Chapter 17

 

 

Day 11

Down in St. Augustine, the girls woke up early. It was their last full day in the quaint town and they wanted to spend it shopping for souvenirs for the whole family. They seemed to have turned the tide in their relationship. It wasn't perfect but each of them realized perfection wasn't the point. Doing things together as a family was the point. And treating each other with respect and having respect for the other's feelings.

This time they both donned comfortable sneakers, and ate one of Seamus' hearty breakfasts in preparation for their shopping spree.

Up in the Pitts, John and his electrician were already hard at work finishing up in the basement. The new breaker box was installed roughly in the same space as the old fuse box. Again with some sleight of hand, if no one pointed out the repair, you wouldn't have known there was a change. John also planned to instruct Gus and JR in regards to the circuit breakers, just in case one did flip off.

Danny was mentally preparing himself to go back to his simpler life as Grandpa and Comic Book store clerk. He loved his stint as full time nanny but that would come to an end when the girls came home. However, he promised himself to have the kids stay at his house for a weekend or two per month. He absolutely adored being with them and was missing them already.

Bobby took the kids to school, deciding to work late so that he could prepare for his long weekend with John. John would be home later that night then the two of them would head back to Pittsburgh in the morning, coming home on Monday afternoon. Brian noted that Bobby was whistling and wearing a sappy grin just thinking about his 'date' with his spouse.

Brian decided to work from home that day so that he could pick up the kids from school and indulge in his all time favorite pastime...Sunshine watching.

 

*****

 

"It's done!" Aaron called out proudly. John came down to the basement to inspect the work.

"You are truly a miracle worker. I could have sworn you'd still be at it tomorrow," John said as he patted the master electrician on the back. "I've been picking up a few more clients in the city. I will certainly be using you and your talented men when the job calls for it!"

"Thank you but I have to confess, it looks like someone was going to switch the lines over to breakers a long time ago. The prep work had been done."

"I wonder why they stopped?"

"Maybe during the sale of the house the current owners didn't insist on it or they got a better deal due to the antiquated system."

"Well, whatever the reason, it's done now. And you did a fantastic job." The two men cleaned up then John showed Aaron out.

"All done?" Danny asked as he came out of the kitchen wiping his hands on a dish towel. He had just put in a large ham to slow cook in the oven for the family's dinner Friday night. It was large enough so that the girls wouldn't have to cook the following evening when they got home.

"Yes, finally, and I hope nothing else breaks down," John responded.

"Bite your tongue. I just made a fresh pot of coffee. Join me while we wait for the kids to get home. They should be here soon."

"I'll go over the breakers with the kids before I head back home," John said as he sipped his coffee.

Things were looking up and John was anxious to get back home to get ready for his weekend with Bobby. But he had a special call to make first before he headed out.

 

*****

 

"Brian, you're staring at me again," Justin said as he wiped off his brush then stepped back a bit to look over his work.

"You have a problem with that, Sunshine?" Brian looked up over his latest copy of Vogue. He was lounging in the sun porch watching Justin paint. The sun was shining brightly.

"No, but aren't you supposed to be working? Don't you have clients to see or contracts to approve?"

"Been there, done that. I prefer my current avenue of study."

"And what, pray tell, is that?" As if Justin didn't know.

"I'm not sure if I can reveal the topic. It's a highly specialized course of study; I have devoted many years to it."

"Sounds impressive."

"Oh it is, very impressive and in many ways."

"Well, can you give me a little hint about the subject matter and why you have devoted years to its study?" Justin asked as he crossed the porch to climb onto Brian's lap. Brian put down his magazine, drawing the younger man closer, encircling him with his arms.

"The subject matter is very complicated," Brian drawled softly, feathering said subject on the nose with gentle kisses.

"Complicated?"

"Yes, he's like a lithe palm tree, very strong and yet flexible with the ability to bend in a strong wind."

"Flexible."

"Very. And yet, fragile in some ways. I always feel the need to protect him from all the bad in the world and sometimes from myself," Brian murmured into Justin's hair while nuzzling his lover's neck.

"And the why?" Justin tilted his head to allow his lover better access.

"The why is easy," Brian whispered as he nipped at Justin's neck then devoured Justin's full lips.

"W-why?" Justin stammered. Brian's kisses always took Justin's breath away.

"Because I sooo love him." Having the whole cottage to themselves, the lovers made love on the chaise in their sunny spot in the porch.

 

*****

 

"Mel, how the heck are we going to carry all this stuff?" Lindsay asked as they sat on a bench on St. George Street surrounded by all their purchases.

"I have no idea. I had a hard enough time pulling our luggage around." Melanie finally admitted that she did need help with their bags and it was foolish of her to have argued with Brian over them.

"Maybe Seamus has an idea," Lindsay suggested. "But first..." Lindsay got up, motioning for Melanie to stay seated with their bags.

"What?" Mel looked at her wife with curiosity.

"Ice cream!" Lindsay made a beeline for the nearest sweet shoppe as Melanie giggled with delight.

 

*****

 

"Emmett, can you arrange it?" John had stopped by Emmett's Place in hopes of catching the event planner before he went home for the evening.

"For you, anything, honey."

"Nothing gaudy, but very romantic. Here's a list of all his favorites."

"Got it, romantic and not a gaudy item in sight."

"You have the key? What am I saying, of course you have the key. Just don't wreck anything or Brian will have both our asses in a sling."

"Oooooo!" Emmett exclaimed, as he got the mental image.

"Focus, Emmett."

"Don't worry, honey, I'll treat the loft like the shrine it is. Have no fear."

"Okay, I'll leave it in your capable hands." John and Emmett shook hands then John took his leave.

 

*****

 

"Justin," Brian gently nudged his post coital, sleepy spouse.

"Hmm?"

"We have to get up. I have to pick up the kids and you have a date with Mikey."

"What?" Justin was now wide awake.

"Justin, you can't keep putting this off. Call Michael, kiss and make up then invite them to dinner or we can go there, but you have to tell him how you feel about your involvement in Rage."

Justin knew Brian was right. It was time to turn over the illustration part of Rage to a new artist. And it was time that Michael knew it.

"Okay, you go get the kids; I'll make up with Michael."

"Good boy," Brian said as he kissed Justin's temple then got ready to pick up the children from school.

 

*****

 

Justin drove into Pittsburgh. On the way he called Michael, asking if they could meet somewhere for dinner. He thought it might be better to meet in a public place. That might temper Michael's outburst when he heard what Justin was going to propose. The roads were good for the middle of winter and Justin had plenty of time to think as he drove.

Not only did he need to convince Michael that it would be better for him to have a new partner in Rage, but he would then have to convince Lacy that she was the right person for that job.

When he pulled up in front of the comic store, he felt his heart beating rapidly and his head was throbbing dully. He knew this was not going to be a picnic. Reluctantly he climbed out of the Jeep and headed for the store.

"Hey," he said as he entered.

"Hi, Justin," Michael replied with a smile.

Clueless as usual, Justin thought to himself. "Are you ready to go?"

"I … I thought maybe we could talk for a few minutes before we go," Michael said rather hesitantly.

"Sure," Justin replied with a frown. He wondered what Michael wanted to talk about.

"I've been thinking about Rage," Michael began.

"So have I."

"Oh? Maybe we're on the same wavelength," Michael joked.

"Maybe," Justin said, but he hardly thought so.

"I think we should do a blizzard edition kind of loosely based on what happened at your place over Christmas."

"Really?" Justin asked. This wasn't at all what he had been expecting.

"I have some great ideas of how Rage will save everybody. It'll be worse than the blizzard we lived through, but Rage will save the day, just like Brian did."

"Yeah," Justin said thoughtfully. "I guess that could work." The wheels were already turning in his head. "It could be the blizzard of the century. The homos could be trapped on the highway or snowed in without food. It could work."

"Just what I thought. We do work well together."

"Actually that's what I wanted to talk to you about," Justin said, deciding to take the opportunity to broach his proposal.

"You did? What did you want to say?"

"I'm really busy with the new Seasons show I'm working on. I hope you won't take this the wrong way, but I feel it's time for you to work with someone else on Rage."

Michael's face showed a flash of confusion and then a glimmer of realization. "You know," he said slowly, "I've been wondering when you were going to bail on me. A world famous artist like you doesn't need to be working on some pathetic comic book."

"Michael…"

"It's okay. I've reconciled myself to the fact that this might happen."

"You don't sound all right with it."

"I will be. I'm just really sad that we won't work together anymore. I guess this is the end of Rage."

"It doesn't have to be," Justin said quickly.

"What do you mean? You know I can't draw worth shit."

"I have someone in mind who might like to work on Rage with you."

Michael frowned. "Someone that you're foisting me off on? I don't think so."

"It's nothing like that," Justin told him. "I was thinking about Lacy. You've seen her work. She's really very good, and her style is a lot like the style we've used with Rage."

"But, Lacy's a girl."

"So?"

"Rage and Zephyr and JT are men. How's Lacy going to do them justice?"

"They're gay men, and Lacy's a lesbian. I don't see the problem."

Michael shook his head. "You wouldn't."

"Look, Michael, I really don't think I can continue to draw Rage. I think Lacy's the perfect answer. This way the comic can continue. It has a very loyal following. I would hate to see it end. At least give Lacy a try."

"I don't know."

"I'm sure it will work, if I can convince Lacy to do it."

"She doesn't know you're proposing this?"

"No, I didn't want to get her hopes up until I knew if you'd be okay with it."

"What choice do I have?"

"If Lacy doesn't work out, we can try to find someone else," Justin suggested.

"It won't be the same," Michael mumbled.

"Lacy will do a good job. I know she will. I'll help with the first edition you two work on together. I can make sure the comic looks much the same as it always has. After that you and Lacy will be on your own."

"Can I still bounce ideas off you?"

Justin smiled. "Only if you let me suggest an idea when it occurs to me."

"Deal," Michael said extending his hand.

"That's great, Michael. I'm glad we could work this out."

"Me too. I still have misgivings about Lacy, but I can work with her and see what happens."

Justin nodded in agreement. "Now let me treat you to dinner. We can toast to the continuation of the Rage legend and to a whole new future for the comic."

"Okay," Michael said a little sadly. "Just let me close up the shop."

Justin watched Michael check his cash and get ready to shut the store. This hadn't been as bad as he had expected. He had been sure there would be a full scale queen out. Instead he just had to talk to Lacy and get the other half of the equation on board. Maybe things would work out for once.

 

*****

 

"Did you enjoy the lasagna?" Danny asked.

"It was great, Danny," Gus replied.

"I liked it a lot," JR stated. "It's almost as good as Grandma Debbie's."

"Thanks, I think," Danny quipped, as he cleared away the dishes from dinner.

"What are we going to say to the Moms when they come home tomorrow?" Gus asked.

"We act like nothing happened."

"I'm sure they'll figure it out."

"Michael's picking them up from the airport. He's going to lay the groundwork for what was done to the house. I'm sure they'll be fine with it. Who wouldn't like a whole houseful of free renovations?" Danny asked innocently.

"Mama Mel!" Gus and JR said together.

"Oh,yeah. I guess I forgot for a moment who we're dealing with."

"So, I think we need to decide what we're going to say when they find out. Mama will blow a gasket when she finds out that Uncle Brian paid for everything," JR said knowledgeably.

Gus nodded his head. "Mama and Pop have never got along," he explained.

"Why do you think that is?" Danny asked.

"They're too much alike in some ways and too different in others. They always rub each other the wrong way," Gus expounded.

"Hm," Danny said.

"Mama doesn't like that Uncle Brian has so much money and we don't," JR threw in. Gus gave her a look.

"So, when she finds out that all the home improvements are courtesy of said Uncle Brian, the shit will hit the fan so to speak. Pardon my French."

JR giggled at her silly grandpa. "Mama will not be happy."

"I will be safely ensconced in my own home by then," Danny said smugly.

"You're going to leave us here all by ourselves … to face her alone?" JR asked with a pouty look on her face.

"Once they're home, I go home too. If they haven't figured out that anything's different then I can't be held responsible," Danny explained as though this was the gospel truth.

"Don't forget Mama's a lawyer. She could punch a million holes in that argument," Gus told the older man.

"Hm," Danny repeated. "I don't think we can plan anything that will cover all the contingencies of what might happen. We'll just have to play it by ear."

"Maybe we could move in with you for a month or two," Gus suggested tongue in cheek like his father.

JR nodded. "That's a good idea, Gus. We'd be safer over there."

"It's Pop who may have to leave the country," Gus laughed.

"Good Lord! Who knew that fixing a few things around here could be such a big deal?" Danny asked. "I had no idea of the hornet's nest that I was stepping into."

JR and Gus merely shook their heads. They'd had lots of experience with the hornet that was their Mama.

 

*****

 

"Let's turn in early," Melanie suggested as she and Lindsay came out of the Ale House Restaurant after dinner.

"I could go for that," Lindsay agreed. They started walking back towards the B & B.

"We can get up in good time tomorrow, get packed and on the road to the airport. I'm glad Seamus suggested sending all our purchases by FedEx."

"Yeah, apparently Brian did the same thing when he and Justin were down here."

Melanie shook her head. It always came back to Brian Kinney. But she had learned her lesson during the time they were in St. Augustine. She bit her tongue and didn't make the wisecrack about Brian that had been so close to coming out of her mouth. Instead she took Lindsay's hand and they walked along side by side.

"I think this vacation has been really good for us," Lindsay said with a smile.

"Me too. We should call it 'Educating Melanie'." Melanie made quotation marks with her fingers. "I'm sorry I didn't realize some of the things that I was doing that were making you angry and alienating the family. I never intended to do that. It's been good that we've talked it all out while we're here."

"The important thing is that you now know what's been bothering me and the kids."

"I do," Melanie said leaning to kiss Lindsay's cheek. Her reward was a radiant smile from her wife.

Lindsay looked fondly at Melanie as they continued to walk along. "I hope everything's all right at home," Lindsay said after a minute. "They always seemed so cheerful whenever we called."

"Yeah, I noticed that too," Melanie agreed with a little frown. "But I'm sure they would have told us if there had been any major problems."

"Of course they would," Lindsay said confidently.

"Let's take a stroll past the Love Tree on our way back to the B & B."

"I'd like that," Lindsay said leaning her shoulder against Melanie's.

 

*****

 

"So how did it go with Michael?" Brian asked as Justin came in the door.

"Not bad," Justin replied in his best Brian Kinney imitation.

"No queen outs?"

Justin shook his head. "Only un petit peu," Justin replied holding up his thumb and forefinger showing little space between them.

"Aaah," Brian said. "That was French, wasn't it?"

"Oui, mon cher Gomez," Justin giggled.

"You know what that does to me, Morticia."

"That's why I did it. I want to celebrate."

"I thought you'd be out celebrating with Michael."

"I did, but celebrating with Michael can't hold a candle to celebrating with you, big guy."

"Of course it can't," Brian smirked.

"Come to bed, and I'll tell you all about Michael later."

"That's an invitation I won't refuse," Brian replied waggling his eyebrows at his husband.

"Vite, vite," Justin called as he made a mad dash for their bedroom.

 

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