Chapter Text
Everything seemed to be going so well for Gamby. The world seemed like blue skies from here on out.
Him and Russell were in an excellent arrangement. Seeing each other pretty much every other week and sometimes extra over the holidays is something their relationship flourished on. Too much of one another would usually end up disastrous, and not enough would create resentment. With the perfect middle ground their work schedules created, they both got the perfect dosage of one another that resulted in the rarity of fights.
Shocking, right?
Once Janelle graduated high school, Neal never took down the little cardboard sign that proudly read Class of 2019 North Jackson Senior Janelle Gamby, even if it was green instead of blue or orange. She is his greatest pride and joy, not some stupid school, but her. She’d come so far and conquered so many daunting tasks. But through it all, she showed grit, just as he taught her to. And now, Janelle’s looking at colleges and while he couldn’t be more proud, there was a part of him that was sad as well.
As head of the Pacemakers, Neal couldn’t be happier. He never had to do a thing to earn the respect of his middle schoolers. He adopted a new practice of live and let live; which became a lot easier because at that age, kids are up to far less devious shit than high schoolers. Parents became big fans of his and Miggs had seemed like he would never dare cross the line like he and Lee always would — though he always kept his guard up. Just in case.
But that all changed within a year. Once the pandemic hit and lockdowns were implemented, everything went straight to hell.
Forest Hills didn’t necessarily go down in flames, but Gamby couldn’t stand the hands-off of it all, being so very hands-on. It killed him to have to sit in front of a computer screen on Zoom, spectating the classes without his intimidating presence looming over the room. And, honestly, there’s just something about a school that made Neal feel like everything that’s wrong with him was somehow right. Closer to salvation than a church could ever bring him to be. His sanctuary, truly. Gone.
…For now, don’t be so dramatic.
At the time of the lockdown, Janelle was at Gale and Ray’s. Gamby was distraught over not having his daughter home with him in such a trying time, but at least she was safe at home rather than in a dorm with strangers in some far-off place. Although, if you asked Janelle, she’d much rather that. To her benefit, she had ample time to perfect her college applications and be choosy about where she planned on heading, sending applications out left and right regardless of the pandemic at hand.
Here’s the dreadful part; in March of 2020, Lee was at Neal’s cabin, completely unplanned and unintentionally. As much as they loved each other, neither would’ve planned to be stuck in lockdown with one another. It’s as brilliant a plan as every major nuclear country setting off their death guaranteeing weapons at once. They both knew better than to occupy all their time with one another.
At first, it was alright. Mostly because Russell kept hope that the mandatory lockdown would be lifted soon and Gamby still had work regardless, unlike Lee. Thankfully he had brought Mavis along with him. (because Neal asked him to) She occupied a lot of his time. But day in and out, he got more than stir crazy, wanting to scratch up the walls and break through the windows like an animal at the zoo.
It didn’t take long for things to turn sour, fights a constant and disagreements more than common. Suddenly, it was like their relationship before Belinda: hate-fueled and filled with mutual animosity. Love became loathe once more and the sight of one another became sickening rather than gratifying. Plans for the future were shattered, no longer desiring one another but neither having the heart to say so.
The months dragged on and the two returned to their divorced-couple-that-only-stayed-together-for-the-kids-dynamic. The kids being Janelle and Mavis. Janelle loved Lee so much and he was truly the one person she always came to, more than her mother or father or even Ray. He’s never been more open-minded and kind to anyone in his life than her and he truly loved and cared for her. It would break him to have to say goodbye to her. Mavis’ favorite seat was always Neal, whether it be his lap or his chest or his face. To her, he was like a warm fireplace to cozy up to and Neal never minded one bit. He loved it, but he wouldn’t ever admit that to anyone but her. In confidence, of course.
All things come to a point, eventually though.
Once all the hectic COVID bullshit was up and people were allowed some leniency, they had a serious conversation once Lee packed his stuff up.
”Neal, we gotta talk.” Russell prompted, loading his last suitcase into his trunk.
Gamby knew what this was about. He’s been waiting for it… but also dreading it. “What?” He asked plainly, Mavis in his arms.
Lee reached for his cat, loading her into a crate she hated. “I think we should take a break.”
Neal sucked on his teeth, nodding. “Yeah. I agree.” He reached into his shirt pocket for a toothpick, as if it had the same function as a cigarette did for Lee.
As Russell buckled the crate into the passenger seat, his heartbeat quickened and his facial expression could not hide the hurt he felt. “Really?”
“Really.” Gamby couldn’t look at Lee directly.
He began to laugh, saying, “Just like that? Just… with no problem?” Russell bit down on his lip.
Neal huffed, “You brought it up, Lee.”
Russell chuckled lightly. “Alright then. That’s that. Fuck you.” He slammed the passenger door and walked to the driver’s side.
Gamby didn’t have the heart to say a thing back. He only watched Russell drive away.
But it would take a hell of a lot more than some fucked up pandemic to keep these two apart.
One late night a couple months off, Lee rapped on Neal’s door. And they collided like no time had past. They didn’t speak a word for hours. Not before going to bed and simply exchanging the standard good-night’s and some unexpected I-love-you’s.
It seemed like the break was over.
And nothing has changed since then.
Gamby sat parked outside North Jackson’s Apricot Lane location. Russell had found a way to stay employed through the pandemic, being a highly valued regional manager and looking to be promoted to divisional vice president. No matter what, they always made sure to station him right in his hometown at least once monthly at his request.
Neal watched Lee prance through the crowded parking lot, looking out for his 1972 blue Chevelle with white stripes he got for his birthday from Russell. It wasn’t his Polara, but he loved it nonetheless.
Russell pried the door open and slammed it shut. He stuffed his laptop bag at his feet and fixed his hair instinctively.
“How was it?” Gamby asked, grinning.
Russell sighed heavily. “You ask me that every time and it’s always the same thing: constantly yellin’ at girls and gays itchin’ for minimum wage and sufferin’ through havin’ to watch bitches buy shit they should not be wearin’.”
Neal blew air out his nose exaggeratedly. “Sounds rough.”
“Smart-ass.” Lee rolled his eyes. “What about you?”
“Oh, me? Not much.” Gamby twisted the key until the engine started, pulling out of the parking lot. “Miggs won’t stop pestering me over going on a double date with him and his wife.”
Lee gritted his teeth. “Oh, brother. You still walkin’ around tellin’ people that I’m your wife?”
“No, no. But you have to admit, it was pretty fuckin’ funny when you popped by out of the blue and confused the shit outta the faculty.” Neal couldn’t help the laugh building up throughout the whole sentence, finally cackling at the end of it.
Russell fake-laughed. “Sure, yeah, what a knee slapper.”
“Lighten up, Russ. It was all in good fun.” Without looking, Gamby lifted Russell’s chin with his fingers endearingly. “Oh, right, almost forgot to mention. Mercedes came by today. That’s the one you work with here, right?”
Lee nudged into his touch until Neal pulled away. “Yeah, yeah she is. What’d she come by for?”
“Said she wanted to chat with you, thought you’d be at my place.” Afternoon sun shining bright, Gamby pulled his same old pair of aviators down.
“She ain’t say why?” Russell did the same with his newer clubmaster shades.
“Nope. Seemed private. Y’all got a secret love affair goin’ on or somethin’?” Stopped at a red light, he glared over at Lee and puckered his lips, making these obnoxious kissing noises.
Russell’s face went red. “Oh, God. Fuck with you with a ten foot pole!” He then began to smack him repetitively. It was light, unless you asked Gamby.
“Ow!” He did more than wipe the look of Neal’s face, now scrunching his face and shutting his eyes tight. “Lee, I was just fucking with you! Ow!”
He finally let up on his barrage of smacks. “You’re such a fuckin’ dumbass!” Lee’s mouth was turned up at the end.
The untrained eye wouldn’t notice, but Gamby did. “Aw, lookit you smiling still!” He chuckled heartily, traffic light finally green as he sped off, headed for Russell’s place.
“You dick!” Lee spat, now fully smiling and chortling.