Life on Banana Street
Gabe
-Later-
I had gone over to Tre’s house to eat after Billie and Jeff left. Tre wasn’t home yet.
“Addie!” He said excitedly.
“Hmm?”
“I got accepted!”
“Honey, that’s great! Where?”
“Clown College! Isn’t it great?”
“It’s fantastic,” I said losing interest in what he just said. My boyfriend? Going to Clown College?
“I know!” He sat down at the table and his mom put mashed potatoes on his and my plate.
“Corn on the cob anyone?” His mom said changing the subject, telling that I was uncomfortable.
“Yeah. Here,” said Mr. Wright.
“No thanks. I’m not a big fan of corn.” I began to feel sick to my stomach. What was wrong?
“Tre, I need to talk to you after dinner. Upstairs.”
“Ok?”
After dinner Tre and I went upstairs to his room.
“Tre, there’s something I need to ask you.”
“Shoot.”
“Billie wants to know…if you want to be a part of the band.”
“As what?”
“Drummer. John dropped out to go to college.”
“Oh. Why me? Why not you?”
“He knows you’re a better drummer than me. And you’re pretty close, you know.”
“Yeah.” he thought about it for a while. “I’ll do it! But wait, what about college for me?”
“It’s on nights. You can practice during the day.”
“Man this is working out perfectly! And you’ll be able to visit us in the studio!”
“Not exactly.”
“Oh no. I hate those words. What’s wrong?”
“I’m…going to college. The only way we can see each other is on weekends.”
“Baby! That’s wonderful! Where’d you get accepted?”
“A & M.”
“Smart ass.”
“Why thank you.”
Just then the doorbell rang and Tre’s mom answered the door while me and Tre went down to see who is was. We didn’t go down all the way, we sat on the stairs being secretive.
“Pardon the intrusion, ma’am, but we caught this guy drunk driving and he said he lived here.”
“He doesn’t live here, he lives next door.”
“Matt! What the hell?” I got up and went to the door.
“You know him?”
“Yeah, he’s my brother.”
“I’m afraid we’re going to have to take him downtown.”
“How long will he be in jail?”
“At least a month.”
“Oh my God! My family is so jacked up!”
“We’ll be going now.”
“Ok. Do whatever.”
They left and I went upstairs to Canada’s room to use the bathroom.
I screamed and Tre ran in after me.
“Oh…My…God…”
Canada and Mike quickly pulled the covers on them.
“May I help you?” Mike asked.
“Yeah. I need to use the bathroom.”
“Oh, go ahead Ad,” Canada said.
“Ad?”
“You know, Adeline, Addie, Ad. It’s a chain…”
“Mmk. Whatever.”
I quickly used the bathroom and went back to my house to pack my things.
-A Few Months Later-
Tre and I had moved in together. Nothing could break us apart.
I was driving home listening to my favorite Green Day song, 409 In Your Coffeemaker, while drumming the part with my fingers. I pulled into the driveway waiting to see Tre and tell him the good news.
I walked upstairs and heard…things. I opened the door and saw my worst nightmare. Tre & Carly fucking. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Tre! What the hell is this!?”
“Addie, it’s not what you think.”
“Then what the hell is it? You were giving her a bath with your dick?”
“Please.”
“No. You please. Carly! Who could you?! I thought we were friends. But no. You had to make my boyfriend cheat on me huh? As if my life wasn’t suckish enough.”
I left the house. I had a lump in my throat like I swallowed a lip stick tube. I put the car in ignition but had to pull over a few miles ahead because I couldn’t see from the tears.
As soon as my vision cleared, I drove to the bar.
“1 beer please.”
“May I see some ID?”
I got out my ID and showed the bartender. As I saw him, I had butterflies in my stomach. He was…so cute.
“Here.”
“Ok. So,” he said pouring my beer in a mug. “Why are you sad?”
“My long-term boyfriend cheated on me.”
“Fucker…Who would cheat on you?”
That’s when I knew it. He liked me.
“Fucker I tell you. I mean my God! We went out since 8th grade. 8 years.”
“Wow. I mean if I had your looks & some guy dumped me, I’d shoot them…Not that I’m gay or anything. Just making a point.”
I smiled. “You know, most bartenders are all depressing and shit. You’re one of the funny ones.”
“Yeah…”
There was an awkward silence while I was drinking my beer.
“I didn’t get your name.”
“Oh. It’s Adeline. Adeline Hersh. But everyone calls me Addie for short.”
“Oh, Addie, I’m Gabe. Gabe Carlisle.”
“It’s nice to meet you Gabe.”
“You too.”
We talked for a little while longer until I got crazy tired.
“So, what do I owe you?”
“Oh. It’s on the house.”
“No, I have to give you something.”
I reached in my bag & got out a piece of paper and wrote my number on it.
“Thanks. I’ll give you a call sometime.”
“I’d like that.” I got up from my seat and stumbled around a bit.
“I think I’d better drive you home.”
“Oh yeah that would be good.”
He laughed and helped me out the door and into the car.
“So where do you live?”
I directed him to Jeff’s apartment. After all I wasn’t going back to that fucker Tre.
“Thank you for taking me home.”
“No problem.”
He kissed me on the cheek and left.
I knocked on Jeff’s door and he greeted me cautiously.
“Addie, have you been drinking?”
“Yeah. I had Gabe bring me home.”
“Who’s Gabe?”
“A bartender. He’s really nice,” my words slurred.
“I think you better get some rest.”
He directed me to the couch but I kept on walking to his bedroom.
“Addie. Addie no, that’s my bed.”
I laid down and passed out as soon as I hit the pillow.
I woke up to something licking my face.
I opened my eyes to see Jeff’s dog. (no not your mom)
“Oh my God! Jeff! Get in here & get your damn dog off of me!”
“It wants you Addie.”
“Shut up.”
“Shut up!” he said like a gay guy.
“God. Hangovers suck. Never get drunk.”
“Ok?”
After I ate breakfast, I decided to face the world and get some fresh air to clear my mind.
I opened the door and there stood Gabe.
“Oh, hi Gabe!”
“Hey…I was wondering if you would like to go out with me tonight. I understand if you don’t want to since you just got out of a relationship, but-”
“Gabe. I’d love to. Rather, I’d be honored.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Ok then. I’ll pick you up at…let’s say…8:00?”
“Sounds great!”
“8 sounds good? Ok! Alright…that’s cool.”
I laughed. “Ok then. I’ll see you at 8.”
-8:00-
“Addie, Gabe’s here.”
“Ok. I’ll be there in a minute.”
I heard the doorbell ring and Jeff answered it.
“Hey Gabe. Addie’ll be in here in a minute. Take a seat.”
“Ok. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
I walked in the room and saw Gabe, looking fine.
“Hi Gabe.”
“Hey Addie. Ready to go?”
“Yeah.”
“Ok…let’s go!” We locked arms and he lightly kissed my cheek.
“Bye Jeff. Be back…later.”
“Alright.”
We got in his car and headed toward the restaurant.
“Man you have a really nice car.”
“Didn’t you notice it last night?”
“No…I was drunk. Remember?”
“Oh yeah. But thanks.”
“For what?”
“The compliment.”
“Oh. Right. You’re welcome!”
He laughed and focused on driving until I broke the silence.
“So…where are we going?”
“Only the nicest restaurant in town.”
“What? You didn’t have to do that.”
“But I did. Only the best place for the best girl.”
“Aww that’s sweet.”
“You’re welcome.”
I smiled and he grabbed my hand.
“You know, Gabe, you’re one of the nicest guys who ever went out with me.”
“How many guys have you gone out with?”
“Well, you’re the third.”
“Third? You’re my first.”
“Nuh uh! You’re way too hot for me to be your first!”
“Yeah well I’ve never had this tingly feeling with girls like I had with you.”
“Really?”
“I mean, yeah. I…like you.”
“What do you mean? As a friend or…more?”
“As a friend right now. But you know, we haven’t known each other that long.”
“Yeah I know what you mean.”
“So…Who was your first boyfriend and what was he like?”
“Billie Joe Armstrong. He-”
“You mean Green Day Billie Joe Armstrong?”
“Yeah…”
“Oh man I love their album!”
“I know right! What’s your favorite song?”
“Definitely Going to Pasalacqua.”
“Yeah I like that song, but it’s not my favorite.”
“Which one is?”
“409 In Your Coffeemaker.”
“Yeah! That one’s a classic.”
“Did you know I went to elementary school with him and he actually did put 409 in our teacher’s coffeemaker?”
“Whoa. That’s awesome! So anyway what was he like?”
“Boring. I didn’t really like him as a boyfriend but he’s one of my best friends.”
“Ok. Number two?”
“Tre Cool.”
“Dude! What’s with all the Green Day people?”
“They weren’t even in Green Day when I met them…”
“That’s totally wicked! So anyway go on.”
“Ok. I loved him to death right? And I was 100% positive he was, you know, the one and then, after 8 years, I caught him cheating on me with my best friend.”
“Billie?”
“No! Carly.”
“Oh. I got kind of worried right there.”
I laughed and soon we were at the restaurant.
“Hello, I’m your host, Fabio, and I will be your waiter tonight. Smoking or Non-Smoking?”
“Non,” I quickly said.
“Ok right this way. Table or booth?”
I have never been to a restaurant where they asked you so many damn questions. “Uh Gabe?”
“Doesn’t matter. The choice is yours, Sweetheart.”
I smiled and said, “Booth.”
“Ok are we ready to order our drinks?”
“Tea please,” I replied.
“Sweetened or Non-Sweetened?”
Naw I want it to drink Non-Sweetened. “Sweet.”
“Like you, m’lady,” Gabe said.
“Ok…” Fabio looked confused, like Gabe didn’t want him. “And you sir?”
“Same.”
“Sweet or-”
“Sweet.”
“Ok. Are we going for an appetizer tonight?”
“Addie?”
“Um…Nah I’m good.”
“No thank you, Fabio.”
“Alright. What about entre?”
Tre. Tre. I couldn’t get Tre out of my mind.
“BASTARD!” I yelled aloud.
“Excuse me, ma’am, but we don’t use that language in here.”
“You said Tre.”
“No…I said entre.”
“Stop it!”
“Addie are you ok?”
“Yeah…I mean no. I need some air.”
“Pardon me, sir but we need some air.”
“That’s fine.”
We got out of the restaurant and I looked over the balcony.
“Addie, what the hell?”
“I’m sorry Gabe. I’m so so sorry.”
He turned me around and saw that I was crying.
“What’s wrong, Hun?”
“It’s not you. It’s the farthest thing from you. It’s Tre.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“I’m the one who asked you out so soon.”
“Don’t you turn this around on you. I don’t want this to harm our friendship.”
“But Addie, I ant to be MORE than friends.”
"Really?"
“Yeah. Will…will you be my girlfriend?”
I had gone over to Tre’s house to eat after Billie and Jeff left. Tre wasn’t home yet.
“Addie!” He said excitedly.
“Hmm?”
“I got accepted!”
“Honey, that’s great! Where?”
“Clown College! Isn’t it great?”
“It’s fantastic,” I said losing interest in what he just said. My boyfriend? Going to Clown College?
“I know!” He sat down at the table and his mom put mashed potatoes on his and my plate.
“Corn on the cob anyone?” His mom said changing the subject, telling that I was uncomfortable.
“Yeah. Here,” said Mr. Wright.
“No thanks. I’m not a big fan of corn.” I began to feel sick to my stomach. What was wrong?
“Tre, I need to talk to you after dinner. Upstairs.”
“Ok?”
After dinner Tre and I went upstairs to his room.
“Tre, there’s something I need to ask you.”
“Shoot.”
“Billie wants to know…if you want to be a part of the band.”
“As what?”
“Drummer. John dropped out to go to college.”
“Oh. Why me? Why not you?”
“He knows you’re a better drummer than me. And you’re pretty close, you know.”
“Yeah.” he thought about it for a while. “I’ll do it! But wait, what about college for me?”
“It’s on nights. You can practice during the day.”
“Man this is working out perfectly! And you’ll be able to visit us in the studio!”
“Not exactly.”
“Oh no. I hate those words. What’s wrong?”
“I’m…going to college. The only way we can see each other is on weekends.”
“Baby! That’s wonderful! Where’d you get accepted?”
“A & M.”
“Smart ass.”
“Why thank you.”
Just then the doorbell rang and Tre’s mom answered the door while me and Tre went down to see who is was. We didn’t go down all the way, we sat on the stairs being secretive.
“Pardon the intrusion, ma’am, but we caught this guy drunk driving and he said he lived here.”
“He doesn’t live here, he lives next door.”
“Matt! What the hell?” I got up and went to the door.
“You know him?”
“Yeah, he’s my brother.”
“I’m afraid we’re going to have to take him downtown.”
“How long will he be in jail?”
“At least a month.”
“Oh my God! My family is so jacked up!”
“We’ll be going now.”
“Ok. Do whatever.”
They left and I went upstairs to Canada’s room to use the bathroom.
I screamed and Tre ran in after me.
“Oh…My…God…”
Canada and Mike quickly pulled the covers on them.
“May I help you?” Mike asked.
“Yeah. I need to use the bathroom.”
“Oh, go ahead Ad,” Canada said.
“Ad?”
“You know, Adeline, Addie, Ad. It’s a chain…”
“Mmk. Whatever.”
I quickly used the bathroom and went back to my house to pack my things.
-A Few Months Later-
Tre and I had moved in together. Nothing could break us apart.
I was driving home listening to my favorite Green Day song, 409 In Your Coffeemaker, while drumming the part with my fingers. I pulled into the driveway waiting to see Tre and tell him the good news.
I walked upstairs and heard…things. I opened the door and saw my worst nightmare. Tre & Carly fucking. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Tre! What the hell is this!?”
“Addie, it’s not what you think.”
“Then what the hell is it? You were giving her a bath with your dick?”
“Please.”
“No. You please. Carly! Who could you?! I thought we were friends. But no. You had to make my boyfriend cheat on me huh? As if my life wasn’t suckish enough.”
I left the house. I had a lump in my throat like I swallowed a lip stick tube. I put the car in ignition but had to pull over a few miles ahead because I couldn’t see from the tears.
As soon as my vision cleared, I drove to the bar.
“1 beer please.”
“May I see some ID?”
I got out my ID and showed the bartender. As I saw him, I had butterflies in my stomach. He was…so cute.
“Here.”
“Ok. So,” he said pouring my beer in a mug. “Why are you sad?”
“My long-term boyfriend cheated on me.”
“Fucker…Who would cheat on you?”
That’s when I knew it. He liked me.
“Fucker I tell you. I mean my God! We went out since 8th grade. 8 years.”
“Wow. I mean if I had your looks & some guy dumped me, I’d shoot them…Not that I’m gay or anything. Just making a point.”
I smiled. “You know, most bartenders are all depressing and shit. You’re one of the funny ones.”
“Yeah…”
There was an awkward silence while I was drinking my beer.
“I didn’t get your name.”
“Oh. It’s Adeline. Adeline Hersh. But everyone calls me Addie for short.”
“Oh, Addie, I’m Gabe. Gabe Carlisle.”
“It’s nice to meet you Gabe.”
“You too.”
We talked for a little while longer until I got crazy tired.
“So, what do I owe you?”
“Oh. It’s on the house.”
“No, I have to give you something.”
I reached in my bag & got out a piece of paper and wrote my number on it.
“Thanks. I’ll give you a call sometime.”
“I’d like that.” I got up from my seat and stumbled around a bit.
“I think I’d better drive you home.”
“Oh yeah that would be good.”
He laughed and helped me out the door and into the car.
“So where do you live?”
I directed him to Jeff’s apartment. After all I wasn’t going back to that fucker Tre.
“Thank you for taking me home.”
“No problem.”
He kissed me on the cheek and left.
I knocked on Jeff’s door and he greeted me cautiously.
“Addie, have you been drinking?”
“Yeah. I had Gabe bring me home.”
“Who’s Gabe?”
“A bartender. He’s really nice,” my words slurred.
“I think you better get some rest.”
He directed me to the couch but I kept on walking to his bedroom.
“Addie. Addie no, that’s my bed.”
I laid down and passed out as soon as I hit the pillow.
I woke up to something licking my face.
I opened my eyes to see Jeff’s dog. (no not your mom)
“Oh my God! Jeff! Get in here & get your damn dog off of me!”
“It wants you Addie.”
“Shut up.”
“Shut up!” he said like a gay guy.
“God. Hangovers suck. Never get drunk.”
“Ok?”
After I ate breakfast, I decided to face the world and get some fresh air to clear my mind.
I opened the door and there stood Gabe.
“Oh, hi Gabe!”
“Hey…I was wondering if you would like to go out with me tonight. I understand if you don’t want to since you just got out of a relationship, but-”
“Gabe. I’d love to. Rather, I’d be honored.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Ok then. I’ll pick you up at…let’s say…8:00?”
“Sounds great!”
“8 sounds good? Ok! Alright…that’s cool.”
I laughed. “Ok then. I’ll see you at 8.”
-8:00-
“Addie, Gabe’s here.”
“Ok. I’ll be there in a minute.”
I heard the doorbell ring and Jeff answered it.
“Hey Gabe. Addie’ll be in here in a minute. Take a seat.”
“Ok. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
I walked in the room and saw Gabe, looking fine.
“Hi Gabe.”
“Hey Addie. Ready to go?”
“Yeah.”
“Ok…let’s go!” We locked arms and he lightly kissed my cheek.
“Bye Jeff. Be back…later.”
“Alright.”
We got in his car and headed toward the restaurant.
“Man you have a really nice car.”
“Didn’t you notice it last night?”
“No…I was drunk. Remember?”
“Oh yeah. But thanks.”
“For what?”
“The compliment.”
“Oh. Right. You’re welcome!”
He laughed and focused on driving until I broke the silence.
“So…where are we going?”
“Only the nicest restaurant in town.”
“What? You didn’t have to do that.”
“But I did. Only the best place for the best girl.”
“Aww that’s sweet.”
“You’re welcome.”
I smiled and he grabbed my hand.
“You know, Gabe, you’re one of the nicest guys who ever went out with me.”
“How many guys have you gone out with?”
“Well, you’re the third.”
“Third? You’re my first.”
“Nuh uh! You’re way too hot for me to be your first!”
“Yeah well I’ve never had this tingly feeling with girls like I had with you.”
“Really?”
“I mean, yeah. I…like you.”
“What do you mean? As a friend or…more?”
“As a friend right now. But you know, we haven’t known each other that long.”
“Yeah I know what you mean.”
“So…Who was your first boyfriend and what was he like?”
“Billie Joe Armstrong. He-”
“You mean Green Day Billie Joe Armstrong?”
“Yeah…”
“Oh man I love their album!”
“I know right! What’s your favorite song?”
“Definitely Going to Pasalacqua.”
“Yeah I like that song, but it’s not my favorite.”
“Which one is?”
“409 In Your Coffeemaker.”
“Yeah! That one’s a classic.”
“Did you know I went to elementary school with him and he actually did put 409 in our teacher’s coffeemaker?”
“Whoa. That’s awesome! So anyway what was he like?”
“Boring. I didn’t really like him as a boyfriend but he’s one of my best friends.”
“Ok. Number two?”
“Tre Cool.”
“Dude! What’s with all the Green Day people?”
“They weren’t even in Green Day when I met them…”
“That’s totally wicked! So anyway go on.”
“Ok. I loved him to death right? And I was 100% positive he was, you know, the one and then, after 8 years, I caught him cheating on me with my best friend.”
“Billie?”
“No! Carly.”
“Oh. I got kind of worried right there.”
I laughed and soon we were at the restaurant.
“Hello, I’m your host, Fabio, and I will be your waiter tonight. Smoking or Non-Smoking?”
“Non,” I quickly said.
“Ok right this way. Table or booth?”
I have never been to a restaurant where they asked you so many damn questions. “Uh Gabe?”
“Doesn’t matter. The choice is yours, Sweetheart.”
I smiled and said, “Booth.”
“Ok are we ready to order our drinks?”
“Tea please,” I replied.
“Sweetened or Non-Sweetened?”
Naw I want it to drink Non-Sweetened. “Sweet.”
“Like you, m’lady,” Gabe said.
“Ok…” Fabio looked confused, like Gabe didn’t want him. “And you sir?”
“Same.”
“Sweet or-”
“Sweet.”
“Ok. Are we going for an appetizer tonight?”
“Addie?”
“Um…Nah I’m good.”
“No thank you, Fabio.”
“Alright. What about entre?”
Tre. Tre. I couldn’t get Tre out of my mind.
“BASTARD!” I yelled aloud.
“Excuse me, ma’am, but we don’t use that language in here.”
“You said Tre.”
“No…I said entre.”
“Stop it!”
“Addie are you ok?”
“Yeah…I mean no. I need some air.”
“Pardon me, sir but we need some air.”
“That’s fine.”
We got out of the restaurant and I looked over the balcony.
“Addie, what the hell?”
“I’m sorry Gabe. I’m so so sorry.”
He turned me around and saw that I was crying.
“What’s wrong, Hun?”
“It’s not you. It’s the farthest thing from you. It’s Tre.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“I’m the one who asked you out so soon.”
“Don’t you turn this around on you. I don’t want this to harm our friendship.”
“But Addie, I ant to be MORE than friends.”
"Really?"
“Yeah. Will…will you be my girlfriend?”