Culturation

Chapter 7

“Emmett, congratulations!” Lindsay said with a hug and kisses for her good friend and former housemate. “You must be flying high.” Lindsay found Emmett in the large communal living room of the new cottage.

“I am. I don’t think I’ll be coming down anytime soon,” Emmett replied as he rearranged a platter of hors d’oeuvres to his satisfaction.

“I thought you weren’t supposed to lift a finger today. This is your day; yours, Drew’s and Richie’s.”

“I know but I can’t help kibitzing,” Emm said with a grin. As Lindsay took over the task, Emmett watched with a wistful expression in his eyes. “What was it like?”

“What was what, like?”

“Having a baby.”

“That was a long time ago,” Lindsay said.

“I imagine some things you don’t forget.”

“No, you don’t. I was elated when I first found out I was pregnant. And terrified at the same time. I was thirty and having a baby. Most of the women I knew were already on their second child. But Mel and I had very supportive friends.”

“Ah, yes, the lesbians. Very supportive and downright scary,” Emmett teased and they both laughed.

“I can honestly say I mostly loved every minute of it except for the swollen ankles, the weird acne, my butt getting wider and having to pee every five minutes.”

“TMI!” Emmett exclaimed as he held up his hands. “But you have a beautiful boy. Gus is a very special young man. And not just because he’s Brian Kinney’s son.” Emmett gave Lindsay a toothy smile and she giggled. “JR.”

“What about her?”

“Now, she’s a little scary.”

“Why?”

“Well, look who her mother and grandmother are,” Emmett said with a straight face.

“Stop it!” Lindsay ordered, giving Emmett a little shove. “JR is...”

“Is a wonderful young lady,” Mel finished the sentence as she entered the room.

“Oh Melanie!” Emmett gushed as he threw himself into Melanie’s arms nearly toppling them both over. He kissed her cheeks as he hugged her tight. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

“It wasn’t just me,” Mel stated.

“I know but Bobby’s right here and I will spend the rest of my life thanking him. But you’ll be leaving soon and I want to make sure you know how very grateful I am that you stayed to help us,” Emmett said with happy tears in his eyes.

Lindsay backed out of the room to give Emmett and Mel a little privacy.

 

*****
 

“GUUUSSSS!” A piercing shriek broke through the clusters of family conversation.

“I guess that answers that question,” Brian murmured to himself. He was manning the grill, barbecuing heaps of steak, chicken, burgers and hot dogs. He smiled to himself as the strawberry blond whirlwind ran past him toward the lane. He had heard the distinctive toot of the Jeep’s horn and knew Gus had been able to drive back for the day. Bree obviously heard the horn too.

“Hey, short stuff!” Gus said as he jumped out of the Jeep in time to catch his sister as she leapt into his arms.

“Gus,” Bree wailed as she peppered his face with kisses.

“Hey, I’ve only been gone a couple of weeks,” Gus chuckled as Bree refused to leave his arms.

“I don’t see you forever,” Bree said in her baby talk.

“Well, I’m here now. Where is everybody?” he asked as he carried her toward the new cottage.

“In the backyard. Dada’s grilling and everybody brought lots and lots of food,” she explained.

“Good, ‘cause I’m hungry,” Gus said as he entered the backyard, joining the family. Kisses and hug were passed around then Gus went to congratulate the new family, Bree still in his arms like a clinging vine.

“Hey, Sonny Boy,” Brian said when Gus finally lost his appendage and was able to greet his father.

“Hey, Pop! The meat almost ready? I could eat a horse,” Gus said as he held out the large platter that someone had shoved in his hands.

“I’m sorry, horse isn’t on the menu but I think there’s something you might find appetizing,” Brian snarked as he began to pile the first round of grilled meat onto the platter.

“Oh ha ha!”

“Getting settled at Penn?”

“Yeah. And I got the results from my professors about my summer project,” Gus said, referring to the report and documentary about the B&B and greenhouse, as the platter was quickly becoming filled.

“A?”

“A+!”

“That’s my boy! Be sure to tell John.”

“I think he got a copy since it was his project, but I’ll be sure to tell him.”

“Tell the moms too.” Brian arched his brow as he indicated Mel.

“I will and who’s that with mom?” Gus asked as he spied Charles with his mother.

“Charles Higgins from England, the curator of the London National Gallery.”

“Oh yeah? Why is he looking at my mom as if she were a meal?” Gus’ Kinney brow was up.

“Your mother has been dating him.”

“Dating. But he’s a guy!”

“Your mother is not a stranger to men.”

“But...”

“Just be nice.”

“I’ll be nice but if he hurts her, I’ll mess him up,” Gus growled. Then he turned and stomped away, platter in hand.

Brian chuckled. “That’s my boy,” he muttered with satisfaction.

“What are you laughing about?” Michael asked. He was feeling so much better, almost 100% but he still tired quickly.

“Oh nothing. Our kids are growing up,” Brian observed.

“Yes, they are,” Michael agreed. Brian handed Michael a smaller platter with burgers and hot dogs.

“Here, go make yourself useful,” Brian ordered but making sure the platter wasn’t too heavy.

“Yes, master,” Michael said with a smile. He appreciated that Brian didn’t hover or treat him like an invalid. Michael brought the dish to the table.

 

*****
 

“Justin, come sit with us,” Jennifer said as she waved her son to a chair next to her and Seth.

“Hi, Mom,” Justin said kissing her cheek before sitting down. “How are you, Seth?”

“I’m great. Marrying your mother was the best decision I ever made.”

Justin grinned at the man who had made his mother so happy. He watched Jennifer pat Seth’s hand. They seemed to have the perfect marriage. “You two look like you’re still on your honeymoon,” Justin observed.

“Ah, the honeymoon,” Seth said with a wistfulness in his voice.

“I bet that was perfect too,” Justin said with a smile.

“Totally,” Seth agreed.

“You have a very short memory, darling,” Jennifer laughed.

“I remember perfection.”

“I remember a lot of lying down,” Jennifer reminded him.

“And you have a problem with that?” Seth asked with a wink.

“TMI,” Justin interrupted them, holding up a hand to stop this conversation.

“Just so you know,” Jennifer continued ignoring Justin, “I enjoyed the lying down part immensely.”

“Um, could we change the subject?” Justin asked.

“Why, my boy, I believe you’re blushing,” Seth said with a laugh.

“You could be right,” Justin agreed with a sheepish look. He could never get used to the idea of his mother having sex.

“I hear from my beautiful granddaughter that you and your husband are taking her to the symphony,” Jennifer jumped in changing the subject.

“Yes, yes,” Justin replied, happy to have something else to think about instead of his mother and Seth lying down.

“What brought this on?” Jennifer asked. “You never seemed interested in the symphony when I took you.”

“I wasn’t.”

“So, what’s changed?”

“I have a daughter of my own now,” Justin said thoughtfully. “I may not have liked the symphony too much when I was young, but I appreciate that you exposed me to it.”

“Wow, that’s good to know,” Jennifer laughed.

“I mean it. I do appreciate everything you did for me, to educate me and make my life better,” Justin said sincerely.

“Oh Justin, thank you for saying that. I really appreciate it,” Jennifer murmured to her son. She leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek.

“I want to give Bree the same kind of opportunities that you gave me.”

“I think that’s admirable, my lad,” Seth interjected.

“Thanks,” Justin said feeling himself blush again.

“You’re a wonderful father to Bree,” Jennifer said sincerely. “Both you and Brian are.”

“Thanks Mom, that means a lot coming from you.”

“Now, enough of this mutual admiration society,” Jennifer stated abruptly. “What are you hearing at the symphony?”

“Mozart.”

“Oh yes, Mozart. He’s one of my favorites. That’s a good choice to take Bree to. It will be light and more fun than some of the other composers.”

“That’s what Ted said.”

“Ted?”

“Yes, we asked him to get us tickets to something he thought Bree might like. So after some consultation with Allen, he got us tickets for Mozart. I think Bree is invited backstage after the concert. That is, if she’s still awake,” Justin added.

“I think my granddaughter will be wide awake during the whole concert. She will appreciate the finer things in life.”

“I don’t know,” Justin said as he stared at Bree who was regaling JR and Candy with some kind of story across the yard.

“I think you should worry more about Brian than Bree,” Jennifer advised her son.

“Why would you say that?” Justin asked intrigued.

“Well, I don’t imagine this excursion to the symphony was Brian’s idea.”

“No, it wasn’t but…”

“Brian likes the music at Babylon … not Mozart,” Jennifer continued.

“He can appreciate the finer things in life.” Justin felt he needed to defend his husband.

“This isn’t the ballet, Justin. There won’t be any crotches to leer at,” Jennifer warned. “It’s just music.”

“Brian can handle it,”

“Brian can handle what?” Brian asked as he joined them fresh from the grill.

“The symphony.”

“I can handle anything if I make the effort,” Brian stated.

“Well, for Bree’s sake I hope you will make the effort,” Jennifer said. “I want my granddaughter to enjoy the symphony.”

“And you think we don’t?” Brian asked snippily. He didn’t like Jennifer’s tone. “Why would we be taking her to the symphony if we didn’t want her to like it?’

“Brian, I didn’t mean…”

“Sure you did. You think I can’t appreciate the finer things of life because I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. Well fu… Never mind,” Brian said shaking his head. He turned away and walked purposefully toward the grills. At least that was one thing he could do well. Nobody was his equal at grilling. And he didn’t fucking need Jennifer Taylor’s approval for doing that!

“I better go after him,” Justin said standing up.

“I should be the one,” Jennifer said also standing. “I was too hard on him. I’m sure he means well.”

“He doesn’t just mean well, Mom. He does well. He is the best father Bree could ever want, and he’s going to the symphony because he knows it’s good for Bree. I offered to let him stay home, but he wants to go. He loves Bree so much. He would never do anything to ruin it for her.”

“I … I know, honey,” Jennifer said mollified. “I should have been more considerate of his feelings.”

“You were pretty hard on him,” Seth added.

“I know,” Jennifer conceded. “I’m going to talk to him.”

“He may not want to talk to you,” Justin cautioned. “When he gets like this…”

They could all see Brian slapping steaks on the barbecue and slamming the cover. He was obviously not in a good frame of mind.

“Maybe you should wait, Jennifer,” Seth told her.

“No, I need to straighten this out.” Jennifer steeled herself and headed towards Brian.

Justin and Seth watched her cross the yard.

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Seth said shaking his head.

“Neither do I,” Justin agreed. “But you know Mom…”

“Only too well.”

They both held their breath as Jennifer approached Brian Kinney at the barbecues.

“Brian,” she said.

“Jennifer, leave it alone. Go back to your husband and your perfect life,” Brian growled. He didn’t even turn around to look at her. He kept working with his meat on the grill.

Jennifer snorted. “You can’t get rid of me that easily, Kinney,” she retorted.

“I’ve tried for years.”

“You really are a bastard when you choose to be.”

“Just like I’m an uncouth, blue collar schmuck who can’t appreciate the symphony and will ruin it for his daughter.”

“I never said that,” Jennifer replied, although she knew that she pretty much had implied such a thing.

“If this is your idea of an apology, I think you need some practice.”

“It is an apology,” Jennifer said contritely. “I didn’t mean to imply what you just said. I merely wanted you to help Bree enjoy the symphony.”

“Believe it or not, Justin and I have already had this conversation. I am well aware that if I denigrate the symphony Bree will think it’s bad. I have no intention of doing any such thing.”

“I’m very glad to hear that, and I do apologize for what I said.”

Brian turned to face Jennifer for the first time. He stared into her eyes seeing that she really did mean the apology. “I accept your apology.”

“Thank you, Brian. I don’t like being on the outs with you.”

“I don’t like it either.”

“I think you are a wonderful father.”

“Then why…?” Brian stopped, shaking his head as he didn’t want to say what he was thinking.

“You want to know why I would say that you needed to make the effort?” Brian nodded. “I said it because I know that the symphony was not part of your upbringing. I want Bree to have every chance in life, and…”

“I will give her everything that life has to offer,” Brian stated.

“I know that. I really am sorry.”

“I think I already accepted your apology, so let’s drop it.”

“Okay,” Jennifer said, “as long as we’re okay.”

Brian looked like he was about to make a snarky comment, but he changed his mind. “We’re fine,” he said finally.

“Good.”

“Yeah, good.”

“I was thinking…” Jennifer continued letting her words hang in the air.

“That can’t be a good thing,” Brian snarked.

Jennifer gave Brian’s arm a swat. “I was thinking that Seth and I haven’t been to the symphony in a long time. Maybe we should get tickets so we can see Bree’s reaction.”

“And make sure that I don’t ruin it for her.”

“Brian!”

“Okay, okay, get your tickets.”

“You won’t mind?”

“Me, mind? Never!”

“Good then I’ll go talk to Allen and Ted about getting the tickets.”

“Yeah, Ted…” Brian muttered.

Jennifer walked away looking for Ted and Allen in the mass of people attending the party. She was glad to be back on good terms with Brian, and she would enjoy the symphony, and she could make sure that Bree knew all about the music.

“Maybe I should buy all the seats for this fucking Mozart concert,” Brian mumbled as he turned the steaks on the barbecue. “They’re going to be filled with all the fucking members of this dysfunctional group anyway.”

“That might not be a bad idea,” Justin said with a chuckle as he joined his husband. “You and Mom okay?”

“Peachy,” Brian snarked.

“Then you get a big kiss for making up with her.”

“Like I had a choice,” Brian managed to say just before Justin claimed his lips in a hot and wet kiss.
 

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