Before the Fall

Chapter 10


 

“How’s it going, Richie?” Seth asked as he took a piece of cake from the newly laid out dessert table in the sun porch.

“Okay,” was the brief reply.

“Are you getting caught up at school?”

“Sort of … but there’s always more.”

Seth laughed. “You never stop learning,” Seth said wisely.

“Have you been talking to Uncle Ben?” Richie asked.

“He probably told you just what I said. Ben’s a very wise man.”

“Yeah.”

“Are you feeling more at home with everybody now?” Seth asked.

“It’s easier. I remember almost everybody’s name … except yours,” Richie replied with a mischievous grin on his face.

“Seth Harris, nice to meet you, young man,” Seth said with a straight face, extending his hand for Richie to shake.

Richie shook hands. “Um, I was just kidding,” Richie said quickly. He wasn’t sure how serious Seth was.

“So was I,” Seth laughed. “You’ll find lots of people in this group who will enjoy yanking your chain.”

“I’m figuring that out.”

“As long as you keep working on figuring it out, you’ll be just fine.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so.”

 

*****
 

“Dust, Dust,” a little voice said.

Justin could feel a little hand holding onto the edge of his shorts. “Did you escape from your mommy and daddy, buddy?” Justin asked as he picked the little boy up.

“Yep,” Taylor said with a giggle.

“I think someone has a crush on you,” Brian singsonged.

“I could do worse,” Justin laughed kissing the little round cheek of his nephew.

“I’ll take him,” Owen said as he approached.

“He’s fine. I like having the adoration of a baby,” Justin said with a smile.

“Okay, if you’re sure,” Owen replied before walking back to where his wife and parents were sitting at a table under an umbrella.

“Wanna go for a walk, Taylor?” Justin asked.

“Where are you going?” Brian asked.

“I think it’s time Taylor sees the stream.”

“Want company?”

“Naw, you need to make sure all our guests have drinks.”

“Yes, master.”

Justin chuckled as he set Taylor down and took his little hand. They started towards the path.

“Daddy, can I come too?” Bree asked.

“Of course you can, sweetheart.”

“Beau wants to come too.”

“Beau is very welcome to accompany us,” Justin said formally. He couldn’t help but smile.

Beau gave a little woof to let them know he was glad that he was welcome to go with them on their little jaunt.

“Can Taylor walk that far?” Bree asked.

“I think he can,” Justin replied. “Why don’t you take his other hand? That will help him.”

“’Kay, Daddy.” Bree took Taylor’s hand and they continued along the path.

When they got to the clearing, Justin stopped. “Okay, little man, this is our favorite spot around here. We have the stream over there, which you must not go near. Is that understood?” Taylor looked up into Justin’s face and grinned.

“He’s not going to stay away from the stream, Daddy,” Bree said sagely.

“I know,” Justin sighed. “We’ll just have to keep a close eye on him and make sure he doesn’t get too close to the edge of the water. And we’ll keep telling him he has to stay away. You should tell him that too,” Justin advised.

“Okay,” Bree agreed. “Taylor,” she said seriously squatting down in front of her cousin, “you have to listen really careful. You cannot go close to the stream. It’s very dangerous for little boys like you. Don’t go near it.”

Taylor studied Bree’s face and frowned. He could tell she was talking to him about something serious. “Bee,” he said after a long pause.

Bree stood up. “I don’t think he gets it, Daddy.”

“Probably not, but we have Beau to keep an eye on him, as well as us.”

“That’s good,” Bree said.

“This is the big rock,” Justin continued, walking Taylor towards the large piece of granite. “When you get older this will be a great place to come and think about things.”

“Yeah,” Bree agreed.

Taylor began to try to climb onto the rock, but his little legs were too short.

“Pick him up, Daddy,” Bree instructed.

Justin lifted Taylor onto the rock and sat down beside him, his arms firmly around the little boy so he couldn’t fall off the edge of it. Beau observed all this and then went to lie down under a nearby tree.

“See the sky up there through the trees,” Justin said to the boy. “It’s always cool here even when the sun is very bright. The little breeze that blows across the stream is cool too. Feel it?”

Taylor extended his hand like he was trying to catch some of the cool breeze on this hot day.

“Look, Daddy,” Bree said. “There’s a frog.” She pointed to the critter sitting on a smaller rock close to the stream.

“Fog,” Taylor said, reaching towards the amphibian that Bree had pointed out.

“Frog,” Bree corrected.

“You should tell Taylor about your Dada and the frogs,” Justin suggested with a wink.

“When he’s older, Daddy. He wouldn’t understand yet,” Bree said with a giggle.

Justin chuckled. “Perhaps not.”

“Down,” Taylor said wanting off the rock.

“Okay, but stay right with us,” Justin instructed as he set Taylor down onto the grass.

Taylor studied a butterfly that was swooping past. He reached up trying to grab it.

“Do you like Riley?” Bree asked her father as she sat down beside him on the big rock.

“He seems nice. He and Danny seem to be getting along very well.”

“I think they’re both kinda lonely.”

“You do?”

Bree nodded. “I hope Riley can fix my piano soon. I really want to play it.”

“I’m sure he’ll get it fixed as soon as he can.”

“Fog!” Taylor chirped as he saw a frog hopping towards the stream. He started running after it.

“Taylor!” Justin yelled sitting up immediately. “Taylor!” Beau sat up and quickly sized up the situation. He raced towards the stream. Justin was already speeding towards the boy as fast as his legs would carry him. He prayed the boy would stop at the edge of the stream, but no such luck. The frog hopped into the water and Taylor did try to stop at the brink of the stream. He teetered on the edge for a split second, as Justin watched him, while he ran as fast as he could towards the stream. “Please, don’t fall in,” Justin begged as he closed the gap. Again, no such luck. With a little cry Taylor toppled into the water.

Justin was there almost immediately, wading into the water and grabbing Taylor’s T-shirt. He yanked the little boy out of the water. Beau barked frantically on the bank of the stream. Taylor sputtered and coughed as Justin pulled him out of the water, and then he let out the most unearthly wail.

“It’s okay, Taylor. You’re okay, buddy,” Justin whispered as he hauled himself and his precious burden out of the stream. “You’re just scared. You’re not hurt, are you?” Justin asked as he quickly looked the boy over. He didn’t see any cuts or scrapes.

“Is he okay, Daddy?” Bree asked as she stood on the bank while Justin carried Taylor out.

“He’s fine, just scared,” Justin said praying that was the case. Taylor’s wails had subsided into more normal crying.

“Taylor, we told you to stay away from the water,” Bree chastised the baby. “This is why.” Beau barked his agreement.

“Taylor! Taylor!” came Molly’s frantic calls from the path. A second later she and Owen and everyone else emerged from the path into the clearing. Molly ran over and grabbed her son from Justin. “Is he all right?”

“Yes, he fell in the stream, but I was right behind him. He’s not hurt,” Justin said. He could feel his adrenalin still pumping. He would never have forgiven himself if anything had happened to Taylor.

“You should have known,” Sharon Brenner lectured Justin. “You can’t take your eyes off a child for a second.”

“I’m sorry,” Justin said hanging his head.

“It’s okay, Justin,” Molly said. “We know you’d never let Taylor get hurt. You saved him.”

“That baby should never have been anywhere near that stream,” Sharon Brenner insisted.

“We heard you the first time,” Brian cut her off. “Let’s go get you some dry clothes,” he said to Justin.

Justin nodded as Brian put his arm over Justin’s shoulders and steered him back towards the house.

“I tried to catch him before he fell in,” Justin whispered as they walked down the path.

“Of course you did, and that bitch better not say another word about it,” Brian stated looking over his shoulder to where everyone else was following them.

Taylor had stopped crying and Molly was carrying him back to the house. No real harm had been done.

“What’s a party without a little drama,” Brian added as he kissed Justin’s cheek.

Taylor was no worse for wear after his bout of drama. He was so well recovered that he accompanied his parents and everyone else, for that matter, back to the stream later in the afternoon. The temperature had soared so many took advantage of the cool water of the stream. While young and not so young frolicked in the water, the rest of the family found shady spots by the shore very refreshing. Amid Sharon Brenner’s incessant objections, Owen Jr. took his son back into the stream for a proper introduction.

By the end of the day the family was sated by good food, good friends and time well spent with their loving family.

 

*****
 

“Hello?” Riley tentatively called out as he came into the sun porch.

“In here!” a disembodied voice answered from the vicinity of the kitchen. “Just follow your nose,” came the added instruction. Riley did just that.

“You people are up early,” Riley observed as he looked around the room. The Edna’s Treasures clan were sitting at the kitchen table. Emmett and his boys were there as well.

“This is our traditional breakfast after the barbecue,” Emmett explained.

“Oh. I don’t want to intrude,” Riley stated as he began to turn to go out. The coffee mug thrust in his hand made him rethink his options.

“Did you sleep well?” Justin asked as he offered Riley a chair. As the older man sat, Emmett slid a basket of muffins toward him.

“Very well and I thank the ‘elf’ who left me the folding bed. That and my sleeping bag made my night most comfortable.”

“Mr. Riley, are you going to fix my piano today?” Bree asked looking up at the man with big pleading eyes.

“Well, little lady, I’m going to start right after breakfast,” Riley assured Bree.

“Yay!” Bree exclaimed excitedly.

“Do you need help moving the piano out to the shed?” Drew asked.

“I’m not going to move the whole thing just the pieces that I need to work on. But I wouldn’t mind a little help.”

“I can help too,” Patrick confirmed.

“I’d appreciate that, young man, but I don’t want to keep you kids from any plans.”

“It’s all right,” John said. “We’re having a lazy day today. The kids start camp on Monday so they can help as long as they actually help and not get in your way,” John said as he arched a brow at the children.

“I’m sure we’ll all get along just fine,” Riley said as he finished his coffee. Brian raised the coffee pot, prepared to pour more in Riley’s mug. “No thanks, I’d like to get started.”

“We’ll keep a fresh pot going for you. I’ll be working in my office so feel free to help yourself,” Brian said. “What are your plans, Sunshine?”

“I want to finish up my ‘Then and Now’ pieces. Sidney wants to have the show by the end of the summer before the emerging artists show. What about you two?” Justin asked John and Bobby.

“I’ll be working on my thesis,” John replied.

“I have a few calls to make. Now that the camp is expanding their services, they want to make sure they’re carrying the proper insurance," Bobby said.

“You’re a lawyer, not an insurance agent,” Brian said with a scowl.

“I know but I do this all the time. Insurance policies are full of legal mumbo jumbo. Besides, we have a vested interest in the camp,” Bobby said as he glanced over at the children. Brian could find no fault with Bobby’s logic.

“What about you boys?” Brian asked Emmett and Richie.

“I’ve decided that I’m going to have the weekend off!” Emmett declared with some authority in his tone. “And I’ve decided that Richie should take the weekend off as well.” Richie looked up at Emmett a bit startled. “He’s been studying every day since he’s joined us in order to catch up on all his missed schoolwork. Well, I think he deserves a break!”

“I second that,” Drew said, raising a piece of muffin in salute. “All work and no play makes Richie a very dull boy. Not to mention tired and with eye strain. It would be a shame to waste all this fine weather.”

“I guess I could read outside,” Richie said hesitantly. Emm and Drew scowled. “Or I can sunbathe in the garden?” Richie’s eyes darted back and forth between his fathers. They both smiled and nodded their heads in agreement. “Sunbathing it is,” Richie said with a smile.

“And what about the two fine lads? What are your plans today?” Riley asked as he looked at Gus and Ray. The boys blushed as the adult males in the cottage turned their collective eyes toward them.

“I think my Sonny Boy and his young man are still testing out Gus’ new bed,” Brian snarked. The adult males chuckled as Gus and Ray both blushed a deeper shade of red.

“Dada, how do you test a bed?” Bree asked innocently. All eyes turned to Brian for his response. Justin smirked awaiting his spouse’s pearls of wisdom.

“Sleep, Squirt,” Brian said without missing a beat. “You test it by going to sleep or in this case a nap,” Brian explained as he patted Gus and Ray on their shoulders, pointing them toward the hall and Gus’ room. “The boys worked so hard yesterday that they need a nap. So while you help Riley with your piano and Daddy paints and I’m upstairs, the boys will be working very, very hard at testing the bed.”

“Oh, okay, Dada.” Satisfied, Bree slid off her seat, took Riley’s hand and walked toward the piano effectively declaring an end to breakfast.

“I guess that’s that,” Justin said with a smile.

The families of the Edna’s Treasures clan got down to business.

 

*****
 

“Molly, I don’t understand why you want to spend all your time out here, in the middle of nowhere,” Sharon said with some disdain. Sharon and Owen Sr. had decided to stay the night while Jennifer and Seth went back to the city after the barbecue.

“It’s very simple, Mother Brenner,” Molly began as she wiped down the table in the breakfast nook. “I like it here,” Molly said very succinctly. “It’s peaceful. And after working all week long in the city, I find it restful.”

“Well, if it’s rest you’re looking for, why not go to the shore? There are some marvelous bungalows for rent.”

“Why rent when we have this beautiful cottage. It’s perfect.”

“Yes, it is very lovely but that stream is very dangerous.”

“No more dangerous than the shore with its riptides and polluted beaches.”

“But...”

“Sharon, why don’t you check our bags to make sure I didn’t forget anything,” Owen Sr. said, coming to Molly’s rescue.

“Owen Brenner, sometimes I think you’d forget your head if it wasn’t attached,” Sharon declared as she went to check their bags.

“That’s why I have you dear, to remind me,” Owen replied sweetly.

“Hmm,” came a faint grumble.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Owen said to his daughter-in-law. “She means well.”

“I know,” Molly said with a peck to her father-in-law’s cheek. She really liked Owen Sr. Molly was sure that her Owen got all his sweetness from his father. Molly wisely left well enough alone as did Owen Jr. Her in-laws would be leaving shortly and she was looking forward to spending some quality time with her two men.

Molly sat smiling serenely at that very thought.

 

*****
 

“Ungh!” Gus came with a muffled cry. Ray wasn’t too far behind him. They lay together on Gus’ new bed happily sated, for the moment.

“I think I like these tests,” Ray said with a giggle.

“Yeah, it sure beats finals,” Gus agreed.

“You know we really should test out all aspects of this bed,” Ray suggested. Gus could hear the mischief in Ray’s voice.

“Oh? And how do we do that?” Gus asked as he propped up his head on his arm.

“Well now, just take a good look at the foot of the bed. That foot board looks sturdy enough but how do we know if it will hold something draped over it.”

“Hmm, like a heavy quilt, for example,” Gus seriously contemplated.

“Exactly,” Ray agreed nodding his head. “I mean, we want to make sure your dads didn’t get cheated, now don’t we.”

“Oh no, my Pop would never stand for that. So how do you suggest we test it?” Gus said waggling his eyebrows.

“Like this,” Ray whispered as he got up, taking the bedspread with him. He draped the spread over the foot board then draped himself over the spread. He was at the perfect height for Gus. Not that it mattered to Gus. To Gus, Ray was just perfect.

“I see,” Gus murmured. Grabbing some necessary supplies first, Gus got himself in position, then had a slight change of plan.

“Holy fuck,” Ray cursed into the mattress as he felt Gus’ tongue work magic on his ass. Gus laved Ray’s hole as he stroked himself hard. Quickly slipping on a condom then adding extra lube, Gus slowly entered Ray.

“Yes,” Ray hissed, gripping the sheets as Gus took them both on a long hard ride.

Later, after they both came hard then struggled to get back into bed, the boys cuddled.

“I think I could test out this bed with you all day,” Ray mumbled sleepily.

“And all night,” Gus added. They snuggled closer, shared a few more kisses then fell asleep.

 

*****
 

“The boys seem to be giving the bed a real workout,” Brian snarked as he walked by Justin to get himself another cup of coffee. “It’s a good thing John made sure these walls were properly insulated and we have thick doors.”

Justin stood back to check the alignment of his canvas. “And it’s a good thing we have sturdy locks on the doors as well.”

“For that, I am truly grateful, Sunshine” Brian said as he brought his artist into his arms for a toe curling kiss.

“What was that for?” Justin asked when he was allowed to come up for air.

“Just letting you know that I’m also grateful for you too,” Brian said with a sideways smile.

“Me too,” Justin murmured against Brian’s lips. They stayed liplocked for a few more seconds until the twang of piano parts signaled they were no longer alone.

“Later,” Brian said as he reluctantly let Justin go then opened the sun porch door to let Riley and Drew out.

“Later,” Justin replied as he returned to his canvas.
 

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