The Gus Diaries

Part 106

Shopping II
 

I just got off the phone with Jeff. He’s on his way home for winter break. Five weeks together -- I can’t wait. Grandma Jen and Tucker know he won’t be around much because Jeff will be spending most of his time working at the diner or at Britin with me. I’m glad they’re being so cool about it. Pop says it’s because Grandma Jen learned a lot when he was growing up.

I’m almost done with my last editorial of the Fall semester for the school paper and have three more finals to study for -- one of them is in math. That class is still the hardest, but I’ve been working my ass off to keep my grades up.

The last question Jeff asked before we disconnected was how my shopping trip with Mom went.

“It wasn’t bad.”

“She didn’t do any weird shit this time?” Jeff’s always worried about me being kidnapped by her after my last visit. He knows it’s ridiculous to even think that could happen, but I can understand and appreciate his concern.

“No, no weird crap. In fact, I can honestly say she surprised me.”

“How?”

“I’ll tell you when you get here.”

“When I get there, the last thing I want to do is talk about your mother.”

I chuckled. “Okay. I’ll tell you later.”

“See ya soon, Newbie.”

“Later.”

Hearing his voice always gets me in a good mood (amongst other things), but so did my visit with my mom last Monday -- that was a big surprise.

After I finished working at Red Cape I went to the employees’ room in the back to get my backpack and laptop. While I was there the bell over the front door announced the entry of another customer. Since I knew Uncle Michael was at the register, and the store wasn’t crowded, I didn’t rush back to help.

I grabbed my jacket and as I put it on I heard voices -- and one was a woman’s. We don’t get too many women buying comics, so I decided to take a look and see who it was. There were some mothers getting advice from Michael about the best comics to buy as holiday gifts.

Mom was standing near a rack of comics, absentmindedly brushing her hands over the tops of the new issue of Wonder Woman.

“So Lindsay, today’s the day, your big shopping trip with Gus. Are you heading out to the mall?”

“Yes. That way we can have dinner and shop all in the same place.”

“Sounds like a good plan.”

“By the way, how’s Ben?”

“He’s fine -- probably grading final exams.” He started randomly moving the action figures on the shelf behind the counter.

I could tell Michael was trying not to ask too many questions, but it was obvious he was avoiding saying something. Mom must have noticed too.

“Michael, you don’t have to worry about Gus. I don’t plan on stressing him or giving him any reason to want to run from me.”

He nodded. “Good to know. He’s been looking forward to seeing you and I wouldn’t want him to be disappointed... again.”

“Again?”

“Come on, Lindsay -- don’t pretend you don’t remember the last time you two had dinner together.”

“I’d like to forget. I wasn’t myself.” She turned away and stared out the window. “I hadn’t felt like myself for a long time.”

“And now?”

“Now, I know who I am, and I’m also beginning to understand that I can’t always have everything I want.”

Uncle Michael wasn’t letting up, and while I wanted to stop him, I also wanted to hear Mom’s answers to his questions. “Do you also understand you can’t have everyone you want?”

Mom’s eyes widened as she turned back to glare at Michael. At first I thought she’d yell at him or give him the old WASP silent treatment. “I see you’re not working on subtlety today.”

“I don’t want to be subtle. We both know I’m not good at it anyway. Besides, I want to make sure Gus is happy.”

“Gus... or his father?”

“Lindsay, I love Brian... as a friend. I’ve also grown to love Justin equally. However, there’s only one person I’m in love with and he’s the man I married.”

“You’re very calm and quite grown up, Michael. I sometimes forget we both started at the same place -- wanting Brian -- someone we could never have.”

“I discovered a long time ago that wanting someone and loving him were two very different things. It’s a shame you and Melanie couldn’t somehow find your way together.”

“Mel’s better off now, and so am I. The good news is, now that I’m painting again, I’ve renewed an old friendship.”

I nearly laughed out loud when Uncle Michael raised an eyebrow. He and Dad have a lot more in common than I think either one would ever admit.

Mom grinned. “It’s a man, an artist named Sam.”

“Wait a minute -- isn’t that the guy you--”

Mom spotted me. “Lambskin, hello! Are you ready to do some quality shopping tonight?”

I tried to figure out why I remembered the name Sam, but didn’t ask at that point since Mom clearly wasn’t interested in discussing it.

“Can we grab some dinner first? I’m starving.”

“How about trying the new burger place at the mall? I’ve heard the food is supposed to be pretty good.”

“Sounds great, Mom.”

With my backpack and computer bag ready to toss into Mom’s trunk I looked back at Uncle Michael. I could see his brow was furrowed.

“Don’t worry. Dad and Pop are picking me up in a couple of hours.”

Michael nodded. “Okay. But I’m also just a phone call away.”

I waved to him as I left.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

We had to wait to get a table at the restaurant but it wasn’t long before we were seated.

“I could eat a bear.”

Mom giggled.

“Oh my God! I can’t believe I just said that.” I didn’t need a mirror to know my cheeks had gone totally red.

“It’s okay, honey -- I didn’t lose my sense of humor.”

Our orders were taken and we were served quickly. We chatted about the weather, my grades, the school paper, and Jeff.

“You and Jeff looked very happy together during Thanksgiving.”

“We are. He’s amazing.”

“I’m really happy for you. Does he treat you respectfully?”

Mom was saying all the right things; it almost sounded rehearsed, but that was okay.

“He treats me better than anyone can imagine.”

“Good. You deserve it.”

“Thanks.”

We continued eating. The burger wasn’t bad and the fries were crispy -- kind of like the ones I love at the Liberty Diner.

“Mom, who do you need to get presents for?”

“I’d like to get something special for Debbie and Carl, and I think I’ll get JR some new clothes now that I hear she’s starting to date.”

“And you want to encourage her?” I wasn’t comfortable knowing my baby sister was kissing boys.

“Well, I certainly don’t want to stifle her.”

“Shit! You have been working hard in therapy.”

Mom laughed and I rolled my lips inward realizing what I’d just blurted out. I really needed to filter my words better.

“I have been working hard -- glad you noticed.”

I bit my lower lip while trying to decide whether I should ask her a question that had been on my mind.

“Gus, sweetie, what are you curious about? You can ask me anything.” She dabbed the edge of her mouth with her napkin and seemed to be finished even though half her burger was left on the plate.

“Are you getting Dad or Pop a gift?”

“Actually, I already have something for both of them.”

“You do?”

“It’s okay if I’m not on their list... this is something I’ve owed them both for a very long time.”

“Can you tell me what it is?”

“I’m hoping to bring it by in person this week. I guess it’ll depend on how tonight goes.”

“Mom, one more thing...”

“Yes?”

“Who’s Sam?”

Mom sat back in her chair and took a sip of her water.

“You don’t have to tell me. It’s probably none of my business, but when I heard you mention his name in the comic book store I remembered hearing it before.”

She huffed and started tugging at the edge of her napkin. “Sometimes people make choices for the wrong reasons. Sam was a dear friend who offered me a great opportunity once -- one I should have thought more seriously about taking, but my loyalties took over.”

“That WASP upbringing again, right, Mom?”

The edges of her mouth curled upwards. “It was how I was raised and sometimes those lessons get misinterpreted when brought into different or awkward situations.”

“So who’s Sam, and why does the name sound familiar?”

“You met him when you really were my little Lambskin. He spent some time at the house in Pittsburgh several months before we moved to Canada.”

“I’m not sure I really remember any details.”

“It’s probably better that you don’t. I made some awful mistakes that I’ve regretted for years. Hopefully, some of them can finally be squared away as they should have been.”

I finished my burger and popped the last fry into my mouth. “I hope all this stuff works out for you. Just don’t rush into anything.”

Mom huffed. “You sound like a combination of Brian, Justin, Debbie, and my therapist.”

“Thank you.” I snorted and noticed Mom cover a small chuckle.

“Ready to shop? I have my list, what about you?”

I pulled my list out of my pocket and held it up. There wasn’t much more to buy but I was looking forward to this more and more.

“Let’s go make some dents in these lists.”

“Mom, could you help me pick out something Jenny and Marci might like. Buying for girls is impossible.”

She laughed out loud and it sounded amazing. “I think I might just have a few ideas for you.”

I was still curious about this Sam guy, and even more curious about Mom’s gift for Dad and Pop, but I figured she’d tell me about both on a need-to-know basis. In the meantime, I was actually having a good time with Mom for the first time in ages.

By the time Dad and Pop picked me up I had all kinds of shit for most of the people on my list. Mom had done some serious damage to hers as well.

As we put the stuff in Dad’s car Mom spoke to Pop. “Justin, I’d like to come by after dinner one night this week to drop off a special gift for you and Brian. It’s not really a Christmas gift but more like an overdue IOU.”

Pop nibbled the edge of his thumbnail. “Well, Lindsay--” His voice trailed off.

Dad wrapped an arm around Pop’s shoulders. “How about Thursday night? That’s the day the college boy will be invading too.”

I rolled my eyes but waited to see if Pop agreed.

“That should work, Brian, as long as you’re sure you’re okay with it.”

“Lindsay, you have to understand, Sunshine insists on acting like an overprotective mother-hen sometimes.”

“I see that. You’re lucky to have him, and my guess is you’re just as overprotective.”

Dad remained silent.

Mom looked directly at Pop. “Justin, is Thursday night alright with you? I promise -- no tricks.”

Pop nodded. “Okay. We’ll give it a shot.”

I sure hope the shot will be worth it. I have to admit, I’m looking forward to seeing the mystery gift... and JEFF!

[TBC]
 

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