The Third Anniversary Challenge

The room is mostly dark, the only light coming from the strands of mini-lights that frame the large windows. Lindsay insisted on hanging them one Christmas several years earlier, saying they made the place look more festive, and Brian has never gotten around to taking them down.

He stands looking out into the backyard, watching as the wind and rain whip the bare tree branches around in a kind of macabre dance. The weather has turned cold, and he can feel a chill coming through the windows.

The sounds of the party are muted in the sunroom where Brian has taken refuge, even though he knows it is in full swing. Cynthia suggested the idea for a costume party, some thirty years earlier, as an alternative for the Christmas parties Brian despised, and the first one was a complete success. Now an annual affair, the Kinnetik Halloween masquerade has the A-list of Pittsburgh looking forward to attending each year.

Brian lights a cigarette, drawing the smoke deep into his lungs. He knows he should be getting back inside, that there are people waiting to speak with him, but he isn't quite ready yet. A few more minutes, perhaps. He takes another puff of the cigarette, flicking the ashes into one of the potted plants nearby.

"I knew I'd find you out here," an amused voice says from behind him. "You never could stay inside for an entire party."

Brian quirks a smile at his reflection in the dark glass. "Perhaps I was waiting for you," he says softly before twisting his head to glance over his shoulder.

Justin is leaning casually against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his chest. He is dressed in an inky black tuxedo and crisp white shirt, and Brian stares, not remembering ever seeing him look so handsome. Justin grins cheerfully at Brian as he straightens and crosses the room to stand beside him. "I guess that's only fair, since I've been searching for you as well. You look good. How have you been, Brian?"

"Not too shabby." Brian moves, bracing one shoulder on the glass as he turns to face Justin. "It's been a good year for me."

Nodding, Justin waves his hand toward the door. "I can see that. There are more people here than ever. Another success, as usual."

Brian chuckles. "Of course, what else would you expect from me?" He allows his eyes to roam over Justin's form, taking in the small laugh lines that crinkle around his eyes, the blond hair that reflects a kaleidoscope of colors in the glow of the twinkling lights. He stretches out his hand to touch it, but hesitates, then drops his arm to his side. "It's been a while. I've missed you."

Justin lowers his gaze to the floor, his lower lip caught between white teeth. "Yeah, it's been a year. I'm sorry about that, I just couldn't..."

"Don't apologize, Justin, I'm just happy you made it to the party." Brian smiles sadly when Justin raises his eyes to meet his own. "It makes the night complete."

"Brian," Justin murmurs quietly. He studies Brian, his eyes searching for something in Brian's expression, before glancing away and asking, "So, tell me what's been going on around Pittsburgh the past year. How has everyone been?"

Brian shrugs as he looks back out the window. "Same as usual. I guess the big news is that Gus and Pamela are about to make me a grandfather. Again." He gives Justin a wry grin as he adds, "This one makes number four. Two boys and a girl so far. They don't know what this one is going to be yet."

"Wow, Brian, that's wonderful." Justin tilts his head to one side, a teasing expression on his face. "You must be the hottest grandpa in Pittsburgh."

"Naturally. I'm Brian Kinney, after all."

"It's hard to believe Gus is all grown up, with kids of his own. Remember that summer we kept him here? He was about seven, I think, and he'd overheard you telling me that the Corvette needed a new paint job."

"Oh God, yes. He snuck out of the house one night and used your oil paints on it. There were stick figures all over the car."

"Yeah, and you drove it like that for over a week." Justin affectionately nudges Brian with his shoulder. "You told everyone your son was a budding Picasso."

"He was a good kid."

"Still is, from what I've heard. You must be really proud of him, Brian."

Brian nods, a pleased smile on his face. "Very proud of him. In fact, I've signed Kinnetik over to Gus. It's time for him to take over, get out from underneath his old man."

"Really, Brian?" Justin asks. "I'm amazed. Are you sure you're ready for that?"

"More than ready," is the quiet response. "This is the last Kinnetik party that I'm throwing. Gus doesn't know it yet; I'm planning on telling him tonight."

Justin smiles. "I think that's great, Brian. Kinnetik will be in good hands."

The two men stand side by side for a moment, the wind outside, the pounding rain on the glass roof and the laughter from the party the only sounds in the room. Finally, Justin breaks the silence. "I didn't see Reid inside. How's he doing?"

"I haven't the faintest idea. We're not seeing each other anymore." Brian takes one last drag from his cigarette and puts it out, jamming it deep into the dirt of the potted plant. "He wanted more than I could give him."

Justin runs his fingertips gently down Brian's cheek then drops his hand to Brian's shoulder, squeezing it lightly. "I'm sorry, Brian. I only want you to be happy."

Brian snorts as he lays his hand on top of Justin's. "Well, you shouldn't have spoiled me so badly. No one else has ever measured up." He leers at Justin, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively. "And I mean that literally."

Shaking his head, Justin laughs quietly. "Brian, is sex all you ever think of?"

"Hey, it's what keeps me going these days." Brian smirks. "Although, I have to admit the action's slowed down a little."

"Never. Not you." Justin clutches at his chest in mock horror. "The world must be coming to an end."

"Fuck you," Brian retorts dryly.

"Hmmm, not tonight." Justin takes a step closer, his arm pressing against Brian's side. "Seriously, Brian, this isn't the way it was supposed to turn out. I never meant for you to be alone for so long."

Brian peers at him sideways, shaking his head at the regretful expression on Justin's face. "Christ, don't go getting all maudlin on me. I haven't been alone; I've had Gus and Pamela and the kids, and there's Michael and Ben as well. I've been fine." He pauses briefly before saying in a near whisper, "After you... left, I just... didn't have any interest in finding anyone else."

"I'm so sorry, Brian."

Shrugging, Brian replies, "It wasn't your fault, Justin. It just... happened." He takes out another cigarette, lighting it with shaky fingers. "I don't want to think about this anymore."

"All right, Brian," Justin responds gently before he glances at his watch and says with a faint smile. "It's time."

Brian nods slowly. "Yeah, I thought it might be."

Justin reaches up and kisses Brian tenderly on the cheek, then on the mouth. "I'll be seeing you." He smiles before turning and walking out of the sunroom without a backward glance.

"Later, Sunshine," Brian murmurs when Justin is gone. A sudden gust of wind has raindrops beating harshly against the glass, rattling the windows in their frames and sending a shiver down Brian's spine as a chilled draft brushes against his neck. He pulls his suit jacket tight about himself to ward off the cold and remains still, deep in thought as he finishes smoking. After his cigarette is gone, Brian straightens his clothes and heads back to the party.

Once inside, Brian scans the room until he spots Gus standing next to his wife, talking with Ted and Cynthia. Crossing the room, Brian pulls his son to one side. "I need to talk to you. Meet me in the study."

"Okay, Dad. Let me tell Pamela, then I'll be right in." Gus nods then goes over to whisper in his wife's ear.

Brian walks down the hallway and into his study. Pouring himself a drink, he crosses to the fireplace, lighting the fire and bracing one hand on the mantel. One of Justin's paintings is hanging on the wood-paneled wall above, and Brian stands gazing at it as he waits for Gus to arrive.

"Dad," Gus says hesitantly as he enters the room. He moves to stand next to his father when Brian looks at him with a welcoming smile, and peers up at the painting. "You know, Pamela still can't believe you gave us a couple of Justin's paintings for a wedding present. She freaks out every time she thinks about how much they're worth."

"They're a good investment," Brian notes, running one finger lightly along the bottom of the simple frame. "You could probably sell them on the market for several millions dollars now."

Gus groans. "God, please don't tell Pamela that, okay? I'll never hear the end of it." His gaze shifts from the portrait to his father's face and back again.

The painting is of the three of them - Brian, Justin and Gus - done when Gus was twelve and in the sixth grade. Brian and Gus are sprawled out on the sofa, wrestling and laughing together at a private joke of theirs. Justin is seated sideways at the other end of the couch, watching them with a faint smile as he sketches the scene in front of him.

Gus lifts his hand and touches Justin's painted face. "You miss him, don't you? Even after all these years."

"Hmmm," is Brian's reply as he steps away from the fireplace and saunters over to his desk.

Gus follows, seating himself in an armchair across from his dad. "I miss him too."

Brian opens a side drawer of his desk and pulls out a file. He doesn't look up at Gus, but keeps his eyes on the folder in his hand. "He's proud of you, you know," he says thoughtfully, then lifts his gaze to meet his son's eyes. "And so am I. I know I rarely tell you that, Gus, but... You've done good, Sonnyboy." He gives Gus a slightly crooked smile as he sits down in the huge leather chair and slides the file across the desk toward his son. "These are for you," he states quietly, leaning his chair back and steepling his fingers in front of his face. "There's no need to go over the paperwork right now. Your mother prepared it for me, so we both know it's right."

"What is it?" Gus asks, picking up the file and laying it unopened on one knee.

Shrugging, Brian replies softly, "Ownership papers to Kinnetik and a few other things you might need in the future. Melanie has copies as well, and she knows what to do in case... anything happens."

Gus shifts uneasily in his seat. His father's tone is making him nervous, but he can't figure out quite why. His eyes narrow as he asks, "What's going on, Dad? Why are you handing Kinnetik over to me now?" Gus pauses, then stiffens when he thinks of something. "Your cancer... it's not back, is it?"

"Nothing like that, Gus," Brian says reassuringly as he stands. "It's just time." He comes around the desk, tugging Gus up onto his feet and gently pushing him toward the door. "Now, you need to get back to your lovely wife, and I have to go play the perfect host to Kinnetik's guests one last time."

"All right, Dad, if you're sure." Gus leads the way out of the office. He's not certain where the impulse comes from, but he swiftly turns and hugs his father. "I love you, Dad," he mutters into Brian's shoulder.

Brian's arms tighten briefly around Gus before releasing him. He smiles proudly at his son and says, "I love you too, Gus. You're one of the best things I've ever accomplished in my life."

Gus blinks away the sudden tears that mist his eyes, grins at his dad then turns and walks quickly back into the main room to look for his wife.

An hour or so later, the party is starting to wind down as people prepare to leave. Gus searches for his dad, but can't find him anywhere. He locates Cynthia and asks, "Have you seen my dad? Pamela and I are getting ready to go, and I want to say goodbye."

Cynthia smiles as she slips on her coat. "He said something to me earlier about driving up to the store for more cigarettes. He should be back soon."

"Oh, okay," Gus says. "We need to get home, since the babysitter is expecting us, so I guess I'll catch up with him on Monday in the office." He kisses Cynthia lightly on the cheek then takes Pamela's hand. The three of them walk outside together, parting when they reach Cynthia's car. After bidding Cynthia good night, Gus and Pamela head over to their own vehicle.

After Gus helps Pamela into the car, he walks around the front before hesitating next to his open door. He peers around, puzzled for a instant at the sudden chill that sends goose bumps crawling up and down his arms, then hurries to get inside and start the engine. As the heater warms up, he relaxes, shifting the car into gear and pulling out of the driveway.

"Hey, are you all right?" Pamela asks, her hand caressing Gus' arm in a soothing gesture.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It..." Gus shakes his head and gives his wife a smile. "It's nothing."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The day is gray and sullen as the rain comes down steadily around them. Gus stares unblinkingly out of the windshield, his eyes red-rimmed and swollen. Pamela leans over, laying her head on his shoulder as she asks, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Gus presses a soft kiss on top of her hair, saying, "I have to. You stay here; I don't want you out in the cold." He takes the single white rose and the newspaper clipping that she hands him and quickly climbs out of the car.

He carefully makes his way over to a large oak tree, shivering as the icy rain flattens his hair and runs down his back, drenching his shirt beneath his overcoat. He stops beside the graves, the newest one piled high with freshly turned dirt and new squares of sod. Bouquets of gaily-colored flowers spill across both graves, blurring the line between them.

Gus crouches down beside the large marble gravestone that spans both graves, tracing the words that are carved there with one finger. "Dad," he manages to choke out before the tears that tighten his throat halt his words. He swallows hard and whispers, "Dad... God, Dad, I..." He glances down, his vision hazy as he looks at the flower and piece of paper in his hand. "I did what you wanted, Dad. I brought Justin his rose."

The rose and newspaper clipping are laid gently on the older grave before Gus straightens up and shoves his hands into his pockets. He stands there silently for a moment, then says, "I'm glad you're finally together again. I love you and miss you both." He pauses before adding, "Take care of each other." Gus runs a hand along the top of the monument one final time before he turns and walks away.

The rain continues to fall, pressing the rose petals into the brown grass and blurring the words on the newsprint as the moisture soaks in.

Local Entrepreneur Killed in One Car Accident

Brian A. Kinney, 67, was killed instantly on October 31, 2039 when he lost control of his vintage Corvette, running it off the road near his home and striking a tree. Kinney, a life-long Pittsburgh resident, founded Kinnetik Advertising in 2004 after his political activities against then-mayoral candidate Jim Stockwell exposed high-level corruption and illegal activities within the Pittsburgh Police Department. Kinnetik rapidly became one of the leading advertising agencies on the Eastern Seaboard, noted for its cutting edge campaigns.

In 2011, Kinney, together with his partner, the late Justin Taylor, opened JT's, a well-known Pittsburgh art gallery that sponsors up and coming gay artists. After Taylor's death in a car accident in 2020, Kinney continued to run the gallery, where much of Taylor's work is on permanent display, as well as endowing numerous scholarships at the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts in his late partner's name.

Kinney is survived by his son Gus Peterson-Marcus, his daughter-in-law Pamela and three grandchildren.

The funeral arrangements have yet to be finalized. Please contact the Liberty Avenue Funeral Home for details. The family asks, in lieu of flowers, that donations be sent to the Vic Grassi House.

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