Chapter 19

“Justin, honey, are you okay?” Jennifer looked at her son from concerned eyes. She had asked Justin the same question two times already, but her son hadn't responded yet. In fact he looked as if he was far away in his thoughts and hadn't even listened to her.

“Huh, what?”

“I was asking if you're okay, honey. You seem preoccupied,” Jennifer stated once more, eyeing Justin with mild curiousity.

Justin shook his head as if to bring himself back from wherever his mind had wandered and tried to smile at her.

“I am sorry, Mom. Just a lot going through my head at the moment.”

“You want to talk about it?” Jennifer asked. This wasn't like Justin. Usually he was focused and paying attention to what people around him were saying. He had always been good at picking up conversations even if he hadn't been part of the conversation, but this, him not paying attention at all to what was being said, that was weird.

They had met about half an hour earlier to have lunch together close to Jennifer's office and had wanted to talk about Molly's upcoming birthday party. So far however, Justin hadn't showed any interest in Jennifer's preparations at all which was weird because in recent days Justin had been full of ideas which had been why they had agreed on this meeting.

Justin sighed and met his mother's questioning gaze. “Just life and stuff, you know?”

“Anything I should be concerned about?” She asked in a voice only a mother could use with her child.

Justin shook his head and couldn't help but smile at her obvious concern. “Not really... Just me contemplating the unfairness of life and all,” he shrugged.

Jennifer nodded, having a pretty good idea that whatever was going on in Justin's head involved Brian. The word 'unfairness' had been a good hint.

“This is about Brian,” she stated therefore rather than asked.

“We're fine, Mom. Nothing to worry about,” Justin tried to placate her.

“I am your mother. I will always worry, it's my job,” his mother just chuckled and took his hand and squeezed it. “I haven't always been doing a good job of it, so let me make up for it now.”

Justin squeezed back and just nodded. “It's nothing really...,” he sighed once more for good measure. “It's just... Melanie's and Lindsay's engagement got me thinking about... Brian and I will never be able to get married... it's just fucking unfair, but what's new, right? We knew that when we started this whole relationship, so nothing to get your panties in a twist about as Debbie would say.”

“Never say never, honey,” his mother replied seriously.

“Mom, please. We're both realistic about what our situation is and it's not likely that any laws are going to change anytime soon. So whatever romantic notion I've had about one day getting married as well, it's just a dream and it's best to forget about it soon as it will never come true.”

“That sounds awfully sad and depressing,” Jennifer replied, looking at her son from understanding yet sad eyes.

Ever since they had reconnected, she had seen him and Brian together, had seen how much in love the two of them were and how serious their relationship was. Her previous concerns about her son dating a slave had long been forgotten and moved on from after she had started seeing how happy the two men were and made each other. She had long ago accepted Brian as a part of Justin's life and if she was honest with himself, she even liked her son's boyfriend. Brian was smart, polite, good-looking and as she had been told by both Debbie and Justin over and over again in the very beginning of them working out their relationship, it was hardly as if Brian had chosen this life for himself. It was hardly a life anyone would voluntarily choose.

“Welcome to the life of dating a slave,” Justin shrugged, remembering Brian's statement from two nights ago about being a slave and kind of copying that.

“Who are you and what have you done with my son?” Jennifer asked seriously, her gaze never leaving Justin's face.

Justin frowned. “Mom?”

“Honey, for as long as I've known you, you have never shied away from a fight. You have always stood up for whatever you found to be unfair, unjust and unequal. You have always stood up for what you believed to be right and have fought to get your way. Hell, you were 17 and left your home because you wouldn't back down from a fight with your father. Why aren't you fighting now?”

“Mom, this is different... There are laws and... it's just not a fight we can win...”

“Have you tried?” Jennifer raised an eyebrow in question.

“Mom, I've been fighting against society's views for years. Hell, Brian and I are fighting every day. We can't just have a normal relationship and do normal things that normal couples do. It's something Brian has accepted a long time ago and I've come to accept it with time as well... Our relationship will never be like others because society would never allow it.”

“How do you know when you haven't even tried changing the laws?”

“Mom, what do you want me to do? You know how the jerk in the White House and his rich ass friends are all pro-slavery. As long as we don't get a new Congress, a new Senate and a new president, things won't change... I've been part of LAAS long enough to know what we're up against,” Justin sighed, wondering what his mother was thinking he had done in recent years. Just because she had been part of an anti-slavery group for a year now she suddenly knew better than him?

“Justin, honey, I am not saying that you're wrong, but... maybe don't try to change every slave's life at once. Just start with Brian's and try fighting for his,” Jennifer suggested, her voice gentle and understanding. She knew that Justin had lived this life a lot longer than her and knew way better about slavery and anti-slavery movements, it just made her sad to see him, and really both him and Brian, treated so unfairly at times.

“And how do you think I should do that? Tell me, because I sure as hell have no idea what you want me to do,” Justin got more and more agitated, not liking his mother's implications that he could have done more for Brian.

“You are officially his owner, so...,” Jennifer took a deep breath, knowing that she would have to tread carefully with how she would explain what had been going through her head. She had seen Justin's agitation and didn't want him to be angry at her for saying something stupid.

“Correct me if I am wrong, but as his owner, you have total control over his life.”

Justin saw her questioning gaze and just nodded. There was nothing to say to a sad truth like that. He hated the power he had over Brian and how little power Brian had over his own life and he hated thinking about it more than he had to.

“You can punish him, you can sell him, hell... you could even kill him and nothing would happen to you,” Jennifer was interrupted at that point by an outraged exclamation from Justin.

“Mom!”

“Justin, I am not saying you would ever do any of those things, but... just bear with me. I am just trying to understand something here, please.”

In the end Justin nodded and urged her to continue.

“You have all this power and control over his life, but you can't make the decision to grant him his freedom? Why not? How does that make sense? If I go into a shop and buy something, I can decide as the owner for however long I want to use the goods I have purchased and then it's in my power to stop using them, to sell them on to the highest bidder or do whatever I want with them. Why don't you have that same power here? Why is owning a slave different?”

“I... I am not sure I can follow,” Justin admitted, frowning at his mother's explanation.

“Why can you sell, punish and even kill a slave, but you can't do something as simple as grant him his freedom? You are the owner, you have absolute control, yet you don't have the power to grant someone's freedom? That makes no sense,” Jennifer went on, looking at Justin from questioning eyes. “Right?”

Justin ran her argument through his head and tried to look at it from all sides and even though he didn't like admitting it, he could see her point. “I guess, yeah...”

“So why has no one ever tried to fight for the right to grant a slave his or her freedom? All I've heard at LAAS is fighting to abolish slavery, but... like you've said, that's not going to happen as long as the lobbyists and the powers to be support slavery, but... where in the laws does it state that you can't grant Brian his freedom being his owner? Is that in any laws?”

“I... I don't know... I don't think so,” Justin had to admit. “I am not that familiar with the laws, to be honest. I mostly try to ignore they exist,” Justin mumbled, looking at his mother from sad eyes.

“I can't blame you, honey, I really can't, but... maybe it's something that would be worth checking?”

***

And that's how Justin found himself in Melanie's office later that day, sitting across from his friend and anti-slavery lawyer, repeating his earlier conversation with his mother to her.

“Thanks for making some time for me on such a short notice,” Justin thanked her once again. He had given her a call merely two hours ago and she had been kind enough to meet with him during her break as she would be required in court later that day.

“Always, Justin. You know I am always here for you and Brian if you need any legal help.”

“So... do you think my mom has a point? That maybe we've been looking at it all wrong before?” Justin asked her and met her gaze right on after he had explained everything. He knew that Melanie would be honest with him and wouldn't mince her words, but that was what he liked about her. She wouldn't get up his hopes if there was no hope. She would tell him right from the start what the chances were and then he could either move on or think about it some more.

“I have to be honest here, Justin,” she started and Justin's heart fell. She would now tell him that what he and his mother had been talking about had been pure and utter legal bullshit and wouldn't lead anywhere. If he was honest with himself, he had known that much and had expected it. Her reply caught him by surprise however.

“I think she might be on to something,” Melanie said slowly, looking at some notes in front of her.

“What? Really?”

“I think so, yeah, but... I would have to check with some colleagues of mine. I don't want to get your hopes up for nothing, Justin, so please, can you give me a day or two to shop this around and get some other opinions? Just because I think she might be on to something doesn't mean I am right, you know?” She smiled at him apologetically.

“Uh yeah, of course,.. sure...”

“I don't think anyone has ever tried this angle before and I think it might actually work to argue that as a slave owner, you should also have the right to grant freedom as that should be in your power and nowhere does it say you're not allowed to do it, but... I might be missing something and there are some colleagues in New York and Washington who would know way better if this argument would have a chance.”

Justin nodded and thanked her for her time and for the effort she was putting into it. He then left and wondered if he should talk to Brian about what he had been up to that day. In the end he decided against it. It wasn't as if he was keeping secrets from his partner, but he didn't want to get Brian's hopes up until they had a more definite answer. For now he would just let it rest and would try to act as if nothing was going on. Good luck with that, Justin, he said to himself as he made his way home.

It took Melanie two days to get back to him and when she did, she just asked Justin if it would be possible for him to come by her office the next day at ten. Justin agreed, but when he asked her what this visit would be about, she didn't tell him anything more.

When Justin entered her office the next day, he was surprised to see two other people in the office with her.

“Justin, thanks for coming by,” she smiled at him and he only nodded in response. “This is my colleague from our Washington branch, Stephen Miller and this is Mike Sheller from our New York branch. I hope you don't mind them being here, but they are a lot more well versed in these types of cases than I am.”

“Sure, that's fine. Nice to meet you,” Justin greeted the two older men and watched as everyone settled around Melanie's desk.

“Melanie told us about your situation with your boyfriend and about the idea of maybe going to court and fighting for your right as an owner to include the right to grant freedom.”

Justin nodded, watching as the Washington lawyer Stephen Miller took over the conversation.

“We actually think that might be a direction worth investigating. Yes, it has been done before and it hasn't led anywhere, but Pennsylvania state slavery laws are slightly different to the state laws of the states where it has been tried before and we think there might actually be a chance of succeeding with that line of argument in front of a Pennsylvania court.”

“Really?”

All three lawyers nodded at him and Justin couldn't help but notice the happy expression on Melanie's face. “Justin, we think this might actually work in a court in Pennsylvania because the state laws don't explicitly forbid granting freedom to a slave. In a lot of state laws that is specifically mentioned and regulated, but there is no regulation in Pennsylvania state law,” she explained.

Justin nodded dumbly, not quite able to believe that apparently his mom had been on to something with her idea. There might be a way to grant Brian his freedom, God, how incredible would it be if that were true?

Trying to calm down his own feelings that were running on overload at the moment, Justin took a deep breath. “Okay, so... what happens next then?”

Melanie nodded to her two colleagues and they silently got up and left the room, leaving her to talk to Justin on her own. Justin frowned when they left the room.

“Justin,” she started and he didn't like the concerned tone in her voice. “Have you thought this through?”

“Yeah... no..., well not really,” Justin finally admitted, not meeting her gaze. Of course he hadn't thought it through. Up until five minutes ago he hadn't allowed his mind to even entertain the idea that there might be a way to ever gain Brian's freedom.

Melanie only nodded in understanding. “Have you talked to Brian about this?” She asked next and Justin just shook his head.

“You need to, you know that, right?” Her voice was gentle, yet pressing. “I know that in the end it would be your decision as his owner, but... Justin, we're talking a potentially life-changing decision here that will completely turn over your life as it is. And his life even more so. He needs to be on board with this.”

“I would never make a decision like that for him,” Justin replied hotly, glaring at her for even entertaining a thought like that.

“Justin, I know,” she sighed, but her gaze stayed serious. “I just need you to understand what this might involve and I need Brian to understand that as well before you two make a decision. If Brian is not on board with this... “

“I would never go against his wishes on something as big as this, Melanie,” Justin only repeated and she nodded.

“You need to be aware that this will change both your lives. It will turn your lives upside down. A case like this, if we go ahead with it is bound to get a lot of media attention and... you need to be prepared for that, Justin.”

“Okay,” Justin muttered, letting what she was saying sink in.

“For anti-slavery groups you will become the poster boys for all their efforts and campaigns and they will support you in your case, but... the pro-slavery lobby... they will try to destroy you, Justin. Make no mistake here. They will come after you and Brian when you go ahead with this and... they will dig around in your lives and will find whatever skeletons might be hidden in your closets. They will try to discredit you, they will try to destroy you and they will make your life a living hell. You need to understand that, both of you, before you make a decision.”

Justin didn't like what Melanie was implying, but understood what she was saying. He had kind of expected something like that.

“We have nothing to hide,” Justin said hotly, feeling how the fight was already taking over his whole body. This might be Brian's only chance to ever get his freedom and he sure as hell wouldn't let some right-wing fascists destroy that chance for him.

“Can you say the same for Brian?” Melanie asked gently.

“What the fuck, Mel?”

“Justin, please, I need you to understand this: We all know Brian was a pleasure slave and we have all heard the stories of what goes on with those slaves... Hell, I picked Brian up that day from Sapperstein. I saw his demeanour and I know how scared he was of that prick. I... I can only imagine the things he has had to go through and... I know you two have never shared them with us, which is fine, it's private, but I need you to understand that if we go ahead with this case... that will not stay private, Justin. It will come out. They will bring forward witnesses that will paint Brian as a whore and worse.”

Justin interrupted Melanie at that point. “He was not a whore! He was goddamn sold to be a pleasure slave by my own fucking father. He never asked for any of that to happen to him.”

“Justin, I know. We all know, but... the other side will do whatever they can to fight this and discredit Brian. I need you to fully understand that.”

“Mel, I... ,“ Justin's voice wavered as he thought about what Melanie was saying. They would come after Brian and destroy his character, his whole being and would portray him as something he was not. And there was nothing they could do about it. “I... I can't do that to him,” Justin whispered after several minutes of silence. “I can't put him through that.”

Melanie came over and sat down next to Justin, taking his hand in hers. “No, you can't, but he can. This has to be his choice, Justin.”

“I can't let him do this. I can't let them come after him like that. He has suffered enough,” Justin looked up at his friend from tear-stained eyes. “You don't know, but... he has suffered so much. I can't let him suffer more. I can't.”

“Justin,” Melanie said gently, looking at her young friend at her side. “That's why it needs to be his decision. You do understand that, right? This is a decision only he can make. No one else can make it for him.”

“And you think it might actually work?”

“Yeah, I think there might actually be a good chance for it to work,” Melanie nodded with conviction.

“What if it doesn't? What... what if he puts himself through all of that and then... it won't work...”

“Then we'll be there to pick up the pieces,” Melanie whispered, hugging the younger man close. “And you'll be there to love him in ways no one else can. He will have the whole family behind him, you know that.”

“Oh God, what about Gus?”

“Justin, don't worry about Gus,” Melanie said quietly, looking at the younger man from warm eyes. “Gus will be okay.”

“They will pull him into this as well, won't they?”

She only nodded. “Most likely.”

“Brian will never allow that. He will never put Gus in a situation like that,” Justin said with conviction.

“Justin, I know I had no right to, but... I talked to Lindsay about this and... we will support whatever Brian decides. Don't you worry about Gus. He will have four parents that love him more than anything and a whole family of grandmas, aunts and uncles to take care of him and protect him.”

“We can't ask that of you and Lindsay,” Justin muttered.

“Justin, I really think this could work. I really think this might be a way for Brian to gain back his freedom and... if you two want to go for it, we'll support you. You know our crazy, little Liberty Avenue family. They are the best support group and security net anyone could wish for.”

“I... I don't know,” Justin muttered.

“Justin, just talk it over with Brian. If you want, I can be there to help explain the legal aspect of it all. You two can also come by the office and we can talk it over here if you prefer that. Just, when you talk to Brian, be honest with him. He needs to know everything to be able to make the right choice for himself. And... you need to be aware that this might be a long process. This won't be done in a couple of months... this might go through all the stages up to the Supreme Court.”

“The Supreme Court?” Justin gasped when he heard that.

“We might have to go through all the levels of jurisdiction, but in the end it might end with Brian being a free man. Think about that!”

Justin nodded and then bid his farewell. He knew he would have to talk to Brian about all of this and he knew that no matter what, this would have to be Brian's decision. If Brian wanted to do this, Justin would be there by his side and would fight for him for as long as it was needed, if Brian didn't want to, Justin would accept that as well. Either way, he would support his boyfriend in whatever decision the older man would make in the end.