The Gus Diaries

Part 88

New Clients
 

The summer started out better than expected. Everyday I went into Pittsburgh with Dad or Pop, worked at Red Cape, had lunch at the diner, and then returned home with Jeff. Now that school was over, he was spending most nights at Britin. As long as we didn’t screw up our responsibilities, my fathers, Grandma Jen, and Tucker were all cool with the arrangement.

Working at the comic book store was pretty relaxing despite some of the heavy lifting when new stock arrived. Spending time with Uncle Michael wasn’t too bad. He’s a great guy to talk with, and every once in a while he fills me in on some of the stupid things he and Dad did when they were kids.

For some reason when I went into the store last Tuesday, I had a feeling the mood had changed. I slipped into the store unnoticed and couldn’t help overhearing Uncle Michael and Uncle Emmett in the employee’s room in the back.

“Michael, I’m sure you misunderstood. Stop worrying; you’re beginning to sound like your mother... or Ted.”

“Look, Em, all I know is when I dropped in to visit Brian yesterday, that’s what I heard through Cynthia’s intercom.”

“What did you really hear -- exactly?”

“He told Cynthia to set up a night out including dinner and Babylon. He was entertaining a client.”

“So? Brian entertains hundreds, maybe even thousands of clients. If one of them is gay and wants some time to unwind, Babylon sounds like a great idea. Don’t forget he is the owner.”

“That’s not the part that threw me. When Cynthia asked if she should include Justin in the dinner reservation, Brian answered, ‘No, and I don’t want him to know anything about this.’”

“Oh my!” I could envision Uncle Emmett putting his hand over his mouth in surprise -- I was pretty damn surprised too. “What did Cynthia say?”

“She thought he was joking but he was dead serious.”

“What did Brian say when you asked him about it?”

“He didn’t say anything because I left.”

“You what! Michael, how could you just leave after listening to all that?”

“Let’s say I started to feel sick to my stomach.”

I knew exactly how Uncle Michael felt. I began to feel a bit sick myself. How could my father do something like that? He couldn’t possibly be cheating on Pop -- they love each other too much. It’s obvious to everyone. I couldn’t listen to anymore of this crap, so I made my presence known.

“Hi, Uncle Emmett, Uncle Michael.”

Michael started coughing when he saw me. Uncle Emmett walked over and straightened my shirt collar, although I’m sure it was fine. “Well how are you today, young Mr. Kinney?”

I love when Uncle Em pours it on and turns up his flame. “Fine thanks. I’m all set for work today and thrilled that I don’t have to think about homework or school for over two months.”

“That is something to be pleased about. I remember back in Hazlehurst whenever I finished a year in school, and was assured to move onto the next grade, Aunt Lula and I would have a special party. It was just the two of us, but those were some of the best days of my young life.” Emmett had this faraway look. It was the same look he always had when he talked about his aunt. I’m glad I have more than one person in my family who loves me unconditionally.

He’d shared many tales of his Aunt Lula with me, and each one made me more and more grateful that he had her in his life. I don’t think the rest of his family was even nice to him and they never come to visit.

“I must be off -- parties to plan, clients to schmooze.”

I laughed at his dramatic gesture as he left the shop. When I turned back to Uncle Michael, I noticed that he was sweating a bit, although the air conditioner was working fine.

“Hey, Gus, how are you doing this morning?”

“Fine, how about you?” Talk about stilted conversation.

“I’m okay. We had dinner with JR and Mel last night over at Ma’s place.”

“I know. Jenny told me she would be with all of you when we spoke the other day.”

“Oh, I see.” Uncle Michael entered the main area of the shop and then rustled aimlessly through a stand of magazines, pretending to arrange them despite the fact that they apparently were all in perfect order.

“Uncle Michael, I heard you two talking.”

He lowered his head and stilled his hands. “I had a feeling. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have been gossiping but I was concerned.”

“I know, but I just don’t think your interpretation could possibly be right.”

“You’re young, Gus, you haven’t known Brian as long as I have. Maybe he’s finally reached his monogamy limit.”

I snorted and walked behind Uncle Michael. “I’d agree with you, but you should hear some of the disgusting sounds that sometimes come out of the rooms those two end up in. They’re more spontaneous than Jeff and me.”

“It doesn’t make any sense, but what other explanation could there be?”

“I don’t know. Maybe a surprise for Pop or Dad thinks Pop won’t like something about this. How should I know?” I was beginning to see Uncle Michael’s point and I was getting fucking frustrated.

“I’m sure you’re right. We’re just not looking at things the correct way.”

The bell rang announcing the entrance of several customers. With school out, all the comic geeks liked hanging out, waiting for every new arrival to show up. My conversation with Uncle Michael may have ended abruptly, but my mind was racing.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

I was relieved not to see Grandma Deb at the diner when I went for lunch. Jeff seemed to be hauling his ass all over the place, delivering meals to every hungry homo in Pittsburgh.

He flew past me as I took a seat at the counter, assuming he wouldn’t get a chance to join me for a relaxing meal.

“What the fuck is going on here? You look exhausted.”

“Betty has the day off and Kiki twisted her ankle about an hour ago.” He gave me a quick kiss and delivered two meals to patrons at the far end of the counter. “Backup will be here soon, but for now I’m the only one who can wait on all the customers.”

“What about him?” I pointed to the new busboy. He was kind of hot.

“He’s actually the younger brother of some new big shit gay man in town.” Jeff took a longer look at the guy than I was comfortable with.

“Hey! I’m still here.”

“Sorry, Newbie.” He kissed me again. “The guy’s nice to look at but has a vacant space between his ears. I asked him to help and he couldn’t get one order right, so I’m stuck doing everything myself.”

“Just as long as looking is hands off, I’m okay.”

Jeff held up two more dishes he needed to bring to a table. “How the hell could I touch -- no hands? Besides, they’re reserved for you... later.” He winked and I actually smiled for the first time since I had arrived at work earlier that morning.

When Jeff had a minute between orders, he came back to my spot at the counter, took my order, and then paused and looked at me. “You look like someone just stole your laptop. What’s up?”

“It’s my dad.” I told him the whole story as close to word for word as possible.

“That sucks, but I bet you’re right -- something’s missing that Mr. Novotny-Bruckner didn’t hear.”

“Shit, I hope so. I hate thinking of anything happening between my fathers. I love living with them, and fuck -- they just had that big wedding renewal ceremony.”

“Exactly, makes no sense.”

“Dad had better not be screwing around behind Pop’s back.”

My plate of food was suddenly slammed in front of me. “Who’s screwing around behind whose back?!”

“Hi, Grandma.” I glared at Jeff. “You didn’t tell me she was the backup you were expecting.” He shrugged and went off to grab another order waiting to be delivered to a table.

“Don’t just ‘Hi, Grandma,’ me. Something’s up and I don’t think it’s your cock.”

“Grandma!”

“Don’t pull the embarrassed teen shit with me. What’s going on with your fathers? I want to know and I want to know now!”

“Can you at least keep it down?” She nodded and I gave her an abbreviated version of the day’s events.

“That asshole -- sorry, honey -- your father better not do anything to hurt Sunshine. I may have to kill him if he does.” She clucked her tongue and then ran off when the bell at the order window started ringing continually.

I was beginning to regret ever admitting to hearing Uncle Michael earlier in the day. What I really wanted was to talk to Dad and see what he had to say about this. I couldn’t bear having two sets of divorced parents.

I was staring at the food on my plate, my appetite waning by the second, when the chimes at the entrance announced a new arrival. I looked up and saw Dad looking around. I was about to call his name when someone started waving to him from a booth closer to the front of the diner.

Dad smiled and nodded at an exceptionally well-dressed blond, almost as tall as my dad and totally good looking... for a guy that age.

My face started to heat up, and I was unable to refrain from walking over to the table. My mouth got three steps ahead of me, and the moment my father caught my eye, I didn’t give him a moment to explain. “What the fuck is wrong with you! How dare you bring your sleaze-bag conquest to a place our entire family comes to -- I hate you!”

I ran out and headed right back to Red Cape, never looking back.

[TBC]

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