All About Brian

Chapter 1

“Mom, can I...” JR began as she walked into Mel’s office.

“Shit, the big toad! I hate him. Asshole! Asshole! Asshole!” Mel grumbled as she furiously scribbled onto a legal pad.

“Mom?” JR said, this time with concern in her voice.

“Oh hi, sweetie.” Mel looked up and smiled at her daughter in spite of her recent outburst. “What can I do for you?” Mel asked calmly.

“Um, Bree just called. She wants to know if I can sleep over at their cottage tonight.”

“Sure, honey. Do you want me to drive you or is someone picking you up?”

“Uncle Jus said he’d be over in about an hour. He said something about putting the finishing touches on a painting.”

“Okay, honey. Go pack for a couple of days just in case.”

“I will,” JR replied cheerfully. Before she could leave the room, Melanie held up open arms, and JR quickly moved into them. Mel gave her daughter a fierce hug.

JR backed out of the room shaking her head as her mother returned to her legal pad with a, “Fucking bastard!”

It was February 2019, life for the families of Edna’s Treasures had returned to normal. Justin’s London debut was more than successful. His reviews were glowing and he had a 'to do' list of special commissions a mile long. After recovering from jet lag, Justin jumped right into artist mode.

Brian too, was busy, in full adman mode with the next phase of the Lethal Motorcycle account and managing from afar the new Kinnetik Isles branch. Several ad execs and a few artists with ties to the ‘old sod’ were planning overseas visits to the new sister company. Brian was relishing in his expanding kingdom.

The children all returned to their schools. Bree and Patrick presented reports on their adventures, complete with pictures and videos. Gus returned to Penn. He missed Ray but they both had responsibilities. They also were planning to get together for the Spring break.

John was deep into his research. It was the slow time for Anderson construction. Gordon and their foreman were handling any new business, giving John the freedom to work on his doctoral thesis. Bobby proudly supported his spouse by taking over most of the household chores … with one condition. He demanded that John take at least one day off per week from his research to spend time recharging with the family and with Bobby. John readily agreed and let the Kinney side of him come out to play with Bobby.

The girls had returned from England closer, and were currently enjoying the Presidents’ week holiday up at their cottage with JR. Melanie slipped off her glasses as she looked out her office door to the sun porch. Lindsay was in her own artistic mode. Mel smiled contentedly as Lindsay was humming softly to herself while she painted. A bowl of colorful fruit sat on a small table near the sun porch wall. Melanie wasn’t quite sure if it was the subject of Lindsay’s canvas or an afternoon snack, but Mel couldn’t have cared less. All she cared about was that Lindsay was happy and painting again. Mel and JR had also grown close during their month alone together. Melanie not only discovered she had a remarkable daughter, she also gained a friend.

Melanie was currently working on her first assignment for her creative writing class. The premise of the assignment was to write about the one person whom you disliked the most in your life and yet who had the greatest impact on it. Her only logical choice was Brian Kinney.

“Arrogant son of a bitch,” Mel cursed again as she ripped the paper off her pad, crumbled it into a ball and threw it into the garbage. She sighed then began again on a fresh sheet of paper, as she lovingly caressed her grandfather's old desk.

 

*****
 

Bree climbed up into Brian’s lap. “Dada?” she said.

“Yes, Squirt,” Brian replied looking at her past the papers he had been trying to read, while he was ensconced on the chaise.

“Do you love me?”

“What kind of question is that?” Brian demanded. “Of course I love you. I tell you that all the time.”

“I know, but…”

“But what?”

“Am I spoiled?” Bree asked staring into Brian’s eyes.

“Um … maybe a little bit,” Brian conceded. “Why do you ask?”

“Winona says I’m spoiled.”

“Winona ought to know. She’s one of the most spoiled brats I’ve ever seen.”

Bree giggled. “I think so too, but … she called me spoiled.”

“I thought you two got along better these days?”

“Most of the time, but she isn’t very nice if she doesn’t get what she wants.”

Brian nodded. “And what does she want?”

“She told me I should invite her for a sleepover,” Bree said carefully.

“But you didn’t want to.”

“Nope,” Bree said making her ponytail swish from side to side as she shook her head.

“How come?”

“I like Ashley better or…”

“So you invited JR instead of Winona?”

“Yes.”

“It’s fine that you invited JR,” Brian told his daughter, wrapping his arm around her tiny waist and pulling her closer.

Bree laid her head on Brian’s shoulder. “Does that make me spoiled, Dada?”

“Do you think it does?”

“Winona said I always get what I want and that makes me spoiled.”

“And you didn’t want Winona, and you have JR instead, so you think you got your way and that makes you spoiled?” Brian felt Bree move her cheek up and down against his neck, as she nodded in agreement. “It makes you someone who knows what they want, Squirt. Someone who isn’t afraid to take what they want in life. I think that’s a good trait to have, not a bad one. You shouldn’t be coerced into doing something you don’t want to do.”

“What’s coerced?”

“That’s what Winona tried to do to you. She was trying to force you to invite her over here. That’s coercion.”

“Oh.”

“I’d much rather have my beautiful little girl who might be a touch spoiled than someone like Winona who tries to get her own way through any means that she can. You get your way because we want to give it to you.”

“’Kay, Dada,” Bree said with a sniff. “I love you.”

“Love you too, Squirt.”

They sat silently for a few minutes while Bree digested what her father had told her. Brian hoped he had said the right thing. He wanted to hold onto Bree like this forever. She wasn’t really spoiled, and if she was, it was nobody’s fucking business but theirs.

“Dada, were you spoiled when you were little like me?” Bree asked raising her head to look at her father.

“No, Squirt, can’t say that I was.” He refused to get into the reasons why he wasn’t spoiled. Suffice it to say, he never had the opportunity. “But when I was older, I was pretty spoiled. I spoiled myself,” Brian said thoughtfully.

“Huh? How do you do that?” Bree asked wrinkling her nose, as she tried to figure out what her Dada meant.

“I overindulged myself.” Bree looked quizzically at her father. Brian realized he had to find a better, simpler way to explain. “You know when we have some of Auntie Emm’s popovers?” he asked. Bree nodded. “I’d love to eat fifteen of them.”

Bree giggled. “Nobody could eat fifteen, Dada.”

“There was a time when I would try,” Brian replied.

“But … wouldn’t you get sick?”

“Yes, or hung over or otherwise incapacitated.”

Bree didn’t know what half of those words meant, but she loved that her father talked to her in grown-up words. “Then why would you do it?” she asked.

“Because it felt good at the time.” Someday he might be able to explain to Bree about pain management in all its many forms, but then again, maybe not.

“But then it wouldn’t feel good after, right?” Bree asked.

“That’s right, but if it felt good at the time, I would do it.”

“Don’t you do that anymore?”

“I try not to.”

“That’s good, Dada. I don’t want you to get sick or in-ca-pass-i-tated,” Bree said and then smiled one of those Taylor smiles that grabbed at Brian’s heart. Bree was proud that she had said the word perfectly.

“Me either, Squirt. I’d miss sitting here with you like this.”

“That wouldn’t be good, Dada,” Bree said patting his cheek and shaking her head.

“Bree, Uncle Brian,” JR shouted as she entered Edna’s Treasures.

“Yay!” Bree called as she scooted off her father’s knee and ran towards the front door.

Brian watched her go, thinking how lucky he was to have moments like that with his daughter. He picked up his papers to continue reading where he had left off. He could hear squeals of delight as the girls greeted each other. That made him smile.

 

*****
 

“Bree, Ashley’s here,” Justin called out as he opened the front door. Ashley and her mother were standing just outside. Justin ushered them in as he heard, “Yay!” from Bree and JR. Even though JR was a generation older, she seemed to enjoy her time with Bree and Ashley. Bree and Ashley squealed with delight as they saw each other, then grabbing Ashley’s hand, Bree led her friend to her bedroom where JR was waiting.

“You know they’ve only just seen each other two days ago,” Mrs. St. John, Ashley’s mother, murmured.

“I know,” Justin agreed with a bright smile. “Mrs. St. John, would you like some coffee, there’s a fresh pot. Or tea, if you prefer,” Justin offered. It wasn’t often that Ashley’s mother would come to Edna’s Treasures. He or Brian would usually pick up Ashley. With just a slight moment of hesitation, Mrs. St. John accepted his offer.

“Please call me Susanna. Mrs. St. John sounds so stuffy,” Ashley’s mom said as Justin poured a mug full of coffee. Justin smiled as he passed her the milk and sugar.

“After our coffee, would you like a tour of the cottage? You’ve never really spent much time here,” Justin stated.

“I know,” Susanna said with a slight blush to her cheeks. “I’m sorry about that. I’m really not prejudiced but my husband, he...well, let’s just say that’s why we’re no longer together,” Susanna confided.

“I’m sorry,” Justin said as he passed Susanna a plate of cookies.

“Don’t be,” she mumbled around an oatmeal cookie. “Best thing that could have happened to me and Ashley. Our home is a lot more peaceful. Don’t get me wrong, Donald is a good father, he just hasn’t gotten with the program. Ashley is a loving, sweet child. She readily makes friends and I don’t want that part of her to change. I’m afraid that with her father’s constant influence, she’d turn out just like him. These cookies are delicious!”

“Thank you. Bree and I baked them yesterday. They’re her father’s favorite. And I understand how you feel. My own father isn’t very open to alternative lifestyles. It’s been hard on me and Brian. Brian feels guilty that he’s the cause of our estrangement. But it’s hardest on Bree. She doesn’t understand why her grandfather doesn’t like her Dada. It’s gotten better over the years but it’s still not easy.”

“I know what you mean. Ashley and I have had some long discussions about what being prejudiced means. For someone so young, she seems to understand a great deal.”

“That’s probably because she has at least one kind and tolerant parent. More coffee?” Susanna smiled as she nodded then she looked around the room and into the living room. “Is that the famous Kinney portrait?” Susanna asked, indicating the large portrait over the fireplace.

“Yes, it is.”

“It’s amazing how much Kinney and Mr. Kinney look alike. You resemble Patrick as well.”

“It’s one of those mysterious gene things, I guess.”

“Hmm. Legend has it that Kinney did a lot for the land and its people during his time in Bridgeton.”

“You know about Kinney?”

“Some. I was a history teacher before I married and had Ashley. My curiosity peaked when the paintings were found and auctioned for the Farm. I did a little research on Kinney and tried to trace the family.”

“I’d love to see what you dug up. We did some research as well. Before the kids came along, we followed the path of Kinney and Patrick as they journeyed through South America.”

“I’d love to see your research too.”

“Then why don’t you come for dinner tomorrow night and we can compare notes. I bet Ashley and Bree would love it. I know I would.”

“If you don’t think it would be too much trouble?”

“Not at all. We’re used to cooking large around here.” Susanna and Justin laughed.

“I remember Bree’s party. You must have had hundreds of people in and out of here.”

“Seems like it.” Susanna and Justin were quiet for a moment just savoring the quiet and the good coffee.

“I know what Mr. Kinney did,” Susanna admitted all of a sudden.

“What do you mean?” Justin asked as he looked up innocently over his coffee mug.

“I know he paid for that camp scholarship for Ashley.”

“Please don’t be angry...” Justin began, quick to defend Brian’s actions. “I had a part in it too. And the scholarship was for a lot of kids.”

“I realized that after a while. And yes, I was angry for a moment too. How dare he presume that I couldn’t provide for my own child! I almost refused.”

“How did you find out? It was supposed to be a secret.”

“By accident. I still have ties to the school and the camp uses some of the teaching assistants as counselors when possible. Some of the counselors were talking about the new benefactor and about the large donation to the camp, all the renovations that were planned. And of course I know the Harmons. Sheldon is a bit loose lipped when plied with cake. I put two and two together and came up with...”

“Brian.”

“Yes. He does have a habit of riding in on a white horse to save the day, doesn’t he? His charitable work is almost legendary.”

“Oh you’ve got to be kidding me,” Justin exclaimed and blushed. “He’ll have a cow if he finds out that people know what he’s done. I don’t even know all of it. I don’t think anyone really knows except Brian’s accountant and lawyer and they won’t talk. Not if they want to live, that is,” Justin giggled.

“He’s a good man, your Brian. And I won’t say a word. I told you I’m good with history and researching history to get to the real facts. A lot has been written about Brian Kinney and Justin Taylor. That can’t be helped. You’ve both given back to your community, tenfold. It’s something to be proud of. And that’s why I decided to accept the scholarship because it was a gift for Ashley and the children who might not otherwise have had a wonderful summer because of it. And because it was given with the best of intentions. Gifts like those should not be wasted.”

Justin could feel his eyes well up with tears. No one had ever said such kind things about Brian and to have the compliment come from an almost stranger made it worth so much more.

“Another cookie?” Justin asked with the plate in his hand. Susanna smiled as she took one.

 

*****
 

“Alone at last,” Lindsay purred as she sauntered through Mel’s office door from the sun porch. The sun was going down making it difficult to continue painting. Lindsay had cleaned her brushes, stowing them away for the next day. Melanie looked up over her computer screen, smiling; Lindsay looked so content.

“You look happy,” Mel remarked.

“I am. I finished a painting,” Lindsay said proudly.

“You did? That’s wonderful, I’m so proud of you.”

“Why?” Lindsay laughed. “You don’t know how it turned out. It could be a stick figure for all you know,” Lindsay said as she leaned up against Mel’s desk.

“Maybe,” Mel said as she played with the top button on Lindsay’s jeans. “But you look so happy. If you’re happy then I’m happy,” Mel murmured as she slowly lowered the zipper then Lindsay’s jeans and underwear.

“What are your intentions?” Lindsay whispered as her mate gently caressed her thighs and butt.

“My intentions are to christen this desk in more ways then one,” Mel replied as she nipped at Lindsay’s dark blond pubes. “You have a problem with that?” Mel asked looking up at her lover.

“Not at all,” Lindsay said as she felt herself positioned on the desk just the way Mel wanted her. “Oh! Not at all,” Lindsay squeaked as Mel’s tongue licked her most sensitive parts.

 

*****
 

“Sunshine, I am not happy,” Brian groused from the balcony. He and Justin were in the attic office each working individually from their own respective desks. From the sun porch below, the noise of lots of giggling wafted up.

“Why is that, Brian?” Justin asked nonplussed from his side of the office.

“Because this house is overrun with girls,” Brian complained.

“I don’t think three girls constitutes us being overrun, Brian. We still outnumber them,” Justin assured his spouse, not looking up from his laptop. John and Bobby were preparing dinner. Patrick was on his side of the cottage, out of the girls’ way.

“Humph,” Brian snorted as he walked back to his desk. The latest sales figures from the Lethal Motorcycle campaign were up on a spreadsheet. In another month, Brian was hoping to double them as the Northeast phase of the campaign was launched.

“Brian, they’re having fun and behaving themselves. So quit your bitching,” Justin commanded.

“Yes, dear,” Brian mumbled from behind his computer screen, much to Justin’s satisfaction.

 

*****
 

“So am I being ridiculous?” John asked as he stirred a pot of gravy.

“No, I don’t think so,” Bobby replied as he tore up a head of lettuce for their salad.

“Are you disappointed?”

“No, why would I be?”

“Because I’m not dedicating my paper to you or Patrick.”

“But you are.”

“How do you figure that?”

“By dedicating it to your brother, you are dedicating it to all of us by association.”

“You’re losing me in lawyer-speak.”

“John, how did we meet?”

“I got drunk one night and stumbled into the Honey Bear?”

“Not that time, the next time. The real time.”

“Um, Brian nearly threw me at you.”

“Exactly, my point. If it wasn’t Brian’s leap of faith in finding the courage to meet you and Claire and then pushing you to take a chance on us, we wouldn’t be where we all are today. So I think it’s very appropriate that you dedicate your paper on cottages to your brother.”

“Somehow I understood all of that.”

“Good! Now understand this, I love you John Anderson and I am also hungry. So move your ass and get dinner on the table. We have a bunch of hungry children to feed,” Bobby demanded.

“Yes, dear,” John said contritely as he poured the gravy into a gravy boat then began to get their dinner on the table.

 

*****
 

“What’s the matter, son?” Dr. Raph asked his adoptive son, Curtis.

“I have a paper to write for my English class and I’m not sure how to go about it,” Curtis explained hesitantly.

“You’ve never had problems before in English. It’s one of your best subjects.”

“I know, I know! It’s just that, I...”

“Take your time. What’s the theme of your paper?” Raph asked trying to be helpful.

“It’s to write about a local hero. Someone who had a great impact on your life.”

“Well, that should be easy. Pittsburgh is home to many famous people including several actors, although most of them are before your time. And then of course there’s Andy Warhol. He was so famous he was nearly infamous.”

“Yeah, I know about him. We’ve studied him in art appreciation. But that’s not really the type of hero the teacher has in mind.”

“Okay, so explain it to me.”

“I don’t want you to get mad at me or disappointed.”

“Why would I get angry? And I have never been disappointed in you. You’ve made me and Hector so proud.”

“The paper is supposed to be on a modern day hero. Someone who’s been a personal hero, someone I look up to or want to be like. At first I thought of you and Hector or even Hunter, Miss Melanie, or Karen. If it weren’t for any one of you my life would be completely different. Who knows if I’d even be alive?”

“Curtis...”

“It’s true, Dad. You know kids on the street don’t last long.”

“Son, why would I be disappointed? It seems like you have many to choose from.”

“Even if I choose Mr. Brian?”

Raph’s eyes grew wide then he smiled as he gave his son a hug.
 

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