Chapter 8 #2
Last week, Gene and Santiago finally graduated from Kendall School of Design, both with associate’s in Fine Arts.
A weight has been lifted off their shoulders—finally, free time.
Of course, their schooling had been fun for the most part and Gene doesn’t regret going—especially if he can utilize his artistic knowledge to help the band—but now, he doesn’t see a career in painting any longer.
His first and foremost focus, from here on out, is in the Dusty Brooms.
Today, the Brooms are opening for none other than the legendary Lou Reed at the Masonic Auditorium in Detroit.
The Velvet Underground’s first album has been one of Gene’s favorites, so it blows his mind that the man himself is literally right there.
Gene’s not just a member of the audience, no, Lou’s within his inner circle.
Well, sort of, if he gets up the courage to talk to him.
The Brooms are putting away their instruments backstage after their set, sweat dripping down their faces and cheers still heard loud from beyond the walls.
Lou Reed is talking to Dennis about something.
It’s rather funny how much they resemble each other, with Dennis being a taller, younger, sunglasses-clad version of Lou.
Though with a jolt—Gene’s attention is snapped away, as Ray elbows his arm.
“Are you gonna go talk to him?” Ray asks.
“Oh uh… I guess I could. But… I feel sorta starstruck, if I’m gonna be honest.” Gene shakes his head and throws his guitar case with the instrument inside around his shoulder. “What would I even say?”
“You could just ask for his autograph, if you can’t think of anything else.”
“But that’s what fans do.”
“Aren’t you a fan?”
“Yes, but, I’m not just a fan. We opened for him!”
“Well, you better go say something quick, because he’ll be heading on stage real soon. Unless you want to wait until his act is done and catch him after the show.”
Gene chuffs out his lips. “Oh, I’ll… I’ll think about it. I wanna watch his show anyway, so maybe I’ll just catch him later.”
“But what if you can’t find him later?”
Gene scratches the top of his head, messing up his hair. “Gah! Well, give me a minute.”
“You might not have a minute. Look, he’s done talking to Dennis and is now chatting with one of his own guys.”
“I still need at least a minute. If he’s off to the stage by then, oh well?”
Ray laughs. “Suit yourself.” He turns to look behind himself, and notices a few girls hanging out by the wall, smoking cigarettes. “While you figure out if you wanna go talk to Lou Reed or not, I’ll be over here.”
“Alright,” Gene chuckles. Ray walks over to the girls, eyeing one brunette in particular.
In no time at all he’s smiling at her seductively, calling her ‘babe’, and throwing his arm around her shoulders.
Such actions stir up an uncomfortable feeling in Gene’s gut, as does every time he notices Ray sidle up with girls, but he does his best to try and ignore it.
It’s no secret that Ray has cheated on Harriet tons of times.
He doesn’t speak about what he’s done out loud, but it’s obvious to Gene what’s been happening when Ray brings a groupie from a show over to their motel.
He has to be extra careful if Ray gets to the motel room before he does—having to put his ear up the door, and if he hears moans, he waits.
Usually whatever chick Ray brings over is gone by the time Gene decides to go to sleep and he can still slip into bed next to Ray nonchalantly, but not every time.
Once, Gene had come in when Ray was asleep, with a naked chick cuddling up next to him under the sheets.
Gene said nothing, and went about his usual routine freshening up without bothering his friend.
He ended up sleeping next to Santi instead, that night.
What Gene doesn’t get though is—if Ray wants to sleep around with chicks, why stay in a relationship with Harriet?
Harriet likely has no idea what Ray’s been up to; Gene doubts Ray has actually talked to her about it, given how nice she acts when she comes over.
And Gene doesn’t want to be the bearer of bad news himself—that should be Ray’s responsibility.
But why, why does he not just break it off with her?
One reason that pops into Gene’s mind, as he watches Ray walk out the door with the brunette, is that he likes the security of being able to say he ‘has a girlfriend’.
He looks more ‘put together’ and ‘serious’ about settling down to the world (and to his parents) if he’s actually in a relationship, regardless if he really wants to be in one or not.
Gene knows Ray’s parents—they’re well-rounded, respectable middle-class people—and it’s likely they’re expecting Ray to be thinking of starting a family soon, now that he’s out of college.
It’s certainly been true of Gene’s own parents, his mother planting the idea of grandkids in his head every time he visits her.
She was unable to have more kids of her own after Gene, leaving him as an only child, therefore putting the pressure of continuing the family line all on him.
She’s too much of a sweetheart to really force him into anything, though, but he also fears disappointing her.
Gene supposes now that he’s out of school as well, he could try finding a steady girlfriend for himself.
But he’s also conflicted—just because the idea of having a girlfriend sounds nice doesn’t necessarily mean he’s actually ready for one.
Casual sex partners suit him just fine for now.
But even then, while sex is nice, he doesn’t go out of his way to find female companionship.
If a friendly girl comes along and asks him, he’ll gladly accept the opportunity to take care of her—maybe he’d even go for more if he ever felt a spark—but he doesn’t go out looking for it like Ray does.
Instead, Gene pulls a cigarette out from the pack in his pocket and lights it. He sucks in the smoke gently, letting the nicotine calm his thoughts.
“Hey man, I think Lou Reed’s about to head on stage,” Santiago says, suddenly at Gene’s side.
“What, really?” He looks around. Lou has his guitar strap around his shoulder. Shit. I’ve been just thinking of Ray this entire time instead of doing what I meant to do.
“Yeah, you wanna watch?” Santi says.
Nah, I wanna do more than just watch. “Hey, Lou? Lou Reed!”
The man himself turns his head toward Gene, and smiles.