Karma: It's not just a River in Egypt

S01E08

Big Q Mart. Mike's rearranging the toy aisle. Mike's heroically muttering his "I'm gay" speech when he's interrupted by Barbarosa. Mike thanks Bob for inviting him to the party. Bob says that his wife really liked Mike, and kept asking when he and SOL are getting married. Fresh Hell, indeed. Bob asks if Tracy's busy tonight, and now Mike's really confused. Bob continues, "Well, I thought you two might want to have a little celebration of your own. After all, isn't that what you do when you get a new promotion, Mr. Manager?! On cue, Big Q employees pour out from behind the aisles, cheering. Tracy races up and gives Mike a big ole kiss. He's so screwed.

School's over, and Justin's walking out. But maybe not so fast. He's blocked by a group of boys, who were interested to hear that he's not living at home anymore. Justin blames Daphne for blabbing; the boys blame Justin for being a "fucking faggot." Sigh. This is fallout from last week's locker-room incident, I suppose. I hate scenes that make me loathe the whole world. The gang knocks Justin's books to the ground, pushes him around, and calls him names, because Justin's just not having a bad enough week. Off-camera, we hear the screech of tires, and then someone calls Justin's name. It's Brian to the rescue! Justin doesn't look as happy to see him as he usually would. The other boys are pretty intimidated, though. Brian demands that Justin get in the car, and Justin -- once again close to tears -- asks where they're going. "Home," Brian replies.

To The Taylor Family Manse, that is. Justin forlornly sits on the living-room couch, while Jennifer tries to mediate between Father and Son. Justin has nothing to say. Jennifer says that she and his father want him to come home: "And I think that Brian would agree." Brian's lounging on a chair on the other side of the room, radiating an above-it-all arrogance. Craig spits, "What difference does it make what Brian thinks?" But Jen's done with him, and tells her husband not to interrupt her. She tries prompting Justin again, but his eyes are solidly on the carpet. Brian orders, "Look at your mom, Justin." Justin, startled, looks up -- first at Brian, who jerks his head over, then finally to his mother. Jen smiles, "You're staying here." Justin replies, "Only if Dad says that he's sorry for hitting Brian." Just had to go there, didn't you? Predictably, Craig leaps out of his seat, screaming that Brian is the one who should apologize for making Justin believe that Brian loved him. I'd be quiet if I were him. I'm pretty sure Brian's up for a rematch, and he'd kick Craig's skinny little suburban butt all around the cul-de-sac, I'll bet. Justin says that Brian never said that he loved Justin: "He said it was just a fuck -- that's all." Justin continues, "But I'm okay with that, because that's all it was. All it should be." It's like letting a pin out of a balloon. Justin gets it at last. Sad, but soooooo much better. Brian smiles at him -- what is that, proudly? Hard to say. Whatever it is, it's rife with attitude. Jen tells Justin that he should go to his room. Justin gratefully gets up to do so, but Mad Dad stops him, to say "one more thing." Jen tries to stop him, but Craig runs right over her. God, he is such a git! He tells Justin that if he's going to live in his house, he has to live by certain rules: "You are not to go to gay bars or talk about your disgusting lifestyle." I'm sorry, I had to laugh. "Your disgusting lifestyle"?! Gimme a break. MD continues, pointing to Brian, "And you are never, ever to see him again." Jennifer chooses to be silent. Guess this reconciliation thing is a little harder than she thought it would be. Brian snorts, "So, in other words, for Justin to live here with you, he has to deny who he is, what he thinks, and how he feels." That about sums it up. Craig snarls that no one asked his opinion, but Brian leaps up and replies, "Well, that's not love. That's hate." WORD. Craig tells Brian to get out. Brian's already on his way, pausing just long enough to ask whether Justin's coming with him. Justin's shocked. He looks at his mom, who looks back with longing. I guess she feels that, at least with Brian, Justin'll be safe, or like she said before, she'll at least know where he is. Without a word, Justin follows Brian out of the house.