The Gus Diaries

Part 143

Educational Surprises III
 

“Gus, you know I love getting the chance to visit with you, but watching you move your lunch around the plate wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.”

Pop had been really patient with me. He had never once asked why I’d practically summoned him to CMU without Dad. “I really appreciate that you’re willing to drop everything to come see me at a moment’s notice.”

“Both your Dad and I would be willing to drop everything for you -- any time, any place.” Pop put down his fork and looked directly at me. “It’s obvious something is bothering you. The fact you insisted so strongly that you didn’t want to see your dad does have us both a bit alarmed. Does this have anything to do with what happened at the end of high school? Have you been tempted?”

It actually took me a minute to figure out what Pop was talking about. Then I remembered my crazy idea that I could handle taking drugs to accomplish more. I quickly shook my head. “No, no! I’ve been going to meetings here on campus. It seems addicts are everywhere.”

Pop offered a half-grin and nodded.

“This is about something I learned just a couple of days ago at a dance Marci dragged me to while Jeff was at some dinner and program for team captains.”

Pop smiled. “I’m glad Marci is helping you get out and meet people. It’s great to have Jeff and Marci close by on a day to day basis, but there’s nothing wrong with adding a few new friends to your circle.”

“That’s kind of what she said, but in a much bossier way.”

Chuckling, Pop tucked some stray wisps of hair behind his ear. “I had a friend like that in high school.”

“Aunt Daphne, right?”

“Right. She actually thought your dad was way too old for me when she first met him.”

“Isn’t that what everyone thought?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Only for a short time. They soon realized we were on a par intellectually, emotionally and physically.”

“I’m not sure I want to know what that means.”

“It’s probably better that you just go with the knowledge that your dad and I most definitely belong together and are on an equal plane.”

I ate a few bites of the nice lunch Pop was treating me to at a restaurant just off campus. It was a little too pricey for students, but was one of the go-to places when parents visited their kids.

“Are you ever going to tell me what’s going on? You seem calmer now, but I can tell something is bothering you.” Pop tilted his head and looked at me. “Normally you’d have cleaned your plate and be readying yourself for a big dessert.”

“Okay. Remember I told you there was this dance Marci and I went to?”

Pop nodded and remained silent.

“It was sponsored by the Gay/Straight Alliance so there were lots of gay students.”

“Makes sense. Did someone make a pass at you?”

“No.” I slowly shook my head. “I could have handled that on my own.”

“But something important did happen there, didn’t it?” Pop gently patted my hand. “You can tell me anything.”

“This guy was there and it turns out his foster father is also gay and knew dad a long time ago.”

Pop bit his lip. “What do you mean by knew him a long time ago?”

“I mean around the time I was in nursery school. The year Dad asked you to marry him for the first time.”

“A lot of things happened that year. It changed so many lives.” Pop took a deep breath. “Was his father injured in the bombing of Babylon?”

“No, his father and Dad were involved before that.”

“Involved? Your dad wasn’t really involved with anyone except me.”

“Look, Pop, I know you two weren’t monogamous at that time. Uncle Michael even let on that it bugged you and you broke up for a few weeks because of it.”

“Uncle Michael needs to censor his conversations better.”

“He didn’t say anything I didn’t already know in one way or another.”

Pop nodded. “I know. It’s sometimes hard to remember the times your father and I were having problems. We faced lots of hurdles during the first few years of our relationship.”

“This guy said his father and Dad had a sort of contest. A disgusting contest where they used other guys to see who could fuck ten targets the fastest. Please tell me it’s a big fat lie, an exaggeration, or something!” I could feel myself holding my breath waiting for Pop to reply.

He moved his food around on his plate and put his fork down again. Laying his palms flat on the table, he looked at me. “I know you wanted to talk to me alone, but I think you’d better talk to your father directly.”

“Please tell me you know what I’m talking about and that I didn’t totally screw things up.” The thought that this would be news to Pop hadn’t crossed my mind until that moment.

“I knew all about your father’s bet. I can also guess the name of your new acquaintance’s father. It’s Brandon, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, Pop. Are you angry? Did you know all about this?”

“I’m not angry at you, but I do think you need to talk to your father. To answer your second question, I knew all about this and discussed it with your father after I accepted his marriage proposal a few weeks later. Brian has never lied to me. Even if the truth hurt, your father and I have always had an honest relationship.” Pop took a deep breath. “Sometimes the truth is distorted by those directly involved, but I could never say your dad has given me any reason not to trust him.”

I stared down at the table and my half-eaten meal. “I don’t know if I can talk to him about this. It’s so gross. How can anyone do that and then turn around and tell someone they love them so soon after?”

“A lot of unusual circumstances all converged at a time when your father and I didn’t know how to handle them as a couple. That inability to cope with things, resulting in the contest, was what caused our biggest fallout, our temporary break-up, which, by the way, was our last.” Pop squeezed my hand. “You do know that despite my move to New York City, your dad and I remained together that entire time, visiting each other at least twice a month?”

Nodding again, I looked at Pop. “Did you love him so much that his insane behavior didn’t matter?”

“Yes, Gus, I did love him that much. His behavior could at times be insane, obsessive, practical, enthusiastic, and a variety of other descriptives. Despite, or because of them all, I always loved your father. Now it’s time for you to show how much you love and trust him and let him hear what you recently learned.”

Pop pushed back from the table and stood, leaving a large bill that would easily cover both our meals and include a huge tip.

I stood as well and followed Pop out of the restaurant. We walked silently to his car and got in.

“Do you want to call Jeff and let him know you won’t be back until class tomorrow morning?”

Pulling my cell phone from my jeans pocket, I did just what Pop suggested. Jeff was completely supportive and said it would give him more time to study for a test he had the next day.

Pop and I hardly said anything during the drive to Britin. I wasn’t sure how I could possibly face Dad after everything I’d learned, but I knew it was the right thing to do. Dad had never lied to me either, but he’d certainly left out some overwhelming facts about his past.

[TBC]

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