Joan VS The State of Liberty
Chapter 11
Joan walked out of the bank. She stopped at the edge of the sidewalk and looked at the bank book that she held in her hand. She flipped it open and reconfirmed her worst fears. The balance in her account was $1304.27. That was about what she had expected.
Where was she going to get the rest of the six thousand dollars that she owed Seymour Gottlieb. That shyster lawyer had led her on. He had promised that she would win the lawsuit. She had counted on that money. She had let him run up his bill expecting all the while that it would be paid when she won the suit. But then he had abandoned her at the first thing that went against them. Now she had to try to pay this monstrous bill … somehow.
As Joan drove home she thought about how quickly everything had changed in just a few days. She had been so sure she would get custody of Claire's boys and then get the vast amount of money that those paintings had sold for. Instead she had nothing, she was all alone, her family hated her, and she owed a huge sum of money. She half hoped a bus would careen out of control and crush her and her car. With a start she shook herself realizing that suicide was a sin. She just didn't know what to do.
She walked into the empty house and went directly to the cupboard where she kept the whiskey. There wasn't much left in the bottle but it would help to calm her nerves. She wasn't sure how she would pay for the next bottle. Even if she gave Seymour Gottlieb every penny she had she'd still owe him over five thousand dollars. What could she do?
The whiskey felt warm in her stomach. She realized she was shivering from cold and also from worry. Her house was paid off. Maybe she would have to take out a mortgage on it, or get a loan using it as collateral. The only problem with that was that Jack's pension barely covered her expenses as it was. It had taken her a long time to save that thousand dollars in her account. How would she ever pay off the loan?
Joan laid her head on her arms on the kitchen table. Tears ran down her cheeks and she made no attempt to stop them. This wasn't how her latter years were supposed to be. She wanted her family around her, her grandsons and Claire, even Brian. She hadn't seen him in months.
He used to come visit her every month or so. He would bring flowers which she never appreciated, but at least he came. She wondered if he would ever come to this house again. He probably wouldn't even speak to her after this.
And Claire. Joan used to be able to go to Claire's house. They always agreed in their criticism of Brian and his way of life. Now Claire was all chummy with her brother and Joan was left on her own. Life was so unfair sometimes. What had gone wrong?
She took another small drink from the bottle. She needed to ration what she had left. It was only a few days till Christmas and she would be alone for that too. She let out a long sigh. What was she going to do?
Christmas! The thought rambled through her head. Maybe she could appeal to them because it was Christmas. People were supposed to be nice to each other at Christmas. They were supposed to exhibit good will towards each other. Maybe if she played that card.
She picked up the phone and dialed Claire's number.
"Hello," Claire responded.
"Claire, it's your mother."
"What do you want?" Claire asked. She didn't want to deal with this.
"It's almost Christmas. I was wondering if you'd like to bring the boys here for Christmas dinner or I could come there," Joan said hopefully.
"Are you fucking kidding me? After what you tried to do!"
"Claire, please don't speak to me like that. You have the boys and I was hoping that we could let bygones be bygones."
"No fucking way! That is never going to happen."
"But Claire…" The line had gone dead. Joan set it down with a sigh.
No Christmas cheer from that source! With a wry smile she decided to call Brian. He probably wouldn't even answer, but maybe it was worth a try. Couldn't be any worse than what Claire had said to her. She dialed Brian's number.
"Kinnetik," Cynthia answered.
"Could I speak to my son, please," Joan asked.
"Mrs. Kinney, I'm not sure he's available."
"I could have predicted that," Joan said with a sigh.
"Hold for a minute and I'll see. Brian," Cynthia said after buzzing his office. "Your mother is on the line."
"Tell her I'm dead and I didn't leave her anything in my will."
"Briian!" Cynthia said with that tone that told him he had crossed the line.
"What?" he demanded.
"It's Christmas and it's your mother."
Brian snorted but knew he would never hear the end of it if he didn't talk to the woman. "Put her on, but this may cost you your Christmas bonus."
"I'll take my chances," Cynthia said knowing he would never take away her bonus. He was really a very generous man.
Brian waited for the connection. "What do you want, Mother?"
"I … I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas."
"I'm touched. Now if that's all." Brian was about to hang up when he heard a soft choking sound over the line. "Mother, what's wrong? What's going on?"
"You wouldn't care," Joan sobbed. "I'm sorry I bothered you."
"Tell me," Brian barked.
"That lawyer … he … he's charging me over six thousand dollars in legal fees and, and I don't have any way to pay him."
Brian let out a long breath and tried to keep his temper under control. "Six thousand dollars in fees for fucking suing me!"
"Yes, I guess, and for trying to get custody of the boys."
"And you expect me to help you pay that off when you used it to get at me. I don't fucking think so."
"I should have known that would be your reaction," Joan said coldly. "I'm sorry I bothered you. Have a Merry Christmas," she said as an afterthought as she hung up.
"And you too," Brian said to the dead phone line. "You old bat." He slammed the phone back onto the base. Why did she always get to him like this? Now he felt like shit and he had every right to refuse her.
"Cynthia!"
"You bellowed boss."
"Yes, I did. When did it get to be Christmas? Wasn't I just forced to celebrate Thanksgiving with my very unruly family?"
"Brian Kinney, you can be such an asshole! And we've been busy, too busy for you to notice the season. So busy that I'm sure you are going to owe your partner big time for organizing your Christmas dinner plans all by himself."
"Oh fuckin' hell. How did I get roped into that one?"
"Must have been in one of your weaker moments."
"Yeah, like when Melanie called to tell me Joan dropped the lawsuits. The little shit was all over me like white on rice. I vaguely remember Justin saying something about doing Christmas at the loft. He had my dick in his mouth at the time. I guess he took my grunt as a yes."
"TMI, Brian."
"Sorry, you're invited, by the way."
"I know, got my invitation and my assignment a week ago."
"Your assignment?"
"Yes. Well, there's going to be a lot of people there so we each got an assignment."
"Dare I ask what yours is?"
"I suppose I should tell you."
"What is it?"
"You won't like it."
"Spit. It. Out."
"You're supposed to call your mother and ask her to join us for Christmas dinner."
"Fuck!"
"I told you, you wouldn't like it."
"The bitch wanted almost 2 million of my money, she has the nerve to ask me to help her pay for her legal fees and you want me to call her and invite her to dinner! Are you out of your fucking mind? No, wait, not you, that little blond twat that I call a partner. This is his idea, isn't it? Wait till I get my hands on him."
"Brian, I think you better calm down before you burst an artery. Justin wants what you want and that is to have a nice family get together, with all of your family and that includes..."
"My mother. All right, you've completed your assignment. I'm not promising anything. Now get the hell out of my office."
"Sure thing, boss."
"Cynthia."
"Yes?"
"Christmas is Sunday this year, correct?"
"Yes."
"Make sure everyone knows that they can take off on Friday. Oh hell, and on Monday too."
"You're a good man, Brian Kinney."
"Don't let that get around."
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"Justin!" Brian shouted as he opened the loft door.
"Hey Bri."
"Don't hey Bri, me. What the fuck were you thinking? You want me to ask Joan over for Christmas, after she almost single handedly destroyed my family!"
"I see Cynthia did her assignment."
"You little twat! How could you involve Cynthia in all of this?"
"Brian, she's one of your closest confidantes and the least likely you'd kill, so cut the shit. Have you thought about it?"
"Yes, I have and no fucking way. She called me today. She had the nerve to ask me for the money to pay for her attorney fee. Over six fucking thousand dollars!"
"Brian, you need to calm down."
"Calm down! Why is everyone telling me to calm down?"
"Because you're screaming and turning red. Come with me, I was about to take a shower. I spent the whole day cleaning and shopping. I'm tired and my hand hurts a little."
Brian could see Justin's exhaustion. This was going to be their first real Christmas together at the loft. Justin wanted everything to be perfect. Claire, John and Bobby were coming to the city. The whole family would be here. Justin had everything organized and each member of the family had his or her assignment. Brian had two assignments. The first one was easy, make sure the liquor and wine cabinets were well stocked and the second, to just be there. Deep down, Justin had some doubts that Brian would be there at all. The whole holiday scene was far too emotional for Brian even after Thanksgiving. At that holiday everyone was so down, they leaned on Brian like always, looked to him to lead the way. This time it was different. Justin felt sure that Brian would disappear. But right now Justin was way too tired to argue. All he wanted was a warm shower and a warm body to hold him. Preferably, Brian's warm body.
Brian immediately dumped his briefcase and crossed over to his exhausted partner. He led Justin into the bedroom, stripped them both of their clothes then guided him into the bathroom. Brian turned on the shower and adjusted the temperature to suit Justin. Lathering up his boy, Brian gently massaged the tension from Justin's shoulders and back. He caressed Justin's rump with the soapy sponge then rinsed away all the bubbles. Brian pushed Justin toward the wall then knelt in front of him, taking in Justin's cock to the root.
Brian's hands continued to massage Justin's ass while his mouth worked his cock. He slipped a finger into Justin's tight hole and found the bump. Gently tapping the bump and sucking on the head of Justin's dick, Justin came. Brian swallowed then stood up to steady the wobbly boy. Before the water ran cold, Brian had them both rinsed off, out and wrapped up in thick bath sheets. He led his partner to bed. Wrapping his long body around Justin under the soft duvet, Brian made Justin feel warm, safe and secure.
"What about you?" Justin asked as he snuggled into Brian's embrace.
"Shh, don't worry about me. You did a great job on the loft. I'm closing up shop on Friday so you can put me to work and I promise not to complain. And don't worry, I'll be here, front and center on Sunday."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Brian, fuck me."
"Not too tired, little boy?"
"Never too tired for that."
In spite of Justin's declaration, Brian didn't fuck Justin, he made love to the boy, slowly and carefully.
Brian kissed a path down Justin's face from his forehead to his lips. He sucked on the blond's lips and his tongue. Brian continued down the boy's neck and chest to lick at the little pink nipples. Stopping briefly to pay attention to Justin's navel, Brian continued toward Justin's cock. Tenderly he kissed the hardening organ then he spread Justin's legs, bending his knees upward to gain access to Justin's hole. Brian licked and sucked at Justin's thighs and groin. Spreading the boy wide, he tongued the pink tight pucker. Justin moaned out loudly, only Brian could make him feel so loved, so wanted. His dripping cock stood proud and he began to pull on it.
"Want you," was all Justin could groan out. Brian quickly donned a condom and added lube. He slipped into the boy's hot ass, thrusting swiftly. Justin was getting closer to the edge. Before Justin could fall off the precipice, Brian withdrew. Getting another condom, he rolled it onto Justin's weeping cock. He added a generous daub of lube then impaled himself onto his boy. Both men cried out as Brian lowered himself on to Justin's cock. Brian rode his boy until they both came. Leaning on his elbows, Brian kissed Justin before he removed himself and the condom. Brian got up off the bed to get a damp cloth to clean them both up.
When done Brian crawled in the blankets and again Justin snuggled into his man.
Justin, kissing Brian's neck, whispered, "Thank you," then, "I love you." Brian gently squeezed Justin, kissed the boy's head and the lovers drifted to sleep.
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Christmas Day the whole family sat around the loft chatting and gushing over presents. Molly and Gus and Hunter seemed to be the most enamored of their gifts. Jenny Rebecca was still too young to really understand what was going on.
They were all waiting for dinner. The huge turkey was sizzling in its pan almost done, and the vegetables were cooking on top of the stove. The loft smelled so good Brian was sure he saw a few of them wipe the drool off their lips.
"Is it ready yet?" Justin asked his mother who was giving the turkey one more baste.
"I'm going to take it out in a few minutes and let it stand before we carve it. The vegetables should be done by then. Would you check that there's enough cutlery and napkins for everybody?"
Justin nodded and moved to the other side of the bar. He quickly counted, noting that there was more than enough of everything for everybody. He glanced around the room looking at everyone, seeing people laughing and happy, watching Gus rush around showing everybody his new miniature Corvette just like his daddy's. Justin smiled and saw Brian standing at the windows looking down at the street. He made his way over.
"What's so interesting out there?" he asked. "It's not snowing, is it?"
Brian turned and raised an eyebrow. He pulled Justin closer and pointed. Justin followed the direction and took in a quick breath. "Fuck! What's she doing down there?" he whispered.
"She's been pacing back and forth for about five minutes. Looks like she's trying to decide if she wants to call up here."
"Do you think she will?"
Brian shook his head. "I have no idea. I'm surprised she got this far."
"What are you going to do?" Justin knew what he would like Brian to do but he also knew he better not suggest it.
"I guess I'll watch and see if she freezes into a pillar of salt or if the loony wagon comes and carts her away."
"Brian! It is Christmas."
"I know."
"Well, you better decide soon. Dinner's almost ready," Justin said and then he left his partner to make his own choice.
Justin watched Brian frown and start towards the loft door. He hesitated and looked around. Finally he went up to the bedroom and did something Justin couldn't see. After a minute he came back out and grabbed Gus' hand. Brian leaned down to the little boy and whispered in his ear. Gus nodded and Brian grabbed his jacket and Gus' coat and exited the loft.
"Where the fuck are they going?" Debbie demanded.
"He'll be back in a minute, Deb," Justin assured her.
"He better be. Couldn't he have taken Gus to play in the snow an hour ago, not right when my gravy is fucking perfect?"
"He'll be back," Justin repeated. He found it hard to keep the smile off his face.
Brian put his jacket on and helped Gus with his coat as they rode down in the elevator. Gus still clutched his Corvette in his hand. He loved his car just like daddy's.
Brian opened the front door of the loft building and he and Gus stepped out. "Mother," he said to the woman who had been pacing his sidewalk.
"Brian," she replied with her usual cold tone.
"What are you doing out here?" Brian asked.
"I thought I might come up and wish you a Merry Christmas, but I didn't want to intrude."
"You wouldn't be intruding," Brian said softly. "We're getting ready for dinner. There's plenty if you'd like to join us."
"I wouldn't want to interfere," Joan said coldly. She had been invited, but knew she would not be welcome.
"There's lots of people up there. You know Debbie and Michael. You've met Lindsay, and … this is your grandson, Gus."
"Oh my," Joan replied clutching her coat across her chest. "Hello, Gus," she said trying to smile but tears were blurring her vision.
"Are you my Grandma too?" Gus asked.
"I guess so," Joan said. "Do you have other grandmas?"
"Grandma Jenn and Grandma Debbie and Grandma Claire and Grandma Nan…"
"That's an awful lot of grandmas," Joan said feeling that she obviously wasn't one of them. "I better go."
"Mother," Brian said. "Here, take this." He handed her a small folded piece of paper that he had taken out of his pocket.
"What is it?"
Brian merely stuck his tongue in his cheek and waited. Slowly Joan unfolded the paper.
"Can I show Grandma my Corvette?" Gus asked. He held it out for Joan to see and admire.
Her eyes were glued to the paper. "Oh Brian, I didn't think you would help me. I didn't know what I was going to do." She clutched the check for six thousand dollars to her chest.
"Grandma, see my car," Gus said frowning. This Grandma didn't seem to be the least bit interested in his Corvette. His other Grandmas had been. "Cold, daddy," he said wanting to go back inside to the people who liked his Corvette. He didn't understand this woman who stayed out in the cold.
"In a minute, Gus," Brian said. "Are you sure you don't want to come up? There's plenty of food."
"No, no, you go back with your … family. And if Claire and the boys are there, wish them a Merry Christmas from me." Joan turned and started walking towards her car.
"I will," Brian said. "Let's go, Gus."
"What's the matter with that lady?" Gus asked looking back over his shoulder as Joan climbed into her car.
"That's the million dollar question, Gus. I wish I knew."
They watched Joan drive off in her car. "Merry Christmas, Mom," Brian whispered as he took Gus' hand and they went back to the warmth of family and friends, to the taste of good food and drink, and to a feeling of peace and well being. Brian couldn't help but imagine what Joan would find at the end of her trip home. But that was her choice. He quietly shut the loft door behind him and Gus, and looked around at the smiling, happy people. Joan didn't know what she was missing, and he supposed she would never know.