Testing, Testing ... 1,2,3

Chapter 10

“I’m so sorry,” Morgan apologized profusely as she helped to mop up the iced tea that spewed forth from her mouth. “Briana caught me a little off guard.”

“She does that sometimes,” Brian drawled as he gave the embarrassed woman fresh napkins and a fresh glass of tea.

“And someone should wash out your gardener’s mouth with soap,” Morgan grumbled.

“We’ve tried but it doesn’t work,” Justin said with a sigh.

“So who is this paragon of virtue?” Richard asked, wisely putting down his glass.

“Um, that would be Brian,” John ventured since no one else would admit it. “With help from Bree and Patrick,” he quickly added when he saw Brian’s brow arch. Richard and Morgan turned to look at their host who shrugged and had the good manners to blush.

“I needed a hobby,” Brian stated. “It gets quiet out here. Seriously, after all the craziness in the city, I find puttering in the garden relaxing. Besides, I’ve gotten some of my best ideas for ads out there. And the kids are the greatest helpers I could ever want. It’s good exercise and you can’t beat the fresh air.”

There were a lot of ‘mmm’s’ in agreement.

“Well, that doesn’t help me at all,” Morgan mumbled. Richard elbowed her arm. “Sorry. I can’t imagine Brian Kinney wanting to landscape my postage stamp of a garden.” Morgan pouted.

Brian got up, he crossed the porch to Bree’s art table and began to rummage through it. He came back to the table with a pad and pencil then plopped himself down next to Morgan.

“Draw,” Brian demanded.

“What?”

“You’re an artist, draw. Sketch me a picture of what your yard looks like.”

Morgan picked up the pencil and did a rough sketch of the layout of the backyard.

“What type of garden were you thinking of?”

“Something colorful but easy. I don’t want to keep digging at it all the time. Maybe a couple of small bushes.” Richard gave his spouse a crossed eye look. “Well, he asked,” Morgan said as she pleaded with Richard with her eyes not to make her more embarrassed than she already was. She handed the sketch back to Brian who went back to Bree’s table for a set of colored pencils.

“Pennialls, Dada!” Bree commanded.

“I know, Squirt, thank you. And the word is perennials.”

“Per-enn-i-als,” Bree repeated slowly.

“Good girl!” Brian praised his daughter. “A moment, Sunshine.”

Brian and Justin consulted with each other for a while as the rest of the family began to clear away some of the dishes to prepare for dessert. John took that time to answer Richard’s questions regarding Emmett’s cottage and the other house.

Justin’s hand moved furiously over the paper as Brian pointed to different areas of the page. Every few minutes, Brian would hand Justin a different colored pencil.

“Perfect, Sunshine!” Brian declared with a kiss to Justin’s lips. As Justin went to put the kettle on for tea and to make a fresh pot of coffee, Brian made some additional notes and lists. Then he handed it all back to Morgan.

“If you start now, you’ll have about a month to get your bulbs in before the ground freezes. Then you can start again in the Spring when the ground thaws. They’re simple flowerbeds. You can do it yourself or I know some gardeners you can hire cheap back in the Pitts.”

“Oh I know, Pop! The kids who did the garden at the Village. I love that garden,” Gus said with much enthusiasm.

“That’s right, Sonny Boy.”

“So you did have something to do with that project,” Richard said as he jotted down more notes.

“Very limited participation. The Village is my brother’s baby,” Brian said proudly, deflecting any praise from himself. He then excused himself to answer the call of the whistling tea kettle.

Morgan was staring dumbfounded at the garden plan she held in her hands.

“What does he mean by that?” Richard asked.

John, who was almost as modest as his brother, hesitated, leaving Bobby and Justin to sing their partners’ praises.

“Hunter Montgomery, the head of the Jason Kemp Clinic, consulted Brian regarding the abandoned apartment house in what’s now called the Village,” Justin began the explanation.

“Brian usually consults with John when it comes to anything dealing with hammer and nails,” Bobby joked. “This was no different. But John had a vision that extended beyond just the apartment building.”

“It was a vision that would eventually revitalize that part of town, offer low cost housing to many of Hunter’s kids and provide jobs as well as training,” Justin added.

“So the construction crews were kids?” Richard asked in horror.

“No,” John finally interjected. “My construction company was in charge. Everything is up to code and beyond. The kids were apprentices, learning like we all did, at the foot of a master carpenter or electrician or plumber. My business partner, Gordon Smith, is a certified teacher. After the whistle blew each day, the kids started their formal education regarding construction.”

“What part did Brian play?” Morgan asked, finally raising her head up from her garden plans.

“A very important one,” John said. “Although the city planners approved of my plans they really didn’t know me. They knew of me through my connection with the clinic project but I’m not a resident of Pittsburgh. Brian came to one of our meetings and offered his financial backing. No one messes with my brother,” John boasted.

“That’s not true. You guys mess with me all the time,” Brian growled as he carried in a heavy tray with the coffee and tea. “Sonny Boy, there’s more inside.”

“Sure thing, Pop,” Gus said as he jumped up to help.

“The city planners needed a little encouragement, so I encouraged,” Brian quipped as he passed around the coffee cups. Gus brought in a variety of desserts as Justin brought in the milk for the kids.

They sun porch became quiet again as they all enjoyed some of Emmett’s creations. Rachel had sent over some home baked cookies for the kids. The younger kids decided to take their cookies and milk to the Wendy house, leaving the adults to talk. Beau went with the kids to supervise.

After a while, Brian spoke up.

“You didn’t come here to talk about garden plans. Ask,” Brian said bluntly.

“All right,” Richard countered. “What about these rumors, any truth to them?”

“Which rumors?” Brian challenged.

“Let’s start with those twins.”

“Now wait a minute,” Justin raised his voice in anger. “What are you implying?”

“I’m implying nothing. You’ve obviously spent a lot of time with Troi` and Tre` Donahue. Has it gone beyond the professional collaboration?” Richard asked boldly.

“No, it hasn’t,” Justin answered honestly. “I spent a lot of time searching for the right people at PIFA. I wanted bright fresh ideas. I found it with those kids. They’re smart and they have potential.”

“You sound proud of them,” Richard commented.

“I am and of the work we accomplished.”

“It shows,” Richard said softly. “Tell me, why the distance between you and Brian at the gallery?”

“What distance?” Justin asked.

“He means, Sunshine, why did I step away when you were being interviewed,” Brian explained. “Because I don’t belong there.”

“Of course you belong there, Brian. I wouldn’t be painting if it wasn’t for you,” Justin said with love in his voice.

“Justin, the point of the opening was to showcase Justin Taylor art work. Not Brian and Justin Taylor. I’m your life partner. I’m not your assistant and you know I hate the smell of turpentine. If this had something to do with Kinnetik then it would have been the other way around. But this is your time. It has nothing to do with me.” Brian got up and paced over to the door. He watched as the sun began to dip lower touching the tops of the trees.

“Brian likes his privacy,” Bobby interjected. He saw Richard cringe, thinking he had overstepped his boundaries.

“Brian, behave,” Justin admonished. “They’re here because you asked them to come. Now let them do their job. More coffee?” Justin asked as he freshened Richard’s cup.

Brian came back to the table looking contrite. He reached over to take Justin’s hand into his.

“Brian has always had a way of pushing me,” Justin tried to explain their unique dynamics. “He always seems to know when something’s for my own good, whether I like it or not. And he’s usually right. To someone who doesn’t know us, Brian’s actions may look cold or uncaring but...”

“Enough, Justin,” Brian growled with no malice in his tone. “You were all invited to see Justin Taylor’s latest creations. And that’s just what you did.”

“What about the photo where you’re driving off in two cars?” Richard had the nerve to ask.

“We often drive into Pittsburgh in separate vehicles. We often drive in together. The four of us have been known to drive off in four different directions and have all ended up in the same place at the same time. How the fuck do you think we get the cars back home?” Brian barked. Justin patted his arm.

“Um, do you have any material on Kinney, the artist?” Morgan asked, defusing Brian’s ire.

“Yes, we do. Brian, can you help me with the books?” Justin asked knowing Brian wouldn’t refuse. Dutifully, Brian got up to help Justin.

“He hates me, doesn’t he?” Richard asked to no one in particular.

“No, he doesn’t,” John reassured the reporter. “If Brian was really angry, you’d know it. He’s just very protective. Protective of his privacy and of his family and especially of Justin. As far as I know he’s felt responsible for Justin since the day they met. And nothing will change that.”

“That’s a heavy burden,” Richard commented.

“Perhaps, but one no one can take away from him,” John said.

“Why?” Morgan asked innocently.

John and Bobby smiled.

“Love. Brian loves Justin. Always has, always will.”

 

*****
 

After they had finished looking through the books on Kinney the artist, Richard and Morgan asked if they could talk privately with the children.

“Only if they agree,” Brian said emphatically.

“Of course," Richard said. "I’d like to start with Gus.”

“Sonny Boy,” Brian called. “You ready for your interview?”

“Sure, Pop,” Gus replied as he came down the stairs from Brian’s office.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Brian said as he went to help Justin clean up in the kitchen.

“Would you like to walk down to the stream? It’s lovely down there, and Morgan would like to take some more pictures before the light is gone,” Richard explained. “I think the breeze has died down.”

“Okay,” Gus agreed.

They set out down the path with Gus leading. “The stream is one of my favorite spots here at the cottage,” Gus informed them.

“Why’s that?” Richard asked.

“It’s where Bree was baptized and…”

“Wait,” Richard ordered. “Your sister was baptized in the stream?”

“Yep. Father Tom baptized her here,” Gus said as they entered the clearing. “The whole family was here, including Edna Galloway who Edna’s Treasures was named after.”

“What do you know about this Edna Galloway?” Richard asked.

“You really should ask Pop and Justin about her. They met her in South America when they were hunting for information about John Aidan Brian Kinney. She was really old when they met, and she died not too long after Bree was christened.”

“I meant to ask your father at lunch,” Richard said as he jotted down the information that Gus was providing.

Gus sat down on the big rock, and Richard joined him. Morgan was snapping pictures.

“You don’t live here … at the cottage I mean,” Richard said.

“No, I live with my mothers and JR in Pittsburgh.”

“Do you feel strange about having four parents?”

Gus chuckled. “Not at all. I don’t know anything else. And they’re all great in their own way.”

“You don’t have any conflict with them?” Richard knew most teenagers were at loggerheads with their parents, and Gus had twice as many to deal with. He wanted to see what Gus would say. That would tell him how truthful the young man was being.

“We all have our moments. I did something recently that I’m really sorry for, but everybody was great about it.”

“Oh, what was that?”

“Um … it’s not something I want put in the paper.” Richard nodded and flipped his pad closed indicating it would be off the record. “It involved a guy I thought I was in love with,” Gus admitted carefully.

“You’re gay?”

“Yeah, I thought you knew.”

“I’d never guess by looking at you.”

“Thanks, I think,” Gus laughed. “Anyway, this love thing turned out badly, but the whole family helped me.”

“You mean your mothers and Brian and Justin?”

“No, I mean the whole extended family. It seems like there are hundreds of them at times,” Gus said with a chuckle.

“You seem lucky to have such a caring family.”

“I am,” Gus stated. “I can rely on them to help me no matter what happens.”

“Then you definitely are a lucky lad.”

Gus nodded. “Ready to go back?”

They made their way back to the Wendy house where Gus called JR out.

“I don’t know why you want to talk to me,” JR said. “I’m not really part of this family,” she added as they sat in the lawn furniture outside the sun porch. The sun was now even lower in the sky.

“Do they make you feel like an outsider?” Richard asked.

“Oh, no!” JR corrected. “I just meant that Gus’ fathers aren’t my father.”

“But you still spend time here?” Richard asked.

“Yeah, a lot. And we go riding most weekends. We will tomorrow,” JR supplied.

“Where do you ride?”

“At Uncle John’s farm. It’s a place for kids who are in trouble. They come there to work over the summer. They have horses there, and we’re learning to ride. I like horses.”

Richard chuckled. “Who all goes riding?”

“Gus, and … everybody,” JR replied thinking that was the simplest way to answer the question.

“You like it here?”

“I love it here. It’s so calm and peaceful.”

“Do you ever see Brian and Justin fighting?”

“Not as much as I see my moms fighting,” JR replied honestly.

Richard was about to pursue that, but decided against it. “Could I talk to Bree now?”

“She’s in the Wendy house. She has tea ready for you.”

“She does?” Richard asked in surprise.

“Don’t say anything, but it’s pretend tea,” JR whispered to him.

“I see,” Richard chuckled as he made his way over to the Wendy house. Morgan followed him ready to get some pictures. “Hi, Bree, may I come in?”

“Yep,” Bree replied as Richard made his way through the doorway. “And my name’s Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor,” she corrected him.

“Pardon me,” Richard said keeping a straight face. “May I call you Bree?”

Bree nodded and indicated the little chair on the opposite side of the small table from where she was sitting. Richard carefully lowered himself onto it. It wasn’t exactly comfortable. The huge dog was lying along the side of the room. He raised his head as Richard settled, and then put his head back down. Morgan was snapping some pictures and the dog ignored her.

“Do you have tea with your fathers in here?” Richard asked Bree. He would have liked a picture of that.

“Sometimes.” She poured imaginary tea into two cups.

“This mural is wonderful,” Morgan said trying to find a way to photograph it.

“My Daddy painted it.”

“I can tell.” Morgan wished she could stand where Beau was lying. That would be the best spot to get a photograph of the mural. “Could I get Beau to move?” she asked.

“Beau, come here,” Bree ordered. Beau was immediately by her side.

“He’s very well trained,” Richard observed as Morgan took her pictures of the mural.

“Yep, but he won’t let me go to the stream if I’m not apposed to,” Bree complained.

“I see,” Richard said trying not to laugh.

“Drink your tea before it gets cold,” Bree told him, and Richard took an imaginary sip. Morgan got a photo of that, before making her way back outside so she could stand up straight. She hadn’t been invited to tea, but there were only two chairs. “Okay, Beau, lay down,” Bree said, and Beau did as she bid.

“I hear that JR goes riding. Do you go too?”

Bree nodded. “And my cousin Patrick. He broke his arm, but it’s all better now and he can ride again.”

“That’s good. You help your father with the gardening?” Richard asked.

“I like gar-gar,” Bree said using the baby word they still employed.

“Does your other father garden too?”

Bree shook her head. “Nope, Daddy and me paint together, but Dada and me do the gar-gar.”

“Do your fathers do anything together?” Richard asked, noting the individual activities that the little girl had pointed out.

“They kiss a lot,” Bree giggled. “And they sit in the chaise together all the time.”

“Your daddies love each other very much?”

Bree smiled. “Yeah, and they love me too.”

“I just bet they do,” Richard said. “Thank you for talking to me, Bree, and for the tea.” Richard managed to stand up out of the tiny chair which was no easy feat.

“You welcome,” Bree said as the man made his way out of the playhouse.

“Now we can relax,” Bree said to Beau who gave a big yawn.

 

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