Wednesday, August 22
(Gus)
Ma answers on the first ring, which is strange. "Hi, honey."
"Hola, Ma. What's the news from the States today?" We're in Budapest. Last night of the tour. We go home early tomorrow. It's been great. The crowds have been great. The music's been great. But I'm ready to go home and rest. And eat some tacos. Lots of tacos.
"Funny you should ask, because I do have some news." She sounds excited.
Which makes me excited. "Well, don't leave me hangin'. What is it?"
"I was going to wait until you're home tomorrow to tell you." I know she's going to tell me or she wouldn't have brought it up.
"Nope. You're not allowed to do that, Ma. You can't tell me you have news and sound so stoked you're ready to burst and then withhold. That's cruel. Spill." She knows I'm only half joking. "Seriously Ma, I won't be able to concentrate on the show tonight if I know you're holding out on me."
"Eric surprised me and showed up here last night."
"That's cool." This is not her news. Ma and Doc Banks and have been spending a lot of time together traveling back and forth to see each other.
"He proposed to me."
"And?" I don't know why I'm holding my breath, but I am.
"I said yes!" she squeals. It's one of the most innocent, insanely happy things I've ever heard.
And now I have tears in my eyes. Happy tears because my mom deserves this. She deserves to be loved and have a partner to grow old with. "Congratulations, Ma." I wipe a tear away that's rolling down my cheek. "I kinda wish you would've waited to tell me in person now, because this doesn't feel right that I can't hug the shit out of you. I'm so happy for you, Ma. Doc Banks is a lucky dude."
"Thank you, Gus. Are you sure you're okay with this? I mean, you like him?"
"Of course I'm okay with this. He's a great guy."
She sighs in relief. "Good."
"And besides, I get a kickass brother out of the deal."
She laughs. "And a niece."
I have to pause when she says it. "Damn. I hadn't thought about that. I'll be Stella's uncle. How awesome is that? No offense Ma, but that may be my favorite thing to come out of this whole set-up."
"None taken. She'll be my granddaughter—I get it." She does. Ma loves Stella.
"So, when's the wedding?"
"No date yet, but soon. We'll have a small ceremony here at the house."
"That sounds perfect. So, I assume Doc's moving to San Diego?"
"Yes. He'll be here in two weeks. He got a position at San Diego General in the ER."
"That's great." And now I'm thinking about how different it will be to have another man in the house. And I'm also thinking it's best if I give them some space. They deserve to start their new life together. And I deserve to start mine. It's time.
"Thanks honey."
"Does Keller know?" I feel like I need to call him and welcome him to the family.
"Yes, Eric called him this afternoon. He's happy for us."
"I bet he is. He gets a badass stepmom out of the deal."
She laughs again. "Well honey, I need to let you go. I need to get back to work. Good luck tonight. Can't wait to see you tomorrow. I love you."
"Don't need luck; I've got Franco, Jamie, and Robbie. Can't wait to see you, too. I love you."
"Bye, sweetie."
"Bye, Ma."
I immediately call Keller but it goes to voicemail. I'm sure he's at work. So I text him. BROTHER!!
He calls back just as we're getting on the bus after the show to head to the airport.
"Brother!" I answer.
"Hey, bro, crazy isn't it?" He sounds as happy as I am.
"Pretty fucking crazy, yeah. It's a good crazy though."
"Definitely. My dad's a different man since the divorce. Audrey brings out the best in him. It's great."
"Does your mom know?" I question.
"I doubt it. We're still not talking. I should probably call her one of these days. The resentment's faded. It's time."
"What does Stella think? She does know she's getting the best uncle in the history of uncles, right?"
He laughs. "Baby girl is well aware of that fact. I think that's her favorite part."
"Yes! That's what I said, too."
"I've got some good news, too. I've got a job interview next Monday. I've already had two over the phone and they want me to come in person for the final. I'm ninety-nine percent sure it's in the bag."
That has to be a relief to him. I'm sure he's feeling a lot of pressure to find a job now that's he's graduated. "Right on. Where at? Same school you interned at?"
"No. It's in San Diego." He's smiling. I hear it loud and clear.
"What? Get the fuck out?" How fucking awesome would it be to have Keller and Stella in SoCal with us?
"Yeah. It was kind of a last minute thing that came up. There aren't any positions open around Minneapolis and I'd have to sub this school year, so I started searching the San Diego school district not really expecting to find anything."
"I'll be home tomorrow so I'll be there when you guys come down. I can drive you around. Whatever you need. And I'll take you out and we'll celebrate."
"Sounds good. I'd better let you go, man. I know it's late, or more accurately early, there."
"Okay. See you in a few, bro."
"Okay, bro. Later."
"Peace out."
My entire life changed in the span of a day. And the best part is, I'm totally on board with it. I'm ready. I've got a lot of work to do when I get home.