CHAPTER THREE: HERE COMES THE DUD

DEB

So Michael thinks that he can once again stick his big ass head in the middle of Brian and Justin’s business, does he? After I received the call from Ben last night, Carl and I got to talking. He asked me one simple question: how would I feel if his ex-girlfriend Cathy was trying to make a play for him again, even knowing that he and I were back together? The answer was that I would happily do time in jail for scratching the floral-print wearing bitch’s eyes out! He chuckled and told me that I then knew what I needed to do… what I do best, and that is, run interference.

With that thought in mind, I came into work while Carl stayed at home with Gus and Jenny. I don’t work here at the Diner as much as I used to, acknowledging that I needed to cut down on my hours, not only for Carl, but for my health too. Standing on my feet for more than forty hours a week for as many years as I have done it was beginning to really take its toll. So by agreement, I work no more than twenty-five hours a week and am paid as if I am in semi-retirement. I have to Brian to thank for this arrangement. He always did take care of my needs, in ways that even I couldn’t anticipate. My shift was scheduled for just after the breakfast rush until just after the lunch rush was finished. But after speaking with Ben, I’m glad that Carl and I agreed that I should come in earlier than I was expected. As I entered, I could see that we made the right decision, since there was Michael, talking to the one person I feared he’d run into… Ethan Gold.

I make my way to the booth, remaining behind Michael and out of his sight, just in time to hear the latest round of bullshit that my lying ass son uttered.

“Yeah. I’ve seen and spoken to him. You know he mentions you A LOT. I mean, since he’s been living in New York, he keeps toying with the idea of looking you up. He said that maybe now that the years have passed, maybe you have both matured enough to give a relationship a real effort this time.”

“I would like that but… well, what about Brian? I’ve seen some of Justin’s artwork recently and although as beautiful as ever, Brian still featured heavily in them… or more accurately, his feelings for and about him. His obsession with Brian Kinney is what drove us to break up the first time. No relationship can survive a ghost in their beds, Michael.”

Before my idiot son could speak again, I interrupted. “Oh that’s something Michael knows very well Ethan, since he’s had Brian within his for as long as I can remember. The ghost, I mean.”

“M- Ma, what are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming in until later.”

“Obviously. As for what I’m doing here… I’m doing what you should be doing, which is working. But apparently, there is more to my job than I bargained for today and that is to correct some untruths, by delivering some hard new ones.” I then turn to his dining companion. “Ethan, I would say that it’s lovely to see you again, and it would be, if you weren’t in the company of my son.”

“It’s nice to see you Mrs. Novotny. It’s been a long time.”

“That it has. So long that I’m sure you’re unaware that my last name is Horvath now. I’m not surprised that Michael didn’t tell you. Along with not being intimate friends with the truth, he’s also not well-acquainted with the realities of life that he doesn’t like. So did I hear you right? You’re looking for Justin?”

“Yes. I thought that we could catch up. I know that he was in New York for a time while I was traveling in Europe. By the time I decided to look him up, I was informed that he’d come back here for a visit. So I thought I’d track him down here at the Diner.”

I smile at his stammering and awkwardness. It’s always been a sure sign that although he believes in what he’s saying, he’s also lying. “Well, again let me correct some misconceptions for you. Justin is not visiting; he’s home. And whether Michael wants to admit it or not, he and Brian are together and have been since just a few weeks after he dumped you for cheating.”

“Wha-how? How could Justin go back to him after everything he’s done?!”

All conversation and activity ceased within the Diner at Ethan’s raised voice. There are a few things the patrons of Liberty Avenue will never tolerate. One is me being yelled at, especially by someone they don’t know. And secondly, anyone who speaks out against the undisputed King of Liberty Avenue or the unrivaled King of Babylon has an immediate problem- something only me being who I am has prevented Michael from learning firsthand, to date.

“I’d watch your tone and your words if I were you. As for an answer to your question, Ethan you have to get a clue and the sooner the better for your mental health. You were never going to be Justin’s be all to end all.”

“That’s not true! We were in love; we were happy!”

“No. YOU were happy, and while Justin wasn’t wholly miserable, he certainly wasn’t happy. He was dealing with a lot when you came into his life. You were his friend and his solace when he needed one, but no more than that. You have to be content with that and move on with your life.”

Michael huffs. “Ma…”

“Don’t you open a mouth to me, Michael. I don’t know what crap you’ve been filling this boy’s head with, but I will get to you in a minute. Right now, adults- or I would like to believe that Ethan is actually an adult- are talking, so kindly sit there with the metaphorical dunce cap on your head while I correct his stinking thinking, courtesy of you!” He flounced and folded his arms, pouting per usual when thwarted. When I was sure that he wasn’t going to say anything else, I continued with Ethan.

“Now look, young man, there is nothing for you here in terms of any kind of romance with Justin. That ship has sailed, and if you’re honest, you would acknowledge that it never should have docked in the first place. I’m only telling you this because, what you and Justin did back then aside, I really did care for you. I still do. So my advice is to see Justin, if only to get it out of your system, but save yourself the heartache and accept what is. Accept what my stupid, miserable son cannot, and that is, the truth.

"Justin will never be yours. He never was yours in the first place. His heart has always belonged and will always belong to Brian, and he couldn’t give you what was no longer his to give. They are together, permanently and irrevocably, which is where they will remain. Both are successful men in their own rights and complement each other. There is absolutely NOTHING you have or can offer that can take Justin away from Brian. They have fought too hard for the life they have now.

"So it's time for you to go and live yours. Be better! Do better by yourself, and for the love of God, clean up your act! Stop chasing men who are already attached to someone else. It’s a lesson Michael clearly hasn’t learned yet. You don’t want to be damned near forty years old and still have the mentality of a teenager. I love him, but there it is!” I finished, gesturing at my son as a prime example.

Before Ethan could reply, I found the everyone in the Diner- employee and patron alike, except for both Ethan and Michael- standing up and clapping for me. I couldn’t help the sudden blush that crept up my cheeks as I realized that many of them had been wanting to say the same thing about Michael for years. Kiki had always told me that I needed to really set Michael straight, and I thought I had many times, but this was different. Ben told me of his ultimatum to Michael and that he only had a week to straighten out his shit, or Ben was going to walk out. Or more accurately, kick Michael out. I knew that I couldn’t get my son to see reason, but maybe my brand of tough love could help Ethan Gold get his shit together.

“I’ll take what you said under advisement, Mrs. Horvath, but are you sure?”

I smile kindly at him. Underneath all the arrogance and bravado, he reminded me a lot of Brian in his early twenties. Driven, talented beyond all that was reasonable, but still so unsure of who he really was. “Yes, honey. I’m sure. Brian and Justin found their forever a long time ago, before you were even a second thought. And as much as it hurts to hear, you were always going to be second best to Brian in Justin's regard. It’s just the way things were; how they are meant to be. It doesn’t make you a bad person nor does it make Justin one either. You both fulfilled a need in the other at the time, and being together for that short amount of time healed you both. I’m not sure what your deal was, but I knew Justin’s issues. So did Brian, which is why he chose to let Justin go with you, for as long as he needed to be with you.”

“Wait! He let him go? What do you mean?”

“Yeah, he did. Brian arranged for Justin to see him the way he did on the night of the Rage party. It was his way of forcing Justin to make a decision that he knew would break both their hearts, but it ultimately still had to be made. You see, Justin wasn’t just unhappy the way many people thought. He was also confused about who he was and who he wanted to be. There was an incident the year before that caused Justin to forget the young man who always pursued his heart’s desire, both in the flesh and within himself. He couldn’t remember who he was before the bashing took that away from him. His confidence, the way he related to people and life; even the way he saw people and their motives prior to the incident, was all gone and it left a void. You cheating on Justin- as horrible as it was- was exactly what he needed to remember who he was. Brian and Justin had an open relationship, it’s true, but there were rules for it. They lived by a code and set their own standards, not afraid to give the big FUCK YOU to societal norms or ideals held by inconsequential people, like Michael here. The fact that he broke the rules with you showed exactly how fragile Justin was and that his perception of the situation between him and Brian was off. Now that’s not to say he didn’t care for you in his own way, because he did. But that particular version of Justin was a far cry from the man he was before the bashing, and the man he has become now. Please heed my advice, Ethan, and don’t do anything that will cause Justin to have to hurt your feelings, because he won’t hesitate to do so.”

I can see the moment my words broke through his mind, even while I can see Michael getting more and more angry that his plan wasn’t going to work this time. Yes, I am well aware of the lengths Michael went to use Justin’s affiliation with Ethan to sow the seeds of discord between Brian and Justin the first time. I will not let the little fucker do that to them again, and I know they won’t either. So, if exposing Michael for the rat he is will ultimately make him a better person, or if not, at least teach him what it means to mind his own fucking business, then so be it. I can deal with little Captain Asshole over here and his sidekick, Wonder Witch. Speaking of which…

“Sorry, I’m late Michael, but… oh, hello Deb. I didn’t see you standing there,” Lindsay says, narrowing her eyes at my son, still sitting in the corner.

“I’m sure you didn’t, but here I am, Lindsay. I would ask what brought you in so early, but since Ethan is here and you were supposed to meet Michael, I can just about guess. So before you think to try and add your own suggestions to this conversation, let me help you out. Ethan knows exactly what you and Michael were trying to do.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she denies, but I cut her off.

“Uh-huh. Sure you didn’t know what he had planned. Lindsay, let me give you a little history lesson. I gave birth to Michael, so there isn’t really much I can say that I don’t know about him. Sure, I had a tendency to blame Brian for Michael’s fuckups. It was just easier than to admit to myself that I had spoiled him to the point of crippling him. That was my mistake, but as I was always taught, you’re never too old to learn. That’s certainly true in Michael’s case, and if he doesn’t learn quickly, he’s going to be jobless, homeless, and Ma-less, since I refuse to support the antics of a grown child!”

“Uh, Deb…”

“And another thing while I am on a roll this morning, leave Brian and Justin alone, Lindsay. You are not going to win stage mother of the year… Hell, you’re not even going to win biological mother of the year!”

“I resent your implication that…”

“I swear, maybe you and Michael really do share a brain cell, the way Justin’s said you have for years. I, on the other hand, am not stupid, nor am I deaf, dumb, and blind. Both of you are bucking to be Mrs. Brian Kinney when neither of you is qualified for the job. Lindsay, you don’t have a dick! There, I’ve said it. And even if you went out and got a sex change and became Leonard, you still wouldn’t be interesting enough to capture and hold Brian’s interests. You’re lazy and spoiled, which are two things Brian cannot stand. Same goes for Michael, but there is also the fact that, as much as I hate to admit it, Michael just isn’t smart enough.

"Whereas he has a dick, he’s still as ball-less as you! If he had any, he would never have depended on Brian or Justin to keep that rat-trap comic shop running. He would have struck out on his own and found something worthwhile to do with his time, instead of trying to keep two men, who want nothing to do with him, tied and bound to him in any capacity. But no, not my Michael. He likes being stuck and dependent upon other people for his happiness.” I took a deep breath. “Now I’m going to tell you two- tell you all, in case there is some other asshole in here that you can entice to your idiotic whims- LEAVE BRIAN AND JUSTIN ALONE!!! Neither of them want or need any of you fucking with their lives. They’ve let you get away with the shit for far too long as it is. They are in no mood to continue in that vein, and to do so will have your asses handed to you in ways you cannot imagine. Find a fucking life! And as for you Lindsay, redesign your life. Your marriage is over but you’re still a biological mother. Go be that and leave the stage mothering to Justin’s agent, whom he pays quite handsomely to do her job!”

“You mean Brian pays,” Michael sneers, but I laugh.

“Out of the mouths of idiots! Michael, try using the computer to do more than bid on toys you can’t afford and do some fucking research. Justin could’ve and should’ve bought you out of Rage years ago, even before he left for New York. Hell, he could’ve bought you out when he came back from Los Angeles; he was already making a name for himself even then. He stayed on as a favor to you, but I suspect that that time has passed. He’s already moved beyond you and the comic. Also, if Brian calls in his initial investment shares in the comic and sides with Justin, which we both know he will do should he be asked, you’ll be voted out without a dime. At least this way, he would be willing to pay you. Don’t push it!”

I moved off to serve the other customers within the eatery, happy that I’ve said what needed to and should have been said a long time ago. Whether the hard-headed fuckers will listen is anyone’s guess, but I suspect they will now have one less ally in Ethan Gold. He comes over to me after grabbing up his coat and leaving the booth where Michael and Lindsay are sitting, stewing in their own rancid juices.

“Debbie- Mrs. Horvath- I’m going to be going now. I’ll probably make an effort to see Justin just to wish him well with everything. As for the other subject, I’ll leave the matter closed. All I’ve ever wanted for Justin was to make him happy, and if having Brian does that for him, well… I’ll live with that.”

“Good boy. I hope you get what you want out of life, Ethan. Stop by and see me the next time you’re in Pittsburgh. Hopefully there will be another young man by your side who you’ll be happy to introduce me to.”

He smiles, and for the first time, I can really see what Justin saw in the young man. When he genuinely smiles from within, he’s a cutie. I’m so glad he got rid of that rat that used to be on his chin though. Someone must have finally told him that it made him look dirty as fuck! Even his hair doesn’t look like it hasn’t been washed in six years the way it used to! Instead, its got soft waves with the barest minimum of product applied and looks very mature on him. With that dimple, he should have the guys beating down his door in no time… but it won’t be Sunshine!

“I’ll do that. And Deb, thank you. For everything.”

“Anytime you need a good swift and stiff kick in your ass, call me. I’ll be sure to give it to you straight, no chaser.”

“I will. What do you think they are going to do?” He asks as he gestures at the PITA Association. Damn that Justin and his sayings!  I chuckle and explain to Ethan about Justin’s nickname for them, but then I grow serious. “I really don’t know Ethan, and whereas it will break my heart in spots, watching their downfall, should they continue to be stupid, it will be worth the price of admission. At least, they can never say that they haven’t been warned.”

“Well if it’s any consolation, my grandmother used to say: A hard-head makes a soft behind every time. They may not learn their lesson now, but I suspect that once Brian and Justin finish with them, they will have learned it in spades. My past dealings with Kinney have taught me that.”

I chuckle. “Believe me when I tell you, Justin is worse.”