Pride Goeth...

Chapter 3

“John?” Samantha asked again looking at Brian.

“No, Samantha, I’m John. That’s my brother, Brian Kinney.”

“Brian Kinney,” Samantha repeated. Brian smiled then stuck out his hand toward Samantha who automatically took it to shake.

“Your brother. I didn’t know you had a brother.”

“He’ll soon be my late brother if he doesn’t behave himself,” John glared at Brian getting innocent puppy dog eyes in return. Brian also got a poke in the ribs from Justin.

The boys squished over so that John and Bobby could sit.

“You could be twins,” Samantha commented as she looked back and forth at the brothers.

“Kinda like bookends.” Brian waggled his eyebrows, eliciting a pinch. Justin and Bobby were sitting in between the brothers.

“You didn’t have a brother when we were kids,” Samantha was confused.

“And I might not have one for much longer if he keeps it up,” John grumbled. “Honey,” John said out of habit; the boys all turned their heads toward him. Ignoring the looks, John went on. “It’s a long story and one I’d rather not discuss here. You said on the phone you believe Grace is my daughter.”

“Yes, I do. I brought her birth certificate with me,” Samantha said as she fished an official looking document out of her bag.

“May I see that?” Bobby quickly reached out for the certificate. “I’m Bobby Morrison, John’s...lawyer,” Bobby said figuring the situation called for discretion.

“Oh yes, I remember you. My sister went to school with your sister. How is Rachel?”

“She’s doing well. How’s Rose? She and Rachel were quite close in high school. I lost track of her when I moved away to live closer to Penn.”

“She’s fine, living in Pittsburgh now. Apparently she likes the city life. Is this young man your boyfriend?” Samantha asked with a slightly testy tone to her voice as she looked at Justin. She had heard from her sister that Bobby was gay.

Brian snorted then finally spoke up. “This young man,” Brian said as he snaked his arm across Justin’s shoulders, “is my boyfriend. We’ve been together for,” he paused to grab Justin’s wrist pretending to check the watch, “for nineteen years now.”

“Nineteen years? He barely looks nineteen himself! Did you rob the cradle?”

Justin and Bobby broke out into laughter as Brian lost the smug look on his face. John’s mouth twitched.

“I’m Justin Taylor, Brian’s partner, it’s nice to meet you, Ms. Howard,” Justin said politely as he offered his hand to Samantha.

“Nice to meet you, Justin. Are you Justin Taylor … the artist?” Her eyes lit up and her tone sweetened at meeting the celebrated artist.

“Yes, he is,” Brian managed to say.

“This is an honor, but how did you meet John?”

“That isn’t any of your business,” Brian snapped. He was getting tired of trying to remain civil. “Ms. Howard, what do you want?”

“Brian!” Justin scolded. “Ms. Howard, please forgive my partner; he’s very protective of his brother. He just wants what’s best for John. But if you don’t mind, can you tell us why you think John is the father of your daughter and why did it take you all this time to contact him?”

Expectant heads all turned toward Samantha.

“Well, I, my husband, you see...he died and I thought. I’m so lonely and...oh, I knew this was a bad idea!” Samantha burst into tears then ran from the café.

“Shit, I hate when women cry,” Brian said feeling very bad.

“I didn’t mean to make her cry,” Justin said contritely.

“Now, what do we do?” Bobby grumbled.

“I’ll go. Can you order me a coffee and a cup of tea? Oh and a cinnamon bun,” John said as he got up to follow his old flame out. Bobby got the waitress’ eye to place their order. Then they all watched John and Samantha through the window.

 

*****
 

“Gus, do you want to live out here?” Ray asked as they lay on their clothes, sunning themselves and holding hands.

“You mean right here at this cottage?”

“Yeah.”

“I hadn’t thought about it. I like this place but it’s a bit out of the way for me. My dad hinted that I’ll be getting the loft after I graduate.”

“Really? Wow!”

“Yeah, my Pop is really cool like that, but if I did want to live in a cottage, I’d like it on my dad’s lane. You know what I mean?” Gus turned over to look at Ray’s face; he was lovingly smiling at Gus. “God, you are so beautiful,” Gus heard himself say. “I love you,” Gus whispered as he rolled onto Ray, settling between the strong sturdy legs. “I don’t want this to ever end,” he said as he searched Ray’s warm dark chocolate brown eyes. “I could stay here forever with you.”

Ray purred under Gus, relishing in the solid weight of him, stroking his back and flanks with his hands. “Forever with you,” he murmured against Gus’ lips.

The boys kissed, merging themselves together. They made love in the field until the sun began to wane.

 

*****
 

“Seth, what did you think of Richie?” Jennifer asked as they sat together in their living room enjoying a cocktail.

“Richie?” Seth asked puzzled.

“Yes, you know, Emmett’s new son.”

“I know who he is. I just don’t know why you’re asking what I thought of him. He seemed like a nice enough boy.”

“Did you get a chance to talk to him?”

“Not really, he was too busy playing soccer with that little spitfire granddaughter of yours.”

“She is a force to be reckoned with, isn’t she?” Jennifer chuckled.

Seth nodded and smiled at his wife. “Why are you asking my opinion of Richie? I don’t know much about him at all.”

“You know he was caught cross-dressing by his mother, and that’s what started the whole process of him being turned away by his family.”

“Yes, I guess I knew that, but I never thought much about it.”

“It made me think about Craig. He told Justin he had to change his lifestyle or get out of our home. Justin chose to leave,” Jennifer said sadly.

“That still bothers you, doesn’t it,” Seth said gently. He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Justin has turned out fine, better than fine.”

“I know, and I’m very proud of him, but that’s not the point.” Jennifer sighed. “I always feel that I should have done more to help him, protect him.”

“I’m sure you did what you could.”

“I … I was trying to hold onto my marriage at the expense of my son.”

“Is that how you see it?”

“Yes,” Jennifer said in a whisper. She took a sip of her martini to fortify herself.

“I see a mother with another child, a much younger girl, whom she was trying to protect. You weren’t ready to leave Craig when he and Justin had their differences. Once you had worked everything out, you told the S.O.B. to get lost.”

Jennifer looked over at her husband with tears in her eyes. “You always know the right thing to say.”

“You give me too much credit,” Seth replied, but he squeezed her hand again.

“I suggested to Richie that he should talk to you.”

“Talk to me? Why?”

“Because you are the smartest and most wonderful man that I know.”

“I’m not sure what Richie and I would have to talk about,” Seth said with a little chuckle.

“Life.”

“Seth shook his head. “I’m not sure that we have anything in common … unless you want me to start wearing your panties,” Seth said with a twinkle in his eye.

“Oh, Seth,” Jennifer laughed while blushing bright red. She cleared her throat. “You’re welcome to my panties any time you want to wear them,” Jennifer said with her own twinkle in her eye.

“Maybe we should get back to the topic of Richie,” Seth said with an embarrassed smile.

“I know you have a kind and gentle heart, and you know how to make people feel good about themselves. That’s why I wanted you to talk to the boy.”

“It might not do much good,” Seth said shaking his head.

“It never hurts to have someone speak the truth with you … and be encouraging at the same time.”

“You are a very smart woman,” Seth told his wife. “I wish I was half as good at things as you think I am.”

“I know how good you are. I know you would say the right thing to Richie.”

Seth smiled and sipped his drink. He loved the look in Jennifer’s eyes when she said things like that about him.

 

*****
 

“Mama, mommy,” JR said as she walked into the dining room of the house. Her mothers were seated at the dining room table going through the bills like they did every month.

“What is it, sweetheart?” Lindsay asked.

“I really want to go to the dance at school…”

“We said you could go,” Melanie replied quickly.

“I want to go with Curtis,” JR said firmly.

“We told you that you could go with a group of friends, but no date,” Melanie repeated.

“But I promised Curtis,” JR said.

“Then you’ll just have to un-promise,” Melanie stated emphatically.

“But that’s not fair. Lots of my friends are going with boys. I’m not a baby.”

“Then stop acting like one,” Melanie retorted.

“Mel,” Lindsay said to her wife.

“This is not open for discussion,” Melanie replied giving Lindsay a look that told her not to interfere.

“I always thought you were fair, Mama, even though not everyone else thought so. Now I know you’re just like everybody says,” JR cried tears starting down her cheeks.

“Young lady…” Melanie began ominously.

“If I’m a young lady why don’t you trust me to go to the dance with Curtis?” JR demanded.

“You can go with your group of friends, but not with a boy.”

“You mean not with this boy, not with a black boy!” JR shouted.

“He’s just not suitable, JR. You have no idea what you’ll be getting yourself into,” Melanie informed her daughter in no uncertain terms.

“Curtis is the nicest person I know, and I … I like him a lot. I’m going to the dance with him, Mama.”

“You most certainly are not!” Melanie responded.

“Mel…” Lindsay tried again.

“Go to your room, JR. You’re grounded. No dance for you … no dance at all!” Melanie said trying to keep herself under control.

“I hate you! You are a prejudiced, mean bitch!” JR screamed before she ran out of the room. She locked herself in her bedroom and sank to the floor sobbing. She had the most evil mother in the whole damn world.

“Mel, that was ridiculous,” Lindsay said when JR had disappeared from view. “Why can’t she go to the dance with that boy? She’s perfectly right that she’s not a baby.”

“Don’t take her side, Lindsay, just don’t!” Melanie said in a tone of voice that warned Lindsay to be very careful.

“I’m not taking her side. I happen to agree with her that you’re not being fair. They’re just kids and there’s nothing wrong with them going to a dance together.”

“There’s lots wrong with it. You know that as well as I do. Curtis is a nice enough boy, but mixed race couples are just asking for trouble.”

“Like gays and lesbians.”

“Wha…What?” Melanie asked with a frown.

“You’re treating Curtis like he represents all the stereotypes ever assigned to a black person. Curtis is a fine young man.”

“Who came into this family after he mugged your precious Brian Kinney,” Melanie reminded her. “He was a hoodlum, like so many blacks.”

“I … I can’t believe you’re saying this. You helped get him into the family he has now. You know what he went through as a child.”

“And I don’t want my daughter to have to deal with the consequences of what that childhood probably did to the lad,” Melanie said stubbornly.

“They’re not getting married, Mel. They just want to go to a dance together.”

“And what comes next?”

“Nobody can answer that,” Lindsay said.

Melanie snorted. “Yeah, right, so just let our daughter do whatever the fuck she wants to do.”

“I didn’t say that,” Lindsay replied. “But I think you’re carrying this too far.”

“You know deep down you agree with me. Don’t be a hypocrite, Lindsay.”

“Me – the hypocrite! What about you? You work with kids like Curtis and help them get decent lives, and deep down you think they’re not good enough for our daughter to be seen with.”

“Curtis has seen a lot of JR. I just don’t want them dating.”

“You really need to think about this, Mel. When you tell kids they can’t do something, that’s exactly what they do.”

“Not in this case,” Melanie stated. “She’s grounded.”

“Give a little, Mel, please, before you make this worse.”

“I’m just protecting my daughter, and that’s all there is to it.” Melanie walked to the front door of the house. She needed to go for a walk before she did something she might regret.

In her room, JR picked up her cell phone and hit the speed dial. When the phone was picked up, she sobbed and managed to say, “Uncle Brian, I need your help…”

 

*****
 

The boys watched John and Samantha through the window of the café. She was obviously distraught and crying, John was his usual gallant self with just a touch of something more that they couldn’t put their fingers on.

“I didn’t know John likes cinnamon buns?” Justin murmured.

“He doesn’t normally,” Bobby confirmed.

“Then who’s the bun for?” Justin asked as the waitress delivered their orders. Bobby got a weird look on his face. They all turned their heads back toward the window.

“Honey, what is it?” John asked as he took Samantha in his arms to comfort her.

“I thought...”

“You thought what? You’d come back here after thirty plus years and find me waiting?”

Samantha slightly nodded her head. Instead of being angry or shocked, John smiled.

“Baby, we were kids, and yes, if I had known or even suspected that I fathered your child, I would have dropped everything to be with you. But I didn’t know. I tried to get in touch with you. I spoke with your father several times but he gave me the impression that you were done with me and happy out in California. And I had to return to college. I missed you but I thought you moved on and so I had to as well. I asked about you and so did my mother; we both got the same responses. After a while we stopped asking.”

“Are you really gay?”

“Sweetheart, I don’t have a label for what I am. I loved you. I loved being with you. Was I in love with you? I’m not sure. I was nineteen! How much does a nineteen year old boy know about love? But I did care. And I’ll admit, I never found another woman that I cared about more than you, but I wasn’t really happy. I thought that’s what was expected of me back then. You meet the right woman, fall in love then start a family. Then all of a sudden in swept Brian and Justin and my whole world was turned upside down. For most of my life it was just my mother and me; we then found ourselves in the midst of this huge family. We are so loved by them and no longer alone. And then I found Bobby.”

John stopped to laugh. Samantha gave him a curious look.

“No, that’s not right. Bobby was there, flirting with Brian, making Justin jealous, the next thing I knew I was in Bobby's arms. He made me feel like I’ve never felt before. I was whole and in love. He’s my whole life, Samantha.”

More tears ran down Samantha’s face.

“I’m sorry, Baby. I don’t mean to hurt you.”

“It’s okay; it’s just a bit of a shock. I should have been honest with you when I left, and now ... you were always such a man’s man. I’m having a difficult time adjusting.”

“You don’t have to adjust. I’m surprised you haven’t hauled off and slugged me,” John smirked. “As I recall, you had a good left hook.”

“I still do,” Samantha laughed. “But like you said, I was gone for over thirty years and without ever explaining. What were you supposed to do? God, thirty years! Where did it all go to? I don’t feel like I’m in my fifties.”

“Sweetheart, you don’t look a day over thirty-five. You’re still that beautiful young woman that used to make me forget my name.”

“And you’re still a handsome, macho cowboy.”

“Let this macho cowboy buy you a cinnamon bun and a cup of tea.”

“You remembered!”

“How can I forget? That left hook of yours was a powerful reminder.” Samantha laughed as John took her hand to lead her back into the café.

The boys tensed as John and Samantha walked back inside. John handed Samantha into the booth, sliding the tea and bun over to her as he sat down. The boys watched every move he made. The smug look was back in Brian’s eyes as he watched their latest drama unfold. Justin’s ocean blue eyes that normally looked upon John with love and a sort of parental admiration were now expectant. John noted that the tips of Justin’s fingers were resting on Bobby’s arm in support.

Bobby was worried although it was well hidden under that cool objective attorney exterior. John knew that Bobby was worried and maybe just a little angry, if the iciness in Bobby's blue-grey eyes was any indication.

“Babe?” John began.

“Yes?” both Bobby and Samantha answered. John choked down some of his coffee.

“Samantha, do you have a picture of Grace?”

“Oh yes,” Samantha quickly replied like any proud parent. She went into her bag and took out a large envelope that contained her daughter’s life in pictures. “She’s an architect, you know. She’s been inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. She designs office buildings and homes in Europe,” Samantha gushed.

Bobby and Justin softly groaned.

“Do you have children?” Samantha asked as she took a nibble of her bun.

Bobby fished out several pictures from his wallet as did John. Brian slid one over that he always carried. It was the picture of him holding the infant Patrick in his arms. The one that got him teased by his Kinnetik staff when they were having a meeting regarding the plans for Part Deux.

Samantha gasped.

“What is it, Honey?” John asked gently as the tears began to flow again.

“Is that you?”

“No, that’s Brian holding Patrick. Patrick is Bobby and my son. Why?”

“Brian looks exactly like you when we first met. And Patrick, he...” Samantha took out another photo, one that wasn’t in the envelope. “This is Warren, my late husband and Grace.”

John nearly stopped breathing as he gazed down at the photograph in his hand. Warren was the typical proud father holding his newborn child, a red-headed child.

“Brian, did Jack ever spend time in California?” John deadpanned as he handed the somewhat grainy photo over to Brian. Brian took the picture and stared. Although the photo was of poor quality, he could still make out the young man with brown hair and tanned complexion holding the sleeping baby.

Before Brian could comment, his cell phone rang.

“Excuse me,” Brian said as he debated answering for a second until he recognized the number.

“Hello, JR.”

“Uncle Brian, I need your help. My mother’s being a bitch.”

“That’s nothing new,” Brian mumbled. “What’s she done now?”

“She won’t let me go to the school dance with Curtis.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s black and she’s a prejudiced dyke.”

“Jenny Rebecca, she’s your mother,” Brian said in a very parental tone that surprised the boys as well as himself. “I may not always agree with Mel…” He paused due to the groans, snorts and rolling of the eyes from his audience. “But she is your parent. What do you want me to do about it?”

“Talk to her. Please, Uncle Bri. Maybe she’ll listen to you.”

“JR, your mother has never listened to me before. What makes you think she will now?”

“I don’t know. Pleeezzz!”

“Okay, I’ll see what I can do. Maybe I’ll send Uncle John. He seems to have a way with women,” Brian snarked.

“Whatever. Just do it fast; the dance is in a week,” JR said as she snapped her phone shut.

“Yes, ma’am,” Brian mumbled to no one.

“What’s going on?” Justin asked.

“Nothing, just Mel being her typical intolerant self. And I have had enough of women for the day. There’s a reason why I’m gay, and right now the only female company I prefer is that of our daughter. Samantha, you seem like a nice woman and I don’t want to be rude but here’s the bottom line. My brother and his life partner have been in a committed relationship for twelve years now. Their son will be ten this year. If Grace turns out to be John’s daughter then we’ll welcome her into our cwazy wittle family if she so desires. If not then we have nothing more to discuss.

“I think you want proof one way or the other,” Brian said as he studied Samantha’s eyes. “Do you have something in that bag of yours that a lab can get DNA from?”

“I have Gracie’s baby teeth,” Samantha admitted.

If the boys were embarrassed or outraged by Brian taking charge, again, no one made a peep. Bobby appeared to be a little relieved.

“Bobby, call your father, his office is close by. We can have this all solved in a few weeks.”

No one objected as Bobby took out his phone and calmly spoke to his father. Within an hour and a half, the boys were back on the road toward Edna’s Treasures.

“John, I need you to go by muncherville before we go home,” Brian commanded as they were approaching the turn off. John said nothing as he made the turn to go to the girls’ cottage instead of their lane.

 

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