Chapter 12

Dinner with Simon, Ken and their boys was fun, leisurely and relaxing. Brian especially enjoyed having 'adult' conversations and not having to explain himself or his motives. Simon and Ken accepted Brian at face value. Aside from the afternoon's 'frog' incident, the day passed into the night without drama.

"Bobby, when are you and Patrick heading home?" Ken asked as he walked around with the coffee pot, filling everyone's mug.

"Tomorrow evening," Bobby said with a sigh.

"So soon?"

"Patrick has school on Monday. He really shouldn't miss it," John added. They could all tell that John was missing Bobby and Patrick already.

"John, you really did a great job at N'rgy. Why don't you go home with them?" Brian didn't really want John to go just yet. The office was almost complete but the apartment still had some major issues. But Brian couldn't bear to see his brother so miserable.

"As tempting as that sounds, I made my commitment to you and N'rgy. I'm here to stay until I complete the job or the men I hired get back to work."

"John, you did enough, I don't want you all to be miserable." Brian was feeling guilty at separating John from his family. John remained stoic. He didn't have the words to express his feelings.

"Uncle Bri?"

"What is it, Sonny Boy?"

"Me and Daddy miss Dad a lot, but it's important to finish what you start." Patrick was older and wiser than Bree. He was handling the separation better than all of them. Patrick recognized the importance of his Dad's contribution to his uncle's work. Brian stood up from his chair to scoop up the youngest Anderson.

"You're so smart, Little Red." Brian hugged the stuffing out of his nephew, then added, "and that's Daddy and I." Patrick laughed in his uncle's arms.

*****

"So what's the plan for today?" Justin asked his in-laws. Bobby and Patrick would take a hired car to the airport around five that evening.

"I really want to see the Metropolitan Museum of Art," Patrick announced quickly. "I have an art project for school." Justin inwardly groaned. He really didn't want to risk seeing Henry Higgins again. Justin avoided Brian's eyes.

"The Met has an exceptional gift shop, Sonny Boy. Maybe we can find something to help you with your project," Brian interjected. "Um, Patrick, what kind of art project do first graders get?" Brian had no clue how complicated school was getting for kids. They still had a couple of years yet for Bree.

"My teacher wants us to compare Impressionists with Abstract art," Patrick said slowly, enunciating all of his words carefully. "Um, Uncle Justin, what's an Impressionist?"

The whole family turned to Justin, waiting for his answer.

"I'll show you when we get there," was all Justin could say.

"Cool!" Patrick exclaimed. Bobby had them all packed and ready to leave for the airport as soon as they returned from their museum trip.

*****

The museum was a little crowded, full of tourists and native New Yorkers all soaking up the culture. Aside from paintings and sculptures the kids loved the Egyptian art and sarcophagi.

Justin's hand was doing much better so he took the opportunity to finish the sketch he had started the day he met Henry Higgins. Brian recognized the signs of the artist at work so he and Bree went with John, Bobby and Patrick to an adjoining gallery to admire other 'Old Masters'.

Justin was deep into his sketch. He didn't see the tall handsome figure admiring the artist from afar. As Henry was building up the nerve to speak to Justin, Brian sauntered back into the gallery. He stopped for a moment when he saw the enamored man staring at his partner. Brian moved in for the kill.

"The ubiquitous Henry Higgins, I presume." Brian got up close into Henry's space then steered the man away from Justin's bench. Justin was still engrossed in his sketch and was completely oblivious to the drama happening around him.

"I beg your pardon. Do I know you?" Henry gasped at the sensual taller man that had a firm grasp of his elbow. He all but forgot the beautiful blond on the bench.

"We haven't been formally introduced but I believe you know my partner," Brian said low and coolly into Henry's ear. Brian's warm breath went straight to Henry's dick.

"I'm not sure to whom you are referring," Henry stammered.

"Don't you?" Brian turned them around so that they could see Justin innocently drawing away.

"You see that sweet lovely blond boy sitting on that bench?" Henry nodded. "He's mine and as tempting as you are, he will always be mine. Now, why don't you go away and find your own little artist. This one is already taken. And I DON'T share," Brian growled, his hazel eyes became a dark forest green. Henry could see the menace behind Brian's polite warning.

"Thank you, I shall seriously take your advice," Henry mumbled trying to remain stalwart.

"You do that. Now, shoo and don't let me catch you around my boy again." Brian flicked an imaginary piece of lint off of Henry's collar then sent the stunned man off in the opposite direction. Brian stood for a moment and took a deep breath. He turned back toward Justin.

"Hey, Sunshine."

"Hey, yourself." Justin looked up with one of his brilliant smiles. Brian sat next to his spouse and snaked an arm onto Justin's shoulder, pulling him in. Brian looked down at Justin's sketch. It was Justin's impression of Starry Night.

"It's beautiful," Brian whispered into the delicate shell of Justin's ear.

"You think so?" Justin valued Brian's opinion regarding his art.

"Yes, I do but not as beautiful as the artist." Justin knew Brian wanted to kiss him but Brian remained reserved in public; Justin felt the 'kiss' via Brian's words. Justin leaned in and laid his head on Brian's shoulder.

"I love you, Brian."

"Love you too, Sunshine." No further mention of Henry Higgins was ever made again.

*****

John put his son and husband in the cab and stood in front of the hotel watching it disappear down the street. It had been so great having Patrick and Bobby with him for even the short time that they were there. He missed them already.

After a few minutes, when John didn't move, Brian stepped out of the lobby and gently said, "John."

"I know. They're gone. It's time to go inside," John whispered.

"Come to the bar and have a drink."

"That sounds like a helluva idea. I could use one." John flung his arm over his brother's shoulder and they made their way to the bar in the lobby of the hotel. They sat down in the tub chairs.

"I'll have a double Beam," Brian said.

"Make mine the same," John told the waitress. The woman hustled away to get the drinks for the two handsome men.

"John, you know that if you want to grab a cab and go back home with Bobby and Patrick, you can do that."

"I know, but you heard what Little Red said. I have to finish what I start."

"You don't have to. I don't want you to feel obligated. The office is workable and that's all that really matters," Brian said still feeling guilty for keeping his brother in New York.

"Brother dear, I'm a big boy. I make my own choices, and I choose to stay."

The waitress set their drinks down in front of them and Brian signed for them.

"Then here's to the best big brother a man could ever want," Brian said raising his glass.

"And the best little brother," John smiled and they sipped their drinks. "So, is the guy at the museum out of the picture for good?"

Brian choked on his drink. He coughed and spluttered as he realized that John must have seen him with Henry Higgins. "How did you know?" Brian asked when he could breathe again.

"Justin told me the story the day he came home so upset. I saw you with that guy today and figured you were setting him straight."

Brian nodded. "All done."

"Good. I don't want to know what you said, but I hope that's the end of it. Otherwise, I might have to intervene."

Brian chuckled. It was good to have someone who was always on his side, who had his back. "You really are the best brother," Brian repeated. They took another drink and that was the end of that.

*****

Monday morning John was hammering away in the apartment. Brian, Cynthia and Ted were firming up the presentation on the video game software in the main office of Kinnetik N'rgy.

Brian's cell phone rang. He stepped away from the others and pulled it out of his pocket. He expected it to be Justin. He was supposed to be looking at some studio space with Bree and his friend Kyle from the gallery. The name and number that appeared on the phone surprised him.

"Hello," he said with a slight smirk.

"Brian, it's Owen, Molly's Owen," he added by way of explanation.

"I know who you are, Molly's Owen," Brian chuckled. "But why are you calling me?"

"I'm in New York."

"You are?"

"Yeah, I had a couple of meetings for the company. One down and one more to go. I'm in between. I wondered if I could stop by and see your new office. Molly wants a report."

"Does she now?" Brian laughed.

"And I'm nosey," Owen admitted.

"Ah, the truth comes out."

"I guess. So, can I stop by later this afternoon?"

"Sure, I might even have a cup of coffee for you … along with the nickel tour."

"Thanks," Owen said with a laugh. "So what's the address?"

Brian gave him the address and Owen said he would probably be there some time around three. Brian closed his cell phone and went back to his meeting with Ted and Cynthia.

*****

Just before three o'clock the buzzer at the front door went off. Brian pushed the release button allowing Owen in. He went to the door to the foyer to greet Molly's fiancé.

"Hey, Owen," he said as he pushed the door to N'rgy open. "Come on in. Oh," he said as he noticed that Owen was not alone. He was accompanied by a very attractive young woman who looked to be about Owen's age, maybe a little older. She was dressed in an elegant business suit and eyed Brian up and down.

"Um, Brian, I hope you don't mind," Owen began. "This is my cousin, Stacey Manning. She's my father's sister's daughter. I was having lunch with her before I came here and she insisted that she would like to meet you and see your new headquarters."

Brian snorted. "I'd hardly call this my headquarters. We're lucky to have walls."

Stacey stepped forward. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr. Kinney. I've been a fan of your work for a long time." She extended her hand for him to shake.

Brian took the hand and shook it gently. "And how would you know my work?" he asked with a frown.

"Stacey works in advertising," Owen offered.

"Oh, in what capacity?"

"I'm an ad exec with Kennedy and Collins," Stacey said rather proudly.

Brian winced. That was the company that he had hoped to work for in New York all those years ago, but he hadn't been good enough. Now here in front of him was a young woman who apparently was better than he had ever been. Shit, he thought to himself. He knew he should have stayed in Pittsburgh. He didn't need these kinds of unpleasant reminders of his shortcomings, and just when things finally seemed to be heading in the right direction in New York.

Brian drew in a deep breath. "Well, come in anyway," he said. Stacey gave him a funny look. "Cynthia has some coffee brewing."

Brian got Ted to show Stacey and Owen around. He stood staring at the new ad campaign for the video games. All of a sudden it looked like shit. And he felt like shit.

"What's up, Boss?" Cynthia asked as she came up to him. "The boards look great."

Brian shook his head. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

Brian looked at the boards once more. They did look good. He liked the whole concept. But, ever since he had come to New York he had begun to doubt himself. He had hated the mess of the office. That had made him feel less than professional. The young guys who had invented the video game had made him feel fucking old. And now this Stacey. She made him feel less than adequate at what he was doing. Maybe this concept really was old fashioned, not retro, but fucking old fashioned.

Brian shook his head. "I don't know."

"What happened? Ten minutes ago you were thrilled with how they look."

"I guess I'm having second thoughts."

Cynthia let out a sigh. "Brian, the boards look great and we meet with the game people tomorrow. We can't possibly change them now."

"I know, but…" He couldn't finish that thought. Didn't want to think about what tomorrow might bring.

"Mr. Kinney," Stacey said from behind him.

"Call me Brian, please," Brian said turning around slowly.

"Thanks for the tour and the coffee. That's the best cup of coffee I've had in ages."

"Brian always insists on good coffee," Cynthia laughed, hoping a bit of cajoling would bring Brian out of this sudden funk. "Everything has to be top notch for him."

Brian looked at her like he was looking at a stranger. He didn't need Cynthia to tell this young woman how much of a perfectionist he was.

"I'm well aware of the meticulous product that Kinnetik puts out. It's always top notch," Stacey said.

Brian had to smile. She was good. She knew how to shoot a line and make it sound sincere. No wonder she had a job at Kennedy and Collins.

"Meticulous?" Brian asked. "How so?"

"Oh, believe me. I've studied your ads. They have a certain precision and crispness that no other ads have. I can almost always tell your ad the moment I see it. There's a style to them, and usually wit."

"Well, thank you," Brian said suddenly relaxing. This was exactly what he needed to hear. "Want to give me your professional opinion on something?" Brian asked out of the blue. "Of course, what you see goes no further than this room … or I'll have to have you hunted down and killed." Brian laughed but everyone was fully aware that he meant what he said at least on some level.

"Is this your new ad campaign? I heard you were working with some new video games which are supposed to revolutionize the gaming community."

"You certainly know your stuff," Brian said surprised.

"It's part of my job to know what's going on, especially when there is so much buzz about this new product."

Brian nodded. He was really starting to respect Stacey Manning and it had nothing to do with the fact that she worked at Kennedy and Collins. She was a smart young lady. "Okay," Brian said stepping aside and letting her see one of the boards. "What do you think?"

Stacey studied the board. "I like it. I like the retro feel. It is a contradiction, but in a good way. I don't see a slogan though. Don't you usually have a good one for your ads?"

Brian smiled. "I can't give you all my secrets, now can I?"

"I suppose not," Stacey laughed. "But there's something different about these ads," she mused.

"You mean the fact that they're not all shoot 'em up and kill the aliens?" Cynthia asked.

"Well, there is that," Stacey said. "But, it's more the art work. Are you working with someone new? It doesn't look like the usual Kinnetik artwork. Although there's certainly nothing wrong with Kinnetik artwork."

Brian raised an eyebrow. Stacey certainly was smart and very observant and she wasn't kidding when she said she had studied his work. She knew what she was talking about.

"Right again," Brian admitted. "We're using Kenneth Mann-Greene for this project."

"I know his work. I should have guessed," Stacey laughed.

"So, what's your overall impression of the ad?" Cynthia asked. She knew that was what Brian wanted to know, but would never be so blunt to ask.

"I think it looks great, but if you want one teensy weensy suggestion…?"

"And what might that be?" Brian asked trying not to sound too testy.

"Either round off the edges a bit or put what looks like the video screen around the ad. It will give it that bit of authenticity that just finishes it off perfectly."

Brian stared at his board. She was absolutely right. How could he have missed something so simple? "That's not a bad idea," Brian admitted slowly. He didn't want to sound too enthusiastic.

"I'll send you my bill later," Stacey laughed.

"Stacey!" Owen gasped.

"I'm kidding. You're welcome to the idea. I hope your company gets off to a great start."

"Me too," Cynthia smiled. "Thanks for the idea."

"Yeah, thanks," Brian said. "Would you like another cup of coffee?"

"I'd love one, but I really need to get back to work. We have a presentation tomorrow, and I need to check that everything's up to snuff. I don't like surprises the morning we're pitching to a client."

"I understand exactly how you feel about that," Brian said. "Let me walk you out." Brian took her arm and they headed to the foyer with Owen trailing along behind.

"Brian, here's my card," Stacey said. "If you are ever up and running and looking for an ad exec, give me a call."

Brian raised an eyebrow. "Are you kidding? You'd actually consider leaving Kennedy and Collins?"

"Big companies aren't always all they're cracked up to be. For the right offer and situation, I'd go anywhere," Stacey laughed. "Thanks for everything. Come on, Owen."

"Thank you too, Stacey," Brian said. "Oh, and good to see you, Owen. Tell Molly I didn't bite," Brian laughed.

He watched them go out the door, before looking down at the card in his hand. Stacey Manning, hmm!

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