Glass Houses

Chapter 11

“Daddy, did you do all your exercises for Mr. Gerry?” Bree asked as her father came out of the bedroom.

“Yes, Bree, I did them all,” Justin replied as he kept on walking into the kitchen. He needed a drink of iced tea and some peace and quiet, mostly the peace and quiet. Brian had been hovering since his meltdown before he started his therapy with Gerry. Justin knew Brian was worried about him, but Justin couldn’t really put into words what was wrong. Some of it was the memories – memories of things best forgotten. But the exercises, so similar to the ones he had done for months after the bashing. They brought back all those feelings every time he had to exercise his arm – feelings of frustration, fear, anxiety, hatred. Justin shivered as he took the pitcher of iced tea out of the fridge and poured some into a glass. He willed his hand not to shake.

“Daddy?”

“What?” Justin snapped. He was in no mood for this. Where was his much desired peace and quiet?

“What’s wrong, Daddy?” Bree asked with a worried look on her face. “Did your exercises hurt?”

“No, they didn’t hurt,” Justin said, his voice softening a bit as he saw Bree’s concern. “I’m going to the stream for a little while.”

“I can come with you,” Bree volunteered hopefully.

“No,” Justin said brusquely. Bree’s face fell. “I just need some time by myself. We’ll go another time,” he promised.

Justin quickly hurried out of the kitchen, his iced tea in his hand. Bree watched him go, feeling very left out and unhappy. She walked out to the sun porch where she could see her father disappearing down the path to the stream. He didn’t want her to go with him. He would rather be by himself. Bree crawled up on one of the chaises in the sun porch and sniffled trying to hold back tears. She knew something was wrong with her father, but she didn’t know what, or what she could do about it.

A few minutes later Beau appeared beside her chaise carrying her grey bunny. He set the stuffed toy on the chaise beside the little girl.

Bree looked up and grabbed her bunny. “Thanks, Beau,” she said sadly.

Beau laid his head on the chaise so that Bree could pat it. She obliged, but Beau could tell that her mind was elsewhere. He just rested his head there and waited as she ran her fingers through his fur.

 

*****
 

Drew opened the back door of the sun porch and held it open for the man with him.

“Some of our older guests may decide to sit in here especially if the weather is not the best,” Drew explained to the man. “So, we need to make sure that the fireworks can be seen from here.”

The man looked around the sun porch and noted the glass roof. “It’s good they will be able to see up above,” he said.

“That’s part of the charm of this place,” Drew advised the man. “Do you think you can position the fireworks to best advantage for those in here as well as the ones who will be out in the yard?”

“I think that meadow there is the place to let them off,” the man replied pointing to the field at the back of the house.

“Yeah, that makes sense,” Drew agreed. “I really appreciate you doing this, Ralph.”

“I appreciate the extra money,” Ralph said.

Drew chuckled. “I know you probably have your own family to take care of on the Fourth, but we wanted these fireworks to be extra special this year.”

“I’ll make sure they’re spectacular, just like the ones I’m in charge of at the football stadium,” Ralph promised.

“We’re lucky there’s no baseball game on the Fourth,” Drew noted. “Oh, and we don’t need quite as many fireworks as you have at the stadium.”

“If you want to skimp…” Ralph joked.

Drew shook his head. “Just make it nice.”

“Yes, sir,” Ralph replied with a mock salute. “I’m going to walk out into the meadow and choose a flat clear space where I can work.”

“Good idea,” Drew said. He had just spotted Bree on the chaise. She had been listening to them with a woebegone look on her face. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

Ralph went out the door, and then Drew turned around. “What are you doing there, princess?” he asked Bree. Beau raised his head to see what this human was going to do to help the little girl.

“My Daddy left me all by myself,” Bree pouted.

“He did? Where did he go?”

“The stream,” Bree sniffled holding her grey bunny tight against her body.

“Do you want me to get Brian for you?” Drew volunteered.

Bree shook her head. “Not Dada, Daddy,” she insisted.

“Justin?” Bree nodded. Drew wondered what was wrong with Justin that he would leave Bree alone. And where was her other father? “Where’s your Dada?” he asked.

“He’s doing his exercises with Mr. Gerry.”

“In the bedroom?” Bree nodded. Drew was about to go knock on the bedroom door when he heard Brian’s voice in the kitchen. “Stay put, Bree. I’ll get your Dada,” Drew said quickly, glad that he wouldn’t be left to deal with this on his own. He walked into the kitchen.

“What are you doing here?” Brian demanded of Drew. He was getting a bottle of water and some Tylenol for his throbbing ankle.

“I brought Ralph from the stadium over to check out the lay of the land for the fireworks on the Fourth.”

“Great,” Brian snarked ungraciously. He just wanted some pain killers and a chair, and to be left alone.

“I found Bree in the sun porch. She seems … upset.”

“Upset?”

“She said her Daddy left her all alone.”

Brian sat down at the kitchen table. He ran his fingers through his hair wondering what he should do. Justin was not in good shape, and he wasn’t much better. His ankle continued to throb in spite of the Tylenol.

“Do you want me to send her in?” Drew asked. He did want to help, but he also wanted to escape.

“Okay,” Brian said wearily.

Drew quickly vacated the kitchen. He told Bree that her Dada was waiting for her in the kitchen. Bree and grey bunny headed in that direction. Drew went to the door of the sun porch waiting for Ralph to return, hopefully before he had to deal with any more forlorn little girls.

 

*****
 

“You decided to come back.”

“Jesus, Brian, you scared me,” Justin said as he set his empty iced tea glass on the counter and turned to look at his husband.

“You scared Bree.”

“Scared Bree?”

“Yes, she knows something is wrong and you shut her out.”

“I…”

“I know you’re going through some stuff, but don’t take it out on Bree.”

“I’m not trying to take it out on Bree…” Justin began as he gave his spouse a glare. It wasn’t all that long ago that Brian was just as crabby with Bree when they had gotten home from their Hawaii trip.

“Apparently you didn’t have to try,” Brian said pointedly almost regretting his words as they spewed out.

“Where is she?”

“In her room making you a card.”

“Fuck! With a rainbow?”

“Probably.”

“I’ll go talk to her,” Justin said.

“Good,” Brian muttered with a heavy sigh. Things were not as they should be. He took a walk outside down to the greenhouse.

 

*****
 

“Kinney,” Brian said as he answered his cell phone. He was walking toward one of the new benches in the greenhouse. He could hear the muted sounds of construction coming from down the lane. He was expecting one last delivery of plants from the garden center, delicate orchids to add to the hibiscus and palms. Brian had long tables ready to hold the smaller pots. The greenhouse was almost complete, his little tropical sanctuary in the middle of the Pennsylvania countryside.

“Brian?” he heard from the other end of the phone.

“Ben? What’s wrong?” Brian asked as he sat with a thud.

“Everything,” Ben said softly.

“Tell me,” Brian demanded. Ben told Brian what their doctor had told them and the prognosis. “But he will get better, right? He has to get better; he’s always been so strong.”

“I don’t know. It’s something that seems to hang on but can go into remission. He has to rest, really rest. I’m trying to convince him to take a long break from the store. I’m going to arrange to take a sabbatical.”

“Can you afford it?”

“There’s no alternative; I can’t afford not to take it.”

Brian nodded even though Ben couldn’t see him. “Does Debbie know?”

“NO, and we’re not going to tell her until we have all the facts to present to her. You know how she’ll get. She means well but she’ll drive right over here and take over. That’s the last thing he needs right now.”

“Yeah.”

“Brian, is the cottage ready yet? I want to move him there as soon as possible. He needs to get away from the city. I think fresh air and quiet will do him a world of good.”

“Soon. The structure is all up. They’ll be finishing off the walls as soon as the inspector signs off on the wiring and plumbing. But there’s still a lot to do. John’s consulting Emmett regarding the kitchen and the furniture.”

“Emmett? You don’t want to do that yourself?” Ben teased knowing how anal Brian could get about his furnishings and environment.

“This is John’s baby. I have my own playhouse.”

“You planted your trees?” Ben smiled to himself. He still couldn’t get over the fact that big bad Brian, Armani clad Brian, loved to play in the dirt and had a gentle way around flowers.

“Yup. And it’s quiet in here even with the hammering going on. The waterfall is so peaceful. I think you’ll both like it in here.”

“I can’t wait to see it.”

“I’ll give you the grand tour when you come up for the barbecue.” Silence followed Brian’s statement. “You are coming for the barbecue, aren’t you?”

“No, he’s too tired. Besides, he’s not ready to face everyone yet.”

“I know the feeling,” Brian said with a sigh.

“I imagine you do. Brian, please don’t say a word. I know that Debbie will hound you to death and possibly blame you for something she believes is your fault but I beg you, don’t tell her. I’ll take care of that when he’s a little stronger. Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“Thank you, Brian, you’re a good friend.”

“I love him,” Brian whispered.

“I know you do.”

“Ben...” Brian choked up.

“Don’t. I’ve had to hide from him. I don’t want him to see me cry. I have to be strong for him. We both have to be strong for him, Brian. I gotta go, he’s waking up. He sleeps a lot but he’s still always tired. Let me know when we can move in.”

Ben abruptly hung up before Brian could say anything else. He stared at the phone in his hand trying to resist the temptation to smash it against the cement floor.

“FUCK!” he shouted, hearing his voice bounce against glass walls.

“Bri?” Justin called out. He heard Brian curse but couldn’t see him in the midst of all the trees. “Bri,” he called out again.

“Dada?” Bree’s little voice called out. “Ooooo!” she exclaimed as she looked around at all of the plants. Neither she nor Justin had seen the greenhouse with all the plants. “DAAAADAAAA!” Bree called out louder straining to see around the trees.

Brian quickly wiped his face, getting himself together before his spouse and daughter could see him. “Back here!” He could hear Justin and Bree slowly make their way toward the clump of palm trees oooing and aahing as they walked toward him. Their slow pace allowed Brian to compose himself fully, but Justin could tell something was wrong.

“Dada, I found you!” Bree said with a smile as she spied her father sitting on a curved bench.

“I didn’t know I was lost, Squirt,” Brian responded; their old joke. Bree flung her arms around her older father.

“I love you, Dada.”

“Love you, Squirt,” Brian whispered as he hugged her, looking up at Justin. “Love you with all my heart,” he said to both his blonds. Justin sat next to Brian, reaching over Bree’s shoulder for a kiss which was freely given.

The three sat silently huddled together unwilling to move, just relishing in their quiet solitude surrounded by the trees and flowers.

 

*****
 

“I think it’s time we got out of bed,” Ray murmured as he snuggled closer intro Gus’ side.

“Do we have to?” Gus responded as he turned so he could wrap his long arms around Ray. From the moment Gus picked up Ray from the airport then returned to the cottage, the boys had fallen into bed and no one had seen them since. The family knew the boys were okay by the sounds emanating from Gus’ room and the fact any and all leftovers had completely disappeared.

“We should, besides we really need to shower.” Ray lifted a corner of the blanket to take a whiff. “We reek!” he declared as he quickly dropped the blanket; Gus laughed.

“I missed this,” Gus said, kissing the side of Ray’s face.

“What? Stink?”

“No,” Gus chuckled, pinching Ray’s arm. “Us, laughing together. I love making love with you. I love it when we fuck each other stupid but most of all I love when we just laugh together. I missed it. I missed you.”

The boys hugged then made love again in spite of the ‘stink.’ An hour later, out of breath and stinking even more, they laid back looking at the ceiling and laughed like a pair of hyenas.

“We should get up.”

“Yeah.”

“We need a shower.”

“Yeah.”

“We have to change these sheets.”

“Yeah.”

Within minutes the boys were fast asleep.

 

*****
 

July Fourth, it was hot and sticky but that wasn’t about to deter the extended family of Edna’s Treasures from partying. The construction crew had arrived early to set up the additional grills. Wives, partners and children all introduced themselves around. Patrick and Bree were thrilled to be able to play with dozens of children their own age.

Debbie and Carl drove up in their mobile home, Ted and Allen came with them. Lindsay brought JR and Candy. Molly and her family decided to do the correct thing and go to her in-laws for their get together, so she graciously offered her cottage to Lindsay and the girls if they wanted to stay over.

Since the Memorial Day barbecue was a huge family affair, much of the extended family stayed in Pittsburgh, opting to spend the day with other family which was all right with the boys. There were more than enough family and other guests to make up for it.

“Where the fuck is everyone?” Debbie grumbled as she climbed out of the RV. Carl handed her a large container of macaroni salad.

“I don’t know, honey, but we are very early,” Carl answered. Ted and Allen popped their heads out of the side door then disappeared back inside to get the rest of the food that Debbie had prepared.

“The boys need help,” Debbie declared as she marched herself to the front door of the cottage. As she opened the door it dawned on her that she didn’t see Michael and Ben’s car. “They’ll be here later,” she murmured to herself as she went inside.

 

*****
 

“Hey, Brian, thanks for inviting me to the barbecue,” Todd said as he walked around the side of Edna’s Treasures. He was happy to have been invited to the party. Since it was a holiday, and the garden center was closed, Todd had not been looking forward to spending a long day alone. He was also hoping that Gerry McQueen might be in attendance at the same party.

“No problem,” Brian responded distractedly from his chair. His eyes did not move from their focus.

Todd followed Brian’s line of sight. “Is Justin doing okay with his therapy?”

“Yeah.”

“He looks fine.”

“Yeah.”

Todd shrugged. “Is Gerry here?”

“Over there,” Brian replied raising his hand to indicate a group of people sitting under the big shade tree.

“Thanks,” Todd said as he walked away.

“Brian?” Lindsay said as she approached his chair.

“Yeah.”

“Why are you staring at Justin?”

“Because I need to.”

“Need?”

“Yeah.”

“Not want?”

“No.”

“He’s okay, Brian.”

“Yeah, okay.”

Lindsay shook her head as she headed in the direction of Justin.

“Uncle Brian?”

“Yes, JR.”

“Is my dad coming up today? I thought he was here with Ben.”

“They went back a few days ago.”

“But they didn’t tell me. I’ve been staying at Mommy’s. Nobody ever tells me anything,” JR sighed.

“You’re fine at Lindsay’s, aren’t you?” Brian asked still staring at Justin.

“Yes, but…”

“Your dads will be in touch soon.”

“So they’re not coming today,” JR stated dejectedly.

“No, they’re not coming.”

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“No, nothing is wrong,” Brian said very quietly.

“Okay,” JR agreed, but her voice said she didn’t agree at all.

Brian drew in a breath. Now he had that to worry about as well as Justin’s condition.
 

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