The Fox in the Hen House

Chapter 5

“Deb?”  Peter quietly came into the kitchen.  Debbie was at the stove cooking dinner. 

“Hiya, Honey.  If you’re hungry and can’t wait till dinner there’s cut up veggies on the table,” Debbie said as she pointed to the bowl on the kitchen table.  Peter reached over to snatch up a carrot.  He sat at the table to watch Debbie work.  “What is it, Sweetie?”

“Do you want me to leave?”

“No, of course not.  Why would you think that?  Do you want to leave?  Aren’t you happy here?  Don’t you like your room?”  Debbie bombarded him with questions while she looked at him with large shocked eyes.

“I love it here,” Peter mumbled in his chair looking very dejected.  “I haven’t been here that long but it’s nice and quiet and you and Carl have been really nice to me.”

“Then why would you want to leave?”

“Because Michael…”

“Did that little asshole say anything to you?” Debbie shouted, bringing Carl into the kitchen.

“Whoa!  Let’s take a breath here,” Carl commanded as he stood in between them.  “What’s the problem?  Quietly,” he said giving his wife a poignant look.

“Peter thinks we want him to leave,” Debbie sadly said.

“And why do you think we want you to leave?” Carl calmly asked Peter.

“I don’t want any trouble and me being here is causing trouble,” Peter said.

“Trouble for whom?” Carl asked as he took a chair and sat directly in front of the boy.

“For Debbie and Michael,” Peter replied.

“Ignoring Michael for the moment, does Debbie want you to leave?”  Carl turned his head to look at his wife. 

She shook her head no.  “I really want you here with us, Peter,” Debbie said quietly, following her husband’s example.  She spoke slowly, choosing her words carefully.   “You’re a good kid, Sweetheart.  And you deserve a chance at a good life.  If Carl and I can help give you that life then that’s what we’ll do,” she said as she held out her hand to her husband.  Carl took it, showing Peter a united front.

“I know that Michael can be difficult.  He’s always been that way, especially when it came to Brian and his choices.  Until Michael and Ben became a couple, it was only me and him.  I know he gets very jealous of anything or anyone that he thinks is coming between us.  He doesn’t realize that nothing will ever change the way I love him.”  Debbie stopped to take a breath.  “Peter, we really haven’t known each other for very long and a lot of things have happened recently to turn your world upside down.  But I’ve never lied to you.  We want you here.  John really wants you to be his intern for the summer.  I’ve known him for a long time; he’s one of the most honest and caring men I’ve ever known.  He told me he sees a lot of potential in your drawings and thinks you’d make a fine architect someday.”

“Did Patrick tell you that he’d like to follow in his father’s footsteps?” Carl asked Peter.  Peter shook his head.  “Ask him about it.  Patrick followed John around just as you’re going to do now.  Although from what I hear, Patrick likes the building side of the business.  Both are equally important.”

“Now no more talk about you leaving us,” Debbie said with a pout as she stood and pointed a sharp red nail-polished finger in Peter’s face.  “You understand?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Peter said with a shy smile.

“Good, now go wash up then set the table,” she said as she made shooing motions with her hands.  “You too!” she added looking at Carl.

“Yes ma’am,” Carl said with a smile as he followed the boy.

“Well, all right,” Debbie murmured as she returned to her stove.  “And no more of this nonsense about anyone leaving,” she informed the pot and all the other pans and utensils around her.

*****

“Um, hello!” Peter called out as he slowly opened the door of the new cottage.  Alex and Glen’s furniture hadn’t arrived yet so they were still staying at the B&B, but they were spending their time in the new cottage making it their home.

“Bedroom!” Glen called out.  Peter slowly shuffled in.  “Hey, kid, how’s it going?”  Glen had a bunch of paint samples in his hand.  He was holding them against the bed and then the walls.

“I’m not too sure,” Peter admitted.  “What are you doing?”

“Alex and I decorated our apartment so long ago that I’ve forgotten how tedious and frustrating it can be.”

“So why do it?  And why move all the way out here in the middle of nowhere?”

“Because I love Alex,” Glen said with a beatific smile.  “Because when he told me about this place he had a look on his face that I haven’t seen in a long time.  We needed to do this.”  Glen maneuvered his wheelchair closer to Peter. “Do you know what Alex and I do for a living?”  Peter shrugged his shoulders.  He had heard they were both some kind of therapist or counselor.  Peter had seen enough of them in school.  “Alex is a psychiatrist and I do double duty as a physical therapist and psychologist.”

“How can you be a…” Peter started then stopped himself.

“A physical therapist while in this chair?”  Peter nodded.  He could feel his face getting red.  “I specialize in neurological injuries.  Do you know what that means?”  Peter nodded again.  “Who better than another paraplegic to know what goes on in the head of someone that suffered neuro injuries?  As a physical therapist I teach the wheelchair bound person how to cope on their own or with as little help from others as possible.  As a psychologist, I know when that person is mentally ready to participate in therapy, physical or otherwise.”

“I guess that makes sense.  And Alex?”

“My dear Alex is a genuine shrink,” Glen laughed.

“A psychiatrist?”

“Yup.”

“But he doesn’t act like a psychiatrist.”

“And what does a psychiatrist act like?” Glen asked as he finally made a decision on the perfect shade of sage for the bedroom walls.

“Um, always asking questions like 'why do you hate your mother',” Peter replied.  Glen laughed again.

“They only do that on TV.  Alex and I have stressful careers.  Not the physical kind of stress like a construction worker would have, but the mental kind.  That’s why we take time for ourselves every summer.”

“Do you talk about your patients or clients, whatever you call them?”

“Nope, not unless we’re consulting on the same patient.”

“Why?”

“Many reasons, some of them are legal but the main reason is patient confidentiality.  My clients trust me to not discuss their personal problems with anyone.  That includes my husband the shrink.  The same goes for him.  That also means that whatever you discuss with either him or me we will not talk about unless you give us permission.”

“Huh,” Peter murmured. 

“So what do you think of this color for the wall behind the bed?”  It was a vibrant shade of teal.  Peter wrinkled his nose.  Glen stared at the sage and teal together.  “Yeah, too queenie,” Glen agreed then flung the sample card over his shoulder.

“Do you have to put another color back there?” Peter looked at the plain white wall.

“No, but four walls the same color is boring.  And I am far from boring,” Glen declared.  Peter tried to hide a laugh.  “Go ahead, laugh away.  Don’t you know that suppressing a laugh can be very dangerous for you?  It’s like trying to hold back a sneeze, you’re risking blowing the top of your head right off,” Glen stated with conviction.

Peter stared at the strange man for a moment, as he felt a real laugh bubble up from somewhere deep down inside.  When it erupted Glen was treated to a boy really having a good time.  Maybe one of the only real good times the kid had ever experienced in his short life.

“Maybe this color,” Glen said as he held up a pale lavender sample.  Peter nodded as he continued to laugh.

*****     

“So this is what the Silver Fox looks like when he’s basking in the sun,” Brian said as he walked into the yard of the B&B.  He was carrying several flats of flowering annuals to plant in the fancy urns that lined the back of the yard.  Alex was sunning himself on one of the lounges in the yard. 

“Are you wearing sunscreen?” Brian asked as he put various color groupings together.  He’d stare at the groupings then remove a plant and add another.

“Yes, mother, I am,” Alex replied from behind dark glasses.  He stretched himself out on the lounger as Brian picked up a small shovel to prepare the soil and start planting.  “You really are the gardener around here, aren’t you?”

“And this surprises you?” Brian asked as he looked up and arched a brow.

“No not really.  I know this intellectually in my head but it’s just not registering with the Brian Kinney I knew at Woody’s or the man I saw at the baths fucking anything passable.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“Not that long ago, and from the well fucked look in Justin’s eyes, your moniker still applies.”

“I have skills,” Brian casually stated as he moved on to another planter.

“You do have an eye for color,” Alex said as he sat up straight to watch Brian arrange the flowers and greenery.

“I should hope so or I picked the wrong career path.”

“You know what I mean.”

“How’s it going with the new domicile?” Brian asked successfully changing the subject.

“The furniture should be delivered in a few days.  I’d like to have the painting done before it gets here.”

“I’m sure John will take care of it.  And we can store the furniture here until the cottage is ready.  We can always hire people to move your stuff when the paint dries.”

“So we don’t have to move our own stuff?”

“And risk throwing my back out?  Hell no!  I have conjugal obligations to my husband to protect.”  Brian smirked at Alex.

“And yet you keep digging in your garden.”

Brian stood up, brushed the dirt from his pants then came over to sit next to his friend.

“Working out here, feeling the soil, touching soft petals, smelling the scent of the earth, it relaxes me.  It allows me to take a short break from Brian the adman, Brian the father, and Brian the husband.  I’m careful.  I don’t push it; I’m in no rush.  And I like the results.”

“I do too.  This world you’ve created out here, it is magical.  And if we’re lucky, it’ll work some magic on that kid Debbie and Carl took in.  The world has only showed him the bad side of life.  Being out here will show him the good.”

“For Debbie’s sake and the kid’s, I hope so.”

“But Brian, remember, you can’t help everyone.  As much as you try, and with all your successes, not everyone wants to be helped.  Just keep that in mind.  I don’t want you disappointed if it doesn’t work out with Peter.”

Brian nodded in understanding.  He then stood to return to his planting.

“I have bottled water.  Can I get you one?  The sun is hot today,” Alex asked as he looked up to the cloudless sky.

“Thanks,” Brian called out as Alex went into the B&B to get the water.  “Oh by the way, Gus is coming here for a few days.  He should be home in time for dinner.  He wants to see the new addition to the lane,” Brian said when Alex returned with two bottles of water.

“The cottage?” Alex asked.

“The kid.”

*****

The family were on John’s side of the conjoined cottages.  It was their turn to cook dinner.  Bobby was at the stove while John was making a large salad.  Patrick and Bree were setting one of the tables in the sun porch.  The only guests were the new guys on the block.

They were just about ready to sit down when the front door on Brian’s side opened and shut with a decisive bang.

“Hey, easy with that door,” Brian called out.  “Your uncle worked hard on it.”  Brian was beaming a smile.

“Sorry, Pop!” Gus called out as he dropped his duffle bag on the floor with a thud.

“Ya hungry?” Brian loudly asked as he heard Gus’ size twelves walk down the hall toward the porch.  He stood to greet his son as did the other Kinney men.

“Starving!” Gus confirmed as he confidently strode into the porch.

“Pop!”  Gus met his father halfway.  The Kinney men hugged as Brian bussed his son’s cheek.  John was up and over to Gus in a flash, as was Patrick.  As they turned to join the rest of the family, Glen looked up at the look-a-like quartet.

“Holy Homo!  I have just seen the face of god and he’s a quadruplet!”

"Guuuuuusssss!" came the familiar cry as Bree bolted through the house and flung herself at her brother.  Even though Bree was petite, she was growing up.  She hit Gus with enough force to almost knock him off his feet.  Brian steadied them both.

"Easy, Squirt," he cautioned his daughter.

"I haven't seen Gus in forever," she told her father.  "I missed you so much, Gus."  She hugged him even harder.

"You saw me at the wedding and you're going to crack my ribs," Gus joked.  "You're getting so strong.  I thought you were becoming a young lady," Gus teased.

"I am a young lady," Bree declared stepping away from her brother and indignantly placing her hands on her hips.  She used the Kinney glare on her brother.

"Uh oh," John said.  "Now you've done it," he warned with a chuckle.

"Bree, you nearly knocked me over."

"She was just excited to see you," Brian said trying to diffuse the situation.

"I was excited to see you," Bree said with a pout.

"I love you too, Sis," Gus said with a big grin.

"Me too," Bree replied hugging Gus again, but more gently this time.  She could never be really mad at her brother.  "Did Ray come with you?" she asked looking around the sun porch.

"No, he had work in New York."

"That's too bad.  I like Ray," Bree said.

"Me too," Gus agreed with a big grin.

Bree gave him a swat on the arm.  "Of course you do."

"Is it always like this around here?" Glen asked, having observed the whole encounter.

"Pretty much," Brian said.

"Do you want us to take off?" Alex asked wondering if the family would like some private time.  "We can leave you guys to yourselves."

"No, it's fine," Brian said.  Justin nodded in agreement as did John and Bobby.

Soon the introductions had been made and dinner was dished up.  Everyone sat at the big table in the sun porch and enjoyed the meal.  Lots of small talk and joking went on as the new residents of the lane got to know Brian's son.

“So Gus, I hear you’re training to take over Kinnetik one day,” Glen asked.

“I plan to if Bree doesn’t beat me to it,” Gus replied.  “I think she’s put in more hours at the shop than I have,” Gus said with a laugh.  The family laughed too.

“I think we’ve missed the joke,” Alex stated.

“When Bree was born, I was all over the place painting and sculpting.  Brian was the primary caregiver when she was an infant,” Justin began to explain.  “He took her everywhere; I mean literally everywhere.  And because of her each Kinnetik doesn’t just have child care for the employees, Brian hires teachers so the kids are prepared for kindergarten when the time comes.”

“Bree’s the youngest ad exec ever on record.  She won her first clients at the age of nine,” Brian said proudly as he beamed a smile at his daughter.  “When it’s time to renegotiate contracts we bring her in.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Glen asked.  The family collectively shook their heads.  “Aren’t there rules against that sort of thing?” 

“Technically it’s Brian’s name on the contracts.  Whatever bonus Bree would have made if she was legal has been placed in trust for her,” Bobby replied. 

“She has half her college tuition already,” Brian said proudly.  “Bree’s also one of the reasons we’ve expanded into Canada.”

“Yeah, I don’t think Ray has forgiven you yet.”  Gus pretended to scowl at his sister.  Bree just stuck out her tongue.

“Gus, Mel and Cynthia have spearheaded Kinnetik North,” Brian explained.

“So this is really a family business,” Alex commented.  “I remember when you first started out,” Alex said to Brian.  “There weren’t many businesses in Pittsburgh owned and operated by an openly gay or lesbian person.  I wasn’t too surprised that it was you who paved the way.” 

“Speaking of paving the way, when do I get to see this new cottage that went up overnight,” Gus asked John.  “Ray’s jealous, by the way.  He wants his own cottage.”

“Anytime,” John and Brian said together.

“How goes the hunt for the perfect color scheme?”  John directed his question to Alex and Glen.

“Two rooms down, one to go,” Glen replied.

“Good, I’ll pick up the paint in the morning and have Patrick show Peter how to prepare the walls,” John said with a wink to his son. 

Patrick rolled his eyes. “Oh goodie,” he snarked.

“Hey, cuz, I’m here for a few days.  I can help.  It’ll give me a break from my laptop,” Gus volunteered.

“Another family business heard from,” Glen commented as he toasted the family with a glass of iced tea.

*****

"Hunter," Debbie said as she opened the door to the thatched cottage.  "I'm so glad you're here."  She pulled him into a fierce hug.

"Grandma ... Grandma!" Hunter gasped.  "I need to breathe."

"Sorry, kiddo," Debbie said releasing her grandson and gently smoothing out his shirt which had wrinkles from the pressure of her hug.

"It's okay.  I haven't seen you in a while.  I was surprised ... and pleased when you called.  You said you need my help."

"I do, but come in and sit down."  Debbie pulled him inside and took his hand leading him to the kitchen.  "Coffee?" she asked.

"Juice if you've got it."

"You always were the healthy one."

"Kind of forced into it."

"Yeah," Debbie said thoughtfully as she poured a glass of juice.  "You're feeling okay, aren't you?"

"Doing okay, Grandma.  I didn't mean to worry you."

"Good, cause I got other things to worry about."

"You said you'd explain when I got here, so what's up with Michael?"

Debbie shook her head, poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down across the table from her grandson.  "Michael has completely lost his mind."

Hunter couldn't help but chuckle.  "So what else is new?"

"It's not funny.  We had a real knock-down fucking shouting fest a few days ago."

"A few days ago?  I thought this just happened."

"A few days ago Michael and Ben came to the lane to stay for the summer.  That's when Michael found out that I had taken in a foster kid."

"That's great, Grandma.  I hope it's working out okay with the foster kid."

"It would be, if that pig-headed son of mine would see reason."

"He's upset about you fostering a child?" Hunter asked.  That was the last thing he was expecting to hear.

"Yeah, he really freaked out when he found out."

"You didn't tell him you were going to foster?"

"Everything happened so fast.  Peter needed a home ASAP.  I just did it.  Carl was happy to oblige, and I never even thought about Michael," Debbie admitted with a sigh.

"So, his feelings are hurt."

"I guess so.  He was so nasty when he was yelling at me.  He said I had to choose between him and Peter, or the stupid kid as he called Peter.  I just thought he was totally unreasonable.  He was like someone I don't even know.  This really has nothing to do with him."

"He obviously thinks it does."

"But why?" Debbie sighed.

"I think he's feeling left out.  He wants to be the center of your world."

"He's a grown man with his own family."

"But he's still your little boy."

"Yeah, he is," Debbie admitted, her face softening.  "Will you talk to him?"

"Of course, Grandma, but I'll finish my juice first, and think about what I'm going to say to him."

Debbie nodded.  She knew she was asking a lot of Hunter, but he was the only one she thought might be able to get through to her son.  Deb opened a cabinet to take out a small plate; she placed some homemade cookies on the plate then offered them to Hunter.

“What’s this?” Hunter asked.

“You’ve heard of Dutch courage?” Debbie asked.  Hunter nodded.  “Well this is Italian courage.”

Hunter nodded then took a large bite out of a cookie.

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