Sickness & Health, Good Times & Bad

Post 513, the story starts after Justin spent 18 months in NYC before coming back to Pittsburgh 6 months later. Justin & Brian's relationship remained intact during the NYC sojourn. I do not own the characters just the situations.

Chapter 52

When Claire woke up it was getting dark outside and Joan was standing beside her bed calling her name.

"Mother! What do you want I told you I have a headache just let me sleep."

"Honestly Claire you are going to sleep your life away. You need to eat something, that might be why you have the headache."

"Mother what I need is to be left alone!"

Joan made a disgusted noise but left the room not quite slamming the door. She went downstairs poured herself a glass of vodka and settled into her chair. Up in her bedroom Claire popped a couple more oxy tablets in her mouth and settled back into bed.

A few hours later Claire came downstairs, Joan was sitting in her chair watching TV as usual. "I'm feeling a little better so I thought I'd scramble some eggs. Would you like me to make enough for you?"

Joan shook her head and muted the TV. "I spoke to Mrs Tancredi while you were upstairs. Are you taking drugs? Have you brought drugs into my house?"

"Mother I told you I had a headache. That is why I came home early."

"Sally told her mother a different version. Why wouldn't you tell Sally that you had a headache?"

"I don't feel like I have to share everything about me with Sally. All she had to know was I needed to go home. My head hurt so much I just wanted to get out of there without a lot of questions."

Claire continued on to the kitchen hoping to end the discussion with her mother. Joan took another swallow of her drink and headed to the kitchen.

Claire was taking the eggs out of the refrigerator when Joan came through the kitchen door. "You never said if you wanted any eggs Mother."

"I'm not hungry. I want a straight answer from you about drugs. I won't allow you to keep drugs in this house."

"It is perfectly acceptable for you to drink yourself into a stupor every night but if I take the occasional pill to relax me it's a huge deal."

Joan's face flushed with anger. "I do not drink myself into a stupor every night and it is not against the law for me to take the occasional drink. It is against the law to buy and take drugs. What in the world can you be thinking. If Family Services finds out you are still taking drugs it is going to make it more difficult to get your sons back."

"Mother I have my own life to get in order. I'll get the boys back but first I have to take care of myself."

Joan laughed. "Your whole life you have thought only of yourself. I tried my best to raise you and your brother with proper Christian values but you both grew up selfish. You both think only of yourselves."

Claire slammed the skillet down on the stove. "Brian and I are selfish! You raised us in this house of hell with a violent, abusive father. You never cared what he did to us as long as he left you alone and you call me selfish!"

"I did what I had to do to keep my family together. I couldn't control your father. I did the best I could."

Claire poured the eggs into the skillet. "That was your best! God help us I can't imagine what your worst could have been. Whatever issues I have can be laid right on your doorstep Mother. You made me what I am today. At least Brian was able to get away from you and try and build some kind of life for himself."

"I suppose you have to believe what you want to try and justify the mess you have made of your life. I know I did the best I could and I never abandoned my children like you have."

Joan left the room and Claire heard her climbing the steps and slamming her bedroom door. Claire shut off the stove, dumped the partially cooked eggs down the garbage disposal, poured herself a glass of vodka and went upstairs.

Once she was in her bedroom Claire got out her stash of pills and swallowed a couple more oxy which she washed down with a big swig of vodka.

In Washington Township Justin was reading a bedtime story to Gus. John was studying in his bedroom. Brian and Peter were playing pool in the lower level game room. Once Gus drifted off to sleep Justin pulled the covers up and gave Gus a good night kiss before going to the master bedroom. Happily lounging in bed Justin answered some emails on his laptop and then texted with Daphne.

When Brian came to bed Justin was dozing on his side of the bed. "Sunshine you couldn't even stay awake for me."

"You took a long time to come up to bed. I guess you found better distractions elsewhere."

Brian smirked. "You are my favorite distraction of all time. However I was trying to be a good uncle. I played pool with Peter and stopped in John's room to make sure he wasn't driving himself crazy with studying too much."

Justin smiled. "Good uncle stuff makes me really horny."

Brian leaped on top of his Sunshine and started pulling off his clothes while Justin laughed. Once they were both naked Brian made excellent use of Justin's horniness.

Claire woke up needing to use the bathroom. She popped a couple more pills into her mouth and swallowed them with the last of her vodka. Once she was done in the bathroom Claire turned to open the door and slipped on the tile floor. As she fell her head hit the corner of the bathroom vanity, unconscious Claire hit the floor hard.

Joan's bedroom was next to the bathroom. She heard the flush of the toilet and water run in the sink before she heard the thump as Claire hit the floor. She called out to Claire but got no response.

Joan got up and put on her robe and slippers before going out into the hall. Joan called Claire's name from outside the bathroom door but again got no response. She tried to open the bathroom door, it opened just slightly and stopped.

Joan put her shoulder against the door and shoved as hard as she could. As the door was pushed against her the semi-conscious Claire groaned. The door opened enough that Joan could see her daughter's legs sprawled out on the floor and also a small stream of blood creeping under the door. Joan hurried back into her bedroom and dialed 911.

Justin was sound asleep when the house phone rang. Since the alarm clock was on Brian's night table the phone was on Justin's. He untangled himself from Brian and answered the phone.

Justin was pretty surprised by who was calling. He turned and saw Brian looking over at him. Justin handed his partner the phone. "It's your mother. She wants to talk to you."

Brian's eyebrows shot up as he took the phone. A few minutes later he handed the phone back to Justin and got out of bed. "Claire fell in the bathroom. Joan called 911, the ambulance is taking Claire to Allegheny General. The police are waiting for Joan to get dressed and are going to take her to the hospital. Joan wants me to bring the boys to the hospital."

Justin got out of bed and pulled on a robe. "I'll get John and Peter up. Should I call Alice to come over and stay with Gus or should we take him with us?"

"Sunshine I think you should stay home with Gus. He'll be upset if we are all gone when he wakes up. I'll take John and Peter to the hospital."

"Brian are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"

Brian gave his lover a little smile. "Of course I want you to go with me but I really think it is best for you to stay here with Gus."

Justin came over to give Brian a kiss before he went to wake up the nephews.

Justin knocked on John's door and accepted the grunt from inside as permission to enter. He let John know that Claire had fallen and Brian was going to take John & Peter to the hospital.

Justin went through the bathroom to Peter's room, calling his name to wake Peter. Justin brought Peter up to date on what was happening. "Aren't you going to the hospital with us Uncle Justin?"

"No Buddy. I'm staying home with Gus but Uncle Brian will be there with you."

Peter did not look completely happy with that answer. Justin went down to the kitchen and started the coffee maker. He poured 2 glasses of orange juice and put bread in the toaster. He packed a small insulated bag with some bottles of water, energy bars and some cookies wrapped in plastic wrap.

When the nephews came down Justin had them drink juice and eat toast before leaving. He made two travel mugs of coffee for Brian. Once for the drive and one to take into the hospital. He gave Brian a kiss good bye, whispered in his ear to be nice to Peter, and sent them on their way.

John and Peter both got in the back seat of the SUV. A surprised Brian looked in the rear view mirror and John just inclined his head towards Peter who was obviously upset.

Justin switched off the lights and reset the alarm before going back upstairs. Gus was standing at the top of the stairs hugging his teddy bear. That was a sure sign that Gus was upset since he usually never took teddy out of the bedroom. "What's going on Papa? I heard voices and Daddy's not in bed."

Justin squatted down to give Gus a hug. "John and Peter's Mom fell down and got hurt so your Daddy is taking them to the hospital to see her."

Gus still didn't look too happy. "Hey Gus I'll be pretty lonely in the big bed all by myself. Want to come and keep me company."

That brought a smile to Gus's face. Justin gathered the little boy up in his arms went into the Master Bedroom and threw a giggling Gus onto the bed. When Justin climbed in his side of the bed Gus immediately snuggled against him and quickly went to sleep.

The car ride to the hospital was pretty quiet. After they parked and walked towards the ER Brian put his arm around Peter's shoulders. Peter leaned against his side while Brian thought he couldn't believe the things he did for his Sunshine.

Once in the ER Brian and the boys walked over to where Joan was sitting. "Brian I'm glad you brought the boys yourself this time."

John and Peter said hello to their grandmother. Brian gave Joan a raised eyebrow look.

"Yes Mother lovely to see you as well. What happened to Claire?"

"I heard her in the bathroom and then I heard a thump. She didn't answer when I called so I tried to push open the door. Since she was lying partially in front of the door I couldn't get into the bathroom so I went to my room and called 911. When the police came they were able to open the door enough to get into the bathroom."

Brian thought of Jennifer and knew that if Molly or Justin were lying on that bathroom floor she would have gotten into that room even if she had to take an ax or a hammer to the door.

"So what have they told you about her condition?"

"They said that even though her head wound bled quite a bit it didn't appear serious. They were going to do some x-rays and some tests and then talk to me about the results. I'll have a mess to clean up in the bathroom when I get home."

John and Peter sat in chairs across from their grandmother with Brian beside them. Joan had her bible open on her lap and made no attempt at conversation.

John unzipped the bag that Justin had given them and took out a water for himself and Peter and 2 energy bars. He asked Brian if he wanted anything but Brian said he was good with his coffee.

Joan looked up from her bible. "You packed a picnic to bring to the hospital? You didn't even know if your mother was alive or dead."

John looked over at his grandmother. "Uncle Justin packed this for us while we were getting dressed."

Before Joan could say anything else Brian entered the conversation. "Mother just read your bible and leave the boys alone. The stuff in the vending machines here is expensive and gross. There is nothing wrong with bringing a snack with us."

Joan went back to her bible until a doctor came over to her. "Mrs Kinney. I'm Dr Hampton. Claire is conscious and we've pretty much finished up all our tests. I know she doesn't have insurance and we don't want to run up a big bill for her so I think we'll be able to release her, as long as she won't be left alone."

"My daughter is currently living with me so she won't be left alone."

"Great. Would you come with me so we can discuss a few things?"

Joan stood up. "This is my son Brian. We'll come with you."

Brian shook the doctor's hand. "These are Claire's sons, John and Peter."

The doctor nodded at the boys who nodded back. "Let's just step over to my office for a couple minutes."

Brian was surprised his mother wanted him to come with her and the doctor. He turned to his nephews. "You guys stay here and stay together. You have you phone right?"

John said they would stay together and yes he did have his phone.

Dr Hampton told them that head wounds bleed a lot and Claire's wound had looked messy but it was actually not serious and was closed with a couple stiches. To be sure there was not skull fracture from hitting the vanity or the floor they had done X-rays. With any head wound there was a chance of concussion so Joan needed to keep her eye on Claire for a few days to be sure there was no strange behavior. Brian rolled his eyes at that comment but said nothing.

The doctor paused before he continued. "I do have to tell you about some unusual findings from Claire's blood workup. There is a very large amount of opoids in her blood. Is she under a doctor's care for some painful condition?"

Joan said nothing so Brian answered. "No I am not aware that Claire is under any doctor's care. If you looked at her records I'm sure you know she was in this hospital not that long ago with a drug overdose."

Dr Hampton looked uncomfortable. "Yes I am aware of that. Claire also had a blood alcohol that was within legal limits but elevated. I believe this combination of powerful pain medication and alcohol can explain why she would have gotten dizzy and fell. Since 911 was involved we will have to release this information to the police."

Joan was not happy. "I'm not sure how my daughter got her hands on drugs but I assure you I will address this with her. She did attend drug rehab after her last hospital stay. I believe she may have turned back to drugs because she has been so upset about her sons not being returned to her."

Brian shook his head. "Mother, Claire was on drugs when the boys lived with her which is why she lost custody. Now you claim she is on drugs because the boys are not living with her. I contend her sons actually play no major role in her drug addiction. She takes drugs when they are with her and she takes drugs when they aren't with her. Also Dr Hampton, I don't want you to think that my sister completed any drug rehab program. She left before she completed the program."

Joan gave Brian an annoyed look. "Can we see my daughter now?"

Dr Hampton led the way to the cubicle where Claire was being treated.

When Joan and Brian left the waiting area Brian didn't notice his mother nod to a woman standing by the reception desk.

Once Joan and Bra left the waiting area with Dr Hampton. The woman walked over to where John and Peter were seated. "Hello. You are John and Peter Townsend aren't you?"

A wary John answered. "That's right. Who are you?"

'I'm Marilu Sikorsky. I'm a social worker here at the hospital. Your grandmother asked me to come over and talk with you."

Both John and Peter rolled their eyes. John answered. "If my grandmother asked you to do something that can't be a good thing. She does not play a big role in our lives."

"Well I'm sure she would like to spend more time with you. She told me she misses spending time with you both."

Pete had an incredulous look on his face. "We have never spent much time with grandmother. She always said we were too rambunctious and gave her a headache."

Marilu looked a little confused. "Your grandmother said she is concerned because you are living with your uncle and she feels you might be unhappy living at his house. "

John was rapidly losing patience. "Peter and I are completely happy living with Uncle Brian and Uncle Justin. Unlike when we lived with our mother we are not ignored and we are not hungry and we have clothes that actually fit us."

"Your grandmother told me that you were only supposed to live with your Uncle Brian while your mother was in drug rehab but when she got back he refused to let you come back and live with your mother."

"Our mother wound up in this hospital with a drug overdose. Our supposedly loving grandmother refused to accept temporary custody of us so we would up in a foster care group home. Uncle Brian and Uncle Justin agreed to take custody. After the state welfare department investigated them my brother and I went to live with them. It is probably the best thing that ever happened to us."

Marilu was looking even more confused. "Did the state know your uncle is a homosexual living with a younger man?"

"Really? The uncles make no secret of the fact they are homosexual. I want you to leave us alone now."

"Your grandmother is very concerned that you may be in danger living with your uncle. You don't have to be afraid to confide in me about any issues you are having."

"I want you to leave us alone now!"

Marilu persevered. "John I don't want you to be afraid of being honest with me. Your grandmother feels like you are being kept away from her and your mother so you aren't able to confide in them."

"What don't you understand about we want you to leave us alone. We are very happy living with Uncle Brian and Uncle Justin."

Peter joined in. "We don't want to live with our mother and grandmother. We want to stay with Uncle Brian and Uncle Justin."

Brian and Joan were standing in the cubicle with Claire, who as usual, was crying. Joan was as usual annoyed and Brian was just bored.

Joan tried questioning her daughter. "Claire the doctor knows you are taking drugs. Where did you get these drugs?"

The answer was just more tears from Claire.

"Claire I will not tolerate drugs in my house. I have been very clear about this."

"For god's sake mother. I am lying here in the hospital and all you can do is berate me. I have so much going on in my life and you want to talk about your rules. Don't you understand that my life is spiraling out of control!"

Brian couldn't believe that he was here for another episode of the Claire circus. "You know sister dear I don't think taking drugs is really going to help you get your life in order."

The tears abruptly stopped. "You have some nerve saying that to me. Like you never took drugs. Please, I know better than that Brian!"

"I won't deny that I used drugs in my misspent youth dear sister. However as I have told you before I have never let my life slip out of my control. Also while I have given plenty of blowjobs over the years I never gave one in exchange for drugs."

Claire's eyes got wide. Joan was appalled. "Honestly Brian why did you find it necessary to bring that filth into the conversation."

Brian locked eyes with his sister. "I just thought it might be an appropriate topic of conversation."

"Well I can assure you it is not appropriate. I have no desire to hear anything about your deviant life style."

"You know mother I have always felt if you had given old Jack a few BJ's over the years we might have all been happier."

Joan's face got red with embarrassment and anger. Before she could say anything Brian's cell phone rang. "Hi John." "I'll be right out there."

Brian turned to his mother. "I need to go back out to the waiting area. It seems some hospital social worker is harassing the boys."

When Brian walked back into the waiting area he saw a nervous looking woman standing by his nephews. Both John and Peter looked annoyed but thankfully not frightened.

Brian walked over to them. "Who the fuck are you and why are you harassing my nephews?"

Marilu looked into Brian's coldly staring eyes and involuntarily looked away. "I'm Marilu Sikorsky. I'm a social worker here at the hospital."

"Fascinating! And why are you harassing my nephews?"

Marilu wasn't sure how to reply since she really didn't feel like she was harassing anyone.

Peter spoke up. "She told us that grandmother asked her to talk to us. She said that grandmother thought we might be afraid of you. John told her that we were really happy living with you and Uncle Justin."

Brian looked over at the reception desk. "Hey you. I want you to get whoever is in charge of this hospital down here ASAP!"

The receptionist looked at Marilu who shrugged. "I can get the doctor in charge of the ER to speak with you but none of the administrative staff is in the hospital at this time of night."

"Don't hand me that bullshit. I know there is always someone in charge. Pretend the fucking place is on fire and call the person you would notify and get them down here now or I call my lawyer. Lawyers who are woken up in the middle of the night can usually come up with a dozen or so reasons to sue the thing that caused them to be woken up."

The receptionist looked at the security guard at the door who shrugged before she picked up the phone and paged Mrs Merker, the night supervisor on duty.

A few minutes later a tall woman emerged from an elevator and went over to the reception desk. She spoke briefly to the receptionist before coming over to where Brian was standing.

"Hello I'm Mrs Merker, the night supervisor. What can I do for you?"

Brian shook her extended hand. 'I'm Brian Kinney and these are my nephews, John and Peter Townsend. I guess you know your own employee."

"Yes I know Marilu."

"Great. We came tonight because the boys' mother, my sister was brought in by ambulance. My sister is a neglectful mother whose drug addiction cost her the custody of her sons. My partner, Justin Taylor, and I are the boys' legal guardians.

It appears that my cold hearted, delusional, alcoholic mother talked to your social worker. She told her some story about my nephews being afraid of me. My mother does not approve of the fact that I am a homosexual. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania did not think that fact ruled out my ability to take custody of John and Peter."

"I don't see how Marilu could have known any of this."

"Do you think it would have been a good idea to ask who the boys' legal guardian is before agreeing to interfere? My mother, despite her many faults, is not usually dishonest."

Mrs Merker turned to Marilu. "Did you ask?" Marilu shook her head no.

"That certainly was an oversight. I suppose the welfare of minor children was paramount in Miss Sikorsky's mind."

"What a lovely thought. I suspect if my mother had not told her that her faggot son was probably corrupting the innocence of these boys your social worker might have asked the appropriate questions."

John spoke up now. "We told her that we are not afraid of Uncle Brian and Uncle Justin and that we were very happy living with them. The last year we lived with my mother she paid little attention to us and we were often left without enough food to eat. We told this lady we were relieved to be well taken care of by our uncles. I asked her to go away and leave us alone but she wouldn't leave so I called Uncle Brian and asked him to come back out here."

Mrs Merker turned to Marilu. "Is this true?"

Marilu nodded. "Mrs Kinney seemed so sure the boys might be abused."

"Apologize to Mr Kinney and his nephews and go back to your office. We'll talk there."

Marilu made her apologizes and hurried away.

Mrs Merker took a deep breath. "I'm very sorry this happened. As I said I think Marilu let her concern for the boys' welfare overrule her better judgment."

Brian chuckled. "That's an interesting spin but I'm in advertising so I'm cynical about interesting spins. The hospital will be getting a letter from my lawyer. I appreciate your handling of this situation but am not at all convinced that homophobia was not at the root of this situation. In case you didn't know that is illegal."

"I am aware of that and again I apologize for the clumsy way this was handled and for the fact that someone whose job it is to reassure and help people instead upset you and your nephews."

Brian shook her hand again and Mrs Merker turned and left.

Just about the same time Joan Kinney came out of the treatment area. "Brian. Claire is waiting for you to bring John and Peter back to see her."

Brian turned with murder in his eyes. Joan stopped and actually took a step back when she saw the look on her son's face.

"I have been dealing with the social worker you had ambush the boys. I wondered why you wanted me to go with you and talk to the doctor."

"I was just concerned about my grandsons."

"You have always been and remain a cold hearted, prejudiced bitch! You have never been concerned about anyone but yourself. You may have used me as a whipping boy to divert my father's abuse from you when I was a kid but those days of you using me are over."

Joan flushed and looked around at the people in the waiting room who had forgotten all about what was playing on the TV and were transfixed by the drama taking place live in front of them.

"Yes, everyone is watching you Joan Kinney. Everyone knows who and what you are. They will be gossiping about this for weeks. Now I'll let you know that Justin and I plan to go to court to get permanent custody of John and Peter. The two main reasons for that are the boys asked us to seek custody and Claire is such an amazingly bad mother. Of course look at the example she has."

Brian took John and Peter's hands. "Come on. Let's say good bye to your mother and head home."

As they passed Joan she reached towards Peter who avoided her and moved closer to Brian.

Once they were in the cubical with Claire, John and Peter both told her that they asked Brian and Justin to seek permanent custody. Peter told his mother that he loved her but he was afraid to ever come and live with her again. John just said he was tired of his mother caring more about herself than her sons.

Brian just said. "We'll talk later when you are feeling better."

They left Claire sobbing and calling for her sons. Peter had some tears running down his face but John had his no emption Kinney face firmly in place while he walked with his arm around his brother's shoulder. Brian kept a hand on each boy's shoulder as they retrieved their bag from the waiting area. All three of them ignored Joan standing with her bible in her hands.

Brian and the nephews talked on the drive back home about what happened at the hospital. Brian told them that Claire had drugs in her system. Both John and Peter were anxious for their uncles to get permanent custody of them.

When they got back home Brian told the boys to go back to bed and try and get some sleep.

Brian walked into the master bedroom trying to be as quiet as possible. He saw Gus snuggled up against Justin who had one arm around the little boy. Brian got a big smile on his face and that sight helped him put all the unpleasantness at the hospital behind him.

Brian got into bed very gingerly trying not to wake anyone as he moved close to his son and lover. Brian amazed himself by falling asleep quickly.

When his alarm went off the next morning Brian quickly switched it off. Justin groaned and pulled a pillow over his face. Gus sat up and smiled at his Daddy. "Good Morning Daddy. How is John and Peter's mommy?"

"She is doing okay sonny boy. How come you were in bed with your Papa?"

"Papa said I should sleep here and keep him company since you had to go to the hospital."

"Well let's go get some breakfast and let your Papa sleep a little longer."

Gus happily climbed out of bed and went downstairs with his father. After they ate breakfast Brian sent Gus upstairs with Justin's coffee. Brian was putting their breakfast dishes in the dishwasher when Alice came in the back door.

Brian brought Alice up to date on what happened the night before and said he wasn't sure when Peter and John would come down.

When Brian got upstairs Justin was sitting up in bed and talking with Gus. Brian gave Justin a good morning kiss and went into the bathroom to get ready for the day.

Justin told Gus to get dressed and come down to the kitchen. He went down the hall to John's bedroom and gently knocked on the door. John told him to come in.

Justin asked if John wanted to cancel his tutoring session but he said no. Justin said he should just get dressed in his soccer clothes since he would be going to practice after tutoring.

After breakfast a casually dressed Justin answered the door. Steve Jurich, the new tutor was standing there a smile on his face. He had on a golf shirt, khaki pants and boat shoes.

Justin introduced himself and showed the teacher into the dining room. He let Steve know that John would be wearing soccer clothes since he had soccer practice after the tutoring. Steve said he heard this was a "casual household" and that worked great for him. He also took Justin up on an offer of a cup of coffee.

Justin let Steve know about what happened the night before just in case John seemed a little sleepy.

When the session was over Justin made sure he was downstairs. John and Steve came out of the dining room laughing. Steve said he was sure that John would be more than ready to retake the placement test.

Justin extended an invitation to lunch which Steve happily accepted. Steve even said he would drop John off at soccer practice on his way home. John nodded at his uncle so Justin agreed to the plan.

Both John and Justin were hugely relieved with the new choice of tutor. Justin was happy to know that not everyone at Washington Academy was not as stuffy as Ed Dennison and Ron Kramsie.