Blood Donor
Chapter 10
The next day brings applications. Lots of them. Frank brought home several for local bars, a couple for fast food places, and one for the Wal-Mart. I throw away the fast food ones directly. No way am I becoming a burger flipper. Judging by the amount of bars, I think that’s what Frank wants. I wouldn’t mind. Watching people get drunk could prove entertaining.
I start to fill one out. Name: Gerard Way. Address….
“Hey, Frank, what’s our address?” he gives it to me and I copy down. Phone… “And our number?” again he provides the information and I write it down. Past employment. There was that book store that one time. What was my manager’s name? Brian? Yes, Brian. I need the number to the place… “We got a phone book?”
Frank grunts, “Who doesn’t have a phone book? You seem to be having a lot of issues with those.”
I shrug and start ruffling through the offered book, “Haven’t had a job for over a year. Haven’t filled out an application in longer.”
I find the correct number and jot it down. Then I start looking for the Cartoon Network. I doubt it’ll mean much to a bar, but I was employed there. Once that’s done it asks for references. Fuck. I mean, I have Frank, but you need at least three for your application to even be looked at. I don’t even know that many people!
“Fuck,” I say out loud. Frank looks at me with an eyebrow raised, “Fucking references! Looking for a job is hopeless. No one is going to hire me with only my boyfriend to vouch for me.”
“They don’t have to know we’re dating. You can just put the relationship as roommate.”
“That’s not the point. One reference still isn’t enough.”
He bites his lip, “What about….no, never mind.”
“What about what?” I hate when people do that.
“Well, I was just thinking…What about your parents?”
My parents? I haven’t even thought about them this whole time. They probably think I’m dead. But isn’t that better than them knowing the truth? It would probably kill them to know both of their sons are monsters. Then again, they think we’re both dead now. That’s gotta suck. I should call them…If they have the same number. Mom would want to hear from me, I know she would. I can already hear her scolding me for not doing it sooner.
“Can I use your phone?” I ask. Frank stares at me like I’m crazy, but hands me the device anyway. I punch in the still memorized number and listen to the ringing. It seems to go on forever until I hear the click of it being picked up.
“Hello?” the familiar voice sends shockwaves through me. I forgot how much I missed this voice.
“Mom?” I say shakily, tears coming to my eyes.
“Who is this?” her voice is full of doubt.
“I-it’s me…Uh, Gerard.”
The line is silent for a few minutes, “This is not funny, young man…Whoever you are. You better explain yourself before I have to call the cops.”
She doesn’t believe me, “No, Mom, it’s really me. I…How can I make you believe me?”
She makes an impatient noise, “Not that it matters, because he’s dead, but if you were really Gerard you would know where he got bit by a snake when he was four.”
My eyes widen at the question and I look at Frank. I know he’s listening intently, “Mom, please, not that question. People are listening.”
“Then I’m afraid you’ll have to explain to the police. Goodbye young man.”
“Wait!” I yell. When I hear her breathing on the other end I lower my voice, “It was…On my butt.”
I hear Frank snicker, but choose to ignore him, “That’s correct. And what’s your greatest fear?”
“It’s needles.” Just saying the word makes me shiver.
There’s a large crash on the other end, “Oh, my…Gerard, is it really you? Where have you been? I thought you were dead!”
I clear my throat, “About that…I kind of…Am dead.”
“What? Gerard, I…don’t understand.”
“They got me, Mom. The…vampires got me.”
“No,” She breathes out, “Not you, too. Oh, god, Gerard!”
“’Me too?’” What?
“Your brother came here the other night…But, Gerard, he was not your brother. He was…Evil. That Alicia girl who used to be so nice, too. They kept babbling about giving your father and me a better existence. Thank goodness we were able to drive them away…”
Alicia? So he got her. And it’s probably my fault. If she had stayed here she would have been safe…
“Mom, I promise I’m not like that. I don’t kill. I…I’m still me. I even live with a human.”
“Really? Is this a…Girl human?” Trust her to only be interested in the idea of grandchildren.
“No, but I am dating them,” Might as well get that out there so she’s not shocked later.
“Oh, really? Well, sweetie I must meet this boy! You are going to bring him over right?”
That went over better than I thought, “Uh, yeah, of course! As long as you don’t mind an after dark visit. I’d love to introduce you. When’s a good time?”
Frank looks like he just swallowed a fly and is trying to puke it back up. Maybe meeting my parents scares him? Crap, I should have asked him first. I throw him an apologetic look just in case.
“Could you come tonight? I haven’t seen you in so long. I miss my baby.”
“I miss you, too, Mom,” I look at Frank and mouth “tonight?” He shrugs, then nods. He looks nervous. It’s a cute emotion on him, “Yeah tonight’s okay.”
…
I stare up at my childhood home and squeeze Frank’s hand. I can’t believe I’m really here. I mean, I’m really here. Everything feels so familiar. The chipping paint, the oak wood door, the little porch swing that I was never allowed to use. Frank squeezes back and suddenly it’s not so scary. I take a deep breath and reach up to knock. The door opens moments later, but not to the smiling faces I was expecting. Instead, a shotgun greets me. Frank immediately steps in front of me.
“Whoa,” he says, “What’s that for? He’s not gonna hurt you, I promise.”
I see Mom’s head peak around what I now realize is Dad holding the gun, “Sorry, honey. He wanted to make sure you’re safe. Can’t really blame him after what happened with Mikey.”
My dad grunts, “You trying to kill us, boy? Why’re you here?”
“Dad, I won’t kill you. Believe me when I say I’m nothing like the other beasts. I just wanted to see my family…And introduce you to my very human boyfriend, Frank.”
Frank blushes and raises a hand, “Hey.”
Dad squints, “You blushing?” This of course makes him blush further. Dad’s face splits into a grin, “Well then come on in. Can’t be dead with blood in your cheeks. Need a heartbeat for that.”
We’re ushered inside and Mom sits us on the couch. Sitting on the coffee table are two cups of coffee. She still knows me. Too bad she’s still thinking the old me. I politely ignore the cup and accept the hugs from my parents. Well, Mom hugs. Dad gives a handshake and marvels at my new grip. They really didn’t listen to me when I explained my kind all those years ago.
Mom stares at me for a bit, “Your eyes are normal, Gerard.”
I blink, “Oh, right. I put in contacts so I wouldn’t scare you. They’re…pretty red underneath. I, um...Just fed the other day.”
Mom gasps and I notice dad’s grip tighten on his gun. Frank apparently does too because he’s immediately on the defensive. He holds out his hands, “He only feeds from me, don’t worry. I act as his blood donor, sort of. I fill up cups for him to keep him from getting carried away and killing someone.”
“F-fill up cups?” Mom asks.
He nods, “With my blood. I mean, he saved my life. It’s the least I can do.”
I cut in before Mom can start gushing, “It’s not that simple. He always leaves out the fact that the only reason his life was in danger was because of me.”
“Do tell,” she looks really interested. I sigh and recap the alleyway adventures. Frank cuts in and fills in his point of view every once in a while. That doesn’t really help, but I don’t have the heart to tell him to stop. If he wants to view me as a hero, let him. When I’m done, both my parents stare open-mouthed.
“You…almost killed him?” Mom says after a while.
“But he didn’t!” Frank insists, “That’s the important part! He’s different.”
Dad nods, “So how did that come about? How did you keep from being the same bloodthirsty being as the rest of them?”
Another sigh and I tell them the rest of the story. My promise to Mikey. The encounter with Lindsey. My year in a stinking alleyway that never had the garbage picked up. That’s what really helped. The isolation when I was young gave me a good perspective of human life. If I had been like the rest of them and fed as soon as I knew thirst I would be the same. I would kill with no remorse and laugh at the tiny existence of humans. Good thing that didn’t happen.
Mom gets a sympathetic look on her face, “My poor baby. All alone during that horrible time. I’ll always be here for you from now on.”
I feel a smile creep onto my face, “Thanks Mom. That means so much to me.”
I start to fill one out. Name: Gerard Way. Address….
“Hey, Frank, what’s our address?” he gives it to me and I copy down. Phone… “And our number?” again he provides the information and I write it down. Past employment. There was that book store that one time. What was my manager’s name? Brian? Yes, Brian. I need the number to the place… “We got a phone book?”
Frank grunts, “Who doesn’t have a phone book? You seem to be having a lot of issues with those.”
I shrug and start ruffling through the offered book, “Haven’t had a job for over a year. Haven’t filled out an application in longer.”
I find the correct number and jot it down. Then I start looking for the Cartoon Network. I doubt it’ll mean much to a bar, but I was employed there. Once that’s done it asks for references. Fuck. I mean, I have Frank, but you need at least three for your application to even be looked at. I don’t even know that many people!
“Fuck,” I say out loud. Frank looks at me with an eyebrow raised, “Fucking references! Looking for a job is hopeless. No one is going to hire me with only my boyfriend to vouch for me.”
“They don’t have to know we’re dating. You can just put the relationship as roommate.”
“That’s not the point. One reference still isn’t enough.”
He bites his lip, “What about….no, never mind.”
“What about what?” I hate when people do that.
“Well, I was just thinking…What about your parents?”
My parents? I haven’t even thought about them this whole time. They probably think I’m dead. But isn’t that better than them knowing the truth? It would probably kill them to know both of their sons are monsters. Then again, they think we’re both dead now. That’s gotta suck. I should call them…If they have the same number. Mom would want to hear from me, I know she would. I can already hear her scolding me for not doing it sooner.
“Can I use your phone?” I ask. Frank stares at me like I’m crazy, but hands me the device anyway. I punch in the still memorized number and listen to the ringing. It seems to go on forever until I hear the click of it being picked up.
“Hello?” the familiar voice sends shockwaves through me. I forgot how much I missed this voice.
“Mom?” I say shakily, tears coming to my eyes.
“Who is this?” her voice is full of doubt.
“I-it’s me…Uh, Gerard.”
The line is silent for a few minutes, “This is not funny, young man…Whoever you are. You better explain yourself before I have to call the cops.”
She doesn’t believe me, “No, Mom, it’s really me. I…How can I make you believe me?”
She makes an impatient noise, “Not that it matters, because he’s dead, but if you were really Gerard you would know where he got bit by a snake when he was four.”
My eyes widen at the question and I look at Frank. I know he’s listening intently, “Mom, please, not that question. People are listening.”
“Then I’m afraid you’ll have to explain to the police. Goodbye young man.”
“Wait!” I yell. When I hear her breathing on the other end I lower my voice, “It was…On my butt.”
I hear Frank snicker, but choose to ignore him, “That’s correct. And what’s your greatest fear?”
“It’s needles.” Just saying the word makes me shiver.
There’s a large crash on the other end, “Oh, my…Gerard, is it really you? Where have you been? I thought you were dead!”
I clear my throat, “About that…I kind of…Am dead.”
“What? Gerard, I…don’t understand.”
“They got me, Mom. The…vampires got me.”
“No,” She breathes out, “Not you, too. Oh, god, Gerard!”
“’Me too?’” What?
“Your brother came here the other night…But, Gerard, he was not your brother. He was…Evil. That Alicia girl who used to be so nice, too. They kept babbling about giving your father and me a better existence. Thank goodness we were able to drive them away…”
Alicia? So he got her. And it’s probably my fault. If she had stayed here she would have been safe…
“Mom, I promise I’m not like that. I don’t kill. I…I’m still me. I even live with a human.”
“Really? Is this a…Girl human?” Trust her to only be interested in the idea of grandchildren.
“No, but I am dating them,” Might as well get that out there so she’s not shocked later.
“Oh, really? Well, sweetie I must meet this boy! You are going to bring him over right?”
That went over better than I thought, “Uh, yeah, of course! As long as you don’t mind an after dark visit. I’d love to introduce you. When’s a good time?”
Frank looks like he just swallowed a fly and is trying to puke it back up. Maybe meeting my parents scares him? Crap, I should have asked him first. I throw him an apologetic look just in case.
“Could you come tonight? I haven’t seen you in so long. I miss my baby.”
“I miss you, too, Mom,” I look at Frank and mouth “tonight?” He shrugs, then nods. He looks nervous. It’s a cute emotion on him, “Yeah tonight’s okay.”
…
I stare up at my childhood home and squeeze Frank’s hand. I can’t believe I’m really here. I mean, I’m really here. Everything feels so familiar. The chipping paint, the oak wood door, the little porch swing that I was never allowed to use. Frank squeezes back and suddenly it’s not so scary. I take a deep breath and reach up to knock. The door opens moments later, but not to the smiling faces I was expecting. Instead, a shotgun greets me. Frank immediately steps in front of me.
“Whoa,” he says, “What’s that for? He’s not gonna hurt you, I promise.”
I see Mom’s head peak around what I now realize is Dad holding the gun, “Sorry, honey. He wanted to make sure you’re safe. Can’t really blame him after what happened with Mikey.”
My dad grunts, “You trying to kill us, boy? Why’re you here?”
“Dad, I won’t kill you. Believe me when I say I’m nothing like the other beasts. I just wanted to see my family…And introduce you to my very human boyfriend, Frank.”
Frank blushes and raises a hand, “Hey.”
Dad squints, “You blushing?” This of course makes him blush further. Dad’s face splits into a grin, “Well then come on in. Can’t be dead with blood in your cheeks. Need a heartbeat for that.”
We’re ushered inside and Mom sits us on the couch. Sitting on the coffee table are two cups of coffee. She still knows me. Too bad she’s still thinking the old me. I politely ignore the cup and accept the hugs from my parents. Well, Mom hugs. Dad gives a handshake and marvels at my new grip. They really didn’t listen to me when I explained my kind all those years ago.
Mom stares at me for a bit, “Your eyes are normal, Gerard.”
I blink, “Oh, right. I put in contacts so I wouldn’t scare you. They’re…pretty red underneath. I, um...Just fed the other day.”
Mom gasps and I notice dad’s grip tighten on his gun. Frank apparently does too because he’s immediately on the defensive. He holds out his hands, “He only feeds from me, don’t worry. I act as his blood donor, sort of. I fill up cups for him to keep him from getting carried away and killing someone.”
“F-fill up cups?” Mom asks.
He nods, “With my blood. I mean, he saved my life. It’s the least I can do.”
I cut in before Mom can start gushing, “It’s not that simple. He always leaves out the fact that the only reason his life was in danger was because of me.”
“Do tell,” she looks really interested. I sigh and recap the alleyway adventures. Frank cuts in and fills in his point of view every once in a while. That doesn’t really help, but I don’t have the heart to tell him to stop. If he wants to view me as a hero, let him. When I’m done, both my parents stare open-mouthed.
“You…almost killed him?” Mom says after a while.
“But he didn’t!” Frank insists, “That’s the important part! He’s different.”
Dad nods, “So how did that come about? How did you keep from being the same bloodthirsty being as the rest of them?”
Another sigh and I tell them the rest of the story. My promise to Mikey. The encounter with Lindsey. My year in a stinking alleyway that never had the garbage picked up. That’s what really helped. The isolation when I was young gave me a good perspective of human life. If I had been like the rest of them and fed as soon as I knew thirst I would be the same. I would kill with no remorse and laugh at the tiny existence of humans. Good thing that didn’t happen.
Mom gets a sympathetic look on her face, “My poor baby. All alone during that horrible time. I’ll always be here for you from now on.”
I feel a smile creep onto my face, “Thanks Mom. That means so much to me.”
@MayMayChan
Oh its fine! Sorry it took 6 months for me to reply, this website is messing up for me so much.
4/1/17