It was 4:02 PM, and Reuben and Angelie were talking about favorite ice cream flavors while making their way to the office to wait for their parents. As the secretary saw Reuben, she told him, "Mr. Scott," she began, trying to find the right words, "we got a phone call from the hospital. Your mother's there. Is there anyone you know that you can stay with today?"
Upon hearing the news, Reuben froze. The words "mother" and "hospital" bounced around the walls of his brain for a bit before settling. When his heart and mind finally digested with the school secretary said, the first word that popped into his mind was, "Why?" For a brief moment, he was angry; he was angry that his mom was sick again for reasons once again unknown. His anger quickly settled into an indifference. This was nothing new.
Then there was, of course, the question that the secretary asked. Immediately, his mind went to poor uncle Jimmy Corsa. He wasn't a real uncle; he was a good friend of his mom's that helped out with the family whenever he was available. He was a private piano tuner and a photographer. He was also in a jazz band called "Surreality". His charismatic personality was the magic touch in everything he did, so he was pretty well known and had lots of connections.
Jimmy was a humble guy, though. He lived in a basic two-story house with an attic and a basement, and he owned a basic car. Reuben thinks of him as "poor uncle Jimmy" for one reason and one reason only; he's stuck in the friend zone. Jimmy and Sadie met during the last year of the Scott Family being the Scott Family of three. Trevor invited Jimmy over for dinner at their house to discuss the good ol' college days and catch up on life. It had been years since they've last hung out. Trevor had no free time to grab brunch or anything, so the only other option was to come over.
Dinner was a little awkward that day. Jimmy got along better with Trevor's wife and kid than Trevor himself. Jimmy and Trevor's conversations were forced and limited, whereas with Sadie Lou, words came quite easily. Reuben, who was five and usually the silent type, was drawn to Jimmy's personality and was talking more than he usually would to any of his parents' other friends. That was their last dinner Jimmy was invited to: at least, while Trevor was in the picture. Once the divorce was finalized, Sadie Lou didn't want to talk to any men. One day, during Sadie's morning shift as a waitress at a community diner, she bumped into Jimmy. They talked and became instant friends. As their friendship grew, Jimmy started having certain feelings for her that he couldn't seem to shake, and it had been that way ever since. Had Sadie Lou noticed? Of course, but no one dared to bring it up. Had Reuben noticed? Not only had he noticed, but he was rooting for Jimmy. Jimmy was one of few people he got along with and trusted. Jimmy was cool. Jimmy was awesome. Jimmy was making a good living. Jimmy wasn't ugly. Jimmy was a real man. Jimmy was better than Trevor. Jimmy owned a motorcycle that he promised he'd let Reuben ride when he's old enough. Reuben was definitely on team Jimmy for replacement dad.
"Reuben?" Angelie interrupted Reuben's thoughts and gestured towards the school secretary, whose question had yet to be answered. Reuben finally answered the school secretary, saying "Yeah, his name his Jimmy Corsa" and proceeded to recite his number. When he was done, Angelie said, "Wow, you know Jimmy? Jimmy's my piano teacher! I'm going to his house for after school today!"
"I guess he'll be picking both of us up today" Reuben said with a smile. It's not that he got over the fact that his mother was in the hospital; its just that the hospital was more of a second home for her. Something always seemed to happen, and Reuben got used to that. For now, he allowed himself to continue what was an awesome day.
