All The Young Punks Pt. 34

An hour after his meetings at WBRU and The Living Room, Joe stood outside Jeanie's school as the dismissal bell went off. Ten seconds later, a rush of teeny boppers came out. He stood at the fence, leather jacket, shredded jeans, and messy hair, getting looks from passing kids. Some knew who he was there for. She saw him from forty feet away and dashed into his arms.

"Happy birthday eleven-year-old," Joe picked her up in a big brother bear hug.

"Thank you," she smiled, her nose against his. "When did you get home?"

"Very early." He set her down. "I had to be here for your birthday."

"Thank you," she happily took his hand and walked.

Joe didn't arrive for her birthday. It was just how it worked out. He knew a white lie would make her feel good. Jeanie yakked Joe's ear off all the way home. He enjoyed seeing her so happy. Jackie and Julie were home when she dragged him into the house in another stray cat moment. The fact they were all happy to see him made his day, and Joe was already having a great day. Mom came out of the bathroom to a commotion.

"Did you get my postcards?" He asked Jeanie.

That sent her to the bedroom. She emerged with her two new favorite postcards, Niagara Falls and Providence. The girls found it amusing that Joe had mailed a postcard from two miles away.

"You've been a stranger lately," Mom said. "What's going on? Why haven't you been home?"

"Our last two tours were longer than usual. I have some news. We recorded an album and it should be out next week."

"Really?" Jeanie smiled wide. "When can I have it?"

"Hopefully Monday. Tomorrow we'll be on WBRU. Next Friday we'll release the record at The Living Room."

"This is so exciting," Jackie hugged him. "I knew you recorded your songs. Did you find a label?"

"Nope. We started our own. You're looking at the part owner of Guerilla Records."

"No way," Jackie said.

"Way," Joe smiled, then went on to explain the new business he was in and his plans for the future.

******

The following morning, a Thursday school day, Joe had WBRU tuned in on a radio in the kitchen. He and Jackie made breakfast for the girls. Mom sat in her fluffy robe, drinking coffee, and enjoying her children all being home. Just as they were finishing breakfast, the promo came on.

"Hey, Providence. This is Joe from the Young Punks. I dropped new music on our friends here at B.R.U. They're gonna play our songs all week. Next Friday, October 24th, B.R.U. is hosting a record release party at the Living Room. Stay tuned. You can hear The Young Punks only on 95.5 W.B.R.U."

Dave, the morning DJ, followed the promo. "You heard it here first. Our favorite Providence band has a record and WBRU has it first. Making their radio debut... The Young Punks."

When the first song started, the girls went bananas. Mom was impressed too. Jeanie and Jules danced. Jackie listened with a wide smile.

"I'm so proud of you," she said.

"Me too," Jeanie and Jules said in stereo.

When the song ended, Dave promised to play a Young Punks song every hour. Joe then explained his next move.

"I'll be heading back to New York tomorrow but I'll be back Monday morning for the entire week waiting for our record shipment. After that, my schedule is gonna be crazy busy."

After the girls were off the school, Joe walked to the garage. For the first time, he wished he owned a car. It wasn't something he thought about much, especially not in New York. For some reason, he felt small walking through his neighborhood, like he was fifteen again.

'It'll definitely be a Cadillac,' he thought as he saw two Caddy's parked at The Olney Diner. He was feeling so good he considered going in, but he wasn't hungry. When he walked through the door of the garage, Sal jumped off the sofa.

"We're on the radio! How'd you pull that off?"

"I walked into the station yesterday hoping they'd do us a favor and I knew everyone there. They're all fans."

"I couldn't believe it. Pops was here the first time it played."

"Where's Nate?"

"He's shacking up with his divorcee."

"I thought she kicked him out."

"She kicks him out when we go on the road and takes him back when we return. You're in New York, Nate's gone and Simon's off to London. I hate being here alone."

"You big baby. You sound like Tina. Don't you see enough of us on the road?"

"When's Simon coming back?"

Joe counted the days on his fingers. "Sunday."

The moment the last tour ended, Simon flew to the UK. His first trip home in over two years. He was very private about his family. Joe only knew that his father was a prick, his mom was caught in the middle, and his little brother was his only regular contact. The band had no clue why he went back, but Joe had a theory.

All day Thursday, and into the evening, hoodrats were dropping in after hearing the radio promo. It was during a crowded garage moment that Joe realized that he missed this place. Since New York, he'd been scarce at the garage. He saw the hoodrats only when they played downtown. The days of jam parties were long gone.

Late in the day he called Tina from the garage and gave her the news.

"Did you complete your mission," he asked.

"Yes, I did, but it hasn't come on yet."

"Did they say they'd play it?"

"Yes. The guy I talked to knows me and he loves your band. I think you've met him, Cary, the really tall redheaded kid with Elvis Costello glasses."

"Oh yeah. I didn't know he was at WNYU."

"He's the assistant program manager."

"Cool."

Before he hung up, Joe promised T he would be back tomorrow, Friday, because they had a big date on Saturday.

--- THE OUTLAWS ---

Tina was nervous. From the moment they climbed into her car and for the entire drive over the bridge and through Brooklyn, she talked about her dad the city councilman, her mom the florist, and what Joe could expect during the interrogation. He sat back and listened, tossing info he deemed not useful and stashing some family facts in his mental vault for future reference

"I'm gonna be okay," He said. "What's the worst thing that could happen, the outlaws don't love me on the first date?".

"Why do you call my parents the outlaws?"

"It's the opposite of In-laws," Joe said. "That's what my Dad calls my Mom's parents. It's a joke, but it's not untrue. My Nana is not nice to Dad. She thinks my Mom could've done better and she's always reminding him of that. She's a shitty mother-in-law. I kinda hold it against her."

"So you have a problem with both grandmothers?"

"A problem? No. I don't like the way my Memere gets all Catholic preachy or the crap she said when Janie died. My Nana is just awful to my Dad, and I don't like it. She adores me. I'm her favorite. Even the people we love can be assholes."

Tina rolled her eyes, then smiled. "Tell me about it."

"Is that a shot at me?"

"Do you feel like you're an asshole sometimes?"

"Everybody is an asshole to somebody sometimes," he said, looking at her. "It's a country song, so it must be true. I love my grandmothers but they can be difficult."

"And so is your Mom."

"Not so much. Not anymore. She's born again."

Tina pulled the car into her parent's driveway and turned off the engine. She sat silent for several seconds, inhaled, exhaled, and glanced at Joe.

"Are you ready for this?"

"T, we've been together for almost fifteen months. Have I let you down in any big way? Have I ever embarrassed you, for real? And I don't mean teasing," he asked sincerely

She thought for a moment. "No, you haven't."

"I'm not going to start this weekend. I promise, but I might tease you if Mom and Dad have a sense of humor."

"Great! Dad teases me enough, now you can gang up on me." She made a face

Joe smirked. "I like him already. Let's do this. I hope they have hard liquor." He pointed at someone peeking from behind the curtains. "They're waiting."

"They can wait," she said. "Can you do me a small favor?"

"What's that?"

"The fifteen months; if they find out we've been together over a year....."

"Oh, I get it. You want me to lie the first day I meet your parents." He shook his head in disapproval.

"We met a year ago. It was casual until this year." She coached him. "Is that so bad?"

Joe let out a sigh. "Fine, but your Dad met me in August of last year. He may not buy your bullshit. I will only lie by omission. If that comes up, you can do the talking. If they ask me a direct question," he met Tina's eyes. "I will not lie."

"Okay," she agreed. "That's reasonable." She opened her door. "Here we go."

Once kitchen introductions were made, Mr C escorted Joe out to the backyard. He offered him a beer from a cooler. They sat on Adirondack chairs on a cool autumn day, colorful leaves scattered on the lawn. John Costello wasted no time in getting information. Last year, Joe's first impression was that Tina's Dad was a serious man. It appeared correct.

"We're glad to meet you finally but I have to ask, how long have you been dating my daughter?"

"We met in August of last year. She came to one of our shows. We hung out afterward and became friends."

Tina was on the small deck, twelve feet away looking down at the conversation. Mr C. shot his daughter a stare of disappointment. She looked at Joe as if he had betrayed her. He shrugged.

.

"Yeah. I thought so. When you walked through my door five minutes ago, I was not entirely surprised. I had a feeling one of you guys was seeing my daughter. How else does a girl get two young men to help her move furniture?"

"You're a lawyer, right?"

"Yes."

"I shouldn't answer that question on the grounds that it might incriminate your daughter."

Mr C. laughed, just a little. Joe looked up at Tina.

"We suspected she was keeping you a secret. We knew something was up." He glanced at her again.

"Daddy, I told you we were just friends last year."

"And then," Joe said. "when we became more than friends. She was embarrassed to have a punk rock boyfriend."

"Oh no," Tina stood erect and pointed a finger. "You're not doing this. Dad, he's here. It doesn't matter how long it took. You can stop giving me crap about it."

"I didn't give her crap," Joe said. "Did you give her crap?"

"I heard no crap," Mr. C. said. "Only facts. I think she's feeling guilty for being dishonest with her mom and me when we asked months ago." He shook his head, shaming her.

"I think you're right." Joe smiled at her. "I kept asking her when I'd meet you."

"You did not. Don't lie. He's lying Daddy. This only came up a couple of months ago."

"I'm kidding," Joe said. "Sort of. Did you know I borrowed one of your suits last spring?"

"Of course, and that's why we asked Christina if there was a boyfriend. Why would she offer a classmate my suit? That made no sense. It had to be a boyfriend."

"I'm going inside to help Mom," Tina said in a huff. "You guys can talk shit about me behind my back." She stuck her tongue out.

"Don't worry," Joe smirked. "We will. Isn't she cute when she gets flustered?"

"That's why I tease her."

"Me too," Joe said. "I drive her crazy. She was worried we'd gang up on her."

Mr C. put his bottle up, they clinked glass and Joe knew he was off to a good start with Tina's dad. He wasn't as tough as she had warned him, and maybe less serious than Joe had previously thought. Dr Nichols' advice on honesty was spot on, again. He told the truth and it worked.

"She's just like her mom. They get easily rattled if you tease about certain things."

"Tina and art. If I joke about a piece of art being crap, she loses her mind. It's funny but I have to walk a fine line because she will get truly angry if I go too far."

"That's her passion. Mom is the same with her floral business, weddings, and cooking... and her charity. You cannot joke about what they care about most."

"But those are the best things to tease on."

"So, tell me about this business of yours. She says your band is good and now you own your record label? How'd that happen for young guys like you?"

Joe told John Costello the whole story of the band and new business, Marty, Stan, and the Guerilla Network. He seemed genuinely interested, asked questions, and offered his opinion. Tina came back near the end glad they weren't talking about her. Dad leaned in and lowered his voice.

"Don't tell her what I told you until after you leave. I don't want to get in trouble." He wanted her to overhear.

"Her dirty secrets are safe with me." Joe smirked at T.

"What did you tell him? Are you just teasing me?"

"We're talking about music," Mr. C said, "not you, don't be paranoid."

"Yeah," Joe looked up at her on the deck. "We're talking about art, something you don't know about."

Dad liked that one. He clinked bottles again, which tipped her off that they had formed an alliance.

"Good to see two jerks getting along so well."

"Now I see why she didn't bring me around sooner," Joe smirked.

"She's like her Mom, can't take a joke."

"I can take a joke."

"That's what people who can't take a joke always say," Joe said, sipping his beer.

"What enjoyment do you get from annoying me? I don't understand the need to do that. It's just mean."

"It's hard to explain," Mr C. said. "just for fun?"

"We only do it to the people we love."

"That's true."

"If I don't like someone," Joe added. "I barely speak to them"

"Same here," Mr. C agreed. "but we torture our friends. My brothers and I never quit."

"That's my band, constant ball breaking."

Tina made a face at them, "I don't hurt people I love."

Her dad laughed. "She's hurt. We better stop before she cries to Mommy."

Mom walked out with snacks just as Dad was saying that. "Are you going to torment our daughter in front of Joe all day?"

Mr C. put his hands up. "He started it."

"Whoa," Joe's eyes got big. "You turned on me just like that?"

"They're both picking on me," Tina whined. "It's what they do."

"Why don't you men talk about something else and let her relax? We heard you took Chirstina camping. How did that happen?"

"Yeah, that was a shock to us." Dad made a 'what the fuck' expression

"I have stories if you're interested."

"Please do."

"Before I say anything, I must say she was great. It was rough for a city girl: outhouses, no showers for four days, and she never complained."

The party moved indoors where Joe told them camping stories; marshmallows, camphead, and her bad navigation. He liked that he made them laugh a handful of times discussing their daughter's outdoor adventure. Brother Jack arrived before dinner. Tina faked the introduction. Joe went with it, but Jack did not.

"It's good to see you again, Joe."

Mrs. C's jaw dropped. "You've met Joe before?"

Jack smirked at his sister and nodded, "Yeah, a month or so ago."

"Where?"

"At Gravesend," Tina jumped in. "He saw the band. And he used a friend's ID to get in."

"Oh, my God," Joe said. "My sisters are rats too."

"I'm not a rat."

"It seems to me you just ratted out your brother," Joe smiled at Jack.

"Now I have the three of you picking on me, great."

"Enough of this," Mrs C. stepped in. She looked at Tina. "You and I will discuss this later."

Over dinner, it was Mom taking over the interrogation. Joe didn't mind, she threw mostly softballs.

"Tell me about your sisters."

"You should see how much they resemble..." Tina let her words trail off.

"You've met his sisters?" Mom's face expressed shock. "In Providence? But you couldn't bring him to Brooklyn?"

Jack laughed. "She just ratted herself out."

"She was worried about me slipping up," Joe said while sipping from his bottle. "And then loose lips Costello outed herself."

"When did Tina go to Providence?" Mrs C asked Joe directly.

Joe looked at Tina and shrugged. "You're cooked, guilty as charged, sorry. What are they gonna do, ground you?" He looked at Mrs C. "Last October."

"A year ago?"

Joe nodded. Mr. and Mrs. C put disappointed eyes on their daughter. Jack was delighted.

"How many times have you been to Rhode Island?" Mr. C asked.

"Twice," she said in a low voice.

"And you couldn't bring Joe home to meet us, not once?"

It was a nice day with her family. Joe made a good first impression. On the drive home, she seemed pleased with how it went.

"Sorry we teased you," Joe said. "Your dad and I bonded over our mutual interest in giving you shit."

"You're not sorry, but it's okay. I knew you were just kidding. I'm glad you got along. It was a good day."

"I'm not so sure if mom liked me."

"She does. It just takes her longer to warm up. I know she liked the camping stories."

Later that night, lying in bed, feeling better about his relationship, life at home, and his band, Joe had a question for Tina. "Did my starting a business factor in you bringing me home?"

"No, but it helped. My Dad is impressed that you've done that, before age twenty. When you told me you were releasing a record and starting a label, I knew that would make it easier for them."

"I think that's why Simon chose to go home," Joe said. "He can tell his old man that he owns a business and his band has a record."

"You think so?"

"Yes, I do. It makes sense. You were worried I wouldn't measure up to your parent's expectations, and Simon... "

"That's not true."

"Whatever." Joe half rolled his eyes. "Simon has never measured up in his father's eyes. I suspect he went back because he had good news and could be proud of his new life."

Tina put her head on his shoulder and arm around his torso. She pulled him close. "I never felt you wouldn't measure up. Stop saying things like that. You've met my family, and now you'll have to deal with them demanding more visits, birthdays, and holidays. It's gonna be a lot."

"I can handle it." Joe pulled her closer. "Can you?"

--- MONDAY, OCT 20, 1980 ---

Joe took the earliest train home on Monday morning and went straight to the garage. Sal told him Marty had called. Joe returned his call.

"I just heard you on the radio," Marty said. "WNYU."

"Since when do you listen to college radio?"

"I don't, but my wife does, and she heard it first. Why didn't you tell me you were going around me?"

"I'm not going around you. You can keep trying your contacts. I've been saying all along that college radio is the way to go. It's far more guerrilla than wNbc."

Marty didn't respond.

"Are you angry with me?" Joe asked.

"No," Marty said. "I guess I was a little bothered that you didn't tell me."

"I'm sorry. That wasn't intentional. I wasn't sure we'd get on. I just had to give it a shot. These kids know my band, Marty. They were happy to put us on the air."

"We'll still need commercial radio to reach the masses."

"Maybe being on college radio first will help. Everything we're doing is small scale; the company, our distribution, the clubs, and now the radio stations. The thing is, it's targeted at our people, college kids in the towns we play." Joe paused. "It's okay to admit when I'm right about some things."

Marty sighed, "You're right about some things."

"Was that so hard?"

"Your pallet of records will arrive today. I called the trucking company this morning. One pallet is already in Providence and the second will be delivered here sometime next week."

"We have a record release party on Friday night downtown. On Saturday morning we're doing a record store event at Victory Records on the East Side. I'm gonna push these records hard."

"I know you will."

"There will be a big record party at Tommy Guns when we get back from the next road trip."

"When is that?"

"The weekend before Thanksgiving. This trip will be the longest we've done."

Two crates arrived three hours later carrying twenty-five hundred vinyl records and a surprise one thousand cassettes Stan had paid for. A duplicate shipment would be delivered to Marty. Simon was back in the city, making arrangements to take the train to Providence before the WBRU party.