The First Fifty

Chapter 10

46-50

“Hey, Bri, who was that on the phone?”

The boys had awakened from their ‘nap’ with plenty of time to do some work before preparing dinner. Justin, feeling renewed, decided to paint. Brian had calls to make. When it was time to start dinner, Justin cleaned off his brushes and hoisted his latest painting to the rafters. He noticed that Brian was still up in his office and went to join him.

“Hmm? Oh, that was Carl.”

“Carl? Is everything all right?”

“They’re fine. I needed some information so I figured I’d go to the source.”

“Okay. Did he help?”

“Yeah, he did.”

“Brian, are you deliberately trying to piss me off?” Justin asked with his hands on his hips. Brian was being too vague for Justin’s liking.

“Come here, Sunshine.” Brian pushed away from his desk then patted his lap. Justin made a face but crossed the office to sit in Brian’s lap.

“You do know I’m thirty-eight,” Justin deadpanned.

“I don’t care how old you or I get, I will always want your ass in my lap,” Brian purred into Justin’s ear. Justin smiled and gave Brian a kiss.

“Spill,” Justin commanded, undeterred.

“A few days ago I found something in the album. A phone number. A very old phone number so I asked Carl to see if he had any contacts left in the police force who’d be willing to track down the person who belongs to that number.”

“And did he?”

“Yes, and he didn’t have to go to any extremes. The number and the family hasn’t changed in over thirty years.”

“So who does the number belong to?”

“It now belongs to Christopher Thackeray.”

“And who is Christopher Thackeray?”

“The grandson of a very nice man who tried to teach me about honesty. He...” Brian faltered, the ad man was unable to find the right words to describe the kindly librarian who gave respite to a lonely battered boy.

“It’s okay, I don’t need details,” Justin whispered as he threw his arms around his spouse. “Did you call Christopher Thackeray?”

“Not yet. I’m not sure what to say.”

“Just what you told me. His grandfather was a nice man who was kind to you,” Justin suggested. Brian nodded his head then picked up the phone. “Do you want me to leave?”

“No. Stay.” Justin nodded. He leaned back against Brian’s chest to give Brian a little more room to make his call.

“Christopher Thackeray?” Brian said as the phone was answered. “My name is Brian Kinney. You don’t know me but I knew your grandfather.”

Justin watched as a small smile crept across Brian’s face.

“You know who I am?”

Justin didn’t have to hear the other half of the conversation; he could imagine what Christopher was saying.

“Yes, Kinnetik, that Brian Kinney. And the Committee for Concerned Citizens. That was a very long time ago,” Brian laughed. “Mr. Thackeray ... all right, Chris, I’m Brian. I know this is probably the wrong time but I just came across your number. Your grandfather gave it to me when I was a kid. I just wanted to say that he was a very nice man. He was very kind to me when, ah...yes, he did have a very big heart. He was very proud of you and your father. Retired? Scottsdale. It’s very warm there. Yes. I, uh, just wanted to say thank you. Sure. I will, the next time I’m in Pittsburgh. Good night and Happy New Year.”

Brian hung up the phone. He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes and taking a cleansing breath.

“You okay?” Justin asked with concern. Brian nodded. “What did he say?”

“He knows me; knows of me.”

“Everybody knows you,” Justin teased, getting a little smirk from Brian.

“He wants to meet.”

“I think you should. He’d probably like to know more about his grandfather. Did you know him in Pittsburgh?”

Brian shook his head. “I met him before we moved to the Pitts. I’d hang out at the library to do my homework. And...it was quiet there,” was all that Brian could say for the moment and Justin knew not to push.

Justin held Brian’s face in his hands, staring into the sad hazel eyes. “I love you, you know.” The eyes immediately changed from sad to mischievous.

“I know,” Brian smirked.

The lovers kissed away the sadness of the past.

“It’s time to make dinner,” Justin wisely said.

“Go on.” Brian pushed Justin off his lap. “I’ll be down in a minute.” Justin smiled brilliantly.

“Later.”

“Later.”

“Dada?” they both heard just as Justin was about to descend the spiral staircase.

“He’s up here,” Justin responded then waited until Bree climbed up. “I’m going to start dinner. Do you want to help me?” Justin asked his daughter. Bree appeared to ponder the question.

“Okay, but I hafta talk to Dada first.”

“Is this something that can wait?” Justin asked. Bree shook her head, no. “Very important?” he asked. Bree nodded. “In that case I release you from your cooking chores. I’ll get the guys to help. But don’t be too long. I like eating my dinner hot.”

“It’s okay, Daddy. We won’t be too long,” Bree said maturely. Justin tried not to laugh at the cute but serious expression on his daughter’s face. He nodded, threw a shrug at Brian who was watching from his desk then went down the stairs.

“What’s so important, Squirt?” Brian swiveled his chair around so that Bree could climb up to sit in the lap that had been vacated by her father.

“When I was adopted, did I get a party too ... like Richie?” Big violet blue eyes stared into hazel ones demanding an answer.

“Bree, do you remember when Taylor was a baby?” Bree nodded. “What did he do?”

“He cried sometimes.”

“What else? Think about it. When Aunt Molly brought baby Taylor to the cottage, what did Taylor do?”

Bree thought back to when Taylor was a tiny baby. “He slept a lot.” Brian nodded. “He pooped and peed in his diaper and then he’d sleep some more.” Brian smiled.

“If baby Taylor had a party, do you think he’d notice?”

Briana shook her head. “But Richie had a party.”

“Richie is fourteen and he needed to feel a part of this family. He needed the party, to see that he has a family that wants him and loves him. You were a part of this family from the moment you were conceived. Do you know what conceived means?”

Bree nodded making her pigtails bop up and down. “We learned about babies in health class. An egg from a mommy and a sperm from a daddy meet and make a baby,” Bree recited, very proud of herself.

Brian smiled. “You were wanted and loved from that very moment. You are your Daddy’s biological child. I adopted you, making you my child too.” Bree smiled her own sunshine smile for her Dada. “And Briana?” Bree heard the change in her Dada’s voice and saw the arch of his brow. She knew her father was very serious.

“Yes, Dada?”

“How many parties have you had?”

Bree thought about all the parties her fathers had given her. The party with the pony rides and her pink princess party. She looked up into her Dada’s eyes. “A lot.”

Brian nodded. “I think once a year to celebrate your birthday or a special accomplishment is more than enough.”

Bree considered her father’s words. “But Dada, one can never have enough parties,” Bree said with a coy smile while batting her lashes.

Brian glared then they both giggled. “That’s my girl!” Brian declared, hugging Bree close, making her shriek and laugh wildly. She peppered her father’s face with kisses.

“Hey, you two!” Bobby called up to them from the porch. “Dinner is almost ready.”

“We’re coming!” father and daughter replied.

“Let’s go, Squirt, our family awaits.”

“Okay, Dada.”

Father and daughter went down to join their family.

 

*****
 

“This is good, Daddy,” Bree said as she stuffed another shrimp into her mouth.

“Jambalaya is your father’s specialty,” Brian observed with a wink at his husband. Justin raised an eyebrow but didn’t reply. “Remember the first time you made it for me?”

“Unfortunately I do,” Justin replied.

“Unfortunately?” Bobby asked.

“Let’s just say that my magnanimous gesture of preparing jambalaya for Brian was met with less than heartfelt thanks.”

“There were heartfelt thanks the second day,” Brian stated.

“Yeah, jambalaya’s better the second day,” Justin said with a meaningful look at Brian.

“I don’t think there will be any left for tomorrow,” John said as he helped himself to some more. He thought maybe there was more to this story, but perhaps this was not the time to pursue it.

“Can I have some more too, Dad?” Patrick asked. John scooped some more onto Patrick’s plate.

“Save a little for me,” Gus told his uncle.

“I should have tripled the recipe instead of doubling it,” Justin said shaking his head.

“It’s really good, Justin,” Bobby told him. “I should get the recipe from you, since everyone likes it so much.”

“It’s not hard,” Justin informed him.

Brian raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth to make one of his patented comments, but then he thought better of that too. He must really be getting old when he was censoring his own thoughts.

“I think the New Year is going to be a good one,” Gus said as he filled his plate with more jambalaya.

“We all know you’d rather be in New York,” Brian observed.

Gus frowned. “Pop, if I really wanted to be in New York, I’d be in New York. I chose to be here with you.”

“One last New Year’s with your dear old dad,” Brian snarked.

“What do you mean – last?” Gus asked.

“And what’s all this old shit?” John asked.

“You know what’s happening this year,” Justin said pointedly. He looked at those assembled around the table, and then over at Brian who refused to meet his gaze.

Then the light dawned on John. “Oh, you mean about a certain person, who shall remain nameless, turning fifty,” John said with a grin.

“Don’t remind me,” Brian griped.

“I’ve already been there, done that,” John said. “You’ll survive.”

Brian shook his head. “Maybe…”

“Are you having a midlife crisis?” Justin asked.

“I’m thinking about it,” Brian said with a pout on his face.

“You’ll always be young and beautiful to me,” Justin reminded him.

“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Gus said with a big grin.

Brian glared at his son. “I don’t feel like I’m young and beautiful.”

“But you are,” Bobby averred. “Everybody says so.”

“Everybody?” Brian asked with an eyebrow that threatened to disappear into his still elegant hairline.

“You know we all talk about you, don’t you?” John asked with a wicked wink for his brother.

Brian couldn’t help but chuckle at John. “You are an evil big brother … and you’ll always be older than me,” Brian added with a smug look on his face. John groaned.

“Pop?” Gus said wondering if he was the source of his father’s malaise. “Are you upset about your next birthday because of all the trips down memory lane that I’ve forced you into this week?”

“They didn’t help matters,” Brian responded without thinking about the effect his words might have on his son.

“Geez, I’m so sorry,” Gus said a stricken look on his face.

“It’s not your fault,” Brian hastily retracted. “It’s the album and Joan’s … death, and a lot of things.”

“It’s okay to be sad, Dada,” Bree told her father. “I miss Gamma Joan a lot. But she wouldn’t want us to be sad forever.”

“No, she wouldn’t,” Brian agreed with a little smile.

“There’s supposed to be a party here tonight, or so I’ve heard. I think everybody should find their party face and their party spirit,” Bobby advised.

“That sounds like an excellent plan,” John agreed.

“Dada, will you dance with me at the party?”

Brian looked at his smart and beautiful daughter. “How could I possibly refuse such a wonderful request,” he said.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

 

*****
 

“Hi! Hi! Hi!” Emmett called out as he entered the cottage in his inimitable style. He was loaded down with all manner of delectable goodies. Emmett’s men were following close behind with their arms full as well.

“Where the hell have you been?” Brian growled.

“Excusez-moi?”

“We haven’t been graced with your presence for days. Where’ve you been?” Brian asked more softly.

“Miss me?” Emmett teased, giving Brian his toothy grin.

“Yeah, I have,” Brian said as he took one of the boxes out of Emmett’s arms to bring it to the kitchen.

Emmett stood still, shocked for the moment. “We, um, thought you could use a little quiet time with your family,” Emmett finally said as he joined Brian in the kitchen. Drew and Richie brought their boxes and bags into the sun porch to give Emm and Brian a little privacy.

“How are you holding up, Honey?” Emmett ventured.

“Better,” Brian admitted. He and Emmett began to plate up Emmett’s hors d’ oeuvres. The platters and bowls quickly outgrew the counter so Emmett placed a large bowl on the kitchen table.

“What’s this?” Emmett asked, referring to the album.

“A gift from old Joanie.”

“It’s beautiful,” he said as he ran his hand over the tooled leather cover. “May I?” Emmett asked before he opened the book.

Brian nodded then went to put a fresh pot of coffee on for those who didn’t want anything alcoholic. He also checked to see if the champagne and sparkling cider were chilling. He puttered around the kitchen to avoid watching Emmett.

“She loved you, honey. She left you proof of that right here.” Emmett reverently closed the book then stood up. He went to Brian then gazed into the moist hazel eyes. “Brian, I know you think that the gods stuck it to you again, but stop and think about it. Really think about it. Bree’s eight now, right?”

Brian nodded.

“You’ve had six solid years with Joan.” Brian rolled his eyes and tried to turn away. Emmett held onto to Brian’s arms. “I know your mother wasn’t your biggest supporter before Bree came along but she did love you. You both made mistakes and assumptions.”

“Yeah, we did,” Brian whispered.

“But you never totally abandoned her and she didn't abandon you. She was there, somewhere in the background, but she was there. Now think, Brian. There are those of us who haven’t had that much.” Emmett stood his ground as Brian connected the dots. Brian sharply inhaled.

“I’ve been selfish, haven’t I?”

“No, honey, you’ve been grieving. No one begrudges you that.” Emmett got the album and thrust it into Brian’s hands. “She gave you a wonderful gift, sweetie, don’t hide from it. Embrace it. Embrace it like you’ve embraced all of your challenges. Be proud of this, Brian. Nothing in your past can hurt you now. You have a big wonderful family. Take comfort from that.”

Brian nodded; he was feeling a little embarrassed about how he had been acting. Emmett seemed to read his thoughts.

“In the words of the great Cher in “Moonstruck”, snap out of it!” Emm grabbed Brian by the shoulders then gave him a good shake. Brian let out a short giggle.

“Are we good?” Emmett asked.

“We’re good,” Brian said with conviction.

“Excellent! Now, are we ready to par-tay?” Emmett smiled brightly as his friend.

“Yes, WE are, you big old fairy,” Brian groused, batting away Emmett’s hands. Emmett squealed.

“Dada!” Bree ran into the kitchen. She was wearing one of her pink party dresses.

“Look how beautiful you are!” Emmett exclaimed making Bree smile her own sunshiny smile. He took her little hand then swung her around.

“My Dada promised to dance with me,” Bree said looking up at her older father and her Auntie Emm.

“He did? Then why are we standing in the kitchen? Brian, you made a promise.” Emmett gave his friend a poignant look.

“Yes, I did.”

Brian swooped up Bree into his arms then went to find the appropriate dancing music. Once he loaded up the CD player, Brian took Bree into the sun porch.

While the families of Edna’s Treasures were setting up for their party, Brian set Bree down in the middle of the porch.

“Miss Briana, may I have the honor of this dance?” Brian formally asked, making a low bow.

Bree smiled then curtsied. “Oh, yes, Dada!”

As Brian twirled and danced his daughter around the sun porch, Gus took out his camera.

“May I have this dance?” George asked Rachel. She nodded and the two began to slow dance.

“You feel up to a dance?” Ben asked Michael.

“Yes, I do,” Michael replied. He was getting stronger every day. He and Ben hoped to be back home in Pittsburgh soon.

“Are you getting this?” Justin leaned over to Gus who was standing off to one side.

“Yup,” Gus replied. “Pop looks good. The sadness is gone.”

“He needed you and his family. Thank you for staying. I know you miss spending this night with Ray.”

“Ray said we’ll have the rest of our lives together. My Pop gave me so much; I can give him this night.”

“You’re a very special young man, Gus Kinney.” Justin leaned up to peck Gus’ cheek.

John and Bobby finished their dance then came over to where Justin and Gus were standing.

“Go dance, we’ll take pictures,” John suggested to Gus and Justin, taking the camera from Gus. “Gus, go dance with your sister, she’d love it. Justin, dance with Brian.”

Gus handed the camera to John then went to cut in. He tapped his father on the shoulder. “May I cut in?” Gus asked formally just as his father had done. He then bowed to his sister. Bree curtsied then raised up her arms. Gus lifted her up into his arms.

“Bri, dance with me,” Justin asked softly as he moved into Brian’s arms.

And they danced.

 

*****
 

“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five four, three, two, one…Happy New Year!

“Happy New Year, Mom,” Brian whispered as he raised his glass to toast in the New Year and Joan Kinney.

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