Springtime for Justin

Chapter 14

“Craig, what is the problem?” Susan had been watching her husband go through his entire wardrobe trying to pick out something to wear.

“Susan, I am trying to find the right thing to wear to Bree’s party,” Craig said frustrated that his wife didn’t seem to understand.

“Honey, it’s a children’s party. There will be a bunch of five year olds running around a yard somewhere. You’re not having an audience with the queen.”

“Maybe not but there will be a fuckload of queens there!”

“Craig Taylor, I will not stand for that attitude or language,” Susan complained angrily. Craig threw another rejected shirt onto their bed. “And I’m not the one who’s going to put all of your clothes back into your closet!” she yelled then slammed out of the room.

“Shit!” Craig sat totally dejected on the edge of the bed. He wanted to look good for himself and for Susan. He wanted to prove to Brian fucking Kinney that Craig Taylor still had it. Seth Harris was sure to be there and Craig knew that Molly with her new husband, Owen Jr., were going to be there too. Craig had to look good.

“Wear the pale blue crew neck sweater,” Craig heard Susan call out from the living room. “It goes nicely with your jeans and with your eyes,” she added.

“Thank you,” Craig whispered with his eyes gazing upwards. “Thank you!” he then said loud enough for his wife to hear. Craig changed into the sweater then fixed his hair.

“Honey, do you think I need hair plugs or hair club?” Craig asked out loud as he critiqued his thinning hair line.

“I don’t think we have the time right now,” Susan answered nonplussed. She knew Craig was being ridiculous.

“I didn’t mean...oh fuck it,” Craig mumbled. “I’m ready,” he said as he joined his wife by the door. She had Briana’s gift in a large bag and a host gift in another.

“What did we get her?” Craig asked. Of course, Susan did the shopping and he had no clue what was in the bag.

“We got her several pink and purple outfits. Justin told me she started a growth spurt. She’ll need new things for the summer.”

“And the other bag?” Craig eyed the smaller package suspiciously.

“They occasionally enjoy a brandy at night, I bought something nice.”

“Something expensive, I bet.”

“Yes, you wouldn’t want your son-in-law to think you were cheap, would you?” Craig had no response. They locked up the house then went to the car which Craig had left on the street.

“Do you have any idea where this mansion is?” Craig inquired sarcastically. Before Susan could answer, Jennifer and Seth with Joan and Katerina pulled up next to their car. Jennifer rolled down the window.

“Hi, would you like to follow us up? The cottage isn’t hard to find but the turn off for their lane can get tricky.” Jennifer was sincere in her offer. Susan smiled warmly and thanked them; Craig merely nodded.

A car horn blared, bringing Craig out of his momentary stupor. He turned to see who was honking. That’s when he noticed the long line of cars. Craig recognized Molly and Owen junior. Sitting in their back seat was Owen senior and Sharon. Debbie and Carl were in another car with someone Craig didn’t know. As the procession slowly drove by, the occupants of each car waved fondly at Craig and Susan. Many of them Craig recognized from Molly’s wedding.

“Holy shit! I think half of Pittsburgh is going to this party,” Craig exclaimed in shock.

“Sweetheart, if you don’t start the car, we won’t be one of them,” Susan stated calmly.

“Shit!” Craig quickly started their car then got in line. They were on the rode for about ten minutes when Craig had to ask. “Susan, do I really look all right?”

“Yes, Craig, you look fine. It’s a barbecue. Granted, knowing who’s footing the bill and the fact that Emmett is the event planner, I imagine this won’t be your typical backyard party. But I do know it’s very casual. What you have on is perfect.”

“How can you be so sure?” Craig was still unconvinced.

“I called Justin to make sure. He tried to describe the grounds and something about the path to the stream can be muddy this time of year. It all sounded rather grand to me.”

“And yet Jenn said something about a cottage. I wonder what that’s all about?”

“Do you think there’s a cottage attached to a bigger house?”

“I guess we’ll find out in about an hour,” Craig said wisely then concentrated on the car in front of him.

 

*****
 

“Dada?”

“Yes, Squirt.” Brian was about to brush Bree’s hair. Briana had gotten up early to take a nice long bath. Michelle and Cindy had come over after breakfast at Bree’s request because she wanted them to do her nails. The girls considered Bree almost a younger sister. With her daddies’ permission, the girls painted Bree’s fingers and toes a pale pink.

“Can you do my hair now?”

“Of course, m’lady. One ponytail or two?”

“One, Dada, and can I use the sparkly clip from Auntie Molly’s wedding?” Bree asked, shamelessly batting her eyelashes at her Dada, her blue eyes looking so large. Bree handed Brian her special silver brush for him to use. She had an elastic band and the clip in her other hand.

Brian smiled as he sighed. ‘Those Taylor eyes’, he thought to himself. 'I can never resist those eyes.' He settled the petite child onto her chair with him sitting on a stool behind her. Slowly, methodically as if to sooth himself and his daughter, Brian began to brush Bree’s hair.

Justin caught the whole exchange. Smiling, he made himself a mug of tea then went into the sun porch to make sure all of his easels and canvases were secure up into the rafters.

“Where’s the star of this show?” John asked as he came into the porch from his end of the conjoined cottages.

“Getting her hair done,” Justin answered nonchalantly.

“Ah. Dada is doing his duty,” John quipped.

“Yeah, I think they’re both a little nervous. They find it calming when Brian brushes her hair.”

“What do they have to be nervous about?”

“You know how Brian gets. He says he hates all this.” Justin motioned to the commotion outside. Emmett’s minions were out in full force and in more ways than one. “And yet he wants it perfect. Brian wants all of his guests to feel welcomed, comfortable and well fed.”

“I have to admit, Brian does know how to throw one hell of a party.”

“Or he makes sure he gets the right man to do it for him. And Emmett lives for it.”

“That's for sure. But why is Bree nervous? She’s the bravest person I know, besides her fathers.”

“It’s her first birthday party that she’s invited her classmates to. I think she wants it to be perfect,” Justin explained. “I have to admit, I’m a little nervous too.”

“Why?” John asked, as he drew closer to his brother-in-law, placing a comforting hand on the younger man’s shoulder.

“My father is supposed come. I really want him to like us,” Justin said softly.

“He will, Justin. What’s not to like?” John gently hugged the smaller man.

“Daddy, do you like my hair?” Bree asked as she bounced into the porch with Brian in tow. He arched a brow as John stepped away from Justin.

“It’s perfect, baby, just like you are,” Justin said as he squatted down to hug his daughter. “Let’s go check out what Emmett’s doing.” Justin took Bree’s hand to lead her outside.

“Okay, Daddy,” Bree said as she skipped beside her Daddy.

Brian merely stared then narrowed his gaze on his brother. John understood the look and took no offense. Brian would always be jealous of anyone who got too close to his Justin.

“He’s worried that Craig won’t like us,” John stated calmly, immediately noting the change in Brian’s expression and demeanor. "I was just reassuring him that we are a very likeable bunch.”

Brian smirked and all was right in the world again.

“Go on, take a walk with them. We have an hour before the guests arrive. Everything’s going according to plan. Emmett’s crew should be setting the first of the food on the table soon. Go take a break. I’ll keep an eye on things in here.”

Brian kissed his brother’s cheek then went out to catch up to his spouse and daughter.

“Everything okay out here?” Bobby asked as he popped his head out their door. John took a few quick steps to be at Bobby’s side.

“Yes, it’s fine or it will be.” John took the red-head into his arms. This was his man. John kissed Bobby senseless.

“What was that for?” Bobby asked when he was allowed to come up for air. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“Just because I love you and because I can.”

“Yes, you can anytime you want. I love you, John,” Bobby said as he offered himself up for another kiss.

“Love you too,” John whispered into his lover’s mouth.

 

*****
 

“Would someone please tell me why I’m en route to a five year old’s birthday party?” Sharon Brenner said to the people in the car with her. She smoothed her skirt over her knees and crossed her hands in her lap, looking every inch the society lady.

“Because we were invited and … it’s family,” Owen Jr. said. Molly squeezed his thigh in approval of his answer. He smiled fondly at her.

“Doesn’t Miss Briana have children her own age to invite?” Sharon persisted.

“Of course she does,” Molly responded. “She’s invited her entire class and some from her former class.”

“Whoopee!” Sharon said sarcastically. “I can hardly wait to have twenty-five five year olds running over my feet all day.”

“If you’re good, maybe Brian and Justin will let you ride one of the ponies,” Owen Sr. said trying not to laugh at his wife.

“Ponies! They’re having ponies?” Sharon gasped. “What kind of ridiculous extravaganza is this going to be?”

“I don’t know if they have ponies, dear,” Owen Sr. said gently, taking her hand. “I was teasing.”

Sharon gave him an ominous look and then smiled slightly. “You always could put one over on me,” she whispered.

“You’re so easy,” Owen agreed kissing her cheek. “The party is going to be fun. Relax and enjoy it.”

“I suppose it will be all right. Although, I still think mother had the correct idea. She declined to attend,” Sharon stated.

“She’ll be missing a great party,” Molly said with a little laugh. “Nobody throws a shindig like Brian and Justin. Remember Christmas.”

Owen Jr. laughed. “Did anyone check the weather reports? Maybe a monsoon is on the way.”

“Don’t be silly, Owen,” Sharon informed him. “Monsoons are only in Asia.” But she couldn’t help looking out the window at the sky … just in case.

 

*****
 

“I wonder what Brian has planned for today?” Debbie asked.

Carl was driving and looked over at her, giving a shrug. “God only knows,” he answered.

“Maybe he hired Barnum and Bailey’s Circus,” Michael laughed from the backseat.

“Or Cirque du Soleil,” Ben submitted.

“Or Disney fucking World,” Debbie laughed.

“He probably has the money to do that,” Carl said. He’d seen the books at Babylon and that wasn’t even one percent of Brian’s holdings.

“Briana has to be the luckiest little girl in the whole world,” Ben observed.

“And her daddies think they’re the luckiest fathers in the world,” Debbie chuckled.

“A match made in heaven,” Carl said, as he stepped on the gas to shorten the gap between his car and the one he was following.

 

*****
 

“Why do we have to be at the end of this fucking convoy?” Craig griped.

“Because they had all assembled before they picked us up,” Susan replied calmly.

“Did you know they were going to do that?”

“I did have a call from Jennifer.”

”So that’s why you told me to leave the car on the street.” Craig seemed annoyed.

Susan merely smirked. “I knew you would probably turn down the offer to go together with them, and I didn’t relish the prospect of driving aimlessly through the countryside and missing Briana’s party.”

“I could have found the place.”

“Sure you could, like three weeks ago when I wanted to go to that antique auction. We never did find the place.”

Craig smiled at her. “Touché,” he said.

Susan giggled. That was the Craig she loved. She wished she saw more of him, instead of the bigoted one that too often came to the forefront. “I like joking around with you.”

“I like to hear you giggle,” Craig replied looking over at her and smiling fondly.

“Let’s try to have fun this afternoon. I promise to giggle if you do.”

“That sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.”

Susan smiled and leaned back against the headrest.

 

*****
 

“I never thought I would see the day that Craig Taylor would be going to Brian Kinney’s house for any reason … and certainly not for a party,” Ted stated. He looked in the rearview mirror making sure that he could still see Craig’s car behind him. He shook his head at the thought. Ted was driving his car with Allen, Hunter and Nick along for the ride.

“The house we’re going to is also Justin’s house, and Craig is Justin’s father,” Allen observed.

“That doesn’t mean a thing,” Hunter contributed. “Craig’s hatred for Brian outweighs any love he has for Justin.”

“That’s sick!” Allen reacted. “Justin is his son. How could he not love him?”

“I think he still loves Justin, but like I said, his hatred of Brian Kinney is all consuming.”

“Why is that?” Allen asked.

“It goes way back, doesn’t it, Ted?” Hunter said.

Ted nodded, letting his memory roam back to their early encounters with Craig. “Craig Taylor believes that Brian corrupted his son. He probably thinks that Justin wouldn’t be gay if Brian hadn’t taken him home and fucked him.”

“Christ! What century is he from?” Nick asked.

“He simply refuses to deal with the fact that he produced a gay son. Therefore, it’s all Brian’s fault,” Hunter answered.

“Craig has tried to get rid of Brian in every way that he could … short of murder,” Ted informed them. “And he came pretty close to that once or twice. He rammed Brian’s car one night after Brian left Babylon. And then tried to kick in Brian’s ribs outside of Babylon another time.”

“What does he have against Babylon?” Nick chuckled.

“Nothing really,” Ted said seriously, “but it is full of fags, you know. That’s enough to set Craig Taylor off.” He thought about that for a minute. “Oh, and then he told Justin he could never come home unless he gave up Brian, and his disgusting way of life.”

“Charming,” Allen said derisively.

“He’s one charming fellow, our Craig Taylor,” Ted said sarcastically. “Wait till you meet him.”

“I’m not sure I want to,” Allen replied.

“Me either,” Nick agreed. “He sounds like a real asshole. Why is he coming today if he can’t stand fags? We’ll have him outnumbered twenty to one.”

“Yeah, we could easily take him in a fight,” Hunter laughed.

“Hey, no fighting,” Ted jumped in. “Today is a big day for Justin and nobody’s going to ruin it for him.”

“I was just kidding,” Hunter said quickly.

“I know, Hunter,” Ted said gently. “But try to get along with Craig and make him welcome. Justin has been waiting for this day for years.”

Hunter nodded. His eyes met Ted’s in the rearview mirror. They both knew how important today was for their friend.

 

*****
 

“What do you think they’ll have for Bree’s birthday party?” JR asked. She and Gus were sitting in the backseat of the car. Melanie was driving.

“What do you mean ‘have’?” Melanie asked.

“I think she means like cake and ice cream,” Lindsay laughed.

“No I don’t,” JR whined. “I mean what will the theme for the party be. Maybe she’ll have superheroes or Dora the Explorer or a carnival.”

“And maybe it will be a regular party,” Gus stated.

“I think Gus is right,” Melanie agreed. “It’s just a birthday party.”

“But they always do something special for Bree,” JR continued.

“And you wish you could have parties like that,” Melanie stated, clearly annoyed with the line of thought JR was pursuing.

“I didn’t say that, Mama. I was just wondering what the party would be like.”

“It’s okay, JR,” Gus said taking her hand. “You speculate all you want. We’ll know for sure before very long. We’ll soon be there.”

“I hope it’s fun,” JR sighed.

“Yeah, fun,” Melanie snorted as she stared straight ahead concentrating on the road and blocking out the unwelcome thought that somehow she didn’t live up to Brian Kinney once again. She would have liked to provide a huge expensive birthday party for her daughter, but she would never have the money that Brian Kinney had. And that made her angry.

 

*****
 

“How much farther is it?” Curtis asked.

He was sitting in the backseat of Raph and Hector’s car. There had been very little talk during the long trip to Edna’s Treasures. If Raph remembered correctly, they should be almost there. They had just passed the little general store that he remembered from their trip to Brian and Justin’s at Christmas time.

“Another ten minutes or so,” Raph answered.

“Oh.”

“Are you all right, Curtis?” Hector asked. “You’ve been kind of quiet.”

“I … I don’t know what to expect,” Curtis admitted. “I’ve never been to a birthday party like this before … with fancy invitations and all these people … adults and everything. What kind of a party is this going to be?”

“If I knew, I’d certainly tell you,” Raph commented. “We’ve only been to Edna’s Treasures once, and we got snowed in for three days.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t a week?” Hector laughed. “It seemed like forever.”

“Was it awful?” Curtis asked.

“No, it was actually quite pleasant, and a lot of hard work.”

“Hard work?”

“Yeah, we had to dig our way out.”

“Wow!” Curtis reacted. “Where is this place?”

“You haven’t spent much time in the country, have you?” Raph asked with a chuckle.

“Um … try none!”

“Well, today you’ll get quite a taste of fine living in the country. And it’s about to begin,” Raph said as he turned into the lane that led to Edna’s Treasures.

 

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