Blackie and Babe
Chapter 1
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“Hey Blackie you heading over to Rango’s?” Storm sidled up to the tall lanky man who was dressed all in black. He had lived in the neighborhood for almost ten years, yet he was still a mystery to most of the regulars.
The auburn haired man everyone called Blackie turned and looked down at the small red head. “No” he replied his voice terse.
“Come on Blackie, just one drink, it won’t hurt you to have one.” Storm wheedled; she was feeling horny tonight and a little bit high from the weed she’d just finished. She pulled on Blackie’s arm “Please, one drink.”
“No” and he extracted his arm from her grasp. “Fuck off Storm. I’m busy tonight.”
“Doin’ what?” She asked.
Brian turned the corner heading toward his apartment ignoring the short redhead who was now standing with her hands on her hips on the sidewalk. “Want me to come over later?” she called out to him. Brian flipped her the bird without turning back. He had no time for her tonight. It was a work night for him and he needed to get some necessary equipment from his apartment.
Instead of taking the elevator, he sprinted up the six flights of stairs taking two at a time, it was a great form of cardiovascular exercise and you didn’t have to pay high priced gym fees for the privilege. Checking the corridor for anyone lurking, he quickly unlocked his door enough for him to slip inside. Zack, his black wolf padded silently over to his master and put his cold wet nose on Brian’s hand. “Hey Zack” Brian ruffled the fur on the majestic animal’s head pausing only to give a quick scratch to the stiff ears always aloft and alert. Brian moved to the end wall of his living room that was completely covered in book cases and pushed a hidden catch on the middle shelf. Silently the cases moved away from the wall allowing entrance into the next apartment. Zack and Brian went through. The pale eyes of the wolf watched as Brian gathered what he’d need for tonight’s job. Zack kept note of what Brian was taking with him. He could tell that it would be a job that would involve the both of them and he let his excitement show by the thickening of the ruff of fur around his throat and head.
Words were unnecessary, for the two worked well as a team and had for an number of years. Brian took a quick look over the apartment, satisfied it was as he’d left it. The door to the hallway was reinforced steel, though from the hall it looked like any other door in the forty five year old building. All the doors on this floor were the same, there were no other occupants on the floor, Brian had owned the building now for five years and one by one he’d taken over each apartment. None of the other occupants of the building had any idea that the building’s owner resided here. There were six floors and four apartments on each floor; it was a small well kept building in a prime location in New York. Just close enough to the downtown area to make it easy to get at and far enough away that the taller buildings didn’t loom quite as much as they could have. And it had the added benefit of being relatively close to the water. Distance was all relative as Brian was quick to tell Zack during their night time rambles. The two moved like black shadows back into the main apartment. They moved like two wraiths out the specially made window that gave them access to the reinforced fire escape. Two black shadows floated down the iron work steps until they came to the final one twelve feet above the alley. Brian jumped first, landing lightly on his feet, he turned and watched his wolf friend make the same jump but taking it in two steps as he jumped first to the top of the garbage bin and then to the ground. Only last year he’d been able to jump directly to the ground and Brian decided that maybe from now on they’d find another way to get out of the building unnoticed. He knew that the time was drawing near when Zack would have to remain behind when he worked.
Keeping to the shadows of the buildings, Brian and Zack moved through the night, neither of them worried about who or what they might encounter for they were kings of the New York night and knew that they could conquer or charm anyone they might encounter.
Traveling by alley afforded the two of them a different view of the city than most encountered – in part it was more foul – for the alleys were easy spots for New York to dispose of its trash human or otherwise. Locating his ‘job’ for the night, Brian slipped on a pair of black leather gloves, the leather soft and supple and as thin as latex. Placing his hand on the top of the fence he vaulted it in one leap, Zack following him without hesitation. Brian flicked his head toward the silent townhouse, its windows showing only one lit, a deterrent to thieves who would prey on the riches that were inside.
The wolf listened carefully, for this was part of his job. His keen hearing told him no one was home; the smells of the inhabitants were old. Zack nosed Brian’s hand telling him it was okay to enter. The townhouse was owned by one of the more notorious of the west side drug lords. He was rumored to be deep into many forms of sleeze and Brian had no qualms about relieving the man of any cash or negotiable assets he might have on hand. Circumventing the cheap alarm that was installed was easy. Cutting the glass from the window in the dining room and removing the entire pane took no time at all. Zack paced back and forth keeping guard of the perimeter of the dark brick house. He liked this part; it made him feel important to guard his man. Nothing would get past him.
Brian moved through the townhouse, a black shadow, his light, the illumination from the street lights outside that shone through the drawn shades. Brian had made the study of the criminal mind his hobby over the last 10 years and he knew where they usually ‘hid’ anything negotiable. Sure enough a wall safe was ‘hidden’ behind a bad painting on the wall opposite the desk in the den. He cleared his mind and focused on the combination dial, turning it slowly right, then left and right again, stopping each time when he ‘felt’ the number. As usual Brian’s senses didn’t steer him wrong and the door opened. Not bothering to appraise what he took, Brian filled the black back pack he wore with cash and other papers, he hoped there were bearer bonds among the stash. He didn’t turn on a light to see. Finished, he closed the safe but not before placing a solitary black rosebud inside – a ‘fuck you’ in flower form. Brian had been inside the house less than five minutes. He and Zack were gliding down the alley returning home in less than seven minutes. All in all a good nights work. As they walked Brian stripped off his gloves, carefully placing them inside a zippered compartment of his bag. Zack, off the job now, nosed along the alley like any dog would; enjoying the stories his nose told him as they made their way through the city.
Like all night people, they went unnoticed, Brian walked with an air of confidence that didn’t lend itself to sudden attacks by those who preyed on the weak and helpless of the city. Zack, well Zack was just downright scary, he looked enough like a black shepherd to pass for one, should anyone enquire, but his eyes told another story and so far no one had been foolish enough to challenge him.
As Brian and Zack passed the rear of an alley that led to one of the main streets, the hackles on Zack’s neck raised and the large animal paused. He made no sound, there was no danger, Brian could read the signs. “What is it boy?” Brian asked, he peered into the shadows. All Brian could see were the usual piles of refuse. The two stood still, the city noises low, for it was late at night in the city that never slept. Faintly, very faintly, Brian heard a whimper. He began to walk down the alley; it was stupid he knew that, someone was always in distress for some reason or another. But this was different, he didn’t know why it was different, but he felt compelled to check out what the sounds were.
Zack, a few feet ahead of him stopped to nose a bundle of discarded clothing. A muffled scream escaped the pile of fabric. Zack turned his head to the side and whined just a tiny bit to say he was sorry and then his pink tongue slipped out and he lapped at the bundle. Brian heard what almost sounded like a small giggle and a pale hand came out to scratch behind Zack’s ears. Much to Brian’s astonishment, the wolf wagged his tail like a dog and sat down.
Brian walked over to Zack and squatted down on his own haunches. “What did you find Zack” he enquired out loud. The hand quickly disappeared into the folds of what appeared to be a jacket that was much too big for whoever was under it. Brian pulled the jacked off the person who had tried to hide under it. Dirty blond hair graced the head of a young boy who didn’t look much older than twelve.
The boy cowered, moving as close to the dirty brick wall as he could. He stared defiantly at Brian and Zack barely suppressing a whimper.
Brian stood back up, “It’s just another run away Zack.” He pulled out his wallet and threw a twenty dollar bill down on the bundle. “Come on Zack, time to go home.” Brian turned and began to walk away. He was at the mouth of the alley when he realized his wolf friend wasn’t walking with him. Brian turned, surprised to see Zack still sitting in front of the boy. “Come on Zack, home.” Brian wasn’t used to the big wolf defying him. He hit his pant leg to emphasize his command as he turned toward his route home once again.
Brian heard Zack whine, that small quivery whine that meant you had better get your ass back here man. Exasperated he turned and walked back to his friend. “Zack, you’ve seen runaway kids before. This one is no different, I gave him some money.” Brian tried to reason with the black wolf.
Zack looked at Brian with reproach in his pale eyes and lay down in front of the boy.
“What do you expect me to do?” Brian asked. Zack whined once again, and lay his head down on his paws, never taking his eyes off of Brian.
“Kid, why don’t you get up and leave, then Zack will leave.” The frightened boy pulled the filthy jacket around him even tighter, only his blue eyes filled with fear could be seen.
Brian, who had once again hunkered down next to his wolf, stood up. Like lightning Zack snapped his head around and grabbed Brian by the sleeve and pulled him back down. A low growl filled the alley. “What the fuck are you doing you mangy wolf.” Brian muttered. He tried to stand again and again Zack grabbed him. “Okay, okay.” Brian peered at the kid. “Look kid, the wolf wants you to come with me.”
In answer to that there was a barely perceptible shake of the kid’s head in the negative. Zack reached out one of his large paws and placed it on the boy’s leg and whined reassuringly. “See, he says you have to come with us, though what the fuck I’m supposed to do with you is beyond me.”
When the boy made no effort to move, Brian reached over and picked him up. The boy erupted like a wild cat and began to kick and bite and make mewling sounds in his throat, obviously, the kid didn’t think Zack’s idea was a good one. “Would you settle down for fuck sake.” Brian tried to reason. He looked down, pleased to see Zack standing beside him. “Why don’t you try carrying him, it was your idea.” He said to the wolf. Turning his head to the struggling boy, Brian said. “Stop wiggling or so help me god, I’ll break your fucking arm. I don’t have time for this shit. The wolf wants you for some reason. I can’t refuse the wolf; he’s a real drag if he doesn’t get his own way. You’re coming with us.”
The boy continued to struggle, as Brian walked along, Zack padding beside him. By the time they had reached the end of the first block of the long dark alley, the struggles were becoming weaker, though the mewling sounds of distress weren’t. “Kid you are getting on my nerves, will you shut up. It’s not like I’m going to hurt you. The wolf probably just wants to feed you; I think he’s channeling the female side of him.”
Brian was rewarded with silence while the kid thought about what he’d said. Brian increased his pace, thankful for the reprieve. Finally they had reached his building. He noted that the building superintendent had indeed remembered to put out the trash cans for pick up. He looked up, it was still early enough that all the lights were out on this side of the building so he felt safe enough unlocking the rear door and slipping inside the softly lit back entrance. Moving to the stairs, Brian and Zack began to climb. The boy realizing that he was now inside a building began to squirm once again. Until Brian, tired of climbing stairs while carrying a protesting kid, dumped him on the fourth floor landing.
“Get up and walk, I’m not carrying you one more foot.” Brian continued up the stairs. Zack was sitting beside the boy. “Will you just walk? The wolf won’t leave you and I’m tired of this shit.”
“Let me go mister, I won’t tell anyone you tried to kidnap me.” The boy’s voice was soft and without any accent.
“I’m not fucking kidnapping you. The wolf wants you off the streets. I have no idea why. I don’t have the time or energy to argue with him, he can hold a grudge for days. The easiest way to deal with him when he gets this way is to do what he wants.” Brian couldn’t believe he was explaining himself to this kid. “I personally don’t give a rat’s ass if you stay there on the stairs for the rest of you life, or out in the alley. I gave you some money, my job is done. Apparently Zack has other ideas, so get your ass moving and follow me.” With that said, Brian continued to climb. He could hear the rustle of stiff clothing and then soft footsteps as they one by one began to climb the stairs behind him. Hiding a smile, Brian continued to the sixth floor. As he usually did, Brian checked the hallway, there was no reason for anyone to be there, but he liked to be sure. Zack moved through the door first, he always was the point and even with the kid they picked up, Brian knew his wolf friend wouldn’t let him down. Zack gave a sharp huff and continued down the hall. He nosed a slight indent in one wall and the bottom half of a door slid back enough to allow him entrance. By the time the kid had walked into the hallway, Zack had virtually disappeared.
Brian could see the confused look on the kid’s face, it was better than the look of fear, which so far had been the only other expression he’d seen. “Come on kid, the door is down here.” Brian led him to one of the apartment doors. He could see the blue eyes appraising whether or not there was an escape route. What might have looked like one was in fact false. The window at the end of the hallway had been specially reinforced; no one was getting in or out that way even if they could scale the brick building. This was the sixth floor.
The kid sidled past Brian through the door and then stood in astonishment when he was inside. The typical apartment layout for this kind of building wasn’t visible. Instead what he saw was the result of two of the apartments being made into one. There was a vast expanse of hardwood floor, and sleek leather furniture. “Your room will be that one.” Brian pointed to a doorway. It has a bathroom of its own. Use it, you stink. I do too; I’m going to have a shower myself.” At the startled look on the kid’s face Brian said, “In my own shower.”
When Brian heard the water running in the spare bedroom bathroom, he went into his own room and managed to find some sweats that would be big on the kid, but at least they were clean. Silently moving through the boy’s room, he gingerly picked up the dirty clothing and replaced it with the clean ones. He checked the pockets and found only a stub of an art pencil, two subway tokens, and a torn and battered picture of family, father, mother, young sister and where the image of the boy should be, only ragged edges, he’d removed himself from what was once his family.
Brian placed the items from the pockets on top of the dresser before leaving with the old clothes. They were too bad to recover from laundering so instead he threw them down the garbage chute. “Let him find something to eat, but don’t let him leave.” Brian said to Zack who agreed and walked over to the door, throwing himself down in front of it, his head on this front paws. Satisfied, Brian went for his own shower, but not before secreting the backpack he’d been carrying in the room behind the bookcase. There would be time enough later to go through it and find out whether he could take a few days off work or not.
Brian came out of his room half an hour later refreshed from his shower. The boy, looking sullen, but clean sat on one of the bar stools at the kitchen island. He had put on the sweats and they were most definitely too big. Brian appraised what he’d brought home, the kid was older than he’d first thought. “Did you find something to eat?” Brian asked.
“No.”
“Why not, there’s food in the fridge, the cupboards are full.”
“It’s yours.”
“Well, you’re here now, so as long as you are staying with me, it’s yours as well. You have the run of the apartment, anything you see you can use. If you can eat it – then eat it. I’m going out.” Brian wasn’t used to explaining his actions, but he needed to check on what he’d brought back and he needed to get his dick sucked, not necessarily in that order. Zack knew where he was going, the wolf knew everything. “Oh and kid, don’t even think of trying to get out a door or window, Zack might have seemed like a nice puppy when he was rescuing you, but trust me, he won’t let you out. I’ve asked him not to.” After saying this Brian opened the door to the hallway, pulling on his black leather jacket at the same time. “Later kid.” The door shut leaving Justin and the wolf alone in the apartment.
The two of them stayed where they were, each of them appraising the other until Justin’s stomach growled. Hearing the noise, Zack moved over to the large stainless steel refrigerator. He clamped his jaws on the handle and pulled back, opening the door to expose the food inside. Justin watched him in awe. Zack yipped startling Justin who jumped off of his stool, hunger and curiosity winning out as he proceeded to the refrigerator. It had been a long time since Justin had seen so much food, almost six weeks since he’d left Pittsburgh for New York on the Greyhound. Six weeks of hell, when his money and his duffle bag had been stolen almost immediately. He’d done his best to survive since then, but when the man in black had found him, he’d been at the end of his rope and fully prepared to die there in the alley.
Brian had made it as far as the foyer of his building. He’d been heading to the Oasis, a club not that far away, where he could find some willing mouth in the back room when second thoughts prevailed and he retraced his steps back to the second floor. He knew that Zack would know he was back, but he was sure the wolf wouldn’t give him away. Instead of entering his apartment, Brian moved further down the hall to the former entrance of the apartment behind his bookcase. He opened the door with a key and stepped into a small room with another door identical to the first one with the exception of a palm recognition lock. Brian silently let himself into the apartment. He retrieved the backpack he’d thrown in earlier and quickly sorted through the cash and papers. Interesting he thought, what he’d taken to be possibly deeds or even bonds were in fact pages of reports on some of the cities officials along with pictures. Black mail stuff, Brian figured and he thoughtfully tucked it away in a safe that was part of one wall, the face of which was disguised as a poor grade paneling. He took the money and divided it into envelopes, $16,000. for the new roof on the Free Clinic’s building, $5,000. to the food program at St. Marks. He continued until it was all accounted for. Satisfied that he didn’t particularly need to work for awhile, tonight’s haul of a hundred and fifty K saw to that, Brian moved over to the surveillance system that was set up and keyed in the code for his apartment. He sat back in a deep leather chair and proceeded to watch the blond and Zack. When he noticed that the kid was talking, he turned on the sound.
“Zack, what am I going to do?” the blond talked to the wolf and Zach sat stiffly at attention listening carefully. “I can’t go home, my father doesn’t want me. I can’t stay in New York without a job. I can’t get a job with no clothes and no place for them to call me.” Justin was preparing an omelet. “Oh yeah, I could hustle, and I guess I might have to, but shit I’m not even sure exactly what you do when you have sex. What if I do something wrong and my trick doesn’t pay me, and then I’m back where I started.” He looked down at the clothing he wore. “I don’t even have any decent clothes. I look like shit in black.” He laughed when Zack yipped. “Oh don’t argue with me Zack, I know I do. I like blue on me the best what do you think?”
Zack yipped again, deeper this time. “I agree, blue is my best color. Do you think your master has some paper around here? After breakfast I can draw your picture, you are the handsomest dog I’ve ever seen.” He looked closely at Zack. “You are a dog aren’t you?” he asked. Zack looked at him from under his eyebrows, in that doggy way of telling you that he hadn’t been quite that honest. “Oh, you aren’t a dog. I suppose you’re a wolf then.” He looked at the black beast and smiled. “That’s cool.”
Justin sat at the counter and quickly ate his omelet and toast. He drank three glasses of milk and ate two pieces of chicken that were in the fridge. He checked out the cupboards and found a bag of chocolate chip cookies; he continued to munch on the cookies as he tidied the kitchen back up. “I don’t suppose I can leave now?” he asked Zack who yipped and went back to sit by the door. “I didn’t think so. Well, I’m going to bed; it’s been a long time since I’ve slept in a real bed. Maybe I can figure out what to do when I wake up. Don’t worry Zack, I won’t go anywhere, I don’t want to put you in a position where you’d have to stop me from leaving, it would be a lot harder to be friends after that.” Justin bent down and kissed the wet black nose of the wolf before disappearing into the bedroom he’d been assigned.
Zack looked up at the surveillance camera, reproach in his eyes and Brian felt a twinge of guilt for spying on the two of them. He knew he was now on Zack’s shit list and resolved to win back his trust right away. The wolf always forgave him, but sometimes made him jump through a few hoops first.
So, Brian thought, the kid liked to draw, well he could provide for that. He shrugged on his jacket and quickly made his way down the stairs. He had to pick up some things for the apartment; he might as well get what the kid needed as well.
The dawn sun was creeping over and through the tall city buildings, providing glitter and sparkle – the magic moment of the city that happened twice a day. When dirt and despair disappeared into shadow and the city shone once again for a few minutes in the way it had always been meant to shine. It was Brian’s favorite time of day.
Storm was getting out of a taxi down the block. “Hey Storm, you busy?” Brian asked.
“Do I look busy?” she snarked back. “Now you’ve decided to be civil.”
“I told you, I had things to do last night.” Brian put his arm around the small woman. “I need you to pick up a few things for me, do you think your brother would mind if I opened up his store early?”
“Your money is as good as any Blackie.” She said with a grin. “But he hasn’t brought in any more black Armani.”
“It isn’t for me.” Brian said. “Can we go there now?”
“Sure, but where’s the puppy – doesn’t he always go with you to the warehouse district?”
“He’s busy.” Brian said
“Doing what?”
“Things.”
“You want a favor, you should be nicer Blackie.” Storm admonished as she adjusted her stride to his. They walked the few blocks to the large warehouse owned by her brother. It held a million secrets and was one of Brian’s favorite places to ‘shop’. No one asked where the stock came from, it changed all the time. Storm placed a call to her brother as they walked along. “Hey, Blackie wants in, I’m going to help him pick up a few things. Yeah, yeah, I’ll write it down.” She hung up.
“Light says no big bills this time, he wants twenties not hundreds.”
“Light should be happy I’m even spending my money in his place, the ambiance sucks,” was Brian’s reply. He waited patiently while Storm keyed the entrance. He could have come in and taken what he wanted, but he never infringed on the rights of his friends. He hoped they appreciated it.
“What do you want?” Storm asked.
“I need some things for a kid, a teenage kid, I’m not sure of his age, but from the size of him I’d say he’d wear maybe a thirty inch waist pant, thirty inseam as well. Something in blue for the top.”
“Cool, we just got in some awesome cargo pants and a whole shipment from French Connection.”
“I don’t know about cargo pants.”
“It isn’t for you Blackie, let me pick out a couple of things. If he likes them, you can get more.”
“Okay, I want three pair of pants, six shirts, underwear and socks. Maybe if you have them, something casual for his feet, I’d say he wears a size 8 and half shoe.” Storm was about to leave. “Oh and a jacket, something warm, I’m going to poke around down here.” Brian began to walk through the aisles of shelves stacked with miscellaneous items. In one section he found a Gucci leather back pack in smoke grey. He added that to his list. Just as he was about to go back and settle down in one of the comfortable chairs Light kept at the front of his ‘store’, Brian found a whole shelf full of art supplies. He selected two sketchbooks, pencils, charcoals and chalks. Satisfied, Brian carried his finds back to wait for Storm.
She wasn’t long before coming up to him, her arms full of what she’d selected. He didn’t pay too much attention to what she placed in the large reinforced bag, though he did watch as she wrote down each item and the price. “This stuff too,” was all Brian said when she’d finished with the clothing. She looked up at him puzzled at his choices, but said nothing.
“Five hundred will cover it Blackie.”
Brian reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Tell Light sorry, but all I had was hundreds.”
“He’s going to be pissed; you know he hates having to break them.”
“Sucks to be him.” Brian said. “Call Jimbo, I need a ride back to my place with all this stuff.”
“Jimbo isn’t your personal driver.” Storm chided.
“No, but tell him I’ll make it worth his while.” Brian pulled out another hundred. “It’s not like he hasn’t been watching us the whole time.” Brian waved to the camera that had been tracking their movements since they walked into the building.
“I’ll call him. I don’t want to walk back there either. It’s been a long night.” Storm made the call on the house phone and soon Brian’s purchases were loaded into the back of a long black limousine.
“Hey Jimbo, I appreciate the ride.” Brian said to the silent man who was helping him store the parcels.
“Can’t you shop in normal hours?” Jimbo griped. “I told you the last time I wasn’t driving you home any more.”
“It was an emergency.” Brian said. The trip was short and they were soon parked in front of Brian’s building. “Zack will be sorry he missed you. Should I give him your love.”
Jimbo was terrified of the black wolf. It was one of the reasons he’d stayed in the observation room when Storm and Brian had appeared. He couldn’t see Zack and wasn’t sure that the black beast hadn’t been laying in wait for him somewhere. He glared at Brian and didn’t answer.
Brian handed Jimbo the hundred as he got out of the car in front of his building. “Thanks Jimbo, I’ll take it from here.”
“I can help you carry them to your place Blackie” Storm offered. She had been trying to get inside the apartment for years.
“No.” Brian said as usual.
“Now that you don’t need me, you’re back to being your usual charming self I see.” Storm bitched. “I don’t know why I bother.” She turned on her heel heading for her own building two doors down.
Brian stood on the sidewalk until she disappeared inside her building. The city was once again coming to life as the morning progressed. He wanted to make sure that she was safely inside.
The bags were unwieldy, but manageable and taking the elevator for once, Brian was soon standing in front of his door. Zack wasn’t there to meet him and he looked around for his friend surprised to see him sitting in front of the kid’s door looking worried. The wolf padded over to Brian and tugged on his sleeve, wanting him to come to the spare bedroom. Brian placed the parcels inside and carefully locked his door before following the black wolf. He listened and could hear quiet sobbing behind the closed door. It was the crying that had Zack worried, the wolf hated sadness of any kind. “Hey Zack, I’ll go in and check.” Brian patted the large black head and turned the door handle. The room was dark, though there was some light filtering through the drawn shades. Brian could see the kid huddled in the center of the large bed, curled up tight, his body barely moving the heavy duvet. He was sobbing and trying to smother the sound with the pillow. Zack moved into the room with Brian and he whined softly.
Brian wasn’t sure what to do. He’d never actually been in the position of having to comfort someone before and certainly no one had ever comforted him that he could remember. Awkwardly he sat on the bed and began to stroke the kid’s hair that felt like blond silk and that shimmered in what little light there was. He didn’t know what to say or do, and looked at the wolf helpless. The kid stiffened at first under his touch, but Brian could feel him gradually relaxing. Pleased that his touch was accomplishing something, Brian began to rub circles on the boy’s back, a long forgotten memory of someone once doing that for him surfaced then quickly faded. The boy moved and soon Brian found himself with an armful of wet and shaking young man. Not sure if he was doing the right thing, Brian moved so that he was more comfortable and gathered the boy into his arms holding him tightly and whispering reassuring words of comfort.
Zack sighed satisfied the Brian was handling the problem. He let himself sink down on the carpet where he could still watch over his two humans, yet maybe catch a bit of sleep.
Brian, warmed by the boy in his arms and the good feeling he was getting from offering what comfort he could, also began to drift off, leaving Justin awake listening to the soft breathing of the wolf and the man and knowing he was safe as long as they were there. Soon the three of them slept.
When Justin first awoke, he thought he was home. The bed was soft and comfortable and everything smelled clean. He lay still even though his bladder demanded that he get up. The comfort of being held close was overwhelming and he felt like purring he was so content. His eyes felt gritty though and he remembered falling asleep crying in the arms of the strange man who held him tight. He tried to wiggle out of the strong arms that still held him only to feel them tighten. He looked up and into the most incredible hazel eyes he’d ever seen. They were like some fantastic glass marbles flecked with green and shot with gold and they were smiling at him. Justin melted; no one had ever looked at him quite like that. “Hey” the man in black said. “You’re awake.”
Justin ducked his head shy when faced with the kind man’s laughing eyes.
“Are you feeling better now?” Brian asked. The boy in his arms nodded. “Are you going to tell us your name?”
Justin could feel the weight of Zack’s head on his leg and he looked down at the large black animal. “My names Justin Taylor.” He said, his voice so soft it was almost a whisper.
“I’m Brian and you already know Zack.”
“I have to go to the bathroom.” Justin said and he wiggled out of Brian’s arms to walk quickly into the bathroom that had been designated as ‘his’.
“That went well Zack” Brian said to the wolf who laughed up at him. Stretching, Brian eased himself up and off of the bed. He checked the time; they’d slept until almost two in the afternoon. Sleeping this late was going to play hell with his inner clock. Brian liked to keep to as normal hours as he could given his line of work. It didn’t look like Justin was coming out of the bathroom any time soon. So Brian left the bedroom and disappeared into his own. He needed to have another shower and change his clothes. Holding a hot boy all night had made him sweaty.
Justin finely got up the nerve to leave the bathroom. He was relieved to see that both Zack and Brian had left his room. Crying like a girl last night was embarrassing and he hated to be reminded of it. There were some bags on the end of his bed and he walked over to investigate what was in them. “Holy shit” he exclaimed as he pulled out the designer cargo pants and the French Connection shirts, even the ten pairs of sweat socks were a designer name brand. The backpack was amazing; he’d never seen anything quite like it. When he opened the final bag, he once again felt tears pricking behind his eyes and it was all he could do not to sit there a bawl his eyes out again. The sketch books and pencils and chalk were better than gold to him and he immediately flipped to the first page in the largest book and began to sketch Zack.
Brian finished his shower and pulled on a favorite pair of jeans and a black wife beater. It was strange not having Zack watching his every move, but he supposed the wolf was watching Justin; after all he didn’t often have anyone other than Brian to study.
Brian walked into the main room of the apartment to find Justin sitting with his back to the wall intent on sketching Zack who appeared to be posing, sitting proudly erect. “Hey, aren’t you two hungry?” Brian asked as if what he was seeing was the most natural thing in the world.
“I’m always hungry.” Justin admitted.
Zack yipped his own comment of the same.
Brian laughed. “It looks like a nice day, the sun is shining. Why don’t the three of us go find something to eat at the outdoor restaurant down the block?”
“You mean me too?” Justin asked. “I thought you weren’t going to let me leave.”
“You aren’t a prisoner Justin, there are no locks on the doors – well none you couldn’t figure out – I only wanted you to stay last night because I thought, well I thought you might take it into your head that you couldn’t stay.”
Justin looked down at his sketch pad and then at the new clothing he was wearing. “Thanks for the new things, but you didn’t have to do it. I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”
“Don’t worry about it Babe, its only money. We have to keep the economy moving by spending it.”
“Thanks anyway.” Justin looked down. Neither of the two men were used to being in such close confinement with another. Justin had never been in the position of having to accept help from a stranger and Brian had never been in the position of wanting to give help to a stranger.
“So Justin, do you want to join Zack and myself for dinner?” Brian asked again.
“That would be cool.” Justin agreed. “Can Zack really come to the restaurant?”
“It’s an outdoor restaurant, he likes going there. He doesn’t get out much during the day other than to the roof top. He has his own private doggy rest area up there.”
“He does?” Justin asked and he looked at Zack.
“Yep, he does, maybe if you become friends he’ll show you. He’s very particular who he lets up there.”
Justin laughed out loud at that and Zack turned his head quizzically on the side looking from Justin to Brian. “Should I leave my stuff here?” Justin asked.
“Of course, you need a place to stay and I have an extra bedroom. Where else would you go?” Brian began to move to the door. “Take your jacket, it might be chilly eating outside.”
“Doesn’t Zack need a leash or something?” Justin asked.
“Zack doesn’t do leashes. He’s smarter than any 10 dogs. He knows how to behave.” Brian opened the door for them and soon Justin and Zack together with Brian were walking down the stairs.
“How come you don’t use the elevator?” Justin asked.
“I need the exercise and so does Zack.” Brian looked at Justin closely. “We can take the elevator on the way back if you want.” He’d forgotten that the kid probably hadn’t been eating properly, maybe six flights of stairs was too much for him.
Justin looked at him gratefully, “Thanks” he breathed.
The three of them walked down the street to the café. Justin noticed that everyone Brian encountered in the neighborhood nodded a greeting to the tall man. When they were seated, Zack under their table, Brian sat back and relaxed. “That wasn’t too bad of a walk now was it Babe?”
“I’m seventeen you know.” Justin said. “I’m not a baby.” He cocked his head “how old are you?”
“Old enough kid.” Brian hated the thought he was getting older, but sadly he was and at twenty nine he was rapidly approaching the time when he couldn’t even pretend he was a kid anymore. Changing the subject Brian asked. “If you were in school, what grade would you be in?”
“I was a senior at St. James in Pittsburgh.”
“So what happened? New York is a long way from the Pitts.” Brian signaled the waiter that he was ready to order. “Double Cheeseburger, fries, large chocolate milkshake and a piece of Ramón’s apple pie and ice-cream for Babe here. I’ll have my usual and Zack could use two rare burgers but this time, no onions for him. They give him the worst gas.”
“I kind of was ‘outted’ at school – it’s a long story. Of course I would have to have picked the biggest asshole of the whole football team to give a hand job to. My life at school went downhill from there. Then my dad found out ‘cause he saw me kiss a guy on Liberty Avenue. It wasn’t even a good kiss, the guy sucks at kissing and I was just saying kind of a friendly thank you for taking me to Babylon the night before. It’s a really awesome dance club. Next thing you know he tells me, my dad that is, that I either give up being queer or I can get out of the house. I tried to stay in Pittsburgh and I crashed at my friend’s house for awhile, but her mom began to bitch. My dad was following me around and giving me a hard time, so in an attempt at independence I took a bus to New York.”
“Do you want to go back?” Brian asked.
“I can’t go back Brian; I’m no better off there than I am here. Only here they can’t see how pathetic my life is.”
Just then their food came. “Eat up Babe and we’ll think of something later.” Brian picked up his turkey on whole wheat and began to eat.
Justin looked at what Brian had ordered for him and grinned. “How did you know this was my favorite?” he asked as he put ketchup on his fries.
“I was seventeen once myself.” Brian said tongue in cheek. “It wasn’t that long ago.” He paused not sure of how to put what he was about to say. “I have a loft in Pittsburgh. I grew up there so I have a few friends I still see whenever I can get back.”
“Really, that’s cool” Justin said as he ate. “Where’s your loft?”
“On Tremont, near Liberty Avenue.”
“Really, I’ve never been on Tremont, but I have Liberty Ave.”
“So you said.” Brian paused. “I think you should go back there and finish your schooling.” He held his hand up to quell the mutinous look that came over Justin’s face. “I’m not saying that you should go back to live with your parents, just that you should finish out your year.”
“Brian, I really can’t go back to St. James.” Justin visibly shuddered. “You have no idea of the kind of shit I had to take every damn day.”
“Would you have a problem catching up with your studies? You’ve been gone what, two months.”
“About that, and no I wouldn’t have a problem. I was in the top five in my class.” Justin finished the last of his milkshake. “I’m not going back there Brian. I can’t.”
Brian mentally calculated the money he had in the back room of his apartment. It was more than enough to keep him without working for almost a year. He also had his investments so he didn’t have to stay in New York. “I could go back with you; we’ll stay at my loft. You finish your school year.”
“What would you be doing while I’m going to school?” Justin asked. “And why can’t I go to school here in New York?”
“I don’t know what I’d be doing. I’m sure I could think of something.” Brian smiled at Justin. “Why don’t you just think about it. A lot has happened in the last twenty four hours you need some time to think.”
“I don’t need to think about it Brian. I’m not going back to St. James.”
“Fine, then you can enroll in one of the schools here. Check them out on the net when we get back to the apartment.” Brian pinched the bridge of his nose to thwart the headache he was beginning to feel. Why in hell didn’t he just throw the kid back on the street? His life was considerably calmer yesterday at this time. Zack put his head on Brian’s knee in an attempt to reassure his master that he’d done the right thing.
“Brian” Justin asked, his blue eyes filled with questions. “Why are you doing this? You don’t know me. You certainly don’t need a room mate. So why are you doing it?”
Brian sat still, remembering the hell he’d gone through when he was only a year older than Justin and he remembered the kindness one man had shown him asking only that some day; he should return the favor in kind to another young man. This was Brian’s chance to pay his debt to that man. “It’s a long story Babe, just accept my help. A man has to know when to ask for help. I think you’ve reached that point.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Justin hung his head. “Can we go back to the apartment now; I’m not feeling that great yet. I guess I’m not used to eating.”
“Sure,” Brian stood up and threw a few bills on the table. He led Justin and Zack out of the gates that enclosed the out door patio. The three of them began to walk down the sidewalk. Justin stumbled and Brian linked his fingers through Justin’s hand and they continued on their way.
Storm came tripping out of her apartment building and almost ran into Brian and Justin as they walked home. “Blackie, well, well, aren’t you going to introduce me to your ‘friend’” her voice emphasized the word friend. She recognized the clothes she’d picked out the night before.
“No” Brian continued to walk.
“Come on Blackie, I’ll be nice.” Storm pleaded. She looked at Justin. “Hi I’m Storm a friend of Blackies.” She held out her hand.
“I’m Justin” Justin could feel Brian’s hand clench his a little tighter. A warning not to talk about how they knew each other he wondered?
“I like your outfit.” Storm began.
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool. Brian got it for me. All my stuff was stolen when I arrived here in New York.”
“Hey Blackie, Big Sal got hit last night. Word is out on the street that he’s more than pissed and has a giant reward out for the guy who did it.”
Brian yawned and then turned to Storm. “And this interests me why?” he asked. “What in hell could someone steal at Big Sal’s, he has no taste at all.” Brian laughed.
“Don’t laugh Blackie, Big Sal’s got some important police protection.”
“Storm, how many times have I told you? I don’t care. I’m just a mere writer of thrillers; I don’t actually research for each book by doing the shit I write about.”
“Wow, Brian, you write books?” Justin looked excited. “What have you written?”
“Have you heard of Chic Roberts?” Brian asked his eyes twinkling. “That’s me.”
“Oh my gawd then Zack is Zuni, the wolf.” Justin’s eyes were wide. “I had every one of your books at home. Your Jackson was my hero. It was Jackson that made me realize I should be proud of myself the way I am. He’s the best gay detective I’ve ever read about.”
“Well a lot of damn good that seems to have done.” Brian muttered.
“Are you working on another one?” Justin asked.
“I just sent the latest to my publisher, but yes I’m working on another one. I’m always working on another one.” Brian smiled at the excited boy. “I live through my writing. All my childhood problems, my school day hell, my adult world confusion – it’s all in my books – my writing and Zack keep me sane.”
“So when Jackson found Zuni in the forest by his mother who had been shot – was that how you found Zack?” Justin looked at the black wolf and scratched his ears in sympathy.
“Partly, I’ll tell you the real story someday. It wasn’t something I’d want published. Sometimes the truth is too hard for people to accept.” Brian caressed Justin’s face with the back of his hand as he stared into the depths of the bluest eyes he’d ever seen. Realizing that he was losing himself in the eyes of a seventeen year old, he quickly pulled back and shook his head. “Storm, I don’t care about Big Sal and his problems, it has nothing to do with me. Big Sal maybe should look at his organization if he wants to find out who ripped him off. The guy is a disgrace to humanity and the men he has working for him aren’t a lot better.”
“I’m just saying Blackie, you better stay off the streets at night, ‘cause Big Sal has a lot of guys out there looking at anyone who makes the night their home.” Storm looked at Justin. “Nice to meet you Justin.” She turned and walked away from them.
“Why would she think you’d care about this guy Big Sal?” Justin asked.
“Beats me,” Brian put his arm around Justin’s shoulder and the two of them continued up the street, Zack dutifully following behind.
They were in the apartment and Justin had taken out his sketch book, Brian was sitting at his desk working on something at the computer and Zack was stretched out on the sofa on his back, his legs in the air, sound asleep. Justin smiled at the spectacle the large black wolf made. He knew he was safe and he knew his ‘pack’ was safe, so he could relax. Justin began to sketch Brian; he wanted to capture the intense look on his face. The man was amazing, every time he looked at him there was a different range of emotions showing. Justin wondered if the older man was aware of how much he let his life reflect on his face. The phone rang. “Can you get that Babe?” Brian asked absentmindedly as he continued to work on his computer.
“Sure” Justin picked up the phone. “Brian Kinney’s residence,” he said.
“Where’s Brian” a rude voice answered him back.
“He’s busy, may I ask who’s calling?”
“Just give him the phone.”
Justin held out the phone to Brian and not bothering to hide his contempt he said to the older man. “Some rude asshole is on the phone for you. He won’t say who he is.”
“That would be Mikey” Brian said with a smirk. “Hey Mikey, you should learn some telephone manners.” He paused. “Oh that’s Justin, get used to him Mikey, he’s going to be around for awhile.” He laughed. “Play nice Mikey, or Justin and I won’t come and visit.”
“No I’m not coming to the Pitts next weekend. I don’t care if it is your birthday. I don’t do birthdays and I’d think that by now you’d remember.” Brian sighed. Justin could hear the rumble of the other voice as it went on and on barely letting Brian slip in a yes or a no.
“Justin and I are busy for the next few weekends.” Brian’s voice was becoming more strained. “I don’t care Mikey, I said we were busy and that’s that. We might get to the Pitts next month, but I’m not promising anything.” There was a sudden heavy pounding at Brian’s door. Justin looked up from his sketch startled. Zack jumped to his feet, hackles raised. “There’s someone at the door Mikey, I’ll call you back.”
Brian opened the door and two men in suits walked in. “Well if it isn’t New York’s finest. What can I do for you today Anderson?”
“Where were you last night Kinney?” the man Brian referred to as Anderson asked.
“Why, did I forget our date?” Brian smirked.
“I’m not a fucking faggot.” Anderson muttered.
“Brian was with me last night.” Justin volunteered.
“Justin, be quiet, they don’t need to know all our business.” Brian admonished.
“Who the fuck are you?” Anderson asked.
“Justin Taylor, I live here with Brian, we were in bed all night and most of the day.” Justin blew a kiss at Brian who rolled his eyes.
“How old are you kid?”
“Old enough, I’m seventeen; I’ll be eighteen next month. Why do you want to know?”
“I need some identification” Justin fished in his worn wallet that had been tucked in one of his socks the night before and produced his student id and driver’s license. “It still has my Pittsburgh address; Brian and I aren’t sure if we’ll stay here for me to finish school, or if we’ll go back to the Pitts.”
“What about the dog, where was he last night?”
“Here in the apartment, except when he needed to go for a pee.” Brian drawled. “There’s no law against that is there?” He knew that Zack must have left his paw prints in Big Sal’s yard.
“Didn’t you go with him?”
Justin moved over to where Brian was sitting and climbed onto the older man’s lap. He let his fingers comb through Brian’s hair as he said. “Heck no we didn’t go with him, we had much more interesting things to do, didn’t we Brian?” he leaned in and kissed Brian’s startled lips.
“What’s this all about Anderson?” Brian asked. “You haven’t been around to hassle me in months.”
“Big Sal got hit and it has all the ear marks of your old habits.”
“Now Anderson, those were all in your mind and you know it.” Brian laughed. “Just because I write the stuff, doesn’t mean I do it.”
“It’s funny how some of our unsolved cases turn up in your books though and pretty accurately too.” The cop said.
“It’s only a coincidence boys, I’ve told you that before.” Brian held open the door for the two cops to leave. “But if I learn anything this time, I’ll be sure to let you two know.”
Brian stood in the doorway and watched until the two cops got into the elevator and he could hear it’s descent. “Assholes” he muttered as he turned back to look at Justin. “Why did you do it kid, why did you give me an alibi?”
“It seemed like a good idea at the time.” Justin shrugged and turned back to his sketch, using all his self control to keep his hand steady.
Brian looked at him closely. No one had ever bothered to stick up for him before and he wasn’t sure he liked to feel in debt this way. And he did feel indebted to the young blond.