Emerge Victorious

Chapter 6

“Thank you for everything, Mr. Bloom. You and Ms. Peterson have been so kind to me and Cassandra,” Janet said as Sidney walked them out from his office toward the front of the gallery. Sidney had arranged for a car to take the ladies home.

“Please don’t thank me. Cassandra has real talent; it would be an injustice if we didn’t encourage her. This is what we do here. I promise if you and Cassandra allow, we will guide her in her career.” Janet nodded as she shook Sidney’s hand. He gently took her arm then offered his other arm to Candy. The teen took Sidney’s arm and the three walked to the front of the gallery.

“Chris?” Janet gasped when she saw the scowling, imposing figure standing in the front lobby of the gallery. She almost didn’t recognize the man she once was in love with. His hair was thinning and his once fit trim body was now sporting a substantial paunch.

“Janet?” Chris murmured as he curiously looked Janet over trying to suck in his gut. Gone was the perky cheerleader who had a severe case of hero worship and had been totally and completely in love with him. The girl that would do almost anything he asked of her including giving up her virginity.

“Mommy, is that...?” Candy leaned around Sidney to confirm if this angry man was the sperm donor who fathered her. Janet nodded at her daughter.

“Janet?” Chris did a double take at Janet and then stared at Candy, his jaw dropping.

“Craig, is that the man who...?” Susan began to ask her husband. Craig couldn’t respond. It had been almost twenty years since he saw the man who nearly killed his son. The man who was partially responsible for forever changing Craig’s life and the life of his family. The other man who was responsible for ruining his family was currently snarling at Hobbs, held back by Justin.

“Christopher!” Laura shrieked, glaring at her husband, demanding an explanation.

“Oh how lovely!” Sarah Kingsley exclaimed loudly to the stunned assembly. “You all know one another,” Sarah broadly smiled. “Yolanda, Laura dear, I really must leave. Sidney, I’ll be in touch. Good night all!” Sarah said with a royal wave as she left with her daughter and son-in-law who were both thinking that they’d love to be a fly on that wall.

“Bri, it’s all right, he has no power over us,” Justin said while keeping a firm grip on his spouse’s arm. Reluctantly, Brian stopped glaring at Hobbs and turned to face Justin. Strong determined blue eyes stared into his. “Bri, it’s been a long day and we have a long drive home. It’s time to go.”

Brian searched Justin’s eyes. Justin gave him a small reassuring smile. “Are you sure?” Brian asked softly.

“Yes.”

Brian nodded as he held out his hand. Justin looked down at Brian’s extended hand then again up into the intense hazel eyes. Finding all the strength and support he needed in them, Justin took Brian’s hand, lacing their fingers. They boldly faced Chris, Craig and the world.

“Sidney!” Justin said loudly, commanding everyone’s attention.

“Yes, my boy.”

“It’s been a wonderful night but it’s time to take my husband home. I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon, very late in the afternoon,” Justin said with a devious smile. Justin gave Candy and her mother a wink, causing the ladies to blush. Craig frowned as Susan chuckled.

“Of course, my lad!” Sidney replied knowingly. “Drive carefully and have a good night.”

“We intend to,” Brian and Justin said in unison.

Hands firmly clasped, Brian and Justin left the gallery.

 

*****
 

“Are you comfortable, Mom?” Candy asked.

Janet pulled the covers over her. She always seemed to be cold these days, even if the temperature was hot. “I’m good,” she said.

“Mom, can I ask you something?’

“Of course, sweetheart.”

“Why didn’t you want to talk to Chris Hobbs tonight?”

“You can call him your father,” Janet replied gently. “I don’t mind.”

“I do,” Candy declared. “He’s not a father to me. He’s my sperm donor. I saw the reaction of everyone there to him. I’m ashamed that I have his name. Why didn’t you give me your name? I would have liked that a lot better.”

Janet drew in a breath. “I guess I always hoped, especially back when I was pregnant, that someday your father would acknowledge you … and me.”

“But he never did,” Candy said bitterly.

Janet shook her head. “He was quite the jock and ladies’ man back in those days. I thought I’d won the brass ring when he started dating me.”

“He’s a jerk! He should have seen what a wonderful person you are.”

“That is such a lovely thing to say, Cassandra. And you’ve turned out to be a wonderful daughter, my darling girl.”

“We don’t need him, Mom. We have each other.”

“Yes we do,” Janet said with a gentle sigh.

“Do you want to sleep now?” Candy asked, as she noticed that her mother’s eyelids were starting to droop.

“I think that would be best.”

“We’ll talk more later,” Candy said softly as she left the room, pulling the door partially shut, but leaving it open enough so that she could easily hear if her mother needed her.

Candy walked to the kitchen and got a glass of juice. She sat down at the small kitchen table and stared across the room. This place was so much better than where they had been. They were very lucky all things considered. Her thoughts wandered to the man she had seen for the first time tonight, the man who was her father. She knew he didn’t deserve that title, but that was what the world would call him.

She studied the loft that Justin had helped them get. She wondered what Chris Hobbs’ house was like. It was probably a mansion, but Candy was sure that it wasn’t a happy place. She didn’t think Chris Hobbs looked like a happy man. Her mother, who was so sick, was much happier than he appeared to be.

With a sigh Candy finished her juice and decided it was time for bed. She was going to be going to school, she had sold all her artwork, and she might actually end up being an artist. And fuck Chris Hobbs!

 

*****
 

“I’m off to bed,” Sharon Brenner said to her husband. “Are you coming?”

“I’ll be up in a minute,” Owen replied as he listened to the news on TV.

“What do you think happened at the gallery after we left?”

“I have no idea.”

“Do you think Brian punched him?”

Owen turned in surprise to his wife. “Are you advocating violence?” he asked wondering what his wife meant by that question.

Sharon raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t say I wanted Brian to punch that oaf, but I wouldn’t have minded if he did.”

“You always manage to amaze me, my dear.” Owen gave an appreciative chuckle.

“I’m glad that’s the case,” Sharon laughed. “Are you coming to bed?” She batted her eyelashes at her husband.

“You know, I believe I will,” Owen said switching off the TV and wrapping his arm around his wife’s waist. He escorted his spunky little minx to their bedroom.

 

*****
 

“Craig, do you think Justin will be all right?”

“You mean after coming face to face with Hobbs?”

“Of course that’s what I mean.”

“He seemed to be in control.”

“We should have stayed to make sure he was all right.”

“I’m sure that husband of his will look after him,” Craig replied snidely.

“In case you didn’t notice, Justin was holding Brian back. From the look on his face Brian wanted to kill Chris Hobbs.”

“I never thought there’d be anything Brian Kinney and I would agree on, but wanting to kill that bastard seems to be the one thing we have in common.”

“Craig, I don’t like to hear talk of killing…”

“I’m sorry but that’s how I feel. You don’t know what Justin was like after the bashing. He couldn’t even come to court for Hobbs’ trial. That might have made the difference to Hobbs getting a sentence equal to the crime he committed.”

“Surely you’re not blaming Justin,” Susan said in horror.

“No, no, I’m not blaming him, but it was his heinous lifestyle that precipitated the whole event, him and that child molester Kinney. I still can’t believe that man had the gall to show up at Justin’s prom and put on such a show – dancing with my son and flaunting their disgusting lifestyle in front of the whole graduating class.”

“You are blaming Justin,” Susan said looking at her husband in disbelief.

“No I’m not,” Craig protested. “I blame Kinney.”

“I don’t see how you can blame one without the other, and why should either of them be to blame. They weren’t the ones who wielded the baseball bat.”

Craig winced. “I’m sorry, Susan. You know how I feel about Kinney. If his name comes up, I go a little crazy. I just can’t stand the man.”

“You managed pretty well at the gallery. I thought you were going to refuse to shake his hand. That would have been all over the newspapers. They like nothing better than a bit of cheap gossip.” Susan folded back the sheets on their bed. It was time to let this rest.

“Thank you for acknowledging the self-restraint I showed. It wasn’t easy.”

“I do give you credit for that,” Susan said, her voice more gentle. “Did you notice that Candy Hobbs and her mother didn’t speak to Chris?”

“Yes, that was a little strange. Hobbs actually seemed shocked to see them there. With Candy having entries in the show, you’d think he would have known.” Craig climbed into bed beside his wife.

“Janet’s very sick. I was thinking I might volunteer to take her some meals and visit with her while Candy’s in school.”

“Stay away from them, Susan. They’re all bad news.”

“If Justin can accept Candy and her mother, I think we should be able to as well. I don’t think they’re anything like this Hobbs fellow.”

Craig sighed. He hated arguing with his wife. “Be careful,” he advised. “I don’t think you should have anything to do with those people.”

“We’ll see,” Susan said with a slight smile. She snapped off the light and settled down into the bed. You had to choose your moments.

 

*****
 

“Godammit, Chris! What was that scene at the gallery all about?” Laura demanded as the couple entered their house.

They had driven a stiff and silent Yolanda home before returning to their own house. Laura had been beside herself, ready to tear a wide strip off her idiotic husband. She knew he didn’t have the best manners of the husbands in her social circle, but the idea of almost coming to blows with a renowned artist and his husband was unconscionable. She had been steaming all the way home after they dropped off her Grandmama, but she had bit her tongue until they were in the privacy of their own home. There had been enough scandalous behavior by her husband without her making matters worse. Now she wanted some answers.

“I…” Chris began, but didn’t know how to complete any statement other than one which would make the situation worse. When Laura continued to glare at him and wait for an answer, Chris finally said, “You should have told me Taylor would be there.”

“I didn’t have a detailed guest list, you moron! Justin Taylor had his own show a couple of weeks ago. You didn’t want to go to that, and I let you off the hook. How was I supposed to know he’d be at an emerging artists show?”

“You should check those things out,” Chris said.

“Are you trying to blame this mess on me? How dare you!”

“No, no,” Chris quickly backtracked. “I didn’t mean any such thing. But you know about the history I have with Taylor. Please make sure we don’t attend any of the same events. I can’t be responsible…”

“Responsible! That’ll be the day!” Laura snapped at her husband. “You’re better at dodging responsibility than almost anybody I know.”

“You mean there’s someone better?” Chris asked hoping that his wife would take that as a joke.

“You are beyond stupid sometimes. I don’t know why I ever married you in the first place. I must have been drunk.”

Chris tried not to smile so that his wife could see it. She had been drunk. “I can make you remember,” Chris said suggestively.

Laura shook her head. “And who was that woman, the one with the goth looking girl? They seemed to know you.”

“Um, they’re nobody. They just wanted to see a fight,” Chris lied.

Laura stared at her husband. She was sure there was more to it than that, but her husband had become increasingly difficult to read and control as the years had passed. Sometimes she wondered why she stayed with him. Her Grandmama did not approve of divorce and Laura was her favorite granddaughter. Laura stood to inherit a sizeable sum if she could stand being with her husband until her grandmother died. How many more years could that be? And then Chris Hobbs would be out the door faster than lightning.

“I’m going to bed. There better never be another incident like tonight. Do I make myself clear?” Chris nodded. “I don’t hear you,” Laura snapped at him.

“I understand,” Chris agreed grudgingly.

“And stay away from my bedroom until further notice,” she commanded as she left the room and headed upstairs.

Chris headed for the bar. He needed a drink, many drinks. He had dodged another bullet tonight … barely.

 

*****
 

“You okay?” Brian asked Justin. They were just passing the general store and would be home in a few minutes.

Justin had been silent the whole ride. He sat ramrod straight in his seat. His eyes stared out the front window of the Corvette, but it seemed unlikely that he was actually seeing anything.

“Justin,” Brian said softly.

Justin did not answer. He maintained the same stoic demeanor that he had ever since he and Brian had walked out of the Sidney Bloom Gallery. Justin had handled the scene so well, better than Brian. Brian had wanted to rip fucking Hobbs’ head off. He would have too if Justin hadn’t stepped in his way. That Hobbs asshole deserved to die as far as Brian was concerned.

It had been such a nice evening…to begin with. Candy and her mother had enjoyed themselves. Brian was able to facilitate Candy enrolling in the Rainbow School. He knew that was something that would please her mother. The woman had been through a lot, and she needed to know that Candy was safe and in school. Tannis had been very helpful, even though she didn’t like him. Brian had to smirk as he thought about his meeting with the woman in Sidney’s office.

Brian glanced over at Justin. This was getting ridiculous, scary even. “Justin, answer me, please,” Brian practically begged. He wished they were home and he could hold Justin in his arms. “Justin,” he repeated in a louder tone.

“I … I can’t believe Hobbs was there,” Justin mumbled.

Brian felt relief that Justin had finally spoken. Maybe they could talk this out. Maybe it would be all right. Brian turned to look at his husband. Justin was no longer stoic. He was shaking from head to toe.

Brian pulled the Corvette off the road and to a stop on the shoulder. He released his seatbelt and pulled Justin against him. Justin’s seatbelt held them somewhat apart, as Justin whispered Brian’s name. Brian reached down and managed to press the button on Justin’s seatbelt. He felt his husband melt into his arms, as he drew Justin tight against his body, seeking to protect the man who had meant everything to him for almost twenty years.

“Justin,” Brian whispered. “Justin, I’m here. He can’t hurt you.”

Justin shuddered a few more times, and then seemed to calm down. He leaned against Brian, letting the man support his weight and hold him tight. Brian wanted nothing other than to protect Justin from Hobbs, from horrific memories, from the world outside Edna’s Treasures.

“Justin, can you hear me?” Brian asked again.

“Why was he there, Brian? Why does he do this to me after all this time?”

“He has no power over you anymore, Justin. You bested him. He was speechless when you said you were taking your husband home. He had no answer.”

“Didn’t he? I don’t remember what I said,” Justin whispered.

“You said just the right thing. And you stopped me from killing him. I owe you big time.”

Justin gave a strangled laugh at Brian’s words. “I always protect you,” he managed to joke.

“And I protect you right back.”

“Yes you do,” Justin said looking into Brian’s eyes for the first time. His hand caressed Brian’s cheek.

“You’re going to be fine, Justin. We have each other. We have Bree and Gus and a wonderful family. Hobbs doesn’t even know his daughter. She’s a wonderful girl and he’s missing all that. She detests him. What kind of life is that?”

“We are lucky, aren’t we?” Justin asked. The shaking had completely stopped and the stiffness in Justin’s body was all but gone.

“I bet Hobbs hasn’t got any in a long time,” Brian joked. “His wife looks like a frigid bitch.”

“And you know all about frigid bitches,” Justin replied looking into Brian’s eyes.

Brian smiled. “Are you ready to go home now?” he asked. Justin nodded. “It’s just a few minutes more. Can I let go of you now?”

“Yeah,” Justin said sitting back in his seat. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. You have a lot of bad memories to deal with.” Brian pulled the car back onto the road.

“I can’t believe I let him affect me like that. I’m so glad we left Bree with John and Bobby. I would have scared her if she’d seen me like this.”

“Bree would understand. She’s a very smart little girl. And she’s not here anyway, so we don’t have to worry about it.”

“But she could have been. We take her to the gallery shows all the time.”

“I doubt Hobbs will come anywhere near the place again.”

“I thought that Yolanda woman was going to kill him,” Justin said with a chuckle.

“We should be so lucky,” Brian replied wryly.

“I think it scares me that Hobbs shows no remorse. It’s like he feels he was justified in what he did,” Justin said.

“He probably thinks he was. We know better.”

“Yeah, we do. I love you, you know.”

“I think I’ve figured that out after all this time,” Brian said. Justin seemed to be returning to his usual self. That was a good thing.

“Brian, when we get home, will you make love to me?” Justin asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

“It would be my pleasure, and I do mean pleasure.”

Justin smiled at his husband. Hobbs could go fuck himself. Justin had everything he needed right here with him.

 

*****
 

“Mom, how did the show go?” Gus asked when his mother answered the phone.

“It was a very good show. Lots of sales. Candy sold all her pieces.”

“Wow, that’s great. She and her mom must be really pleased.”

“They were, and then… Lindsay proceeded to tell her son all about the altercation between Hobbs and Justin and Brian.

 

*****
 

“I love you, Justin,” Brian said as he lowered Justin onto their bed.

Their naked bodies fit together perfectly as they always had. Justin wrapped his arms around Brian and held on as his husband did wondrous and scandalous things to his body. This was exactly what he needed to erase the memories that Chris Hobbs had resurrected. Justin knew he had nothing to fear while he was in Brian’s arms.

Brian made passionate love to his mate. They were made for each other, and nothing would ever change that. The bond they had could survive anything, including Chris fucking Hobbs. Brian poured all his love into their coupling. Justin would have no doubts about his life and future when Brian was finished with his efforts.

The lovemaking was slow and delicious, just what Justin needed. Brian always knew what Justin needed, and this was no exception. It was a wonderful night for them both, and a reaffirmation of how much they meant to each other.

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