The Gus Diaries

Part 40

Celebrations I
 

I’ve been having trouble sleeping. I keep having these crazy nightmares. It’s been two weeks since Jeff, with Lisa’s help, petitioned for emancipation from his parents. He’s been pretty upbeat.

Jeff’s become the most popular waiter at the Liberty Diner, despite the fact that everyone knows he’s taken. Maybe that’s what makes him more attractive. The gossip brigade somehow got wind of what Jeff was up to, and all the fags in Pittsburgh know this 17 year old is no longer under his parents’ wing.

A few days ago I stopped in for lunch at the diner. Jeff was all smiles and dodging pinches left and right.

Grandma Deb kept yelling, “Hey boys, keep your eyes on the food...the food on your plates that is.” Then she’d guffaw and I cringed knowing she was talking about Jeff.

Finally Jeff came over to me. I was ready to give him hell for not discouraging all those assholes. Yes, I was feeling insecure and yes, it’s a bit intimidating having the hottest and most desired boyfriend in town.

“Oh my god, Newbie. Do you believe those assholes? I can’t stand them!” I could tell he was pissed off despite the fact that he was whispering.

“You are?”

“Do you think I like all this bullshit?”

“No, of course not.” I was beginning to realize what a jealous asshole I’d been. “So why are you all smiles and happy around those jerks?”

Then Jeff reached into his pocket. “Remember, I’m supposed be taking care of myself now. I really don’t want to bleed your Grandma Jen and Tucker dry over the next year. Shit, they already give me most of my meals and took me in for free.”

He handed me a huge wad of cash...and they weren’t all singles by a long shot. “Do you mean...”

“Yeah, it’s fucking amazing. All I have to do is smile and laugh and these morons think they have a chance.” Then he paused briefly. “In some ways I think they know they don’t really have a chance, but it’s part of the game they play. Who can nail the fresh meat?”

“How much is here? You’ve only been here since nine o’clock this morning.”

“I haven’t done a recent count but I think today I’ve already made over one hundred dollars in tips alone.”

“Holy shit! Is every day like that?”

“Most, especially when I work more than one meal shift. That’s the best part of full-time employment. Although I have to admit it gets fucking exhausting and I’m actually thinking of taking a few days off around July 4th, just to get a break.”

“Hey, maybe I could ask Uncle Michael for a couple of days off too. Since he’s not some big time department store he was planning on closing on that day anyway. I could just take a couple of days wrapped around it.”

“That would be fucking cool. We could actually hang out with no pressure from school or work. Let’s do it, Newbie. We both deserve some fun time.”

Jeff hadn’t said much about the court process, but the most startling, and possibly the saddest, thing was that his parents hadn’t even said a word when they were served with the papers. They weren’t going to fight, or even question the inevitable. At least my mothers had some reaction, even though one wasn’t nearly as positive as the other. For Jeff it was just a matter of waiting for everything to be processed. His parents are pitiful fucks who have no idea what they’re losing.

Jeff still talks to, and e-mails, his sister regularly but she’s living in Boston now. She told him that living in their house without him was sucky and she wouldn’t stay there.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

After lunch I went back to Red Cape Comics.

“Gus, come here. Check it out -- the new issue of Rage is out.”

“Whoopy,” I deadpanned.

“Hey, you should be a little more enthusiastic. This is half created by Justin you know.”

“Sorry, Uncle Michael, but since I’m still not supposed to read the fucking thing, it’s hard to get that enthusiastic.”

“I thought you might say something like that so I contacted Brian.”

“And...” This was getting interesting.

“And he said since you and Jeff have demonstrated significant maturity over the past year, he felt that there was no reason he should continue censoring your choices for pleasure reading.”

“Dad said that?” I think I may have been bouncing up and down on my toes a bit -- so much for maturity, but I didn’t give a shit. I’d been waiting my entire life to get my hands on a copy of Rage.

“So, Mr. Kinney, how would you like your first copy of the hottest gay comic ever created?” Uncle Michael was so corny, but he could carry it off.

“I’d love it!”

Then Uncle Michael did something really strange. He walked to the back of the store and went into his office. I kept looking at the newest copy of Rage on the counter but decided to be patient and see what Uncle Michael was doing first.

He came back into the main store with a large box. It was a big hard plastic storage case.

“Here Gus.”

“What the fuck is this?” I’m usually more polite than that but it just popped out.

“Like father, like son. I see you’re acquiring all of Brian’s most endearing qualities,” he laughed so I knew I wasn’t in trouble. “This is something I’ve been saving for you since you were a baby. I have a set for JR, too. Open it.”

Uncle Michael’s smile was so broad I thought it would reach his ears. I opened the box and was totally shocked. “Is this what I think it is?”

“It’s one copy of every issue of Rage from the beginning. I thought you might like to check out the whole story...especially since a lot of the stories are borrowed from reality.”

“Art imitating life.”

“That’s it. Justin and I developed stories loosely based on our lives and the people around us.”

“This is incredible, Uncle Michael. Thank you so much.” I gave him a big hug that he returned almost as strongly as Grandma Deb would. “I can’t wait to read them.”

“Just remember, Gus, there’s almost thirteen years of quarterly comics in there. Take your time and enjoy them.”

A feeling of doom started to fall over me, “Uncle Michael, am I going to learn things about you guys and my dads that I shouldn’t know.”

He put his arm around me. “All the stories in these comics may be based on truth but they are over-dramatizations. Your dads know I’m giving this to you. Consider it an early birthday present. They also know that you’ll probably have some questions for them regarding some of the storylines. They’re ready.”

I sat down, a bit overwhelmed, realizing what my dads and Uncle Michael were telling me by giving me this now. They knew that I was grown up enough to understand what I was reading and also to understand the questions I would need answered by my fathers.

I hugged Uncle Michael again and looked at him. “This is one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten in my life. I promise to take good care of them.”

“Good. Now back to work.” After a minute of working quietly side by side Uncle Michael turned to me. “By the way, I’m thinking about closing for the whole July 4th weekend. Most of my regular customers take off for Provincetown for the long weekend and Ben has time off, so we’re thinking of going away too. Maybe taking JR to Busch Gardens.”

“That’s great, Uncle Michael. Jeff is taking some time off so we thought we’d kick back and just relax together out at Britin. Thank you so much.”

After pausing I noticed Uncle Michael hesitating, as if he wanted to ask me something but didn’t know how. I tried not to stare at him.

“Uhm. Gus...”

“Yeah.”

“Do you think that JR, I mean does she like, would she enjoy...”

“She’ll love that fucking huge ass amusement park. She lives for thrills, including thrill rides. But be prepared, she doesn’t like to go on alone.”

“That’s great, neither do I.”

I laughed out loud, thinking that Uncle Ben would be playing papa to Uncle Michael and JR as they ran around eating everything in sight and riding every thrill ride 10 times. “You’ll have a blast and she’ll fucking love it!”

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

When I walked into Britin I heard Dad and MJ talking in the kitchen. I dumped my messenger bag on the front hall table and started to head over to them. Then I stopped when I heard what they were saying.

“What the fuck happened to her?”

“I don’t know, Brian. We’ve been over this at least a dozen times.”

Dad was pacing back and forth, running his hand through his hair. “I’m just glad she signed those fucking papers. At least she won’t have a leg to stand on if she pursues this.”

“I can’t imagine any lawyer, when they hear the entire story, wanting to take her case. Brian, she’s grasping at straws, trying to take back some control.”

“By listening to her homophobic mother. That’s brilliant.”

“I’m sorry. I know it’s painful to watch a friend lose sight of what’s important.”

“Lose her mind is closer. This is the Frenchman shit all over again.”

“Oh my god, I forgot about that. It was so long ago, but you’re right.”

“She wants to fucking marry someone to regain custody of Gus. And here’s the kicker...her mother will help fix her up with a, fine upstanding gentleman who will respect her for who she is. That would be great if she knew who the fuck she was.”

Holy shit! My mother’s gone nuts living with her mother. How could she think she could just find an instant husband? And even crazier, how could she imagine I wouldn’t fight her tooth and nail? There’s no way I’d live with her and some stranger over my dads...fuck, over just about anyone else in the family.

“I have to admit that I don’t really recognize her anymore.”

“She’s a fucking stranger...who’s out of her mind.”

“Brian, just try to talk to her -- after we’ve spent some time apart. I think we need some separation from Lindsay for a while, otherwise we might say or do something we’ll all regret...and don’t give me any bullshit about no regrets.”

Dad seemed to quiet down. “You’re right, Justin. This isn’t getting us anywhere. And the fact that Gus was conceived to be the child of a lesbian couple in the first place will only give credence to our case if it ever comes to that.”

“It won’t.”

“I hope you’re right, Sunshine.”

“Aren’t I always?” I could practically hear the smirk on MJ’s face and then as I approached I saw the two of them holding each other tightly and kissing in that beautiful way they do when they’re sending unspoken words to each other. I figured it was finally safe to enter the room.

“Hi, Dad, hi, MJ.”

“Sonny Boy, did you just get home?” I could tell that Dad was concerned. He couldn’t possibly have wanted me to hear any of that conversation.

“Yeah, I just walked in this second and I’m starving.”

Dad laughed, “Well that clinches it; he’s your son.”

“Shut up, Brian. You eat too.”

“It’s just that my favorite dish isn’t served on a plate.”

“Gross -- TMI guys -- kid in the room.”

“Gus, dinner will be ready in about an hour. Less if you help.”

MJ started chopping up some veggies for a stir fry and I joined him at the kitchen island. I’m actually getting pretty good at the sous chef routine.

“You know, boys, I think we’ve all been dealt way too much stress lately.”

“You do. And what do you propose we do about it, Brian?”

“Well Sunshine, some people might sign up for a day at the spa.”

“Like Uncle Emmett.”

“Very good, my young lad.” Dad was all smiles and he was walking around the kitchen as if he was having a brainstorm for some ad campaign. It certainly felt like he was trying to sell us on something, so my curiosity meter was up to 100%.

“Some people think relaxation is going to a deserted island resort and enjoying the sun and surf.”

“And you don’t?”

“Pipe down, Justin, I’m on a roll.”

“Sorry Mr. Kinney.” MJ had a funny, almost wicked smile on his face as he stretched out the word, ‘mister’.

“I say we need a men’s holiday in New York City.” Dad had his arms outstretched for added effect and it sure as hell worked on me.

“Dad, that sounds terrific!”

“I think I could put up with a little holiday fun in Manhattan during the long, holiday weekend.”

“You can, can you...Mr. Taylor.” Now Dad wore that evil grin.

“And I bet, Mr. Kinney, we’ll get a suite with two large, and possibly soundproof, bedrooms...”

“Okay, remember TMI, I know about it, but I don’t need to hear about it.”

“Justin, I do believe our son has a shy side.”

“I do believe you might be right. I wonder who he gets that from.”

Then the two of them said simultaneously, “His mothers.”

“So what are we going to do?” I was getting really excited and wanted to start putting our plans in motion.

“Sounds like you’re excited, Sonny Boy.”

“I am.” Dad came and put an arm around my shoulders.

“How about a couple of the biggest hits on Broadway, dining at the most fabulous restaurants, maybe visiting a couple of art museums and to top it off...”

“Shopping with Aldo,” MJ chimed in on cue.

“Justin, you’ve become a mind reader.”

We were all laughing when I suddenly remembered my plans with Jeff.

“I can’t go.”

“What the fuck do you mean? I’m sure Michael gave you the time off. He already called to tell me all about his roller coaster vacation with his family, so I know he’s closing the store.”

“That’s not it, Dad.” I suddenly became quiet and a bit embarrassed. Here were my dads, offering me a fabulous trip to New York City, and I was going to turn it down because I’d already made plans with Jeff.

“Dad, MJ...it’s just that Jeff’s been under a lot of fucking stress, too. We talked this afternoon when I was at the diner for lunch and he took the long weekend off so we could hang out together at Britin all weekend. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to fuck up our plans.” I felt miserable.

“Gus,” MJ walked over and rubbed my back. That always feels good but I just wanted to crawl into a hole. Our whole weekend was fucked up because of me.

“Sonny Boy, when MJ and I said that we consider your beau a member of this family we weren’t kidding.”

I slowly lifted my head and looked directly at Dad. Not wanting to make any assumptions I waited.

“That kid is invited to go too. We couldn’t leave your boy toy behind.” Dad was smiling broadly and I gave him a huge hug.

“Can I call Jeff now?”

“You’d better. He needs time to pack. But tell him to leave a little space in his suitcase.”

“Brian?”

“We can’t have Gus’ studly other half walking around in the straight drag he’s been wearing lately. He should look sleak and stylish...like a proper gay man.” Jeff was going to have fun meeting Aldo.

“You’re fucking unbelievable.” MJ went over to Dad and caressed his cheek. Then the two leaned their foreheads together and ultimately ended up kissing.

“Hey, hungry kid here. Chef, get back to work while I call my studly other half.”

“Don’t be too long, Sonny Boy. Sunshine needs his sous chef.” The message came in loud and clear.

“I won’t be long...I need both of you, too.” I’d left the room for just a second, and it finally hit me. “Woohoo!!! I’m going to New York City...with Dad, MJ AND Jeff!!!”

I guess my dads heard me because they both burst into laughter.

[TBC]
 

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