Be Careful What You Wish For

Chapter 9

“Richie! Over here!” Emmett called as the young boy emerged from the entrance of the Rainbow School.

“Hi, Mr. Emm…I mean Emmett. I didn’t know you’d be waiting for me when school was over,” Richie said, but he couldn’t help but smile in return to Emmett’s big toothy grin.

“I wanted to know how your first day at the Rainbow School went. I couldn’t wait till you walked home to the loft.”

“Home,” Richie said with a smile.

“Yes, your home with me and Drew.”

“I like the sound of that,” Richie replied softly.

“So do we, sweetie,” Emmett replied laying his arm across Richie’s shoulders. “So, how was school?” Emmett asked again as they started walking towards the loft.

“It was … okay.”

“That doesn’t sound like a ringing endorsement.”

“I spent all morning with the counselor going over all the stuff I missed,” Richie said with a frown. “I have so much homework.”

“I thought maybe that would be the case. We can work on it together,” Emmett suggested.

“You’re going to do my homework for me?” Richie asked hopefully.

“No, silly,” Emmett laughed, giving Richie a little swat on the arm. “But I thought if we were home together for the rest of the day, I could make you snacks and help you with any work that you didn’t understand.”

“You’re a teacher too?” Richie asked with a touch of sarcasm in his voice.

“No, I’m not,” Emmett replied, taking offense that Richie seemed to think he wouldn’t be any help with his homework. “But I might know the answer to a few things.”

“I’m sorry, Emmett,” Richie said quickly. “I just got so used to be being put down all the time, it’s hard for me to realize that you actually want to help me.”

“I do want to help you, and so does Drew. And we have a strong band of friends that we can call on, if we need to.”

“You do?” Richie asked with a surprised look on his face.

“Yes, Drew and I have lots of friends.”

“You never mentioned any … and I don’t have any friends at all,” Richie said sadly.

“I think that’s about to change.”

“You think so … really?”

“Yes, sweetie, I really do.”

They continued their walk in silence as Richie thought about all the new prospects this life seemed to be offering.

 

*****
 

“Here we are,” Justin said as Bree and Patrick hopped out of the SUV. He noted that Brian’s Corvette was parked in the lane, so he had made it back from Pittsburgh and the visit with his mother. They all headed to the house.

“Dada!” Bree called as she opened the front door.

“In the sun porch,” Brian called back.

The petite blonde ran through the house with Patrick hot on her heels.

“Dada!” Bree said coming through the doorway of the sun porch. “I missed you. Did you see Gamma…?” Bree stopped in her tracks as she spotted something pink at the side of the porch. “What’s that, Dada?” Bree asked pointing to the pink piano.

“It’s your first piano,” Brian replied.

“But…”

“It’s so … pink,” Patrick piped up. “Look at it, Bree.”

“But…”

“Do you want to try it?” Brian asked, smiling at his daughter.

Justin had arrived at the entrance to the sun porch. He noted Bree’s less than enthusiastic reception of the piano. “Um … maybe Bree would like to wait until after she has a snack.”

Brian frowned and studied Bree’s face. “Don’t you like it?”

“It’s not like the one at school,” Bree said slowly.

“It’s a child’s piano.”

“I … wanted … a real one.”

“When you get older we’ll get you a real one … if you still want it,” Brian added. He was not happy at the reception their new gift was receiving.

“Does it make music?” she asked.

“Of course it does,” Brian snapped getting angry that Bree didn’t like the piano.

“Can I try it?”

“I already asked you if you wanted to,” Brian replied tersely.

“Sorwy, Dada,” Bree said contritely. She walked over to the piano. Carefully she pulled out the little bench and sat down. “I don’t know where middle C is on this piano,” Bree said looking at the small keyboard.

Brian opened his mouth to say something about how the hell did she know what middle C was, when Justin stepped in. “Have they taught you that at school?” he asked.

“Yes, Daddy. I watched the teacher when she plays.”

“Hit a few keys and see how it sounds,” Justin advised.

Bree held her hands over the keys and hit a few notes. The sound wasn’t too bad. “I don’t know how to play this. I need to learn how to play,” Bree said with a sigh.

“You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?” Justin asked.

“Yes, Daddy.”

“There’s a little book of tunes you can play with this piano,” Justin said, “but maybe we can look at that after you and Patrick have something to eat.”

“’Kay, Daddy,” Bree said standing up and pushing the bench under the pink piano.

“You and Patrick go wash your hands, and I’ll get you a snack,” Justin instructed them.

The two children ran off to the bathroom to wash up. Justin turned to his husband.

“We made a mistake with this piano, didn’t we?” Brian asked.

“Maybe,” Justin said uncertainly. “She seems to know a lot more about the piano than I thought she did.”

“I forgot how smart she is. We should have got her a real piano,” Brian said.

“We’ll see. Let’s let her try the instruction book with this one first. If she likes it, we can get her a piano later.”

“I thought she’d love it because it’s pink,” Brian said sadly.

“I don’t know who’s more disappointed – you or her?”

“Both of us,” Brian replied as he followed Justin into the kitchen. In the doorway he glanced back at his big surprise for Bree. It had been a colossal dud.

 

*****
 

“I’ll get it,” Richie called out to Emmett who was cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Richie was working on his homework and trying to organize all his make up assignments, when a knock on the door gave him a needed distraction.

“Emmett do you have any...?” Katerina began as she stood in the doorway. “Hello.”

“Hi,” Richie replied. “Um...”

“Hiya, honey,” Emm said coming to the door, towel in hand as he dried his hands. “What can I do for you?”

“I was making salsa and I ran out of cilantro. You wouldn’t happen to have any, would you?”

“Of course I have cilantro! What kitchen would be complete without it? Come on in and I’ll get you a bunch.”

“Thank you, Emm. Lacy actually took the evening off so I thought I’d make something nice and spicy,” Katerina said as she looked over at the young man who seemed to be taken with her. “Emm, who’s your friend?”

“Oh, goodness me! Where are my manners? Ms. Katerina Taylor, allow me to present our foster son, Richie Cross. Richie, this is our good friend, Katerina. She and her partner, Lacy, live up on the second floor. Lacy owns the Liberty Diner and Katerina is a nurse at Allegheny General. Richie has only been here for a short time. He hasn’t had the chance to meet all the family yet.”

“It’s so very nice to meet you, Richie.” Katerina beamed at the young man as she shook his hand. “Emmett and Drew are wonderful; you couldn’t be with more loving people.”

“Aw, thank you, sweetie. Here you go.” Emmett handed Katerina a nice fresh bunch of cilantro. “Drew and I are so happy Richie found his way to us.” Emmett had tears in his eyes.

“Are you going to have a party to introduce him to the family?”

“You know, I hadn’t thought about it. Everything happened so fast. Richie, honey, would you like a party?”

“I’m not sure,” Richie whispered with his head bowed toward the floor.

“I’m sorry, sweetie, maybe it’s all still overwhelming. We can shelve the party idea for now.” Emmett gave Richie a hug and Richie accepted it.

“Brian and Justin usually host an annual Memorial Day barbecue. I bet the whole family will be there. It might be a nice way to introduce Richie to the family.”

“I almost forgot about that; that sounds like a good idea. I’ll mention it to Brian. You and Lacy okay?” Emmett said with a wink.

Katerina blushed as she nodded. “Very okay.”

“Honey, those getaway spa weekends work wonders!”

“I know. Brian is so good to us.”

“Oh honey, you know the man is just a big ole teddy bear.” Emmett and Katerina had a good laugh just as Drew walked through the door.

“Hey, Babe,” Drew said as he gave Emmett a big sloppy kiss. He gave Katerina a kiss on the cheek as well. “Hey Kat, how are you?”

“Very well, Drew. I better get back upstairs, Lacy will be home soon and I want to have the salsa ready.”

“She likes it spicy?” Emmett asked with big grin.

“Hot and spicy!”

“Ooooo! You go, girl!” They laughed again as Emmett showed Katerina out.

“Something smells good,” Drew said as he inhaled the heavenly aromas of Emmett’s cooking. Drew walked into the kitchen to stand behind Emm, as he took a sheet of buttery golden brown dinner rolls out of the oven. “Mmm, you’re the best, Babe.”

Drew waited as Emmett put the rolls on a rack to cool before drawing his partner into his arms then giving him a deep loving kiss. The look of love in each man’s eyes was unmistakable, Richie observed.

“Let me wash up and change then I’ll help set the table,” Drew murmured against Emmett’s lips. Emmett smiled as Drew walked toward their bedroom. Passing Richie, Drew smiled warmly at the boy and ruffled his hair.

“Emmett, can I ask you something personal?” Richie asked with some hesitation.

“Sure, but I won’t guarantee I’ll answer.”

“You’re gay, right?”

“Out and proud. Why? Sweetie, do you think you’re gay?”

“I’m not sure.” Richie lowered his gaze toward the floor again. Then in a whisper he admitted, “I think Mr. Brian is really hot.”

“So does half of Pittsburgh. You have good taste. Our Mr. Kinney is one hot, sexy man and he knows how to use it too. Unfortunately, since they made their commitment, the only one who gets to know just how sexy and hot Brian is, is Justin. Richie, you’re living in the gay capital of the Pitts. Liking boys is okay here.”

“But Miss Katerina is really pretty.”

“Yes she is...oh my god!”

“What’s wrong, Babe?” Drew asked as he came out of their bedroom dressed in old soft sweats. He started to gather the dishes to set the table.

“Oh Drewsie, our baby boy is bi!” Emmett screeched with delight as he quickly gave Richie a hug worthy of Debbie. “I’m so proud!” he said as he sniffled with happy tears.

Drew just smiled, shaking his head as Richie blushed in Emmett’s arms.

 

*****
 

“But why, Mom? I can stay with you or you can come home with me,” Claire whined as she sat by her mother’s bedside. “Don’t you want me to help you?”

“Claire, I appreciate the offer but you and Jake live in a small apartment now that the boys are all grown. Besides, where would I sleep? I don’t think I could spend the night on your couch even though it is quite beautiful. And I don’t want to be any trouble. Briana just called to invite me to stay in her room for a while.”

“I think you love Brian and Bree more than me,” Claire mumbled as tears slipped down her face.

“That’s not true and you know it. I love you and your brother equally,” Joan said trying not to get herself upset.

“When me and Brian were kids I used to wish for a miracle to make you and Daddy love Brian like I knew you loved me. I never understood why you hated him so much.”

“Claire,” Joan sighed.

“Mother, I’m not going to dredge up the past. I’m just grateful that the three of us have reconciled and I can see where staying out in the country at Edna’s Treasures may make more sense. It is very peaceful out there. I bet Brian’s garden is blooming.”

“You know if you asked, I bet he’d love to have you stay out there for a few days,” Joan said with a sleepy smile. “You’ve never spent much time with Brian and Justin. Do you think your husband would mind being a bachelor for a couple of days?”

“I don’t think he’d mind. Mother, go to sleep. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Call your brother.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Claire said as she leaned over her mother’s hospital bed to give her mother a kiss on the forehead.

 

*****
 

Bree sat her pink piano. She studied the manual that had come with it. Placing her fingers where the book indicated she started striking the keys with authority. Out came Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, with only one slight mistake that caused Bree’s face to wrinkle in disgust.

“How did she do that?” Brian whispered to Justin, as the two men sat together on one of the chaises making an appropriate audience for their daughter’s first concert. John and Bobby and Patrick had discretely decided to go to their side of the cottages after dinner, so that Bree wasn’t faced with too big an audience.

“Must be my musical genes shining through,” Justin said smugly.

“What musical genes?” Brian asked giving his husband a sharp pinch.

“Ow! Not fair. You know I can dance. I was the King of Babylon, remember,” Justin reminded his husband.

Brian snorted. “Being King of Babylon has less to do with your dancing ability than the size of your dick … and how much of it you’re willing to show.”

“I didn’t show any of my dick.”

“Those tightie whities of yours left little to the imagination.”

“You noticed,” Justin giggled.

“I always notice.”

“You played that really well, Bree. Try it again,” Justin advised his daughter when Bree stopped playing.

“’Kay, Daddy.” Bree tapped out the tune again – this time without any mistakes.

“That was very good, Squirt,” Brian told her, feeling pride in their gifted daughter flow through him.

Bree flashed her Taylor smile in response. Maybe this piano wasn’t so bad after all, but Bree still wanted a big, real piano. “I’m going to play another one,” she told her fathers confidently. She turned the page in the instruction book that sat atop the little piano. She found the next tune was Chopsticks. She positioned her fingers and played the tune flawlessly. “This is really easy,” she said.

“For you it seems to be,” Justin replied with his own Taylor smile of pride.

“Too easy,” Brian whispered.

“Try another one, Bree,” Justin instructed, as the telephone rang in the kitchen.

“I’ll get it,” Brian said getting up from the chaise. He heard Bree start to play Heart and Soul as he reached the phone. He picked up the receiver from its cradle on the wall. “Hello?”

“Brian, it’s Claire.”

“Did something happen to Joan? What’s wrong?” Brian asked, trying to keep the panic out of his voice as the very real possibility of horrible news came rushing at him.

“No, nothing like that. I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Claire apologized.

“You didn’t frighten me. I don’t do fear … and stop rolling your eyes.”

Claire laughed. “You are as full of shit as you were when you were fifteen.”

“Don’t remind me of the bad old days.”

“Sorry once again.”

“To what do I owe the honor of this call, and no thanks for the trip down memory lane?”

“I was with mother earlier, and she said she wanted to stay with you when she’s released from the hospital.”

“Yes, she thought this would be a nice, peaceful place for her recovery.”

“I … I was disappointed she didn’t want to stay with me,” Claire admitted.

“Your place is way too small.”

“I know, but I could have stayed at her house with her.”

“Claire, is there any point to this? Does mother want to stay at her house? If she does, then say so.”

“No, she wants to stay with you and Justin. I … I’d like to come with her, for a couple of days … if you wouldn’t mind, that is.”

“You mean stay here?”

“Only if it’s all right with you,” Claire clarified. “And if you don’t have room, that’s fine. I won’t come.” Claire was starting to think this whole idea was a big mistake. Brian didn’t seem to want her at Edna’s Treasures. She felt a tear trickle from one eye, as she waited for Brian’s refusal.

“Hell, we slept about a hundred and fifty people here at Christmas one year. Come on down, the more the merrier,” Brian finally responded.

“Do you mean it?” Claire asked hopefully. “It would be all right if I came? You’re sure?”

“Of course it is,” Brian said gently, hearing the relief in Claire’s voice.

“Then I’ll see you on Friday with mother.”

“Right,” Brian said before hanging up.

“Who was that?” Justin asked as Brian slid in next to him on the chaise.

“My darling sister.”

“Claire?”

“Yes, thank god I only have the one.”

“Is … is Joan all right?”

“She’s fine. Hey, squirt, practice hard. Your Gamma Joan and your Auntie Claire will be coming here to be an audience for your concerts.”

Bree flashed him a smile, and started playing Chopsticks again.

“Claire’s coming with Joan?” Justin asked. Brian nodded. “Just dropping her off, right?”

“Nope, staying for a couple of days.”

“No shit!”

“No shit,” Brian said with a smirk. “For some reason she has decided now’s the time for an extended visit.”

“Well I’ll be…”

“I already am,” Brian laughed. “She blew me away with this request.” All Justin could do was nod in agreement as Bree continued her mini-concert for them.

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