And Never Brought to Mind

Chapter 5

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It was John's turn to pick up Patrick from school, so he decided to take advantage of his new office and go over some plans for a new office building he was commissioned to design. The new building would replace the old warehouse his construction company recently demolished in Harrisburg. As he walked through the sun porch to Brian and Justin's end of the cottage, John could hear Brian pacing in his own attic office. John situated his son at their kitchen table for his after school snack and then homework. That is, if you call collecting Fall leaves homework. Patrick took his assignment very seriously and he wanted to have Bree help him with it to make up for leaving her crying.

"Sonny Boy, I need to speak with Uncle Bri. When you finish your snack, we can work on your assignment."

"Okay, Dad, I'll be here." Patrick beamed at his dad. John nodded then ruffled the soft red hair.

"I'll be back in a few minutes. I think Uncle Bri is having one of his moments."

"Not another queen out."

"Yes, well, sometimes those can't be helped. Take your time finishing your cookies."

"Sure, Dad." John was amazed how grown up his son really was. But now to deal with Brian. John took a deep breath then headed for Brian's office.

"Brian, what's wrong? I can hear your teeth grinding from downstairs."

"We're having guests for dinner."

"And this is a bad thing because..."

"Because one of those guests is John Patrick Taylor, the other is Jennifer."

"Isn't Jennifer usually a pitbull when it comes to Justin? I can't imagine her willingly allowing Justin to do something that might cause him harm."

"John, one of the reasons I'm with Justin is that Jennifer couldn't deal with him after he got hurt, so she dumped him on me. Not one of her smartest moves."

"Oh, cut the horse shit, Brian. She was doing you a favor and you know it. So you had a few... or five rough years but you were both too young. So get over yourself and let's deal with the now. First, where's Bree? Patrick has a homework assignment and he wants Bree to help him with it."

"Your son wants a two year old to help him with his homework? And what the fuck kind of homework assignments do they give out in kindergarten?"

"Leaves."

"Leaves?"

"Leaves. He has to collect Fall leaves and glue them to construction paper and write his name."

"All of that, huh?"

"Asshole. First things first, where's Bree?"

"In her room taking another nap. She was worn out from crying and planting mums. She doesn't understand why Patrick goes to school and she doesn't. They haven't been separated for almost a year. She exhausted herself."

"I'm sorry, Bri."

"Don't be. I think I found a way to let her go to school, but how do I deal with this new Taylor?"

"You don't. You let Justin and Jennifer deal with the new Taylor. You keep your mouth shut and be the supportive partner I know you can be."

"So I'm supposed to sit back and watch Justin get hurt?"

"No, you figure out what you're going to make for dinner and help Justin make decisions based on facts not conjecture."

"Now you sound like Bobby."

"You learn a lot when you fuck a lawyer."

"Now who's the asshole?"

"Takes one to know one. I'll help you with dinner but let's get the homework out of the way first."

"Oh goody. Another trek through the woods. I've spent so much time out there, I'm beginning to take root."

"And you love it almost as much as I do. Come on; let's get this show on the road."

"Yes, big brother."

"Hmumph." The Kinney brothers fetched their children for a walk through the woods.

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"Lucy, I'm hooome!" Bobby called out as he entered the sun porch door.

"Daddy!" A flying red-headed bullet known as Patrick Anderson-Morrison came running into the porch to tackle his father.

"Hey there, little man. How was school today?"

"Good! We learned about leaves."

"Wonderful, help me get out of my suit and you can tell me all about leaves. They don't teach about leaves in lawyer school."

"They don't?"

"No, they don't."

"I can teach you all about leaves. Can Bree come too? I was teaching her about leaves."

"Sure, kiddo. Let's go."

"Breeeeee!" Patrick shouted and his cousin came running in, crashing into Bobby's legs like a goalie.

"Hi, Unc'l Bobby! We did hom-werk!"

"You did! Tell me all about it." Patrick and Bree lead Bobby into his cottage, chattering away about leaves and homework. John and Brian were standing in the doorway on the Kinney/Taylor side, sporting ear to ear grins. They watched the kids inform Bobby about leaves as they pulled him into the Anderson/Morrison side of the cottage.

"Dinner," John and Brian said in unison as they ducked back in to get a start on dinner.

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Justin was in his Cherokee leading his mother and JP in her car toward the cottage. Since they left the Pitts relatively early, the traffic was light. He kept looking at them through his rearview mirror. Justin was worried how Brian was going to react to JP. Brian was behaving rather stoically, more than his usual stoicism and that's what was worrying Justin. He was also concerned that his mother and JP would be driving back to Pittsburgh, alone, later tonight. Justin hoped he had made the right decision.

Jennifer kept her eyes on her son's taillights although she could find her way to the cottage blindfolded by now. She and JP chatted about little things, family things. Jennifer had no qualms about letting this dark haired stranger with piercing blue eyes know that there were two lawyers in the family and a cop. Retired status not withstanding. JP recognized the signs of a mother lion protecting her cub. He had no intention of messing with a mother. His own mother would tan his hide if his behavior was nothing less than perfect. He was here to learn about his ancestor and then go home. And that's what he was going to do.

"JP, I feel awful about your sister. Are you sure she'll be all right by herself at the hotel?" They had offered to pick her up, but JP insisted that his sister would be fine.

"Please don't worry yourself. My sister is young and very shy. She doesn't speak English that well. It is her request to stay at the hotel. She has grown fond of watching CNN."

"You're kidding, right?"

"No. I'm not. She's learning a lot."

"You sound like Panama is primitive."

"Far from it but we don't watch much television."

"Lucky you. Sometimes I can't get away from it. And it's all garbage."

"She's particularly fond of American Idol."

"I can't believe that show is still on," Jennifer snarked. She was never fond of reality shows; her family was far too real for her.

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As the cars turned into the lane that led to 'Edna's Treasures,' Jennifer heard a small gasp escape from JP.

"What's wrong?" Jennifer asked the young man.

"Nothing. It's not what I expected," responded JP in a soft manner.

"What did you expect?"

"I thought a man like Justin Taylor, so successful, so rich, would live in a grand house."

"Are you disappointed?"

"No, it feels like home."

Jennifer wasn't quite sure how to take that statement so she remained quiet as she parked the car.

Justin opened the front door to the cottage and was greeted by the warm smells of dinner. John and Brian decided on a simple meal of grilled marinated chicken, pasta with sauce that Justin had made with Brian's herbs, and salad. Brian walked into the living room to introduce himself to the 'new' Taylor.

"Hey, Sunshine." Brian gave Justin a kiss then kissed his mother-in-law.

"Brian, I'd like to introduce..." Justin started.

"The ubiquitous John Patrick Taylor. Or do I call you JP," Brian snarked coolly.

"JP, is fine, sir." JP cautiously held out his hand to Brian. He felt if he made one false move, he might lose his hand. JP quickly surmised that he had attempted to introduce himself to the wrong head of the family. It was Brian Kinney that was the head of the family, not Craig Taylor.

"Bri," Justin pleaded a warning. Brian's eyes softened ever so slightly.

"It's Brian, not sir. And welcome to our home. Dinner is ready. I hope you all came hungry."

"I can eat," Justin said in a perky voice, relaxing just a bit. He recognized Brian's attempt to be civil.

"I skipped lunch today," Jennifer chimed in.

"It smells wonderful. I thank you for inviting me," JP added.

"Then follow me to the porch. We'll have a lot more room out there," Brian said as he led them out to the sun porch.

As they passed the living room, JP noticed the Kinney/Patrick portrait over the fireplace.

"Dios Mio!" JP went to stand in front of the portrait of Kinney sitting on the great rock with his hand out toward Patrick. Patrick, lovingly looking at JAB Kinney. "It is Patrick, yes?"

"Yes," Justin answered. "With his lover, JAB Kinney."

"Then it is true what the legend said."

"Legend?" Justin asked as he gazed at the painting. No matter how often he looked at the painting, its beauty never stopped impressing him.

"Yes, the two white men. One tall and dark, the other smaller and very, very fair, came out of the jungle seeking a home. They thought they had found it in Panama but were then forced to leave. They left a legacy of paintings and statues and the seeds of my family." JP and Justin continued to stare at the painting in awe.

"Hungy, Daddy." Brian sent their daughter to light a fire under Justin knowing that if anyone could get Justin to stop staring at the portrait, it would be Briana.

"Okay, baby, let's eat dinner." Justin scooped up his daughter and led JP into the porch.

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Dinner was pleasant if not a little strained. Brian couldn't help but scrutinize every move JP made and he listened very closely to what JP was saying. To everyone but Justin and possibly John, Brian looked cool and disinterested. His nonchalant facade was just that, a facade. Brian was memorizing every word that JP Taylor spoke.

After dinner, Bobby brought the kids into Patrick's room so they could play for a while before dessert. Justin, Jennifer and JP helped to clear the table, put on coffee and arrange the fresh baked cookies that Claire had sent over with Bobby. John and Brian were straightening up the dining room table.

"You see it, don't you?" John said quietly, in that low Kinney tone that Brian had perfected years ago.

"Yes."

"They could be brothers."

"I know."

"What are you going to do?"

"Take my older and very wise brother's advice. Wait for the facts and not make any decisions based on conjecture."

"I've got your back."

"I know."

Both John and Brian immediately saw the family resemblance between the two Taylor men. At first sight, you were struck by their obvious differences. Justin fair and light. JP dark, with olive skin tones. But the shape of the face, the blues eyes and body were the same. In the bad old days, JP would have been exactly Brian's type. Craig only saw an interloper seeking his meager fortune. Jennifer only saw a possible threat to Justin's happiness. Brian and John saw the descendants of Patrick.

Over cookies and coffee, Justin and JP traded journals. Justin brought out the binders he had put together containing all the research that was done on Kinney and Patrick. JP had brought along copies of Patrick's diary. It was approaching midnight before both Taylors noticed that they were alone in the porch.

"Sunshine, it's past your bedtime."

"What time is it?" Justin asked Brian with a yawn.

"Almost twelve."

"Shit, my mother."

"She said goodnight three hours ago."

"Damn, I'm sorry, Brian. Why didn't you stop us?"

"As if I could. JP can take Gus' room. That bottom bunk pulls out to a full. JP, you're stranded out here with us but you're more than welcome to stay the night. We can take you back to the Pitts in the morning. "

"Thank you, Brian, that is very generous of you. I apologize for disrupting your home." Brian waved off the apology. "Justin, I'm sure you can dig up something that will fit JP, you two are the same size."

"We are? How can you tell?" Justin asked in all sincerity.

"Believe me, Sunshine, I'm very good at sizing up a man. I'll say good night now. I need my beauty sleep. JP, feel free to call your sister so she won't worry. Later, Sunshine."

"Good night, Brian," JP called out to Brian's back as he turned to go to the bedroom.

"Come with me to the kitchen. You can call your sister while I dig up some clothes for you."

"Are we really the same size?" Even JP didn't see it.

"If Brian says we are, then we are. Brian's never wrong about the size of men," Justin smirked and JP turned an interesting shade of pink.

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