The Gus Diaries

Part 123

Is It Time IV

Pulling up in the drive at Britin in my new Jeep was incredible! I was thrilled to see Jeff waiting for me. He was shooting baskets into the hoop just beyond the garage.

“Whoa, Newbie! Pretty hot... and you’re not so bad either.”

“Asshole.” I could feel my face heating up.

“Brian, Jeff’s earned the same nickname as you. You’ve had a wonderful influence on our son’s boyfriend.”

“Another moment of pride in the Taylor Kinney household.” Dad smirked as Pop nudged him with his shoulder.

Suddenly, Pop froze in place. “Jeff, where are the lobsters? Please tell me you didn’t feel sorry for them and set them free.”

Dad snorted. “Only you would think of that, Sunshine.”

Pop glared at Dad. “I don’t want them set free in the kitchen. It’ll take us days to get the smell of seawater out of the house.”

Jeff stopped dribbling the basketball. “Cool it. I took them with me.” Tilting his head toward the bench, we all spotted a large sealed container.

After choking on his words, Pop glared at Jeff the same way he glares at Dad. “You brought them outside?”

“You told me to keep an eye on them and I didn’t want those suckers running wild around the house. They seemed pretty eager to get out, all that clacking of their claws. I figured if I came out here I wouldn’t have to listen to them and the fresh air might calm them down.”

I stared at Jeff. “Oh my God! You’re treating them as if they’re pets rather than dinner.”

“Trust me, Newbie, I would hate them as pets. Those creatures have a lousy attitude, but they’ll taste great with drawn butter.”

“A man after my own heart.” Pop rolled his eyes as Dad preened.

“I hope not, for Gus’ sake.” Pop took the basketball from Jeff and looked him straight in the eye. “I’ll take this; you take dinner back into the kitchen.”

Jeff smiled, knowing Pop wasn’t really angry. “Sure thing, Justin. They did make good spectators -- no booing, even on the rare occasion when I missed a basket.” Before Pop could swat him on the arm, Jeff ran over to the bench and picked up the large container filled with clacking crustaceans.

I quickly brought my stuff up to my bedroom and put my practice uniform in the laundry. By the time I came downstairs, Pop and Jeff had set out the appetizers and Dad was pouring glasses of sparkling water. Everything looked festive and my stomach started to get all tied up in knots with anticipation.

The doorbell rang and I nearly jumped. Pop answered it, welcoming Mem, Marie, and Jenny inside.

Mem gave me a huge hug and a kiss, as did Jenny, and Marie gave me a warm hug as well. I could see her easily fitting in as a part of our family.

“What are you all doing here? I didn’t know you were coming.”

Jenny piped up, “Mommy thought she’d have to work late, but she was able to change her plans.”

I looked at Mem. She’d softened over the years, especially since Marie came into her life.

“Marie, where are your kids?”

“Getting ready for the new semester at school by visiting their friends to say good-bye until Thanksgiving weekend. Since our plans changed at the last minute, I didn’t want them to feel obligated to change their own. I hope you’re not disappointed.”

“No, this is usually a simple dinner. I think it’s gotten bigger this year because I didn’t want a family party too.”

Marie smiled. “You’re willing to forego all the other presents the rest of your family may have given?”

I grinned. “Knowing this family, I’ll still get a million things next time Grandma Deb hosts one of her dinners. I’m sure we’ll have the usual back-to-school meal together. She always insists on serving those awful tater tots because Uncle Michael liked them in the school lunches.”

As if on cue, the doorbell rang again. This time Dad made his way to the front entrance to let in the rest of the family. It had to be Uncle Michael, Uncle Ben, and Mom.

“Mikey! We were just talking about you and your exquisite palate.”

“Huh?”

“Eloquent as always, Michael.”

“It might help, Brian, if I had some idea of what you were talking about.”

Dad stuck his tongue in his cheek. “And ruin the element of surprise? Never.”

Uncle Ben slipped in behind Uncle Michael and then Mom walked into the foyer. It was the first time I’d really looked at her in ages.

She looked great. Her hair was down, resting loosely on her shoulders. She had on a simple light brown dress and a belt with some sort of pattern etched in the leather. It wasn’t flashy at all. The standout was the color in her cheeks, and it didn’t look like make-up. Her face lit up. Mom seemed brighter than I remembered. I hoped I wasn’t just convincing myself of something that wasn’t really there.

I walked over to her. I was tempted to take Jeff with me for moral support, but this had to be done on my own. I could feel the rest of the eyes in the room staring after me, especially Dad’s.

“Hi, Mom. How are you?”

Mom gave me a gentle hug. “I’m fine, sweetie. Happy birthday. I can’t believe I have a son who’s a legal adult now. You’re so grown up.”

“It’s happened pretty gradually. You just weren’t around lately to see it.” The minute the words popped out of my mouth I wanted to reel them back in, but it was too late.

Lowering her head, Mom nodded.

Pop came up behind me. “Gus.” His tone of voice was cautionary and I got the message loud and clear.

“No, Justin, it’s fine. I deserve that, and much more.”

It was nice of Mom not to make a big deal out of my big mouth, and it seemed like everyone else was willing to let me experience the residual anger I was still feeling toward her without scolding.

“Uncle Brian, I’m starving. When are we going to eat?”

Dad looked at Jenny with admiration. When did my sister get slick enough to know how to save an awkward situation?

“You know, Jenny, I wish we could bottle your genes.”

“Why’s that, Brian?” Mem stood behind Jenny.

“You and Michael can both pack away enough food to single handedly keep the Liberty Diner in business, but neither of you has put on a damn pound in all the years I’ve known you.”

Mem huffed. “You’re not the only one who knows some of the most enjoyable ways to work off calories.”

“Ew, Mommy! That’s disgusting!”

“Jenny, with genes like ours, think of the years of fun we have ahead of us.”

Jeff came up from behind and wrapped his arms around my waist. “I know I’m thinking about them.” He kissed the nape of my neck.

“You do know I have no genetic connection to Mem or Uncle Michael, right?”

“It doesn’t matter whose DNA you have, you look pretty damn good to me.” I could feel Jeff’s grin against my neck. “I’ll be happy to demonstrate just how good in intimate detail later.”

“Hey, you guys, I’m just beginning adolescence. Can we keep the sex talk to a minimum so I’m not scarred for life?”

I couldn’t help having a little more fun with Jenny. “If we haven’t been scarred yet, it’ll never happen. Personally, I think we’re reaping the benefits from all our parents.” She punched me in the arm, but it was all in fun. I sometimes forget how nice it can be to have my sister around, especially since we don’t live together anymore.

Uncle Michael joined the small circle. “You know, Brian, while those appetizers are good, I’m getting kind of hungry for a meal too.”

Pop disappeared in the direction of the kitchen and yelled back so we could hear him. “Brian, you can have everyone go to the patio and take their seats. Dinner’s ready.”

“I guess our dinner is no longer capable of watching the super-jock shoot baskets.” Dad snorted.

“What?” Mom looked up, a confused expression on her face.

“Let’s just say Jeff will never be a chef.”

“Uhm, Dad?”

“Yes, Sonny Boy.”

“I suddenly feel like a cannibal.”

“Your choice for dinner and you’d better eat it. Those things have a higher market value than gold these days.”

I chuckled, helping lead the way out the back door. Pop had set the table and also arranged for some torch lighting to keep the bugs away. It looked festive and I decided to take a seat between Jeff and Mom.

Dinner conversation remained calm and no one seemed interested in any confrontations. I was grateful. It was obvious the family wanted my birthday and reintroduction to Mom to go well. Even Jenny shared a few words with Mom, although I know she’s grown very wary of her.

Almost immediately after everyone sang the birthday song and I blew out the candles, Mom whispered in my ear. “Gus, I have a gift for you. I made it in Justin’s studio behind the gallery. He seems to think you’ll like it. If you don’t, my paintings are actually garnering some respect and it should go up in value; you can sell it.”

“Mom, I wouldn’t sell one of your paintings.”

“You’ve never seemed interested in art, and I never wanted to push any of my pieces on you.”

I shook my head. “I really admire the talent you and Pop have. You can take an experience and creatively put it on canvas as a special memory forever.”

“Kind of like a person who can take an experience and report it for all the world to share.” Mom smiled and it was the soft smile I loved to see each morning when she gave me my breakfast when I was younger.

“I’ve missed that.”

“What, Lambskin?” She covered her mouth. “Sorry, you must be too old to hear that nickname.”

I gave her a quick buss on the cheek. “Yeah, it does sound kind of ridiculous, but you can use it when we’re alone.”

“Will you ever be able to trust me enough to be alone with me again?”

Biting my lip, I scanned the chattering, loving group assembled to wish me well and protect me on my birthday. “I wouldn’t discount the idea outright.” Somehow, I knew I’d always have back-up if needed.

Mom rose and tapped Uncle Ben on the shoulder. Before they left to go around the house and get Mom’s gift out of the car, I took him aside.

“Marci’s negative. I found out earlier today. She told me she’d been talking to you about the what ifs, so I figured you’d want to know right away.”

Uncle Ben gave me a tender embrace. For someone so big, he is so gentle. Jenny really has an amazing pair of dads. We’re both lucky in that department.

“I can’t begin to tell you how happy that makes me, Gus. Your friend deserved to have a good outcome.”

“So did you, Uncle Ben. It just doesn’t always work that way, does it?”

“No it doesn’t.” Ben placed his hand on my shoulder. “You really are a grown-up. Make sure you take responsibility like one too.”

“I do, and will continue to.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“I’d better go unlock the car door for your mother.”

I nodded.

Dad, hands in his pockets, stepped in beside me. “You told him about your friend’s test results.”

“Yep.”

“He should have gotten results like that too.”

“I know. It makes me think of that phrase about death.”

Dad looked me in the eyes and raised an eyebrow. “What phrase?”

“Only the good die young.”

“Thus, why I’ve taught you everything I know.”

“So I can be as bad as you.”

“Exactly. Although maybe not to the extremes I’ve taken.”

“No worries there, Dad. I’m happy the way things are for me and Jeff. I wouldn’t risk that.”

“Good. Sometimes emulating your amazing father isn’t the best option.” Laughing, I turned to make my way over to Pop to thank him for the great meal, but Dad stood in my path, his expression suddenly much more serious. “Gus, don’t ever take a risk until you’re sure someone is permanent... and completely trustworthy.”

“How will I know when that is?”

“When you buy your partner a rambling estate and marry him in front of witnesses.”

I scanned the small group of people I loved most in the world. My eyes settled on Jeff. When I glanced back toward Dad I saw his eyes focused on one person as well -- Pop. Pop must have sensed Dad staring and turned, offering him this amazing smile. It’s good to know my dads are still so much in love.

Before I could get any more introspective, Mom and Uncle Ben rejoined the party. She was carrying a work of art wrapped expertly in brown paper.

“Here, Gus. Happy birthday.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

Before I opened it, she touched my hand. It felt nice. “Honey, this is a memory I recently recalled. If I’d kept this moment alive in my thoughts, well... I might not have made so many mistakes where your fathers were concerned.”

I wasn’t sure what she was talking about, but I smiled at her and opened the package.

By the time I was on the final layer of wrapping, everyone else had gathered around. I’d always assumed she’d paint a picture of me, or of me with her, but this work surprised me. It wasn’t even something I’d ever seen depicted in a photo, or in one of Pop’s pieces.

When Dad spotted the uncovered canvas his eyes widened in recognition. “Holy shit! I’d forgotten all about that morning. It was right after Justin turned--”

“Eighteen.” Pop chimed in. He slipped his hand in Dad’s and Mom bit a nail as she awaited my reaction.

The painting was of a somewhat disheveled and shirtless Dad, holding me as a baby -- feeding me a bottle -- with Pop kneeling by his side letting me grip his finger, wearing the old St. James school uniform.

“Gus.” Mom spoke sweetly from behind me. “I was privileged to witness your fathers’ love for you and each other back then, but somehow missed its depth. It’s taken me eighteen years, but I’m finally catching up.”

“Thank you for remembering this, Mom. It’s beautiful.”

“Yeah, it is Sonny Boy.” Dad was no longer looking at the painting. His eyes were a bit moist, but no one said anything, as he looked first at Mom, and then at Pop, where his attention remained.

It turned out to be a damned good birthday. Especially when Jeff gave me his gift later that night -- and it wasn’t all about sex -- but enough was to keep me happy.

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