Springtime for Justin

Chapter 15

The long convoy of cars arrived at Edna’s Treasures sometime after one. The warm, fine spring day had inspired other weekend travelers to get out and on the road making the highway crowded. The procession slowly made its way past Emmett and Drew’s dream cottage. Their lawn was greening up and spring flowers were blooming.

“Oh how lovely!” Sharon exclaimed from the back seat of her son’s car as she gazed out through the car window at the quaint cottage. “Imagine, this was all covered up by snow just a few months ago!”

“Jeez! Just where are we?” Craig muttered from his own car as he slowed down to take in the picture perfect cottage. “It looks like we stepped back in time a hundred years.”

“It’s beautiful,” Susan said admiring the picturesque home. “Just beautiful.”

Just through the trees and past the empty field where all the plowed snow had once been placed there was a small circus tent. Just in front of the tent was a corral with a couple of ponies, one pony held a child on its back, with a wrangler walking the rider and pony around. Nearby was a small ferris wheel slowly spinning and a merry-go-round with its animals rising and falling. There were several pretty and stylish ‘clowns’ making cotton candy, popping fresh popcorn and manning a ‘New York’ style cart with hot dogs, roasted peanuts and big soft pretzels. Off to the side was a huge blow up castle, filled with plastic balls where children were all taking their turn bouncing amongst the balls.

Brian had Emmett take special precautions so that none of the children would be unescorted or get lost in the woods. The parents of the children were welcome to stay, but some opted to drop off their children when they realized how secure Brian and Justin had made the ‘circus’. A couple of Emmett’s minions were certified medics, prepared to render first aid if necessary.

Old fashioned carnival pipe organ music accompanied the sounds of children’s laughter. Bree was having a ball and she and Patrick enjoyed playing hostess and host to the kids under the watchful eyes of Brian, Justin and Emmett. John and Bobby were the current hosts at the cottage until the children’s portion of the festivities concluded.

“Unbelievable,” Melanie grumbled as she parked the car. JR and Gus quickly scrambled out of the car. JR joined the kids at the carnival while Gus waited for Curtis then gave him the tour of Edna’s Treasures. Simon and Kenny had driven in from New York with their sons Jeffrey and Ray. Gus made the introductions then the boys were off doing whatever teenage boys do and having fun doing it.

John and Bobby greeted each guest as the cars parked and occupants unloaded. The family made themselves at home in the porch and out in the gardens. Waiters circulated, offering soft drinks and harder libations.

It took a few minutes for Craig and Susan to reach the front door of Brian and Justin’s cottage.

“Welcome to Edna’s Treasures,” John greeted Craig and Susan warmly, extending his hand to Craig. “I’m John Anderson; we officially met at Molly’s wedding,” John said cordially. Craig hesitated then shook John’s hand. He had to keep reminding himself that John was not Brian.

“John, so good to see you again,” Susan said cheerfully, stepping in front of Craig to place a chaste kiss on John’s cheek. “Your cottage is so beautiful! These are twining roses, aren’t they?” Susan asked as she noticed the budding vines on the arbor that surrounded the front door.

“Yes, they are. They’re quite beautiful in full bloom. Please come in; this is my brother’s end of the cottage.” Seeing the perplexed look on Susan and Craig’s faces, John explained fully. “Jennifer found this cottage, barely a shell. Brian bought it for Justin and had me and my men restore it. It’s similar to my cottage which my mother had on her land. After a while, we decided to literally move my cottage and join it to this one. The cottages are connected by a sun porch. Please come through and I’ll show you.”

John slowly walked Susan and Craig through Brian and Justin’s end of the home, first stopping at the Kinney portrait over the mantel.

“Oh my!” Susan said loudly as Craig gasped. They couldn’t help being touched by the strong resemblance Kinney bore to Brian and John and how closely Justin resembled Patrick.

“Yes, it was Kinney and Patrick that led your son and Brian to me and my mother.” They all stood admiring the portrait for a while then continued on with the tour.

“Kitchen,” John pointed out. Susan nodded appreciatively, especially at the impressive cobalt blue stove.

“Gus’ room.” John, hearing the boys laughter and the sounds of something on the computer blowing up, knocked on the door. “Come out for air sometime today!” John said to the door.

“We will!” the boys called out. John rolled his eyes.

“Bree’s room,” John opened the door to show off the princess’ haven.

“Does a child really live in here?” Susan asked with disbelief. “It’s so orderly and clean!”

“Yes, well, biologically Briana is Justin’s child but somehow Bree inherited the neat gene from Brian,” John tried to explain.

Craig snorted. “Definitely didn’t get it from Justin,” Craig murmured without malice. Susan giggled.

Before John could stop himself, he opened the door onto the master bedroom. The deep rich tones of the four poster bed were very masculine, the bedding vibrant without being frilly. “The master bedroom.”

“Exquisite,” Susan commented. Craig blushed. John quickly closed the door then led them to the porch where the party was in full swing.

“Got the fifty-cent tour, did ya?!” Debbie said loudly, nudging John out of the way as Craig and Susan stepped into the porch. She had a warm hug for Susan and a handshake for Craig. As she leaned in closer, Debbie had a warning for Craig. “Make trouble for my Sunshine, and you’ll have me to deal with.” Then stepping back and reaching for a beer that a passing ‘waitress’ had on a tray, Debbie handed the cold brew to Craig. “Here, honey, have a cold one.” Craig took it without complaint and took a long pull.

“Debbie.” Joan witnessed the threatening expression on Debbie’s face. Having been on the receiving end of several of those looks in previous years, Joan decided to try to befriend the recalcitrant Craig Taylor. “Deb, give Mr. and Mrs. Taylor time to settle in.” Then turning her attention to the Taylors, Joan decided to continue the tour. “John, with your permission, allow me to show the Taylors the rest of the house and gardens.” John nodded then went to tend to their other guests.

“This is the sun porch.” Joan stated the obvious. “It also doubles as a family room and Justin’s studio.” Joan pointed to the paintings up in the rafters attached to the unique pulley system Justin and John had devised.

“This is amazing,” Susan commented. “Justin must never want to leave. All this light and then he lifts them out of the way, very ingenious.” Craig had to agree with Susan’s assessment. “Oh Craig, look at the chandelier. It must look like diamonds when lit.”

“I have to admit, when I first saw it, I thought it a huge extravagance. I always thought it Christian to lead a conservative life. But I have been privileged to be invited to family dinners and sitting here, under the chandelier when lit, is quite spectacular.” They all admired the crystal chandelier then Joan continued the tour.

“This end of the cottage is John and Bobby’s home and of course, dear little Patrick.” Joan led Craig and Susan through the door that entered into the kitchen area. “As I understand it, this cottage stood on Claire Anderson’s farm for over one hundred years. She used to rent it out as a summer cottage. When John and Bobby had their commitment ceremony, the boys moved into it. One summer the two families decided to join the two homes. John is very clever, don’t you think?”

Joan led the couple through the cottage then out the front door which opened out onto the path to the gardens, Wendy house and down to the stream.

“Down that way is the path to the stream.” Joan pointed toward the tree line.

“Is that a playhouse?” Craig asked as he noticed the small yellow house.

“I believe it’s called a Wendy house. The children love to play in it. Justin did a wonderful mural on the walls. Would you like to see it? I think it’s been opened up for the season.” Receiving nods from both of them, Joan led the couple to the Wendy house. The tiny picket fence had a fresh coat of paint and the window boxes were filled with bright annuals. Joan opened the door then stepped back to allow Craig and Susan in.

“My son painted this,” Craig said softly, choking back a sob, suddenly filled with regret.

“Your son is a wonderful artist, Mr. Taylor. I can’t say that I understand all of his artwork. Some of it is too overtly sexual, for my taste. But his landscapes and the portraits of Briana and Gus are breathtaking and so filled with love. Don’t allow your prejudices to get in the way of family. I wasted so much time on hate that I almost missed out watching those beautiful children grow up. Don’t make the same mistakes.”

Craig said nothing but Joan and Susan knew he had heard her words. She had spoken from experience.

“Let me show you through the gardens, we can come back to them later. I’m dying to see the ‘circus’.” They followed Joan through the winding garden paths then through the field to where Emmett had the circus set up. They were amazed as were the other guests at the sight of it all.

 

*****
 

“I can’t believe Craig Taylor is here,” Steve said to his wife. They were sitting in the sun porch drinking some iced tea. Joan had just taken Craig and Susan to the Wendy house. Steve could see them through the windows of the sun porch.

“I can’t either,” Claire replied. “How long has Justin waited for this day to come?”

“Too long.”

“Where are Justin and Brian anyway?”

“I think they went over to the kids’ party to make sure everything was going well there.”

“That makes sense,” Claire said. “I’m sure Bree is holding court.”

“That goes without saying,” Steve agreed with a laugh.

“We should try to have a chat with Craig,” Claire suggested as she watched Craig talking to Joan and Susan on the porch of the Wendy house. “You know, try to make him feel welcome.”

“Are you suggesting that because we’re straight, you think he’ll bond with us?” Steve asked, his tongue in his cheek a la Brian Kinney.

“You are a very bad man,” Claire laughed. “But I do think that we should make the effort, so that he doesn’t feel completely surrounded by gays.”

Steve frowned. “I guess we are the token straights.”

“We’re not the only ones,” Claire reminded him.

“I bet the fact that he was surrounded by fags was Craig’s first thought the moment he walked in,” Steve said thoughtfully.

Claire wasn’t sure why her husband had made that comment. “Do you feel like that when you come here?” Claire asked in surprise.

“Of course I do.”

“I didn’t realize it bothered you,” Claire said getting a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t believe Steve was saying such a thing.

“I never said it bothered me,” Steve told her. “When I come here I know we’ll be in the minority. But it’s never stopped me from coming. And most of the time I like it much better here than … at your church, for example.”

Claire stared at her husband in disbelief, and then she burst out laughing. “You know, sometimes I have to agree with you, especially when Ruth Gorton accosts me at the church door.”

“See what I mean,” Steve smiled.

“I certainly do,” Claire replied leaning over to kiss her husband.

 

*****
 

Bree was sitting atop a pony. She looked like the little princess she was, clad in a frothy pink dress that was specially chosen for this day. It billowed out around her as she sat in the saddle atop the little pony.

“I should have put her in overalls,” Brian griped. “I forgot about the fucking horses.”

“They’re ponies,” Justin reminded his husband.

“Whatever.”

“The dress will be fine.”

“It’ll smell like horse.”

Justin chuckled. “It can be laundered or dry cleaned. It’ll be okay.”

“If you say so,” Brian replied leaning over to kiss Justin’s cheek.

“Look at me, Dada, Daddy,” Bree called as the wrangler led her around the small ring they had set up for the ponies. She giggled with delight as she bounced along on the back of the pony.

“We see ya, Squirt,” Brian called back. Bree waved and the short trip around the ring continued. JR was on the pony behind Bree and some other child that Brian and Justin didn’t really know was on the third pony. Most of the other kids were lined up to get their turn on the ponies.

“It’s time to get off, Bree, and give the other kids a chance to ride,” Justin called.

Bree gave him the proverbial Kinney glare, but then she looked at the other kids waiting eagerly to ride. She remembered that her Daddy had told her that she was the hostess for today and needed to put her guests first.

“She’s going to throw a tantrum,” Brian whispered to Justin.

“I don’t think so,” Justin told him.

“I’m done,” Bree said calmly. “I share.”

Brian and Justin smiled at her and she beamed back knowing she had done the right thing. The wrangler helped her down and then helped another child onto the pony. Bree ran over to her fathers.

“Can I get a pony of my own, Dada?” Bree asked as she stopped in front of her fathers.

JR followed Bree and stood behind her waiting for her uncles to answer their daughter. She wondered if Bree would get the pony. The little girl seemed to get whatever she wanted. JR stood silently watching the two men.

Brian let out a groan. He knew that he was tempted to say yes. But he also knew that Justin would not be pleased with that answer. And it probably wouldn’t be the best thing for his daughter to give in to her every wish. “I don’t think so, Squirt,” Brian said carefully. Then he held his breath, waiting for her reaction.

Clouds of anger and disappointment swept across Bree’s face. Brian was sure she was going to blow any second.

“Maybe we could look into some riding lessons for Bree,” Justin suggested. “Then she could see how much she really likes horses.”

Brian smiled affectionately at his husband. “That sounds like a plan. What do you say, Squirt? Maybe JR could take lessons with you, if she’d like to,” Brian suggested.

“Oh, I’d really like to do that,” JR replied.

Bree looked from her fathers to JR and back to her fathers. The black clouds disappeared from her eyes. “’Kay, Daddy, Dada. Come play in the castle,” she said to JR. She grabbed JR’s hand and pulled her towards the inflatable castle full of plastic balls.

“I think we dodged a bullet,” Brian said.

“Yeah, I thought for a minute you were going to say she could have a pony,” Justin chided gently.

“Moi? Never.”

“You know you wanted to.”

“Okay, so you’re right. I was tempted.”

“But you stood firm. That was great.”

“You mean I actually did something right?”

“You always do something right, dear,” Justin replied in his best June Cleaver voice.

“Twat,” Brian grinned. “I’m going to make you eat that remark.”

“There’s something else I’d rather eat,” Justin said batting his eyes at Brian.

Brian’s groan carried all the way across the pony ring. It was a good thing that their guests didn’t know the cause of that groan.

A mousy little man stood near Brian and Justin as they watched Bree climb into the inflatable castle and slide into the balls. Her pink dress was over her head and she was laughing uncontrollably with JR.

“It’s a good thing I put tights on her,” Justin joked. “Her dress has been over her head more today than Emmett’s legs are over his.” They both chuckled at the joke about their friend.

The little man bucked up his courage and said, “Um … Mr. Kinney, Mr. Taylor, may I speak with you?”

Brian and Justin turned and looked at what stood before them. Justin thought they had been introduced to the man when he arrived, but he couldn’t remember his name. Brian knew this was someone that he would never pay any attention to in his world. “Certainly, what can we do for you?” Justin asked.

“I … I was wondering how you prevented your daughter from having a temper tantrum when you told her to get off the pony. My son would have thrown a major fit.”

Brian snorted. “We didn’t prevent a tantrum. I was half expecting one,” he said.

Justin gave Brian a jab in the ribs at that comment. “We talked to Bree about being a good hostess before the party started. We try to make her socially aware,” Justin explained.

“But how do you do that? My son won’t listen to me.”

Brian wanted to tell the man to get a backbone but he held his tongue. “We’ve always taught Briana to share,” he said instead.

The man let out a long sigh. “I wish I could do that with my son. He doesn’t have half the things your daughter does, but he’s always demanding more and more. I’m sure he’ll want a pony after this. That’s him over there.” The man pointed to his son, a snotty looking little boy on a sorrel pony.

“Bree asked for a pony too,” Justin said.

“Yes, I heard, and she didn’t throw a tantrum when you told her she couldn’t have it.”

“But we gave her something more reasonable instead,” Brian added. “Riding lessons.”

“I wish I could do that, because I know what’s coming when I tell Sheldon he can’t have a pony.”

“I could let you know what we’re doing when I arrange lessons for Bree,” Brian suggested.

“It’s not that I can’t find a place for lessons; I can’t afford them,” the man stated dejectedly. “I … I lost my job. The company I worked for has closed down. I haven’t been able to find anything else, and things are getting pretty tight.”

”What do you do?” Justin asked.

“I’m an accountant. I’ve been thinking about opening my own business, but tax time is over and that’s when I would be most in demand. The money from doing tax returns for friends and acquaintances is the only thing keeping us going at the moment.”

“If you told your son about your circumstances, wouldn’t he understand?” Justin asked.

“Oh, I don’t want him to worry. I haven’t told him anything. He just thinks I’m working from home.”

“Kids understand honesty,” Brian stated. “I think you should tell him. We’ve always been very honest with Bree.”

“She seems like a beautiful child and this party is wonderful. Sheldon will want one just like it.”

“Then you need to sit him down and tell him what’s going on. Otherwise he’ll just think you’re being mean,” Brian told him.

“Okay, maybe I could try that.”

”I think you should, Mr….” Justin began.

“Harmon. I’ll try it,” the man said looking sadly at his son.

“Mr. Harmon, here’s my card. I have an ad agency, Kinnetik Part Deux, in Harrisburg. They happen to need an accountant. Give them a call. I’ll tell them I told you to see them.”

“Oh my, I never dreamed. Thank you, Mr. Kinney. Thank you so much. I’ll call first thing on Monday.”

“I didn’t say you had the job, but I’ll put in a word on your behalf. I hope you’re good at your job.”

“I’ll do the best job for you, I promise,” Mr. Harmon stated shaking Brian’s hand and then Justin’s. “Thank you, thank you so much.” He hurried away to find his wife.

“That was nice of you, Brian,” Justin told his husband. “Do you really need an accountant at Part Deux?”

“I think we might be able to make a space for him.”

“You are the sweetest man,” Justin said leaning in for a kiss.

“Sh, don’t let anyone hear you say that.”

“Never, my big Smoosh.”

 

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