Raging On
Chapter 7
The landline rang in the conjoined cottages. Brian picked it up and said, "Hello?"
"Could I speak to Bree please?" a male voice asked.
"Michael, is that you?" Brian asked.
"Yes, but I want to speak to Bree."
"Can't you even say hello to your friend first."
"Hello, Brian," Michael said with a sigh.
"Hello, Michael." Brian sucked in his lips and smiled to himself.
"Are you through dicking me around?" Michael asked. "I'd like to speak to Bree."
"Why?"
"None of your ... business."
"Michael." There was an edge to Brian's voice.
"I'm hanging up, Brian, if you don't let me talk to Bree now."
"Okay, okay," Brian said as he frowned. "Bree," he called. She was probably in her room. "Since when do you call my daughter?"
"Since I wish to speak to her."
"What is it, Dada?" Bree asked as she walked into the room.
"You have a call."
"I do? Who is it?"
"I'll let him explain," Brian said as he handed her the phone and walked out of the room.
"Hello?" Bree said into the phone.
"Hi, Bree, it's your Uncle Michael."
"Uncle Michael, hi!"
"You sound glad to hear from me."
"I am."
Michael smiled broadly at Bree's reaction. "I just wanted to find out how your paper about Zephyr turned out."
"I got an 'A'."
"That's terrific."
"Yeah, I was happy. I didn't know what to write before I came to visit you, so thanks for helping me."
"You're very welcome," Michael said sincerely. "Um, you also helped me."
"I did?"
"Yes. After we spent that time together, I decided to go to Hunter's center and volunteer."
"That's great, Uncle Michael." Bree was very pleased that her father's idea about her visiting Michael had apparently worked pretty well.
"I wasn't sure if I would like it, but it's kind of interesting working with young people. I've only been there a couple of days, but some of the kids are interested in comics and I brought some issues for them."
"I bet they loved that."
"Yeah, they seemed to."
"You sound better too."
"I feel better. You were right about helping others and not dwelling on my own problems. Hunter and I have been having lunch together every day. That's been ... nice."
"Looks like we helped each other," Bree observed.
"Yes, we did. Are you finished school now?"
"Yep."
"Would you like to come into Pittsburgh soon, and I'll take you for lunch to show my appreciation?"
"You don't need to do that, Uncle Michael."
"I know I don't. I want to."
"Thanks," Bree said with a smile. "I'll talk to my fathers and see what day we could come. Is that okay?"
"That would be fine. My time is very flexible at the moment."
"Okay, see you soon."
"Yes, and thanks again."
They each hung up.
Bree walked into the sun porch where her older father was sitting on one of the chaises flipping through one of Justin's art magazines.
"How much did you hear?" Bree asked suspiciously.
"Nothing."
Bree stared at her father. She believed him. "Uncle Michael wants to treat me to lunch. I told him I'd ask if you would take me into Pittsburgh one day soon."
"He wants to take you to lunch?" Brian asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes."
"And Justin and I aren't invited."
"'Fraid not," Bree said with a giggle.
"What did you do to Michael when you spent that time with him?"
"Helped him clean his house."
"And he's ... grateful?"
"Yep."
"And I'm not invited to lunch?"
"Nope."
Brian sighed and then looked thoughtful. "How did he sound?" he asked seriously.
"Better. He said he's volunteering at Hunter's center."
"Wow, you really did work your magic on him."
Bree grinned and took a little curtsey. "I'm very good at that kind of thing."
"You certainly are, you little minx."
Bree giggled some more. "So, can I go to lunch with Uncle Michael?"
"Of course you can. We'll work it out."
Bree skipped out of the room. Brian watched her go and wondered if maybe Michael had turned a corner. He didn't sound like the angry man who wouldn't let them into his house.
"Fingers crossed," Brian said to himself.
*****
Justin walked into the house carrying his latest purchase of art supplies. He had been painting a lot lately, working through a whole series of flowers, some fairly common and some weird and wonderful. He was enjoying seeing what new and interesting things he could create with his flower studies.
"Anybody home?" he called out.
"I'm in my room, talking to Ashley on the phone," Bree called back.
"I'm in my office on my computer," Brian responded from above.
"Okay," Justin said with a sigh as he started putting his new supplies away. It looked like he was on his own, nobody to help him.
"Need a hand?" Brian asked as he came down the spiral staircase.
Justin smiled. They were still on the same wavelength after all these years. "That would be great. I've got some canvases in the car. Could you bring them in?"
"Your wish is my command, sire," Brian replied with a small bow. He headed for the front door.
Justin grinned to himself and thought, 'God, I love that man!'
Soon they had everything put away. Brian made himself a coffee and Justin a mug of tea. They sat down under the big tree in the backyard enjoying the cool of the shade.
"Anything happen while I was gone?" Justin asked.
"Michael called."
"He did? That's good. What did he say?"
"Nothing to me," Brian admitted with a wry smile.
"What does that mean?" Justin asked with a frown.
"He called to talk to Bree. Wanted no part of me."
"Bree? What for?"
"He wanted to talk about their visit the other day. I don't know all the details, but it appears that Bree was able to get through to him on some level that none of us has been able to achieve."
"How does she do that?"
"She's an amazing child ... woman ... goddess," Brian said with a smirk.
"I don't know about the goddess part, but she is amazing."
"Just like you," Brian said softly.
That brought a smile to Justin's face. "She's your daughter too. I like to think she got the best of both of us."
"You do know that I really have no part of her genetics, don't you?"
"Of course I do, but she's the best of nature and nurture."
"Are you accusing me of nurture?" Brian demanded trying to look offended.
Justin giggled. "Only you would take that as an insult."
"I don't take it as an insult," Brian corrected. "It's just hard to believe that I could actually have done something right with nurturing a young life."
"Now you're just being ridiculous. Look at all the young people you've helped through the Jason Kemp Foundation, and certainly there's Curtis, and..."
"Okay, okay, enough about me. We were talking about Michael."
"I'm glad he seems to be doing better. That's the main thing," Justin stated.
"Yeah, it's certainly an improvement. He wants to take Bree to lunch to thank her. We need to figure out a day that one of us can take her to Pittsburgh."
"Well, it should be you. You're Michael's friend, so you can do lunch with him and Bree."
"He doesn't want me ... or you. He just wants Bree."
"Really?"
"That's what I'm told."
"Oh, then we both should take Bree. We can have our own lunch out somewhere else," Justin said.
"Good plan."
"And if Bree did so well with Michael, maybe we should sic her on Ben next."
"Even better plan," Brian agreed as they both cracked up.
*****
As with all parties, great and small, they do require a bit of planning. Considering the breadth of their “widdle” family even something as ordinary as a barbeque requires the utmost planning and forethought, down to the most minute detail such as parking. The lane can only hold a finite amount of cars so car-pooling from the city to the lane is essential. So with less than a week until the great Fourth of July barbeque, citizens far and wide across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida were abuzz with plans.
Several of those citizens were visiting the Bloom Gallery and sitting in Lindsay’s office.
“And where are we going to put all these people?” Brian growled and grouched with his usual flair that no one took seriously and mostly ignored. Justin rolled his eyes as he winked at Lindsay. Ben just shook his head while Emmett sported a wide toothy grin.
“With all the homes on the lane, we have plenty of room to house them all,” Justin assured his grumpy spouse.
“And I’m sure no one will mind sharing a bed or two,” Emmett threw in for good measure.
Brian ignored Emmett’s helpful comment but reluctantly conceded with a nod. He did some mental arithmetic and decided even if everyone showed up, they’d be able to find a roof for each one.
“We’re coming up tomorrow to start preparing. The kids are coming with us,” Emmett stated. “Hunter and his Dr. Nick will be driving up with Lacy and Katerina in a day or two,” he added.
“Ooo, they haven’t been able to join us for a very long time,” Lindsay commented.
“Yes, Katerina has built up some seniority now so she was able to take some time off. She insisted that Lacy put down the dishes for the weekend,” Emmett explained.
“Good for her,” Ben crowed.
“Gus called, they’re all flying in together. They’ll cab it over to my house, grab the Jeep then drive up. You’ll probably see them around two,” Lindsay explained. Gus long ago decided that having a car in New York City was idiotic especially when he and Ray lived in Manhattan. So when Gus was away from Pittsburgh for long periods, he garaged his Jeep at Lindsay’s and hired someone to start it up every once in a while and take it to his favorite mechanic for tune ups.
“I miss Simon and Ken,” Justin murmured. Brian agreed, sometimes real life just got in the way.
After about an hour of bickering, um, planning, phone calls and texts, everyone knew who they were going to car pool with and what they needed to bring. The tentative sleeping arrangements were mapped out. Anyone with an extra bed or flat surface that could accommodate a futon mattress was accounted for.
“Damn, I feel like I just gave birth,” exclaimed Emmett. He coyly smiled and shrugged when his friends stared at him. “Speaking about birth, where is that woman child of yours today?”
“Having lunch with her Uncle Michael,” Brian sneered.
“Really?” Ben and Emmett echoed.
“Yes, really. She had one last assignment to do before the end of school and didn’t know what to write about,” Justin explained.
“So you suggested talking to Michael?” Ben asked incredulously.
“Not me, Brian,” Justin said with a smirk.
“I thought I felt the touch of the master,” Emmett stated. “And did it work?”
“It seems so, Bree got an A and Michael got involved at the Jason Kemp Center,” said Justin.
“That’s good to hear,” Ben said softly.
“Yeah, he needs to do more than hang around feeling sorry for himself and waiting for the next party with Biff and Boff,” Brian growled as he abruptly stood and stalked over to the other side of Lindsay’s office.
Emmett wanted to say something but Justin shook his head. ‘Leave him be,’ Justin mouthed then waved them on to keep talking.
“Where are they having lunch?” Ben asked.
“I don’t know,” Brian replied as he examined one of Justin’s first miniature paintings that he had gifted to Lindsay.
“Not the Liberty Diner?” Lindsay asked. Brian just shook his head. “Why?” Brian shrugged then gently placed the painting back on the shelf.
“He’s been burning bridges,” Brian went on to say.
“Maybe the princess can help him rebuild,” commented Emmett. The friends all agreed; Brian remained stoic. His childhood friend was in pain and Brian couldn’t help him. Brian said a silent prayer that maybe with Bree’s gentle wisdom, Michael would start to heal.
“Are we done here?” Brian growled. “All this talk is getting on my nerves.”
“Don’t mind him, he didn’t have enough coffee this morning,” Justin teased. “I’ll take him to the diner and feed him,” Justin went on.
They all ignored the death glare thrown their way.
“Come on, Big Guy, let’s take a walk down Liberty Avenue. It’s a beautiful day in our neighborhood.” Justin smiled brightly which he knew Brian couldn’t resist. Brian’s glare instantly transformed into a beatific loving gaze directed at his partner. They bid everyone a goodbye then left.
“Justin’s still got it,” Ben commented as he smiled. No one could resist one of Justin’s smile.
“True love,” Emmett sniffled as he reached for a tissue. Ben patted his friend on the back. Lindsay giggled.
“Well, I think we’ve got it all under control,” Ben commented as he stood to leave. “Uh, do you think we should invite Gui?”
“Gui?” Lindsay gasped.
“The whole building has been talking about the barbeque, I’d hate Gui to feel left out,” Ben stated.
“I don’t know if anyone can decipher what that man feels,” Emmett grimaced. “He’s a cold fish.”
“Emm, he can’t be that bad. He was always sweet to me and Gus,” Lindsay countered.
“Oh honey, that was a very long time ago. I think he’s been badly hurt over the years,” said Emmett.
“Then let’s invite him. He can ride up with Ted and Allen,” Lindsay suggested. “Maybe it’ll be good to get out of the city for the weekend.”
“Then we’re agreed?” Emm asked. He smiled when he received smiles and nods. “Then I declare this meeting of the Edna’s Treasures Lane Fourth of July party at an end!” Emmett declared with flair.
“Oh, and you, tall, dark, and muscle bound can be the one to tell our Mr. Kinney of the additional guest. Toodles!” Then Emmett left the building.
“Wonderful,” Ben whined as Lindsay laughed. “Mind if I wander around the gallery? I haven’t been here for a while.”
“Enjoy,” Lindsay said as her phone rang. Ben left the office.
Ben slowly wandered the gallery, noting that it appeared to have grown bigger. He smiled, probably more John Anderson Construction magic, he thought. One part of the gallery was devoted to Rage. It showed the transition from Justin to Lacy then to Candy. Rage was the same fierce character with subtle differences that marked each artists’ own style.
Next Ben strolled over to a display of interesting and familiar paintings. “Sam Auerbach,” Ben said out loud. “Wow.”
“Talking to yourself, is that not a good sign,” a familiar voice said just over Ben’s left shoulder.
“Armand?” Ben turned then automatically extended his hand. “What are you doing here?”
“Simone gave me a mission to complete for his gallery which brought me to Mademoiselle Lindsay. I have completed my task but decided why not stay for a few days. I have never been to Pittsburgh,” Armand said with a smirk.
Ben laughed. “Well, we’re certainly not the cultural mecca of the North East but we do pride ourselves on a few interesting tourist attractions. I would be delighted to be your guide since you were so generous with your time in Paris.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to take up your time.”
“I have nothing to do that can’t wait, and it would be my pleasure. Are you hungry, I haven’t had lunch?”
“Isn’t it too late for lunch?” Armand checked his watch.
“It’s never too late for lunch, breakfast or whatever you may want.”
“Sounds intriguing,” Armand replied.
“Then let me be your guide,” Ben said with a smile.
*****
“I think I’ve got it,” Lacy said with a harried voice. The lunch rush seemed to go on for a lot longer than lunch.
“What’s going on here?” Brian asked.
“You’ve been out of the city for waaay too long. It’s Pride month,” replied Lacy.
“What happened to the good old days when Pride was over in a day and we could go back to being ashamed,” Brian grumbled.
“Don’t mind him, he’s just grumpy because we were planning the barbeque,” Justin explained.
“Yes, Emmett emailed me my assignment. I’d love to chat with you but my help is late and….” Lacy said as she looked around the crowded diner.
“No worries,” Justin said as Lacy quickly moved away to hand in their order and help the next customer. “Bri…”
“Go on, I know you want to,” Brian said at Justin’s unspoken plea. Justin was up in a flash. He grabbed an apron then started clearing tables. Brian shook his head, got up, walked around the counter to grab the coffee. He had a pot of regular in one hand and decaf in the other.
“Why anyone would prefer decaf is beyond me,” he growled as he slowly made his way to the tables.
“Where’s our order? We’ve been waiting forever,” a young man complained as Brian approached with the hot beverages.
“And you’ll keep right on waiting until your orders are done to perfection. Coffee?” Brian asked with a scowl and an arched brow.
“Yes, please.” Brian poured. “Thank you,” the young man said meekly.
“Kids today,” Brian mumbled as he passed Justin who was carrying a full bus box. Justin stopped him to give Brian a kiss which Brian accepted with pride. When they both completed their tasks they met at the counter.
“Thank you so much,” Lacy gushed. “I can’t believe the legendary Brian Kinney was waiting tables!” Lacy said loudly, which started the whole diner murmuring.
“I was not waiting tables. I do, however, know a thing or two about coffee,” Brian said as he washed then dried his hands. “You need a better soap. This shit is killing my hands.” Lacy handed Brian a tube of expensive lotion. He read the label, then opened the tube to take a whiff. The lotion appeared to pass his inspection so he applied it liberally to his hands.
Lacy gave Justin a big hug. “Thank you for your help. You still know your way around a bus box,” she laughed.
“Don’t worry, you can pay us back on the Fourth,” Justin said smugly as he sat at the counter. Brian got Justin a glass of water, poured himself some coffee then sat.
“I’m sorry you lost your booth,” Lacy said. Brian waved a royal wrist.
“No problem. It seemed silly to have a large booth for only two people. We’re fine here,” Justin said.
“Speaking of two people,” Brian said softly while giving Justin a nudge. Ben and Armand entered the diner; spying a small empty table near the window they quickly sat down.
“Who is that guy with Ben?” Justin asked.
“If I’m not mistaken that’s Ben’s favorite French connection.”
“Really? What’s he doing here?” Justin whispered.
“Don’t know but watch me find out,” Brian said as he grabbed a couple of menus and two glasses of water.
“Behave,” Justin warned.
“I always behave.” Justin was not convinced.
Brian sauntered over, plunked down the water then handed over the menus.
“What’s up, Professor?” Brian drawled. “And this better be good,” Brian said as Ben turned beet red.