Page 105 of Charm City Rocks
“We haven’t had a lesson in a while,” Billy says. “Figured it was time.”
“Really? With Mom here? She’s a lady, though, Dad. No ladies allowed.”
“She’s making a guest appearance.”
“What are you guys talking about?” asks Robyn.
“Dad’s Lessons in Art and Manhood,” says Caleb. “It’s this whole thing. He explains stuff to me, like how I shouldn’t lick doorknobs or judge women based on their crop tops.”
“Oh,” says Robyn. “Well, this should be interesting.”
Billy’s goal here is simple and straightforward. Now, though, hefinds that he doesn’t know how to start. He glances over at the TV above the bar, sees that the Orioles are getting shelled by the Yankees. Finally, he takes a breath and just says it. “Caleb, you need to go.”
His son stops midchew, mouth bulging. “But our crabs aren’t even here yet.”
That probably wasn’t the most artful opening line. In Billy’s defense, though, for the second time in recent months he’s about to tell someone he loves that they need to leave. Billy looks at Robyn, though, and he sees that she isn’t confused at all. She sets her bread down; a reflective sheen appears over her eyes.
“You need to go to Stanford,” Billy says. “Actually, no. You…youaregoing to Stanford.”
Caleb swallows. “But…”
“And, Robyn,” he says, “I know we talked about tuition. All in, Stanford is more than Hopkins. Your financial situation is different now, without Aaron. So, I’m gonna contribute more than we originally discussed.”
Robyn blinks, focuses. “Billy, we’re talking about a lot of money. How are you—”
“I sold the Steinway to LaVar Barber,” he says.
“Dad, no, what?”
“Who’s LaVar Barber?”
“He’s a Raven,” says Caleb. “But, Dad, that’s bullshit. You love that thing. You gotta get it back.”
LaVar and Jackson came to the house this morning to pick up the piano. Billy had never seen someone look as happy as Jackson did. “You can come visit it any time you want, Piano Man,” LaVar told him. LaVar hired the same crew to haul it away that Billy did to take it from the apartment above Charm City Rocks to the apartment above Robyn and Aaron’s garage and then back again to Billy’s new place in Fells Point. The foreman politely asked howmany more times he’d have to move the damn thing, and Jackson said, “Never again!”
As perfect an instrument as the Steinway is, it’s more than Billy needs. For the fair price LaVar paid, Billy can buy a perfectly nice new piano and have plenty left over to make a huge dent in Caleb’s tuition and living expenses at Stanford.
The people at the table next to them dig into their crabs now. The lady at the head of the table screams with delight when a claw breaks and squirts her husband in the face with crab juice.
“You’re right, Cay,” Billy says. “I did love it. But I love you more. Also, don’t swear.”
“He committed to Hopkins,” says Robyn. “Wouldn’t Stanford have filled his spot by now?”
“I thought of that,” says Billy. “Aaron said he can help. Alumni relations stuff. Apparently, they leave wiggle room for situations like this. As far as co-dads go, Aaron’s a pretty good one. You’re a lucky guy, Cay.”
Billy can deal with Robyn tearing up. He hopes, though, that Caleb won’t, because if he does, Billy knows that he’ll fall apart before their dinners even arrive. Fortunately, though, the kid holds tough. “But I like Baltimore,” he says. “I want to be here, withyou. Both of you. You’re my family. My mom and dad.”
Robyn puts her hand on Caleb’s hand.
Billy decided that he wasn’t going to mention the grid of Stanford photos on Caleb’s computer. His son is old enough to have his own secrets. “It’s not about Baltimore, buddy,” he says. “And don’t worry about your mom and me. We’ll be fine. Especially your mom. Look at her; she’s a killer.”
Robyn laughs. “Gee, thanks.”
“This is about you,” says Billy. “Cay, you deserve this. And I know it’s scary—changeis scary. Sometimes it’s terrifying. I get it. You’ve been here your whole life, right? You’re safe here. You lovethis place. And you should, because Baltimore is great. But maybe there’s something even better for you out there—something you’ll love even more. But you won’t know unless you go. Because sometimes…sometimes you’ve gotta take a chance on something.”
Across the outdoor dining patio, the doors from the kitchen swing open, and their waiter emerges with a tray of food hoisted over his shoulder. Billy notes this just as he notes that Caleb and Robyn are looking at him. His son is smiling, and Robyn is shaking her head.
“What?” Billy asks. He already knows, though.
