Summer in the City

Chapter 6

 “I swear I can still smell horse in your car,” Brian griped as he came back into Edna’s Treasures to get another load of their luggage. The back of the SUV was already getting full. He hoped he could cram the rest of their stuff into the remaining space.

Rather than leaving for New York Saturday after the kids’ riding lesson, Brian had a change of plans. When they got back to the cottage, Justin was knee deep in canvas and paint. It was summer outside but the colors of Fall graced the sun porch. A few phone calls later and they were all set for their journey to begin on Sunday morning.

“You and your over-sensitive nose,” Justin laughed as he loaded up Brian with more pieces of luggage.

“Did you smell Bree this morning?” Brian asked.

“I fucking did not,” Justin retorted. “I don’t go around smelling my daughter. It would give her a complex.”

“She still smelled of horse after her bath last night.”

“She did not,” Justin said, adamant that his daughter did not smell at all, except like a little girl, which was how she was supposed to smell. “Maybe it’s your son who smells like horse.”

“Gus has excellent hygiene.”

“And so does Bree.”

“I’m not sure I can stand all those hours in the car with that smell.”

“I’ll get a can of air freshener to take with us,” Justin promised, as he put the last bag on top of the pile Brian was holding. “It can counteract any possible smells.”

“I don’t like the smell of that crap either.”

“Go put those in the car before you drop them,” Justin ordered.

“Hello, happy wanderers,” Emmett called from the open front door. “All ready to go?”

“No!” Brian bellowed.

“Yes,” Justin corrected his mate. “Just some last minute stuff to do and then we’re gone.”

“Make yourself useful, Honeycutt, and give me a hand with these fucking things.”

“Yes, your highness,” Emmett said taking the small bag from the top of the pile Brian was holding and sashaying out to the car, where he waited for Brian to struggle out with the rest of the bags.

“You’re a big help,” Brian told him when he got to the SUV.

“I have my purposes in life and carrying heavy luggage isn’t one of them,” Emmett declared. “Let’s see,” he said surveying the back of the SUV. “If you move these like this, you’ll have room for what you’re carrying.” Emmett quickly made the adjustments and then stowed all the bags that Brian was carrying in the back of the vehicle. He picked up the small bag he had set at his feet and popped it in on top of the other pieces of luggage. “There you go,” he said with a grin as he swiped his hands together very pleased with what he had accomplished.

“Here’s my bag, Pop,” Gus said as he arrived with his duffel. Brian groaned.

“Is this all you’re taking, young man?” Emmett asked the boy.

“If I need anything else, I can borrow from Pop.”

“Ah, that sounds like a plan,” Emmett replied, as he stowed Gus’ bag with the others.

“Yeah, quite the plan,” Brian griped. He was learning to hate major changes in his daily routine and this trip was definitely a big change for the whole family. He ruffled Gus’ hair, feeling like he needed to get his pissy attitude under control before they hit the road.

“Hey, watch the coiffeur, Pop. It takes hours to get just the right disheveled look.”

Brian stared at his son. Gus sounded so much like him when he made that statement. Brian shook his head in disbelief. Gus was definitely growing up. “Go see if your sister and Joan are ready?” Brian ordered.

“Yes, sir,” Gus grinned before running inside to do his father’s bidding.

“So, O Great Ad Exec, you ready for this New York expedition?” Emmett asked Brian.

Brian raised an eyebrow. “Not really,” he admitted.

“What’s the problem?” Emmett asked. He really wanted to know, because he suspected that something wasn’t right with Brian. He had felt that something was a little off for a couple of weeks. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but the bitching about the luggage didn’t seem quite right somehow, although Brian could bitch with the best of them.

“I … I…”

“Come on, Kinney. You can spill your guts to me. Trouble in paradise?”

“Just the opposite,” Brian replied seriously. “I love being here with Justin and Bree … and Gus when he can be here.”

“Then what’s going on?”

“I don’t want to leave.”

“Huh?”

“I said, ‘I.Don’t.Want.To.Leave’,” Brian repeated punctuating each word to get his message across.

“Oh,” Emmett said in surprise. He knew Brian had never been happier than since he moved into Edna’s Treasures. But this was something new. “You know that John and Rachel and me will take care of everything while you’re gone.”

“I know.”

“And we’ll water the gardens and cut the grass.”

“You fucking better.”

“So what’s up?”

“I feel so comfortable and … happy here. I don’t want to disrupt that,” Brian said honestly.

“You’re not disrupting anything. You’re taking your family on a little adventure, and everything will return to normal when you come back,” Emmett assured him.

“I hope so,” Brian said shaking his head. “But…”

“It will be fine, Brian,” Emmett said pulling Brian into a warm hug. “You’ll do your business stuff in New York and then you’ll come home and do your family stuff for the rest of the summer … and for the rest of your life,” Emmett added, as he thought about what he was saying.

“Thanks, Emmett. I think I really needed to hear that.”

“Anytime I can help, big guy, you just let me know.”

“You help more than you ever realize.”

“Why, Brian Kinney, you’re going to make me weep,” Emmett said dabbing at his eyes.

“Stop it, you big poof, or you’ll have me bawling too,” Brian teased, trying to lighten the moment.

“Dada, I ready,” Bree said as she tugged on Brian’s pant leg. She stood in front of her father holding her grey bunny.

“I think I’m ready too,” he said scooping her up and kissing her face.

Emmett watched them walk into the house. He smiled happily and said, “My work here is done.” He headed back to his cottage with the white picket fence and the man he loved inside.

 

*****
 

“Dada?” Bree began from the safety of her car seat in Justin’s Cherokee.

“Yes, Squirt?” Brian replied from the driver’s seat. They had been on the road for about an hour. Bree had been quietly chittering away, discussing her plans for Joan and Gus.

“Can we see Coney Island when we get to Nyork?”

“That’s New York, Squirt. And I guess we can visit Coney Island, but I don’t think it’s much fun anymore,” Brian said sadly. So much of the famous playgrounds and arcades had been lost to land developers. Only the famous ferris wheel and roller coaster survived as national landmarks. “But the aquarium is still there.”

“Do they have whales and penguins?”

“Yes, Squirt, I do believe they do,” Brian answered, glancing at his daughter via the rearview mirror. “Let’s plan on spending next Sunday there.”

“Okay, Dada.” Bree was very happy. She had learned about whales in school and was hoping to see some up close and personal. “Can Gus take pictures?”

“Of course I will, short stuff. I’ll take all the pictures you want.”

“Thank you, Gus,” Bree said with a yawn. She settled back into her seat, her grey bunny tucked in her arms and went to sleep.

They were about an hour away from the city when Brian decided to pull over into a rest stop. The travelers were grateful for the chance to get out of the SUV to stretch their legs, hit the bathrooms and for Brian, much needed coffee.

“Hey Pop, how much longer?” Gus asked his father while sucking down a thick shake. Brian rolled his eyes at his son’s choice of beverage but he’d make sure the boy ate right when they were finally settled in their temporary home. Brian was sitting at a picnic table slowly sipping his coffee waiting for Justin, Joan and Bree. The late Spring sun was warm and inviting.

“About an hour but then we have to deal with the city traffic. We’re not in any rush and I don’t have any appointments tomorrow. We can take as long as we need to settle in. I arranged for a suite at the hotel. Bree and Joan will share a room. You get your own room. The suite also has a small kitchen so once we get checked in we can do a little shopping.”

“You thought of everything, right, Pop?”

“I try, Sonny Boy. I try.” Gus could sense the apprehension in his father’s voice. Something that was not often found there.

“Don’t worry, Pop. Grandma Joan and I will take good care of Bree. You and Justin can go do what you need to do at N’rgy. And then we can go back home.”

Brian stared at his son, his very perceptive son. “When did you get to be so smart?” Brian asked with his tongue planted in his cheek.

“Gotta be smart to keep up with you and Bree, Pop,” Gus snarked, eliciting a roar of laughter from Brian.

“I guess we both gotta stay smart to keep up with Bree. Speaking of which, where is she and your Grandmother?”

Brian looked around for his family, including his wayward spouse. Brian’s eyes lit up as he saw a glimmer of golden blond hair walking toward their table. Justin couldn’t resist buying a large helping of junk food. He was carrying said food in several large bags. Joan had a tray with a variety of beverages in her hands. Bree was carrying a bag that contained some decent food such as fruit and something green that purported to be a salad. Gus immediately got up to help his sister with her bag. Brian shook his head at all the junk that suddenly appeared on the table.

“Dada, if I promise to eat healthy stuff on our trip, can I eat some not so healthy stuff now?” Bree asked her father, turning the Taylor charm and her big blue eyes onto Brian. Justin wore the same expression on his face. Gus shrugged then picked up his shake to slurp. Brian looked at his mother for help. Joan held up her hands in surrender. It was apparent that he was outnumbered.

Brian rooted around in one of the bags and pulled out a few limp looking french fries which he promptly bit into. “If you can’t beat them....” Brian shrugged as Justin distributed their feast. They all had fun eating their not so healthy repast.

 

*****
 

It was around two in the afternoon when the Kinney-Taylor clan finally made it to the hotel. A bellman helped with all of their luggage, Brian drove the Cherokee into the hotel’s garage as Justin began the process of checking them all in. They were booked into one of the larger suites on the upper floor. A private elevator was earmarked for those guests who stayed on those floors. It was an added expense but Brian felt it was worth it if it kept his family safe.

The family rested a bit and unpacked. Brian had a word with the hotel security and then he and Justin decided to do a little grocery shopping. They had planned on eating out for most of their stay in the city; however, they wanted plenty of milk and juice for Bree as well as cereal for breakfast. Being close to Central Park, Joan, Gus and Bree headed out for the park as Brian and Justin went shopping.

“Brian, do you think I should rent a studio while I’m here?” The lovers had found a small grocery store within walking distance of their hotel. They were able to place an order for their groceries to be delivered to the hotel. However, they decided to carry a few items back with them.

“You could ask Kyle. Maybe that place you rented the last time is available. It was close to N’rgy.”

“Maybe I will tomorrow.” They were almost to the hotel when Justin turned to face Brian. “Bri...”

“Justin, I’m here because Stacey needs me. You’re here because I need you. We brought the kids because I can’t stand the thought of being so far away from them. We do this together. I love you, Justin. Nothing, no one can ever change that.”

Justin saw the truth and conviction in Brian’s eyes. Nothing else mattered, none of their past mistakes made any difference. Justin put his fears aside and followed his spouse to their room.

 

*****
 

“Geez-uss,” Gus exclaimed as his eyes darted around the park. The fine late Spring weather brought out all sorts of people and in all sorts of clothes or lack thereof. Gus was finding it difficult to control his runaway teenage hormones. Especially when so many fine young men insisted on roller-blading past with no shirt and skimpy shorts.

“Gus,” Joan began her admonishment.

“I know, sorry, Lord’s name and all,” Gus apologized before he knew what he was apologizing for. Joan uncharacteristically rolled her eyes.

“Just not in front of your sister,” Joan was learning patience when it came to teenage boys, especially gay teenage boys.

Before Gus could say anything, Bree ran over to him. She had been playing with some children on a slide. “Gus, I need some water. I’m thirsty.”

“Good idea, Squirt, I’m a little hot myself,” Gus commented as he walked his sister over to a street vendor. He purchased a few bottles of water.

“Why are you hot, Gus? I was the one playing.”

“Ask me that again in fifteen years, short stuff,” Gus murmured. He opened a bottle for Bree as they returned to the bench Joan was sitting on.

 

*****
 

Deciding to take advantage of their time alone, Brian and Justin felt the need to check out the suite’s shower. They had their own private bathroom attached to their bedroom. The shower was big enough for the two of them. Brian thought it prudent to bestow a little extra attention to his artist.

After adjusting the shower head and the water temperature, Brian took out all of Justin’s favorite soaps and shampoos. When Brian was finished taking such loving care of his mate, he found he had one happy and contented Sunshine on his hands. He gently ‘poured’ Justin onto their big bed then made love to him.

Later on, when a sated Justin was sleeping, Brian made a few calls.

“Hey Pop!” Gus said into his phone.

“Where are you?”

“At the park.”

“You guys behaving?”

“Yep.”

“Keeping an eye on your sister?”

“No prob. She’s making friends at the playground.”

“And you? You staying out of trouble?”

“Oh, Pop.”

“Gus, I’m not that old. I remember what it’s like having raging hormones.”

“Pop, you still have raging hormones. I bet you and Justin were all over each other the minute you got back to your room,” Gus laughed.

“This is not about me, Gus.”

“I know, but Dad you should see the guys...”

“Put a knot in it, Sonny Boy. Joan is with you and you can’t take your eyes off your sister for a second.”

“I won’t, Pop. I swear. But, do you think...”

“Gus, you’re not legal, but I will ask Simon and Ken when Raymond goes to their GLC. I’m sure they have a teen night.”

“Thanks, Pop. I really need to hang with my own peeps. You know what I mean?”

“I know, Sonny Boy. Right now, the only ‘peep’ you need to concentrate on is your sister. And I think my ‘peep’ is waking up. Don’t pig out on junk food; we’ll go to dinner later.”

“Okay Pop. And Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you, Pop.”

“Love you too, Sonny Boy. Later.”

“Later.”

 

*****
 

“Grandma Joan,” Gus said, as he watched Bree playing on the slide with another little girl.

“Yes?” Joan asked.

“What was my Pop like when he was my age?”

Joan felt the color rise in her cheeks. She wasn’t sure how to answer that question. She debated making something up, but then decided that her grandson deserved the truth, as much of it as she could manage to tell. “Your father was very … aloof at your age.”

“Aloof?”

“He spent a lot of time out of the house,” Joan said carefully.

“Where was he? At Michael’s?”

“Yes, I daresay he spent a lot of his time there. He was only home long enough to eat and sleep.”

Gus frowned. This didn’t sound much like the father he knew. “Was he popular at school?” Gus asked.

“I … I really can’t say,” Joan said straightening the collar on her blouse. She wanted to change the subject, but she wasn’t sure how she could do that without making things worse.

“Did he bring home friends? Did he play sports … other than soccer? Was he a good student?”

“Your father was a very good student. He went to university on a scholarship. We never would have had the money to send him. His father wanted him to join the electrical workers’ union.”

“Really?” Gus was surprised at that. He couldn’t imagine his father as anything except the executive he was.

“We never knew much about his sports … or his friends,” Joan admitted.

“I see,” Gus said, wondering at his grandmother’s lack of knowledge of all things Brian Kinney. His own mothers would be able to tell a lot more about him than Joan could about Brian.

“We … your father and I … we weren’t … close back then.”

“Oh.”

“Things have gotten a lot better this last while. I’m very happy to have become part of his family again.”

“I missed you when I was younger,” Gus told her, remembering all the years he barely knew she existed.

“Thank you, Gus. That’s a sweet thing to say.”

Gus smiled at her, getting a warm smile in return. He liked to make Grandma Joan feel good. “Maybe we should get Bree and head back to the hotel.”

“Do you think they’ve had long enough alone?” Joan asked with a twinkle in her eye. She was glad the previous topic seemed to have been laid to rest.

“Grandma!” Gus said in surprise.

“Well, it’s the truth, isn’t it? We’ve been giving them some alone time as they like to call it.”

Gus laughed. “You’re pretty hip for an old broad.”

“Watch out for us old broads. We’re a formidable group,” Joan chuckled in response.

“Don’t I know it,” Gus said before calling for Bree.


 

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