Culturation

Chapter 10

The Kinney-Taylor family spent the next several weekends leading up to the Mozart concert, in Pittsburgh. It was October, the family would be attending the concert soon. Brian and Justin continued to pick up the kids after school on Fridays, drop off Patrick then make the trek into the city to stay for the weekend so that Bree could learn more about her “roots’ from her Gamma Joan.

Briana spent the afternoon with her Gamma Joan, sometimes with her daddy and sometimes not. Occasionally Justin spent his time at the gallery; his floral paintings and nudes were rocking the art world. Plus, Justin was interested in John’s redevelopment project, spending some of his time sketching the construction workers. Brian was taking delight in throwing his weight around at Kinnetik.

“Briana, I’d like you to take these home with you,” Joan said indicating all the letters and old photos she, Bree and Justin had painstakingly organized and placed in a special album. Justin noted that some of the photos were fading. Their original albums were old, not the acid free type that was kinder to photos and old paper. So while Bree was learning about her heritage, Justin, with Joan’s permission was preserving the documents for posterity. They were sitting at Joan’s dining room table examining the documents.

“Really?” Bree exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy. “Daddy, can I?”

“I’m not sure. Joan, are you certain you want to do this? I mean, this is your family,” Justin said giving Brian’s mother a pointed look.

“I know what you’re thinking, Justin. I realize that technically Bree is not of Brian’s blood, but Gus is. Claire’s children are all grown and never expressed an interest in learning anything of their roots. Bree and Gus are different, culture and family heritage seem more important to them. And I’m sure if Claire, John or Peter ever asked to look at these, you’d be happy to share the album with them,” Joan said.

Justin nodded. “You’re sure,” he repeated.

“I’m very sure. Learning about ones roots is very important. We can learn from our past and perhaps not repeat the mistakes we’ve made.” Joan gave Justin a knowing look.

“I understand and thank you,” Justin said. “We’d be honored to take care of these for you and your family,” he vowed.

“They’re your family too, Justin. And Bree’s. Never forget that. You’ve brought such joy to my son, something I was never able to accomplish when he was a child. I’m the one who is honored to have you be the guardian of these.” Joan made a sweeping gesture at the book but Justin was sure that Joan meant much more than old pictures.

“I promise you that I’ll take good care of these,” Justin responded but Joan knew he was promising her so much more.

Joan nodded. “Shall we have a snack while we wait for your father?” she suggested.

“Oh yes, Gamma! I’m hungry,” Bree said with a smile while she patted her tummy.

Joan laughed. “Then I think a snack is just what the doctor ordered,” she said as she extended her hand to Bree.

Bree took her grandmother’s hand then walked with her to the kitchen. Justin stayed at the table slowly turning the pages, gingerly examining the evidence of an era long gone and thinking to himself how life had changed for him and Brian over the years. He had a weird feeling that more changes were in store for them.

 

*****
 

“Schmidt!” Brian growled as he surveyed the main “bullpen” area of Kinnetik. The Fall leaves had been replaced by Jack O’ Lanterns, scarecrows, bats and other evidence of Halloween.

“Yes, Boss,” Ted made his usual reply. “What can I do for you?”

“You can explain to me why Kinnetik looks like a haunted house exploded in it.”

Ted just shrugged his shoulders. Brian pinched the bridge of his nose. That gesture sent the seasoned employees fleeing back to their desks attempting to look busy. Newer employees were sporting that ‘deer in the headlight’ look awaiting what Brian would do next.

Before Brian turned to storm back into his office, a little blond whirlwind ran down the aisles, expertly scurrying around desks like a football player making for the goal post.

“Bi!” Taylor called out as Brian scooped the toddler up into his arms, blowing raspberries against Taylor’s tummy. The little boy giggled with delight. Brian laughed along with him, his unlined handsome face lighting up, taking an additional twenty years off the sexy head man of Kinnetik.

“That’s Uncle Bi to you, young man,” Brian said without reservation. Kinnetik’s employees all stared in disbelief as Brian played with his nephew. Sensing he was being watched, Brian growled out a warning to his staff. “Don’t you people have work to do?!” Brian bellowed as Molly approached to take her wayward son back to the nursery school. Brian made a sloppy kiss against Taylor’s cheek making the boy laugh. Handing the boy back to his mother, Brian gave the petite blond a chaste kiss to her cheek. Molly blushed then took her son back to day care. Brian watched the blonds walk away. They reminded him of his own blonds; he couldn’t help but smile.

“Something I can do for you, Boss?” Ted asked breaking through Brian’s reverie.

“Yeah, get back to work,” Brian growled without much sting.

“Right away, Boss,” came the expected retort.

“You do know that the staff is on to you,” Cynthia commented as she fell into step with her boss and longtime friend.

“Yeah, I get that, but let me wallow in ignorance for a while,” Brian replied as he went toward his office.

“As you will,” Cynthia said with a royal wave, turning toward her own office. Brian smirked as he slammed his office door.

 

*****
 

“How do I look, Dada?” Bree asked as she twirled around in front of her father.

“Like a beautiful little girl … my little girl,” Brian said as he looked fondly at his daughter who was wearing a new pink dress selected specially for the symphony. It was finally time for the family to attend the long awaited Mozart concert. They were meeting Ted at the concert hall in about half an hour.

Bree smiled prettily at her older father. “I love you, Dada.”

“I hope you’re going to love the symphony.”

“Oh yes! Mr. Riley says Mozart is a very good composer.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes, Dada.”

“Well then, Mr. Mozart must be very good indeed.”

“So we’ve been told by all and sundry,” Justin said as he came down the steps in the loft.

Brian stared at his handsome husband who in his eyes had aged not at all. “I’m going to be accompanying the two most beautiful people in the world to the symphony tonight,” Brian said sincerely.

“Hey, that’s my line,” Justin joked.

“We are rather magnificent, aren’t we?” Brian stated straightening his tie.

“We’re perfect,” Bree said meaning every word.

Brian and Justin laughed.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Brian told them as he pulled back the loft door.

“I’m ready, Dada,” Bree said as she stepped through.

“Me too, Dada,” Justin joked.

Brian gave him a swat on the ass before turning to lock the door behind them.

 

*****
 

“So, Bree, how do you like being backstage?” Ted asked as he escorted the little girl and her family behind the scenes at the symphony. Musicians were getting their instruments out of cases and doing some preliminary tuning.

“There’s lots of instruments,” Bree said as she took it all in.

“Yes, and they make beautiful music together.”

“Is there a piano?” Bree asked.

“Yes, but it’s out on the stage already.”

“Oh. Will somebody play it?”

“Of course. In fact, that lady over there will be playing it,” Ted explained. “Would you like to meet her? Maybe Allen could introduce you to her.”

“I’d be happy to,” Allen agreed.

“Yes, please,” Bree said politely.

Ted took Bree’s hand and with Allen led her over to the woman he had pointed out.

“Cheryl,” Allen said, “we have a little lady here who plays the piano herself and is getting her first introduction to the symphony tonight. May I introduce her to you?”

“Certainly,” Cheryl said extending her hand to Bree. “I’m Cheryl Adams. I play the piano for the symphony.”

“I’m Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor,” Bree said as she shook hands with the pianist. “I play my piano at home.” Cheryl tried not to laugh at the precocious little girl. “Are you going to play Eine Kleine Nachtmusik?” Bree asked very pleased with herself that she got the words out so well.

“As a matter of fact, I will be playing that,” Cheryl replied, obviously impressed that such a young girl knew Mozart’s music. “That’s one of the most famous of Mozart’s compositions.”

“I played it with Mr. Riley,” Bree said proudly.

“Riley? Not the man who tunes the piano?”

“Yep,” Bree stated.

“Then you are in very good hands. I’ve heard him play when he gets the piano tuned and wants to test it out. He’s very talented.”

“He might teach me some piano,” Bree said pleased that Miss Cheryl knew her friend and mentor.

“That would be lovely,” Cheryl said with a smile. “Great to meet you, Miss Briana, but I must go and get ready for the concert.”

“Bye, Miss Cheryl,” Bree said as the lady disappeared out a door.

Brian and Justin had stood to one side watching Bree interact with the symphony lady. They were very pleased with how polite she was and how well she conducted herself.

“We should get you to your box, make that boxes,” Ted said to the Kinney-Taylor family. “See you after the concert, Allen,” Ted added giving his longtime lover a kiss.

They all followed Ted as he led them out of the backstage area into a hallway. He pointed them in the direction of an usher who would show them to their seats.

“I may see you after the symphony,” Ted said, “but, in case I don’t, I hope you enjoy it, Bree.”

“Thanks, Unca Ted.”

“You’re welcome, little lady.”

“Where are you sitting, Schmidt?” Brian asked.

“Third row center.”

“Couldn’t Allen get you better seats?” Brian teased.

“They are great seats. Enjoy your box,” Ted said huffily. He didn’t like being mocked especially where music was concerned. He started to walk away.

“Theodore,” Brian said in a commanding voice.

“Yes,” Ted said turning to face his boss.

“Thanks for all this. Bree really enjoyed seeing the instruments and meeting the pianist, didn’t you, Bree?”

“Yes, Dada. Thanks, Unca Ted.”

“You’re welcome,” Ted told them with a little smile. “It was my pleasure.”

Brian nodded before handing his tickets to the usher who directed them to the stairs. Another usher at the top of the steps showed them to their box. When they entered, Ashley and her mother were already seated there, just as Brian had arranged.

“Thank you for inviting us,” Susanna said. “Ashley’s so excited.”

An extra chair had been squeezed into the box to accommodate five people. Bree and Ashley hugged each other and then sat on the two chairs that had been pushed together at the front of the box. Susanna was seated there with them. The girls smoothed their dresses and sat up straight.

Brian smiled as he and Justin sat down behind them.

“Brian,” a voice said.

Brian turned to the side and saw his mother, Lindsay, Charles and the girls sitting in the next box to theirs. “I see everybody made it,” Brian observed.

“This is a real treat,” Lindsay said.

“Thank you for inviting me, son,” Joan said with a smile. “I didn’t care for the stairs to get up here, but the view is wonderful.”

“There is an elevator, mother,” Brian said. “Maybe you should use it at the end of the concert.”

“I believe I will,” Joan conceded.

“Look, Daddy,” Bree said. “There’s Gamma Jenn and Gampa Seth. And there’s Mr. Riley.”

“And Danny,” Justin added. “Oh my God! Is that Debbie and Carl? And there’s Todd and Gerry, and Emmett with Drew and Richie.”

“Is the whole fucking world here?” Brian said as many of the people down in the orchestra started waving at them.

“I think it might be,” Justin said with a laugh.

Before any other people could be spotted the lights dimmed slightly and members of the orchestra proceeded out onto the stage. When they were all seated the conductor was introduced. He walked out to applause and took his position in front of the orchestra. He raised his arm and the concert began.

Three short pieces were played. They were quite lively, and Bree clapped enthusiastically when they were over. The conductor turned to the audience and explained that Mozart had written the first piece when he was four years old. It was known as the Andante in C Major. The other two were Allegros also written when Mozart was a child.

“Do you think I could write music like that?” Bree asked with big eyes. “He was only four and I’m two times that old.”

“Maybe you could talk to Riley about that,” Justin suggested.

“We’re going to take you on a walk through Mozart’s life,” the conductor explained. He picked up his baton and the music commenced again.

At one point Brian looked over at his mother who appeared to be enjoying the concert. Her eyes were closed as she gently swayed with the music. Bree had left their box to sit on Joan’s lap to enjoy the music with her grandmother. Joan’s arms were holding Bree tightly against her, relishing in the togetherness. She turned and smiled serenely at her son, tears of joy shining in her eyes. Brian smiled back, thankful that he and his mother had found peace and had finally become the family he always hoped for. Brian knew the reason for that miraculous transformation was at the moment sitting on Joan’s lap.

The orchestra played a little bit of everything that Mozart had written. The Magic Flute excerpt was very popular. Bree thought her Unca Ted would really like that part. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik was Bree’s favorite as her hands moved to play along with Miss Cheryl who was in the spotlight on stage. As the concert was nearing its end, Bree and Ashley started to fade. Ashley leaned against her mother and Bree abandoned her chair for Justin’s lap. The final selection of the concert was Mozart’s unfinished Requiem Mass in D Minor. Mozart had died before it could be completed.

The concert ended with resounding applause. The members of the symphony were treated to several ovations as well as the conductor. The Kinney-Taylor family decided to allow the concert hall to empty out a little before leaving their box. Brian saw most of the family waving up at him before leaving. During intermission, the decision had been made to meet up at Emmett’s bistro for an after concert snack. Knowing Emmett, the snack would be more like a feast but that wasn’t the point. The family just wanted to celebrate this night together.

“Bri, you ready to get going? I think Bree’s about had it,” Justin said. He was cradling a sleepy child in his arms. Suzanne had already taken Ashley. They were staying at The Plaza, courtesy of one Brian Kinney. Lindsay had taken the girls down to the rest of the family.

“Yeah, I’m just going to get Joan,” Brian said as Justin started to help Bree with her coat.

Brian stood then looked over at his mother. Joan was still in her chair, her eyes were closed, her face at peace.

“Justin, take Bree to your mother and send up Ted,” Brian commanded.

“What’s wrong?” Justin whispered, understanding the stern expression on his spouse’s face. Justin followed Brian’s eyes as Brian glanced toward his mother. Justin’s blue eyes instantly grew wide. He nodded, gave Brian’s arm a squeeze then took their daughter down to find Jennifer and Ted.

When Brian was alone, he quickly went to the other box.

“Mom?” Brian called out knowing there would be no reply. He knelt in front of his mother.

“Oh Mom,” Brian sighed as he took a cool hand into his.

“I love you, Mom,” Brian whispered. For the first time in his life, Brian laid his head on his mother’s lap then cried.


-tbc-

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