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CHAPTER 33 - TALKING BOO-BOOS, RATHMAN AND SOMEONE COMES HOME

 

MEL

 

Ruth has looked over twice and with one nod at Carl, they both make their way in.

 

“Ems, come with me.” Carl pries him out of Brian’s arms and takes him upstairs.

 

“Can we help you?” Lindsay glares at Ruth.

 

“Yeah, you can say ‘thank you.’ Because I’m about to save you from a future beat down from them by advising Brian to tell Gus about it…” She smiles. “He may hiss when mad but he hisses really loud. So pretty much everyone knows…”

 

“So you didn’t know beforehand?” Lindsay looks smug.

 

“Neither did you.” Justin points out. “And Ruth’s right, he should be told.”

 

“Right, so when are we doing this?” Michael interrupts.

 

We are not doing this. Brian should tell him...by himself.”

 

“Why?” Lindsay asks, surprised.

 

“Because he will tell him in a way that’s not scary to him.” I reply. “Do you want to do this now?”

 

“Yeah, let me go get him.” Brian squeezes Justin’s hand and then calls out for Gus, who comes in slowly. “Come on, Sonny Boy. You and I need to talk about something...not about what happened earlier, because you were my brave Sonny Boy.”

 

“Okay daddy.” He takes his hand as they leave the room.

 

“I still think that we should…”

 

“Oh shut up, you asshole!” Ruth rebukes him. “From the little time I’ve known you, all I’ve seen is your pernicious side. Gus got you good earlier, and your man-childish ass would find a way to pay him back for that. I think you would tell him spitefully...”

 

“But then dress it up as being a caring uncle.” Ems sneers. “Ugh, I can’t! Where’s Brian and Gussie?”

 

“Brian’s telling him.” Justin replies quietly, looking at the door while waiting for their return.

 

GUS’S BEDROOM

 

BRIAN

 

Gus looks very thoughtful. “So you had a boo-boo?” I nod. “So where was it? I don’t ‘member seeing you with a Band-Aid.”

 

“It was inside my tummy. The doctors took it away so I could get better.”

 

And it’s all gone now?”

 

“Yes, it’s all gone now.”

 

“Does Daddy Justin know?”

 

“Yes, he knows and he helped me get better.”

 

Gus grins and then frowns. “Will you get it again?”

 

“I hope not but…”

 

“But if it does come back, you will have mine and daddy Justin’s kisses to help you get better, won’t you?”

 

“Yes, I will. Are you okay with what I’ve said? You want to go back down now?”

 

“Yes daddy.” He gives me a kiss and we head back down.

 

JUSTIN

 

When I hear their footsteps, my heart starts again and judging by the twin smiles, it went okay. Ruth, Baba and Debs are busy plating up food.

 

“Ruthie, is that the same chicken from N’Awlins?” Gus is peering at the plate and I know what is going on in his brain. Judging by the appearance of two small bowls, so does Ruth.

 

“Okay hold the bowls, Gus.” She places a piece in each bowl. “Ask grandpa to help you cut it up for them please, okay?”

 

“Thanks Ruthie!” Gus grins, carrying them out carefully. “Grandpa, you need to help!”

 

“Is there anything I can do?” I watch Brian settle on the lounger.

 

“Yeah, go sit down with your husband.” Debs orders. We caught her up on what happened and she threw them out of the kitchen.

 

GARDEN

 

BRIAN

 

I feel so much better having told him. Okay, my hand was forced but he took it really well. “We need to tell Mother Taylor this evening.” I whisper and he nods.

 

“Daddy?” Gus calls out from Ben’s lap. “When you had that boo-boo, did you have chicken soup?”

 

Justin looks up at me and we both smile at the memory. “Yes, I made sure he ate every last drop Gussie.”

 

“Good. Daddy said that you helped him get better. And Ruthie, Frick and Frack really like the chicken…”

 

“I don’t think it’s right for dogs to eat human food.” Lindsay says, derisively.

 

“Then stop eating and put your plate in the kitchen.” Ruth retorts without missing a beat. Christ, I’ve missed her!

 

I pat Justin on the back as he starts to splutter.

 

BLOOM GALLERY - TUESDAY MORNING

 

SIDNEY

 

Rathman have been on the phone and they’re excited about Justin coming over in a couple of weeks for some meetings before the show a couple of weeks after that.

 

“Sidney, you got a minute?” I look up in surprise to see the man of the moment, right outside my door.

 

“For you Justin, of course, come in!” I wave him to the sofa and join him. “So what can I do for you? Is it Rathman? Are you cancelling?”

 

He fidgets and then takes a deep breath. “No, I’m not totally cancelling. But with everything I have going on, I don’t think I will give a good enough show. So I want to be able to just do two of them, not three.”

 

I nod in understanding. “They just called actually...right, let’s get them on the line.”

 

“Oh thank you, Sidney.” He heaves a sigh of relief and I get that sunshine smile.

 

CARNEGIE MELLON - WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

 

STAFF ROOM

 

CASSIA

 

Virginia, Lindsay’s new teaching assistant, comes in looking exasperated. She’s young and has only been here a week; I don’t think she’s had time to get to know everyone yet. She flops onto the nearest chair and turns to face me and blinks as if surprised to see me there.

 

“I don’t suppose you have a bottle of vodka in your purse? Or is it gin that doesn’t smell too much?”

 

I laugh and put down my papers. “What’s up?”

 

“It’s Lindsay. She knows what she’s doing.” She pauses to gather her thoughts. “But despite Bernhard sitting in and Millicent taking up his suggestion of getting me to help her, she still seems to want to be somewhere else.”

 

“Yes, it’s called my class.” I sigh.

 

“Oh my goodness, you’re kidding?! What is your class and I’m sorry, what’s your name again? I was whipped out of here so fast that my feet have hardly touched the ground.”

 

“Renaissance and Cassia D’Milo.”

 

“Oh...oh wait, do you have Justin Taylor as your assistant?”

 

“Yes, he’s a sweetheart. Great talent!”

 

“He’s doing the Rathman Showing. Considering how soon it is, I can’t believe his calmness, I would be freaking out!”

 

“Really, how do you know that?” I can’t recall Justin mentioning he was actually doing it to anyone here after we had our chat. Even that was, eventually, off campus because of the big-eared blonde.

 

“Lindsay told me. She’s going there as his mentor. She discovered him, you know?”

 

“Did she? Please don’t take this the wrong way Virginia, but I wouldn’t mention that again, unless Justin says you can. I don’t know Justin very well but I do know he is a very private person. Yes, he’s married to Rage but everyone knows that.”

 

“Oh?” She goes pink. “I got the impression from Lindsay that it was common knowledge. Okay, thanks for the heads up...wait Rage as in Rage the Gay Crusader?!” She gasps.

 

“Yes.” Just then, in comes Justin and Virginia just stares at him.

 

“Virginia, are you okay?” He asks, kindly.

 

“I’m so jealous! You’re beautiful, talented and married to Rage…”

 

“If it makes you feel better, he can get really moody.” He chuckles.

 

“Actually, it does!” She giggles. “Right…”

 

“Virginia, there you are!” Lindsay comes in. “Oh hi Cassia, Justin. Can you go and set up the class? I am desperate for a cup of coffee!”

 

Virginia gets up with a sigh. “Sure.”

 

“Problem?” Lindsay asks her, arching her brow.

 

“No just a sudden headache arrived.” She replies. “See you guys later.”

 

“Wait Virginia, do you have pills?” Justin calls out. “I’ve got some if you need some.”

 

“Oh please. Thanks Justin.”

 

I wait for the door to shut behind them and gather my papers. “I don’t know what your game is, Lindsay but a piece of advice. Don’t discuss things that you know nothing about or that is not your news to spread.”

 

“Pardon? I don’t know what…”

 

“Just remember what happened when you interfered at Bloom.”

 

“What has Justin been saying?” She demands.

 

“How quick you are to judge others by your own behaviour. Justin never said anything. But rest assured, what happened at Bloom is very well known. Why do you think you work here?”

 

I adjust my papers and leave her looking astonished.

 

DEB AND CARL’S HOUSE - SUNDAY A WEEK LATER

 

KITCHEN

 

BRIAN

 

Gus’s hands were covered in dough as he helped his grandmas make cookies. Although, I do think more of it went into his mouth than on the actual tray. He’s gone for a walk with Carl and Gummy...they’ve gone to feed the ducks.

 

“Is it ice cream sandwiches for dessert, again?” I sigh.

 

“Yes and I’m onto you. We’ve got sprinkles.” Justin smirks over his shoulder.

 

This is the weekend that Michael and Lindsay lost because of their behaviour last time. It took some hard negotiating to get Debs to allow them to come around today.

 

“Baby, can you, me and Hunter please meet at some point this week to go through ceremonies and Britin?”

 

“Sure Emmy.” Justin is so relieved that he’s only doing two Rathman shows. Although he’s delegated the villa to Mother Taylor and Ruth, he was up late on Friday night buying furniture. So now I have banned him from working on it for this weekend and next.

 

“Where is Hunter anyway?” Blake asks. “Is he with Carmine?”

 

“As in dating still yes, but today he’s with the architect.” I reply and wait for the complaints to come.

 

Lindsay clears her throat. “With the architect? Surely you should be there too? I thought you wanted to do this yourselves.”

 

“We do and we are. Hunter is supervising the works.” I reply.

 

“I see.” She tightens her hold on the fork. “And…”

 

“Gus is having fun picking out his own furniture for his room.” Justin adds. “He still can’t believe he’s getting a big boy bed.”

 

“A big boy bed?” Michael scoffs but stops when Debs glares at him.

 

“Yes, that’s what Gus calls it. And since we’re not intending to live anywhere else but Britin for a very long time, he needs something that will last until his teens.”

 

“Good thinking!” Mother Taylor calls out. “Shall I get that, Debs?” When the doorbell rings.

 

“Oh please Jen.”

 

“Oh my goodness!” Mother Taylor exclaims. “What are you doing here?!”

 

“This couldn't wait!” A very familiar and excited voice replies. “Well, let me in then!”

 

“Daph!” Justin looks at me and I shrug.

 

“Seems your husband thinks you need the ultimate distraction buddy...so he called me!”

 

“How long are you here for?” He’s gone sunshiny on us. “And where are you staying?”

 

“Oh until you go to New York, so for two whole weeks!” She grins and greets everyone with hugs, well almost everyone. “And where do you think? I have my ear defenders, so get as loud as you want!”

 

“Speaking of New York…” Lindsay dabs her lips with her napkin.

 

“We weren't.” Daph declares. “This is a no talking about New York zone.”

 

“With all due respect Daphne, you don't…”

 

“I barely acknowledged you when I arrived, which should've told you that I am pissed. You think being patronising is a good idea?” She holds Lindsay’s gaze.

 

“Justin, we will discuss this in private like grown-ups...”

 

“Tough shit! You’re not getting anywhere near him as I fully intend to monopolise him for my visit. You get to be a pain in his ass all the time; these two weeks are mine!” I can't help but smile at her tigress like protection of him. “And besides, we’re going go San Fran next week and straight to that place from there.”

 

“Fine! You want to go in blind then…”

 

“Cassia is going with me as my mentor, despite what some have been told. But that is the last conversation we, as in you and I, are having on the subject, Lindsay.” Justin states in a tone of voice that I find myself loving to hear him use more and more lately. Effectively dismissing a silenced and scowling Lindsay, he turns his attention back to his best friend. “Seriously, San Fran next week?!”

 

“Yes!” Daph does her signature bounce wiggle. “But that is on a need to know basis and some people definitely don't need to know about it!”

 

“Stop being so fucking childish, Daphne!” Michael rebukes her, folding his arms and glaring at her.

 

“Leave Daphne alone, Michael. You are not in a position to judge anybody’s maturity!” Justin retorts in that voice…she’s definitely going to be using her defenders tonight!

 

“Only the uneducated hide their stupidity behind profanity.” Daph smirks.

 

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Michael snaps.

 

“Case in point. Michael to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, it is better you are thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

 

“What…” Michael begins.

 

“Seriously Michael, just stop talking.” Debs sighs.

 

“Daddy, guess what?!” Gus comes in squealing and Carl looks a little emotional as he takes Gummy out of the buggy.

 

“What’s happened, Sonny Boy? Say it before you explode.” Justin laughs.

 

“Let me show you. Come on Gummy, do it again.” Gus says quietly as she toddles towards him. She stops walking and then looks at him for a few seconds. “Come on, you can do it. Who me?”

 

“Gus-Gus.” She states and grins.

 

“Oh…” That's all that Debs manages before starting to blubber.

 

“My name! She said my name. I’ve been teaching her.” He beams proudly.

 

“Oh Lambskin, that’s…”

 

“Gus-Gus!” Gummy repeats firmly, a little frown creasing her brow before she’s all smiles again.

 

“Out of the mouths of babes!” Blake snickers.

 

 

Chapter End Notes:

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