The Nature of Things

Chapter 7

************************************************************************

Brian heard Justin's sobs and fought with everything he had to open his eyes. Exhausted he allowed himself to slip into the darkness that threatened.

Justin sat with him for the rest of the afternoon. He was there when the nurses checked on him and when the doctor came in and said there was no reason Brian should still be unconscious.

Everyone but Debbie had left the hospital. Lindsay had to tend to Gus and Emmett had to run his boutique. Ted was working late keeping Kinnetic from losing clients. Michael had finally gone home to try to patch things up with Ben.

Brian slept while Justin flipped channels. It was getting late and he really should go home but he couldn't leave until he knew that Brian was okay. He settled back to watch American Idol and started to drift off to sleep.

"Jesus, can't you find something else to watch?"

"Brian? Oh my God. Let me get the nurse."

"First you better turn the channel. I can't stand when the fags refuse to come out just to get a recording contract."

"Brian, no one on this year is gay."

"Oh, okay and Anwar is that pretty because he's a big tough straight man. Get your gaydar checked kid; he likes the cock as much as you."

"I'm not going to argue with you, Bri. I'm going to get the nurse."

Justin stayed close while the nurses examined him and went to call the doctor to let him know the patient had come to. He was about to go get Debbie when Brian called out to him.

"Hey, Sunshine, I'm starving. Can you find me something edible in this hellhole?"

"I'll do my best. I'm going to let Deb know that you're awake, so you may want to brace yourself."

************************************************************************

Debbie entered the room loud and boisterous as usual. Brian smiled at her, thankful that she had stuck around to make sure he was still alive.

"You gave us quite a scare, you little shit."

"You know me, I thrive on drama."

"Don't ever do that to me again, you hear. You're like a son to me. Besides who would keep us all in line if you weren't here?"

"Even in death, I'd keep you all straight."

"Don't you mean gay?"

"Well, I hate to tell you, Deb, but you aren't gay."

"I'm the closest you're going to get for awhile. So be nice to me and I'll see to it that your doctor is young and hung."

************************************************************************

Justin was standing in line to order Brian a Big Mac and fries when he spotted his mother. He got out of line and went over to her, noticing at the last minute that she was crying.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

"Justin. Honey, how's Brian?"

"He just woke up. But I'm not talking about him right now, mom. What is wrong?"

"Nothing, honey. I don't want you to worry about it right now."

Taking his mother by the arm, he led her outside and pressed for information.

"Mom, tell me. What is it?"

"It's Molly, honey."

"What's wrong with Molly?"

"She was raped."

Return to The Nature of Things