The Gus Diaries

Part 101

Growing Up
 

Thinking back I should have seen it coming but I didn’t. All I could do now was hand Uncle Michael a paper bag and tell him to breathe into it, as I did the same.

I’m getting ahead of myself. I’d better back up and start from the beginning.

Last weekend Dad, Pop, Grandma Jen, Tucker, and I went to visit Jeff for Parent’s Weekend at CMU. We had a great time. Even Dad admitted, “It wasn’t torture.”

Before we left on Sunday afternoon we watched Jeff’s basketball game -- he scored 16 points. He was incredible alongside all his upper class teammates! It was great to watch CMU win on their home court. I hope I get to play alongside Jeff there in two years.

We left soon after the game but it wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. In front of everyone, Jeff gave me a 3-pointer of a kiss! I heard some of his teammates praise him on his technique off the court and watched his face go red as they left to celebrate their victory.

As soon as we walked in the door when we returned to Britin, Pop immediately headed to the phone to check our voicemail.

There were only two messages. He played them out loud so we could all hear.

The first was from Michael. Hey, Gus, I just wanted to let you know I’ll need you at least four afternoons this week. Just come by as soon as you finish practice or your school paper job. The new issue of Rage is coming out on Monday -- I expect the store will be filled with Rage-hungry readers. Ka-ching!

Dad rolled his eyes. “Does he still say that every time he sells a comic book or some other piece of superhero shit?”

I snorted. “Yeah, Dad, he does. It’s kind of geeky, but that’s Uncle Michael.”

Pop huffed. “He even says it every time we put a new issue to bed and send it to the printer.”

“Have I taught him nothing about being cool over the years.” Dad smirked as Pop gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Some are destined for cool and others for geekdom.”

“Watch out, Sunshine. With a geeky statement like that, people may well think you’re the latter.”

After Pop smacked Dad on the arm the two settled down to listen to the next message.

Hi, Gus, Justin, and Brian, it’s Melanie. I have something important to discuss with all of you. I know you’re coming back on Sunday from visiting Jeff at school. Can JR and I bring Chinese and meet with you?

Dad and Pop looked at each other. Both of them had that furrowed brow look of concern.

“Hey, it can’t be that bad -- she’s bringing Jenny. She always leaves her at Michael and Ben’s whenever she’s going to give us bad news.”

Pop nodded. “You’re right, Gus. Besides, Brian, how bad could anything be. According to Deb, Lindsay’s doing great in therapy... and Mel was promoted to Partner in her firm last Summer.”

Dad pinched the bridge of his nose. “It just doesn’t seem natural for Mel to want to come over to simply visit or chat about the pre-teen princess getting a fucking good grade on a paper. Something’s up.”

“Stop being such a pessimist.” Pop picked up the phone. “Give her the benefit of the doubt.”

I liked Pop’s attitude better, but something told me Dad was closer to the mark.

“Hi, Mel. We’d love to have you and Jenny join us for dinner tonight.”

Dad started waving his hands about something I couldn’t quite make out, but I guess Pop got the idea.

“Oh, and when you order the food make sure they use no MSG.”

...

Pop laughed. “I guess you do know him better than anyone of us would like to think.”

Dad glared at Pop, but he went on talking.

“Okay, see you in about an hour.”

“What the fuck was that all about?”

Pop wrapped his hand around the back of Dad’s head and pulled him down for one hell of a kiss. The two touched foreheads. “Melanie already ordered the food with no MSG, knowing how health-conscious you are.”

“Those have to be your words, not hers.”

Smiling, Pop continued, “Right again, oh wise master.”

Dad kissed Pop one more time before heading into the kitchen to start setting the table followed close behind by Pop and me.

“Now that we’ve got my title straight--”

Pop nudged Dad with his shoulder. “It’s the only thing straight about you.”

Dad snorted. “Good thing for you, Sunshine.” I tried to unsuccessfully cover a snicker. “Did our pint-sized attorney say anything else -- give a clue why we’re about to be graced with her presence?”

“No, but she seemed in a pretty good mood.”

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

Mem and Jenny showed up with enough food for at least two meals.

Dad looked at the huge amount of takeout boxes strewn over the kitchen counter and brushed his hand over his face. “Is the big question tonight whether you should invest in this restaurant? You must have every fucking dish the place makes.”

“Brian, can’t you watch your fucking foul mouth for one night?”

“As soon as you do, Ms. Marcus.”

I went over and gave Mem a hug and a kiss and wrapped my arm loosely around Jenny’s shoulders. “So, kid, what’s up with Mem? Care to give me a clue?”

She unwrapped herself from my arm and grinned at me. “Not one clue. It’s about time I had one up on you, big brother.”

“You can be such a bi--”

“Gus!” I stopped talking abruptly and saw Pop staring at me with a grimace on his face. “Come and help me put all these dishes on the table with serving pieces -- NOW!”

I nodded and was grateful Pop kept me from getting in trouble with Mem for my own verbal abuse.

We were all sitting at dinner talking about grades, sports, the school paper, Jenny’s new-found soccer acumen, and everything else under the sun, but nothing that would qualify as a reason for this impromptu visit.

Finally Dad had enough of the small talk. “Look, Mel, as charmed as I am to have you here, we had a busy weekend and I have to catch up on some work before I head into the office tomorrow. Care to share what brings you out to the wilds of West Virginia?”

Jenny started grinning again and I had the urge to smack her.

“Well, you know Marie and I have been dating for a while.”

Pop nodded and Dad didn’t respond, clearly not interested in Mem’s love life.

“You see, with my new responsibilities at work, I have a couple of clients I’ll have to meet with in Philly from time to time. This coming week is one of those times and Marie has agreed to go with me. She’s leaving her kids with Dusty’s mother.”

I saw Dad’s face soften at the mention of Dusty’s name and he rubbed his eyes. Even though everyone knows it wasn’t in any way his fault, I don’t think Dad ever got over feeling guilty for the deaths of those people at Babylon, no matter how many years have passed.

“So what does that have to do with us?” Pop tried to move the conversation along as I saw him squeeze Dad’s shoulder.

“JR will be staying with her fathers, and Lindsay is still not... herself... yet. I was hoping you would help keep an eye on things in case...”

Dad lowered his head. “... in case Lindsay should show her darker side, knowing you’re with Marie?”

Mem wore a half smile. “Something like that.” She took a deep breath and I could tell she was about to add something important. “You see Marie and I have been talking about a bigger commitment.”

Jenny finally showed her true colors and blurted out the rest. “We may be moving in with them because Mommy plans to propose.”

Mem frowned at Jenny and I couldn’t help laughing. “JR, that was my story to tell -- in my own way.”

“Oh, Mommy, you know Uncle Brian and Uncle Justin don’t care who anyone is with as long as they’re happy.”

Dad stroked Jenny’s hair. “Smart girl and almost one hundred percent accurate.”

Jenny put a silly pout on her face. “Almost?”

“My dear young lady, there are times and people I would sincerely be opposed to anyone in this family getting close to, however Marie is not one of them.” Dad turned to Mem. “I hope it works out for you, and Justin and I will keep an eye on Jenny’s dramatic dad and his pint-sized charge.”

Pop turned to me. “You have work all week, so we’ll be seeing Michael just about everyday when we pick you up. This should be no problem.”

Jenny rolled her eyes. “What the hell could possibly happen? I spend time with Daddy regularly.”

“Ahhh, the words of the innocent.”

“Uncle Brian, I’m far from that innocent. I’m twelve and in seventh grade -- things are changing.”

“Don’t force the change so fast, you might regret it.”

I noticed Mem gazing at all of us. There was something else she wasn’t talking about and I couldn’t imagine what it could be. Grandma Deb tells us every little thing about Mom, and Jenny seemed fine with all of this, so that wasn’t the problem.

Somehow I knew this wasn’t going to be the peaceful week Dad and Pop expected.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

The next day I went to work right after basketball practice. Uncle Michael had a huge shipment of boxes to unpack and I dug right in. The extra cases of Rage comics were my first priority as the new issue was selling so fast I needed to restock the nearly empty shelves right away.

“My little honeybun will be here soon. She went to a friend’s house after school and will be by in a few minutes.”

“Sounds great, who’s her friend?”

“Some girl named Jordan. Her mother called and said dropping JR off would be no problem.”

The store was so crowded I didn’t even notice at first when Jenny returned. She was right outside the door with Jordan -- a boy -- and they were kissing good-bye!

[TBC]
 

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