The Gus Diaries

Part 130

My Funny Valentine II
 

The text I sent to Jeff was simple and to the point. It’s here. My dads are here. Call!

Jeff called about ten minutes later. “Hey, Newbie, what’s up?”

“You are not funny! Everyone’s in on this but me. Can I open the damn package now? I feel like I’ve been waiting forever!” I wasn’t one hundred percent sure, but I think Dad mouthed drama queen to Pop, but I didn’t care.

“Take it easy, Gus. Just put the phone on speaker so it’ll be like I’m in the room with you even though I can’t really be there. I had another long practice today and I’m exhausted.”

“The last thing on my mind right now is basketball.” I switched the phone to speaker. “You’re on speaker now. Everyone can hear you.”

“So I guess telling you I wish I could be with you right now is probably not the coolest thing to say.” Jeff snickered.

Pop laughed. “It’s very sweet.”

Dad glared at him. “Sweet?” He rolled his eyes but I have a feeling he may actually have been thinking the same thing which, in and of itself, was pretty nauseating. “Well, Sonny Boy, here’s the long-awaited delivery. Aren’t you going to open it?”

Handing me the slightly oversized manila envelope, Dad patted my shoulder then walked back to Pop. They placed their arms around each other’s waist so I almost missed seeing them look into each other’s eyes and smile. My dads really are a special pair, even if they are kind of old. I’m going to miss living with them full-time when I head off to CMU in the fall.

“Gus, did you open it yet?” My daydreaming was cut off by Jeff’s voice booming out of the phone.

“Sorry. I’m opening it right now.” Tearing the envelope open carefully, I found a folder inside. Pulling it out, I discovered the logo on the front was CMU’s and in the top right hand corner was a stamp identifying it as being from the Athletics Department. “The folder looks so official. What’s this all about?”

“Open it already. Now you’re making me crazy.” Jeff chuckled.

“You can’t imagine what he’s been like all week, Jeff,” Pop added from the sideline.

Flipping open the folder, the first thing I spotted written across the top of the first page of the documents it held were the words, NCAA Championship. I looked up at Dad and Pop. “Dad?”

“Keep going.”

Jeff called out from the phone. “Can he tell what it is yet?”

“Not yet, but he’s getting warm.” Pop smiled as he and Dad came closer.

I pulled out a letter inviting the members of the CMU basketball team and their coaches to be guest spectators at the NCAA Basketball Championships at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The letter also advised that accommodation at the Marriott Hotel on Broadway had been donated by an anonymous benefactor. The invitation letter, directed to incoming freshmen on the team, indicated we were also able to join with permission of our parents. Rooms would be doubles and triples and drinking would be expressly forbidden.

“Holy shit! Is this for real?” I think I was bouncing on my toes but I don’t completely remember.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Newbie! You and me at the Marriott in Manhattan. The mysterious donor insisted you and I be assigned a double to share.”

“Oh my God! This is amazing! I don’t know what to say. How long have you and my dads been working on this?”

Jeff started roaring with laughter. “What makes you think your dads are involved?”

I snorted. “I hope that’s a rhetorical question.”

“Yeah, it kind of is.” Jeff became quiet. “Are you happy, Gus? You and me and March Madness in New York City.”

“I wish you were here so I could show you just how excited I am. I can’t wait to show you in person next weekend when I visit!”

“Hey, Gus, your dad and I don’t need to hear any more.” Pop blushed and I could feel my own cheeks heating up realizing what I’d just said in front of them.

“Oh, and Jeff, tell Sonny Boy the added surprise.”

“That’s right, Mr. Ki... Brian; I almost forgot.”

“There’s more! Oh my God! What is it?”

“In addition to the coaches, guess who’s chaperoning?”

It didn’t take long to figure out who Jeff was referring to. I looked directly at Dad and Pop. “You’re kidding?”

“And, Sonny Boy, we take our responsibility very seriously.” Dad grinned as he mussed my hair.

“Should I be worried, Dad ... Pop?”

“Only if you break any of the rules the coach has meticulously outlined.”

“Gus.”

“Yeah, Jeff?”

“The Coach knows you’re my boyfriend and who your dads are. He’s cool with it, but he’s a zero-tolerance kind of guy when it comes to drinking, drugging, or staying out past curfew.”

“Is that it?”

“That’s it. Are you still happy about your Valentine’s Day gift?”

“Jeff, I couldn’t be happier. Yeehaw!” I picked up the phone and disengaged the speaker setting. “I love you. Thank you so much for arranging this with my dads.”

“I couldn’t have done it without them, that’s for sure. They really love you, Gus.”

“I know. Later.”

“Later, Newbie.” We disconnected.

I walked over to both my fathers and hugged each of them tightly.

“I realize I’m totally spoiled and you both completely indulge me, but I can’t begin to tell you how much I love you both and appreciate everything you do.”

Dad rolled his lips inward and nodded; Pop smiled broadly, running his hand over my shoulder and giving my arm a little squeeze.

As I left the room to go upstairs and call Marci to tell her about my amazing present, I heard Pop talking to Dad.

“You really are incredible, Brian.”

“I bet you say that to all the hot, gay dads.”

“Only the one I love and admire more than anything or anyone else in the world.”

Yep, it was definitely the best Valentine’s Day gift all around!
 

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