Where There’s Life, There’s Hope.

The cold Newark air hit Frank’s chest freezing him to the core. He had forgotten how cold New Jersey could be in the fall from being in LA for so long. The coldest if got there was about 45 in the middle of January. Here is was September 14th and probably already 45.
He pulled his luggage behind him trudging down the long hallway of the Newark Terminal. It was suprisingly busy for a few days after 9/11. He passed dozens of strange faces before his face came to rest on someone’s face he recgonized standing in the meeting area of the terminal a big smile on his face.
Raymond Toro.
Ray Toro was an average looking man. Average height with a curley afro-like mop of hair atop his head. He almost always wore t-shirts and jeans. Along with a smile. Before Frank could say “Hello” he was engulfed into a huge, strong, bro-hug.
Frank hugged Ray back with similar force, he’d been his only real friend in community college and they were thick as thieves for the two years they both attended!
“Thank’s for coming, Frank.” Ray exclaimed letting go and examining the boy. “This band is going to go somewhere...I can tell.”
Frank smiled, replying; “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe you.”
“Whoa. Nice tatts!” Ray laughed realizing that Franks arms had a few tattoos spiraling up it. “I didn’t know you decided to get inked!”
“I’ve been getting them for a few years now....whenever I get the money I’ll get another one. You like?” asked Frank.
“YEAH! It suits you and adds a bit of bad-ass to our guitarist. Look at you turning into such a little punk boy” Ray exclaimed grabbing Frank’s arm and examining the tattoos closer.
“Hey! Don’t mock me Toro!” Frank giggled, yanking his arm back.
“Okay, Okay....Fiesty today aren’t we?” Frank could feel the smile in Ray’s words.
“You try sitting on a plane for hours, with two layovers in parts of America you’d rather not talk about!” Frank laughed out following Ray down the hall of the terminal towards what he figured was the exit.
“You’re from Jersey and claiming to have seen a different part of the world America wouldn’t want talked about?” Ray asked concerned for Frank’s sanity.
“Raymond, you obviously haven’t been to Detroit.”
The two burst out laughing knowing full-well that Detroit probably wasn’t a place America exactly wanted to advertise. The place was Notorious for it’s crime and crazy people. However Frank would never admit it to Ray, the Detroit airport wasn’t so bad and neither were it’s people. Every city had it’s hoodlums, Detroit just seemed to have the worst of it. After about 5 minutes of laughter the two calmed down and Ray cleared his throat changing the subject to a more serious one by asking;
“So, have you figured out where you’re staying yet?”
Frank’s complexion changed. He stiffened and glared down at the pavement, only just realizing they’d walked outside to the parking lot. He took a deep breath, eyes watering because it wasn’t Jersey if your nose didn’t want to commit suicide when you breathed the air. He actually didn’t want to tell Ray where he was staying because he didn’t want him to worry, but there was no escaping it now.
“Yes.” Frank responded, his words cold.
“That’s fantastic! Where?” Ray asked leading Frank in between some cars so Frank had to twist his luggage sideways so he wouldn’t bang it into anyone’s car.
“My house. The one I used to live in when I was in grade school.” Frank didn’t let any emotion enter his voice, but was surprised when Ray grabbed his shoulders and shook him.
“You’re staying at the place your parents died?!” Ray’s face was red with a mix of anger and worry.
“Uh, Yeah, but, don’t worry....I’ll be fine. I’m Okay, I promise.” Frank lied, looking Ray in the eyes to make him believe him even more.
“You sure? Because, I always have room at my place for my partner in crime! After all, I owe it to you since you came all the way from LA to help us with our music.”
“Ray, I’ll be fine. I promise. Don’t worry about me. I didn’t sell the place because I knew I’d be coming back here, someday. I just need to face a few of my demons. Not a big deal. I will be fine.”
“You, Frank Anthony Iero are my hero.” Ray laughed opening the trunk of his black car, “Hey! That Rhymed!”
The two put Frank’s bags in the car, but Frank was pre-occupied with his thoughts.
He had never been called a hero before. Something in being called that made him feel...right.

Notes

Happy Christmas, it appears Santa left you another chapter of Where There's Life, There's Hope. ;)
Have a happy holiday if you celebrate, if you don't, have a happy day!
As for me, I'm off to wake my sister up with the unspoken sibling code of 'whoever wakes up first on Christmas wakes up the other sibling.'
Bye guys, love you.
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