I was crushed on Monday when Frank wouldn’t even look at me. Did that mean he just didn’t want anything to do with me anymore? That would be pretty hard to take. But I could understand it. I mean, I really had been making it seem like all I wanted was his body. I didn’t even realize it until he said something, but it was true. From the first time I made any move toward him it was true. And I wanted so bad to make it right if he would just give me a chance.

“Ahem,” Someone cleared their throat next to my desk after school. I was half surprised to see that it was Frank. It made me smile, but I didn’t want to count my chickens before they hatched.

I decided to play nonchalance, “Hello Frank. What is it you need?”

A sad look crossed his face, “Don’t start that, please. I…I’m sorry. I was a jerk on Friday, and there’s no excuse for it.”

Wait, what? Why was he the one apologizing? At least that meant he wasn’t mad at me though. I stood and grabbed him into a hug, glad that I was still able to do that, “You don’t have to apologize. It was just nerves, and even if it wasn’t…Well, I can’t really prove you wrong.”

He searched my face for a bit before I added, “I want to make it up to you. Let’s go on a date.”

“A d-date?! But…How? We’d be caught. You’d get fired!”

“Don’t worry,” I said as I sat, pulling him down with me, “I have this all planned out. I’ll call your mom and ask her if I can take you out as a thank you, and we’ll go out of town to avoid anyone we know.”

“There’s one problem. Mom won’t let me leave the house except for school because of my grades.”

I thought about that for a second, “That is going to be a problem, I guess. We’ll give her time to cool off. I want to go on a Saturday anyway.”

“Why Saturday?”

“Because then we can just spend the whole day together.”

He pressed closer to me, “Yeah, that sounds nice. I’ll just try to be on my nest behavior this week. She should soften up. I’m her only child after all.”

I pet his hair and we just sat and talked until it was time for him to go home. It felt nice.

The rest of the week went really smoothly. Frank gave me a report every day about what kind of mood his mom was in based on his behavior. The odds were looking good. By Friday I felt I had the nerves to actually make the call.

I did it during my planning period. That way I had very little chance of being disturbed. (I couldn’t do it at home because Mikey still hadn’t left). To be honest, my hands were shaking slightly as I dialed the numbers. This was a really risky thing to do.

I heard the strict voice of Frank’s mother after just a couple rings, “This is Linda Iero; may I ask who I’m speaking with?” Did she really have to be so formal?

“Uh, yes, this is Mr. Way. I’m calling about your son Frank?”

She sighed heavily, “What did he do now?”

“Oh, nothing!” I assured her quickly, “I believe I mentioned before how Frank has been very helpful after school each day and I was wondering if it would be alright for me to take him out tomorrow as a way to show my appreciation.”

She was silent for a few seconds, “Well, Mr. Way, That would be fine if Franklin wasn’t currently grounded for his poor performance in school.”

“With all due respect, Ma’am I don’t see a C average as poor performance. In fact, with the grades he has Frank is currently doing better than about half the students in his class.”

She tutted. Tutted! “And yet I know he’s still capable of doing better. I’m simply trying to get him to use his potential.”

I was starting to think I wasn’t going to win. At this point I didn’t even know how to approach the situation. She couldn’t hear how unreasonable she sounded and I didn’t want to be the one to point it out to her.

“Still…” She surprised me by continuing, “He has been well behaved this week. I suppose I might be able to make an exception.”

“Really? That’s grea—”

“But I have to talk to his father first. He’ll be home soon. I suppose assume yes for now and I’ll call you if Frank says yes.”

“Uh…Frank?” She really was losing it…

“Oh, pardon me, Frank senior. Frank’s father.”

Well that made more sense, “Oh, right. Well thank you ma’am.”

“You’re quite welcome. I should be thanking you for having a positive influence on his life.”

“Oh, it’s really nothing. He chose to keep me as company.”

She let out a small laugh, “I’m sure. Have a good afternoon Mr. Way.”

“You too.” I hung up and let out a heavy sigh. I hoped his dad wasn’t as bad as his mom.

…

I decided not to worry Frank about it. I hadn’t gotten a call by the time after school rolled around, but that really didn’t hold much promise. If Frank’s dad was as devoted to his work as I was led to believe then he might not even be home yet. Besides, I was sure his mom would tell him what was going on. So after school I enjoyed my hour with him and went my separate way.

When I got home I deposited my work on the coffee table and went into the kitchen for a drink. A cold beer sounded really good at the moment. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the fridge because Mikey was standing in the way.

“Welcome home, Gee! I made cookies!” He said, holding up a steaming plate and shoving one of the sweets in his mouth.

I sighed, “Mikey…When are you going home?” Seriously, a week is a really long time to be mooching off your brother.

His face fell, “Um…About that…”

I put a hand on his shoulder, “What’s wrong?”

“I…was wondering if I could move in with you? Mom and Dad…don’t want me back…”

“They what?!” I was beyond bewildered.

“Dad said that if I wanted to stay there I needed to have a better plan for my future than working at a bookstore. I’m not ready for college yet…So we kinda got into an argument and that’s why I haven’t left.”

“Mikey,” I sighed again, “Why don’t I go talk to them? They might listen to me.”

He shook his head, “I want to give them time to cool off. Please? I promise I won’t be in your way! I’ll do housework and help with bills and I won’t disturb your schoolwork!”

He was giving me a face that he only ever gave me: his desperate, begging puppy dog face. I couldn’t resist it. He looked adorable when he did that, just like when we were kids. I sighed, “Fine. But you have to try to patch things up with Mom and Dad eventually. And you have to be scarce when I have Frank over. Like, say, tomorrow.”

His sad move was instantly gone, “You’re bringing him over tomorrow?”

I shrugged, “We’re going on a date and I thought it would be nice to come here for some alone time afterwards…Not for anything sexual, since I know that’s what you’re thinking.”

He laughed, “Okay, whatever you say.”

“Get out of my way. I need a beer.”

“Can I have one?”

I thought about it, “Why not? I’m already dating a minor, might as well supply alcohol to another one.”

“That’s the spirit!”

I wasn’t seeing this Mikey moving in thing going too well.

Notes

Gee has his own problems now O.o so the last A/N was long and I'll keep this one short. Comment. I like your feedback. Bye!