Summer in the City

Chapter 10

The first full week in New York was coming quickly to an end.  It was Friday night and Gus had plans to spend it at the GLC with Raymond.  Brian and Justin thought it prudent to join Ken and Simon as chaperons.  Planning well in advance, Brian had arranged for tickets to that night’s performance of The Lion King for Bree and Joan.  Brian had made many arrangements for shows geared for their young lady.

“Pop, you’re not planning to embarrass me, are you?” Gus asked as they pulled up in front of the building that housed the local GLC.  Brian paid for the cab then raised an eyebrow at his son.  Gus was dressed smartly, but not too fancy.  His jeans hugged him in all the right places.  Brian was not sure how he felt about that.

“And how am I planning to do that?”  Brian looked down at his own attire which was casual, neat, and with Brian’s usual subdued sensuality.  He glanced at Justin who remained delicious in his t-shirt and cargo pants.  Justin shrugged.

“Pop, you know.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”  Before they entered the GLC, Gus took his dad aside.

“Dad, you’re gonna be the best looking guy in here.  If you start flirting I won’t stand a chance,” Gus tried to explain.

“First of all, I don’t flirt.  Second, if I did flirt, I most certainly would not do it with children,” Brian growled, scowling at his son.  “There’s a name for men like that and I’m not one of them.  And lastly, unless you want us to take you back to the hotel, you won’t be doing any serious flirting yourself.  You’re only sixteen...”

Gus attempted to remind his father that he was going to turn seventeen in a few months.

“Don’t even try that one on me, Sonny Boy.  Gus, you’re a guest here, remember?  So behave yourself.  And remember what I said about broken hearts.”  Brian gave his son a most parental type look and Gus nodded.

“Okay, Pop.  I’ll behave.”  Brian arched a brow.  “I promise.”  Brian nodded and the three of them went in to join the festivities.

The GLC was one place that gay couples could openly display affection without ridicule.  There were many such couples who had accompanied their teens to the dance.  Brian, Justin, Ken and Simon were amongst good company.

The NYGLC also promoted the diverse talents of the younger members similar to the Pittsburgh GLC with their art show.  Justin was drawn to the art display that was off to one side. 

“Justin Taylor?”  A rather matronly looking woman with short grey hair addressed Justin as he looked over the paintings and sketches.  “You are Justin Taylor, aren’t you?  I’ve been privileged to attend several of your openings and shows.  Is this business or pleasure?”

“I’m sorry?” Justin replied, unsure of what the woman was asking.

“Your visit to our center, are you here in an official capacity relating to our art exhibit?  Your reputation for supporting young artists is well known.  However, you appear to be just as young as the kids you support.” 

“Looks can be deceiving.  But in answer to your question, my partner is spending time here in New York on business.  We decided to bring our children.  My partner’s son is here with a friend of his.  Raymond Mann-Greene...”

“I know Ray and his fathers.  A very sweet boy and so is his brother Jeffrey.  Jeffrey has joined a local amateur theater group sponsored by the GLC.  Their fathers are wonderful examples of a stable same sex couple home.  How do you know them?”

Justin walked through the exhibit, drawn to some of the artwork that was obviously influenced by comic books and more specifically, Rage.

“We met them a couple of years ago while we were on our second honeymoon.”  Justin blushed slightly at the memories of Gay Days, the toys they bought and played with.  “Ken and Simon were on their second honeymoon too.  My partner’s company has a branch office in their building,” Justin said proudly.

“Kinnetik N’rgy, yes, I know it well.  Stacey and Ken have done some promotional work for us, gratis.  We couldn’t afford the advertising costs without their help.  Although I hope I haven’t gotten anyone in trouble.”

“No, of course not, Ms....”

“Oh, how rude of me, Barbara Carter.  I’m on the executive committee here.  We encourage the youngsters to come here on Fridays.  It provides them a safe place to hang out, meet and find friends.  We also encourage the siblings, gay or straight.  We have a branch of PFLAG that meets here monthly.  Straight family members are encouraged to speak out and express their concerns.  Are you and your partner a member of the Pittsburgh GLC?”

Justin had moved onto a painting that reminded him of the Spring portion of his new show.  It was awash with bright colors and flowing lines.

“We are, although we don’t live in the city, so we’re not there on a regular basis.  Gus, my partner’s son, and his moms attend functions there.  Since we’re going to be in New York for about a month, we were hoping Gus could spend time here.”

“He’s most welcome, as are you and your partner.  I take it you’re here as chaperons?”  Barbara had a glint in her eyes.

“Teenaged boys are the same everywhere you go, gay or straight.  Yes, we decided to be chaperons.  I remember all too well what it was like at that age.”

Justin and Barbara laughed.  “I raised a couple of kids; why do you think my hair is all grey,” Barbara quipped.

“Gus is a great kid.  I was there the night he was born, although my partner would have you believe that we have to lock up our kids until they’re at least thirty.  It’s different somehow nowadays.  I don’t know why but it is.  We fought so hard to be able to be what we are.  I had the GLC, although I probably found out about it too late.  My partner is older than me; he had to learn things the hard way.”

“And now we, gay parents of gay children, are afraid that our children feel too free to ‘find themselves’.”

“Yes, silly isn’t it.  We fought hard so that our kids could feel secure and we’re afraid.  Why is that?”

“It’s called parenthood.  There isn’t a parent in the world that doesn’t feel the same way.  We have to hope that we’ve set a good example for our children and let them know we love them without reservation.”  Justin nodded.  “Now do tell, what potential does the famous artist Justin Taylor see in our kids?” 

Justin smiled brightly and then retook the tour with Barbara.

“You avoiding me, Kinney?”  Brian was sipping a coffee while trying hard not to glare down some of the older boys as they cruised his son.  He felt Simon’s large paw on his shoulder.

“Not intentionally.”

“Gus speak to you?”

“Yeah, he did.  Look, Simon...”

“Easy there, pardner.  They’re boys.”

“Worse,” Brian said shaking his head.  “They’re gay boys and you know just as well as I do what that means.”

“But they’re not us, Brian.  I know you had a rep, and so did I.  And I so wish my boys were older so I don’t need to have a say in how they conduct themselves, but they’re not.  All we can do is be there and advise them.  We’re damn lucky our kids can come to us to talk.  Our parents didn’t understand, but we do.”

“I don’t want them to get hurt,” Brian said softly.

“Nothing is going to prevent that from happening; it’s a part of growing up.  You think you’re in love until someone new comes along.” 

Brian sighed dramatically and Simon chuckled.

“You’ve been hanging around your friend Emmett too much.”  Simon clapped Brian on the back.  “Come on; let me buy you a fresh cup of coffee.  Brian, it will work out, besides, it was just a kiss.”

“A kiss is never just a kiss,” Brian retorted as he followed Simon toward the coffee.  

*****

“Justin,” Gus said as he came over to where Justin was standing beside the snack table.  “See that guy over there?”

“Huh?  Which one?” Justin asked following Gus’ not so subtle finger point.

“The guy with dark brown hair.”

“Yeah, I see him.  You interested?”

“Nah, but I might have been if he wasn’t so interested in you.”

“In me?” Justin asked, looking at the young man who seemed to be staring at him, now that he paid some attention.

“He’s definitely interested.”

“He can’t be,” Justin protested.

“Oh yeah, he definitely is.”

“Gus…”

“It’s okay, Justin.  I guess you and Pop have still got it.”

“Well, your father does,” Justin chuckled.

“Go dance with the old guy.  You’ll have the teeny boppers drooling,” Gus told him.

“We didn’t come here to dance.”

“I know.  You came here to keep an eye on me and Ray.”

“Where’s Ray?”

“Expanding his horizons.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s dancing with some guy over there,” Gus said pointing out Ray and a guy with dirty blond hair.  “It’s okay though.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, go get Pop.”

Justin sauntered over to his husband.  He couldn’t help a furtive look over his shoulder at the young man who continued to stare at him.

“Hey,” he said to Brian who was still talking with Simon.

“Hey, yourself,” Brian smiled.

“Wanna dance, big guy?”

“Huh?”

“You know, you, me, together on the dance floor, hips moving, swaying together,” Justin explained.

“I know what dancing is, twat.  What I don’t understand is why you want to do it in front of … teenagers.  This isn’t Babylon,” Brian protested.

“I didn’t ask you to do what we do at Babylon.  I just asked you to dance.”

“I thought we were supposed to be chaperons, not dancers.”

“Can’t we be both?”

Brian sighed.  “I’m not sure I’m up on the latest dances,” Brian said with a frown.  He stared at the gyrating bodies on the dance floor.

“I’ll make you look good,” Justin chuckled.

“You always do,” Brian said with a fond smile.

“Got that right.  Come on,” Justin said tugging on Brian’s arm.

“Go ahead, Brian.  I’ll keep an eye on the boys,” Simon told his friend.

Brian let himself be drawn out onto the floor by his husband.  They began gyrating to the music with Justin taking the lead in their dance and keeping it something fit for impressionable teens to view.  Brian stared into the blue eyes that he loved.  He let the music and his lover take him away, as only Justin could.  They were oblivious to all the eyes locked on their performance.  Many of the young men and a lot of the young ladies who were present were watching them.  They made such a striking pair.

When the song ended, Brian leaned down and kissed Justin’s cheek.  “I think we still have it,” Brian laughed, as he noticed all the eyes that were upon them.

“Guess so,” Justin giggled.  “I still love dancing with you, my big Smoosh.”

“Capital ‘S’?”

“Most assuredly.”

“Ahem, excuse me,” said a voice from behind Brian.  “Could I have this dance?”

Brian turned to look into the eyes of a very attractive Hispanic boy.  “I think you’re a little young for me,” Brian said trying to get out of the situation as easily and quickly as he could.

“Please,” the boy begged.

“Go ahead, Brian.  Make his day,” Justin whispered.

“Thanks a heap,” Brian griped as he started to sway to the music with his new partner.  The boy’s grin lit up the hall.

“That means you can dance with me,” said a voice to Justin.

“What?”  Justin turned to look at the dark haired boy who had been staring at him earlier.

“Dance with me,” the boy said.

“Um … I don’t think so.”

“Please.”

“Um … well, okay,” Justin gave in not wanting to hurt the boy’s feelings.  “One dance.”

“My name’s Joel.”

“Hello, Joel,” Justin said with a little smile as he let the music work its magic.

“What’s your name?”

“Justin.”

“Joel and Justin.  That has a nice ring to it.”

“What?  There is no Joel and Justin.  This is one dance,” Justin stated.  He looked over his shoulder where Brian was dancing in his inimitable style with the boy who had commandeered him.

“You’re a really good dancer,” Joel said.

“Thanks,” Justin replied praying that this was a short song that would soon be over.

“You looking for a good time?” the kid asked.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Propositioning you.”

“I didn’t think that kind of thing was allowed at the GLC.”

“It isn’t, but what they don’t know won’t hurt them,” Joel grinned.

“How old are you?”

“Seventeen.”

“How did you get to be so bold?” Justin asked.

“I go after what I want.”

Justin shuddered.  This boy sounded so much like him when he had gone after Brian Kinney all those years ago.  “I’m not available,” Justin declared.  He wanted to make that eminently clear to this young man.

“I don’t want much … just a one night stand.”

“They’re not all they’re cracked up to be,” Justin said trying to send out a warning.

“I’ve had a couple.”

“You have?”

“Yeah, they can be really exciting.”

“Are you … careful?”

“Of course.  We’d be really good together.  I can tell.”

The music stopped and Justin breathed a sigh of relief.  “It was … nice meeting you, Joel, but I think you have the wrong idea where I’m concerned.  I’m an old married man.”

“Not so old,” Joel grinned.

Brian stepped up behind Justin.  He had finished his dance with his teenage partner.  He wrapped his arms around Justin’s shoulders and pulled him back against his body.  “I need a drink,” Brian said looking from his husband to the teenage boy.

“I could use one too.  Thanks for the dance,” Justin said as he took Brian’s hand and walked away toward the refreshment table.  “Thanks for the rescue.”

“What the fuck did that kid think he was doing?” Brian demanded.

“He was looking for a one night stand.”

Brian nearly spewed the soda he had taken a drink of.  “Fuck!  I should go set him straight right now.”

“Leave him alone, Brian.  I handled it.  Besides, he reminded me a lot of … me!”

“That’s even more reason I need to go set him straight,” Brian stated as he turned to glare at the boy who was still eyeing Justin.

Justin giggled.  “Not everyone is as tenacious as I was.”

“Thank the gods.”

Justin stood on his tiptoes to kiss Brian’s cheek.  “I love you, and you have nothing to worry about,” he said with that husky voice that made Brian all warm inside.

“I may have something else to worry about.  Look at that.”

Justin turned to view Gus dancing with a redhead who was wrapped all around Gus’ lithe body.  They were certainly turning up the heat in the room.

“Remind you of anyone?” Justin asked.

“Too much.”

“He’s just having a good time, Brian.  There’s no backroom here.”

“Fuck!  Did you have to say that?”

Justin chuckled.  “He’s growing up.  You’ve got to cut him some slack.”

“Says who?”

“Your wise and caring partner.”

Brian hesitated.  He had been about to go out on the dance floor and place his arm between the two boys, the way he had done years ago when Justin was dancing too close with someone who wasn’t Brian.

“You sure?” Brian asked.

“Gus is a good kid.  Let him experience life.  You don’t want him doing this in a back alley somewhere, do you?”

“No, but…”

“There’s no but.  Leave him alone.  Come and dance with me again.”

“I…”

“Come on.  I’ll take your mind off Gus,” Justin said batting his eyelashes.

Brian groaned.  “When is this fucking dance over?”

“Soon.  Come on.”

Justin led his husband back to the dance floor.  They danced together seeing only each other.  Justin knew Joel was watching him, but he also knew that what he and Brian had was far more important and more satisfying than anything the youngster had to offer.  He smiled up at Brian knowing he had everything he could ever want right there in front of him.  He hoped Joel would find that someday too.

*****

When they left the GLC a short while later, Gus had the number of the boy he had been dancing with.  Raymond had connected with his dance partner too.  The two boys were excited and happy.

As the Kinney-Taylors got into their vehicle, Justin glanced up the street and saw Joel standing outside the front door of the GLC staring at him.  He gave a little wave and a smile.  Joel shook his head and walked away.

“You’re not encouraging him, are you?” Brian asked.

“No, just telling him that he’s worth something in this world.  He doesn’t need to be looking for one night stands,” Justin replied.

Brian smiled and kissed his husband hard.  “I’m going to take you home and fuck the most popular guy at the dance,” Brian whispered in Justin’s ear.  The words and the warm breath made Justin shiver with anticipation.

Gus watched them and knew that one night stands might be something in his future, but what he really wanted was exactly what his father and Justin had.

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