Post Fractalization

Chapter 6

“Hey big bro, top of the mornin’ to ya?” Brian greeted his brother who was stretching his legs in the sun porch. “I come bearing tea.”

“Thank you,” John said as he gratefully accepted the steaming brew and the kiss to his cheek.

It was the Monday following John’s surgery. His appetite finally returned; however, his abdomen was still very bloated and while he was hungry, nothing was very appetizing at the moment.

“Where’s your harem?” Brian asked referring to Claire, Rachel and Emily who had buzzed around John since he came home from the hospital.

“They’ve been dismissed, all with excellent references and explicit instructions to stay away from me for at least a week. Brian, I love them, I really do and I appreciate all they did but I’m not sick, just a little weak. I swore to them that I wouldn’t lift anything heavier than my toothbrush. So the ladies are cutting me some slack, for now. Rachel warned me she’ll be dropping in from time to time and reporting back to mom and Emily.”

“Man, you are so whipped!” Brian teased. John shrugged, not bothering to deny it. “Have you eaten?”

John shook his head.

“The kids are off today. We’re all home, so I thought I’d do brunch. Do you think you could manage some eggs and toast?”

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

“Then make yourself comfortable and...”

“Helll-oooo!” Emmett called out from somewhere near Brian’s front door. The families on the lane all had copies of each other’s keys for emergencies. Or not. Emmett never hesitated to use his.

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Brian grumbled.

“Hey, be grateful he stayed away for this long,” John mentioned. Emmett was fully aware that the ladies in John’s life had intentions of ‘helping’ during his initial recovery. Emmett was also aware of when they had been dismissed.

“Aren’t there laws regarding breaking and entering,” Brian groused.

“Only if one does it without a key,” Emmett countered cheerfully waving his key as he shoved a basket of goodies in Brian’s hands then gingerly gave John a hug. “How are you feeling?”

“A little better each day.”

“Good to hear, honey. Now both of you sit and relax and let your fairy godmother handle everything!”

The brothers, Kinney shrugged, unable to argue with their friend. They sat back as Emmett took over the meals and mothering for the day.

 

*****
 

“Hi, Michael.”

“Hey, Boy Wonder, are you here to work on more Rage cartoons?”

“Um, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Justin said pensively.

“I can’t believe we’re already into the third printing of the Diversity issue and we’re receiving orders for extra DVDs. I’ve been getting calls from LGBT and PFLAG groups across the country ordering the DVD to present at their meetings.”

“Yes, um, Sidney’s been contacted too.”

“And even some public schools are calling. Are you and the twins going to work on an adult cartoon soon?”

“No.”

“NO?! Why not?”

“Uh, just for the reasons you’ve said.”

“What do you mean? Justin, I don’t understand. You said you guys wanted to animate some of our comics. The timing is right. Our sales are going through the roof. I can’t keep enough of them in the store. Practically every distributor is calling me asking for more!” Michael’s voice was getting higher and higher the more excited he got.

“Michael, I’ve just come from PIFA. They asked to meet with me and I had Bobby come along with me.”

“Why did you need a lawyer to talk to PIFA?”

“They requested that we don’t make adult versions of Rage until the Donahue boys and Lacy graduate.”

“But...”

“I know. Lacy will be finished soon but the boys, they’re sophomores. We have at least two more years before they graduate.”

“I hope you and Bobby told them where to stick it.”

“No, we didn’t.”

“You WHAT!”

“Listen, Michael. While the Institute has learned a lot more tolerance since I went there,” Justin tried to explain to his irate business partner. There were still those at PIFA that remembered Justin’s involvement in Stockwell’s campaign and that Justin refused to back down on his position. “The Institute has policies on decency. The kids have to be careful or they could be suspended or expelled.”

“This coming from the man who had JT sucking off Rage on the front cover of our second issue,” Michael snarked.

“But that was me. I was responsible for only me. Now we’re responsible for those kids.”

“Lacy is not a kid.”

“No, she’s not, but she is a student at the Institute and therefore subject to their rules. Do you want her to be suspended? You know how long it took for her to become the woman she is now. Do you want to be responsible for damaging her confidence?”

“Of course not.”

“Then we wait for them to graduate. And we continue to produce ‘G’ rated DVDs. As you said, there are a lot of organizations who are looking for something on Diversity.”

“So what, now you want Rage and JT to have a baby?”

“Why not? Or maybe Sateeena and Kitty have one or Zephyr. What difference does it make? There’s a need out there waiting to be acknowledged and filled.”

“Justin, what the fuck are you talking about?”

“Who’s buying Rage?”

“Gay kids.”

“And?”

“And the customers who were with us from the beginning.”

“How old are those customers?”

“How the fuck should I know?”

“Michael, think about it, they’re our age. Well, anywhere in between. The point is that they’re aging just like us. They have families just like us. You know as well as I do that you would not be showing Rage to JR anymore than I would give a copy to Bree. But they’ve both watched the Diversity DVD and have the comic that goes with it. Bree even brought it to school for Show and Tell. Now do you see where I’m going with this?”

“I think so.”

“Michael, talk to Ben about it, talk to Brian or Mel. Talk to Debbie! Get their opinion. We don’t have to do anything about it just yet. And the guys already have an idea for a sequel to Diversity.”

“Yeah?”

“Something about adoption. I think they were inspired by Curtis.”

“Oh. Justin, I’m not ready to give up on Rage.”

“Neither am I and that’s why you have Lacy. She’ll keep Rage on the cutting edge. But we’ve grown up, Michael. And so has Rage.”

“I guess he has.”

“You say it as if it’s a bad thing.”

“No, it’s just sometimes I wish Rage never grew up.” Justin realized Michael wasn’t speaking entirely about their comic hero.

“Michael, even Peter Pan grew up. But you know there’ll always be a little part of Rage that will never grow up. He’ll always be snarky, devious, protect Gayopolis one fuck at a time, sexy as all hell and looking to get his dick sucked,” Justin said with a twinkle in his eyes.

“Yeah, you really think so?” Michael’s forlorn look suddenly transformed into a bright expression.

“Yeah, I know so.”

“Okay. I can get with the program. I was kinda proud when I got a call from my old elementary school. One of my old teachers became the principal there. She wants a copy of Diversity to show the students at assembly. She even contacted Ma to tell her how proud she was that I turned out so well.”

“See, Michael, Rage will turn out to be important for so many reasons. And to a new generation.”

The friends and business partners parted ways with a better understanding of Rage and of themselves.

 

*****
 

“Morning, Miss Jennifer,” Emmett said as Jennifer walked into Emmett’s Place.

“Morning,” Jennifer smiled.

“Ready to make some decisions?”

“I guess so. I wish I had a clearer understanding of what I want for the wedding,” Jennifer sighed as she slid into Emmett’s booth.

“That’s my job,” Emmett said confidently. “We’ll talk and you’ll tell me things and then I’ll know exactly what to do.”

“If only it was that simple.”

“It is, sweetie,” Emmett told her. “Now, let’s have some coffee and a…” Emmett didn’t finish that sentence waiting for Jennifer to tell him what she would like to eat.

“Oh, one of those horribly sinful popovers,” she sighed. “I’ll never be able to get into a decent wedding dress.”

“That’s something else we should discuss,” Emmett said setting the tray of coffee and popovers on the table. He slid into the booth beside Jennifer. “What do you have in mind for your wedding dress?”

Jennifer let out another big sigh. “I don’t know,” she said. “I keep changing my mind.”

“Okay, have a popover and I’ll play twenty questions with you.”

Jennifer took a bite of the popover. “Oh fuck, these are good,” she said. “And I quote my son-in-law on that.”

Emmett giggled. “He does love my popovers.” Emmett sat with a goofy look on his face for a minute. “Ahem,” he finally said clearing his throat, “so what color do you want?”

“Your popovers come in colors?” Jennifer asked munching on her second tasty treat. They were so light and airy that they seemed to melt in her mouth.

“No, silly, your wedding gown.”

“Oh, sorry,” Jennifer laughed. “These things make me lose my train of thought. The only thing I know for sure is that I don’t want a white dress. That would be beyond tacky for someone my age.”

“Not anymore, sweetie,” Emmett informed her. “Nowadays women get married in whatever the fuck color they want.”

“Well, I’m still rather old fashioned,” Jennifer said. “Having been married once already, I think white would be totally inappropriate.”

“I actually agree with you,” Emmett said confidentially. “But I have to be careful about what I say to my clients.”

“Yeah, I suppose you would.”

“So how about ivory or a creamy beige?”

“Hm, maybe.”

“Or a pale rose, like one of the flowers in Brian’s garden?”

“Oh,” Jennifer said in surprise, “I hadn’t thought of color.”

“You look lovely in pink,” Emmett said.

“Do I?” Jennifer asked coyly.

“Yes, Miss Jennifer, although you look lovely in almost anything you wear.”

“Or in nothing at all, if you can believe Seth Harris.” Jennifer blushed mightily at her own words.

“My, my, my,” Emmett cooed. “You are a caution, Miss Jennifer.”

“I do like the sound of pink. Do you think we could find something in that color?”

Emmett nodded. “I’ll make some calls and see what I can line up. Are we going long or short with the dress?”

“Oh my, so many decisions to make.”

“If I might suggest…”

“Certainly.”

“Since the wedding will be in spring and we’re going with pink, how about short and flirty, but also elegant?”

“Do they make such a thing?”

“I can certainly find out.”

“Okay,” Jennifer said.

“Let’s look at some wedding cakes and the menu.”

“Shouldn’t I bring Seth to help make these decisions?” Jennifer asked with a frown.

“Has he chosen what he’s wearing?” Emmett asked pointedly.

Jennifer chuckled. “At the moment he’s waffling between buying a new suit and using one he already has. He has his moments of frugality.”

“Don’t we all, but send him to me if he chooses the suit he already owns. That is just so wrong. I’ll give him my ‘once in a lifetime event requires new suit’ lecture,” Emmett explained.

“You got a deal on that one,” Jennifer said.

“So, my point was that men do not care what the wedding looks like. They just want it to be over, the woman they’re marrying to be happy and the honeymoon to begin.”

“Emmett Honeycutt!”

“What? That’s the truth.”

“You’re supposed to be a romantic,” Jennifer replied.

“I am a romantic, and I’m also gay. Most men are not gay and therefore, are no romantic.”

“Seth is romantic,” Jennifer said with a frown. “Sometimes.”

“Then consider yourself lucky, sweetie. Most men are only as romantic as it takes to get a woman into their bed.”

“I’m already there,” Jennifer laughed.

“And he still shows you romantic gestures?” Jennifer nodded. “Then you’ve got a live one,” Emmett chuckled. “Hang onto him.”

“I intend to.”

“Good girl.”

“I guess you’re telling me that I should make all these decisions myself, and that Seth will be fine with them. In fact, he would probably prefer that I make the decisions.”

Emmett nodded. “That’s what I’m saying.”

“Okay, let’s do it,” Jennifer said decisively. She suddenly felt much better. All the worry and indecision started to fall away as she chose the menu she knew both she and Seth and their guests would like. She looked at sample bouquets, but decided she’d really like to have some of the flowers from Brian’s garden. Emmett assured her that he had someone who could make her a beautiful bouquet using those flowers. They looked at table linens and decorations for the sun porch. Then she had to decide between chairs, covered or bare, for the guests to sit on. The list of things to decide went on and on.

An hour passed and Jennifer heaved a sigh of relief, as Emmett shut his notebook that held all his jottings on Jennifer’s preferences.

“Time for another coffee and a popover,” Emmett said.

“I shouldn’t have another one,” Jennifer said wistfully.

“I see Sean pulling a fresh batch out of the oven,” Emmett observed. “Don’t tell me you can pass those up.”

“You are truly evil, Emmett Honeycutt,” Jennifer sighed. “Bring me one … but only one.”

“Your wish is my command, fair maiden,” Emmett said as he slid out of the booth.

Jennifer sat thinking about making all the choices she had just told Emmett. She reached into her purse and pulled out her cell phone. She hit number one and waited.

“Seth Harris,” the voice replied.

“Hello, Mr. Harris, this is the future Mrs. Harris, calling you from Emmett’s to tell you that I have spent the last hour making all kinds of decisions about our wedding. I just wondered if you would like to come over here, have some lunch with me and verify that you agree with what I’ve done.”

“I’d love to have lunch with you, darling, but I’m sure whatever choices you made will be exactly right.”

“How could you know that?”

“Because you’re my fiancée and it’s your wedding and you have good taste and…”

“And you don’t really care?”

“And I don’t really care,” Seth laughed. That was one of the things Seth loved about Jennifer. She could get to the point like no other woman he had ever met. He added, “I want whatever makes you happy.”

“Emmett was so right,” Jennifer chuckled.

“Right about what?” Seth asked.

“Everything.”

“Care to explain?”

“I’ll tell you later. Oh, and Seth, Emmett says you should definitely get a new suit for the wedding. He’ll go with you if you want.”

“I am perfectly capable of picking out a suit.”

“I know but…”

“But you think I might conveniently forget to do so. Emmett will make sure I do.”

“Precisely.”

Seth laughed. “Do you still want to do lunch?”

Jennifer sighed. “Emmett has been stuffing me with popovers. I’m not really hungry.”

“You’re eating popovers without me?” Seth asked in horror.

“’Fraid so, and they’re delicious too.” Jennifer took a bite out of the fresh one that Emmett had just set in front of her.

“Treachery!”

Jennifer laughed. “You could have had your fill if you had come with me.”

“Buy me one to bring home,” Seth asked.

“For you, sweetheart, two!”

“That’s my girl. I’ll see you at home. I love you.”

“I love you right back.” Jennifer snapped her phone shut with a satisfied look on her face.

“Was I right?” Emmett asked with a smirk worthy of Brian Kinney.

“One hundred percent. I think he was relieved that we’d made all the decisions. “Oh, and he’s getting a new suit. He’ll call you.” Emmett laughed. “And I need two popovers to go.”

“His reward for being so good about everything.”

“Yes, and then he’ll get his real reward later tonight,” Jennifer said suggestively.

“Lucky man!”

“You got that right,” Jennifer said. “And I’m one lucky woman too.”

Emmett couldn’t help but smile at the lovely woman who seemed finally to have all the happiness she deserved.


 

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