C’est La Vie-3

(c'est la vie = that’s the life. but the context is "that's life"...)
	
author: Elsa Rose
plot bunny: Judy 

“What took you so long?” Michael asked when Brian finally appeared with the milk. “We were about to send out a search party.” 

“Don’t pay any attention to him Honey.”  Debbie smiled as she took the milk. “We’ve been watching a movie.” 

hBrian nodded. He wasn’t about to explain where he’d been. It was too complicated. No one other than himself knew about his ‘donation’ to Lindsay and Gus’ subsequent birth. Well no one at the Novotny’s. God knows the lesbian community probably knew all the gruesome details. “I’m going to get a beer, can I get you one Vic?” he asked on his way to the kitchen. 

“No thanks, I’m fine for now.” Vic held up his half empty bottle. “How is the loft coming, you never said?” 

“I should be able to move in next week.” Brian opened his beer and joined his old friend on the sofa, slouching much like he had as a teen. “It won’t be completely ready, but close enough. And besides, think how much time I’ll save in commuting to the job site.” He raised his bottle for a toast, clinking bottles with Vic. 

“Brian, you aren’t serious are you?” Michael asked. “You can’t live in a place that’s not even finished.”

“Why not?” Brian was surprised. “It’s my place. So it’s a mess, it’s a controlled mess.” 

“You hate stuff out of place.” 

“Mikey, I can deal with it. I’m motivated.” Brian drained his bottle of beer, still unsettled by the vision of the blond with his son. It should be him with Gus, not some stranger.

“I walked by the building yesterday. You’ve taken on a bigger project than I realized.” Vic smiled at Brian. “I’m glad you decided to do it though. It’s nice having you close.”

“I needed to get away from work.” Brian admitted. “I had become bored with my job.”

“That’s never a good thing.” Vic said.

“No it isn’t.” Brian looked away. Michael was staring at the television, Debbie puttering in the kitchen. It was familiar and he thought of the many times he’d spent here. It was almost like a repeat of his teen Sunday nights. Though he was older now, but still hiding. Hiding from his father and mother as he grew up, hiding from himself once he’d reached the age of majority. It never changed. Brian sighed, he needed to change. He’d thought that with the time spent in Pittsburgh, working with and for Pip, that he might regain his equilibrium, but it wasn’t working. He knew that the minute he’d watched Gus jump into the other man’s arms. 

Justin put the finishing touches on his painting. He stood back and looked at it pleased with the result. When he’d decided to move back to the US from Paris, everyone had told him he was crazy. Living with his mother, had been more annoying than he’d imagined. He could have rented an apartment, but he hated moving more than anything and knew he might as well find himself something permanent. The Anderson’s housekeeper’s old home had been the answer. He was going to complete his contract for the New York show and then perhaps settle down here in Pittsburgh, maybe open a gallery of his own. He was young to retire, but he was also tired of the travel and hoopla that went with being the famous artist Justin Taylor. Enough was enough despite his age, he wanted to retire from the limelight. 

“Justin, are you in here?” 

Justin turned and smiled at his mother. “No.” he said and laughed. “Where did you think I’d be?” 

“I was being polite.” She kissed his cheek. “You should try it sometime.” 

“Sorry.” He headed to the sink to wash his hands. “I’ve been thinking, once I finish with my New York show, I might just open a gallery here in town.”

“You mean you’ll stay home?” Jennifer was pleased. “Molly will be so happy.” 

“And you?” 

“Of course.” She pulled out her Blackberry. “Let me check and see what I have listed that would be suitable rental gallery space.”  

“Mom, I want to buy the space. I’m not going to deal with leases.”

“But Justin, to buy something, that’s such a big risk to take.”  Jennifer looked at him. 

“It’s only money, something I have plenty of.” 

“But you won’t if you squander it.” She began. 

“Let me worry about that.” He gave her a quick hug. 

“Hey Jus, you could get a rich boyfriend.” Molly had appeared from behind them.

“Molly, didn’t mom ever teach you not to eavesdrop?” 

“Sure, but you taught me that it was the only way to hear the good stuff.” She grinned cheekily. “So, do you have a boyfriend?” 

“No, I don’t need one either so don’t get any ideas.” Justin looked from his mother to his sister. The two of them had tried to send men his way for years, thinking he needed to have someone in his life.  “Pip has the upper floor almost finished. We can start thinking about decorating. The kitchen cabinets have been ordered as well, soon I’ll have a home and not a construction sight.” 

“Cool.” Molly said finding the drawings pinned to the wall that showed the renovations. “Hey do you really need to have four bedrooms and a master suite?” 

“Yes.” Justin was cleaning his brushes.

“Why, do you have kids we don’t know about?” 

“Molly, you’re being nosey.” Jennifer cautioned.

“No I don’t have any hidden children.” Justin laughed. “I do however have friends with children and I plan on having them visit. It really isn’t a lot of extra room and it’ll be good for resale, isn’t that right mom?” 

“Yes, much better.” His mother agreed. 

“Justin, where should I put this?” it was Pip and he was carrying in a large thick piece of glass.

“Over on that wall is fine.” Justin said moving to make space. “I wasn’t expecting the glass to come so quickly.”

“I had to drive to the supplier for something else. It was there so I picked it up.” He looked at Jennifer and Molly. “Hey ladies, Justin is doing a commission for me, can you imagine that?” 

“Hi Pip, how is Lucy and the girls?” Jennifer said with a smile.

“Everyone is doing just fine.” He turned back to Justin. “The guy is in a hurry, he’s always in a hurry. I have the door when the glass is ready to set.”

“I should show him some designs first before I start.” Justin had pulled out a sketch book. 

“No, he said he didn’t care what I came up with as long as it didn’t have any tits or ass.” He looked chagrined. “Sorry ladies.” 

“Is he a modernist or more of a traditionalist?” Justin asked. 

“I’d say more modern. From what I’ve seen, things are pretty plain that he’s selected.” 

“As compared to my more frou, frou, I think your word was.” Justin giggled. 

“I was making a point.” Pip laughed. “But yes.” 

“Well then I do have a couple of ideas for his door. And I promise, no tits or ass.” 

“Brian probably wouldn’t mind the ass.” Pip muttered to Justin and winked. 

Molly rolled her eyes at her mother, she knew what Pip meant. “Not to change the subject, but you have a big puppy dog outside chewing up what looks like a boot.”

“Shit, that’s Dawg.” Justin ran over to the door. “Peter, come and get Dawg.” He hollered out the door. “Fuck, Dawg, what are you chewing?” he rescued a tattered and well chewed boot recognizing it immediately as one he’d left by the back door of the studio the day before. “I don’t believe you.” He wanted to sound harsh, but puppy dog eyes, pink tongue and a quizzical look, melted his resolve.

“Sorry Justin, we were helping clean up. Dawg was supposed to be tied up at the back. I guess he chewed through his leash again.” It was Peter looking almost as sad as Dawg. 

“I shouldn’t have left my boots out.” Justin patted the dog’s head. “Are you guys almost finished? I made chocolate chip cookies.” 

“Cool, I’ll get Gus and John.” Peter handed the chewed leash to Justin and ran toward the main house. 

“I see you have your fan club ready to gather.” Pip laughed. “I suppose that’s it for the day for the boys.”

“You can stay for cookies.” Justin offered. 

“Much as I’d like to, I need to stop by the Tremont project and deliver some supplies.”

“Great seeing you again Pip.” Molly said. “Tell Lucy I’ll be over on the weekend to help with the girls. She can have the day off.”

“That’s nice Molly, Lucy could use a day off. I’ll book her some spa time.” Pip grinned. He loved when Molly took over the girls. His wife deserved these unexpected surprises and so did he, for he benefited later that night.

“Justin, Justin, you’ve got cookies?” Gus ran in the door, followed by the other two boys, stopping when he realized there were other adults in the room. “Oh, sorry.” He mumbled.

“Come on in boys. Gus this is my mother, Jennifer Taylor, and my sister Molly.” Justin smiled at the boy in reassurance. “Gus is Peter’s best friend and is going to be taking lessons from me.” He was serving a plate of cookies. 

“Gus and Peter, can you get the milk, John you can get the glasses.” The boys worked with a familiar ease in Justin’s small kitchen area. It was obvious they felt at home.

As Gus put the carton of milk on the counter, the light hit him a certain way that reminded Pip of someone. “Gus….” He was about to ask who the boy’s father was when he remembered that he was being raised by two women. “Sorry, I forgot what I was going to say.” 

“That’s okay, my mom does that all the time.”  Gus smiled shyly. 

Molly had been leafing through Justin’s sketchbook that sat on the counter. “Hey you’ve done lots of things with the boys, sketches I mean.” She grinned. “I like this one the best.” She pointed to a sketch of a man, clad in jeans and wife beater, bent over a wheel barrel. 

“Oh, I saw that guy when I was waiting for a traffic light. There was something that grabbed me and I snapped his picture. You’re looking at the result.” They all knew of his ever present camera. “ I was hoping he’d move more to the right, I would have been able to get his face.” 

“Where was it?” Pip asked recognizing Brian.

“Near that Tremont job you have.” Justin shrugged. “He’s kind of hot, maybe you know him.” 

“Maybe I do.” Pip shook his head. “I’m not so sure he’d want to know he’d been immortalized.”

“I don’t show his face, he could be anyone. I’m thinking of including him in the mural at the museum I’m doing.” 

“Interesting.” Pip was amused. Justin was right, there was nothing to say that it was Brian. Only someone who knew him well would recognize the man. “Working man and all that.” He grinned at Justin.

“Hot working man.” Justin winked. “Immortalized forever on the walls of the museum an inspiration to working men and women of the Pitts.”

Pip rolled his eyes. “Just keep me off the walls.”

“You can put me up there.” Molly volunteered. “Make me look Madonna like.” 

“Singer or saint?” Justin asked.

“Singer of course.” Molly struck a pose. 

Brian had been bothered about seeing Gus with the other man all week. He and Lindsay had never really discussed the boy. He’d never even acknowledged his birth to his friend because that’s the way she wanted it. And he had thought the same at the time. But from the moment he’d stared into the infant’s eyes, he’d been lost. Everything he’d done in business had been with the idea of leaving Gus a legacy of sorts, though as the year went by, he realized the futility of the idea. Gus no doubt would want nothing to do with him. After all they knew nothing about one another. He couldn’t picture either Lindsay or Melanie telling the child about his father and his father’s family. 

Finally taking a chance, he decided to stop in at the gallery where Lindsay worked. He’d pretend it was a random shopping trip. Maybe he could get her to talk about Gus. 

Brian adjusted his shirt, he’d changed into something casual and elegant, forgoing his blue jeans and tee shirt that he usually wore during the work day. He didn’t want her to know he was virtually living in Pittsburgh at the moment. Stepping into the gallery, he was impressed with the elegance of it all. It showed Lindsay’s touch at every turn. 

“Brian, is it really you?” Lindsay spotted him almost immediately. “What in the world are you doing here?”

“Yes it’s me and I’m looking for some art.” Brian drawled accepting her hug and kiss on his cheek.

“But here in Pittsburgh, don’t you live in New York. I mean New York is the ultimate source of art.”

“Yes I live in New York. I’m staying with Debbie and Vic while I’m in the Pitts.” Brian looked at the paintings near them. Anything to avoid actually looking at Lindsay in case she discovered he was avoiding telling her everything. 

“Where is the painting to go?” she asked. 

“I want a large one for my new loft. And maybe something smaller for my bedroom. If you have anything with a hot guy in it, preferable naked, I’d like it for my bathroom. It’s a big room, a painting would be perfect.”

“That’s a big order.” She giggled. “We have a series of sketches done by Justin Taylor that were brought in earlier today. He’s very good and a wonderful investment. Perhaps a grouping framed in a neutral color.”

“I’ve heard of Taylor.” Brian was interested. “Show me what you have.” 

“We’re very lucky to get them. He usually sells in New York. But he’s moved back here. I met him the other day, in fact he’s giving my son art lessons. Which is unheard of. I mean <i>the </i> Justin Taylor giving lessons. Gus is thrilled that Justin is helping him and his best friend.”

“He’s my son too.” Brian’s voice was quiet. “I didn’t know he had artistic tendencies.”

“He’s a wonderful artist. Gus is showing a talent that really should be developed. And that’s not just his mother speaking. Justin feels that his talent is definitely worth nurturing.”

“Good for Justin.” Brian drawled. “I hope you know what you’re doing. Gus is young, his whole world can change a number of times before he’s grown.”

“His world is just fine Brian. He’s loved and he knows it. He has good friends and a family.” Lindsay led Brian to a portfolio on her desk. “These are the sketches. They’re a series Justin did of the kids who hang around his place. There’s John, Peter and Gus. They look so much alike they could all be brothers.” She laughed. “He said he couldn’t resist doing the sketches, though he was supposed to be getting ready for his New York show.”

Brian looked long and hard at each sketch, absorbing the myriad of detail in each and every one. He had to have them all, he didn’t care what the cost. “I’ll take them.” He said turning to Lindsay.

“Which ones.” She asked. 

“All of them, I want them all.” He pulled out his wallet. “Let me know the cost and I’ll pay now. I want them suitably framed as well.”

“Brian there’s sixteen sketches. They weren’t meant to be displayed together.”

“I didn’t say I was displaying them together. I want them framed. How I display them is my business.” He put a black card on the table. “I think you’ll find this should cover the cost.” 

“What is it?” she picked up the card and looked at it carefully. “It’s like nothing I’ve seen before.”

“It’s an American Express card, surely you’ve seen them before.” He laughed. “Perhaps not many here in the Pitts. Just think of it as a kind of AMEX club that I belong to.” He didn’t want to say that in order to qualify for the black card your income had to be over a million dollars a year.  “I assure you it’s okay.”
“I believe you.” Lindsay said still studying the rather plain card. “I’ll have the sketches framed. Where should I send them?” 

“I’ll pick them up, say at the end of the week.”

“I’m not sure that’s enough time for the framing.” She began.

“I think if you try, you can have them done by the weekend.” Brian smirked. “I’d like to see Gus while I’m here.” 

“I don’t know Brian, he’s asked about you, but not lately. I’m not sure that at his age it wouldn’t be too upsetting and I’d have to discuss this with Melanie in any case.”

“Gus is old enough to make up his own mind if he wants to see his father. Why don’t you ask him. I’ll abide by what ever he decides.” 

“Let me think about it Brian. I’ll call you at Debbie’s will I?”

“Yes, leave a message for me there.” He didn’t want her having his cell phone number and he sure didn’t want her to know he was going to have his own place on Tremont. Not at least until he found out which the wind blew as far as seeing Gus went. 

Brian left the store without looking back. He never saw the blond that had been standing behind a display and listening to the entire conversation. 

Justin stepped out from where he was standing.

“Oh, Justin, I didn’t know you were still here. You just missed one of your fans. He bought all of the sketches.” 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Why does he want to see Gus?” 

“It’s a long story.” Lindsay sighed. 

“I have the time if you have. Lindsay, Gus means a lot to me. We think along the same wavelength though we’re years apart. He kind of reminds me of myself at his age, only he’s taller and better looking.” Justin laughed. “I was a chubby kid who wore glasses.”  

“Brian is Gus’ biological father.” Her voice soft with emotion. “He was a good friend, we were in University together. When Melanie and I wanted a child, I thought of him. He’s… well he’s different. He’s smart and kind and… “ her voice trailed away. “Melanie insisted that he have no part in our child’s life. She wouldn’t even allow me to tell him when the baby was born. By then Brian was living in New York and I guess it was easy just to do as my partner wanted. I wrote and told him to stay out of Gus’ life. I was pretty forthright and perhaps harsh.” She looked at Justin. “To tell you the truth, I’ve always regretted that decision. Brian should have had the chance to know his son and Gus his father.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Justin asked.

“No, there’s really nothing you can do. Melanie, well Mel isn’t very secure emotionally where Brian is concerned. She’ll never agree to letting him see Gus.”

“Did you know that Gus wonder’s about his father? He’s talked to me about him.”

“I didn’t know that.” Lindsay looked heartsick. “I’m going to have to make Melanie understand that Gus needs to at least get to know Brian. I’m afraid she doesn’t have a ver high opinion of him, though I don’t really know why.”

“She’s probably jealous of the relationship you had with the man. He could give you a child, while she couldn’t.”

“Brian and I didn’t have sexual relations to conceive Gus. I mean he donated the sperm but in a cup.”

“TMI.” Justin laughed, grinning inside, imagining the handsome man doing just that. There was something about this Brian that made his heart beat just a little bit faster.

“You have to understand, Brian has always been career driven. He’s a gay man in a straight world. He had a troubled childhood that filled him with insecurities that he refuse to admit. So rather than admit anything, he works five times harder than anyone else to be perfect in the world he’s formed. He was terrified at becoming a father. But I managed to convince him, and in a moment of weakness he agreed. I always thought that he’d somehow manage to be part of Gus’ life, but he never made the move to even see him. It hurt me a lot that he didn’t care, and I’m sure it’s hurt Gus, though we don’t talk about it.”

“It has hurt Gus.” Justin’s voice was quiet, I think that maybe you should let them get to know one another. Gus is reaching an age when a father’s approval is important. I know, I didn’t have my father’s approval and it’s something that haunts me to this day.”

“I didn’t know.” Lindsay sighed. “I really don’t know what to do. Melanie isn’t going to be happy about Brian and Gus.”

“If Melanie loves her son, she’ll know it’s the right thing to do. I can help if you like.”  He put his hand on her arm. “I could perhaps invite your Brian to my studio while Gus and Peter are there. He can meet his son without the pressure of it being a <i>meeting</i>”

“You’d do that?” 

“Of course.” Justin grinned. “Brian is hot. It won’t be a hardship to have him in my studio. Why don’t you call him and tell him that I have a painting of Gus that I’m working on. He can come to the studio and see the work in progress. It’s that one I’m sending to New York.” 

“That could work.” Lindsay thought for a moment. “If you don’t mind.”

“Hey, the guy bought all my sketches. I’m sure he’ll want to see the painting.” Justin grinned. “I think it’s pretty good.” He’d painted Gus standing at an easel in the sunlight, painting Peter who was posing with Dawg.

Two days later, Brian called Lindsay at the gallery. “Hey Linds, can I see Gus?” he asked without any other preliminaries.

“Brian, I don’t want to stand in the way of you meeting your son, but you have to understand that for him, it could be quite traumatic. I talked it over with a friend and we thought maybe you could go to his studio during a lesson and see Gus in a more informal setting.”

“That’s fine.”

“Justin Taylor, I mentioned him. He’s agreed to have you come to his studio. He’s just finishing up a painting that features Gus. It’s for his show in the fall.”

“What’s the address and what time to I go?” Brian asked, his heart beating wildly.

“Gus’ lesson is at four this afternoon. Justin’s studio is at the back of his home at 355 Oak Park Drive. It’s the house at the entrance of the Anderson estate. The Anderson house is gone now, it’s a park, but Justin bought the smaller one at the front when it was subdivided off. He’s renovating now, so he’s living in his studio. It’s easy to find.”

“I know where it is.” Brian muttered, feeling the cold fingers of dread closing around his body. He didn’t know if he was going to throw up or just freeze in place. He’d had no idea his old address was going to affect him like it had.

Later that day, Brian parked his car on the street just down from his childhood home. He watched Pip and his crew come and go as they worked toward renovating it. The place didn’t even come close to what it had looked like the last time he’d seen it.  He’d never returned once he’d left. He still wasn’t sure he was going to be able step across the property line. 

“Can I help you mister?” came a voice from the sidewalk.

Brian turned and looked into the eyes of a boy about fourteen. There was something familiar about him, but he wasn’t sure what. “No thanks, I’m just thinking.” 

“Hey is your name Brian Kinney?” The boy asked leaning forward for a better look. “I bet it is. I bet you’re my uncle Brian.” 

“Uncle Brian?” Brian laughed. “I doubt that kid.” Though the kid did have the Kinney look about him.

“Sure you’re my uncle Brian. Grandma has your picture from the newspaper. You got some kind of award. She said you’re the best advertising guy in the whole world.” He cocked his head to one side. “Is that true?”

Brian didn’t know what to say. It was too much information to take in. “I’m good at my job.” He finally managed to mumble. “I’ve had a few awards over the years.” 

“Cool. Are you coming to visit? ‘Cause Gran doesn’t live at that house anymore. She lives with us. But she works here for Justin so she’s at his place a lot of time.”

“Your mom, what’s her name?” 

“Claire, you know that, she’s your sister after all.” 

“Yes, she’s my sister.” Brian looked at the boy again. “So you’re my nephew. I didn’t know I had a nephew.”

“You’ve got two. Peter’s younger than me though. He’s a quiet kind of guy for a kid.”

“He is?” Brian huffed a laugh. “And your father?” 

“He left when I was a little kid. Peter wasn’t even born yet. He said he didn’t want one kid and he sure didn’t want two. I heard the fight.” John looked miserable when he said the words. “I think he’s just an asshole.”

“He sounds like one alright.” Brian agreed. 

“I can take you across to meet Peter if you want. He’s with his best friend Gus. They’re like twins, people sometimes can’t even tell them apart except Gus has green eyes and Peter has brown ones. I think it’s ‘cause they’re always together, they kind of blended.” He giggled. “Like a milkshake.” 

“Or maybe it’s because Gus is my son and Peter is my nephew. They probably got a lot of the same genes. Do you know what that means?”

“Duh, I’m fourteen and in high school. Yeah, I know what it means.” He looked at Brian. “It’s actually kind of weird. Gus doesn’t know you’re his dad does he? It might like freak him out or something. Peter and Gus make up stories about their dads all the time. It would be majorly weird to find out you’re kind of like their dad.”


“Well, a dad and an uncle.” Brian sighed. “If you don’t mind, keep that information to yourself. Like you said, I don’t want anyone <i>freaking out </i>.”

“But you’re going to tell him aren’t you?” John asked. “Because he really wants a dad, so does Peter, but I don’t encourage him. I mean… well you know what I mean about our dad.” 

“I guess the two of you will just have to make do with an uncle.” Brian smiled.

“That’ll be cool. Hey Gran is going to be so surprised. She’s always talking about you. I mean we have to hear all these uncle Brian stories about how smart you were in school, about how good you were at sports, it really sucks sometimes you know. It’s hard to keep up with you. I used to think you were imaginary when I was little, but Gran showed me her scrap books. She’s got lots of stuff with you in it.”

“She talks about me?” Brian asked. “I didn’t know she even knew I existed.” His words were soft and barely heard by John, who didn’t know what to say. He got out of his car. “If you don’t mind, you can take me to Justin’s studio.”

“Can I say you’re my uncle?” John asked. “I mean like Peter’s little but he’s not stupid, he’s seen your pictures too.”

“Yes you can say I’m your uncle. Just keep the father to Gus part quiet for now. I want to spend some time letting him get to know me.”

Justin was standing between Gus and Peter discussing the vase they were sketching when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. The air in the studio felt like it was filled with ozone and he turned to the door. Standing just inside the door to his studio was Brian, the man of his fantasies and Gus’ father. Beside him was John.

“Hey Justin, this is my Uncle Brian, he wanted to drop by and say hi.” John introduced them. “Uncle Brian, this is Justin, he’s cool.” 

Immediately Justin could see the similarities between the three boys and the man standing uneasily in his doorway. He wondered why in hell he’d never noticed it before.
He smiled at Brian and said. “Mr. Kinney, I understand you purchased a number of my sketches the other day.”

“Yes.” Was all Brian said, feeling almost tongue-tied in the presence of Justin and his son Gus. Justin was the blond he’d seen at Lindsay’s.

“Hi, I’m Gus.” His son held out his hand to shake. “I’m glad you decided to visit.”

“I’m glad I decided to visit as well.” Brian said solemnly shaking his son’s hand. 

“Gus, why don’t you and Peter, show our guest some of your work.” Justin suggested. He was watching Brian carefully. Brian looked up at him with gratitude showing in his eyes.

“Thanks.” He mouthed to Justin. 

“Are you really my uncle Brian?” Peter asked. “I thought uncle Brian was waaaaaay bigger.” 

“Sorry, this is as big as I get.” Brian smiled. “You must be Peter, Gus’ best friend.” 

“We’re blood brothers.” Peter announced. “We had a ceremony and everything.”

“Yeah, we mixed blood and spit.” Gus grinned. “It was cool, but mama said it was gross.” 

“Sounds cool to me.” Brian said. The two boys had taken him by his hand and were leading him to the rear of the studio. 

“Justin puts up our work here. He says it’s our display wall. I’m making a picture for Gran for her birthday.” Peter said showing Brian the paintings and sketches on the wall. 

“Nice work boys.” Brian looked at each picture. “Gus, you have a good sense of color. And Peter, I like the way you’ve made this picture smile.” 

“Justin said that too.” Peter grinned impressed with his new found uncle. 

“HEY GRAN, UNCLE BRIAN IS HERE.” Shouted John out the door. Joan Kinney was walking down the sidewalk carrying her usual lunch basket. It was time for their snack.

Joan began to walk more quickly. She entered the studio and looked around. “Brian, Brian are you here?” she asked, not seeing her son.

Justin looked around as well, there was no sign of Brian. The boys were standing by their work, but Brian was no where to be found. “Where did Brian go?” he asked the boys.

“He said he had to go now.” Gus looked sad. “I really like him. He understands my paintings.”

“Uncle Brian is nice Gran. You were right. He’s really tall too. He said I was probably going to be as tall as him too. He said I had real talent.” 

“Justin, why did he run away?” Gus asked in a small voice. “If he’s Peter’s uncle, do you think he’s my uncle too? Because Peter and I look a lot alike.” He looked down at the floor and then up at Justin. “He has the same eyes as me.” He whispered. “Maybe he’s my dad. If he’s my dad, did he run away because he doesn’t like me?” 

Justin had no idea what had made Brian disappear, but he was determined to find out. “I’m sure that if he is your dad, he loves you very much. Sometimes it’s hard to figure adults out. But I promise you this Gus, I’m going to get to the bottom of this little mystery.”

He put his arm around Joan who was looking like she’d lost her best friend. “Joan, I’ll find out why he ran.” He reassured her.

“I know why he ran.” Her voice was soft. “He’s never forgiven me for what he had to endure while he grew up. Jack, well Jack was a bastard. I’m sorry to say it, but he was. He never wanted Brian and he made his displeasure known at every available moment. My job meant I spent more time raising the Anderson children than I did my own. I’m afraid that Brian never understood, and I just didn’t try hard enough to make him understand. Jack’s drunken brutality didn’t help.  Brian left as soon as he legally could and we never saw him again. I knew he was still in Pittsburgh for a few years, but then he left for New York.”

“But that was a long time ago.” Justin began.

Joan laughed. “He’s Irish, they’re like elephants, they never forget and they very rarely forgive.” 

“Maybe it’s time he changed.” Justin shrugged. “Let’s have our snack everybody. We can talk about uncle Brian another time. Don’t any of you worry, I’ll get to the bottom of this.” 

“If you don’t mind Justin, I think I’ll just go home.” Joan was still looking sad. “I want to tell Claire that Brian was here. He may come back. Will you walk me to the door?” 

“Sure.” Justin and Joan walked to the door, he looked back to make sure the three boys were busy eating cookies and drinking milk before he turned to her. “Joan, do you think it’s possible that Brian is Gus’ father?”

“I don’t know. Until Gus said something, I really didn’t make the connection. As soon as he said it, I could see Brian in him. Even his eyes, like Gus said, are the same as Brian’s. It’s that same Kinney tilt to them that all the boys have. I don’t understand though, how it would be possible.” 

“From what Gus’ mother has told me, Brian donated sperm for her to conceive.” He wasn’t sure if he should mention that Brian was gay. It wasn’t his place to say anything as far as he was concerned.

“But how, why?” Joan was confused.

“Lindsay and Brian were friends at University. When Lindsay and her partner Melanie wanted a child, Lindsay asked Brian.” It was a simplified explanation, but touched all the basics. 

“Oh, oh, my.” Joan put her hand to her mouth. “The Church….” She began and then shook her head. “It doesn’t matter, Gus is a fine young boy, no matter how he was conceived. I suppose that Brian is gay, like you are.” The words sounded strange on her lips, but she was comfortable with the idea. “You know, he’s very handsome, I’ve seen his pictures. You know, he’d make a great husband for someone.”

Justin started to laugh, which turned into a high pitched giggle. “Please tell me that you aren’t trying to fix me up with your son.” 

“Well it wouldn’t hurt to consider it.” She smiled and patted his arm. “That is if he hasn’t disappeared once again from our lives.” 

“He can try to disappear, but I’ll track him down.” Justin had a good idea just where the man was. All the conversations he’d had with Pip about the Tremont project, combined with his mother’s suggestion about gallery space, and that very definite fantasy body, all hot and sweaty with the wheel barrel. He’d find Brian Kinney, every hot bodied inch of him.