Almost Perfect

Chapter 4

Gus stretched out his long lanky body; he was waking from a great dream. A dream where he and Ray were living and loving in the loft.

“Shit!”

Not again, Gus thought as he leapt out of bed and attempted to find his boxers.

“Ray?” Gus called out as he ran into the living room and smack into his boyfriend in the hall. “Ow,” he exclaimed as they stumbled into each other then into the wall. “Are we on fire again?”

“No, we’re not on fire,” Ray said as he rolled his eyes. “But we are out of milk. And I really need coffee,” Ray grumbled. “I’m running late,” Ray said sadly as he loped back into their room to get dressed. Gus sighed as he followed.

“You get ready and I’ll run down to the corner for you,” Gus said as he quickly threw on clothes, grabbed his wallet and keys.

Within fifteen minutes Gus was back with two cups of coffee and bagels smeared thick with cream cheese. Ray happily gobbled down his breakfast as he packed up his backpack, preparing to leave for the day. Gus already booted up his computer to start his day, coffee and bagel on his desk.

“Thank you for breakfast,” Ray said as he gave Gus a quick kiss before leaving their apartment. “How would I ever manage without you?” Ray asked with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

“You wouldn’t,” Gus replied, laughing.

 

*****
 

Brian strolled through the cottage into the sun porch where Justin was elbow deep into gesso preparing a large canvas.

“Holy yardarm, Sunshine! That’s going to be one big painting,” Brian teased.

“Well, you always say I’m a size queen,” Justin quipped. Brian maneuvered himself through the paint and canvas to give Justin a kiss. “Not that I don’t cherish every moment with you but I’m a little busy here.”

“I know and I’m getting out of your way,” Brian said as he carefully backed away. “Do you mind talking while you work?” Brian asked as he settled in a chair far out of the fray.

“Not at all,” Justin replied as he glanced up at his lover to give him a smile. Brian smiled back. “What’s going on?”

“Business trip. I was thinking of sending Ted or Cynthia but when I thought about it I really should go myself.”

“How is this different from your other trips?” Justin asked as he loaded up a large brush with gesso to apply to his canvas.

“I’ll be away for at least a week, maybe longer. We’re planning to visit Perspectives and Isles.”

“Yeah, and…? Wait a second, we? Who’s going with you?”

“Mel. I want to introduce her to Joseph and Shane,” Brian explained, unsure of Justin’s reaction.

“Makes sense. You haven’t visited either branch in a while and that’s one of the reasons you hired Melanie, isn’t it? She’s able to fly out at a moment’s notice, more or less.”

“More or less,” Brian repeated.

“So what’s the problem?”

“Spending a week or more with Smelly Melly,” Brian snarked.

“Brian, don’t call her that. I know you respect her. And I suspect you even like her.”

Brian glared, one of his personal best death glares making Justin burst out laughing. “Take that back,” Brian demanded like a petulant child.

“No!” Justin responded in kind.

“You better take that back!”

“Make me.”

If there wasn’t tons of paint and canvas in the way their antics would have led to hot and heavy sex on the sun porch floor. Both men shook their heads, took a deep breath to calm themselves then continued their conversation, exchanging a look that said they had a definite date for that night.

“So when are you leaving?”

“At the end of the week. We’re finalizing the itinerary now. Justin, I want your opinion.”

“Of course.”

“Canada. What do you think about me opening a branch in Canada?”

“Where?”

“Toronto. It’s a queer friendly town.”

“Do you have anyone in mind to run it?”

“Not a clue, but I was thinking of bringing Gus with me and Mel when we scout locations and hire staff.”

“Ambitious and a good way of introducing Gus to the administrative side of the business. Melanie will be there to help with the legal stuff and it would give her some time alone with Gus. She’s still feeling a little alienated from her kids.” Brian tossed him a look. “I talked to Lindsay.”

Justin concentrated on applying more gesso to his canvas. Brian mulled over Lindsay and Mel.

“Do you think they’ll get back together?” Brian asked.

“I don’t know. It ended badly.”

“It always ended badly with them and then they’d start all over again.”

“Would it be so terrible if they got back together? They’d be on equal footing, both professionals, both independent. It’s not like they have to live together.”

“No, just be together,” Brian said with a shudder. Justin giggled. “Just the thought of them naked together in bed makes my dick soft.”

“They’re both still very attractive women and they deserve to be happy.”

“I’m not arguing the point. It’s just, they’re munchers, Sunshine,” Brian whined.

“You are so bad,” Justin stated the obvious.

“Your point?” The question was rhetorical so Brian went on. “So a Canadian branch, you approve?”

“I think it’s a natural move, your reputation is growing up there. Planning something big?”

“No, I think I’d like to keep it low key, like N’rgy. Small office somewhere, maybe off of Church Street. I just wanted your opinion.”

“My opinion is that I think it’s a great idea. You should go for it. Maybe make it Gus’ pet project for a while, but ask him first. He and Ray deserve time to build their relationship. They don’t need more geography in their way.”

“Message received, Sunshine. I’ll let you get back to work.” Brian wove his way through the chaos again to give Justin a loving kiss then went back up to his office. “Love you.”

“I know,” Justin replied as he got back to work.

 

*****
 

JR’s phone rang as she was walking to the comic book shop. She pulled it out of her coat pocket hoping it was Jacqueline telling her that she was on her way home. She recognized the number immediately.

“Hello,” she said.

“Hi, JR,” Bree’s voice said over the connection.

“What’s up, short stuff?” JR asked breezily. She always enjoyed talking to Bree. It was nice having a little sister who often wanted her advice. She couldn’t resist using Gus’ nickname for his sister.

“I’m growing up,” Bree declared petulantly.

“I know,” JR said with a chuckle. “Just yanking your chain.”

“Dada says that all the time, especially with Uncle Ted and Auntie Emm.”

“You got that right,” JR admitted. “So, what’s up?”

“Dada is coming into Pittsburgh today for some kind of meeting. Can we have lunch together?” Bree asked hopefully. “Otherwise, I’ll have to stay home with Daddy.”

“Would that be so bad?”

“No, but he’s starting a new painting and he never has time for anything when he’s doing that.”

“Oh, so I’m your escape plan.”

“Um…”

“It’s okay, Bree. I’m just teasing you.”

“So, can we have lunch?”

“Sure, get your dad to drop you off at the shop when you get into town.”

“Thanks, JR.”

JR smiled as she put her phone back in her pocket. She liked the idea of spending some time with Bree. Now all she had to do was get through the morning with her father.

 

*****
 

“JR!” Bree screeched as she charged through the door of the comic book store.

“Whoa!” JR responded as she was almost bowled over by her energetic sister who flung her arms around JR and held on tight. “I need to breathe, Bree,” JR gasped.

“Oh, sorry,” Bree replied finally letting go. “I haven’t seen you in forever and I’m really glad to see you now.”

“Are you okay having Bree for a couple of hours?” Brian asked. He had stepped into the shop, but didn’t proceed any further. He glanced over at Michael who was behind the counter glaring at him.

“Sure, we’re good,” JR assured him.

“Thanks,” Brian said. “I’ll call when I’m ready to pick her up.” He turned to leave the shop, but then reconsidered and turned back. “Michael,” he said hoping to initiate a conversation with his oldest friend who was growing more and more distant.

Michael gave him a withering look, turned his back and went into his office closing the door behind him.

JR saw Brian flinch although it was almost imperceptible. “I’m sorry,” JR said with a sad shake of her head.

“Not your fault,” Brian stated. “See you later, Bree.” He walked out closing the door behind him and resisting the urge to slam it and maybe smash it into a million pieces.

“Bye, Dada.” Bree stared after her father for a moment. “Why won’t Uncle Michael talk to my Dada?” she asked.

“Let’s talk about that over lunch,” JR replied. “I’m taking Bree to lunch,” she called to her father. There was no reply. “Let’s go.”

The two girls headed out of the shop. The frown on Bree’s brow was very deep.

When they arrived at the diner, Lacy welcomed them and took their orders. While they waited for the food, Bree decided it was time to find out what was going on.

“JR, why isn’t your dad speaking to my dad?”

“Uncle Brian hasn’t told you anything about this?”

“Not really.”

JR sighed. “I … I have a girlfriend.”

“Oh, as in a girl who’s a friend or as in a girl you’re in love with?” Bree asked.

JR shook her head at her precocious sister. “You’re something, Bree.”

“Of course I am, but that doesn’t answer my question.”

“Her name is Jacqueline and I … love her.”

“Why haven’t you introduced me to her?” Bree asked. “Is she pretty and nice?”

“She’s both of those things, at least I think she is.”

“Well, that’s what counts,” Bree said with a coy smile.

JR chuckled. Yeah, it is. We haven’t been together very long, and some people don’t want us to be together. So, we’ve kind of kept to ourselves.”

Bree frowned and stared at her sister. “Is that what’s wrong with your father?”

“Among other things,” JR said just as Lacy arrived with their burgers.

“He doesn’t like Jacqueline?” Bree asked.

“Hate’s her,” JR said taking a bite of her burger.

“But why?”

“He doesn’t even know her, but he won’t give her a chance. He thinks she’s too old for me. And … she has a bit of a reputation.”

“But is she nice to you?”

“Very.”

“Then I don’t see what the problem is,” Bree stated.

“If only everyone thought like you,” JR said ruefully.

Bree swallowed a bite of her burger. “Can’t you talk to your father?” she asked.

“He won’t talk about it. Didn’t you see how he wouldn’t even speak to your father?”

“But, why is he mad at Dada?” Bree asked as she ate a fry, the furrow in her brow deepening.

“Because your father did give us a chance. He invited people to the loft to meet Jacqueline. Most people are willing to give us a chance.”

“But not your father.”

“No.”

“That’s not right.”

“Try to tell him that.”

“How much older is Jacqueline than you?” Bree asked.

“About the same as your Daddy and Dada,” JR explained.

“But can’t he see that they’re okay?”

“He doesn’t care. He’s very stubborn once he latches onto an idea.”

“I’m going to talk to him when we go back to the store.”

“I wouldn’t advise it,” JR said.

“I don’t care. He’s wrong.”

JR smiled to herself. As much as she didn’t want Bree to get hurt by her father’s probable rejection of anything she might say, she knew that Bree was a force to be reckoned with.

 

*****
 

On the way back to the comic book store after a long leisurely lunch finished off with a hot chocolate sundae, JR’s phone rang.

“That was your dad,” JR said when she put the phone back in her pocket. “His meeting went well. He’ll be picking you up in about ten minutes.”

“Oh, then hurry up,” Bree said. “I need to talk to your father.” She took off down the street.

“Bree…”

By the time JR got to the store, Bree had disappeared inside. The office door was open and there were no customers in the store. She could hear Bree’s voice from the office.

“Uncle Michael, we need to talk. I have something to tell you and you need to listen.”

“Briana, I’m the adult here,” Michael said in his most grown up and officious voice.

“But you’re not acting like a grown up. You’re being mean to JR and to my dad. You should trust their judgment. JR is one of the smartest people I know, and she would never do anything that she didn’t think was right. You should give her and Jacqueline a chance.”

“Did JR tell you to say that?” Michael asked. It seemed like everyone was ganging up on him, and for no reason, since he knew he was right about this Jacqueline person. They were just too blind to see what she was really like.

“I say what’s true. Nobody tells me what to say,” Bree declared.

“What do you know? You’re what … nine?”

“That shows how much you know, Uncle Michael. You should trust your daughter and listen to what she tells you.”

“I don’t have to listen to anyone, and especially not you, you little brat.”

“Michael! Be very careful,” Brian warned ominously as he appeared in the office doorway.

“Now you’re going to tell me what to do too, just like this little shrimp.”

Brian shot his best death glare at Michael. “Let’s go, Bree,” Brian said curtly. He turned on his heel as Bree grabbed his hand. “Call me,” he said to JR as they left the store.

 

*****
 

Later that evening, JR and Jacqueline were curled up on the couch snuggled in each other’s arms.

“I’m so glad you’re home,” JR said.

“Me too. I hated being apart from you.”

“Tell the burglars to rob somebody else’s store next time.”

“From your mouth to God’s ears, as my gran used to say.”

“Is your gran still alive?”

Jacqueline shook her head. “She could be a crusty old lady, but she loved me and I loved her. Some people think I’m a lot like her.”

“You do have crusty moments,” JR giggled.

“Speaking of crusty, how did things go with your dad?”

JR made a face. “He’s being an even bigger ass than usual, but you should have heard Bree take him on.”

“Bree?”

“My sister … sort of. She’s Uncle Justin and Uncle Brian’s daughter.”

“Yeah, you mentioned her before in the description of your complicated family circle.”

JR chuckled. “Yeah, it’s quite a family. She told my father off today.”

“She did what?”

“You heard me.”

“But … she’s like nine.”

“Don’t let her hear you say that. “She’s eleven going on twenty-five.”

“Oh, one of those,” Jacqueline laughed. “So, what did she say to your father?”

“In so many words, she told him he was being childish and that he should trust my judgment about who I hung out with. She said I was one of the smartest people she knew.”

“Aw, she sounds sweet. I’d like to meet her.”

“Just so you know, she can also been a handful. Never treat her like a child whatever you do.”

“I’ll remember that,” Jacqueline said. “But first, I want to talk about us finding a place to live that … will be ours.”

JR stared up into Jacqueline’s eyes. She saw love and trust and hope there. It made her insides feel all warm. “That would be great,” JR said carefully, “but there’s something you should know before we make any decisions about where we’re going to live.”

“What should I know?” Jacqueline asked.

“I’m in the process of looking for a new job. I can’t stand it with my father anymore.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, it’s wearing me down. I need to be somewhere else, so I may not have much money to contribute to a new place.”

“We don’t have to do anything until we’re both in the right frame of mind.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that. If only my father could be so reasonable…”

Jacqueline didn’t say anything, just wrapped her arms tighter around the young woman who had become so important in her life.

 

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