“No. Honestly. Can you come? I’ll get sandwiches from the deli so you don’t have to eat my cooking.”
After a pause while she couldn’t think of anything unkind to say, she asked, “What time do you want us there?”
“Eleven?”
“All right. I’ll bring some potato salad. Does Sam need anything? As long as we’re out there, we can buy his school clothes.”
“He has his school clothes, but thanks. Just come and be proud of him. That’s what he needs. That’s all he needs.”
“We were proud of you,” she snapped defensively.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Mom. Have a nice night.”
After Sam was asleep, he checked his email. No answer. Tried calling her again; it went straight into voice mail without ringing. Was she all right? He didn’t want to call Cathy to find out.
He did have an email from Sarah—just a chatty message about getting ready for the school year and a fresh batch of Psych 101 students who took themselves too seriously. She was off on Mondays this term; looking forward to the long weekends.
He answered, sending her photos of the bikers which included Craig popping a wheelie while Frodo jumped up after him. Joked about his mother. Casually mentioned that Maureen seemed to have disappeared again.
A few minutes later the phone rang. “Hello?”
“Is Sam okay?”
He frowned. Sarah? “Of course he’s okay. Didn’t you see the pictures…?”
“I mean about his mother. How is he about her not being there?”
“I’m not sure if it’s really registering yet, with school looming up so big on the horizon. And we’ve been real busy. I’m keeping him real busy. My folks are coming by in the morning. Three more days ‘til school after that.”
“You have any idea this was coming? Was she okay last time she was there?”
He was quiet.
“Gus?”
“I’m probably to blame.”
“What do you mean?”
“She was over here for dinner. Jordan was here, too. They had a great time—her and the kids. She played with them and put them to bed…” He stopped, remembering.
“Gus? Then what?”
“Then she told me thank you, you know, for letting her…that she knew it was awkward. So then I got stupid and I kissed her. Awkwardly. And she just left. And that was it.”
“That was it? Just a kiss? Did she say anything?”
“No. I mean, she didn’t run away or spit on me or anything. She just sort of looked surprised, so I suggested she probably ought to go before we got too embarrassed, and she nodded and left. But I figured she’d still talk to Sam—call him or something at least.”
“Have you called her?”
“She doesn’t answer. Doesn’t reply to my email. I don’t know if it’s really me or if there’s a problem.”
“Where does she work?”
“Chase. On Wacker. Why?”
“You call there?”
“No. I’ve just been calling her cell. Figured if I don’t hear from her by Monday, I’ll go over to her sister’s in person while Sam’s in school. If there is something wrong, they’d love to tell me it’s my fault.”
“Well, keep me posted. Let me know if I can help.”
“Yeah. Thanks. Maybe you could come spend the night again—see if she shows up for breakfast.”
She giggled. “You’re terrible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“Have a great day with your mother tomorrow.”
“‘Great day with my mother’. That’s rather like a great day with an ice water enema. But thanks for the sentiment.”
“Gus!”
“You know what? She calls Sam that. She treats me like a skin disease, and treats Sam like her gift from God, but she calls him Gus. Psych that one out for me.”
“Too easy. At some point you must’ve been their darling, especially being the only boy. Sam reminds them of when you were still in their power. Still loved them unconditionally as parents instead of seeing them as humans. They still love that Gus, even if the grown up one confounds them.”
He chuckled a little. “Okay. I’ll buy that. Thanks for calling.”
“Sure. Hang in there. G‘night.”
Chapter 36
They arrived late, of course, so he had told Sam noon to keep him from worrying. He vacuumed the couch and chairs and gave Sam feather duster duty in preparation. Around 11:30 he paid Craig to go after sandwiches at Subway for everyone. Ellen called him from work. “I hear your folks are coming over.”
“So where’s the microphone in my house?”
“Craig just called me. You want him to get Jordan out of your hair today?”
“Jordan is never in my hair. He has to show off his bike, too, you know. What good is Laurel without Hardy?”
“Thanks again for getting him that.”
“No prob. Jordan’s our best friend. You know that.”
She chuckled a little. “Hey, I’m taking Monday off. This is my only chance to get out there with him for the big first grade send-off, you know?”
Gus smiled. “We’ll see you at the bus stop then. Sam will be the one with Grandma pinches all over his face.”
She laughed, then asked, “His mother going to be there?”
“Probably not. She works downtown. I don’t know how much her coworkers know about Sam.”
“Mm. Well, I’d best get back to work. And stop paying Craig to run errands for you while you’re doing his babysitting for him.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Lunch went fairly well, especially when Jordan told Evelyn her potato salad tasted “a hunnert times better than my mom’s!” Craig was more than happy to take Frodo to PetSmart for a grooming and to keep him away for a few hours for $25. Still, Gus could see his mother checking the furniture for dog hair before sitting on it, and cringing when Sam and Jordan plopped down on that “flea ridden” carpet.
Once Evelyn declared their food had digested enough, they moved to the front porch for the bike riding event. Pete and Gus balanced them and cheered them on, while some of the other neighborhood children joined on their bikes or scooters. Gus actually caught his mother smiling as she sat in the slatted rocker, watching. He tried to remember her ever watching him at play, ever smiling about it. But it seemed he had always been sent out under the unhappy care of his older sisters, who made it clear to him he was ruining their lives by existing.
Still… Way in the back of his mind a few images lurked: the neighbor ladies in rollers and aprons sitting in lawn chairs, spraying the children with garden hoses as they shrieked delight; his parents together in the bleachers cheering on his mediocre little league team; his mother rubbing Vicks on his chest and softly whispering, “Hurry and fall asleep before Santa comes!” Of course they loved him. He had just been such an independent, strong-willed child. Which meant by the time he reached seventeen and had a job and a car he’d paid for himself, they couldn’t tell him anything. Except get out. And that was exactly what they told him. He remembered shouting at them how he wasn’t going to waste his whole life fixing other people’s crappy toilets; he was going to be somebody! His son would never have to wear his sister’s hand-me-down flannel pajamas! He was never going to eat cabbage again in his life!
Get out.
He sat down on the steps and looked at his mother. When she glanced down, he said, “Thank you for being here.”
She looked away quickly.
Craig pulled up in Gus’s Honda SUV and liberated the freshly groomed dog, who ran to the center of the lawn and rolled vigorously while they laughed at him. Evelyn steered Craig inside to feed him some potato salad, which he wisely praised as well. As the younger boys abandoned their bikes for the Dark Side, Gus stood to suggest that they move back into the air-conditioned house. Just then he spotted Sarah’s Lexus slowing on the street. She looked undecided, so he smiled and waved. Sam turned hopefully, then frowned. “How come she’s here?”<
br />
“Probably to tell you good luck for school next week.”
“Oh.” Sam smiled then, and rushed to meet the car. “Sarah! Come see my new bike! Come watch us ride!”
“Hey, Sam! Hey, Jordan! Look at those bikes! Wow!”
Gus crossed the yard toward her, knowing his parents were both giving her their icy stares. He wrapped one arm around her and kissed her, then whispered in her ear, “Bend over! Cold one comin’!”
She giggled. “Sorry. I thought they might be gone by now.”
“She hasn’t reduced me to tears yet.”
“See what being stubborn gets you?”
He kissed her again, then turned her attention to the little boys, who were shouting, “Look at me! Look at me!”
She raised her hands above her head to clap, calling, “Bravo, gentlemen!” Then, just above a whisper, she said, “I went to the bank this morning. She’s gone. Quit last week.”
He turned toward her. “What?”
“The bank. Where you said she worked. I said I was worried because I hadn’t heard from her since the wedding was called off. One of the women told me she was worried, too. That she’d come in last week and gave a few days’ notice. Seemed real distracted. Can you contact her family?”
“I guess. Not with Sam around.” He sighed. “C‘mon. I’d better introduce you.” He kept his arm around her as he turned toward the house, so she slipped hers around his waist, whispering, “You realize your neighbors have come outside.”
“Let them feast their eyes,” he answered with a grin.
Finally realizing their pursed lips weren’t having the intimidating affect on Sarah or Gus they desired, his parents took their leave, Evelyn pointedly asking him if he needed Sam removed. He smiled at her and asked, “Why would I want Sam to leave? He lives here.”
She shot a scornful look at Sarah, then pattered out.
The boys took off for Jordan’s house soon after. “Well?” Sarah nudged.
“Well?”
“Call them.”
“They hate me.” But he got out the phone book and tried Cathy’s number. On the fourth ring, a man answered, “’Lo?”
“Uh, is Cathy there?”
“Not at the moment. Want to leave a message?”
“Dave?”
“Speaking!”
“It’s me, Gus.”
“Oh, hey, Buddy! What’s up?”
“Actually, I’m trying to reach Maureen.”
“Whole gang’s storming the mall—last minute school clothes, you know? Guess the ones they been buyin’ all summer weren’t enough.”
“Yeah. Hurray for boys.”
Dave chortled, then said, “Want me to pass a message?”
“Uh, yeah. Just tell her Sam wants to see her before school starts.”
“Will do! Catch ya later, Buddy!”
He hung up and hesitated a moment, then dialed her cell phone number. Five rings; voice mail. He said, “Maureen, I’m sorry for getting in your space and it won’t happen again. But don’t do this to Sam. He needs you.” Then he hung up and sighed.
Sarah touched his arm, looking questioningly at him.
“They’re supposedly school shopping. She’s got a couple of nieces.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think you can do any more. If he asks, be honest and say you don’t know. She can explain it herself.”
“Mm. Thank you.” He kissed her nose, then began to kiss her more seriously.
The phone rang, making him jump. She laughed. “Maybe I do have that magnetic force on her.”
He rolled his eyes, lifting the handset. “H‘llo?”
“Gus? Hope I’m not interrupting.” It was Ellen.
“Hey! Need me to come fetch Sam?”
“Of course not. Frank’s grilling chicken. We thought you and your friend might want to join us.”
His smile widened. “Thanks. We will. Any special time?”
“No. He’s just getting started. Come on down whenever you’re ready.”
“Great. We’ll see you in a bit.”
When he hung up, Sarah said, “You need to get going?”
“No. That was Ellen—Jordan’s mom. They want us to come have supper with them. Will you? Please?”
“Do they know I’m here?”
“Of course. Everyone in the neighborhood knows you’re here. These are my best friends. They’ll like you. I think you’ll like them. Frank is the chocolate man.”
“Ah! You’ve sold me!”
“Thought that would do it.”
Ellen put the drooping little boys in bed together as Frank fetched a new round of beer for all of the adults. They talked a little about the war and the election and the daily soap operas taking place in Frank’s café. Finally, they started back toward Gus’s house, Frodo leading the way at a slow stroll. Sarah commented quietly, “Did I miss some secret exchange where it was decided we were leaving Sam there?”
“Jordan sleeps at my house every other Saturday or Sunday. Sam sleeps at their house about one Friday a month. Been that way almost since we moved here.”
“That’s nice.”
“Mm hm.”
“So, how many of the windows we’re passing have someone peeking out to see if I leave now?”
He grinned. “My guess would be at least one per house. Maybe more. You intimidated?”
“Doesn’t bother me. I don’t live here.”
“Yeah. Let them keep guessing. It’s funny—I’ve been here for over three years, but even though you know it had to be killing them, no one ever once asked me where Sam’s mother was, or why I didn’t apparently work. Frank finally told me they’d all concluded I was either hauling in big alimony or insurance benefits off her.”
She shook her head. “Those were nice people. And it’s great that Sam has found such a good friend in Jordan. But you couldn’t have known that, moving here. Why did you choose this place? Why not Winnetka or Barrington or someplace where people are a little more your peers?”
“Bit of the snob coming out there, Sar. It’s simple. I don’t like my economic peers. Maureen’s family is a prime example. Her sister lives in the type of area you’re referring to. The girls go to private school. That was how Maureen and Cathy grew up as well. When we met—while we lived together—I had a two bedroom apartment in Wrigleyville. Suited me fine, and it was easy for her on the ‘L’ to get to work. You’d think she was living in a ditch in Samoa from their reaction.”
“But you were already making pretty good money even then, right?”
“I was, yes. And I think she knew, although we didn’t discuss it much. Other than the rent and stuff, which were mine, we each paid our own way.”
They had reached the driveway. He asked, “You’ll come in?”
“I have to. My purse is inside.”
“Ah! Give me a fifteen second head start so I can hide it from you.”
She giggled and leaned into him as he draped his arm over her shoulder.
Chapter 37
He woke gradually, lingering over the delicious feeling of a woman spooned in his arms, his face buried in her hair and his hardening cock nestled between her thighs from behind. He started moving with a slow rhythm, savoring the feeling. But as he woke more, it registered: this feels too good. Wet. He wasn’t wearing a condom. He pulled back quickly, waking her. Had he worn one last night? Yes, he was certain. This was probably safe. Plus she was a single adult woman; probably practicing additional birth control as well, right?
She touched his chest and mumbled, “’s matter?”
He smiled and pulled her close again. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Definitely.”
“So, any chance I get scheduled for your days off this term?”
“You want to be?”
He nodded, tracing his fingertips gently down the front of her.
“I think I can work that out, yes.” She nuzzled his shoulder.
“But come other times, too, please? I mea
n, can you just come to visit us?”
She smoothed her fingers over his face, then whispered, “I’d like that, yes.” She kissed him, then suggested, “Let’s get up before Sam comes home.”
“Good call.”
Chapter 38
The doorbell rang a few minutes after 9:00 Monday morning. Gus smiled, preparing to rib Sarah about not giving the school bus time to reach the elementary school before showing up on his doorstep. But opening the door, he frowned concern. “Dave? Why are you here? Something’s happened?”
“Mind if I…?”
“Oh! Of course! Want some coffee?”
“Love some. Nice house. Not what I was expecting.”
Gus chuckled. “You were looking for something more along the dumpster in an alley effect, or something at least as upscale as the royal parents?”
“Guess I wasn’t sure, either way. They sure do got it in for you.” He shook his head, sitting at the kitchen table.
“The sentiments are mutual, believe me.” He poured them both coffee, then sat down. “So tell me what’s going on. Why won’t she talk to me? At least to Sam?”
“You ever meet the lawyer dude?”
“Once, briefly. Why?”
Dave nodded his head. “Seems like a nice guy, doesn’t he?”
Gus shrugged. “Considering he’d just gotten Sam’s existence dropped on him like an atomic warhead, yeah.”
Dave nodded again. “I’m not takin’ sides in this. And I know she’s sick. Can’t help herself.”
Gus sat forward. “Is she in jail again?”
“Hospital.”
“Hospital? Jesus! What happened? Did he hurt her?”
“Like I said, no sides. He didn’t hurt her; no. ‘Cept her feelings, which of course according to Cathy and their folks is unforgivable. As you know.”
“Because he broke off their engagement?”
“She went to get her stuff. Her cat. And I gather he made some suggestion they could still maybe see each other once in awhile, you know? Like not to date or anything public, just ‘booty call.’ Got her upset.”
“Mm.” Gus glanced furtively at the kitchen clock. Wasn’t that pretty much how Sarah treated him? Not worthy of meeting her peers, but… Did it bother him? Maybe a little. “So what happened?”
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