The Gus Diaries

Part 22

Sports Night

Last night was the annual Sports Night at St. James Academy. It’s the night when all the kids on Varsity and Junior Varsity Teams get honored and some get singled out for special achievement awards. I’d been really excited about it for a while, especially since I was one of the few freshmen on a Varsity team, but as the night approached things were looking pretty bad.

The truth is, if it wasn’t for my dads I just may not have gone at all…fuck, there might have been an implosion from more than one front.

I hate remembering some of the shit that happened but MJ always finds it cathartic to get feelings out in his sketches and I think maybe getting them out in this journal does the same for me, so here goes.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

About two weeks ago I met Jeff at the diner after I got out of work. Uncle Michael had just gotten in a whole shitload of new comics and we had to catalogue each one before shelving it either in the store or in the storage room. By the time I left my shoulders hurt and I thought I’d never want to see another comic again…not that I really like them anyway, but the money’s been really helping.

I knew Jeff’s shift would end at about 7:00 so we planned to meet at the diner and let Grandma Deb feed us for free. Then Dad and MJ were going to pick us up at 8:00 and bring Jeff back to Grandma Jen’s before the three of us went home to Britin.

Everything was going great. Ever since the Valentine’s Dance, Jeff and I were even closer than ever. While I still wasn’t totally comfortable with PDA’s, I was letting him hold my hand from time to time in the hallway at school, especially when we saw straight kids doing it.

It helped that with the end of the school’s basketball season I now would have more time to go to Gay/Straight Student Alliance meetings again. I had to drop off my participation because of my sports and newspaper schedules. It pissed off Mem, but she knew that something had to give…personally, I think she would have rather seen me drop Jeff, but that wasn’t an option.

When I got to the diner Jeff was just coming out of the staff room in the back. He already had his apron off and came over and gave me a huge hug and a whopper of a kiss.

“What was that for?”

“Hello to you, too. Can’t I give you a major league greeting without being questioned?” Jeff laughed as he pulled me into the only available booth.

“Sure, but it seems like it’s more than that. Care to share?”

“Well, you might just say that I got some amazing news today.”

“Might I – and what would that be?” I laughed trying, to sound all sophisticated.

Jeff was practically bouncing in his seat, and when you’re fucking six feet, six inches tall that’s pretty funny to watch. “You know that the night of Sports Night is my seventeenth birthday, right?”

“Of course I know. I was hoping that since it was Friday night we could continue the celebration at Britin…for the whole weekend.” I smirked at him and raised an eyebrow. It’s really cool when my dad does that so I’d been practicing the look in my bathroom mirror.

Apparently the effect worked, “Oh yeah, Newbie! You definitely can have me for the whole weekend. And…”

“And…” now he really had me going.

“And Coach said that I may just get a special added gift that night and not to miss it.”

I knew what that meant and so did Jeff. Everyone on the team had a feeling that he was going to be named ‘Athlete of the Year’. I was really proud of him and it didn’t hurt that my boyfriend was going to be center stage for the entire school. Let’s face it, getting a little of the limelight shining on me from his afterglow wouldn’t hurt my reputation either.

I slid out of my seat and moved to his side of the table. I shoved him in a little and held his face in my hands and then wrapped one hand around the back of his neck and pulled him in for what I hoped was a major toe-curling kiss. It was for me. I pulled back and looked at him, “I’m so proud of you. You deserve it. You really are the best athlete in the whole school, and unlike some of those football assholes, you actually have the good grades to go with it.”

Jeff laughed, “That’s 'cause no one’s beating my brains in every time I run down the court.”

“Hey, you two, I’d say get a room but you’d probably take me up on it and then I’d have to deal with your father when he gets here and finds you gone.” The gum-cracking wit of Grandma Debbie never ceases to amaze me.

“Hi Grandma.”

“Hi, honey, come here and give your grandma a kiss.” Oh shit, another lipstick smudge alert. Grandma gave me a typical Debbie bear hug and kiss, and then started wiping my cheek with her thumb. “Oh shit, sorry, honey.”

“That’s okay Grandma, a napkin and a glass of water will do the trick.” I’ve had plenty of practice. Jeff had the nerve to snort behind the menu he was holding…upside down.

“So what’ll you boys have?” We gave her our order and after she put it in, she returned to the table with our sodas and sat down opposite us. It’s a good thing she manages the diner, otherwise she’d be fired for all the time she sits with the customers. “I hear that we have a star in our midst.”

I looked at Jeff. His smile was so big and beautiful. He was so proud of this award. “I guess you couldn’t resist telling a few people.”

“Only you and Deb.”

“Well that should give her plenty of time to get it on the eleven o’clock news. Fag makes it big in sports.”

Grandma laughed her big wonderful laugh, “And then you can write it up for the paper.”

We were all having a great time and then Grandma asked, “So Jeff, are you going to ask your parents to come to the awards dinner? I’m sure they’d want to know about it and celebrate with you.”

“Grandmaaaa,” I hissed under my breath. “You know why Jeff is living with Grandma Jen and Tucker.”

“Of course I do, I was there when it was all arranged. But that doesn’t mean he can’t hold out a, what the fuck is it…a maple leaf?”

“An olive branch, Grandma.”

“Right, that doesn’t mean he can’t hold out the olive branch. Let’s face it; this is typically a very hetero event. Haven’t your parents been there with you the past couple of years?”

“Yeah Debbie, they have. I really didn’t think about asking them. It’s not like we’ve had any kind of really open lines of communication. I’ve only seen my mom a couple of times at Starbucks and lately when I’ve tried to call her she always has an excuse why she’s too busy to get together.”

“Well, this may be the excuse that you all need.”

“Okay, I’ll give it a shot.”

I looked at Jeff and for some reason a shiver went down my spine. None of this was sitting well with me at all. It’s not that I didn’t want his parents at the celebration; I just didn’t think that this was going to work out as well as everyone seemed to assume. But seeing Jeff so happy I kept my mouth shut.

Then the bell at the counter rang. “Grandma I think our food’s up.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m getting it. Can’t let my two star athletes go hungry.” With that she cracked her gum one more time and got us our meals.

We were about half-way through dinner when Dad and MJ walked in. I might not have noticed so quickly but Grandma, in all her glory, yelled, “Sunshine!”

“Hi, Deb.”

“Hi, Maw.”

“Hi, honey, you look thin.  Do you want something to eat?”

Dad laughed, “Deb, we just finished dinner.”

She snorted, “What, the high protein kind?”

MJ blushed and Dad snorted, “No, that was the appetizer before we left the gallery.” MJ swatted Dad on the arm and Jeff and I kept stuffing our burgers in our mouths to keep from laughing. “We ate at the Thai place down the street.”

“Why didn’t you just come here?”

“Well, Deb, I actually wanted to eat a meal that wouldn’t re-visit all night long.”

Grandma looked at Dad and then just bellowed out a laugh. “But at least we’re memorable.”

I love Grandma Deb.

“Gus, tell your dads Jeff’s big news.” What did I say…it would be old news by 11:00.

Jeff and I filled in Dad and MJ about what the Coach had told Jeff earlier that day. I also made sure to remind them that it was all happening on Jeff’s birthday which made it that much more exciting.

“Well we’ll have to make sure to celebrate, right, Sunshine.”

MJ smiled, “Yes, because we all know how important birthdays are to you.”

“I was referring to the lad’s achievements, but the fact that it’s also his birthday may add to the event.”

MJ looked at me. “I’ll be selecting the birthday gift.” Then he winked at Dad. I have no idea what that was all about.

Then, Jeff shared Grandma’s suggestion about asking his parents and holding out the olive branch and all that shit. That’s when I saw the looks that passed between Dad and MJ. They were subtle, and I’m pretty sure Jeff didn’t pay as much attention, but I could tell that the two of them were having one of those non-verbal conversations and this one wasn’t upbeat.

MJ was seated opposite Jeff and looked directly at him. “Jeff, before you go to invite your parents I want you to think this through.”

He looked at MJ. “What do you mean?”

Then Dad chimed in, surprisingly. “What Justin is trying to say is that you should prepare yourself for any answer you might receive. This may not turn into a Hallmark moment.”

“I know that, Mr. Kinney, but what better time to try than when I know I’m going to be honored at what’s normally a major hetero event and on my birthday. They’ve got to come around.” Then there was a pause and he looked at Dad and MJ. “Don’t they?”

MJ looked down at the table and mumbled just above a whisper, “Not always.”

All of us were silent as Jeff and I pushed our food around our plates. Then Dad lifted his hand and waved to Grandma. “Fuck it, this is a night to share some great news. Hey Deb, ice cream sundaes for these two lads, cheesecake for the former twink of the year, and extra forks and spoons.”

MJ laughed, “Because you never eat carbs after seven.”

“Not on my plate.” Dad smirked.

“Ah, a new rule…I like it,” MJ snorted.

Then the mood lightened once again as we all dug into our decadent desserts.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

After we dropped Jeff off I sat in the back of the car and just closed my eyes to relax.

My dads must have thought I was asleep because they started talking as if I wasn’t there. “Brian, I’m concerned about Jeff’s visit to his parents’ house.”

“Justin, I had the same thought. This isn’t one of Deb’s better pieces of advice.”

“I guess if she’s not toting a casserole and smoking pot she loses all perspective,” MJ snorted.

“Yeah, well, you might be right about this one.”

“You know who’ll be picking up the pieces?”

“Your mother.”

“Only partly and you know it. This will affect Gus, and I hate to have him exposed to this kind of shit.”

“Justin, we can’t keep him in a cocoon. He almost didn’t go to a school dance because he was concerned about being out there, literally.”

“I know, but he’s still so young.”

“And maturing every day.”

“Are you sure about that cocoon not being an option?”

“Positive, Justin, we’ll just have to be there if…and when…that olive branch explodes.”

“My guess is we’ll have to be there for both of them.”

“Uh huh.”

Then I just slightly opened my eyes since the talking stopped and noticed MJ place his hand in Dad’s and then they twined their fingers together.

I just hoped they were being overly dramatic queens, but unfortunately I agreed with them.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

Four days later, early on Saturday morning, the phone at Britin started ringing. I had an extension in my room, but when I saw the clock I rolled over and put a pillow over my head. No one calls us before 11:00 AM and it was only 9:00 AM.

The phone stopped and then started again, only this time one of my dads must have picked it up. Then I heard a lot of movement and finally there was a knock at my door.

“Come in.”

“Sonny Boy, get showered and dressed fast.”

“What’s up, Dad? It’s so early. I didn’t get to sleep until late.”

“That was your Grandma Jen. All she said was that Jeff visited his parents last night and that he needs us this morning.”

“What the fuck happened? I just knew it wasn’t a good idea.”

“I have no idea, and I didn’t want to waste time asking for details. Jen wouldn’t call if it wasn’t important. MJ just finished his shower and now I’m getting in while he makes some coffee and breakfasts to go for us. Now if you care about this guy get your ass in the shower and be ready in ten minutes.”

“I’ll be ready in five.” All I could think about was getting to Jeff as soon as possible. What the fuck could have happened that would cause all this commotion?

I figured he’d be sad and upset if his parents turned him down but why all the alarms?

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

We made it in record time to Grandma’s, which wasn’t hard on a Saturday morning with Dad’s lead foot on the pedal. Tucker was apparently waiting and opened the door before we rang the bell. “Come on in the living room.”

Dad brushed his hand over his face, “Okay, what the fuck happened?” I’m glad he gets right to the point and people listen, because I really wanted some answers, too.

Grandma took over at this point. “Last night, Jeff told us that he wanted to visit his parents and ask them to join him on his birthday at the Sports Night dinner. He was nervous but had high hopes.” She paused and sipped her coffee as Tucker brought in coffees for MJ and Dad, too. “I cautioned him about getting his hopes up too high and he seemed to listen. But neither of us expected what happened.”

Dad was pacing now and MJ was sitting awkwardly slouched in a chair.

“Well, to make a long and ugly story short, when Mrs. Martin opened the door and saw me there she was polite, but when she glanced at Jeff she just started backing away. Then Mr. Martin came to the door. He may be a few inches shorter than Jeff but he’s still a big man.”

MJ looked at Tucker. “Where the fuck were you?”

“Your mother asked me to wait in the car since the Martins really didn’t know me, but Mrs. Martin had spent some time with your mother.”

MJ nodded his acceptance and understanding.

Dad’s impatience mimicked mine. “Well…”

“He pushed his wife aside and looked at Jeff. Then he said, ‘What the fuck do you want? I thought you’d gone to try the lifestyle of the gay and famous.’ Jeff had jumped a bit, stunned by his father’s harsh words. He tried to explain to his father that it wasn’t a choice. This was who he was, and that he was still excelling in school and sports. I saw Mrs. Martin in the background and she did seem interested but wouldn’t dare speak up.

“Then Jeff told his father about the award he expected to receive on his birthday and his father walked directly in front of Jeff and I’ll never forget his words. ‘My son is NOT gay. You are NOT my son. My son is DEAD to me and I won’t take any gay imposters.’ Then before any of us realized what was happening, his father forcefully slapped Jeff across the face.”

Grandma had a strange faraway look on her face. It was sad and it was like she was telling all of this to someone else who wasn’t in the room.

“Jeff almost lost his balance as he stumbled backwards and touched his cheek. By this time Tucker saw what was going on and ran up behind Jeff and guided him back to the car. Then he said, ‘Jen, let’s go; this man is out of his fucking mind.’ But before I left I looked past that big bully, directly at Mrs. Martin and told her, ‘You don’t know what you’re missing. Your son is a gifted and talented athlete and a brilliant student. I feel sorry for you.’ Then I quickly got in the car and we came home.

“We treated Jeff’s face with ice packs and gave him aspirin, but he hasn’t spoken since we left. He won’t eat and I don’t think he slept all night.”

“Mom” MJ looked up. “Thanks for calling us. I’m sorry you had to witness that.”

“Oh honey, you know I’ve seen worse, experienced worse. I just can’t reach him, but I hoped that one of you might.”

Dad looked directly at me. “Gus, please stay downstairs with Jen and Tucker for a few minutes. Let MJ and me go up first.”

I wanted to protest but the look on Dad’s face read that there was no discussion on this one. So I nodded my head and just sat there, shocked that anyone could talk that way to someone as terrific as Jeff. Fuck, half the teachers at school joke that they’d love a class filled with kids like Jeff, but his parents don’t want him. I just don’t get it.

I couldn’t wait, despite what I said to Dad. So I went upstairs and stood outside the bedroom. I was glad that Grandma and Tucker didn’t try to stop me.

The door was opened and I could see Jeff sitting on the bed like a statue, just staring straight ahead at nothing in particular. Then I noticed Dad standing at the end of the bed. He was wringing his hands and Justin sat next to Jeff. I could see all the way from my spot in the hallway the huge black, blue and red splash across Jeff’s cheek.

Dad kneeled at the end of Jeff’s bed and touched his leg. Jeff startled as if that was the first time he realized someone else was in the room.

MJ put his hand cautiously around Jeff’s shoulder then he started to speak in a very soft and controlled voice. “Jeff, I understand, more than you can possibly know. It’s hard when it seems someone has stopped loving you, and you still love them so much, especially when they seemed to love you your entire life.

“You will move on and you will get past this, but you won’t forget. You won’t forget the love and you won’t forget the hate.”

Then Jeff looked at MJ as tears started streaming down his face. “I’m dead. He said I’m dead.”

MJ gently held him and stroked Jeff’s hair. “His heart is what’s dead. You are very much alive and loving and smart and beautiful. No one can take any of that away from you.”

“But it hurts so much.” I knew he wasn’t talking about the bruise.

“The pain will fade and you’ll be left with a type of scar, but that feeling will help shape the man you will become and will help make you stronger in the future. You can only be the best that you are. You can’t be something that you’re not, and you shouldn’t be.”

At that point I walked in the room. Jeff tried to wipe away his tears, and I went over and touched his cheek and gently helped wipe them away. Then I kissed him softly on the lips.

Dad stood up. “I have an errand to run.”

“Brian.” MJ looked nervous. I could see that he felt divided. He wanted to go with Dad but Jeff needed the support of someone who knew what he was feeling.

“Dad I’ll go with you.”

“No fucking way!”

“Dad, please, I’ll just stay in the car, please.” Looking at my father, I knew that it was important for someone to join him on his mission.

Then MJ looked at me, “You go with your father and stay in the car. I’ll stay with Jeff and see if we can talk and maybe work our way downstairs.” I nodded and followed Dad out to the car.

I knew where we were going and I was glad I was there. Dad wouldn’t kill anyone if I was watching.

When we reaching the Martins’ house I lowered my window and stayed in the car.

Dad banged on the door until it was opened. It was Mr. Martin. “Ah, now a visit from the patriarch of the faggot clan.” What a bigoted asshole!

I nearly jumped out of the car when I saw what happened next, but I realized Dad had everything under control.

Dad grabbed him by the lapel area of his shirt and slammed him against the front door. “You fucking homophobic coward! You pick on innocent kids and women with surprise attacks and big words. But what about this faggot? Are you going to threaten me? Raise welts on my face? Well, well, you piece of shit.”

I could see that Mr. Martin wasn’t about to say a word. Then I saw Mrs. Martin standing just inside the door watching…I may be mistaken but I thought I saw a slight smirk on her face.

“Don’t you ever lay a hand on that kid, or anyone else, again. You hear me. Do you hear me?” Dad wasn’t quite yelling, but his voice definitely sounded scary and threatening, “Because if I find out that anyone has been hurt by you again, I’m not sure I’ll be able to be this civil the next time we run into each other…and I would make sure that happens. Do you understand?” Dad stared at Mr. Martin until he nodded. Then he let go of him.

Dad added in a steadier and calmer voice, “You’re a fucking asshole. Your son is going to go on to do incredible things and you’ll miss it all because you’re a homophobic prick.” Then he looked towards Mrs. Martin and continued, “I hope the rest of your family is smart enough to ignore your bullshit and express their own free will.” With that Dad turned away with confidence and walked steady and tall back to the car.

When he got in the car he looked directly at me. “I never like to see trash left out to fester, but I also don’t like having to resort to my size and strength to settle anything…unless I have to.”

I looked at Dad, hugged him and said with complete conviction, “I understand.”

“Good, now let’s get you back to Jeff so you can help him.”

“How, I don’t know what to do?”

“Just listen and let him talk.”

“Wouldn’t he be better off just putting this all behind him and trying to forget about it?”

“I used to think that, but no, Sonny Boy, it definitely would not be better. Let him say whatever he wants, everything he wants, whenever he wants. Trust me on this.”

“Okay.” The rest of the ride back to Grandma Jen’s was quiet.

When we arrived, Jeff was downstairs with a new ice pack on his cheek and a cup of coffee in his other hand. I walked up to him somewhat awkwardly and everyone else was nice enough to move out of the kitchen to give us some space.

“Hey.”

“Hey, Newbie. So is my father still alive?”

“Yeah, he’s alive; my dad just gave him a piece of his mind.”

“I see, and…”

“And then we left. I wanted to be with you. Did MJ help?”

“Yeah, he helped. Although I don’t know any details, but it sounds like Grandmother Taylor’s ex was a major asshole and homophobe. We commiserated.”

“Cool.” We were quiet for a while and then I remembered what Dad said. “You know, whenever you feel like talking…about anything…or everything, I’m ready to listen.”

“You sure? It’s a lot of sucky shit.”

“I’m sure. Remember I like sucking.” Jeff laughed, then he leaned forward and we kissed for a bit.

When we parted I touched his cheek and he flinched. “How bad is it?”

“The color makes it look worse than it really is. It’ll be sore for a couple of days. Your grandmother asked if I wanted to stay home from school on Monday, but I figure I can’t hide, won’t hide, from anyone.”

“What’ll you tell the nosy-bodies at school?”

“That I slipped on the ice or something like that.”

“You can tell the truth you know.”

“Yeah, I know, but I’d rather not. As long as I can tell you…and my new family, I’ll be okay.”

“Anytime Jeff, anytime.” Then we kissed a little more.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

By the time Sports Night arrived Jeff’s bruise was barely noticeable. It had faded significantly and there was no inflammation at all.

We had so many people with us for the big night that we actually had to join two tables together. There were all four of my parents, Jenny, Grandma Deb and Grandpa Carl, Grandma Jen and Tucker, all the “uncles” -- Michael and Ben, Ted and Blake and Emmett and Drew. Jeff was particularly thrilled that Drew came because the guys on the team didn’t believe that we really knew Drew Boyd. It’s kind of cool to know a living sports legend.

Dad played with his food and said that the rubber chicken reminded him of GLC events. That got the evil eye from my moms and Jenny and MJ laughed out loud. We all were having a great time.

When the awards part of the evening arrived all of us were called up one at a time to receive a plaque for our achievements. When my Moms saw the football players go up I heard them whisper, “Thank God he picked basketball. At least he’s still in one piece.”

Our basketball team received special recognition for bringing home the trophy for second place in the entire region in our division and then finally it was time for the special awards.

First there was an award given to the member of each team with the best attendance at practices. I was shocked when they announced my name for the basketball team. I got a cool trophy and a certificate ‘suitable for hanging’ (NOT!). But everyone at our tables stood up and cheered. I pretended to be annoyed and embarrassed, but I was really proud to have such a huge cheering section there for me.

Then there were a couple of other awards and finally it was time for the award for ‘St. James Academy Athlete of the Year’. All the head coaches from each team were up on the podium and our coach stepped up to the microphone.

“It is a privilege and an honor to be asked to present the award to St. James Academy’s most valuable player, our athlete of the year. This young man has demonstrated dedication to his team and a drive to be the best he can be. He gives true definition to the term ‘Personal Best’.

“He excels in the sport of basketball and supports his teammates in all their practices, encouraging them all to strive to be the best they can. What he does not know is that the team has voted to appoint him Captain for his upcoming senior year. May I present, on his seventeenth birthday, Jeffrey Martin our most valuable player and the St. James Academy’s Athlete of the Year.”

The whole audience stood up and cheered. Our tables were the loudest, of course. Jeff walked up to the podium. I know it was a little bittersweet, not having his parents there to see this or to share his birthday, but he knew that he was loved and supported and I guess that’s all that any of us can hope for.

When he was handed this huge trophy and wall plaque (definitely suitable for hanging), he placed them down on a chair and approached the microphone to deliver the appropriate thank you's. He looked up and then he seemed frozen.

I thought maybe he had stage fright but then I realized he was looking all the way back to the entrance of the room. I turned towards the entrance and standing there was Mrs. Martin. She had her coat on and was alone, but she was there.

I tapped Dad’s arm and pointed towards the door. He immediately got up and walked over to Jeff’s mom. I don’t know what he said, but he placed her arm on his and escorted her like an usher at a wedding to our table. She took the seat that Jeff had been seated in and watched the podium.

“I want to thank Coach and all my teammates for this great honor and all the coaches here at St. James for believing in my abilities as an athlete. I’d also like to thank my family for being here with me tonight. They’re the loud bunch over there.”

“You tell ‘em, honey.” Several laughs were heard at Grandma’s bellowing.

“Thanks, Debbie. I have a group of people who care about me and accept me for who I am; all of me. And I’d like to say that I hope this is you in two years, Newbie; I’ll be keeping a close eye on you.” I hope so, on both counts, I thought to myself and smiled. “Finally, I’d like to thank my mom for being here to help celebrate this honor and my birthday. After all I wouldn’t be here without her.”

Everyone stood up and applauded and cheered some more as Jeff shook hands with all the coaches, took his awards and returned to our tables. Mrs. Martin hugged Jeff with almost as much gusto as Grandma Deb. “I’m so proud to be your mother. I love you.”

Jeff couldn’t stop smiling from ear to ear. Then I saw both grandmas and my moms take Mrs. Martin aside and started talking to her about the nights that PFLAG meets at the GLC. I know that Grandma Jen had tried before, but somehow, it seemed that this time there might actually be some success.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

After the Sports Night reception we all went to the diner for birthday cake and coffee and several out-of-tune rounds of the birthday song. Finally it was time for everyone to head home, and Jeff came back to Britin with us.

I still hadn’t had the chance to give him his present. I asked Jeff to sit on my bed and I pulled a package out of my closet.

“I hope you like it.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t say thanks until you see it.”

Jeff slowly opened the package and just looked. It was a sketch that MJ drew for me to give to Jeff of all four of us at the ski lodge. After our fall from the toboggan we’d gone into the lodge to have hot chocolate by the fire and one of the waiters took a picture of the four of us. It was that picture that MJ used as the basis for his sketch. Then around the sketch was a frame I’d been working on in art class. We were learning decoupage and using that new skill I placed some special words on the frame.

Family is anything or anyone you want it to be. Don’t let anyone say you can’t choose your family. Some of the best were chosen and those are the ones that are precious and lasting. --Gus Taylor Kinney

I wasn’t sure what to make of Jeff’s silence. Was it too much, was I pushing too hard? Finally he looked up at me.

“Gus, this is the most incredible gift anyone’s ever given me.”

“You mean because it’s a signed work by Justin Taylor.”

“No, because it’s a special gift from Gus Taylor Kinney. I don’t know when you all did this, but you couldn’t have timed it better.”

“Happy birthday, Jeff. I love you.”

He set the sketch down on my desk and then pulled me to the bed with him and held me tight. “I know, Newbie, me too.”

I looked into his eyes and smiled. Then I tried that raised eyebrow thing again. “You know you didn’t have nearly enough whipped cream on your birthday cake.”

“Oh really.”

“Really, I think we need to rectify that, don’t you.”

“Absolutely.” Then I pulled out the can I’d hidden in my drawer and placed it on my nightstand. I wanted to make this a sure fire night to celebrate.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

We had a wonderful night together. When I woke up I felt pretty sticky from all the whipped cream, and well, some other stuff, but I just didn’t give a shit. Looking at Jeff when I wake up makes everything great.

I’m really proud of him, and proud that I’ve been able to support him as much as he supports me.

Love is great, but now, I’m actually feeling pretty slimy, so I think it’s time to get in the shower. I hope Jeff hears it and joins me. After all this is Saturday morning and we did get to sleep in late.

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