Chapter 14

Day 9


"So what do you think?" Brian asked as John came up from the basement.

John shook his head. "It's a mess, and as old as the hills."

Brian sighed. "What do you recommend?"

"Replace it all."

Brian had expected that. "How long will it take?"

"If I get Aaron to start this afternoon, we might be able to have it all up and running before the girls get back."

"Then make it so," Brian said in his best Jean Luc Picard voice.

John smiled. These renovations were going to cost Brian a pretty penny, but he seemed oblivious to the expense. All he wanted to do was make sure that everything was working properly and safely for his son and the girls. John knew Brian had a lot of money, but it was people who always took the forefront in Brian's mind … and heart.

"I'll get started right away," John said.

"Thanks, big bro'," Brian replied with a squeeze to John's shoulder. "Thank the gods that you're here to help."

"You can always count on me," John said sincerely.

"I know, and I seem to be counting on you more and more lately."

"That's what brothers are for."

"Yeah," Brian agreed with a smile.

"Uncle Brian?" a little voice said from behind them.

"Yes, little missy, what can I do for you?"

"I need to talk to you … alone," JR said.

"I should go talk to the electrician and then head to the store for supplies," John told his brother. He quickly left the room.

"Sit down, Jenny Rebecca," Brian said. He walked over to the counter where he had left his coffee cup that he had picked up at Starbucks on the way into Pittsburgh. It was still warm, but not nearly as hot as he would have liked it. Ordinarily he would have zapped the remaining coffee in the microwave, but it was sitting charred and useless on the counter.

"I did something bad," JR began.

"You did?" Brian asked as he joined her at the kitchen table.

JR looked at the microwave. "I only wanted some of Grandma Debbie's lasagna, but I forgot it was in a metal pan. I wrecked the microwave," she admitted dejectedly.

"It can be replaced," Brian said gently. "You must have forgotten about not putting metal in the microwave, right?" Brian asked hoping to give her an out and not make her feel any worse than she looked.

JR shook her head. "I was in a hurry. I should have been more careful."

Brian studied the worried little face. He remembered what it was like when he was a kid and broke a dish or scratched the furniture. They didn't have a microwave back then, but he could imagine what Jack or Joan would have done to him if he had ruined it like JR had done with this one.

"A microwave can be replaced, people can't," Brian stated. "Thank goodness everyone is all right."

JR's eyes welled up with tears. "It could have started a bad fire … and it's all my fault."

"Accidents happen. Just think about this when you go to use the microwave in the future," Brian cautioned.

"I'm never using the microwave again," JR announced solemnly as a tear ran down her cheek.

Brian tried not to smile. "I think your mothers may want you to help them in the kitchen as you get older."

"No they won't," JR said quickly. "They won't let me do anything when they find out."

Brian frowned. "How would you like to come with me and we'll replace this old thing with something much better," Brian tasked cocking his head towards the charred appliance on the counter.

"Can we take it out of here?" JR asked. "I don't like looking at it."

"Is your garbage day soon?" Brian inquired.

JR nodded. "Tomorrow."

"Then let's take this out to the curb, and they'll take it away tomorrow."

"Okay," JR said perking up a little.

"I'll carry it. You grab the cord and follow me," Brian explained hoping that having JR help him remove the source of her anxiety might make the little girl feel better.

Brian hefted the microwave into his arms and together they lugged it out to the curb. He gave his hands a rub to get rid of the charred marks from the burned appliance. He watched JR do the same thing. It made him smile.

"Now, let's go tell Grandpa Danny that we're going to the store to buy a new microwave. You can help me pick it out."

"Can I?" JR asked, her enthusiasm returning. "Can we get one that spins the food around?"

"I think we might be able to do that."

JR's smile disappeared. "But the Moms are going to know that we got a new microwave and then they'll blame me," she said sadly.

"Let your father handle the Moms," Brian said slowly remembering that Michael had volunteered to tell the Munchers about all the repairs. He'd have to let Michael know that there was a whole new set of things to add to his list.

"He will?"

"He said he would," Brian told her. "Now let's go shopping!"

Brian and JR followed John to the local hardware store. As John picked out the items he would need to finish off the girls' repairs, Brian and JR were on the hunt for a new microwave.

"Oooo! Look at this one!" Brian exclaimed then hung his head in embarrassment when he realized he sounded way too much like a certain tall queenie party planner. He composed himself as he perused the manual for the appliance.

"No, Uncle Brian," JR said reasonably.

"No?" No, was not something Brian Kinney was used to hearing, especially from a child, a female child at that. "What's wrong with it? It's big, I love the chrome and it can do practically everything." Brian pointed out the features on the super deluxe model.

"I thought the point of replacing things with similar appliances was so the Moms wouldn't go ballistic. That monster will stand out like a sore thumb. Besides, we really only use it to reheat things and to make popcorn." Brian nodded in agreement and silently applauded the girl's practicality.

"So what do you suggest, oh wise one?"

"Look at this one." JR pointed to the same brand as the microwave that went ka-blewy. The outside was the same color, same size, however it had a rotating glass dish so that the food would heat evenly. "It's almost the same thing just upgraded."

"Like Uncle John upgraded the furnace and water heater."

"Yup," JR smiled proudly.

"When did you get to be so grown up?" Brian asked as he motioned for a sales person then pointed at the model they had chosen.

"Live with a lawyer...," JR said with a shrug of her shoulders.

By the time they all got back to the house, Aaron, the electrician had already begun the process of switching over the fuse box to breakers. He was also able to rewire the side of the house that went dark. Gus was eternally grateful to be back online.

As Aaron temporarily shut down different parts of the house, John took that opportunity to replace the old worn out wall switches and outlets. It had bothered John when they were repairing the shower faucet, that there were no safety outlets. So replacing the old outlets was high on his list.

By eight o'clock both men called it quits. John decided to stay at the loft overnight to get an early start. He'd meet Aaron at the house by eight in the morning.

 

*****

 

At Edna's Treasures, Briana was already asleep for the night. Bobby was reviewing Patrick's homework assignments and Brian was up in his attic office having a heated yet satisfying conversation with Stacey at N'rgy.

Justin was having his own heated conversation with Michael regarding the next issue of Rage.

"No! No! No!"

"Why not?"

"We've already had you sucking him off on a cover. We're not going to do that again!"

"For the record, that was not ME sucking him off, that was JT sucking off Rage to thaw him out!"

"Oh fuck off, Justin! It was you and you know it. Rage has changed; he's grown up. He doesn't save Gayopolis one fuck at a time anymore."

"Since when? In the last issue you had him flying off to 'Fuckville' where he could only save JT by fucking the prison guards...all one hundred of them, Michael! What the fuck was that?"

"He had a relapse. Rage was challenged to a duel."

"A duel! Michael, you're an ass."

"If I'm an ass what does that make you? You're the one who wants to put Rage fucking JT on the next cover. I won't allow it."

"You won't allow it? Then I quit!"

"Oh yeah? Well I quit too!" Justin and Michael slammed down their respective phones at the same time.

"Trouble in Fuckville?" Brian couldn't help but overhear the shouting, as he leaned over the rail to peer down at his fuming partner.

"He's a fucking asshole," Justin grumbled.

"Maybe, but he has a point."

"What! I knew you'd take his side; you always take Michael's side. It's a wonder why you married me and not him!" Justin shouted up at his partner.

"Whoa there, Sonny Boy," Brian started as he came down the spiral staircase. "First of all, I am NOT taking sides, his or yours. Rage has nothing to do with me. You two started it and you two can finish it for all I care. But think about it from his point of view. You two did do a wedding issue and other than the challenge in the last issue, Rage has been pretty faithful to JT. Rage and JT have grown up. They've changed with the times, taken on the political machine and drug companies. Does the next cover really need to have JT's lily white ass plowed by Rage on it? Think about it, Jus. And I need some coffee." Brian gave Justin some space to let what he had said sink into the blond brain.

"Can you put the tea kettle on for me, Bri?" Justin asked calmly as Brian walked toward the kitchen. He stopped to check on Bree to make sure the shouting didn't wake and frighten her. Seeing his princess fast asleep, Brian continued toward the kitchen.

When the kettle began to whistle, Justin came into the kitchen.

"Maybe you're right," Justin said softly as he filled his mug to make his tea.

"I've been known to be right, on occasion," Brian quipped as he sipped his coffee.

"So how do I fix it with Michael?"

"Let me ask you something first," Brian put his coffee on the counter. Taking Justin's mug and placing it on the counter too, he drew Justin into his arms. "You and Michael have been collaborating on Rage for what, fourteen years now?"

"Something like that."

"Maybe it's time to pass the baton."

"I don't understand."

"You don't need JT anymore. For that matter, you don't need Rage."

"Brian, I'll always need you."

"And I'll always need you, but I'm not Rage. Yes, you based him on what you think I should have been back then or maybe what you two hopeless and misplaced hero worshipers thought I should be, but Rage is not me. You're an established artist, Justin, and in the middle of preparing for a new show. Do you really have the time to do Rage and JT justice?"

"But who would...?"

"Who's been following in your footsteps? Who have you been grooming for some time now and who is a fucking good artist?"

"Lacy?"

"Yes," Brian whispered into the blond's ear. "She has that same raw edge to her drawings as a certain young blond artist that I know. And she'll give the comic a fresh perspective."

"Because she's a girl?"

"Maybe, but I was thinking because she was on the street. Rage speaks for her and others like her. She knows what it's like to be ignored, shunned and abused. And she still remembers."

"Are you saying I don't remember the bashing?" Brian held Justin tighter, leaning his back against the counter so that Justin could fit in between Brian's long legs.

"No, I know you remember and so do I. I can never forget, but it was another lifetime ago. It helped to shape the man you've become and now it's time to let it go."

"What if I can't give it up completely?" Justin whispered into the strong chest of his spouse.

"Then don't. Be Lacy's mentor, ease out slowly. She's going to resist the suggestion because she has little confidence in her ability, in spite of what her professors have been telling her. And let's not forget Michael; he won't be too thrilled with the idea."

"He's never really liked Lacy but then again he's never really liked me. I think he's still waiting for me to leave you."

"You wouldn't dare. I'm still the best fuck you'll ever have."

"Mmm. Modest too." Looking up into the hazel eyes of his lover, Justin asked, "Do you really think this will work?"

"Yeah, I do. It's worth a shot. So, you'll call him?"

"Yes, but not now. We both need to calm down. I'll call him tomorrow."

"Okay. Justin, whatever you decide, I'll support you. You do know that?"

"I know; I'm sorry I doubted you."

"I love Michael, I always will, but you come first with me. Above all others, you come first with me."

Justin reached up to kiss Brian. Their kiss so intense it left them dizzy and breathless.

"You so love me," Justin said with a sunny smile.

Brian returned the smile. "Yeah and let me show you how much," Brian purred as he led Justin to their bed to 'restore' order back to their corner of the world.

 

*****

 

"Lindz, did JR sound a little off to you when she said goodnight?" The girls had called home before going to bed to say goodnight to the kids.

"No, I don't think so."

"Maybe I should call them back."

"Mel, it's getting late and they wake up early for school. If anything was wrong Danny would have said."

"You're right. Besides, Michael would be screaming if something was wrong."

"Exactly. We have three days left, let's not spend them worrying about the kids when we know they're very well looked after," Lindsay wisely stated.

Melanie rolled onto her wise partner to make love to her.



 

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