Bad as New
Chapter 11
A couple of hours before the appointed
time, Jennifer Taylor drove up and parked on the lane in front of the cottage.
She was surprised to see a few cars already there. She had hoped by coming
early she could avoid the crowd, offer her help and find out what the
announcement was about. It didn't look like she'd get the chance. Jennifer recognized Claire and Steve's car, John's Navigator and
Justin's old Cherokee. Jen found out that Justin had given the truck to
Hunter but wondered just when they had gotten that close. It didn't make much
sense. There was always a little tension between her son and the former
hustler. When did that change? There was another truck in front that she had
seen at the farm a couple of times but didn't know who it belonged to. Jennifer
took a deep breath, strolled up the path and knocked
on the door.
"Mother Taylor! So
good of you to come, and so early." Brian couldn't keep all of the snark out of his voice but at least he wasn't rude.
"I, um, thought I could help with
something," Jennifer stammered a little coldly. She wasn't sure if seeing
Brian home was a good thing or not.
"Come in." Brian stepped aside
to invite Jennifer in. "We're in the porch having a nosh. Join us,"
Brian smirked. Jennifer nodded then quietly followed Brian through to the sun
porch.
They were all there. Justin was sitting
with Briana as she was attempting to eat a piece of
muffin like a big girl. John and Bobby were equally engaged with Patrick making
sure he drank his juice not wear it. Hunter, Nick and Bill were sipping coffee.
So that's who the other truck belonged too. And then there was Steve and
Claire. Claire acknowledged Jennifer's arrival; her cool expression chilled
Jennifer to the bone. Claire had the air of a lioness in full protection of her
cubs. Jennifer knew how sensible and level-headed Claire always conducted
herself. If something was amiss, Claire would be the first to address it.
Jennifer was getting the sinking feeling that whatever the rumors, whatever the
assumptions, they were all wrong.
"Justin,
honey." Brian
exchanged places with Justin so he could greet his mother properly.
"You're early," Justin greeted
his mother with a light peck to her cheek.
"I thought maybe we could talk."
Jennifer began to sweat.
"Mom, you can wait for the others. I
don't want to have to repeat myself but you're welcome to stay. We have coffee,
juice, fresh muffins and I can put the kettle on for tea." Jennifer was
about to answer when Brian's voice caught her attention. Bree
had just finished her muffin, was out of her high chair, made a beeline for the
nearest potted palm and stuck her little hands in the dirt.
"Squirt! We've had this discussion before. No digging in these
plants," Brian said sternly.
"Gar-gar!" Briana replied with a sweet
innocent giggle. Brian arched a brow at his daughter.
"That doesn't work on me. You know
the garden is outside." Briana was properly
admonished then held up her dirty hands to her daddy.
"Dir." Brian sighed then swept the toddler into his arms.
"Dirt. Let's go wash your hands, Squirt, while we put the
kettle on for Grandma Taylor." Brian carried Bree
to the kitchen to rinse the dirt off her hands with Jennifer closely behind.
"Justin," Claire started,
"you could have told Jennifer the truth. She is your mother and she loves
you. She's hurting."
Justin was feeling guilty but he had an
agenda and he wanted to stick to it. "I know. But it's important that I do
this my way. They all have to learn that if they have a question about my
relationship with Brian that first, it's really nobody's business and secondly,
they should just ask."
"She's your mother," Claire
restated.
"I'll apologize after, I
promise." Claire nodded then poured herself more coffee.
Out in the kitchen, Brian put on the kettle
then washed Bree's hands. Briana
giggled with glee as her dada let her make sudsy bubbles with the soap. When
the kettle startled to whistle, Brian indicated to Jennifer where the fixings
were to make her tea.
"Want a cup?" Jen asked her
son-in-law.
"No thanks. Never
really developed a taste for tea. But Justin has a variety, so knock yourself out."
"Brian, what's this all about?"
Jennifer couldn't stand the suspense.
"Jennifer, far be it from me to get
in the way of an angry Sunshine. Even I don't know what's in that little blond
brain of his. Suffice to say, this is his show."
"Brian, please, cut the
bullshit."
"Jen, I really don't know but trust
him. He knows what he's doing."
"Can you answer a question?
Truthfully, answer a question?"
"If I can."
"Do you love him?"
"Jennifer, I really love your son.
I've been in love with him since the moment I laid eyes on him. He's my life.
And he has to do this his way."
"I know; he's a stubborn little
shit."
"Yup and with the
biggest balls in the state of
"Hey, I diapered those balls."
"Then you should know."
"Dada! Gar-gar." Briana arched one petite golden eyebrow at her father. She
wanted her say in the conversation.
"What did she say?" Jennifer
enquired.
"She wants to take a walk in the
garden. We planted some Fall mums and the roses are
still blooming." Jennifer was astonished that Brian Kinney knew what an
eighteen month old baby was saying.
"Briana,
sweetie, will you show Grandma your garden?" Jennifer asked Bree. She needed some time to get herself together before
facing her son and the rest of the family.
"G'ma?"
Bree looked up at the pretty older woman and smiled a
happy toothy smile then held out her little arms.
"Is that a yes?" Jen asked
Brian.
"That's a yes. Just keep her out of
the dirt. Justin will tan my hide if she gets dirty." Jennifer's eyes grew
wide. "Hey, I have to live with him, you don't." Brian winked putting
Jennifer at ease. "Jennifer, just believe in him. He does know what he's doing."
Jen nodded then took her granddaughter out
into the warm Fall sun.
At the appointed time, the
Carl was nervously chewing on his lips. He
had tried very unsuccessfully to dissuade Debbie from barging in with all guns
blazing. Debbie was practically running up the path to the door.
Ben had tried to get Michael to see reason
but couldn't. Michael was right behind his mother.
Lindsay pleaded with Melanie to drop her
restraining order against Brian but Melanie went to the first Family Court
judge that would hear her. The gods were with Brian that day. The judge
happened to be an acquaintance of Bill and Karen's,
was previously introduced to Hunter and Brian and was familiar with their
efforts to open the clinic. The judge, while not revealing anything to the
fuming lawyer, did have her escorted out of the courthouse. Melanie's anger was
further fueled by Lindsay's unwavering loyalty. Gus and JR remained quiet.
Emmett, Drew, Ted and Allen arrived
together. Emmett couldn't quite understand why Teddy was so quiet. Emmett was
worried that his friend would get hurt in the fallout. He had visions of the
Kinney empire toppling to the ground and Ted back on the streets with crystal meth as his only friend. The tall queen hung onto Drew for
dear life, praying that their world would survive the day.
"All right, what the fuck is going
on?" Debbie shrieked as she pushed open the door letting them all in the
house. Debbie stomped through the house and into the sun porch.
"There you are! And all together I
see. What are you plotting? An extension to the house so that
you can all live together and have your orgies. Brian Kinney, you should
be ashamed of yourself," Debbie kept rambling on. The
noise level rising, echoing against the glass walls. Jennifer had Gus
and JR take Patrick and Bree into Gus' room to play.
They didn't need to see the so-called adults act like idiots. Whatever Justin
had in mind was going to get messy. Gus arched a brow at his father who nodded
imperceptibly at the boy. Gus smiled weakly but led the younger children out of
harm's way.
"Kinney, I don't know how you bought
off that judge but I will find out and when I do..." Melanie screamed.
"Oh, who cares about that! Sunshine, I want you to know that we're here for you
and if you have to move out, I'll help in any way that I can."
Justin was uncharacteristically quiet as
his anger grew. Outwardly, he appeared calm; only Brian knew that at any moment
the real Rage in the family was going to explode.
"Ma! Why would Justin need our help? It's Brian who needs
my help." Michael started to take a couple of steps toward Brian but a
death glare made him stay frozen to the spot. Brian's curled fist reminded
Michael of when he had said the wrong thing to Brian a long time ago and got a
black eye for his efforts.
"Debbie, I think you should take a
seat." Justin was attempting to regain control of his home and the
situation. But so many people were talking all at once.
"No, Justin, I think you should sit
down. I think both of you should sit down and explain a few things.
First..." Debbie had her speech all planned for her intervention.
John got up to pace. He could not believe
the audacity that Debbie had. He was very fond of the woman and knew her
importance to the lives of practically everyone in the room but this was Justin
and Brian's home.
"John, you should sit. I have a few
words for you too!"
"Debbie," John growled. Claire
was the only woman who had the right to take that tone with him. Justin, who
was closer to John, put his hand on John's arm, just like he did when Brian was
about to explode and gently calmed the enraged older brother.
"Look at that," Emmett whispered
to Drew, Ted and Allen. Justin's action did not go unnoticed. "He handles
John just like Brian. This is worse than I thought."
"Debbie, don't you think you ought to
let Justin tell us why he asked us all here?" Bobby attempted to be ever
the logical voice of reason. The pretty red-head stepped into Debbie's space.
"And you're not anymore innocent in
all of this than the rest of them!" Debbie pointed her finger into Bobby's
chest. Brian Kinney, defender of red-headed twink
lawyers, let out a low growl of his own and pulled Bobby toward him. He had
seen Debbie in action too many times and feared for his friend.
"Oh no," Emmett cried then
buried his eyes into Drew's shoulder.
Justin had had just about enough and
shouted at the top of his lungs. "If you all don't shut the fuck up and
sit down, I'll throw you all out and never speak to you ever again!"
It became so quiet that all Brian could
hear was the stream trickling over the stones and the frogs calling for an Autumn mate.
Justin took a deep breath and then sent a
glare around the room that froze all of them in their places. This was going to
be hard, but it had to be done.
"I invited you all today with the
stipulation that if you were our friends you would be here." Justin did
his best to keep his voice calm. "Brian and I…"
"Oh God, here it comes," Emmett
moaned.
"We know, Justin," Debbie
called. "You can stay with me if you need a place."
"For fuck's
sake!" Justin exploded
again. "Close your mouths and open your ears. For once
in your fucking lives listen without drawing conclusions before I'm done."
Everyone looked rather sheepish at
Justin's outburst. They sat quietly waiting for Justin to explain.
"Brian and I," Justin began
again, "are well aware of some of the rumors that have been circulating
about us and about Hunter and John and Bobby."
There were some knowing nods from various
people but no one opened their mouth.
"To say the least we are very
disappointed that our friends and family would think those things."
Debbie opened her mouth to protest but
Carl squeezed her hand so hard she gasped instead.
Justin was standing beside his easel which
had a cloth covering what it held. He reached for the cloth and threw back the
cover revealing the sketch of Brian and his dick that Justin had done for the
show at the GLC all those years ago. Some people gasped, a couple snickered and
a few smiled.
"I see some of you remember this
sketch. That was how I saw Brian at first. This compellingly
handsome, extremely sexy, enigmatic man." They all stared at the
sketch and a few people said, "Yeah."
Michael stared remembering the old days
when that had been Brian to a tee. He was in bed with an erect dick and eyes
hazy from drugs, just the way Brian Kinney was supposed to be. Sex personified.
Michael felt Ben squeeze his leg and he looked at his husband like a stranger.
He had gone to another place and time.
"Michael, that's not Brian
anymore," Ben said gently.
Michael shook his head and Ben wasn't sure
if it was denial of that fact or finally some acceptance that what Ben had said
was right.
"I was definitely in lust,"
Justin said as a few chuckles were heard. "I became the trick who wouldn't
go away, as some of you liked to call me." Justin looked at Brian who
smiled lovingly at his husband. Justin refused to look at Michael. "But
gradually things changed and I want you to see that. It's all recorded in my
sketches. Look and learn."
Justin began by lifting away the dick
sketch. Underneath was a sketch of Brian's head showing the arrogance and power
of the man. It was mounted on a background to hold it
flat as were all the ones underneath it. Justin waited till they'd all had a
good look then lifted it away to reveal a sketch of Brian and Gus taken from
the photo that Michael had shot that night at the hospital when Gus was born.
There were a few "aahs" before Justin
lifted it away. Next was another sketch of Brian holding out his arms waiting
for someone to walk into them. Only Justin knew that
Brian was waiting for him that day that he had walked on
Justin continued through the sketches that
chronicled their lives. There were some of him and Brian, several of Gus and
Brian, a few with the people in the room including a couple with John and Bobby
on their trip. The second last sketch was Brian and Justin holding the newborn Briana. Their love for each other and the baby was written
all over their faces.
The last sketch was Brian and Briana digging in the garden. It had been made yesterday
when Justin had found them outside puttering with the fall flowers. Brian's
hand held Bree's waist as she leaned over crushing a
clod of dirt in her little hand. Brian was looking up at someone or something,
love shining out from his handsome face.
"Who do you think Brian is looking at
in that last sketch?" Justin asked defiantly. If they didn't get it now,
they never would.
"You," several people whispered.
"Me!" Justin stated. "Brian
and I love each other. We always have since we met and we always will,"
Justin added looking defiantly at Michael and deliberately using those words.
"I know we've had rough patches and have split up in the past, but I don't
understand why so many of you continue to doubt us to this day. But it stops …
now! We are not breaking up. We are not fucking around on each other, like
Brian would have to pay for it," Justin snorted at the absurd idea and
glared at Michael. "We are not corrupting Hunter. He has already started a
new job in
Justin stopped there looking around the
room. He saw a lot of sheepish looking people and some defiant glares coming
from Claire and John and Bobby.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart,"
Jennifer said. "I should never have listened to rumors. I'm so glad
everything is all right between you and Brian."
"It's never been better," Justin
said giving her a kiss.
"I'm sorry I doubted you guys,"
Emmett said tearily leaning his head on Drew's shoulder.
Justin cleared his throat. It seemed like
he had made his point. "You may have noticed that there are quite a few
sketches that I chose to show you, but I have thousands more that chronicle my
life with Brian. I want you each to take one of these and if you ever doubt us
again, look long and hard at the sketch, and then fucking ask us about whatever's
bothering you."
"Can I have the dick one?"
Hunter asked with a grin."
Everyone laughed and the tension was
broken.
"No, Hunter," Justin said
holding that sketch against his chest. "That's the only one that you can't
have. Neither can anyone else."
Hunter grinned and nodded. They all
started talking to each other with people gradually coming up to say they were
sorry and give Brian and Justin a hug. Many also apologized to John and Bobby.
A few started to select their sketch each appreciating that they were getting
an original Justin Taylor.
"Ladies and queens, oh and Carl and
Steve, of course," Brian said loudly. He glanced at Carl who gave him a
thumb's up. "This has been the Justin Taylor show and I think he has done
admirably in making his point. I hope to fuck you all get it now. We have
coffee and muffins and fresh fruit for those of you who still consider yourself
our friends and would like to stay. Go see Claire in the kitchen if you would
break bread with us."
Many people headed for the kitchen glad to
seemingly be back on good terms with Brian and Justin. Justin was talking to
his mother and Brian watched as she selected the sketch of him and Bree in the garden. That surprised him because he thought
she would want the one of the three of them which of course included her son.
"Why that one,
Jennifer?" Brian
asked.
"If I ever again doubt that you love
my son, all I have to do is look at this sketch and I'll know," she said
as she smiled at him.
"I hope you never doubt it, because I
do love him."
"I know," she said softly as she
headed for the kitchen.
"Kinney, you are a fucking ass!"
Melanie berated him.
"Do tell," he replied with a
smirk.
"Why didn't you tell me what you were
up to?"
"You mean in the split second between
when you stopped talking and your hand connected with my face?"
"Yeah," she said.
"I hope this means you will drop your
attempts to keep Gus away from me."
"I have to or I won't be getting any
into the next millennium."
"Ew, way too much information!"
"You're lucky all I'm doing is
grossing you out," Melanie laughed as she walked away.
"Brian," Michael said. Brian
turned and looked at his old friend. "Why didn't you tell me what you were
doing at the bathhouse?" he accused.
"Michael, I'm under no obligation to
tell you everything I do in my life. I would be much happier if no one knew I
was even connected with this clinic."
"But when I saw you in the alley
giving money to a hustler…"
"You jumped to all the wrong
conclusions and started spreading these vicious lies."
"I didn't mean them to be…"
Michael said pathetically.
"I'm not the old Brian anymore. When
are you going to learn that?"
"That's what Ben said."
"Ben's a very wise man. Maybe you
should start listening to him," Brian said gently. If only Michael could
grow up.
"I'll try."
"Good, then go get some coffee and
choose your sketch wisely."
"Wisely, what do you mean?"
"Nothing, Michael, just get some
coffee." Brian shook his head as Michael walked away.
"Asshole!" Debbie said stepping up beside Brian and giving him a
gentle swat upside his ear.
"You rang?" Brian retorted
although his voice held little humor.
"I'm sorry I didn't have more faith
in you, Brian."
"You remember me as a teenager, a bit
like your son does. I'm a different person now."
"I think that became very clear
today. Forgive me?"
"Always."
As Brian gave Debbie a hug he watched Ben
and Michael looking through the remaining sketches. They seemed to have
narrowed it down to the one when Gus was born, the one of arrogant Brian and
the one with him and Justin and newborn Bree. Brian
held his breath. This selection would tell so much. If Michael picked the one
at Gus' birth that might mean he had realized that Brian was now a family man.
If he picked the one of him, Justin and Bree, that
would show acceptance of Brian's family life and his husband. Brian released
Debbie who turned to watch too. They each took a breath as Michael looked
carefully at each sketch. Finally he reached down and selected the arrogant
Brian.
Brian and Debbie both groaned. "He
still doesn't get it. Perpetually stuck in the past," Brian said sadly.
Debbie replied, "I don't think he
ever will get it."
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As New