Dances, Birthdays and Engagements, Oh My!
Chapter 8 - Oh My!
The sun was setting but JR and Jacqueline’s party was still going strong. A barrage of solar powered twinkling lights that lined the underside of each umbrella on every table suddenly came on. Lights that lined the porch railing added to the wonderland effect. The sounds of the family enjoying themselves filled the air. It was a perfect day. But how this perfect day was going to end was still up for grabs.
Brian had completed his gargantuan task of grilling and earned his rest back on the wraparound deck. To the casual observer he was at peace, taking in the family at play, but Brian had a lot on his mind. Was it his fault that Max Jacobs was trying to take over Brian’s city? Was it Brian’s own arrogance that lent fodder to Max’s flames? He should have acted quicker or maybe not acted at all. For the first time in Brian’s career, he was second guessing himself. This was a feeling Brian did not like. And it was making him angry.
“A penny for them.”
“What?” = Brian sharply growled.
“Whoa, it was only a question,” Jacqueline back-pedaled. Brian waved her down. Jacq pulled up a chair. “What’s wrong?” Brian gave her a look. “I’m serious. You’ve given me good advice since we’ve met, business and personal. Maybe I can help,” Jacqueline offered.
Brian thought about it for a moment. Jacqueline was an extremely business savvy woman. Maybe Brian needed an outsider’s perspective on the Max. He unfolded the tale of Max Jacobs and his wicked business ways.
“Holy shit!” Jacq exclaimed as Brian nodded. “And this fucker got away with this shit for how long before anyone figured it out?” Brian nodded again. “By the way, who did figure it out?”
“Gus and Ray, with input from Shane,” Brian explained.
“Remind me to have Gus and Ray work on my next campaign,” Jacq casually added. Brian grinned with pride. “Bobby’s right, you know. As much as I’d like to make a deal with the devil to get rid of Max, you have to do this legally. Any other way and you’d be as bad as Max. You’ve built your business using good and fair business practices. Any deviation could ruin Kinnetik’s reputation.”
“Yeah.” Brian knew that in his heart and his head.
“But that doesn’t mean you have to roll over for him.” Brian arched a brow. “Figuratively speaking.”
“Any pearls of wisdom to offer,” Brian asked.
“Not really, you appear to have it under control. How are you keeping tabs on him?” Brian explained about Hunter’s Irregulars. “Like Sherlock Holmes?”
“Yep!”
That cracked up Jacqueline. “You got some wild family, Kinney.”
“Soon to be your family?” Brian gave Jacq a poignant look.
“Who told you?”
“I’ve got spies everywhere, besides, can you two be more obvious? Who invites half a Pittsburgh to a housewarming party?”
“It made more sense this way, at least it did when JR explained it.”
“Watch that girl; JR can be very persuasive when she gets a bug up her nose. Look at who her mother and grandmother are!” Brian said as he gave Jacq a knowing look. Jacqueline nodded with a loud sigh. She knew all too well. “But you love her,” Brian stated.
“Yes, I do. I never thought I could do love but now I can’t see my world without JR in it.”
“I know exactly how you feel.”
“Is it like that for you and Justin?”
“He makes me a better man. I hate to think what I’d be without him.”
“It’s scary, isn’t it?”
Brian nodded. “I never want to find out,” he said. “Sooo, when are you making your little announcement?” Brian asked after a while.
“Why do you want to know?” Jacqueline asked with a suspicious gleam in her eyes. Brian feigned innocence. “You can’t fool me,” Jacq warned.
“I just want fair warning so I can get me and mine outta Dodge before the chaos begins,” Brian managed to say without cracking up.
“Thanks, I think.”
“You’ll be fine. The whole family is on your side except maybe for…”
“Michael. I know. I thought we had come to an understanding when he and Ben were having trouble. We had gotten so close,” Jacqueline stated with exasperation.
“That’s my Mikey. Inconsistency is his middle name.” Jacq made a face. “He’s an acquired taste.”
“One that I’m forced to acquire if I’m going to keep the peace.”
“He’ll warm up to you.”
“Yeah, in about fifty years.”
“Hey, Mikey’s gay, I’ve got Craig Taylor, the homophobic father-in-law from hell. At least Michael won’t ram into your car to give you a concussion.”
“You’re serious?”
“Like the clap.” Brian explained his and Craig’s dubious past.
“Well, shit, maybe I don’t have it so bad after all,” Jacq mumbled.
“You better get back out there,” Brian advised.
“Why?”
“You’re getting the high sign from your intended and if I’m not mistaken, your new Auntie Emm has some very nice bubbly to dole out,” Brian told her.
“Shit, what kind of family have you gotten me into?” Jacq asked as she prepared to go join the masses.
Brian smirked as he shrugged his shoulders. “You’ll be fine. Just think only of JR and tell the rest of them to fuck off,” Brian said giving his sage advice.
“Yeah,” Jacq agreed as she steeled herself before joining JR. “Brian, you and your family have helped a lot of people in this city. You’ve assisted many businesses to get their start. Many not for profits have benefitted from your charitable contributions. It’s time to call in your markers; you’re not alone in this,” said Jacq as she walked away.
“She’s right, you know,” Mel said as she sat in the chair Jacq vacated.
“Where did you come from?”
“I was inside.”
“Hiding?” Brian joked.
“Yes, in a way,” Mel replied.
“I was only joking.”
“I know but it’s true. I got tired of people coming up to me and asking if JR was getting engaged. I didn’t know how to answer.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, it’s not your problem.”
“It’s not yours either. They chose to keep their decision private. We can only respect it.”
“They told you!?”
“Don’t get your titties in a bunch. John figured it out while he was building their dream home. And it was getting kind of obvious.”
“Yeah, you’re right, again. I chose to ignore it.”
“You don’t approve?”
“I do approve. I think they’ll be great together. They are great together. JR’s more grounded, more confident in herself. I think Jacqueline is a good influence. I was worried the Jacqueline was all business and no play. That JR would feel ignored but JR knows when to put her foot down. And Jacqueline listens, something that I never did,” Mel admitted with sadness.
“That was a long time ago.”
“I know but I see what you and Justin have, Emmett and Drew, even Ben and Michael, and now JR and Jacqueline. I could have had that.”
“Maybe you still can.”
“I don’t think I’m ready to give up my apartment.”
“Who says you have to? Look, I know Lindsay still have feelings for you. Charles is just a pretty face and a colleague with a fabulous accent. Sam is just a bad boy that Lindsay thinks she can tame.”
“She has to a certain extent.”
“But he still has a long way to go.”
“She still likes dick.”
“And she still loves you. Let her be what she is. You’re always about equal rights then give her the right to be bi or omni or whatever the fuck they call it now. It’s just sex and haven’t we earned the right to be what we are by now?”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
“I’m always right,” Brian snarked.
“Fuck off!”
“Mel, the point is you two have a history and yeah, a lot of it sucked. But a lot of it was good. Be friends with benefits. Mel, have you ever noticed that even though Linds likes dick, you’re the only woman she likes to munch,” Brian pointed out.
“You can be so crude sometimes.”
“True, but I’m right,” Brian stated with a self-satisfied grin. “Mel, go be the proud mother of the bride. Make a united front of encouragement with Lindsay against any nay-sayers.”
“You mean Michael.” Brian nodded. Melanie gathered her courage then scanned the yard for Lindsay. Catching her eye, she smiled. Lindsay smiled beautifully back at her. “Brian, Bobby and Ted told me what’s going on; this is our town. You, Justin, and the family have done a lot for it. Let the town help you defend it,” Mel advised before she stepped off the deck to find Lindsay.
“Here, drink this,” Justin said as he handed Brian a cold glass of iced tea. He sat close to his spouse and watched Mel walk over to Lindsay. “You have to replenish your fluids.”
“Thank you, mother.”
“I’m only looking out for you.”
“I know you are, I’m just in a bad mood.”
“Max Jacobs?”
“Yeah.”
“Bri, let’s not worry about it now. This is a party, a very special party. Our first child is getting engaged!” Brian leaned back to give Justin a look. “Don’t give me that. You know what I mean.”
“Yes, I do, Sunshine,” Brian said as he reached out for Justin’s hand. “I know exactly what you mean. The next generation is about to take the plunge. Gus and Ray notwithstanding.”
“Soon it will be our Baby Girl.”
“Nope, she’s never going to leave me,” Brian said as he shook his head. Justin laughed. “You mock me?”
“Never. But you do know how silly you sound. Bree will grow up, fall in love then get married, as will Patrick, some day.”
“The operative word is some day, as in not today, therefore I don’t have to think about it. What I do have to think about is Max Jacobs.”
“Have you heard anything else?”
“Possibly, Hunter’s grads are keeping an eye on him. Tyrone’s been analyzing the properties he’s shown interest in, looking for patterns.”
“Tyrone?”
“Our eye in the sky.”
“Oh, that Tyrone. Has he come up with anything?”
“Maybe. Besides Babylon, Max has looked at Woody’s.”
“Oh no, not Woody’s!”
“Don’t you worry your little blond head about Woody’s. That place is well protected for the next hundred years.”
“Okay, if you say so. Where else has Max been sniffing around?”
“Some other properties that John and I were considering but they were so far out of the city that we decided against. For now, at least.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes, the bathhouse, theater, bowling alley block.”
“Okay, that shit stops right here!”
“No worries, Sunshine, remember the historical society has a vested interest in that whole street and it’s iron clad. No one can touch it unless it’s John and his men for repairs or other types of restoration.”
“You sure?”
“Yup! I have a copy of the agreement. You can look at it anytime you want.”
“Well, okay. Anywhere else?”
“The church,” Brian said softly.
“What church?”
“Joanie’s old church.”
“Oh Brian,” Justin squeezed Brian’s hand.
“It’s okay. When Hunter found out he spoke with Tom. Tom called his old bishop. There will be no selling of the church or any of it’s considerable properties in the Pitts without Papal approval,” Brian explained.
“Hmm.”
“What? I see your gerbil running on overtime.”
“Have you noticed that it appears Max is only interested in those parts of town that you or John or the family is involved in?”
Brian nodded. “Tyrone’s analysis has substantiated that premise. Remind me to put him on retainer. Kinnetik can use a statistical analyst. Better yet, I’ll text Ted.”
“Later,” Justin said. He had no plans of relinquishing Brian’s hand for the moment. “Maybe we can use this information to our advantage.”
“In what way?”
“It does seem a little weird that Max is not going after the hot, downtown, business properties. He’s concentrating on properties you already own or have an influence in. Like you said, Tyrone’s analysis bears that out. It’s proof of his bias, anyone with half a brain can figure it out.”
“We’re talking city hall. They don’t always think logically or see the obvious. We need more.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“Uh, I may have more but I’d like your opinion.”
“Of course,” Justin said with an encouraging smile.
“Jacqueline suggested we get recommendations or testimonials from the businesses that we assisted with their start-ups.”
“That’s a great idea!”
“But…”
“You think it’s boasting or some other self-deprecating shit. Well, fuck that. You personally or Kinnetik, and John have given back so much for our community; it’s about time the community repays you.”
“What about your school bus venture?” Brian said with a smile.
“Doesn’t count, it’s outside the city limits. Brian, why does someone give references when looking for a new job or condo associations want letters of reference? It’s to prove you're worthy. Well, you are! And we can prove it.”
“Okay, okay, down boy. I love it when you’re my own personal little pitbull. I’ll talk to John about it.”
“You promise?”
“Yes, I do. Uh oh, I think the main event is about to begin. I better mosey on over to Mikey. Ben may need a little help keeping Michael in line.”
Brian gave Justin a kiss before he walked off the porch. With Brian occupied, Justin pulled out his phone and began to send out several texts.
*****
“Hey Mikey! Professor. Long time no speak,” Brian quipped.
“You’ve been busy,” Michael snarked. Brian knew that Michael suspected something was going on. Debbie Novotny raised no fool.
“True, but I’ve finally been unshackled from the grill. Besides, what better way to spend this fine evening than with my best friend,” Brian gushed. He looked over Michael’s head at Ben. Ben gave Brian a small smile. Ben was worried too. “Come on, Mikey, let me buy you a beer, that is if Ben doesn’t mind driving tonight.”
“I have no objection,” Ben stated.
They walked over to the nearest cooler then Brian fished out a cold bottle of Michael’s favorite libation.
“There you go,” Brian said as he twisted off the top then handed the bottle to Michael. Brian used his cold hand to give the back of his own neck a squeeze. He could feel the tension rolling off of Michael and onto himself.
“You’re not having any?” Michael asked.
“I’ve had enough for the day. Thanks for thinking of me.” Brian gave Michael a smile. Michael smiled back. The three friends found an unoccupied table to sit.
“It is nice out here,” Michael commented.
“Yes, it is,” Ben agreed.
“Do you think JR will be happy here?”
“Yes, I think she will be,” Brian replied.
“They both will be,” Ben felt obligated to add. Brian wasn’t so sure if that was a good thing.
“Yeah, about her. Something’s up,” Michael spat out.
“What makes you say that?” Brian asked, praying for a happy ending.
Before Michael had a chance to respond, JR stood on the deck with Jacqueline beside her.
“May I have everyone’s attention please,” JR called out. Suddenly a loud whistle screeched. All eyes turned to Emmett.
“Oops, silly me, just helping, y’all,” Emmett said with a grin.
“Thank you, Auntie Emm,” said JR with a big smile. “Jacqueline and I want to thank you all for coming today to help us celebrate our new home. We’d also like to thank Auntie Emm who helped us organize everything, and all of you who helped and especially Uncle Brian who did a lot of grilling today.”
The backyard erupted with applause from and for everyone.
“We also want to thank Uncle John and his crew for making our dream house a reality,” JR said with happy tears in her eyes. Jacqueline snaked her arm around JR’s shoulders as she nodded in agreement. This would be Jacq’s first house and she couldn’t be happier.
“I’d like to also announce that…,” JR began.
“Wait, I’d like to make this announcement,” Jacq interrupted. JR smiled. As Jacqueline gathered her thoughts, whispers from the family floated on the breeze.
“I bet they’re getting engaged.”
“Maybe they’re having a baby!”
“Looks like we have a wedding to plan.”
“I just want to say that thanks to JR, I’ve never felt such love. Love from her and from all of you, her family. I’ve asked JR to be my wife and she said yes!” JR jumped into Jacq’s arms as the family en masse moved forward toward the porch.
“She couldn’t, not without asking me first,” Michael growled out.
“Michael?” Ben wasn’t sure what to say or do.
“Mikey, they’re both grown women, they don’t need permission,” Brian said calmly.
“That’s not the point!”
“That’s precisely the point. And the sooner you realize it the happier you’ll be. Mikey, do you love your daughter?”
“Of course, I do. What the hell kind of question is that?”
“Do you trust her?”
“Yes,” Michael replied with some of the fight gone from his voice.
“Then let her go.”
“But she’s my Honeybun.”
“And she always will be, but now she’s also Jacq’s honeybun. And you will have to learn how to share,” Brian said.
“I’m not sure if I can,” Michael said sadly.
“Spoken like a true dad. But you have a secret weapon,” Brian said with a smirk.
“I do?”
“Yes, you have Ben and together you will walk JR down the aisle. Think about it, Mikey, you were the first of us to marry legally and now you’ll be the first to legally marry off your daughter,” Brian crowed.
“Yeah!” Michael said with self-satisfaction.
“Now, don’t you think it’s time for you both to congratulate to the brides,” Brian pointed out.
“You’re right. Come on Ben, we should be up there,” Michael said as he grabbed Ben’s hand.
“Thank you,” Ben managed to get out before he was pulled away.
“My work here is done,” Brian said with relief.
Hours later after dessert, much bubbly, and many well-wishers, it was time for the lane residents to go back home. As Brian and John took a head count of who was going to caravan back home, a long black limo pulled up across the street. A man in a stylish suit got out.
“A friend of yours?” Carl asked Brian as he handed Debbie into their car.
“Brian, is that…?” Hunter began.
“Dad, that’s…” Gus started to growl out.
“Brian?” Justin asked, knowing something was very wrong.
“Max Jacobs,” Brian spat.
“Brian Kinney, as I live and breathe. Fancy meeting you here!”
-tbc-
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