"Coup de Foudre" 130
Clearing the air… and laying down the law.
By Gaedhal
Part 130
Pittsburgh, August 2016
“That goddamn Justin!” Michael fumed. “Why didn’t he tell me? I have a right to know that Brian was in the hospital again!”
“Oh?” said Debbie. “You have the right to know? Since when are you Brian’s next-of-kin?”
“Since when is Justin?” Michael retorted.
“Listen, Mikey,” said Deb, sticking her finger in Michael’s face. “When Brian had his accident we all agreed - and that means ALL of us who care about Brian - that Justin was going to be in charge. Do you want to close the store and move into the loft to take care of Brian full time? Because he’s a full-time job and you know it. What would Ben have to say about that, huh?”
“Don’t call me Mikey,” Michael sniffed. “I’m not 12 years old!”
“Then don’t act like a fucking 12-year-old!” Deb wiped her hands on her apron. “Brian’s home now and everything seems to be fine. Frankly, I don’t blame Sunshine for keeping this quiet. Everything involving Brian turns out to be a big, fucking freak out around here. You know what the doctors said - Brian needs a lot of peace and quiet to heal. He had a setback - Justin explained it - but he’s better now. I don’t see why you’re getting your undies in a bundle about it.”
“A seizure, Ma!” Michael exclaimed. “That’s pretty fucking serious if you ask me! What if it happens again? What if Brian never… what if he never gets better? What if he’s never the same?”
Debbie took her son’s hand. “Shit happens, honey, even to Brian Kinney. Everyone we know has been through bad times. Think about Vic. Or Justin getting bashed. Or what happened to Ted with his coma. And how many times has Ben been in the hospital for one thing or another? And you - you think I wasn’t hysterical when you got blown up? You think I enjoyed seeing you look like… like…” Deb fished around in her mind for an apt simile. “Like a burned piece of meatloaf?”
Michael winced. “Meatloaf? Seriously, Ma?”
“Would you rather I said you looked like a charred hot dog? Because you did!”
“Thanks for that image.”
“I’m only trying to point out that we’ve all been in some lousy situations,” said Deb. “Justin is the best person to deal with this because he’s been there. I remember Jennifer telling me about Justin’s seizures and how upset she got. Nobody wants to see that, especially when it’s somebody you love. I went through it with Vic, too, so I could relate. I say, cut Justin some slack. The last thing both of them need is you second guessing them, especially if you don’t want Brian to land in the hospital again.”
“What do you mean again?”
Michael and Deb turned around to see Gus standing on the stairs, listening.
“Hey, baby,” said Debbie. “It’ll be about a half-hour until dinner.”
“Was my father in the hospital again? I want to know the truth!” Gus demanded.
“He had a high fever, so Justin took him to the E.R.,” Michael explained. “But he’s back at the loft now. He’s okay.”
“He had a seizure! You said he did! I heard you!” Gus’s voice was rising towards hysteria. “What’s the matter with him? He should be back at the house with me and Carmel! That’s where he belongs! Not in some… some loft with that… that creep, Justin!”
“That’s enough!” Debbie commanded. “Now, I’ve let you stay here because you’re Brian’s son and I’ve known you practically since the day you were born.”
“And I have known you since the day you were born,” Michael added. “And so, by the way, has Justin.”
“So what? You want me to give you some kind of prize because you were there?” Gus said sullenly.
“And you want me to pack your bags and put you on a bus up to Toronto?" Debbie huffed. "Because Michael can drop you off at the bus station within an hour, can’t you Michael?”
Michael glared at the kid. He really wanted to pop the brat in the chops! If he wasn’t Brian’s son… but then if Gus wasn’t Brian’s son they wouldn’t have to deal with this crap at all. “With pleasure, Ma. I’ll pay for his ticket.”
Gus shrunk back. “You can’t! I’m starting school on Monday! It’s already paid for! And I have my St. James uniform, and my book bag, and… and… I’m due at orientation on Friday!”
Debbie and Michael exchanged looks. “I think it’s time,” Deb said.
Michael nodded. “Sit down.” He pulled out a kitchen chair.
“But…”
“I said ‘sit down’!” Michael’s voice was much louder and sharper. He’d learned that trick dealing with Hunter. It was all in the tone of voice. “And I want you to listen and keep your trap shut while Ma and I tell you a couple of things.”
Gus sat down in the chair, his face stormy. Debbie was angry at the kid, but she almost laughed because the look was so much like Brian’s when he was in a pissy mood. She glanced at Michael and winked.
But Michael wasn’t in a humorous frame of mind. He was scared about Brian’s health, much more than he’d ever admit. Brian’s accident had rattled him to the core in a way he hadn’t felt since he found out Brian had cancer. It rattled him almost as much as when Ben had that attack of pancreatitis and almost died. And now here was this kid… this frustrating, entitled kid who seemed to instinctively know exactly how to pull everyone’s chain. Brian’s kid. Cute little Gus now grown up into a budding son of a bitch. Just like his old man!
“First off, I’m not kidding about putting you on that bus to Toronto,” said Michael. “If it had been up to me, you would have been on it weeks ago instead of getting ready to start school at St. James. The last thing I would do if you were my son would be to reward your shitty behavior by letting you go to some expensive private school. Reform school would be my first choice.”
Gus made a sour face. “But you’re not my dad - thank God!”
“And you’re not my son - also thank God!” Michael snapped. “But you need to know one important thing - the only reason you haven’t been sent back to Toronto, and the only reason you’re going to St. James has nothing to do with Brian.”
Gus blinked. “What do you mean by that?”
“He means,” said Debbie. “That your father refused to pay your tuition to St. James. Ted took the papers over for Brian to sign over a week ago and he wouldn’t do it. Outright refused. He said that… that…” Debbie shrugged.
“He said that you were an obnoxious little shit and that public school was good enough for him, so it should be good enough for you. And that if you didn’t like it, you could go back up to Toronto and - I quote - ‘learn to live in Muncher Land and like it’!”
Gus stared. “He never said that!”
“But he did,” said Michael. “I went over with Ted and I heard him. And, to be truthful, I agreed with him.”
“But… but I’m enrolled!” Gus insisted. “I have the letter from Dr. Dearing, welcoming me to the class of 2019!”
“Honey,” said Deb. “The only reason you’re going to St. James Academy is because Justin paid your tuition. Brian refused to do it, so Justin took money out of his 401K and paid it himself. He also gave me the money to buy your uniforms and pay your school fees.”
Gus’s mouth fell open. “I don’t believe you!”
“Believe it,” said Michael. “I told Justin he was making a big fucking mistake, but he went ahead and did it.”
Gus was stunned. “But… but what about Dad?”
“He doesn’t know… yet,” said Michael. “Because when he finds out he’ll flip out. He didn’t want you to go anywhere near St. James because Justin was almost killed there when he wasn’t much older than you. Almost killed by a homophobic asshole who used to be his friend - until he came out. Both Justin and Brian were traumatized by it and Brian couldn’t stand the thought of you going into that school. But Justin knew that’s where you wanted to go. He knew Ron’s death and then Brian’s accident had hit you hard and he wanted you to be happy. And if St. James would make you happy, then that’s where he wanted you to be.”
Gus shook his head. “What will happen when my dad finds out I’m there?”
“Knowing Brian, he’ll be madder than a wet hen,” said Debbie. “But he’ll get over it. If it’s a choice between being mad at Justin and forgiving Justin - he’ll forgive him. And he’ll forgive you, too. Because he loves you both. And he needs you both.”
“And Justin took that chance because he loves you both, too,” said Michael. “You and Brian. You might not believe that, but he’s loved you since you were a tiny baby. Held you, fed you, taught you how to draw. You were born the night Brian met Justin and he always called the two of you ‘my boys.’ You might as well give up hating him, kid, because he doesn’t hate you. And if you want to have a good relationship with your father, then you’re going to have to learn to accept him.”
“But you said he hurt my dad!” said Gus in confusion. “You said he left him!” He turned to Debbie. “Didn’t he? Didn’t he hurt Dad?”
Debbie touched Gus’s shoulder gently. “That’s what happens with love, honey. Sometimes you hurt each other. I’m sure Brian and Ron hurt each other, too, sometimes. But if you love each other, you get over it.” Then Deb smacked Gus in the head, just hard enough for him to remember it. “So get over it!’”
“Hey, that hurt!” Gus whined.
“But you’ll live, won’t you?” said Debbie.
“I guess so,” said Gus. “But what about school?”
“If you want to reject Justin’s gift, go ahead,” said Michael. “But you’ll have to be the one to tell him. Or else accept it and then thank him. It’s your choice.”
“My choice,” Gus whispered. “Shit! This is hard!”
“I know,” said Michael. “Welcome to Reality, kid.”
By Gaedhal
Part 130
Pittsburgh, August 2016
“That goddamn Justin!” Michael fumed. “Why didn’t he tell me? I have a right to know that Brian was in the hospital again!”
“Oh?” said Debbie. “You have the right to know? Since when are you Brian’s next-of-kin?”
“Since when is Justin?” Michael retorted.
“Listen, Mikey,” said Deb, sticking her finger in Michael’s face. “When Brian had his accident we all agreed - and that means ALL of us who care about Brian - that Justin was going to be in charge. Do you want to close the store and move into the loft to take care of Brian full time? Because he’s a full-time job and you know it. What would Ben have to say about that, huh?”
“Don’t call me Mikey,” Michael sniffed. “I’m not 12 years old!”
“Then don’t act like a fucking 12-year-old!” Deb wiped her hands on her apron. “Brian’s home now and everything seems to be fine. Frankly, I don’t blame Sunshine for keeping this quiet. Everything involving Brian turns out to be a big, fucking freak out around here. You know what the doctors said - Brian needs a lot of peace and quiet to heal. He had a setback - Justin explained it - but he’s better now. I don’t see why you’re getting your undies in a bundle about it.”
“A seizure, Ma!” Michael exclaimed. “That’s pretty fucking serious if you ask me! What if it happens again? What if Brian never… what if he never gets better? What if he’s never the same?”
Debbie took her son’s hand. “Shit happens, honey, even to Brian Kinney. Everyone we know has been through bad times. Think about Vic. Or Justin getting bashed. Or what happened to Ted with his coma. And how many times has Ben been in the hospital for one thing or another? And you - you think I wasn’t hysterical when you got blown up? You think I enjoyed seeing you look like… like…” Deb fished around in her mind for an apt simile. “Like a burned piece of meatloaf?”
Michael winced. “Meatloaf? Seriously, Ma?”
“Would you rather I said you looked like a charred hot dog? Because you did!”
“Thanks for that image.”
“I’m only trying to point out that we’ve all been in some lousy situations,” said Deb. “Justin is the best person to deal with this because he’s been there. I remember Jennifer telling me about Justin’s seizures and how upset she got. Nobody wants to see that, especially when it’s somebody you love. I went through it with Vic, too, so I could relate. I say, cut Justin some slack. The last thing both of them need is you second guessing them, especially if you don’t want Brian to land in the hospital again.”
“What do you mean again?”
Michael and Deb turned around to see Gus standing on the stairs, listening.
“Hey, baby,” said Debbie. “It’ll be about a half-hour until dinner.”
“Was my father in the hospital again? I want to know the truth!” Gus demanded.
“He had a high fever, so Justin took him to the E.R.,” Michael explained. “But he’s back at the loft now. He’s okay.”
“He had a seizure! You said he did! I heard you!” Gus’s voice was rising towards hysteria. “What’s the matter with him? He should be back at the house with me and Carmel! That’s where he belongs! Not in some… some loft with that… that creep, Justin!”
“That’s enough!” Debbie commanded. “Now, I’ve let you stay here because you’re Brian’s son and I’ve known you practically since the day you were born.”
“And I have known you since the day you were born,” Michael added. “And so, by the way, has Justin.”
“So what? You want me to give you some kind of prize because you were there?” Gus said sullenly.
“And you want me to pack your bags and put you on a bus up to Toronto?" Debbie huffed. "Because Michael can drop you off at the bus station within an hour, can’t you Michael?”
Michael glared at the kid. He really wanted to pop the brat in the chops! If he wasn’t Brian’s son… but then if Gus wasn’t Brian’s son they wouldn’t have to deal with this crap at all. “With pleasure, Ma. I’ll pay for his ticket.”
Gus shrunk back. “You can’t! I’m starting school on Monday! It’s already paid for! And I have my St. James uniform, and my book bag, and… and… I’m due at orientation on Friday!”
Debbie and Michael exchanged looks. “I think it’s time,” Deb said.
Michael nodded. “Sit down.” He pulled out a kitchen chair.
“But…”
“I said ‘sit down’!” Michael’s voice was much louder and sharper. He’d learned that trick dealing with Hunter. It was all in the tone of voice. “And I want you to listen and keep your trap shut while Ma and I tell you a couple of things.”
Gus sat down in the chair, his face stormy. Debbie was angry at the kid, but she almost laughed because the look was so much like Brian’s when he was in a pissy mood. She glanced at Michael and winked.
But Michael wasn’t in a humorous frame of mind. He was scared about Brian’s health, much more than he’d ever admit. Brian’s accident had rattled him to the core in a way he hadn’t felt since he found out Brian had cancer. It rattled him almost as much as when Ben had that attack of pancreatitis and almost died. And now here was this kid… this frustrating, entitled kid who seemed to instinctively know exactly how to pull everyone’s chain. Brian’s kid. Cute little Gus now grown up into a budding son of a bitch. Just like his old man!
“First off, I’m not kidding about putting you on that bus to Toronto,” said Michael. “If it had been up to me, you would have been on it weeks ago instead of getting ready to start school at St. James. The last thing I would do if you were my son would be to reward your shitty behavior by letting you go to some expensive private school. Reform school would be my first choice.”
Gus made a sour face. “But you’re not my dad - thank God!”
“And you’re not my son - also thank God!” Michael snapped. “But you need to know one important thing - the only reason you haven’t been sent back to Toronto, and the only reason you’re going to St. James has nothing to do with Brian.”
Gus blinked. “What do you mean by that?”
“He means,” said Debbie. “That your father refused to pay your tuition to St. James. Ted took the papers over for Brian to sign over a week ago and he wouldn’t do it. Outright refused. He said that… that…” Debbie shrugged.
“He said that you were an obnoxious little shit and that public school was good enough for him, so it should be good enough for you. And that if you didn’t like it, you could go back up to Toronto and - I quote - ‘learn to live in Muncher Land and like it’!”
Gus stared. “He never said that!”
“But he did,” said Michael. “I went over with Ted and I heard him. And, to be truthful, I agreed with him.”
“But… but I’m enrolled!” Gus insisted. “I have the letter from Dr. Dearing, welcoming me to the class of 2019!”
“Honey,” said Deb. “The only reason you’re going to St. James Academy is because Justin paid your tuition. Brian refused to do it, so Justin took money out of his 401K and paid it himself. He also gave me the money to buy your uniforms and pay your school fees.”
Gus’s mouth fell open. “I don’t believe you!”
“Believe it,” said Michael. “I told Justin he was making a big fucking mistake, but he went ahead and did it.”
Gus was stunned. “But… but what about Dad?”
“He doesn’t know… yet,” said Michael. “Because when he finds out he’ll flip out. He didn’t want you to go anywhere near St. James because Justin was almost killed there when he wasn’t much older than you. Almost killed by a homophobic asshole who used to be his friend - until he came out. Both Justin and Brian were traumatized by it and Brian couldn’t stand the thought of you going into that school. But Justin knew that’s where you wanted to go. He knew Ron’s death and then Brian’s accident had hit you hard and he wanted you to be happy. And if St. James would make you happy, then that’s where he wanted you to be.”
Gus shook his head. “What will happen when my dad finds out I’m there?”
“Knowing Brian, he’ll be madder than a wet hen,” said Debbie. “But he’ll get over it. If it’s a choice between being mad at Justin and forgiving Justin - he’ll forgive him. And he’ll forgive you, too. Because he loves you both. And he needs you both.”
“And Justin took that chance because he loves you both, too,” said Michael. “You and Brian. You might not believe that, but he’s loved you since you were a tiny baby. Held you, fed you, taught you how to draw. You were born the night Brian met Justin and he always called the two of you ‘my boys.’ You might as well give up hating him, kid, because he doesn’t hate you. And if you want to have a good relationship with your father, then you’re going to have to learn to accept him.”
“But you said he hurt my dad!” said Gus in confusion. “You said he left him!” He turned to Debbie. “Didn’t he? Didn’t he hurt Dad?”
Debbie touched Gus’s shoulder gently. “That’s what happens with love, honey. Sometimes you hurt each other. I’m sure Brian and Ron hurt each other, too, sometimes. But if you love each other, you get over it.” Then Deb smacked Gus in the head, just hard enough for him to remember it. “So get over it!’”
“Hey, that hurt!” Gus whined.
“But you’ll live, won’t you?” said Debbie.
“I guess so,” said Gus. “But what about school?”
“If you want to reject Justin’s gift, go ahead,” said Michael. “But you’ll have to be the one to tell him. Or else accept it and then thank him. It’s your choice.”
“My choice,” Gus whispered. “Shit! This is hard!”
“I know,” said Michael. “Welcome to Reality, kid.”