Chapter 19: Getting Gus into School

The boys still have almost two hours until they are due at the Sewickley Academy, so Brian suggests that they go to the electronics store and look for a kid friendly computer for Gus. He is hopefully going to be going to an accelerated school and Brian wants him to have all the right tools to get ahead.

"I think there's a Best Buy on the way to the school. Do you want to stop by there?"

"Sure, I want to mess with the computers first. I don't know whether we should get a Mac or a PC."

"I'd go with the PC. We don't want Gus to be pompous do we?"

"If everything works out, he'll be going to school with rich smart kids. I think they'll all be a little pompous. Anyways, Macs are good computers."

"We'll have to check them both out and see which one Gus prefers."

They get to Best Buy and look for someone to help them. Brian sees all kinds of employees standing around but none of them offer any assistance.

"This is ridiculous. I want to spend a large sum of money on a computer and these people act like they don't need it. Let's get out of here, and go to Circuit City. Maybe they'll be more helpful."

"I heard that Circuit City will be out of business within the next couple of years."

"I don't care as long as they have a good computer."

Brian verbally abuses some random employee on their way out for the poor service and they head off to the next store. An hour later they have a new PC laptop and are making their way to the Sewickley Academy.

They arrive 15 minutes early for their appointment. They follow the directions that Brain was given and find their way to the office. A very nicely dress man in a Hugo Boss suit greets them. He recognizes Brian immediately.

"Brian Kinney as I live and Breathe, what are you doing at the Sewickley Academy?"

Justin looks at Brian. "You two know each other?"

"Once upon a time, we met up at the baths. Keith isn't it? It's amazing who you run into when you get around the Pitts."

"It sure is, and yeah it is Keith. I can't believe someone like Brian Kinney would remember. So why are you here again; maybe to make a donation?"

"Something like that. We have an appointment with the principle about enrollment."

"And who is we?"

"Sorry, I'm not used to making such introductions yet. This is my husband Justin, and our son Gus."

"Did you say your husband? I really am out of touch. I didn't think you were the marrying kind." He turns towards Justin. "It's nothing personal of course."

"It's okay, I'm married to the man so I know better than anyone what you mean."

"You know I'm standing right here don't you?"

"Sorry dear."

"I wasn't the marrying kind until this one showed up. He cast some sort of spell on me and I was finished."

"It's still unbelievable. It's probably some kind of open marriage or something right?"

"I offered but Brian refused"

"Justin, you must be something extra special to tame 'the wild beast'."

"I like to think so; how about you old man?"

"Special is definitely the right word. That's how I knew he was the one; the minute I said I wanted a committed, monogamous relationship. I would have choked on the words before or with anyone else."

"If that's what you really want then I wish you luck. I see your name right here. It just says the Kinneys. I would have never thought that would mean you."

"Mrs. Hampton is in with another Family right now, but they shouldn't be much longer." The phone on the desk begins ringing. "Why don't you have a seat and I'll get you when she's ready."

They sit down on a plush couch adjacent to the office counter. Rich kids couldn't dare sit on a plain old bench.

"So old man, do you think we will ever stop running into your former conquests."

"Not unless we left Pittsburg, which we can do if you want. We could move to England and Gus could go to Eton. If it's good enough for a prince, it should be good enough for Gus."

"No thank you; I actually like Pittsburg. I guess I'll just have to deal with all the old boy toys. I can just tell myself that they may have had you once, but I'll have you forever."

"There's that sickening romantic I married; always looking on the bright side." He swoops in for a quick peck on the lips. Nothing too racy for an institute of education Brian thinks.

"Hey guys, Mrs. Hampton is ready for you. I'll escort you in."

Once inside the office they are greeted by a woman who looks to be in her mid-fifties. She has light brown hair, green eyes and a slender build. She is dressed very fashionably in a sleek grey Armani suit. Brian immediately senses that this is a sophisticated woman who cares about her appearance and he is impressed. She only impresses him more when she begins to speak.

"Hello, I'm Mrs. Hampton. It's a pleasure to meet you…" Even though Brian looks older she isn't sure which of the two men standing in front of her would be Mr. Kinney.

Brian quickly catches this and finishes for her. "I'm Mr. Brian Kinney and this is my husband who would also be Mr. Kinney, but Justin."

"I always feel a little awkward in situations like this; not knowing what to call people, so thank you." She looks down at the little boy holding Justin's hand. "You must be Gus, am I right?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"It's nice to meet you Gus. Why don't you all have a seat and we can discuss Gus' future."

Justin picks Gus up and puts him on his lap. "You sit with me buddy."

"So Mr. and Mr. Kinney, why don't you tell me about yourselves and Gus so I can get better familiarized with your desire for Gus to go to school here."

Being the head of the household Brian assumes the responsibility of talking for both he and his husband. "Earlier this year Gus moved with his mother to Toronto. She just passed away last week and I along with my husband gained full custody of Gus. She and I had always planned on Gus going to a good school. He was all set to start school in Toronto this fall, but my business is here so we needed to find a suitable school in Pittsburgh. I spoke to a business acquaintance of mine whose son went here and then I researched your school online. I was very impressed with your statistics so I set up this meeting to see if it would be a good fit for Gus. My husband and I want him to have the highest quality education possible, so that eliminated public school right away."

"If you don't mind me asking Mr. Kinney, what business are you in? We like to get a sense of a parent's financial status also."

"I own the top advertising firm in Pittsburgh. It's called Kinnetic. Finances will not be a problem."

"And what line of work are you in Mr. Kinney?" This time she is addressing Justin.

"By trade I'm an artist. I studied at the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Art majoring in computer animation, but I do some good old fashioned sketching and painting also. I'm not currently affiliated with any company."

"What my husband is trying to say is that he is currently working from home. For now this would mean that he will be the primary parent for Gus' school activities."

Normally Justin would jump on Brian for assuming what he would or wouldn't be doing concerning Gus, but this wasn't the time or place for it. Besides it was true. He hadn't decided what he wanted to do yet. He and Brian hadn't discussed it either. With the income that Brian brings in Justin wouldn't have to work if he didn't want to. Brian would be fine with that. He really hadn't ever planned on getting anything financial back on his investment anyways.

"Yes, I will be the one taking and picking Gus up from school. I'll be working on my art at a loft we own not far from here."

"That's good. We here at the Sewickley Academy like to see parents who are actively involved with their children's education. We truly believe it makes a difference.

Now we just need to administer some standard tests with Gus to assess him for placement. If they go well, we can take you on a tour of our campus. If everything is to your liking we can fill out all the forms and set him up for fall classes. How does that sound?"

"That sounds good. I want to get everything taken care of as soon as possible. We are going on a family vacation in two weeks and I want to have everything set before we leave."

"Okay, well let's take Gus to our testing room and get him set up. We will need for you to stay outside so we can get accurate results. Will you be okay with your fathers waiting outside the room Gus?"

"You won't leave me will you Daddy?"

"No Sonny Boy. We will be right outside. You just concentrate on the tests and do the best you can."

"Okay Daddy! I'll be okay."

They all head out of the principal's office and she leads them down the hall to another room with another couch outside. The room is enclosed with frosted Glass doors that have large swirled brass handles.

"Gus if you would come with me, and Mr. and Mr. Kinney you can have a seat out hear. It should only take about ½ an hour. If you would like I can have my assistant Keith bring you some coffee, tea or water."

"Brian I'm fine. Do you want anything?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Okay then, I'll come get you when we're done."

Mrs. Hampton heads in with Gus and leaves Brian and Justin to wait.

"I hope he does well. I know Gus is smart but what if he doesn't test well."

"Brian, I don't think they are those kinds of tests. He'll be fine. I must say though that I am very impressed with your behavior since we arrived."

"This isn't the first school interview I've been to remember. I did it once before with Lindsay when she thought pretending to be a straight couple would get Gus into a good preschool."

"Oh yeah, I remember that. Mrs. Hampton seems nice. She wasn't weirded out at all about us being gay parents."

"I noticed. That must be why I've behaved so well. She was very respectful to both of us. I don't usually get that from many straight people, especially women."

"Maybe she's a lesbian. I mean her assistant is gay, so who knows."

"I can tell. She's as straight as my cock when you take me in the shower."

"Wow, that's pretty straight. It would be great if this works out. The school is close to the loft and the agency."

"That's true. I'm sorry about speaking for you before. I was surprised that you didn't hit me. I guess we were both on our best behavior."

"Sometimes I know when to keep my mouth shut too."

"Just don't keep it closed when my cock's getting ready to be sucked off okay."

"Don't worry old man. I wouldn't dream of ever doing that."

"I was actually thinking that you hadn't said anything about what you wanted to do with yourself now that you're permanently back in the Pitts. We talked about turning the loft into a studio, but it didn't go any further. I just want you to know that I'm happy with whatever you want to do, but I know being a stay at home dad isn't your dream."

"I've already got my dream remember. That's you. I think I'll actually like taking care of Gus. I've done it so many times before. I was actually thinking of getting Michael to work on a new issue of Rage and maybe think of some other comic book ideas. I'd like to keep my sketching low key for now. It's so personal and I don't think I want to try and sell it anymore. Maybe I can do some pieces for charity events at the center or something. I don't know. I was also thinking about starting a computer animation company. Thinks didn't work out in Hollywood, but maybe we could come up with an animated version of Rage. What do you think?"

"I never thought about that. Why don't you run it past Michael? I'll help with any start up you need."

"I'll let you know. I think we can probably take the profits from Rage and use them."

"Whatever you need, I'm there. Just promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"Promise me that you won't let it get in the way of our private life if you know what I mean."

"I promise I'll always be available to service you in the ways you've become accustomed to. That's what a good wife does isn't it?" He gives Brian a coy little glance and Brian goes weak.

"Hey cool it down hot stuff. I can't go getting hard here; not if I want Gus to get in okay."

"Whatever you say dear."

Brian leans in for a kiss and just hits his mark when Mrs. Hampton pops out of the testing room.

Justin feels himself blushing. "Sorry Mrs. Hampton, we didn't realize how fast the time went."

"Don't apologize to me Mr. Kinney. I've seen parents show affection before. I think it's sweet and it actually helps me know that Gus is being raised by committed parents. You will find that we here at the Sewickley Academy are very open minded. That includes parents of our students. We do not tolerate any forms of discrimination at our school. We have parents from all walks of life here. We have captains of industry and politicians that are democrats and republicans, but here we all respect the importance of a good education and try to keep things as impartial as possible."

"Thank you Mrs. Hampton. We appreciate you saying that. That's always a concern. We can handle anything that is thrown at us, but we don't want Gus to suffer because he happens to have two dads instead of a mom and dad. Isn't that right Brian?"

"Of course it is. So are you finished? Did Gus do okay?"

"Gus did extremely well. He is indeed quite a bright child for his age. I have no doubt he will fit right in with our advanced classes."

Brian can't help but show pride on his face for his son. Justin is happy too.

"How about we take that tour now? I'll show you our classrooms and labs, and then we will move on to our music room, theater and art studio. We'll finish at our gymnasium."

Brian and Justin are very impressed with the academy's campus, and Gus says he likes it too.

The decision is made and they go back to the office and fill out all the paperwork. Brian writes a check for a large sum of money. They thank Mrs. Hampton for her time and head out, saying goodbye to Keith on their way.

"I think that went well don't you?"

"I sure hope so for what they charge for tuition."

"It'll be worth it I'm sure. Do you think this will help us in court on Wednesday? It should show that you are certainly looking out for Gus' future, don't you think?"

"I don't think it will hurt."

"Daddy, I thought we went to court today. We don't have to go back do we? I didn't really like it there."

"I'm sorry Sonny Boy, but we do have to go back. Your grandma Jennifer is going to come with us and sit outside the courtroom with you. You might have to come in and talk to the judge again, but we'll try to keep it as short as possible. You're a big boy right and you can handle it like a big boy?"

"If you want me to be Daddy, I will."

Brian and Justin take Gus home and try not to think about the fact that on Wednesday they could possibly have Gus taken away from them, by Lindsay's parents.

Up next is Chapter 20: A Second Day in Court. That will be the last chapter of this story. I will try to get the chapter up in the next few days and mark it complete. When I finish I will then start on "A Quest for Domestic Bliss", the sequel to this story.

I want to thank you all for your patience. I know it has taken me a while to get some of these chapters out. I also want to thank all of you who took the time to give me feedback. Even if I didn't respond to you personally I want you to know that I really appreciate it.