Brian Un-henged

Chapter 15

What is it that they say? The best laid plans of mice and men (and artists) often go awry.

It was closer to August when the Bloom Gallery was able to announce “A Picnic In The Park with Justin Taylor.” As the plans were being made and confirmed by Sidney, Brian, Justin and Emmett, the first of Justin’s flowers decided to shed a petal or two. Fortunately, said shedding didn’t occur with anyone standing under it. It wouldn’t do for a two to three pound piece of metal falling from a height of approximately fifteen feet to hit someone on the head. So a few repairs and adjustments had to be made. And again fortune did shine down upon our Sunshine. Gordon was in the neighborhood having lunch with his wife. He heard about the premature shedding problem and offered his assistance to the freaked out artist. When repairs were completed, Gordon offered to inspect the other flowers and of course, the frog. Justin graciously accepted the offer. When the ‘garden’ was fully inspected and declared safe by the master builder, Justin finally agreed to the picnic.

The afternoon of the picnic was a busy one. The invited guests included the family, of course, and those art lovers who managed to ‘invade’ Brian’s space at Edna’s Treasures. The Times and the Connollys were given the exclusive. The day was pleasantly warm, hot dogs and hamburgers were plenty and the speeches were kept to the bare minimum.

“Hey Blondie, how’s it hanging?” Hunter asked making Justin roll his eyes. The two boys who had once been rivals of sorts had grown to be fast friends.

“A little to the left,” Justin snarked. They both laughed out loud. “So what do you think? This was your idea.”

“I think I have great ideas,” Hunter said smugly. “Seriously, I like it. It’ll bring more people into the Village...”

“And keep them away from our lane,” Justin quickly added. “Hunter, this really was a great idea. Brian is so much happier now and so is everyone else, including me. I’ve gotten used to only us knowing about our lane. You know about the gate?”

“Yeah, we all do and no one can blame you for it. Anyway, have you heard about Mikey’s stalker? What’s up with that?” Hunter and Justin strolled off to a quiet corner to eat their burgers and dish about the latest gossip.

 

*****
 

“Pop, the moms are here, go and ask them,” Gus pleaded with Brian.

“You really know how to ruin my good mood, Sonny Boy,” Brian snarked. Ignoring his father’s sarcasm, Gus pushed Brian toward where Lindsay and Sidney were standing. They were just finishing up an interview with the Connollys.

“Sidney, may I borrow Lindsay for a minute?” Brian asked politely.

“Of course, my boy,” Sidney said as he sauntered off to consult with Emmett.

“We have a wonderful turnout. Justin must be very pleased,” Lindsay commented.

“Yeah, pleased,” Brian murmured as he took Lindsay’s elbow then led her to a shaded arbor where they could talk.

“What is it, Brian?” Lindsay knew something was up. They sat on a bench under the arbor.

“Our son is trying to have me killed.”

“Oh I doubt that,” Lindsay replied matter-of-factly. She was quite used to Brian’s drama queen moments. “Why don’t you tell me exactly what he wants?” Lindsay was using her ‘I’m a mother so don’t mess with me’ voice.

“You know our son is turning eighteen soon?”

Lindsay nodded with a sigh. Her ankles were slightly swollen from the humidity and she was feeling her age at the moment. “Is he still trying to get you to buy him a car?”

“No … worse.”

“A motorcycle?” Lindsay asked in horror, her eyes growing wide.

“No, no, much worse.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake, Brian, what does he want?”

“To change his name.”

“What?”

“Not really change it completely, just add to it.”

“Add what? Brian, you’re not making any sense.” Brian took a deep breath, grabbing both of Lindsay’s hands. He stared deep into her eyes.

“Gus wants to take my name.”

“He wants to change his name to Brian?” Now it was Brian’s eyes that grew wide.

“Lindsay, I love you, you do know that, don’t you?” Lindsay smiled and nodded. “But sometimes you’re just too blond for your own good. Now read my lips, Gus wants to change his name to Gus Peterson-Marcus-KINNEY!”

“Ooohhh. Mel is going to kill you.”

“See!” Brian said as he dropped Lindsay’s hands then sprang up from the bench to pace the ground. Lindsay watched her first love pace the garden for a few moments then intervened.

“Brian, we’ve suspected something’s been up for a while now. He’s been trying to make a lot of tough decisions and trying to do it on his own. He finally came to us the other night.”

“So you knew about this?”

“No, not exactly. But he was asking Mel about which computer sites she used to do research and he’s been borrowing the car to go to the library to use their computer.”

“The boy has a perfectly good computer at home, why does he have to go to the library?”

“Many reasons, the main one was so he could drive more often. He knows he can go to the library anytime...”

“And he can do his research without risking you finding out. Smart boy, our Gus.”

“Yes, he takes after you.”

“Sorry about the blonde crack. Lindz, I am very proud that he wants my name but I’m the last one he should model himself after, and I do not want to get any further up your husband’s shit list.”

“Oh Brian, you’ve been the best father and best businessman. No one remembers the other Brian anymore.” Brian rolled his eyes at Lindsay. “Well, hardly anyone, and the family doesn’t count in this.”

“Melanie does. You two have been getting along better, haven’t you?” Lindsay nodded. “Then why risk ruining that?”

“Because, this is something that may help to define Gus as a man. He’s not dropping our names, just adding yours. You know he wants to learn the business; he loves working at Kinnetik. Brian, I received a call from the entry board at PIFA. Our son made them a proposal.” Brian arched his famous eyebrow. “He’s been accepted in a dual study program between Penn’s business program and PIFA’s graphic arts program.”

“Well, fuck me! Why didn’t he tell me?”

“Probably for the same reason he didn’t mention the name thing to us. He’s working out all the angles.”

“And probably thought if you two were ecstatic about him getting into Penn and PIFA, you’d overlook the name thing.”

“Probably.”

“Sneaky bugger.”

“Well, he is your son.”

“So, you’ll talk to the dragon lady about the name thing?” Brian turned on the puppy dog eyes look.

Lindsay laughed as she nodded her head. “Yes, I’ll talk to her. We better get back before we’re missed.” Brian gave Lindsay a hug and a kiss. “Did you hear about Mikey’s stalker?” Lindsay asked.

“Is he still going on about that?” They walked back to the main garden, hand in hand not knowing they had their own stalker watching them.

 

*****
 

“What if he’s here?” Michael grumbled as he and Ben pulled into a parking spot in the Village garage.

“What about it? Michael, you said this guy hardly talks to you and just buys comics. What’s the big deal? Besides, the whole family is here not to mention the press. No one’s going to do anything. The family is probably wondering why you’re not in the park. Now let’s go,” Ben said reasonably.

 

*****
 

“Hi Teddy, Allen,” Emmett greeted his friends cheerfully. “You all have enough to eat?” the party planner asked.

“Mmm!” Ted and Allen with full mouths held up their overladen plates.

“That’s what I like to see. We have a full turnout today. Even her ladyship, Sarah Kingsley is here, holding court with the press.” Emmett indicated Sarah standing next to one of Justin’s flowers. Justin was smiling sweetly as Sarah Kingsley talked on and on to Richard Connolly. Morgan Connolly was snapping away. “And Michael finally showed up.”

“Where has he been?” Allen asked innocently.

“He claims he has some sort of stalker, so he’s been incognito lately. Personally I think it’s all in his head,” Emmett whispered then turned to face Michael and Ben with a huge smile on his face. “Mikey, Ben, so happy you could make it. Let me get you some refreshments,” Emmett gushed. He gave both men a kiss then went off to get more food and beverages.

“Hey look, there’s toupee guy,” Michael said with a chuckle when Emmett returned with a tray full.

“Who’s toupee guy?” Ted asked.

“Brian and I were having a drink at Woody’s a while back and this guy was coming onto Brian.”

“Michael, guys are always coming onto Brian. He can’t help that,” Emmett said.

“I know but doesn’t that guy sort of look like the one who made that bet with Brian?” They all craned their heads to get a good look at ‘toupee guy.’

“I don’t know, Michael,” Ted began. “From what I remember, the man who made that wager was supposed to be hotter than hot. I know we’ve all aged but that man doesn’t look very hot to me.”

“I agree, Teddy,” Emmett contributed. “If he is wearing a toupee, it’s certainly not a good one. Maybe it’s a comb-over,” Emmett whispered then tsked. “No self respecting gay man would ever allow himself to have a comb over. It’s so Donald Trump.” Emmett shook his head.

“I think he’s after Brian,” Michael said in between bites of his hamburger.

“What makes you say that, Babe?” Ben asked as he sipped his lemonade.

“We all saw him at the Village diner the day Justin was planting his flowers,” Michael explained.

“Michael, he could be there for business reasons. What makes you think he wants Brian?” Ted asked.

“Maybe he thinks he has unfinished business. I don’t know. But did you hear about my stalker?” Michael asked as he gulped down some soda. The guys just groaned.

 

*****
 

“Jamie, what are you doing here?” Lindsay asked her new artist.

“I’ve come to see Justin Taylor’s latest work, like everyone else. PIFA got a special invitation,” the artist and teacher explained.

“Oh yes, that’s right. So what do you think?”

“I think it’s lovely. I know some artists like working with metal, but it’s not easy.”

“No it’s not. Um, the gallery will be having a small opening for new artists just after Labor Day. If you have some new pieces you’d like to show me, come by the gallery. Maybe we can get you into that show.”

“That would be fantastic!” Jamie showed her enthusiasm by planting a sizzling kiss onto Lindsay’s lips.

“Would you look at that,” Debbie said as she leaned into Carl. “Mel is going to have a fit.”

“I don’t think I want to know,” Carl said as he grabbed his wife to bring her over to visit with Jennifer and Seth.

“Mel, I think you have bigger fish to fry than me,” Brian said as he pointed over toward Lindsay. Brian was trying rather unsuccessfully to broach the issue of Gus’ name addition with Melanie. They both caught a glimpse of the kiss. Brian smirked as Melanie turned red in the face. He chuckled as Mel stormed off to claim her wife.

 

*****
 

“I wouldn’t get in between Lindsay and Melanie, if I were you,” Brian offered his advice to Jamie who was taking one last look at Justin’s garden before she left the park.

“And what would you know about Miss Peterson?” Jamie asked with a sneer. She still wasn’t quite sure about the relationship between this man and Lindsay.

“A lot more than you, and it’s Lindsay Peterson-Marcus. She’s married and has been for a very long time.” Brian could see that Mel’s rival was about to explode when Gus sauntered up.

“Hey, Pop! Oh excuse me, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“It’s okay, Sonny Boy.”

“The moms want to talk to you.” Brian nodded.

“Excuse me,” was all that Brian said to acknowledge the young artist as he sauntered off with Gus over to where Lindsay and Melanie were standing. It was obvious to Jamie and to anyone that the boy was Brian’s son but that was all that Jamie was able to make out. Jamie walked over to the refreshment table to get a soda, deferring her departure in hopes of learning more.

“Here you go!” Emmett said cheerfully as he handed a can of soda to Jamie.

“Thank you. Um, can you tell me who that gentleman is speaking with Miss Peterson?”

“Oh, that’s Brian Kinney, one of Pittsburgh’s leading citizens. The young man with them is his son. Such a good boy and very talented. He’ll be taking some courses at PIFA this fall.”

“Really!” Jamie exclaimed. That meant she might have more opportunities to be alone with Lindsay.

“Oh yes, we’re all so proud.”

“And the other woman?” Jamie prodded. She knew who Melanie was but wanted more information. Apparently this cheerful man was a fount of information.

“That’s Melanie Marcus, a lawyer and Lindsay’s husband for…oh dear, what century is this? Oh and there’s JR; she’s their daughter. Mel’s pride and joy, as Gus is Lindsay’s.”

“Brian Kinney is the father of Lindsay’s son?”

“And Michael Novotny is JR’s dad,” Emmett said innocently as Michael joined the family grouping. “We’re just one big happy family!” Emmett gushed then turned to hand a hotdog to another picnicker.

“Hmm,” Jamie grumbled.

 

*****
 

“Hey.”

“Hey, Bri. What’s up?”

“Not me at the moment,” Brian said softly as he received a loving kiss from Justin. “The family all here?”

“Yep. All present and accounted for. Even my Dad came.”

“I’m happy for you, Sunshine.”

“So, why don’t you sound happy?”

“I think we’re finally getting old.” That made Justin laugh.

“Why do you say that?” Justin asked Brian. Then he turned to Briana. “No, running, Bree,” he said as she was trying to run a course around and in between the metal sculptures. Justin was multi-tasking as most parents do.

“It’s amazing how we do that.”

“Do what?”

“One minute we’re Justin Taylor, famous artist with his supportive partner, the stunningly handsome and savvy businessman, Brian Kinney.” Justin cracked up with laughter. Brian was still ever so modest. “The next minute we’re Brian and Justin, fathers to an almost eighteen year old college student and to a six year old going on thirty little princess.”

“Did Lindsay and Mel agree to the name thing?” Justin asked, ignoring Brian’s lament. He knew it meant nothing.

“Yeah, I think Sonny Boy may get his name.” Justin wrapped his arms around Brian’s trim waist.

“You’re a brave man, risking Mel’s wrath,” Justin said. Brian snorted but wrapped his arms around his spouse then kissed the top of the blond head.

“Come on, Sunshine, your public awaits,” Brian murmured, reluctantly disengaging from his lover’s arms. “You have more people to meet and greet.” The lovers kissed then transformed back into famous artist and stunningly handsome supportive spouse.

 

*****
 

“Excuse me, Mr. Novotny?” the alleged stalker approached Michael as Michael was disposing of his trash.

“What?” Michael said as he jumped, slightly startled by the handsome young man. “Who are you? And why are you stalking me?”

“Stalking? I’m not...but I can see why you would think that. I guess you don’t recognize me. But it was a long time ago.”

“I know you?”

“We only met a few times. You were trying to be nice but I don’t think I gave you a chance.”

“But who are you?” Michael was searching his memory but coming up blank. The man had familiar facial features but Michael couldn’t put his finger on it.

“I’m Hank, Hank Cameron, David Cameron’s son.” Hank held out his hand to a shocked Michael Novotny.

 

*****
 

“Brian Kinney,” a once handsome face purred.

“I don’t do repeats,” Brian fired back automatically.

“That’s good because we never did it that night, although you won the bet legitimately. You have the right to collect your winnings.”

Brian snorted at the absurdity of it all. “Mikey was right, you are Brandon.”

“Mikey?”

“A friend.”

“Did I do him? Was he on the list?”

“No.”

“No matter.”

“Why are you here?” Brian asked coldly.

“My firm is considering opening a branch here.” Brandon handed Brian his card. Brian gave a cursory glance then pocketed the card. “Since I knew the area well, I volunteered to scope out the prospects. Thought I’d take the time to look up old friends and rivals.”

“And now that you have, don’t let me stop you from leaving.”

“Why would I leave? The prospects are looking better and better.” Brandon leered at Brian. Brian was about to favor the interloper with some choice words when a strawberry blonde princess ran crashing into Brian’s legs.

“Dada, Daddy needs you!” Bree shouted up to her father. Brian swooped down to pick up his daughter, shielding her petite body with his own.

“Okay, Squirt.” Without further ado, Brian walked away holding Bree close, leaving the interloper standing alone.

“Who was that man, Dada?”

“Nobody, Squirt. Now, let’s see what your Daddy needs.”

“Okay, Dada!”

Brian and Bree were quickly at Justin’s side and safe within his embrace, standing under Justin's metal garden.

-TBC-
 

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