Culturation

Chapter 1

“Daddy, Dada!” Bree screeched as she jumped off the bus from school.

“Hey, Squirt,” Brian said picking up his petite daughter and swinging her around. She giggled in delight.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Justin said as he leaned over to kiss Bree’s cheek when Brian finally stopped spinning her. “Did you have a good day?”

“Yep,” Bree said happily when Brian set her down. She placed one hand in each of her father’s. “Hey, Patrick, how are you doing?” Justin asked as the red-headed boy emerged from the bus.

“Good, Uncle Justin.” He turned and waved to another boy in the bus as it pulled away.

Together they all walked towards the house.

“So tell us all about your day at school,” Brian said. That was usually good for several minutes of convoluted explanation about everything that had happened during Bree’s day.

Surprisingly, Bree gave a brief answer this time. “I have a project to do,” she announced proudly.

“A project?” Brian asked as they entered the house. “Aren’t you a little young for projects?”

“Oh no, Dada. I’m in third grade now. And you’re apposed to help me do the project.”

“Is that right?” Brian said skeptically.

“What’s this project about?” Justin asked. He began setting out a snack for Bree and Patrick.

“We’re studying different cultures,” Bree stated.

“Different cultures?”

“Yep, you know like Navin comes from India. So, we all have to find our where our families came from and learn about that culture.” Bree took a drink of her milk and nibbled happily on a piece of cheese while she waited for her fathers to bombard her with stories of their homelands.

“Does Pittsburgh count?” Brian asked with a smirk.

“Oh no, Dada, it has to be a country.” Her face told him that she was deadly serious.

“Yeah, it has to be a country,” Patrick parroted. “I did a project like this when I was in third grade.”

“Is that right?” Brian asked skeptically. “So what country did your fathers tell you they were from?”

“Uncle Bri,” Patrick said with a big sigh, like that was the dumbest question he had ever heard. “My dads are from the United States.”

“Then Bree could do the United States,” Brian said hopefully.

Bree shook her head, and Patrick supplied the verbal answer. “No!” he said. “We were studying other cultures, so we can’t do our own culture.” Sometimes grown ups were so dumb.

“So what did you do?” Justin asked sitting down and taking a piece of cheese for himself.

“Grandpa Dan’s family, way back, comes from Scotland.”

“So that’s where that red hair comes from,” Brian joked ruffling the soft red locks.

“Probably,” Patrick admitted with a little blush.

“What country can I do, Dada?” Bree piped up. She was tired of waiting for an answer to her question.

“Where are your ancestors from, dear?” Brian asked in that sickly sweet voice that he used when he wasn’t particularly happy about whatever they were discussing.

“England, I think,” Justin said softly.

“Then England it is!”

Bree frowned. “But I know all about England,” Bree pouted. “I went there.”

“I think there might be a tad more to learn about England than what you found out while we were there,” Brian admonished.

“I want something different … like France or Mexico,” Bree stated, crossing her arms on her chest.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” Justin said, “but neither Dada nor I are from France or Mexico.”

Bree heaved a heavy sigh. “Poo!” she said looking forlorn.

Justin sat looking thoughtful for a minute before he opened his mouth. “What about Ireland?” he finally asked.

“Ireland? You mean my family?” Brian asked horrified.

“Yes, that is where your ancestors came from way back when.”

“But that was Jack’s family,” Brian protested. “I don’t know anything about the people from Ireland.”

“Then you and Bree can find out together,” Justin replied with a pleased smile on his face.

“You little…”

“Children present!” Justin cautioned. “How does Ireland sound, Bree?” he asked.

“Ooh, Ireland. I like it,” Bree replied happily. This sounded much better than England. Bree knew she could learn a lot about Ireland, and she could work on it with her Dada. “Can we go look it up in the atlas, Dada?” she asked. “We hafta have a map.” She slid off her chair and held her hand out to Brian.

Reluctantly he stood up and took her hand. As they headed for his office to find an atlas or look it up online, he threw a glare over his shoulder at his smug husband. Justin merely laughed, and Patrick joined him.

 

*****
 

As Brian and Bree were looking up Ireland and finding out how many counties the country was made up of, Brian’s phone rang.

He picked it and snapped, “What?”

“Whoa, did I catch you at a bad time?” Todd’s voice asked.

“No, not really. I’m just doing some research with my daughter.”

“Research? On what?”

“Ireland.”

“Hey, that’s where my ancestors came from,” Todd said with a laugh.

“Care to come over and help with the research?” Brian asked sarcastically.

“Um, no, I don’t think so.”

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”

“It’s kind of a thank you call.”

“For what?” Brian asked arching a brow. “For setting you up in business, for turning your life around and making you prosperous, for finding you the love of your life by wrecking my ankle?”

“All of the above.”

Brian chuckled. “Well, I guess you’re welcome.”

“Such a gracious response.”

“Does this mean that you and our favorite studly physiotherapist are getting along swimmingly?”

“It does,” Todd chuckled. “We’re spending a lot of time together.”

“Well, isn’t that special,” Brian said sarcastically.

“Actually, it is,” Todd said, offended at Brian’s tone.

“Yeah, it is special when you find the right person,” Brian admitted, his voice softening.

“Very special.”

“Justin and I are very happy for you two.” Brian kept the sarcasm out of his voice, and he realized that he actually meant what he was saying. Todd had turned out to be a good friend and business partner. The whole family had come to like Gerry. It was good that the two of them were together, good for both of them.

“Thanks, Brian. Um, I also had a request. We ran into Ted the other day and he said you all were going to the symphony.”

“He told you that!” Brian’s voice rose in anger. Bree looked up at her father with worry in her eyes. “He should not be spreading information that is private.”

“Sorry, Brian, I didn’t know it was a secret. I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ll forget all about it.”

“Why were you interested?” Brian said quickly. Bree went back to looking at the maps of the counties of Ireland. Her Dada sounded fine now.

“Gerry and I thought we’d like to be a little more public … um, about our relationship.”

“What the fuck for?” Bree looked up again. “I mean, why would you want to be public?”

“It goes with the territory of being a couple, doesn’t it?”

“I never found that it did,” Brian retorted.

“Really? Then what were all the backroom shows that you and Justin put on?”

“Oh … those.”

Todd laughed. “Anyway, I just wondered if you’d object to us going to the same symphony as you. We wouldn’t be sitting with you of course.”

“Of course,” Brian replied. “We have a box.”

“No shit!”

“No shit,” Brian laughed. “And the symphony has to be the gayest place in town to show yourselves off as a couple. Look at Schmidt and his opera.”

“Well, it seemed like a good idea,” Todd said uncertainly.

“I think it’s a fine idea. Go for it.”

“You mean it?”

“Absotutely!” Brian laughed. “And ask Schmidt to help you get the tickets, since his grimy little fingers are all over this.”

“Will do, and thanks, Brian.”

Brian cut the connection.

“Dada, what county in Ireland did your Dada come from?”

Brian groaned inwardly. “We’ll have to ask Grandma Joan. I don’t know.”

“You should know about your family, Dada.”

“Riiight,” Brian said. Bree had no idea about his family and he wanted to keep it that way.

 

*****
 

“Brian!” Bobby called out as he trotted toward Brian’s Jeep. “Are you working in Pittsburgh today?” the red-headed lawyer asked.

“Yes, I’m lighting fires at Kinnetik and Babylon. I’ve gotten too complacent lately.”

“I sincerely doubt that, but it is a good idea to show your face around once in a while.”

“I also want to check in with Lacy, Hunter and Mikey’s shop.”

“You’re a good man, Brian Kinney.”

“You’re just saying that because you want something from me,” Brian snarked.

Bobby laughed. “Do you mind driving me to Family Court? Today’s the big day.”

“Big day?” Brian asked as he reached across to unlock the passenger side door for Bobby. Bobby slipped in. “And you’re looking exceptionally spiffy today.”

“Spiffy?”

“I would have said sexy but if you’re going to court, sexy isn’t appropriate.”

“Thanks, I think. Mel and I are meeting with Richie’s parents and their lawyer today with the judge. If all goes well, by the end of the day, Emmett and Drew will officially be Richie’s parents, forever and irrevocably.”

“You’re shitting me?”

“Nope. It’ll be signed, sealed and delivered.”

“Hmmm,” Brian murmured to himself as he hit the small remote control on the car visor to trigger the gate mechanism.

“What’s with that look on your face? Should I be worried?”

“You? Not at all. Call me when you know that the i’s have been dotted and the t’s crossed.”

“What are you up to?”

“Nothing.” Bobby threw Brian a look. “I promise.” Brian quickly raised his hand as an oath.

When they got into Pittsburgh, Brian dropped Bobby off at the courthouse then he went on to Kinnetik.

“Schmidt!” Brian bellowed as he entered the converted bath house.

“Good morning, Boss,” Ted greeted Brian cheerfully. Brian narrowed his gaze.

“And why are you so happy this morning, been getting some lately?” Brian shuddered at the thought as he walked into his office. Teddy followed close behind. Brian placed his briefcase on the desk then stalked back out in search of coffee. “I have been away too long. My office coffeepot is bone dry,” Brian grumbled.

“Sorry, Boss, I’ll take care of that personally,” Ted replied.

“It’s okay,” Brian sighed as he filled his mug from the communal pot in the pantry then doctored it the way he liked it.

“Brian? Is everything okay?” Ted wasn’t expecting such a mild retort.

“I’m fine, just feeling a bit useless,” Brian mumbled as he went back to his office with Ted in tow.

“Useless? That’s hard to believe. Leo Brown and son were very pleased to renew their contract. Liberty Air is over the moon with their contract and latest ad. When businesses are breaking even at best, Kinnetik is solvent and profitable. And it’s all because of you, Brian. You’re far from useless.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“Thank you? Brian, now I know something’s wrong.” Ted pulled a chair over to the side of Brian’s desk and sat. “You are healthy, right?” Brian nodded. “Michael?”

“Improving.”

“Lindsay? I know Mel’s been staying in your loft. She hasn’t been causing trouble, has she? She’s so quiet that we hardly know she’s next door.”

“No. As a matter of fact, Melanie has been rather civil lately and helping Bobby with Emmett’s adoption of Richie. The thought that Melanie is sleeping in my bed is making my dick soft.”

“You’re the one who offered, aren’t you?” Ted asked with a smirk.

“Yeah, I did. To quote, at the time, it seemed the logical thing to do.”

“Then why the long face?”

“Kinnetik just seems to be doing fine without me. In fact all my enterprises appear to be doing well without me.” Brian frowned.

Ted thought he almost saw Brian pout. He smiled to himself. “Brian, you picked the right people for the job and you trained them well. You’ve instilled confidence in all of us. You’ve made Kinnetik one of the best companies to work for. You have the right to sit back and take a break. You’ve worked long and hard. No one begrudges your time with your family. You’ve earned it. And speaking of time with your family, do you want to know more about the concert you’re going to attend?”

“Sure.”

“You have box seats for the symphony on Saturday October 17th. The concert begins at eight so you’ll have plenty of time for a nice leisurely dinner. I’ve taken the liberty of making reservations for three at Papaganos for five-thirty. Does that meet with your approval?”

“Yes, it does. Of course, I’ll have to run it by Justin and Bree but I see no problem with the arrangements. And after I fumigate the loft, we can stay there Saturday night then go back to the cottage the next day.”

“Fumigate the loft? Do we have an infestation of some kind?” Ted asked with concern. The apartment he and Allen shared was right next door.

“Yes, the deadly smelly Melly bug,” Brian said with an exaggerated shudder.

Ted tried to hide his smirk. “Brian, didn’t I just hear you say that Melanie has been helpful?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Ted chuckled. “How’s Justin doing?” Ted asked, changing the subject to one less volatile. “The latest buzz around the art world is that he’s planning a new show.”

“And how would you know what the ‘buzz’ is?” Brian narrowed his gaze at Ted.

“As your personal accountant and friend, I make it my business to keep abreast of any news involving the both of you.”

“Ted, you’re gay, you don’t keep ‘a-breast’ of anything,” Brian snarked then laughed at Ted’s perplexed look.

“You do know that was a really bad pun?”

“Yeah, I know but I’m not at the top of my game today.”

“I have something that might perk you up. Be right back,” Ted said as he took Brian’s empty mug away with him. Within a few minutes, Ted was back with a full mug of coffee and the local paper. He placed the newspaper down next to the mug on Brian’s desk.

“What am I looking at?” Brian asked as he gingerly took a sip of coffee. Ted pointed to a small ad. “Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo? What the fuck is that?”

“A ballet troupe.”

“Ballet? Only blue-haired women and old queens go to the ballet. Do I look like either of them to you?” Ted gave Brian an amused look. “If you value your job you will answer correctly,” Brian growled at his old friend and confidant.

“You’re not old,” Ted quipped knowing Brian would catch the slight snap. “This is a very special ballet troupe, one that I think you and Justin will appreciate.”

“Me and Justin; not Bree?”

“As intelligent as Bree is, she may not understand the comedy behind it.”

“Comedy? Please don’t tell me they do stand up as they dance around the stage.”

“Heaven forbid. No, this ballet troupe is made up entirely with men. Sort of men in drag and on point.”

“Point?”

“Toe shoes.”

“Ouch.”

“They’re very skilled and highly sought after. When they come to town, they sell out in minutes. Because of my connections I’ve been able to get a block of tickets.”

“This is a sad state of affairs when YOU have connections that I don’t.”

“I can’t help it if I’m more cultured than you are,” Ted boasted, risking his life in the process.

“Out!” Brian barked. “Don’t you have a job to do?” Brian pointed toward the door but Ted knew there was no real malice. This was Brian just being Brian.

“Yes, Boss. Right away, Boss,” Ted kowtowed backing his way to the door. “Working, Boss, as we speak.”

When Ted was out of the office, Brian could be heard giggling. Ted smiled his way back to his own office, his job already done.

Brian booted up his computer and began a little research into the Trockaderos.

 

*****
 

“Are you ready for this?” Melanie asked Emmett and Drew. The two men were dressed in their most conservative suits. Emmett was looking exceptionally ‘normal.’

“Yes,” they answered together.

“Bobby?”

“I think we’re ready for any eventuality,” Bobby replied.

“Then let’s do this,” Mel instructed as their party walked into the judge’s chambers.

The Crosses with their representative were already sitting on one side of a table. Judge Schultz was sitting at the head.

Richie was nearby sitting in a smaller office on the other side of the judge’s chambers. He was quietly doing schoolwork or at least making a valiant attempt. He was very nervous knowing his fate was being determined in the other office. He too was dressed rather conservatively just in case he was called upon to speak. Melanie thought the judge would want to question him one last time before the adoption was finalized.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we all know why we’re here, so let’s get down to business,” the judge announced to the parties present.
 

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