CHAPTER 1 - READING THE RIOT ACT

WOODY’S - EARLY EVENING

MEL

I fiddle with the stem of my glass. Lindsay running late, gives me some time to formulate my words. “Hey, Mel.” Michael smiles as he sits, he is the last person I want to see. “No Lindz?” He takes off his jacket, dumps his bag on the table, then clicks his fingers. The barman glares. “Why does he always scowl like that?”

“Because clicking your fingers is rude.” Ben states. I sigh, which he picks up on and gives me a small smile. “Let's grab that booth over there, sweetie.” 

“Why? I've just gotten comfortable.” 

“Because there’s not enough seats, with Lindsay and who else they're waiting for.” He takes his jacket. “Grab your bag, let’s get it before it goes.”

“We can wait for Lindz and whoever to arrive, then we’ll move.” Michael declares. My heart sinks further as he’s being his usual nosy self. “So who else is joining you?”

“What Mel, Lindsay and I have to discuss is none of your business!” Vic makes him jump, he has no time for that side of Michael. “Ben, grab the booth. Debs, take your son.” He colours up before going redder when Debs and Vic hoist him out of the seat. “Be over soon, Debs, get me beer with a chaser, please.”

“Sure, honey!” She calls, pushing him ahead of her. People around are smirking, as, once again, Michael is berated by the Mother of the Avenue. 

“You okay, sweetheart?” Vic takes my hand, I swallow down tears. “Tough loss?”

“No, I won.” I sniff. “I can negotiate with supreme court judges, get radical legislation pushed through, but can’t get my wife to see sense.” 

“Do you have time to give me the gist? Let’s see if we can help.”

“Can we meet later, just you, me and Debs?” Just as he nods, Lindsay arrives all smiles, as well she would be. “Hey, Lindz, all sorted at the gallery?”

“Yes, finally. Hi. No Brian?” At the mention of her best friend’s name, Vic gets up, blows me a kiss, winks then goes to join Debs. “Must not have heard me.”

“Who mustn’t have, since that was a very generalised hi?” I point out, just as the barman arrives with a tray of drinks. “Did you phone ahead?” I frown.

She finally looks from the door. “What? No, we didn’t order them, please take them away.”

“Kinney.” The barman states. Again, she’s all smiles. I feel the stabbing looks emanating from the booth, as they will be. Brian has ordered Chocolate Box and the steak sliders, these being a favourite of all, especially his best friends. “Said he'll be about ten minutes, and not to have the wine before he gets here.”

“Of course!” I chuckle, it dies when the sulk covers her face. “Have the rest of mine.” I slide it across. She scowls. “It’s almost as good, and there’s plenty left.”

“No, I’ll wait for Brian. The way that he teases me is not fair, he knows how much I love this!” Funny how despite her great love, she never buys it when it’s the two of us! “How long was he going to be again?”

“Now eight minutes.” I reply. “Have the sliders instead.”

“They and the wine go so perfectly together.” She huffs, reaching for her phone. “Am going to check if I can open the wine. I’m so hungry!”

“He’s going to say no, like he always does when it comes to that one. Just have mine and stop being so dramatic!” I snipe. Slowly, with her sulk deepening,she puts her phone away. I pray that the minutes pass quickly.

“Why is such a pretty face wreathed in such misery?” The man in question drawls.

“You made me wait for the wine and food.” Lindsay chides him.

“I was talking to Mel.” His eye batting makes me smile. “Much better. And you were waiting for three minutes tops for me. So let’s eat before you expire from malnutrition.”

“Hey, Brian!” Michael calls. He rolls his lips in as neither Ben nor Vic are moving to let Michael out, despite his squirming. “Come join us! Mel and Lindz are waiting for someone!”

“Then I’ll wait till they come!” He calls back, silencing Lindsay’s about to be smugnicity. Another balderdash word of hers and her other best friend. He opens the wine and pours mine first. “So, before all else, did you win?”

“Of course!” I snort. He clinks my glass then pours and clinks Lindsay’s, who takes half of it down whilst putting two sliders on her plate. “You had a good day too?” 

He’s doing this deliberately, as best a friend he is to Lindsay and Michael, the one thing he has no truck with now is their entitlement. “Perfect day of doing exactly what I please. And today was the day to buy a Corvette.”

“A Corvette?” Lindsay gasps. “That’s hardly baby appropriate is it?!”

“Why would the baby that you two want to raise be in my brand new Corvette?”

She lights up and blushes at the same time. “So you’ll still be the father, like we both want?” 

“This is not the place for that.” I state, trying to halt the tsunami of the row we will be having later, if I don’t get Brian to see sense, and by sense I mean Lindsey's eye on his wallet. 

“This was the point of us meeting, Mel.” Lindsay bristles. “Now, the paperwork needs to be finalised, come around over the weekend and we can do that.”

He chews thoughtfully. “Nope, it will have to be either during next week or the following one.”

“What’s so important that takes precedence?” She demands. He stops chewing, then drains the bottle into his glass, she scowls again. “I’ll order another, shall I?” She’s up before he can answer.

“She’ll be there for a while.” He leans closer. “You two are still not on the same page with this, are you?”

“We are, it’s everything else I have an issue with. Have you read the document she had drawn up?”

“No, what’s wrong with it?”

“I’ve not seen it!” I sigh. He looks surprised then pissed. “Let me guess, she said I had?”

“Not quite. She said an attorney had seen it, assumed it was you. Want me to send it to you now?” I nod. “It’s on my laptop, in the car, give me ten minutes.” 

LINDSAY

“How long did he say he’s going to be? I’ve just set up a tab.” She grumbles, scanning the crowd for his return.

“Ten minutes.” I clip out.

“Isn‘t it exciting we're going to be parents?!” 

“Very, but what’s the hurry for everything to be put in place? He’s got to have his tests yet.”

“True, well I’ll ask him to put a rush on that when he comes back. Should have the results next week, if we’re lucky.” 

My anger spikes, but before I can speak, the email comes through. The title is 'no rights, no money'. Sighing, I lean forward. “Let’s go home and discuss this, just you and me.”

“Brian needs to be involved.” She presses.

“No I don’t.” He grinds out. “Everything needs to be agreed with the three of us, starting with the two of you. See you later.” 

“Uh, Brian, the tab and your jacket.” She calls out, he comes back, she smiles. “It's $37 plus tax.”

“Oh, yes, that.” He retorts before kissing my cheek. Quickly he grabs his jacket, and makes his way back through the throng.

“Brian! What’s the matter with you?!” She cries, starting to follow. However, whilst the crowd makes way for him, for her not so much. They treat her with the same love and affection they have for Michael. Her attempts to push through are blocked, so she resorts to brute force, and makes progress. I take my chance and head to the ladies. 

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

LINDSAY

When I got back to the table, neither Mel nor the wine were there. Thankfully, the barman had taken it when Mel left. She's taking her time though. I’m about to call, when she comes back. “I was beginning to worry, where’d you go?”

“Bathroom.” She states, putting on her jacket. “Get that to carry out, we need to talk!” Like Brian, she stalks away, I quickly go to the bar for a cork, however, I’m lumbered with the bill - seems Brian had forgotten when he was pouting about something.

I finally get outside, but can’t see her. When she deigns to pick up, she says she couldn’t wait as she had to deal with something urgent.

“There’s a bit of a queue, will be there as soon as I can. Mel? Mel?” But she’s already hung up.

MEL AND LINDSAY'S HOUSE - HALF AN HOUR LATER

KITCHEN

MEL

She's on the phone when she comes in, my heart shrivels when I hear her say Dusty. I grab the whisky instead and wait for her to finish. 

“Everything sorted? Oh, well judging by the whisky maybe not. I thought you won in court today?”

“I did, but I’m losing at home.” I fume. “Which cocksucker did you get to draw up what you want Brian to sign?”

“Cocksucker!” She sneers. “Dusty’s attorney made some very good suggestions. I don’t see what’s wrong with them. She’s not been steered wrong by her.”

“That’s true, but she's also been abandoned by virtually all her friends, well apart from you, for her appalling behaviour towards Leda. Or don’t you remember her sobbing on the couch?!”

“Apart from me?! You mean you’re not her friend anymore either?”

“We’re never going to be as close as we once were, not after how she treated her. And having read this dirge, I can see why you went behind my back.”

“I didn’t! I knew you were so busy with the case. I thought I would take one thing off the table.”

“Not this! Its too important to take off the table and sort without me!” Pacing cools me down a bit. “We’ve got to get plans in place before he puts a rush on anything. Starting with who’s going to carry, how and where the insemination is going to take place and much more.”

“The answer to the first question is easy. Me, I’m carrying. Unlike you, I’ve no issues with doing so.” 

I feel like I’ve been slapped and punched. “Issues? Don’t be so callous! Yes, endometriosis is a serious illness, However, I’ve done some research, which categorically states it can be treated!”

“I know, but Dusty and I think it would make more sense for me, as his best friend, to carry.”

LINDSAY

Shitfuck! Shouldn’t have said that! “Now, don’t make that face. I needed a sounding board, and she’s experienced this, we’ve not.”

“No we’ve not.” I breathe an inner sigh of relief that she’s calmed down so quickly. “And at this fucking rate we won’t!” She screams before snatching the wine out of my reach. “Go stay with Dusty, because you will regret it if you don’t!”

MICHAEL AND BEN’S HOUSE - NEXT MORNING

MICHAEL

We're hosting brunch and Brian's on his way.

Last night though, Ben and I ended up having a row. He had followed me to the bar, when I managed to escape, which I wish I knew before I asked Lindsay what was happening. I couldn’t believe it when she said that they’re still talking about babies. When I mentioned this to Ma, she went all sappy and asked when we were going to make her a grandma. Ben was annoyed that I replied never without speaking to him first.

Ben’s gone for a walk, said he needs to clear his head, but will be back for brunch.

“Ben! Michael! Where are you guys?!” Brian calls as he enters. “Ah, Michael, there you are. I’ve just had a call from Debs, said she’s going to be a bit late as she’s got to get the croissants. Which leads me to ask, why is she even doing breakfast in the first place?”

“Whoa, let’s say hi properly before anything else!” I laugh, approaching for our usual hug and kiss. He looks pissed off and folds his arms. “What’s wrong?”

“The wrong is that you were supposed to cook, not Debs!”

“I overslept, she didn’t mind.” I protest. “Come on, hug me!” 

Although he does, it's brief, and there’s no kiss. “Where’s Ben?”

“Went for a walk, back soon.”

“Oh shame, was hoping to speak to him first, will call later.” He helps himself to coffee. “And no, you can’t help, so there’s no point you asking.”

“He’ll tell me anyway.” I declare.

“Then you can wait until he does.” He grimaces after sipping. “What is that?!” 

“Last night’s.” I blush. He scowls and throws away the contents of his cup and the jug. “I forgot.” 

“How do you forget to refresh your coffee?” He sneers. He’s been doing that a lot lately.

“Ma traumatised me by hinting that our family should be expanding.” 

He looks me up and down. “There's already a bit of expansion here.” I slap his pinching fingers away, he smirks.

“There is not!” He shrugs. “She’s got baby fever.” I grumble.

“You’d make good looking babies, as long as they made sure to use more of Ben’s.”

“Why more of Ben’s?” I sulk. “Besides, I don’t want to be a single father.” 

“Why would you be a single father? You and Ben are okay, right?”

“Of course we are. I just don’t want to bring up a child by myself.”

“You're not making sense. If you’re not splitting up, why would that be the case?”

“Brian!” I sigh crossly at his density. “HIV means he will die before the child is a teen, or even earlier.” 

“That’s a hideous thing to think, let alone say! Besides, he's been perfectly healthy for over ten years.” He snarls. “Ever thought that you could die first?! Or are you planning on killing him for the insurance the moment the spunk is shot up some poor cow’s twat?”

“No, of course not! But the chances of me going first are slimmer. Brian?! You're leaving?!” I grab his arm, but he spits like a feral cat and pulls free. “I don't get why you’re so pissed!”

“Because you’re behaving like a grade A shit, and I’ve lost my appetite!” He shoves me away and yanks open the back door, Ma is coming up the steps. “See you later, Debs!”

“Later? Why? What’s happened? I’ve got the croissants you like, which I had to go to two stores for, so get your ass inside!”

DEBS

He pauses before turning back. Our relief is short lived, as he opens the box and takes two out. “Sorry you went through that, Debs, but I can’t. And your wannabe merry widow of a son can explain why!” 

He must be super fucked off as he shoves them in the pocket of his Zenga jacket and sprints away. I push Michael indoors and into a chair. “What the fuck did you do?!”