The Gus Diaries

Part 127

A Special Gift




 

It’s hard to believe another Christmas has come and gone. I have to admit, after last night’s post-holiday sex, love-making, whatever you like to call it, I’m shocked that I’m still awake. Watching Jeff sleeping peacefully next to me is an added bonus to the holiday. It’s great having him home for the winter break, though I know it’s only for a few weeks and then he’s back to finish his sophomore year.

I’m getting ahead of myself. Christmas turned out to be quite an exciting event -- more than most expected. Well, it wasn’t really Christmas itself, but Christmas Eve that seemed to rumble with energy.

My favorite part of the holidays every year is Christmas Eve at Britin. While I love my entire family, and wouldn’t miss having Christmas with them, the quiet of the more intimate activities the night before with my immediate family have always seemed really special. Dad and Pop started the tradition when they moved to Virginia and Mom, Mem, Jenny, and I came down to visit for the week. We’d exchange one special gift each and have a private celebration, allowing Jenny and me to get some quiet time with our parents.

A couple of nights ago Uncle Ben, Uncle Michael, and Mom all came in one car, and Mem, Marie, and Jenny in another. They all arrived at the house at the same time. Since we live so close to Pittsburgh none of them would spend the night, they’d just go back home to sleep and return the next day for the big dinner with the entire family.

It was great to see Mem so happy -- an added Christmas Eve gift. She and Marie seem really close and Jenny has no complaints.

“Hey, big brother. Long time, no see. Did you forget I existed now that you’re a big deal senior?” Jenny plowed past me, handing me her coat as she entered the living room.

After hanging her jacket on the temporary rack Pop had set up near the front door knowing how many guests we’d be having, (Pop is really organized that way), I followed my sister in to see how she liked the tree.

“Oh my fucking God. It’s gorgeous. Your pop must have decorated this.”

“Whoa, trash mouth, Pop isn’t the only one with a creative eye in this family.”

“Right. I forgot, your dad writes ads for a living.”

“Very funny. You may be little, but you’re still an asshole when you want to be.” My little sister was becoming a bizarre mix of Mem and Grandma Debbie. I was wondering if she was spending enough time with her father.

“I may be petite, but Mommy says you can pack a lot of dynamite in a small package.”

“Terrific, little miss dynamite. If you’re hoping to actually ever get a date, you might want to tone it down a peg. You’d scare anyone away -- even the craziest lesbian.”

“No assumptions, Gus. I happen to be dating the hottest guy on the middle school’s football team.”

“Does he have a brain?” When did I get to be so critical -- oh yeah, when my sister started looking at boys. I might feel more comfortable if she was interested in girls.

“His brain isn’t what I’m interested in.”

I brushed my hand over my face. “Are you crazy? You’re only thirteen!”

“I’ll be fourteen in a few months. Besides, I’m not a dummy. He’s great arm candy, but I never let him touch anything more than--”

“I don’t want to hear it!” This is worse than Dad and Pop. At least they’re married.

“Calm down, Gus. Just trust me. I’m still a sweet, little virgin, and I plan to stay that way for a while.”

“Good.”

“By the way Gus, how old were you when you first had sex? When did you have sex? Care to remind me?” I hate when she gets all snarky and sarcastic.

“Shut up. Our parents are headed this way.”

Dad came up and put his arms around Jenny and me. “Did I just hear the word virgin coming from your delicate mouth?” She looked pointedly at Dad.

“Yes, Uncle Brian.”

“Keep it that way.”

“For how long? When is it okay for someone to lose their virginity?”

“In your case, little lady, on the day your father walks you down the aisle.”

Jenny started laughing so hard I thought she’d choke. “In this family, and coming from you, Uncle Brian, that has to be the funniest thing I’ve heard all year. But it’ll sure make my Daddy happy to know that’s the advice you’re giving me.”

“Well, by all means, don’t keep him in the dark. Making Michael happy never hurts.”

Shaking my head, I walked over to Jeff. “So, are we exchanging gifts tonight?”

“If you’d like. You know what my gift to you is anyway.”

“Jeff, I love your gift. I hope my parents like it too.”

He shrugged. “Want a soda?”

“Sure. I’m just glad Dad said we could have some champagne later for the holiday toasts.”

“For someone with his history, he’s one of the strictest, yet fairest parents I know.”

I glanced toward Dad. He was talking with Michael, Ben, and Mom. He and Mom were finally getting along, and while all of us were cautious with her, Mom seemed to really have her act together at this point.

Pop came into the living room with two trays of warm appetizers. Dad started handing out drinks to everyone and soon our little group was settled.

“Good evening to all of you.” Dad raised his glass of wine. “At the wise suggestion of my incredibly brilliant spouse,” Dad nodded to Pop and he smiled back, “we started this Christmas Eve tradition when we moved into Britin.” Dad rolled his eyes. “I still can’t believe we named our house.”

“Brian, this isn’t a house, it’s a fucking mansion, on a fucking huge estate.”

“Thank you, Mel, for that succinct, if not filthy, description of our home.”

“Now, if I may continue, as we do every year, we exchange a few gifts tonight so our children can have some special time with their parents. Now who would like to begin?”

Mom stood up first. She gave identically sized packages to Jenny and me. We opened them simultaneously. Mom had painted two different poses of Jenny and me together. “I always want the two of you to know how important you are to me, and to each other. Not too many people have good relationships with their siblings as they grow into adulthood.”

I know Mom was thinking about her bitch of a sister, who I barely remember. She’s on husband number five or six, maybe seven, but I lost count. Funny thing is, she never did have kids.

Pop leaned against Dad as they stood by the fireplace mantel. I could tell they were touched by the gifts from Mom. They were finally seeing the Lindsay Peterson they knew and loved from years earlier. It was great to have her back.

Knowing Mem was anxious about sending Jenny to high school in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, Dad and Pop gave Jenny a gift certificate to the prep school of Mem, Michael, and Mom’s choice.

Mem stared at the sheet of paper and then looked at my dads. “Brian, Justin, this is too much. This is a four year financial commitment, just as Gus is finishing high school and entering college.”

Uncle Michael piped in, “Quiet, Mel, and don’t look a very generous pair of gift horses in the mouth.” I’m glad Uncle Michael spoke up honestly. Let’s face it, my dads could afford it without batting an eye.

Jenny ran over to my dads and hugged them both. “I can’t wait to start looking at schools.”

Marie wrapped her arm around Mem’s shoulders. “Jenny’s worth it to a lot of people. Be happy she’s so loved.” Mem kissed Marie and nodded then she looked toward my dads again and mouthed a thank you.

The gift exchange continued for a while. Mom gave Jeff a portrait of him and I dancing in tuxes. “This is how I imagine you’ll look at your prom this year, Gus.” It was so beautiful. Jeff was a bit choked up. I didn’t know what to say, especially knowing what my gift was to my family... and the announcement that was to follow.

“Okay, it’s my turn. This gift is primarily for my parents and Jeff, although he already knows all about it.” I was almost giddy with excitement.

“Well, Sonny Boy, out with it. Don’t keep us in suspense any longer than is necessary.”

“You know I’ve been practicing hard for the team, and working at all my classes, and running the paper.”

“Yes, Gus, we know you’re Michael’s next targeted superhero. So what’s the big mystery gift?” I liked keeping Dad on the edge, and I could see everyone was anxious to hear so I just plunged ahead.

With Jeff’s arm around me for support, I opened an envelope I’d had folded in my pocket all evening. “This letter confirms my acceptance to CMU, with a full scholarship split between their basketball program and their honors writing program.”

“Holy Shit, Gus!” Pop took the letter out of my hands and read it out loud to the small gathering. His face beamed as did the rest of my family’s.

“Way to go, Gus. I guess this means I’ll be losing an employee at the end of the summer.”

“Actually, Uncle Michael, I’ll have to leave at the beginning of the summer. I was offered a spot as a freelance human interest writer on the Pittsburgh Gazette. They were looking for someone who could capture the young perspective. I submitted ten different articles I’ve written over the past couple of years and they hired me, especially knowing I was remaining in the area for college.”

“That’s terrific, kiddo! I guess I’ll have to find someone else to train in your place.”

“And that leads to my gift for Jenny. I know she loves helping in the store and she’ll be fourteen before the summer--”

“Say no more. Honeybun... stop frowning, we’re with family only, would you like to work with your dear, young dad?”

“You’re not so young anymore, Mikey.”

“Speak for yourself, Brian,” Uncle Michael shot over his shoulder. The whole group started laughing.

“I’ve been dying to inherit Gus’ job, Daddy.” Jenny looked at me. Her smile was as pretty as Mem’s and as big as Grandma Debbie’s.

“Gus,” Pop looked at me. “Why do I get a sense that you’re not quite finished?” It’s amazing just how well Pop knows me. He really does know how to read people -- especially my dad and me.

“There’s one more thing. It was Jeff and my gift to each other.”

Everyone gazed at us. No one said a word and I started to feel nervous until Jeff whispered in my ear. “Tell them, unless you think it’s a bad idea.”

“No, it’s the best idea in the world.”

“Starting soon, Jeff and I are going to look for a place to move into together.”

No one said a word. The room remained so silent it bordered scary until Dad opened his mouth, “Are you out of your fucking minds?”

[TBC]
 

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