Chapter 36
Though the forecast in Oklahoma called for temperatures close to 100 degrees today, Gennie was glad she’d worn jeans. The pilot had just given the current weather for their arrival in Buffalo, and even here it was a bit cool for August- upper fifties and rainy. They would be landing soon and her visions of touring around the city on a beautiful sunny summer afternoon were pretty much shot. She guessed her day would be full of other surprises too- like who was meeting her at the airport. She still hadn’t talked to John so she was clueless about what the arrangements were…getting picked up, where they were staying, who she would call if no one showed up to get her! She downed the final swallow from her wine glass before the flight attendant came to collect it. If she weren’t so excited about the whole weekend, she’d be terrified right now…she guessed the wine didn’t hurt either. First class did have its perks!
She stepped out to the waiting area and immediately set about looking for a familiar face, any familiar face. Being among the first off the plane, the waiting area was still packed with expectant Buffalonians, none of whom she recognized. She decided to be practical and follow the signs to the baggage claim area. If there were someone picking her up, they’d spot her sooner or later. She edged her way past joyful reunions and business people on cell phones to reach the main corridor. That’s when she saw him. He was leaning against a pillar away from the bulk of the people. He had on his baseball cap and a jean jacket and was keeping his head down trying not to be noticed. So far, it had worked. As soon as she saw him, her face lit up. She was elated at being with him once again and was willing to forgive him any neglectful behavior these past two weeks.
He took a few steps toward her and scooped her up in his arms, hugging her tightly. “I’ve missed you so much,” he breathed into her ear. “I’m glad you came. I almost thought you wouldn’t do it.”
She pulled away to look in his face, “Why would you think that?” she gave him her best ironic smile.
“Well…I’ve kinda been an asshole lately,” he admitted bashfully.
“Oh? Because you haven’t called me and wouldn’t give me a way to reach you?”
He shrugged and rolled his eyes, a guilty smile on his face.
“You’re right! You have been an ass,” she laughed as if it had just dawned on her. “Maybe I should go. When’s the next flight?” she teased.
He laughed too. “C’mon, ya wiseass,” he joked with her, throwing his arm around her neck and pulling her along side him as they walked down to claim their baggage.
They gathered her things and headed out. A couple of people did recognize him as they waited to collect the bags, but fortunately, they were decent about giving him space and didn’t make a scene. A simple hello and a handshake had placated them.
“That was nice of them not to get crazy,” Gen commented.
“Yeah, people are usually pretty cool here. Thank God,” he chuckled.
They sped down the rainy highway to wherever their destination was. “Hey, Stace wanted me to be sure to thank you for the toys you bought. So…thank you.”
He smiled. “She’s welcome, but they were from you. She didn’t have to thank me.” He took his eyes off the road and stole a quick glance at Gen, “Did he like the truck?”
“He loves it! He’s out in the sand box every chance he gets!”
“Cool! That’s what I’d have done too when I was a little guy.”
“And Megan loves the doll. Her name is Jennifer. She thinks that’s what my name is,” she shrugged. “I suppose I should be honored, but I can’t get excited about how many times she wanted to change Jennifer’s poopy diapers the other day.” She started to giggle, “Man, that kid loves diapering!”
“She probably loves saying ‘poopy diapers’!” he laughed. “With all my nieces that sounds typical.” He waited till Gen’s laughter had subsided some, then at the next stoplight he turned to her. “So…speaking of diapers…um, are there any in our future?”
Gen looked at him for a moment before she spoke. She didn’t know what to say or how to say it. She pursed her lips and looked out the window past him. This wasn’t going to be easy. “Johnny…um, I’m late. But, I don’t exactly have the most regular schedule though, y’know…so how’s I don’t know for an answer?”
“That’s cool. We’ll find out sooner or later,” he smiled as the light turned green.
It wasn’t the response she’d expected. No big panic attack, no ‘Oh my God!’ not even an ‘Oh shit’. Just a ‘that’s cool’!?! She couldn’t figure him out. She was scared to death, but not him apparently. She decided to act as casually about it as he was- no sense in panicking when it wasn’t necessary. “So where are we going?” she asked as if the previous subject had never come up.
“This is my sister’s car, so we’ve gotta take it back to her. She says she needs it by four, but she’s got a perfectly good car sitting in her garage,” he said suspiciously. “I think she just wants to meet you.” He hoped that didn’t freak her out at having to meet his family right away.
“Cool, I wanna meet all your sisters! I wanna see what they have to say about you,” she teased him.
“You’d better not listen to ‘em, cause they’re gonna tell you all kinds of shit about me. Don’t believe any of it!”
“I’ve got some shit I could tell them too!” she grinned.
“Maybe you’re just waitin’ outside in the rain, then,” he kidded. “Really, we can’t stay too long, cause she’s gonna take me over to my ex-wife’s house to pick up my car. I just got in town myself, y’know, and I didn’t have time to get it before I had to pick you up.”
“She keeps your car for you?”
“Yeah. It’s at the old house, y’know. Kinda like a second car for her. I just use it when I’m in town…and unfortunately, that ain’t too often.” He tried to gauge how Gen felt about paying a visit to Laurie, “Y’know, if you want, Kate can just take you over to my place first. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
“No, I’ll be Ok.”
“Cause, she’s really cool. You’d like her.” He felt he had to convince her of this fact. “But if you don’t wanna meet her, y’know, it’s Ok.”
“I’ve got nothing to hide, if she’s Ok with meeting me. I mean, is she fine with your, uh, girlfriends?”
“Usually.” He drew the word out to indicate that it wasn’t always the case. “But I know she’d like you. She doesn’t have a problem with me having girlfriends, though, if that’s what you mean. There’s just been a few that she hasn’t liked,” he giggled like a naughty little boy.
As they walked up the steps of Kate’s front porch, she came to the door with the biggest, happiest, most welcoming smile, “You must be Genevieve! It’s so nice to meet you! Come in!” As soon as they stepped foot through the door, she gave Gennie a tremendous hug, just like John gave. Gen figured it must be a trait inherited from their parents… probably their mom. “I’m Kate. It’s so nice to get to meet my little brother’s girlfriend!”
“Nice to meet you too! It’s good to actually be in Buffalo. He talked about it so much.”
“Sorry you’re getting to see it on such a crappy day,” she apologized. “But it’s supposed to be nice the next few days. How long are you here?”
“Till Sunday night.”
“Oh good, then we’ll have plenty of time to visit. I want you to meet my sisters. This jerk’ll be busy for the next couple of days,” she whacked John playfully on the chest with the back of her hand, “so we’ll have plenty of time to get to know you. You won’t have to sit around and watch him do all that technical garbage with his band all day. You can hang out with us!”
She saw John cringe, but she actually thought it sounded like fun. If the other three were anything like John and Kate, she knew she’d love them. “Sounds like fun! It’ll be nice not to have to go to all that stuff with him. Those cameras were driving me crazy!”
“So they followed you everywhere, huh?”
“Yep. Johnny did manage to wrangle a couple of opportunities away from ‘em, so that was nice. ”
“Yeah, I guess. Y’know, that’d drive me nuts. I’ve had that happen a few times before when we’ve gone to stuff for the band. I hate it! It’s like a mob. I don’t know how he stands that shit!” she shook her head.
“Dude! You’re talkin’ about me like I’m not here!” He put his hand on Gen’s back, “Gen, can I get you something to drink or anything before we get going?”
“Um, no, but where’s the bathroom?” He pointed her down the hall and she excused herself for a minute.
As soon as Gen was gone, Kate spoke in excited whispers, “Johnny, she’s adorable! I can’t put my finger on it, but she’s perfect for you!”
“Please! You barely know her. You can decide later.”
“I mean it. There’s just something about her. I can usually tell with your girls right away…always could. She’s a keeper, I hope.”
“We’ll see.”
When Gen got back to them, their quiet conversation came to an end.
“We’d better get going,” Johnny announced. “I’ve still got some other things to do this afternoon once we get the car.”
When they went outside, the skies opened up to a torrential downpour. They dashed to the car but all three got sufficiently drenched. Running his hands over his rain slicked hair, John decided, “Y’know, I wanted you to meet Laurie today, but since it’s comin’ down so damn hard right now…” He checked out Gen sitting in the back seat, dripping wet and laughing at their situation. “I figure you can just meet her tomorrow at the show.“