Glass Houses

Chapter 4

Ben walked out of Emmett’s cottage. He had been there for a few days, and he found himself relaxing and smiling more than he had in a long time. He strolled through the gate and started up the lane, looking at all the construction equipment and activity that was going on.

His smile grew broader, as it occurred to him that all the noise and bustle that was occurring on the lane should be defeating the purpose of him staying there. On the contrary, he found the activity interesting and invigorating. Maybe that old saying about a change being as good as a rest was actually true. Ben stopped in front of the gate that marked the opening of the construction site for the new cottage. Part of this new building would be his. That made him smile even more.

“You look like the cat who just swallowed the canary,” John said as he came over to Ben.

“Maybe I look that way because that’s how I feel.”

“Really?” John asked rather surprised. “I would have thought that construction would be the last thing you’d want if you were looking for peace and quiet.”

“I’m not sure what I’m looking for,” Ben replied, his eyes watching the earth movers, but his brain somewhere else far away.

“Sounds like you need a trip to the big rock by the stream,” John suggested.

“You know I think subconsciously that’s where I was heading.”

John chuckled. “That rock does have a pull. I think we should give it a name. Let’s see – how about the Contemplating Stone?”

“Hm, has possibilities,” Ben agreed, “but contemplating is such a big word.”

“Too big for some of the young’uns?” John asked with a twinkle in his eye.

“The vocabulary of the younger generation isn’t what it should be,” Ben conceded.

“Maybe you can think of a good name for our rock while you’re sitting on it.”

“Maybe I can. Hasn’t it always been called the Thinking Rock?”

“Yeah, but never officially named that.”

“You don’t think Brian will object to me using the rock, do you?” Ben asked.

“It’s my rock too. You have my permission to use it.”

“Thanks, I’m going to take you up on that.”

“Oh, and if you’d like to look at the plans for this baby,” John said indicating the cottage site, “come over to our place tonight and I’ll show you.”

“I think I’d like that,” Ben replied. “I’ve enjoyed being alone since I got here, but I think I’ve had enough of that for now.”

“See you later tonight,” John said as he started back into the site. “If you’d like to come for dinner, feel free. We always have lots.”

“Thanks,” Ben said taking a last look at the construction, and then heading for the stream.

As Ben walked down the path towards the stream, his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked at who was calling. He let it go to voicemail. He wasn’t ready to deal with that yet.

Ben came into the clearing near the stream. The big rock stood waiting for him, partially in shade, a little bit of it in the sun. Ben sat down on the shady side. The sun was not his friend due to the medication he took. He pushed himself farther up onto the rock and laid back. The sky was very blue and almost cloudless as he looked through the leaves of an overhanging branch. He drew in a deep breath of the good country air. He smiled to himself. This was just what he needed. He closed his eyes and let his mind wander.

In spite of himself Ben kept picturing Michael. His husband and lover, who had pretty much ceased to be his lover over the course of the last few weeks. Ben had never felt so alone as he had since Michael had started to reject his advances. Sex was only a small part of the problem though. Michael had been drawing away from him. Ben could feel it in everything that they did. That was the reason he had to get away from Michael. It was the reason he was here.

“Want some company?” a voice asked from somewhere off to the side.

“No!” Ben said abruptly before he could stop himself. He needed time to think. He hadn’t come here for company.

“Fine, I’ll leave you alone,” the voice said.

Ben sat up turning to see who had spoken to him, even though he was pretty sure he recognized the voice. “Brian, it’s fine,” Ben said. “I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“I didn’t think you were being rude. If anyone knows rude, it’s me.” Brian chuckled. “I merely thought you wanted to be alone, so I’ll head back.”

“You came all the way out here on your crutches to see if I wanted to be alone?”

“Yeah, I guess I did.”

“Come and sit down. I can spare you a few minutes.”

“Wouldn’t want to be pushy,” Brian said his tongue in his cheek as he hobbled over to the rock.

“You, pushy?” Ben asked with a laugh.

Brian scowled at him as he handed Ben his crutches and hoisted himself onto the rock. At that moment Ben felt his phone vibrate again. He pulled it out, glanced at who was calling and promptly put it back in his pocket.

“Michael?” Brian asked.

“Yeah, how did you know?’

“I know Michael. He’s a persistent little bastard when he wants something.”

“I wish I knew what the fuck he wanted,” Ben said with a sigh.

“Such language, professor,” Brian joked. “Care to tell me what’s going on with you two.”

“I wish I knew.”

“That makes two of us,” Brian said. “That altercation between you two at the barbecue was … out of character.”

“You think we don’t fight?” Ben asked.

“Every couple fights,” Brian replied knowingly. “You guys never fight in public.”

Ben nodded in agreement. “Michael hasn’t been … himself,” he said slowly.

“I’ve noticed.

“Has he told you what’s wrong?”

Brian shook his head. “Has he told you?”

“No, or I wouldn’t be asking you,” Ben said tersely.

“Have you asked him?”

Ben shook his head. “Whenever I try to broach the subject with him, he turns it into a fight.”

“A fight?”

“Yeah, he picks some little thing in what I said and starts a fight about it.”

“Is that why he was so upset about his present at the barbecue?” Brian asked.

“It’s a good example of his current behavior.”

“When Michael is being an irrational idiot, more than usual, that is,” Brian added. “Then there’s something wrong.”

“I know something’s wrong.”

“I don’t think you understand me, professor. I mean something is really wrong?”

“Really wrong? But what…?”

“Like he’s sick or he thinks you’re sick, or something’s wrong with Debbie or Hunter, or the store’s in trouble and he doesn’t want to tell you. Something dramatic.”

“Shit!” Ben replied.

“You don’t have any idea what it could be?”

“No, I don’t,” Ben said shaking his head.

“You guys get tested regularly, don’t you?” Brian asked.

“Of course we do.”

“And there hasn’t been an accident … lately?”

“You mean like a broken condom or something?”

“Yeah.”

“Nothing I can think of, but…”

“But what?” Brian asked raising an eyebrow.

“Michael hasn’t been feeling well for a few weeks. I told him to go get a check up at the doctor’s, but he hasn’t gone.”

“You don’t think he could be really sick, do you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Look, as someone who is a cancer survivor, get him to a fucking doctor. I mean it, Ben.”

“I’ll try.” Ben pulled out his cell phone again and looked at the display.

“For fuck sake talk to him,” Brian ordered as he retrieved his crutches and slid off the rock. His work there was done.

Ben opened his phone. “Michael?” he said.

Brian used his crutches to get himself over to the path. He so wished his ankle was good enough not to use the crutches, but not yet. He hoped soon.

“Ben, why haven’t you answered my calls?” Michael demanded.

“I’m answering now,” Ben said steeling himself for a fight, but refusing to be sucked in.

“Have you had enough of the country life? Are you coming home?” Michael asked.

“Not yet,” Ben said.

“Why the fuck not!?”

“I need some time, and I think you do too.”

“I don’t need time. I need … you,” Michael admitted.

“You’d never know it the way you’ve treated me lately,” Ben accused.

“I … I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, Michael. Do something about it. Tell me what’s going on.”

There was a very long pause. “I can’t, not yet,” Michael said finally.

“Michael…”

“Someone just came into the store. I have to go,” Michael said quickly and cut the connection.

Ben closed his phone. “That accomplished fuck all,” he muttered. He wracked his brain about what he could do. Maybe he could ask Brian to talk to Michael, but Michael wasn’t talking to him either. Maybe he should invite Michael to come to the lane for the weekend. Ben could hear the excuses already about why Michael couldn’t do that. Maybe he should call Debbie. That would fix Michael in more ways than one. He didn’t really want to do that. Ben laid back on the rock and closed his eyes. The Thinking Rock had no answers today.

 

*****
 

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Where ya been?”

“Down by the old mill stream,” Brian teased but only got a perplexed look from his young lover. He remembered his father singing parts of that song when he came home drunk and was in a ‘frisky’ mood. Poor Joanie had a lot to cope with during that time.
“I went to the big rock. I saw Ben go down there and I thought he could use some company,” a euphemism for prying.

“Find out anything?” Justin asked as he began setting up his mini canvases. He had his sling off and even though his dominant arm was not affected, the limited use of his left arm and hand threw Justin off balance.

“Nothing specific but I have a feeling that the condom broke and Mikey’s thinking the worst,” Brian ventured.

“Shit!”

“My sentiments exactly. As much as I love both of them, they’re going to have to work this one out by themselves.”

“I think you’re right,” Justin agreed then became very quiet as he prepared his palette. “Bri, my therapy.”

“What about it?”

“I really need to get the use of my arm back.”

“Yeah, and…?” Brian wasn’t sure he was liking the direction this conversation was about to turn.

“The therapist is in the Pitts.”

“And you want to stay at the loft,” Brian said as Justin looked up at him with moist eyes. They had just celebrated 20 years of their unconventional relationship and now it looked like they were about to be separated by a dislocated shoulder. Brian snorted at the irony. After all the time he intentionally pushed Justin away for ‘his own good,’ Brian couldn’t bear the thought of Justin leaving him even if it was only temporary.

“We’ll work it out, Sunshine,” was all that Brian could say as he carefully drew the younger man into his arms. “Love you,” he whispered into a golden lock covered ear. He felt Justin nod into his chest.

 

*****
 

The month of June was moving along a bit too fast for Brian who saw the passage of time as a personal attack on his fleeting youth. He still had to use crutches while Justin had just been cleared for more ‘active’ therapy instead of the passive exercises he had been performing.

The great god Kinney was not happy.

“And what’s got your knickers in a twist now? There’s no pleasing you, is there?” John growled at him. Brian had the good sense to look contrite. Brian was standing on the new path that connected his garden with the greenhouse property.

“The greenhouse looks like it’s ready for plants,” Brian said taking a different tack.

“Let’s make sure the stone facades are dry before you start moving in the dirt and stocking the pond with koi,” John snarked.

“Yes, sir,” Brian teased. “He was cleared for therapy,” Brian murmured after a while. John stared at him as he made the mental leap from the greenhouse to Justin.

“And the recommended therapist lives in Pittsburgh,” John put it all together. Brian nodded looking so pitiful that John couldn’t help but chuckle. Big bad Brian fucking Kinney, the super genius of the advertising world, entrepreneur supreme, master of the barbecue grill and reigning king of their lane was pouting like his daughter.

“May I make a suggestion?” John gently asked as he put an arm around his brother’s shoulders. Brian nodded. “Find out how booked this therapist is. Maybe he can be bribed to take on a private patient. Make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

Brian arched a brow.

“An all expense paid trip to Edna’s Treasures. We have room to put him up and maybe by the time Justin’s completed his therapy, it’ll be time for yours. From what Bobby told me, this guy works very closely with the orthopedists. He’ll get you both up and running in no time.”

Brian’s pout was turning into a smile.

“Go on, make some calls, work your magic then stop walking around like a bear with a wounded paw. You’re beginning to scare my men.” A bunch of burly construction workers walked by with heavy planks hoisted up on a shoulder. “They’re very sensitive men, you know.” Said men gave Brian a pleading nod making Brian giggle, completely losing it.

“Okay, I get it; I’ve been a bitch to live with. I’m sorry,” he said to his brother. “I’m sorry!” he shouted in the general direction of the workmen.

“Yay!” Brian received in return from the men, many holding up coffee cups or various tools in salute.

“Bri, we didn’t know each other when you had cancer but from what I was told, you fought hard against it and unless your head was stuck in a toilet somewhere, you kept right on working. I’m not telling you to push yourself and risk re-injury, I’m just saying that the Brian I know would not let something like a sprained ankle stop him from doing anything he really wanted to do.” John bussed Brian’s head before getting back to work.

Brian smiled at his brother, looked over the greenhouse progress with pride then hobbled back to the cottage. He had calls to make.

 

*****
 

“So you’re coming this weekend?” Ben asked hopefully. He’d been trying to convince Michael to drive up and stay with him at Emmett’s, but for some reason Michael kept putting him off with one excuse after another.

“I said I would,” Michael protested.

“Just checking. And JR?”

“She’s staying at Lindsay’s. She moved back a couple of days ago,” Michael mumbled.

“M-moved back?” Ben asked with pain.

“Not for real or forever but...”

“What?” Ben asked gently.

“JR said that I was being an ass and that I needed a vacation with you and to get our mojo back,” Michael huffed. Ben could see him standing there with his arms crossed against his chest and his chin jutting out in defiance.

“We have mojo?” Ben asked, trying not to laugh.

“Apparently. But according to JR we lost it and now we’ve been ordered to find it or she’s going to kick both our butts.”

“Then for self preservation’s sake you should get here as quick as you can. JR can be a very scary young lady when she wants to be.”

“Tell me about it. I’m just about packed and I’m going to talk to Danny to make some arrangements for the store. I should be there in a few hours. Do you want me to bring anything?”

“Some of my tofu burgers?” Ben ventured. He heard Michael sigh.

“If I have to. See you soon.”

“Michael.”

“Yeah?”

“I love you,” Ben said hoping that he sounded sincere and that Michael wouldn’t be put off.

“I love you too,” Michael said genuinely before he broke the connection.

 

*****
 

“Dada!” Bree shouted as she ran into the cottage. Bobby had just brought Bree and Patrick home from school.

“Up here, Squirt,” Brian called back from his attic office. It wasn’t easy but Brian managed to get himself up the spiral staircase. It took him a while to do it but he was very proud of himself that he made it up there. Bree carefully climbed up.

“Dada,” Bree began as she climbed up to her Dada’s lap and made herself comfortable.

“Yes, General Squirt,” Brian replied knowing he was about to promise her something.

“School’s done on Friday.”

“Is it?” Brian asked knowing full well that as of the coming Friday, summer would officially begin on the lane.

“Yup.”

“Does that mean you want to go away to camp again this year?” The thought of Bree and Justin leaving him was a little too much to bear.

“No Dada, but can I go to day camp, and can Ashley stay here sometimes? Her mommy is teaching summer school and camp’s not for the whole summer and we can help you gar-gar in the new house and, and...”

“Breathe, Squirt! Yes, Ashley is more than welcome to spend as much time here as her mother permits. I did reserve a spot for you at day camp but that won’t start until the middle of July so you’ll have plenty of time to help me in the greenhouse. And Ashley’s help will be appreciated.”

Unbeknownst to Bree, Susanna, Ashley’s mother had contacted Brian and Justin to coordinate day camp, and she asked if they didn’t mind if Ashley spent some days with them because of her summer schedule. Now that Susanna had a real job, things were falling into place for her. She had taken on tutoring jobs as well to pay off the debts she incurred during her divorce. The boys were very willing to help. Bree loved her friend; the lane could be very lonely for the only little girl living on it.

“Oh thank you, Dada!” Bree shrieked as she threw her little arms around her father’s neck.

“You’re welcome, Squirt,” Brian said as he hugged her close to him, burying his nose in her baby fine strawberry blond hair.

“I love you, Dada.”

“Love you too, Squirt,” Brian said as he hung on with all his might.
 

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