The Gus Diaries

Part 85

Graduation II
 

After learning about the senior class trip to the Six Flags Amusement Park, the rest of my school day was a blur. My teachers could have told me Columbus was wrong, the world is flat, and I wouldn’t have noticed.

That afternoon Jeff had to head over to the diner for work right after school, and I had to attend the final meeting of the St. Jamesian. Our faculty advisor was going to give certificates of recognition to the seniors and appoint the positions for the following year.

Since I’m going into my junior year, I figured I would remain as the news editor. I thought I’d done a pretty good job and did get one of my articles reprinted in a local Pittsburgh paper.

I got to the newspaper office a few minutes early to make sure I hadn’t left anything in my mailbox that needed to be addressed before the end of year issue went to press.

“Hi, Gus, what’s up?”

I rolled my eyes. “Hi, Jeremy, absolutely nothing.”

“You sound like someone just killed your pet rabbit.”

I glared at him, fully aware of the reference to Fatal Attraction -- that was one sick movie. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“I assume you heard about the senior trip next week. No more polluted river visits. They’re heading out to a good time for a change.”

“Sooo?” I tried to sound like I didn’t give a shit, but I’ve never claimed to be an actor.

“Sooo, you know about all those fast rides. They smash people together in a tight clutch.” I saw him lick his lips and I felt like gagging. “Who knows, maybe that hot guy on the swim team will hook up with Jeff since they’re both out, and neither will have a boyfriend with him.”

“Well, what the hell is Jeff supposed to do -- go on all those rides alone? He’s not a fucking monk, and he doesn’t have a ball and chain around his ankle.”

As more students entered the newspaper office, Jeremy stood directly behind me and whispered, “Interesting analogy, Gus. Are you getting the feeling that the end of the school year is the end of a lot more?”

I felt my hand curl into a fist. I hate violence, but...

“Hello, everyone, glad to see you could all make it. Let’s get together for our final gathering.” Saved by a teacher. Assault and battery probably wouldn’t look so hot on my record.

The meeting went pretty smoothly. All the seniors were congratulated, and we passed around their yearbooks to sign.

The final order of business was to give out the assignments for next year. Jeremy would continue his column, and a couple of others moved up as sports editor, theater critic, etc. When it was announced that someone else would be taking the reins as news editor, I broke into a sweat. I loved that job and couldn’t understand how I’d fucked it up and lost it.

“The final assignment goes to Gus Taylor Kinney. Congratulations, Gus. You will now be the St. Jamesian’s Editor-in-Chief.”

“Huh?” Another brilliant response but I was in shock.

“I know that position is usually given to a senior, but you’ve proven your exemplary skills. If you do a good job next year, you’ll retain the position during your senior year as well.”

“Holy shit!” I quickly covered my mouth, realizing what I’d said. The rest of the group started laughing.

“Nice going, Gus... You’ll be aces... Cool...” Everyone congratulated me, including the three soon-to-be seniors who were clearly not pissed off. At least I wasn’t starting out on anyone’s shit list.

I thanked everyone and we took off. When the meeting was over, I was supposed to call Pop, so he could come pick me up.

Walking out of the building, I wasn’t paying attention as I started fishing for my cell phone.

“Gus, you look pretty pleased. Care to share since after lunch you looked awful?”

“Hey, Marci.” I found my phone and looked up. “You’re not going to believe this... I’ve been appointed Editor-in-Chief of the paper.”

“No way! That’s amazing. You’ll be brilliant.” She let her backpack slip off her shoulder and gave me a big hug.

“I still feel like shit about that fucking trip. Jeremy couldn’t help rubbing my nose in it and reminding me of that guy on the swim team who’ll also be going -- you know, great build, tall, tan and...”

“Gay.” She tilted her head and grinned.

“Yeah, that’s the one.” I lowered my head and kicked a rock that was near my sneaker.

“Welcome to my world. I spend a lot of time watching other girls make plays for Steve. Fortunately, he knows what he’s got in me, and Jeff knows what he’s got in you.” She paused to think for a moment. “There’s a phrase my mom uses a lot. Don’t borrow trouble. When I started taking her advice, I developed a much better attitude.”

“I know all that. I still can’t help feeling like I’m tying Jeff down.”

“I haven’t seen any ropes or chains around him lately. Are they invisible?”

“Shut the fuck up.” The words were harsh but we were both grinning. I opened the cell phone and pressed the speed dial. “Hey, Pop, can you come get me?”

“Sure, Gus. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“And can you take Marci home?”

“No problem.” He disconnected and I put my phone away.

“Thanks, you didn’t have to do that. I could have walked.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Marci, are you sure there’s no way for us to get invited to that senior trip?”

“Believe me, if I could think of a way, I’d go. What about you? Go as the new editor of the paper and report on it.”

“It’s already been assigned to a senior who’ll be there anyway.”

“Too bad.”

We sat silently awaiting Pop’s arrival. I don’t know about Marci, but I kept wishing I were two years older.

I guess both of us were daydreaming. The next thing I knew, Pop was leaning on the horn.

“Sorry, Pop, I didn’t see you pull up.”

“What planet were you two on?”

Marci jumped into the back seat. “The senior class planet, Mr. Taylor.”

Pop tilted his head and for some reason I got the idea that he actually made the connection.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

That evening I was helping set the table and serve dinner. “I’m surprised you didn’t ask to help cook tonight.”

“Huh?” I looked at Pop, not following him at all.

“Usually, when you have something on your mind, you ask to help cook dinner.”

“Oh, right.” I placed the last knife next to a dish and turned back to Pop, standing at the kitchen island. “There is something I want to talk about, but I really want both of you here.”

“This must be major.”

“To me it is.”

“Then that makes it major.”

I hugged Pop. He never makes fun of me or belittles my problems because I’m young.

“Hey, you two, isn’t dinner ready? I’m fucking starving. I had a meeting with a client, and Ted had all these goddamn pastries set out -- turns out the guy is a cake addict. I, of course, touched none of that shit.”

“But you got the account,” Pop smirked.

“Is there ever any question, Sunshine?”

“Never.” The two of them kissed far longer than was necessary.

When they pulled apart, Dad took his seat at the table, followed by me and Pop.

“Gus has something he needs to talk about with both of us.”

“You didn’t fuck up any classes, did you?”

I glared at Dad. “Me! No fucking way!”

Pop laughed. “I see he has your confidence where his work is concerned.”

“In fact, today I was named Editor-in-Chief of the school paper -- a position usually reserved for a senior.”

“Gus, that’s terrific!”

“My Sonny Boy is brilliant -- glad I’m not the only one who sees it!”

Dad and Pop both gave me hugs and raised their water glasses in my honor. We ate for a few minutes, but I knew I couldn’t put off my real problem any further.

“Listen, uhm, the new job on the paper, that’s not what I’m nervous about.”

That got Dad’s attention. “Nervous... you?”

“It’s about Jeff. Well, it’s really about this senior class trip to that new amusement park and just the whole fucking thought of him leaving. I know these are all important things for him. I don’t want to hold him back, but I also don’t want to lose him.” I paused, noting that they were both really listening. “I keep thinking that maybe I should back off a bit so he doesn’t feel so tied down to me when he leaves for CMU.”

My dads were silent and stared at each other for a minute. Pop finally broke their staring contest. “He really is your son.”

Dad tilted his head and snorted. “Yes, I can see that quite clearly. I just wish he’d start working on some of my better traits.”

I wasn’t following them at all and must have looked totally confused.

“Sonny Boy, there are times when it’s important to let someone know you’ll love him no matter what and then let him go...”

Pop jumped in, “But it’s also critical to listen to each other and hear what each of you really wants and needs.”

I looked from Dad to Pop and back. “I have no idea what the hell you both mean. I just don’t want Jeff to sacrifice what he wants because of me.”

Pop stood up and paced. “Oh, my fucking God. It is in his DNA. That’s the only explanation I can think of.”

“Hey, you’re equally as culpable here, Justin.” The two glared at each other and then started to laugh.

“Look, Gus, your father and I both thought the exact same way when I was advised to pursue my art career in New York City.”

“But you said that when you were there, you discovered you really didn’t have to move and could have accomplished the same things here.”

“Exactly! Your Dad and I had a commuter relationship for three years because we played the self-sacrifice game, rather than realizing we could have accomplished the same things without giving up our close proximity.”

“Fucking by phone is for shit.”

“Brian!”

I couldn’t help chuckle. The two of them were still so cool despite their ages.

“Sonny Boy, don’t give up Jeff because you think it’s what he needs. Respect him enough to let him make his own decisions.”

Pop walked back to the table and planted a whopper of a kiss on Dad.

“Can you two wait until later?”

They both turned to me and simultaneously declared, “No!” I rolled my eyes and waited, figuring if they went another minute, I’d throw a glass of cold water over their heads. Luckily they broke apart on their own.

“Brian, isn’t that new amusement park the one you’re doing the advertising for?”

“Yes, it’s a pretty damn lucrative deal. Kinnetik acquired several Six Flags contracts in the northeastern region.”

“Well, if the senior class is going, wouldn’t that be a great opportunity to film some commercial footage -- of course, getting the proper releases?”

“Sunshine, you’re brilliant. It would be great to show all the kids, coupled or otherwise, having the time of their lives. The public eats up that shit.”

It took me a couple of minutes but I finally caught on. “I think it’s important to show both gay and straight couples, don’t you?”

“Absolutely. But, as you know, I take pride in final approval of all my airtime talent.” Dad paused, rubbing a finger over the rim of the water glass. “I also find that younger, nonprofessional talent is more relaxed when paired with those most familiar to them.”

Pop grinned, “Makes sense to me, Brian.”

Dad snorted, “Does it, Sunshine?”

“I don’t want to press my luck but can that include a cute little cheerleader with a football player boyfriend?”

“It might with the proper permission forms and school clearance.”

I leapt out of my chair and hugged Dad.

“Hey, it was my idea.” I turned and hugged Pop, too.

“You’re both amazing.”

They smiled and said nothing, just went back to eating.

“Shit!”

Pop looked up. “Now what’s the problem, Gus?”

“What the fuck can I get Jeff for his graduation? I was so focused on letting him go I didn’t even think about it. Now all I want to do is show him how much I care about him; how much I love him.” I glanced at my fathers, hoping for some more input.

Dad shook his head. “For that, Sonny Boy, you’re on your own.”

[TBC]

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