Should Old Acquaintance
Chapter 20
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As the day passed pleasantly into evening,
Joan continued to get an earful from her son's 'family.' She couldn't believe
that everyone at the party had wonderful things to say about Brian. Not only wonderful things, but stories of how loving and loyal he
was. And how if not for him, some great disaster might have befallen or
that his actions saved a relationship. Joan could have sworn that her son would
never have had a successful relationship but here was living proof. Joan knew
that Brian had made a financial success of himself, but she never dreamed that
he had an impact and touched the lives of so many. It was almost unfathomable.
Father Tom returned with a small glass of
wine for Joan and sat down to enjoy his own glass.
"Joan, are you enjoying
yourself?"
"Yes, I am," Joan replied, the
surprise very evident in her tone of voice.
"You seem surprised," Tom
remarked.
"I suppose I am. Brian's friends
appear to be very well mannered and they all speak very highly of him.
"And this surprises you?"
"Yes, it does."
"Why? Did you think homosexuals and
lesbians make it a point to be rude or indiscreet?"
"I guess I was expecting..."
"Lewd
behavior?"
"Yes."
"Joan, this is a very special day.
Everyone here respects that and they respect Brian and Justin."
"I see that now." There was a
pause in their conversation as Joan contemplated the day and the revelations
she was experiencing. "Father Tom, would you tell me about some of the
guests. I know a few but many are strangers to me. For instance, that pretty
blond girl standing with Jennifer and Justin. Who is she?"
"That's Molly, Justin's sister. She's
a few years younger than Justin."
"She's lovely."
"Yes, she is."
"And that handsome
man with Emmett. He looks
like an athlete."
"That would be Drew and he was a
football player. He's retired, but still works for his team as an announcer.
Brian uses him as a model."
"A model? What kind of model?"
"For clothes,
usually sporting goods, that sort of thing. He's very popular."
"And is he...?"
"Gay? Yes, Emmett is his partner;
they've been together for several years now. I think Brian had a little hand in
that one. Same for Ted and his partner, I think I heard that Ted had some
doubts but Brian urged him."
"I had no idea."
"Not many do."
"And that pretty redheaded woman over
there; she looks a little like that Bobby person."
"Ah, that would be Bobby's older
sister, Rachel. She is a very special person indeed."
"In what way?"
"John and Bobby wanted to have a
baby. They found a surrogate but unfortunately the woman miscarried. They were
very discouraged, then Rachel volunteered. Patrick is
a product of John and Rachel and therefore, blood to Bobby."
"And Rachel's family supported
this?" Joan asked Father Tom, not realizing that Dr. Morrison had come
over to introduce himself.
"Yes, we did. We're very proud of
both our children." Dr. Morrison extended his hand to Joan. "I'm Dan
Morrison, Bobby and Rachel's father. I believe you're Mrs. Kinney, Brian's
mother?"
"It's Joan and yes, I am," Joan
answered as she took Dan's hand. Father Tom excused himself and Dan took his
seat.
"Joan, if you don't mind me saying,
you look rather perplexed. May I help?"
"I'm not sure. Let me ask you
something. Do you approve of your son's lifestyle?"
"Quite honestly, it took me some time
to come to terms with the choices my son made."
"Then you don't approve," Joan
exclaimed feeling somewhat vindicated.
"I didn't say that. My initial
reactions were based on what I saw, assumptions that were not wholly correct.
But my son was patient with me and helped me to see the truth of it, and as I
said I'm very proud of him. And who wouldn't be proud to have a highly
successful lawyer for a son. And of course, there is John."
"John?"
"Yes. He's a good man, very
honorable. Hard working and very old fashioned."
"Old fashioned?"
"He came to me to ask my permission
to marry my son. Believe me when I say, I was not expecting that." Dan
smiled at the recollection.
"But it's not legal."
"Sadly, no. The only same sex couple here who are legally married
is Michael and Ben. But only in
"Who else is married?"
"Lindsay and
Melanie, and your son and Justin."
"Yes, they had a ceremony, didn't
they?"
"Yes, they did. Rather a spectacular
one if I recall, but you didn't attend, did you?"
"No."
Dan thought he heard a touch of regret in
Joan's voice. "If you'll pardon me, my wife is giving me the eye. I think
she wants me to mingle. It's been nice speaking with you. I hope you won't be a
stranger to the cottage."
"It has been lovely, Dan," Joan
smiled. It was nice to meet a real gentleman. As Dan left to join his wife,
Jennifer came to sit with Joan.
"I hope you don't mind but I must
sit. Bree has been running me ragged. She must have shown me every flower she
and Brian have." Jennifer plopped into one of the wicker chaises to put up
her feet.
"Does Brian employ a gardener?"
"A gardener? Heavens no! He does it all himself. And he gets the
kids to help. Brian put in every damn plant and flower you see." Jennifer
pointed toward the garden."
"All those
flowers?"
"Yes, and some of the lilies we saw
by the stream. Who knew Brian Kinney had a green thumb?" Jennifer giggled.
Joan caught herself in a short laugh. It was almost foreign to her, laughing.
She hadn't laughed in years.
"And he allows the children to plant
too?"
"Allows? He insists. Gus and his dad
putter all the time. Briana loves it. She calls it 'gar-gar.' Patrick gets into
the act too. Don't tell him I told you but Brian even planted a spice garden.
Justin loves to make pasta with fresh oregano."
"Justin cooks?"
"Yes, he's very good at it. Brian can
barbecue a mean steak and he's a whiz with bacon and eggs."
"I never knew."
"Joan, it's common knowledge that
when I met Brian, I thought he was a bad choice for Justin. My son was so
young, so innocent, I thought Brian would..."
"Corrupt your son?"
"Yes. And they didn't always have an
easy time of it. For the first five years of their relationship, it wasn't one.
They both had to grow up, and they have. I've never known two other people who
love each other like they love."
"And you aren't afraid for
Justin?"
"Afraid? In what
way?"
"Aren't there diseases that they
get?" Joan spoke in hushed tones.
"There are diseases that anyone can
get. But if you're talking specially about AIDS, then
no, I'm not afraid. They're monogamous." Joan gave Jennifer a curious
look. "They are exclusive, they haven't been with
anyone else for over eight years now."
"But..."
"Take my word for it; those two only
have eyes and every other body part, for each other."
"Oh my!" Joan blushed. "How can you condone their
lifestyle?"
"Very easily. I love my son. He's my first born,
I almost lost him once to hatred. I won't take that chance again. And look at
him with Bree. How can anyone not want to be a part of that?" Briana took
that opportunity to scoot over to Jennifer and climb up to sit on Jennifer's
lap. "I wouldn't miss this for the world!" Jennifer smiled brightly
as she hugged her granddaughter.
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Justin found Brian hovering around a
coffee pot in the kitchen. It was nearing seven and the guests that were
staying longer were about to be treated to barbecued steaks and chicken. Emmett
and 'the men' took over the grill and had shooed Brian away. Brian decided it
was time to replenish his caffeine quota.
"Bri, why are you hiding in
here?"
"I'm not hiding, Sunshine. Just waiting for fresh coffee. You want some?"
"No, thanks. I think I overdid it with the sun tea.
"It was good. I have to admit, Emmett
outdid himself again."
"Yes, he did. And so did you."
"I didn't do shit."
"Sure you did. You held it together
during the christening and you've been very polite with your mother."
"If you haven't noticed, Justin, I
barely spoke two words to her."
"I've noticed, but you've been
behaving."
"I'm afraid not to. If I ruin this
day, your mother, Debbie and Claire would have my other ball. And not in a positive life affirming way."
"Asshole."
"Yes, but I'm your asshole."
"Yes, you are and I wouldn't have it
any other way." Justin smiled brightly at Brian. He was so in love with
him, so proud of him that his heart was bursting at the seams.
"Thank the gods." Brian drew
Justin into an embrace, resting his chin atop the younger man's head. Justin
hung on knowing that Brian was taking that time to get his emotions under
control. Brian felt Justin smile into his chest; he knew Justin was onto him.
Joan walked into the kitchen smelling the
fine brew and witnessed their embrace. "Oh, I'm sorry." Joan blushed
at the sight of her son and partner sharing the moment.
"Don't be," Brian said calmly.
"Would you like a cup?" Brian addressed his mother.
"Yes, that would be nice."
"You better go supervise the grilling
of my steak, Sunshine. I will not be happy if I'm forced to eat a piece of shoe
leather." Justin nodded, gave Brian a chaste peck on the cheek then went
back through the porch to the gardens.
"Sunshine. That's an unusual nickname," Joan commented
softly.
"Maybe, but it fits him. How do you
want your coffee?"
"Black with sugar is fine."
"Hmm." There was an uncomfortable silence that was making
Brian nervous again.
"Brian, thank you
for inviting me. I'm having
a lovely time. Your children are beautiful. I hope I can come and visit
again." Joan was unable to look at her son, her words spoken almost into
the coffee cup.
"I'd like that, mother." Brian
was pleased, his mother actually wanted to come back. The silence was becoming
deafening until John came to rescue the Kinneys.
"Excuse me, Brian, but Father Tom
wants to say a few words before we have supper."
"We'll be out in a minute,"
Brian said to his brother. John nodded slightly then left the kitchen.
"He looks so much like you."
Joan still found that amazing.
"I know. It's nice having him
around."
"Oh?"
"Claire says he's a lot like Jack
when he was younger. Sometimes he's not just an older brother. Sometimes I
wish..." Brian couldn't continue. John wasn't Jack; Joan certainly wasn't
ever going to be like Claire. No matter how much time has passed Brian still
wished for parents who accepted him just because he was their son. Brian just
shook his head. "Let's go out before the ravenous hordes eat up all the
food."
Brian stepped aside to allow his mother to
pass. Joan turned and reached out her hand to caress her son's cheek. "A
baptism is, in a way, a new beginning." A statement, nothing more, but it
spoke volumes to Brian.
"Yes, it is," Brian agreed. Then
he followed his mother out.
"Ladies and
Gentleman, before we enjoy this bountiful repast in the company of our friends
and family, I wish to again extend my congratulations to Brian, Justin, Briana
and Gus. And thank them for
making this choice. At Brian's request, I am very happy to bless this newly
renovated home dubbed Edna's Treasures and the families that reside under its
roof." Father Tom paused and whispered a little prayer.
"My dear friends, as the waiters are
passing among you, please join me in a toast. A toast to all of us and to those
we hold dear who are no longer with us." As Tom
raised his glass, the family raised theirs along with him. "Let us all
share in the joy of this day and be comforted knowing that our loved ones are
with God. To love. To life."
"To love. To life!" Everyone
repeated the toast then supper began.
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As the party continued
at the Kinney/Taylor cottage.
Craig Taylor was just about to leave his office. He often came to work on a
Saturday. He got a lot of work done when the office was closed. Hearing a noise
at the outer door, Craig went to investigate. A dashing young man with raven
hair, bronzed skin and piercing blue eyes stood in the outer office.
"May I help you?" Craig
cautiously approached the young man.
"Are you Mr. Craig Taylor?" the
man said with a slight Hispanic accent.
"Yes. Who wants to know?" Craig
eyed the man suspiciously.
"I believe we may be related."
"Related? I don't think so."
Craig backed up. "If you don't leave this office immediately, I'll call
the cops."
"I hope you don't mean that. I have
some papers that may explain." The young man reached out to hand Craig an
envelope.
"I insist that you leave," Craig
shouted, ignoring the envelope.
"Aren't you curious to know who I am?
And how we may be related?"
"No."
"Pity. Maybe your son would be interested."
"I don't have a son," Craig spat
out.
"Ah, so the famous artist, Justin
Taylor, is not your son."
"He is, but we're not on speaking
terms."
"I see. Then perhaps I should seek
him out. Maybe he would like to meet a relative." The stranger turned to
leave. Curiosity got the better of Craig and he called out to the young man.
"Wait! What is your name, just in
case I do speak with Justin?" Craig lied. He knew he'd never speak with
his son again.
"My name is John Patrick
Taylor." The dark stranger turned then walked out the door.
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Old Acquaintance