"Coup de Foudre" 121
What you've been waiting for…
Enjoy!
By Gaedhal
Pittsburgh, August 2016
Justin’s Jeep pulled into the driveway of the Point Breeze house, followed closely by Ted’s car. Justin jumped out first, but he stood waiting for Ted and Michael to join him.
“Is Jimmy still in there?” Justin asked.
“Well, there’s that big SUV he rented,” said Michael. “So it looks like the answer is yes.”
“Shit,” Justin muttered. “I was hoping…”
“It will take a nuclear bomb to move Jimmy Hardy out of that house,” said Ted. “Especially if Brian is still in it.”
“That’s not going to last much longer,” Justin said. “First I’ve got to get Brian out of that bedroom and then out of this house - at least for the time being.”
“The loft?” Michael suggested.
Justin nodded. “I know it’s obvious, but it’s the most logical place. Brian feels secure there. That’s the most important thing - that Brian’s comfortable. Otherwise he’s not going to get better.”
“Maybe if you take him out to California…” Ted began.
“No!” Justin almost shouted. “Sorry, but no fucking way! That’s exactly where Jimmy wants him to be. And where would we stay? In Ron’s house? With all those memories? That’s not going to help him. I got better in the loft. That’s where Brian helped me heal. It’s quiet there. With just the two of us.”
“What about Gus?” Michael asked. “He’s already freaking out. If you take Brian away… he’s not going to react well.”
Justin shrugged. “I can’t worry about that. Gus has issues I can’t begin to deal with. This is about Brian. And it’s not forever, obviously. When things settle down…”
“But school is starting soon,” Michael reminded him. “Ma volunteered to let Gus live with her. He can go to school from her house, just like you did. And Carl is a good grandfather figure. He does the discipline thing pretty well. Ask Hunter.”
“That’s one possibility,” said Justin. “But Brian will have to agree to it. The trouble is that he’s so against Gus going to St. James, while Gus is adamant that it’s the only place he will go. It’s a fucking stalemate! That’s always going to be a problem with those two, because you know Brian won’t give in. He’s stubborn as a fucking mule!”
“And Gus is Brian’s son all the way,” Ted added.
“That’s for sure,” said Michael.
“We’re just going to have wing it - for now,” said Justin. “But Jimmy…”
“Too bad we don’t have a direct line to ‘TMZ,’” Ted interjected. “Bad publicity seems the only thing Jimmy’s afraid of.”
“Then we should call them!” said Michael. “Really! Who cares if Jimmy Hardy is embarrassed?”
“But then Brian will be dragged into all this,” Justin pointed out. “And Gus, too.”
“Gus has been a little asshole,” Michael snorted. “Maybe he deserves a little payback.”
Justin winced. “He’s been a jerk, but he’s a kid. And he’s Brian’s son. He didn’t ask for most of this shit. He didn’t ask for Ron to die. Or Lindsay and Mel to move to Canada, or for them to have a crappy break-up and then Lindsay to hook up with what’s-her-name? Mavis. Who is pregnant, in case you didn’t know.”
Ted rolled his eyes. “Jesus! Do dykes do anything besides pop out babies?”
“Don’t be homophobic,” Justin warned.
“Oh, please!” Ted snorted. “How can I be homophobic when I’m a gold star fag?”
“Then don’t be lesbophobic. Or lesbiphobic. Whatever. Lindsay is still Gus’s mother,” said Justin. “If we say bad things about her, it just makes things worse.”
“But Brian hates Mavis,” said Michael. “So…”
“Stop!” Justin put up his hands. “Let’s not get off the track. We have to deal with Jimmy before we do anything else.”
“So how can we get rid of him without getting the media involved in this?” said Ted. “Because that’s the only thing he’s afraid of - being outed to the public.”
Justin stood there, thinking. “Shit,” he said, his eyes widening. “I just thought of something! Of course!” He ran back to the Jeep and pulled out his messenger bag. “I know it’s in here. You guys were calling it earlier. Or Gus was.”
Michael frowned. “What the fuck are you looking for?”
“This!” Justin pulled out an iPhone.
“Your cell? So what?”
“No,” Justin corrected. “This is Brian’s phone. I’ve been carrying it because he kept losing it. When I left the house yesterday I still had it in my bag.” He began scrolling through Brian’s contacts. “He’s got a lot of numbers in here, but I know he’s got to have… Yes! I knew it! This is it, guys.”
“This is what?” Ted demanded.
“The key to getting Jimmy Hardy the fuck out of Pittsburgh,” Justin said triumphantly. “The only thing he’s afraid of more than bad publicity. Come on!”
Jimmy was sitting at the kitchen table, a glass of his ‘special’ lemonade, half empty, in front of him. He was also holding a washcloth full of ice cubes to his nose, while Carmel hovered next to him.
“So the Three Stooges return,” Jimmy sniffed. “You’re lucky I didn’t call the cops! I don’t think my nose is broken, but it sure as hell hurts like fuck.”
“Go ahead,” Justin challenged. “Call the cops. But I know you’ll never do that. You don’t want Brian to get arrested. And you don’t want to explain to the police - or a judge - what you’ve been up to here in Pittsburgh.”
Jimmy smirked. “And what have I been up to, Baby Blue?”
But Justin wasn’t smiling. “Trying to get your hands on Brian. And trying to get rid of me. You managed to spin Gus around so he was working with you, but how did that turn out? Where’s Gus now?”
Carmel was wringing her hands. “He’s upstairs, Mr. Justin. But that boy didn’t mean anything! He loves Mr. Brian! He’s a good boy! And now his room and all his things - Ay! Mr. Brian was in there like a bull, smashing and breaking everything. Mr. Brian was acting like a crazy person!”
“And what made him do that?” Justin asked. “Maybe he had a reason to freak out.”
Carmel burst out crying. “It’s your fault! You went away, chico. That’s when Mr. Brian went loco!”
“You knew what was going on!” Justin snapped at her, his patience at an end. “Didn’t you? But you let it happen. You had to know. You were here every day, watching everything.”
Carmel dabbed her eyes with the end of her apron. “I didn’t think it was so bad! Mr. Jimmy and the boy were only fooling around. But then you went away and Mr. Brian got so mad! You should have seen him throwing Mr. Jimmy’s nice clothes out the window!”
“All my things!” Jimmy chimed in. “I don’t buy my clothes at the Big Q, you know.” He looked pointedly at Michael. “But when I tried to get Brian to face me, he popped me in the snout! I was bleeding! A lot!” He took the washcloth away from his nose to show the traces of blood on it.
“He didn’t hit you hard enough, if you ask me,” Michael returned. “You were my favorite actor, but that’s before I knew you. Now I know that what you really are is a fucking creep!”
“I’ll tell all my fans that.” Jimmy pressed the washcloth against his nose. “Everybody loves Jimmy! They won’t mind if I’m slightly disfigured. I have two Academy Awards. I have a house in Beverly Hills, one in Malibu, and another on Maui. What the fuck do you have?”
“My self-respect,” said Michael. “A husband who loves me. And a life I’m not ashamed of. I’m gay and I’m out.” He looked at Ted and Justin, who nodded in agreement. “We all are. And so is Brian. We aren’t cowering in the goddamn closet. I don’t care how many stupid Academy Awards you have, Mr. Hardy. You’re a miserable man because you’re terrified to be what you really are.”
Jimmy glared at Michael. “And what do you think I really am, Comic Book Boy?”
“Another fag,” said Michael. “Like us. And you’re in love with Brian. I don’t blame you for that. We all love Brian - well, in our different ways.” Michael glanced at Ted, who shrugged. “And Ron loved Brian. I think you loved Ron first, but you were afraid to let him know.”
“He knew,” said Justin. “Brian told me. Ron also warned Brian never to trust you. Ever. And he didn’t.”
Jimmy stood up. “That’s a fucking lie! Ron would never say that!”
“It’s the truth and you know it.” Justin took out Brian’s iPhone. “Now it’s time for you to leave. And I don’t mean leave the house. I want you to leave Pittsburgh. Like, on the next flight out of here. You don’t need to pack. Carmel will collect your stuff - or what’s left of it - from the backyard and we’ll mail it to you.”
Jimmy held his head up defiantly. “You can’t make me leave! Brian needs me! And Gus is still on my side!”
Justin shook his head. “Brian doesn’t need you. And Gus… Gus knows what you are now. I think even Carmel is beginning to understand.”
Carmel burst into tears again. “I think you should leave, Mr. Jimmy! It’s for the best.”
“Fuck you!” said Jimmy. He sat back down at the table, reaching for the glass of ‘lemonade.’ “I need more of this.”
“No,” said Justin. “You won’t have time.” Justin looked down at Brian’s iPhone and tapped a number.
“Who the fuck are you calling?” Jimmy stood up again.
“I have the speaker on,” said Justin. “Hear for yourself.”
The phone rang five times and then they heard a voice on the other end. “This is Tess. I can’t answer your call right now, so please leave a message. Thanks and have a nice day!
“Stop!” cried Jimmy. “Give me that fucking phone!”
“Tess?” Ted questioned.
“Jimmy’s wife,” said Michael.
Justin stepped back, away from Jimmy. “Mrs. Hardy, this is Justin Taylor in Pittsburgh. I’m Brian Kinney’s partner and I thought you might like to know that your husband is here and has been here for a while. Actually, he’s worn out his welcome.”
“Stop!” Jimmy begged. “I’ll go! In the morning. I promise.”
“I don’t know if you heard that, but that’s him. I’m sure you already know that he and Brian had an affair a while back. Ron knew and put a stop to it. But now that Ron’s dead he’s here and trying to start it up again. As Brian’s partner I don’t appreciate it. If you don’t tell your husband to get the fuck out of our house and go home, I’m calling ‘TMZ,’ ‘The National Enquirer,’ ‘Page Six,’ and every other tabloid I can think as soon as their offices open tomorrow. You can call me at this number if you have any questions, Mrs. Hardy. I feel badly that I have to do this, but I’m deadly serious. This isn’t blackmail, it’s just the truth - and you know it. Goodbye. Oh, and have a fabulous day!”
“That was a thing of beauty,” Ted commented. Michael nodded.
Jimmy slumped again the kitchen table. “Why the fuck did you do that?”
“It was the only way,” said Justin. “Since you wouldn’t see reason. The ball is in Tess’s court now. If she wants to divorce you, I can give her plenty of information I’m sure she and her lawyers will find very interesting. But she already knows most of it, I’m sure. About Ron. About Brian. And about all those rent boys and desperate young actors who wanted parts in your films. I’m sure a lot of them would be willing to tell their casting couch stories once the dam bursts. Your wife is not a dumb woman, but this nice arrangement the two of you have won’t be so nice if you’re outed by every gossip rag in the country.”
“You lousy little faggot!” Jimmy yelled. “You had no right to call my wife!”
“And you had no right to come here when Brian was sick and vulnerable!” Justin retorted. “It’s no sin to be gay, Jimmy, but to be a liar and a hypocrite - even your fans might find that hard to reconcile with their image of ‘America’s Boy Next Door.’ Your car is in the driveway. So get the fuck out! And I mean NOW!”
Enjoy!
By Gaedhal
Pittsburgh, August 2016
Justin’s Jeep pulled into the driveway of the Point Breeze house, followed closely by Ted’s car. Justin jumped out first, but he stood waiting for Ted and Michael to join him.
“Is Jimmy still in there?” Justin asked.
“Well, there’s that big SUV he rented,” said Michael. “So it looks like the answer is yes.”
“Shit,” Justin muttered. “I was hoping…”
“It will take a nuclear bomb to move Jimmy Hardy out of that house,” said Ted. “Especially if Brian is still in it.”
“That’s not going to last much longer,” Justin said. “First I’ve got to get Brian out of that bedroom and then out of this house - at least for the time being.”
“The loft?” Michael suggested.
Justin nodded. “I know it’s obvious, but it’s the most logical place. Brian feels secure there. That’s the most important thing - that Brian’s comfortable. Otherwise he’s not going to get better.”
“Maybe if you take him out to California…” Ted began.
“No!” Justin almost shouted. “Sorry, but no fucking way! That’s exactly where Jimmy wants him to be. And where would we stay? In Ron’s house? With all those memories? That’s not going to help him. I got better in the loft. That’s where Brian helped me heal. It’s quiet there. With just the two of us.”
“What about Gus?” Michael asked. “He’s already freaking out. If you take Brian away… he’s not going to react well.”
Justin shrugged. “I can’t worry about that. Gus has issues I can’t begin to deal with. This is about Brian. And it’s not forever, obviously. When things settle down…”
“But school is starting soon,” Michael reminded him. “Ma volunteered to let Gus live with her. He can go to school from her house, just like you did. And Carl is a good grandfather figure. He does the discipline thing pretty well. Ask Hunter.”
“That’s one possibility,” said Justin. “But Brian will have to agree to it. The trouble is that he’s so against Gus going to St. James, while Gus is adamant that it’s the only place he will go. It’s a fucking stalemate! That’s always going to be a problem with those two, because you know Brian won’t give in. He’s stubborn as a fucking mule!”
“And Gus is Brian’s son all the way,” Ted added.
“That’s for sure,” said Michael.
“We’re just going to have wing it - for now,” said Justin. “But Jimmy…”
“Too bad we don’t have a direct line to ‘TMZ,’” Ted interjected. “Bad publicity seems the only thing Jimmy’s afraid of.”
“Then we should call them!” said Michael. “Really! Who cares if Jimmy Hardy is embarrassed?”
“But then Brian will be dragged into all this,” Justin pointed out. “And Gus, too.”
“Gus has been a little asshole,” Michael snorted. “Maybe he deserves a little payback.”
Justin winced. “He’s been a jerk, but he’s a kid. And he’s Brian’s son. He didn’t ask for most of this shit. He didn’t ask for Ron to die. Or Lindsay and Mel to move to Canada, or for them to have a crappy break-up and then Lindsay to hook up with what’s-her-name? Mavis. Who is pregnant, in case you didn’t know.”
Ted rolled his eyes. “Jesus! Do dykes do anything besides pop out babies?”
“Don’t be homophobic,” Justin warned.
“Oh, please!” Ted snorted. “How can I be homophobic when I’m a gold star fag?”
“Then don’t be lesbophobic. Or lesbiphobic. Whatever. Lindsay is still Gus’s mother,” said Justin. “If we say bad things about her, it just makes things worse.”
“But Brian hates Mavis,” said Michael. “So…”
“Stop!” Justin put up his hands. “Let’s not get off the track. We have to deal with Jimmy before we do anything else.”
“So how can we get rid of him without getting the media involved in this?” said Ted. “Because that’s the only thing he’s afraid of - being outed to the public.”
Justin stood there, thinking. “Shit,” he said, his eyes widening. “I just thought of something! Of course!” He ran back to the Jeep and pulled out his messenger bag. “I know it’s in here. You guys were calling it earlier. Or Gus was.”
Michael frowned. “What the fuck are you looking for?”
“This!” Justin pulled out an iPhone.
“Your cell? So what?”
“No,” Justin corrected. “This is Brian’s phone. I’ve been carrying it because he kept losing it. When I left the house yesterday I still had it in my bag.” He began scrolling through Brian’s contacts. “He’s got a lot of numbers in here, but I know he’s got to have… Yes! I knew it! This is it, guys.”
“This is what?” Ted demanded.
“The key to getting Jimmy Hardy the fuck out of Pittsburgh,” Justin said triumphantly. “The only thing he’s afraid of more than bad publicity. Come on!”
Jimmy was sitting at the kitchen table, a glass of his ‘special’ lemonade, half empty, in front of him. He was also holding a washcloth full of ice cubes to his nose, while Carmel hovered next to him.
“So the Three Stooges return,” Jimmy sniffed. “You’re lucky I didn’t call the cops! I don’t think my nose is broken, but it sure as hell hurts like fuck.”
“Go ahead,” Justin challenged. “Call the cops. But I know you’ll never do that. You don’t want Brian to get arrested. And you don’t want to explain to the police - or a judge - what you’ve been up to here in Pittsburgh.”
Jimmy smirked. “And what have I been up to, Baby Blue?”
But Justin wasn’t smiling. “Trying to get your hands on Brian. And trying to get rid of me. You managed to spin Gus around so he was working with you, but how did that turn out? Where’s Gus now?”
Carmel was wringing her hands. “He’s upstairs, Mr. Justin. But that boy didn’t mean anything! He loves Mr. Brian! He’s a good boy! And now his room and all his things - Ay! Mr. Brian was in there like a bull, smashing and breaking everything. Mr. Brian was acting like a crazy person!”
“And what made him do that?” Justin asked. “Maybe he had a reason to freak out.”
Carmel burst out crying. “It’s your fault! You went away, chico. That’s when Mr. Brian went loco!”
“You knew what was going on!” Justin snapped at her, his patience at an end. “Didn’t you? But you let it happen. You had to know. You were here every day, watching everything.”
Carmel dabbed her eyes with the end of her apron. “I didn’t think it was so bad! Mr. Jimmy and the boy were only fooling around. But then you went away and Mr. Brian got so mad! You should have seen him throwing Mr. Jimmy’s nice clothes out the window!”
“All my things!” Jimmy chimed in. “I don’t buy my clothes at the Big Q, you know.” He looked pointedly at Michael. “But when I tried to get Brian to face me, he popped me in the snout! I was bleeding! A lot!” He took the washcloth away from his nose to show the traces of blood on it.
“He didn’t hit you hard enough, if you ask me,” Michael returned. “You were my favorite actor, but that’s before I knew you. Now I know that what you really are is a fucking creep!”
“I’ll tell all my fans that.” Jimmy pressed the washcloth against his nose. “Everybody loves Jimmy! They won’t mind if I’m slightly disfigured. I have two Academy Awards. I have a house in Beverly Hills, one in Malibu, and another on Maui. What the fuck do you have?”
“My self-respect,” said Michael. “A husband who loves me. And a life I’m not ashamed of. I’m gay and I’m out.” He looked at Ted and Justin, who nodded in agreement. “We all are. And so is Brian. We aren’t cowering in the goddamn closet. I don’t care how many stupid Academy Awards you have, Mr. Hardy. You’re a miserable man because you’re terrified to be what you really are.”
Jimmy glared at Michael. “And what do you think I really am, Comic Book Boy?”
“Another fag,” said Michael. “Like us. And you’re in love with Brian. I don’t blame you for that. We all love Brian - well, in our different ways.” Michael glanced at Ted, who shrugged. “And Ron loved Brian. I think you loved Ron first, but you were afraid to let him know.”
“He knew,” said Justin. “Brian told me. Ron also warned Brian never to trust you. Ever. And he didn’t.”
Jimmy stood up. “That’s a fucking lie! Ron would never say that!”
“It’s the truth and you know it.” Justin took out Brian’s iPhone. “Now it’s time for you to leave. And I don’t mean leave the house. I want you to leave Pittsburgh. Like, on the next flight out of here. You don’t need to pack. Carmel will collect your stuff - or what’s left of it - from the backyard and we’ll mail it to you.”
Jimmy held his head up defiantly. “You can’t make me leave! Brian needs me! And Gus is still on my side!”
Justin shook his head. “Brian doesn’t need you. And Gus… Gus knows what you are now. I think even Carmel is beginning to understand.”
Carmel burst into tears again. “I think you should leave, Mr. Jimmy! It’s for the best.”
“Fuck you!” said Jimmy. He sat back down at the table, reaching for the glass of ‘lemonade.’ “I need more of this.”
“No,” said Justin. “You won’t have time.” Justin looked down at Brian’s iPhone and tapped a number.
“Who the fuck are you calling?” Jimmy stood up again.
“I have the speaker on,” said Justin. “Hear for yourself.”
The phone rang five times and then they heard a voice on the other end. “This is Tess. I can’t answer your call right now, so please leave a message. Thanks and have a nice day!
“Stop!” cried Jimmy. “Give me that fucking phone!”
“Tess?” Ted questioned.
“Jimmy’s wife,” said Michael.
Justin stepped back, away from Jimmy. “Mrs. Hardy, this is Justin Taylor in Pittsburgh. I’m Brian Kinney’s partner and I thought you might like to know that your husband is here and has been here for a while. Actually, he’s worn out his welcome.”
“Stop!” Jimmy begged. “I’ll go! In the morning. I promise.”
“I don’t know if you heard that, but that’s him. I’m sure you already know that he and Brian had an affair a while back. Ron knew and put a stop to it. But now that Ron’s dead he’s here and trying to start it up again. As Brian’s partner I don’t appreciate it. If you don’t tell your husband to get the fuck out of our house and go home, I’m calling ‘TMZ,’ ‘The National Enquirer,’ ‘Page Six,’ and every other tabloid I can think as soon as their offices open tomorrow. You can call me at this number if you have any questions, Mrs. Hardy. I feel badly that I have to do this, but I’m deadly serious. This isn’t blackmail, it’s just the truth - and you know it. Goodbye. Oh, and have a fabulous day!”
“That was a thing of beauty,” Ted commented. Michael nodded.
Jimmy slumped again the kitchen table. “Why the fuck did you do that?”
“It was the only way,” said Justin. “Since you wouldn’t see reason. The ball is in Tess’s court now. If she wants to divorce you, I can give her plenty of information I’m sure she and her lawyers will find very interesting. But she already knows most of it, I’m sure. About Ron. About Brian. And about all those rent boys and desperate young actors who wanted parts in your films. I’m sure a lot of them would be willing to tell their casting couch stories once the dam bursts. Your wife is not a dumb woman, but this nice arrangement the two of you have won’t be so nice if you’re outed by every gossip rag in the country.”
“You lousy little faggot!” Jimmy yelled. “You had no right to call my wife!”
“And you had no right to come here when Brian was sick and vulnerable!” Justin retorted. “It’s no sin to be gay, Jimmy, but to be a liar and a hypocrite - even your fans might find that hard to reconcile with their image of ‘America’s Boy Next Door.’ Your car is in the driveway. So get the fuck out! And I mean NOW!”