What A Difference A Year Makes
Chapter 9
"Brian?"
"Hunter, is that you?"
"Yeah."
"What is it now?"
"Am I interrupting anything?"
"A few hours ago, that would have been a big yes, now, you're just annoying me."
"Sorry, I'll call back another time."
"Wait! What is it, kid? School giving you trouble?" Brian hoped it was school trouble. That he could handle. Advice to the lovelorn, he could not.
"No, this is my last semester there."
"Already? I remember when you were a little tyke in short pants. Where have the years gone?" Brian snarked as he lay alone in his bed, smoking a cigarette and chatting with the blond. Just not his blond.
"Brian, what the fuck are you talking about?"
"Nothing. Get to the point so I can go back to being miserable."
"Why are you miserable?"
"I'll give you a hint. It's Sunday night."
"Oh. OH! Sorry."
"Quit saying you're sorry and tell me why you called. Or should I guess."
"Nick started at Penn this semester and I..."
"You miss him."
"Yeah."
"Have you called him?"
"Yeah but I guess he's busy settling in and all. We haven't had a real conversation since he got there. He had to be there early to get student housing and find a job. It's been weeks."
"I know the feeling. Have you offered to drive up?"
"Yeah but he's, um, busy."
"Oh. I guess you must be doing what I'm doing."
"What's that?"
"Having a meaningful relationship with my right hand. A lot."
"Brian, what am I supposed to do? He's my first boyfriend and I don't want to make an asshole of myself. But I really miss him."
"Drinking helps."
"Brian."
"I know. And I didn't mean it. And before you ask or alert the media, no, I'm not drowning my sorrows every night. I have to stay focused for Kinnetik and I want my liver to be around for a long time. I have plans for it so I have to stay healthy, for many reasons."
"I can understand that. I did pick up a few things from Ben."
"I'm sure you did. He's 'Mr. I'll beat this thing with healthy living even if it kills me.' Hunter, have some patience. I did the same thing when I got into Penn. My parents never helped me. I only had a partial scholarship so I had to work my butt off to stay there but it paid off. Give him some time."
"You think he'll call me?"
"I'm sure he will. And if he doesn't then he really wasn't the one."
"You're supposed to be making me feel better."
"The truth hurts sometimes."
"No shit. Well, thanks. I think I'm going to have a party with my hand."
"Have fun. Think of me, it'll help," Brian snarked just before he cut the connection.
"Oh yeah, big help," Hunter said to dead air.
<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>
"Miss Sanchez, I'm Bobby Morrison and this is my partner John Anderson. We're so glad to meet you." Bobby and John took Wednesday off to come to Pittsburgh to meet their prospective surrogate. They set up the meeting at the GLC, someplace safe where they could talk without reservation.
"It's nice to meet you both. Melanie speaks highly of you. Mr. Anderson, Mel told me how much you look like Brian but the resemblance is amazing."
"Call me John and I assure you that our physical resemblance is the only thing we have in common, that and our devotion to our partners."
Miss Sanchez raised her eyebrows at that remark. Brian's reputation was still vilified but she decided not to pursue it.
"Call me Gina. Melanie said you're both in excellent health and really want to have a baby. Who will be the sperm donor?"
"Bobby will. As you can see I'm a bit older than Bobby. It makes more sense for him to be the biological father. Although, I'm self employed and can be home for the baby."
"You seemed to have this all worked out."
"We've always wanted children and now seems the best time to do it," John remarked.
Addressing Bobby, Gina had her own questions. "Bobby, you're rather quiet. Does your partner always do all the talking?"
"Miss Sanchez, Gina, if you've spoken to Melanie then you must know I'm a lawyer. My only misgivings are that one day, when we least expect it, you'll be knocking on our door demanding at the very least parental rights or at worst trying to take away our child. I want to know your take on this. Why do you do this?"
"A fair question. I've been blessed with my own children and with fertility. I started out helping my sister when she had difficulty conceiving then I found through the GLC there were so many other couples who had the same problem. I've been with my partner for over twenty years now. We met in high school and have been together ever since. I have been a surrogate for two children and have donated many ova. This will be my last time. I chose you two in part because of Melanie and for the work you two have done in your own community. Your contribution with the Kinney paintings and the work done on the Farm deserves some sort of reward. If I can help by providing a vessel for your child, I will."
John and Bobby were so over whelmed by the precious gift Gina was about to give them that they both needed a moment to dry their eyes and continue with the conversation.
"How do you want to proceed, providing we can come to some mutual agreement?" Bobby asked Gina.
"I have a doctor here. I know you're both negative but I will ask you to submit to testing as will I. You can start hording sperm in a month's time and I'll call you when I've been inseminated. Or if you'd like, I can call you ahead of time so you can be here."
"We'd like to be here," John quickly stated.
"Good." Gina used the question as litmus paper. She knew they'd pass her test. "Here is my doctor's card. You can have your test results sent to her and I will authorize my results to be made known to you. If all goes well, we may be pregnant by Thanksgiving. I'll have Melanie contact you with the agreement. I think you'll find it acceptable."
Standing, they all shook hands and went their separate ways for now.
<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>
It was approaching October and Hunter was becoming more than just miserable. This was his last semester at Harrisburg and he was hoping to transfer to a local four year college for the Spring. He had considered Penn but decided against it for several reasons. One of which was Nick. Hunter hadn't heard a thing from him for weeks. He really didn't want to transfer to Penn then run into him on campus. If they were no longer a couple, Hunter had rather stay as far away as possible. His other reason was his work at the Farm. Hunter loved his job and wanted to continue there. And then there were the Andersons, his 'adoptive family.' Hunter had so many changes in his life, he wanted to hang onto something stable and the Andersons gave him stability. It felt right. Hunter didn't have classes on Friday so he took that day as a study day and to spend at the Farm to do his chores. When he went home to Claire's for lunch he had a surprise waiting for him.
"Are you still talking to me?" Nick asked as Hunter came through the screen door into the kitchen.
"I should slug you," Hunter said, trying to contain the excitement at seeing his first lover. They squared off looking like gun-slingers at the O-K corral. Claire held her breath.
"I owe you an apology but can I have a kiss first?" Nick ventured. Seeing Hunter relax, Claire took the opportunity to make her excuses and went to the church for her usual Friday volunteer work. The screen door slamming shut spurned Hunter's move and Nick found his arms full of his own blond. When they finally came up for air Nick showered Hunter with a bevy of "I'm sorrys."
"You can explain it all to me upstairs in my room." Holding hands Hunter led his lover to his bedroom. They made love on Hunter's bed. Afterwards, Nick tried to explain himself.
"Hunter, can I explain?"
"I think you should. Just answer one question for me. Was this our last time?"
"No! God no. When I got to Penn, it hit me all at once. Med school, being away from home for the first time, us. I got so confused and scared. This is costing my parents a lot, even with the student loans and the part time job. It was so overwhelming. And I didn't know how to explain it all to you."
"So you decided to shut me out all together."
"I didn't intend to. Really I didn't. I just prayed you'd understand and wait for me."
"I almost didn't."
"What made you change your mind?"
"Brian."
"Brian? What did he have to say?"
"He said to have patience and that if you were really the one, you'd call."
"He's a very wise man."
"Yes he is."
"So are you very angry at me?"
"No, not very angry, just disappointed. I mean there are millions of guys out there who aren't positive. I figured it was a lot less complicated."
"Hunter, don't ever say that. I'll admit there are some pretty hot guys at Penn but none of them ring my chimes like you do?"
"Ah, I see Claire got to you."
"Yes she did. I'm sorry Hunter and I promise to call and visit and you can come to Penn on the weekends if you want. I have my own apartment."
"It's not easy making your own way in the world, is it?"
"No, it's not. But you survived. I will too."
"Just make sure you don't do it the way I did."
"I won't. I promise. Hunter, when does Claire come home?"
"She'll be gone for hours. Why, what do you have in mind?" Hunter smiled hopefully.
"Mmm, I think I can come up with something."
"So much for studying."
<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>
By mid October Brian and Justin had fallen into a regular schedule of visits and except for a couple of shows that Justin had to attend, he was expected home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Justin's enthusiastic receptions of Brian in New York made the snarky comments regarding Brian's obvious absence in the backrooms and baths all worth it. Liberty Avenue still had no idea of Brian's commitment to Justin and that was just how he liked it. They all assumed that Brian was being very discrete or hiring house call hustlers. But it still hurt Brian, on occasion, that his family still didn't know the real Brian. Debbie and Ben began to be his staunchest supporters. Debbie knew what Brian had done at John and Bobby's wedding and Ben recognized the signs of a man who wanted more than gratuitous sex. Michael had no clue, Emmett remained in his own little world and Teddy was too busy to really notice anything except that his boss was the first one in the office and the last to leave. Of course, Cynthia noticed, and she did everything in her power to protect her boss and one of her closest friends. Brian remained aloof and that was all anybody noticed.
Carl was having fun at Babylon, much to everyone's surprise and the club was making money hand over fist. Brian would make an obligatory visit now and then, still recognized as the emperor of his realm. At thirty-seven, Brian still turned heads, forever looking young. And his rep as stud and asshole still stood. He could be seen flirting but that was all. And no one knew.
Michael would call to taunt Brian but he still believed that his ex-best friend was still fucking around so he never made any attempt to learn the truth or to share a beer. Brian mourned the loss then threw himself into the next campaign. Ben learned through Hunter of Brian's fidelity and paid the man a visit at Kinnetik one afternoon. Brian's one time trick became one of his closest confidants. The two men made it a point to go to lunch once a week. Brian thought of it as almost a rite of passage. He always admired the professor on many levels and gave him credit for being able to put up with Michael. Brian knew Ben loved Michael and Michael was a better man for it, even if he didn't know it. It was at one of these lunches that Ben learned of the commitment.
"Hey."
"Hi, Brian. I took the opportunity to order you a glass of wine."
"Are you trying to seduce me?" Brian snarked as his sat in his chair opposite his new best friend.
"I won't dignify that with an answer. How is Justin?"
"As beautiful and talented as ever. He's the darling of the art world in New York. The art patrons are all buzzing around him. His paintings are in demand. I just may get used to being a kept man." Ben noticed Brian absentmindedly fingering his necklace hidden under his shirt, the chain just about visible.
"I don't think Brian Kinney would ever allow himself to be a kept man. But I am happy for Justin. He's doing want he wants to, what he's worked so hard to accomplish. You should be proud of him."
"I am professor, more than you know. So how is that annoying little partner of yours? Still playing with comics?" Brian's sarcasm was apparent as he looked over his menu and settled on a chicken caesar salad.
"He's the same. The store is doing quite well."
"And you, how have you been? T-cells behaving? Muscles still rippling?"
"I'm good. Brian, have you heard from Hunter lately?"
"Spoke with the lad not too long ago. He's fine. He and the bf are fine. Doing the nasty on a regular basis and yes they're being careful. I'm sure Hunter will tell you all about it at Thanksgiving. You are going to Claire's, aren't you? Debbie's planning what she's going to cook already and I have it on good authority that Hunter's little friend will be joining us. At least part of the time, he has parents too."
"Thank you, Brian."
"For what?"
"For being there for Hunter, it seems you've been a better father to him than we have."
"Don't. Don't say that. He loves you, loves both of you. I'm easier to talk to because I don't have the right to tell him what to do and he won't disappoint me. He wants you to be proud of him." Brian reached across the table and gave Ben's hand a pat.
"I am proud of him." Ben smiled. Brian had grown, even without the family's so-called help or lack thereof. Ben suspected it was, in part, due to Justin's faith in Brian and he was right.
"Call him. Maybe then he'll stop pestering me," Brian sneered but Ben saw through it.
"Brian, what is that?"
"What's what?"
"That, under your shirt? You keep playing with it." Brian thought about lying or making some excuse but he trusted Ben so he gently pulled the necklace from under his shirt.
"That's beautiful. A gift from Justin?" Ben recognized the significance of the sun carved on the shell. Brian nodded. "Brian, have I missed something? Have you and Justin made a commitment of some kind?" Brian nodded again. "Why haven't you said anything? All those comments from everyone, you just take it. They have no right to put you down all the time."
Brian remained silent as their order came and he picked up his fork.
"Wait just a fucking minute." Ben's use of language made Brian sit up. "The diner, every time someone makes a rude remark at the diner Debbie comes down on them like a ton of bricks. She knows, doesn't she?" Ben noticed the twinkle in Brian's eyes. Ben, a very intuitive man put two and two together and came up with a year. "John and Bobby's ceremony, it all started at their ceremony." Leaning close to preserve Brian's reputation and dignity Ben went on. "You've been monogamous since then, haven't you?"
Brian nodded again and lunch continued without further comment on the subject. After lunch as the friends departed company Ben made his own commitment to Brian.
"Brian, for some reason you and Justin have decided to keep the nature of your relationship a secret and I respect that. If Liberty Avenue gets wind of it I'm sure your privacy will be a thing of the past. But I want you to know that I will support you, and if you need to talk or need me to rattle on while you just nod your head, I'll be there for you. I have grown to respect you. I'm not oblivious to your contributions to our community albeit your stealthy contributions. You have changed and for the better. I won't stand by quietly but I won't reveal anything either." Brian smiled and shook the professor's hand then returned to work.