FAMILY VACATION

Chapter 6

The next day started out on a much calmer note. Brian and Justin had, once again, arranged to awaken before Gus and Jessica, determined to enjoy some playtime of their own in the shower. Having a large suite definitely had its advantages -- one, in particular, being the size of the master bathroom. The shower had more than one shower head, which certainly invited not only cleanliness but ample room for multi-person play. In this case, it was just right for two very horny men.

By the time Brian and Justin emerged, fully refreshed and dressed for another day of “child’s play” as Brian took to calling it, Gus was sitting up in his bed reading the brochure for the Disney Studios.

“I want to go on the Tower of Terror.”

“Good morning to you, too, Sonny Boy.”

Gus gave his fathers a sly smile. “I want to go on this. All my friends who’ve come here said their parents chicken out, and if they don’t have older brothers or sisters to go with them they get cheated.”

“Cheated,” Brian smirked and glanced at Justin who was trying to keep a straight face. “Well, I certainly wouldn’t want you to feel cheated. Maybe Justin will go on with you. He seems quite enthusiastic in the thrill ride department.” Glancing over at Justin he continued, “Especially since he’s barely left childhood himself.”

“Considering I’m a father of two, I’ll take that as a supreme compliment, old man. You can wait for us at the ride’s exit. I just hope no one thinks you’re Jessica’s grandfather.”

As Brian was about to open his mouth with a snarky comeback, the youngest member of the family let her presence be known -- quite loudly.

“Holy shit, what the fuck’s the matter with her?” Brian stood up and picked up a rather pungent child. “Whoa! Take your daughter into the bathroom and get her in the shower.”

“Fuck, I knew this might happen with the change in weather and schedule. Why don’t you take her in the shower? You’re so much better at manipulating in showers.” Justin gave a slight grin.

“Now, now, Sunshine, practice makes perfect.”

“Ewww, Daddy, please get her out of here!”

“Okay, okay, I wouldn’t have bothered getting dressed if I knew this was going to happen.”

“Surprises and fun at every turn.”

“Shut up, Brian. Why don’t you and Gus order some breakfast in the room otherwise we’ll never get out of here.”

“Let’s get you dressed and we’ll order breakfast.”

“No problem, Dad, it’s a lot better than what Daddy’s doing.”

Brian laughed, “Don’t I know it.”


 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

By the time everyone reached the park, having had a hearty breakfast in their room, Justin was much more pleasant and ready for another fun day with his family.

The movie studio was the smallest of all the Disney parks, and he hoped for a slightly less exhausting day. While Brian was learning the wonders of family vacationing, Justin was learning the wonders of parenting an infant on a daily basis. At only 25 years old, he couldn’t imagine how parents waited until they were older to have kids.

The foursome immediately went to the line at the Tower of Terror. Since the sign indicated that the wait would be a mere twenty minutes, they decided to stay and wait it out. Brian made his way to the ride’s exit pushing the stroller to a nearby bench, so he could sit facing his daughter.

“Well, my dear young heartbreaker, you certainly started our day out with a bang. Let’s work on not doing that again, because I have a feeling that next time, Daddy won’t let me get away with any excuses for not taking my turn at clean-up duty.”

Jessica began to giggle and babble at Brian, waving her hands as if adding to her expressive non-words.

Brian smiled, “One of these days we’re all going to know what you’re saying and vice versa. I’m not sure if I’m looking forward to that. You’re pretty easy going this way, and you don’t argue.”

Another man joined Brian on the bench. Brian glanced at him out of habit and after quick scrutiny ascertained that he was probably about the same age, possibly a year or two older and definitely a breeder.

“Cute kid.”

Brian hated small talk with strangers but decided that in this atmosphere polite would be the order of business to keep the peace. “Thanks.”

“The rest of my family is on that towering monstrosity. I prefer keeping my feet on the ground.”

Apparently a single word answer didn’t deter this guy. “I don’t mind most of the rides, but with the baby only one of us can go on with our older son.”

“They have that change over thing with little kids, did you know that?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“So, you going to try that monster?”

“Probably not, but there are plenty of other attractions and rides.”

“Suit yourself.”

This guy was getting annoying, and now he moved closer and leaned a bit forward towards Jessica. “Hey, cutie pie, are you having fun with your old man?”

Brian hated that term, unless it came from Justin’s teasing and inevitable seduction of him -- although the chase wasn’t too challenging these days.

Jessica smiled and then continued to suck on her new Minnie Mouse teething toy.

“Kid’s getting in some teeth.”

‘What a fucking brain-trust,’ Brian thought. “Yes, she’s at that age.”

“I remember when my kids were teething. Whiskey rubbed on the gums would always do the trick in easing the pain.”

Brian rolled his eyes, “Well, unfortunately I don’t have any whiskey in her diaper bag, so we’ll go with the teething ring instead.”

“I wish my family would get here already. I hate waiting.”

This time Brian chose not to answer. He’d had it with small talk and was about to get up and move elsewhere to continue his chat with his daughter when he spotted Justin and Gus coming over.

Gus ran into Brian’s arms, “So, how was the ride, Sonny Boy?”

“It was amazing, Dad. Better than anything ever!”

“And what about you?” Brian smiled, looking at Justin.

“Let’s just say that once was enough although I’m glad I went.”

Brian laughed, and not thinking about where they were he leaned over and whispered in Justin’s ear, “Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you tonight.” Then he gave Justin a quick kiss on the lips.

“Oh shit, you’re one of them.” Brian and Justin both turned to see the man on the bench wearing a disgusted look on his face.

“Justin, take the kids down the street, they’re doing some comedy routine a la the Keystone Cops.”

Justin looked at Brian concerned about what he would do, but just nodded and guided the stroller and Gus down the block out of earshot.

“Now that my children have moved a safe distance away, what the fuck were you saying?” Brian dared the man to respond and was surprised when he did.

“I thought this was a clean place, and they kept the filth out. You fags pretend to be normal, and all you do is pollute honest, upstanding people.”

Brian was close to punching the guy. This was what he expected and had been shocked not to experience until this moment. However, in a place like Disney World, he thought the most he’d note would be negative glares or discreet dirty looks -- this was too much -- and in front of Gus.

He was about to tell this asshole where he could shove it, when a park employee from a nearby kiosk strolled over. “Excuse me, gentlemen, sorry for interrupting, but I couldn’t help overhearing.”

The bigoted breeder asserted, “How do you let people like this mix with normal people? Know what I mean?”

The employee looked at Brian and smiled. Shit, a happy, hetero Disney employee -- probably a member of PFLAG. ‘This should be interesting,’ Brian thought, and looked on trying to keep a blank expression on his face.

The employee continued in a calm but firm voice, “All those who enter these parks are welcome. Disney World is a place where everyone is equal, no matter what their race, religious designation or sexual orientation. That’s one of the utopian principles that Walt Disney built this place on. Please respect that from here on in, or someone may have to remove you from the facility.”

The man was shocked and started to mumble under his breath. He was trying to think of what to say, glaring at Brian and the employee alternately when a woman and two children arrived on the scene.

“Dad, that was the coolest. It’s too bad you were too chicken to come with us. We had a blast.”

Brian smirked and the man continued to grumble as he led his family away. Then he looked at the park employee who had pulled out a small walkie-talkie, “Hello security, this is Bob, number 12378, keep an eye out for...” Brian listened as Bob gave a full description of the offensive park attendee and his family to security.

When he completed his description, he looked at Brian, “You okay? We don’t take that kind of behavior from anyone. We’re supposed to report it.”

“No shit.”

Bob smiled, “We also aren’t permitted to use that language, but that about sums it up.”

“Unbelievable.”

“Not really, not when people know what’s really important.” Brian looked at Bob as he continued, “It’s one of the reasons I like to work here. No one ever gives anyone guff for who they are, and I get to see families like yours a lot, and it gives me hope that someday I’ll have one, too.”

“Wait a minute, are you...?”

“No, but I’d still like to have family as nice as yours,” Bob smiled.

Brian was still surprised by the response and looked gratefully at Bob, “You will, you’re fu... very good looking, and you know how to hold your own.”

“Thanks, I’d better get back to my post.”

As Bob started to walk away, Brian shook his hand, “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Bob returned to his kiosk, and Brian made his way down the street to Justin, Gus and Jessica.

When Brian touched Justin’s shoulder, he startled then turned to Brian unable to read his unfamiliar expression. Justin reached up and softly touched Brian’s cheek with his fingers, “Are you okay?”

Brian nodded, “Better than okay. I think there really is something to this family vacation thing here.”

“You didn’t...”

“Didn’t have to. That guy is now on a hot list with security thanks to a park employee with the good sense to intervene.”

“No shit?”

“Yeah,” Brian laughed, “And he was a breeder. He works here because everyone’s welcome and the Disney corporation doesn’t stand for that kind of bullshit attitude from anyone.”

Brian’s return caught Gus’ eye. “Hey, Dad, is everything okay? That guy was really mean to you and Daddy.”

“He was, but don’t worry, he was scolded by an employee.”

“They’re called cast members, Dad.”

Brian laughed, “Yeah, well this cast member made sure that man learned a lesson about tolerance.”

“What’s tolerance?”

Justin looked at Brian and held his hand, “It’s when I can hold hands with Justin, and no one gives a damn.”

“Oh, I get it.”

“Good, Sonny Boy. Now, where’s the next ride you want to go on?”

“The Rock ‘n Roll Roller Coaster!” Gus jumped up and down.

Justin looked at Brian, “Your turn.”

Brian laughed, “With pleasure, Sunshine, I’ll leave the bench warming to you this time.”

As the family walked towards the next ride, Brian couldn’t help but think of the impact the morning had on him. Maybe there was hope for the world -- or at least for his small piece of it.

[TBC]

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