The Gus Diaries

Part 104

Not Marci II
 

Thanksgiving was approaching and I was looking forward to having the entire family converge on Britin. Jeff would be spending the long weekend with us. His coach hadn’t scheduled any practices for the holiday break and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

“Newbie, I can’t wait to have you all to myself after your family finishes dinner and leaves on Thursday. Just you and me and--”

“And Dad and Pop. Don’t forget them. And remember, they’re your family too.”

Jeff laughed. “You know your dads never get in our way.”

It was true. Dad once told me he’d rather have me fucking in the house where he knew I was safe than out in some back alley on Liberty Avenue. I had the feeling he was talking from experience but I never pursued it -- at least not yet.

“Gus?”

“Yeah Jeff.”

“How’s Marci?”

I bit my lip. “I took her to see Uncle Ben. I told you about that.”

“I remember. You said he was amazing.”

“He was. Uncle Ben took good care of her. He told her to focus on the shit that’s important and get tested.”

“I can’t believe she has to get tested more than once and won’t know anything for sure for six fucking months! I’d go out of my mind.”

“Me too.” I paused before asking the question I’d been avoiding. “Jeff?”

“Uh huh?”

“If you ever do anything that could--” My voice trailed off unable to finish the sentence.

“I have no intention of doing anything to mess up our relationship, but if it did happen, I promise I’d let you know right away -- before we were together. What the hell was Steve thinking?”

“Thinking has always been a challenge for Steve. We both know that.”

“Too bad he had to prove it to everyone this way. Has Marci spoken to him since this happened?”

I bit my lip. “I don’t think so. She told Uncle Ben she hadn’t spoken to him and gave him Steve’s phone number.”

“Why?”

“Uncle Ben wants to make sure he gets tested properly, to be sure there’s no chance he could infect anyone else.”

“If he has anything.”

“I hope you’re right. I’m glad you’re not trying to get into one of those frats.”

“Too busy with school, work, basketball, and you.”

“Thanks. You know just the right thing to say.”

Jeff and I continued to talk for over an hour. I told him I accompanied Marci to the clinic for an exam and for a shitload of tests. Not only did they test her for HIV but a bunch of other STD’s as well... they also were going to make sure she wasn’t pregnant, but she knew she couldn’t be -- she had taken other precautions, not trusting a condom alone.

I remembered trying to convince Jeff not to use a condom and blushed with embarrassment at my foolishness. I’m lucky Jeff is smart... and disciplined.

Next, Marci and I went to tell her parents the abridged version of what was happening. Uncle Ben thought it was important for her to be open and honest with them. But then he’d never met Marci’s parents, so he had no way of knowing how wrong he was about sharing this.

I thought her father was going to hit her -- he might have if I hadn’t been there. He started yelling at her, calling her a slut amongst other trashy names. She was so upset she packed a bag and has been staying with Grandma Deb and Grandpa Carl ever since.

Marci was devastated. Her mother’s been calling her daily, but her father refuses to either see or talk to her. Shit! What happened to the whole concept of unconditional love?

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

A couple of days ago, when Uncle Michael dropped me off at Grandma’s for dinner after work, Hunter dropped by. I had a feeling Uncle Ben spoke to Hunter.

He and his girlfriend, fiancee, whatever-she-is, came in because they were “in the neighborhood”. No one ever wants to be in Grandma’s neighborhood anymore -- it’s really gone downhill. In fact Dad, Pop, and Uncle Michael are looking for a condo to buy Grandma and Grandpa... for Christmas. They’re worried about all the sleazy people hanging around the area and Grandpa isn’t a cop anymore. He’d be too old to take care of them if someone should break in.

Marci’s content there for the moment. She loves Grandma and knows she can talk to her about anything.

Anyway, the night Hunter showed up he joined us for dinner. Grandma made tons of food, but there’s no surprise there.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Marci. Now I have an excuse to cook again. Carl likes take-out too much.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Horvath.”

“Gus, would you please tell your friend to stop calling me that.”

I rolled my eyes and looked at Marci, who seemed a bit more sheepish than I would ever expect.  “What should she call you?”

“She can call me Grandma, or Debbie, or Grandma Debbie -- whatever the fuck she wants. Just don’t call me something that makes it seem like we’re not family.”

I noticed Marci blotting her eyes. I guess she didn’t realize she’d become a member of my family without even trying.

“Your grandmother is unbelievable.”

“She sure is -- you know I’m not related to her by blood either. Just call her Grandma Deb -- it’ll make you both happy.”

Marci gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for everything, Gus. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

After dinner we all moved to the living room. I heard the front door open. Dad and Pop came in and as they were taking off their coats Dad grabbed Pop by the sleeves and drew him in for a tongue tonsillectomy.

“Don’t you ever get enough?” Pop’s breathing was heavy.

“Never enough, Sunshine. You should know that by now. Besides, I like watching you get all breathless with anticipation.”

“Brian...”

“Yes dear?”

“If you want some later...”

“‘Nuff said.” They walked into the living room. “Well, look who’s here -- it’s the graduate.”

Hunter snorted. “I wish you’d stop calling me that. I’m not toting around some middle-aged bimbo like the one in that old movie.”

“No, you have much better taste. I trained you well.” Dad smirked.

“You didn’t train me at all. You notice this is a woman -- a very hot woman I might add.”

Hunter’s girlfriend blushed and poked him in the ribs.

“We can’t all get everything right, can we.” Dad snorted.

Hunter tilted his head and grinned, but then his face took on a more serious expression. “So Marci, I hear your boyfriend screwed up.”

Marci glared at me, but her look softened quickly. She knows our family has no secrets and she also knows Hunter’s HIV status. “He’s not my boyfriend anymore.”

“That’s your decision.” Hunter immediately turned on his guidance counselor demeanor. “But one thing I know for sure is you have to stay healthy and focused. Gus tells me you’re pretty smart.”

“I’m more than that -- I’m currently in the top 5 of our class.”

“Good -- stay there. Concentrate on your studies and your after school activities. It’ll make the time go by faster.”

“Six months seems like forever.” It was the first time Marci admitted she was even thinking about the time.

“It does, especially if you dwell on it. But nothing’s gonna change if you think about the testing 24/7. Just go about your life and fill your day. Time to think is probably your biggest enemy right now -- especially if everything turns out negative. You don’t want to have wasted six months on what-ifs.”

Marci started to nibble on her thumbnail. I had a feeling I knew what was coming, but I let her ask her own questions. “Hunter, do you think the results will turn out negative?”

Hunter stood up, leaving the large armchair he was sharing with his fiancee, and kneeled in front of Marci. “You know, I can’t answer that for you, Princess; it all depends on how careful people were before Steve became involved.”

“But what do you think my chances are?”

“I couldn’t say. But I will tell you that eating right, staying healthy, and looking toward the future are your best friends right now -- except maybe for this kid.” He gently swiped his hand over my hair.

“When did you find out you were...” Marci lowered her head.

Hunter closed his eyes. “I found out when I was sixteen. But at sixteen I also found out what it was like to be loved.”

“You had your first boyfriend?”

I smiled knowing the answer to Marci’s question.

“No, I found my first real parents.”

Hunter returned to his girlfriend’s side and kissed her. “Since then, I’ve learned to respect myself and those I love. Right now I’m down to two pills twice a day and with the way research is going who knows what the future holds.”

I spotted Jill -- that’s her name -- squeeze Hunter’s hand. I have a feeling I’d better remember her name from here on in. I expect she’ll be around a lot.

Dad stood up and walked past Hunter, giving him a pat on the shoulder. “Gus, you ready to get home? Justin is chomping at the bit knowing we’re having half of Pittsburgh over for Thanksgiving dinner.”

Pop snorted, “Half of Pittsburgh? Where have I heard that before?”

“Twat!”

Pop snorted and I noticed Marci chuckle at my dads’ antics.

“See you in school tomorrow,” she called.

“And on Thursday.”

“Only if you can take your eyes off Jeff long enough to notice anyone else in the room.”

I tilted my head. “I’ll work on it.”

Hunter gave Marci some really good advice. I was going to have to take it too or I’d be worrying about her continually for the next six months. I’m not sure she even realizes just how important she is to me -- but I’m sure Pop does -- I can see his special connection to Aunt Daphne every time she comes to visit.

I just want Marci to be okay.

At least I can look forward to a Happy Thanksgiving with everyone I love gathered together -- even Mom is coming, without some new boyfriend du jour. It took a lot for Dad and Pop to invite her, I hope it works out.

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