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Brother's Keeper
by Vamphile
Three
Alicia was in her robe, doing her hair and debating what to wear. For years she had wanted to confront Jennifer. She had wanted to show her that she had no right to act so perfect, so superior, so in control.
She had been young and stupid then, and in love with Craig Taylor. He’d promised her so much, everything really. But in the end, she’d ended up a stereotype and she knew it. The other woman. The tired single mother who counted on scraps of affection and financial assistance from a man who was never going to leave his wife and children.
She had hated herself for a while, and hated Craig for a while as well. Eventually her friends, her mother, even her grandmother, who’d always been supportive. got through to her and she realized that she needed to move on. To accept that whatever financial help Craig offered was no less than what he owed her, and Aaron. But they also reminded her that she deserved more than what Craig was willing to give her.
It’s funny but once she closed her heart to Craig. Once she’d given up hoping for anything more from him, he was suddenly around more. But that was because of Jennifer too.
She’d always known about Jennifer, and she’d seen her sometimes in the grocery store or the mall. Mostly because for a while Alicia had been obsessed with the woman who had Craig. And seeing her, watching her, hearing her talk to her friends over lunch had not made her feel better about the situation. Jennifer always seemed so comfortable, so in control, so sure of herself and her place in the world. Alicia didn’t know if she could ever hope for that kind of security.
When Craig became a more constant presence in hers and Aaron's life she’d asked him about it. He hadn’t said much but eventually the story came out. Especially after the incident with his son at the prom. It had been all over the papers and Craig was embarrassed. He’d spent most of the time the boy was in the hospital staying with her. He refused to leave the house. Refused to go anywhere but work. That’s when Alicia truly learned the meaning of “be careful what you wish for.”
Craig wasn’t a bad man, not cruel, or violent. But he was precise. Alicia was applying eyeliner as she considered the word. Precise. That’s exactly what he was.
He liked everything just so. And after years of making it on their own she and Aaron had learned that nothing really ever was “just so.” They lived in a small house. She worked as a legal secretary and while she put in extra hours, there was never enough money for everything.
So the place wasn’t decorated “just so”. And the lawn wasn’t tended “just so”. And the living room was never “just so.” Aaron always had friends over playing video games or skateboarding on homemade ramps in front of the house. Craig had no patience for any of it. And eventually Alicia gave up all pretense and told Craig to leave. She had lived without him for so long. Lived with just the fantasy of him for so long that the reality was… well, it wasn’t “just so.”
She pulled off the red sweater she’d been wearing; deciding it was too bright, too low class. She needed to impress these people and she knew she couldn’t. She’d followed Justin's career. A New York artist. And Craig had made enough disparaging comments for her to know who the man she’d seen Justin with was. He was beautiful, and successful and Craig hated him for both those things. And for replacing him in his son’s life. She worried now that he’d try to do the same in Aaron's.
And then there was Jennifer. Cool, calm, rational… didn’t even bat an eye when Alicia had shown up at her door hysterical trying to find Aaron. Jennifer knew where she belonged in society, and Alicia was all too aware of her place.
She finally decided on a simple beige dress with a bright scarf at the neck. She was nervous about this lunch for so many reasons but mostly because she wanted her son back. She wanted Aaron the way he was, before he’d turned his back on god. Before he’d infuriated his father. Before he’d become someone she didn’t know.
She took a deep breath and threw her lipstick in her purse. She took one last look before getting into her eight year old Honda and heading towards Michael and Ben’s house.
She couldn’t even pretend to be comfortable with her son staying there but these people were smart, rich and connected. She didn’t have a choice yet.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**
Jennifer made Molly swear she’d do her homework before she left for her friend’s house. Molly had rolled her eyes but promised.
She tried to pull herself together. In truth, she wasn’t sure why she was involved in any of this. Craig knocked up some slut 16 years ago…while she was still home with a seven year old and an infant and now suddenly she was responsible for what happened to the kid? Hadn’t Craig put her family through enough? But she knew Justin wasn’t going to see it that way. Not about this. And she wasn’t sure she could just turn her back and leave Aaron at Craig's mercy. She had to try.
She didn’t want to try. She wanted to claw the bitch’s eyes out, kick Craig in the nuts and storm off cursing louder than Debbie when she was pissed at Brian but she wasn’t going to do any of that. She was going to smile, and stay calm and rational and not let anyone know how much all this upset her.
She smiled. Maybe she could get someone to really piss off Brian. He was always a good diversion when aggravated.
That thought got her to throw her lipstick into her purse, grab her keys and get into her new Volvo SUV, which was perfect for taking clients to see new listings. She pulled out of the driveway and headed to Michael and Ben’s hoping Debbie was coming and cooking.
They were good men and good friends to Brian and Justin, but Ben’s tofu Asian crap was not her cup of tea.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~
Carl wasn’t sure why he had to go to this particular family get together, and he wasn’t sure he was gonna be able to restrain Debbie even a little but he knew he had no way of getting out of it so he sat on the couch and waited for Debbie to change once again.
The entire time he heard her cursing Craig's name and muttering something about brainwashing and showing people what god really is. He just waited. He’d learned from experience that there was no rushing Debbie when she was unsure what to wear, and there was no shutting her up on the subject of gay sons.
Eventually she tossed a bright red lipstick into her purse and pulled on her purple coat, picked up the lasagna and yelled at Carl for still sitting on the couch when they had to be at Michael’s in twenty minutes.
He stifled a sigh and followed her out to the car. It was a six-year-old refurbished cop car he’d gotten at auction. Still ran great.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**
Brian was watching Justin get dressed. He reached out to touch him but Justin twisted away, too intent on the upcoming lunch to be distracted. He wanted to be annoyed but it seemed Justin was annoyed enough for the both of them. He continued to mutter under his breath about his “fucking father” and “demon spawn” and was grumbling something about still being in bed getting fucked into the mattress and Brian smiled.
Justin was pissed, and focused on whatever it was he had to do this afternoon. But Brian was pretty sure the evening was all his. His and Justin's.
He understood why Justin was upset. Understood that he was upset for his mother. Understood that he wasn’t particularly fond of his new “half-breed” as he’d taken to calling him. And was concerned about what Craig might do, and the very real possibility that Craig might show up at the Novotny-Bruckners this afternoon. But Brian wasn’t worried.
The kid wasn’t their responsibility. Craig could show up and bluster all he wanted, he wasn’t laying a fucking hand on anyone there. And after this weekend… this would just be one more bizarre twist in the family tree they’d assembled over the years.
Justin was finally ready. Brian shoved some condoms and a few packets of lube into Justin's pocket…just to keep his mind somewhere else if it came to that, and they climbed into the ‘vette and headed to Michael’s. Justin smoked and bit his nails but was mostly silent during the drive.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**
The all arrived within minutes of each other and there was some awkwardness as they stood at the front door. They could hear Aaron yelling something about not wanting to deal with all those assholes.
Brian smiled and put a hand on Justin’s back. Justin took his mothers hand and squeezed it a little.
Carl put his arm around Deb and whispered to her that the kid was scared, and not to tear him a new one the minute she saw him. She wasn’t his family yet.
Alicia wanted to agree with Aaron and hustle him out of there. She looked around at the united front they were showing and had never felt more alone or resentful in her life. “These freaks were going to tell her what to do with her son?”
She was about to say something to that effect when Ben opened the door. He was muscular and though his face was open and friendly, he still intimidated her.
The others didn’t seem to feel the same. Brian brushed past him first and started to offer everyone a drink as though it were his home. Then he kissed Michael on the mouth. Alicia glanced over at Justin to see his reaction. There didn’t seem to be one. Ben didn’t seem upset either. She shook her head wondering what her son had been exposed to in the last 24 hours.
Pulling her jacket around her she slipped inside the house and sat in the corner of the room observing and trying not to be seen. She knew when she was out of her element.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**
Lunch started smoothly enough. Debbie laid out the lasagna and garlic bread. Ben put a salad on the table. Hunter said a quick hello and goodbye to everyone as he headed out to meet some friends and everyone stared intently at their plates not saying anything.
Aaron was the first to break the silence.
“Why the fuck does it take like four hundred people to have lunch?”
Brian snorted and Justin smacked his shoulder. Debbie who was sitting on his other side slapped the back of his head. He shot a dirty look at each of them but said nothing.
Alicia tried to answer his question. “I think that…” she realized she actually didn’t know the answer to the question and sighed.
“Why are all of you here?”
“I live here.” Michael replied.
“He’s my son and he asked me to come” Debbie added.
“Alicia I think maybe we’re all just concerned about what happens to Aaron.” Jennifer tried.
“I’m not.”
They all glared at Brian.
“What? I’m not. Why should we worry? He’s got a mommy who cares, and we’ve all seen how well a boy can turn out without Craig. So I’m not sure what the big deal is.”
Justin was livid. “Brian, it’s not about him getting by without Craig, we all know he’s better off without that asshole.”
“Justin.”
Justin looked at his mother. “You’re gonna defend him?”
She sighed. “No.”
“Okay, so fine, we’re all better without Craig, but he’s not better off shipped somewhere to be brainwashed.”
“It’s not brainwashing. Aaron’s always been a good boy and…”
“Could you all stop talking about me like I’m not here?”
Aaron stood up, his face red with anger.
Brian had seen that look before. “Fuck, drama princess three o’clock.”
Justin leaned closer. “Shh, lets see how he does. I think I was better.”
Brian smiled and sat back to watch the kid work.
“I’m gay mom, I’m not suddenly the devil, or even a different person than you knew last week, and I’m just your son, who likes to fuck guys. So why am I suddenly this horrible THING that you have to deal with? Okay dad’s not happy, well, duh, we knew that, when was dad EVER happy? And with him…” he gestured towards Justin. “As his only experience with a gay son can you blame him for thinking I’m gonna be some kind of sick freak?”
“HEY!” Justin, Jennifer, Debbie, and Brian all yelled in unison.
Aaron looked up. “Well you were dating…” he gestured towards Brian. “Some old guy.”
“Yeah, I was, and that’s not why Craig was mad. And it’s not why he’s mad now and you know it.”
Aaron sat down. “Yeah I know, but still, you could have been a little more careful… then I wouldn’t have to deal with all this shit.”
Justin snorted. “Sorry that my actions fucked up your life but um, can I remind you of a couple of things? A) It’s my life and B) I didn’t fucking know you existed.”
“Still.”
“What, I’m supposed to be careful of how I come out to my dad in case he has a bastard son running around who has to come out to him later? Fuck that.”
“Justin.”
“Mom, stop. You know what? This is all bullshit. Aaron’s right. Why do I care? Why do you? If his mother wants to go brainwash him, let her. If Craig was stupid enough to fuck around with someone that dumb… well, are any of us surprised?”
Brian put a hand on Justin’s arm. “Justin stop.”
Justin shrugged Brian off. “No. I’m not gonna stop. I get some kid dumped on my doorstep because we happen to share the same asshole’s DNA. I rally the troops and try to find a way to help and he’s gonna sit here and tell me that I did it wrong when I came out. Fuck him.”
Justin stormed out and Brian followed.
He handed Justin a cigarette and lit it for him. Saying nothing for a few minutes.
“You’re right. You do it better.”
Justin glared at him
“You okay now?”
“Yeah I’m great.”
“What the fuck was that?”
“Ungrateful little twat.”
“He’s 16, his father just disowned him and his mothers trying to send him to god’s tabernacle of the holy pussy or something… what’s he got to be grateful about?”
“I’m trying to help him.”
Brian almost laughed but thought better of it. “Yes, you’re being very helpful.”
“Fuck you.”
“What do you want me to say? I didn’t see why you got involved in the first place.”
“I don’t remember why either.”
Brian was standing behind him now, leaning his chin on Justin’s shoulder. “Because you’re a better person than I am. And than your dad is. And than Aaron's cunt mother is.”
“Oh yeah, that.”
“Yeah that.”
“God’s tabernacle of the holy pussy?”
“It’d probably work better than the marketing thing they’ve got going now.”
“Brian, if you take them on as a client…”
“They couldn’t afford me.”
“Can anyone these days.”
“Only a select few.”
“Lucky for me I locked you in at your cut rate prices.”
“I’d still cut you a deal.”
“Good, I’d hate to go broke.”
“Go broke?”
“Broker.”
“That’s what I thought.
Justin turned around in Brian's arms and kissed him. They could hear the raised voices all the way out in the yard. “Should we go back in?”
“Fuck no.”
“We have to you know.”
“Yeah I do.”
Justin took Brian's hand and they walked back in…calmer and ready to face the mêlée.
It was louder now. And everyone seemed to be talking at once. Everyone but Alicia. Aaron was still red-faced and screaming at Michael. Ben was trying to separate the two while Debbie and Jennifer were disagreeing about something else entirely and Alicia was simply sitting quietly head in her hands crying.
Justin joined Carl in trying to separate Deb and his mother. While Brian quietly took Alicia’s hand and let her to the living room, away from the fracas. He guided her to the sofa and sat across from her.
“You okay?”
She nodded and he handed her a tissue. “If you think about it, it’s kind of sweet.”
She looked up at him “sweet?”
“All those people screaming over what’s best for a kid they just met.”
“He’s MY son.”
Brian bit back a snark. “No one’s arguing that.”
“But they act as if they know what’s best.”
“Yeah, they do that.”
“You don’t.”
“I don’t what?”
“Act like you know what the best thing to do is.”
“Oh, I don’t have to act. I do know what’s best.”
She looked Brian straight in the eye and saw the twinkle there and smiled. “You’re not as bad as Craig said you were.”
“Pretty sure I couldn’t be.”
She wiped her nose again. “He really hates you.”
“I know.”
“He thinks you stole his son.”
“I did.”
Alicia shook her head. “Are you always so honest.”
“Yeah.”
“So what do you think is best for him?”
“Do you really want to know?”
“I’m not going to promise to agree with you.”
“Wouldn’t ask you to.”
“You think I should leave him with this group of lunatics?”
Brian shook his head. “No. But I think you need to re-think the religion approach.”
“God says…”
“I know what god says. I’m not gonna argue with you. I’m going to tell you that you talk to god yourself, and see if he wants you to hurt your son. See if he wants you to turn your back on him and lose him to this bunch of lunatics. Craig did that. And not even for reasons as silly as religion.”
“You don’t believe in god?”
“Not the issue. The issue is do you believe in your son?”
“He’s a good boy.”
“That’s yet to be seen. But if you make him choose, he’s going to choose the lunatics who are currently screaming about what’s best for him over a life of pretending to be something he’s not. So the choice is actually yours.”
Alicia nodded, seemingly considering Brian's words.
“You want a drink?”
“Do you think Michael and Ben keep anything stronger than wine in the house?”
Brian laughed. “Scotch or gin?”
“Gin and tonic if they have it.”
Brian nodded and went to get her a drink. He handed a beer to Justin and one to Carl, who both looked like they could use something cold. He put a gin and tonic with a twist in front of Jenn who took a break from her argument with Deb to spare him a look of gratitude. He refilled Debbie’s wine glass and returned to the living room with Alicia's drink and a scotch on the rocks for himself.
We’ve got about fifteen minutes tops. Then Jenn will apologize, and Deb will forgive her, and Aaron will stomp upstairs and Michael and Ben will huddle together somewhere to process what went on. Take your time and enjoy the show.
Alicia smiled at him gratefully and Brian sat back and watched as Justin eventually gave up the illusion of being able to control his mother and just nursed his beer. Eventually he glanced towards Brian and lifted the bottle in mock salute. Brian smiled and cocked an eyebrow at him. They both waited for the calm after the storm.
Brian was pretty accurate as far as time went. Aaron stormed upstairs, declaring his hate for everyone ever.
Ben and Michael went to the kitchen to “clean up”. Deb and Jenn agreed to disagree and eventually Brian stood up and offered Alicia his hand, leading her back to the dining room.
“I don’t want to lose my son.”
Four mouths opened to reply but she put her hand up and they all stopped. “It’s clear you all care about him, though I’m not sure why, considering the beast he’s been today, but that means something. I won’t send him to the clinic or camp Craig suggested. But I need to ask you all to give us some time. Me and Aaron, to deal with this. I can’t contend with all of you and Craig and Aaron.”
Justin crossed his arms. “Fine.”
“You just make sure you let him be who he is.” Deb said.
Jennifer simply shrugged.
Alicia called for Aaron and explained that he was coming home with her. When he balked she filled him in on what they’d decided. He smiled a little and they left.
Everyone else filed out soon after. “Thank you Michael. I owe you one.” Justin said.
Michael grimaced, “I think you owe me like twenty.”
Justin rolled his eyes. “I’ll make Zephyr more buff in the next issue.”
“Well okay then.”
And they laughed as they left.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**
Justin was extraordinarily happy to climb into the ‘vette. “Christ that was fun.”
“I think you and I have different definitions of fun.”
“Apparently. What did you say to her?”
“Nothing, I used my powers of mind control.”
“I’m gonna stop letting you read the new issues of Rage. They’re fucking with your already unhealthy ego.”
“My ego’s fine.”
“You think this was all you don’t you?”
“Wasn’t it?”
“Was it?”
“I don’t know, you were all screaming at each other. I thought we were gonna have to get Jell-O for your mother and Deb to wrestle in.”
“Gaaah, don’t be gross.”
“Well what the fuck were they even arguing about?”
“You know, I’m not sure, something about how to handle son’s. Like either one of them knows what the fuck their kids are up to.”
“I don’t know, Deb and Mikey are pretty tight.”
“Yeah, and me and my mom, we never talk about anything.”
“Are we actually arguing?”
“I think so.”
“About what?”
“I have no fucking clue.”
“Blow me.”
“Okay.”
And Justin did.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**
“What is it about getting blown in the car that makes you hornier than when we started?” Justin asked as Brian pushed him against the loft door, kissing him hungrily.
“No clue.”
“You’d think I’d learn my lesson.”
“Stop talking.”
“Mmmmmm okay.”
And Justin did.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**
It was almost nine by the time either of them found the energy or interest to get out of bed.
Justin was boiling some pasta and Brian was trying to find something worthwhile on television. He ended up just flipping through the channels 'til Justin brought the food to the coffee table where the proceeded to eat and catch up on the things they hadn’t had time to talk about yet.
When they finished and Justin had convinced Brian that since he’d cooked Brian could damn well do the dishes, like they hadn’t had that argument seventeen hundred times in their lives.
Eventually the both realized they were neither tired, nor horny nor hungry.
“Wanna go to Woody’s for a drink?”
“Yeah.”
Woody’s was somewhat crowded. It was a Saturday night but neither of them minded the crowds as Brian ordered their drinks and Justin scoped out a decent spot at the bar for them to assess the local talent.
Justin was on his third shot when he saw a very familiar new player on the scene.
“Goddamned motherfucking shit!”
“What?”
“That little half-breed slut.”
“Oh Christ not...”
“Aaron!”
“Justin, if you yell he’s just gonna run.”
“So? Good. Get him the fuck out of here.”
Aaron turned his head, saw Justin and bolted out the door.
“And if he runs… we have to chase him.” Brian said, his head down already tired of this game. And as he was saying it Justin was leaping off his barstool and heading out after his errant little brother.
Brian followed more slowly, realizing that maybe his plan hadn’t been foolproof.
He caught up with Justin at the corner. He was looking both ways. “Fuck I lost him.”
“Didn’t I tell you never to chase after anyone?”
“Brian shut up, we can’t just leave him out here… he could get hurt.”
“Or he could get laid…which is what I wanna do.”
“Brian, what happens if some guy just picks him up?”
“You mean like if he’s stupid enough to stand under a streetlight and go home with the first guy he sees?”
“Fuck off, and you weren’t the first guy I saw.”
“I wasn’t?”
“Not now Brian okay?”
“Fine, but he’s not under a streetlight.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I just saw him go into Pistol.”
“Fuck I hate that place.”
“Yeah, and it’s my favorite hang out.”
“Go home Brian. I’ll be there soon.”
“Brian sighed. You need money for the cover or are you gonna blow the bouncer?”
“Bite me. I think I have twenty bucks.”
“Does Aaron?”
Justin closed his eyes. He didn’t want to think about it. He kissed Brian. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t fall asleep.”
Justin paid the cover and scanned the crowd looking for Aaron. Spotting him he strode towards the kid.
Aaron was working his charm on some guy, couldn’t be more than 22 himself. Justin had to admit he was grudgingly impressed. The kid could be charming when he wanted to. He saw the bartender pouring a shot in front of the kid and he moved quickly, grabbing his arm before it could bring the drink to his lips.
The guy who’d bought him the drink was pissed. “Fuck off.”
Justin glared at him. “Fuck off yourself. He’s mine. Keep your fucking hands off him.”
“Kinney’s twink has a twink?”
Justin was fuming now. “Yeah, touch him and we’ll both kill you.”
The guy shrugged and backed away. Aaron was furious.
“What the fuck did you do that for?”
Justin didn’t respond he simply pulled Aaron out onto the street and didn’t stop until they were at the loft.
Once he threw him inside and closed the door Aaron was even more outraged. “You can’t just drag me around like some fucking child.”
“You are a fucking child.”
“And what about you. ‘Kinney’s twink’”
“Fuck you. You’re supposed to be home with your mother what are you doing here?”
“You dragged me here.”
Justin sighed. “Not here in the loft, here on Liberty Avenue, here at woody’s here at Pistol?”
“Aaron rolled his eyes, I was trying to get drunk and laid but Kinney’s twink interrupted.”
Brian had been surveying the drama from the top of the stairs. He was pinching the bridge of his nose. “Justin, take him home.”
“You can’t, my mom can’t know I’m out.”
“Right, we’ll lie to your mother. Justin. Take him home.”
“He’s got a point Brian.”
Brian looked up then. “He does?”
“If I take him home, she’s gonna… we can’t take him home.”
“Call your mom.” He handed Aaron the phone. Aaron dialed. “Alicia, hi, it’s Justin. Yeah, Aaron’s with me… I thought he told you, he thought I told you. I’m sorry.”
“By noon I promise. G’night.”
Aaron and Brian both smiled
“What?”
“You’re really good at lying to moms. “
“I was thinking the same thing.” Brian added.
“Yeah well, it only works on normal moms. Deb doesn’t buy it for a second.
“Deb!”
“What?” Justin looked at Brian as though he might be insane.
“Take him to Deb’s.”
“Brian it’s after midnight. I’m not waking up Deb and Carl…he’s sleeping on the sofa. Besides, you know how easy it is to sneak out of Deb’s house?”
They smiled at each other “yeah” Brian replied, “I do.”
“Well so do I, and this little shit will figure it out faster than you and Mikey did.”
“But you only knew because I told you how we did it.”
“Pfft, like I couldn’t have figured it out. I helped her install the goddamned screen doors.”
“Whatever.” Brian was heading to the closet to get a blanket. “Justin set the alarm. You.” he glared at Aaron “better not snore.”
Aaron rolled his eyes and gave a smug smile.
Justin locked the door and set the alarm.
“You’re gonna owe me a whole other weekend.”
“I know.”
“Soon.”
“In New York.”
Brian sighed. “If you say so.”
“I do.”
Aaron pulled the blanket over his head and tried not to listen but Brian and Justin just would not shut up. Eventually he yelled “I get it, you like each other. Get a room.”
They both laughed and kept their activities somewhat chaste and almost completely silent.
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