Be Careful What You Wish For

Chapter 14

Joan was smiling smugly as Brian carefully escorted her out of the medical center the afternoon of her follow up appointments with her cardiologist and surgeon. She was feeling so much better and the test results proved it. Brian was having a moment.

“Oh stop it,” Joan said as Brian opened the door to Ted’s car. He had borrowed it thinking that his Jeep was too high for Joan to climb into and the Vette was too low.

“Stop what?” Brian scowled.

“You’re having a queen out just because my doctors both agree that I’m well enough to enjoy a barbecue with my family so long as I don’t lift anything heavier than a plate of food. And I have no intention of disobeying them.”

“Those doctors are too old,” Brian growled.

“No they’re not; they’re just a little older than you are. And your Dr. Nick verified the results as well.”

“He’s not my Dr. Nick, he’s Hunter’s, and he’s just a baby who spends most of his time in a research lab. What does he know about the heart? He’s not a people doctor.”

Joan snickered at her son’s stubbornness. “Brian dear, you know he rotates in the emergency room on a regular basis to make sure he stays a people doctor. And I asked that Dan Morrison be sent a copy of my reports too. I know you trust him.”

“Oh fucking hell,” Brian murmured under his breath as he drove Joan to her house. “And I suppose you’re not going to change your mind about coming home with me tonight?”

“Brian, I’ve imposed on you and your family for a whole week.”

“Mom, it’s not an imposition,” Brian said sincerely.

“I know that but I’d like to spend some time in my own home. I’ll come up with Claire on the Friday of the barbecue and stay the weekend. You can bring me home on Tuesday.”

“But you’ll be alone.”

“No, I won’t. Claire is staying tonight and Danny has promised to come over tomorrow after he closes up shop. Debbie and Emmett have already stocked my freezer with easy to reheat meals and they cleaned my house. I will be all right.”

“Mom,” Brian said as he pulled up in front of her house. “I can’t stop worrying. It’s like we just found each other and I’m afraid of losing you too soon,” Brian admitted. He opened the passenger side then held out his hand for his mother. He took her bag from the back seat then escorted her into her house.

“Brian, I promise you, at the first sign of trouble I will call the emergency squad. I’m truly feeling so much better. The surgeon said I am healing quite well.” Joan indicated the incision in her chest.

Brian acquiesced. “Are you sure I can’t get you anything?” He looked around and noted the house was spotless. The elves had polished and cleaned every surface to within an inch of its life. The freezer was full and the refrigerator stocked with just enough of the staples for a single person to consume. And nothing was in too large of a container so it was light enough for Joan to lift without straining.

“Brian, all I want to do right now is have a cup of tea then go to bed.”

“I can put the kettle on while I take you upstairs. I’ll bring a tray up for you.”

Joan heard the plea in her son’s voice. “That sounds lovely,” Joan replied knowing that was the only way that Brian would feel remotely at ease.

After Brian was satisfied that his mother was settled in, he returned to Kinnetik.

“How’s Joan doing?” Teddy asked as Brian strode through Kinnetik tossing Ted’s keys on his desk.

“She says she’s fine.”

“You don’t believe her? What did her doctors say?”

“They said she’s fine too.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“The problem is that I don’t know what the fucking problem is. I have this feeling of doom pressing on me and I don’t know what to do about it.”

“Have you gone for a check up lately? A feeling of doom is a symptom of having a heart attack.”

“Thank you, Dr. McCoy, and yes, I went for a check up. I’m as healthy as a horse. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

“Damn, I mean good. Then I say stop worrying and concentrate on other matters.”

“Such as?”

“Such as the barbecue that Emm’s planning at Edna’s Treasures. And have you seen the latest figures on Lethal Bikes? Every dyke at Pride will be riding one. I don’t understand the attraction.”

“It’s all that vibrating; it turns them on,” Brian snarked then barked out a laugh at the look of distaste on Ted’s face.

“Thank you for that imagery. And speaking of imagery, have you met Emmett’s protégé? I hear he’s something special.”

“Nothing that special, just a junior drag queen in the making. He’ll fit in fine with the family. I’m more concerned about Emmett and his party plans. He nearly gave himself a stroke with Bree’s party. He wanted it perfect for his little princess. Can you imagine the fuss he’s going to make for Richie? I’m not sure Edna’s Treasures will survive.”

“It will, Bri. It’s survived blizzards, torrential rain, a wedding, a birth and a christening. Not to mention the hundreds of other parties. It will survive Memorial Day with Emmett’s new son.”

Brian nodded then he and Ted got back to work.

 

*****
 

“Emmett, the barbecue is a week away, can I help with anything?” Richie was nervous about meeting the members of his new extended family. He wasn’t sure what was expected of him.

“There’s nothing for us to do, really, not at this point. I’ll probably start baking on Thursday. We’ll drive to our cottage Friday afternoon when you come home from school. Speaking of school, is Ben helpful? He told me how bright you are and he really expects you to do well and catch up quickly. But he also suggested that you not push yourself. You’ll get back into the swing of things in no time. And he also said that it’s important for you to balance school with family and outside activities. Do you like music or art?”

“A little, but I think I’m more into fashion designing. I like to design my own clothes. I kinda doodle a lot.”

“Honey, I know what you mean. Well, PIFA has a degree in fashion design. If you study hard maybe you’ll qualify, but for now don’t stop doodling. Would you like to help me with dinner? Then later we can go over your homework and the menu for the barbecue.”

“I thought a barbecue was just a lot of hot dogs and hamburgers?”

“Not the way we do it!” Emmett and Richie laughed then got down to making dinner.

 

*****
 

“Dada, is Gamma Joan okay?” Bree asked as she ran out of the house. Her ability to know when her father arrived home had only grown over the years. Before Brian could even get out of the Corvette, she had accosted him.

“She’s fine, Squirt. She’s at her house and doing AOK.” Brian kept his voice cheerful not wanting to worry his daughter, even though he was still somewhat worried about Joan himself. He had stayed at his mother’s until Claire had arrived. He didn’t want Joan to be alone in case something might happen.

“I’m sure she’s all right, Brian,” Justin said gently as he came up to his husband and gave him a hug. “She was so much stronger when she left today than when she first came here after the operation.”

“I know, but…”

“No buts, Dada,” Bree stated using her father’s tone. “Gamma Joan is good. You said so.”

“Yes, Squirt, Gamma Joan is good,” Brian agreed. “Out of the mouths of babes,” he whispered to Justin.

“Sometimes they know best,” Justin whispered back.

“I thought that was Father Knows Best,” Brian replied referring to the ancient TV show.

“That’s so last century,” Justin chuckled.

“What’s last century mean?” Bree asked having listened to every word her fathers said.

“It means it’s old,” Justin supplied before Brian could make some snarky comment.

“Like Gamma Joan?”

“You think Grandma Joan is old?” Brian asked with a raised brow.

“She’s got grey hair.”

“Yes, she does,” Brian agreed. “Who else is old?” He waited for Bree’s response fully expecting that he’d be on the list.

“Gus is old, and Patrick and Winona,” Bree stated. “Only Ashley and Hannah and Brenda are the same as me.”

“Is that right?” Brian asked with a smirk as they walked towards the house.

“Uh huh, and I’m old compared to Taylor. He can never catch up to me,” Bree added proudly.

“You don’t say.”

Bree bobbed her head emphatically as they entered the house. Brian and Justin merely smiled. Everything was relative.

 

*****
 

“So, we’re all set for the barbecue?”

“I fucking hope so,” Brian answered.

“My dear Mr. Kinney, calm yourself,” Emmett said into the phone. “We’ve taken care of everything. All you have to do is barbecue in your inimitable fashion. Everything else is arranged and will magically appear at Edna’s Treasures at the appointed time.”

“And who is going to clean the house before the hordes descend on us?” Brian asked in his best snarky voice.

“I can send the cleaning fairies if you wish.”

“No, please don’t do that,” Brian practically begged. “After the medical bills incurred at Christmas time, I don’t think I can afford the cleaning fairies.”

Emmett laughed loudly. “Point taken. But seriously, if you want help I’ll be available.”

“Justin and I can clean, Emmett. We don’t need help,” Brian said with a sigh.

“Are you still worried about Joan?” Emmett asked as the light suddenly dawned on all of Brian’s bitching.

“She … she’s not very strong yet.”

“Then we’ll just have to make sure that we pamper her ass off and don’t let her lift a finger. Does she need a ride to Edna’s Treasures? I’ll pick her up. Can I make something so she doesn’t have to? Would you like me to…?”

“Emmett, Emmett, take a fucking breath. Joan’s coming with Claire and Danny. She doesn’t need a ride, and I specifically told her she’s not to bring anything.”

Emmett smiled to himself. His little queen out had resulted in Brian sounding more like himself. That could only be a good thing. “Okay, if you’re sure,” he added contritely.

“I’m sure. Is your new family member ready to face his extended family?”

“Is the accused ready for his execution?” Emmett responded facetiously.

Brian laughed out loud. Trust Emmett to cheer him up. “Surely he doesn’t think we’re that bad?”

“I believe he does.”

“So, is he coming?”

“Or going?” Emmett giggled remembering the famous line Brian had used on Justin their first time together. It was legendary in the gay circles of Pittsburgh.

“Or staying,” Brian added on cue.

“God, I hope he’s staying. I really like this boy. Brian, you’ll be nice to him, won’t you?”

“I’m always nice.”

“Um…” Emmett wasn’t sure how to break it to Brian that he didn’t always come across as nice. He could be rather scary actually.

“I said I’m nice. I’ll be sweet as pie.”

“That could scare him as much as your usual demeanor.”

“Honeycutt!” Brian bellowed. “Tell me what the fuck you want me to do, and I’ll fucking do it.”

“Just … be your usual self and don’t be too snarky with him.”

“What’s the kid’s name again?” Brian asked sticking his tongue in his cheek and waiting for Emmett’s reaction.

“It’s Richie, you know that, don’t you? Oh, for fuck’s sake, you are going to drive him away. He’s such a sweet boy and you’ll hurt his feelings. How could you…?”

“Emmett, I’m yanking your chain. I know what his name is. And I thought I’d get that out of my system before he arrives tomorrow.”

“Oh, pooh! You had me going there for a moment,” Emmett laughed nervously.

“You’re so easy.”

“That was my middle name in the good old Babylon days,” Emmett giggled.

“TMI, Emmett, TMI.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow then … with Richie,” Emmett added stressing the boy’s name.

“Got it, Honeycutt,” Brian replied before closing his cell phone.

“You do have a cruel streak,” Justin said giving Brian a look.

“I’m really very sweet.”

“I know that, but you are the master of covering that up to people who don’t know you.”

“You’re telling me to go easy on the kid…”

“Who’s name is…”

“Richie. Got it.”

“Good,” Justin chuckled. “I love it when you read my mind.”

“And a lovely mind it is,” Brian said holding up his coffee mug for a refill.

With a sigh Justin carried the coffeepot over to his husband.

 

*****
 

“Hey, JR, are you going to the barbecue this weekend?” Curtis said into the phone.

“Yeah, it is a family thing,” JR sighed. Sometimes you could have too much family, especially when you were a teenager. “Why do you ask?” Maybe Curtis would have a better offer, not that she could count on her mothers letting her do anything other than go to the barbecue.

“I’m going to be there,” Curtis said cheerfully.

“You are?” JR sat up straight from slouching on the couch. This was good news.

“Yeah, Mr. Emmett called my dads. Apparently his new foster kid is a little weirded out about meeting the whole family. Mr. Emmett thought that having some other kids there would make it easier, so I’m invited.”

“That’s great,” JR replied. “Having you there might actually make it bearable.”

“The barbecues aren’t so bad,” Curtis said. He had been to a couple and they were usually all right.

“That’s because you don’t have to go. You could say no if you wanted to.”

“I don’t want to say no, especially if you’re going to be there.”

JR smiled. “I like the sound of that, and yes, I will be there.”

“Great!”

JR chuckled. “You’re not very subtle, you know.”

“Who cares? I’m just happy you’ll be there.”

“I’m happy you’ll be there too,” JR admitted.

“So what do you know about this new kid … Richie, I think his name is?”

“He’s going to the Rainbow School at the GLC.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s a school for kids with problems or who don’t fit in at regular school.”

“Wow!” Curtis reacted. “What’s his problem?”

“Don’t say anything to anybody if I tell you. Promise?”

“I promise.”

“I heard my moms talking. I think he likes to dress like a girl,” JR whispered into the phone.

“Wow!” Curtis repeated. “Does he dress like that to go to school?”

“I … I don’t think so,” JR said uncertainly.

“Do you think he’ll be dressed like a girl at the barbecue?”

JR frowned. “I don’t know.”

“How … how are we supposed to be friendly with him if he dresses like a girl?” Curtis asked in bewilderment.

“Maybe we could get some fashion tips from him,” JR joked.

“Speak for yourself. I don’t know how I’m supposed to behave around someone like that.”

“You’re not supposed to know he does it,” JR reminded him.

“Oh.”

“Just act natural,” JR counseled.

“While he’s acting weird.”

“He could come dressed like any other boy. Maybe he’ll be normal … sort of.”

“Yeah, I bet he’s going to be really normal,” Curtis said sarcastically. “Maybe I should say I don’t want to go.”

“I’ll be there. We can spend some time together.”

“You better be.”

JR chuckled. “I’m kind of looking forward to it, as long as you’re there.”

“Me too.”

“That’s good.”

“So I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You can count on that … and we’ll scope out this Richie kid … together.”

“Definitely,” JR replied thinking about how much she would enjoy spending the day with Curtis.

 

Return to Be Careful What You Wish For