it clear to him that he needed to keep his filthy lifestyle away from her son.

"Mrs. Garrett?"

"Yes," she stated simply before taking the offered hand.

Justin showed her the way in and waited for her to be seated before taking his own seat behind the large work table. Brian had been after him for years to get a real desk, but the art table worked out good for him. He was always working on something and this way he didn't have to leave his office to do so.

"I understand that your son, Eric, is very talented."

"He is. I brought along a sketchbook of his work for you to look at." Abby handed him the book and couldn't help but notice how beautiful he was. 'Too bad,' she thought to herself.

Justin flipped through the book and was amazed at the technical ability of such a young boy. The work seemed similar to something he'd seen before but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"These are very good. Has," Justin fumbled around and found the young man's name. "Eric had any formal training?"

"No, only the art classes at school, but I've always thought he showed great promise."

"Well these are very good. I'd like to take a little time to get to know him better, but if you don't mind, I'd like to work with him one on one after school a few days a week."

"I'm sure Eric would like that, but I think he needs time to adjust to a new school and make some friends first if you don't mind."

"You are his parent, Mrs. Garrett, but with talent like Eric's I'd hate for him to lose any time."

"I'll discuss it with his father."

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Tom cautiously walked into the Kinnetik building with his portfolio tucked tightly under his arm. He was nervous working with Mr. Kinney for the first time and he prayed silently that it didn't show.

"Good Morning, Mr. Garrett. Bri, I mean, Mr. Kinney is expecting you."

"Thank you," Tom searched his memory for the beautiful blonde secretary's name.

"It's Cynthia, and you're welcome. If you'll follow me, I'll show you to your office and then I'll let Mr. Kinney know that you're in."

Cynthia led Tom down the hall and left him to settle in while she went back to her desk to call Brian. He wasn't in yet and that worried her, especially with a new employee to be shown the ropes.

She tried the loft first and getting no answer, she called his cell.

"Dammit Brian, where are you? Tom Garrett is already in this morning and I can only cover for you so long. Get your ass here and run your agency or give me a serious raise."

She hated getting his voicemail because she knew that more than likely he wasn't going to return her call and she might not see him until after lunch.

She called Tom's line and covered for Brian once again.

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Brian found himself sitting on a park bench a few feet from where he'd last seen his son. He could almost hear Gus's laughter as he played on the slide. Brian's heart broke thinking of all he'd missed with his son. He worried that no one was there to teach him how to throw a ball, or how to use an Ipod.

Who would be there when Gus got sick from trying his first cigarette? Who would Gus come to with questions about boys, or girls, if he was so inclined?

Brian let himself wallow in self pity before picking up his briefcase and heading into work. After all he still had a business to run for Gus to inherit someday.

Brian walked across the street and got into the 'Vette and sped off down the street.

He'd just gotten to the office when Cynthia told him Tom Garrett had arrived and was expecting a visit from the boss. Brian tossed his briefcase to his assistant and sauntered down the hall to meet the man people were referring to as the next Brian Kinney.

Finding the office empty he looked around his new hire's desk. His eyes landed on a family portrait in a silver frame and his heart stopped.

TBC........

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