The Gus Diaries

Part 149

Summer Revelations
 

I still can’t believe how crazy this summer break has been so far. I thought I’d come home to peace and quiet, but instead it’s a cross between chaos and, at the very least, unsettled.

I’m getting a bit ahead of myself. Going back to the end of my freshman year, everything was fabulous, as Uncle Em would say. Jeff and I couldn’t be in a better place in our relationship. Marci and, Drew’s brother, Rick are also hot and heavy. I’m really happy for her after her last relationship, which could have ended up beyond disastrous. I don’t even want to think about what might have happened had any of those HIV tests come back positive. Every time I look at Uncle Ben, I have a whole new respect for him and his incredible lack of self-pity. If anyone deserves to have an ongoing pity party, Ben does.

My grades were better than I expected. I made Dean’s List, despite my B in Statistics. Guess I’ll never be a math genius. Jenny seems to have absorbed all the math skills in our family. She gets A’s on all her math tests, and makes sure to text me every time. I’m not sure if it’s to share the good news or to rub it in. But considering she’s a pretty good little sister otherwise, I can’t complain. She’s even getting along with Marie’s kids, despite the screwed up, modern version of the Brady Bunch household she lives in.

The Pittsburgh newspaper offered me a paid position for the summer. It’s only ten hours a week. Half of that time is devoted to running errands for the staff writers, but it’s worth it just to be there. The rest of my summer earnings will come from Uncle Michael, who’s willing, and happy, to work around the newspaper’s schedule. He’s just glad he doesn’t have to teach the stocking job to someone new and I’m glad I have a guaranteed part-time job with someone I actually care about and whose work means something to me.

Our basketball team came in second in our division, losing our final game by only two points when a guy on the opposing team took a random shot from outside the key and made the damn basket. Next year we’ll do our damnedest not to let them get so close to our score, thereby not allowing them to be a real threat to our chances of victory, especially since Jeff will be one of the co-captains. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went into a field related to sports. He’s a natural, and always remains cool and confident under pressure.

Coming home was a great relief. It was nice to return to Britin with all my books stored in boxes for the summer and to get some R & R. Unfortunately, the relaxation only lasted a short time.

There are things, one in particular, I need to tell Dad and Pop. I was gearing up to share when I noticed a certain level of strain between them. It was nothing like the crap Mom and Mem used to put Jenny and me through while they pretended to be happily married, but it was obvious something was off.

I’ve been trying to put my finger on what the hell is going on, but every time I think I’m close to figuring it out a wrench gets thrown in. For example, I thought maybe my Dad finally needed some help during his “private time” with Pop. While any images of the two of them being together makes me employ a brain bleach moment, I know it’s an important part of their relationship. Of course, just when I think I’ve got the situation pegged, I came across them going at it in the pool when they thought I’d be at work late. Fortunately, they didn’t see me, but it was obvious they’re still hot for each other. I even heard them each say, “I love you.” Dad first -- which I know must have made Pop smile... of course the whole pool experience made me want to puke.

Next, I figured Pop’s recent addition of more and more upcoming art shows, both at his gallery and in various cities throughout the country, must have been adding stress to both of them. But then I found Dad helping Pop arrange all his travels, including reserving hotels where Dad would be willing to visit Pop during the entire tour.

“The ‘W’ in New York will do, but I can cope with a 5-star or deluxe boutique hotel near the Village if you’d prefer.” Dad pressed his tongue to the inside of his cheek when he looked directly at Pop over the top of his laptop. “Of course, I don’t have to visit if you’d like your space when you’re away from chez Taylor and Kinney.”

“Don’t you fucking think about staying away! If you don’t promise to come for a couple of days to every city, for every show, to be with me, I won’t go.”

“You know I’ll come, Sunshine. Over and over and over again.”

Pop swatted Dad, but then planted a kiss on him that nearly sent Dad tipping over off his chair. Chalk up another brain bleach moment for me.

Everything seemed to be fine, but I still continued to hear them snipe at each other over stupid things.

“Brian, if you can’t find the fucking dishwasher, don’t use a new glass every time you want a sip of water.”

“If you don’t want to act like a maid, don’t. That’s why we pay a service.”

“I can’t stand watching them sit for two days. We only have the cleaning service every other day.”

“Fuck the goddamned glasses. I don’t need you nagging.”

“I’d rather not nag about this bullshit, and I wouldn’t if you followed through with the important stuff.”

“Enough, Justin! Don’t go there.” With that Dad turned away from Pop without kissing him good-bye and left the house, door slamming behind him. What the hell is the ‘important stuff’ Pop was referring to? I still couldn’t figure it out.

“Pop, what’s up? Where’s Dad heading?”

Pop continued to make himself an omelet for breakfast and appeared not to hear me.

I started to open my mouth to ask again when Pop looked directly at me. “Your Dad is heading out to Kinnetik for the day. As far as your first question -- that’s for him to answer, not me.”

“Just tell me it’s not about the cancer.” Now I was beginning to worry.

Pop shook his head. “No, it has nothing to do with cancer. He’s still free and clear in that department. You’ll have to ask him the rest yourself.”

“Fine. I’ll be home for dinner tonight and Jeff won’t be with me. He’ll be spending some quality time with Tucker. They’re going to a Pirates game. Tonight I’ll make sure to talk to Dad.”

Nodding, Pop didn’t respond any further and chomped on a big piece of his now completely cooked breakfast.

After breakfast, I did the dishes in the hope it would help Pop calm down. Both of us seemed much more relaxed when I was ready to head out to Uncle Michael’s store and Pop was ready to get to the gallery.

Before we made it to the door the phone rang. Pop and I looked at each other, silently agreeing to pick up the phone despite the fact we were both nearly out the door.

Pop reached the receiver first. “Hello.”

....

“What are you talking about?”

....

“That can’t be. He hasn’t been gone for more than thirty minutes.” Pop started biting the edge of his thumbnail. I could feel my shoulders tensing.

....

“Our son is with me. We’ll be there shortly.” Pop disconnected and placed the phone back into its charging cradle.

“What happened?” I couldn’t wait another second to ask.

“We have to head to Pittsburgh General. Your Dad is there. He’s been in an accident with a fucking truck.” Pop spoke in a monotone, obviously trying to stay calm.

“Holy shit!” I felt a shiver run up my spine. “Did the truck hit him?”

“No. He hit the truck... on the highway.”

Within ten seconds we were in Pop’s SUV and on our way. With a shaky voice, I called Uncle Michael who promised to meet us at the hospital as soon as he arranged for his Assistant Manager to open the store for the day. He didn’t scream or get hysterical like he has in the past, channeling Grandma Deb. I’m glad he didn’t become too much of an alarmist before we knew anything specific. It was a relief to know he’d be waiting for us and, with any luck, talking to Dad, who I hoped would be wide awake when we arrived.

[TBC]

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