Testing, Testing ... 1,2,3

Chapter 5

“Dad, maybe I should wait till next time before I try riding again,” Patrick said to his father. He looked up at the saddle on his horse. It was a long way over his head. He didn’t remember it being that high up before.

“I thought you said you wanted to ride today,” John said with a frown.

“I did, but my arm kind of hurts,” Patrick said in a small voice. He cradled his once broken arm in his hand, holding it against his chest as he had when it was in a sling.

John looked at Bobby. Bobby frowned and shrugged. The other children were already mounted on their horses and waiting for Patrick.

“Son, it will be fine. Your father will have hold of you and the horse. Nothing bad will happen,” Bobby tried to assure his son. He had hold of Sheldon’s horse’s reins. He hoped his words would reassure Patrick.

“I don’t know,” Patrick said looking like he was ready to cry.

“Patrick,” Gus offered. He held onto Ashley’s horse. “I know it can be scary. I had to do something this morning that was kind of scary.” Gus looked at his father who smiled encouragingly at him. “But I faced it, and it turned out really well.”

Patrick stared at the ground. He didn’t want to be a sissy, but he was afraid. The horse was so big, and it was a long way to the ground. He remembered that part. He clutched his arm closer to his chest.

“Patwick,” Bree said in her best baby talk. “Don’t be afraid. I love you.”

“I know, Bree,” Patrick said looking up at his best friend who was already aboard her horse. He didn’t want to be a coward in front of her.

“Patrick,” Ashley said, deciding she needed to do something. “When the bullies at school were picking on me, Bree stood up for me. I was afraid and I cried, but when Bree helped me I was able to tell them to go away, and they finally did. We’ll all stand up for you. We won’t let anything bad happen to you. I promise.” She crossed her heart and smiled down at Patrick.

“I guess maybe I could try,” Patrick said softly, finding Ashley’s confidence in him and the power of the group very comforting.

“Okay, son, I think you’re making the right decision,” John said as he picked up Patrick and lifted him into the saddle. “We’ll take it easy today. Nothing too strenuous to test that arm.”

Patrick smiled down at his father, most appreciative of what his father was telling him.

John clucked at the horse and they started forward. They walked around the yard a couple of times with the adults leading the horses. All the children were being very patient about getting reacquainted with their mounts. Bree watched Patrick carefully. She wouldn’t let him show off for her again. Her Patrick had to be fine. Nothing was going to hurt him.

“Are you ready to take the reins?” John asked his son.

“I think so, Daddy.”

“Good boy. I’ll keep a hand on the bridle just in case, but you have control of the horse. Everybody can try that,” John told the group.

They all took some control of the reins of their mounts, and they walked around the yard another couple of times. The somber faces started to glow with happiness and energy. The children were starting to enjoy being back on the horses. This is what John had hoped for, especially where Patrick was concerned.

“You’re doing great, Patrick,” John told his son.

“I am, aren’t I?” Patrick said with a small smile.

“I’m very proud of how you faced your fears.”

“Me too,” Patrick grinned.

“I think maybe that’s enough for today,” John said as Patrick pulled on the reins to stop his horse.

“I could do more,” Patrick said.

“I know you could, but there’s no point in overdoing it. We’ll stop here,” John said in a voice that told them there would be no arguing about it.

“Okay, Dad,” Patrick replied. “Thanks for helping me.”

John lifted his son down from the saddle. “I think the others were as much help as I was.”

“Yeah,” Patrick agreed.

The children led their horses to the barn.

“That went well,” Brian said to John. “I’m glad Patrick got back on the horse. I didn’t think he was going to.”

“Me either. And if he didn’t get on today, he probably would have never wanted to come back.”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” Brian agreed. “That Ashley made quite a little speech.”

“She’s a lovely little girl,” John said.

“Gus was telling me how much he admired her. I can see why.”

“Let’s get the horses taken care of, and then we can enjoy the rest of the day,” John said heading for the barn.

Brian watched the children lead their horses inside. Ashley walked confidently leading her mount. He would definitely have to get to know that little girl better.

 

*****
 

“Okay, Sonny Boy, now ease down on the gas pedal, and please try to remember I’ve already had two concussions. I don’t need another one,” Brian snarked.

With the riding lessons concluded for the day and Justin in the Pitts working with the twins, Brian decided it was time for a little father and son moment. Of course, Brian wished that he still took recreational drugs. He was sure he was going to need them after his driving lesson with ‘Hotrod’ Gus.

“Sure, Pop!” Gus responded but not after the perfunctory rolling of the eyes. Gus slipped the Cherokee into drive then eased down on the gas pedal. He gradually drove the SUV down the driveway at a leisurely pace. Using the proper signals, Gus made the left out of the driveway. And then, on the correct side of the road, Gus drove the Cherokee down the lane toward Emmett’s.

“Very nicely done!” Brian exclaimed as Gus pulled over then put the SUV in park.

“Really?” Gus asked with some relief, he didn’t think he’d ever get the hang of driving.

“Really. Have you practiced ‘k’ turns?” Gus shook his head. The lane was just wide enough for a u-turn for a normal car but the Cherokee was too big. “Let’s switch, Sonny Boy.”

They switched places so that Brian could show Gus how to make the three point turn. They switched back and after a few false starts, Gus got the hang of it.

“Okay, let’s practice driving straight for a while then we’ll tackle parking. By the time you get back in Driver’s Ed, you’ll be a master,” Brian boasted proudly.

Gus, with Brian at his side, practiced until Justin came home from Pittsburgh.

 

*****
 

“Lucy, I’m hoomme!” Justin called out. No one appeared to be in residence on his side of the conjoined cottages.

“Out here, Sunshine!” Brian replied without a hint of grouchiness in his voice.

“Hey,” Justin said as he was greeted by Brian at the doorway. Brian kissed Justin sweetly.

“Hey yourself,” Brian purred. His voice carried promises of loving later when they would be alone.

“Hi, Daddy! Did you work hard in the Pitts today?” Bree asked. Her own sunny smile filled the sun porch with its own light.

“Yes, very hard, baby girl. But we did good work.”

“Dada says you’re making a cartoon. Can I see it when it’s done?” Bree asked in all innocence.

“No, sweetheart, this cartoon is made for grown-ups. Even Gus is barely old enough to watch it,” Justin tried to explain.

“But Gus is old!” Bree said loudly in astonishment. The family chuckled.

“Gee, thanks, short stuff. I’m not that old,” Gus groused.

“Think of it this way, Sonny Boy, if you’re old then I’m positively ancient!” John, Bobby and Justin broke out into belly laughs.

“We had a very good day today too, Justin,” John told the blond young man. “We even convinced the ancient old man to barbecue. You’ve just made it back in time for dinner.”

“Yum! It smells great and I bring dessert,” Justin said with a bright smile. On his way back from PIFA, Justin stopped at the bistro for some fruit tarts and a bunch of popovers and muffins for breakfast the next day.

“He brings gifts from the gods,” Brian declared then they all sat down to enjoy dinner.

 

*****
 

“Bri?”

Brian had just fucked off Justin’s country ass and was catching his breath before fucking off the city ass as well.

“Hmm?”

“The cartoon, do you think it’s a good idea?” Justin asked pensively as he turned onto his side to face Brian.

“Do you think it’s a good idea?” Brian challenged.

“Yes, I do. Michael’s being a putz as usual but yeah, I think it’s a great idea.”

“Think it’ll make a killing at the box office?” Brian asked as he pushed a lock of blond hair out of Justin’s eyes.

“Box office?”

“Box office, Justin, as in money.”

“I know what you meant but the thought of making money from this never really occurred to me.”

“You rich enough without it?” Brian drawled softly. He was drawing lazy circles with the tip of his finger up and down the pale skin of Justin’s arm.

“I don’t need the money; you know that.”

“I know but what about the twins or Lacy? Are any of them independently wealthy?” Justin thought about it for a moment.

“You think we should market the cartoon, make it commercial?” Justin didn’t want his artistic freedoms stifled. He had to hold back a lot during the making of the Rage movie. “If we make it for a broader audience then it loses that darkness, the edginess that we have in the comic. Bri, you know all this. We had lengthy conversations about this years ago. What are you getting at?”

“Just trying to figure out your angle.”

“My angle?” Justin was starting to get pissed.

“Yes. Everyone has an angle. Your twins are looking for an ‘A’ for their project, Lacy worships you and is still in awe that you’ve supported her involvement in Rage. I’m just trying figure out what’s in it for you, Sunshine.” Brian dipped his head to kiss the warm flesh of Justin’s chest.

“I don’t have an angle, Brian,” Justin said almost resentfully. Brian stilled Justin’s anger with a searing kiss.

“Justin, tell me, what do you see for your cartoon? And I want an honest answer.”

“I don’t want money...” Justin began.

Brian wrapped his arms around Justin and held him close. “Try again.”

“I mean, I don’t want money. I want to do this to prove that I can do it.”

“And...”

“And maybe if it does make money, we can use it to fund a special grant for students at PIFA. Bri, we can take the proceeds to fund a scholarship or updated software for students that can’t afford to buy it. Or we can...”

“Slow down, Sunshine. First things first, like making your little ‘toon’ then we can see how marketable it’ll be. I have Cynthia and Ted working on the PR as we speak.”

“You do? Then what’s with the third degree?”

“I just wanted to know what your expectations are.”

“My expectations?” Brian nodded. “I expect to have a lot of fun making this cartoon and I expect that Michael’s going to be an ass.”

“Goes without saying,” Brian quipped making Justin giggle.

“And I expect you’re going to be grumpy.”

“I may surprise you.”

“Maybe you will. You are Rage, after all.”

“And don’t you forget it.” Rage began to love the stuffing out of his JT, as Brian sucked the orgasm out of Justin. They cuddled afterwards, taking comfort in the familiar feel of each other’s skin, the scent of sex and sweat. Each man knew the other’s body as well as their own.

“YouTube,” Brian murmured.

“What?”

“YouTube. We upload small bits of the cartoon on YouTube then the whole thing on Mikey’s website. We explain the purpose and the donation thing. The readers won’t be surprised because Rage has been used for charitable purposes before.”

“But we won’t penalize those who can’t make a donation, right?”

“Of course not. Maybe you should consider making a PG rated cartoon.”

“Why?” Justin asked then his eyes grew large. “Not for Bree?”

“Why not? Who better to explain diversity than Rage and JT. Maybe Sateeena will have a life partner she tries to protect. Just think about it,” Brian said as he drew the comforter over them. Justin snuggled closer, placing his head on Brian’s chest over his heart.

“Rage and JT telling boys and girls all about diversity,” Justin babbled to himself. “Maybe Zephyr has his ZENman. Sateeena has Kitty.” Justin yawned against Brian’s chest.

Brian smiled as Justin babbled himself to sleep.

 

*****
 

“So Gus, are you ready to take your lesson today seriously?” the Driver’s Ed teacher asked solemnly.

“Yes, sir,” Gus said contritely. He had practised diligently over the weekend with his father’s tutelage.

“Then let’s go.” Gus got into the driver’s side, made his adjustments to the seat and mirrors. He was the tallest driving student and was taller than the instructor as well.

Gus made sure he and everyone else had on their seatbelts. He turned on the ignition then went through the designated paces. When he finished his run, Gus had the car in almost the exact spot that he started from.

“Very nicely done. And I see someone’s been practicing. Jerry, you’re up next. Let’s see if you can do as good a job as Gus.”

Gus smiled brightly as he and Jerry switched places.
 

*****
 

“Guys, I need to discuss something regarding the Rage cartoon and I didn’t want to do it at the Institute,” Justin began. They had all met around lunchtime at Michael’s store. Michael put the ‘closed for lunch’ sign on the door so that they wouldn’t be interrupted.

“Did something happen, Justin?” Lacy asked with concern.

“No, not really, but Brian gave me a suggestion and it got me thinking about other things,” Justin said in a far off voice.

“Justin, is everything okay between you and Brian?” Michael asked. He had seen the articles and he was trying not to jump to conclusions.

“Hmm? Oh no, that’s not it, and we’re fine. Never better. This concerns Rage. Brian wants to know if we’re doing the cartoon for money. I told him no, but then it occurred to me that maybe you guys were hoping to earn something from it.”

“Justin, what I want,” Lacy was first to speak up, “is to be a part of this. To see my work on the page and on the small screen. I can always use the money but that’s not why I want to do this.”

Both Justin and Michael beamed at their protégée.

“And you?” Justin turned to face the twins.

“We want an ‘A’!” Troi` and Tre` said in unison.

“But we are hoping that maybe it would lead to a paying job,” Tre` admitted.

“Yeah, our parents are helping us with tuition and stuff but PIFA is expensive,” Troi` stated. Both Justin and Lacy nodded in agreement.

“Justin, you said Brian had a suggestion?” Michael hinted for an explanation.

“Yes, he did. He said we should make Rage as we see fit, but that may mean an adult rated cartoon. If that’s the case, I don’t think PIFA will allow us to make porn on campus, cause that’s how they’re going to see it. And we won’t be able to reach some of our target audience with an adult rating. So Brian said to consider making a PG version. He also said something else.”

“What?” four mouths asked at once.

“Brian suggested that Rage and JT make a cartoon about diversity geared for younger kids.”

“Like Bree?” Michael asked. He was shocked at first but then smiled. It was so like Brian.

“Yes. Rage and JT; Zephyr and the ZENman; Sateeena and her partner Kitty. We can make up any characters and any combination of family. He said we should put up small cuts on YouTube and then the whole thing on Michael’s comic book website. We can set up some sort of donation process and the proceeds go to a scholarship fund.”

Justin took a deep breath. “What do you think?" Justin asked his partners in Rage.

 

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