Catastrophe in Pittsburgh-3
Author: Elsa Rose Bryant
Plot bunny: Judy (woo hoo)
“Want to know something cool?” Daphne asked Justin. She was calling from work so was speaking low. She didn’t want to be overheard.
“What?” Justin asked, not really paying attention to Daphne. He was searching the veterinary sites on the ‘net trying to decide what was wrong with his newest patient.
“Your Brian is my Brian.” She smiled at her wit.
“Pardon?” Justin sat up. “My Brian is what?”
“Brian Kinney owns Kinnetik, he’s my boss. Anddddd.” Daphne paused for effect, “I think he’s interested in you. He was fishing for information. It was him at Babylon. You were right.”
“This is sooooo high school.” Justin laughed. “But rather interesting. I guess I know why he parks his car at Kinnetik all the time.”
“And Kinnetik is almost across the street from where your clinic is.” She giggled. “How convenient for quickies.”
“You’re a perv Daph.” Justin laughed. He was doodling pictures of Brian on his computer graphics pad. “I was thinking, you know all the sketching I do, and my paintings?”
“Yes,” Daphne wondered where this was going.
“Well Brian saw my sketchpad and he says they’re good. He gave me the number of a friend of his. She’s the manager of an art gallery not too far from here. What should I do?”
“Gee Justin, I’m going to pretend you didn’t just ask me that no brainer.” Daphne laughed. “What in heck do you think you should do?”
“I’m not an artist, I’m a vet who sketches.”
“Or, you’re an artist who is also a vet.” Daphne laughed. “It’s all in how you look at it.”
“I’m kind of nervous about this. I mean I sold a bunch of stuff when I was in Cornell, but that was just cat pictures to cat owners. I mean anyone can draw a picture of a cat.”
“I can’t.” Daphne said. “I mean I can draw a stick figure of a cat. But I sure can’t make a cat live on a piece of paper. You can do that. You should go and see her. It can’t hurt. Maybe she can suggest some kind of direction for you to take your art.”
“You really think so?” Justin hesitated. “I’ve just never thought of my art as having any purpose other than it was something I had to do to keep me sane when I was studying or worried or just breathing.”
“There you go. You won your own argument.” Daphne laughed. “Give her a call.”
“Thanks Daphne. I appreciate you listening.”
“That’s what I’m here for. Hey Jus, I’m making lasagna tonight. If you want to share dinner, come on over later.”
“I can do that.” Justin said. “I’m going to call Lindsay now while I have the nerve.”
“Cool, you can tell me all about it tonight.”
Justin had been turning over the card Brian had given him, turning it over and over. He disconnected from Daphne and took a deep breath before picking up the phone and quickly punching in Lindsay Peterson’s number.
“Lindsay here.” A feminine voice said.
“Hi, my name is Justin Taylor, Brian, Brian Kinney told me to give you a call. He said you’d look at some of my art work.” Justin’s words came out all at once.
“Hi, I’m glad you called Justin.” Lindsay’s voice was soft. He could hear the smile in it. “I’d be happy to look at your work, but I’m about to leave for the day. My son has a bit of a cold and his school called. He insists on going home. I suspect there’s an ulterior motive her.” She laughed. “But you never know.”
“Oh, sorry to bother you, I’ll call another time.” Justin was about to hang up.
Lindsay could hear the nervousness in his voice. “Justin, if you don’t mind risking a cold, you’re welcome to come to the house. It isn’t hard to find.”
“Are you sure?” Justin asked. He was looking over his schedule trying to see if he had any time he could use that afternoon. “I have a couple of things I need to do, but I could see you at three, or is that too late?”
“No, that’s fine. I’ll give you the address.” Lindsay quickly rattled off her address and her home phone number. “If you have a problem finding it, call me.” She said before hanging up.
Justin sat in his office, his mind a jumble of conflicting thoughts. He couldn’t believe he’d actually called. At the same time he couldn’t for the life of him think of what he’d show Lindsay. Nothing he’d done was worth showing as far as Justin was concerned. His mind frantically began to catalogue his paintings up in his loft, nothing was any good. “Gina” he almost shouted as he headed out of his office. “I’m going to be upstairs; can you take over my kitties this afternoon?”
Dr. Gina Evans looked up from what she was doing and smiled. It was rare that Justin asked any kind of favor. “No problem.” She said. “Take the rest of the afternoon. I’m not doing anything today after work.”
Justin thanked her and headed upstairs. As he unlocked his door he could hear scurrying. Apparently Ese and Mais hadn’t expected him home so soon and were up to something. “Okay guys, where are you?” Justin called. He looked around; there wasn’t a cat in sight. In fact if you didn’t know any better, you’d think there wasn’t a cat in the apartment. Every single one of the cat toys that had been on the floor when he left for work, were missing. “Ese, Mais.” Justin called. He stayed still and listened. Silence filled the air – as he got used to the quiet, he could hear faint sounds coming from the clinic, but nothing distinct. “Ese, Mais.” Justin began to search. This was darn weird. He looked under the sofa and on top of the bookcases. He looked in his bedroom and in his closet, under the bed and behind the blinds. There wasn’t a cat to be found. The door to his studio was shut but he opened it anyway and looked in there behind canvases stacked against the walls. No cats.
Justin began to feel a tingling of worry, they’d never been this well hidden before. He checked the windows and doors that led to his outside patio, but they were all firmly locked the way that he’d left them earlier in the day. Feeling slightly foolish, Justin opened the bottom cupboard doors in the kitchen. Nothing that resembled a cat. “Ese, Mais” Justin’s voice was shrill with worry.
“Merowwwwwww.” Was the answer, it sounded far away, almost muffled. Justin could hear a strange noise coming from the wall. He looked up at the air-conditioning duct that ran across the ceiling of the commercial space he’d made his home, and followed with his eyes the sound of cat feet as they raced inside the duct. Suddenly a cat head peered at him from above. There was a small break in the metal where a grate had been. The grate was now on the floor, Justin hadn’t noticed it before because it was resting behind a grouping of floor pillows. One by one the cats jumped down to the top of their favorite cat tree. Ese sat on the first level, her ends tucked under as she observed Justin. Mais looked him and then began to wash the base of his tail. His answer for everything when he knew he was in trouble.
“Boy dad is very upset.” Ese said looking up at her brother. “I told you we shouldn’t hide there.”
“I like it. We can see everything, but no one can see us. It’s purrrrfect.” He grinned at his sister. “Besides, dad is going out. Can’t you see? Why is he pointing that thing at the pictures on the wall? Go check it out.”
“Check it out yourself. I’m busy. I didn’t like that place.”
“Yes you did. Don’t lie to me.”
“I thought I smelled a mouse up there.” Ese looked up at the small hole. “Maybe we can look again when dad goes out.”
“There isn’t any mouse there. You just want to chase me again.” Mais glared at his sister. “Oh, oh, dad is getting the climbing thing.”
Justin found the ladder in his supply closet and positioned it under the hole in his air-conditioning duct. He knew his cat roomies, if he didn’t put the grill back, the two cats would be up there before he reached the ground floor.
“Sorry I’m late Ms. Peterson.” Justin said. He was embarrassed that he’d made her wait when she was doing him a favor. “My two cats were up to no good and I had to fix their little escape route.”
“Hey, my name is Gus.” Gus peaked around his mother.
“Come on in Justin. I’m Lindsay and this is Gus.” Lindsay laughed. “Oh and that’s Miss Kitty.” She glanced at the Manx cat who sat on the third step just inside the house.
“What a great cat.” Justin said as he got down to Miss Kitty’s level. “Is she your cat Gus?”
“Miss Kitty is my very own cat. And so is her baby. His name is Zero ‘cause he doesn’t have a tail. Zero means nothing.” He laughed. “No tail, nothing. He’s sleeping right now. He sleeps a lot ‘cause he’s a baby kitty.”
“That’s a pretty great name.” Justin agreed. “I have two cats too. One is called Ese and one is Mais.” He opened his sketch book. “Want to see?”
“Sure.” Gus sat on the stair beside Miss Kitty, his fingers stroking her fur. “Oh, they’re like daddy’s kitties.” He leaned over to get a better look. “Look mommy, Justin’s kitties are Siameses.”
“Just Siamese.” Justin laughed. “It’s the breed of cat. Mais is a sealpoint and his sister is a redpoint. See her points are red fur. He let his finger show Gus how her ears and tail and feet were covered in red fur. “She even has a pink nose. But her brother is a sealpoint. His points are dark brown.”
“My daddy’s Mrs. Sophie Cat, has a brown nose and a really, really, really skinny tail. Her baby has a brown nose, but he’s kind of white.”
“That’s because Siamese kittens are born almost white. But when they grow, they start to show their color points.”
“Daddy says Mrs. Sophie Cat and Ralph are Siamese cross. Does that mean that they are mad?”
“No it just means that Mrs. Sophie Cat had a daddy or a mommy who wasn’t a Siamese.”
“Maybe a Manx cat like Miss Kitty.” Gus offered.
“Not too likely, Manx cats pretty much breed true. That means their kittens usually have no tail or only part of one. More likely Mrs. Sophie Cat had a regular tabby as a dad or mom.” He looked up at Lindsay. “Do you have a computer; I can show Gus some different cats on one of my websites.”
“Sure, in the den.” Lindsay said. “You’re good with children.”
“I guess ‘cause they are like my patients, only kids can talk.” Justin grinned at her. “I’m not really a starving artist. I’m a vet. I specialize in treating cats. Feline medicine in other words. I’m working with my dad at Taylor Veterinary Clinic.”
“Oh that must be where you met Brian. I know he took the cats there the day he bought them from the SPCA.” Lindsay felt almost relieved that for once one of Brian’s ‘boys’ wasn’t a go go dancer or whatever else he managed to pick up.
“No actually I bumped into him the other morning at a Starbucks. We’ve met each morning since.” Justin blushed. “He’s very nice.”
“That’s my daddy.” Gus declared. “I love him more than the moon.”
“I bet he loves you more than the moon too.” Justin said. He sat down at the computer. “Do you want to sit on my knee or pull up a chair?”
“Knee, knee.” Gus said and with Justin’s help hoisted himself up.
Justin looked over at Lindsay. “While Gus and I visit my website. Why don’t you look at my portfolio? That way I want be watching your every move and having a conniption.”
“I like that word. Conniption,conniption.conniption” Gus rattled off.
Justin laughed.
“I’ll do that, but first do either of you boys want something to drink?” Lindsay asked. Justin and Gus sitting at the computer looked adorable.
“Not right now Lindsay.” Justin replied. “Is that okay Gus, we’ll have a drink later?”
“Sure Justin” Gus bent forward, eager to see Justin’s website that was now on the screen. “Look at the kitties.”
Justin and Gus spent almost half an hour viewing his website with Gus asking questions and Justin answering as best he could. Finally Gus said. “I’m hungry and so is Miss Kitty.” He looked up at Justin. “How come Zero doesn’t eat real food?”
“Zero does eat real food. He gets it from his mommy. He gets mommy milk.” Justin pointed down to where the two cats lay. “See Zero is drinking milk from her breast.”
“That’s kind of weird.” Gus said.
“That’s what you did when you were a baby.” Lindsay confirmed. “It’s perfectly normal.”
“You said purrrrrrrfectly.” Gus giggled. He was at the age when everything was funny.
Lindsay joined Justin in laughing. “I always thought so too.” Justin said. “But I bet your mommy doesn’t mind.”
Shaking her head Lindsay said. “I have a snack for the both of you in the kitchen. Cookies and milk.”
“That’s my favorite snack.” Gus said to Justin. “My mom makes the very best cookies. My momma who is in heaven loooooooved my mom’s cookies. Do you think that Miss Kitty wants a cookie?”
“Cat’s aren’t big cookie eaters.” Justin said. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if Miss Kitty liked one of these.” He pulled out a small plastic bag from his pocket. “These are cat treats. I always have some around. See if Miss Kitty would like one.” Justin handed it to Gus.
“Do they taste like candy?” he asked. He sniffed it. “It smells funny, kind of like tuna.”
“Cat’s like it, maybe tuna is cat candy.” Justin suggested. “We can ask her.”
“Cat’s don’t talk.” Gus’ eyes were big. “Can you talk to cats if you’re a cat doctor?”
“Sure.” Justin sat on the floor beside Miss Kitty’s basket. “Hey there Miss Kitty. I see you have a very handsome young son there.” He stroked Zero with one finger and Miss Kitty said. “Merow.”
“I agree, he is getting bigger.” Justin said. “I know he’s very healthy from the shine on his fur.”
“Merrrrrrrrow, purrrrrt.”
“Hmmmm, Zero may have a bit of a problem learning to walk. But as you know it’s because his back legs are just a bit larger than other cats and he doesn’t have a tail to help him balance.”
Gus’ eyes were big and round as he scrunched down listening.
“See Gus, Zero kind of looks like a baby rabbit. When he starts to walk more, he’ll hop before he walks. That’s what Manx kittens do. Isn’t that right Miss Kitty?”
“Purrrrt, merrow, purrrt,purrt.”
“Wow, she talks to you.” Gus smiled at Justin. “Daddy talks to Mrs. Sophie Cat all the time. He never told me that she answers him. Do you think she does?”
“I’m sure she does.” Justin smiled. “You try it. Talk to Miss Kitty and Zero.”
“Hi Miss Kitty. I love you and Zero a whole bunch.” Gus said looking directly at the cats in the basket.
Zero looked up from his mom and said very quietly. “meow.”
“Justin, Zero talked to me.” Gus was delighted. “He really, really talked to me.”
“Now the trick is Gus, you always have to listen to what your pets say to you. They can’t speak the same language as you. But they can tell you things if you listen and watch carefully. Miss Kitty is telling you she’s happy living here. You can know that because she is very comfortable in her basket with her baby, right out in the open. If she wasn’t comfortable and happy, she would take her baby and hide him somewhere. Now if she ever starts to move her baby around, check to make sure her bed is clean. That’s how she’ll let you know. She’ll like to keep her baby in a clean bed. “
“She scratched me once.” Gus said and held out his hand. “See.”
“Were you trying to pick her up?” Justin asked.
“Yes, I wanted to play with her.” He looked down. “She did meow first.”
“What she did was tell you. ‘Please don’t bother me. I’m with my baby right now.” And when you didn’t listen, she did the only thing she could to get your attention and that was to use her claw. From the look of your scratch she only used one and then very lightly. But it must have worked.”
“It did, I was sad though.”
“Well now you know how to listen to what she’s saying.” Justin stroked the small mom cat’s head. Her eyes closed into slits and she purred loud enough for them all to hear. “See how she’s telling us she’s happy.”
Gus stood up. “you are the best kitty doctor in the whole world.” He slipped his hand in Justin’s. Want a cookie?”
Justin opened Daphne’s apartment door and grinned at his friend. “I brought dessert and wine.” He held the packages up for her to see. “Wow, don’t you just love the smell of lasagna?”
“I like the taste even better. What did you bring for dessert?” Daphne had a sweet tooth as bad as Justin’s.
“Chocolate cake with mango mouse filling. Two big pieces.”
“Yum.” Daphne took the bakery box and put in the fridge. “Would you open the wine, we’ll have a glass while I finish the salad.”
“You’re very bossy.” Justin said, but did as he was told. “So how was your day?” he couldn’t stop grinning. Daphne was trying her best to hold out and not ask him about his day, but it was hard when he looked like the cat that swallowed the canary.
“Did you know that Brian Kinney had a son?” Daphne began. “And that is son is almost six.”
“As a matter of fact, I did know that.” Justin said, pouring the wine into two glasses and handing one to Daphne. “And he has two cats, well a cat and a kitten and so does his son. His son’s name is Gus and he’s like a junior version of Brian.” Justin’s look was smug and Daphne started to laugh.
“You are a fast worker. The last I heard you were going over to see someone about your sketches.”
“Ahhhhhh, yes.” Justin drawled. He sat on the sofa and lounged back, his feet on the coffee table.
Daphne brushed his feet onto the floor. “Okay smart ass, tell me everything.”
“Hmmmm, lets see.” He spoke slowly. “Ouch.” Daphne had punched him in the arm. “You are a bitch to day.”
“JUSTIN.”
“Okay, Lindsay is really nice and so is Gus. She’s a single mom now, her partner died not quite a year ago of complications from a car accident. They’d been together more than ten years. Gus is definitely Brian’s son, you should see him, it’s amazing.” Justin’s eyes glazed over as he thought about having Brian’s baby.
“That is soooo not going to happen.” Daphne laughed reading his mind. “Now continue.”
“Anyway, Lindsay is the manager of Sidney Boom’s Gallery. She used to teach art and knows tons about it. She likes my stuff and said that she’d help me put together a portfolio and that maybe we could sell Mr. Bloom on having a show for me eventually. Gus and I got along great. He’s a new cat owner and I was teaching him about cats and how to talk to them.” Justin sighed again. “I wish Brian had been there.”
“Oh,” Daphne raised her eyebrows. “Dinner is ready.” She jumped up off of the sofa and headed for the kitchen. “So are you going to actually work on getting together a decent portfolio? And I don’t just mean of cat pictures. Actually throw in a couple of people or a landscape or something.”
“Since you asked.” Justin opened up his messenger bag and pulled out his sketchbook. “Take a look at my latest.” He handed Daphne the book.
“Okay since when have you seen Brian naked?” Daphne looked at the first sketch her hand over her eyes, peeking through her fingers. “Not bad though.”
“In my dreams pretty girl, only in my dreams. But you’d be amazed at those dreams.” Justin sighed dramatically.
“Somehow I doubt I’d be amazed.” Daphne shook her head. “You realize now that I’ve seen these I’m never going to be able look Brian in the eye. I’ll be searching his person for that cat tattoo.” She peeked again. “I take it that’s an imaginary tattoo.”
“Of course. It’s not likely Brian would have a tattoo of a cat, though he might have a tattoo of something else there.” Justin licked his lips. “Maybe I could suggest something.”
Brian was tired when he arrived at his loft. The day had been busy at Kinnetik. Busier than usual considering the time of year. He threw his jacket on a mid branch of the cat tree when he walked in the door and put his briefcase on another branch.
Mrs. Sophie Cat who was lying stretched out in a patch of sunlight looked up and meowed her hello. Ralph, who had been playing with his mother’s tail, tried his best to run to Brian, but he wasn’t too successful and kept tripping over his own feet. “Hey Mrs. Sophie, Brian called out when he scooped Ralph up off of the floor before the kitten could begin an attempt at climbing up Brian’s leg and possibly snagging a five hundred dollar pair of trousers. “Sonny Boy, watch the pants.” He held the kitten up to his face and rubbed his nose on the small dark smudge. “Did you miss me big guy?” he asked not feeling foolish at all. It was amazing how quickly he’d adapted to having company in his loft.
Putting the small furry body on his shoulder, Brian walked to the fridge and pulled out a cold beer. He twisted it open before heading to his bedroom to change. Ralph purred beside Brian’s ear, his small needle like claws clinging to the man’s shoulder. “Off me now.” Brian leaned over the bed and the kitten dutifully slipped off and onto the down filled duvet. He tumbled over for a moment, not yet old enough to land with grace, before sitting up to watch Brian change into a casual jeans and tee shirt. “So big guy, it was a busy day today for me. Did you have fun lazing around and sleeping or were you protecting the loft from dust bunnies and mice?”
“Purrrrt, meow.” Ralph answered back and fell over on his side.
Brian bent over and scratched the kittens tummy, “You need to get your sea legs there Sonny Boy.” The phone rang and Brian reached for it on the bedside table. “Hey.”
“You would think that at your age you’d certainly know how to answer a telephone.” Joan Kinney replied, pleasant as always.
“And you’d think at your age, you’d know better than to disturb me at home Mother.” Brian’s voice dripped sarcasm. He looked at Ralph and mouthed ‘the warden’ Ralph was wading through the duvet on his way to Brian who now laid full length on the bed.
“I called your office three times today and that girl would not put me through to you. She kept saying you were in meetings. Really Brian, I’m your mother, the least you can do is speak to me when I call.”
“I was in meetings most of the day and frankly I didn’t feel the need to return your call. You no doubt want something, but I’m not in the mood to listen to your latest bitch fest about what ever it is you’re up to.” Brian had lifted Ralph up and tucked him next to his neck. It was amazing how just having the kitten close could take away the bitterness of his mother’s phone call. Ralph began to purr, he had an amazingly loud purr for something so tiny.
“What is that noise?” Joan Kinney demanded.
“What noise?” Brian pretended ignorance.
“It sounds like that disgusting noise a cat makes. Surely you aren’t foolish enough to have one of Satan’s creatures in your home. They’re dirty, sneaky creatures spawns of the devil.”
“Hmmm, no, Ralph and Sophie aren’t in any way related to you mother.” Brian stroked the kitten’s soft fur, shutting his eyes and enjoying the tactile softness.
“I beg your pardon.” His mother gasped. “I thought you’d learned your lesson about the devil’s spawn. Your father and I taught you better.”
“You two did you best to teach me to hate you if that’s what you mean.” Brian’s voice shook and he sat up. He’d never forget what his father had done to the kittens he used to bring home. How he’d strangled the last one right in front of Brian’s eyes, while his mother read bible passages. “Good bye mother.” Brian hung up the phone shaken that his mother could evoke such hatred in him after all these years. Brian shut his eyes and then looked down when he felt the pressure of something land on the bed. It was Mrs. Sophie Cat. She walked up the length of the bed and meowed before rubbing the side of her face on his arm, weaving back and forth offering comfort, for it was the only thing she could do to calm the man she lived with. Brian brushed his hand across his eyes to wipe away some sudden moisture, before gathering the thin body close to him and burying his face in her fur.
He stayed like that for a few minutes. The phone began to ring again and he sighed. “Get the fuck off of my case.” He shouted into the phone.
“Uh, oh, sorry.” It was Justin’s voice.
“Justin?” Brian asked, “Is that you?”
“Yeah, uh, you gave me your card with your home phone number. I didn’t mean to bother you.” Justin started to hang up.
“WAIT!” Brian took a deep breath. “I was having a slight moment of drama. But it’s over. I’m relaxing. You make me feel relaxed.”
“Is this a good thing?” Justin asked with a giggle. “Cause I don’t think I’m going for that kind of reaction from you.”
“Oh, and what kind of reaction were you going for?” Brian’s voice was teasing and he realized that hearing Justin’s voice had really calmed his nerves that had been on edge from the moment he’d heard his mother’s voice.
“I’m not sure, but relaxed isn’t it.” Justin laughed, his voice soft. “I just wanted to call and say thanks for giving me Lindsay’s phone number. She met with me today and is interested in my work.”
“Well that’s great.” Brian beamed. Mrs. Sophie Cat was no on his belly, her paws kneading his chest. Ralph was back curled up in the crook of Brian’s neck.
“Yeah, I met her son too. I mean your son and her son. I don’t know what I mean.” Justin laughed. “He’s cool. He reminds me of you. He doesn’t let things pass him by, but asks questions. Lots and lots of questions.”
“That’s Gus alright. Was he at the gallery?”
“No actually Lindsay had me come to their place. Gus was having a ‘mental health’ day from school. He was missing his cats. I explained to him that I miss my cats too, but I still go to work every day.” Justin laughed softly. “We had a long discussion on responsibility. I think he gets it.”
“Thanks, it saves me having the same conversation with him.” Brian’s hand was stroking thick plush fur and he noticed how calm he felt now. “I just got home not that long ago and my mother called me. That’s the drama.” Brian couldn’t believe he’d blurted that out.
“Oh.” Justin wasn’t sure what to say. “Brian, uh, I’m sorry your mom is a bitch.”
“Sunshine, you don’t know the half of it. Bitch is too nice a word.” Brian sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “Are you at home?”
“No, I’m at my friend’s place for dinner; she got a call from someone at work. I kind of thought it might be you, but she’s calling the guy Ted. I was bored so I called you on my cell.”
“Is it something I should be worried about?” Brian asked, wondering what was up at Kinnetik.
“I don’t think so. I think the guy Ted is just spazzing about some contract that he wants done first thing in the morning. Daphne is saying that it’s done and just has to be printed out and not to worry. I think Ted’s worrying.”
“Ted worries too much. Should I leave this to Daphne?” Brian’s eyes were shut. He didn’t want to move into work mode.
“That’s why you pay her.” Justin laughed. “Besides, she’s fierce, Ted doesn’t stand a chance.”
“I’m glad; we can use another fierce woman at Kinnetik.” Brian smiled. “You’ll have to meet my assistant some day, Cynthia is fierce as well.”
“I’d like to meet her.” Justin paused. “Brian, Gus said you adopted two cats.”
“Yes, he twisted my arm.” Brian sighed. “I can never say no to that boy. I don’t know why.”
“Because you love him Brian. How are you settling in with them? Have they taken over your life yet?”
“They seemed to be doing okay.” Brian opened one eye and glanced at the now sleeping Mrs. Sophie Cat. “I mean all they do is eat and sleep. Oh and Sophie has a penchant for walking the beams in the loft. It’s rather unnerving until you get used to it.”
“This morning my two were in the air-conditioning ducts, now that is unnerving.”
Justin laughed. “They’re still pissed that I moved them and that they are now indoor cats. They used to get out once in awhile, but now they’re inside.
“Gus suggests something called a mouse ball.” Brian offered. “I bought one for him and one for my guys, but they don’t particularly like it.”
“Actually cats like things that crinkle. If they look bored, put an open paper bag down and then watch the fun.”
“This is rather a strange conversation.” Brian chuckled. “My friends would think I’ve lost my mind.”
“I heard that you have quite the reputation out there in gay Pittsburgh.” Justin’s voice was amused. “I figure I’ll have to discount at least half of what you are supposed to have done, or I mean ‘who’ you’ve done, to get near the truth.”
“Well, what can I say; I used to be rather promiscuous. But lately I like to rest on my reputation.”
“Feeling your age?” Justin smiled and Brian could hear the smile. “You know I kind of like the idea that you’re an older man. Think of the experience you have.”
“I’m not that old Sunshine.” Brian laughed. Normally he didn’t like being reminded that he was more than thirty. But somehow Justin made it seem rather sexy.
“I have to go now Brian. Daphne’s off the phone and glaring at me. I think she wants the dessert I brought her.”
“I’m glad you called Justin.” Brian was about to hang up. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The last was said more as a question.
“Yes of course. I’ll be there, but it’s your turn to buy so don’t be late.” Justin grinned as he hung up the phone.
“Very couply” Daphne said with her eyebrows raised. “What are you playing at Justin?”
“I’m not playing at anything. I like him. He kind of seems to like me too.”
“Ahhhhh, that explains nothing.” She laughed. “Come on. I want my cake.”
Brian didn’t notice when he fell into a light sleep. He was warm and calm. His hand stayed on the soft cat body on his chest, his other hand cupped the kitten at his neck. Slowly Brian drifted into a state of well being that precluded sleep. Justin’s face in his mind.