Blasts From the Past

Chapter 8

Leda stretched then followed her nose out to the kitchen where she found Brian helping himself to his second cup of coffee.

“Coffee?” he asked.

“Please,” Leda replied then watched as he poured a large mug of the hot brew. Brian pointed to the fridge and sugar, indicating that Leda should help herself, which she did. After a few sips of the caffeine in a cup, she was able to formulate complete sentences.

“Are we the only ones up?”

“No. John is up chopping wood and rearranging the cords of woods for the winter. Patrick’s with him.”

“It’s still summer,” Leda stated the obvious.

“Yes, but winter settles here fast and tends to last long. He likes to be prepared.”

“I bet he was a boy scout.”

“You’d win that bet.”

“And Patrick? Why is he up with the birds?”

“He takes after his daddy.”

“All that red hair. I can’t believe Patrick’s not Bobby’s son.”

“He is Bobby’s son.”

“You know what I mean. He’s not his biological son.”

“He’s the closest thing to it.”

“Bobby’s sister must be some very special lady.”

“She is. The best and a good friend to all of us, especially Bree.”

“Oh really. How?”

“Sometimes, Miss Briana needs a woman’s touch. Rachel and her girls have been positive female role models for her.”

“Think Bree will be a lesbian?” Leda asked boldly. Brian nearly spewed coffee across the counter. “What? Don’t tell me that thought hasn’t crossed your mind. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gus turned out gay.”

“Gus is gay; however, Bree is destined to be het.”

“You know this for sure.”

“Yeah, I do. But enough of my kids’ sexual orientations. I left the boards out here last night. Why don’t you take them into the sun porch? There should be a few easels you can use in the corner by the small sink. You can see them better in the light. I have breakfast to make.”

“Please don’t tell me that you can cook.”

“I can cook,” Brian deadpanned.

“Un-fucking-believable.”

“Hey, do you think it’s easy having breakfast delivered out here? It was borne out of necessity.” Brian deftly took out pans and platters. Then started taking out the fixings for omelets.

“Okay, now I’ve seen everything,” Leda teased.

“Nah, wait till you see me grilling!” Brian said proudly. Leda took the boards then fled to the safety of the porch.

“Good morning,” John announced as he came through the porch door. Patrick remained outside.

“Where’s your son?” Leda asked.

“Admiring your bike. I have to say, it’s quite a beauty.”

“Thank you. You ride?”

“I did, in my wayward youth,” John said with a chuckle.

“I’m sorry I can’t imagine you being very wayward,” Leda laughed along with him.

“I had my moments. But that was a very long time ago. I do, however, recognize your unique design. A hybrid, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Not many people would notice that.”

“I’m a builder. However, my curiosity regarding the way things are put together isn’t limited to bricks, mortar and wood. I’ve always tinkered with machines.”

“Makes you a handy guy to have around.”

“So my brother-in-law would have you believe,” Bobby said as he came into the porch carrying a basket of Emmett’s muffins. They had a supply in the freezer just waiting to be defrosted. John smiled lovingly at his rumpled, complete with bed head, beautiful spouse.

Leda shook her head. The Kinney men had it bad for their partners.

“Where is the old man?” Bobby said as he placed the basket on the table then gave his mate a kiss.

“Making breakfast,” John answered nonchalantly.

“He must have coffee out there,” Bobby mumbled then made a beeline for the Kinney-Taylor half of the cottage. John laughed.

“Can’t you people learn to make your own coffee?” they heard Brian curse and grumble. “Damned red-heads think they own the place,” Brian groused.

“Shut up, Kinney, before I sic Justin on you, now pour me the fucking coffee,” Bobby quickly countered.

John ignored the mock fight as he offered a muffin to their guest.

“So you’ve hired Kinnetik to advertise your motorcycles.”

“Yes, at least I’m hoping they’ll sell,” Leda answered as she broke one of the huge muffins in half. “My company has been profitable so far but I’ve sunk a lot of my personal fortune into this design. So far they’ve exceeded my expectations but that doesn’t mean squat if I can’t find a market for them.”

“I’m sure Brian will work his miracles.”

“You have faith in him.”

“Yes, I do. He has never let any one of us down.”

A loud, “Dada,” was heard then a slamming of a door. “Dada, I found you!” Bree cried out with a giggle.

“I didn’t know I was lost, Squirt. Can you bring out the silverware then wake up your Daddy. Breakfast is almost ready.”

“‘Kay, Dada!” the little voice was heard to say as Brian and Bobby brought in breakfast and the plates to serve it on. Patrick came in as a very sleepy Sunshine with a strawberry blond pixie riding his back, joined them at the table.

“Morning, Sunshine,” Brian said cheerfully as he slid of mug of Justin’s favorite tea in front of him.

“You’re all way too cheerful this morning,” Justin quipped.

“You’ll feel better after breakfast,” Brian reassured him. “Breakfast is served, dig in everyone,” Brian declared then he gave his husband his good morning kiss.

 

*****
 

“So what do you think?” Brian asked. The breakfast dishes had been cleared. The children were out by the stream with Bobby and Justin. Leda was studying the boards and making phone calls. John had just come back from a test drive.

“It’s a smooth ride,” John said with admiration.

“Think your average biker bear will buy one?”

“I don’t know. But if I was still riding, I’d buy one like this.”

“Why?”

“Because from an energy point of view, it’s a responsible machine. It’s also esthetically pleasing.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, it doesn’t look gay,” John said closing his eyes, waiting for his brother to punch his lights out. When said punch didn’t occur, John opened his eyes.

“That’s what I thought.”

“What?”

“John, the second I saw the bike in person I thought, shit, a Hell’s Angel would love to wrap his thighs around it. Wouldn’t mind wrapping my thighs around one too.”

“The bike?” John said getting off and offering the keys to Brian.

“No, the biker.” Before John could protest, Brian recanted. “Just kidding, but you see my point. Leda wants to push this bike to the dykes.”

“Oh you’ve got to be shitting me.”

“No. I’m not saying it’s a bad idea. I’ve been to enough Pride parades to know those dykes love all that power between their legs. I swear they have penis envy.”

“Brian, you’re going to get yourself in trouble.”

“I know so don’t rat me out. Just hear me out for a minute.” John nodded then sat back on the bike as Brian paced the lane in front of him. “Leda wants to hawk this sex on two wheels to the LGBT community and I agree. There’s a lot of disposable cash in our community, and a lot of foolhardy people that want to spend that cash on a motorcycle.”

“Brian, with proper training, a bike can be ridden safely.”

“Yeah, yeah, says the man who drives a Navigator. My point is that I have no objection to running a campaign to attract the gay consumer. I just think I ought to go after the het one first. But how do I convince the dyke from hell.”

“I thought Melanie was the dyke from hell,” John said.

“Where do you think Mel learned it from?”

Just then Leda walked out the front door to join them. “So what do you think?” she asked John.

“Very impressive machine. It’s got that big rumble men go for, yet easier on your wallet and it’s good on the environment. As I told Brian, if I was still riding, I’d buy one.”

“That’s what I was hoping to hear.” Leda turned to address Brian. “I like the boards and the slogan but they’re not what I expected.”

“I know.”

“I saw biker bimbos with fake tits that could be used as flotation devices. That’s not what I asked for.”

“Leda, think it through. I fully intend to market to the gay community and when I do the ads will be as provocative as you expect they’ll be. But for the first leg of the campaign I recommend we hit the traditional motorcyclist. And that means a big macho straight dude with his biker bimbo hanging on for dear life.”

“That’s not what I want, Kinney, and if you won’t give it to me then I’ll have to look for a company that will. I have a lot riding on this.”

“I know that Leda. Look, let me prove it to you.”

“How?”

“I have Kinnetik setting up demonstration shows at various malls. We’ll take surveys then tabulate the results. If I’m wrong then we’ll do it your way, but if I’m right, you won’t be able to keep up with the orders. Daytona’s bike week next year will feature Lethal Bikes. And at next year’s Pride parade, the dykes will all be riding this,” Brian said as he pointed to the big black machine.

“I’ll have to think about it,” Leda said as she turned with a huff to go back into the house.

“I’m right, I know I’m right,” Brian mumbled to himself. He turned then sprinted down the lane.

John looked toward his brother then at the front door of the cottage. He shook his head then headed for the serenity of the stream.

 

*****
 

Leda marched into the kitchen. She wanted a nice stiff drink, but they had polished off the bottle of scotch last night, and she didn’t want to go rummaging through Brian’s cabinets to try to find more. She knew the customers for her motorcycles. This latest bike was going to be marketed to dykes; that’s what she had decided right from the outset. Who was fucking Brian Kinney to tell her otherwise? No macho straight assholes were going to want to ride a bike that was a hybrid. It was too sissy for that type of mentality. She knew she was right.

She grabbed a mug out of the kitchen cupboard and poured herself a coffee. That would have to do.

“Fucking asshole!” she muttered.

“Only my Dada says words like that around here,” a voice told her.

Leda nearly jumped out of her skin. She whirled around and saw Bree sitting at the kitchen table with a grey bunny clutched to her chest. “How long have you been there?” Leda asked.

“I live here,” Bree said with a frown.

Leda laughed in spite of herself. “I know you do. I just didn’t see you when I came in.”

“I know. You were mad. Are you still mad?”

“Yes, at your Dada,” Leda admitted.

Bree frowned and stared at the woman. Nobody should be mad at her Dada. “My Dada is the bestest,” Bree declared.

“That’s what I thought too, but now…”

“Did my Dada do something wrong?” Bree asked warily.

“I don’t like what he’s doing with my advertising campaign,” Leda replied, wondering why on earth she was discussing this with a six year old.

“My Dada knows everything about advertising,” Bree stated, making sure all her words were clear and correctly pronounced.

“Or so he’d have you believe,” Leda said sarcastically.

“He knows everything,” Bree repeated firmly.

Leda decided she should not be arguing with the little girl. She was still a guest in their house, even if she was pissed at Brian. Maybe she should just get on her bike and ride away. She drew in a deep breath. This was one of the things she had tried to train herself about over the years. She had a tendency to jump to conclusions, and then fly off the handle if things didn’t go the way she wanted, and that usually got her in trouble. She willed herself to calm down.

“Nice bunny,” she said to Bree after a minute, hoping the change of direction would work with the little girl.

“I love my bunny,” Bree replied hugging the soft stuffed animal against her chest.

“Do you think Bunny would give me a hug? I think I could use one.”

Bree extended the bunny towards the strange woman who stood in their kitchen. “Bunny hugs anybody who wants a hug.”

Leda smiled as she walked over and took the bunny. She squeezed it against her chest, and suddenly felt a little better. “Your bunny is magic,” Leda chuckled.

“I know,” Bree said smugly.

“And what are you two ladies doing in the kitchen?” Justin asked as he came out of his bedroom.

“She’s mad at my Dada,” Bree said pointing at Leda.

“She is, huh?” Justin asked. He wondered what had happened. “Bree, why don’t you go outside and play while I talk to Leda.”

“Okay,” Bree said holding out her hand for her bunny. Leda gave it back to her. “I’m going to the Wendy house, Daddy.” She started towards the sun porch. Then like an afterthought she turned around and said to Leda, “I’ll show it to you later … if you want.”

Leda raised an eyebrow. That was unexpected. So had been sharing Bree’s bunny. “I’d like that,” she said before Bree disappeared.

Justin poured himself a mug of coffee and topped up Leda’s. “Let’s sit in the sun porch and you can tell me what happened.”

Leda followed him out to the porch. They got situated on side by side chaises.

“So, what did Brian do?”

Leda heaved a sigh. “I shouldn’t let myself get so worked up. I upset Bree.”

“Tell me what happened,” Justin said calmly. Bree didn’t seem upset to him, or she wouldn’t have offered to take Leda to the Wendy house. That was reserved for people Bree approved of. Leda must have done something right.

“When I started production of this new motorcycle, I decided it was going to be for dykes … like me,” Leda explained, surprised at how calm her voice sounded now. “Brian wants to market it to straight men first.”

“And the problem with that…?”

“It … it’s not what I wanted to do,” Leda said knowing how pathetic that sounded.

Justin laughed, not loudly, but enough to let Leda know that she did sound ridiculous. “If there’s one thing I know, it’s that Brian is very rarely wrong in anything he does in advertising. He must have a reason for wanting to take that direction.”

“He thinks men will like the bike.”

“Then doesn’t that double or triple your potential market? That sounds like a good thing.”

“If he’s right,” Leda replied icily. “If he’s wrong, men won’t buy the bike and women will follow suit. I think we should go at it the other way around.”

“Dykes first?”

“Yeah.”

“And if you do, how many men will want to buy the ‘Dyke Bike’?” Justin made air quotes.

Leda sighed mightily. “None,” she admitted.

“Then I think Brian’s got it right,” Justin told her.

“And if he doesn’t…?”

“Isn’t he going to test the market first?” Justin asked knowledgeably.

Leda nodded grudgingly. “John liked it, and Brian wants to hold some demonstration shows at various malls.”

“Then what are you worrying about?”

“I don’t like to be contradicted,” Leda stated.

“Even if you’re wrong?” Justin asked pointedly.

“Even if.”

“Come with me,” Justin said standing up and setting his coffee mug aside.

“Where are we going?” Leda asked as she also stood.

“To one of the best things about Edna’s Treasures. It’s a place of harmony and tranquility. It will restore your good humor.”

“Guaranteed?”

“Guaranteed,” Justin said as he led Leda outside and down the path to the stream.

 

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