Mayor Kinney
* 4 *
Brian glanced around as he stepped from the
limousine. There were some protesters
off to one side. He saw a couple
of placards that denounced homosexuality and others that stated that
As he turned to look the other way there was a small cluster of people who began to cheer. He smiled in spite of himself. He had begun to wonder how he ever got elected when so many people seemed to hate him. He had almost forgotten about those who liked him and had voted for him. He gave them a little wave, grabbed Justin's hand and entered City Hall.
The swearing in would take place in the main council room, a venue big enough to hold Brian and all the councilors who were being sworn in, plus their families and friends in the spectator galleries surrounding the main floor.
As Brian stepped into the Council Room he was greeted by many of the
councilors and the chief of protocol, Geoffrey
Cheeks. The man ushered him as
quickly as possible to his seat in the center of the new Council for the
City of
Justin gave Brian's hand a squeeze and then withdrew it as he followed the chief of protocol to the seats along the side where the spouses of the councilors were seated. Justin felt funny sitting with the spouses. He wasn't a spouse, and he frowned as he realized that he wasn't really anything, at least not in the eyes of these people around him. He squirmed uncomfortably in his chair and glanced at a middle aged woman who sat next to him.
"It's all right, dear," the woman said. "You'll get used to it after awhile."
"I will?" Justin asked.
"It gets easier attending these functions the more you do it," she said with a little sigh. "My husband has been a councilor for almost twenty years. That's him over there," she said pointing to a middle aged man with a small mustache and big hands. He was talking animatedly to someone next to him. "I'm Maria Jankowski," she said and offered Justin her hand.
He shook it, happy to have somebody to talk to. "I'm Justin Taylor," he replied.
"I know. You've been in the papers quite a lot lately. You and Mr. Kinney have caused quite a stir. I hope you continue to shake things up. This old town could use some young blood and some new ideas."
Justin smiled at her. It was nice to have someone who looked forward to their contributions, instead of all the criticism Brian had been receiving lately. "Thanks," Justin said sincerely, "I think Brian has some great ideas."
Justin glanced around and saw Deb and Vic up in the gallery. He waved to them and Deb swung her hands over her head making sure that Justin and everybody else saw her. Justin glanced at Brian who gave a wry smile. They both knew what Deb was like, and that was all right.
Justin's eyes slid down the row and he saw Emmett next to Vic. He wondered where Michael and Ben were. Maybe they had to work, but Justin would have thought they would be there for Brian. Charles Langdon sat next to Emmett, and Emmett seemed to be talking his ear off.
The swearing in ceremony was about to begin. All the councilors, both newly elected and returning, were asked to stand and they repeated their oath of office, raising their right hand as they did so. Brian had asked if he would be required to swear on a Bible and was told that they no longer did that in deference to members of council who believed in other religions. That suited Brian just fine.
When the councilors were duly sworn in, it was Brian's turn. He rose and walked to the podium. Justin listened to his clear sexy voice repeat the oath of office and his heart swelled with pride. Everyone applauded once the oath was administered. Now it was Brian's turn to make his first speech as mayor. Justin felt himself tense up in anticipation. He didn't really know what Brian was going to say, and he wanted it to be good. He wanted Brian to start off on the right foot.
"Ladies and Gentlemen and Distinguished Councilmen and Women," he
began. "Citizens of Pittsburgh
who are watching this on TV, or who will see the ten second sound bite on
the six o'clock news tonight."
Chuckles were heard around the council
room. "I am a man of few words
so this will be brief. I also
believe that actions speak louder than
words." He glanced at Justin,
and Justin understood the double meaning
there. "I'm not going to lay
out my great roadmap for the future of
"During the campaign I made education a priority and I intend to follow
up on that. I want
"I want to continue the initiatives that have already been started as
far as recycling and conservation go.
Over the last few years
"I hope to attract new business and continue to create jobs for the citizens of this city.
"I want every neighborhood to be a place of safety and pride, and I mean every neighborhood, not just those that someone decides are worthy. Every citizen has the right to a decent place to live, free from harassment." Brian stared right at Jim Stockwell who sat in the first row on the other side from Justin. Stockwell had to glance away after a moment.
"I can't do any of these things on my own, so I am asking Council and
every citizen to do their part. I
would like to see a prosperous
"I'm sure you all know by now that I am
gay." There was an outburst of
laughter. "I am extremely flattered
that so many of you found it in your hearts to vote for me and put your
prejudices aside. I hoped this
would be a new beginning for everyone, but I have already had threats and
a physical attack on my person."
There were gasps from the
audience. Jim Stockwell seemed
to shrink into his seat. "I have
to admit that they scared me, but not enough to get rid of
me." There was a loud round of
applause following that statement.
"Some arrests have been made.
I am bringing this to your attention today because I want those who
think this way to know that they are not going to
win. They are not going to force
me out. I am the duly elected
mayor of
"Now when I screw up, as I'm sure I will, I hope you will remember how much you were just cheering." Many chuckles followed that statement.
"Seriously though," Brian continued, "I don't want my sexuality to be the main issue. There are much more important things to spend my time on now that I have been sworn in. Hopefully these attacks will diminish once the everyday running of the city continues as it always has. Hell isn't going to freeze over because you have a gay mayor; at least I hope it won't.
"I have one more thing to say. There were a lot of people who helped me get here today and I want to thank them all and request their further aid. There is one person who is most important to me and who, pardon the expression, worked his ass off during the campaign. That's my life partner, Justin Taylor. I couldn't have done any of this without him."
There was a round of applause for Justin. Debbie leaned over to Vic and said, "They have no idea just how much Justin's ass has to do with this."
Maria Jankowski squeezed Justin's arm and he beamed back at Brian.
"So, in conclusion, I want to thank those of you who supported me and I hope to prove to those of you who didn't, that you made a big mistake.
"Thank you all very much."
Another standing ovation followed. That ended the televised portion of the swearing in.
Brian was immediately surrounded by the members of the Council. Most wanted to know about the attack on him, as well as to congratulate him on his speech. After several minutes Justin was able to make his way through the crowd and get near Brian. Brian gave him a hug, deciding not to make any more of a public display at that point.
"You done good," Justin said into his ear.
"You think so?" Brian asked with a happy grin on his face.
"That was an excellent speech. Just right," Justin stated proudly.
"Thanks," Brian said, very pleased that Justin thought so.
"There's just one thing though."
"Oh, what's that?"
"There are much more important things to spend your time on than your sexuality? Since when?" Justin asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"Well, you know us politicians. We do take liberties with the truth."
"I thought so," Justin said with a little smirk. "And here I thought my ass was going to get a rest for a change."
"You know you wouldn't like that one little bit," Brian said confidently.
"No, you're right. I wouldn't." Justin gave him a little peck on the cheek and then realized where they were. He glanced around to see many people staring at them. He could feel the blush rising to his cheeks when Debbie came pushing through the crowd and grabbed Brian around the neck in a hug that threatened to squeeze the life out of him.
"I am so proud of you, kiddo," she gushed.
"Easy, Deb," Brian said gently lifting her arms from around him. Thank God she had grabbed his neck and not his chest. "I'm a little tender around the middle."
"Is that from the attack?" Deb asked concern written all over her
face. "What did they do to
you? Why didn't you tell us?"
"I wasn't going to tell anyone, but then I decided that they weren't going
to get away with this. I needed
to call them on it."
"Good for you! But you didn't answer me. Are you hurt bad?"
"Not really, Deb. I'll be all
right. They just kicked in my
ribs a bit. Seems to be a trend
there somewhere."
"Does Carl know?"
"Yeah, he's helping me with it."
"What about that asshole Stockwell?"
"I don't think we better talk about him right now. I should go find the protocol officer. I have to get to the hotel to stand in the fucking reception line before people start arriving. You and Vic are coming, aren't you?"
"Of course we are. I'm not missing
a minute of this." She kissed
him with a loud smack on the cheek and went bustling off.
"What would we ever do without her?" Justin asked.
"The mind can't comprehend a world without Debbie," Brian replied only half meaning it as a joke.
They made their way over to the protocol officer who told them that their limo was outside and that he would meet them at the hotel in fifteen minutes.
"Come on," Brian said taking Justin's hand and leading him out the door. Instead of heading out to the limo, Brian looked around and started back into the interior of the foyer.
"Jesus, Brian, you don't want me to blow you in the fucking washroom, do you?" Justin asked.
"That's not a bad idea," Brian replied, stopping in his tracks. "No, you twat, I'm looking for Charles."
"Oh … sorry. He's over there," Justin said spotting the man they were looking for.
Brian let go of Justin and went over to Charles. The man broke away from the group he was talking to and Brian began whispering in his ear. Charles nodded and went out the front door.
"What was that all about?" Justin asked coming up beside his partner.
"Let's find a washroom."
"You're kidding, right?" Justin asked knowing that he would refuse Brian nothing, but not wanting to take such a chance.
Just then Emmett came running up to
them. "That was a great speech,
Brian."
"Thanks, I'm glad you liked it."
"I hope you'll keep me in mind when you throw some spectacular parties,"
Emmett hinted.
"Do you want an official title?" Brian teased him.
"Sure. How about Party Consultant to the Fag Mayors of the World?"
"There are so many things wrong with that title that I don't know where to
begin," Brian replied, "but I certainly will see if I can throw some business
your way."
"Fabulous!"
"Are you coming to the hotel?" Justin asked.
"Of course. I'm going with Deb and Vic. I think Michael and Ben are going to meet us there."
"Why weren't they here?" Justin asked him.
Emmett looked like he was trying to think up a good reason. "I don't really know," he said slowly.
"It doesn't matter," Brian replied, but Justin thought there was a hint of hurt in his voice.
"How come Linds and Mel aren't here?" Emmett asked.
"We talked about it, but I tried to keep them and Gus out of the limelight
during the campaign, and they want to continue doing
that."
"We better go, Brian," Justin said. "See you at the hotel, Emmett."
They headed out to the limousine.
Some of the people who were there when they went in were still outside
and cheered Brian as he came out.
The protesters had their own chorus of
welcome. Brian went over to his
supporters and shook a few hands.
Justin waited by the limo feeling a bit like a fifth wheel.
The driver came around the car and opened the door for Justin. Brian rejoined his partner looking the driver up and down. "That uniform looks good on you, Chuck," Brian said.
Justin took another look at the driver. "Chuck? What happened to the other guy?"
"Mr. Langdon came and told me to get rid of
him. I took his uniform and he's
got my suit. I better get it
back."
"I'll see that you do," Brian said.
"You don't mind driving, do you?"
"Actually I think we should make this a permanent arrangement as part of my duties."
"It makes sense so that you are with me more of the time," said Brian.
"Let's get you guys to the hotel," Chuck said.
They climbed in the limo and were soon at the hotel. They were both glad that Stockwell was nowhere to be seen. The reception line was long and tedious, but Brian kept his cool and Justin stood staunchly beside him. Finally they went in to dinner. Brian had thought they could sit with Deb and Vic, but his protocol officer showed him to the head table with other dignitaries.
"This is going to be one fucking long night," Brian whispered to Justin.
"Be good," Justin admonished as he sat down beside Brian.
The meal was passable and didn't drag on for too long. There were a few speeches between courses, mostly welcoming the new mayor and council members. Brian made a thank you speech at the end and they were ready for the dance.
The head table was moved aside and Brian and Justin went down to join Vic, Deb, Emmett and now Michael and Ben. After hugs and more congratulations they all sat down around the one table. The protocol officer who Justin had found out was named Geoffrey Cheeks came over to their table. He whispered in Brian's ear and Brian made a face. Geoffrey started away but Brian grabbed his arm and whispered something to him. The man raised his eyebrows, nodded, turned abruptly and hurried away.
"What was that all about?" Justin asked.
"Mr. Cheeks is keen to maintain tradition, so I agreed," Brian said.
"What tradition?"
"It seems that the mayor always has the first dance with his wife."
"What?" Justin had a look of
horror on his face. "No, Brian,
you didn't. We can't."
"After all we've been through we've earned that dance."
"No, no … we shouldn't."
"Who knows, you might even remember this one."
The master of ceremonies had just announced the first dance. Brian stood and held his hand out to Justin. Justin shook his head. He knew this would make more trouble.
"Come on, Sunshine. Don't embarrass me."
Debbie nudged Justin and he reluctantly stood
up. "Let's just leave, Brian,"
he begged.
Brian took his hand and led him out to the dance floor. Justin could hear gasps from some people and rumblings from others.
"I don't have a white scarf to put around your neck but let's pretend," and he brushed his hands along Justin's lapels like he was smoothing the scarf around his neck. The DJ began playing "Save the Last Dance" as Geoffrey had informed him.
Brian assumed dance position and Justin placed his hands accordingly. "I … I don't think we should do this," Justin said again.
"Don't think. Just feel the music and follow me."
Brian began to move his feet and Justin followed his lead somewhat clumsily
at first.
"Look at me, Justin. Look in my eyes. Don't think about anything else."
Justin stared into the hazel eyes and he forgot about everyone else. He forgot about everything else. There was just he and Brian moving together, effortlessly. They slid around the floor, Brian twirling him and dipping him, and they laughed and enjoyed themselves. Then Brian was picking him up and they were turning and turning, spinning and smiling at each other. And then Brian was kissing him passionately and he didn't care who saw. It felt so good and Brian was with him, holding him and showing him off. It was everything he had ever wanted.
The song ended and the kiss ended and Brian was pulling him out of the room and people were applauding and Debbie was crying and he was crying and Brian was smiling at him and his heart was so full he was sure it was going to burst from his chest.