It’s All Relative

 Chapter 9

Justin watched Brian closely as he disconnected from his brief conversation with Cynthia. Brian stared at Helen and Melanie, eyebrow raised, as the two had yet to separate from their congenial handshake.

Justin glanced from Brian to the two women and back again. “No fucking way, you must be kidding me.”

“Yes, Sunshine, it would seem that dear Helen isn’t quite as close with her bigoted parents as we assumed. If anything, she shares that very special gene in the Grassi line that had previously blessed only Vic and Michael.”

Justin took Brian by the elbow and lead him off to the small hallway by the front door of the Novotny-Bruckner home. “What the hell did Cynthia say?”

“It would seem that Helen and her parents have been on the outs for several months -- ever since our sassy social worker denounced her parents’ views on same sex marriage and extreme intolerance.”

“Nice alliteration, but that doesn’t mean she’s...”

“I may be taking a leap here, Justin, but with Helen’s interest in returning to Pittsburgh, specifically Liberty Avenue, her surprising curiosity about places like Babylon, and her desire to oversee cases focused on gay adoptions, I get the feeling that I’m merely adding two and two together.”

“Fuck!” Justin glanced back into the dining room as Ben came into the hallway to join them. “Have you noticed that...”

Ben smiled, “...that Helen and Melanie can’t take their eyes off each other? Yes, I noticed.”

Brian smirked, “Or that they’re working their way toward the Guinness Book of World Records for longest handshake.”

Michael returned to the first floor after putting JR to bed. He stared at the group at the bottom of the stairs and then focused on the two women who remained in the dining room. “What the fuck is going on?”

Melanie called, “That’s what I’d like to know. Where the fuck did everyone go?”

Walking back in, the men took their seats around the table. Ben added a chair for Melanie, wordlessly inviting her to join them for dinner.

Brian picked up his fork and started turning it around in his hand. “Helen, I must admit you certainly had me fooled, and that doesn’t happen too often.”

Helen looked at all the men seated around her and then back to Melanie. The two smiled at each other. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

“I think you know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Michael looked from Brian to Helen. “Well, I’d like someone to fill me in. I left the room wondering how Brian was going to convince you that gay families were just as sound as straight families, but somehow he seems to think that’s not an issue anymore.”

Helen lowered her head briefly, seeming to gather her thoughts.

Justin softly chimed in, “Helen, your personal life is just that -- personal. You don’t have to say anything. We’d just appreciate it if you’d give Brian and me every opportunity to show you how much we love both our kids and that making Jessica a legal part of our family would benefit all of us, including her.”

Michael continued to look confused.

“Mikey, unless I’ve lost all judgment in the department of gay identification, your cousin is a dyke.”

“What!”

Helen finally raised her head. “It’s true, Michael. I’m almost thirty, and I ran away from home because my parents rejected me when I finally had the nerve to tell them the truth.”

Justin reached across the table and touched Helen’s hand. “It’s not easy to come out at any age, and unfortunately, there will always be parents who would choose to reject their children rather than love them unconditionally.”

Helen nodded as Justin drew his hand back slowly.

Melanie glanced at Brian, “So, Brian, is this the bigoted social worker you called me about?”

“Somehow, I don’t think I’ll be needing your services after all, Ms. Marcus.”

Helen gazed briefly at Melanie and then turned towards Brian who was sitting directly opposite her. “Just so you know, this makes no difference as to how I will make my recommendations to social services. You and I will still have to meet, and I’ll still need to see how you interact with both children, particularly Jessica.”

Brian glared at Helen. All those seated at the table froze. “Helen, it will be my pleasure to have you join my family at any time, and you are still welcome to visit Kinnetik. But fair warning, Kinnetik is a business and you still need to make an appointment as I can not abandon a client meeting instantaneously to meet your perceived need for a spontaneous appearance.”

Justin stared at Brian and started to nibble on his thumbnail as his husband continued, “In addition, my family is top priority in my life. If you come into my home and disturb or scare our daughter, I will not think twice before asking you to leave.”

Helen clasped her hands together and stared at Brian and then Justin. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Brian.”

Justin let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding throughout the brief interaction. “Michael, I’m suddenly quite hungry.”

“You’re always hungry, Sunshine.”

Justin poked Brian in the ribs as those gathered shared a collective laugh. Ben picked up the dish closest to his plate and handed it to Melanie as all began to serve themselves family-style.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

“Are you glad to be back behind the wheel?”

“I was completely comfortable with you at the helm.”

“Bullshit!” Justin snorted.

“The evening certainly was far from what I had planned or expected.”

“I’ll bet. I still can’t believe it.”

“Neither can I -- Helen actually likes Melanie, and the two have a date for tomorrow night.” Brian shuddered.

Justin shook his head at Brian’s antics. “At least we now have a fair shot at you getting to adopt Jessica.”

“I always did, we just didn’t know it.”

“Yeah.” Justin became quiet.

“What are you thinking about, Sunshine? I can smell the wood burning.”

“Very funny.” Justin tilted his head. “I was just thinking about how sad it is that Helen felt she needed to not only leave home, but the town she basically grew up in because she wants to be herself.”

“It’s even sadder because her parents moved away from the Pitts to start with because of their narrow-minded prejudices.”

Justin nodded, “I hope she can make a life for herself here.”

“I have a sneaking suspicion that by tomorrow, after Michael no doubt shares the events of this enlightening evening with his mother, Helen will feel far more welcome than she ever bargained for.”

“Now, all we have to do is make sure you behave when she’s around in her official capacity.”

Brian smirked, “Justin, I promise -- may my dick be permanently limp if I don’t make every effort to show my best side when Helen is around in the role of Ms. Martin -- Social Worker.”

“That’s as good a commitment as I could possibly ask for.” Justin placed his hand gently on Brian’s thigh. “It means everything to me that you become Jessica’s legal father.”

“Hopefully, it won’t be long now.” Brian drew in his lips.

Both men were fully aware that their ultimate goal was still in reach and yet could just as easily be denied.


[TBC]
 

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