They got back into town just before supper and everyone could tell Dick was excited about something, but he wasn’t telling anyone what it was. He was mum about his secret all night; despite being approached about it several times by various members of the household. The old man was playing his cards close to his chest this time and he wasn’t telling a soul. The next morning couldn’t come sooner for the old rocker, and he was up very early because he had trouble sleeping the night before. He felt like a kid on Christmas Eve, waiting for that fat fucker to show up with the presents already. Kids always had trouble sleeping that night and that’s how Dick felt at that particular moment. He waited for Jenny to leave for work and had a friendly smile on his face as he waved goodbye from the living room.
“Have a great day, princess!” he called out to her.
“I’ll try,” Jenny said, but she was actually quite nervous about what was going on. She never liked it when her father planned surprises but was hoping for the best.
A few minutes after Jenny pulled out of the drive and left for work, Dick grabbed his blackberry and dialled a number.
“Hello? Hi there, my name is Richard and I wanted to track a shipment. Yes. I have the code.” Dick reached into his pocked and repeated the whole number to the lady that was on the phone with him. “Can I get an E.T.A? An hour? All right, thank you very much.”
He disconnected the call and put the phone back into his pocket.
“It’s almost here.” Dick informed Gabe.
“Are you finally going to let us see in on it?” Gabe asked.
“Even better,” Dick promised. “I’m going to let you see it first when it eventually gets here.”
“Right on!” Michael said as he was excited as well.
The next hour seemed to drag on, feeling like days rather than just sixty minutes. While the driver was a few minutes beyond an hour, Dick didn’t really care. He was more concerned about the box being damaged. The contents were rather fragile. After inspecting the box, Dick was more than satisfied as he passed a few twenties over to the driver, who happily took them and thanked him as he left.
“Alright everybody,” Dick started as he looked at Gabe and Michael. “Let’s open her up.”
Gabe helped Dick as they were as careful as possible. Once they cracked the wooden box open, they pulled the top off of it, both Gabe and Michael had a look of shock and absolute disbelief on their faces.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Dick said as he beamed with pride.
“I can’t believe it,” Michael said as he looked at it.
“Neither can I.” Gabe agreed, “It looks amazing considering how old it is. I can’t believe you kept it.”
“It’s a piece of rock history,” Dick replied, “There’s no way I was going to let it go. It’s still a vital part of my history as a rock star.”
“Why did you have it shipped here?” Michael asked.
"It’s a gift.” Dick answered, “For you and Jenny.”
Gabe was starting to understand what Dick was up to. “Are you sure about that?”
“Well, technically it was never mine to begin with.” Dick honestly answered. “I was just holding it for you.”
Before Gabe could say anything else, Dick started to dig into the box and look for something else. A few minutes later he pulled out another box and handed it to Gabe.
“This also for you.” Dick said as he passed it over.
Gabe took the small box and opened it. Inside was a diamond ring. It was the kind of rock you would give that special someone when you wanted to purpose to them. Gabe looked back at Dick.
“You don’t think you’re pushing your luck with this one?” Gabe asked.
“I don’t,” Dick answered. “I told you; I have people watching to make sure nothing bad happens. That’s why I know about the savings account you opened a few weeks ago.”
Gabe was going to protest, but there was no point. “What about it?”
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“I know you’re saving up for an engagement ring, Gabe.” Dick said with a coy smile. “This is my way of letting you know that you have my blessing.”
“I don’t think I can accept this.” Gabe said as he was a little uncomfortable accepting it. “What if she doesn’t like it?”
“I doubt it,” Dick answered. “I hope she’ll recognize it because it’s an heirloom. This is the engagement ring I gave her mother.”
“Wow,” Gabe said as he looked back at the ring. Now it all made sense. Dick was a bit of a pack rat and he’s got two or three mansions filled with all this stuff. He was just using any excuse he could find to share some of it with the people he cared about. “Thanks Dick. It means a lot that you’re willing to share this stuff with Jenny and I.”
“That’s what stuff is meant for in the first place.” Dick said, “I can’t take it where I’m going. No one really can.”
“Does that mean I can have a car?” Michael asked, “Eventually?”
“Time will tell,” Dick answered. “Let’s see how well you do on your driver’s test a few years from now, then we’ll talk.”
“I think I might want to be present for that talk too.” Gabe added, “And an improvement in your grades would help your case too.”
“Yes it would,” Dick said. “I know so because I got five boys of my own.”
“I’ve seen some of those kids on TV.” Gabe countered. “You’ve had your hands full for a long time.”
“I’ve learned from my past mistakes.” Dick confessed. “I got back in touch with Logan, and I’ve been a much more hands on father with the three boys of my third marriage than I ever was with Alex and Logan.”
“Where is Logan?” Gabe asked. He knew that out of all of Dick’s kids, Logan was the one that stayed completely out of sight, even more than Jenny.
“He does this computer graphics thing in California.” Dick said with the pride only a father could hold. “He’s also got an amazing wife and a few rug rats of his own.”
‘That’s awesome.” Gabe said, and then he noticed Dick’s suitcase was beside the couch. “Where are you going?”
“As much as I would love to be here to see the look on Jenny’s face when you tell her, this is a private moment you two should share alone.” Dick said as he pointed to Michael. “I hope you didn’t unpack because you’re coming with me tonight.”
“Where to?” Michael asked.
“The hotel I’m staying at.” Dick informed him, “We’re going to crash there for the night and give these two some privacy. I’ve also ordered a suit to be delivered this afternoon. I suggest you hop into it just before she gets home and surprise the shit out of her with a nice candlelit dinner too.”
“I’m not exactly that good of a cook.” Gabe confessed.
“Then get it delivered,” Dick suggested. “They don’t care where it’s made; it’s the presentation that counts.”
“Why today?” Gabe asked.
“Why not?” Dick asked back. “Are you as committed to her today as you were the day you opened that savings account?”
“Yes, I am.” Gabe answered.
“Then why not today?” Dick countered, “I say this with love and respect, but we’re not getting any younger here!”
Gabe thought about it for a moment. “You’re right. Let’s do this!”
“That’s the spirit,” Dick said with a playful slap on the shoulder, “But it’s just going to be you. We’re bailing in a few hours.”
“Maybe I want to see this.” Michael declared.
“My suite has a game system hooked up to an eighty-inch plasma and every video game you could ever want.” Dick informed the young man.
“Sorry Dad, you’re on your own.” Michael told his father.
Dick and Gabe watched as the young man bolted upstairs to pack for his night at the massive hotel that Dick was staying at.
“Are you sure he won’t be a hassle at the hotel?” Gabe asked.
“The suite has three bedrooms.” Dick bragged. “We’ll be fine.”
“Aren’t there fans camped outside the building?” Gabe recalled.
“There are, but we can handle it for a few nights. After Michael heads back for school I’m going back to the city. I intend to hold a press conference to announce my illness and my intention to fight for every minute I can get my hands on.”
“Alright,” Gabe said, pleased with his decision. “Did you want us to be there for moral support?”
“You already are.” Dick said as he offered Gabe his hand in friendship. Gabe took his hand and shook it. Dick used the handshake to pull him closer and embrace him with a hug. “You take good care of her.”
“I promise.” Gabe replied.
“Good man.” Dick said as he let Gabe go.
“Does this mean I get to call you Dad?” Gabe asked.
“Don’t push your luck.” Dick said as he shot down the idea rather quickly. “I prefer Dick and it’s going to stay that way.”
“Thanks, Dick.” Gabe said as he complied with his wishes.
“No problem.” Dick said as he looked at the box again. “Put that in a safe place and toss the box in the garage so she’ll never see it coming.”
“Good idea.” Gabe agreed.
“Well then, I’m going to get ready.” Dick said as he climbed the stairs. “Make sure you’re ready when she gets home. I left some money on the coffee table. Order something an hour before she gets home and set on the table and make it look as romantic as possible.”
“I get it. I’ll be fine.” Gabe called up the stairs. He looked around the living room and thought for a few minutes how he wanted to play this out. The first thing he did was walked over to one of the walls and moved it into the garage and then he started to set the table. He brought out the house’s best dishes, setting up wine glasses, candles, and fine napkins. After the spread was made, Dick came down to give his final assessment.
“I like it.” Dick said as he looked around.
“All the approval I needed,” Gabe said. Suddenly there was a horn honking outside. “What’s that?”
“That would be my driver.” Dick asked. “We’re taking the limo to the hotel, which is standard Rock Star entrance.”
“See you tomorrow then?” Gabe guessed.
“I’d say sometime around lunch.” Dick agreed. “We’ve got to get that kid back into school eventually.”
“No kidding.” Gabe conceded.
“I’m gonna tell him if he gets suspended again, he’s not coming with you, Jenny and Tom to see the first show of the tour.” Dick said, “That ought to keep him in line for a while.”
Dick and Michael got into the limo with their stuff and Gabe watched from the main window as the limo took off and he was alone in the house. He didn’t have time to goof around, as he went back into the kitchen and make more preparations for Jenny’s return.