Carry On

After being in the hospital for a week, I was happy as ever to be home. I was happier yet that Frank was no longer angry with me. What I’d never imagined, though, was that he wanted me in the same way I wanted him. I recalled the day’s earlier events.
Frankie had kissed me. He didn’t kiss me once, but several times. I was in a daze every time he was near me. Never in my life had I kissed a guy. I had never kissed anyone, really. I was waiting for Mikey to arrive at the hospital to pick me up this morning. I hadn’t expected Frank to be with him, but when I saw him running toward me, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.
He apologized over and over, but I had forgiven him the night we fought. As we stood there, looking into each other’s eyes, he pulled me tighter into his embrace. I felt as though I was floating away when he pressed his lips to mine. I wasn’t expecting the kiss at first, but I soon became comfortable and the kiss became more passionate.
Our kiss fell short because of our realization that Mikey was being forced to watch us.
Mikey was so awkward. He was staring at the ground with his hand behind his neck. Frank was red with embarrassment. I had tried to hold back, but I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.
By now, we were in the car with the windows down, taking in the autumn air. Mikey had me call Ray and Matt over to play D&D with us. When we arrived at the house, they were already waiting on our front steps. Frank had never played D&D before, so I was in charge of teaching him the rules.
Once he was caught up on the basics, we chose our roles. Mikey was the game master, and the rest of us carefully decided our positions. We were only about five minutes into our game when Frank leaned forward, gripping his chest.
“What’s the matter, Frankie?” I asked, worried for my newfound love.
“I have run a lot lately,” he explained. “And the doctor specifically told me not to.”
He paused frequently between words, as though it hurt him to speak. I knew it was my fault. It was my fault Frank had been running around so much. It was my fault he was hurt now. Our game was cut short as Frank’s condition grew worse. We decided that taking him to the hospital would be the best thing to do.
I’d just left the ominous energy of that hospital. Not even a day had gone by and we were back again. When we arrived at the hospital, Frank was placed in a wheel chair so that he wouldn’t have to exert any more energy than he absolutely required. Mikey and I seemed to have been waiting in the waiting room for what seemed like forever. Matt had gone home when we were on the way to the hospital, and Ray had some obligations to attend to and had to leave early. I sat in the chair, with pale hands and shaking fingers as Mikey paced the waiting room.
After hours had passed, a nurse invited us into a private room to speak to Frank’s doctor. The doctor smiled nervously as we entered and ushered us into the chairs opposite his at the desk in the center of the room. I mentally prepared myself for the worst.
“Mr. Iero…Frank…” the doctor began, hesitantly. “He…has a lung carcinoid tumor. It causes his lungs not to function properly. The tumor has grown considerably since I last saw him, and we are very positive that Frank has developed lung cancer.”
“No,” I said in disbelief. “I’ve never even seen him smoke.”
“He doesn’t have to. Lung cancer can be caused by exposure to secondhand smoke, as well as asbestos and radiation. He could have contracted the disease in any of those ways.”
I felt my face grow hot as I processed the news. This couldn’t be happening, Frank couldn’t be sick…
I felt Mikey’s arm wrap around my shoulder. His touch comforted me, but I began to cry. The doctor apologized for the news and led us back to the waiting room.
“Frank will be with you in a moment. He will have to return to the hospital in two days, and we will be starting him on chemo.”
I nodded, adjusting to the news. It felt almost unreal.
A few minutes later, Frank was wheeled into the waiting room, a joyful smile spread across his face. I was confused. How could he seem so happy when there was so much to dread?
“Let’s go home, Gee. I wanna talk to you alone.”
We left the hospital and returned home. I wheeled Frank into my room and carried him into my bed. It seemed like forever that we lay there silently. Frank’s eyes seemed so joyful, as well as the smile on his face. All the while, I was breaking down, overcome by depression.
Frank grabbed my hand, examining it before sliding his fingers in between mine.
“Don’t be sad, Gee. I’m not going anywhere. I’m sick, but I’m not dying. Not yet. I’ve got so much left to live for. I’m not ready to go. And something…something tells me I won’t be leaving any time soon.”
As he spoke, he leaned into me, pulling me by the collar of my shirt down to meet his perfect lips. After what seemed like an endless kiss, our lips parted. Frank trailed his fingers down my chest and back up again. I felt breathless in his embrace. As we drifted off to sleep, I wrapped my arms around his tiny body and held him against me. I felt his chest rise and fall as he slept, and eventually, I was calm enough to sleep too.
My body had calmed but my mind was still screaming.
Please don’t go. I haven’t even gotten the chance to know you, to love you.
Please don’t go. I need you…

Notes

Sorry for taking so long, and I'm sorry the chapter was depressing. :/