The Gus Diaries

Part 29

Mothers
 

Sometimes I have trouble drawing a line between when parents should be parents and when kids should be left to be kids. Usually I figure it out after talking to one of my dads or my moms but that’s the problem…my moms.

After Justin’s amazing art show, which has gotten some kick ass reviews in some major art journals, I kept thinking about my moms. They just didn’t look right and I couldn’t put my finger on what the fuck was wrong with them.

I’m still not very good at hiding my feelings. I think I get that from MJ and Mem. So, of course, at dinner a few nights ago, my dads finally decided to stop waiting for me to approach them and they sent out the first call.

“So Gus, how do you like your steak?”

“It’s great, MJ. I like everything you cook.”

“What about the green beans?”

“They’re perfect, I love them.”

“Well, you might show it by eating some.” Busted.

“Look Sonny Boy, if something is bothering you and you want to share it with us, maybe we can help.”

“Gus,” I love how MJ has this really soft voice when he wants to be supportive, “we know something’s bothering you. You’ve been moping around for several days now. Maybe we can give you some guidance as to how to solve your problem.”

I looked at both my dads and realized, for the zillionth time just how lucky I am. “I think this is it.”

Dad sat up straighter in his chair and put his hands on the table. “What’s it? Are you in some kind of trouble? Did Jeff break up with you – I’ll kill him if he hurt you!”

“Dad, cool it. Jeff and I are great and I’m not in any trouble…but I think my moms are.”

MJ looked at Dad and then back to me. He was obviously concerned and I wondered if they’d been thinking the same thing recently. “Tell us why you think your moms are in trouble.” MJ put his hand gently over mine and it somehow made me feel okay.

“Well, last week when I had dinner at my moms, they couldn’t seem to get along. They just kept arguing about everything.”

“Sonny Boy, that’s how your moms communicate. They stay quiet for a while, but then they fight everything out. It must be a female thing.”

“Brian,” MJ cautioned him.

“It’s okay, MJ, Dad’s right. Remember, I lived with them for fourteen years. They do fight a lot, but this was different. This wasn’t like anything I ever remembered.”

MJ and Dad both focused totally on me. They’d stopped eating and I could tell they were holding hands under the table, but it wasn’t a sexual kind of thing, more of a support kind of thing. I hadn’t seen my moms do that in ages. It was clear they wanted me to continue, so I did.

“They weren’t only having the usual disagreements about how much shit cost or whether the food was cooked just right, this was about different things.” I put my head down because I really hadn’t wanted to tell my dads about this, especially since it was sort of about them.

They must have understood that we were entering rough waters because Dad said, “It’s okay, you can tell us whatever they said and we won’t be angry, especially not at you.”

I nodded. “They were talking about your show, MJ. It seemed that Mem didn’t think it was such a big deal like everyone else. Mom, on the other hand thought it was a huge deal because they all knew the behind-the-scenes motivation for the paintings and she thought it was very important. Mem seemed strange and distant and it was like she couldn’t help challenging Mom no matter what came out of her mouth.”

MJ stood up slowly and went over to the coffeemaker to start a small pot for after dinner. Dad stayed with me. “It’s funny that your moms would be fighting about something involving MJ. I know how much they both love him.” I noticed MJ fussing with the coffee much more than was necessary. “Your moms have a bad habit of avoiding what their real problems are. Fuck, lots of people have that problem, but most of us try to be honest if we’re in lasting relationships.”

“Mem’s told me a thousand times that they’ve been in the longest relationship of anyone in our family.” I looked at Dad wondering what he was trying to tell me.

Then MJ came over. “You know, Gus, being married the longest isn’t quite the same as being in a solid relationship. Your Uncles Ben and Michael have been married and pretty damn happy for ages and both your grandmothers have wonderful relationships…and your Dad and I couldn’t be happier, even though we do have our disagreements from time to time.” Dad huffed a little laugh, but then he kissed MJ squarely on the mouth.

“So what are you saying?”

“That length doesn’t matter.” Dad looked at MJ and raised an eyebrow. MJ smacked him on the arm. “In relationships, asshole.” Dad just smirked.

“What Justin’s trying to say is that your moms have never had as solid a relationship as all of us wish they had. But they love you and Jenny and that has always helped them focus on the important things.”

I finally dared to say the one thing I’d been thinking, and was terrified to express. “Maybe I should move home if it would help them.”

Dad stood up and slammed his hands on the table. I think the plates of food actually jumped. “No fucking way! If anything, the reality that you and Jenny are growing up will make them face some necessary realities about themselves. Don’t you ever try to do something that would sacrifice your best interests for your family…not your moms, not MJ, and not me. We make our own messes and we’re responsible for cleaning them up.”

I stood up and walked around the table to Dad and gave him a huge hug. Whether he knew it or not that was just what I needed to hear.

“Gus, you’ve made a life with us now,” MJ interjected. “We love you here and the only way we’d want you to leave is if it was to meet your own needs. Your Dad and I have noticed some tension between your moms lately, too. Let us see what we can find out.”

I leaned down to MJ and hugged him too. “Thank you both so much. I’m going to tell Jenny what we talked about. She’s stuck listening to them every day and I think she’s been listening to her iPod more and more, just to drown them out. I’d rather save her from going deaf over this.”

“That sounds like a plan, Sonny Boy. When are you planning on seeing your sister next?”

“Grandma Deb is bringing her to the diner tomorrow and I get out of work at five. We planned on starting with a soda before Jeff would join us for dinner at six, when his shift ends.”

“That’s good. Then you and Jeff will come home with Justin and me at about eight when we finish work. What’s your sister’s plan for the weekend?”

“She’s staying with Uncle Michael. He’s going to pick her up from the diner when he closes the store. She’ll probably be gone by the time you guys come to get me and Jeff.”

MJ smiled. “Well then, I think it’s about time we had the Novotny-Bruckner’s for dinner, don’t you, Brian?”

“My thoughts exactly, you clever devil,” Dad smirked. I just laughed. The two of them really work well together.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

I heard a huge yell as soon as I walked into the diner on Friday afternoon, “Hi, big brother, back here.” Yep, Jenny definitely has Grandma Deb’s lungs.

“How did you get the primo back booth at five o’clock?”

Jenny laughed, “It pays to know people in high places. I just made a reservation.”

“What the fuck? You can’t make a fucking reservation at the Liberty Diner.”

“You can if your brother’s boyfriend answers the phone and you beg him to throw his jacket in your favorite booth.” Jenny smiled a big toothy smile, like Uncle Michael’s.

“I can see you’re very proud of yourself. Just don’t make a habit of this. I don’t want to get Jeff in trouble.”

“Gus, who the fuck do you think is gonna fire him…Grandma?” She definitely had a point.

“Okay, okay. You’re a conniving genius.” I gave in.

“Well, you and your dads obviously are too. My Dad told me that we’re going to your house for dinner tomorrow night.” Jenny winked at me and then added sarcastically, “I wonder why that sudden invitation was offered?”

“Yeah, so we’re all fucking brilliant. But what’s the real deal with Mom and Mem?”

At that moment Jeff came over to the table and gave us each a diet Coke and one plate of French fries to share. “I figured if you two were going to chat and take up this booth until I get off you better look like you’re here for the food.”

I stood up briefly and gave Jeff a little kiss on the mouth and then quickly licked his lips. “Best five star cuisine in town.”

“You two are gross.”

Jeff laughed and very gently tousled Jenny’s hair. She couldn’t have smiled any wider without her lips hitting her ears. She has such a crush on him. Too bad he doesn’t have a younger, straighter brother.

“You are soooo lucky Gus! He is so amazing.” Jenny was practically drooling.

“Down girl,” I laughed. “But now let’s do some more serious talking.”

“Oh that.” Suddenly that cute smile disappeared and I felt kind of sad.

“So tell me what’s been happening.” We both leaned in so we couldn’t be heard by any other prying ears, including Grandma Deb’s. This was not going to make the six o’clock gay grapevine if I could help it. Jeff knew what was going on since I’d been sharing my concerns with him.

Both of us were having “mother” problems and decided to commiserate and maybe get some advice from my dads during the weekend.

Jenny looked at me as she first took a sip of her soda. “It seems that every time Mom says anything these days, Mommy jumps down her throat. Sometimes it has to do with the gallery. Sometimes it has to do with your dads. Once in a while it has to do with my dads. And sometimes it has to do with Mom trying out some painting again, maybe exploring a different style or technique.”

“That doesn’t really sound like reasons to get all fired up.”

“Well you should hear some of the things Mommy says.”

“So tell me.”

“Well, a couple of days ago Mom was talking about how much money Justin’s artwork made for the gallery. It was a fundraising exhibition and some of the money went to the gallery to support new, local artists and some went to local Gay/Straight student groups and some went to the GLC.”

“That doesn’t sound like something to get mad about.”

“Hold your fucking horses, I’m not finished.” Definitely Grandma Deb’s genes…well certainly her mouth. “Then she talks about exploring her dormant urge to paint and create. Whatever the hell that means?”

“It means that it was asleep inside her.”

“Oh…well, anyway she talks about that and Mommy went ape-shit! She started yelling about what else she might be interested in exploring…again. Wanted to know why the fuck they were still bothering with their farce. It got pretty ugly before they both realized that I wasn’t deaf and decided to shut up.”

“Holy shit!”

“You said it. I know I’m just gonna be twelve soon, but I can figure out this has something to do with Mommy not trusting Mom and thinking about some stuff that happened a long time ago. Did Mom ever cheat on Mommy?”

I was so sorry at that moment that I knew anything, and even sorrier that I couldn’t lie to my little sister. “Uh huh, I found out once when I heard them arguing at Britin with Dad and MJ. Somehow, some shit came up and I put two and two together and was really sorry I got the right answer of four.”

“Gus, do you think Mom is cheating on Mommy?”

“I really don’t, but I don’t know for sure. Maybe it’s just that Mem doesn’t think she can trust Mom any more.”

“How are we going to fix this?”

“You know, Jenny, I’m not sure we can fix this. But I’m hoping that at dinner tomorrow night we can come up with something that might help.”

“Okay, I hope so. Living with Mom and Mommy right now really sucks. I’m afraid to say anything that might set one of them off. When Mommy’s not angry, Mom is really sad and looks like she’s going to cry or scream or something.”

“I gotcha. Oh, and listen, don’t tell your dad anything yet. No offense, but you know how he can get.”

Jenny laughed again, which was refreshing, “I know, he can queen out with the best of them and he never knows when or how to keep a secret.”

Suddenly Jeff appeared without his apron and shoved me over in the booth. “So did you two solve the energy crises?”

I snorted, “No, we’ll work on that next week.”

“Good because I can think of lots of reasons to increase my energy,” Jeff laughed as he practically stared at me like a lion looking at raw meat.

“Uhm, little sister here, you want to keep the lust for later. I don’t want to lose my appetite.” Jenny waved her hand in front of our faces and rolled her eyes but smiled at the same time.

“What’s the problem? You hate Ben’s cooking anyway. Maybe we should do some more.” I couldn’t help teasing.

“Well, for your information, I got my mid-term progress report today and it looks like four A’s and only two B’s. Dad and Daddy are taking me out to Papagano’s for real food.”

“No shit! Who knew you were smart? It sure comes as a fucking surprise to me.” Then Jenny cuffed me on the side of the head from across the table and got up.

“I see my Dad. Later boys.” Off she went to kiss Grandma Deb goodbye and then tore out of the diner to greet Uncle Michael.

“Your sister is something else. What a trip!”

“Yeah, she’s pretty cool for a sister.” Then I paused and quietly asked, “What about your sister? Do you ever hear from her?”

Jeff looked at the table, as he put his arm around me. “She e-mails from time to time, but she’s hesitant to see me. I think she’s afraid Dad will reject her too and she needs him to help pay for stuff. She’s having trouble paying her rent and she doesn’t want to get a cheaper place.”

“I’m sorry.” I took a French fry and offered it to him. He took a bite and then I finished it. We did that a few more times and then Grandma came over to take our order.

“I hope you boys are planning on eating some protein with our required plate of fried starch.”

“Yes, Grandma, I’ll have a cheeseburger, medium, with the works.”

“I’ll have the same Deb, but make mine medium rare.”

“Do you boys think you’re at the fuckin’ Ritz? You know all the burgers come out well done.”

“We know Deb, but it’s nice to dream.”

“Well I think you two can think about better things to fantasize about than cow patties.”

“Grandma, that’s gross!” Grandma AND Jeff both had the nerve to start laughing, as she went off to place our orders.

“So where were we, Newbie?”

“Well, I was asking about your sister, but now I want to know what’s happening with your mom.”

Jeff turned to look at me and brushed some stray hairs off my forehead. Then he leaned in and kissed me softly. It actually made me tingle a little bit. It almost seemed too personal for the diner.

Then he leaned back, continuing to face me, “My mom has been calling regularly.”

“That’s great.”

“We’ve actually seen each other twice, here at the diner and once at Grandma Jen’s place. It’s still kind of stilted but she’s really trying.”

“How does she feel about me?” I couldn’t help asking.

“She actually suggested that the next time we get together you should be there too. She’s really grateful that your family’s taking care of me.”

I gave Jeff a huge hug. I was so happy that he was getting at least one important person in his family back in his life. I know his mom is still nervous about being left by his dad over this, so she’s been meeting Jeff without telling anyone. It seems pretty sad that she has to meet her son on the sly.

After our food was brought to the table, and Grandma was out of ear-shot, I told Jeff what Jenny shared and my dads’ plan for the weekend. He seemed really supportive, even though it meant that we couldn’t go out to the movies or anything on Saturday night. “Hey, Newbie, I just have a blast being with you. And being with your family is pretty cool. Do you think your dads can fix this bullshit going on with your moms?”

“I don’t know. And what’s worse, I’m not convinced it’s all bullshit.”

“What?”

“Well, my Mom has actually had a fling before and so has Mem. The big problem is that my Mom’s fuck up was with a guy.”

“Oh my fucking god!”

I thought Jeff was going to choke, “Shhhhh, I don’t want anyone to know.”

“Sorry, I’m just so fucking shocked.”

“Yeah, well so was I when I found out a few months ago.”

“Don’t worry Gus, your dads will think of everything.”

“I hope you’re right.” With that we both finished our dinner, talked about other stuff that wasn’t so depressing and waited for Dad and MJ to bring us to Britin.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

Friday night Jeff and I had a great time with my dads. We watched a trio of the original ‘Star Wars’ movies. They were kind of cool, in an old fashioned sort of way. Dad said the newer three, which are the prequels – go figure – are, “For shit.” I’m sure he’s right. Dad’s an expert on classic films.

It’s funny, when we were going up to bed, after the movie marathon, I kept thinking about how Jeff thought this could get boring. Instead, I think we both realized just how special it is to have someone who cares about us so much.

Sometimes I wonder if Jeff had more guys to choose from at St. James would he still be dating me, but then when he touches me, holds me, looks at me, I know that we have this incredible connection that’s more than just convenience.

The school year will be over soon and I can’t help wondering what the summer has in store for both of us. I know that Jeff is planning to work full-time at the diner and I’m going to do the same at the store. Uncle Michael was thrilled to get the help. He also hired a manager so he can take more time off to be with Jenny on a regular basis.

My guess is that he also wants to spend more time with Uncle Ben. He doesn’t seem quite as muscular as he used to, but maybe I’m just imagining things. I knew that Saturday night would tell a lot of stories and hopefully resolve a few.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

Well Saturday night was somewhat eye-opening. When Jenny arrived with her dads, my dads had already set the dining room table and were ready to place dinner on the table.

Things seemed a bit rushed but I think Dad and MJ didn’t want to prolong the agony or the queen-out they expected from Uncle Michael.

Jenny seemed a little nervous but she was her usual upbeat self and was flirting shamelessly with Jeff.

“You know, Sis, if you keep hitting on gay guys your future prospects aren’t going to be so bright.”

“Shut up, Gus,” she laughed, “I’m twelve fucking years old. No one will let me go out on a date anyway, so I get my fun where I can.”

Jeff laughed, “Hey, it’s kind of flattering to know I appeal to girls too.”

I looked at Jeff and deadpanned. “Like you didn’t already know that. Half the cheerleaders at St. James would pay big bucks to convert you.”

“Well we both know there’s no chance of that Newbie.”

“I guess this girl will just have to keep dreaming.”

“JR!”

“Oh Dad, give it a rest. I’m practically a saint in a chastity belt between you, Mommy and Grandma Deb.”

It’s not often Dad laughs really loud but that one got him. “I like this kid, we should have her over more often Sunshine. She’s very entertaining.”

“Why, thank you, Uncle Brian. I’d love to come more often.”

Dad smirked and MJ gave him one of those looks that said, ‘Don’t say it’.

Now I couldn’t help but laugh and so did Jeff. Jeff loves Dad’s corny innuendos.

Finally Uncle Ben broke off the small talk. “Brian, Justin, while we love getting together with you two, I have a feeling this little family dinner was orchestrated for a purpose.”

“Ben, don’t be such a cynic.” Uncle Michael leaned over and kissed Uncle Ben.

“Actually Mikey, the Professor is correct. He’s quite astute at judging the circumstances that surround him.” Dad nodded in Uncle Ben’s direction.

“Why, what the fuck is up that you’d bring just the three of us here to talk?”

“I think I’ll let your daughter and Gus fill you in.”

I looked at Dad but then realized he was trying to avoid having Uncle Michael fly off the handle. If Jenny and I shared what was happening with our moms, he’d be less likely to freak out and get all hysterical.

Jenny began the story of what she’d witnessed and I shared what occurred during my dinner with the moms the week before. It was obvious that Uncle Michael was getting ready to explode and then Uncle Ben placed his hand on Uncle Michael’s shoulder. He immediately relaxed.

It was then that I saw how much love they shared. It was almost as intimate as my dads…but in a different way. Uncle Michael nodded to Uncle Ben and then thought for a moment before we continued to speak.

It was strange looking at them. Usually when we’re together there are lots of other family members around too, but this was different and I could really focus. One thing that I was sure of was that my big, hulking Uncle Ben wasn’t so hulking anymore. I planned to ask Dad and MJ about that later.

Finally Uncle Michael looked at Dad. He had a very serious expression on his face and it was almost scary. “How long have you known? Is this like the last time?”

MJ looked at Dad, seemingly understanding the question even though Jeff, Jenny and I were all in the dark.

“I found out the same day that I invited you to dinner. Justin and I have noticed a strain between the munch…between Mel and Linds, but we’d hoped it was nothing. You know what I know. There are some mistakes that I won’t repeat. I know your daughter is as important to you as my son is to me and that includes the environment she’s living in”

Uncle Michael nodded, absorbing what he heard. “Thank you; that means a lot to me.”

“I know, Michael, it’s not twelve years ago. My priorities are much more in order these days.”

“I know.” Uncle Michael paused and everyone quietly watched him. “So what do we do?”

“Look, Michael, I know that Melanie and Lindsay have had issues for years,” MJ began. “I’m not sure it’s up to us to do anything but make them aware that we see something’s wrong…and that the kids see something’s wrong as well.”

Finally after silently watching the adults banter back and forth, Jenny put her two cents in, “Do you think some people really should divorce? Some of my friends at school have parents that don’t live together anymore and they say that it’s really nice living in a peaceful house and visiting their parents back and forth.”

Everything and everyone seemed to freeze as we all looked at Jenny. She’s so fucking smart and really reads people well. I’m not sure who she gets that from but sometimes I feel really fucking proud of her.

Uncle Ben finally spoke first, “You know JR, that’s really quite profound.” He always talks to us like we’re his students, which is kind of cool since it means he thinks of us as young adults. “That may be the case with many couples. Is it the case with your moms? I don’t think we can say for sure. But what I do know is that it’s time to speak with them directly. No one has the right to make you or Gus concerned about our adult relationships and if this is worrying you both we need to deal with it and not avoid it.”

“The Professor’s right. No more of this bullshit. Our kids need to know where their mothers stand and they have a right be in a happy environment, especially JR,” Dad looked directly at her, “since you’re still living with your moms.” Jenny got up and hugged Uncle Ben and then Dad.

“Thank you. It’s been so weird living with my moms lately.”

“JR, why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Uncle Michael couldn’t help asking.

“You know, Daddy, if you say something out loud it might make it more real. I hoped this would all go away like it usually does, but it’s gotten worse. And when Gus saw what was happening I knew it wouldn’t fix itself.”

Uncle Michael gave Jenny a huge hug, kind of like Grandma Deb’s but somehow a little gentler. This may be the first time I understood that Jenny’s Dads love her as much as my Dads love me. It’s kind of weird that we share Moms, but not Dads…and yet we’re both equally loved by our respective fathers.

MJ must have seen my face and figured out what I was thinking. He’s really so empathetic. “You know, Gus, one of the greatest things about our family is that as we’ve grown up we’ve learned to love better and more openly.”

I nodded and wiped a tear that nearly got away. “Sonny Boy, MJ is better at this emotional shit than I am, so listen to him…and you, too, Jenny. Are you both listening?” We both nodded. “The one thing you can both count on is that you each have four parents who love you and will go to any lengths to protect you.”

“Dad, but what about Mom and Mem?”

“I don’t know. Your mothers have an unfortunate history of separating or vigorously arguing and getting back together. I don’t know what’s lying beneath these new problems, but you can bet your ass we’re going to try to find out.”

Then MJ added, “Just remember that no matter what happens with your Moms, it’s NOT your fault. You’re mothers, fuck that, ALL parents make their own problems and their kids can’t fix them.”

Dad looked at MJ. “That sounds like pretty fucking good advice.”

“It was a hard-learned and valuable lesson that a wise sage once taught me.”

Dad smirked, “A wise, young sage.”

“Of course,” MJ smiled and turned his attention back to his dinner.

The rest of the meal continued peacefully and every once in a while Jeff rested his hand on my thigh. At first I thought he was getting horny, but then I realized he was just showing me he was there for me, too. I’m pretty fucking lucky.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

After dinner the Novotny-Bruckner clan headed back to Pittsburgh and Jeff went upstairs. It wasn’t too late and he still had a couple of assignments to finish for Monday so I left him alone and joined Dad and MJ in the front living room. They were sitting on the sofa, facing a roaring fire. Since the weather was intermittently getting warmer I knew the days of fires in the fireplace would be gone soon and I didn’t want to interrupt their moment, but I just felt the need to talk for a few minutes.

I knocked on the entranceway to announce myself.

“Hey, Gus, come on in.”

“Hey, MJ, Dad, I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“No, Sonny Boy, give us an hour and then you’ll be interrupting.” Dad smirked and MJ swatted him on the arm. “What’s up, you look like a man with a question?”

“Actually Dad, I have two questions.” I sat down on the armchair facing them. MJ was leaning into Dad and Dad draped his arm across MJ’s shoulders and held him gently.

“Shoot.”

“Okay, the first is, do you think that if I was still living with my Moms they wouldn’t be fighting?”

Dad immediately cut me off, “Hold it right there. I thought we already went over this. Didn’t you hear MJ at dinner tonight?”

“Yes, but…”

“No buts about it, your Moms make their own problems and they have to resolve their own problems. You are not the cause of their issues. Their problems go back to a time before you were born…fuck, my guess is they go back to a time before your Moms even met, but that’s just my own theory.” I looked at my Dad and MJ, a bit confused. “All I can say is that it’s their story to tell…or not, but you are not the cause OR the solution to their problems.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“So, Gus, you said you had two questions for us. What’s the other one?”

I looked at MJ and suddenly got tongue-tied. I took a deep breath and looked at both of them again. They must have seen my discomfort because MJ continued, “Gus, you can ask us anything. I can’t promise you’ll like the answer, or that we’ll have one to give, but you can always feel safe asking anything.”

“Here goes…have you two noticed a change in Uncle Ben’s, well, in his weight?”

Dad looked at MJ and I saw knowing glances pass between them. “Yes, Sonny Boy, we have.”

“Have you asked him or Uncle Michael about it?”

“Yes, we did. Your Uncle Ben is on a new experimental regimen because his last cocktail of medications began to take less and less effect without increasing doses more and more to dangerous levels. Unfortunately whenever he changes medications there’s always some residual side effects that come along as his body adjusts. We hope and expect him to return to his former stature soon, but only time will tell.”

I must have started getting weepy again. “Fuck, I’m such a fucking faggot sometimes.”

MJ’s voice was almost harsh and he stood up and approached me. “No, you are absolutely NOT! You’re a caring individual and we wouldn’t want you any other way.”

“Is he dying?” I hated asking but I had to know.

“It’s interesting you should mention that, Gus. I asked him the same thing when we were clearing the dishes tonight.” I looked at MJ waiting for more. “I just told your father his answer.”

“And that was…”

“Although I’m paraphrasing, Ben told me, ‘I have every intention of being around to see JR married and see her give Michael and me grandchildren.’”

I took a deep breath and let it out. “That’s wonderful to hear.”

“We thought so, Sonny Boy, but trust me…if there’s any suspicion that something more is wrong with Ben, we won’t keep you in the dark. You’re nearly an adult and you should know if the people you love are sick.” A strange look passed between Dad and MJ. Somehow, I think they were reflecting to something in the past but I didn’t know just what so I decided to let it go.

“Thank you both for treating me like a grown up and still helping me like a kid when I need it.”

MJ stood up and hugged me. “That’s what we do, we’re parents.”

I hugged him back and then hugged Dad. “Yeah, that’s exactly what parents are supposed to do.”

I left the room and MJ and Dad returned to the sofa, and although I wouldn’t use the word out loud, they were cuddling together. I figured it was time for me to disappear so I could do some cuddling upstairs and leave them to do whatever they wanted to do downstairs…in a little less than an hour.
 

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