The Gus Diaries

Part 66

New Year's Eve
 

New Year’s Eve is supposed to be predictable. People with boyfriends or girlfriends spend the holiday with each other at parties or at quiet intimate dinners. This past New Year’s was one I’ll never forget, because it was so far from typical.

Last year Jeff and I spent our first New Year’s Eve together. It was romantic and just about everything it should be. Sometimes it’s hard to believe we’ve been together this long. Unfortunately, this New Year’s Eve Jeff had to work.

When I found out, I wasn’t above going to the diner and begging for a schedule change.

“Grandma Deb, how can you put Jeff on at the diner during one of the most romantic nights of the year?” I put on my best pathetic puppy dog face, although I don’t do it nearly as well as Jenny.

“Don’t pull that face on me. Remember, I raised your Uncle Michael and watched him perfect that face -- now I’m immune to it -- most of the time.”

I followed Grandma behind the counter as she started fussing with the coffeepots even though they were both full, and no one needed a refill. “Can’t you find someone else to cover? Besides, why the hell are you open on New Year’s Eve anyway? This is like the only place open 24/7, 365 days a year.”

“Watch your fucking mouth, young man. Everyone else has plans, too. Your grandpa and I are finally going to spend a New Year’s Eve together at the Policemen’s Annual Dinner Dance. He’s wanted to go for years, but I’ve always taken this shift and he never complained.”

I bowed my head, truly embarrassed that I’d mouthed off, but I was pretty fucking pissed. Jeff and I had been invited to a great party, and his job totally screwed up everything. “Sorry. But I still don’t understand why you can’t close that night if there’s no one to cover.”

Then Grandma started pointing her finger at me to punctuate all she said. “Because, unlike some handsome young men that I know and love, there are some that have nowhere to go and no one to be with.”

“But Babylon is open until two o’clock in the morning. Isn’t that enough?”

“No, not if you’re underage and don’t have a warm place to sleep, or a bed at all for that matter. Who the fuck do you think we cater to during the eleven to seven shift overnight?”

I looked at Grandma and it suddenly dawned on me how selfish I was being. Jeff had understood. He didn’t fight to get out of that shift. In fact, he had reminded me that Grandma arranged for him to get off during every holiday over the past year. This was the first time he was asked to work, and it wasn’t on a school night or before a basketball game, so he couldn’t and wouldn’t complain.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

Grandma gave me an unusually gentle hug and then softly smiled at me. “Of course, you don’t know. You’re one of the lucky ones. You have parents that love you, a great school to go to and good friends. I’m glad you don’t know.”

“Grandma, would it be okay if I hung out here with Jeff on New Year’s Eve? Maybe if it gets busy, I can even help.”

“Sure, honey. And you and Jeff can have anything you want to eat or drink, on the house.”

Although we usually got our meals for free, I understood what Grandma Deb was saying and appreciated it.

About ten minutes later, Jeff walked into the diner for his shift. “Hey, Newbie, what are you doing here?”

“Red Cape was practically empty today, so when I finished unpacking the deliveries, Uncle Michael said I could take off early.”

“Cool. Thanks for coming by, but I have to get to work.”

“I know. I just came to ask if I could stay with you at the diner, and maybe help out on New Year’s Eve. Grandma gave me the okay.”

“That’s great! And you were worried we wouldn’t be together.” Jeff ran in the back to drop off his jacket. I didn’t think it was necessary to tell him about my whole selfish conversation with Grandma, and I had a pretty good idea that she wasn’t about to discuss it with him either.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

By the time New Year’s Eve rolled around, I was completely clear of any and all homework given over the winter break. I put on my best jeans and a fitted black sweater. There was no reason not to look good for my boyfriend, even if we were just going to be at the Liberty Diner for the night.

“Look, Sonny Boy, you know I’m pretty easygoing when it comes to you and your boyfriend, but I’m not at all happy about this overnight at the diner.”

“Dad, it’s where I want to be -- with Jeff.”

“Can you imagine the clientele that will be hanging out there tonight? The fucking dregs of Pittsburgh.” Dad started pacing.

We were in the front living room. Dad had never been too pleased with my plans for December 31st from the moment I told him. He somehow kept hoping I’d come to my senses and stay home to watch a marathon of movies or something.

Pop, on the other hand, seemed a little more open to the idea, although he didn’t seem too thrilled either. Pop stopped Dad mid-pace and put his hands on Dad’s shoulders, so they were looking directly at each other. “It’s not like he’s going to be alone. Jeff will be there along with the cook and busboy.”

“Do you really think this is such a fucking brilliant idea?”

“No, of course not. But under the circumstances I don’t think the boys had a choice, and I think keeping them apart will make them both miserable.”

Dad looked at me. “Do you have your cell phone?”

“Yes, Dad.” I held it up and then put it back in my pocket.

“Is it fully charged?”

“Yes, Dad.”

“I’m going to call you every hour, on the hour, throughout the night.”

“Can you make it 12:05, so I can enjoy a good, long kiss to welcome the New Year with Jeff?” I smirked at Dad, hoping he’d realize how crazy he was beginning to sound.

He smiled back, “Maybe.”

Pop smirked, “Gus, I’ll try to keep him distracted.” But then he added on a more serious note, “You know we’ll only be a couple of blocks away at Babylon. The bouncer knows who you are, so if for some reason you need us, you will always be allowed in and he’ll page the manager to find us.”

“Yes, Pop, I know all that.” I stood up and looked at both my fathers. “I know you’re both concerned about me hanging out at the diner all night. I promise to be careful, and I won’t leave the diner without Jeff or someone else I know.”

Pop looked at Dad. “Brian?”

“Okay, Sonny Boy. It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s the rest of those assholes out there.”

I hugged Dad gently, “I know and I love you for it, even though this is getting close to the description of queening out.”

Pop started laughing. “He really is on to you.”

“It seems that happens with all the teens I love.” Dad and Pop hugged and started to kiss.

“Ahem, can we get going? You can save that for midnight.”

“Midnight’s too far away.” Dad can be such a wiseass sometimes, but at least they stopped kissing and we were finally heading out.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

We picked up Jeff at 10:30 PM and were soon dropped off at the diner with plenty of time before his shift started. We sat down and had a soda with some fries to get the night going.

There were only four people at a booth in the corner, so Betty wasn’t having a tough time. By eleven o’clock the place was totally empty. Betty’s girlfriend picked her up, and the two of them took off for some party at a lesbian club near Woody’s.

“Well, Newbie, this isn’t particularly taxing, is it?”

“No, not really.”

The cook came out of the back. “You kids want something to eat? If not, I’m going into the staff room for a cigarette. Let me know if anyone comes in.”

Jeff and I relaxed at the back booth, so we could see if anyone entered. He leaned in to kiss me and we enjoyed some wonderful tongue exploration. Nope, this wasn’t bad at all.

Suddenly, we heard a racket outside. It sounded like people were yelling and banging into the dumpster behind the diner.

“Shit, I’d better see what’s going on.”

“Jeff, you can’t go out there alone. I’m going with you.”

“No way, I don’t want you getting hurt -- and besides, your fathers would kill me if you so much as got a cut on your finger.”

I knew Jeff was trying to make light of the situation, but I wasn’t buying it. “I’m going with you so just shut up.”

On our way out, Jeff picked up the bat that Grandma Deb leaves behind the counter for protection. We moved cautiously towards the rear exit and were joined in the rear by the cook who seemed more curious than concerned.

We opened the back door and Jeff yelled, “Who’s out there?”

A cat screeched and ran across his feet, making him jump backwards and we all got a good laugh. “That’s some racket from such a small four-legged critter,” the cook chuckled.

But then it sounded like there were more noises just beyond the dumpster. We all looked at each other. There was no more loud banging but we heard a low, painful moaning.

Slowly, Jeff and I moved forward to investigate, although I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what we’d find. The cook stayed on the back step of the diner in case anyone came in through the front door. The only one inside was the busboy.

We inched closer, not saying a word. The moaning got more desperate. It definitely sounded like someone was in pain. As we turned the corner beyond the dumpster, there on the ground was a body of someone in a leather jacket and torn jeans.

The guy was groaning. He’d obviously been beaten up.

“What should we do -- call the police?”

“We can’t just leave him there, Gus. It’s freezing out and the ground is wet from the snow.”

“Shit. Okay, let’s try to help him up and get him inside the diner. This is definitely not how I thought this night would play out.”

“Me either, now come on, Newbie, grab his other arm.” Jeff and I each flanked one side of the guy. He was all curled up, but seemed able to move. “Okay, kid, we’re going to bring you inside, get you some first aid and something warm to drink.”

“Fuck off.” Nice comeback from someone we were trying to help.

I started to plead with him, “We can’t leave you out here, now let’s go.”

“I said fuck off.”

Wait a minute, I knew that voice. I looked at Jeff and then down at the guy again. “Jeremy, is that you? What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Shit!” He looked up and Jeff looked shocked.

Finally, with our help, Jeremy got up and accompanied us back into the diner. He looked a bit shaken up and dirty, but it didn’t seem like anything was broken so he went directly into the men’s room to wash up.

Jeff whispered, “What the fuck is going on? You know who hangs out back there, don’t you?”

“I may be naive and young, but I’m pretty sure the only people who would hang out down these alleys are drug dealers, buyers or hustlers checking their takes.”

“You’ve got it. Now, why would Mr. Upstanding News Columnist be back there?”

“I doubt it was to get a story -- but I’m definitely going to find out.”

[TBC]
 

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