Chapter 6

Gus excitedly told Ronni about all the dinosaurs but as the sun started going down, so did Gus’ mood.  He had missed his normal nap and was just worn out so the little family had tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner and by 8:00 p.m. Brian and Justin sat on the sofa, each with a glass of bourbon and a photo album on their laps, looking at pictures.

“You have never seen these before?” Justin asked as they looked at the weathered pages.

“No, and I know I wasn’t into family but I don’t think they were there. I am hoping Claire can tell me something about these.”

Justin carefully took a picture out of it’s spot and looked at the back.  Do you have any idea who these people are?”

“None but since there are two girls that look the same age, I would bet they are my grandparents with Catherine Joan and Anna Claire.”

“Do you refuse to call her Mom when you talk to her, too?”

“She is not a mom.  A mom is someone who is there for her kids.  Like Jenn is with you and Molly, you always knew she loved you.”

“You’re right, even when I wasn’t so loveable.” 

“You’re always loveable,” Brian smirked at the goofy comment but leaned over and kissed Justin.  

“Are you going to go talk to her before Claire gets here tomorrow?”

“No, I don’t think so.  Maybe tomorrow evening you and I could have dinner with her or at least coffee.”

“No, Brian.  That is just going to irritate her.  What good is that going to do?”

“You’re right.  Do you think we will be able to find information about Anna Claire tomorrow?”

“Brian, maybe we should hire someone to just do this.  I don’t want you to stress out over this.”

“I’ll think about it but right now let’s keep looking at pictures.” 

An hour later they had both drunk a couple more glasses of bourbon and by now Brian was holding one picture. It was of his mother and aunt on some old man’s lap.  They looked to be about a year old.  They were dressed similarly. The photo was black and white but it looked like they wore the same dress in different colors.  Although the little girls looked similar, it was obvious to Brian which one was his mother. “This has to be Catherine.  Mrs. Connor said that Anna was always cheerful and we both know that my mother has maybe smiled twice in her life and I bet both times it was while she talked to Father Tom.  What would you say to having a threesome? It’s been a while and I would love to show her how special…”

“Brian, you know you aren’t going to do that.”

“No, I wouldn’t but she does want to see him,”

“I can understand that.  Church is important to her and if what we heard today really is something hanging over her head, it makes sense why her faith is important.  She may feel like she still needs to make atonement for something.”  Justin took Brian’s glass and set it next to his on the nearby table. “I am thinking I might have had a little more to drink than I thought and now I am horny as hell.” He moved so he straddled Brian’s lap. He started moving in a way that kept brushing his crotch against Brian’s and soon it was obvious he was having an effect.  He started kissing Brian as he slid his chest against Brian’s.

“Oh, god, take me now!” Brian groaned as he undid Justin’s fly.

“Do you mean that? You want me to screw you?”

“No, my love, I want you to make love to me with all the passion I know you have.”

“It’s been a long time.”

“It has been.  I’ve always said that to be a good top you have to bottom once in a while.”

“Ronni said she wasn’t coming home, right?” Justin commented as he pulled off Brian’s shirt.  He ran his face close to his body. “God, I love the smell of you.”

“I probably smell after the museum and …”

“You smell like Brian. Not like soap or cologne.  You smell of, well, you.”

It wasn’t long before they lost their clothes and Justin slowly entered Brian, taking his time to make it as comfortable as he could for him. As he did so he ran his hands down Brian’s sides and eventually rested on his hips.

“God, Sunshine, that feels amazing.” Justin stopped moving, “No, don’t stop now.”

“Shhh, I thought I heard something.” They both listened and could tell there was no noise coming over the baby monitor which picked up Aaron but also Gus if he called for them. “No, must have been a squirrel or something.” He started to move again and soon neither of them were hearing anything but each other.

At the end of the hall Tracy risked peaking out again. He really was gorgeous.  She watched every muscle in Justin’s body flex at his body glowed from the sweat that covered his body. She missed sex.  She could only imagine what sex with Justin would be like, or did she have a chance. She silently snuck back into her room and once she knew they hadn’t heard her she took a deep breath.  Maybe someday…. She undressed and turned her shower on.  She got in under the powerful stream of water and stood there with her face tilted  toward the spray, with her eyes closed and let her mind take her to bed with Justin.

Later on in their bedroom, Justin laid in Brian’s arms after they had made love again, this time Brian had been back on topping. “What time is Claire coming tomorrow?” Justin asked as he held onto Brian’s arms that were wrapped around his chest.

“She is coming right after lunch. I think only one of her boys is coming.  I don’t think John dares confront either of us.  I told her Peter could watch TV here after saying hi to his grandmother.”

“All I can say is he better not do anything to upset Gus or I’ll…”

“He’ll be fine.  Claire assured me. Is Molly still coming tomorrow?”

“Yes, she and Mom will be here around 10:00.  I think Ronni will have some brunch for all of us and then Mom is leaving before noon.  I think she has a hot date and without Molly home tonight I have a feeling...no I can’t go there.”

Brian kissed Justin below his ear, “The boys will love having Molly around.”

“We better get to sleep.  One or both of the boys will wake us up early.”

“Love you, baby.”

“Love you, Sunshine.”

It was a lovely November day.  It was sunny and calm. After a short discussion Brian decided he wanted to talk to his sister before his mother. He would go see her after Claire and Peter had left.  At least this morning would be pleasant.

Emmett and James showed up for brunch just before Jenn and Molly arrived.  Emmett appeared a bit upset and walked over to help Ronna and Tracy with the food. James walked over to Justin. “Does it work for us to work in your studio this week?”

“Oh, ya, I’m sure I can make that work.”

“Len will be here tomorrow and we will look at what we need.”

“I thought Len had said he was into landscaping.”

“He is but for a couple summers he worked for his uncle who was a plumber, well heating and plumbing and Len actually got licensed and for the heck of it he kept it up, thinking it would help if he ever did go into landscaping for running sprinkler systems.”

“Great.  I can’t wait.  Just let me know when you are actually going to start the work.”

“Emmett, what has gotten you all riled up this morning.” Ronni looked at Em, putting a hand on his hip.

“I don’t like the idea of Len coming to work with Jamesy.”

“Oh, Em, my son is as loyal as any man I have ever known.”

“Well, I know that but Len is slippery.  I don’t know why but I just don’t trust him for some reason.”

“It is only a couple days and I promise, I will keep an eye on my boy.”

“Thanks, Ronni.” Emmett hugged her just as the front door opened and Molly and Jenn came and added to the energy of the house.  

By 11:30, Jenn was driving away and Ronni and Tracy were cleaning up the kitchen.  “Ronni, you have taught me some amazing recipes.  Sometimes I think I learn more from you than I do from school.”

“School is always a good thing but learning from a friend is, too.” She realized Tracy wasn’t listening.  She could only see Justin, sitting on the sofa with his sister and sons. “Girl, you need to get those thoughts out of your mind.  That beautiful young man only has eyes for his gorgeous husband. 

Tracy grabbed Ronni’s arm and pulled her into the laundry room.  “I can’t stop thinking about him,” she whispered.  “I didn’t mean to do it but last night they were making love down here and I saw him naked and he is even more perfect…”

“You WHAT!” Tracy clamped her hand over Veronica’s mouth.

“I didn’t mean to, really and I didn’t stand and stare, but once I saw them…”

“Tracy, you need to take control of yourself.  This isn’t good for anyone, including Justin.”

“I don’t see why it hurts for me to…”

“You need to go find a nice, young man who is also interested in you.”

“But where do I find someone that is as sweet as he is and has a body that has everything a girl needs and I do mean everything?”

“Just remember when you are looking for a new job and place to live that I warned you.  I do not want to hear anything more about this.” And with that Veronica walked back into the kitchen. 

Justin had told Molly about Joan and that Brian’s sister and nephew would be here for a while this afternoon.  He also let her know that Gus did not know that he was related to the woman or the other people coming.

“That’s a little sad but I promise, I won’t say anything to him and I will keep him busy while they are around.”

“Thanks, Molly. I know you’re not a kid anymore.” Justin hugged his sister just as the doorbell rang.  “That will be Claire and Peter.”

“Aunt Molly, play with me please.” 

“Sure, Gus!  Let’s go to your room and you can choose what you want to play with.”

Justin smiled as he watched his sister and his son go upstairs before he answered the door. As he greeted Claire and Peter Brian appeared from the formal living room.

“Hi Claire.  Come in.”

“Claire, come in here.  I want to talk before you go out to see her.”

“Mom, do I really have to go see Grandma?”

“Well, pleasant as always I can see, Peter.” Brian looked at his nephew. “This is my husband, Justin.  If you treat him appropriately, he will show you where the TV is in the family room off the kitchen and you can find something to watch while I talk to your mom.”

Peter shot Brian a glare but he backed down quickly when he realized his uncle was not a pushover like his mother. 

“Come on, Peter.  Follow me.”

Once they got to the area off the kitchen, Peter looked at Justin.  “I didn’t think two men could get married.”

“Well, it will be legal very soon in the U.S. but we got married in Canada.”

“Does Uncle Brian really have a job that can pay for all this and is it legal?”

“Well, you are as charming as your grandmother, aren’t you?

“What do you mean? I’m not like that old bi…” Peter stopped when he saw the look on Justin’s face.  “How am I like her?”

“Well, your attitude stinks like hers does.  In our house we try to look at the good, not the bad.  We don’t want our boys to have that mind frame.”

“Kids? Mom said Uncle Brian had one boy.  Well, we have two boys. Gus and Aaron are brothers in every way that counts.” As if on cue, Aaron made his presence known and Justin picked him up.  

“Gus is almost five and Aaron is six months.” Justin saw a glint of a smile when Peter looked at Aaron. “You really need to say hi to your grandma but then you are welcome to come back here and find something to watch.”  Justin pointed to Tracy who was making something in the kitchen. “If you are hungry or thirsty you talk politely to Tracy, and she will get you something.”

“You aren’t going to be here?”

“I might be but this is a large house so sometimes it isn’t easy to find us but Tracy will be right there.” Justin started draping his arm around Peter’s shoulders but he felt him tense so he took a step away.  “I was just going to say that she is in culinary school so her samples are always amazing.”

“I don’t know about always but…”

“Are you guys always this happy? I am getting on overload.”

“It’s a good thing to be, isn’t it?”

Brian sat down and pointed at the spot next to him.  “Claire, have you ever seen these books?”

“These old photo albums? I remember seeing them in Mom’s closet once. They were high up on a shelf.  I wasn’t looking for them.  I was looking for a doll she had taken away from me because I had done something.”

“But she never showed them to you, did she?”

“No.  I think I remember them on the shelf the last couple years but I never looked at them. They are just a bunch of old people we never met.”

“You know that aunt you thought you remembered? Her name is Anna Claire and she is still alive.”

“What? If her sister is alive, why haven’t we met her?”

“I don’t know the details, yet, but I have a place to start now.”

“Well, I better go back there or she will yell at me for being late, not that I had a set time.” Claire stood and walked to the kitchen. She was so surprised to see Peter smiling as he made faces at Justin’s baby.  She couldn’t remember his name.

“Peter, time go to see your grandmother.”  Peter walked over to her as Brian followed her in.

“Claire, don’t tell her what we just talked about. I need to find out a few things before I talk to her about it.”

“You aren’t telling me something,” Claire whined. “What are you hiding?”

“I haven’t answered to you or her in years.  I’m not going to start now.”  Peter smirked as his mother got slammed by her brother.

“Isn’t Grandma in this house?”

“No, she is in her own house.” Claire snapped as she walked out the door, expecting Peter to follow. He shrugged and waved at Aaron as he walked behind her.

“Ok, what did you do to him in the ten minutes you were here with him?”

“I showed him respect and told him I expected it in return.”

“Damn, that’s why you are such good dad material.” Tracy watched Brian pull Justin into his arms and run his hand over that perfect ass. “Kiss me.” Brian said as his mouth came down on Justin’s. “That never gets old.”

“Tracy, come help me!” Ronni ordered from the laundry room.

“Sorry, Ronni, I need to check on my cake in the oven.” She wasn’t going to cow to the older woman.  She worked for Justin and Brian, not Ronni.  Brian and Justin were oblivious to the tension between the women.

“Peter, come give me a kiss.” There was no sweetness in her tone but Peter sluffed over and kissed her upturned cheek.

“So, you brought him to see the house of sin over there?”

“Mom, come on.  Brian and Justin are letting you stay here and making sure you have everything you need.”

“What I need is to be in my own home with my daughter taking care of me.”

“Mom, I am working long hours right now.”

“Not to mention the guy she is seeing,” Peter said as his mother shot daggers with her eyes.

“Man? You are bringing a man into your house?”

“Mother, I am a grown woman in my 30’s. I think I can…” with that Peter slipped out of the house. 

It was so nice he sat down on a bench that was out in the pool area.  He figured in the summer all these chairs had cushions.  He was just imagining what it was like living in this place when he heard some giggles coming from around the corner.  He got up and  moved so he could see around the corner but  he didn’t think whoever was there could see him. First he saw a couple guys.  They were walking hand in hand and the tall thin guy put his head on the other guy’s shoulder.  He smiled thinking his grandma had to hate living here with all this ‘sin’.  Then he heard more laughing. He moved right against the building and peeked around the corner.  

“Push me, Aunt Molly.  Higher, higher!”

“Gus, that is high enough.” She caught the swing and kissed the little boy.  As she let him go she was sure she saw someone just barely visible at the corner.  “You know it isn’t polite to spy on people.” Molly called over to a boy that had to be Brian’s nephew.  

Peter came out from behind the bush he was behind. “Who are you?” he asked awkwardly.

“I’m Molly.  I’m Justin’s sister. You must be Peter.”

“Ya,” was all Peter could say.  He liked the look of this girl.  Her strawberry blond hair and freckles were cute and he liked how she was so sure of herself but she wasn’t rude or anything. “I…..I was going to go watch TV in the big house.  You don’t live here, do you?”

“No, I am just visiting.  I love playing with my nephews.”

“Molly, push me. Who is that?”

“Oh, he is visiting the lady in the house. I will push you once more and then we need to go in.  Your daddy said you needed a nap.”

“I don’t want to nap,” he pouted a little bit.

“I promise to read to you when you wake up.”

“You will still be here?”

“I will even be here in the morning.” 

“Yeah!” Gus cheered as Molly gave him one more big push.

When she was struggling to get Gus’ foot out of the child swing, Peter walked over and helped get him free. When Molly set him down Gus took her hand and then reached for Peter’s.  He looked up at the ‘big kid’ and said, “Thank you.”

“Sure,” Peter stumbled over the word.  Were these people always this nice?

When the three walked into the house, Brian was surprised to see them together.  “It looks like you three introduced yourselves.”

“Daddy, Pete helped get me out of  my swing.” Gus reached up and Brian picked up his boy and instinctively hugged and kissed him. “Molly said she would read to me after I take a nap.”

“Well, that sounds like a great plan. Let’s get you some water and then head up to bed.”

“Where’s Daddy Justin and my broder?”

“They are in the nursery because it is time for Aaron’s nap, too.” Brian continued to talk to Gus as they moved up the stairs.  

“Are these people for real?” Peter dropped on the sofa and turned on the TV.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean they all talk so nice to each other.  I know Uncle Brian can yell.  I have heard it.”

“The only time I have heard him yell was when he was talking about our dad.”

“Why was he mad at your dad?”

“You don’t know what happened?” Peter shook his head. “After my brother got hurt my dad took him and let us think he was dead.” Peter’s mouth fell open.  “If it wasn’t for Brian, we may have never gotten him back.”

“Your dad took him away?”

“Ya, he’s in prison now because of it.  He broke a lot of rules and held my brother captive for almost two years.”

“Holy shit!  That is wild!” Peter looked at her face.  “Not in a good way but you really have had some crap in your life.”

“Yep, but now Justin is better and he is so happy and Aaron, he is such a sweet little baby.”

“Where did he come from? I know Gus is Uncle Brian’s through a lab.”

“That sounds so cold.  Brian loves him so much and so does Justin. And Aaron, well, he is the baby of one of Justin’s therapists.”

“He was with a girl?”

“No, he isn’t the biological father but they love Aaron so much.”

“All this love stuff is almost more than I can deal with.  I am just used to…”

“Peter, it’s time to go.  NOW!” Claire came storming in at that exact moment.  “You had to open your big mouth.  Now, she is never going to….” Claire’s voice trailed off as she walked through on her way to the front door.

“I hope I run into you again.  We are sort of, kind of related.”

“Ya, I’d like that.” Molly reached over and squeezed his hand a bit before he turned and walked out of the room.

Neither Peter or Molly noticed Tracy was in the kitchen. She walked over to Molly.  He’s cute isn’t he?”

“Oh, is he?” Molly played coy. Tracy bumped her elbow against Molly’s.  “Ya, I guess he is and he was just surprised people were nice to him but then if that’s his mom, no wonder he isn’t used to kindness.”

“How did Brian turn out as good as he did?”

“Well, I think as soon as he could he spent very little time at home. That’s what my mom said.”

“I always wondered.  Has your brother ever had a girlfriend?”

“The only girlfriend he ever had was his friend who’s a girl.  Daphne was his best friend all through school and she was so broken-hearted when Justin was gone.  They are still good friends but she doesn’t live around here now.”

“I bet he had girls that wanted to be more than a friend.”

“Maybe but I don’t think he ever wanted to be with a girl. He always looked at boys like that.  And I can understand why.  Boys can be SO cute.”  Molly raised her eyebrows at Tracy and they both laughed.

“Just remember, some of them aren’t so nice.  My ex is one of those and I’m not saying your dad is all bad because he has awesome kids but ….well, all people can have a bad streak.”

“I am not ready for a serious relationship,” Molly said so much like an adult, Tracy had to laugh.

“You better not be in a serious relationship.  Who are you two talking about?” Justin said as he and Brian walked in.

“No one,” Molly said quickly.  She looked at Tracy and Tracy winked.  Having Molly as a friend might be her way to find out more about Justin so she wouldn’t out her crush on Peter.

Brian looked around for Peter.  “I take it my sister and brat have left?”

“Ya, she stormed through here and Peter followed.”

“Guess I will give my mom a few minutes and then go talk to her myself.  Sunshine, why don’t you come with me.  You will be a good control for me.  You will know if I start to go too far. And Molly is here if the boys wake up.”

“Ok, Mol, text me if you need me.” Justin was glad Brian realized he wasn’t thinking that clearly right now.

“I know I’m not on childcare duty today but I am around so if they wake up I will be here to help if Molly has both of them up.” Tracy volunteered.

“Well, Sunshine, let’s go make a plan before we go talk to Catherine.”

“Catherine?” Tracy questioned.

“We’ll fill everyone in once we know what there is to know.” Brian said as he led Justin to the photos.  “I think we should take one of these pictures with us.  With the names on the back it will be hard for her to deny.”

“Brian, I understand why you want to push this.  I would, too, but I don’t think pushing her too hard is going to help.  If you are too stressed, just leave and I will see if I can find any more out without you there.”

“You’re right, that might work the best.  I know I will get worked up. Just seeing that woman gets me worked up. All the hate she has and all the secrets,  I’ll try not to push too hard because once we find Anna Claire I will have more questions I need answered.”

“Well, she has assistance right now so I think it would be best if we wait until she is alone. Let’s go to the office and look at the computer. I want to see if we have any messages from the researcher.”

Brian sat down at the desk and pulled Justin onto his lap. There was a message saying the researcher has an appointment at the institute next week. I have notified the institute and let them know as a relative I was sending someone over for my aunt’s records. Well, probably not records but to get information.” Brian was getting distracted with Justin’s ass pressed against his cock. He brought his mouth to Justin’s ear and his tongue flicked in and out of it.

Justin shivered, “You can’t do that and then just stop.” He turned looping a leg over each of the arms of the chair and resting his back on the desk behind him he unzipped Brian’s fly. At the same time, Brian did the same and before Justin could do anything else, Brian had him lift his hips and he slipped Justin’s pants down and then guided him downward. As he moved down he leaned forward and they locked eyes. It was like their minds linked and their movements synced.  As they began to move more quickly Justin moved closer and their lips came together. Now it was his turn to put his lips to Brian’s ear, “I love you, Brian Kinney.”

“Damn, what did I do when I thought you were gone?” With that he let go of Justin’s hips causing him to slide all the way down and wrapped his arms around Justin and pulled him against him as they both climaxed and then every muscle in their bodies turned to jelly.Neither of them felt like moving for several seconds.  Finally, Justin sat up and then moved his legs off the arms of the chair so he could move.

“Was that insane or was it just me?” Justin’s legs were like jelly as he stood next to Brian.

“That was definitely amazing!” Brian cleaned himself up and tucked himself back in, zipping his pants. “Well, before the boys wake up, we should go talk to Joan.”

“I am guessing you won’t be there long.  Maybe you should make a show of it and storm out.  I’ll hang out and see what she will tell me.” 

“Sounds like a plan, Sunshine, but you may be putting too much confidence in her.  Do you really think she cares enough to care if I am upset? I really don’t.”

Justin put his arms around Brian’s neck and kissed him.  “It is her loss.  Why don’t you call Father Tom and see if he will come out.  Tell him she has a secret and maybe she will confess to him.  If she confesses to him, maybe she will be willing to talk to us, too.”

“That sounds right.  You are my common sense.  Let’s go do this.”

When Brian and Justin walked into the poolhouse, Joan pulled a face and wrote, “You finally come together and it is just after you committed sodemy?” 

“No, woman, we made love.  Yes, I love my husband.  Could you ever say that Catherine!”

“Quit calling me that.  That isn’t my name.  That hasn’t been my name for a very long time.”

Brian glanced at Justin and nodded almost noticeably. “So you are admitting that is your name.  That’s good because I found this picture of you and Anna Claire.”

“Bri, take it easy.  I am sure your mom has reasons for hiding this.”

“Justin, your mother would never hide a family secret would she?”

“Brian, that’s not fair when we don’t know what her reasons are?”

“Brian, a lot of people change their names.” Joan stated, seeming to be trying to convince herself at the same time. 

“Does your Father Tom know you have a different name? Is it illegal to take communion with a different name?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Joan said but Brian could tell she wasn’t so sure herself.  “Did you ever call Father Tom for me?” She wrote on her tablet.

“I will make sure that gets done,” Justin said sweetly.

“Justin, you aren’t falling for her shit, are you?”

Justin walked over and touched his cheek. His back was to Joan so she couldn’t see him wink. “I just think we need to give her some sympathy.   I mean she had a stroke and…”

“Don’t even go there.  After all she has done to make my life miserable! She and Jack were not fit to be parents but she doesn’t care what we think.  She never has. She probably hasn’t even gone to visit her sister since she was put in there.”

“Lie!” Joan said loudly. “Seen her.”

“I don’t even…..I am out of here. Obviously, she isn’t going to tell us anything anyway.” Brian turned and slammed the door as he left.

Justin signed and slumped in a chair. 

“Drama queen.” Joan said after the door shut.

“You have kept some important things from him.”

“Not his business,” she said.

“But it’s about his family.  I’m surprised his father didn’t tell him about your sister one night when they went out drinking.” Joan scribbled something down but then ripped the page out and threw it away. Justin smiled at her and said, “I’m sure you have your reasons.”

Justin sat there and talked with her a few more minutes.  He asked if there was anything she needed and he did a couple small things around the house for her. Before he left he brought her a bottle of water  and as he set it down with one hand he grabbed the paper out of the garbage without her noticing.

“Well, I will go remind Brian to call your priest and Tracy will bring your dinner out later.” Justin stopped at the door and turned to look at Brian’s mother. “Joan, I honestly don’t know if you truly care about Brian or not, and if you don’t it won’t phase you but all of this really does hurt him.  He covers it up with his bruskness and I don’t think you ever realized how tenderhearted he really is.”

When Justin got out of sight of Joan he pulled out the paper and read what Joan had thrown away.  He had to think about what exactly they had talked about.  He had said something about Brian’s father and why Jack hadn’t told Brian about Anna Claire.  He looked at the page and read it through twice. It was only three words but they were going to hit Brian like Jack’s fists had.

When Justin returned to the house Brian was playing with the boys.  “Hey, Sunshine, how’d it go?”

“We can talk later,” Justin glanced at Molly and Gus and Brian nodded. The rest of the evening they spent with the family.  They ordered pizza and Tracy brought dinner to Joan. She would spend the evening with her.  Once the boys had been put to bed, Molly went to her room to chat with friends. 

Justin poured each of them a drink while Brian put another log on the fire. Instead of sitting on the sofa, Brian stretched out on the rug with his back to it.

Justin handed Brian his drink and sat down next to him. “You’re killing me, here.  What happened after I left?”

“Not even a kiss first?” Justin turned toward Brian and Brian kissed him.  It was a long, lingering kiss that had both of them wanting more.  The kiss did what Justin had hoped, Brian relaxed just from the physical contact. Justin dropped his head on Brian’s shoulder and looked at the flames flicker. He took a sip of the liquid but sat silent for some time.

“Sunshine, what did she say? If she was rude, I have heard it all before. She isn’t starting to get to you, is she? You aren’t falling for her shit?”

“She called you a drama queen.  She can’t see it in herself.  I told her she wasn’t being fair to you.  I told her you deserved to know about your family.” He took another sip of the drink.

“You were out there for quite a while.  What blather did she spill or did she just sit there feigning helplessness.”  Justin didn’t respond.  “Justin, spill.  What did she say?”

“I told her she hadn’t been fair to you.  I told her you were family and as family you deserved to know about your family’s history.”

“And?”

Justin’s hand rested on Brian’s thigh. “Fuck, Brian, I am not sure if this means anything.”

“She has really gotten to you.” Brian sat up and looked at him.  “She wasn't mean to you, was she?”

“I’m a big boy…” 

“Ya, you proved that to me the other night!” Brian said, trying to lighten the mood.

“Brian, she wrote something down but then threw the page away.”

“And you picked it up and read it?”

“Well, ya, but she doesn’t know I took it.”

“You have it? Where is it? Let me read it!”

“Brian, I said I was surprised your dad hadn’t told you all this in one of your night’s of drinking.”

“Oh, ya, what did she say to that?”

“Remember, she changed her mind and didn’t want to blurt this out. It may be a lie, just something she wrote in haste.”

“Sunshine, show me the piece of paper!”

Brian reached out and Justin reached into his back pocket and pulled out the crumpled page. He handed it over and Brian looked at it. There were three words written on the paper. “Brian, remember there is no way to know if there is any truth to this.  She may have just said it to freak you out.”

Brian looked at it once more and then read it out loud.  “Not his father.” Brian stared at it as if he didn’t understand all the words.  “All those nights I sat at the bar buying him good whiskey and now she tells me Jack Kinney was not my father?”