Springtime for Justin

Chapter 5

Bree woke up slightly disoriented. She knew it was Monday and that she had to get ready for school. Her class was preparing for a Spring pageant so she wanted to get there on time. Bree was hoping to be picked to play the bunny or maybe the frog. She giggled at the thought.

Bree realized she wasn't in her room; she had spent the night with Patrick. That in itself wasn't strange but they usually slept in her room. Her stuffed grey bunny wasn't there nor her large stuffed frog. Only Patrick, who was smiling at her with a toothy grin. He had lost another front tooth a week ago.

"Why am I here?" Bree asked.

"I dunno. You fell asleep here," Patrick explained.

"Oh. Where's my Daddy and Dada?"

"Prolly on your side. My dads are making breakfast."

"Waffles?" Bree asked hopefully.

"I think so." A knock on the door announced John.

"Up, sleepy-heads! You have just enough time to get dressed and eat. Let's hustle," John instructed.

"Okay, Dad!" Patrick said as he jumped out of bed and scrambled for his clothes.

Bree climbed out of Patrick's bed to go back to her side to get her clothes.

"Unca John, are my dads awake?"

"I'm not sure, sweetheart. But don't worry, you can have breakfast with us then Uncle Bobby will take you both to school."

"But what about my hair? My Dada does it just right." Bree gave her uncle an exasperated look. John squatted down to be eye to eye with his very particular niece.

"With your permission, I'll give it a try. I've watched your Dada do your hair lots of times."

Bree studied her uncle's face. It was almost identical to her Dada's. She reached out her tiny hand to touch John's cheek, the laugh lines around his eyes and the wisps of grey at his temple. Bree smiled coyly then nodded her permission. John stood up to let Bree pass so she could go get dressed.

"That child has you wrapped around her pinky," Bobby commented as he passed by Patrick's room to see what the hold up was.

"She has us all wrapped around her pinky, including you, and you know it."

"Guilty as charged. I'm afraid we're all guilty of spoiling her."

"Are we really? Spoiling her, I mean."

"Maybe, but she's not a brat or mean or vindictive. She just knows how to work a room," Bobby explained and John laughed out loud.

"You make it sound so sordid."

"Well, she does have your brother for a father."

"And Justin for a daddy. Both of them certainly know how to work their assets."

"I rest my case!" Bobby exclaimed as they went to get breakfast on the table.

 

*****
 

"Sidney? When did you get back?" Lindsay asked her employer and mentor.

"Last night, and believe me the Windy City is aptly named. I didn't think we'd ever get off the ground in one piece. My stomach has yet to recover. Now, tell me, has our wonder boy sent in his new canvases?"

"The winter-scapes arrived last week. I'm expecting 'Spring' in a day or two."

"Wonderful! Right on schedule."

"Sidney, you know Justin paints from his heart. You can't expect him to crank out paintings on a conveyor belt. His inspirations are very personal."

"Yes, I know. We've sold hundreds of 'inspirations' right here in Pittsburgh," Sidney said with a touch of snark in his voice.

"Oh, Sidney," Lindsay giggled. "He can't help it; you know that. And you have to admit the subject matter is beautiful as well as erotic."

"Yes, well, it is true. I have never known art patrons so passionate about obtaining a portrait of an ordinary man."

"Sid, there's nothing ordinary about Brian Kinney."

"True, very true."

"How do the 'Old Masters' look in their new gallery?"

"Magnificent. He's commandeered a whole wing. Each canvas is spaced out as if in a huge museum. I can't think of another living artist who is so well received. I must have him be at the gala opening."

"When is it set for?"

"The fifteenth."

"Of April?" Lindsay asked in a slight panic. She was completely unaware of Bree's birthday party plans. However, Lindsay was rather astute. Knowing Brian and Justin, they'd choose that weekend for Bree's fifth birthday party.

"Did you discuss this with Justin?"

"Of course I did," Sidney replied sharply then sighed. "Yes, I know, Briana's birthday. Lindsay, my dear, it's important to keep Justin in the public eye."

"He is in the public eye. If not for his art then for his charitable good works. And you know he's in demand at many of the art schools. They all want a piece of him. But his family comes first."

"Yes, yes. He's made that abundantly clear. But his successes are our successes. He always promotes new artists when we put together a show. Justin Taylor brings the patron through the door then his fellow artists reap the benefits. Encourage him, my dear. See if there isn't any way he can make that opening."

Lindsay nodded. It was true. Justin's fans flocked to the galleries especially when a new collection was announced. And then other up and coming artists, including ones like Lacy, reaped the benefits, as Sidney put it. Lindsay decided that maybe she'd speak with Brian.

 

*****
 

"Hey," Brian murmured softly to gently wake his spouse.

"Hey. What time is it?"

"Early."

"Bree?"

"Almost ready to leave for school."

"Ugh, everything hurts," Justin whined as he attempted to move from under his warm nest of blankets.

"Don't be in such a rush. Bree will come in to say goodbye."

"I have to pack up 'Spring' to send to Sidney."

"Let me handle it."

"You? Since when do you do anything so menial?"

"What are you talking about? I can do menial if I want. Besides, there's nothing menial about your paintings. When does the truck get here?"

"About two."

"Plenty of time. I've watched you do this lots of times. How hard can it be?"

"Brian..." Justin was about to warn him.

"Jus, I have helped you pack up your paintings in the past and if I run into a problem, I'll come and get you. And I don't think John is going anywhere today. He's the real tool belt man around here. He'll help me."

Before Justin could respond, Bree knocked then burst into their room.

"Daddy! Dada!" their little girl squealed. "I slept in Patrick's bed and I had waffles and Unca John did my hair and Unca Bobby is taking us to school. Why you two are sleepy-heads?"

"How does she do that without taking a breath?" Brian observed with a smirk. "She's definitely your daughter." Justin rolled his eyes.

"I had a sneezy nose last night. That's why we're sleepy-heads," Justin explained.

Out from the hall, they heard Bobby call out, "Hey, little miss, time to go!"

"Okay, Unca Bobby," Bree screeched. She kissed her dads then went to the bedroom door.

"Dada, Unca John did my hair. How do I look?"

"Beautiful, Squirt," Brian stated with a sigh only Justin could hear.

"Unca John did good, but you do my hair the bestest, Dada! Later!" Bree said as she ran out.

Brian stared at the empty expanse that once held his daughter then he flopped back onto the bed, his arm across his eyes, hiding them from his partner. Justin silently watched as his spouse was trying to get his runaway emotions under control.

"Brian, let's get washed up and have some breakfast. We can tackle the crates together," Justin said gently, taking Brian's hand to lead him to their bathroom.

 

*****
 

"Michael?" Lacy called as she entered the comic book store.

Michael popped out from behind a rack of comic books. "Hey."

"Is it here yet?"

Michael laughed. "I told you they said it would be Wednesday or Thursday."

"Oh," Lacy sighed. "I just thought maybe they might have come early."

"Be patient, grasshopper," Michael told her quoting one of the things Brian used to say.

"I'm trying, but my stomach's been churning and I can't sleep."

"It will be fine. Calm down."

"From your mouth to God's ear," Lacy said. "I'm so worried that the comic fans aren't going to like my work."

"You have nothing to worry about. The issue is going to look great. I mean it," Michael said laying a reassuring hand on Lacy's shoulder. "Trust me."

"I just want it to be over."

"I'll call you as soon as I get the order."

"Please do. I need to see it. It has to be real, and then I can wait for the reaction."

"I hate to disappoint you," Michael said slowly, "but I don't think there will be a reaction. Your work and Justin's fit together seamlessly."

Lacy smiled a little tentatively. "You really think so?"

"I've told you that ever since we started working together."

"I guess I just need to hear that every once in awhile."

"I'll remember that," Michael chuckled. He would have to compliment Lacy as often as he could. She still seemed to need reassurance about how good her artwork was. And she really was very good. "Now get out of here. Go to school or work or wherever you're supposed to be."

"School," she laughed. "I just finished a breakfast shift at the diner."

"Good, now shoo, begone."

"Yes, partner," she said with a wink as she headed for the door. Her hand on the door handle, she paused. "You will call me as soon as Rage comes in?"

Michael shook his head and chuckled. "I'll call," he promised.

Lacy smiled and left the store. Michael sighed. Working with youngsters was never easy. He had learned that from Justin.

 

*****
 

Craig and Susan were having an early lunch at a restaurant that Craig liked. He had often taken Jennifer there when they were married. He still went there every once in a while. Now it was Susan who accompanied him. She had called and asked to have lunch to discuss what they might do for their upcoming anniversary. They would be married for eight years in a few weeks. Susan wanted to go away for a vacation somewhere.

That's what they were discussing when Craig looked up to see Jennifer and Seth enter the restaurant. "Fuck," he muttered.

"What? You don't like the idea of Hawaii?" Susan asked.

"No, no, Hawaii's fine. Do whatever you want. I just saw Jennifer and Seth Harris come in."

"Oh, we should go over and say hi," Susan said looking around. Jennifer and Seth were being seated on the opposite side of the restaurant.

"I don't think so," Craig said imperiously.

"Why not? We went to their engagement party."

Craig snorted derisively. "I wanted to see how big of fools they would make of themselves, and they didn't let me down."

"I thought the party was lovely," Susan contradicted.

"Could we talk about something else?"

"So, Hawaii's okay with you?"

"Sure, get some prices and we can see about booking it," Craig said dismissively. His eyes were glued on his ex-wife and her fiancé. They looked so happy. Fucking holding hands across the table.

"Okay, I'll do that," Susan said with a smile.

"Look at them! You'd think they were teenagers."

"Who? Oh, Jennifer and Seth. I think they're cute, but I thought you didn't want to talk about them."

"I don't."

"Then why don't you stop staring at them and quit telling me what they're doing?" she asked with a sigh.

Craig scowled. "Are you done eating? Let's get out of here."

"Yeah, anything to keep peace in the family," Susan sighed gathering up her travel brochures while Craig paid the bill.

As they walked to the entrance of the restaurant, Jennifer looked up and saw them. She smiled and waved. Susan took Craig's arm and propelled him towards Jennifer.

"Hello, Jennifer, Seth," Susan said pleasantly. "Hope you're having a nice lunch."

"Don't know yet," Seth chuckled. "We just ordered."

"Oh," Susan laughed. "Then I hope it's good when you get it."

"Thanks."

"It was a lovely party the other night, wasn't it, Craig?"

"Yeah, lovely."

"Thank you," Jennifer replied. "I really enjoyed it." She smiled over at Seth.

Seth clasped Jennifer's hand and gave it a squeeze. "It was one of the best parties I've ever been to," he said. "Because you were there with me." He looked into Jennifer's eyes, receiving one of those blazing Taylor smiles in return.

"We need to go," Craig said hastily. He took Susan's arm and propelled her towards the door.

"Bye," Susan called over her shoulder.

"What was that all about?" Seth asked.

"I don't think Craig likes seeing us together," Jennifer laughed gently. "Poor man."

"Well, he better get used to it, because he's going to be seeing a lot more of it in the future."

"I'm counting on it," Jennifer said with another beautiful smile.

 

*****
 

"Last one!" Brian crowed proudly as he precisely labeled the last of the crated paintings.

"Thank you," Justin said breathlessly. "I really did need the help." His 'cold' appeared better after breakfast but now he was getting a headache and his runny nose was coming back.

Brian had thrown open the sun porch doors while they were working. The Spring sun was blazing, the sky clear and blue and a cool breeze was wafting the scent of Spring flowers through the cottage. Brian loved days like these, not too hot, not too cold, great 'gar-gar' weather.

"Bri, I think I'm going to make some tea and lay down for a while. Call me when the truck gets here?"

"You sure you're okay?" Brian asked with concern.

"I'm fine, just winded. After my nap, I'll make some lunch. I have some ideas for Summer that I want to sketch out."

Brian nodded then watched his partner walk into the main cottage. They had about an hour before the truck was scheduled to arrive, so Brian went up to his office to make a few calls.

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