Sightless love

I almost dropped the damn phone straight away. My mouth went dry--the kind of dry when you wake up in the morning and had been breathing through your mouth the whole night, and you feel like you're going to die without a sip of water. So I got one. I swallowed the droplets of water that condensed on my lips and responded with a shaky, pretty pathetic sounding voice. "Hes missing?"
"All he left behind last night was a sticky note with dots. I think its some kind of secret message." Mrs. Iero responded, her voice raspy, she sounded like she was trying not to go hysterical in front of me.
Dots...Ah! I connected it right away. "Its braille." I answered nonchalantly, but I was getting a churning feeling in my stomach.
“Can you tell me what it reads, if I read it to you?” She asked, seeming so desperate to find her son. I felt kind of bad for her.I mean I would’ve been just as desperate if my son left without warning or a trace, but that didn’t make her sound any less pathetic. But I was just as upset and confused as she was, and I anxiously twiddled my thumbs. I was going to find Frank. I had to. I needed him. God damn, why did he run away? Why would he do this to me? What drove him to do this shit?
“Of course.” I answered.
After reading, I discovered it read:
Gerard,
I know only you will get this message, and you have to keep it a secret. Do it for me. Make up some kind of stupid message to my mom, but don’t tell her where I am. I need you to go to the coffee shop. Second table to the left. Order a black coffee for me.
xo Frankie

Was this for real? He was really going to leave me with this? I got up angrily and poor Mrs Iero was so confused by my heavy, angered breathing. I didn’t respond to the message for a good while, pretending to just be slow at reading braille, but really I was just furious. Questions were swarming in my head faster than a swarm of angry bees and if given the chance I probably would’ve punched someone. Like really, God damn you Frank. After I was able to breathe and calm down, I finally told her he said he ran away for good reasons and said he loved her. I worded this carefully so it fit the length of the braille. She was quite content with that message, thanked me, and hung up. I started to get dressed to go to the coffee shop. I was going there straight away to find Frank and give him a piece of my mind. I was furious.
I headed outside and felt the piercing of the cool air against my skin. The cool air caressed my hair in its hands as I walked casually towards the shop I went to almost every single day.
When I walked into the coffee shop, I wasn’t expecting the greeting I got.
“Hey, you must be Gerard, Frank was telling me all about you! Coffee is on the house. What would you like?” I could tell this was the owner of the shop and he was smiling at me. I don’t know where his hospitality came from or how he knew Frank, but I wanted to find out.
“Black, please.” I had to do what Frank said.
He handed me a black coffee without question and I sat at the second table, where the owner sat across from me.
“Names Al.”
“Gerard.”
“Frank said you’d be here looking for him.” Al said. When I didn’t respond he continued conversing. “Told me to have a black coffee ready for you. He really likes you, ya know. He never shuts up about you. Says he never met a boy quite like you. You guys dating?”
I nodded and sipped the coffee. It was disgusting.
“Ah, Frankie was tellin’ me how you guys met and how you started dating. Its awfully cute. I ship it.”
I laughed. “Thanks.” I decided to take control of the conversation. “Do you know where Frank went?”
“Not a clue. Said he had to go do something. I don’t know what Frank does, really. He’s an interesting kid, thats for sure.”
I nodded and sipped the coffee again, trying not to gag. Any coffee was better than no coffee. “I didn’t know you were so friendly with Frank.”
“Oh yes, Frank and I go way back, I’ve known him since he was little. I dated his mom before she got married again to the douche bag she calls her husband. But ever since, Frank has been like a son to me.”
“So Frank didn’t leave anything for me?” I frowned, realizing this conversation was going nowhere but personal shit I did not give a damn about.
“No, I’m sorry.” He sighed and leaned back on the chair. He was ignorant to my mission.
After talking about various other things I got up and thanked him for the coffee before leaving, overly annoyed. How could Frank tell me to go there, second table, and for no damn reason? I swear, when I got my hands on him….
I paused when I heard someone yell something about “Black coffee”.
I turned around and tilted my head. “What?”
“I almost forgot.” Al came over to me, his body radiating excitement and happiness. “You’re the eight person to buy black coffee today, which means you win eight dollars at the comic book store. It’s my pleasure to give you the certificate.” Al handed me a piece of paper, which must’ve been the coupon to to the store. “It’s the comic book store right down the street. Helps us get business, this offer does. Enjoy.” Al left me alone, and I realized that was exactly what Frank wanted to happen. I began to jog to the comic book store. I hoped Frank was there. Or was this going to be a wild goose hunt?
I stepped into the comic book shop and got a pretty similar greeting, it really irritated me a lot and I almost walked right out after the “Hey you must be Gerard” Because I really just wanted to find Frank and go home, I was tired of this bullshit.
“Frank left about an hour ago.” The shop owner said. I kept myself from walking out. I really did. I was surprised. I was ready to walk right out and give up on this whole damn thing, but I decided to keep going, because hell, why not. I was going to kill Frank, though. What a dick, making me run around places like this, especially since I’m, you know, fucking blind.
“Where the fuck did he go?” I didn’t mean to let my anger out on the poor guy, but I was furious at this point. The owner seemed surprised but didn’t comment on my nasty attitude, which made me feel even more guilty.
“I’m sorry Gerard, I do not know. He wanted me to give you this, though.” He handed me a piece of paper.
“What is it?”
“Said I can’t tell you.”
“Fuck this.” I walked out, ready to throw the paper on the ground and stomp on it. I went right back to the coffee shop, I did. I sat down and ordered espresso. I was so pissed off. Beyond pissed off.
Al was surprised at how angry I was, because, well, I’ve never been this angry before. He handed me my coffee and I chugged it down, slamming the cup down with fury.
“What is the matter?”
“Frank is what’s the matter. Hes just being a jerk.” I mumbled, rubbing my hand across the table. I noticed a carving in the table.
“Get Al to read the message.” I froze completely. Al was talking to me but I had no idea what the hell he was saying because I was focused on the carving Frank left for me.
“Al!” I exclaimed, cutting him off. He was talking about how relationships suck sometimes, and was shocked at my outburst. I handed him the paper quickly. “Read it!”
Al took the paper and started reading it to himself.
“No! Read it to me!” I said anxiously.
“Oh!” He began to read it aloud.
Gerard,
I am running away. Don’t follow me.
Then again, I have a feeling you will, knowing you will. Blind and all. You’ll do it, won’t you?
Lets play a game, then.
If you find me, I’ll come home.
Now, I’m taking the train to Newark. I love you. Good bye, Gee.
xo Frank
Al and I sat in a stunned silence for a good while. Frank was going to expect me to find things all on my own? Was he fucking crazy? I was never going to find him.
“Are you going to look for him?” Al finally spoke up.
I was silent for a moment. “Yes.” I swallowed. Fuck, I was crazy.
“I thought you might.” Al laughed and shook his head. “Adolescent love, what a powerful thing.” He handed me back the paper.
I bit my lip and inhaled deeply.
It was finally time for me to have the adventure of my life.

Notes

Hurrays! lets get this drama started~