In Sickness and In Health

Chapter 5

Hector and Raph:

"Raph?"

"Yes?"

"Why do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"Answer me with a question?"

"Hector, I have no idea what you're talking about and the Hamilton's cockapoo will be here in five minutes! I think she has fleas again. Some people should not own pets."

"Stop changing the subject!"

"Hector, my love, what IS the subject? And can you have someone restock the specimen containers. We've run out again."

"Sure, I'll do it myself. And the subject is Brian Kinney."

"Brian Kinney? What does he have to do with specimen containers?"

"Huh? What? Nothing. Brian Kinney has nothing to do with specimen containers."

"Hector, you really need to cut down on the coffee. Why are we discussing Brian Kinney?"

"I'm sorry but this thing with Brian is bothering me."

"There is no thing with Brian. That was a one-of and had to be over twenty years ago. As I recall, he had this odd rule of no repeats."

"So you fucked him only one time?"

"Yes, but to be truly accurate, he fucked me. Rather satisfyingly too."

"Twenty years later and you remember how it felt to be fucked by him? I can't get you to remember our anniversary, and yet you remember how it was to be fucked by Brian Kinney, the whore of Pittsburgh."

"Hector, twenty years ago, what were you doing?"

"I don't know, playing with my ninja turtles, I suppose. Why?"

"Because twenty years ago I was just about getting my head out of my ass and deciding what I wanted to do with my life. I seriously considered med school but then I realized I like animals better than most people. Animals can't speak for themselves. When they get sick, they can't tell us where it hurts."

"You're a very caring vet. I love being a nurse and I adore working here with you. It is very rewarding but..."

"I'm getting to it. Do you remember what I told you about the career that was chosen for me?"

"Yes, as the second son, you were supposed to be a priest."

"That's right. Back home, you knew what you were supposed to be the day you were born and named. Then my family came here and the world got a lot more complicated. Being black is one thing, black and gay is another."

"So no priesthood."

"No, lucky for you, and the Hamiltons are late."

"They're always late; they're probably out Christmas shopping. Go on with your story."

"I'm named for an archangel. I was supposed to be the priest. I was confused and men found me attractive."

"How can they not? You're a beautiful man. Even he found you attractive."

"He who?"

"Brian Kinney."

"So we're back to Brian Kinney, are we?"

"I can't help it. He's a beautiful man."

"He's a married man with two children and a partner, who would probably rip your balls off as easily as he smiles at you if you got too close to his Brian. In a weird way we owe our relationship to Brian Kinney."

"What? How?!"

"Brian Kinney wasn't just a whore; he was a smart whore. I mean he is a very smart man. When one of us makes good, we all benefit."

"But doesn't the reverse also apply?"

"Yes, unfortunately. But he never gave a shit what the world thought about him. He's good at what he does and he never let his sexuality get in the way."

"That's a load of crap. Of course it gets in the way. We had a demonstration of it at the reception! And what's with Brian and the father of the bride?"

"Apparently they don't get along."

"That's an understatement."

"I was there the night Craig Taylor attacked Brian. I was coming out of the club. I had picked up someone and we were about to go to his place when Craig sucker punched Brian. By all rights, Brian could have pressed charges."

"But he didn't."

"No, he didn't. I found out through the grapevine that Craig Taylor tried to run Brian off the road."

"Shit! And he still didn't press charges?"

"Apparently not. Maybe Brian should have been the priest."

"Father Brian, now there's a thought. But how did he influence you?"

"He was always there, a presence on Liberty. He lost his boyfriend in front of the whole world and still held his head up. He lost everything he owned and still remained proud. He even had cancer, and survived."

"How do you know all this? I've never thought of you as the gossiping type."

"We have our sources."

"So what does this have to do with us?"

"Not sure, but sometimes when my life got stupid I'd think what would Brian Kinney do?"

"Now that's a load of bullshit. An intelligent good looking man like you, why would you give a shit what he would do?"

"Because there's something about him. For a brief moment in my life I wanted to be him. Fucking, drinking, drugging, not giving a shit or so it seemed. But then you hear things, you see things, you learn things."

"Like what?"

"Like he's the man behind Rage. Like he chose not to fight back for the sole reason that Craig Taylor is Justin's father. He gave up the drugs and smoking because he wants to be around for his kids. Like the former whore has been faithful to one man for years. I'm not saying his life is any better than ours but it proves that if you want something bad enough and work hard enough for it, you can do it. And I want those things with you."

"Kids?"

"Maybe, before I'm too old. Or a kennel or a farm. Something we can do together. Or maybe a house of our own. I went over to the new bistro the other day."

"Oh, I love Emmett's popovers."

"Me too. I overheard Emmett and that Ted guy talk about Christmas at the cottage. I admit it, I eavesdropped. I was curious to find out what the cottage was; it sounded like a resort. They were talking about Christmas decorations and something about a sun porch and that all they needed was the tree but they save that for last because sometimes Brian or John will chop down one of their own trees. Then they were describing what entrees the family was going to bring. Then it dawned on me they were talking about Brian's home. It's not a mansion like half of Pittsburgh thinks it is. It's not in the rich section of town like the other half of Pittsburgh thinks. It's in the country, on a private road. They live in a cottage in the middle of nowhere. Quiet, private, ordinary."

"Doesn't sound too ordinary to me. They live in the country on a private road. Bet it's a four story cottage."

"Not from the sound of it. Damn, the Sullivans are here with their cats, all six of them."

"Hey, whatever happened to 'animals can't speak for themselves'?"

"It went out the window with the Sullivan's cats."

"You're so bad. I'll handle the cats. The Hamiltons finally showed up. And I'll meet you later. We're not finished with this conversation."

"Oh goody. Hector, I love you, you know. You have nothing to worry about regarding Brian Kinney. He's no threat to you."

"I know and I love you too. However, those cats are a threat, so scat and let me deal with them. Have fun with the cockapoo."

"You can be a little bitch sometimes."

"Just a little? Out! Go make me proud and rid the world of fleas. I'll catch you later."

"It's a date!"

Lindsay and Melanie:

"Oh Mel, this was such a great idea meeting here for lunch, but do you think Emmett offers something light? After that reception and the brunch, I think I gained ten pounds."

"Me too, but um, I don't see Emmett. Maybe he took the day off, I'll ask. Excuse me, Sean, isn't it?"

"Yes, I'm Sean, Emmett's assistant, what can I get you two ladies?"

"Let's see, something light and perhaps fruity?"

"We have fresh tarts. We use light cream and no added sugar."

"Perfect! Did Emmett take the day off to recover from the wedding?"

"Not really. As far as I know he had plans to be here. He wanted to make sure everything was in order for the holidays. He and Drew were going up to the cottage later today but something happened last night. He said Brian and John stayed in town and Emmett needed to stay close to them. I have no idea what happened. We have everything under control here so I told him to take his time."

"Lindz! Did you get any calls from Brian?"

"No, why?"

"Sean was telling me that Brian and John didn't go back last night. They're still here."

"What? I'm going over there."

"Lindz, wait, I'll get the car."

"No, I can walk faster. I'm going to check the diner first. Debbie will know."

"Shit, okay, I'll go with you. Cancel our order, Sean."

"Yes, ma'am. Damn, next time I should wait until they pay before I give them any news."

*****

"Deb, have you seen Brian?"

"He was here having breakfast, but they've gone back to the loft."

"Debbie, what happened?"

"Sweetie, I think I better let him tell you. You know how he is, stubborn asshole."

"Deb, please."

"Honey, sit for a minute. Let me get you some coffee."

"Do you know?"

"Yes, Emmett called me."

"How does Emmett know and we don't?"

"How does Emmett ever know anything? He just barges in and asks. Look, as far as I know Brian is fine. They were on their way back to the cottage yesterday when Brian found a lump."

"Oh God!"

"Sweetie, now it's probably nothing. They already saw the doctor early this morning and he took a biopsy. Brian's madder than a wet cat. The local anesthesia wore off and he's uncomfortable. John made him eat but they went back so Brian could lie down."

"Debbie, why is John staying with Brian and not Justin? Did they have a fight?"

"Oh honey, nothing like that. Justin and Bobby had to get the kids back home. They have school today and Bobby needed to go to work. They said he's really busy at the end of the year."

"Makes sense, and this is John's slow time of the year, right?"

"That's right. John insisted. He didn't want Brian to go through this alone."

"Like the last time."

"Yeah. Claire once told me that John reminds her of how Jack was when he was young. She said that the Jack Kinney she knew was fiercely loyal and protective of his parents. John certainly inherited that from Jack."

"So did Brian."

"Lindsay! I have the car."

"Be right there! Deb..."

"Go, honey, and tell him I love him. I'll bring over some soup later."

"Okay Debbie."

*****

"Lindsay, why are we driving over there when it's obvious he doesn't want you?"

"I don't think it's obvious."

"So what, he called you?"

"No."

"So you know he wants you to rush on over there by osmosis. You and he have an ESP thing now?"

"Melanie, you're being an ass. He's my best friend and the father of our son. I want to be there for him."

"No, you just want him. Period. End of story."

"You know, why don't you just pull over. I can walk the rest of the way there."

"Don't be an idiot, we're three blocks away. I never understood what you see in him. Sure he's good looking, for a man, if you like that sort of thing but he's vain, he's arrogant, he thinks he's right all the time."

"Sounds a lot like you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, you had to get pregnant on the first try. It means you had to be super prego uber dyke and work until it almost killed you and the baby. And it means you had to get back into shape and back to work faster than anyone else. Talk about vain and arrogant. Melanie, just let me out. Go back to work. I'll call you later."

"Lindz..."

"Later, Mel, just later."

*****

Lindsay's POV:

The loft door is slightly ajar, and I hear voices. It's John talking to Bobby, I think. I roll back the door. John looks up from the desk and he smiles warmly at me as he waves me in.

"He's in the bedroom," John whispers at me. "Go on up, he'll be glad to see you."

John continues his conversation with Bobby as I make my way up the bedroom steps.

"Easy there, Sunshine. Slow down, take a breath. That's better. We should hear something by Thursday, sooner if the doc lights a fire under the lab tech. Now don't you get your allergies in a snit. Yes, I'm lying down. Yes, I took my medicine. Yes, I applied the ointment. Yes, Justin. Yes, dear. And yes, I love you too. I'll call you later, Lindsay just walked in. Later, Sunshine. I promise to eat something. Say goodbye, Justin."

He snaps closed his cell phone and tries to find a more comfortable position on his bed. I sit next to him.

"Hi," I say trying to be positive.

"Hey," he murmurs as he shifts on the bed giving me more room. I lay down next to him.

"Why are you scaring half of Pittsburgh?"

"I didn't mean to," he says in that soft little boy voice that sounds so much like Gus' and just about melts my heart.

"What happened?" I ask gently as I look into his beautiful eyes. I take his hand in mine.

"I found a lump." That's all he says as he tries to be so strong and brave. A solitary tear slips down his face. I hug him close to me.

"It's going to be all right. Everything is going to be all right. You're Brian Kinney, for fuck sake and you're invincible."

I keep whispering stupid things into his hair. I have no idea if I'm making any sense. But he is my best friend, the father of my son and the greatest love of my life. Even more than Mel sometimes.

"I love you, Lindz."

"I love you too."

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