THE ENDS REQUIRE THE MEANS


Chapter 3 – Lesbian Invasion

Brian and Justin spent a wonderful weekend with Gus. It took all their willpower not to divulge the news that he would be spending much more time with them and it wouldn’t be just one or two nights a week. But they patiently waited for the okay from Lindsay that she had spoken to Melanie. Then both mothers would share the proposal with Gus and the paperwork could be put into motion. In the meantime the three went about their typical weekend of fun and greasy food until Sunday afternoon.

Lindsay was supposed to pick Gus up at 3:00 PM and she was always quite prompt so as never to let Gus think she wasn’t looking forward to seeing him again. At 3:15 Gus came into the kitchen where Brian and Justin were drinking coffee, awaiting Lindsay’s arrival. “Where’s Mommy? She’s never late.”

“Well, Sonny Boy, you never know if there was traffic.” Brian tried to calm Gus, but he couldn’t help being a bit anxious himself.

It was less than fifteen minutes later when Brian, Justin and Gus all heard more than one car pulling up the drive at Britin. Before they could celebrate Lindsay’s safe return to pick up Gus, angry slams of car doors could be heard.

Brian immediately got up from his seat in the kitchen, followed by Justin who was cautiously watching Gus, wondering what they were about to encounter. The doorbell rang three consecutive times as Brian approached. Looking through the peep-hole of the door a sour expression passed across his face as he opened it.

“Why, Melanie, long time, no see. How are you this lovely Sunday afternoon?”

Justin stood back muttering softly, “Oh fuck,” barely audible so Gus wouldn’t hear.

Melanie came storming in with Lindsay following close behind. “I’m sorry, Brian, she insisted on following me here.”

“I gather you and she had your little chat.”

“A couple of hours ago, over what was supposed to be a friendly brunch.”

Melanie almost started to say something when she spotted Gus standing in the foyer with Justin.

“Hi, Mel, Gus has been wondering where Lindsay was. He was waiting for her to pick him up.”

“Hi, Gus, I’m sorry you were worried. Mommy came over to chat with me a bit this morning and we got a bit sidetracked.” Melanie leaned down and gave Gus a quick peck on the forehead.

“Hi, lambskin, Mommy missed you. Did you have fun with Daddy and Justin?”

“I had a great time. We did all kinds of fun stuff. I also learned that Ronald McDonald’s face gives Daddy a headache, so I only go to McDonald’s with Justin.” Lindsay smiled at Gus and gave him a hug.

“Sweetheart, Mommy and Momma would like to have a little chat with Daddy and Justin for a bit. Do you mind going upstairs and watching one of your dvd’s?”

“Daddy says that I can only watch the TV in my room if I wake up really early or right before bed…or if I was to get sick.”

“That’s okay, Sonny Boy, there are exceptions to many rules and today you can pick a movie and watch in your own room.”

“Cool, thanks, Daddy. I love the movie about all those goons that invade Manhattan.”

Melanie jumped in angrily, “See, I told you how inappropriate they would be,” she said as she glared at Lindsay and then at Brian.

Justin looked at Melanie and firmly, yet calmly stated, “He means ‘The Muppets Take Manhattan’.” Lindsay couldn’t help but roll her eyes and then glare back at Melanie.

After Justin took Gus upstairs to get him settled, and to make sure the door to his room was closed with the intercom set for outgoing only, he stopped at the kitchen for a bottle of water and some crackers to give him as a snack while he watched the movie.

Meanwhile Melanie started, “Do you really think…”

“Shut the fuck up. This conversation includes my partner, so you’ll have to wait until he settles our son down for his movie before you open your fucking mouth.” With that the three adults silently walked towards Brian’s home office and remained silent until Justin returned.

As Justin entered the over-sized office complete with expansive desk, computer and all the accoutrements, in addition to a sofa and two arm chairs, he could practically taste blood in the atmosphere. He quietly closed the door behind him and while Brian stood by a file cabinet trying to remain calm, Justin took a seat on the sofa. Lindsay settled herself in one of the armchairs and Melanie just paced in front of Brian’s desk.

“Now, Melanie, it sounds like you have something you’d like to share with me and Justin.” Brian looked in her direction, hoping that she had gained some composure.

“What the fuck do you think you’re trying to do?”

“Is that an open-ended question or are you referring to something in particular?”

“You know exactly what I’m referring to, you self-glorifying asshole. What the fuck makes you think you can be any kind of a normal parent to Gus? You’ve barely taken care of him at all during his entire life.”

“And whose choice was that? I don’t remember either of you beating down my door asking me to babysit or take him for overnights until you were separated…what was it, the second or third time around.”

Justin walked over to Brian and whispered in his ear, “I don’t think it’s a good idea to antagonize her.” Brian barely nodded, acknowledging Justin’s wise suggestion.

“My relationship, shitty or otherwise, with Lindsay has nothing to do with this. It has to do with your abilities to parent.”

Lindsay looked at Melanie. “Mel, Brian and Justin have had Gus with them several nights a month ever since they married. It’s been over two years.”

“Married, that’s a laugh.”

Now Justin was beginning to lose his patience with a woman he had considered a good friend. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Brian and I have a very solid relationship based on trust, respect and love. You have no right to criticize it.”

“Justin, you can think what you want. Blind faith is certainly commendable, but it doesn’t make for a solid home life.”

Brian was about to say something when Justin jumped in again, “Don’t you dare compare my relationship with Brian to the unstable relationship that became of your marriage to Lindsay. Fifty percent of all marriages or commitments end in divorce or severing of ties. You may be a statistic, but that doesn’t mean all of us are. If you’re jealous that we now have what you’d hoped for, I’m sorry, but don’t punish or insult Brian, Gus or me with your snide and inaccurate remarks. Especially not in my home.”

Brian came up behind Justin, who was now standing right in front of Melanie, and placed his arms around Justin’s waist and leaned in to kiss his cheek.
“You tell her, Sunshine,” he whispered in his ear. Brian knew that Justin was a masterful talker and he was proving his eloquence once again.

“Look, I don’t give a shit about your relationship. I just know that if Lindsay wants to waltz off and leave her parental responsibilities in the dust, Gus will have only one parent that he lives with and that’s me. Neither of you are his parents.” Then she looked directly at Brian. “That was your choice.”

Brian was totally opposed to all forms of violence but he could feel himself coming close to bending that rule. “Don’t you ever tell me I’m not his father!”

“You are his sperm donor. Lindsay and I are his parents. If she goes, that leaves just one.”

“Thanks to me you have Gus in your life. Thanks to me you are able to be considered one of his parents. And thanks to me you’ve been able to afford to clothe and feed him, even when you foolishly ran away to Canada without a job or any type of financial plan.”

Brian began running his hand through his hair and then pinched the bridge of his nose as if in pain. “I am the only father Gus has, or will ever have. Don’t you forget that. I still clothe him and take care of his expenses. Because of me, he goes to a nice private school, rather than an overcrowded city school and thanks to me he even gets the opportunity to vacation at fun, educational, and child-appropriate places.”

“So you mimic the life of a divorced parent. The weekend Dad who pays child support and plays. Well, if you think I’ll allow more you’re sorely mistaken.”

Lindsay began to plead. It was obvious that this was the way the entire morning had proceeded for her. “Melanie, like I said, Brian and you would share physical and decision making custody. Neither one of you would be the primary parent over the other.”

“You are so full of shit, Linds. All you want is to keep pandering to the men in your life. I wish I could have been one of them. Maybe we’d still be together, but I guess you couldn’t face a dickless life.” Lindsay slapped Melanie across the face.

The room was silent and Brian and Justin looked on, as two people who had once seemingly had the picture perfect relationship deteriorated to physical violence and irretrievable insults. The pain that had settled in the room was palpable.

Lindsay broke the silence. “Melanie, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. This has gotten so out of control, please understand that I really am trying to do what’s best for Gus.”

“You’re just thinking of yourself as always. Keeping all the men on your side and making me look like the bad guy.”

Brian added in an even tone, “You’re making yourself the bad guy all on your own. No one has to help you.”

“You fucking asshole. Just you wait. I will not sign any of this bullshit paperwork allowing you additional access and influence over MY son.”

“Mel, I don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t go to New York City. I need to stop living a life of regrets.”

“I don’t give a shit where you go, but Gus will stay with me…and only me.”

Now Brian had heard enough. “No fucking way. I remember the last time you tried to keep one of your children to yourself. Do you remember how you tried to manipulate everyone into playing the game your way? Well not this time. This time you’re up against me…and I never lose, just ask Justin, he’s living proof.”

“You haven’t heard the last of me, Mr. Brian fuck-everything-that-moves Kinney. Remember, you’re dealing with one pissed off lesbian and lawyer.”

As Melanie stomped off Brian called after her, “I believe you used a line like that on Michael and I hope you remember where that got you.” All that was heard was the front door slamming.

“I’m so sorry, Brian. She took it much worse than I thought she ever would.”

“Did you fucking tell her about Sam? I told you not to.”

“No, I didn’t tell her. She’s just still threatened by you. My feelings for you got in the way too many times and it’s helped to make her bitter.”

“Bitter, she’s become an evil cunt. I hope your daughter spends lots of time with Michael, otherwise she’ll become a horrible prune of a woman under Melanie’s influence.”

Justin looked at both of them. “Brian, I think if we ever want to have any rights where Gus is concerned while Lindsay is working in New York, we’re going to need to talk to the shark you found for Lindsay when she was fighting for rights to see JR.”

“Oh Brian, do you really think it’ll come to that. I hate to think that we can’t compromise. Melanie is bound to calm down.”

“Lindsay, do you remember how she tried to convince you that she’d take care of you in the battle over custodial rights to JR? What makes you think she’ll calm down now when it’s me that she’s dealing with?” Lindsay bowed her head in acceptance of the inevitable.

“Justin.”

“Yes, Brian.” Brian clasped his hands behind Justin’s neck and looked directly at him.

“Are you willing to fight this with me? I’ll only move forward if you’re one hundred percent behind this. I mean it. We’re partners and if you say you’d like to avoid this I’ll be okay. If we go forward, the gloves are off and it could get ugly.”

“Brian, we’re partners. Sometimes there’s bad stuff we’ll have to deal with. But you and Gus are always my number one priority and I’m willing to fight with, and for, both of you.” Brian held Justin tight and then kissed him quite thoroughly until the two heard a coughing sound.

Justin blushed, “Sorry Lindsay.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m jealous of how beautiful the two of you are. It’s quite a standard for the rest of us mortals, who are still looking for our true soulmates.”

“What about Sam?”

“The jury is still out. We haven’t been together, in the same location, long enough to really know.”

Justin went over to Lindsay. “I hope you find that one person. It’s worth the search and the effort.” Then Justin glanced at Brian and Lindsay knowingly. “I think I’ll go get Gus ready to leave now. You must be getting tired.”

“Thank you, Justin, I am.”

After Justin left the room Brian sat down in the armchair facing Lindsay. “You know that when I call Mr. Gabriel there’s no turning back.”

“I know and I’m sorry it’s come to this, but maybe it’s long overdue. You should have more rights to your son. You are his father in every way possible. Make the call and sic the shark on Melanie—it’s the only way.”

“Thank you, Lindsay. I love my son and I won’t leave him to Mel twenty-four/seven. That would only be detrimental to my relationship with him.”

“I know, and I wish that weren’t true.” Lindsay kissed Brian goodbye and went to the front foyer to meet up with Gus and take him home before it got too late.

After hugs and kisses were shared between Brian, Justin and Gus he left with Lindsay.

Justin looked at Brian. “I guess it’s true.”

“What, Sunshine?”

“Be careful what you wish for.”

“Any regrets?”

“Not one. Remember, I’m the one waiting to celebrate my first Father’s Day.”

“I do love you, Justin.”

“I know, Brian, me too.”

The two kissed with a desperate need to numb the fear and anxiety concerning what the future held.

 

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