Rock Star Makeover, Part 6:
 
Authors note: No summary, the audience has spoken. If you have not read the first 5 parts, (or if you have forgotten them) read those first.
 

The next morning,. I phoned Gabbi, and said, “Gabbi, I should hang around here today, I’ve … kinda missed my family.”

She said, “That’s cool Noah. I’m sure my sis and I can find some girly stuff to do.”

I chuckled. “Have fun, Gabbi.” I said.

I had a nice breakfast with my family, and while we ate, I asked my brother Adam “You going to bring this girl around? I want to meet her.”

‘I was just about to ask Mom. You cool with her dropping by?” He said.

“Sure hon, but why don’t you go over there and bring her back. I actually need to talk to your brother alone.”

“Kay, mom.”

After he left, my mom started cleaning up, and after a while, I asked her, “What’s on your mind, Mom?”

“This isn’t going to be an easy subject, Noah. But .. how far have you and Gabbi gone?”

I turned red, and said, “Mom! Gabbi’s mom was with us the whole time.”

“Okay, dear. But you do realize, if you stay together you’ll want to to get a little … closer … physically than you’ve been. Have you thought about that?”

“I kinda like where we are right now, Mom.”

“And nothing wrong with that, but in case you do go further, you need to plan for it. Because Gabbi has... a flaw, physically, how are you going to handle that?”

“I don’t know, Mom. I don’t see us going that far right now.”

“Sweetie, you went from friends to boyfriend/girlfriend almost overnight. I’ve seen the kisses you’ve given her, you are going pretty fast, if you think about it.”

“Well, what do you suggest? “

“I hope you two hold off the heavy stuff for a while yet. But if you feel like moving forward, have an honest conversation with her about any concerns you have. If I know Gabbi, she has already some thoughts on the subject.”

I blushed again, and said, “Not to change the topic, but have you met this new girl of Adam's?”

“Not to change the topic my behind. Don’t avoid the issue. Talk with her.”

“Okay, okay. I will, I promise. Now, about Adam’s girlfriend ? “

“Her name is Francine, and she seems nice.”

“Good. Alan deserves it. I don’t know why its taken him this long.”

“He got badly hurt in the last breakup, as you should recall.”

“Yeh, I remember.”

“Good. I know you will, but be nice to her, okay?”

“You got it, Mom.”

I played video games until Adam came back with Francine. She was tall, with dark hair, and casually dressed. I stood up and put out my hand, but she turned quickly to Adam, and said, “Let’s go out, okay?”

Adam and I looked at each other in confusion, but he recovered, and said, “Sure, Francine, let’s go.”

They left, and I went into the kitchen, and told my mom what happened.

“Mom, that was totally weird. Wonder why she acted like that?”

“Not sure, Noah. Maybe we can ask Adam when he comes back.”

I shrugged, and went back to my games.

Less than an hour later, Adam came back in, and his eyes were wet.

“What happened?” Mom asked.

“I just dumped Francine.” He said, and sat down heavily.

“Geeze, bro. What happened?”

“She recognized you, Noah. Apparently. your little moment in the spotlight at the concert has gone viral, and some people....” his voice shook, and he took a breath before he continued, “Some people are making less than kind comments about you and Gabbi.”

“I’m sorry, Adam.” Mom said.

He said, “I’m going to my room,” and left.

I went to leave myself, but Mom said, “Wait, Noah.”

I turned to her and said, “Mom, its my fault! If I ...”

She looked at me hard, and interrupted, “Don’t you dare. Don’t you dare say sorry for loving Gabbi. She is a brave, beautiful girl, and I’m proud of you for standing with her. We knew that there were going to be people who had a problem with Gabbi. Don’t let a bigoted girl stop you.”

“But how do I help Adam? He’s been the best big brother I could hope for, and now...What do I do?”

“Let him be for now, Noah. ”

“I gotta do something, Mom!”

“Go clear your head. Take a walk, and maybe you’ll feel better.”

“Okay.” I grabbed a light jacket, and went out.

As I walked, I realized I had a serious problem. I didn’t know what to tell Gabbi. If I told her what happened, she would be sure to blame herself. But did I have the right to keep it from her? Then an idea hit me, I could ask her sister, Terry. I tried Gabbi’s house, but they were both out, and I ended up just leaving a message with her mom.

I went home, and talked to my mom about telling Gabbi.

“I’m not sure, Noah. I know if I was in her shoes, I’d rather hear it from you than find out any other way.”

“But it’ll hurt her mom, won’t it?”

“Not as much as thinking you hid the truth from her.”

“I gotta think about this, Mom.”

“Do. And pray, too.”

I wrestled with the question the rest of the day. Lunch was quiet, and none of us ate much. After lunch, Adam went back to his room. I was going to try and talk to him, but just then, Terry got back to me, and I told her I would talk to Gabbi tomorrow. My mom looked at me with concern while I was on the phone, so when I got off, I said, “I’m sorry Mom. I’m just not ready. I still got to think about this.”

“I understand hon.”

“I can’t hurt Gabbi, mom. I’m … supposed to protect her. Isn’t that my job as her boyfriend?”

“Which is exactly why she needs to hear it from you, hon. If she finds out you kept it from her, you think she won’t lose her trust in you?”

“Mom, what am I supposed to say? That a girl just dumped my brother because Gabbi and I are dating? “

“You will find a way hon.”

And like that, a light bulb went off in my head, and I knew how I could tell her.

I went and grabbed my art stuff, and began working.

The rest of the day, I worked on my project. At some point, Adam came out.

“Hey, bro.” He said.

“Hey, Adam. You... okay?”

“I won’t lie, bro. It hurts.”

“I’m sorry Adam.”

“Its not your fault, Noah. Or Gabbi’s. “

We both did this stupid male thing where you really should just give a hug, but because we were both guys, we couldn’t do that. So instead we just stood there, awkwardly. Finally, I said, “Well, I better get back to work.”

“Its almost supper time, Noah. Come eat, and then go back to it.”

“Okay. Adam?”

“Yeh?”

“I...”

“Yeh. Me too, bro. me too.”

I found I had a much better appetite. Looking across at Adam, it looked like he had a better appetite too. After supper, he said, “You want some help?”

“Sure.”

He messed up my hair, and I pushed his hand away, and then we sat down, and got busy.

The next morning we got ready for church . Gabbi and her family stopped by to join us. I gave Gabbi my project just before church service, and told her to look at it as soon as we were done. We went for lunch after, and she opened up the paper. On it was a comic strip version of what had happened to Adam, with him as a shining knight refusing to be corrupted by an evil witch.

She looked at him, and he told her about Francine had done, and how he had responded.

She said, “I’m sorry, Adam. You... didn’t have to do that, not for me.”

He gave her a half-smile, and said, “Yes, I did, Gabbi. I wouldn’t have been able to look myself in the mirror if I hadn’t”

Finally, he got the hug he had deserved.

From Gabbi, of course.

*******