Boys of Summer Part 3 THANKS TO LOIS – BUNCHES AND BUNCHES sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss "What are you looking for Sunshine?" Brian almost had to laugh, Justin's nose was pressed against the window of the plane as it lifted from the ground. "I was wondering if I could see my Mom's car." He looked at Brian. "She was acting kind of weird." "Not having a great deal of experience with loving mothers I really couldn't tell you." He thought back and remembered her unexpected request to not hurt Justin. There was a chance that some mother's may actually have intuitive powers where their children were concerned. "I wonder what she's thinking right now" "Probably, thank gawd I'm rid of that brat for two years." Brian teased. "Brian" Justin's lip quivered. He was slightly homesick. He wasn't even out of Pittsburgh airspace and he was missing everyone already. It seemed different this time. Different than last summer when he was forging a new path for himself, now he was really leaving home. It would never be the same. He would always just be a visitor. He looked back out the window not wanting Brian to see his tears. But Brian knew this would be how Justin would react. It hadn't been that many years since he left home for the first time and even leaving his dysfunctional family home he had felt some pangs of regret. He reached over and pulled Justin into his arms until the blonde head rested on his chest. He kissed the top of his head holding him, silently adding his comfort and support. sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss Landing in Dorval Airport was like landing in a strange country even though it was Canada. All the signs were in French and only a few had English translations. Brian and Justin followed the crowd to the luggage pickup then on to wait in the line-ups for Canada Customs to check them through. Justin liked the way Brian kept his hand on the middle of his back. It was more intimate than holding his hand and more loving. He kept the connection between them without drawing attention to that fact, yet he felt loved and protected the whole time. Brian hadn't told him where they were going. He just knew it was a hotel in the gay district of Montreal. Actually it was kind of a Bed and Breakfast called .ZIP Centre-ville. It was in the true heart of the Gay Village. Brian thought Justin would find the quaintness fun and best of all, it was in 'old' Montreal and therefore Concordia was easy to access. Justin's eyes were wide with wonder as their taxi drove them through what appeared to be an amazing amount of wildly driven cars on first the expressway into Montreal and then when they turned off, the traffic became even more frantic on the streets. The city was so old that the closer they got to their destination there was a combination of modern buildings and ones more than one hundred years old. The bars and clubs looked exciting from the outside as they drove down St. Catherine Street East with names like Adonis and K.O.X., Le Mystique, then Tabu on East LeMaisonneuve. Justin hoped Brian would take him to all of them but he'd try for at least one. Walking into the Bed and Breakfast was almost anticlimactic. Brian signed them in and it was then Justin learned he'd taken two rooms. They shared a bath, Brian wasn't about to share a bathroom with anyone other than Justin. Justin figured it would look good to his mother as well, who was sure to check up on him. Justin was almost shy when he entered the room. He'd never been in a Bed and Breakfast. It was kind of like finding yourself staying in a stranger's house. Rene and Jean, the owners, where so wonderful and friendly when they checked in that soon it was like being at friends. Brian dropped his suitcase on the floor then took Justin's from his hand and placed it beside his. He wrapped his arms around his lover holding him close, savoring his smell, enjoying the feel of the man in his arms. "Are you tired?" he asked Justin. "Or do you want to go out and get something to eat?" "I want to make love to you." Justin answered honestly. Food and sleep could wait. It had been a long time since Brian's birthday. He pulled himself out of Brian's arms and began to slowly unbutton the shirt of the man standing before him. He slipped it off Brian’s shoulders, letting his finger tips caress the smooth skin. Brian smiled his sultry smile, already his eyes were hooded with passion at the thought of what was about to happen. He looked at Justin; his tongue slipped out and wet his lips. Their eyes were locked. Slowly he undid his trousers and let them fall to the floor. He reached over and gently pulled Justin's sweatshirt over his head then kissed him, barely allowing their lips to touch. Justin pulled on his cargo pants so they slipped off his hips, puddling on the floor. He managed to toe off his shoes. Both of them stood naked now under the afternoon light. Brian held out his hand. Justin slipped his into the strong one being offered. Justin led Brian to the bed and they stood there facing each other. Neither one wanted to break the spell. Brian's eyes slowly swept over the slight pale body of the man he loved. He reached out at the same time as Justin did, their finger tips met, and their fingers locked. With his other arm Brian swept the blonde close and their lips melted together, hungry for the taste of each other. As one they fell to the bed and now both were frantic to touch every familiar spot with their lips and their hands. Brian moved down Justin's body, his lips covering the top of the glistening cock. Justin jerked back with a cry and his hips arched up wanting more of Brian's mouth. Instead Brian reached down and scooped up his jacket that had fallen to the floor. He fumbled in the pocket to find a condom and the small bottle of lube. Justin could hear the familiar rip of the condom packet. He blinked in surprise when Brian smoothed it over his engorged organ. "Brian?" his voice questioning. Brian leaned over and silenced him with a kiss. He reached down and coated Justin's latex covered cock with lube then moved forward looming over the blonde. Justin's cock began to knock against Brian's tight hole. This was probably Justin's all time favorite way to have sex with Brian. They had only done it like this a few times last summer which made it all that much more special. It appealed to the visual part of him, the artist side. He could look up into the hazel eyes and watch as Brian lost himself in the sensation of riding Justin's cock. And for him, he had the double pleasure of tight velvet gripping his sensitive organ and being able to hold the thick cock slapping his belly, leaking silvery strands that glistened in the sunlight. It took all his will power not to lose it completely when the tight grip of Brian's ass began to slowly sink over the head of his dick. His eyes linked in lust with those of his lover, and their fingers touched, Brian's head moved back lost in the sensation of Justin. He moved forward slightly, Justin braced his heels on the mattress tilting his pelvis up. Unlike the wild rides of the summer, this time Brian supported his body on his hands while he kissed and tasted Justin's lips, his eyes, his cheeks, his throat and at the same time slowly moved back and forth almost releasing the throbbing cock then plunging it back in. His own cock trapped between their bellies, coated now in precum and sweat, made it slide easily until, with a deep pull from the very depths of their being, they both lost themselves in an orgasm so intense that for a moment there was blackness. Brian and Justin held each other tight. Neither man wanted the magic to end. Finally, reluctantly, Justin pulled out. Brian removed the condom and dropped it into the trash can beside the bed. He rolled to this side and Justin moved across until he was snuggled close. "Hmmm, that was a fun way to begin our summer time together." Justin murmured. "That was only the beginning, we have six long glorious weeks of you and I together." Brian declared. "Do you know I was actually counting down the hours?" Justin giggled "I was too." "What day is it?" Brian asked "June thirtieth, why?" Brian moved over to the side of the bed and reached down for his jacket. He fumbled for a moment then pulled out a small package from the inside pocket. "Happy Anniversary." He said with a smile. "Anniversary?" "One year ago today, on a beach, I gave you my heart. Oh it was just a gesture at the time that had not as much meaning as it did later when I realized how true it was. You did have my heart thoroughly captured. I used all the usual arguments with myself. You were too young, I was too old, but it all came down to the fact that you make me smile when I see you, when I hear you, think of you, touch you." Brian gave him the box. "I'm hoping you'll keep this next to your heart. Something for you to touch when you feel alone here in Montreal and I'm so far away. Something that will tell you that I love you and miss you and want you, you do understand?" "Brian, I don't need anything to know how you feel. I feel the same way." Justin's fingers slowly opened the box. He pulled out the chain of white gold with a small rough shaped heart that looked remarkably like the one in his pocket only fashioned from white gold. He held it in his hand and turned it over engraved on the back were the words 'mine now yours'. "Put it on me" Justin demanded. He turned his head and let Brian's warm fingers place the chain around his neck. He held the small heart and looked into Brian's eyes as he brought it to his lips. "I love you Brian Kinney." Brian let his hands drop once the chain was fastened. The chain with the heart looked 'other worldly' on the alabaster skin. He dropped his lips to Justin's collar bone, kissing then gently biting, adding his brand to the man who had chained up his heart. Justin moaned as he leaned into Brian, already his young cock was standing at attention waiting to be called into action. With practiced moves that hadn't been forgotten the two of them lay side by side, one up, one down, and began to reenact the lessons Brian had taught the year before. It had become one of their favorite games. First Brian would run his tongue on the underside of Justin's cock head and then Justin would do the same. Each one would take turns doing their best to time the ultimate orgasm so that they would cum together. It was a pleasant way to wile away the afternoon. Brian was amazed at how comfortable he was with Justin and how much fun sex was with him. Gone were the days of frantic urgency and quick release that he'd practiced for years with tricks. Now with Justin there was love, and laughter all tied up together and strangely enough the satisfaction he received with Justin was a thousand times more than he'd ever received from anyone else. The words of song kept running through his head as he held tightly to Justin. I'll be your dream I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy I'll be your hope I'll be your love Be everything that you need I'll love you more with every breath Truly, madly, deeply do I will be strong I will be faithful Cause I'm counting on A new beginning A reason for living A deeper meaning I want to stand with you on a mountain I want to bathe with you in the sea I want to lay like this forever Until the sky falls down on me. Brian and Justin slowly woke up from their afternoon of discovering one another. Justin's stomach rumbled quickly followed by Brian's. "I'm starving Brian" Justin said as he yawned and stretched. "This is a big city Sunshine, I'm sure we'll find something to feed you." He hated to let go of Justin, but he knew they really should shower and find some food. Tomorrow they would begin to apartment hunt for something close to Concordia and he was sure Justin was going to want to begin siteseeing. There was a quiet knock on their door. The two of them looked at each other and shrugged. Brian got up and padded across the floor unashamedly naked. He opened it to find one of their hosts Rene standing there with a tray laden with food. "Hey guys, know you flew in today and were probably too tired to go out. Thought you might like something to snack on, something to hold you until tomorrow when you're out and about." Brian took the tray from him. "Thanks Rene, we were just trying to get it together and get something to eat. This will be great." He looked at Justin who was sitting up in bed, beet red with embarrassment. "Say hello to Rene, Sunshine." "The little one is shy, maybe?" Rene said. "I'm not little and I'm not shy and I'm right here and can hear the two of you." Justin stated. He was indignant. "Sorry, mon petite" Rene smiled at Brian, appraising him the handsome man from the top of his tousled auburn head to the bottom of his strong feet. "Perhaps you might like to join my partner and myself later for a drink when the little one is sleeping" he stated quietly. "Don't think so Rene, but thanks anyway." Quietly but firmly Brian shut the door. "The stud of Liberty Avenue turning down a trick?" Justin joked. "The only trick I'm doing when you're around Sunshine, is a hand stand." Justin chuckled, he'd seen some of Brian's attempts at hand stands. "Ok, pop quiz time a. we eat b. we shower c. we fuck again. What's the answer Sunshine?" "D. all of the above" Justin said covering his bases. sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss "Justin you promised we would look at one or maybe two apartments if I let you have two hours without me bugging you in the Museum of Fine Arts." Brian had finally tracked Justin down in the large building which seemed to have rooms rambling everywhere. He'd been about to give up and go sit on the step outside when he recognized a familiar blonde head. Justin was sitting, legs crossed on the floor, sketch book in hand busy sketching one of the displays. "But Brian, we have six weeks" Justin started to whine. The look on Brian's face made him stop suddenly. He jumped to his feet and kissed the pissed off face of his lover. "I'll go with you right now." "If we find you a place, it means we can move you in there right away. It will be like living together again." Brian tried to soften his tone. He hated to be harsh with Justin. He had spent so many years using sarcasm and flip answers without giving any thought for what he was saying. Using it to protect himself from any real feelings, he unconsciously did it. But it only took one or two times of seeing the hurt flash across Justin's face, before he realized that he had to change his ways. Justin reached up and kissed Brian's cheek. "I love living with you." Brian flushed with pleasure but held up the newspaper with a couple of ads circled. "I found two that sound good. Not too expensive and in the right area, both of them have two bedrooms." "I don't think I can afford a two bedroom place Brian." Justin looked concerned. "I already have a room mate for you so don't worry about it." Brian smirked. "Brian, I want to be by myself, I don't want to live with some stranger." "You'll like this guy. He isn't in the city often and when he is he likes to stay in bed a lot." "Is he a hottie?" "On a scale of one to ten I'd say maybe a fifteen." "Asshole" Justin tried his best to glare at Brian but ended up giggling. "You can't be my room mate" "Who says I can't?" Brian's arm was around Justin's waist as he led him out the doors of the Museum. They had only walked a couple of blocks when Brian turned him down a side street. The street was full of grand old townhouses like a picture from city in England. The third house down there was a sign in the window, 'Apartment for Rent' "A house Brian?" Justin looked at the unfamiliar houses up and down the street. "I think you'll like it Sunshine. I looked at it this morning when you were playing museum curator." "You can be such an ass sometime Brian." "You can be such a conservative WASP sometime Justin." Brian walked up the steps his hand in Justin's. He rang the bell for apartment number one. They both could hear the door lock release without anyone saying anything through the intercom. Brian opened the door and let Justin walk in first. The two of them were standing in the foyer on a hardwood floor that was polished so bright it looked dangerous to walk on. "Come in mon chere, come in." Brian guided Justin to a door that was only partially shut. He opened the door and Justin thought he was stepping into a scene from a Victorian play. The room was full of overstuffed sofas and chairs, skirted tables and what had to have been the largest collection of cats he'd ever seen in his life. There was a roaring fire crackling away in the fireplace. Both Brian and Justin began to sweat as they moved further into the room. "Oh he is beautiful, you were right to bring him to me. We couldn't have him on the streets of Montreal all alone." Justin looked around trying to spot where the person was who was talking. "Excuse me" he said. "I can't see you." "No, I don't suppose you can dear boy. In time, in time." He heard a girlish laugh "I'm a little slow these days dear, my dancing days are long in the past." Justin turned to a doorway where very slowly the tiniest old lady came walking out. She was carrying an enormous silver tray laden with a tea pot, cups, cream and sugar and plate full of fancy cookies that looked to Justin like home made ones. He walked over and took the tray from her hands almost dropping it from the surprisingly heavy weight of the thing. "Where do you want me to put this?" he asked. He looked at Brian and with a shake of his head indicated he was to help the old lady. Justin placed the tray carefully on the low table in front of a comfortable chair covered in rose print damask. Brian offered his arm and escorted her to the chair. "Such kind young men" The old lady said. "I'm Maude Brown. "You must be Justin; I had a lovely chat with your Brian this morning." She arranged the tea cups. "Now sit down dear, lets talk about you and I and Ira's apartment." She looked at Brian and Justin. "Do you want milk or lemon in your tea?" Justin looked at Brian who was now sitting comfortably in a leather wing backed chair, a china cat in his hand turning it over and over studying it carefully. Brian looked up at Justin, held the cat up and mouthed "Meow" then to Mrs. Brown, "Milk and sugar please, two sugars." Justin rolled his eyes at Brian and sat down on a chair next to him. "Lemon please Mrs. Brown" he said. Mrs. Brown deftly poured the tea and added what was requested. She held out a tea cup to Brian then the plate of cookies. "Take two, they are very nice. I've been making their recipe for almost eighty years" She giggled. "Far longer than I ever would have thought, that's for sure. And Justin, I'll just put the plate on the little table by your chair. You help yourself." Brian smirked at Justin, who had all he could do not to stick his tongue out at his infuriating lover. Finally settled with tea and cookies, Justin began. "Mrs. Brown, I'm not sure what Brian has told you but I'm a student at Concordia and I--- he looked helplessly around him. "Justin dear it's like this. I'm ninety one years old and I've lived in this big house alone since Ira died January thirteen, nineteen sixty one. Ira was my life and I've learned somewhat to my dismay that we go on living even after our hearts have been broken." "Now I find that people think I should be put away because of my age. I came to this house in nineteen twenty nine, twenty years old and pregnant with my beautiful Ira. He was a 'love' child and my father insisted I remove myself from his home. So off I went to Montreal, found this house, which is another story, and I've been here ever since." "When Ira was twenty nine, he wanted his own place to live and entertain, without his mother. But he was close to me, so we came up with the idea of making him an apartment on the top floors of the house. Did I tell you he was an artist? Such talent he had" She paused for a moment remembering things long past. She smiled at Justin who by now had eaten most of the cookies and helped himself to another cup of tea. She recognized a cookie eater when she saw one. "The other day, Rosaire was most insistent that I sell my house and either move in with him or into one of those storage places for old ladies. He feels I should have someone to check on me more often then he does. Check on me for what I wonder, Does he think I'm going to start turning tricks at my age?" "So to stop any arguments and to get him off my back, I decided to rent Ira's apartment. To be honest boys, I haven't been up there since the day my boy was laid to rest. I'm sure you both might find it a bit old fashioned, though Ira had the best of taste. The cleaning lady gives it a lick and a promise twice a month and once in awhile Rosaire will go up there to make sure everything is ship shape." "You boys go look and if you like it, we can do a deal. Justin if you would stop in and say hello once a day and maybe keep the snow off the steps outside, well I think a rent of say two hundred a month would be reasonable." "Now off with you, it's upstairs. There is a back entrance to the garden. Ira loved painting in the garden especially in the spring. "The furnishings are all part of the apartment, anything you don't want, I'm sure we can put in the attic." Brian rose from his chair and held out his hand for Justin. "Let's check it out Sunshine." He didn't tell Justin he had already done just that. He held Justin's hand as they mounted the stairs. They were halfway up when Justin whispered. "Brian, I don't think this'll work out. This place is too old fashioned, I'll die in here." "The Drama Princess has returned" Brian teased but continued walking. The landing at the top of the stairs was large and spacious. A three foot across round window of stained glass in an art deco design of sun allowed light to fill the space spilling over to the foyer below. Brian opened the right side of the double doors with a flourish. He looked at Justin's face and started to laugh. "Not too old fashioned is it baby?" he laughingly asked. Gone was the Victoria house and in its stead was another world filled with light and magic. Justin slowly stepped into the large open space. Hard wood floors inlaid with a multi hued inlaid sunburst that had to be eight feet across gleamed. The rear wall was all glass allowing a dramatic view of the stately old Montreal brick buildings which could be seen through the leaves of one of the largest maple trees Justin had ever known. The room reminded Justin of the way Brian had described his own loft, full of empty space and islands of life. A kitchen area provided an island of shining red granite flecked with green. Later Justin would find out that Ira had actually gone to the Nova Scotia quarry to select the gone himself looking for a perfect piece. Two of the walls were painted a deep burnt tangerine and finished with a Venetian plaster effect allowing the depth of the tangerine to shimmer on the surface. The other two walls were sunshine yellow. Another island consisting of a grouping of art deco white leather sofas and chairs, plump sapphire blue throw pillows complimenting the burnt tangerine walls, was at the far end of the long room. An easel stood by the rear window a painting covered with a white drop cloth and Justin could see where other paintings had hung long ago. He looked again at the easel and could almost see the long dead artist standing in the sunlight painting and he felt sad that all that was left was an unfinished work. It was then he noticed the stairs that appeared to float up to an open loft. Brian had been standing just inside the doors watching Justin's reactions with interest. He knew what Justin was going to find when he walked up the stairs. "Brian, come here, you have to see this. It's like what you told me about your bedroom. Brian climbed the stairs coming up behind Justin and wrapping his arms around him. He bent and kissed his ear. 'and when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky, I'll make a wish and send it to heaven Then make you want to cry The tears of joy for all the pleasure in the certainty That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of The highest powers in lonely hours." Brian spoke the words of the song softly in Justin's ear. "Not quite Sunshine, but close. Could you be happy here for two years? I couldn't come and visit often, maybe Thanksgiving and Christmas if you can't get back to the Pitts. We want six weeks next summer don't we?" Justin turned in his arms, "that's from the song Truly, madly, deeply, isn't it?" and he sang in a clear voice. 'Oh can't you see it baby, you don't have to close your eyes, cause it's standing right here before you all that you need will surely come I'll be your dream I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy I'll be your hope I'll be your love be everything you need I'll love you more with every breath Truly, madly, deeply do I will be strong I will be faithful cause I'm counting on you. Brian stopped him with a kiss. "It's a pretty song." "Is your bed this big back home?" Justin asked "It is" Brian said critically surveying the king size platform bed and wondering why he had never taken Justin back to his loft. Looking back at Justin he realized why, because he would never have been able to let him go. "And the blue lights, are they the same?" "Mine are laid out differently but the effect is the same." "I want to make love to you under the blue lights." "We will Justin." Brian kissed him again. With reluctance Justin pulled away from the man he loved. "Brian the bathroom is the last place to look." "Actually, you missed the second bedroom and the powder room on the other level, but let's go see the bathroom." Justin opened the door to a room as big as the bedroom. "Holy shit Brian, look at this!" The bathroom looked like something from Greek or Roman times. All the walls had life size nude males cavorting - some fucking in many different positions - some dancing, some eating - they were all beautiful. A sunken bathtub of marble graced one side of the room. An elegant vanity, gold faucets flanking a marble basin stood away from the wall, a large gold framed mirror hung from wires suspended from the ceiling. A white toilet hid in the corner like an after thought, close by was an open marble shower, three gold colored spray heads at different levels. Justin looked at Brian "It'll be kind of weird peeing in here, like peeing in a museum." He said with a nervous giggle. "But bath time could be interesting" Brian smirked. Justin was soon six inches from the wall, engrossed in studying the brush strokes of the long dead artist. Amused, Brian watched for a few minutes, then bored he went to see what would be needed to purchase in order to make Justin comfortable while he lived here. He located the wiring and noted the upgrades that would be needed for Justin's computer and entertainment system. He decided to buy him a television and something to play his CD's on. Brian took out a small note pad he'd brought along just for this reason and wandered around making notes of what would be needed. He checked on Justin who had moved only a few feet down the wall. "Be there in a minute Brian." Justin said not looking at the smiling man who stood there shaking his head. The lack of sunlight made Justin realize how much time had passed. He looked around for Brian but couldn't find him. He could hear an old fashioned waltz playing so he followed the music down the stairs. Opening the door to Mrs. Brown's apartment he looked in and almost burst out laughing. His tall handsome lover was elegantly waltzing the tiny old lady around a cleared space of the living room, watched carefully by hundreds of china cat eyes. When the two dancers heard Justin come into the room they stopped their dance. "Don't stop, that was beautiful" Justin smiled widely at the two faces turned to his. "What's so funny Sunshine?" "Watching you makes me smile" Justin couldn't help himself, he walked over and kissed Brian then Mrs. Brown. "Your Brian convinced me my dancing days were far from over. He called you Sunshine, I like that. Brian told me you discovered Ira's friends." "Your son painted the bathroom? It's wonderful." "He liked to soak in the tub and look at all the friends he'd made over the years." She smiled at the two men. "I've never minded the male body myself so I left it there. Even if I never went back to look, I knew all my boys were on the wall having fun. Ira is there and Rosaire. I like to think he's with them now all forever young, and full of themselves." She grinned "and each other." Brian and Justin looked at each other and smiled. They knew exactly what she meant. "Did you find the second bedroom and the powder room Justin?" "Sorry, forgot to look." "Brian has given me a list of things that need to be done in the apartment and I understand he wants to have a few things delivered before you move" she paused "You do want the apartment don't you Justin?" "Its an awesome apartment Mrs. Brown, but kind of big just for me." "Why then you must invite friends over to visit, bring some laughter and fun into this old house." sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss Journal July 14, 2000 The past two weeks have been more of blur of activity than usual. Justin is down stairs baking cookies with Maude, giving me some relaxation time. His French immersion classes don't begin until the day after I leave for the Pitts. He says before I go home, but home isn't the Pitts right now, home is where Justin is. I'm not sure why he even needs the classes because he already is fluent in the language. Everywhere we go he insists on speaking French even though Montreal has a good percentage of English speaking people. We're living in his apartment now - the emptiness of the wonderful art deco furnishings is constantly being altered by Justin and his things. I spend a good part of my day picking up after him. The little shit actually laughed at me and called me anal about it and then laughed again. I'm sure by now there isn't anywhere in the apartment we haven't made love and that includes the wonderful garden that has gone all wild and jungly. Even when he surprises me in the middle of the floor by falling to his knees and giving me an impromptu blow job, it’s making love. The way he manages to make the action of sucking my cock into a worship of 'that who is Brian", as he likes to say, always damn near brings me to my knees. He hasn't taken off the small heart pendant since the night I put it on him. I find the way he absently touches it then smiles, amazingly endearing. The week of the Jazz festival kept us busy along with moving and settling him in. We took more pictures than we'll ever need and watched bands from all over the world. I think the nicest thing about this summer is being able to walk down the street holding Justin's hand, taking him to a club and dancing until the morning light appears through the window. And sharing my love of jazz with him and watching his eyes light up when he hears something that pleases him. This is a summer of discovering things about us and our feelings towards one another that transcends the lust filled days and nights of the previous summer. I'm glad he wouldn't give up on us and insisted on this. sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss "Mom says Hi Brian," Justin said. Brian was walking past the kitchen island trying not to look at yet another plate of damn cookies that Justin had baked. Justin was on the phone to his mother eating cookies and drinking milk. "Yes Mom, Brian is here today." He listened "Well right now he's eating a cookie that he swiped from me and glaring at me like I forced him to eat it." Justin reached over and gave Brian a quick kiss then wiped Brian's lips with his thumb cleaning off the crumbs. "Look Mom, I've got to go, we're going out to watch a parade. Mrs. Brown says it’s one of the best. I'm not sure when we'll be back." He paused. "I love you too Mom" he hung up the phone and turned to find Brian staring at him amused. "Brian is always here," he said to his blonde lover. "Well, she doesn't need to know everything." Justin tried to pull off Brian's tongue in cheek smirk but only ended up looking silly. "Brat" Brian said. "Lets go and see your first Pride Parade" sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss It was only eight o'clock, but Justin was feeling the effects of the two beers he'd had combined with the sun and the heat of the crowded day. He walked with Brian toward their townhouse apartment, arm around the taller man's waist. Brian kept his arm around Justin's shoulders supporting him. Justin was humming Abba's Dancing Queen, talking, ginning, and laughing all at once while Brian periodically kissed him or danced with him depending on their mood. It was taking a long time to reach their apartment, but it was fun, and they were young and had no cares in their little summer interlude. The stumbled up the steps, fumbled with the key to get in, bursting finally into the foyer. "Shhhhhhh" Justin stage whispered. He launched himself onto Brian's back. "I'm going to fuck you tonight. Do you feel my hard rod? It's all for you my beautiful lover." His voice was more than a stage whisper now; in fact Brian was sure Mrs. Brown could hear his tipsy lover. Brian hitched him higher on his back carrying him piggyback style when suddenly Mrs. Brown's door flew open. Brian's eyes were instantly drawn to the enraged eyes of Craig Taylor. Brian knew that look well; he'd seen it often on his father's face. Jennifer was standing slightly behind the red faced furious man. Brian dropped Justin's legs letting him stand up behind him. "Dad, Mom," Justin began. Craig Taylor hauled off and hit Brian in the jaw sending him sprawling at the same time his mother said "Surprise" Justin glared at his mother and stepped in front of Brian. Craig's next punch hit Justin near his eye. He dropped instantly, his eye beginning to swell immediately. Brian gathered him into his arms, holding him close. "What the fuck do you think you are doing you asshole?" He shouted at Craig Taylor. "You son of a bitch, you pedophile, turning my son into a homosexual deviate" "Pardon me you moron" Brian began. He didn't have time to say anything more when a small piece of wildfire stepped into the hall. She had one of her china cats in her hand, a long thin Siamese. She poked the head of the cat into Craig Taylor's midriff with such force that he doubled over barely able to breathe. "I can barely tolerate being this close to you." She began. "It was someone like you who murdered my beautiful Ira. Some piece of scum who thought they were better than him because they fuck women. I say fuck, because they obviously were unable to actually love women." She poked him again for emphasis and he backed up ending with his back pressed against the newel post at the bottom of the stairs. "He followed him one night after he dropped off Rosaire, he couldn't do it when there were two of them to defend one another. No, the coward had to come at my baby with a baseball bat hitting him until he died. I didn't even recognize my own baby's face." She paused, the foyer was silent, and she poked him again. "My baby was good enough to fight for his country and yours. He joined voluntarily, he didn't need to be told where his duty lay." She reached into the pocket of her skirt, her hand tightly clasped around something that seemed to give her strength and Justin thought of the ocean glass heart in his own pocket that often gave him strength to get through his day. "He left on a spring day, I went down to the harbor and watched while his regiment the Fusiliers Mont-Royal, most of them babies, proud in their uniforms marched up that gang plank to stand shoulder to shoulder to wave at their mother's and lovers. It was nineteen forty, no one knew that they wouldn't return for more than four years and then only part of the regiment would be back. In October of nineteen forty four, my son’s unit was involved in a major battle around Woensprecht Belgium. When everyone in his unit was killed or wounded, Ira held off the German Forces alone for seventeen hours. He was given credit for saving twenty one of his wounded comrades. This action won him the Victoria Cross. Ira didn’t ask their sexual preference. He recognized only that they were his friends. When my Ira received the Victoria Cross for bravery in the face of the enemy, I stood and watched proudly when he received it. Strange, that his sexuality was of little consequence when he was earning that cross, this cross,” She took her hand out of her pocket, the imprint of the medal she’d been holding tightly showing in her hand under the gleaming brass. Every year I stand with Rosaire at the Cenotaph on November eleventh to honor my son as well as the other brave Canadians who fought for our freedom and I have to wonder if their deaths were in vain. How can we call ourselves free if my son and his lover were unable to live their lives out in the open? Be who they were without fear.” She looked deep into Craig Taylor’s eyes. “I will not have you; with your small mind inflict your bigoted beliefs on two young men who are living their life proud of who and what they are.” Her head held straight, her brown eyes flashing; she looked at Craig Taylor and said in a deadly calm voice, enunciating clearly so there would be no question that she would not be understood. "You get your homophobic, lily white ass out of my house. Your very presence shames me and my dead son's memory." She looked at Jennifer. "You are Justin's mother; do not give him any reason to doubt your love for him." Craig Taylor grabbed his wife by the arm. Mrs. Brown walked to the front door and opened it. "Get out" she said quietly and with dignity. "Justin, you can forget about me covering any of your expenses. As long as you insist on living this kind of life you're on your own. Just be glad your tuition is paid this year because it won't be next year." Justin's face already white with shock, the skin around his eye swollen so that it was almost closed, purple and painful looking, went even whiter. Brian held him steady. "Mom" he said looking at his mother helpless. Maude Brown put her arm around Justin's waist. "Don't you worry dear. Between myself and Rosaire, there is more than enough money to see you through your schooling." Brian kissed the top of his head. "Justin's schooling will be looked after" he glared at Craig Taylor. Indescribably furious, Craig Taylor pulled away from Jennifer and stormed through the door. Jennifer looked sad, "I'll talk to you later Justin." She looked at Brian "I'm sorry Brian" then she bent and kissed Maude Brown's cheek, "thank you for being there for my son." She whispered. The door shut leaving the three of them standing alone in the foyer. Maude looked at the two boys. Brian holding Justin protectively, his own face showing the results of Craig Taylor's brutality. "Come into my apartment boys. You both need a bit of attention. With a regal manner that belayed her small stature, she swept into her apartment. Justin sagged against Brian but allowed him to lead him into the crowded room. He sat in what had become known as Brian's chair while Brian perched protectively on the arm, his body leaning over Justin's. In a few minutes Maude came back into the room with two folded hand towels on a tray wrapped around some ice. "Here boys, let's see if we can't get some of the swelling down. This is Pride week, there are parties to attend." "Pride week" Justin huffed "What have I got to be proud of." "Justin Taylor, you are a beautiful young man, who is kind and talented. Everyone who meets you falls under your spell immediately. Look at my handsome Brian, hovering over you, he didn't stand a chance." She smiled at Brian who silently agreed and smiled back at Maude. "I'm sorry Maude, Brian says I'm a Drama Princess." He looked up at Brian love in his eyes. "I'm sorry my dad hit you Brian." "Pish, your father's an idiot Justin" Maude fumed. "I'm only sorry Snickers wasn't still alive, instead I had to make due with a china replica of her." She gently stroked her weapon of choice, the tall thin Siamese cat figurine. "In her day she would have run him out of the house." Justin giggled at the thought of that. "You were pretty brave Maude. He's awfully big." "It was just a mother's instinct. I would defend you boys to the death." She gently patted Brian and then Justin on the cheek before she sat down. "I didn't realize your son had been murdered Maude" Brian began. "It must have made his death at such a young age that much harder." "I don't like to talk about it, but I do think about him every day. It was such a happy time for him. He was in love for the first time. His boyfriend Rosaire was twelve years younger than him. He'd resisted falling in love but Rosaire persisted and finally Ira had to admit that he loved him. They were getting ready for Rosaire to move upstairs when it happened." She pulled out a worn photo album from the drawer of the table next to where she sat and opened it. Her finger traced the lines of the young man’s face in uniform. "She offered the book to Brian and Justin. He was so handsome in his uniform." She smiled at Brian. "He looked a bit like you Brian. Maybe that's why I was so taken with you that day we met." "What happened to the guy who bashed him Maude?" Justin asked. "I did tell you that Ira was a love child didn't I?" Maude Brown asked. "Well his father and I, for reasons that are long forgotten, by almost everyone, were unable to live together." She smiled a cold smile. "His father's name is Nick Papadopolus." Justin's head snapped up. "Yes Justin, some people thought Nick was the head of the Greek mafia here in Montreal." Her eyes were cold. "Nick said he'd take care of it. I'm sure he did. Ira was his only son." She shook her head as if to rid it of unpleasant memories. "Now you boys go upstairs, have a long hot soak in the tub with Ira and his friends around you. Tomorrow is another day." She smiled at them when they stood up. "I think I'll just sit and look through the album for a few minutes before I turn in." “Are you going to be alright Maude?” Brian said. He knelt down in front of her. Her worn hand touched his bruised face softly. “I’ll be fine Brian, don’t you worry. You go and spend some time with the man you love. Life is sometimes short, you don’t want to miss any of it.” Brian stood up but leaned down and kissed her cheek. Justin brought a warm afghan over and covered her knees then kissed her as well. “Night Maude, don’t stay up too late. Tomorrows the PFLAG picnic and you promised to take us.” He grinned at her. “Brian’s looking forward to eating lots of hot dogs.” She smiled up at the two of them. “I’m looking forward to it boys. I can hardly wait to introduce you to Rosaire. We will have a wonderful time.” Brian and Justin walked up the wide staircase hand in hand. They were about to in the door when Brian swept Justin into his arms, his lips full of passion as he kissed him thoroughly. They broke apart and Justin said “What was that for, not that I’m complaining?” “For being you, for being with me, for loving me” Brian opened their door. They didn’t bother to turn on any lights just walked up the stairs to the bathroom. Justin began to undress while Brian ran the bathwater. “Tonight can we?” Justin asked. He tried to look pathetic and with his black eye succeeded rather well. “You know that shit dries out my skin.” Brian grumbled but he picked up the bottle of bubble bath and poured some into the running water. A heady fragrance of Givenchy’s Organza filled the air. Brian grimaced at the smell, such a wussy smell, but then no one would smell either of them for a few hours. “I promise you a nice massage with some of your body oil.” “Everywhere?” “Well, ok, but I hate the taste of it.” Justin’s voice was mischievous. “In that case, if there’s tasting involved, you can leave some spots without the oil.” Brian stepped into the deep bath water, enjoying the immediate feel of relief that only warm bubble baths can achieve. Justin quickly followed but first he set some condoms and a tube of lube where Brian could reach easily. He snuggled between Brian’s legs, his back on the hard chest of his lover. He enjoyed the feeling of comfort that the strong arms that held him close brought. He sighed deeply as he sunk lower into the warm water supported by the one he loved. “Sunshine, that was pretty brave of you standing up to your father.” Brian’s voice was soft in his ear. Justin had been trying not to think about the recent events. The sight of his father’s fist coming at his face had terrified him. He’d never been hit by either of his parents in his life. But he would not let his father hurt Brian. Brian had suffered parental abuse too often in his childhood to let anything happen to him now. “He hurt you Brian. No one is allowed to hurt you ever.” “It’s happened before and I’ve survived.” Brian kissed the side of Justin’s face. “It’s you I’m concerned about.” “Don’t worry about me. How did you pay for your schooling?” he asked. “I had a scholarship and I worked part time.” “Well, I’ll apply for a scholarship for next year and I’ll get a job.” He turned slightly. “I’m not afraid to work Brian for what I want.” “You don’t have to Justin, I’ve told you that.” “I won’t be your kept boy Brian. I want to earn my own way.” “Let’s do something more fun tonight.” “Does it have anything to do with that hard pokey thing I’m almost sitting on?” “Maybe” sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss Justin was still sleeping when the phone rang. Brian had been sitting at the kitchen island reading the morning paper and drinking coffee, trying to wake up after only a few hours sleep and lots of bedtime exercise. “Hello” he said absently. “Brian, its Jennifer Taylor.” Justin’s mother said unnecessarily. “Is Justin there?” “He’s still sleeping” Brian didn’t want to talk to her but he could tell that she was crying. “I’m sorry for last night. Craig was in Ottawa on business and he got it into his head to visit Justin. I tried to call and warn the two of you but there was no answer.” He could hear the tears in her voice. “Are the two of you alright?” she asked her voice trembled. “Just peachy” “Brian, tell Justin I love him” she hesitated. “His father, well, he needs some time.” “I guess he has all the time in the world without Justin around, now doesn’t he.” “I didn’t want things to be this way. I never knew he’d be like this” “Well that’s life isn’t it Mrs. Taylor?” Brian carefully hung up the phone. He sat there his head resting in his hands, his eyes shut doing the best he could to control the inner rage he felt for Justin’s father. He looked toward the staircase that led to his sleeping beauty and the thought of the blonde head sleeping on the down pillow and it brought peace to his turmoil. He slowly got up and poured some juice in a glass placing it on a tray, added a delicate rose bud he’d picked earlier from the garden, picked it up and began to walk up the stairs to his own little piece of heaven. He wasn’t sure how he was going to do it, but he was determined to keep Justin safe. Safe from his father, safe from harm, safe from the Pittsburgh gang who would be all over him when he returned someday with Justin.