London Calling

Chapter 17

Lindsay left the children writing their account of the trip to Stonehenge and Bath. She walked across the hall to her bedroom, leaving all the doors open, so she could hear any possible problems, should they arise.

She picked up the cell phone that Brian had got her to talk to her family at home. She punched in all the required numbers and waited.

“Hello?”

“Mel.”

“Lindz, is that you?”

“Yes, it’s really me. Sorry I haven’t called sooner, but we’ve been really busy.”

“At least you called from the airport to let me know you arrived safely,” Mel replied.

Lindsay heard the implied criticism. “Justin and I have spent a lot of time at the gallery. We’re almost ready for the opening. Just some fine tuning left to do.”

“That’s good.”

“So, what are you and JR doing?”

“We’re at the cottage. JR’s sleeping.”

“Sleeping?”

“Yes, it’s after one in the morning here.”

“Oh shit! I keep forgetting about the time change. Did I wake you?”

“No, I don’t sleep so well without you here beside me,” Melanie admitted.

“I love you,” Lindsay said with a soft smile gracing her beautiful face. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too,” Melanie said with a little hitch in her voice.

“Mel…?”

“I’m fine. JR and I are having a good time together. We have dinner every evening, and we went to the diner one night. Lacy was glad to see us. She’s done a wonderful job fixing up the place.”

“That’s nice.”

“JR and I made a snowman this afternoon. It’s been good to spend some real time with her. We actually do things together … and talk.”

“Did you notice how smart she is?” Lindsay chuckled.

“I already knew that, but what I have noticed is what a big heart she has.”

“A big heart?” Lindsay asked.

“She has this gentle way about her, but she’s really deep. You know what I mean?”

“I think so. She has a lovely temperament with just a smidge of your fire,” Lindsay laughed.

“The gentle part must come from you. Anyway, this time together has been good for both of us.”

“I’m really glad to hear that.”

“What have you been doing, besides the gallery stuff? Sightseeing?”

“We went to Stonehenge today,” Lindsay replied.

“Wow! I’ve always wanted to see that.”

“It’s very imposing, but Bree was not impressed.”

“Oh?”

“She called it a big pile of rocks and told us that women would build something better.”

Melanie laughed out loud. “She’s so right. Can’t fault her fathers for being chauvinistic when she thinks like that.”

“I have her and Patrick writing about what they saw today. I can hardly wait to read it. If it’s good, I’ll email it to you,” Lindsay laughed.

“Thanks.”

“I guess I should let you go, so you can get some sleep.”

“Yeah, if only it was that easy.”

“I miss you.”

“Me too.”

“Bye, Mel.”

“Bye, beautiful.”

Lindsay cut the connection. The smile on her face was radiant as she walked back to the children’s room. The kids sat at what had been designated as their school table, waiting for her. “Are you done?” she asked. They both nodded. She picked up Patrick’s account of his trip to Stonehenge first.

Stonehenge is a magnifcent structure. I loved seeing the huge rocks piled up like they are. It has to be one of the best structures ever built. My dad could build something this great too, if he wanted to.

Lindsay looked at the brief description and was impressed. “There’s another ‘i’ in magnificent,” she pointed out to the boy. “But your vocabulary is excellent. I can see how impressed with Stonehenge you were. You like studying building and structures, don’t you?” Lindsay asked.

Patrick nodded enthusiastically. “I’m going to be an architect like my dad,” he said.

“That’s a very worthy goal,” Lindsay said with a smile. “What did you write, Bree?”

Bree held out her piece of paper. Lindsay took it and looked at the printing that Bree had done.

Stonehenge is a pile of rocks.  My Daddy’s henge is better.  I’d make cassels out of the stones.  Not build some stupid ring that isn’t good for nothing.

Lindsay smiled to herself. She’d have to show the two accounts to the children’s fathers. They’d get a kick out of what was written. “Very interesting, Bree,” Lindsay said. “Castles is spelled like this,” she said printing it on another piece of paper for Bree to see.

“The ‘t’ is silent?” Bree asked.

“Exactly.”

“’Kay.”

Lindsay smiled. She had no doubt Bree had filed the correct spelling away for future reference. Being in England the little girl might have several more chances to use the word “castle” again.

“Shall we go show your fathers what you wrote, before you get ready for bed?”

“’Kay,” Bree said while Patrick nodded. They headed downstairs to find the men.

 

*****
 

The following week went by in a flash. Justin and Lindsay reported to the gallery daily to spend a few hours fine tuning the exhibit and reviewing the agenda for the opening night event. At the advice of Charles and Sidney, Justin gave interviews to the local and national newspapers. The family continued to tour the city and surrounding countryside. And Bree and Patrick continued to take their daily lessons which Brian over-nighted to their principal every few days.

While everyone was occupied with their own pursuits, Brian took some time to spend at the new Kinnetik Isles. He ordered new computer equipment to allow Shane McKenna to video conference with the other Kinnetik branches. Brian personally contacted Brandon and his team so Kinnetik Isles could be added into the security fold and to introduce Shane McKenna. After a very productive morning at Isles, Brian went to the gallery to see if Justin could be lured away for a quiet lunch for two.

“May I assist you, sir?” a very efficient looking young woman asked Brian as he entered the gallery.

“Perhaps you can,” Brian replied in a low breathy tone giving a sexy arch to his brow.

“Are you interested in something particular? A piece of fine art in a specific style or genre?” the woman probed, hoping Brian would find her interesting.

“Actually, I'm more interested in...”

“Oh my heavens!” the woman exclaimed. “You’re real! I mean, you’re him! You’re...” the woman blushed as she looked Brian up and down, stopping briefly at his crotch then blushing a deeper shade of red.

Brian smirked.

“I, uh, I’m so embarrassed,” the young woman said contritely with a coy smile. Just then another gallery employee came over to offer his assistance.

“Adele, do you need...bloody hell, you’re him!” The new set of eyes slowly took their own tour of Brian’s long trim body. Several other curious employees began to surround Brian all vying for an introduction.

“Brian, are you forming your own display?” Justin asked with amusement, proud that his gorgeous husband still had it, not that he ever lost it. He, Charles and Lindsay came down to the first floor in response to the noise.

“Apparently,” Brian answered over the crowd, giving a shrug of his shoulders.

“Perhaps we should have an exhibit with you as its sole feature,” Charles suggested in jest.

Brian appeared to ponder the suggestion. “I like it,” Brian retorted as he struck a pose. Brian’s fans let out a collective sigh.

Charles formally introduced Brian to the gallery staff, stressing that Brian was happily committed to his longtime partner. Many a disappointed groan was heard.

“Charles, Lindsay, do you think it would be permissible for me to steal away your artist for a long lunch? A very long lunch,” Brian drawled as he leered at Justin, waggling his eyebrows. Justin’s cheeks grew pink and warm at Brian’s innuendo.

“Brian, we do have work to do,” Lindsay admonished.

Before Brian had a chance to object, Charles jumped in. “Lindsay, all work and no play makes for a very dull artist. I think we can spare Justin for one afternoon,” Charles assured her.

Brian waited as Justin retrieved his coat and messenger bag then spirited his spouse out the gallery doors and into their waiting car.

“Destination, sir?” Stuart asked. Brian leaned up to speak to Stuart confidentially. The driver then nodded, started the car and drove out into the traffic.

“Where are we going?”

“To find lunch, Sunshine.”

“But there’s a very nice café near the gallery.”

“Ah yes, a very nice straight café near the gallery. We’re going to...”

“Woody’s!” Justin said as they pulled up in front of a pub. “How did you know?”

“I didn’t. I just asked Stuart if he knew of a homo friendly pub and voila! Here we are. Who knew it was Woody’s?”

“I make a motion that we check it out,” Justin said.

“I second that emotion, Sunshine. Besides, you know I’ll follow your ass anywhere,” Brian purred.

“My big Smoosh,” Justin giggled. The lovers left the car for the pub.

 

*****
 

“I wonder if this place has a back room,” Brian murmured against the shell of Justin’s ear. Justin shivered in response. They were sitting in a circular booth toward the back of the bar. Instead of sitting opposite each other, the lovers were huddled close together with Brian’s arm draped around Justin’s shoulder. It made it somewhat awkward to eat but then they really didn’t care. They both relished the closeness and the freedom that the gay bar afforded them.

“I thought we don’t do public sex anymore?” Justin said as he gently poked Brian in the ribs and gave him a little tickle.

“There’s nothing wrong with a healthy curiosity, Sunshine,” Brian remarked as he stole a French fry off of Justin’s plate, popping it into his mouth.

“It’s comforting to know that some things never change,” Justin replied as he kissed Brian, licking his salty lips. Brian responded by hugging Justin closer and sucking on his tongue. When they finally broke apart, the lovers were breathless and hard.

“Some things should never change,” Brian whispered as he leaned his forehead into his lover.

“This place does remind me of our Woody’s,” Justin commented after a while.

“Mmm, so many men,” Brian agreed as he scanned the bar. There were many handsome men stopping in for lunch.

“So little time,” Justin finished Brian’s thought as he too found the eye candy fun to look at.

“Justin, are you happy?” Brian asked in reflection. He was rapidly approaching fifty, while Justin perpetually looked in his twenties. Brian wasn’t blind to the cruising gazes his young lover was getting.

“You mean, am I happy with you?” Justin murmured against Brian’s lips. Brian gave a slight nod. Justin reached up to grab a handful of Brian’s lush thick hair, crimping it, giving it that just fucked look. Then Justin slipped his hand around the back of Brian’s neck bringing him down for a toe curling kiss. “You are my life,” Justin assured his spouse. Brian gave Justin a little smile and a peck on the nose.

The lovers ate their lunch in companionable silence playing footsie under the table and turning down offers from the admirers in the room.

 

*****
 

“Chop, chop, everyone! Let’s get a move on,” Brian commanded, doing his best Emmett imitation.

“I’m ready, Dada.”

“That’s my girl.”

“Do I look good?’

Brian eyed the pretty pink dress and black patent mary janes that his daughter wore. “You look fabulosa, senorita,” he proclaimed.

Bree giggled. “You’re silly, Dada.”

“Perhaps, but I’m also ready. Where is the rest of this motley crew?” he demanded as he held Bree’s coat for her to put on.

“We’re ready,” Justin said leading the remaining members of the family group down the stairs.

Brian’s breath caught in his throat. He had spent all afternoon fucking Justin into the mattress, and there was nothing he liked better than a naked and aroused Justin Taylor. Nothing, except a fully clothed Justin Taylor who looked so good that Brian wanted to rip the clothes off him and start all over again. Brian stifled the groan that rumbled through his whole body.

Clearing his throat, Brian quickly said, “Into the cars. I don’t want to be late for the theater.”

“What are we seeing?” Lindsay asked as Stuart and Nathan opened the doors of the cars for their passengers.

“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare,” Brian said before he disappeared into the car leaving all of the others with their jaws dropped open.

“What?”

“Did he say what I thought he said?”

“The complete works?”

“Is he crazy? The kids are going to hate this?”

“I hate this.”

“I don’t like Shakespeare.”

“Do we have to go?”

“Get in.”

Finally everyone was situated in the two cars. Justin was beside Brian. He leaned over against his husband.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked with a frown. “Bree will probably be bored. And you know how she gets when she’s bored.”

“It’ll be fine,” Brian said smugly.

Justin looked at his husband’s smirking face and wondered what was going on. He decided to wait and see.

“I’m not really a fan of Shakespeare, Pop,” Gus said carefully. “Maybe Ray and I should get out and go … shopping or something.”

“When in doubt, shop?” Brian asked. Gus nodded hopefully. “You’re going to the theater,” Brian stated in a tone that made it clear that no one was escaping.

Gus heaved a sigh, but decided the better part of valor might be to keep his mouth shut. Ray squeezed his hand to comfort him.

Soon they pulled up in front of the theater. As they got out, John read the marquee: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare in 97 Minutes. 97 minutes?”

“That’s right,” Brian replied.

“But…”

“It’s a comedy. Give it a chance,” Brian requested. “It’s been running for years.”

They quickly made their way inside as they were already rather late. They got to their seats just before the lights dimmed. The 97 minutes passed very quickly.

“That was wonderful,” Bobby said as they exited the theater. “Be to not, or be to,” he emoted, gesturing wildly.

“That was definitely the best part where they did Hamlet backwards,” Ray laughed.

“That was great,” Gus agreed.

“I liked the ghost,” Bree offered.

“You weren’t scared of it?” Justin asked as he held her hand.

“It was a hankie, Daddy. I wasn’t scared.”

Everyone chuckled.

“How come they were all men?” Patrick asked.

“That’s the way they did it in Shakespeare’s day,” Brian explained. “Only men could be actors. The younger men or boys were the women.”

“That sucks,” Bree said.

“Times have changed,” Lindsay told her.

“It still sucks,” Bree said again.

“You can be my Desdemona any day, Sunshine,” Brian laughed giving Justin a peck on the cheek.

“God, I hope not. Don’t they all end up dead?”

“Mostly they do. Everyone in the tragedies ends up dead,” John offered.

“Or crazy,” Brian added.

They had walked down to the cars which were waiting a little way down the street from the theater.

“Maybe I should get tickets for the New Globe Theater,” Brian suggested. “We could see some real Shakespeare.”

“I think this was better, Pop,” Gus said hastily. He didn’t think he would enjoy an actual Shakespeare play, although what they had just seen was one of the best things he’d ever been to.

“You didn’t think you’d like this play either,” Brian reminded him.

“Yeah, but…”

“Just trust me,” Brian said. “Am I ever wrong?”

There was silence. They all struggled to remember the last time Brian Kinney had been wrong. Nobody came up with an answer.
 

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