Springtime for Justin

Chapter 6

Curtis was waiting on the steps of his school for Hunter to pick him up. The weather was becoming warmer. Curtis planned on asking to be allowed to walk back to the center which wasn't that far away. Knowing that the traffic could sometimes delay Hunter, Curtis made himself as comfortable as he could on the cool steps, pulled a textbook out of his pack and began to study.

"There's that homeless kid," the school's loudmouth bully said to his followers.

"Yeah, I thought homeless homey's went to special schools," another equally ignorant and annoying boy bellowed.

Curtis tried to make himself small, as he did his best to ignore the insults and not respond to them. He knew from experience that anything that he might say would get him beat up.

"I heard the cops are out to get him," the head bully crowed.

"Hey, maybe there's a reward if we turn him in," another boy taunted as he pulled out his cellphone pretending to call the police. "Police? Yeah, I wanna report a criminal hanging around the school. Yeah, he's a baaad influence on me." The kids began to laugh louder as they started to surround Curtis who was huddled up against the stone wall.

"Well, what do we have here?" Sergeant McGinty said out loud and with a decided snarl.

"Looks like a case of harassment to me, Sarge," Officer Rodgers responded.

"Mr. Samuels, are these gentlemen giving you a hard time? The police department takes a dim view at one of our special deputies being harassed. You just say the word, Mr. Samuels, and we'll arrest these boys. I'd say we have a good case. What do you think, Rodgers?"

"Well, Sarge." Rodgers made a show of taking out his notepad. "Let's see, we have harassment of a special deputy...."

"That's one," McGinty verified.

"I'd say loitering in the first degree..."

"That's two."

"Oh, and that especially heinous crime, what is that one again?" Rodgers flipped over a few pages. "Here it is, 18-12, can't forget 18-12. That one has a jail sentence of twenty-five years. You boys will be, wow, forty, by the time you see the sun again."

The bullies all gasped and began to back away from Curtis. Hunter pulled up in front of the school. Resisting the urge to run up and get Curtis out of there, he approached the crowd with his old street-wise swagger.

"Do we have a problem here?" Hunter growled. Even though Hunter was not that much taller than the tallest kid, his tough scruffy appearance and attitude made him appear eight feet tall.

"No problem, Hunter-man," Curtis said as he extricated himself and walked down the steps with as much dignity as he could muster. "These boys were just leaving, right?" Curtis gave them a glare worthy of Rage.

"Yeah, yeah, we're gone, man. Gone!" The kids ran away.

"Thank you, Sergeant McGinty. I was just reading my book…" Curtis tried to explain.

"No need to explain. This is part of our beat," Sergeant McGinty explained.

"Yeah, every year there's a new bully who tries to be top dog. We make ourselves visible to prevent any trouble," Rodgers stated.

"That law, 18-12, it sounds really bad," Curtis said all wide-eyed.

"Yeah, we know but it's for littering," the Sergeant responded and they all laughed. The Sergeant slipped his card into Curtis' hand. "You call us if you have any more trouble. Okay, kid?"

"Yes, sir, and thank you, sir!" Curtis answered as they all shook hands. The cops watched as Hunter and Curtis drove off then continued their patrol.

 

*****
 

"Brian, are you free tomorrow? I'd like to drive into Pittsburgh to check out that building Hunter's interested in," John inquired. "Scope out the neighborhood, if you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I hear you. Just as long as Justin doesn't need anything, I'm free. Maybe we can stop by Emmett's to confirm the party plans."

"Sounds good to me. Listen Brian, Bobby and I are not nearly as well off as you and Justin but we're no slouches either..."

"John..."

"Hear me out before you assume and jump down my throat." John gave his brother the Kinney glare. "Bobby tells me the Jason Kemp Center is set for life and it has enough back-up funds to take on ownership of a fairly large building all by itself. But it shouldn't have to. Bobby and I would like to spearhead this project just like you took on the center, theater and bowling alley."

"John, that isn't necessary..."

"I think it is necessary. You and Justin are always giving, always going above and beyond even though the world knows little of what you do. It's about time others in this family followed your example."

"John, you and Bobby are always there for us. You've never let me or this family down, never. Sometimes I think I take advantage of your talents, you and Bobby. I never think Kinnetik pays him enough. He's so damn honest!" Brian grumbled and John chuckled.

"Brian, let's look at the building and the surrounding area. If it's where I think it is, that area is ready for renewal. It'll be exciting to be at the forefront of a project of this magnitude."

"It'll be a lot of work, if I'm reading you right. Maybe some time away from home too, and I know you hate that."

"That's what we have minions for."

"Yeah. Okay. Tomorrow the Pitts..."

"And the day after, the rest of the world." The brothers shared a laugh then went to start dinner.

 

*****
 

"Hey, Matty-girl, how was your day?" Hector said as he and Raph walked through the door of their home. "Find any good dust bunnies to chase?" Matty had developed the habit of greeting her saviors when they arrived home each night. The cat was very affectionate and getting stronger every day. Her fur had grown back sleek and healthy.

"Bet she misses Curtis," Raph commented as he hung up their coats and went to start dinner.

"Probably but I think by the end of the school year, Curtis may decide to give us a try."

"I hope so," Raph said as he felt his lover wrap his arms around his waist. "I'd really like to have Curtis as a son."

"I know you would, angel. And if the powers that be have any common sense, Curtis will become part of our family." Raph turned in his partner's arms to face him. The lovers gently kissed.

"How hungry are you?" Raph murmured.

"Famished, but not for food," Hector purred back.

"Good, cause I have an idea of what I want as an appetizer," Raph said as he led his lover to their bedroom.

 

*****
 

"Bri?" Justin had slept most of the afternoon. He wolfed down his dinner then went straight to his easel. Dozens of photos of last year's garden littered the sun porch floor. The temperature outside had dipped and a cold drizzle was watering the new buds.

"Here, Sunshine," Brian replied as he brought in a tray holding a pot of tea and snacks. Brian recognized the signs of an all night 'paint-a-thon.'

"Thank you, my big Smoosh. You're the sweetest thing," Justin gushed, giving Brian his biggest sunshine smile.

"Let's not get carried away," Brian growled. "Bree, time to check your homework!" Brian called out, effectively changing the subject and making himself scarce.

About an hour later Bobby found Justin sitting on the floor holding a picture of the rose vine that twined around the wooden arbor at their front door.

"Hey, Jus, anything wrong?"

"No, just wishing."

"Wishing?"

"Yeah. Sometimes I wish I didn't have so many allergies. We have such a beautiful garden and half the time I can't appreciate it."

"You don't have to stick your nose in a flower to be able to appreciate its beauty," Bobby said wisely.

"I know, but sometimes, I just wish," Justin said wistfully.

"Maybe that's why you paint landscapes and flowers as well as you do."

"What do you mean?"

"Us ordinary people need to smell the flower to appreciate it. But you, you see it, and feel it within your heart then your hands express it so the others can feel it too. That's a gift I can only wish for."

Justin pondered Bobby's words as Bobby patted his brother-in-law's shoulder then went back to his side of Edna's Treasures. Justin smiled to himself then headed to his easel.

 

*****
 

"Have you given any thought to where we're going to live after we're married?" Seth said out of the blue as they were enjoying a fruit tart at Emmett's place. Jennifer began to choke on a small piece of the confection. Seth quickly smacked her back.

"What?" Jennifer coughed.

"I'll take that as a no."

"Seth, I've barely got my head around my daughter's wedding and our engagement. I haven't had time to think about living arrangements. We haven't even set a date!"

"Maybe we should."

"You said you weren't going to push."

"And I didn't think me asking about something that may or may not happen in a year's time was pushing."

Their conversation was getting louder. Emmett felt the need to intervene.

"Seeeth, Jennifer, I see you're enjoying one of my fruit tarts!"

"Yes, Emmett, they're delicious," Jennifer said dryly as she attempted to get herself under control.

"We came in for dessert, and not to argue in public," Seth added.

"Well, you know, we are on Liberty Avenue. You can't help a bit of drama while you're here," Emmett said cheerfully then he squatted down next to their table to speak confidentially. "But let's not scare away the homos with a hetero argument, shall we? It's bad for business." Emmett stood up and asked, "More coffee?" He smiled sweetly, getting two shocked and embarrassed nods in return.

"I have never been so embarrassed in my whole life," Jennifer said as she and Seth left the bistro and hastily walked to Seth's car. Seth was having difficulty keeping up with the petite blond and she was wearing heels.

"Will you slow down?" Seth said as he jogged up to her.

"Seth, I've known Emmett for damn near seventeen years! I have never been called a 'hetero' in quite that way!"

"Is that so bad?"

"Is what so bad?"

"Being hetero or straight or just plain old in love with whomever you want to love? Wanting to spend the rest of your life with the person you love, is that so bad?"

Jennifer stopped in her tracks and realized how ridiculous she was being. She had spent the better portion of the last seventeen years defending her son's choices, being an active member of PFLAG and the GLC. She had been a member of Molly's PTA, pushing equality and diversity in the schools. Jennifer had forgotten what it was like to be just Jennifer Taylor. Not the mother of the now famous Justin Taylor or the mother-in-law to Owen Brenner, Jr. And by association, a member of Sarah Kingsley's circle of society. Aside from her so-called relationship with Tucker, Jennifer had led a celibate life lately. She might be a woman in her fifties but she was certainly not dead.

And if she didn't get her act together and soon, she might lose the best thing that had ever come into her life besides her children. Taking a page out of her son's book, Jennifer leapt into Seth's arms to plant a toe curling, spine tingling kiss on the lips of the man she loved.

"Aw, isn't that cute," a familiar voice quipped. "Straight people know how to kiss."

"Scary, isn't it," Ted said as he led Allen away and into Emmett's.

Their laughter was the only reason why Jennifer and Seth stopped kissing.

 

*****
 

"Hey, little boy, time for beddy-bye," Brian sing-songed as he strolled into the porch from the sliding glass doors that connected their bedroom to the porch.

"Aw, dad, just a few more minutes, pleeeezzz," Justin whined.

"Now, sonny boy, you know how important going to bed on time is. We wouldn't want to upset your routine," Brian replied in a very fatherly tone.

"But I'm not sleepy!" Justin said in a whiny little boy voice.

"Who said anything about sleeping," Brian said with a husky voice as he turned and strolled back into their room.

"Oh," Justin said with widening eyes. He quickly stowed his canvases out of harm's way then joined his lover in their bed...not to sleep.

 

*****
 

"Curtis, you having trouble sleeping? It is getting crowded in here. Sometimes the spring brings the kids out of the woodwork," Hunter said as he sat at the end of Curtis' bed.

"I don't mind the other kids; they're not so bad."

"No, they're not. They all have stories, some of them like yours. We try to set them on the right path."

"That girl who helped me, Lacy? She was one of your kids?"

"Yes, but I had a lot of help with her."

"Yeah?"

"My friend, Justin, is an artist, so is Lacy. He helped her out a lot. So did Brian and Debbie."

"Debbie, she works at the diner, right?"

"Yup, as did half the kids in this neighborhood. Lacy works there, so did Justin and I worked there for a little while too."

"Wow. Think I can work there sometime?"

"Maybe. But let's concentrate on getting you through this semester at high school first. Then we'll talk about a job. Besides I thought you wanted a real job at the vet clinic."

"You think Dr. Raph will give me a real job?"

"When you're old enough to get working papers, I don't see why not."

"He and Mr. Hector want me to live with them."

"Are you considering it? They're good people."

"Yeah, but I'm not so sure."

"Why, because you're straight and they're not?"

"Kinda. I just never knew someone with two dads or two moms before."

"I know two kids who have both."

"Huh?"

"Brian has a son who lives with his moms. His name is Gus and he'll be seventeen this year. Gus has two sisters, one he lives with and one that lives with his dads."

"I'm confused." Curtis screwed up his eyes making Hunter burst out laughing.

"Yeah, we can be a confusing bunch. Let me arrange a meeting, a lunch meeting at the diner. I'll get the gang together and you'll see how the kids get along with all the dads, moms and the gazillion grandparents we all share. Maybe that'll help you to decide."

"Yeah, I think I'd like that."

"Good, maybe this Saturday, after you guys are done at the vet clinic. Now, time for sleep. You have school in the morning, young man."

Curtis snuggled down under his warm blankets.

"Hunter-man? Why don't you have kids? Seems to me you'd be a great father."

"I have kids; all of you are my kids. That's enough for me." Hunter smiled fondly at Curtis then left the dorm room.


 

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