Glass Houses

Chapter 3

“Gus?’

“Yes, Mama,” Gus replied into his cell phone. He was in the middle of interviewing one of the interns at the construction site when his cell phone had rung.

“I just wanted to let you know that Lorna and I are back from the conference. You can come visit whenever you like,” Mel said, thinking Gus would jump at the chance.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to visit you this summer,” Gus said carefully.

“Why not?” Mel snapped. This was not what she had expected.

“I have a really busy summer,” Gus told her. “I don’t think I can fit it in.”

“Fit it in!? I’m your mother.”

“I know, Mama, but I’m in the middle of work right now. Could we talk about this later?”

“Are you brushing me off?” Mel demanded.

“No, Mama, nothing like that,” Gus replied. He glanced at the intern who had a satisfied smile playing on his lips. Gus hated to sound like such a baby trying to make nice with his mother.

“Then you will come to Portland,” Melanie stated in her best authoritative voice.

“No, Mama, I really can’t.”

“Gus…”

Gus cut the connection and turned off his cell phone. He could just imagine the messages that would be waiting for him when he had time to turn it on again.

 

*****
 

“Lindsay!”

“Mel, is that you?” Lindsay asked as she answered the phone.

“You’re fucking right that it’s me. What have you been telling that ungrateful son of ours?”

Lindsay could hear the anger in Mel’s voice. “Calm down, Mel. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Like fuck you don’t! I bet you and that asshole Kinney put him up to this.”

“Put Gus up to what?” Lindsay asked in bewilderment.

“That ungrateful little pup says he’s too busy to come visit me this summer. He’s got the whole fucking summer ahead of him, and he’s too fucking busy. I don’t bloody think so!”

“Gus is busy, Mel,” Lindsay said calmly. “He just started working with John. He’ll be doing that all summer.”

“John? What the fuck is he doing with John? He’s supposed to be interning at Kinnetik.”

“John offered him a job of videotaping the course he’s giving on building.”

“Course? When did John Anderson get to be a teacher?”

“Not a teacher, an associate professor.” Lindsay relished telling Melanie that.

“P…Professor?” Mel sputtered. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Oh, that’s right,” Lindsay said smugly. “You don’t bother to keep up with the happenings of your discarded family here in Pittsburgh.” She paused to let that sink in, but before Melanie could start contradicting that statement, Lindsay continued, “John got his PhD. He’s Dr. John Anderson now, and he’s conducting an internship course this summer. That’s what Gus is filming.”

“Well, la-dee-da!”

“Mel!”

“I don’t give a fuck what John Anderson is doing. I want to know why my son feels he can tell me that he won’t come to Portland.”

“That’s Gus’ decision. I have nothing to do with it.”

“Bullshit! You’ve probably been crying and moaning about how hard done by you are since I left, and how you need your sweet little baby there with you,” Mel said sarcastically.

“In spite of what you might think, I don’t cry and moan, and certainly not over you. If anybody is crying and moaning at the moment, I would say it was you.”

“Me?” Mel asked in amazement.

“What else would you call what you’re doing?”

“I … I fucking hate all of you,” Mel shouted then slammed down the receiver.

Lindsay pulled the phone away from her ear. “Score one for me,” she said with a smile as she closed her cell phone.

 

*****
 

“Kinney!”

“Who is this?” Brian asked as he answered his cell phone.

Justin looked over at Brian who was ensconced on a chaise in the sun porch. Justin was painting at an easel, finding that the flowers of Hawaii were an unending inspiration for him, even if his arm still ached a lot of the time. He mouthed, “Who is it?”

Brian shook his head as he started to listen to Melanie Marcus’ rant.

“Where the fuck do you get off, Kinney, telling my son that he can’t come to Portland this summer! I always knew you were a fucking asshole, but this goes way beyond your usual crap. You are a class A bastard. How dare you?”

“I didn’t dare. I have nothing to do with Gus’ summer.”

“He’s there with you, isn’t he?”

“He’s working for my brother and earning credits for his schooling,” Brian said smugly.

Justin looked at his husband. “Melanie?” he asked.

Brian nodded and moved his fingers and thumb together and apart to indicate that she was rattling on about something. Justin surmised that it was about Gus. What else did those two have in common?

“I want my son here in Portland this summer,” Melanie stated forcefully. “You need to see that’s what happens.”

“Is that some kind of obscure threat?” Brian asked sarcastically.

“I want my son.”

“Did it ever occur to you that if you made yourself available more often, he might do the same?”

“Me? Available?” Melanie sputtered.

“Gus told me that he had intended to visit you and your new squeeze, before he started work, but you were too busy. Had to go to some conference with your new love. I hope the sex was worth it.”

“You son of a bitch! How dare you?”

“Oh, I dare a lot of things,” Brian replied. “You might do well to remember that people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“When you figure it out, maybe you’ll understand why Gus isn’t coming to Portland and why the rest of us don’t give a fuck.” Brian snapped his cell phone shut. “Remind me to get a new phone number that Melanie fucking Marcus doesn’t have,” Brian said to Justin.

 

*****
 

“Man, Pop, I’m tired,” Gus said as he flopped into a chair at the kitchen table.

Brian looked at the clock. “It isn’t even four,” Brian said.

“I know, but I’ve had it.”

Brian continued cutting up veggies for the kids’ after school snack. They loved veggies and dip. “The working life is not for you, I take it,” Brian observed.

“Huh? No, work is fine. All these young interns have some weird ideas about life and what the real world is like,” Gus replied.

Brian smiled. “And you, of course, are way past weird ideas.” Gus made a face at his father. “Are the weird ideas weird because you don’t agree with them, or are they merely someone else’s weird view of the world?”

“One kid told me that he plans to be a world famous architect,” Gus said shaking his head. “Isn’t it enough to just be an architect?”

“Don’t you want to be a world famous cinematographer?” Brian asked.

“Um, well, I’d like that, but I don’t go around telling everybody that’s what I’m going to be.”

“Maybe this kid has a big ego. There’s nothing wrong with setting your expectations high.”

“No, but it seems so…”

“Unrealistic?”

“Yeah.”

“What’s that old expression – your reach should always exceed your grasp?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Aim high,” Brian said tersely.

“Oh.”

“Maybe you should look at that as an aspect of what you’re filming,” Brian suggested.

“What aspect?”

“Sonny boy, you really must be tired. Get with the program. I believe every good film has a hook. What if that was the hook for yours – interns developing, adjusting, forming expectations for their futures. Maybe some of them will find out that they want to be architects. Maybe the kid who thinks he wants to be a world famous architect might discover that he really wants to be a carpenter.”

“How likely is that?” Gus asked.

“You never know,” Brian said philosophically.

Gus sat up straighter in his chair. “You know, you’re right. I do need a hook. I was talking to one kid this afternoon. He was surprised he got accepted in this program. He didn’t seem to have very high self esteem.”

“Unlike some people we know who have expectations beyond the pale.” Brian didn’t say that he was thinking about Melanie Marcus.

“I think I see what you’re getting at. Show how the interns are at the beginning of the summer, and how they have grown and changed by the end.”

“And don’t forget the ones who don’t change at all.”

Gus grinned. “You’re the best, Pop. I’ll have a great tutorial for Uncle John, but it will also show how this process can be a life changing experience.”

“Now you’re cooking with gas, my boy,” Brian said sticking his tongue in his cheek.

“Thanks, Pop.”

“No problem.”

“GUUUSSS!” Bree shrieked as she ran through the front door of the house. The princess was home.

 

*****
 

The shortened work week flew by quickly, especially after Mel’s annoying phone calls ceased. Brian chuckled to himself as he watched the progress on the greenhouse safely from the edge of his own garden. His brother, John Anderson, PhD., thank you very much, had the deans from both PIFA and Penn State email Melanie with their letters of praise and commendation for Gus. The email included praise for the parents of the enterprising young man who worked so diligently on his two majors and yet found time to help out his fellow students as a mentor and tutor. Unbeknownst to the parents, Gus had become a friend to several students that came from alternative families and were struggling with it. The deans’ attributed Gus’ easy mannerisms and self confidence to his parents and how well he was raised. They also mentioned that it was an honor to be associated through Gus, to such distinguished members of the community.

The email successfully shut Melanie up for the time being.

“Wow, this is amazing!” Justin commented as he sidled up to Brian’s side. “They’ve done so much already.”

“Yeah,” was all that Brian said as they both watched John’s men begin erecting the ‘bones’ of the greenhouse. “John said that it would go up fast since there’s no basement to dig and that all the pipe and electrical lines were easy to extend from the lane.”

“I’m glad all the lines are underground,” Justin said. There was nothing to disturb the view and the risk of a tree falling on a power line during a storm was nonexistent. “What are you going to do in the front?” Justin indicated the land in front of the cottage-like facade of the greenhouse.

“A short lawn similar to what’s in front of our house. Same for the B&B,” Brian said.

“Are you going into the hotel business?” Justin joked.

“Not! But Emmett did make his recommendations for a large communal kitchen and I did promise Michael and Ben a suite of rooms they can call home for whenever they want. I guess if a friend of a friend wanted to book a room or two for a vacation, we could work something out, but this is for our family.”

“Speaking of Michael and Ben...”

“Yeah, Ben arrived the other day and made himself at home at Emm’s cottage. Something’s up with those two and I’m not sure it’s a good thing,” Brian said as he moved closer to Justin. Ben and Michael had been a couple almost as long as Brian and Justin. They were shining examples of monogamy and fidelity in their community. As much as Brian teased and snarked about them, somewhere deep down inside, Brian admired Ben and Michael.

Justin linked his fingers with Brian’s in silent agreement and so much more. He knew that love wasn’t always enough to keep a relationship going. It took a lot more. Justin turned his head to kiss Brian’s shoulder. He felt Brian gently squeeze his hand in acknowledgment.

“So what do you think?” Gordon asked the partners as he loped over from the site.

“I’m impressed!” Justin responded with an eager smile.

“It’s all right,” Brian said automatically. “What brings you out of the Village? I thought your missus had you wrapped around her little finger and knee deep in cut flowers,” Brian said, referring to Betsie’s flower shop in the Village created by John and Gordon.

“She lets me out on occasion especially when the bossman has a bug up his nose about an important project.”

“And this is important?” Brian asked with an arch of his brow.

“As important as it gets. Besides, it’s good for him,” Gordon said seriously, pointing towards John’s general direction with his chin. “He needs to put all that higher education to good use. John’s a natural born teacher and good with young minds. I’ve never seen him happier,” Gordon added.

Brian had to admit that there was an extra spring to his brother’s step. And his enthusiasm was contagious, if Gus’ excited attitude was any indication. Although Gus had no interest in architecture, his artistic mind could appreciate the aesthetics of the designs and his logical mind was learning the business end of the project.

“Your large stone cottage is a challenge for these youngens. They all assume new buildings mean glass and steel,” Gordon said with a smirk. “The adjustment is good for them,” he laughed. “I gotta get back. I’ll see you boys later,” Gordon said as he went back to the site.

As Gordon walked back to the cottage site, Todd and Donald drove up in a garden center truck.

“What brings you two out here so soon? There’s nothing much to see,” Brian commented.

“On the contrary, there’s a lot to see and to work on,” Todd stated. “See that?” Todd pointed toward where the back wall of the greenhouse was staked out. There was a huge pile of stones that was going to be part of the back wall. “We decided that your pond will be part of the wall and that’s where me and Donald come in,” Todd announced proudly as he waved his set of plans in front of Brian’s nose. “So if you’ll excuse us, we have a pond to build.” Todd smiled as he turned to go toward the greenhouse. Donald grinned and with a shrug of his big shoulders followed Todd.

Justin laughed at the look of amazement on Brian’s face. “Come on, big guy, let’s go over. I know you want to put your two cents in,” Justin said as he led Brian toward the greenhouse.

 

*****
 

Everyone in close proximity of the construction site wore hard hats, even Gus had one fitted to his specifications. Brian noted that his son had his head bent over the special table that held the plans of both the greenhouse and the cottage. The plans were protected by a sheet of plexiglass. The table itself was housed in a tent that the men used as a base to take their breaks or eat lunch.

“What’s this?” Brian asked no one in particular as he studied the building plan which was really a blank rectangle except for structures in the back and what looked like double walls by the doors. He pointed at a rectangle near the front.

“A bathroom with stall shower,” a very large man answered. He was helping himself to a cup of coffee. The snack cart man had set up several coffee urns for the crew along with barrels of iced bottled water. He came back a few times in the day to replenish the coffee, water and other snacks and sandwiches.

“Are you sure?” Brian asked as he did a double take. The man was large, well muscled and had many tools hanging off his tool belt. Brian resisted the memories of his own little tool belt man.

“Tom,” the man replied as he wiped his hand on his pants before offering it to Brian. Brian readily shook his hand. “I’m the plumber. I’ve been working with John and Gordon for years but usually on their city projects. This is a first for me but I couldn’t resist your brother.”

“Yes, my brother can be very persuasive when he wants to be,” Brian said as he looked the big man up and down.

“He warned me about you,” Tom said as he wagged his index finger up at Brian. Brian gave Tom his most innocent, ‘who me?’ look, making Tom laugh. “Let me explain what we’re doing here,” Tom said after he calmed down from laughing.

“This is the front door that faces the lane,” Tom began in a lecture mode. "It has an antechamber so that in the winter the plants won’t get a blast of cold air when someone comes in. Just to the right will be a coat rack area. It’ll give you somewhere to hang your...”

“Coat?” Brian interjected.

“Or work apron. We thought a small bathroom would be more helpful instead of just a toilet and sink. Considering the amount of work you’ll be doing in here with some of your larger plants, it might come in handy to be able to shower off before tracking dirt through your house.”

“Yeah, and having a bathroom in here will come in handy with all the barbecues we throw. Our plumbing is happy with the six of us. When the family shows up...”

“Yeah, John did say you have a big family and they all like a good party. It’ll only have a small water heater but it’ll be good for a fast rinse. Since the greenhouse will hold tropical plants, we’re installing baseboard heating. The glass and plants will help to keep it steamy in here so it won’t take much to heat up the place. We’re also installing drains in the floor for the run off, overhead sprinklers if you want it to rain all at once and you’ll have a spigot to attach a hose.”

“You guys have thought of everything.”

“In the back will be your pond. Todd is working on an idea he had for another project when he was in Chicago, but the client decided against it.”

“What kind of idea?”

“On the inside, the pond will look like it extends out of the back wall. Part of it will be outside with a small opening so that the fish can swim in and out. It’ll be deep enough so that the water won’t freeze and it can be heated if you wish. We’ll be installing underwater lights which will also keep the water warm plus add to the overall effect.”

“Some of the lights will shine on the outside?” Brian asked. Tom nodded. “Good, it’ll be part of the security system and prevent anyone from accidently bumping into it. And this?” Brian pointed to the other square at the side.

“The side door which will be opposite from your sun porch. We’ll eventually link your path that runs through your garden through the hedges then to the greenhouse. This door will also have an antechamber. I believe John said something about an arbor around both doors so that they’ll blend in with your front door but it’ll also help protect the side door during a storm. John said that the front has a tendency for snow drifts. You like?”

“I like, and for a plumber you know a lot about other shit.”

“Hang around John long enough and you pick up all sorts of stuff. Break time’s over. I better get back before John comes looking for me. I’ll be seeing you around, I’m sure.” With that, Tom tossed his empty cup in the trash and walked outside.

“Yeah,” Brian mumbled to himself, staring at the plans and quite in awe of his ‘doctor’ brother.

“Hey, Pop!” Gus came into the tent searching for his dad. “Todd has some questions about hedges and stuff. Can you come out?” Gus asked his father who looked a little preoccupied. Brian shook himself out of his reverie.

“Yeah, sure. I’ll be right there as soon as my crutches can get me there.”

“Okay, Pop. This is so cool!” Gus said with a huge smile, complete with youthful enthusiasm. “It’s almost like we’re building this together, ya know.”

“I know,” Brian couldn’t help but smile.

“Is this how it felt when you guys built the treehouse?”

“Yeah,” Brian said after a moment’s thought. “It is. But I gotta warn ya, Sonny Boy, your uncle is quite the slave driver,” Brian said in a whisper as he leaned closer to Gus.

“Oh Pop!” Gus laughed.

The Kinney men made their way through the site toward Todd.
 

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