Say Cheese!

Title: Say Cheese!

By : Phoenix Ghost

Rating: Adults Only

Category: Fanfiction

Characters: Justin Taylor, Brian Kinney, Daphne Chanders, Debbie Novotny, Michael Novotny, Emmett Honeycutt, Ted Schmidt, Gardner Vance, Lindsay Peterson, Melanie Marcus, Gus, Cynthia, Jennifer Taylor, Craig Taylor, Molly Taylor, OMC's and OFC's, Chris Hobbs.

Genre: AU, Drama, General/Misc. Angst/Romance, with some Comedy relief added.

Warnings: Minor Character Death, Strictly AU, with a funny twist. Very OOC, and very Anti-Lindsay, Anti- Melanie, and Anti- Michael with graphic language and some violence. *There will be* b/j sex, just be patient. ;)

Summary: Vanguard's newest Ad Executive Brian Kinney needs a big miracle.
What he's about to find out is this. 'Be careful for what you wish for, because some miracles come in all shapes, and sizes.'

Disclaimer: All Characters and situations from Queer as Folk are the properties of Russell T. Davies, Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, (Cowlip) Showtime, and others. No Copyright infringement has been intended by this author or this website. This story has been invented for entertainment purposes only and has been rated by the author, and not by any independent body.

A/N: This story is being dedicated to William J. a sweet boy I once met. He's by now 21, and he's been on his own and homeless since he was 16.

A/N All mistakes are my own, as I have decided not to have a beta for this fandom any longer.

Also, this is my first MCD story, so be kind.

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CHAPTER 1


Vanguard's newest up and coming Ad Executive, Brian Kinney was having a bitch of a day.

For starters, even though he'd jumped through all of the next to impossible hoops that Gardner Vance, the new owner of formally Ryder now Vanguard Advertising agency had set for him, the snobby bald English bastard was STILL not quite satisfied, and Brian was slowly getting fed up.

In Brian's mind, if you looked up the words 'Slave driver' in the Dictionary, you would find a smug mug shot of the bald jerk right next to the words.

After showing the older man he was the best one for the job, by not only saving all of Vance's newly acquired old accounts, Brian had even brought in some major new accounts as well, and still the short squat man looked down his long aristocratic nose at him.

After popping back two migraine pills at the water cooler, Brian was now in his office, squeezing his dark green stress ball, while trying to fight down every urge to not toss the arrogant English prick right out of a nearby window, when the man in question had had the audacity to just stroll right into Brian's office as if he owned it, *which, now technically he did* and drawl in his irritatingly snotty British 'I'm better than anyone' accent, "So Kinney, you think you're really something do you? Landing all of those fresh new accounts?" The older bald man smirked, obviously baiting the younger man.

His bright beady eyes were staring right through Brian as he snarked, "I still say I should fire your arrogant arse and be done with you, but, I'm a fair man. I know you have a newborn son to support, as well as a few other things Ryder had let slip about you."
Although the sarcasm was still present, the softening lilt in the man's voice took Brian for surprise as well as a bit off guard as Vance said, "Kinney, Marty Ryder spoke very highly and fondly of you, and, as much as it pains me, I must admit, he's been proven correct, as you DO seem to have a certain way with all of my clients. Especially the gay ones, hmm?"

At the brunet's carefully raised brow, the man continued, "Yes Kinney, I know you're a bloody fag, so I don't give a rats arse how you get our homosexually inclined clients to sign on the dotted line, just as long as you do. So, tell me Kinney, just what is it about you, hmm? Even my helplessly infatuated straight female clients just gush on and bloody on about you. Hell, the straight men clients do too."

Brian had heard enough.

Using a method he'd learned in College, he mentally pictured the fat little man that was now taunting him, as some kind of farm animal.

Because goodness knows, there was NO way in hell he'd picture his obnoxious new boss standing there in his....EW, skivvies. As anal as the man was, he probably wore plain grey boxers anyway.

Brian inwardly chuckled, then shuddered visibly.

Ugh! That would be just, So. Fucking. Gross.

Then he sniggered softly.

Yep, a little piggy would do just fine.

Because whoever had told the self proclaimed straight English man that 'pink' was the heterosexual man's new 'blue' had really pulled a fast one on him.

Brian's new boss was standing there, wearing polished black Prada shoes, teemed with a dove grey Armani suit.

A twat pink silk shirt, and darker pink silk tie that looked a bit too tight around the mans' thick neck completed his outfit.

To Brian, the shorter squat man resembled a big fat pig.

'Ugh, a pig in boxers?' Brian shuddered again, willing that image ,far, far away.
Mistaking the shudders for fear as he was now leaning on the mans' doorway, Brian’s new boss smiled a paper thin smile that didn't quite reach his little piggy eyes.

An evil smile twitched and stretched his mouth as he said, "So, I'll tell you what I'm going to do. You nail me an exclusive contract with Leo Brown, of Brown Athletics’ account in Chicago and add that poofter who is wealthier than bloody God, Reese Stenson of the Stenson Smile! toothpaste account to the pot, and I'll have Jenson my lawyer draw up the Partnership papers, along with some very nice perks."

Shutting the door, and walking over to stand in front of Brian’s desk, Vance held out three of his short pudgy fingers, and tapped each one down as he reeled off, "I'll pay off your loft, hell, I'll even buy you the whole bloody building! You may have a new company car of YOUR choosing and still keep your Jeep, why I'll even give you 3% of the Vanguard Company Shares to hold in trust for your son Gus until he's of legal age to manage them himself."

Now leaning on the desk with both fat little hands splayed and flat, he softly growled, showing his true nature. "But, if you don't deliver BOTH, the entire deal's off and you're fired. Period."

Settling his fat ass comfortably into the black leather chair behind him, Vance primly crossed one chubby leg over the other as he said, "I'm very sorry to see Kinney," The man silkily intoned condescendingly, sounding anything but sorry as he simpered, "that Marty didn't properly provide for you, but I'm already cleaning house here. So," He shrugged good-naturedly as he chirped, "even though the Holidays' are quickly approaching, I truly have no problem with adding another out of work Ad Executive to my chop list."

Looking down at his perfectly manicured nails as if they were the most interesting things in the world Vance lordly intoned, "Starting today I'm giving you one month to land both accounts. These two clients alone could put Vanguard on the bloody World Advertising map! Use whatever of the Company's resources you feel are necessary, and if anyone questions you, send them to me, but get me those accounts signed sealed and delivered in one month."

Brian had flushed, feeling dizzy as he was swallowing hard, then he'd had to clear his throat a couple of times before he could articulate a comment.

Squeezing his dark stress ball until he could of sworn the damn thing was going to pop, taking a deep breath he bit out, "Now, look here just a fuc..."

Just then, the mother of his child, and the woman he'd always considered his own personal 'fag hag' Lindsay Peterson had called him, to tell him that it was urgent she speak with him, and that it concerned their almost three month old son Gus Kinney-Peterson-Marcus.

After quickly agreeing to an 11am meeting just to get Lindsay off of the phone, and out of his hair, he then buzzed his secretary Cynthia, and told her to, "Hold all of my calls for now, until I personally tell you otherwise."

Brian had a pretty good idea what the urgent meeting was about, and he told himself he wouldn't back down. He'd do it, but only if they did the same. End of story.

His new boss had just quirked an eyebrow, and then he'd also added, "Oh, and you can keep your Girl Friday too. A good Assistant is bloody hard to find now days and you two seem to run a tight ship. I like that in a man Kinney. Hell I'll even give her a bloody raise, IF you pull this off. But, If not," Vance implied darkly, "her pretty blonde head is on the chop block as well, for I have no patience for incompetence. So, what do you say Kinney? Myself and a lot of others are counting on you. It would be your biggest career mistake to let me down, and, being so close to the Holidays, such a shame to let those that count on you down as well."

Backed into a corner as he was gulping down the bile that was fast approaching his throat as Vance's not so lightly veiled threats coated his thoughts, Brian just smiled a sour smile as he gruffly said, "Fine, count me in."

Sticking out one pale pink pudgy hand to clasp Brian's tanned larger slimmer one, they firmly shook on it, sealing the deal, and good or bad, possibly Brian's future career fate as well.

So, after feeling like he'd just shook hands with the devil himself, when 11am rolled around, Brian informed Cynthia he was taking an early lunch.

Quickly he made his escape out of Vanguard to meet up with Lindsay in the Company's black Jeep. It would not be his until he pulled off this miracle coo Vance was counting on by landing both hard to acquire accounts.

They had agreed to meet at their favorite park. But, once Lindsay and Gus had arrived, she'd gotten a phone call from her partner, Lawyer Melanie Marcus.

An excited Melanie had told Lindsay that she'd just been given a major groundbreaking case and an offer to a promotion to Partner in the law firm she worked in. Of course she took the offer, and now she wanted to take Lindsay out on the town to celebrate. In fact, she wanted to take her 'out' of town.

She'd just booked them a long weekend at the Hershey Hotel. And she had assured her lover that now was the best time to go as it was right before the Holidays hit full swing.
Sensually Melanie described in great detail to her lover just what awaited them. A fabulous weekend full of chocolate, pampering, and good food and fun! What more could any woman want?

Then, it was Lindsay's turn to get all excited.

Brian rolled his eyes, and waited. And waited.

As they gabbed, he noticed that Gus was starting to get fussy just sitting in his stroller.
"Ma, Ma, Mamm, DA!" He gurgled loudly as his intelligent, bright golden leaf_ green and hazel brown eyes were now trained on Brian's face, when his father peeked inside the dark blue baby buggy.

"Hey Sonny Boy, you okay in there?" Brian cooed as he reached inside to rescue his baby boy.

Lindsay frowned as she watched him lift their son out of his stroller.

Her and Melanie's, NOT Brian Kinney's. Brian was totally unreliable, and he even had yet to sign over his parental rights to Mel, so that she could adopt the boy.

It had been Mel at her side during the painful six hour ride called labor, less than 3 months ago, not Brian.

All he had contributed to the amazing little bundle that was Gus, was a cup of Kinney sperm.

Brian had turned off his cell phone, and had spent the early part of the night of Gus' birth in the backroom at Babylon getting his big dick sucked by as many tricks as possible.
If Mel hadn't thought to try Michael's cell, Brian would of never of known of Gus' birth.
And, as far as Lindsay was concerned, Mel was a better father figure than Brian Kinney.
"Brian, for heaven's sakes! Be careful, don't drop him!" Lindsay scolded as Brian began to make small airplane motions with the baby.

Looking right back at her, he lifted a brow as he dryly stated, "And that's JUST what I was intending to do." Rolling his eyes mockingly at her, he then carefully sat the little boy upright in his lap, placed a tiny hand in each of his larger ones and gently bounced the baby on his knees.

Brian had Gus facing the playground so that the baby could see the other children playing.
It didn't take long and soon the little boy was bouncing quite well on his own, babbling, "UuuP! UhP!"

Lindsay frowned as she held the phone away for a moment covering the mouth piece as she muttered, "Brian! Don't encourage him! He might bounce right out of your arms and fall!"

Brian just snarked back, "Linds, I keep telling you and your 'bitter half' that Gus is a boy. And, he is a baby, and baby's love to bounce. And, while he may bounce, and be hyper, he's just enjoying being a baby boy, so, quit fucking smothering him, and let him bloody bounce for Christ sakes!"

"Language Brian!" Lindsay hissed, half heartedly, trying not to grin.

Because when Lindsay heard the word 'bloody' as she mouthed it back to him, she then giggled it into the mouth piece of her cell phone to a chortling and snorting Melanie.
'Dykes!' Brian thought. 'Can't live with em'! But when his bouncing baby son hopped up and out, smashing Brian's balls with his sharp shiny new baby Prada covered tiny yet surprisingly strong little feet in the process, he did almost drop Gus.

Feeling his face redden, he heard Lindsay giggle to Melanie again before she hissed to him, "See! I did try and warn you Bri. He's quick Brian, he almost fell on his head this time! You don't live with him every day, Mel and I do, and we know how our son is, so please, try and be more careful!"

Gently Brian placed the giggling baby back into his pram.

Lindsay, who had just finished her call was putting away her cell as he said, "Look Linds,
we need to stop putting this off. I stand firm on my decision, and it's going to be the same answer until forever. Gus is MY son too, and I will NOT be shut out of his life any more.
You and Melanie want me to sign that million dollar insurance policy, then BOTH of you had better be prepared to do the same."

"But Brian, " Lindsay began, whining in that cute little girl way that she knew he couldn't resist. 'After all, Gus was here wasn't he?' She thought smugly.

Holding up his hand, he gave her a serious look when she pouted as he said, "No, don't 'but Brian me' or interrupt me again dammit, I've not even finished what it is I wish to say!" Brian firmly said, looking down at his hands as he tried to muster up the courage to tell her something that not only would break her heart, but would piss her and her dyke-bund off. Maybe to the point of them never letting him see Gus, ever again.

'Well, they could try.' He thought wryly, but those thoughts were soon halted as a small shadow fell across Brian's lap, as a soft sweet angelic voice politely said, "Excuse me Sir,
I was watching you and your lovely wife's little baby playing a moment ago. He sure is a cutie-pie by the way, and I was wondering if you would like for me to draw his picture or one of the three of you? It's only $20.00, and it won't take me very long to do it. I'm really quite good at it too, here are some examples of my work."

As Brian raised his head, his eyes clashed with two of the brightest, the bluest eyes he'd ever experienced before, as two small slender hands held out to him a large worn grey leather sketchbook with the words, "JUSTIN'S ART WORKS" written in gold calligraphy on the cover.

The thin small boy with the morning sun haloing his shoulder length pretty bright blond hair standing in front of him couldn't of been any more than 10 years of age!

But, judging from his possible 5'4 or 5'5 height, Brian thought it was more like early teens.

He was quite the little looker, and someday, this kid was gonna be quite a little heartbreaker.

Not only did he have the bluest sparkling eyes Brian had ever seen, he had beautiful features with high cheek bones and the cutest button nose and sensual full pink lips.
He may of been dressed a bit odd, what with the faded grey and a tad too short and a bit too big cargo pants, coupled along with the plain faded black long sleeved tee shirt covered with the lime green un zippered hoodie, and the beat up faded black Nike's that obviously had seen much better days, but, considering what most teens of the day wore, his washed out rumpled look was much easier on the eye.

But, in Brian's eagle-eyed well trained gaze, the boy was a beauty in the rough.
From the top of his shaggy blond head to the tips of his dirty tennis shoes, the kid was simply breathtaking.

Taking the book gently from the small hands, and seeing in the boys' pretty eyes the minute fear of perhaps losing his treasure, Brian smiled reassuringly at him making a big deal of being extra gentle with the sketchbook as he held onto it carefully and placed it in his lap.

Looking down at the book, he smiled, and as he quickly thumbed through it, his eyes widened as well drawn pictures of people, places, and things jumped up at him.

This kid was very talented. So detailed were these sketches, the boy put to shame almost the entire Art department at Vanguard. As every artist there was a well heeled, top of the line College Graduate, with many years of experience, that was saying a lot. 'Hell, even Lindsay, with all of her Art degree's couldn't touch this kid!' Brian realized.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The beautiful man and woman sitting in front of him looked like a regal couple, and Justin itched to draw them both, and place them into a fairytale background, complete with a tall castle.

He smiled slightly as he looked over at the sleeping little baby, and his mind saw all of the many different ways he could draw their 'little prince' as well.

Carefully he scrutinized what the couple was wearing, as well as the style and condition of their accessories. Judging by the expensive way their child was dressed, Justin summarized that these people were loaded.

'Hopefully, they will offer to pay more than the $20.00 that I asked for.' He thought, trying not to think of his sore burning belly.

~~~~~~~~~

As Lindsay watched Brian poring through the child's drawings, she felt herself getting more and more jealous as he carefully examined each one.

'He never looked at MY art work that closely.' She angrily thought, as she watched her friend just as closely as he was looking at the boy's sketches.

Finally, she couldn't stand it, and soon she too was engrossed in the fine details of the work.

As she watched Brian's and the boy's non verbal communications, she decided she didn't like the way the kid was flirting with Brian, nor the way Brian seemed to be encouraging him.

The easy way the boy would run his small finger over something on the page, making sure to 'accidentally' bump into Brian's longer one as he pointed out something.

Then, after he made contact, he would look deeply into Brian's eyes and bat his long sandy lashes, once, then twice, really slowly, and Lindsay could of sworn she heard Brian's zipper pop, and she was shocked when Brian had just smiled, and blinked right back at the boy, as he moved his long coat to cover his lap.

Lindsay was disgusted by the whole display, and decided, enough was enough, this kid need to go now. Preferably to what ever he called a home, and take a cold shower.

With his dirty sloppy clothing, and his slutty ways, Lindsay had his number. This 'Justin' was obviously street trash, a pretty little rent boy for hire. God knows what he might be carrying!

Looking the boy slowly up and then just as slowly down, until she was sure he was VERY uncomfortable, Lindsay then verbally pounced as she arched her fine brows and rudely asked, "These drawing look like they were made by a professional artist's hand, not some grubby child with dirty nails. I want to know right now, where did you get them? Did you steal them from some place?"

Brian was shocked and embarrassed at her snobby and bitchy behaviour, and he felt sorry for the young boy as he watched the too thin shoulders droop, and the little face pout.
And he was really pissed when he saw the bright light in those remarkable blue eyes slowly dim with the inner damage from her hurtful words.

And his jaw tightened as he heard Lindsay snark in her best I'm- better- than- you- so- eat- shit- and- die anal WASPY tones, as she attempted to remove the book from Brian's hands. "No thank you little boy, now run along and go play. We were trying to have an adult conversation, before we were so rudely interrupted by the likes of you."

Making an ugly face as she screwed up her features she spat, "Look at you! You're obviously street trash. And, I don't want your kind near my baby, so go away, before I call the police. I know what kind of boy you are, and what filthy things you do. I don't want filth of your kind near me or my friend, or our son. So, shoo!" she said meanly, wrinkling her long nose, and pursing her lips rudely, looking like she had just smelt something vile.

Making her point even more clear, she began waving both of her hands at him in a shoo-shooing motion.

Brian who had had just about enough of her shitty, holier than thou attitude, whispered loudly to the sad looking boy who looked as if he was about to bust out into tears.

Ignoring the shocked gasp from Lindsay as he slapped her hands so hard she quickly let go of the kid's book, he ignored her as he looked at the boy and said "Hi, I'm Brian. The sleeping baby is my and the bitch sitting next to me's son. His name is Gus. He's almost 3 months old, but I can assure you, he has much sweeter manners than his mother, Lindsay the uber bitch. I think your sketches are some of the best I've ever seen from one so young. What's your name, or is the 'Justin' on the front of your art book you? I'm thinking so. And how old are you? But, before you answer me, I just gotta know kid, come on! You really thought that me, a good looking gay guy was married to, EWWW, to a DYKE?!"

"BRIAN!" Lindsay screeched, "I thought we'd both fucking agreed not to use derogatory language in front of our son! And tell me why are you defending street trash! He's probably a boy-whore Brian, so don't touch him, you might catch something and then give it to me or to Gus!"

Slyly she looked at him mockingly as she stated in her best little girl voice, "Unless you 'like' chicken?" As she made a *cluck* clucking noise with her throat, Brian glared at her hard as she challenged, "Do you Brian, do you prefer little smooth hairless boys to men? I saw how you were checking him out Brian, and it was disgusting... Admit it, you find this little blond boy attractive, don't you."

At his long silence, her voice turned frigid and hateful as she spat, "Because if you do, then you can say goodbye to ever seeing Gus, ever again! You, you, pervert!"

To say Brian was pissed at her didn't even cash the check. He. Was. Furious.

How dare that fucking snotty bitch of a dyke talk to him in that tone, and in that way and say such cruel and hateful things to him.

For someone who claimed to be a so called friend, Brian realized, a friend wouldn't say such hurtful things.

Just then, her cell phone rang, and both Brian and the boy breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Winking at Justin, he snickered, "So, just ignore the tall blonde bull dyke and answer my questions okay? Oh and don't worry, her cocks bigger than her brain, and obviously they both are non existent. Ya know, they say, when a woman has a baby, she loses half of her brain. Well, in Linds' case, I beg to differ, as she obviously should take out a missing persons ad for hers."

Brian had to grin as the boy broke out in tiny snickers, then little giggles, then he grabbed his tummy and soon was laughing.

Brian enjoyed Justin's innocent laughter and at the cute way he tried to hush them up by clamping his small pale hand over his little pink mouth.

Brian then laughed as he heard Gus inside his stroller, cooing and giggling as well.

And he laughed even harder when Lindsay tripped over a small tree root and landed on her big ass as she had moved away from the bench so she could hear whomever was on the phone with her better.

"AAH! SHIT! Brian! Would you please come over here and help me up?" Lindsay grimaced as she brushed at the leaves stuck in her hair and on her clothes.

Pointedly ignoring her and then turning to wink again at the small blond kid he whispered, "Behold Justin, Karma at work."

And Brian almost choked on his breath as the boy rewarded Brian's lame attempts at trying to make him feel better with one of the most amazing breathtakingly beautiful sunny smiles he'd ever seen.

So innocent, so white and so pure and so pretty, so damn honest that there was not a hint of deceit, and it brought a fine sheen of tears to his eyes.

It was a smile so rare, to be found on one so young. It was the kind of smile that launched a thousand ships, and lured others to do anything, spend anything, just to get a glimpse of it, just to own a piece of it.

It promised a trip back into childhood, for the elderly, and fun times ahead, for the young.
It sparkled with hidden mischief, yet brimmed with love. And it made you feel good and then confused all at once.

Kind of like the way one feels after the most amazing roller coaster ride, a bit dizzy, yet invigorated as well.

Like seedlings under a blanket of bright white snow, it promised and gave hope for the future.

It was in that moment, that two fabulous, and amazing killer advertising ideas hit him so hard, he almost fell over.

Reaching into his coat pocket, his fingers curled around his small silver digital camera.
As he slowly drew his hand out of his pocket holding the slim silver rectangle, he couldn't help but notice the blond boy's melting smile and wide eyed and terrified look.

'Yeesh,' Brian thought, 'I'd heard of some people being camera shy, but this kid looks like he's ready to toss his cookies and bolt or something.'

But when he brought the small camera up to his eye to snap off a shot or two, or three, and as he said, "Say Cheese!"

The young boy screamed, and grabbing up his book off of Brian's lap, he sprinted away like the very Devil was gonna grab him!

Brian just sat there, his mouth hanging open, as he wondered, 'Okay, now what in the FUCK just happened here?'

~~~~~~~~~

Justin ran as fast as he could, until he'd passed the edge of the park, and headed straight for the safety of the woods.

As his feet took him to the small clearing, he began to relax, knowing he was now safe.
Slowing down his steps, Justin walked into the hidden world of a life he had been in, been forced to live in, since he was only 13 years old.

"Hey, Justin!" greeted Shoe-boy, a thin elderly white man in his late 60's. As he smiled a toothless smile at Justin and pushed a warm wrinkled bag at his chest.

"I got em fresh today, I did Right before they dumped em, and I hit the jack pot I did! Sammy saw me and just give them ALL to me, before anyone else!" He said proudly with a gummy grin plastered on his slender whiskery face.

Patting Justin on the back with a frail hand he said, "I's already fed the others, an' the li' ones too, but I saved you a couple, coz I know's how much you like's em, Justin."

Pushing some small drink boxes at Justin, Shoe-boy said gleefully "Here, have a couple of milk and some juice too! Sammy gave me a whole big box full for all of us, and he gave me several names of churches that were gonna hold a Thanksgiving Dinner for folks like us boy! Carol Ann and Sherrie are gonna go, so are Al and his wife Terrie. Jackie and Evan said they might come too, I know I'll be there, coz I love's me some turkey now, and I know you do too, so what ya say boy, you gonna go too then?" Shoe-boy asked with hope filled pale blue eyes.

Smiling back at the elderly man fondly, Justin took the offered treats, and then hugged the frail body to him, as he closed his eyes and sent up a silent prayer for people like Sammy Tate.

"Thank you Shoe-boy, I was getting rather hungry." Justin admitted as he sighed at the loss of the sure thing money wise he left behind at the park. The tall good looking man had been kind to him, and had not once tried to get him to have sex for money or anything else disgusting that Justin usually had to deal with on a day to day basis.

He could tell right away, that after seeing Justin's art portfolio, the man was going to let him draw at least him and the baby, but then that thing, that dyke of a woman had to go and ruin it all!

'What a BITCH!' Justin thought as he remembered Lindsay, the tall slender snotty blonde Ice Princess dressed in her fancy clothes with her dove grey Pea coat and her Gucci leather boots and matching purse and her top of the line cell phone.

Justin then had to snort as he made his way to his 'spot' as he wondered, 'had she ever seen a day with no shelter, or no food?' reaching into the bag as he slid down his tree by his stuff, he pondered, 'Had she or 'Brian ever eaten throw away food from McDonalds trash bin before?'

Chuckling darkly as he hungrily unwrapped and then sank his teeth into the still warm sausage egg and cheese muffin, he tore into the small boxes of juice and milk until he felt full once again.

It was pretty rare, to get so much at once, and Justin was going to enjoy it while it lasted.
After he finished off the two breakfast sandwiches, he burped lightly, and then flipping open his sketch pad, closed his eyes for a moment, the opened them and began drawing the beautiful man he'd met in the park.

As soon as he was done, he squinted his inner eye, as he strained to remember the happy little bouncing baby.

When his mind locked in on the memory, Justin's pencil just flew smoothly across the large page, and in no time at all, the smiling face of a happy infant, was soon staring back at him.

Thumbing back to the man's picture, in the far left bottom corner he wrote, 'Brian, at the park, dated it, and then signed it, J. Taylor.

Flipping the page, he took out a sheet of tracing paper and then flipping the picture back, carefully covered it.

He did the same to the baby Gus' picture next.

Once he was satisfied, he looked at his silver Timex watch, a Sweet Sixteen birthday present from Shoe-boy and the gang, and he smiled.

Picking up his precious book, he walked around his tree, tucking the book up under his arm, he then zippered down the front of his worn grey cargo's and relieved himself by the big thick green bush next to it.

Slipping underneath his heavy and thick plywood lean to, Justin sat down his sketchbook, and zipped up his thin jacket to his neck and pulled down the hood over his head.

Tugging at the ends of his long sleeved tee shirt, he quickly pulled them through the edges of the jacket sleeves.

As he laid down on the cold ground on top of the large thin ratty green blanket he'd bought from the Salvation Army, he reached down to cover up with it.

Closing his eyes, he did his best to fight against the painful memories that he'd tried to out run since he was 13.

But, no matter how hard he tried, to fight off at seeing that horrible object, the painful thoughts, those memories brought the whole terrifying truth crashing down on top of his head.

A truth filled reality that, in the middle of the night, squeezed his thin chest like an anaconda.

Aside from the rag-tag group of modern day Gypsies outside of his lean to, Justin Taylor was all alone in the world.

Carefully he set the alarm on his watch.

In a few hours, he'd try the late lunch early supper crowd. Maybe he'd get lucky and sell some of his art, or he'd be commissioned to make some. But for now, all Justin could do, was dream.