APRIL 2003 Gus Peterson-Marcus, usually called Gussy, was unhappy or as unhappy as a 31 month old toddler could be. Two of his favorite big people were no longer friends with each other. Gussy could remember when they always came together to visit him. He could remember that if Justee was baby-sitting then Daddy would come to get Justee when Mommy and Mama got home. He could remember that they used to kiss each other even though they tried to hide it from Gussy. But that had been long ago. Now they never came to visit together. Now Justee went home on his own after baby-sitting Gussy. Now, if they ran into each other at Gussy’s house they ignored each other. Mama and Mommie talked about Justee and Daddy in front of Gussy. For some reason they didn’t realize that Gussy could understand what they were saying. Grownups did a lot of things that Gussy couldn’t understand. Last night after Justee left and they were getting Gus ready for bed Mama said. “I wish Justin could get over Brian.” Mommy then said “Brian is in just as much pain Mel.” “Then why can’t they just talk to one another about their situation.” “That would make the most sense but remember Mel they are men and Brian has never been able to talk about his feelings to anyone.” “I keep forgetting that Justin is 20 now, he truly is a man isn’t he?” “Which makes it more painful to see the two of them ruining what they had.” “I have it on good authority that Brian hasn’t tricked in months. At least not in any public places.” “That's hard to believe, he really must be in pain then.” “If only one of them could bend enough to forgive the other one that would be enough for the other to forgive as well.” “Mel they won’t stay in the same room long enough for either to have the time to say I’m sorry.” “I know but maybe we could figure a way to get them together in a room and then lock the door.” Mommy and Mama then started laughing and they left the room arm in arm. The conversation between his mothers got Gussy to thinking, maybe he could get Daddy and Justee close enough that they would talk to each other long enough to be friends again. ****** A week or so later Gussy heard Mommy talking to Justee over the phone. She had put it on speaker so that she could do other tasks while talking to Justee. “Hi Justin, is there any chance you could baby-sit tomorrow? I’ll understand if you can’t since it's such short notice. Not to mention it being a Friday. Melanie got some last minute theater tickets.” “Sure Lindsay I can be there anytime after 4. I have no other plans and you know I always love being with Gussy.” “Melanie won’t be home before 5 so anytime you get here will be fine. it's supposed to be nice for April so I'll make up a Picnic basket for you and Gussy to take to the park. Unless you want something else.” “A picnic sounds great. I’ll come from class so I should be there around 4.” “See you then Justin.” Gussy said to his Mommy “Let me talk to Justee.” “Gussy wants to talk to you.” “Justee I can’t wait to see you. I love you.” “I love you too Gussy. Take a nap before I get there so we can have a good time at the park.” “Why does everyone think I have to take naps all of the time?” So Justee had come to Gussy’s house the next day. Justee had drawn a picture of Gussy taking a nap while he and Lindsay waited for Melanie to get home. Gussy woke up in time to hear Mommy tell Justee “We won’t be late Justin.” “Don’t worry about me Lindsay I can always spend the night on the couch if you get in too late.” “Oh Justin don’t you want to go to Babylon for at least a little while?” “No I don’t enjoy going there by myself.” “Justin just talk to him.” “He made it clear when I left that I had to live with my decisions. I intend to do that.” “Justin he's . .” Justee interrupted Mommy “Just let it go Lindsay, I'm getting over Brian.” Mama then came into the room and she and Mommy then left. “Well Gussy are you ready to go to the park?” “Yes Justee I’m ready.” “OK get your jacket in case it gets colder before we're ready to come back here.” They quickly walked to the park pulling the picnic basket in Gussy’s wagon. Gussy would probably ride in the wagon on the trip home. At the park Justin asked “Gussy do you want to eat first or play first?” “Let’s swing first then eat.” So Justee fastened Gussy into the swing seat and started pushing him. Justin was very careful to make sure that Gussy didn’t go too high or too fast. Finally Gussy said “I’m hungry Justee let’s eat.” “Do you want to eat at a table or on the ground Gussy?” “On the ground, that's more fun than a table.” So they walked back to the wagon and Justee set up the picnic. They quickly ate the very healthful meal that Mommy had packed, even the two large brownies. “Justee can you draw a picture of me?” “Sure Gussy.” “Can you draw it so that you're in it too? “Yes but is there any reason you want me in the picture?” “Yes I want a picture of you and me to give to Daddy.” “I don’t think he would want a picture with me in it Gussy.” “You are drawing the picture for me.” “OK Gussy no need to get so bossy. Go sit on the picnic table bench and then I'll draw myself in later; like you are sitting on my lap.” “Thank you Justee.” Gussy walked over to the bench and climbed up and then sat as still as he possibly could. Justin knew that wouldn’t last long so he drew as fast as he could. Gussy noticed that his Daddy was getting out of his Jeep. Thinking quickly he decided that this was his chance to get Daddy and Justee close enough to talk to each other so that they could be friends again. “Hi Sonnyboy I was going to the house to see you but I noticed you sitting here so I saved a few blocks.” Daddy said with a grin. “Where're your Mommies?” “They went out on the town. I’m here with Justee.” “Oh, where is he then?” “He's behind you, he's drawing me.” “Hey Justin” “Hey” “Daddy are you going to play with me?” “For a little while Sonnyboy.” “Come with me then.” Gussy took his Daddy by the hand and led him to the sandbox. “Get in the box Daddy.” “Sonnyboy I don’t think so.” “You said you would play with me so get in the sandbox.” “OK Sonnyboy OK.” Daddy sat down on the edge of the sandbox and started pushing sand with his feet. Meanwhile Gussy walked over to Justee and said “Justee you come play with me in the sandbox.” “Your Daddy is already over there Gussy, the two of you can play in the sand.” “Justee I want you to play with me. You two don’t have to play with each other just play with me.” With that he grabbed Justee’s hand and started pulling him to the sandbox. “How have you been Justin?” “Same old same old.” The two big people weren’t talking enough in Gussy’s opinion so he decided they must not be close enough together to become friends again. So he stood up and threw himself down into the sand between Daddy and Justee and let out a squeal of pain. The two big people both jumped towards Gussy to see what was wrong. Of course they bumped into each other and before either of them knew it they were hugging and kissing. Gussy rolled over and looked up to see that his two favorite big people were friends again and he got a big smile on his face.