Chapter 4
A few days later, Frank was back over, ready to teach Mikey guitar, but Mikey complained about hurting his hand and instead, they just hung out in his room.
“I swear, you’re parents are never home.” Frank said to break the silence. Mikey looked up.
“They are at night. That’s about it.” He said.
“Lucky.” Frank said. “My mother is always home and she’s crazy. Like a religious psychopath.”
Mikey gave a short, quick laugh. “I thought Christians were all about love and forgiveness and all of that crap.”
Frank shook his head. “You would think. But school’s the exact same way. Everyone is just so crazy; they all think they’re buying their way into Heaven. Hey, how’s Gerard?” He suddenly asked. He couldn’t help it- he was really curious.
“He’s had better days.” Mikey said vaguely.
“Nah. I mean, this week has been so fucking amazing, right Mikey?” Frank jumped up. Gerard was standing in the doorway. How did he do that?
Mikey laughed. “Yeah, best week ever.”
“Anyway, why do you wanna know about me, little Boy?” Gerard asked. He sat down on the floor next to Frank. Frank didn’t know how to respond- it was obvious Gerard was being sarcastic, but he was so calm, Frank didn’t want to look as though he were over reacting.
“I was just… you know, I was curious.”
“Curious. Got it.” Gerard ran his fingers through his hair and then smiled sweetly at Frank. “And how’s your week, love?”
“I- I’m,” Frank stuttered.
“Come on, Gee. Stop it.” Mikey said.
“I actually needed to ask you something, Mikey,” Gerard said. “Can you go up to the attic and get me the comic books that I left up there?"
“Why can’t you go?” Frank asked quickly.
“I’m sorry; I forgot I was talking to you.” Gerard said. Frank blushed and held his head down. “If you have to know, since you seem to find my life that fascinating, those guys really messed up my arm and I can’t really climb up the ladder without it hurting. Besides, I get light headed too easily.”
“I will, Gee. Hold on.” Mikey said.
After he left, Gerard got up and walked around Mikey’s room. Frank looked down at his hands.
“So, why do you even bother coming over here?” Gerard asked suddenly.
Frank looked up. “What do you mean?”
“Well, clearly you’re rich, you come from a nice family, you go to a private school, why do you keep coming down to this crappy neighborhood just to see my brother?”
“Because I’m friends with Mikey.” Frank said in an even voice. Gerard laughed.
“Yeah, I’m supposed to believe that.” Then his face got cold. “Honestly, why are you even bothering? We don’t need you here and clearly you don’t want to be here.”
“I just don’t want to be around you.”
Gerard laughed. “Oh, I’m wounded.”
“Shut the hell up.” Frank said.
“This is so entertaining.” Gerard said. “I’m making the little boy say a bad word.”
Just then, Mikey came back. He handed Gerard a stack of comics.
“You gonna go back to school tomorrow?” he asked.
“Yeah, yeah.” Gerard said. He turned back to Frank. “Nice seeing you, Frankie.”
Gerard left quickly. Mikey sat down next to Frank.
“I’m sorry about Gerard.” Mikey said quickly. “He’s just, well you know.”
Frank didn’t know. But he just said “its fine.”
Truthfully though, Frank was very curious. Gerard was a total asshole, sure, but he was mysterious. Alluding. And Frank could see there was a lot more underneath. And he really did want to talk to Gerard again.