Gurhsan Singh was content, sitting in his favourite sandwich shop, The Daily Deli in the corner booth waiting for his dear old friend Stuart Peterson who he had missed terribly. Adding to his joy at reconnecting with Stuart was the heartfelt joy he felt that their two children, his daughter Sajani and Stuart's son Patrick had fallen in love. Gurshan was so happy for them. They seemed a good match and his daughter was happier than he’d ever seen her. He saw Stuart come in and waved him over with a welcoming smile “Stuart!”
Stuart shuffled in awkwardly, rubbing at the back of his head “Gurshan….H...h..how are you?” He stammered.
“Better than you look….are you alright Stu?”
Stuart sighed “It’s been….an odd day Gurshan. I saw something...unexpected.”
Gurshan frowned a little “OK?” Then he had to proclaim his other joy “Do you know our children are dating?” He was just too happy about it not to bring it up.
Stuart bites his lip looking at Gurshan for a moment and then says “As a matter of fact I do….I mean I do now. About that…” He begins and then pauses.
Gurshan looks suddenly worried “Oh no….did something happen?”
Stuart holds up a hand “They’re fine...more than fine I’d say…” He blushes deeply and a waitress walks up.
“What’ll it be, fellows?”
Gurshan orders his usual “Chicken Pesto Panini and a half minestrone please Barbara.”
“I'll have the same please.” Stuart orders “And a coffee please.” He doesn't want to even look at a menu and copying his friend is the fastest way to get rid of the waitress.
She nods and takes off to put them in.
Gurshan presses Stuart “What’s going on with Sajani and Patrick?”
Stuart blushes again and then leans forward “I didn’t know they were together until today...I walked in on them…”
Now Gurshan flushes a bit “Oh..” Then he sighs and gives a little shrug “Well, they are adults…...did they see you?”
Stuart has to chuckle “Pretty sure he did….Sajani was….upside down so I couldn’t tell.”
Grushan’s eyes go wide “She was what?!”
Stuart shakes his head “I swear the kids are doing it differently than we did at their age.”
Gurshan slides his hand over his face and eventually laughs “Stuart I’m sorry you found out like that. I’ve gotten to see a very sweet side to them. They’re falling in love. It’s quite beautiful. I’ve actually gotten to know Patrick. I really like him, and them together. Whatever you saw today….someday they might give us some lovely little grandchildren.”
Stuart takes all this in and feels a warmth in his heart. He wanted all his children to find love and happiness of course. Then he hears the comment about grandchildren and has to crack a joke “Not with what they were doing TODAY!”
Gurshan recoils back in his seat “Stuart!” He gasps and then laughs “They must be mortified. I know Sajani would be.”
Stuart nods “Yeah…” And then he laughs “We were all young once. Did you and Monhinder ever get busted?”
Gurshan snorts “Coming from two large families….a few times. Finally my father told me I had to marry her. You?”
Stuart blows out a breath “Oh god yes….but we didn't know they could see us up in the tree until her mother and sister started pelting us with peaches.”
Gurshan laughs so hard he almost falls out of the booth “What were you doing in a tree?”
Stuart blushes and laughs harder “It’s complicated. I think we may have had to do some trigonometry….” His coffee arrives and he takes it, still laughing “Thank you.”
From the outside of the restaurant all that can be seen is the two old friends just bantering and laughing non stop.
Patrick turns left outside of Noelle’s building and starts walking quickly to Water Street, then turns left again, heading up Water to The Daily Deli. He looks in the window and sees his father laughing with Gurshan Singh. Blowing out a breath, he pops his gum and walks in, going to their table. “Uh …. Hey Dad … Hey D … Gurshan.” He stands looking a little bit awkward. “I … um … yea …”
Stuart stops laughing as Patrick walks up but smiles and then when Patrick struggles he scoots over and pats the seat beside him on the booth while he moves his coffee with his other hand “Take a breath son. It’s ok.”
Gurshan flushes a bit but is still chuckling “Hi Patrick. Yes please join us. Where’s Sajani?”
Patrick takes a deep breath and slides into the booth beside his father. Blowing it out he just says “Mom meets another one after you. She’s gonna be pissed.” and then he looks at Gurshan. “She’s home .. I mean my place … huddled under a blanket behind the couch. She wanted me to come and talk to Dad here.” he covers his face and shakes his head. “God what a day. Christopher is such a dick.” the use of his twins full name proof of how annoyed he is.
Stuart snickers a bit and pats his son on the shoulder “What did your brother do? You know I’m not mad….I was shocked but Gurshan and I have had a talk and some laughs….exchanged some stories about getting busted when we were young.” He admits.
Gurshan has to smile “Oh poor Saji….she got my shyness. Patrick, it’s ok.” He leans forward now and directly asks “Do you love each other?”
Patrick snorts as his father asks what Chris did. “Oh, he told me you were having lunch with Gurashan. I asked where and he asked if I was joining you because he knew I ate already.” he huffs. “I didn’t think you were mad. Just … I never walked in on you and mom and I figured if you were gonna walk in on one of us with a girl it’d be Chris.” he shakes his head, and then Gurshan asks if he and Sajani love each other and his answer is immediate. “Yes, Sir. Absolutely.”
Stuart’s hand goes over his face again but he laughs and laughs and then he sighs “Your mother has walked in on Chris in high school...but I don’t think he noticed her…..” He looks touched about Patrick’s answer about the love.
Gurshan flushes exactly like his daughter sometimes does about the already ate comment and then shakes his head chuckling and exhaling. He nods after “Then that’s all that matters. We’re all human. Ask your parents about the peaches…” He jokes.
Stuart points at Gurshan “Confidentiality! You’re a psychologist!” He retorts.
Gurshan chuckles “And you are not my patient.”
Patrick sighs deeply. “I told him not to take Melissa home, but he never listens to me.” he looks at Gurshan. “I agree. But Sagini may not make love with me again unless I put deadbolts on all the doors and hire Daisy from the police to search the apartment ahead of time.” Then he looks at his father. “Peaches?” His father and Gurshan talk confidentiality. “Screw confidentiality. I want to know about the peaches!”
Stuart drops his head and hides behind his hand “Ah fuck…” he mutters and laughs “It might have been your conception…..do you really want that mental scarring?” He teases.
Gurshan snorts “She’ll get over it I’m sure.” Then he tunes into Stuart “I still want to understand the trigonometry of how you didn’t fall out of the tree….”
Patrick’s eyes go wide. “We were conceived … in a peach .. TREE?” he cants his head. “Hell yea I wanna know about it.” he waves absently at Gurshan. “What better therapist than a man who might be my fath…” he cuts himself off, not planning to rush things. “Who is so open minded about these things?”
Gurshan was amused and then caught Patrick’s almost sentence. He didn’t call him on it but looked at him with a bit of a twinkle in his eye. He would be delighted if his daughter married Patrick. He would also be delighted to be in laws with his old friend Stuart who he had just put in the hot seat with his own son. Clearly Gurshan had siblings. “He doesn’t seem terribly scarred Stuart.” He teases.
Stuart snorts “No. I think I might be. So good thing we have a therapist at the table.” He also noticed the father in law lead in and just smiled at Patrick “Yes he’s very open minded.” It was a subtle call out. But then he humoured them “It wasn't a peach tree. We were in that old oak tree at the end of the orchard….much sturdier branches….knotty bits for footholds…”
Gurshan almost tips over laughing again “Naughty bits?”
“Shush you!” Stuart shoots back at him, blushing fiercely “Your Grandma Janelle and your Aunt Ellie threw peaches at us. Now your Grandma, bless her, she pretty much missed every time. But Aunt Ellie….she should have pitched for the major league. I had bruises!”
Patrick believes he pulled the sentence out successfully. “Well … as long as it wasn’t a peach tree…” he begins to laugh at the whole idea of naughty bits. “Is that why they always teased me for exploring the woods and forest and the inlet? I mean I was looking for fairies, but .. still.” he shakes his head and looks thoughtful. “I’m trying not to see it … but …” he covers his eyes and laughs. “I know this is not why I’m so good at climbing trees. That's not how genetics work .. but still. Dad!” he tips over laughing as the waitress brings the food and asks him if he’d like anything. He can’t help himself. “No… thank you … I already ate. Maybe some coffee…”
Stuart gives Patrick a little mock warning look for his already ate joke and lightly swats him on the side of the head before pulling his sandwich to him “Settle down..” he teases and then it dawns on him “You ran after me without your wallet didn’t you?” He looks at his gorgeous sandwich and soup. “Do you want something more than coffee? And what about Sajani? She’s probably a little concerned waiting to hear from you…”
Barbara sets down the food and then hovers to see if the young man wants coffee. He’s one of those cop fireman twins but without the uniform she has no idea which.
Gurshan just laughs and then looks at his food enthusiastically as it’s his favourite. He’s curious about the fairies comment. It really sounds like Patrick was an interesting child. And then he agrees with Stuart “Yes take her a sandwich...these are the best…” He points. “I’ll treat you both to lunch.”
Patrick blinks and then pats himself down. “God! I forgot my phone AND my wallet.” he groans. “Yea …” he looks at Barbara. “Two of the paninis.” He looks between his father and Gurshan. “Could someone text her.” He focuses on Gurshan. “Tell her I’m bringing home lunch, please.” He looks at his father. “I forgot my wallet because I ran out in a panic worried about you, father mine.” he teases back, but doesn’t elaborate with Barbara in earshot.
Gurshan pulls out his phone and texts Sajani. They seem to be going back and forth for awhile with Gurshan at first looking at her words sympathetically and then with humour.
Barbara gives a little nod “Alrighty then…” And heads back to the counter “Bobby two more paninis please, to go.” As she clips a hand written slip into the swivel. She greets some new people arriving and directs them to a booth by the door.
Stuart sighs “I’m sorry if my reaction made you feel awkward...I mean it was awkward but we’re ok. I think we all see the humour now. I hope Sajani does too and we can meet her properly…” He gestures at Gurshan “I mean we know her...but with you. Maybe Avery would agree to…” He thinks and looks conflicted. “Avery’s not big on crowds….our house is…..” He sighs “Maybe you and Chris could host? A bit of a dinner….”
Gurshan knows about Avery but realizes Stuart has no idea he knows and is dancing around it. He keeps quiet and takes a bite of his sandwich.
Patrick shakes his head. “It’s OK, Dad. Really. And … yea …” he pauses and glances at Gurshan. “I … told them … Sajani and Gurshan … about Avery.” he confesses and tries to defend himself. “After the fire … I got a little … overwhelmed. I had to let it out. I couldn’t keep it from Sajani … not after crushing on her since high school and almost messing up yet another date.” He tells his father the short version of his binge drink and begging for a date, followed by dinner at the 10 Alarm, their walk and the non sexual parts of his night at the Singh’s. He never knew that Gurshan saw them sleeping on the couch.
Stuart starts to say something and then stops and just nods. He doesn’t look angry, just awkward, and then worried for Patrick when he talks about his being overwhelmed. He gives him a little sad smile about his long term feelings for Sajani and then patiently listens to the whole story of his struggle, and the beginning of his relationship. “That’s a lot.” He sighs “I’m very glad you have Sajani….and Gurshan. You know your mother and I are always here for you too. I know we’ve been very focussed on Avery…” He looks at Gurshan “I wanted to tell you but I didn't want to …..I didn’t really know what to do...so….”
“Stuart…” He holds up a hand “You don’t need to explain anything.” He gives Patrick a little smile “Our kids have been kind of adorable…” He qualifies “Maybe not earlier today…..but at my house.” He laughs “Avery needs some more help….I know you and Lauren love her. But I’d really like her to talk with someone, professionally. Dr. Mary Henry is a good choice, probably better than me for Avery. And she’s quirky. Avery might like that. And if you need a space to gather everyone, you’re all welcome in our home anytime. Avery too, if she’s up for it.”
Barbara shows up with a takeout bag, a coffee for the unknown Peterson twin and the coffee pot in her other hand for refills. “How ya doin here boys?”
Patrick smiles as his coffee is set on the table. “I’m great.” he tells the waitress and then looks at his dad. “We’re good, Dad. We had each other.” He means he and Chris, but his speech is checked by the waitress … and the twins sometimes got mischievous by keeping those who cou;ld not tell them apart guessing as long as possible. It amused them both. Then he looks at the bag. “I’d better go home. Feed my woman.” he uses a mock deep and gruff voice.
Gurhsan puts his hand over the top of his coffee cup “I’ve had enough thank you, Barbara.” He chuckles about the feed my woman comment and the tone. “Well give her my love. It was good to see you Patrick.” And now finally he just focuses on his beautiful sandwich.
Stuart holds out his cup “I could use a warm up please. Thank you.” He gives Patrick a look of love “Ok Pat.” And then given the day and all he’s heard about Patrick’s love and pain he reaches out and hugs him before he goes.
Patrick slides his undrunk coffee over to his father as he slides out of the book. “I will Gurshan.” He hugs his father. “So do me a favor and call if you plan to come over this afternoon. I’d appreciate it.” he winks and is gone before his father can retort.
Stuart watches Patrick leave and shakes his head laughing “Sorry Gurshan….I can’t be held responsible for my children.”
Gurshan holds up a finger. He’s been scarfing his sandwich. After he chews and swallows he says “Sure you can. It happens all the time in my offices.”
Stuart winces “Greaaat…..” He snorts and then gets serious “I am so grateful you were there for Patrick after the fire. I really am. Thank you.”
Gurshan smiles “Happy to Stuart. Did you hear him? He almost called me his future father in law? So if that is the case, I’m glad he and I can connect. I always felt terribly awkward with Monhinder’s father. I don’t want that for the life partner Sajani chooses.”
Stuart laughs “I did hear that. He tried to cover it...we could do worse than getting to chase grandchildren around together someday. Although I kinda feel like Lauren and I might already have one in Blaze. Chris’s girlfriend Noelle has a delightful little boy. I can tell he loves the little guy even though he’s not his biological father. Sometimes children come through us and sometimes they come to us right?”
Gurshan smiles about the idea of grandparenting with Stuart and Lauren “I’m happy for Chris…..and Patrick….and frankly us. Now we just need to figure out how to help Avery heal.”.
Stuart sighs and looks drained “It’s the hardest thing we’ve ever faced. But somehow, we’ll get her through it.”
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