Lean On Me

Chapter Two
 

Justin gave a little sigh of relief when Hunter gave him a slight nod, acknowledging his silent plea. Justin gave him a 'thank you' nod in return. Justin's attention was pulled back to his siblings when Brandon said, "Jus, I have to go to the bathroom."

Justin could see that Brandon was starting to squirm in his seat. He didn't want to leave Robyn, Jessica and Timothy alone while he took Brandon to the restroom. But he didn't want to take them into the Men's restroom, either. He didn't even want to take eight year old Brandon in there. You never knew what you'd see or hear. Maybe he was overprotective, but someone had to be. But he knew that Brandon had to go. And, from the way he was squirming, he had to go bad! Seeing Debbie getting ready to walk by them, Justin got an idea.

"Debbie," he called.

She turned her head to look at him and smiled. "Your food will be out in just a few minutes," she said when she reached them.

"Okay, but that's not why I called you over here. I was wondering if you'd watch them." He gestured toward his baby brother and sisters. "While I take Brandon to the restroom."

Debbie smiled and nodded. "Sure. I'd love to watch these cuties."

"Thanks," said Justin as he got out of the booth. Brandon quickly followed Justin into the restroom. Once they were in there, Brandon quickly went into an empty stall while Justin waited for him by the sink.

Emmett walked over to the table and asked, "Who are these darlin's?"

Never one to be shy, Robyn piped up, "I'm Robyn! Who are you?"

Emmett smiled. "Emmett Honeycutt at your service," he said with a little curtsey.

Robyn and Jessica giggled while Timothy gave a toothless smile. "I'm Jessica and this is our little brother Timothy. Justin and Brandon are in the bathroom."

"Debbie!" the cook called. "Order up!"

"Emmett, can you watch them until Justin gets back?" After Emmett had nodded in the affirmative, Debbie quickly left to get the order.

A couple of minutes later, Justin and Brandon were back at the table. "Um... where's Debbie?" Justin asked.

"She had to pick up an order. I'm Emmett Honeycutt."

"Justin. Thanks for watching them," Justin said as Debbie walked over with their food.

Debbie took everything off of her tray and put it on the table, in front of the right person. Just when she had set down Justin's plate, the cook hollered, "Debbie! Order up!" Debbie rolled her eyes with a smile. Justin hadn’t realized that it had gotten so busy, but as he looked around, he noticed that every table was taken.

Seeing Emmett still standing there, he asked, "Would you like to sit down?"

Emmett smiled. "Thought you’d never ask, Sweetie!" Justin smiled as he got a little bit of oatmeal on his spoon to start feeding Timothy.

"So, are you new around here, Justin?"

Justin shook his head. "I’ve been here on Liberty a few times, but this is my first time in the diner. Cool place, though." With that said, Justin started doing airplane noises to get Timothy to open his mouth for the oatmeal.

"It’s so sweet of you to babysit your brothers and sisters. You seem to really care for them."

Justin nodded. "I do. More than anything."

"Emmett! Ready?!" a voice called over the noise of the diner. Justin could see that it was a short, dark-haired, man.

Emmett stood up. "Would you like to come with my friends and me to Babylon tonight, Justin?"

Justin wanted to go, be a carefree gay teenager, but he shook his head. It was Saturday, after all. It would be a busy night for him and he needed all of the money he could get. "Not tonight, Emmett. Thanks for asking, though."

Emmett was a little disappointed. He had instantly liked Justin and wanted to get to know him better. "Okay. Another time, maybe."

"Yeah," agreed Justin.

Emmett gave them all a little wave and left. Justin watched him go with some sadness. He wished that he could go to Babylon with the flamboyant man. He had a feeling they could be great friends. But he had his siblings to take care of. And he would. No matter what. Sighing and with a shake of his head, he went back to feeding Timothy and listening to the other three talking.

 

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