Summer in the City

Chapter 8

“Gamma Joan, read me this,” Bree said as she presented a big picture storybook to her grandmother.

They were at the library which still held infinite fascination for the little girl. Joan was seated in the children’s literature section where they had just listened to one of the staff read the small group of children a story.

“Certainly, Briana,” Joan replied, “but don’t you want to look at some other books first? We can sign this one out and take it back to the hotel with us.”

“Read it now.”

Joan chuckled. “You are the decisive one, aren’t you?”

“What’s decisive?” Bree asked making sure she pronounced the word just the way her grandmother had.

“It means that you know what you want.”

Bree bobbed her head in agreement. “I know, Gamma Joan,” she said.

“Why do you call the lady Gamma?” another little girl who had listened to the story with Bree asked. She had been looking at a book nearby.

“Cause she’s my Gamma,” Bree stated cheerfully.

“You mean Grandma, don’t you?” the girl asked. She looked to be a couple of years older than Bree. “Can’t you pronounce Grandma?” she continued with her proverbial nose in the air attitude.

“I can pronounce it … if I want to,” Bree told her bluntly.

“Then why don’t you?”

“Cause my grandmas like me to call them Gamma.”

Joan smiled. Her granddaughter knew how to hold her own with anyone.

“That’s silly. You’re just a baby,” the snotty girl told her in a louder voice.

“I am not a baby,” Bree argued her voice rising as well.

“Are too!”

“Briana, come over here, dear,” Joan said sternly, deciding it was time to step in before Bree came to blows with the know-it-all girl.

“I sorry, Gamma,” Bree said as she came over to her grandmother.

“What are you sorry for?” Joan asked, curious to know what Bree thought she had done wrong.

“I’m making too much noise. You have to be quiet in a li-berry.”

Joan smiled. “Yes, you should be quiet.” She watched the other girl get taken by the hand and led out of the children’s area by someone who looked to be a nanny of some sort. The woman was Asian by the looks of her. Joan let out a long breath. Thank God her granddaughter hadn’t been raised by a virtual stranger. Briana might have turned out just like that snotty girl if she had.

Bree put her finger to her lips to indicate that they should be quiet. She climbed up onto her grandmother’s lap. Joan gave her a warm hug before she opened the book that Bree had handed her and started reading.

 

*****
 

“Yum … yum,” Gus gushed as he polished off his cupcake. He and Ray had walked down to the shop that sold the world’s best cupcakes. “I should have bought two,” Gus groaned.

Ray laughed. “If you lived here, you’d be three hundred pounds in no time. I think you’re a cupcake addict.”

“I’m not an addict,” Gus protested.

“Sure seems that way to me,” Ray chuckled as he finished his own cupcake.

“Ray, can we sit for a minute?” Gus asked as they came up to a little park.

“Sure.” Ray took a long drink from the bottle of water he had bought at the cupcake shop.

“I … I wanted to talk to you about what almost happened this morning.”

Ray frowned as they sat down on a bench. “I’m sorry,” he said.

“I’m not,” Gus declared. “Except, of course, for the fact that we got interrupted.”

“You mean that?” Ray asked with a big smile on his face.

“I … I want to know what it feels like to be with … someone.”

“I understand, but maybe I’m not the right someone,” Ray said honestly.

“You wanted to kiss me, didn’t you?” Gus asked with a frown.

“Yeah, I wanted to.”

“Damn, Jeffery,” Gus laughed.

“You have no idea how many times in the course of a week I say that.”

“I can only imagine. He can be a real pest.”

“Yeah, but he’s a good brother. I’m glad he’s around.”

“So am I,” Gus admitted.

“What are we going to do about this?” Ray asked.

“I figure we have three choices.”

“Which are?”

“We forget about it.”

Ray frowned and made a face. “I’m not sure I want to do that.”

Gus smiled a smile that would rival Justin. “Me either. Or we try to find some other people to … experiment with.”

“Yeah, I guess we could try that. You want to go to the dance at the GLC on Friday night?” Ray asked.

“I wouldn’t mind, but I haven’t given you the number three choice yet.”

“What’s that?”

“We act on what we started this morning.”

Ray jumped in surprise. He had assumed from Gus’ first two methods of handling the situation that Gus was going to try to let him down easy. “You think that’s an option?”

Gus nodded his head. “I do.”

Ray chuckled nervously. “You know, sometimes you remind me so much of your father.”

“Oh, how?” Gus asked wanting to know what made Ray jump to that conclusion.

“He’s very decisive, and so are you.”

“It’s all a façade. I’m scared shitless.”

“Me too.”

“Then maybe we can help each other get through this.”

“I’d like that,” Ray said.

“Let’s wait until we do the GLC thing and see what happens, okay?” Gus suggested.

“Sounds good to me. Let’s go,” Ray directed Gus. “We should get back home before they wonder what happened to us.”

“Yeah, wouldn’t want them to get suspicious,” Gus said with his tongue in his cheek.

“See, there, you look just like your father.”

“I’ve been trained well,” Gus replied as he started to walk along the street.

Ray followed, wondering just how much like Brian Kinney Gus might be.
 

*****
 

“Hey, Kyle,” Justin said as he walked into the office of the art director of the gallery where his work had been shown several times.

“Justin, I was so pleased to hear from you,” Kyle replied.

“It’s … strange being back in New York.”

“You don’t like the Big Apple?” Kyle asked with a frown.

“I like my life at home,” Justin admitted.

“Must be that hunky husband of yours,” Kyle laughed.

“He does have something to do with it.”

“So, I found you a studio in the same building where you were last time you were here. It’s yours for the month if you want it.”

Justin looked thoughtful then he said, “I want it.”

“Done. I’ll let them know, and I’ll get you a key for the place.”

“Thanks, Kyle,” Justin said standing up and extending his hand for Kyle to shake.

“If you need anything, anything at all, just let me know.”

“Thanks for the offer,” Justin said before leaving Kyle’s office.

Justin walked out onto the street wondering if he would have any inspiration to paint when so much of his new show had to do with Edna’s Treasures and the seasons he saw there. He wasn’t sure he would find anything to paint in a big city like New York that would have to do with the seasons.

 

*****
 

“Hi,” Mel said as she walked into the Bloom Gallery, spying her wife adjusting a painting. Lindsay had a clipboard in her hands and she was directing several workmen as they were beginning to hang some new Justin Taylor originals. The “Seasons” collection hadn’t been officially announced but that hadn’t stopped Justin’s fans from seeing them and placing bids.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Lindsay said with a smile and a discreet peck to Mel’s cheek.

“Can’t I visit you without an ulterior motive?” Mel asked coyly.

“Melanie,” Lindsay started, holding back her sarcasm, “when have you ever come down here unless you wanted something specific?” Lindsay said knowingly. Melanie rarely visited the gallery. Partly because while she appreciated the art, Mel never shared Lindsay’s emotional involvement and passion about it. And partly, Mel felt slightly intimidated by it all. Large canvases and sculptures threatened her grip on the real world no matter how realistic the piece was. Cold hard facts and evidence were Mel’s world and she shone there.

“I thought if you had the time, I’d take you to lunch. I was thinking of Emmett’s Place and then we can start planning our party.”

“What party?” Lindsay asked. She was watching two workmen hang a large canvas filled with bright yellow crocus and deep purple grape hyacinths.

“Our party, THE party. The one we’ve been planning since I had to endure Bree’s birthday extravaganza,” Mel said in an annoyed tone. She still hadn’t gotten over that one and the family couldn’t seem to stop talking about it.

The kicker was Justin’s grand exit. A fast helicopter ride to the Harrisburg airport where Brian had a small private jet waiting. The weather cooperated and Justin made it to the Chicago opening of his “Old Masters” right on time. He was a smash and Sidney was still parading around like a proud peacock.

“Oh, that party....,” Lindsay replied then quickly addressed the workman. “Easy with that!” Lindsay said in a very commanding tone that had Melanie ready to heel. “When do you want to have it?” Lindsay asked softly, sounding like Mel’s wife again.

“July 4th? We can invite all of our friends,” Melanie said stressing the word, ‘our.’ Mel was tired of just the family. She had a lot of diverse business acquaintances that she wanted to cultivate and never could at a ‘family’ party. “Maybe you can invite some of your artsy friends.”

“Artsy friends? And who are my artsy friends?”

“I don’t know. People that you know through the gallery, I suppose. I don’t care who you invite as long as it isn’t Brian and Justin.”

Lindsay wanted to get angry but she did promise Melanie to host their own party. “Okay, let’s go over to Emmett’s and see if he’s available. July 4th is less than two weeks away. He may be booked,” Lindsay stated reasonably.

“Oh please, he’d do it for us,” Mel said with confidence. Lindsay shrugged. “Can you take a break now?”

“Let me tell Sidney and then we can go.” Lindsay sauntered away with a gentle sway of her hips. Mel smiled appreciatively. Lindsay returned shortly with her purse and they left together.

“You have got to be shitting me, right? I have less than two weeks to get this event planned. Why the fuck did you wait so long? I’ve been booked since Christmas!” Melanie’s jaw dropped. She had no idea how in demand Emmett had become. And she just assumed he’d jump at the chance to plan her party.

“Oh come on, Emm, we’re family,” Melanie tried using the family card.

“Family, huh?” Emmett quipped as he perused the guest list. He always demanded to see the guest list. It was a good indication of the types of delicacies that would be in demand. “Yes, and I see none of the ‘family’ is on your list,” Emmett snarked. Mel snorted; Lindsay blushed. “Damned lesbians,” Emmett muttered. “Fine, I’ll do it but please don’t ask me to grill. They’re predicting a heat wave and I will not spend the hottest day of the year standing at a barbecue grill!”

“No, no, nothing heavy. I’d like a variety of cold refreshing foods,” Melanie said with authority. Lindsay merely smiled, just happy knowing she wouldn’t be in charge of cooking. Emmett rolled his eyes.

“Fine, I’ll do it and I’ll provide the appropriate wait staff too, but it’ll cost you.”

“Anything, Emmett, this is important to me,” Mel pleaded then qualified her statement when she saw Lindsay’s disapproving look. “It’s important to us.”

“Okay. Now that we’ve talked business, what can I get you?” Emmett asked cheerfully, his displeased event planner persona had suddenly disappeared leaving the friendly bistro owner in its wake. And ready to take their orders.

 

*****
 

“Can we get a look at the space upstairs?” Brian asked Stacey.

“I think so. I saw the tenant moving stuff this past weekend. He apparently bought a condo somewhere in Queens and began trucking his stuff over there. Simon has a key. We can take a look after lunch. The guy knows Simon is showing the place; he just doesn’t know to whom.”

“Is it a state secret?”

Stacey had locked up N’rgy for lunch. She and Brian were walking to join Justin and Kenny at a local café.

“Not really but Simon’s shrewd, just like some other businessman I know. He doesn’t feel the need to announce his plans to the world and I agree.”

Brian nodded. No need to give away all your secrets especially when it’s nobody’s business.

 

*****
 

When Gus and Ray returned to Ray’s apartment they found that the two of them were quite alone. Jeff had gone to rehearsals. He had joined a local theater group learning everything from staging to makeup and acting. He loved it.

The boys, not wanting to appear selfish, had purchased a box of cupcakes to share with the family. Raymond quickly secured it out of the way of temptation. Too nice to stay indoors, the boys went up to the roof terrace to take in the sun.

“Mmm, it is so nice up here,” Gus purred as he removed his shirt to soak up the sun. He laid back on a lounge chair. His long torso was just like his father’s, his treasure trail was peeping out just above the waistband of his jeans.

“It is nice up here. We’re lucky that we have this. Not every building has a roof that can be made into a terrace,” Raymond commented. He was about to remove his shirt too but his skin was pale and easily burnt. Ray had forgotten his sunscreen, so he just unbuttoned it instead.

“I’ve always lived in a house with a backyard but it’s surrounded by trees, so it doesn’t get a lot of sun. But there’s lots of sun at the cottage.”

“You get dark in the sun, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I get that from my Pop.”

“You get a lot from your Pop.”

“Yeah, I guess so. I’m proud of what he accomplished, you know? I’m proud of my moms too. Mama Mel is a real smart lawyer and she was made full partner. And my mom, she’s also my friend. That sounds so gay, doesn’t it!” Gus laughed and Ray joined in. Sometimes they liked being able to go over the top a little.

“Yeah, but we are gay so it’s okay to sound like it sometimes. But I like having the opportunity to just be myself and not pretend to be all macho if I don’t feel like it. I just want to be myself,” Ray affirmed. Gus nodded. They were lucky to have grown up with gay parents who accepted them just as they were.

“Hey Gus?” Ray called out softly.

“Hmm?” Gus answered. His eyes were closed as he basked in the warm sunlight.

“Do you think...” Raymond began, slowly drawing closer to his reclining friend.

“What?” Gus cracked open his eyes that were shadowed by Ray’s face. Ray never saw eyes quite like Gus’. He closed his eyes then leaned in to give Gus a tentative kiss.

Young soft innocent lips met for the first time. They shared a sweet kiss until...

“Raymond!” Simon growled.

“Dad!” Ray jumped up then fell onto his butt. Gus scrambled to put on his shirt.

“Sit still, the pair of you before you hurt yourselves.” The boys froze in their tracks, Gus with his shirt waving in the breeze and Raymond on the deck. Simon sighed then rolled his eyes.

“Dad, you mad at me?” Ray asked with a hitch in his voice.

“Of course not. If I got at mad you for kissing at your age then I’d have to be equally as angry at myself and I’m not about to undo years of struggling to be secure in my own skin. You’re both attractive young men and it was going to happen sooner or later. I was just really hoping for later. Much later like when you’re thirty and out of the house. I don’t think I can handle this.”

“Handle what, Mr. Greene?” Gus asked politely.

“Oh for heaven’s sake, Gus, if you don’t think you can call me Simon then please call me Uncle Simon. You’re making me feel very old at the moment.”

“Dad?” Raymond was confused.

“Geezz,” Simon said as he pulled his son into a big bear hug. It reminded Gus of one of Debbie’s hugs, warm, safe and breath-taking....literally. “It’s okay, son. Neither of you did anything wrong.” Simon gave his son a squeeze then ruffled Gus’ hair. “But I’d prefer and I think Brian would agree, that you don’t take this any further than kissing. You’re both way too young.”

“Is it okay if Gus comes to the GLC dance with me on Friday?”

“Yes. I have no problem with it.”

“Thanks Dad."

“Thank you, Mr., I mean Uncle Simon.”

Simon sat his son on the lounger next to Gus then went back inside. The boys, just a little embarrassed about being caught, laid there quietly until it was time for dinner.


 

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