Brian and Justin looked on as Jennifer and Craig Taylor left in a taxi for the airport. Brian had volunteered to drive them but they didn’t want Justin to come and if Brian drove them than Justin would be alone. They had restated all the laws they had down about Justin. Jennifer made sure that Brian had a list of Justin’s allergies in his pocket and a medical power of attorney in case Justin needed to go to the hospital. Once they disappeared from view, Brian stated simply. “You are free Justin.”

“How can you say that? I am a prisoner in my own home. I have you to guard me.”

“Because what I see before me is a teenager who is biting at the bit to experience life. I plan on helping you do just that. I won’t leave your side but I will show you how to be young and carefree. Do you want to stay here for four weeks or see some of Pittsburgh that I am sure you would love to get acquainted with?”

“Let me think about this. Not! I want out of here.”

“I thought so. Now, if I know Jennifer she will call to see if you are okay once she is at the airport but once she is in flight she won’t bother to call until she is at the hotel. Am I correct?”

“Yeah, actually she will call twice a week to make sure I am not in the hospital but she rarely stays on long. I am not important.” The smile he had given Brian knowing he was going to get out of the house was replaced with sadness.

“Now Justin, I want that smile. The folks will be up in the air in two hours and then we will be out of here. I think we will have lunch at Liberty Diner. You need to feel the beat of the Avenue. The diner has the pulse of the gay community.”

“Why Liberty Avenue?” Justin became nervous.

“Because you are gay, you are going to be eighteen and you need to see what is out there.”

“It is time Justin. Besides, it is my playground and who better than I to show what places to frequent and avoid.” And what fun is in store for you. I can’t wait to see his eyes open wide when he sees some of the sights.

Justin was in his room watching the cartoon channel and drawing when his mother called. “They are calling our flight. Are you okay?”

“Of course I am. Brian will take good care of me mom.”

“I know. I need to board. I won’t be able to call you when we land tonight. I will call you tomorrow night. Around seven your time. Later.”

No bye or love expression or anything. Justin tried to shrug it off. He knew they didn’t know how to love or approve of him. He jumped up off the bed, grabbed his pad and pencils and jumped down the stairs.

“Mom called. Let’s go.” Brian laughed.

“A little excited, are we?” Brian grabbed the car keys that Jennifer had given him. She didn’t want him to go anywhere and be seen in that thing he called a car. He didn’t mind the idea of driving a Lexus. He was ready. He knew it had been Jennifer. Jennifer had left the monitor on and Brian had heard the conversation or at least Justin’s side of it.

As soon as they were strapped in, Brian headed straight for Liberty and hoped Debbie wouldn’t be on today. He wasn’t in the mood for the third degree. No such luck. Brian was prepared for any contingency. He hoped that if Justin had to have anything here, it would be petit mal episodes. He wanted this first outing to go without a hitch. He didn’t want Justin to become embarrassed.

They sat down at a booth and a gum smacking redhead walked over. “Hey Brian, who is this luscious morsel?” Debbie said with a grin. Immediately, Justin turned red. “Blushing blonde, how sweet. Where did you find him Brian?”

“This is Justin Taylor and I am working for him for the summer. I figured he needed to see the sights.” Brian gave Debbie a look of don’t ask. She didn’t. He knew that she wouldn’t let it go. He would tell her later.

“So what would you like to order?” Justin was staring out the window.”

“I will have a cheeseburger plate with a coke. I think he will want a…Justin, glad you decided to join us. What would you like to order? I was going to order for you.”

“Thanks. No need. I was just looking at something. I would like a hamburger plate and a strawberry banana shake. Can I have extra fries?” He asked with a smile.

“Sure, Sunshine.”

“Sunshine?”

“Yeah, with a smile like that, you are a breath of sunshine.”

Justin blushed again. “Deb, always gives all of us boys a nickname.”

“She does?”

“Yeah!”

Did she give you one?”

“Yeah.”

“What is it?”

From across the diner, Deb yelled “Asshole.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“Nope. She calls me ‘asshole’ with affection. At least, I hope it is affection. Oh, and don’t forget she hears everything as you just noticed.” Justin laughed and Brian joined him. Brian liked the sound of his laugh. He thought to himself how perfect Sunshine fit Justin. Suddenly, a group of friends came in and one yelled, “Hey Mom.”

Brian didn’t want to deal with the boys. There was Mikey, Emmett, who was about Justin’s age, and another boy named Jed. Jed was a new kid in town who didn’t seem to stay in any town very long. He was from Maine. Mikey had made friends with him at a comic book store earlier that day. Mikey was carrying the latest Captain Astro and the three were talking the virtues of one superhero over another. They all sat by the counter. Brian hadn’t been noticed by his best friend.

Brian was already outgrowing Mikey. He was Deb’s son to him and more of a younger brother even though Mikey was a few months older than him. Mikey followed him around like a puppy dog.

Brian whispered. “Let’s get out of here.”

“We haven’t eaten. Deb is on the way with our food. What is wrong?”

“Damn! Michael is gonna notice me. I don’t feel like twenty questions with him.”

“Who is Michael?”

“He thinks he is my best friend. He knows me since I was fourteen. I will tell you later. Michael just noticed us. They are coming over. Come sit next to me.” Justin got up and sat next to Brian instead of across from him.

“Brian, I wanted to sit there. I always sit by you.”

“Not this time. Sit across from me or go back to the counter.”

“Who is this boy?” Michael wanted to know.

“He is a friend of mine.”

“I never saw him before.”

“You don’t know everyone I do.”

“Justin, this is Michael, Emmett, and I am sorry, I don’t know you.”

“Oh, I am Jed. I just moved into town. I will only be here for the summer. My father has to oversee a job and then we move on.”

Justin took in the conversation and listened a bit. He could tell Brian was bored with the banter. So was he and he zoned out. Only this time, it was a daydream. Brian watched him and realized that Justin was as bored with the comic book banter as he was. They had finished eating quickly.

“Let’s get out of here. We have to keep to the schedule.” Justin played along. “See you Mikey. Emmett.” Brian ignored Jed. He wasn’t going to be a fixture.

“I was hoping we could stay there and see a few people walk in but no such luck. Let’s walk down the street.” Justin’s eyes were popping out of his head and it was only early afternoon.

“They…they have their ass cheeks showing.”

“Yes, those are guys into leather and BDSM. You wouldn’t want to play with them. They are into some rough shit. That is a store for their toys. They go to clubs like Meathook and Bondage. They like rough and dungeon type sex.”

A couple of transsexuals walked by. Justin’s eyes grew wide. Brian laughed with Justin. Those are guys that can’t decide what they are. Many trannies want sex change operations to become girls or guys. Brian shuddered at the thought. He absentmindedly touched himself. Justin noticed. They passed by Woody’s. Now this is a nice place to have a beer or play pool until it is time for Babylon. That is my playground. Dancing, backrooms, and liquor. Babylon doesn’t get jumping till around eleven. Ah! This is my favorite store for picking up paraphernalia. Let’s go in. I am out of condoms.”

Justin stepped into wonderland. On the left wall there were rows and rows of dildos, butt plugs and beads. On the far wall was stuff for Lesbians. Brian guided Justin away from there. “Don’t need that wall. It is for munchers.”

“Munchers?”

“Oh, sorry. Lesbians, gay women, munchers. The middle area with boas etc. is for drag queens. Ah! Here is what I needed.” He bought a case of condoms.

“Brian, so many. Why not get a package like this. It had three in it.”

“Because Justin, I trick. I can use that up in one night.” Justin’s expression was priceless. “I might as well get some lube. I am running low. He found the kind he liked and bought both the tube and the individual packets. The individual packets were perfect for the back room and they didn’t make his pocket bulge when he put it in his shirt for easier access. “Browse around Justin. If you don’t know what something is, just ask me.”

“Brian, I have read things on the internet and such but I don’t know all the lingo. “You don’t mean you prostitute yourself?”

“No.” Brian laughed. “Tricking is having anonymous sex with another guy. No names, no regrets. Just for pleasure and then on to the next that entices you. The tricking you were talking about is a prostitute’s mark, a trick. Tricking is getting paid to be their toy. They are different, though some may call me a slut. I consider myself a stud. I top others. A gay prostitute is a hustler. Now that I have what I need, why don’t we look around to find something for you? You’re a gay boy. You need some toys.”