Page 44 of Something Like Forever

“Tell us about the jobinterview!” Ben said. “Is that what the donuts are for? Because yougot the position?”

“Congrballashins!” Timsaid from next to him, most of a chocolate long john stuffed intohis mouth. Chinchilla was at his side, looking up with unbreakableconcentration just in case any crumbs fell her way.

“I don’t know if I got thejob,” Jason said, “but I found work. I went in to this coffee shopto apply to be assistant manager. While there, I saw flyers forupcoming performers. Musicians and poetry readings mostly. So Iasked about that too, and they had a cancellation earlier today. Igot the gig!”

“Tuneat?” Tim asked whilecontinuing to chew.

“He wants to know ifyou’re performing tonight,” Ben translated.

“Yeah! My first paying jobin Astoria. It’s just thirty bucks for two hours, plus any tips.Still, I figure we can use the money.”

“Absolutely!” William saidproudly, reaching over to rub his back. “I can’t wait! You don’tmind if we’re there, do you?”

“Better than playing to anempty room,” Jason said. “I’m kind of freaking out. I usually don’tdo this sort of thing, but I figured it might increase my chancesof getting the assistant manager job. Just imagine a manager whocan appease angry customers by whipping out his guitar. I wish Ihad mine here. I’ll have to use the guitar at the coffee shop, andit’s a little warped. The strings don’t even match.”

“Back seat of the car,”Tim said with a grin.

“You guys are the best!”Jason said, eyes shining. “That’ll make it easier to put on a goodshow tonight. I need this! I want to start earning money before welook for a bigger apartment.”

Ben forced himself to holdback, especially when Tim met his gaze. They had money. More thanenough, but they had discussed this before. They wanted Jason to beself-sufficient, and Ben knew his son had pride. Jason had neverlooked to them for a handout. Even getting him to accept Ben’s oldcar had been a struggle. In the end, they had to pretend it was anearly Christmas present. Still, that didn’t mean they couldn’t puta ridiculously huge tip in his jar tonight, or help out in otherlittle ways.

“If you need anythingwhile we’re here,” he said, “we can go shopping together. Groceriesor maybe clothes?”

Jason groaned. “Go ahead and ask.”

“I don’t know what youmean,” Ben said innocently.

Tim had no suchreservations. “Since when did you start wearing Polo shirts likeWilliam does? Because you might want to choose a smaller size. Orstart bulking up.”

“Shut up!” Jason saidwarmly. “The airline lost my luggage. I’ve got the jeans andT-shirt I flew in and that’s it.”

“I keep offering to takehim shopping,” William said. “We aren’t broke!”

“No,” Jason said, “but weshould be careful. Besides, I keep hoping my luggage will showup.”

“Do we tell him now?” Timasked.

Ben smiled. “We broughtmore than just your guitar. The trunk is full ofclothes.”

“Oh thank god!” Jasonbreathed.

“If you’re anything likeme,” Ben continued, “then you probably packed your favorite thingsfor this trip. That’s what’s missing now, right? Did you file aclaim?”

“Yeah, but they want youto prove what was in there and the value.”

Ben was about to insistthey go shopping, but if recent events had taught him anything, itwas that he had to allow Jason to make his own decisions. “Iwouldn’t mind getting a new outfit. I’m going to a major concerttonight and want to look my best.”

“I guess I could get anicer shirt to wear,” Jason conceded. “You’re right that all mybest stuff was in the suitcase.”

“There’s a JCPenney intown,” William said. “Or some cool vintage shops.”

“Vintage,” Ben and Jasonsaid at the exact same time. Then they laughed. Yes, they weredefinitely going to be okay.

* * * * *

The coffee shop was longand narrow, only opening toward the back where Jason had enoughroom to get set up in one corner. He was sitting on a stool, feeton the upper rung as he worked at tuning his guitar. Ben wasespecially glad they had made the trip now. Events would haveplayed out the same, except Jason would be using an instrument hewasn’t comfortable with, and the area they now sat in would almostbe empty. Aside from himself, Tim, and William, only one otherperson was there, and she was fixated on her laptop.

“Okay,” Jason said,looking up. He too noticed the lack of an audience and shrugged. “Ifeel like we know each other already,” he joked. “Like we’re oldfriends. This is my first time doing anything like this, so go easyon me.”