Should Old Acquaintance
Chapter 18
<><><><><><><><><><><>
Brian paced his bedroom. He had escaped in
there to get away from Emmett and his continual string of instructions to
everyone. The tall queen had become very good at his party planning and catering
job, but Brian didn't appreciate the way Emmett had taken over the house. In
fact, Brian didn't appreciate much of anything that was going on.
His house was starting to fill with people
and he just wanted to be alone. Jennifer was dressing Briana in a new dress she
had insisted on buying. Brian had already found what he thought was the perfect
christening outfit. However, it was going to get wet when Bree was dunked in
the stream. So, a compromise had been reached. Briana would wear Jennifer's
dress for the baptism and then change into Brian's outfit for the rest of the
party.
Then there was the whole problem of the
"Brian," Justin's soft voice
interrupted his morbid thoughts. Brian turned to look at his husband. "I
brought someone to see you." Justin gently pulled Briana through the door.
"Show Dada how pretty you look," Justin encouraged her.
Briana shyly stepped forward and then did
a little pirouette almost pitching over at the end of it. Brian couldn't help
but grin. "That's my girl," he said with all the pride in the world.
He had to admit that Jennifer had selected a beautiful dress. He carefully
picked up his daughter and smoothed her dress so that it didn't get wrinkled.
Bree's arms went around Brian's neck.
"Love you, Dada," Bree whispered in his ear.
"Love you right back," Brian
whispered kissing her little cheek.
"You okay?" Justin asked.
"Now that I have the Squirt in my
arms, I feel much better."
"People are starting to arrive."
"Oh, who?"
"The usual culprits,
Debbie and Carl and Michael and Ben. I'm sure Michael wants to talk to you."
"And why is that?"
"You know Michael," Justin said.
"He'll have something important to tell you whether you want to hear it or
not."
Brian made a face. "Let's go face the
music," Brian said with a smile. "Or the wrath of God or whatever
else the fucking Fates have in store for us."
"The Fates have good things in store
for us, Brian. It's going to be a happy day," Justin said as Brian pulled
his husband into a hug. They walked out of the bedroom together.
There she is, little sweet one,"
Debbie cooed seeing Briana. She rushed over to give Briana a kiss and then wipe
off the smudge of red her lips had left all over the little girl's face.
"You look good enough to eat," she added, finishing rubbing off the
lipstick. "And you done good, kiddo," she said to Brian giving him a
kiss and then continuing the procedure she had used on Bree. Briana giggled and
hid her face in her father's shoulder. "And Sunshine, you have the most
beautiful daughter in the whole wide world, except for my Jenny Rebecca, of
course," she added and began swiping at the lipstick she had now left on
Justin's cheek.
"You better go fix your makeup,
Deb," Brian said. "Or you won't have enough lipstick to go
around."
Debbie gave him a little swat, and then
asked, "Is your mother here yet?"
"She probably won't come," Brian
said staring at the front door.
"Is she coming with Claire?"
Debbie asked ignoring his pessimism.
Brian nodded and decided to say no more.
Claire hadn't arrived yet, and he was sure she would be minus Joan when she got
there.
"Brian," Michael said reaching
up to give Brian a hug. "Haven't seen you for
ages."
"How are you and the professor these
days?"
"Just fine," Michael smiled.
"I wanted to tell you that I think it's great you put aside your own
feelings about religion and are doing this for Bree."
Brian looked into Michael's eyes. He could
see that Michael meant every word he had said. "Let's hope I can agree
with you when this is all over."
"Don't be a pessimist. The baptism
will be great, and everyone's going to have a lovely time."
"Tell the powers that be," Brian
said as the front door opened and Claire and Steve McNally entered. He carried Briana
over to welcome them. At least he'd have two of his surrogate moms there when
his own fucking mother failed to show.
<><><><><><><><><><><>
Joan Kinney sat in the backseat of her
daughter's car. She watched Claire and her husband. They seemed happy. Claire
seemed content for the first time in her adult life. Maybe her children had
finally grown up too. She wondered why they had so little time for her though.
"I thought Peter and John were coming
to the baptism," Joan said.
"John's driving down with his
girlfriend and Peter," Claire said.
"When did he get a car?"
"It's not his car," Claire
sighed. "It belongs to his girlfriend."
"Must be nice," Joan sneered.
Silence ensued for many miles. Joan
smoothed the skirt of the new dress she had bought for this occasion. She
wondered if she looked all right. She had asked Claire, but Claire had merely
said, "Of course you do," like it meant nothing. Nobody really cared
what Joan looked like, but she did. She knew Brian had made a name for himself
in the business world. She wondered if there would be any famous or important
people attending. She wanted to look nice, better than nice, so that Brian
wouldn't be ashamed of her.
With a start, she wondered where that
thought had come from, but she knew. She had always felt inferior to Brian. He
took every occasion to let her know that she didn't live up to his standards,
like he had any standards. That was one of the reasons she had always told him
he was going to Hell. He thought he was better than her.
She wanted to show him that she could
interact with his uppity-up friends. She wouldn't be bested on this day. And
she certainly would be able to hold her own with that Novotny woman. Joan
wondered if Brian had invited Debbie. Most likely he had. He seemed to think
more of her than he did of his own mother.
Joan felt a little twinge at that thought.
Maybe she shouldn't have come. Maybe Brian would snub her in front of all the
people he had invited. If he did, she would be mortified. But she was doing
this to meet her grandchildren. That's what she really wanted. Maybe they could
finally connect and she would be able to see them occasionally. It was so
lonely at her house every day. This could be a day to change all that. She just
had to look good and act like she belonged there. Joan half snorted to herself.
The world really was topsy-turvy when she was trying to act like she belonged
in a house full of homosexuals. It didn't matter though; she could do this for
one day. Joan straightened her back and sat rigid in the backseat. She could do
this. She would show them all.
<><><><><><><><><><><>
The whole family was there, admiring the
newly conjoined homes, the pleasant gardens and landscaping and overall,
enjoying each other. Father Tom was getting reacquainted with Briana then went
to take a peek at the stream. He wandered down the path. Father Tom had seen
pictures of the area but nothing prepared him for the serenity of the clearing.
"Beautiful," Tom said to himself
as he looked around. There were several folding chairs set up for the elder
guests and whoever else wanted to sit. The ceremony would be relatively short.
The guests would be brought to the clearing, Tom would say a few words then he,
the parents and the godparents would walk into the stream, with Briana, of course.
Father Tom would then say the words bringing Briana into God's company as he
immersed the child in the water. "God has touched this place," Tom
commented as he was examining the replicas of the Patrick statues. The glade at
the water's edge was perfect.
"Talking to yourself,
Padre? A sign of the Devil," Brian snarked, wishing he had a cigarette to
inhale.
"I guess I am," Tom replied
ignoring the snark. "This place is miraculous. Just
perfect for God's work."
"I hope so. I could use a miracle
about now."
"You still worried about the
baptism?"
"No, not really. I think I can handle it. All I have to do is stand
around, look pretty, ooh and ah over the gifts and pay for the fiasco. It's
John and Claire that have the hard part. What I'm worried about is..."
"Joan?" Brian lost his voice and
could only nod. "Brian, you have a wonderful home, correction, estate. And
this is God's own garden. Only miracles can happen here today."
"I'll hold you to that," Brian
replied, unconvinced. Just then, John leading the family,
came into the glade.
"Brian, it's time," John said
gently then stepped to the side so that the family could all join in.
Justin came toward Brian, all smiles with
Briana in his arms. The sun filtered through the trees, reflecting off the gold
of their hair. Dressed in white linen, Justin looked like an angel carrying an
angel. Brian couldn't help but gasp at their beauty, his heart bursting with
love.
Gus came closer
next. Tall, lean, a little gangly with youth but with a beauty and poise all of his own. Brian beamed with pride at his son then drew him
close into a hug with Justin and Bree. Brian gave each one of his most loved a
chaste kiss to the temple.
Debbie, Claire and Jennifer quietly
approached. They all had in common a mother's pride in Brian and Justin and the
choice they were making this day. Jennifer kissed her granddaughter then her
son and then Brian. She took out a hanky and then took a seat.
Claire gave them each a soft smile as she
gently tickled Briana's ear, then gave Jack's second
son a warm hug. "My Jack would be proud of you," Claire whispered
into Brian's ear then withdrew to take a seat next to Jennifer.
Debbie looked up into the hazel eyes that
had plagued her over the years, angered her at times in the past, frustrated
her, made her life a living hell, was her strength and her salvation. "I
love you, kiddo and I'm so proud of you. You're doing good."
Debbie gave Brian a little cuff behind his ear.
"Awe, Maw," Brian groused with
love. Debbie took a seat on the other side of Jennifer.
"Brian?" Claire, Brian's sister,
called out his name. Standing next to her was their mother. Joan looked nice in
her new dress, very smart and sophisticated. And she was sober. Unable to
formulate a coherent sentence, a soft, nervous giggle escaped Brian's throat.
Fortunately Father Tom came to the rescue.
"Joan! I am so happy you decided to
join us. Please, allow me to escort you to a seat. After the ceremony I would
be proud to introduce you around." Joan was about to retort that of course
she should be here. She was the grandmother to Brian's children. She had every
right to be here, more than some who would try to take her place. She was about
to glare at Debbie and that
"I'm very happy to be here,"
Joan said sweetly, half believing it. Then she allowed Father Tom to escort her
to a seat near Carl and Steve.
Brian let out the breath he was holding.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Father
Tom began. "For those of you who don't know me, I am Father Tom. And I am
very happy that you all have come today to witness a rebirth. The bringing of Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor into God's
family." Father Tom paused to scan the faces of the family and friends
present. Everyone was smiling, including Joan and her son.
"
Tom beckoned to Brian, Justin, John and
Claire, and they followed Tom into the stream. Brian carried Bree, whispering
reminders about the little dip she was about to take with the good Father.
Brian handed Bree to John as Tom was about to begin the ceremony.
They all took their place midstream. John with Bree next to Claire. Brian and Justin close by
keeping eye contact with their daughter to reassure her. As Father Tom raised his hand to bless the congregation, five more people
entered the glade.
The family turned to see who the new
arrivals were. No one recognized the guests except for Bobby who immediately
escorted the elder Miguel and Marta to their seats after giving them both a
kiss. Bobby greeted Juan and his Miguel with a warm hug then embraced Father
Paul who had journeyed long and hard to be there. Bobby was about to show the
missionary to his own seat when Father Paul gestured toward the stream.
Wordlessly Bobby nodded and guided their dear friend into the water.
Joan who up until now still had doubts
about Father Tom's motives in all of this was now truly curious at the arrival
of these foreigners and of this elderly priest or monk. She had no idea who
they were, and what their importance was to the lives of Brian and Justin.
Judging by the murmurs of curiosity, the
rest of the family was just as bewildered.
Father Tom watched as Bobby brought Father
Paul out into the water and waited as Brian, Justin and John greeted their old
friend from
"Father Paul," Tom addressed the
monk. "Would you join me in the christening of Briana?"
"I am but a brother, Father Tom. A missionary, my son."
"Then you have brought many into
God's flock. I would be honored if you stood here with me and blessed this
child as well as her parents and godparents."
Father Paul nodded his consent and moved
to stand beside Tom. "Then we shall begin...."
Brian heard little of
the words that Tom was saying nor the responses from John and Claire.
Brian heard the water as it trickled across the stones. He heard Bree giggle as
Tom made the sign of the cross on her forehead. He heard the responses from the
family who knew the ceremony and prayers. He heard Justin's sighs as he watched
with pride at their good little girl who was behaving like a princess. Brian
heard the gentle breeze as it rustled the leaves. The birds that seemed to
chirp arias for them and even the frogs appeared to behave, croaking from the
far shore. All, little miracles that filled Brian's heart
with joy.
Then as Father Tom and Briana came up from
the stream, Brian heard his daughter's laughter, the sweetest sound in the
world next to Justin's moans of passion and Gus' 'Daaaad.' Brian Kinney truly
felt blessed.
When the ceremony was complete, the group
carefully walked out of the stream to the greetings and congratulations of the
family. Emmett was prepared with towels and they would change back up at the
house. John started the introductions of the newcomers to the family as they
all walked the path to the house.
Juan's Miguel appeared fascinated by
Emmett's canapés and couldn't help but comment and comment and comment and
suggest different spices and other combinations. Emmett was polite and thanked
the tall Central American queen for all his ideas, silently begging that Miguel
would find a short cliff and take a long walk. After Miguel went to find his
Juan and mingle with the other guests, Emmett found Brian changing his damp
pants in the bathroom.
"Emmett, what the fuck is wrong with
you?" Brian groused as he was trying to pull up his slacks.
"Brian, far be it for me to interfere
but I'm telling you if that skinny queen from Barcelona tries to add paprika to
one more of my canapés, I will not be responsible for my actions." Before
Brian could reply, Emmett huffed then left the bathroom with a slam of the
door. Justin, witnessing Emmett leaving the bathroom in a snit, opened the door
to see his spouse on the floor with one leg in his pants and laughing like a
hyena with tears rolling down his face.
"Um, Brian, what's up with Emmett?
And why do you only have half your pants on? And why are you laughing like
that?" Justin stood there with his hands on his hips waiting for an
explanation for the very strange scene.
"Later, Sunshine, I swear, I'll try
to explain it later. But we better get out there fast before Emmett kills
Miguel." Brian cracked up again and began bouncing trying to get his foot
down his pant leg. "Welcome to dueling queens!" Brian was laughing so
hard that he banged into the bathroom door and wound up on the floor again.
Justin left his husband there as he went outside to prevent the carnage.
Return to Should
Old Acquaintance