I awoke the next morning with a splitting headache and an empty bed, remembering Frank had asked to borrow the car the night before. I got out of bed and made my way to the kitchen, finding coffee made, a pack of smokes, and a note from Frank sitting on the counter.

Nic,
Enjoy the coffee, and yes it is Starbucks. =)
I’ll be home soon.

Love, Frank

I smiled at the note as I lit a smoke and poured myself a cup of coffee, carrying it into the living room and planting myself in front of my computer, eager to start writing.

I don’t know how long I sat at my desk before I heard a key in the lock, I jumped up and ran into the hallway and saw Frank struggling with several grocery bags and a box.

“What the hell are you trying to accomplish?”

I asked crossing my arms.

“Ah nothing, go back into the living room.”

“Why? I can help.”

I reached for a bag in his hands, but he pulled away.

“Nicole please? Just go.”

I huffed and went into the living room, resuming my spot in my computer chair. Several minutes passed before Frank came into the living room, his hands behind his back.

“Okay for a second time. What the hell are you doing?”

I was starting to get annoyed, when he gave me a sheepish smile before bringing his hands from behind his back; sitting in them was a tiny black, grey and white long haired tabby kitten. It was the cutest thing I had ever seen, and my hands went to my mouth.

“What is this?”

Frank smiled at me.

“He’s yours, well ours I guess. I picked him out last week; I thought we should get a kitten.”

“He’s adorable Frank, thank you!”

I walked over to him and kissed him, making sure not to squish the little ball of fur between us. I broke away and took the kitten from Frank’s hands, walking over to the couch and placing him in my lap, petting his soft kitten fur.

“What should we name him?”

Frank shrugged his shoulders throwing his hands up in the air.

“That’s up to you.”

I knew instantly.

“Roger, after Roger Waters.”

Frank rolled his eyes and laughed at me.

“I knew that was coming.”

“What?! Doesn’t he look like a Roger?”

Frank nodded and joined us on the couch, Roger bounding from my lap to his and back again, before curling up in a ball and falling asleep; I gave Frank a smile as he put his arm around my shoulder and settling into the couch; turning on the TV.

---

Several months had passed by and Roger was as playful as ever, running around the house and causing terror ever minute he wasn’t curled up sleeping by Frank or myself. I had immersed myself in my writing and was working on a novel; Frank had been writing songs and playing in a few bands here and there, with the band he was currently in seeming like a good fit for him. We still went to the stables two or three time a week to ride Spartan, and I must say Frank was coming along really well, attempting to run the barrels a few times, and taking quite a few tumbles off of Spartan too.

Our life was filled with late nights that turned into early mornings, going to bars and clubs so Frank could perform and simply loving each other. I was always enchanted when Frank played, it was like he gave everything he had every show; I knew if he pursued this much longer he was going to catch his break and find the right band to play with.

I was sitting on the balcony home alone, smoking a cigarette and drinking straight from a bottle of wine, trying to think up ideas for my next chapter; it was late maybe around eleven or so and Frank had still not come home, or bothered to call. I tried not to be worried but got the better of myself and kept checking the clock wondering when he was going to walk through the door. Frank normally called or let me know when he was going to be out late, drinking at one of his buddies houses or jamming out in the garage; so for him not to call was strange.

I looked over at Roger sleeping on the couch and let out a sigh, standing up and wandering into the kitchen to put the now empty bottle under the sink; I walked back into the living room and looked around for something to do and found nothing that perked my interest. I finally settled on watching ‘The Blair Witch Project’ and curled up next to Roger, throwing a blanket over us as the movie began.

I woke up to the sound of a key in the lock and assuming Frank was home I sat up on the couch, rubbing sleep from my eyes and disturbing Roger making him jump off the couch and settle on the love-seat, glaring at me before closing his eyes.

I looked over at the clock that read 5:19 am; what the hell was he doing out so late? I could hear him in the hallway taking his shoes off before stumbling into the living room; I looked up at him and immediately noticed something was off, something was very off.

“Hi.”

He whispered; his voice sounded strange and he was sweating profusely, white as a ghost.

“You’re home pretty late, and you didn’t call.”

He wiped the perspiration from his face, and shifted from foot to foot.

“I stayed late at the garage. Sorry."

I studied his face; he looked completely fucked up to say the least. We stayed silent for what seemed like forever, until I mustered up the courage and broke it.

“Are you high Frank? And do not fucking lie to me.”

My voice rising in volume; his head snapped in my direction and I saw rage flash in his eyes.

“Seriously? I can’t go hang out with my friends and have a few drinks? We smoked a few joints I’ll admit, but you’re not so squeaky clean yourself. Let it go Nicole.”

I was speechless, never once had he ever talked to me like that, he always treated me with love and respect.

“What has gotten into you Frank?”

“Nothing for the second time! For fuck sakes Nicole, I am entitled to have a little fun without you once in a while you know.”

“Don’t talk to me like that!”

I spat with venom leeching from my voice, he started to retaliate, but stopped before words reached his lips.

“You’re scaring me Frank.”

That was the last thing I had to say, and it was completely honest.

“Fine, point taken Nicole, I’m going to bed.”

And with that he left the room walking down the hallways and slamming the bedroom door behind him.

I sat in disbelief for a minute before letting myself cry into my hands. I didn’t know what to think, I mean Frank and I had gotten high off weed together numerous time before, but if what he was saying was the truth it must have been laced with something else. Unless he wasn’t telling the truth and had done some other drug behind my back; maybe we smoked too many cigarettes, drank too much liquor and indulged in pot a little too often, but we were always careful and didn’t fuck around with anything else.

I was determined to talk with him more later on in the day, when he was sober off of whatever he was trippin’ on. I dried my tears and smoked a cigarette before getting up off the couch and turning off the lights in the living room, moving on to the kitchen and going past the front door noticing Frank had left it unlocked; I shook my head and flipped the lock over, annoyed with that he had done and how the night had panned out.

I continued down the hallway to the bathroom, washing my face and brushing my teeth, before stripping off my jeans and throwing them into the laundry basket.

I looked at myself in the mirror for a few minutes, going over everything in my mind, like how he had looked at me through glazed eyes that shone with anger, and how he was so sweaty and pasty he looked extremely ill.

I wiped away a stray tear, and tried to push everything out of my mind, exiting the bathroom and walking down the hallway to our room; I grasped the door knob, not turning it just yet and placed my ear to the door. I could hear Frank snoring softly behind the wood, and breathed a sigh of relief, turning the handle.

It rotated halfway and then wouldn’t budge, I tried it several more times before letting the realization sink in: he had locked me out of our room.

I stood by the door letting my tears run freely down my face, my hand still on the door knob. I felt Roger rub up against my leg, and then sit at my feet looking up at me in the dark.

I don’t know how long I stood by the door, clutching the handle and silently crying, but when I finally moved down the hall and into the living room, the sun was coming up over the tops of the houses.

I sat on the couch and chain smoked, letting the tears pour from my eyes with Roger sitting in my lap, cuddled up against me; one though running through my mind.
What had happened to Frank last night?

Notes

Here is chapter thirteen! Now the story really begins and I am so excited for what is coming next!
Rate + Review!

Helena.