Springtime for Justin

Chapter 11

“Aaaaaccchhhoooo!” Justin let out a very loud, cottage shaking sneeze as he was furiously painting. His hand slipped, making his yellow crocus dip onto his grape hyacinth. Justin was not happy.

“Fuck!” Justin let out a long line of curses as well as sneezes. “God damn it, when is this going to end!” He was about to throw his paint laden brush out the sun porch door when Brian came up from behind, grabbing his arm before the brush went flying. Twisting Justin around and looking deeply into his lover’s eyes, Brian kissed Justin thoroughly, removed the offending paint brush. He then stuck some tissues in Justin’s hand.

“This has to stop, Bri. I’m miserable,” Justin whined pitifully in between snuffles and blowing his nose.

“I know, sonny boy, and it will, once we find out what you’ve been doing differently,” Brian said softly as he gently caressed Justin’s blond mane. Over the years Justin kept his hair a little on the long side. It was sometimes inconvenient and he never got over the ‘Meg Ryan’ crack, but Justin realized how tactile Brian had grown. Burying his long fingers into Justin’s hair could be comforting when he needed it and very sensual as they made love.

And right now, Justin needed all the comfort he could get.

Brian maneuvered Justin onto the chaise for a short break so he could get his sneezing under control. Brian handed Justin a glass of juice and another allergy pill. As they sat, Brian stared out the sun porch door. The garden was a blaze of color. It was still early Spring. In the distance Brian could see some patches of stubborn but melting snow. The branches on the trees surrounding their land were yellow-green with the buds of new leaves. Brian could almost see the whirls of pollen catching on each breeze as it wafted past the cottage. It was beautiful and yet very annoying at the same time. He wished he could do something to help his lover other than handing him more pills.

“I ruined my painting,” Justin said in a dejected tone. Brian thought him so adorably cute that he had to hold back a chuckle.

“How?”

“My crocus is bent; it looks like my grape hyacinth is wearing a hat,” Justin protested.

“Come with me,” Brian instructed as he took Justin’s hand to lead him out to the gardens. When they came to a border of flowers, Brian pointed down. The flowers were fading away now, giving way to the next in line to bloom but there were still a few crocus left standing next to their partners the grape hyacinth, many bent over as they withered away.

“It’s okay if your flower wears a hat,” Brian explained, trying to be supportive and sensitive. Brian may have a ‘cut throat’ rep in business; however, his close family knew his real nature.

Justin gazed up into the hopeful hazel eyes of his spouse, his own blue eyes tinged red from irritation and yet sparkling with love.

“Thank you,” Justin murmured as he threw his arms around Brian, hugging the one person who knew him so well. As they stood hugging, Justin noticed a large bag off to the side of the sun porch. Next to the bag was the bucket that held all of Brian’s garden tools and implements.

“What’s that stuff?” Justin indicated the bag.

“Oh, that’s a new fertilizer I’ve been trying out. The man at the garden center said it was as good as manure but without the smell. They somehow de-stink the cow shit. Why?”

“How long have you been using it?”

“Since I started getting the garden in shape. It’s supposed to have all the nutrients the garden will need especially after this long winter. Instead of using a lot of different products I only use the one. I thought it was convenient.”

“Sounds like it,” Justin said as he approached the bag cautiously. Brian was very careful when he handled any kind of chemical, always reading the precautions and never using them when he gardened with Bree and Patrick. And they were stowed separately in the shed in their own locked cabinet John had made for just that purpose. Brian was going to put down some fertilizer while the kids were in school.

As Justin got closer, his sneezing became more violent.

“Shit!” Brian yelled, turning Justin around toward the house. “That’s close enough. I’m getting rid of that stuff today. I’m so sorry, Sunshine. Here I’m thinking it’s some new paint or the pollen but it’s my fucking fertilizer! I’m going back to the old stuff immediately. Cow stink or no cow stink, you being miserable is just not worth it.”

Brian continued his tirade as he made Justin comfortable on the chaise and brought him another glass of juice and a trayload of snacks. Seeing his spouse was well situated, Brian continued his fussing and mumbling as he went to change his clothes. When he re-emerged from their room, Brian was wearing his oldest rattiest clothing he could find. Armed with his gloves and several plastic garbage bags, Brian went out to attack the offending fertilizer.

Justin watched his warrior from the safety of his perch on the lounge chair, wearing his sunniest smile.

“Hey, Jus, what’s going on out there?” John was working from home up in his office. He had the plans of the ‘Village’ project just about complete and a proposal written up by Bobby. They had an appointment early the following week with the city planners to discuss the proposal.

“My knight in shining armor just discovered what’s been making my allergies act up so badly lately. He’s attacking the problem.”

“What was it?” John asked. They both could hear Brian muttering about dangerous chemicals and assholes trying to hurt his spouse and what he planned to do about it. None of it sounded pleasant. Some of it sounded downright painful. “Ouch,” John said as he chuckled.

Justin giggled. “Apparently, it’s the new fertilizer the garden center sold to Brian. It’s supposed to be like cow manure but without the smell,” Justin explained.

They fell silent as they watched Brian, man on a mission, double bag the chemical then begin to hose down the garden and the paths.

“Jus, I grew up with cows and horses and other than an occasional cow pie,” John stated poignantly looking at Justin, “you can’t beat good old fashioned manure.”

Brian was done with his mission. He made a mental note to speak with the lawn service he and Emmett used, just in case they used the same fertilizer and placed a call to Rachel as well. Before winding up the hose, Brian stripped down to his underwear, bagged the old clothes for the trash then hosed himself down. He threw his old clothes away then made a beeline for the shower. Brian was taking no chances.

“Problem solved,” Justin said from the chaise, his heart filled with love for his man.

“Problem solved,” John said proudly from his balcony. His brother never ceased to amaze him.

John went back to his drafting table as Justin went back to his easel.

 

*****
 

“Holy hamburger!” Lacy exclaimed as she approached the comic book store. There was a line of kids out the door going halfway down the block.

“What’s going on?” Lacy asked one of the kids as she got closer to the front door.

“The new issue of Rage is out and he’s NOT dead! He and Zephyr just kicked some major homophobic ass and there’s a new hero. He’s got a weird name but who cares. He’s got this wicked sucker punch.” The kid was so enthusiastic about the comic that Lacy couldn’t believe her ears.

As Lacy got closer to the door, Danny yelled out for her. “Lacy, help!”

Lacy dumped her backpack behind the counter then started to take money from the next customer. “Are they all here to buy Rage?” she asked still not believing.

“Yeah!” Michael said. “He told me to triple the order and boy am I glad I listened,” Michael said as he rang up sale after sale after sale of the popular comic.

“Who said?” Lacy asked. She was taking money from kids who had exact change. Danny was opening up another box of Rage.

“Brian!” Michael and Danny said together.

“But how’d he know it was going to be a hit?” Lacy’s head was reeling. The kids all seemed to love the comic. The customers were mostly boys but there were a few girls and Lacy made it a point to be kind and supportive to them.

“Because Brian is....Brian, and he just knows these things.” Michael still worshiped his hero. Brian would always be Rage to Michael.

“Lacy, I’ve been listening to the kids,” Danny said softly to the hesitant artist. “They all love the issue and the new hero. You should be very proud of yourself. You’ve learned your lessons well and it shows.” Danny encouraged the girl.

“Wow,” was all that Lacy could say as she wrote up another receipt.

Lacy hadn’t planned on staying at the comic book store until it closed later that night but Michael and Danny needed the help. By closing time Michael knew he had sold out his usually shipped amount, the second order was gone too. They had already sold about a quarter of the third order. If it continued, this issue of Rage would be gone by the close of business day tomorrow.

“Michael, I called the printer; there’s a rush order from all your distributors for more comics. And the online store almost crashed because of all the hits it’s been getting.” Danny was very proud of his son and of Lacy.

“That’s amazing!” Michael exclaimed.

“Yes it is, but Michael, it’ll be the next issue that will really mean something,” Lacy tried to explain.

“What do you mean?” Michael said indignantly. He didn’t want anyone raining on his parade.

“I get it,” Danny nodded.

“What do you get? Rage is still very popular,” Michael spat.

“Of course he is, but the rumors regarding this last issue have been flying around for months. Everyone wanted to find out if you really killed off Rage. Now that they know he’s alive and well and living in Gayopolis, it’ll be the sale of the next issue that will indicate Rage’s continued popularity.” Danny tried to put it gently so not to anger the very defensive Michael.

“Oh,” was all that Michael could say.

“Don’t worry, Michael. Rage and Zephyr will save the day with another kick-ass issue,” Lacy said with a big smile.

“Yeah, they will … and with Sateeena!”

Michael took several issues of the latest Rage to set aside for later to give to his ‘special’ customers and to keep for himself in his own collection. And for Justin, he knew that Justin had his own collection of their comic. Michael realized that Justin would never fully walk away from Rage; he couldn’t. They both loved Rage and the man who inspired it.

They helped Michael lock up the store then Danny drove Lacy over to Deb’s.

“Have you decided when you’re going to move out of Debbie’s?” Danny asked the very quiet and thinking Lacy. She looked up at Danny, astounded.

“How did you know?”

“It’s not hard to figure out. You must make decent wages at the diner, and you probably got a nice chunk of change from Rage. I realize you have other expenses but with a roommate you’d be able to swing a small apartment someplace.”

“I have been thinking about it. You know Katerina?” Danny nodded. “We’ve been seeing each other, as much as we can. She’s going to graduate soon and she already works at the hospital as an LPN. She’ll get a nice raise when she becomes a registered nurse. Between the two of us we can get an apartment.”

“You two serious?”

“I’m not sure. We’re very close friends and I really, really like her. She’s so pretty.”

“Lacy, you are very pretty too when you’re not hiding under your baseball cap.”

Lacy looked almost insulted at the thought of being pretty. That made Danny chuckle, then he qualified his statement. “Pretty for butch, I mean. Brian owns the building where Hunter lives, I’m sure if there’s a vacancy he’ll rent it to the both of you at a reasonable cost. We’re having a family meeting on Saturday at the diner.”

“I know, Hunter told me all about it.”

“Then you know that Brian will be there. Talk to him.”

“Okay, I will. But that leaves another problem,” Lacy said with a sigh as they pulled up in front of the house.

“What’s that?”

“Debbie, how do I break the news to her that I want to move out?”

“Kiddo, you’re on your own with that one. Not even Rage can help you there.”

They both cracked up with laughter as they said goodnight. Danny watched as Lacy went inside.

 

*****
 

Craig arrived home at his usual time. He kissed his wife, smiling fondly at her as the savory aromas of dinner hit his nose. He went to their bedroom to change then began to sift through the mail. A pale pink envelope with neat elegant gold script immediately caught his eye.

“Honey, what’s this?” Craig held up the envelope, waving it in the air in Susan’s general direction.

“Not sure. It’s addressed to both of us so I thought I’d wait until you came home before opening it.” Craig admired his wife’s self control; he’d never wait. “Why don’t you open and it find out.”

“I hope it’s not another wedding. I could go broke buying all those gifts,” Craig griped.

“That’s because you always think you have to outdo the next guy. If you just buy what’s in your heart and within your budget, you wouldn’t feel that way,” Susan explained reasonably.

Craig grunted as he carefully opened the envelope then read the invitation:

 

Mr. Justin Taylor and Mr. Brian Kinney would be honored if you would join them
in celebrating the 5th birthday of Miss Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor.

When: Saturday, April 15th

Where: Edna’s Treasures

Time: 1 PM

RSVP: By April 7th

 

Included in the envelope were the directions and a small map.

“Well, I’ll be damned!” Craig was stunned. Then he handed the invitation to Susan.

“You want to go, don’t you? Your granddaughter doesn’t turn five every day and we’ve never seen their home.”

“Of course I want to go. This is a special birthday,” Craig stated, trying to make himself believe that he could be a part of Bree’s life if he chose to.

“Honey, Briana’s your only grandchild until Molly and Owen decide to have one. Every birthday is a special birthday. Let’s have dinner then we can discuss it further.”

During dinner their discussion continued.

“So do I call them to accept the invitation?” Susan asked her husband.

“Yes,” Craig answered, still uncertain. “Do you think this invitation is for real? We’ve never been invited to anything before. What if this is a mistake or some cruel joke.”

“Craig, Justin would never do that. He may not like you at times but he still loves you. There isn’t a cruel bone in his body.”

“I’m not thinking about Justin.” Craig was thinking Brian but he refused to say the man’s name out loud.

“Craig, Brian is not vindictive,” Susan assured her husband. “Would you like me to call?”

“Would you think me a coward if I said yes?”

“Not at all. I call Justin all the time. He won’t think it unusual. I’ll do it now.” Susan got up from the dinner table to make the call.

“Hello?”

“Justin? It’s Susan, how are you?”

“I’m fine. How are you and Craig?”

“We’re good.”

“Did you get our invitation?”

“Yes, it came in today’s mail.” Susan turned toward Craig and rolled her eyes. The invitation was genuine. “We’d love to come. Five years old, she’s practically a young lady.”

“Don’t I know it! Right now she’s helping Brian make the dinner rolls. Or it could be the other way around; I honestly don’t know.”

“In that case, I won’t keep you. We’ll see you on the fifteenth. And Justin, thank you.”

“I’m glad you’re both coming. I mean that, Susan.”

“I know that, sweetheart. What should we bring?”

“Just yourselves.”

“Okay. You kiss your little princess for me.”

“I will. Good night, Susan.”

“Good night, Justin.” Susan hung up the phone then rejoined Craig at the table. “Done. No joke, Craig. He asked if we received the invitation. They want us there.”

Craig got a little choked up but kept his composure.

“They really want me there.”

“Yes, honey, they do. Justin has never stopped loving you. He wants you to be a part of Bree’s life.”

“That’s what I want too. But...”

“No buts, Craig. We’ll be going to their home and I imagine there will be a lot of diverse guests. Promise me you’ll behave. Insulting your host and his partner won’t be tolerated.”

“No, I can’t imagine it would be. And I suppose Jennifer and her new man will be there too,” Craig grumbled.

“Yes, they should be there. Bree is Jennifer’s granddaughter too.”

“Christ! I don’t know what’s worse, having to socialize with my ex-wife and her fiancée or my son’s partner.”

“Craig, quit bitching, just close your eyes and think of England,” Susan snarked as she cleared the dinner table leaving a stunned Craig Taylor to ponder the situation.

“Et tu, Susan?”

“Craig, this is a birthday party for a five year old, not a bacchanal. You will behave yourself, you will be polite and you will have a good time.”

Craig gaped at his wife. ‘She who must be obeyed,’ he thought. “Yes, dear,” Craig said contritely then began to wash the dishes.

 

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