Emerging

Chapter 1

 

“Mom, I’m home!” Gus yelled out as he burst through the door. “Mom?” he said again not getting any reply then searching the first floor of the house.

It was early Saturday morning; Gus didn’t think his mother would be at the gallery just yet. Gus had decided to fly back home from New York. It was worth the added expense to be able to spend some quality time with his mother and JR. He also wanted to know what the fuck was going on with his mothers before he drove back to Penn. He wanted to see his father and Bree but he knew that would have to wait until Labor Day. He had already heard from Justin that Edna’s Treasures would be hosting the Labor Day barbecue.

“MOMMMM!” Gus shouted louder, running up the stairs towards his mothers’ room.

“I’m here, Gus,” Lindsay said emerging from her shower in her robe with a towel wrapped around her hair. She looked tired and sadder than Gus had ever seen her, even during the worst of times.

“Oh Mommy,” he cried, wrapping his arms around his mother. Just over six foot like his father, Gus was taller than Lindsay but he felt like a little boy, helpless to ease his mother’s pain. He stepped back a little to look into his mother’s eyes.

“She’s gone for good this time. I got this in the mail the other day.” Lindsay pulled a wrinkled letter from her robe pocket then handed it to her son. She went to her room while Gus read it, standing alone in the hall.

“Fuck!” was all that Gus could say as he re-read it a half a dozen times before it sunk in. “It’s over, it’s fucking over,” he murmured incredulously.

“Yes, it is,” Lindsay confirmed as she came out of her bedroom. She was dressed but not completely ready to show her face to the world. Gus followed her down to the kitchen where he sat watching her make some toast and coffee for the both of them.

“Does JR know?”

“Yes, and that’s a whole ‘nother’ smoke as they used to say.”

“What do you mean?”

“Mel wants JR to live with her.”

“What?!” Gus asked as his eyebrows rose high into his hairline. “Is she going?”

“She doesn’t want to. She misses her mother terribly, but JR made it clear that her home is here.”

“Here?” Gus asked indicating the house that he called home for most of his life.

“Not exactly. She loves it at Michael and Ben’s. And they do have the room.”

“Mama’s not going to like that,” Gus said knowingly.

“Nope, not one bit, but JR is fifteen. Mel knows that if a custody battle were to go before a judge she’d probably lose.”

“Why?”

“Because JR isn’t a baby for one thing, and she’s living in a stable environment. Besides, she’s a sophomore now with lots of friends and she’s working part time with her father. No judge would force her away from all that.” Gus nodded in agreement. “And you have to admit, other than your father, Michael’s relationship with Ben is the longest and the strongest.”

“But you and Mama...”

“Gus, I’m finally facing reality. When it was good with Mel, it was so very good. But the bad was so far worse than any good times we shared. I’m done, lambskin. I’m tired. I just want to get through this then figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life.”

“You’re not going anywhere are you?”

“No, sweetheart, maybe a vacation or a cruise after this mess is all cleared up but I’m not going to abandon you,” Lindsay reassured her son. Gus was apparently feeling abandoned by his other mother. Lindsay placed two mugs of coffee on the table with a plate of buttered toast between them then she came around the table to hug her son. “I promise you, Gus, we will get through this.”

“Okay, Mom,” he whispered. “I love you,” Gus said as he hugged her back.

“I love you so much, lambskin,” Lindsay said into her son’s neck letting her tears flow.

 

*****
 

“Daddy, would it disappoint you if I don’t become a lawyer?”

“What? No! What brought this on? Were you really thinking of becoming a lawyer?” Michael asked JR as they were eating breakfast.

The Fall semester was about to start soon so they’d been going to work early, taking inventory and rearranging the comic book store. Michael found that JR had a very logical and talented mind. She had made several subtle changes to the displays. Michael couldn’t quite figure out why they worked but he wasn’t about to argue. His daughter was more like Mel and Debbie than Michael cared to admit. But whatever JR had done had resulted in increased revenue. Who was he to argue with success?

“Honeybun, did you really want to become a lawyer? You’re very smart. I know you can do anything you set your mind to.”

“I thought about it once,” JR said contemplatively. “But it was never really my choice; Mama wanted it more than me. I think I’m old enough to make own decision.”

“I agree but...”

“I know, Dad; I’m a still a kid.”

“Yes, you are. So what do you want to do? You do want to go to college, don’t you?” Michael asked hopefully. He had high expectations for his daughter.

“Yeess, Daddy,” JR answered, rolling her eyes like all teenagers when their parents were being...parents. “I was thinking about studying marketing and business. I really like working with you at the store and I have lots of ideas about expanding, maybe getting into videos.”

“Videos?”

“Yeah, videos that have to do with comic book heroes. Those kinds of videos. You know Superman and Spiderman. Not regular videos.”

“Oh! That’s a good idea.”

“Really?” JR asked not believing her father approved. Her mother rarely approved of any of her ideas.

“Really. We’ll look into it when we get to the store. But how do we find out which videos the kids will like?”

“Oh Daddy, I know all the popular movies I’m still a kid, remember, but we can put up a suggestion box and we can get all the good movies in before Christmas.”

“Christmas? It’s still Summer.”

“Come on, Daddy, hasn’t anything Uncle Brian does at Kinnetik worn off on you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What’s Brian have to do with this?”

“Marketing and advertising, Daddy. Uncle Brian knows all about that.”

“Yeah, so.”

“Daaaddy!” JR was beginning to get frustrated with her father.

“Fine, I’ll call Brian and get his input.”

“Good, Daddy,” JR teased. Michael kissed his very precocious daughter. “Daddy, will Mama make me move?” JR asked, suddenly getting very serious and a little frightened of the prospect of leaving Pittsburgh and her home with her dads.

“I honestly don’t know. I’m going to talk with Lindsay to see what we’re going to do. And when was the last time you spent some quality time with your mother. She loves you and misses you,” Michael said giving JR a squeeze.

“I know and I miss her too. We’re going to lunch today if that’s okay with you.”

“Of course, Honeybun.” Michael kissed the top of JR’s head. “You know, it’s got to be hard for your mother. Mel didn’t just leave you.”

“I know, Daddy. But I’m not sure what to do.”

“Neither am I,” he said looking into his daughter’s eyes. “But I promise we’ll get through this.” JR nodded then they finished their breakfast before going to the store.

 

*****
 

“Good morning, Mr. Kinney!” Faith greeted Brian as soon as he opened the door. Bree begged her fathers to allow more piano lessons until school began. Brian and Justin couldn’t deny her since she had proved her dedication to playing the piano. So Faith and her daughter Hope had increased their visits.

“It’s Brian,” Brian hissed low without hiding the annoyance in his voice. For the millionth time Brian asked Faith to use his first name and for the millionth time she greeted him with mister. If she wasn’t such a good teacher, Brian would have shown her the door.

“Is Briana ready?”

Before Brian could answer, the sound of ‘scales’ filled the cottage.

“I believe so,” Brian snarked as he offered the ladies a beverage. When he got no takers, he left Faith with Bree then escorted Hope to her perch in the porch. “You like to read.” A statement more than a question before Brian turned to go up to his office.

“Yes, I like books. I can take them wherever I go and they don’t care if they get left behind.”

Brian stopped then turned back. “You move around a lot?” Hope nodded. “Must be inconvenient.” ‘Explains a lot,’ Brian thought to himself. “What are you reading?”

Hope held up a thick book showing Brian the title, The Collective Works of Jane Austen. He nodded. “I’ll be in my office if you need anything.” Hope nodded again then returned to her book.

“Sunshine!” Brian answered his cell phone as he settled into his chair to boot up his computer. Brian was reviewing Kinnetik’s monthly revenue reports for every branch.

“Bri, my show is opening tonight, are you coming?”

“Don’t I always come with you?”

“Yeah, but this is different.”

“How?”

“More personal. I really want you there.”

“I’ll be there. You sure you want the Squirt to be there?”

“Of course I do. She’s been coming to my openings since she was a baby. Why?”

“You’ve got my dick plastered all over the gallery walls.”

“I always have your dick plastered on all the gallery walls. If we don’t make a big deal of it neither will she.”

“If you say so, Sunshine.”

“I say so. Besides, Candy is going to be there and if her mom is feeling up to it, so will she. If Candy is going to be Bree’s new sister, they should meet.”

“Yeah, about that.” Brian heard Sidney in the background trying to get Justin’s attention.

“Bri, I gotta go. We’ll talk more later.”

“Yeah. Later,” Brian said to a dead line.

 

*****
 

Hope finished the last page of her book and shut it with a sigh. She knew she should have brought another novel with her. She could hear that stupid girl, Bree, banging out notes on her stupid spinet. What a little spoiled brat! Hope hated coming to this house more than any of the houses she went to with her mother. Bree had everything, and she didn’t even appreciate it. Bree had two fathers, and Hope didn’t even have one … most of the time. She missed her daddy a lot, but he was far away fighting against some enemy. He should be there with her.

Hope shuddered for a second then she looked up. Someone was staring at her. She could feel it. She hated being stared at. She glanced around the huge sun porch trying to figure out who was watching her. That’s when she heard a slurping sound from the far corner.

Beau raised his head from the bowl where he was drinking. He had heard this human and her mother arrive, and he had decided that the shade tree was a much better place for him to be than inside the house with them. He knew the girl didn’t like him. He had stayed outside as long as he could, but he was finally thirsty enough that he had to come back inside for some water. He had seen the girl studying a book over on the chaise. He had been as quiet as he could. He didn’t like her anymore than she liked him. He got bad vibrations when she came near him.

Hope stared at the big dog. She didn’t like dogs, especially big ones like this. The dog was drinking from his bowl. Maybe if she was really quiet he would go back to his drinking and not even notice her. The dog took a long drink, and then he raised his head and stared right at her.

“Mommy,” she whimpered softly. “Mommy.”

There was no response. She knew she hadn’t spoken loud enough for her mother to hear her, but she couldn’t seem to get her voice to work properly. The dog continued to stare at her. She sat frozen on the chaise with her heart pounding.

Brian came down the spiral staircase from his office. He looked over the railing on his way down. He could see Hope sitting on the chaise. She wasn’t reading her book anymore. The look on her face made him pause mid step.

“Hope?” he said.

The girl glanced up at him with a look of panic on her face.

“Hope! What’s wrong?” Brian called as he hurried down the rest of the stairs.

Hope managed to raise her hand and point towards Beau. Brian followed the direction of her hand, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

“That’s just Beau,” he said gently. “He won’t hurt you. Would you like to meet him?”

Hope shook her head and the panic returned to her eyes. Brian made a quick decision about what he should do.

“Go back outside, Beau,” Brian ordered. Beau looked over at him, cocking his head quizzically. If dogs could frown, Beau would be doing so. He didn’t understand what he had done that was causing him to be banished to the outdoors. “Out, Beau,” Brian repeated. The big dog turned and went through his doggie door. Once outside, he looked back at them through the glass. Brian could see Hope visibly relax. “I didn’t realize you were so afraid of Beau,” Brian said gently.

“I’m not afraid,” Hope insisted, her bravado having returned now that Beau was safely on the other side of the glass of the sun porch.

“Of course not,” Brian said sarcastically.

“Is … is my mommy ready to go?” Hope asked, her voice quivering slightly.

“I think she must be nearly ready,” Brian replied. “Bree isn’t playing anymore. Your mother’s probably giving her some instructions about what to practice.”

“Good,” Hope said crossing her arms on her chest.

Brian almost laughed out loud. She reminded him of Michael, only Michael never managed to look as fierce as this child.

“Can I get you anything?” Brian asked as he started to walk towards the house.

Hope shook her head and mumbled, “Tell my mother to hurry up.”

Brian left the sun porch wondering how long he could put up with this strange girl and her mother.

 

*****
 

“Dada,” Bree said as she and Brian closed the door behind Faith and her daughter.

“Yes, Squirt.”

“Did you hear me play?”

“Yes I did. You’re getting better every week.”

“Miss Faith says so too,” Bree replied with a big smile.

“You really love playing the piano, don’t you?”

“Yes, Dada. Almost as much as soccer.”

“Almost, huh?”

“Yep. Do you think they have a camp for piano playing?”

“Camp?”

“Yeah, like soccer camp, but for playing the piano.”

“You want to go away for even more of the summer?” Brian asked hoping his voice didn’t sound too terrified. He knew he would never be able to deal with Bree gone for a month.

“No, Dada, but if they had a piano camp, maybe I could go for a week to each.”

“Where did this idea come from?” Brian asked.

“I don’t know. I just thought about it,” Bree said with a little grin.

“You did, huh?”

“Yep.”

“Well, I’ve never heard of a piano camp, but I guess we could look into it, if you really want to,” Brian conceded dreading the thought.

“I don’t know,” Bree said with a frown. “It won’t be till next summer.”

“That’s right.”

“So, I don’t have to decide now, do I?”

“No, Squirt, no need to decide now.”

“Good.”

“Let’s go get you dressed to go to Pittsburgh for Daddy’s show.”

“Yay! I get to wear my new dress.”

“Yes you do,” Brian agreed with a smile as Bree took his hand and led him down the hall to her bedroom.

“Are we having dinner with Daddy?” Bree asked as Brian started her bath.

“No, Daddy’s very busy, and he’ll get something with Auntie Lindsay and Mr. Bloom.”

“Where are we going to eat? The diner?” Bree asked.

“I thought we might go to Emmett’s bistro,” Brian said thoughtfully. “But only if you’re very careful not to get food on your dress.”

“I’ll be reeeeeally careful,” Bree promised.

“Okay then, into the tub. Have you got everything you need?”

“I’m fine, Dada. I’m a big girl now,” Bree assured him as she pushed him towards the door of the bathroom. “You go get ready.”

“Yes, General Squirt, going immediately to follow your orders.” Brian heard the bathroom door close behind him. Bree was really getting to be an independent, grown up little girl. “Fuck!” he muttered as he walked down the hall to his own bedroom.

 

*****
 

“Well, look who’s here,” Emmett crowed as he saw Bree and Brian come into his restaurant. “Let me show my two most favorite people to their table.”

“And what do Drew and Richie think about you calling someone else your most favorite people?” Brian asked tongue in cheek.

“What the big man doesn’t know won’t cause me any problems,” Emmett said with a toothy grin as Brian and Bree sat down.

“We just want something light before Justin’s show,” Brian said. “Right, Squirt?”

“Yes, Dada, something that won’t get on my dress,” Bree informed Emmett.

“I know just the thing,” Emmett said as he headed for the kitchen.

“Dada, will Gampa Craig be at Daddy’s show?”

“I don’t know, Squirt,” Brian replied truthfully. He knew it wasn’t very likely that Craig Taylor would make the effort to attend Justin’s show. The man was as big an asshole as ever.

“I miss Gampa Craig,” Bree said sadly.

Brian knew he didn’t miss Craig Taylor at all. He never gave the man a thought except in moments like this when Craig’s asshole behavior impacted his husband or daughter. “I bet Grandma Susan will be there,” Brian added hoping to cheer Bree up.

“That’s good, but I don’t see Gampa Craig in forever.”

“Maybe he’ll come to the show,” Brian said knowing it was very unlikely that Craig would.

“Your dinners,” Emmett said setting down a salad with grilled chicken in front of each of them. He had tailored the size to suit each guest. “I hope this meets with your approval.”

“I think it will do passably,” Brian said with a smirk.

Emmett gave him a glare and turned to Bree. “What about you, little lady?”

“Looks good, Auntie Emm,” Bree said as she laid her napkin in her lap.

“I’m glad someone appreciates my efforts,” Emmett replied giving Brian a scathing look.

Brian ignored the look and asked, “Are you coming to Justin’s show?”

“I should be there a little later when the rush is over here. I have a couple of people on holiday, so I’m filling in as needed.”

“Looks good on you,” Brian snarked.

“What the f… is the matter with you?”

“Nothing,” Brian replied. Bree’s questions had made him realize how much he wanted to wring Craig Taylor’s neck and he was taking it out on Emmett. “I’m not in the best of moods at the moment.”

“You think?” Emmett asked pointedly. “You need an attitude adjustment before the show,” Emmett informed him. “I was planning to bring Richie to Justin’s show. I wondered if that would be all right?”

“Why wouldn’t it?” Brian asked as he munched on his salad.

“Well, I see you’re bringing Bree, so I guess it will be suitable for Richie,” Emmett stated.

“If you’re worried about my dick being plastered all over the walls, I have it on good authority that it will be,” Brian said with a smirk.

“Great!” Emmett replied as he bustled off.

“Dada, where’s your dick?” Bree asked as she chewed a mouthful of salad.

“Nowhere,” Brian replied quickly.

“But you said it was plastered on the walls.”

So much for not making a big deal about his dick. “Eat your dinner,” Brian told his daughter.

 

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