Saturday, September 10
(Kate)
My phone vibrates in my pocket. It's Gus. And it's 6:45 am in California.
"Bonjour, Gustov," I answer. My French accent is overdone and obnoxious.
"Hey, Bright Side. I didn't wake you, did I?" He knows I'm an early riser.
"Nah, it's practically afternoon here. I'm walking to Grounds as we speak to get some coffee. What's got you sounding so chipper this early on a Saturday morning?"
"We got the day off for good behavior. I'm headed home to have lunch with Ma and surf with Mags and Stan this afternoon."
"Sweet. Tell them all I said hi."
"Dude, I wish you were here. This is like the first normal day I've had in a long time, and it doesn't feel right without you." He sounds sentimental.
And I know how that feels. "Yeah, you lucky bastard. I'll have to live vicariously through you today. Keep that in mind while you do everything for both of us."
"I'll take a picture of the sunset if you want, and email it to you?"
He always knows what to say. "I'd like that. Gracie would like that."
I hear the smile in his voice. "She would. I'm gonna pay Miss Grace a visit before I go to Ma's this morning. I bought some yellow tulips last night. And I'll stop at a gas station and buy a candy bar. The AC's not working in my truck, and I didn't want it to melt before I get there, so I'll wait until I get closer to pick one up."
Damn, he's thoughtful. "A Twix. She likes Twix candy bars."
"Bright Side, I've purchased no fewer than three thousand Twix bars for Grace over the years. I know what kind of candy bar she likes."
I smile because it's not an exaggeration. He's probably bought more than that. "I know."
It's quiet for several seconds.
"I miss her, Gus," I whisper.
"I know, Bright Side."
The silence returns and he lets me live in it.
And then he pulls me out. "Tell me something amazing that happened to you this week that I don't know about yet."
I think for a moment. Gabriel. My voice brightens. "Thursday was my first tutoring session at the elementary school in Minneapolis."
"Yeah, yeah, that's right!" His usual crazy enthusiasm returns, "How'd it go? Did you tutor a boy or girl?"
Which amps up my enthusiasm and I feel better. "It was amazing. He's a fifth grader. His name's Gabriel, but I call him Smiley. Gus, he has the most beautiful smile."
"I bet he does. Is he special needs?" Gus is the best conversationalist because he's one of the few people I know that really listens when you talk to them. You can feel it, even over the phone.
"Down syndrome. He's a little shy."
Gus interrupts with a laugh. "Well, he's found the perfect person to draw him right out of his shell. You are the cure for shyness, aren't you?"
"As a matter of fact, I think I just might be. Smartass."
He laughs. "That's my girl."
"Anyway, the office staff said he has behavioral issues and the after school program alluded to it, but he was an angel for me. I think so many people treat special needs kids so different from all of the other kids that sometimes it makes them act out. They're kids, all they really want is attention and kindness, you know? That's what every kid wants."
"And that is why you are going to be the best teacher the world has ever seen. You'll revolutionize the profession." He's always so encouraging.
"I loved being with him yesterday."
"And I bet he felt the same way. Did he remind you of Grace? Was that hard?"
"His eyes remind me of Gracie. There's that expectancy and innocence in them, you know. And they crinkle up when he smiles, just like Gracie. It's good, though. Good to be around him."
"I'm glad. You deserve it."
"How's everything going with you, Rock God?"
"Good, it's good. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The album drops Tuesday. But, I don't want to think about any of that today. Today is about surfing with friends and spending time with Ma."
"It doesn't get any better than that."
"Listen, Bright Side, I'm just stopping for gas and to pick up Grace's Twix bar. Will you be around late tonight? I'll call you on my drive back to L.A. if you don't have a hot date planned." Maybe it's me, but his teasing voice sounds a little sad.
"No dates. I'll be around unless I'm spooning Clayton in his bed because Sugar's brought home another gentleman caller to woo. I'll just be hanging out. Give me a call."
It's quiet for a beat too long, and then he asks, "Do you and Clayton really spoon?"
"Dude, you haven't been replaced. No one spoons like you do." I've spent hundreds of nights at Audrey and Gus's house over the years and I always slept with Gus. Especially in the weeks I lived with them before my move to Minnesota. There wasn't a night that I slept alone. Whether we slept in his room, or the guest room, or on the sofa, we always slept together. And up until the very last night it was always completely platonic, even though I was always wrapped up in him. I don't think I've ever felt as safe as I did in those weeks. I couldn't sleep unless his arms were around me, and because Gus is a big, gentle hulk of a man, he was like a cocoon that sheltered me from the world. I was so thankful we had that time.
I hear the click of his lighter and that first, familiar drag of a cigarette. "Good to know."
"You should quit."
"Yes. I should."
"You mean it?" I ask hopefully.
"Nope. I love you, Bright Side."
"Love you, too, Gus."
"Bye."
"Bye."
The thunderous bell announces my arrival to an empty Grounds. I'm sure Keller won't be working this morning, since he's probably still comatose. But there he is, standing behind the counter with his hands clamped over his ears, his eyes shut, and his face contorted in pain.
His eyes ease open as I reach the counter and the bell fades out.
"Sorry about that," I apologize quietly. "You look like shit, dude." I mean, he still looks good—really good—but he's pale, and there are dark circles under his eyes. Only Keller could pull off a sexy hangover. And then I remind myself, Keller and I are just friends.
I catch him off guard, and he snorts out a laugh. "I guess I deserve that."
And with that exchange, I know that everything's good between us. Keller and I are just friends. Because this is how friends act. And it's okay. It's great even, because friends are life's gifts. "I don't know if you deserve to feel as bad as you must, but you wholeheartedly earned it."
He shakes his head and rubs his eyes with the heels of his hands and moans, "I'm never drinking again."
I nod in agreement. "Until next time?" I smile.
He answers my smile with one of his own. "Damn, it's like you know me."
I arch my eyebrows. "Well, we were in a somewhat intimate and vulnerable position last night. That tends to lend itself to getting to know each other better."
His expression quickly transforms into unmistakable terror. "Shit. I thought I remembered most of what happened. You were in my bed." He gestures between the two of us with his finger. "We didn't...you know..." He's biting at the edge of his fingernail.
I shake my head and laugh. "No...we didn't." Not that I didn't think about it. Want it.
"Are you sure? Because now that you say it I do remember you lying on top of me, and I'm pretty sure I didn't have a shirt on because I remember how cold your hands felt on my chest." He's blushing as he remembers. He's blushing. And it's so cute. It seems too unlikely, but maybe he is a virgin.
"You'd just finished a shower when Shelly and I got there, that's why you didn't have a shirt on. I helped you to your bed because you were having a little trouble in the standing and walking department. You fell down on your bed and accidentally pulled me down with you. It was completely innocent. You passed out right after you hit the mattress."
His eyes drop to the floor. "Classy," he mutters under his breath. Then his head pops up, and he squints like he immediately regrets the quick movement, but his face smooths out into this pitiful, pleading frown. "Your coffee's on me this morning." He moves to grab a large cup from the stack.
I shake my head. "That's not necessary, Keller. Listen, really, nothing happened. You were a perfect gentleman, a practically naked gentleman, but a gentleman nonetheless."
His cheeks reddened. "I am an ass. I'm sorry."
I have to laugh again because this embarrassed version of Keller just keeps getting cuter. "Dude, you're not an ass. I'm teasing. Don't be sorry." To reassure him, I add, "Seriously."
He opens his mouth and then closes it, perhaps thinking better of what he was about to say. He tilts his head and smiles at me and after a moment's hesitation. "Katie, can we start over? Maybe hang out sometime? As friends?"
Attachment is dangerous, but friendship is necessary. "Sure," I say, and I extend my hand across the counter. "Hi. I'm Kate Sedgwick."
His defeated smile perks up and he shakes my hand. "Keller Banks."
I set two dollars on the counter and scribble my cell number on a napkin on the counter. He swipes up both, putting the napkin in his pocket and the bills in the register.
After depositing my change in the tip jar, I smile at his sleepy face. "Have a great day, Keller. Hope you feel better."
"Already do. Thanks, Katie. Have a good one."
I turn and wink at him. "Always."