Man of Mystery – 10
Justin had slept better than he had in days knowing that Brian was in the next room. He rose just before sunrise, something his body clock did automatically each day. He didn’t bother showering, he’d do that after he finished his work out, but he did put on clean sweats; they were as soft silk Egyptian cotton, so smooth they felt like silk. Before he headed down to the lake, he made a quick call to his lawyer.
“Hey Brat,” Sandy answered. “I went over the stuff you sent me. You have a good argument for keeping the whole kit and caboodle. It’s not like old Craig ever mentioned you weren’t his son. He acknowledged you as such and the original will was written before DNA analysis.”
“That’s not the issue here. Craig Taylor was my father for all intents and purposes. I just want the legalities of everything straight in my head.”
“You can do what you want with his shit. Is that legal enough for you?” Sandy laughed. “Hey Brian Kinney was checking up on you.”
“You know Brian?” Justin was curious.
“Sure, we go way back. Not as far as you and I, but I know him. He’s one of the few with my number, what can I say.”
“So tell him any secrets?” Justin asked with a laugh. He knew the answer but had to ask.
“Of course. I told him you were an untrustworthy little shit who fucked anything that walked, but only once.”
“That’s not a secret,” Justin grinned. “Hey Sandy, should I contact a local lawyer or can you handle it from there?”
“I have a contact with a license in the state; I’ll run things through her.” Sandy sighed, “Jay, be careful, Brian is seriously checking you and your dad out. I don’t want you to get into any trouble.”
“I’m careful,” Justin paused. “I’ve already returned one thing. I’m going to have Gus and Paul add something to the program so I can relate return adventures. There might be a book or two in it. I’ll be sure to mention your part.”
“You do that Brat,” Sandy paused. “Still no chance for you and I and happily ever after eh?”
“Can’t. I’m a confirmed bachelor.”
“Yeah, well Paul and I are running book on that one,” Sandy giggled as he disconnected.
Justin was smiling as he ran down the stairs to meet the dawn. Sandy was amazing. He was three years younger than Justin, yet years ahead of him in many ways. He was not only a lawyer, but he also had a degree in psychology. Too bad his friend was agoraphobic but he managed to have a full life nevertheless.
This was one of the best times of day as far as Justin was concerned especially here at the lake. Even before he’d began tai chi, he’d always loved to go out on the small wharf and watch the sun appear over the tops of the trees on the other side of the lake. He began to stretch, getting himself ready for what was going to happen next. While he stretched he watched the lake wake up. First one loon and then two took off into the sky, their call haunting. Mist rolled over the calm water, making it look otherworldly but still friendly. A fish jumped sending a ripple of water toward him, and while the air was cool, you could smell heat from the day before as it lay trapped in dark granite rocks on the shore.
He composed himself and began, zuo xashiduli, shuang peng guaner; meditation in motion. He didn’t notice when he was joined by Brian, then Gus, Seiji and Molly and finally Tomo. Individual energies reaching, stretching, moving, flowing from one step forward, a step back, shifting their weight, raising a leg, energies touching, but each mind separate in their individual need to cleanse their souls and body, shuang peng guaner, duo juan gong, one movement leading into another in the slow motion dance that was tai chi.
He also didn’t notice when one by one they dropped back to watch the dance that Brian and Justin performed alone, yet together on the shore. One dressed in black pants, stripped to the waist, muscles glistening. The other in soft cotton, yet muscles oddly visible to the trained eye as they slowly moved, using each other as fulcrums, one movement offset by the other.
To Gus, Seiji and Molly, watching the two men was mesmerizing. Gus, because he had always admired his father and he loved him very much. He could see that Justin was an extension of his father; it was apparent to both Seiji and he as they watched them move. Molly was proud of her brother, proud that he could be so talented and beautiful and she too saw the way Brian and Justin complimented each other and she hoped that maybe they would end up as a couple.
Tomo on the other hand, wasn’t pleased to see the flawless way that Brian and Justin complimented one another in their movements, yin and yang, where one began the other ended. He had to admit they were beautiful and had they been in competition with anyone else they would have won hands down. You could almost see the energy rising from their bodies, swirling around to surround them, feeding first one and then the other so that they were tireless. The dance was becoming more seductive, far more than was originally intended when they had reached the early morning shore.
Gus, Seiji and Molly began to clap their appreciation when Brian and Justin stopped. They watched in fascination as the two men faced one another and bowed to show their respect. Their eyes met and each man stepped forward so that they were within inches of one another.
“Fuck that was sexy,” Gus whispered to Molly who nodded her agreement. Seiji clutched her hand saying nothing, but he agreed as well.
Justin reached up, standing on his toes and kissed Brian’s lips, once, twice, barely touching. No words were spoken, but thousands of words were shouted with their eyes. Justin nodded and then Brian returned the nod before turning away and looking at the kids.
“What are you guys hanging around for?” Brian asked. “I thought you’d have breakfast eaten by now.”
The spell was broken and they all headed for the house. Molly and Seiji hand in hand, Gus trailing slightly behind, all three laughing and talking.
“You’re very good,” Tomo said to Brian.
“And Boyo here?” Brian asked. He put his arm around Justin’s shoulders.
“I taught him; of course he’s good,” Tomo said with a small laugh.
“I’ve had lots of time to practice,” Justin replied, pleased to have Brian’s arm around him even if the man was only trying to continue the charade that they were partners. “How are you hands?” he asked Tomo.
“Amazingly, almost healed. Your servant’s potion is powerful.”
“Maudie isn’t my servant. She’s more like an old family friend who works here. Her family had been part of my mom’s family since forever. I think this place is more hers than ours; she certainly has spent more time here than anyone in the James family.”
“And her husband, he’s family as well?” Tomo was trying to sort out the logistics of what Justin was saying.
“He is, in that he’s Maudie’s husband and has lived here since before I was born. I think he’s some kind of cousin two or three times removed on the James side. Our family is complicated. My dad’s family, the Taylors and my mom’s family the James, have been intertwined for more than two hundred years. No matter what happens or how the members drift apart, somehow the oldest son of the Taylors always manages to find some distant James to marry. It’s weird, but I guess it’s going to stop at this generation.”
“Molly could find a James and so could you.” Tomo looked at Brian. “Isn’t the family money tied up in a legacy somehow from father to son?”
“Been doing your homework before visiting have you?” Brian asked.
“I’m sure Justin must have said something when we were younger.” Tomo looked at Justin. “We did spend a lot time together the year we met.”
“Not talking about my family,” Justin smirked.
Brian pulled Justin close and kissed the top of his head. “I know what we would have been doing at that age,” he whispered loud enough for Tomo to hear and he saw as the man flushed at the implication.
They had reached the house. “Brian and I are going to shower. If you ask Maudie I’m sure she has plastic bags for your hands that you can use so that you can shower as well.”
“Does she have one for his ass, because if I recall, he was sitting in the stuff,” Brian laughed. “I bet you’ll look out for poison ivy in the future.”
Tomo didn’t bother to answer. Instead he watched furiously while Brian chased Justin up the wide front staircase, wincing when he heard only one door open and slam shut.
Brian and Justin found themselves standing inside Justin’s door looking at each other awkwardly. “I guess this is where I head for my own room and my shower, “ Brian said, though his eyes said different.
“I guess,” Justin confirmed. “You know you’re pretty good. We were awesome together.”
“Seems that way.” Brian felt himself flush with pleasure like a teenager at the compliment. He turned and walked through the door that connected their rooms quietly shutting it behind him.
Justin was almost glad that the other man hadn’t made a move. He might not have been able to say no and that could prove awkward if Molly and Gus were to remain friends after he went back to New York.
After he’d showered and changed into shorts, Justin headed down to the kitchen. He was starving and hoped that Maudie still cooked the big breakfasts he remembered from his childhood.
“Well if it isn’t the late Justin Taylor,” Molly quipped. “We’ve eaten everything, you get stale, cold cereal.”
“Nice try Mollster,” Justin laughed as he messed up her hair. “Hey Seiji, good work out this morning, you too Gus. Molly you need to think less about your form and more about the feelings you have as you make the moves. Your form will come with practice, it always does.”
“I was just telling her that,” Brian said. He placed a plate filled with two eggs over easy, bacon and hash browns in front of Justin. “Here you go Boyo, Maudie said this is what you like to eat. Toast will be here in a minute.
“You wait tables with panache,” Justin grinned as Brian poured him a glass of orange juice.
“I’ve had lots of practice. I paid for my high school education waiting tables. I started out in greasy spoons and worked my way up to fine dining. The tips were better.”
“I used to tutor jocks. I charged double the going rate and made them beg,” Justin laughed. “But they soon learned that with me as a tutor, they’d be guaranteed a B and more than likely would get an A.”
“Yeah and you didn’t get your ass kicked as much,” Gus said with a laugh. “I know how these schools work. They spell punching bag, f-a-g.”
“That was an added bonus,” Justin agreed. “But I found that the more proficient I became with tai chi the easier things became. With more focus and the learned ability to reach inside myself for my inner strength, or chi, negative energy from the assholes was turned back on themselves,” he shrugged. “What can I say, it worked.” He turned to Brian, “More coffee please.”
“Did you break you legs?” Brian laughed. “It’s your turn Boyo to serve me.”
“But Cookie, you do it so well, I love how you play house boy, to my master,” Justin said as he batted his eyelashes at Brian.
The kids couldn’t quite believe what they heard. Tomo glowered. Brian laughed, jumped up with an exaggerated swish, heading for the coffee pot.
“You order your partner around?” Tomo’s voice was shocked. “Brian, I’ve heard that you were more… more…..” he was at a loss for words.
“Less whipped you mean?” Gus asked. “No Justin and dad have a rather unusual relationship wouldn’t you say Molly and Seiji?”
“Definitely unusual,” Molly agreed. “Though I do think you punish Mr. K too much Justin.”
“When he’s a bad boy, he has to be punished. Isn’t that right Cookie?”
Brian stuck his tongue out at Justin behind Tomo’s back. “That’s right Boyo.” He put his hand on Justin’s shoulder and squeezed hard. Justin didn’t flinch, though his grin wobbled slightly.
Molly, Seiji and Gus all saw Brian’s tongue and had to bite their lips not to laugh.
“Enough with all this fooling around. It’s a bright sunny day,” Maudie said as she shooed everyone from the kitchen. “Justin and Brian if you want more coffee, you’re going to have to take it with you. Molly, Gus and Seiji, we’re going to make blackberry jelly today.”
“We are, where’s the blackberries?” Molly asked.
“I’m glad you asked,” she chuckled and handed each of them a large white bucket. “The best patch of blackberries can be found down by the duck pond. Pick clean, which means no leaves or bad berries, you’ll only have to clean them later if you don’t.”
“Maudie, it’s too hot to pick blackberries,” Gus whined. He’d been stuck doing the same thing every year for the last ten. He hated it.
“I’ve never picked blackberries,” Seiji said, grasping his bucket with eagerness. “Can I take some of the jelly home?”
“Of course you can dear,” Maudie beamed.
“Seiji, it’s tons of fun,” Gus said. “The bushes have thorns on them, there are spiders and nettles, and every bug in the world wants to eat you. Your hands get stained and …..”
“Suck it up princess,” Brian laughed. “We’re out of jelly. I rather enjoy your blackberry jelly each year.”
“You NEVER eat jelly,” Gus glared at him.
“Sure I do, you just never see me eat it,” Brian laughed. “Tomo, you’re welcome to go with the kids. You can watch for bears. Justin and I have some work to do.”
“Lunch will be ready at noon. I expect three buckets of berries by then,” Maudie cautioned. “Tomo, you’ll need to stay here. I should change those dressings, with luck things should be moving along. You may be able to join everyone for swimming in the lake later.”
Brian and Justin used to all the confusion took their mugs of coffee with them and disappeared from the kitchen.
Justin led the way outside as Brian was not sure where they were going. It wasn’t like he had much else to do. He was surprised when Justin turned the corner of the house and opened a gate that was concealed in a hedge.
“Don’t worry, I won’t lock you in,” Justin said with a smile. “You’ve been such a good sport about Tomo, I couldn’t be mean.”
“Gee thanks, I think.” Brian shut the gate behind him before focusing on what was behind it. “Fuck, what is this place?” Brian asked slowly making his way forward.
“It’s where I used to go to hide when I was a kid. Some relative of my mother’s must have spent a lot of time in here; you can see where the bench is worn. There was a period in the eighteen hundreds when this kind of thing was all the fashion. It probably dates from then.”
In front of both men was a fountain that appeared to be carved from white marble. In the center of the fountain was the largest piece of jade that Brian had ever seen in the shape of a naked man on his knees, his face a study of despair or sorrow. The fountain was surrounded by white and black stones, each one polished and looking like it had been placed there deliberately, but seeing that there were millions of them, it was unlikely. It was almost like a weird Zen garden with the fountain the rock of contemplation. “It’s strange isn’t it?” Justin asked. He had taken up a place on a nearby bench that would allow him to see the man’s face. “I used to wonder how the fountain worked. I mean there should be a pump or something, but I never could find one. It always just bubbled away at the base of the man.”
“I wonder who he was?” Brian asked taking up a spot beside Justin. “He looks unhappy.”
“I used to make up stories about him. As I grew older the stories were less fanciful and more sexual, the guy is really hung.”
Brian shook his head and looked at Justin.
“Hey, I was only thirteen, what did you expect?”
“Hmmm, a budding pervert,” Brian teased. “I see a man who has reached the end of hope. Maybe he’s lost someone he loves, or thinks he has.”
“Maybe.” Justin continued to look. “I might look through some of the old papers in the library for information about it. There should be something about the fountain and this garden. You’ll notice that there aren’t any windows from the house that look into it. It’s as if it was completely cut off from prying eyes.”
“You’re right,” Brian agreed as he looked around. “It’s almost like he’d been captured and left here alone.”
“Yeah.” Justin was surprised when Brian’s finger’s found his and twined their hands together. They sat in companionable silence listening to the water and thinking while their coffee grew cold.
When the sun went behind some clouds, Brian put his arm around Justin’s shoulder and pulled him close for warmth. They still didn’t speak, it was enough to be in that garden in the presence of the grieving man. Words were unnecessary as the essence of the man trapped in his body of living rock began to slowly work its way in and around the two men who held each other. They felt his heartache and pain and they knew he’d loved and lost and their own hearts ached for him. But then the knowledge that he didn’t regret the love, only the loss wafted through the air and each man understood in his own way that love was as necessary to life as breathing. It was the failure of love that had turned the man to stone to cry forever for his soul mate; his tears filling the white marble fountain.
Only the distant ringing of Maudie’s heavy brass bell that she used to call everyone from the beach to meals broke through to Brian and Justin. “What’s that?” Brian asked.
“It’s Maudie telling us it’s lunch time.” Justin pulled away from Brian’s embrace. “I can’t believe we’ve been sitting here for almost four hours.” He turned to Brian. “I used to lose myself in him.” Justin nodded at the statue. “But it was never like this. Today I knew why he was broken hearted, when I was thirteen, I could only fantasize about why he cried.” Justin stood up.
“I heard his story too,” Brian admitted. “I can see why this garden demands that you sit and listen.”
“It does demand that, but I never thought of it in that way before.” Justin moved toward the gate. “I wonder if the kids picked enough berries.”
“They usually do,” Brian replied. “Every year Gus and Molly would bitch and whine, but they always asked me to take them here so that they could do this jelly thing.”
“I used to pick berries for Maudie until I got sent away,” Justin walked beside Brian. “This is my first time back since I was thirteen. They never allowed me back once I left. It used to be worse at berry time. I don’t know why. You’d think maybe Christmas or Thanksgiving or my birthday would be the worse. But it was this time of year. Livi, our cook from town, would come and we would work all weekend making jellies and jams. It was the one time of the year I felt like I belonged, that I was wanted and loved.”
“Gus told me once that the smell of the jelly cooking was the best feel good smell in the world and he’d never forget it.” Brian held the screen door open for Justin. The smell of blackberries cooking wafted out at them. Brian turned to Justin. “Now I know what he meant.”
Justin smiled shyly. He was glad to share with Brian who really seemed to understand the things he said and had lived through. The kitchen was alive with activity. Seiji beamed from ear to ear at being included in this family fun. He had berry juice on his lips and a dot on his nose. “Hey guys, this is cool.”
“Actually Seiji, it’s damn hot,” Gus said as he nursed a small burn on his thumb.
“You should’ve moved. I told you to move,” Molly laughed.
“I hope there’s lunch and not just jelly,” Justin said. There was a line of gleaming jars filled with fresh jelly, another line of clean and sterilized empty ones waiting to be filled stood beside the stove. Gus stood next to them stirring a pot of bubbling liquid with a thick wooden spoon.
“I thought maybe you could make us all some sandwiches,” Maudie said. “Everything you need is on the island. Brian you set the table and pour the lemonade.”
“Yes Ma’am,” Brian said with a grin. Soon he and Justin had lunch prepared and ready to eat.
“Wow that was great,” Gus said leaning back and rubbing his belly. They were all full from the sandwiches Justin had made. “Turkey sandwiches are my favorite.”
“Here’s something you’ll like,” Maddie said with a smile. She placed a small saucer in front of each of them. Then a loaf of bread just out of the oven, so fresh it had to be sliced carefully or it would flatten. A dish with butter was next. “Now you all have worked hard today. I think you should taste what you’ve made.” That said, Maddie headed for the stove.
Justin, Molly and Gus looked on eagerly. Brian and Seiji were puzzled as they watched Maddie ladle out some of the hot, bubbling soon-to-be jelly. She added a spoonful of the luscious liquid to each saucer. Gus, Molly and Justin all reached for the bread and butter at the same time. “Dad you have to try this. It’s amazing; you’ve never tasted anything like it.”
Brian looked sceptical but he accepted a piece of lightly buttered warm bread from Justin and dipped it in the jam on his saucer. He couldn’t believe he was doing this, but tore off a piece and popped it in his mouth. It was ambrosia. You could taste the sunshine in the jelly. “Not bad,” he said when he could talk.
“Not bad,” Justin chuckled. “It’s heaven in a saucer.”
Later, when the bread had all disappeared, they had all helped finish the jelly and then clean the kitchen, everyone drifted off to different parts of the house. Tomo hadn’t participated in any of the fun. He’d been in his room all morning meditating. He needed to re-think the plan he’d constructed for winning Justin back. When lunchtime came and he could hear everyone in the kitchen, his door was stuck closed. The house was making its own views clear. He realized that the house ancestors were unhappy with him. He wasn’t sure why, but he knew there was no point in making a fuss. He’d continue to meditate until lunch was over. It wouldn’t hurt him to wait.
Justin took the photo album he found out of his suitcase. He was going to use the quiet of the afternoon to look through it. A soft knock on his door made Justin look up. “Yes?”
“It’s Maddie, Justin, I have some fresh towels for you.”
“Come on it.” Justin sat on the bed with the album beside him. “It’s nice to be here Maddie.”
“I’m glad you came Justin. I only wish you’d have come back sooner.” She put the towels she was carrying in his bathroom. “Oh I see you found one of the photo albums. Your mother had half a dozen of them made. But one by one they were misplaced.”
“I found this one in Dad’s study. It was hidden, well sort of hidden.” He opened it. “Is this my real father?” Justin pointed to the photo of Aubrey Thomas. “He looks just like me.”
“Justin, that’s a question you should ask your mother. But I know Aubrey, I know him well. He grew up in this house just like your mother did.” She took the album from Justin and turned to the beginning. “Here’s your mother and Aubrey when they were in school. She looked wonderful in the uniform; it was just the right color for her.”
“Aubrey didn’t have a uniform on.” Justin was surprised at the slightness of the young boy in the picture.
“No Aubrey attended another school. Jenny was in a girls school.” Maudie turned a page. “There’s the ticket for the Christmas Prom. Aubrey took Jenny to both the one at his school and the one at hers, but she said his was the best, so she only saved the one ticket.” Maudie’s fingers touched it gently. “Jenny looked everywhere for this album. “I’m surprised that you found it.”
“He took it.” Justin didn’t need to say who he was.
“No doubt it was when he came to see Mr. James, Jenny’s father. I’ll never forget that day. Jenny was all sunshine and light; filled with laughter. But when she came out of Mr. James office after meeting Craig Taylor, she was never the same again,” Maudie sighed. “Jenny was sixteen.”
“There’s a lot of pictures in here of Aubrey Thomas.” Justin’s voice was low.
“Aubrey and Jenny; well, they were a couple that were meant to be together. We could all see it. From the time they were first together in preschool, “ she sighed. “But life doesn’t always happen the way it should.” Maudie reached out and patted Justin’s knee. “You should talk to your mother. Now that he’s gone I’m sure she’ll explain.”
Maudie stood up. “You can tell Brian he can come in now. I’m sure it’s just killing him not knowing what we’re talking about.”
Justin laughed, “Brian I know you’re listening.”
The door between their rooms opened. “Hey Boyo,” Brian grinned. “Hey Maudie.”
“You two can gather firewood for the bonfire tonight; that will keep you busy.” Maudie shook her head and left the room.
“How come she’s always making everyone work?” Brian griped. “Aren’t we here to rest?”
“Well that’s how you rest when you’re here, you work at mindless jobs, it’s relaxing.” Justin held out the album. “Come over here. I’ll show you some pictures and tell you a story that could be real or just another fairy tale.”
“Well you are a fairy,” Brian grinned. But he dutifully sat beside Justin on the bed.
“Maybe we should move to the window seat.”
“Oh, I’ll make sure you don’t ravish me,” Brian joked getting up and heading for the window seat.
Justin shot a glare of distain in the direction of Brian’s back. They looked through the pages of the album with Justin providing commentary. Brian was surprised with the twists and turns that Justin provided in the story of Aubrey and Jenny – and he wondered what was real and what was imagined.
Finally Justin stood up. “I’m tired. Tonight there’s going to be a bonfire as you know, and from what I can remember they can be intense.”
“Why would burning old wood be intense?” Brian asked following Justin across the room. “I mean, I guess we don’t want the woods to burn down or anything.”
“Not like that, Asshole.” Justin opened the door between their rooms. “Go nap or read a book or jerk off or something. I’m going to lie down…. alone. “
“But what if you need protection?” Brian ran his hand over Justin’s shoulder. “From spooks or ghosts or goblins.?”
“The only thing I need to be protected from is standing right here,” Justin put his hand on Brian’s chest and pushed him gently through the door. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Is it formal?” Brian asked, stepping back inside. “I mean with this old house, formal dinners seem de rigour.”
“No, they're not formal,” Justin pushed him back inside his room.
“Hot dogs around the bonfire?” Brian asked stepping back.
Justin rolled his eyes heavenward. “You don’t take a hint well.” He put his hand on Brian’s chest to once again back.
Only this time Brian’s hand covered Justin’s. “I promise to be good. To tell you the truth, I rather liked holding you while you napped.”
“My protector,” Justin smiled. “I know that you’ll be good, damn good I imagine. I’d rather you promised that you won’t have sex with me.”
“You drive a hard bargain.” Now Brian was pushing against Justin’s chest, so that they were slowly walking backward toward the bed. The back of Justin’s legs hit the mattress and he stopped moving.
“Promise?” Justin asked, turning and pulling the duvet down. He stood with his back to Brian and pulled off his silk tee. He was wearing sandals and they slipped from his feet leaving him in only a pair of linen shorts. With an alluring wiggle and low laugh, Justin slipped into the bed.
“Boyo, you sure know how to hurt a guy,” Brian laughed, his clothes discarded almost immediately, Brian joined Justin in the bed.
“Oh, Cookie, that isn’t what I had in mind. I’d never hurt you.” Justin rolled over so that he propped himself up on his elbow and stared down at Brian who lay on his back. Justin leaned down and kissed Brian on the nose. “I might play with you, but I always was gentle with my toys.”
“Nice to know.” Brian let one finger trace Justin’s face. “But I’m not a toy Boyo, not now and not ever. I’ve reached a time in my life where I want more than just casual sex, surprising, I know. Sure as fuck surprised me. So if you don’t mind, snuggle down, shut your eyes and have a nap. I hear those bonfires are a bitch for sapping one’s energy.” That said, Brian rolled over with his back to Justin leaving the blond puzzled but strangely pleased.
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“Did you see Tomo’s face when dad kissed Justin by the lake?” Gus laughed. “I thought he was going have a stroke. Gus rolled over; they were behind the big house lying on the grass.
“I liked it when Seiji and Justin were moving through all the whole tai chi movements like they were some kind of rehearsed duo and then Brian joined them and then you. Tomo the big tai chi cheese couldn’t come close to the grace you guys had.
“Hey guys, what are you doing?” Seiji had arrived. He threw himself on the lawn next to Molly. She leaned close and kissed him quickly. Gus rolled his eyes.
“Just re-living that awesome visit at Twin Oaks.”
“I have to admit it was a great couple of days. Damn that old house couldn’t stand Tomo,” he giggled.
“I’m not sure a house can actually have feelings,” Gus picked up a daisy and began to pull off the petals one at a time.
“I think Twin Oaks has feelings,” Molly told him. “It’s a happy house and it’s happiest when my family is happy.”
“How come your dad never went to Twin Oaks then?” Gus asked.
“Oh Dad wasn’t part of the family as far as the house was concerned. It hates Taylors,” Molly sighed. “I kind of wonder why it doesn’t mind Justin and me. We are half Taylor.”
“Are you sure?” Gus laughed. “You know the only guarantee is your mother; fathers are a little trickier.” He tilted Molly’s face up, his fingers under her chin. “I mean you have absolutely nothing of Craig Taylor in your face.”
“And I thank the gods for that,” Molly laughed. “Look at you. You’re the spitting image of your father. Can you just imagine what I’d look like if the crap shoot of my genes had made me the image of Craig?”
“He wasn’t that bad was he?” Seiji asked. He’d never met Molly’s father. “Do you have a picture of him?”
“Now that’s an interesting story,” Molly said with a big grin. “He was barely cold when mom gathered up every picture of him that she could find, even the big oil painting in the living room, and had a big ass bonfire. I really thought she’d completely lost it. That’s when I threw a hissy and insisted that she make Justin come back. I guess I figured the house would go up in smoke next with me in it.”
“And you say I’m a drama princess.” Gus made a pose with limp wrists. He looked up into the clouds, “don’t the clouds remind you of the bonfire?”
“If you mean are they kind of smoky, I guess so.” Molly was also on her back looking at the clouds. Seiji, reached for Molly’s hand and squeezed while the three of them thought about the night of the bonfire.
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“We wait for that time of shadows,” Maudie began. “That special time between day and night. It’s the perfect time to begin the ritual of fire. Fire is a cleansing spirit, a spirit filled with caprice, so you have to watch that it doesn’t decide to dance out of the ring and into the woods.” She looked at the group who had gathered, pleased with what she saw. Justin and Brian sat on the same log, Brian’s arm resting behind Justin, his hand on the log, providing a backrest for the favored child of the house. Molly sat opposite, tight between Gus and Seiji, both boys providing protection and warmth in the coolness of the evening breezes. Tomo sat alone to the north of the circle.
“Fire occasionally helps to release earth spirits of which this apple wood log is filled.” Maudie carefully placed the log in the center of the pile of wood that was to be their bonfire. “Justin, you and Molly come from a line of witches that can be traced back through to the fourteen hundreds or perhaps earlier. You both have powers and abilities that are hidden deep within.” She smiled at the two of them. “You both are good and pure as were your ancestors. You make them proud. I can feel it in the air.”
Justin looked at Brian and gave a barely perceptible shrug. He had no idea what Maudie was talking about. Molly looked confused. She relaxed against Seiji when he gave her a hug, his arm around her shoulder.
“Tonight is a special night. Watch the smoke, it’ll tell each of you what is in your heart. You can learn from this and make it true or change the course of the dream that is your life and make things better or worse. It’s really all up to you as individuals.” She stood up tall and as she did the bonfire began to burn.
“Did you see her light that?” Brian whispered to Justin, who shook his head no. “This witch shit; it’s shit right?” Brian asked, again in a whisper.
“Damned if I know,” Justin answered. “But I’ll change you into a frog or something if you don’t move your hand.” Brian’s hand had drifted to the crack of Justin’s ass, his thumb rubbing up and down.
“I hope that was a joke,” Brian said, but moved his hand. Justin laughed and reached for Brian’s hand with his own, and entwined their fingers together.
“Watch the smoke, maybe it’ll tell you your future.”
Gus looked into the puff of smoke that rose from the flames. It didn’t look like anything other than smoke until suddenly he saw a dancer. The dancer moved like the smoke itself, smooth and effortless he danced to music that played in Gus’ mind in ethereal melodies. He was in awe of the talent the dancer showed. He could feel the joy he felt with each movement and the ultimate freedom when he rose in the air in a leap that defied gravity. And then the dancer fell into the flames, his pain was excruciating and his despair at losing the dance forever was crushing. The dancer now moved with awkwardness until he looked out and saw Gus. You could tell he wanted to dance again. But he fell, time and time again. Until Gus, rising from his place beside Molly joined the dancer in the smoke, lifting him up in his arms, and kissing him tenderly.
Molly watched the smoke and then watched Gus for a few minutes. He seemed mesmerized by what he saw in the smoke. Seiji squeezed her hand and she smiled before turning to look into the flames and in turn she was taken up to walk toward her destiny. She looked back at Seiji and knew that she’d be leaving him but not forever, only for a short time. She could tell he’d be sad and confused, and she wasn’t sure if she could make him understand that she would be back, but she needed to discover who she really was. And then he rose and floated into the smoke with her. He wrapped her in his arms and Molly melted into his body. They drifted like that over the bonfire and up into the sky toward the moon. And she realized that they were meant to be together. They could conquer the world as a team. Seiji’s lips found Molly’s and for the first time in a long time, Seiji knew that he’d be loved and that he could love with all that he had. Molly and he were one.
Justin, his hand in Brian’s watched the flames. He admired the colors that were being released from the piece of apple wood and was enjoying the scent. He could almost smell ripe fall apples. He imagined himself walking in the flames that were cool to the touch and really were dancing fire spirits. The danced around him, teasing him with touches, brushing warm lips against his and then dancing away to burn red, yellow, blue, green, their touch igniting passion in his body. Suddenly he was snatched away. A hand, blackened, twisted, burned beyond recognition reached down and pulled him away from the flame spirits and up, up into a dark cloud filled with swirling demons from hell. Justin twisted trying to get out of the grasp of whatever had him. The stench of rotting burned flesh filled his nostrils. He wanted to scream but he couldn’t make a sound. He was being pulled away from the fire, away from his sister, away from Brian. His heart filled with sorrow at the loss of what could have been. Brian sat on the log and Justin could see that the man was surrounded by white light with golden edges.
“BRIAN, BRIAN,” he screamed silently. “HELP ME SAVE ME, LOVE ME.”
Brian watched the smoke swirl. It was interesting if you liked smoke. He glanced over at Gus, Seiji and Molly. Gus was smiling and looked happy as he stared into the smoke. Seiji and Molly were wrapped in each other’s arms, Molly’s head resting on his shoulder. They looked contented and he could see Seiji’s lips moving. Brian imagined he was telling her sweet nothings from the way she smiled.
Tomo sat, his arms crossed in discontent, his eyes fixed on the smoke. Brian couldn’t imagine what the other man was doing here, let alone what he was thinking.
And then movement in the smoke caught his attention. Something black and evil had surrounded his smoke Justin. It was pulling him away and Brian could feel Justin’s fear and pain. Immediately he was in the smoke racing to the sky where Justin was disappearing. He felt himself grow large, large enough to not only envelop Justin, to hold him safely in his arms. But to hold him in such a way that nothing evil could get to him. Nothing black and evil could hurt the blond. He could feel Justin’s heart beating against him as he held the other man close. He could feel the tiny bud of love that was growing deep inside Justin, and Brian knew that it was growing inside of him as well. He held Justin close, despite the ravening scourge of the evil that flayed his back. Instead Brian closed his mind to the evil, strengthened his inner chi and with a flash of his hands pushed the evil entity back to the hell it had come from.
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None of the group discussed the bonfire from the night before. They’d watched it until there were only embers. A light rain began to fall and Justin thought to himself it was the water spirits putting their dreams and fantasies to rest. He stayed close to the man who had saved him from the evil that threatened his life, real or imagined, Justin didn’t know.
The embers turned black, Molly, Seiji and Gus drifted off to the house. They were tired and emotionally spent. Tomo stayed longer, not sure if he could believe what he saw, but inclined to do so. He had witnessed everyone’s visions; some made him sad and some happy and one or two had filled him with fear. He was leaving tomorrow. He needed time to re-group, perhaps it was time to be honest with Justin and ask for a loan. He needed to think about it.
Brian and Justin were alone, a wool blanket had appeared from somewhere, and they figured it had been Maudie. The night was cool and Brian wrapped it around both of them. Wind spirits blew across the lake and scattered the ashes until there was barely a visible sign of the bonfire. But Brian would never forget and neither would Justin.
The morning sun had turned the sky pink over the trees at the far side of the lake when Brian rose. He pulled Justin to his feet and together they walked to the house and up to Justin’s room. Brian silently undressed his blond friend and then himself. They climbed into Justin’s bed and he let his arms fold over the blond and spooned together, they fell asleep.