E- CHANGE IS GOOD… 

JUSTIN

If it were even possible, I woke up this morning feeling as if a tremendous weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Telling everyone what they needed to know- even if some of it was selective- took the pressure off. Admittedly, I was a little worried that we weren’t going to be able to execute our exit strategy just right, and that we would leave this place we’ve called home with a bunch of hurt feelings in our wake. Thankfully that’s not the case, especially in regards to Mom and Vic. I was concerned the most about how they would take the news that Brian and I are married, and intend to stay that way… at least for the interim. 

I was expecting an argument, or even tears and tantrums. But instead, Mom just seemed relieved. I suppose that’s because she had to get the dreams of me and some girl with a house and white picket fence out of her mind before she could accept that I found my very own Prince Charming during my first foray into the gayborhood. I even understand now where the fear she had came from when she realized that I had pinned all my hopes on having Brian. No, it didn’t help that she had Deb in her ear, giving her unfounded opinions. 

I often marvel at the fact that for all the years he’s been around her and the rest of them, they all really have no idea who Brian is. I can’t help but think that it’s because they never took the time to get to know him; were just happy to see the mask of invincibility he presents to the world at large. Yet, even though when he stepped up to me under that streetlight he was only looking to get laid, I could see that behind that aloofness there was a man who was growing tired of the hunt. Now that’s not to say that it was love at first sight between Brian and me because it wasn’t. But just that there was something- some restlessness- that he couldn’t hide from me, and I just wanted to be his peace. 

And in some strange, roundabout way, I’ve become that for him. He doesn’t have to conform to what they want anymore, but he is able to strive for what HE wants without having to worry about someone else’s hurt feelings or ideals. All I want of Brian is for him to be completely happy with the person he is… the person he’s growing to be, and I know that he wants the same for me. It’s something that Michael and Lindsay couldn’t allow him to be because then they would have no choice but to acknowledge that they could never measure up to who Brian needs in his life to make that level of complete happiness happen. No, the selfish assholes would rather keep him in a position where he can’t grow and change unless it’s to benefit them, instead of him.

And that is something I won’t let Brian endure, even if I become guilty of doing the same at some point. I think that’s what no one has been able to grasp about me in relation to Brian. Had Brian decided that I wasn’t what he wanted in this way, sure, I would have been heartbroken. But I also would have removed myself from him if it meant that he could live his life in relative peace. The reason I wouldn’t leave Brian alone is because I knew he wanted me, no matter what his lips said aloud for the benefit of others. 

If there is one thing I’m coming to really, REALLY understand about Brian, it’s to watch what he does while looking behind the words. It was like playing a one-sided game of tug-of-war for a while, but ultimately Brian stopped letting go of the rope and started pulling me closer. That was all the confirmation I needed of everything I believed about Brian from the first night I met him. And yes, while some of his needs have changed, the fact that he wants to share it all with ME has not. So once again, the people who believe they know all things Brian, are dead wrong.

You ready?” he asks me, from the bottom of the stairs in the loft.

I smile at him in response. “Yes, I am. But will you… will you wait for me to go with you to Ryder?” I don’t know why I feel the need to be there, but…

Brian shrugs. “I don’t see why not.”

I smile even bigger then, knowing that Brian was intending to do just that anyway. And it also lets me know that he had intended to take me to Ryder with him. If I know Brian, it’s about more than moral support, but to make a statement. So I ask, “Should I change?”

Brian laughs. “Not at all. I want him to see just how young you are. Considering that he’s in the middle of a divorce with trophy wife number two while having an affair with a girl around your age but who looks forty, I think it’s going to be a testament to what I’ve always thought of his dire predictions in regards to us.”

“Wait! What do you mean?”

Brian looks slightly embarrassed for a moment, before pulling himself together to explain. “It just so happens that I have a picture of you and Gus on my desk. One day, I caught him snooping, under the guise of looking for a file that I had left with Cynthia while I was out of the office to a client meeting. He decided to warn me about what he calls May-December relationships. It didn’t help that Michael had barged in the office as he was leaving. He turned to me and said that if I had to be gay, then Michael was what I should be looking at as potential mate material, instead of the trophy in the picture. Of course, Michael took it as a compliment and a testament to what he’s always believed, whereas I took it as another sign that I was wise to stay clear of clingy Mikey. Which is something I had already begun doing more and more in favor of spending time with you and Gus. I was fucking happy when he met David, even if I didn’t like the guy at all. It meant that Michael had someone else to focus his attentions on- or more accurately in Michael’s case- to run from.”

I snicker at his description of the beginning of the Mavid Show. Or should that be Dikey? I outright laugh at that thought. And as Brian looks at me puzzled, I utter, “Let’s go, Lover. I want to hurry up and get this all over with before we have any more distractions.”

“Distractions?”

“You… in a suit… smelling and looking the way you do right now equals distraction.”

“So I’m a distraction, huh?”

I nod, as I move to stand on the bottom step putting me at his exact height. I make a big show of letting my eyes travel the length of him, allowing my eyes to linger at his dick which is beginning to harden beneath my gaze. When my eyes settle on the pulse at the base of his neck, I see it jump just as he swallows hard. As I meet his eyes, the song “Touch” by Little Mix begins going through my mind. “Yes indeed, you are, in every way that matters to me.”

He pulls me in closer, attacking my lips and I can’t deny the accuracy of that song:

You and I and nobody else, feeling feelings I’ve never felt

The way you got me under your spell, don’t you keep it all to yourself 

Just a touch of your love is enough to knock me off of my feet all week

Just a touch of your love is enough to take control of my whole body.*

I have to pull back abruptly to stem the urge to immediately get naked, and shred his suit in my haste to get him the same way. Brian has the ability to make me forget all time and reason when he’s this close to me. Oh, who the fuck am I kidding? All Brian has to do is look at me, or speak to me; fuck just breathe in my direction, and he becomes a fever beneath my skin! And I wouldn’t have it any other way, but when I look at him, I know the feeling is mutual.

He clears his throat and shakes his head slightly to clear the fog I know our kiss induced since I’m suffering the same affliction. “Come on, Sunshine. Let’s take care of this shit so I can come back here and get to all the bad things I want to do to you right now.”

I smile at him. “You know, if that’s your idea of a pep talk, it needs work.”

“Really? I thought it was highly motivational.”

“It would be if I wasn’t sporting this harder-than-hard hard-on thanks to the Master of Anticipation. I swear, your sex appeal is lethal.”

“Well, aren’t you glad that I only reserve my more potent powers of seduction for you?” He smirks, and I just want to kiss him again to within a millimeter of our lives. 

“Again, you’re not helping since we can't fuck right now.”

“You’re right, we can’t. But keeping you in that particular state is going to work to my advantage.”

“Because I’ll become a cock-guzzling, dick-riding lunatic by the time we get back here?”

“Well there’s that advantage, and I won’t deny it. But also, when your unrequited lust gets the better of you, you become this little blond snarly pitbull, and I have a feeling we’ll need that level of pissitivity as the day wears on. Also, I think we need to see Gus before tomorrow if that’s okay with you.”

“Then let’s go see Gussy first, Brian, even if it’s just for a few moments. As it stands right now, I won’t be able to see him again before Thanksgiving since there’s a very minimal chance that I’ll be able to sneak into town with you for a while.”

Brian calls Melanie, as opposed to Lindsay, to see if she and Gus are available for a brief visit. It turns out that our timing is impeccable because Lindsay is out with her parents and Lynette, and isn’t due back at their house until just before dinnertime. After all, there was no way she would pass up an opportunity to hobnob with her family’s social set, even if she’s currently considered a pariah among them, right? So we arrange for Mel and Gus to meet us at the Diner in about fifteen minutes. I won’t deny that I also want to see Mel; she’s been the big sister I never had. No doubt that I love Molly, but sometimes I think it would have been nice to have someone to lean on who was older and wiser than me and Daph.

And I tell Brian that very thing. “Other than Em, Ted, and Daph, she’s going to be one of the people I will miss the most. And I have you to thank for that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just that Mel fulfilled a need I didn’t really understand I had until I met you, and therefore her. I mean, yes I had Daph when coming out and I wouldn’t trade her for anything. But a big sister, or an adult confidant to help me navigate certain aspects of that time would have been invaluable. So whereas I met her afterward, the talks she and I had when Lindsay was flitting from pillar to post were actually valuable, especially since she was in the same situation I was in with her parents at one time. She’s also the reason I started to really understand Mom’s position as opposed to wallowing in my own feelings about the matter.”

“I never knew that.”

“I know. One of those conversations happened the night you went to the hospital for Gus. Me being on the phone with her started out as just me trying to keep her calm, but I think she and I got so much more out of that conversation than the reassurance that we weren’t alone while worrying after Gus. I never told you, only because of your heretofore contentious relationship with her due to Lindsay’s influence.”

“Noticing that particular head game was just that easy for you to call out, was it?”

I nod in his direction as we proceed to our destination. “I grew up in the same environment as Lindsay, only higher up in the hierarchy. So I’ve seen all the games wives play to keep their husband’s regards, including making them believe that another could be poaching on their territory. It’s what Lindsay has been doing to you and Mel for more years than should have been allowed by either of you. But sadly for her, it was the person she considers her mistress who was feeding her need to be fought over, instead of the husband she wishes you were going to be to her.”

“Sorry, but the position of Mrs. Brian Kinney has already been filled…”

“And HE will be filled over and over again as soon as we get home,” I assure him as we find a parking spot directly in front of the Diner.  

We sit there for a few minutes just watching Mel feed Gussy, who is laughing more than he is eating. The smile which graces her face in response is one of the prettiest things I’ve ever seen, as Mel has a serene and genuinely happy look on her face. Turning to see if Brian is seeing the scene the same way I am, I whisper, “And that, Brian, is what I’m going to miss most about her.”

“She does look different when handling Gus…”

“It’s all the love she inhabits, Brian; the unguarded expression in her eyes when she doesn’t have to worry about the motive of the person she’s interacting with… It’s the Mel that only maybe Ted knows and that I’ve had the privilege of meeting right way.”

“You describe Melanie as an artist would,” Brian smiles at me.

I can’t help except to smile back at him in return since he’s finally understanding how to view the world through my eyes. “It’s what I am, and what I’ve always been and will be.”

“Is that why every drawing you do of me uncovers something about myself that even I have trouble seeing when I look in the mirror?”

“Yes. People often refer to the way an artist depicts their subject as seeing the aura surrounding it. On the surface, it sounds weird, but there really is some truth to it. We artists tend to look deeper than to just take beauty at face value. A lot of the time, it’s done subconsciously, but it’s also a skill that needs to be nurtured and cultivated over time so that one doesn’t become afraid of it.”

“Why would you be afraid of it?”

“Because sometimes you see things in this world you would rather not.” At Brian’s confused look, I try to find the words put it all into perspective for him. “Sometimes the most hidden secrets held within themselves spill out unconsciously and it colors the complete picture of a person. It’s why although I’m hurt by what Michael and Lindsay did, I’m also not surprised that they tried to make my decisions for me for each of their own benefits. At most, I’m surprised by their audacity to act upon their impulses and to be proactive for once in their lives, especially Michael. It’s no secret that Michael and Lindsay are lazy, spoiled, and entitled, but they have actually had to expound some energy in their attempt to extricate me from your life. In short, they had to get their hands dirty, while trying to come off as pure as the driven snow. It’s not working.”

“So you’re saying you knew they would try this?”

“Not necessarily; just that they were constantly dreaming up ways to get me to leave you. In their bolder thoughts, they would openly fantasize about being in my place within your life, especially whenever we would end up in the backroom, in Michael’s case. Lindsay’s, too, but only after hearing about it from Michael.”

“Dare I ask what you saw in me? Or even what you’ve seen in the rest of us?”

“Need, want… Desire and addiction in reference to you.”

“Addiction?”

“Yeah, but that came later after having me to yourself for a whole night. I dare say that one kiss was all it took.”

“Pretty cocksure of yourself, aren’t you?”

I laugh. “Not so much. Except that you made my first kiss so memorable as you stood there drinking me in. It was like you couldn’t get enough, and I know I couldn’t.”

As I sit there drowning the lustful pools of his eyes, I know that if we don’t get out of this jeep, he’s going to filling me much sooner than anticipated, and in front of a Diner full of patrons, too. Which normally I wouldn’t give a fuck about, except that two of them are my Big Sis and stepson… And that thought brings me up short for a second. Gus is my stepson! I mean, yes, it’s true that I considered him mine in some small way from the very first night I met him. 

But that fact that Gus really is for all intents and purposes, MY SON, puts all of this into a whole new light for me. “Brian, come on. Let’s go. I know that I won’t be able to see either of them unless it’s by Skype for the foreseeable future as I know Mel won’t be able to get away from here with Gus all that easily to visit me without being questioned by the F.B.I...”

“F.B.I.?” 

“Yes. It’s what I’ve taken to calling Michael and Lindsay in my head. The Fiction-living, Bitch-boy Imbecile, and his trusty sidekick, Fraudulent Bitchy Instigator. Those were about the nicest names I could come up with for now, but give me time. I’m sure some of my more colorful creativity to crown the pathetic assholes will come shining through.” 

Brian snorts, “Of that, I have no doubt, Sunshine. Your euphemisms for things and people you don’t like can border upon legendary.”

“True, but as long as it doesn’t cross the lines of slander, I should be safe from being sued. I mean, their actions alone speak for them, so if I should happen to utter the word cunt in their direction, there shouldn’t be any way to dispute the facts, right?”

Brian outright laughs then as we alight from the car. I immediately go over to the table to kiss Mel on the cheek and snatch up my Gussie. I could almost swear he grew again since I last saw him, but more importantly… he feels lighter if that is possible. If anything, he should have put on more pounds. Before I can ask Mel about it, Brian takes him from me to give kisses to his temple, even as Gus snuggles into his dad. 

As always, it’s always so sweet to witness. But then Brian frowns slightly, and I know instantly that he has the same thought I did, only moments ago. “Mel, why does Gus feel…”

“Lighter?” she questions rhetorically, while both of us nod. “I’ve been trying to figure out the same thing. I mean, he’s grown a little and I know based on all I’ve read, that it’s how weight is distributed in children, but…”

“But?” Brian and I ask at the same time.

“I don’t know for certain. I mean, he’s certainly active enough to explain any fluctuation in weight… well, that is when he isn’t sleeping. I already called his pediatrician and asked for an appointment to speak with her. I’m just waiting on a call back.”

“Well, keep us both informed, okay?” I ask her in earnest, and she nods.

“Of course, Baby. I can’t put my finger on it, but for whatever reason, I just need to hear it from the doctor herself that this is normal. Of course, Lindsay acts like it’s something I’m making up in my head because my caseload has increased slightly in the last few weeks and I seem to be spending more time in my office at home working than I’m able to spend with Gus in the evenings lately. But of course, most of her complaints are because she can’t just leave Gus unattended while I work. She seems to deliberately forget that I’m solely footing the bills, while Ms. Muffett can sit on her tuffet at will.”

“Mel, if you need money…” Brian began, but she held up her hand.

“So far, I’m managing to keep us afloat. So I won’t under any circumstances touch Gus’ accounts at all if I can help it. Ted called and gave me the new codes which I put in my secondary phone, and within the safe at the law firm, where Lindsay can’t just barge in and begin searching for the information. The phone is both password and retina-image protected, so unless she knows someone who can bypass the phone’s system, she’s not going to be able to get into it. It’s already been the subject of many arguments already since the last time I caught her trying to snoop into the caller ID list on there; the reason for that is still yet to be determined.”

I shook my head that she hasn’t quite figured out the reason. “Mel, it’s the idea that you might be cheating again.”

“But Lindsay’s had her affairs over the years, too.”

“Yes, but that’s okay in her book. Haven’t you realized how possessive she is yet? As I was telling Brian, Lindsay is like the wives of our social circle. She’s learned firsthand all the tricks they use to keep their husbands beholden to them. And trust me when I tell you that she’s received quite an education from the lot of them. The trick is to beat her at her own game without losing your soul in the process. It’s part of the reason why Brian and I are making the moves we are. She hasn’t quite figured out that the only person she can control in any given situation is herself… and possibly Michael. But even that’s only by telling him what he wants to hear the most at the moment.”

Mel nods before saying, “Well I have to tell you that if she doesn’t learn that lesson when she hears of how you and Brian have decided to live your own lives at any cost, then she just doesn’t want to receive the message. And then that particular recalcitrance is going to come at a price she isn’t prepared to pay. But that’s Lindsay’s choice, and my reactions will be mine.”

“I’d better go talk to Anthony while the Diner is relatively able to run itself with the help of Kiki. Once the crowd picks up again, he may not have the time to listen to me,” I tell them as I stand up.

“You don’t anticipate trouble from him, do you?”

I smile at Brian’s carefully spoken question. “Not as much as if I was talking to Deb about this. If anything, Tony’s going to have a million questions about it all. Don’t worry about it, Brian.”

I kissed him softly before moving towards the back of the Diner, saying ‘Hi’ to some of the patrons along the way while dodging the others looking to cop a feel. I’m experiencing a kind of bittersweet moment as I know that my abrupt departure from the eatery is going to be met with mixed emotions. Some will believe that now that I’ll not be around that they stand a chance with Brian. I almost want to laugh aloud, knowing that they will continue to live in disappointment. But then there are those who were always concerned that I was doing well; those who always wanted to see me laughing and smiling while flitting around this place either serving food, or bussing tables… yeah, those I are the ones I will miss the most. 

Knowing my story, some would leave me fifty dollar tips on top of their twenty-dollar bills, for no other reason than just for me to have some extra money in my pocket. Ralphie B. was always known for slipping me a fifty and telling me to go buy myself a soda or something. I wish that I could take him with me, especially since he was always one of the sweetest people I met here, but also seems to be the loneliest even amid the crowd of older gentlemen he hangs out with regularly. In fact, he kinda reminds me of Brian. So he’ll be the one person I tell the entire truth to before leaving here for good; I know Brian would understand that.

Knocking once on the open door, I enter the office of the owner of Liberty Diner. He looks up from the ledger he was perusing to greet me with a smile. “I was wondering when you intended to come in and get your schedule for the week, young man. But first, how was your trip? Did you and Brian manage to do something other than add to your collective reputations?”

I chuckle as I shake my head. “Let me guess. Jag came back singing our praises.”

Tony laughed. “He was still walking a bit bowlegged when he stopped in for a bite before reporting in at Anita’s. I don’t have to tell you that the guys around here were hanging onto every word he said, and waiting with bated breath for the return of the Kings of Liberty and Babylon.”

“Yes, well unfortunately for them, they will be waiting much longer than they think,” I respond.

“What do you mean by that? You’re not...”

I look at him puzzled for a moment before it dawned on me what he’s asking. I shake my head vigorously. “NO! No, Brian and I aren’t sick or anything like that.”

“Well, that’s a relief. You know I worry about you kids, especially you, Justin. You’re so young and just really starting to begin your very bright future. I would hate for illness or anything like that to deter you from it.”

I knew that it was coming from a place of genuine sincerity. Anthony was always a kind-hearted man, and from what Brian told me, he was basically Vic’s eyes and ears in reference to him when Vic was living in New York. Anthony would call and give Vic the entire story before Deb even had a chance to, though she never knew it. So it wasn’t going to be a hardship to explain the situation as much as I could to Anthony without divulging that Brian and I were now married and expect him to keep our confidence.

“No, Anthony. In fact, the reason that Brian and I aren’t going to be taking a bite out of gay P.A. anymore is that we’re moving to California.”

“Together?”

“Yes, although Brian and I will be making periodic appearances back here from time to time- him moreso than me.” Then I proceeded to tell him exactly what happened while we were on vacation. I could see the myriad of emotions writing themselves all over his face as I explained the machinations of Michael and Lindsay to him, and just why he couldn’t tell Deb any of this.

“Those fucking bitches!” he explodes. “And as much as I love Debbie, she really needs those damned blinders she wears smashed to smithereens. How she could remain so… so UNINFORMED about the manchild is beyond me. I mean, aren’t parents supposed to know their kids better than anyone else?!”

I laugh at that. “From experience, I can tell you that parents might know but aren’t immediately willing to believe what their eyes tell them. My mom was guilty of the same thing until she couldn’t deny that I am a very sexually-active gay man with an equally sexually-active, but more experienced lover. If it was up to her, I would have stayed wrapped in a swaddling blanket until I was Brian’s age, but I had other ideas.” I chuckled and shrugged.

“I suppose I can understand that, especially after coming to know you, Justin. But I also know that you would never allow her to remain in her delusions, unlike Michael Novotny. I suppose that’s his motive in all of this.”

“I know what I think it is, but what is it that you think you see?” I ask Tony.

“Other than Michael being a selfish little shit, and possessive to boot is that it’s okay for him to have a relationship outside of those he considers friends, but it’s not okay for them to have one. Michael is a collector of people as well as those comic books and toys he’s so fond of. I suspect that the Peterson chit is the same, but she only requires two people to meet her egotistical needs. Michael, on the other hand, needs the whole world at his disposal. And if that can’t- or won’t- happen- then Michael looks to people like Brian, who naturally draws people like moths to a flame to make others bow down to his wishes.”

“But I’m definitely not one of those people.”

“Hence his obsessive need to get rid of you. Justin, I want you to really listen to me when I tell you that Michael would have been happy to be your friend IF you had taken his advice to leave Brian alone. Him bringing you here to introduce you to Debbie was in no way an accident, or spur of the moment simply because you showed up at Woody’s that long-ago night. I overheard him talking to Ted and Emmett over lunch about the kid Brian brought home, and how you asked when you could see Brian again when he dropped you off. He said that when you showed up again he would run interference in a way that would get you to understand that Brian was going to be forever off-limits to you.”

“And so commenced the speech of Brian is a selfish shit who doesn’t care about anyone but himself.”

“Exactly, but even as I was flipping your burger and hearing that shit from him, I kept thinking to myself that Michael was fucking scared of you even then. If Brian was going to fuck anyone more than once, you would have been him... and guess what? You were, and ARE the only guy Brian has fucked more than once other than his gym teacher from years ago.”

“So you know about the most infamous shower scene since Psycho, too?”

“Of course I do, since the idiot in question was my closeted brother, Colin.” At my shocked expression, he chuckles. “Colin is still teaching, but he’s at Hofstra University on Long Island. He became known as the star-maker  once it became known that Brian and nine other guys received full soccer and academic scholarships within three years of each other- with Brian being the first. So when Hofstra was looking for a new coach, they hunted him down and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Meanwhile, I inherited the Diner and Fine Dining restaurants from my grandparents. My dad ran this place when Deb first came to work here, but after the first three years, he officially passed the reins to me. Speaking of which, I need to know if you plan on keeping your investment in the Diner, or do you want me to buy you out now?”

“Investment? What are you talking about, Tony? I know that I had planned to do that eventually but…”

“You should talk to your boyfriend… or perhaps I should refer to Brian as your partner since you all are relocating to build a life together? Yes, I think that’s accurate since a mere boyfriend wouldn’t be able to accomplish all that the two of you are going to do.”

“Tony, stay on topic please!” I ordered, before taking a deep breath to calm myself. “Now what is this business about me having an investment in the Diner?”

He sighs, and instantly I know that I won’t like the answer, but will still have to respect what’s been done. Fucking Brian! “So it’s like this: Brian thought that considering the situation you were in with both him and your father, having a stake in a steady business would give you a good return so that you would never have to be beholden to anyone ever again. I know that he planned to present you with the paperwork on your birthday, which is coming up soon. However, in the meantime, he’s been having Ted manage your initial investment here in the Diner, and also in the chain of restaurants, my family owns. You can’t fault him for looking out for you in this small way, Justin.”

“And don’t you know that that just pissed me off a little more,” I tell him before sighing myself, and rolling my eyes. “It’s just like Brian to do something like this and not tell me.”

“I’m guessing he knew how you would react which is why he chose not to tell you.”

“He knows how important my independence is to me, Tony.”

“We all do, but can’t you see that’s what this is all about for him as well? Brian knows what it’s like to have to do things you don’t want to do just so that you can meet your immediate needs.”

“Does that include the situation with Colin?” I asked before I could stop myself.

Instead of taking offense, Tony just nods and says, “I think that was the beginning of this particular life lesson for Brian. No, he didn’t dislike Colin, but he was still young and idealistic enough to believe that fucking should be more than a business transaction. However, the more untenable his homelife became, and the more he could see Michael’s attachment to him becoming an attraction, the more effectively Brian was able to squash any misgivings about the sexual relationship he had with my brother. Instead, he worked his ass off to bag those scholarships beyond it. Sex may have been the door Brian used to get what he needed, but it was his own intelligence and athletic prowess that earned him the opportunity to escape the Kinney hell he was born into. But that life was not something he wanted for you, Justin.”

I had to stop and think about that for a moment. The bottom line is that my father is still holding onto my trust fund from my grandparents, although I know they are trying to fight him on it. He’s trying to use the excuse that they are in their dotage, and therefore are unable to make any sound judgments to reverse their misplaced faith in his ability to manage his children’s fortunes. The funny thing about that is that my grandparents are completely in their right minds and have told Craig to go to hell, where he so obviously belongs. So currently, with the help of my mom, each is undergoing the psychological testing required to prove that they are entirely capable of managing their own affairs.  

I huffed a small breath at the realization of just what Brian has done to protect me from being considered destitute, even before he knew about my little side hustles. Taking the fact that Brian did this secretly, I can actually see the wisdom of investing in the Liberty Diner, along with fine dining restaurants. After all, people have to eat, and so unless something drastic happens the investments will remain sound for the foreseeable future. Plus, in this case, my investment has taken on a form of profit-sharing, which isn’t something a lot of companies offer their employees. Between Brian, Ted, and Tony, they made sure that no matter what I’ll be taken care of even while I build my investment portfolio.

It reminds me of a recent conversation Brian and I had not too long ago. Sunshine, you should always find a way to invest in yourself regardless of how it’s done. This entire conversation explains so much about that statement. Even unknowingly, I have been working my ass off to keep this place the success it is. The Diner isn’t just a fun place to be, but also a safe haven for so many, including me and Brian. 

So how could I not honor that? “Okay, Tony, I can accept Brian’s reasoning behind his actions, and you keeping this from me. To that end, I say keep everything as it is. Ted is still going to be my personal financial advisor even with me living across the country, so I’m sure that you’ll keep him abreast of any change in finances regarding the Diner and restaurants. Are the profits reported month-to-month, or quarterly? And what happens in the event of a change in ownership?”

Tony gives me a small smile and nods, happy to see that I’m not going to argue further about this. “The reports are done quarterly, although I do compare them to the annual cost projections that Ted and I went over at the beginning of the year, to make sure our overhead stays on target. Speaking of which…” He pauses, to hand me a rectangular slip of paper. 

“What’s this for?” I ask him, as he hands me a check for five grand.

“I hadn’t had a chance to give it to Ted since before you guys left for the White Party. I heard that Wertschafter had been keeping him extra busy intentionally… something about teaching Ted a lesson about doing things to earn him extended stays in hospitals. Personally, I think Ted should quit on that Jabba-the-Hutt looking fucker and leave him and the company in the lurch. Word on the street is that the idiot Wertschafter hired when Ted was indisposed- who he ultimately intended to take Ted’s job permanently- is the reason the company is under such close scrutiny right now. Some high society client of his is now being investigated for tax fraud, and for some reason, Wertschafter is blaming Ted for his own bad judgment.”

I nod in understanding of what Tony is telling me. I can only hope that Ted takes Brian’s advice and builds his brand while working at Wertschafters. Then he needs to be like a ghost and disappear out of there before he gets shafted by the association. Because once the scent of a scandal really hits that company, it’s going to taint all of the employees, whether they’re guilty of the crime or not. But I think Ted has a little while yet since it’s just at the start of the investigation; I just hope he works FAST!

“So, not saying that a situation like that would ever happen here, but what happens if you decide it’s time to retire from the business?”  

“If I ever decide to sell the business as a whole, including this place, the investors will have first refusal.”

“And if I want to bring someone else in ahead of that conversation? Like, say, immediately? Can I do that if I wanted to?” I narrow my eyes in thought, thinking that I may need a semi-silent representative based here in my absence. 

It’s not that I don’t trust Tony; I do, implicitly, as I know that he has Brian’s best interests at heart, just as he does mine. It’s just that he has a soft heart where certain members of the staff are concerned. I do too, but there are just certain activities I don’t want my name associated with… And when the most recent changes in Brian’s life become public knowledge, we’re going to need someone who can assert my authority without putting Tony in the middle of it. So while he and Brian have done this to protect me, I need to be able to arrange this intermediary for them.

“We can discuss that, but why would you even think we need someone else?”

I decide to be completely open and honest. “I don’t want you to have to make specific decisions in regards to TWO members of the clientele, who are bound to come in here and wreak all kinds of havoc once the change in our circumstances becomes known Liberty-wide. My representative will be able to diffuse any bullshit Michael and Lindsay try to pull. Michael gets away with quite a bit, simply because none of us want to offend Deb. However, the person I have in mind will have no qualms about telling Michael off or warning him that if he refuses to act with a certain level of decorum, he can be ousted from here regardless of whom his mother is within this community. In fact, it will give her great pleasure to do so.”

“Her?”

“Yes. My best friend, Daphne- you’ve seen her in here with me a few times- grew up the same way I did. Therefore, she is the perfect person to handle this for me with a little guidance from Emmett and Kiki, with whom she also has a great report.” At his look of skepticism, I offer, “Look, I will even put up the initial investment using this check if it means that she’s equal to the rest of us and will have the power to address the issue directly. Although I will be honest and say that it won’t stop her from speaking her mind, it might however, make her less apt to punch them if it means hurting the business.”

He chuckles just as I do at the thought of Daphne’s no-bullshit, no-filter personality. “I can understand what you mean. And honestly, I would rather have someone else deal with the fallout from Deb if it even comes to that. God, I just wish she’d open her damn eyes about them already!”

“Don’t we all,” I sigh. “But as I’ve pointed out to Brian, unless their behavior affects Deb directly, she chooses not to see or acknowledge the more unsavory aspects of their characters…”

“Which makes absolutely NO kind of sense, since she’s always so quick to point out another person’s flaws. If there was one thing I would have ever changed about Deb Novotny it would be her penchant for doling out love based on the acceptance of her badgering. Someday, she’s going to run into the metaphorical brick wall that’s going to push back and knock her on her ass.”

“She already has, even though she doesn’t know it. I would never hit Deb… well unless it’s with a barrage of words that will either get her to think, or shut up. Preferably it will result in both happening at the same time. For whatever reason, although not acknowledged, I’ve grown quite impervious to intimidation of any kind. It’s not something that I see changing for a long time, if ever. It might take me awhile to decide to hit back, but I will.”

“And when you do, I’m sure that everyone will wonder where the fuck the Sunshine went.”

I laugh. “Ask Brian what happens; he’ll warn you ahead of time about the shitstorm coming.”