Chapter 9

Day 5

"Hey, Ma, just called to see how you and Carl were doing," Michael said into the phone.

"We're great. How are you and Ben?"

"Hunky dory."

Debbie laughed. "I haven't heard that expression for years. How old fashioned!"

"It's called retro, Ma."

"Yeah, sure," Debbie chuckled.

"I'm going over to Mel and Lindsay's to walk JR to school before I open the store," Michael informed his mother.

"Um … why today?" Debbie asked, trying not to reveal what she knew about the situation over there.

"Why any day?" Michael asked. "Are you saying I shouldn't go?"

"I don't think JR's there."

"Where the fuck is she?" Michael demanded. "Is something wrong? Is she hurt? Why didn't anybody tell me? Nobody ever tells me anything?"

"Michael!" Debbie practically screeched in an attempt to stem the queen out before it became full blown. "Michael, listen to me."

"What? Tell me what's going on."

"They're staying at Danny's." Debbie decided the truth was the best route to take. If Michael went to the house, he would find them gone, and then there really would be hell to pay.

"Danny's? They who?"

"Gus and JR and Danny."

Michael breathed a sigh of relief. It didn't sound like anybody was hurt. "Why are they doing that?"

"It seems there's some problems with the plumbing and wiring in Mel and Lindz' house."

"Problems. Oh my God! Was there a fire? There wasn't a fire, was there?"

"Michael, stop it. There was no fire. They're just getting some things taken care of so there won't be a fucking fire. They had to shut the water off, so they went to Danny's."

"Oh, well, then that's good. Who's doing the repairs? I hope they aren't getting ripped off."

"It's John Anderson and that yummy Ronny the plumber."

"John? So is Brian involved?" Michael frowned as he realized that he seemed to have been left out of the loop once again.

"Yes, Gus called Brian, and Brian and John got right on it."

"What do Mel and Lindsay think about this happening when they're so far away?"

"They don't know anything about it. Brian wants it all done before they come back."

"Brian? How does he get to make these decisions? It's my daughter who lives there," Michael said indignantly.

"And Brian's son," Debbie informed him. "In case you've forgotten."

"Oh yeah," Michael admitted once he thought about it. "I should get over there and make sure they're doing things right."

"Michael, you have a business to run. Why don't you leave the repairs to Brian and John?"

"They should have called me. I could have helped," Michael griped.

"It's all taken care of. Let it go, Michael."

"Yeah, right," Michael snarked. "Bye, Ma."

"Mi…"

Michael cut the connection before Debbie could tell him to mind his own business once again. JR was his business, and he wanted to know just exactly what was going on and why he hadn't been consulted in the first place.

 

*****

 

"Kinney."

"How dare you not tell me there was a problem with JR!"

"Good morning, Mikey. I'm fine. How are you and the missus?"

"Cut the crap, Brian. Why didn't you tell me something was wrong?"

"First of all, nothing is wrong with JR. She is completely fine. The problem is that house they live in. JR called me..."

"She called YOU? Why didn't she call me? I would have come right over."

"Maybe she didn't want to worry you."

"But she's my daughter."

"And Gus' sister. Sometimes kids would rather speak to someone they're not related to. Besides, didn't you notice the absence of one former drag queen from your establishment this week?"

"He told he had some stuff to do at the house for a few days. I guess I didn't ask which house."

"Don't sweat it, Mikey, it's all under control."

"Yeah, by you, the great Brian Kinney. You can do no wrong in her eyes."

"Aw, Mikey, JR loves you. She just talks to me because I'm not her parent. I can't tell her what to do. You're her Dad."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"I know so."

"Well, okay, but don't think I won't go over there after work! Where are you, by the way?"

"At Emmett's place."

"You're not stuffing yourself on those pear and blue cheese pastries, are you?"

"No, I'm not....I'm stuffing myself on his popovers. They are so fucking good."

"Better watch it, Brian, you may actually gain a pound or two."

"Bite your tongue, Mikey. Michael, I'm sorry I didn't call you. It all happened very fast. First it was the faucet in the shower. Then Ronny..."

"The hot plumber with the great ass?"

"The very same. He took a look in the wall and found the pipes were crumbling so I had John take a look. You know he'll keep everyone honest and get the job done fast. The big stuff is done. The kids will spend the weekend cleaning and then John will go back next week to finish things off. The girls won't notice any difference and if they do they can yell at me."

"Bri, you don't have to take the heat for this. You don't always have to take care of us, you know."

"I know, Mikey, but you took care of me when we were kids, so it's my turn. Besides, I'm used to getting yelled at by Melanie. She's made it her mission in life to make me pay for all her ills and woes."

"Ills and woes?"

"Yeah."

"I love you, Brian."

"I love you too, Mikey. Always have, always will. I'll talk to you later. Emmett just took another tray of popovers out of the oven. I think one of them is calling my name."

"Okay. Bri?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For taking care of us. For Christmas. For being you."

"Aw, Mikey, some people may think you actually like me."

"Asshole."

"Bye, Mikey."

"Bye."

 

*****

 

"Lindz, let's go down and see if we can make it in time for breakfast," Melanie suggested.

The girls were truly feeling like they were on a honeymoon, making love all night and for most of the day. Getting out of bed only to wash up and to eat. They'd do some sightseeing but wind up wanting to go back to bed to rediscover what made them fall in love in the first place. The tension they were feeling for the first few days appeared to be gone.

In between lovemaking, the girls talked, expressing their fears, their desires and their personal goals. Melanie had no idea that Lindsay was being groomed by Sidney to take over the gallery, giving Sidney the opportunity to devote himself solely to Justin and other new artists he had discovered over the years. Lindsay found out that Melanie was soon to be made full partner in her law firm. They'd lived together for years and yet, didn't know each other. But they were learning.

"Mmm, breakfast sounds good to me," Lindsay said as her stomach agreed with a rumble. "Let's see what Seamus has cooking for today."

The girls rushed to get dressed and down to the dining area.

 

*****

 

"John, can we stay here tonight?" Danny asked pensively.

"Yeah, no problem. Furnace and water heater are up and running. The pipes have been replaced and the kitchen sink has been repaired, there's a new trap underneath. Wiring's all done too. I'll come back on Monday."

"Monday is a holiday; spend it at home with your family. Come back Tuesday. I think the switches can wait until then. And we'll still have three days until the girls get back."

"When do they return?"

"Friday evening."

"Okay, I'll talk it over with Brian. I think he was saying something about the kids visiting their grandmothers."

"Debbie wants to make a family dinner at her house on Sunday and invite Joan. Do you think you can get Brian to drive in?"

"I think if he wants to retain his precious balls, he will!" Danny and John had a good laugh then John gave Danny a list of what to get at the local hardware store. "If you pick these things up for me, it will save time."

"I can handle that," Danny said with confidence. He was a quick study in regards to switches and plugs.

"I'm sure you can. Who's picking up the kids today?" John asked Danny. Lately Brian was having all the pleasure.

"I believe Michael expressed his desire in taking a turn. Not that they need us hovering around them. Gus is a very good older brother. He takes good care of JR."

"He's a very good boy or should I say young man." John could see the similarities between his brother and his nephew.

"Yes, he is. But I think Michael was feeling left out of the fun we've been having the past few days, so he'll get the kids then go back to the store. It's a slow time right now. The new issue of Rage won't be out until next week."

"The comic is still going strong?"

"Very. There are a lot of gay kids who need a superhero and Rage 'comes' to the rescue!" Danny said with a smirk.

"Yes, he does, repeatedly," John quipped. Then they broke out into laughter again. "Let me go find my brother and take him home before he gets into any more trouble." John gathered up his tools and his coat then went in search of Brian.

 

*****

 

"JR! Gus!" Michael called out as he pulled up in front of their school. Although it was close enough for the kids to walk home, the cold January air made them very grateful for the ride.

"Hi, Daddy!" JR greeted her father cheerfully.

"Hi, Uncle Michael!" Gus added. "Where's Pop?"

"Stuffing himself silly at Emmett's. John was finishing up most of the repair work for today so I thought I'd pick you guys up." The kids got quiet when they realized that Michael knew about the house.

"Um, thanks, Uncle Michael," Gus said softly as he opened the car door for JR.

"Yeah, thanks, Dad."

"No problem. Let's go; I have to get back to the store."

 

*****
 

John had found Brian at Kinnetik and the brothers returned to the house so say goodbye to the kids. Brian thought discretion was the better part of valor and limited his intake of popovers to one. He did, however, purchase dozens for Kinnetik, enough for Danny and his charges and many more for Edna's Treasures.

They all met up at the girls' house to finalize the plans for the weekend.

"So you, Justin and Bree will be there."

"Yes, Michael," Brian said for the tenth time. For some reason Michael didn't believe that Brian would drive in for Sunday dinner at Debbie's house.

"She really wants you there, you know with the kids and their grandparents. She already called Jennifer, and Joan's coming."

"I know, Mikey."

"Four o'clock."

"I got it, Mikey."

"And you'll bring Bree. It's supposed to be grandchildren and grandparents. Bree has two grandmothers."

"I can count, Mikey. I'll have the Squirt present and accounted for on Sunday, I promise."

"Okay, I'll tell Ma."

"You do that, Mikey."

"She worries about you."

"I know, Mikey," Brian said with a big sigh. Brian kissed JR and his son goodbye for the evening, receiving matching looks of apology in their eyes as well as one from Danny.

"Michael, it's a long ride back to the cottage. If Brian said he'll be back on Sunday, then I'm sure he'll be here," John said.

"Okay, I just want to make sure," Michael said as he gave his best friend a hug and a kiss, and John a handshake.

"Mikey, I swear on my one real ball that I will bring Miss Bree and Justin to your mother's on Sunday."

Michael sighed with relief as he waved goodbye then left for the comic book store. Brian rolled his eyes as he got into John's Navigator for the trek home.

Most of the ride was quiet, each man lost in his own thoughts.

"Brian?"

"Hmm?"

"How did you do it for all those years?"

"Do what?"

"Put up with Michael."

"I don't know. He's like a brother, I love him."

"Oh. What about me?"

"What about you?"

"Am I as uh..."

"Annoying? No, big bro. You are a gift from the gods," Brian said with a huge grin then settled back for the ride home.

"A gift, huh."

"Yup."

"You won't think so when you get my bill for the house repairs."

"Fuck!" Brian exclaimed loudly as John bellowed out a laugh.

 

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