JUSTIN

When we get in the car, Sean flips me the quarter and I put in the compartment in my wallet. Grampy gave it to me when I was little and it was his little life lesson. He told me that a quarter was just as important as a dollar, because it took a four to make one. I was five but it sounded important enough that I never used it. I realize now he was telling me that everything has significance and you don’t overlook something because it’s not the bigger part of the whole. 

“So are you going to try to work your marriage out?” Grampy asks.

“It was too much drinking and not a brain cell used.” I tell him.

“Justin, I can honestly say I like the kid, which isn’t something that I say about most people.” He tells me.

“Why?” I ask him.

“Your husband isn’t one to bullshit, and he didn’t have anyone help him become who he is. Brian Kinney is self-made.” He tells me and that’s a huge compliment from Grampy.

“It’s just that I did it without even really thinking about it.” I tell him.

“Justin, you think too much, sometimes mistakes turn into solid gold. Brian is going to become a major player in the Ad world, because he’s the kind who wants it. I think if you give him a chance you’ll see a man who will never break a promise.” He tells me.

“I’m not saying no to the idea, it’s just I’m not sure how I feel about it.” I tell him, looking to see Grampy has never gotten that I don’t need a mansion.

“Justin, you're going to be entertaining and I don’t want your Granny embarrassed at your house.” He really thinks my colonial, that apparently he sold, was enough to induce Granny guilt.

“You're not trying to impress Brian are you?” I ask because this is ridiculous, how does Mom get him to stop?

“Justin, Brian isn’t really impressed by me, but that’s why I think he’s a good match for you.” He tells me.

“Mom seems to like him too. Grampy, I’m worried about this kid I met.” I tell him, because I am and Grampy wouldn’t brush it off.

“What’s got you worried?” He asks me.

“He’s an ex street kid whose adoptive parents seem to think taking him in was all they needed to do. He has HIV and is scared, whether he admits it or not. He actually said he was nobody.” I tell him, leaning on the shoulders that used to carry me everywhere.

“Justin, you can’t take on the world.” He tells me.

“How about a kid who needs a break?” I tell him.

“Where do I find him?” He asks, but I don’t want him taking this on for me.

“Grampy, you’d be overwhelming to Hunter. I just don’t want him back on the street and if I can’t convince him to listen to me, that’s where he’ll go.” I tell him.

“You know, it always amazes me that Craig made you.” He tells me.

“Join the club, I tried to get Mom to say I was an immaculate conception.” I tell him and when he laughed I was okay again.

“Talk to your husband, it might help you make a decision on the man you married.” He tells me seriously.

“You really do like him. He seems worried about how you’d view his past.” I tell him.

“Do you want to know?” He asks, which I appreciate, because he could just tell me things to either make Brian a bad idea or worse, from what I’m gathering.

“No, I think who you are now should matter, not who you were.” I tell him.

“We’re here Warren.” Sean tells him.

“This one was all Sir and Mr earlier.” Grampy points out as we all get out.

“You didn’t tell me how to play it, SIR.” Sean laughs as we walk in.

“Well since you’re family, try acting like it.” Warren tells Sean. 

Sean isn’t really related, he’s just been with us all my life, and Grampy never sees employees, just people who work around him. Sean’s wife and kids come to everything, but Sean is the guy Grampy trusts, so Sean drives him.

“How many bedrooms?” I ask, looking at this monstrosity that he calls a house.

“Eight but it has a gym and indoor pool in the basement, so maybe nine. There’s also an apartment down there but pretend it’s just a changing room so you’ll quit acting like it’s too much. Granny plans to visit soon and I want my queen to be comfortable.” He tells me and that’s what I want, to still love the person who I’m with when I’m Grampy’s age.

“You really should just move in if you like it, because I was fine with the house I bought.” I tell him.

“Justin, just once take something from me without it being for someone else.” He tells me, and I will because he wants me to.

“Let’s go meet your mother and young Gus she seems to rave about. You really had to give her a grandson didn’t you.” He tells me.

“Hey, it’s Mollusk’s fault, I was all for maybe surprising Mom with the whole Viva Las Vegas stunt.” I tells him.

“Yeah, that really didn’t make my day when I got the call.” He was smiling so I know it’s cool.

BRIAN

Justin called and told me to meet them at his mom’s house and really, why does this seem like a big deal when I’ve been there before. I ran home to get showered and dressed and swore a blue streak when I walked out to Lindsay going through my closet. 

“Out.” I didn’t have time for whatever had her thinking she was welcome.

“Brian, you need to impress them.” She tells me, like it has anything to do with her.

“I don’t need someone who thinks acting like an idiot is something anybody needs to see.” I tell her, grabbing my clothes and locking my bathroom door.

“Brian, I’m just trying to help.” She could help by getting the fuck out.

I came out and she was gone so maybe for once she got it. Grabbing my coat, I realized she didn’t when she was standing there dressed like we were going on a date. Which wasn’t what she was wearing when I went in the bathroom.

“You and Mel going on a date?” I ask, not really caring.

“Brian these aren’t the kind of people you pull dick jokes around. If you want to fit in you need to understand their world.” She tells me.

“Which you know, I’ve dealt with all sorts of people with running a business, so this isn’t something new to me.” I tell her ushering her out the door. I send the text that will stop this shit from happening again. Cynthia sent back ‘On It.’

“My father wanted to invite you and Justin’s family to dinner. I think I can work it in tonight.” She tells me.

I unlock my door and get in, seeing her look at me like I was the asshole for not putting her in the car, but she wasn’t coming. So when I started the car she still stood there as if not believing I would leave her there. I hope she believed it when I left her in the garage.

“DAD.” Was really the best thing I could hear after today, and I grabbed my sonny boy and went in with Justin.

“You okay?” Justin really needs to stop looking and seeing things.

“It’s handled, my assistant is stopping by later.” I tell him.

“You won’t believe the house, Grampy just can’t see anything that doesn’t take up half a neighborhood as reasonable.” Justin tells me and Mom.

“Dad, you need to stop.” Jen tells him.

“I just wanted Justin to have a house that your mother would love.” He tells her.

“Brian, I want to see the car you drove, it’s vintage isn’t it.” Warren tells me and I have a feeling it’s more than the car he wants me outside for.

We get outside and he hands me a cigar. “Justin hates the habit, but he’ll put up with it. Tell me about Hunter.” He commands.

“You mean you didn’t get to meet the littlest hustler yet?” I ask him.

“I was more interested to see if you did what I thought you would with your company. Justin’s worried about the kid.” He tells me.

“He’s me if I hadn’t had Deb. A lot of mouth and to much experience for a kid who was barely old enough to tie his shoes. Mikey took him in because Ben wanted it, but it’s like they thought all he needed was a jacket and food and magically it’s better. Sometimes it is, but since the baby was conceived, it’s like he’s the toy that isn’t as much fun as the new one. Justin saw behind the bullshit Hunter puts out there.” I tells him.

“Isn’t there anyone he can turn to?” He ask me.

“You don’t like that Justin wants to help him?” I ask, because he really seemed like he was accepting of anybody.

“I don’t like when my Grandson worries, so if I can help stop it, then I will.” He tells me and I understand, because I’m like that with Gus.

“GRAMPY, put down the stogie.” Justin yells from the door, and Grampy practically jumps two feet in the air.

“Justin, I stop eating everything I like because of your edicts, so one stogie is not asking a lot.” Warren forgets the eggs, with three servings of bacon this morning.

“Mom has a lovely chicken breast calling your name, unlike the bacon.” Justin tells him, rolling his eyes and going in.

“I swear that kid is all bloodhound sometimes.” He tells me walking in behind Justin.

“Dad, am I coming home tonight?” Gus asks.

“Why wouldn’t you be?” I ask.

“I like Nana, she’s does the good stuff.” He tells me smiling.

“Molly get off the phone.” Jen tells her as she sits with the phone to her ear.

“Mom, it’s important.” Molly tells her rolling her eye.

“Everything is important.” Gus tells us.

The doorbell rings and in runs Callie looking a bit put out. “Uncle Justy, I’m living with you.” She pouts.

“Callie, you're too big for Andy's crib.” Yes, I remember video girl. “Sorry she wouldn’t go to my mom’s until she saw Justin, and hello to you too.” Daphne smiles at me.

“So I guess we know each other?” Andrew shakes my hand.

“Uncle Brian, tell them I can stay with you.” Callie commands.

“Callie Regina Carson, kiss Grampy and march your butt back to the car.” Daphne had the mom voice down.

“Grampy, they’re mean.” Callie tells him, trying to nod his head in agreement.

“Can’t she stay and play with me?” Gus asks, climbing up on Warren's lap next to Callie.

“Daphne, why not let Andy be the center of attention, I can bring Callie back with me.” Justin tells Daphne, who seemed as if she expected it and appreciated it.

They left after hugging everyone, including me. Then like every family I’ve ever watched on TV, food was passed and conversation was made. Had to wonder why Lindsay thought they were different from the rest of the world.