The Fox in the Hen House

Chapter 7

Peter watched as all present greeted the two young people who had just arrived.  They got hugs and kisses and good wishes from everyone.  Finally Bree was able to push through the crowd of people to give and receive her own hugs and kisses with two of her favorite people.

Bree looked at Richie who was in his Nina persona.  She took in the lovely blond bob and the spectacular mint green sundress she was wearing.  It had spaghetti straps and a large sunflower made of bright yellow cloth sewn onto the waist.

"I love your sundress, Nina," Bree said with a big smile.  "It's just beautiful.  Could you make me one, pleeeez?"

Nina smiled and hugged her friend.  "Of course I can," she said.  "Your wish is my command, your highness."  She grabbed her backpack which had slid to the floor amidst all the hugs.  Out of the backpack she pulled a pale mauve sundress very much like the one she was wearing.  The color was exquisite.  Bree squealed with delight.  "I hope you still like purple," Nina said.

"Oh yes!" Bree gushed.  She held the soft dress against her body and twirled around.  "I love it!  I love it soooo much."

"I thought you would," Nina said.

"And I was positive that you would love it too," Candy added giving Bree another hug.  "It just screams Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor."

"I do love it, so very much," Bree said.  "Come with me.  I want to put it on."  The three young people headed for Bree's bedroom.

"She'll look lovely in that dress," Justin said to Emmett.

"Do I see a tear in your eye, Sweetie?" Emmett asked softly.

"My little girl is growing up so fast."

"Oh pshaw!" Emmett said.  "She's been grown up since she was two."

"Actually since she was one," Brian added with a smirk.

"I thought you were going to help me barbecue," Bobby called as he went out the door of the sun porch.

"Duty calls," Brian said as he followed his brother-in-law.

*****

Peter had found a chair half behind the screen that used to hide the big brass bed when it resided in the sun porch.  He had witnessed the arrival of Emmett and his family and the introduction of his son Richie and a girl called Candy.  But there were two girls with Emmett.  Where was the son?  He was puzzled by what had just happened in more ways than one.  The two young people who had arrived were greeted so fondly.  All the love these people shared was something he was totally unused to.

"How's it going?" Michael asked as he pulled a chair up beside Peter and handed him a soda.

Peter accepted the drink, but merely shrugged instead of answering.  They sat in silence for a couple of minutes, each taking a sip of their drink.

"I hope you're ... starting to feel comfortable around here," Michael finally said, wanting to break the ice with the young man.  Peter shrugged.  Michael waited hoping Peter would say something, but no words came.  "You must find it hard being away from your family."

"There's only my father and he doesn't care," Peter mumbled.

"I'm sure he cares," Michael said trying to be positive.

"You have no fuc... no idea what my father's like," Peter said strongly.

"No, you're right.  I don't."  Michael watched the young man, hoping he would say something else.  He had decided to try to get to know Peter and possibly help his mother to set the kid on the right path.

"You're so lucky having a mother like Debbie," Peter said in almost a whisper.

"Yeah, I guess I am.  But there were moments I would have given anything to have a different mom."

"Really?  But she's great."

"She's also overpowering a lot of the time."

Peter chuckled in spite of himself.  "Yeah, she can be.  I don't want to get on her wrong side."

"Good plan," Michael agreed taking a sip of his beer.

"You never had a dad?" Peter asked.  "I never had a mom."

Michael debated trying to explain about his father, but decided that would be best done another time.  "I guess we sort of have that in common - growing up with one parent, I mean."

Peter looked up and actually met eyes with Michael for the first time.  "Could I ask you something?"

"Sure, anything you want."

"Those two girls who came in with Emmett.  Is one of them really his son?"

Michael chuckled.  "Yes, one is his son.  The blond girl is Richie, although we usually call her Nina when she dresses like that."

"Is ... is she transgender?" Peter asked hesitantly.

"No, she just likes to dress as a girl sometimes."

"That's pretty weird, isn't it?" Peter asked.

"Haven't you figured out that we're all pretty weird on this lane?" Michael asked with a smile.  "It's not your normal community."

"I wish all communities were like this," Peter stated.

"You do?  What do you like about it?"

Peter thought about that question and how he should answer it.  "Everybody talks to everyone and hugs them and ... likes them.  I've never seen so much ... love before."

Michael took that in and felt a deep sadness at what Peter must have gone through in his earlier life to make such a statement.  "We are a pretty touchy-feely group," Michael said with a grin.  "Except for Brian."

"Brian is amazing," Peter declared. 

"Yeah, he pretty much created this lane and drew us all here.  But he can be very prickly sometimes."

"Yeah, I've seen that, but I think he's a good guy."

"Yes he is."

"Have you been friends with him for a long time?"

"Since grade school.  He's my best friend."

"I wish I had a best friend," Peter mumbled.

"I hope you find one real soon," Michael said.  He had been about to say that he was sure Peter would find a friend, but he knew he couldn't guarantee that.  He didn't want to set the boy off again.

"Me too," Peter said softly.

"How are you two doing?" Ben asked as he approached.  He had been observing them from across the sun porch.  He was glad to see Michael making this effort to get to know Peter.  He didn't want any more fighting about Debbie fostering the young man.

"We're okay," Michael said to his husband.

"Fine," Peter contributed.

"Peter was just telling me that he is getting used to the lane.  He can't get over how much hugging we all do," Michael explained.

Peter smiled at Michael.  He didn't want everyone feeling sorry for him that he didn't have any friends.  He was glad Michael hadn't mentioned that. 

"Getting hungry?" Ben asked.

"Yeah," both Peter and Michael said at once.

Just then Bree and her entourage reappeared in the sun porch entry.  Everyone turned to look.  Bree was holding Nina's hand and they were each wearing the similar sundresses.

"Wow!" was heard from several mouths.

"You look beautiful, sweetheart," Justin said stepping forward and hugging his daughter.  "But you have to stop growing up," he whispered in her ear.

"I can't do that, Daddy, but I love you," Bree responded.

"I know, it's just wishful thinking."

"Nina makes the best dresses," Bree stated.

"She certainly does."

"You look great, Bree," Patrick stated.

"Thanks," Bree replied with a big smile and a little curtsey.

"Hey, what about me?" Nina asked indignantly.  "I'm wearing the same outfit."

"You look great too, Nina," Patrick said.

"About time," Nina responded.

"Bree, have you introduced Peter to Nina and Candy?" Justin asked.

"I thought everyone forgot I was here," Candy said with an appropriate pout.  "Where's this Peter?"

"Come with me," Bree stated taking Candy's hand once she had spotted Peter over in the corner with her uncles, Michael and Ben.  She dragged Candy across the sun porch to where they all were.  Nina and Patrick followed.

"Hey," Michael said.

"Hi, Uncle Michael.  I want Peter to meet Candy and Richie, also known as Nina."  She pulled Candy in front of her and stepped back so Richie/Nina could see the new kid on the block.

"Michael, let's go see how dinner is doing," Ben said drawing his husband away so the young people could have some time together.

"So you're the one that Debbie's fostering," Candy said bluntly.  Nina elbowed her and gave her a look.  "What?" Candy demanded.  "It's the truth, isn't it?"

"Yes it is," Peter said.  "I'm Peter Chang."  He had made the effort to speak because he wanted to change his life.  Before coming to the lane, he would have said nothing.  This was a whole new start, he decided.

"I'm Candy."  She held out her hand to Peter.

"Should I shake it or kiss it?" Peter asked venturing to make a joke.

Nina laughed.  "I wouldn't kiss it.  She might smack you."

Candy glared at her boyfriend.  "I don't smack or bite."

"Good to know," Peter said with a smile as he shook her hand.

"I'm Richie, Emmett's son."  Nina held out her hand to Peter.  "Today I'm Nina."

"How do you decide who to be?" Peter asked with a frown.  He really wanted an answer to that question.

"It's whatever spirit moves him," Candy supplied with a fond smile towards Nina.

"Isn't it confusing?" Peter asked.

"Not for me," Nina joked.

"You'll get used to it," Candy said.

"Maybe," Peter replied.  "Everything's kind of new and different here."

"You'll get used to that too," Candy added.

"Did it take you guys long to get used to all this?" Peter asked.  "Oh, or maybe you've always been part of this.  Sorry if I said the wrong thing."

"Don't be sorry," Nina said gently.  "All of us had to get used to being here.  Only Bree and Patrick grew up here.  It's a great place.  If you want later on, I'll tell you my story.  It might make you feel better about what you're dealing with."  Emmett had filled his son in on some of the background of Debbie's foster son.

"I think I'd like that," Peter agreed.

Ben stuck his head in the sun porch door.  "Come and get it!" he called.

They all headed out to the barbecue.

*****

Alex, Glen, Tom, and Todd, all relative newcomers to the lane community sat together at one circular table under a large umbrella that was decorated with hundreds of softly twinkling white lights.  Glen was studying Tom.

“What?” Tom asked somewhat defiantly.  “Do I have a piece of lettuce stuck to my teeth?” 

Glen had the good grace to blush.  “Sorry but you look so familiar, don’t I know you?” Glen asked.  Alex groaned to himself.  Sometimes his spouse had no self-control filter.

“Yes, we’ve been formally introduced about an hour ago,” Tom snarked.  Todd was slightly shocked to hear his soft spoken extremely tolerant partner snap at someone with snark.  Tom saw that their pitcher of iced tea was almost empty.  “I’ll get us more,” Tom said as he stood, grabbed the pitcher then went into the conjoined cottages.

“Something I said?” Glen asked in all innocence.

“You know sometimes I have no idea where your brains are,” Alex growled.

“What’d I say?”

“It’s obvious you made Tom uncomfortable,” Alex continued.

“About what?  He looked familiar, that’s all.  I thought I knew him from Pittsburgh, ooohhh.”  The light dawned.

“Yeah, oh,” Alex said while giving Glen a poignant look.

“Todd, I’m really sorry, sometimes my mouth engages before I put my brain in gear,” Glen apologized.

“It’s all right.  Tom still has trouble coming to grips with his former life.  Give him a minute to calm down.  He knows you meant no offense,” Todd said.

“One of these days your mouth is going to get you into real trouble,” Alex admonished his husband who was looking genuinely contrite.

*****

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Brian asked as he was getting another bottle of ketchup out of the pantry closet.

“How do you deal with your past?” Tom asked.

“To what part of my past are you referring?”

“The stud of Liberty part.”

Brian studied his friend’s face for a moment, realizing something very serious must have just happened.

“You mean what if Brian Kinney the stud is recognized rather than Brian Kinney the adman,” Brian stated.  Tom nodded.  “Normally I arch a brow, glare a little and ignore it.”  Brian waited a minute before he continued.  “Who recognized you?”

“Glen, I think, maybe from the baths.  I don’t know.  It was so long ago.  It was a different time.  I was a different man.  I made some mistakes.”

“Yeah, well who hasn’t?  Does Todd know about your old hobby?”

“Of course he does.  It was one of the first things we talked about.”

“Then who the fuck cares what happened a hundred years ago.  You’re in a solid relationship.  You still have your faith and you’re following your calling.  So go back out there with your fucking head held up!” 

Tom stared at Brian for a second.  “When did you get to be so smart?”

“I’ve always been this smart but most people can’t get past my stunning good looks,” Brian stated without reservation.

Tom laughed then went back outside and with a full pitcher of iced tea.  As he did he passed John coming in with a bunch of empty platters.

“Why are you hiding in the kitchen?” John asked his brother.

“I wasn’t hiding.  The good padre was having a minor battle with an old demon and he needed some advice.”

“And he came to you for advice,” John remarked with a straight face.

“I’m not sure if I’ve just been insulted,” Brian said with a pout.

“It was a compliment, little bro.  If there’s anyone in this family who’s an expert in fighting demons of all sorts it’s you.  I won’t ask for details but do you think you helped?”

“I think so.  At least he left the kitchen with a smile rather than the look of murder he was sporting when he first came in.”

“Not all of us have developed a thick hide like you have,” John said.

“It’s thinned out a bit.”

“Give it time, it’ll thicken up again and get back to its old bristly self.  Now are we done with Tom?”

“Yeah, why, is there someone else we have to fix besides the new kid?  Michael appears to be behaving himself.”

“I noticed.  How did that happen?” John asked.  Brian shrugged his shoulders.

“A little Hunter, a little Debbie, a little Gentle Ben makes Mikey human again,” Brian quipped.

“Whatever works.  We should go back outside,” John suggested.

“Lead the way, McBigBro,” Brian joked as he followed John back out into the garden.

*****

“Now that is an interesting person,” Glen stated as the younger generation moved en masse from the gardens into the green house to give Peter a guided tour with Bree leading the pack.  She was determined to explain each nuance regarding each flower, tree, and especially about the waterfall.

“Which one?  They all seem unique,” Todd observed.

“True.  But I’m referring to Nina,” Glen admitted.

“I don’t know much of her story,” Todd said. 

“We could ask Emmett.  I’m sure he wouldn’t mind explaining,” Tom suggested.

“From what I know of Emmett, he likes talking,” Alex stated softly.

“Talking about what?” Emmett asked as he seemed to appear out of nowhere with a tray containing fruit salad and the rest of the stuff needed to enjoy it.  The men jumped but then quickly recovered themselves.

“About Nina or Richie, your son,” Alex said as spokesmen for the table.

“What would you like to know?  I’m very proud of him,” Emm said with a warm smile.  The men smiled.  They could see the love and pride Emmett and Drew had for their unusual son.

At that moment Emmett caught Drew’s eye and waved him over.  Drew walked over, beer in hand and sat next to his spouse.  Glen made an audible sigh, being still enamored with his hero.

“What’s the conversation?” Drew asked.

“Our son,” Emm replied.

“Ah, yes, a very unique person,” Drew agreed.

“May we ask how he came to live with you?” Glen politely asked.

“Sure,” both Emmett and Drew replied and then went on to explain how Richie/Nina came to be a part of their lives.

*****

“And that’s how I got to live with Emm and Drew.  And how we met,” Nina said, indicating Candy.

“And you guys were friends before you were, uh…,” Peter wasn’t sure what they were.

“Boyfriend and girlfriend but sometimes my boyfriend is my girlfriend and that’s okay with me,” Candy replied.

“I know we confuse some people,” Nina said.

“But not the people who count,” Candy added.

“We’ve been really lucky,” Nina continued.  “I don’t know what I would have done without Emm and Drew.”

“And Lindsay is like a second mom to me but more like a very big sister,” Candy said as she turned to face Gus.  “Gus, I don’t think I ever thanked you for letting me share your mom with me.  She was so strong when I found out who my real father was and she gave me a safe place to live.  I learned so much from her.  She really is the best, you know?”

Candy looked up into the strong hazel eyes.  Gus studied the heavily made up Goth young woman before him and remembered the scared lost girl that his mother took under her wing.  He threw his arms around her engulfing Candy in a hug.

“Candy and I went to Mr. Brian with this idea about our own fashion label and we also wanted to buy this old clothing store that was going out of business.  Anyway, Mr. Brian helped and we’re in the fashion business,” Nina explained.  “It’s a lot of work because we’re still going to PIFA but I love it!” Nina said with a huge smile.

Peter could just about see the attractive young man under the makeup and thought to himself that Candy was one lucky girl in more ways than one.  With a sigh he allowed Bree to take his hand and be led to the waterfall.

“An indoor waterfall and fish pond,” Peter said as he stared in disbelief.  Peter hadn’t been living on the lane for very long and most of his time was taken up with finishing the school year and then working on the new cottage.  He really hadn’t had the time to visit the other cottages.  And he would never go into someone’s home without being asked and the greenhouse was just a greenhouse.  A place with a lot of boring plants.  NOT.  Peter was beginning to learn that nothing on this lane was ordinary or boring, including the greenhouse.

“Not just any old fish pond,” Patrick stated proudly since it was his father’s ingenuity that built the thing.  “It’s a koi pond.  And I swear Uncle Bri must know every fish in here by heart.”  The kids laughed.

“Yeah, Pop got a little obsessed with his plants and koi.  But it keeps him out of trouble so I’m not complaining.  Besides there’s not many people who can boss Brian Kinney around,” Gus said.

“Daddy can!” Bree said with a big sunny smile.

“Yes, he can,” Gus agreed as he scooped up Bree into his arms for a hug.  She gave a squeal but hugged her beloved brother back.

“My dads can too!” Patrick announced.

“That’s true too,” Gus said.

“Why is that?” Peter ventured the question.

“Love and respect,” Gus answered without hesitation.  “Pop, values what Uncle John and Uncle Bobby have to say.  They’ve never steered him wrong.  Pop’s told me that if I ever need good advice about anything that I should go to them.”

Peter nodded.  He had never known a place where love and respect were as common as breathing.  It was still going to take some time to get used to that.

“How long will you be staying here?” Peter asked Candy.

“A few weeks.  We can’t leave the store for too long and the summer session at PIFA starts soon.  We’re both taking a class,” Candy said with a sigh.

“We needed a break.  It’s been non-stop since Mr. Brian lent us the start up money and we wanted to begin paying him back,” Nina admitted.

“So we’ve been working our asses off,” Candy added.

“And we’re still working.  She has new sketches for Rage,” Nina said giving Candy a look.

“Like you’re not working on that theater group’s request for 1920’s clothing designs,” Candy said with a glare.

“In other words this is a working vacation for the both of them,” Gus explained.

“And you’re here to help paint walls,” Patrick snarked as he led the group out the back past the pond.  Bree giggled in Gus’ arms as he snorted.

Peter still had a lot to think about but he was beginning to feel fortunate to be a part of what has got to be the weirdest family on the planet.

*****

“So that’s how we adopted our baby boy,” Emmett gushed with tears in his eyes.  Five napkins were pushed in his direction.  “And now he’s living on his own.  I have an empty nest.”  More tears spilled as Emmett reached for the nearest dry napkin.

Drew sighed as he shook his head.  “Oh yeah, real empty.  The kids live upstairs and eat dinner with us almost every night.  They’re so far away,” Drew stated calmly.  Emmett popped him in the arm.

“My baby is not in his bed at night.  He’s living somewhere else, therefore I have an empty nest,” Emmett stated succinctly daring anyone to contradict him.  No one would.

“I think the gods have shined down on these kids.  Their lives may not have started out the best however this family took them in and proved to those kids that there are truly good people in this world.  And these kids have the means to live up to their potential.  You all should be commended,” Alex said as he held up a glass of iced tea in a toast to the families of the lane.

The men raised their glasses joining the salute.

*****

It was getting late and the older generation was ready to call it a night.  With everyone’s help, the yard and garden was cleaned up and anything that wasn’t consumed by the kids was wrapped up and refrigerated.

“I think the cottage will be finished by tomorrow afternoon.  You could move in the day after,” John informed Alex and Glen.

“I’m still amazed by it all,” Alex admitted.  Glen gave a tired nod.  Alex gently caressed the side of Glen’s neck.  “I have to take him home.  We’ll meet you in the new cottage as soon as we are able,” Alex said.

John understood.  He whistled loudly, Beau and his pack presented themselves front and center.  John handed a lantern to Beau.  Alex needed both hands to help Glen with his chair.

“Beau and his family will make sure you get to the B&B safely.  One of them may stay there overnight so if you need anything, just say “Get John,” and they’ll come and find me.  All right?” 

Alex nodded as he pushed his tired spouse out towards the lane.

Brian, Justin, and Bobby stepped up behind John, waving as they watched their latest neighbors go home.

“It can’t be easy for Alex,” Justin murmured.

“It can’t be easy for Glen either,” Bobby mumbled.

The pair of lovers looked at each other in turn then said goodnight.

*****

“You overdid it,” Alex said.

“I’m fine or I will be in the morning.”

“Swear to me.”

“I swear.  I need to stretch out and sleep and in the morning you can help me with a nice long bath.”

“Hedonist,” Alex complained as he massaged some of the kinks out of Glen’s muscles.

“Yeah, but you love me anyway,” Glen said.

“Yes, I do,” Alex confirmed as his strong hands worked on Glen’s legs.   

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