Never apart again ...

Chapter 1

We are happy to invite you at the art exhibition
...emotions...
that will take place on August 7 at 8pm at the big hall of Art Theater
Artist of the evening: Justin Taylor

Justin was looking at the invitation he was holding in his hands. He still couldn't believe that he was about to have his first big exhibition in New York and that a whole year had passed since he moved there. What a coincidence...the date of the exhibition was exactly the same one as the date he said goodbye to Brian a year ago and left Pittsburg. This past year he was so busy that he never got the chance to travel back to Pittsburg to see his family and his friends...nor Brian. Only his sister managed to visit him﮲ but he was talking on the phone with his mother. Same as with Debbie who was informing him about everyone – or almost everyone. Whenever he was asking about Brian her answer was short and always the same: "He is fine" and she was immediately changing subject. It was like she didn't want to say anything more. Or maybe he asked her to not say more? He couldn't understand.

Now, a year later, he was holding and looking the invitation and didn't know what to do...should he send it to Brian or not? They hadn't talked at all for a year. At first he was sending him messages and calling him but he never answered to any of his calls or messages. Was he even asking about him? Or he had erased him from his life completely? He brought in his mind the last time they were together at the loft...Brian's words were still ringing in his head: "Whether we see each other next weekend or next month...never again...it doesn't matter, it's only time." So that was it? He really didn't want to see him again? At least, that's what his actions were showing. And it was not only those specific words, it was also all the "advices" he took from him before leaving...that he should focus on his work in New York and to concur the city with his art, leaving the past behind. Brian was always supportive and was encouraging him to follow his dreams, but he had never cut him off completely. Even when he went to Los Angeles for the Rage movie, they were talking every day. But now?

Liz interrupted his thoughts. She was with him during this year helping him and advising him﮲ even traveling back and forth from Canada whenever it was absolute necessary. Otherwise, they were talking on the phone for hours about different ideas Justin had.

- What's that? she asked him, even though she knew pretty well what he was holding.

- Emm, nothing. Actually, it's the exhibition's invitation...

- And why are you looking at it as if it's a death announcement.

- I am not, he said and Liz looked at him intently. I am just thinking how fast the year has passed and that in few days I will have my own exhibition for the world to see. Do you think they will like my work?

- And why not? Your paintings are amazing. But don't try to change the subject, I know pretty well what is bothering you. You want to send the invitation to a common acquaintance of ours?

- Not at all. Besides, our common acquaintance made it pretty clear that he doesn't care about me...anymore. So, why bother?

- Are you sure about that?

- Absolutely. So please, let's end this conversation here.

- As you wish. Do you want to take a look at the hall and check if everything is moving along fine?

- Let's, Justin answered but he kept having Brian in his mind. He knew that Liz was probably right. Brian was not the easiest person of the planet and he knew that pretty well. Who the hell could know what he was thinking and he stopped communicating with him. No one could get into his mind. So, Justin chose to believe the simplest explanation﮲ Brian didn't want to see him and that was it. He was not going to torture himself more with this.

***

That same evening, back at Pittsburg, Brian had already left his office and was back at his loft. He had just finished his dinner and he was now looking at his phone thinking if he should call Liz. He didn't want to call her at a moment where she would still be with Justin. So, he decided to wait a little bit more to be sure that she would be alone. Of course he knew about the exhibition, just like he knew everything Justin was doing this past year. He was in constant contact with Liz and he was getting informed about everything. He made her swear though that she wouldn't tell anyone, especially Justin﮲ something that she respected even though she didn't agree with it.

Some more time passed and he checked his watch. It was almost eleven. He picked up his phone and called her. After three ringings, he heard Liz's familiar voice. Thank God she was already in her hotel room, alone.

- Hello there. I was sure it was you before I even checked the caller id.

Brian looked a little bit disappointed﮲ had he become so predictable?

- Yeah, yeah! What are you doing? How are things going?

- Things are going just perfect. The question is, what are you doing? Did you book a flight yet or not?

- I don't understand; what flight are you talking about? Are we going somewhere?

- Don't play the fool. I know pretty well that you are dying to be here. And believe me, Justin feels the same way.

- Yeah right, that's why he disappeared. If he wanted me to be there he would have invited me, the same way he did with everyone else here. Even the lovely couples were invited separately﮲ one invitation each.

- I swear to God you will drive me crazy! Weren't you the one who was never answering to him? To his calls or messages? And the one who didn't let anyone to talk to him about you while you were driving me a crazy about what he was doing? What did you want him to do? I am telling you that he wants you to come! Nothing would matter more than this to him, even if he won't admit it. You managed to make him a second Brian Kinney!

- And what's wrong with that? He should be honored to be like Brian Kinney.

- Oh my...I can't continue this conversation with you. Do whatever you want. Don't call me again during the week. I swear I won't answer. Goodnight.

Liz hung up and he was left puzzled looking at his phone's screen. He had never heard Liz talking to him that way. OK, they always had their differences but, she had never talked to him like that before. "Is something wrong with Justin and she doesn't want to tell me?" that was his first thought. "Nah, if it was that she would tell me...or maybe not?" The possibility of him to be doing something wrong and just made her mad never crossed his mind.

He stayed a little bit more at the couch trying to watch a movie, but he couldn't focus at all. He was watching the actors moving their mouths without understanding a word of what they were saying. His mind was traveling somewhere else. He decided to turn off the TV and go to sleep. He took a bath very quick and laid down on the bed, but sleep was not coming. His mind was still in New York and to Justin. What if he was so stressed that he ended up in the hospital? What if the panic attacks had returned? He remembered how scared Justin was and all the panic attacks he had after the bashing, after the prom. Damn Chris Hobbs! He closed his eyes and tried to shake those thoughts away from his mind. No, no, Justin is fine. There was no need to worry. He forced himself to sleep, but that was not an easy task. The thought that the panic attacks had returned stuck in his head for good. He was spinning in his bed until – exhausted – he finally fell asleep at 5am.