Where There’s Life, There’s Hope.

Frank’s breath was short while he slept, Ray noted glancing over while driving down the Garden State Parkway. Traffic was light which was unusual for the Parkway, but Ray liked it better that way. It meant it he wouldn’t have to literally have eyes in the back of his head whenever he tried to switch lanes. It also meant the express lane, was certainly express...his little Jersey native trick.
Normally, Frank would be working as hard as he was on the Parkway, telling him when he could switch lanes without becoming a permeant fixture on the guardrail. Since traffic was being kind, Ray decided let Frank sleep...watching him every once in a while when he made a whimpering noise. Boy, was he jet-lagged.
“Still getting bad dreams, huh Frankie?” Ray sighed, looking over when Frank made another whimper.
Frank was really too kind of a person to have to put up with all the shit life had thrown at him. Sure, he had his aunt....Ray struggled trying to remember her name...he finally settled on Maggie...knowing already that he was wrong. He’d have to ask Frank later. Life could be a real bitch to some people.
He switched lanes so he’d be able to get off his exit when the express way started to end for that section of the road. The two were headed to some Italian restaurant in Bradley Beach that was supposed to have some bitchin’ provolone cheese according to their drummer. It would be their third business meeting as a band, the last one was of them discussing if they should even bother finalizing Frank’s travel plans to meet up with them. Their usual spot at some diner in Paramus was booked for some big retirement celebration. Which was a bummer, because Ray could use a heaping cup of black coffee and a slice of the biggest most sugar-filled cake he could get his hands on.
Ray, was beginning to worry about Frank because his whimpering had picked up so he reached over and shook him.
“Huh?!” Frank woke with a start surveying the car.
“Bro, are you okay?” Ray asked staring at him. “You were whimpering a lot.”
“Oh, Yeah! I’m fine...sorry.”
“Seriously? You’re apologizing for a bad dream?”
“Um...I guess I am..” Frank laughed yawning. “I’m pretty jet-lagged...and starving.”
“Well, you’re in luck. We’re about 10 minutes from this Italian place.” Ray said, pronouncing the word like Eye-tallian.
“Thank god!” Frank muttered sliding further down into his seat.
“Hey, reach in that glove compartment and grab me the blank Cd in the case.” Ray asked, as they glided off their exit.
Frank did as he said and handed him the cd. With one hand Ray managed to get the cd out of the case with outstanding ease and slipped the disc into the cd player.
“This song is ‘Skylines & Turnstiles’, it’s our demo...in need of some serious Rhythm I might add and without the vocals since we’ve yet to find a mic that work’s with our singer’s voice. Just, let me know what you think of it so far.” Music flooded the car, and Frank listened to it carefully. It was punk rock with a Jersey flair that made Frank curious. The guitar was probably some of his favourite guitar rifts he’d ever heard Ray play.
He did it so well. When it got a slower part about 2:10 in he considered a bit of a slower receptive notes, that might fit in with the lead great. Which brought a smile to his lips, he loved this band already.
“I know that look.” Ray stated from the driver’s seat.
“What look?”
“The Frank Iero: I have a brilliant idea that either contains music or blood-shed.”
“It’s definitely the bloodshed part.” Frank winked, making them both laugh.
For the first time in a long time, Frank was excited...but his excitement would soon turn into something much worst.

Notes

Guys, I'm so-so-so-so-so sorry it's taking me so long to update.
I'm so busy it's almost criminal. I start college (again) on Wednesday, am moving into a new apartment that has a serious mouse problem, I'm currently sick and I have a huge presentation on Ecuador due Friday. Not to mention the holidays were sort of a rough patch for me, so, there's a lot of personal problems to add into the mix!
But here's the deal: I'm going to try to update at least once (or twice!) every 1-2 weeks, and I appreciate all the comments and the fact you're all still sticking with me!